Effect of Different Levels of Water Stress on the Growth and Yield of Mango (Mangifera indica L.) by Using Drip Irrigation Technology

Abstract

The present study was undertaken to see the effect of different levels of irrigation treatments on the growth and yield of mango on a sandy-loamy clay soil, by using drip irrigation technique having flow rate of drippers 4 liters per hour (LPH). The data obtained revealed that maximum plant height (443.63 cm), number of flowers (558.60), number of fruits per tree (987.00), fruit length (20.07 cm), and fruit yield (64.28 kg/plant) were recorded in T₅ (twice application of water for 62.5 minutes). However, the maximum plant girth (77.90 cm) and fruit weight (140.18 gm) was found in T₆ (twice application of water for 75 minutes) respectively. The treatment T₁ showed poor results for all the parameters which indicate that too low or high irrigation application per day through drip irrigation system may negatively affect the vigorous growth and yield parameters of mango. Results suggests that the twice application of water comprised of (62.5 minutes) longer duration by using 4 drippers (flow rate 16 LPH) for the mango trees, were found appropriate for best possible growth and yield of mango.