Synergistic Approach: Enhancing Lime Plant Growth and Development through Integrated Pitcher Irrigation and Jute Agro Textile Management in Entisol Soil

Abstract

Citrus fruits, particularly acid lime (Citrus aurantifolia swingle.), are of significant agricultural importance due to their high vitamin C and acetic acid content. This study investigates the impact of water conservation techniques on lime production, with a focus on plant phenological development. Conducted at the Jaguli Instructional Farm (BCKV) from June 2019 to May 2022, the experiment evaluated the effects of pitcher irrigation combined with varying jute agro textile strengths (800, 500, 200 GSM) and pitcher exhaustion levels (25%, 50%, 75%, and full exhaustion). Lime seedlings were transplanted, and jute agro textiles were applied post- planting, with unglazed 10-liter pitchers buried in 36 sq.m plots arranged in a two-factor strip plot design with three replications. Key phenological parameters, including plant height, fruit weight, yield, storage life, and ascorbic acid content, were monitored alongside correlation analyses of variables. The combination of 500 GSM jute textile with 25% pitcher exhaustion significantly enhanced plant growth, yield quality, and phenological development. This treatment also showed the highest benefit-cost ratio, suggesting its suitability for sustainable lime cultivation in water-scarce environments while optimizing plant productivity.