IRRIGATION SCHEDULING STRATEGIES FOR HIGH-YIELD, WATER- EFFICIENT ON TOMATO PRODUCTION UNDER DRIP IRRIGATION IN WESTERN UTTAR PRADESH, INDIARam Kumar, Rajat Mishra, Ramesh Pal, Prabhu1, P.V. Singh and P.K. SinghAbstract Drip irrigation is a highly efficient technology widely adopted in row crop agriculture, particularly in regions with limited freshwater resources. This controlled distribution minimizes the surface flow of water and percolation, enhancing insect pest management and salinity control. This study was carried out in the College of Agriculture Sciences and Engineering, IFTM University, Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh (India). The treatments of the study embraced different pairs of five drip irrigation levels T1 (1 hr in one-day intervals), T2 (2 hrs in two days intervals), T3 (3 hrs in three days intervals), T4 (4 hrs in four days intervals) and T5 (Furrow irrigation, i.e. Control). The result highest values, i.e. plant height, growth, yield, Water use efficiency (WUE), benefit-cost ratio (B:C ratio) and economically in (T2), while in lowest values in (T5). The highest net return (189048 Rs/ha) was recorded in T2, while lowest in T5 (144765 Rs/ha), however the gross return was recorded to be the highest (291698 Rs/ha) in this treatment T2 and lowest in T5 (229765 Rs/ha). The benefit-cost ratio (BCR) values were recorded at higher levels of drip irrigation of T2 (4.28) and lowest T5 (3.79). The conclusion, drip irrigation, when combined with proper soil moisture management, significantly influences tomato growth, yield, and water use efficiency. This technology offers a promising solution for optimizing tomato production, conserving water resources, and enhancing profitability, particularly in regions facing water scarcity challenges. |