ABSTRACT
The present investigation evaluated the effects of PLA roll planter on growth, yield, and water productivity of cauliflower under drip irrigation. Drip fertigation with roll planter gave significantly increased plant height during 20 days after planting to harvest stage (50.70 cm) due to moderate drainage and better aeration because of knitted fabrics. Therefore, the balance between water and air for the root zone was well maintained. It promoted good, healthy growth of plants. It was followed by roll planter with hand irrigation (50.40 cm). Farmer’s method of cultivation recorded the lowest plant height at all stages. This treatment gave 56% more leaf area index compared to farmers’ method of cultivation. Drip fertigation with roll planter recorded 60.29% increase in yield compared farmers’ method due to an optimum number of leaves and more photosynthetic activities that enhanced dry matter accumulation and better mobilization of plant nutrients during later stages of plant growth thus resulting in increased cauliflower yield attributes. Drip fertigation with roll planter and drip fertigation with native soil and roll planter with hand irrigation showed less water consumption (300 to 340 mm) and higher water productivity (0.04 kg/m3 in 80 m2 area) compared with farmer’s method (500mm & 0.01 kg/m3).
