Response of cotton to rice residue mulching, irrigation regimes and land configuration in northwest India

Abstract

A five year field study was conducted during 2010–14 to investigate the combined effects of residue mulching, irrigation and land configuration on Bt cotton yield and water productivity (WP) in texturally variable soils. The treatments included three irrigation levels viz., I1, I2 and I3 based on net cumulative pan evaporation in main and combinations of two mulching (0 and 6 t ha−1 rice straw) and two land configurations (flat-sowing, and bedsowing in paired rows) treatments in sub plots. Seed cotton yield was significantly greater on sandy loam than on loamy sand. Residue mulching improved seed cotton yield by 35% on sandy loam and 52% on loamy sand. Cotton response to irrigation regimes was significant up to I2 as compared to I1 during 2010 and 2011 on loamy sand soil. In sandy loam soil during 2013, seed cotton yield increased up to I1 while during 2014, it was observed up to I2 irrigation regime. Interaction effects showed that mulching along with I3 irrigation yielded more than I1 without mulch. Bed-furrow configuration and mulching achieved higher WP in both soils during all the cropping seasons. Beneficial effects of mulching and bed-furrow planting on seed cotton yield, WP and irrigation saving are attributed to its effect on moderation of soil temperature, reduction in soil water evaporation, mechanical impedance and weed infestation.