Effect of rate of organic mulch on soil moisture conservation

Abstract

Proper utilization of water is essential particularly in arid and semi-arid areas. Mulching is an application of any plant residues or other materials for covering top soil surface for conserving soil moisture, reducing the runoff and thereby to control soil erosion, checking weed growth, improving soil temperature, modifying the micro environment of soil to meet the needs of seeds for their good germination and better growth of seedlings. This study was conducted in the field located in South Pangabri area near Rain-out shelter of Pusa Farm Samastipur, Bihar located in North Bihar, India. The RBD (Randomized Block Design) was considered for design of experiment. It investigated the effects of rate of organic mulches (Sugarcane leaf & Paddy straw) on soil moisture conservation and on initial growth of Maize crop with different treatments T1 (No mulch), T2 (Paddy straw @ 3 t/ha), T3 (Paddy straw @ 6 t/ha), T4 (Paddy straw @ 9 t/ha), T5 (Sugarcane leaf @5 t/ha), T6 (Sugarcane leaf @10 t/ha), T7 (Sugarcane leaf @15 t/ha). The observations on soil moisture contents were taken from each treatment, replication-wise on alternate-day basis for four weeks period. The soil moisture content was determined by using oven drying method. Amongst different treatments, T6 is found most effective to conserve the highest level of moisture content in soil. The level of moisture conservation in this treatment (T6) was found to the tune of about 20.17% (dry basis).