Performance of irrigation and fertigation levels on growth and yield potential of chia (Salvia hispanica L.) under drip system in western zone of Tamil Nadu

The field trial was conducted at the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, farm unit during the Rabi and Kharif seasons in 2022 and 2023, respectively. The objective was to evaluate the influence of various fertigation on the productivity of chia. The trial followed a randomized block design (RBD) consisted twelve treatments, duplicated thrice. The outcomes indicated that various irrigation and nutrient management practices substantially impacted chia performance. Plant height, branch counts, leaf area, dry matter production and yield variables (spikes count) were consistently greater in drip fertigation @ 75 % pan evaporation until 30 days after sowing + 100 % pan evaporation until 60 days after sowing + 125 % pan evaporation until 90 days after sowing with 125 % RDF (25 % as normal fertilizer + 75 % as water soluble fertilizer). In both research years (Rabi 2022 and Kharif 2023), the identical treatment resulted in a considerably greater seed yield of 842 and 772 kg ha-1 and biological yield of 3518 and 3159 kg ha-1, respectively. However, when comparing the mean values of the two years, there was a notable reduction in the performance of chia in the second year. The changes detected were dose-dependent and supplement of drip fertigation @ 75 % pan evaporation until 30 days after sowing + 100 % pan evaporation until 60 days after sowing + 125 % pan evaporation until 90 days after sowing with 125 % RDF (25 % as normal fertilizer + 75 % as water soluble fertilizer) concluded better in the crop development and higher potential of yield, gross and net return in chia during both the season. On contrary returns per rupee invested (B: C ratio) was found superior in surface irrigation with soil application of 100 % RDF (T13) in both the season.