Abstract

Field experiments were conducted at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore during summer 2002 and summer 2003 to study the influence of irrigation methods and mulching on root characters, water saving and yield of summer cotton MCU 12. The results of the experiment revealed that paired row furrow and all furrow method of irrigation and polythene sheet mulching influenced significantly on root spread and root dry weight during both the seasons. Water saving of 43, 43 and 42 percent through paired row furrow, alternate row furrow and skip furrow method of irrigation respectively than all furrow method of irrigation respectively in first crop and the same was 35, 32 and 29 per cent in second crop season. Paired row furrow method of irrigation enhanced the seed cotton yield by 5 and 11 per cent in summer 2002 and summer 2003 respectively over all furrow method of irrigation. Polythene sheet mulching had a yield advantage of 42, 35 and 57 per cent over no mulching, composted coirpith mulching and sugarcane trash mulching in summer 2002 and 56, 36 and 51 per cent in summer 2003 respectively

Keywords: irrigation methods, root length, root spread, root dry weight, water saving, yield and summer cotton.