Fertigation Through Low Cost Drip System in Newly Planted Pomegranate: a Water and Fertilizers Saving Technology for Fruit Crops

Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) is one of the favorite table fruit of tropical, subtropical, arid and semi-arid regions. Irrigation and fertilizers are the most important inputs which directly affect the plant growth, development, yield and quality of produce. Application of irrigation water and fertilizers through drip are the most effective ways of supplying water and nutrients to the plant roots. In newly planted pomegranate under high density planting system, 100 per cent RDF markedly enhanced vegetative growth, however, physico-chemical characteristics were significantly higher with application of 125 per cent RDF. Similarly, drip irrigation at alternate day significantly increased vegetative and physico-chemical characteristics. Based on statistical analysis of relative growth rate of shoots, plant spread, plant height, leaf area, light interception below canopy, carbon assimilation rate, leaf nitrogen and leaf potassium it is interred that the treatment combination comprising 100 per cent recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF) and drip irrigation at alternate day (I1F1) resulted in encouraging trends.