Effect of drip irrigation on yield, nutrient uptake and of bush pepper (Piper nigrum) intercropped in coconut garden

Abstract

An investigation on effect of different drip irrigation levels on growth, yield, nutrient uptake and dry matter partitioning of bush pepper grown in coconut garden was carried out. Six drip irrigation schedules were compared with daily pot Irrigation at the rate of 10 l per plant (control). The treatment consists seven, drip irrigation 2 liters per day (October-May), drip irrigation 4 liters per day (October-May), drip irrigation 8 liters per day (October-May) ,drip irrigation 12 liters per day (October-May), drip irrigation 16 liters per day (OctoberMay), drip irrigation 16 liters per day (October-March) and control. Among the treatments highest yield was recorded by the treatment drip irrigation 8 liters per day (October-May). The total yield and dry matter production was lesser at lower levels of drip irrigation. Dry weight of stem, leaves and total dry matter production were higher for the treatments drip 8, 12, 16 l/plant from October-May compared to pot irrigation. Uptake of nutrients were significantly influenced by drip irrigation levels and maximum uptake was recorded by the treatment drip irrigation 8 I/ day followed by the treatment I6 l drlp (October-May).