ABSTRACT
This chapter assesses the maximum yield potential of rabi sorghum under drip irrigation and to test the promising varieties of rabi sorghum which responds better to irrigation. The crop coefficient curves for rabi sorghum were developed by following the guidelines of FAO-56 and the ETc was estimated using reference crop evapotranspiration and crop coefficient. The daily pan evaporation data collected from the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) observatory located near the experimental field was used. Under the situations of non-availability of soil moisture during dry spell in semi-arid regions of the country, drip irrigation can prove be beneficial even for close growing crops due to its multifarious advantages. On the basis of cost economics worked out for the present system, drip irrigation is proved to economically feasible for rabi sorghum with better water saving as compared to conventional surface irrigation system.
