Response of chilli to water and nitrogen under drip and check-basin methods of irrigation

The effects of drip fertigation (100, 75 anti 50% of recommended N. 180 kg ha(-1)) and check-basin irrigation at 180 kg N ha.] for chilli in respect o f yield. water saving and water use efficiency (WUE) were studied on loamy sand soil. The highest yield (2.94 Mg ha(-1)) was recorded under drip ferti gation at 180 kg N ha(-1). However, conventional irrigation with 180 kg N h a(-1) gave equivalent yield (1.94 Mg ha(-1)) to drip fertigation at 90 kg N ha(-1) (2.06 Mg ha(-1)). Two year study revealed that drip fertigation at 180 kg N ha(-1) provided 40% saving in water and 52% higher yield over chec k-basin method of irrigation. The WUE was the highest in drip fertigation a t 180 kp N ha(-1) (5.17 kg ha(-1) mm(-1)), followed by drip fertigation at 135 kg N ha(-1) (4.90 kg ha(-1) mm(-1)).