Irrigation Scheduling for Higher Water Use Efficiency in Oilseeds and Pulses

摘要

Oilseeds and pulse crops though are dominantly confined to rainfed agriculture sltuations constitute an integral and important component of hte Indian Agriculture. India is faced with endemic shortage in these vital food. Role of irrigation in boosting up o fthe production an dstabilizing the productivity through irrigation seems a "priory". In the irrigated area, growing summer pulse (mungbean) and oilseeds (sunflower/sesamum) offers good scope and irrigation schedules have been brought out for high yield realisation. While growing of fertiliser responsive high yielding varieties of rapeseed and mustard and extensionof area under Gohi Sarson (Brassica napus L.) could be good option for Rabi. Ensuring ponded water supplemental irrigation however, seems the only viable strategy for groundnut and Kharif pulse grain. Adoption of such strategy could go a long way in bosting up the productivity and stabilization of production particularly in the rainfed farming areas. Need for creating in-situ water reservoirs to store the excess rain water to provide supplemental/oife saving irrigation is particularly emphasized for achieving self-sufficiency in these crops.