Effect of micro irrigation on growth, yield and water-use efficiency of onion (Allium cepa) under western Maharashtra conditions

An experiment was conducted at Rajgurunagar, Pune during 2000-03 to study the feasibility of micro irrigation on growth, yield and yield-contributing characters of onion (Allium cepa L.) under western Maharashtra conditions. Both drip and micro sprinkler irrigation systems improved growth (66.9 cm), yield (39.6 tonnes/ha) and yield-contributing parameters of onion. Among the different irrigation methods and levels tested, the drip irrigation at 100% pan evaporation recorded the highest marketable bulb yield 39.6 tonnes/ha onion, followed by 33.9 tonnes/ha micro sprinkler irrigation at 100% pan evaporation. There was a saving of irrigation water of 37.8% in drip and 32.5% in sprinkler system under best treatment compared with the surface irrigation scheduled at 50 mm cumulative pan evaporation with 7 cm depth.