Application of Film Hole Irrigation on Borders for Water Saving and Sunflower Production

Film hole irrigation is relatively reported efficient irrigation technique amongst the others by Chinese's researchers. Film hole irrigation refers to bordered field completely covered with plastic sheet having holes of equal sizes through which seedlings come out. Field experiments were conducted at Postgraduate Agriculture Research Station to check its effectiveness and performance in terms of advance rate on sunflower crop for various sized borders having Fine Sandy Loam soil. Tube well irrigation water was applied with an average discharge of 21 l/s and field data were collected from each plot during 1st, 2nd and 3rd irrigations. Results of the study revealed that advance time taken during film hole method in completing the advance phase was comparatively less as compared with the conventional irrigation. Water saving of 37-45% was observed by film hole irrigation, and the yield of sunflower crop was 23-30% higher as compared with conventional irrigation. The field management issues were also discussed and addressed properly.