A field experiment was carried out during rabi 2003-04 at Main Agricultural Research Station, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad to study the effect of irrigation schedules and mulches on yield, soil temperature, water use studies and economic of sunflower on medium deep black clayey soil of Northern Transitional Tract of Karnataka. The experiment was laid out in split plot design with three replications. The treatments comprised of four irrigation schedules (0.4, 0.6, 0.8 IW/CPE ratios and critical stages) as main plots and three mulching (control, maize straw mulch and polythene mulch) as sub plots. The results indicated significantly higher seed yield (1938 kg/ha) in 0.8 IW/CPE ratio irrigation schedules as compared to 0.4, 0.6 IW/CPE ratios and critical stages. The significantly higher seed yield (1868 kg/ha) was recorded in mulch with polythene over rest of the treatments. The interaction effect between irrigation schedules and mulches was significant with respect to yield. The significantly higher seed yield of sunflower (2230 kg/ha) was recorded in 0.8 IW/CPE ratio with polythene mulch. The highest soil temperature at the both the depths (5 and 10 cm) was recorded in mulch with polythene over rest of the treatments. The seasonal consumptive use of water were higher (316.0 mm) in 0.8 IW/CPE with polythene mulch. Highest WUE of 8.19 kg per ha mm was recorded in irrigation schedule at critical stages. The soil moisture extraction was highest in the top layers irrespective of irrigation treatments and decreased with increasing depth of soil (35, 24, 20 and 16% in 0-15, 15-30, 30-45 and 45-60 cm depth, respectively). The maximum gross returns and net returns were also high (Rs. 40140 and 29129/ha) in treatment combination of 0.8 IW/CPE with polythene mulch. However, higher B:C ratio was recorded in 0.8 IW/CPE with no mulch. Scheduling irrigation at 0.8 IW/CPE ratio with polythene mulch can be recommended for Northern Transitional Tract of Karnataka during post rainy season.

clay soils, cost benefit analysis, crop yield, economicanalysis, irrigation scheduling, maize, maize straw, mulches, mulching,plant water relations, polyethylene, returns, soil temperature, soiltypes, soil water content, straw, sunflowers, water use efficiency,India, Karnataka, Helianthus annuus, Zea mays, Helianthus, Asteraceae,Asterales, dicotyledons, angiosperms, Spermatophyta, plants, eukaryotes,South Asia, Asia, Developing Countries, Commonwealth of Nations, India,Zea, Poaceae, Cyperales, monocotyledons, corn, mulching materials,Mysore, polythene, Agricultural Economics (EE110), Natural ResourceEconomics (EE115) (New March 2000), Input Utilization (Microeconomics)(EE145), Field Crops (FF005) (New March 2000), Plant Water Relations(FF062), Plant Production (FF100), Soil Physics (JJ300), Soil WaterManagement (Irrigation and Drainage) (JJ800) (Revised June 2002)[formerly Soil Water Management], Soil Management (JJ900)

• Journal Article

• Crop Water Use
• Cropping Systems
• Irrigation Management