<div>Background: Okra is an important vegetable crop in India, Method of fertilization also plays an important role in supplying the nutrient to the plants because, the efficacy of fertilizers applied in soil being low due to various losses and fixation, mainly in area of problematic soil. Water and fertilizers are the two important inputs which are used scientifically and judiciously through precision farming technologies to increase productivity, profitability and nutrient use efficiency in okra seed yield and quality.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: The experiments were conducted during kharif 2016 and kharif 2017 to study the effect of precision farming technologies including fertigation and black polythene mulching to know the crop growth, yield, quality of seeds and root studies in okra seeds var. Arka Anamika and at ICAR-IIHR Hesaraghatta, Bengaluru. The experiment was laid out in RBD with three replication and four treatments each with mulch and&nbsp;on mulch&nbsp;viz., 100:50:75 N:P2O5:K2O kg ha-1 100:50:100&nbsp; N:P2O5:K2O kg ha-1&nbsp;T3-150:75:112.5 N:P2O5:K2O kg ha-1 T4- 150:75:150 N:P2O5:K2O kg ha-1 compared with soil application treatments. &nbsp; 
 
Result: Application of water soluble fertilizer @ T4-150:75:150 NPK kg/ha through fertigation either mulch (14.05q/ha) or non mulch (11.83q/ha) recorded significantly higher seed yield than fertilizer through soil application (9.92 q/ha).Similarly significantly higher value of Absolute Growth Rate (AGR) Crop Growth Rate (CGR) and root character were observed in the NPK fertigation treatment with or without mulch than the soil application of fertilizers (NPK soil application @ 100:50:100kg per ha (T9) and NPK soil application @ 150:75:150kg per ha (T10). Significantly higher root parameter tap root length (21.03cm), average length of primary roots (64.63cm), number of primary roots (10.83 nos), fibrous roots arising from main stem (26 nos) and root dry weight (23.07 g/plant) were recorded in the T4-150:75:150 NPK kg ha-1 through fertigation (WSF) with mulch than the fertigation without mulch and fertilizer applied through soil.</div>

<div>Effect of Fertigation and Mulching on Root Studies and Crop Growth Indices for Seed Production in Okra [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench]</div>

<div>Background: Benthic macro invertebrates have a sedentary and long life span, sensitive community response to organic loading, thermal impacts, substrate alteration and toxic pollution. They are regarded as the most informative bio indicators of water pollution. Macro invertebrates and water quality are interrelated to each other, as macro invertebrates are a potential indicator of water quality and therefore have been most frequently used in biomonitoring studies. 
 
Methods: The study area is the tailrace of Dikhow River, a 65 km. a southern tributary of the mighty river Brahmaputra. The stretch was demarcated into five sectors longitudinally. The study was done for a period of two years during which sampling collection was done using sampling methods. Appropriate sized net was used to sample macroinvertebrates. Identification was done using standard identification keys. Pollution tolerance of the species was measured using standard protocols. Using tolerance values, family biotic Indices were measured by Hilsenhoff standard protocols. 
 
Result: Number of pollution sensitive macroinvertebrates were found to be minimum in almost all stations indicating the level of pollution in the stations. Macroinvertebrates with higher tolerance levels were recorded in maximum numbercompared with the standard values to assess the water quality. A total of thirteen (13) species (Rhynchobdellasp, Physellasp, Soletelinasp, Gammarussp, Fenneropeneussp, Isotomussp, Caeniussp, Gomphussp, Lethocerussp, Hydrophylussp, Chaobarussp, Chironomussp) have been recorded during the study period. Among them the species with high pollution tolerance values were recorded in higher number during the study. While compared the family biotic indices as recorded from the stations with the standard data, then station I and station III have been found to&nbsp; be significant organic pollution and other three stations were found to be Fairly significant organic pollution.</div>

A Study of River Water Quality using Macroinvertebrates as Bio Indicator: A Case Study

<div>Background: Among the different production factors, irrigation and nutrient management are of immense importance in Pigeon pea cultivation. Drip irrigation can be considered as an efficient irrigation system to maintain optimum moisture content in the root zone. Split application of fertilizers at appropriate stages of crop growth ensure a regular flow of both water and nutrients resulting in &nbsp;increased growth rate and higher yield. Fertigation proposed as a means to increase efficient use of water and fertilizer to increase yield and sustained irrigated agriculture. The current study aims to study the efficacy of split application of N, P and K on growth, water and nutrient use efficiency, productivity and profitability of Pigeon pea. 
 
Methods: The field experiment was conducted at Department of Agronomy Farm, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola during three consecutive kharif season of 2016-17, 2017-18 and 2018-19. The experiment was laid out in randomised block design with four replications and eight treatments with an objective to study the efficacy of split application of nutrients on growth, water and nutrient use efficiency, productivity and profitability of Pigeon pea.&nbsp; 
 
Result: The results revealed that, all the growth parameters, yield attributes and grain yield of Pigeon pea were substantially enhanced by drip fertigation levels at 125:100:100 per cent recommended NPK than lower fertigation levels (75 and 100%) and over conventional soil application of recommended dose of NPK kg ha-1. Drip fertigation at 125:100:100 per cent recommended dose of NPK ha-1 recorded higher pigeon-pea pooled grain yield of 4053 kg ha-1. The maximum GMR (Rs.226807 ha-1), NMR (Rs.176604 ha-1), B:C ratio (4.52) and highest economic efficiency of Rs.883 day-1 ha-1.&nbsp;</div>

<div>Response of Split Application of Nutrients through Fertigation in Pigeonpea</div>

<div>Background: Pigeonpea an indeterminate pulse crop with profuse branching responds well to both irrigation and fertilizer. Erratic rainfall distribution pattern exposes this crop to dry spell during its vegetative stage and terminal drought at reproductive stage and the poor crop nutrition further results in to low yield. Under such circumstances it is very difficult to sustain the yield of pigeonpea. Agronomic practices like precise and timely application of drip irrigation along with judicious use of nutrients play a vital role to boost the yield of any crop. Thus the attempts were made to explore the yield potential of pigeonpea under drip irrigation and fertigation management.&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 
Methods: The present study was conducted at the experimental farm of AICRP on Irrigation Water Management, VNMKV, Parbhani (MS) during kharif 2018 and 2019. The experiment was laid out in split plot design with main plots comprising of four drip irrigation levels viz. 0.6, 0.8, 1.0 ETc (crop evapotranspiration) and conventional method and sub plots were allotted to four fertigation levels viz. control (no fertilizer), 80% RDF, 100% RDF (25: 50: 25 NPK kg ha-1) and 120% RDF. 
 
Result: Drip irrigation at 0.8 ETc recorded higher seed yield, harvest index, water use efficiency, nutrient use efficiency and net returns of pigeonpea followed by 1.0 ETc except in case of water use efficiency. As regards to fertigation studies, higher values of seed yield, harvest index and water use efficiency were recorded with drip fertigation @ 25:50:25 NPK kg ha-1 closely followed by 20:40:20 NPK kg ha-1. However higher nutrient use efficiency and net returns were obtained in drip fertigation @ 20:40:20 NPK kg ha-1.&nbsp;</div>

Yield Enhancement of Pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.] through Drip Irrigation and Fertigation Management

<div>Background: Papaya (Carica papaya L.) belonging to Caricaceae family has long been recognized as a wonder fruit of the tropics and grown predominantly for its delicious taste and extraction of its digestive constituent papain. As vegetative growth and flowering is simultaneous in this crop, supply of requisite amount of nutrients is necessary during the active growth period, which is possible through fertigation. Knowledge on correct dose of fertilizers to be provided through fertigation is very crucial. 
 
Methods: A field experiment was conducted during the period 2018-2020 at Instructional Farm, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram to investigate the response of fertigation and foliar spray on yield and fruit quality of papaya variety Surya. The experiment was laid out in randomised block design with combination of four fertigation doses of 75%, 100%, 125% and 150% RDF of N and K and three foliar sprays (1% 19:19:19, 0.5% ZnSO4+0.3% borax and water spray) which where compared with soil application of recommended dose of NPK (control 1) and soil application of NPK plant-1 year-1 based on soil test data as organic manures as combination of FYM, poultry manure and vermicompost in the ratio of 2:1:1 (control 2). 
 
Result: The findings of the study revealed that application of 100% RD of N and K through fertigation at weekly interval from one MAP to 20 MAP and foliar sprays of 0.5% ZnSO4 and 0.3% borax at 4th, 8th, 12th and 16th MAP (T5) along with basal application of 850 g rock phosphate and 15 kg FYM improved the yield and fruit quality parameters and can be recommended for commercial papaya cultivation.</div>

Response of Fertigation and Foliar Sprays on Yield and Fruit Quality of Papaya Variety Surya

Background: Cotton, a perennial crop, can greatly benefit from pruning, which assists in rejuvenating aged plants and enhancing yields comparable to those of the primary crop. However, research on pruning (ratooning) cotton remains limited. In this study, we investigated the effects of pruning and drip fertigation on yield and yield characteristics of ELS cotton CO14.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: The study was conducted in a farmer&#39;s field in Nallur village, Bhavanisagar block, Erode district, Tamil Nadu, India, using a split-plot design replicated thrice. Main plots received fertigation treatments (M1-75% NPK, M2-100% NPK, M3-125% NPK, M4-STCR), while subplots were designated for different pruning techniques (S1-15 cm, S2-30 cm, S3-45 cm). 
 
Result: Findings showed that drip fertigation with M3-125% NPK resulted in highest plant height (109.35 and 113.06), LAI (4.06 and 4.02), higher counts of sympodial branches plant-1 (19.73 and14.46), squares plant-1 (128.00 and108.27), bolls plant-1 (59.44 and 45.98), boll setting percentage (46.66 and 42.51), yield (28.56 and 19.34 q/ha) and HI (0.46 and 0.43) in main crop and pruned crop. Concerning pruning techniques, cotton pruned at S3-45 cm height exhibited significantly greater counts of sympodial branches plant-1 (13.76), squares plant-1 (103.44), flowers plant-1 (16.66), bolls plant-1 (36.88), boll setting percentage (35.35), yield (16.87 q/ha) and HI (0.40). Interaction analysis between main and subplot treatments revealed that 125% fertigation with 45 cm pruning height led to significantly higher counts of sympodial branches plant-1 (15.60) and flowers plant-1 (18.58). Thus, it is recommended to implement fertigation at 125% NPK+pruning at a 45 cm cut height to attain superior yields and yield characteristics.

Optimizing Growth and Yield of Cotton: Exploring Pruning and Drip Fertigation Techniques on ELS Cotton CO14

<div>Background: French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is an important and widely grown leguminous vegetable. The area under this crop in protected cultivation is increasing due to its high yield and remunerative price. There is scanty of information on pacing and nutrients for fertigation under protected cultivation. Hence the experiment was carried out to determine the effect of spacing and fertigation on growth and yield parameters in French bean under naturally ventilated polyhouse during Kharif 2018 at Zonal Agricultural and Horticultural Research Station, Navile, Shivamogga. 
 
Methods: The experiment was laid out in split plot design with three replications. There were 18 treatment combinations comprised of three different spacing treatments and six fertigation treatments.&nbsp; 
 
Result: Among all the treatments significantly highest number of primary branches (8.70) and secondary branches (8.50) at 45 days after sowing (DAS), number of pods plant-1 (220.20), pod length (20.66 cm), pod girth (2.95 cm) and pod weight (17.69g) were recorded in the treatment combination with 60 &times; 75cm with 44:70:53 kg ha-1 + mulching + micronutrient spray. The least number of primary branches (4.27), secondary branches (4.50), number of pods plant-1 (160.33), pod length (15.61cm), pod girth (1.75 cm) and pod weight (13.88g) were observed in the treatment combination with 60 &times; 45 cm spacing with 33:52.5:39.75 kg of N:P:K kg ha-1. The higher plant height at 45 DAS (480.50 cm) and yield (13.06 t) for 1000 m-2 was found in treatment combination 60 &times; 45cm with 44:70:53 kg ha-1 + mulching + micronutrient spray (S3T4). It was concluded from the study that, the closer spacing (60 &times; 45cm) with the combination of 44:70:53 kg ha-1&nbsp;(N:P:K), mulching and micronutrient spray resulted in higher pod yield (13.06 t) 1000m-2.</div>

<div>Effect of Spacing and Fertigation on Growth and Yield Parameters of French Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) under Protected Cultivation</div>

<div style="text-align: justify;">An experiment was carried out to study the impact of drip fertigation in tomato crop at RCA, MPUAT, Udaipur during rabi season 2015-16 in split plot designed with three irrigation schedules [100 (I1), 75 (I2) and 50% PE (I3) through drip] and five fertilization schedules [100% RDF (F1), 75% RDF (F2), 75% RDF + 2 foliar spray of 1% urea phosphate (F3), 50% RDF (F4), 50% RDF + 2 foliar spray of 1% urea phosphate (F5)]. Higher number of nodes per plant (21.20 and 19.89) and yield (169.03 and 186.38 q/ha) were registered with treatments receiving drip irrigation at 75% PE and 75% RDF through fertigation + 2 foliar spray of 1% urea phosphate, respectively. Quality characteristics were enhanced with combined use of I2F3 treatment. The highest water use efficiency i.e. 26.37 ka/ha-cm was recorded under I3F3 treatment and fertilizer use efficiency with I2F5 treatment combination (165.78, 254.31 and 381.46 kg/kg NPK, respectively).&nbsp;</div>

Yield, quality, nutrient and water use efficiency of tomato as affected by different fertigation rates through drip irrigation system

Background: Food security is a growing global concern as increasing population and consumption drive higher food and water demand. Efficient use of water and fertilizers is crucial to ensure sustainable food production, given the low fertilizer use efficiency worldwide. Drip irrigation emerges as a highly effective method for addressing these challenges, as it enhances crop yields while using less water and reducing tillage costs. Additionally, this practice minimizes fertilizer application and significantly improves fertilizer use efficiency, supporting both productivity and sustainability. 
 
Methods: A field trial was conducted on clay soils of Advanced Post Graduate Centre, Lam, Guntur to study the effect of different nitrogen fertigation levels at different stages of maize on yield, total water use, water saving and water saving impact and water productivity of maize during rabi 2019-20. The experiment was laid out in RBD with twelve treatments and replicated thrice. The test hybrid used in the present experiment was Pioneer 3396. 
 
Result: The results revealed that kernel and stover yield were significantly superior with the application of 100 % RDN through fertigation. The highest water use was observed in the treatment that received 100 % RDN through soil application under surface irrigation. Water saving impact i.e., the amount of yield loss per unit of water saved was more under the treatment that received 50% fertigation up to 75 DAS and it was followed by the treatment that received 50% fertigation up to 60 DAS. The water productivity recorded under the treatment fertigated with 100% RDN up to 90 DAS was significantly the highest when compared with that of surface irrigation and other treatments. 
&nbsp;

Yield, Water Productivity and Economics of Rabi Maize as Influenced by Different Nitrogen Fertigation Levels

An experiment was conducted to compare the effect of conventional fertilisers and water soluble fertilisers at varying frequency interval of application on nutrient uptake of hybrid okra [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench]. The experiment was laid out in a Randomised block design with two control involving ten treatments in a factorial way and was replicated thrice. The plot receiving daily fertigation of water soluble fertilisers (S1F1) had recorded the highest fruit N, P and K uptake (53.66, 9.19 and 30.14 kg ha-1 of N, P and K respectively) followed by daily fertigation of conventional fertilisers (51.45, 8.85 and 29.40 kg ha-1 of N, P and K respectively). However they were found to be at par. The plant uptake of N, P and K was also found to be higher in the treatment receiving water soluble fertilisers on daily basis (21.94, 5.29 and 15.21 kg ha-1 of N, P and K respectively). Daily fertigation of conventional fertilisers (20.82, 5.04 and 14.66 kg ha-1 of N, P and K respectively) was the next best treatment and it was not found to differ significantly from S1F1. The lowest post harvest available N, P and K recorded in plots receiving daily fertigation using water soluble fertilisers (47.27, 30.18 and 340.67 kg ha-1 of N, P and K respectively) was &nbsp;found comparable to daily fertigation of conventional fertilisers (48.08, 30.75 and 341.67 kg ha-1 of N, P and K respectively). The maximum post harvest available soil N, P and K was recorded in control wherein the entire recommended fertilisers were applied in soil.