86 Papaya
Micro irrigation is one of the latest innovations for applying water and it repre-
sents a definite advancement in irrigation technology. It can be defined as a frequent
application of small quantity of water directly, above or below the soil surface; usu-
ally as discrete drops, continuous drops, tiny streams or as miniature sprays through
mechanical devices called emitters or applicators, located at selected points along
the water delivery line. Types of micro irrigation systems include surface drip, sub-
surface drip, spray irrigation and bubbler irrigation. The surface drip includes both
online drip system and integral drip line system. The irrigation schedule is fixed
on the basis of soil type and weather conditions of the region (Saran et al. 2013a).
In papaya, the increase in yield with the adoption of drip varied from 30 to 75%
over surface methods of irrigation. On the basis of three years of trials, it is sug-
gested to adopt drip irrigation (Figure 7.1c) with mulching in papaya (Pusa Dwarf)
with 54.24% increase in the yield in comparison to the traditional system of irriga-
tion without mulching (Saran et al. 2013a). Drip irrigation with 8 L water/plant/day
coupled with plastic mulching led to increased fruit yield (83.3 fruits/tree compared
to 74.6 fruits/tree in control) and size (1.8–3.2 kg compared to 1.3–2.4 kg in control).
The study revealed that drip irrigation at 60% volume of available soil moisture
(ASM) or water content at field capacity with black plastic mulch of 25 μm thickness
resulted in higher yield (1264 q/ha) and yield attributing characters as compared to
other treatments. The net seasonal income obtained was Rs. 251,962/−. The B/C ratio
was found to be the highest (1:9.7) under drip irrigation with 60% volume of water
and plastic mulch (Chaterlan et al. 2012). Application of irrigation water through drip
system in papaya (cv. Red Lady) is economical and cost-effective over the conven-
tional (basin) irrigation method (Figure 7.1d). Earthen up the papaya plants which
FIGURE 7.1 Protection of seedlings from frost under ridge system (a), ridge and furrow
system (b), drip irrigation (from anubhavagro.tradeindia.com) (c), and conventional method
in papaya (d).