Effect of Straw Mulching on In-situ Moisture Conservation, Productivity and Profitability of Rainfed Soybean on Farmer’s Field

Abstract

Soybean is a major kharif crop grown in Marathwada region of Maharashtra under rainfed condition and is being a preferred crop by the marginal and small rainfed farmers. Though, most of the part of the region is comes under assured rainfall zone but it suffers from occurrence of frequent dryspells. The region receives mean annual rainfall of 880 mm. Rainfall in uncertain and erratic in this region. The productivity of soybean particularly in Marathwada region is uncertain due Occurrence of 3 to 4 dryspells in July to September. The crop productivity decreases with either deficiency of rainfall or its distribution or due to moisture stress in critical growth period due to dryspells occurred in July and August. Thus, to conserve the rainwater and to reduce soil evaporation, straw mulching in inter row space was advocated to farmers to avoid moisture stress and to cope with dryspells. The research demonstrations were conducted on farmer’s field for 3 year since 2019-20 to 2021-22. Results indicated that straw mulch was found effective in in-situ moisture conservation. It was observed that soybean productivity was increased by 21.77 per cent due to application of straw mulch. Similarly, GMR and NMR was increased by 22.25% and 30.84% respectively, due to application of straw mulch. Straw mulch was found effective in additional 22% moisture conservation and found effective in avoiding moisture stress particularly during dryspell period.