Evaluating the Effect of Plastic Mulching and Irrigation Amount on Soil Moisture Distribution

Abstract

In India, the irrigated area comprises about 36% of the net sown area. Currently, the agricultural sector accounts for about 83% of all water uses. Drip irrigation system uniformity can maintain a higher crop yield and reduce the initial investment of cost. The study was conducted at precision farming development centre research farm, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, to evaluating the effect of plastic mulching and irrigation amount on soil moisture distribution. Two types of black plastic mulch of different thickness and one control without mulch were selected for the study M1: 25 micron thickness Black Plastic mulch, M2: 50 micron thickness Black Plastic mulch, and M3: No mulch (Control). Three levels of fertigation were adopted, namely 80%, 100% and 120% of Recommended Dose of Nitrogen (N), Phosphorous (P) and Potassium (K) and are denoted as F1, F2 and F3. The Coefficient of Variation (CV) was attained as 0.0308% kept at a constant pressure of 52 kPa, Statistical Uniformity (SU) as 97% and Uniformity coefficient as 0.97. As the elapsed time increased, the rate of increase of wetted diameter decreased. A high Coefficient of Determination (R2) value of 0.97 indicates the goodness of fit for the horizontal movement. The average soil moisture distribution 40% was noticed below the emitter at the depth of 10 cm immediately after irrigation.