ESTIMATION OF WATER USE EFFICIENCY IN ROOFTOP GARDENING

Abstract

Over population , less arable land , shortage of water and availability of fresh vegetables has become a problem in India particularly in urban areas. The aims of this study is " more crop per drop" which means to get maximum irrigation water use efficiency with utilizing minimum amount of water. Roof top gardening practice is necessary in urban areas to become sustainable and to decrease dependability on the supply of freshly grown plants with maximum yield and limited water. A field experiment was conducted on Three cabbage Sets (A,B and C) .Each set having 3 wooden containers with two cabbage plants in each container. Plants were subjected to different amount of water in accordance with a defined ratio of daily evaporation .The ratios were 0.5 Eo .1 ETo , 1.5Eo for 3 sets A, B and C respectively. The experiment was designed as three replications with three treatments .Cabbage was harvested after 4 months ,after which growth yield parameters and water use efficiency were estimated. It was found that total plant height of Set C was more then the other two sets whereas the head height , head weight and total plant weight of set B were more . Average Head density of set C was more and that of set B was least. Average Irrigation water use efficiency of set B was highest and that of set C was lowest.