Economic feasibility of drip irrigation and nitrogen fertigation in hybrid cotton

摘要

Field investigation were carried out at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, during winter (August, 1998-February, 1999) and summer (February-August, 1999) seasons to evaulatc the economic feasibility of drip irrigation and nitrogen fertigation in hybrid cotton (TCHB 213). The results revealed that drip irrigation recorded significantly higher seed cotton yield in both the seasons. The economic analysis shows that the net income obtained under 100 per cent drip irrigation system was higherthan that of furrow irrigation. Drip irrigation system registered lower benefit-cost ratio because of higher investment cost of drip unit. However, a net extra income ranging from Rs. 3853 to 20165 ha~(-1) could be obtained by adopting drip irrigation system as against furrow irrigation. The net profit per unit quantity of water and nitrogen applied were also higher with drip irrigation and fertigation respectively. The pay back period for 100, 75 and 50 per cent drip irrigation regimes were 1.60, 1.64and 1.71 years for winter crop and 2.38, 2.61 and 2.88 years for summer crop respectively. Thus, though drip irrigation and fertigation indicates the economic feasibility for higher productivity and sustainable hybrid cotton production.