Cost Reduction Economical Drip Layout for Enhancing Productivity, Profitability and Soil Fertility in Maize and Cotton under Semi-arid Condition

Background: Single economical cost reducing drip lay out for major annual crops with paired row geometry is an alternate solution to overcome constraints faced by the farmers and increase the income. Further to achieve high crop production and sustainable agricultural development, it is necessary to compare the effects of different dripline spacings and fertilization rates on maize and seed cotton yield. Methods: A field experiment was carried out at Agricultural Engineering College and Research Institute, Tiruchirappalli to evaluate the suitability of single economical drip layout and to optimize the fertilizer level in modified geometries as well as to assess the impact of geometries in water and productivity of maize and cotton. Result: The results revealed that, the economics was in favor with 1.20 m lateral spacing and application of 100% recommended N and K through drip fertigation and P as soil application (L2F2) having higher gross return, net return and BCR in maize and cotton. 1.2 m spacing between two laterals with 4Iph emitter at 0.6 m interval with recommended dose of 100% N and K trough fertigation and P as soil application is recommended to achieve higher productivity and monetary return form cotton and maize.