Abdul Khader, K.B.Havanagi, G.V.2014-06-052014-06-052007-02-08J.Plantn.Crops 1991 Suppl. v-18 p-139-146http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/2432Mulching reduced the consumptive use of water during dry months with increase in yield. Optimum water requirement and frequency of irrigation were worked out based on evapotranspiration and open pan evaporation rates. Irrigation at IW/CPE ratio of 1 to a cumulative pan evaporation of 30 mm gave maximum yield followed by irrigating at the same ratio to a cumulative pan evaporation of 60mm. Both organic mulch and polythene cover were equally effective; but the latter is prohibitively expensive for wider adoption.enArticle