Growth and Yield Response of Pea (Pisum sativum L.) Crop to Classical and Regulated Deficit Irrigation along with Nitrogen Fertilization under Drip Irrigation

Abstract

Background: The conventional methods of applying water and nutrient results lot of wastage and negatively affect the soil, environment and crop response of pea. Methods: The experiments were conducted at Lovely Professional University, Punjab during two years. The five drip irrigated treatments having full irrigation, classical deficit irrigation and regulated deficit irrigation in combination same level of nitrogen fetigation @90% recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN) were taken in 4 replications. One control plot (having flood irrigation with soil application of nitrogen @100% RDN through broadcasting) was taken for comparison. Result: Plant growth, yield contributing parameters, pod yield and water use efficiency (WUE) were significantly affected by drip irrigation in combination with 90% RDN through fetigation over conventional method of irrigation and fertilizer application. Among all the drip irrigated treatments, the increment in crop yield, WUE and irrigation water saving varied from 27.6 to 65.7%, 63.6 to 99.7% and 26.1 to 44.6%, respectively over control plot. In case of same nitrogen fertigation level, the yield and water use efficiency of drip irrigated pea crop can be improved by adoption of moderate water deficit level (which is 15% less than full IWR) under regulated deficit irrigation approach over full irrigation approach. The findings of the work can be utilized by farm managers for irrigation planning and nitrogen management for pea crop and by policy makers to conserve available fresh water resources in water scares regions.