Fertigation facilitates banana cultivation at research institute

Scientists of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University - Agricultural Engineering College at Kumulur near Tiruchi showing the banana growth using drip irrigation.

Though the failure of monsoon has been influencing the growth and cultivation of a large number of agricultural produce, fertigation -- a combination of drip irrigation and application of fertilizers, being adopted at the Agricultural Engineering College and Research Institute of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University at Kumulur near here to irrigate banana crop, has started showing results.

The experiment is being done on ‘Elarasi’ banana variety, which is raised by a limited number of farmers in the district.

“We supply water and fertilizer through drip irrigation technique as and when required. The duration of supply is closely monitored so that not even a drop of excess water is used,” said K. Arunadevi, Assistant Professor, Soil and Water Conservation Engineering of the Institute.

Monitoring of the moisture content ensured the speedy and quality growth of plants. Further, the growth was found to be uniform in all the plants, she added.

Normally, it involves labour-intensive care throughout its duration for about a year. The growth of the banana plants, raised about a couple of months ago, has been quite normal. Water should not be used excessively but banana farmers tend to use a huge quantum of water, particularly in the ‘Elarasi’ fields. The experiment aims to drive home the point that limited use of water can yield better result.

Advantages

The limited supply of irrigation water has ensured not only economy in water but avoided leaching of nutrients and problems caused by weeds. Drip irrigation, through uniform and direct application of water at root zones, has eliminated the problem, he said.