Integrated Nutrient Management, Irrigation Scheduling and Moisture Conservation Effects on Water Use Efficiency of Garden Cress (Lepidium sativum)

Abstract

Garden cress (Lepidium sativum L.), a nutritious and medicinal herb widely cultivated in parts of India, is gaining importance due to its health benefits and increasing demand. However, its productivity and water use efficiency are influenced by appropriate nutrient management, irrigation scheduling, and moisture conservation practices, particularly under limited water resources. A field experiment was conducted during the Rabi seasons of 2015–16 and 2016–17 at the Soil Conservation and Water Management Farm of Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology (C.S.A.U.A&T), Kanpur, to evaluate the effects of irrigation scheduling, integrated nutrient management (INM), and moisture conservation practices on growth attributes, total water use, and water use efficiency (WUE) of garden cress (Lepidium sativum L.). The experiment was laid out in a split-plot design with three replications, comprising three irrigation schedules (irrigation at 35 DAS; 35 and 60 DAS; and 35 and 70 DAS), three INM treatments (100% nitrogen through fertilizer; 75% nitrogen through fertilizer + 25% nitrogen through FYM; and 75% nitrogen through fertilizer + 25% nitrogen through vermicompost + PSB), and three moisture conservation practices (control, organic residue mulch @ 4 t ha⁻¹, and weeding and hoeing + mulch @ 4 t ha⁻¹).The results revealed that irrigation scheduling, INM, and moisture conservation practices had non-significant effects on initial and final plant stand as well as weed density during both years. However, these treatments significantly influenced total water use and WUE. Irrigation at 35 and 60 DAS recorded the highest total water use, whereas irrigation at 35 and 70 DAS resulted in the highest WUE. Among INM treatments, application of 75% nitrogen through fertilizer combined with 25% nitrogen through vermicompost + PSB recorded the lowest water use and highest WUE. Moisture conservation practices significantly improved water productivity, with weeding and hoeing combined with organic residue mulch showing superior performance. Overall, integrated nutrient management along with efficient irrigation scheduling and mulching practices enhanced water use efficiency and sustainability of garden cress production.