Techno-economic feasibility of microirrigation in pineapple under the Gangetic alluvial plain of West Bengal

Abstract

A field investigation was conducted in the Gangetic alluvial plain of West Bengal for consecutive three years (2005-07, 2007-09, 2009-11) to assess the techno-economic feasibilities of micro-irrigation systems on yield, water use efficiency and economics of pineapple. The experiment consisted of eight irrigation treatments replicated thrice was laid out in a randomized block design. The results showed that maximum fruit yield of 56.86 t ha-1 was obtained with higher level of drip irrigation at 1.0 Eo (evaporation replenishment) and was superior to drip, micro-sprinkler and sub-surface irrigation at all levels. Surface irrigation was quite inferior in promoting yield, economics and water use efficiency. Drip irrigation at 0.6 Eo recorded the higher yield, maximum water use efficiency, water saving and benefit-cost ratio. Alternatively, micro-sprinkler irrigation at 0.6 Eo or, subsurface irrigation at 1.0 Eo could also be advantageous for obtaining higher fruit yield, water utilization and saving and economic benefit.