Effect of Drip Irrigation and Polythene Mulch on the Fruit Yield and Quality Parameters of Mango (Mangifera indica L.)

A field experiment was carried out at Horticultural Research Farm, Precision Farming Development Centre, Department of Horticulture, Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Raipur, Chhattisgarh during the year 2009- 2010 in Randomized Block Design with three replications and ten treatment combinations ( 100%, 80%, 60%, and 40% water through drip irrigation system with and without polythene mulch + Basin irrigation with and without mulch). Fruits characters, yield and yield attributing parameter were higher under drip irrigation with 0.6 V volume of water + polythene mulch (T8) and the same characters were lowest under control (Basin irrigation with V- volume of water). Application of black plastic mulch with drip irrigation system can conserve moisture, check the growth of weeds and improve the fruit yield and quality. Water use efficiency was higher under drip irrigation with 0.6 V volume of water + polythene mulch and low under basin irrigation with V volume of water. The net income and benefit cost ratio was also higher under the treatment T₈ as compared to surface method of irrigation.