Dust Mulch Research Articles

Response of Brinjal (Solanum melongena L. cv Boral.) to Different Organic and Synthetic Mulches

A field study was conducted to evaluate the effect of different mulch materials on growth, yield and different qualitative characters of brinjal (var Boral). Different mulches used during the study were black polyethylene mulch, yellow polyethylene mulch, transparent polyethylene mulch, mango leaf, paddy straw, saw dust and sun grass along with bare soil as the control. Different mulches generated higher soil temperature and moisture regimes over the control. The maximum increase in soil temperature at noon was observed under transparent polyethylene mulch by 3.750C. Black polyethylene was found most effective in conserving higher moisture level than control, followed by yellow and transparent mulch. Weed population was significantly suppressed under black polyethylene mulch. Days to 50% flowering followed by days to first harvest were recorded at 54.27 and 86.21 days after transplanting under black polyethylene mulch as compared to rest of the treatments. Plant height, number of primary branches per plant, number of leaves/plant, fruit yield and average fruit weight recorded higher values under black polyethylene mulches. Chlorophyll content was markedly increased for the same along with straw mulches. Paddy straw mulch improved the ascorbic acid content in brinjal followed by mango leaf mulch. Increased anthocyanin pigmentation in brinjal fruits were observed in saw dust mulch followed by black polyethylene mulch.

Weed smothering efficiency of mulching types on groundnut (Arachis hypogea L.) productivity in the dry savanna region of Nigeria

In order to increase groundnut productivity, a field experiment was carried out in the dry season of 2020 to assess the effectiveness of various mulching materials at suppressing weeds. The experimental treatments comprised of five mulching types; Control (no mulch), transparent polythene mulch, black polythene mulch, rice straw mulch and saw dust mulch) and three groundnut varieties (SAMNUT 23, SAMNUT 24 and SAMNUT 26). These were factorially combined and laid out in a Randomized complete block design with three replications. Findings revealed that mulching had a significant (p < 0.05) impact on crop qualities including canopy cover, chlorophyll content, pod yield, 100 kernel weight, and groundnut kernel yield as well as weed attributes like weed cover scores, weed density, weed dry weight, and weed control efficiency in both BUK and Wasai, respectively. The weed compositions were further grouped into various families comprising Poaceae (11), Euphorbiaceae (3), Amaranthaceae (4), Asteraceae (3), Cyperaceae (2), Cucurbitaceae, and Aizoaceae, each having one species with a different level of occurrence across the two locations. On the other hand, SAMNUT 26 significantly produced higher pod (2798 & 2119) and kernel yields (1198 & 1191), although SAMNUT 23 produced a heavier 100 kernel weight (55.51 & 54.52) at BUK and Wasai, respectively. In comparison to the other mulching types, applying black polythene mulch or transparent mulch lowered weed density and dry weight by limiting the amount of sunlight that the weeds got, preventing them from growing. Therefore, for dry season production of groundnut in the Sudan savannah ecology of Nigeria, mulching with black or transparent polythene film using the SAMNUT 26 variety was found to be effective in conserving soil moisture for optimum crop growth and development, while on the other hand, weed populations were suppressed.

Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) growth and productivity under different sowing methods, mulching and foliar feeding of nutrients

The present experiment was conducted during rainy (kharif) seasons of 2020 and 2021 at College of Agriculture, Swami Keshwanand Rajasthan Agricultural University, Bikaner, Rajasthan to determine the effect of sowing technique, mulching, and NPK foliar fertilization on growth, yield, and yield attributes of pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] in arid circumstances. Experiment consisted of 3 sowing methods, viz. direct seed sowing (45 cm × 15 cm); 2-week-old seedling (60 cm × 22.5 cm); and 4-week-old seedling (60 cm × 22.5 cm) transplanting; and 3 mulches, viz. no mulch; dust mulch; and straw mulch assigned to main-plot and 2 levels of NPK foliar fertilization [control and NPK @1% foliar spray at 35 and 50 DAS (days after sowing)] assigned to sub-plot. Results showed that transplanting 4-week-old seedlings led to significantly higher plant height (170.1 cm), dry-matter accumulation (133.6 g), total and effective tillers (3.41 and 3.14), ear head length (24 cm), ear head girth (2.28 cm), weight of ear head (31.5 g), grains/ear (1964), weight of grains/ear (18.9 g), comparable to 2-week seedling transplanting. The grain yield (2396 kg/ha) and straw yield (6640 kg/ha) were significantly superior with 4-week-old seedlings over 2-week seedling by 8.2, 5.4% on pooled basis. Straw mulch exhibited superior most for growth and yield parameters, followed by dust mulch. Additionally, NPK @1% foliar spray at 35 and 50 DAS resulted in significantly higher plant height (170.5 cm), dry-matter accumulation (131.6 g), ear head length (23.7 cm), ear head girth (2.27 cm), weight of ear head (31.1 g), grains/ear (1921), weight of grains/ear (18.5 g), compared to the control. The grain yield (2303 kg/ha) and straw yield (6548 kg/ha) were significantly superior with NPK @1% by 9.5% and 11% over control. In conclusion, the combination of transplanting 4-week-old seedlings, straw mulch and NPK @1% foliar spray offering a potential solution for enhancing agricultural productivity in the region.

Agronomic management: irrigation scheduling, mulching and integrated nutrient management influences growth, yields, quality, and economics of summer groundnut in a subtropical condition of India

In changing climate scenarios, practically sound and suitable agronomic management options are of utmost need for sustainable crop production. An experiment involving three irrigation scheduling, two mulching, and four integrated nutrient management (INM) treatments was undertaken for consecutive two years at the Research Farm of the Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India in a split-split plot design with three replicates. This study evaluated the effect of irrigation scheduling, mulching, and INM on the performance of summer groundnut under sub-tropical conditions. Irrigation scheduling, mulching, and INM had a significant influence on growth and developmental parameters, yield attributes, yields, shelling (%), harvest index, quality parameters, and economics. Scheduling irrigation at lower cumulative pan evaporation (CPE) hugely benefited crops through increased pod yield (8.3%) haulm yield (5%), kernel yield (8.4%), oil yield (8.6%), and net returns (12.7%) over higher CPE (100 mm). The use of paddy straw mulch enhanced pod yield, haulm yield, kernel yield, oil yield, and net returns by 8.2, 3.6, 8.3, 9.0, and 13.2%, respectively as compared to dust mulch. Among INM, 75% RDN (recommended dose of nitrogen) + 25% N (FYM) + 60 kg S (gypsum) adjudged significantly better and recorded higher biological yield (16%), net returns (39%), and B:C ratio (16.2%) than 100% RDN. It is concluded that scheduling irrigation at 60 mm CPE along with paddy straw mulch and 75% RDN + 25% N (FYM) + 60 kg S (gypsum) can be adopted for better yield and economics of summer groundnut under sub-tropical conditions.

Effect of Mulching on Plant Growth, Yield and Quality of French Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cv. ArkaKomal

An experiment on the “Effect of mulching on plant growth, yield and quality of French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cv. Arkakomal” was conducted during November 2021 to January 2022, in Central Horticulture Research Farm, Naini Agricultural Institute, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj (U.P) India. The results of the present investigation, regarding that cultivation of French bean with different mulching material found as the best option for higher productivity whereas the treatment with Saw dust mulch that is Treatment T6 showed the best results in terms of Days to seed germination (8.6 DAS), Plant height at 30DAS (14.8 cm), 60 DAS (2.6.6 cm), 90 DAS (32.0 cm), Number of branches plant-1 at 30 DAS (4.9), 60 DAS (9.0), 90DAS (10.3), Days to first flowering (35.7 DAS), Days to 50% Flowering (41.9 DAS), Days to first picking (55.5 DAS), Leaf Length (8.8 cm), Leaf breadth (6.6 cm), Number of pods plant-1 (21.1), Pod weight (13.5 g), Pod length (15.7 cm), Pod diameter (1.8 cm), Pod yield plant-1 (857 g), Pod yield ha-1 (5.7 t), Number of seeds pod-1 (8.2), TSS (6.2 OBrix). Hence the Treatment 6 (Saw dust mulch) was best suited for the farmers in terms of growth, yield, quality and net returns.

Effect of Moisture Conservation Practices on Nutrient Concentration, Uptake and Quality of Pearlmillet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br. emend Stuntz] Hybrids

A field experiment was conducted under loamy sand soil during two consecutive kharif seasons of 2018and 2019 at Agronomy farm, S.K.N. College of Agriculture, Jobner, Jaipur to find out the best moistureconservation practices on nutrient concentration, uptake and quality of pearl millet[Pennisetum glaucum(L.) R. Br. emend Stuntz] hybrids. Hybrids viz., RHB-173, RHB-177, MPMH-17 and HHB-67 in main plotsand moisture conservation practices viz., control, dust mulch, straw mulch, plastic mulch and seed linemulching of FYM in sub plots were tested using split plot design replicated four. Results showed thatnitrogen, phosphorus and potassium concentration in grain and stover and protein content did not differsignificantly due to pearlmillet hybrids but hybrid RHB-173 recorded significantly higher total nitrogen,phosphorus and potassium uptake as compared to MPMH-17 and HHB-67, remained at par with RHB-177during both the years of study and in pool analysis. Results further indicated that application of strawmulch recorded significantly higher nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium concentration in grain and stover,total uptake and protein content over control, dust mulch and seed line mulching of FYM and statisticallyat par with plastic mulch during both the years of experimentation.

Effect of Moisture Conservation Practices on Growth and Yield of Pearlmillet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br. emend Stuntz] Hybrids

Background: A field experiment was conducted under loamy sand soil during two consecutive kharif seasons of 2018 and 2019 at Agronomy farm, S.K.N. College of Agriculture, Jobner, Jaipur to find out the best moisture conservation practices on growth and yield of pearlmillet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br. emend Stuntz] hybrids. Methods: Hybrids viz., RHB-173, RHB-177, MPMH-17 and HHB-67 in main plots and moisture conservation practices viz., control, dust mulch, straw mulch, plastic mulch and seed line mulching of FYM in sub plots were tested using split plot design replicated four. Result: The results further indicated that hybrid RHB-173 being at par with RHB-177 significantly higher plant height, dry matter accumulation, yield attributes, grain yield (2097 kg/ha), stover yield (5500 kg/ha) and biological yield (7597 kg/ha) over MPMH-17 and HHB-67. Result showed that application of plastic mulch recorded significantly increased the plant height, dry matter accumulation, yield attributes, grain yield (2145 kg/ha), stover yield (5620 kg/ha) and biological yield (7764 kg/ha) compared to other moisture conservation practices in both the years of experimentation as well as on pooled basis.

Effect of Moisture Conservation Practices on different Growth Indices and Chlorophyll content of Pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br. emend Stuntz] Hybrids

A field experiment was conducted under loamy sand soil during two consecutive kharif seasons of 2018 and 2019 at Agronomy farm, Sri Karan Narendra College of Agriculture, Jobner, Jaipur to find out the best moisture conservation practices on different Phenological parameters of pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br. emend Stuntz] hybrids. Hybrids viz., RHB-173, RHB-177, MPMH-17 and HHB-67 in main plots and moisture conservation practices viz., control, dust mulch, straw mulch, plastic mulch and seed line mulching of FYM in sub plots were tested using split plot design replicated four. RHB-173 attained significantly higher net assimilation rate, crop growth rate and relative growth rate at all stages over RHB177, MPMH-17 and HHB-67. Hybrid HHB-67 observed higher leaf area ratio which was at par with hybrid MPMH-17 and significantly higher over RHB-173 and RHB-177 during both the years and in pooled data. Result showed that application of plastic mulch remained at par with straw mulch and significantly higher the leaf area index, leaf area duration, net assimilation rate, relative growth rate, crop growth and leaf area ratio at all stages and chlorophyll content of leaves at 40 DAS of pearl millet over control, dust mulch and seed line mulching of FYM but remained statistically at par with straw mulch during both the years and in pooled analysis.

Effect of Different Mulching Materials on the Growth and Yield of Green Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in Nfonta the Western Highlands of Cameroon

Mulching is a common technique used across the world by farmers to especially conserve soil moisture in vegetable production but farmers in Nfonta and the entire western highlands of Cameroon have not practiced the uses of mulching. In this experiment, a randomized complete block designe with 5 treatments and 3 replications was set up to study the effect of elephant grass, saw dust and white plastic as mulching materials on the growth and yield of green bean (Phaseolusvulgaris L.) in Nfonta. Data was collected on plant height; number of leaves per plants, leaf area index and yield of mature pods per plant. Data was analyzed using one way ANOVA from stat graphics centurion xv and means were separation using the Fischer least significant difference (LSD) test at 95% confidence interval. Results showed white plastic, and elephant grass mulches to have significantly (P<0.05) affected the growth and yield of green bean. White plastic mulched plants exhibited the highest growth parameters and subsequently produced the highest yield of 12.00 mature pods per plant with average pod length of 11.97cm and average mature pod weight of 4.22g compared to the other mulch treatments. There were no significant (P>0.05) differences in yield of green bean grown with no mulch (control), saw dust mulch and corn stalk mulch. Corn stalk mulched bean plants produced the lowest yield of 7.83 mature pods per plant with average pod length of 9.17cm and an average mature pod weight of 2.83 which was not much different from that produced by the control. These results call for more investigations to the potentials of white plastic as best mulch material for achieving optimum green beans yield in Nfonta and the entire western highlands of Cameroon.

Bio-economic production potentiality of Solanum lycopersicum under smart agroforestry practice

Food security and maximum land use system are the priorities of crop production technique in the present global food growing environment. The tomato-Albizia lebbck agroforestry is an effective smart production approach. The aim of this research is to find out the appropriate combination of organic mulch leads the tomato Albizia lebbck agroforestry production as compared to sole cropping technique for growth, yield, and quality that brings health hygiene for fresh and cooked consumption. The experiment was laid out following two factors split plot design with three (3) replications. Tomato in open field (T0) and tomato under Albizia lebbeck woodlot agroforestry system (T1) were arranged in main plots. Conversely, the usage of organic mulches was set in sub-plots viz. M0= No mulch, M1= Ash mulch, M2= Saw dust mulch, and M3= Water hyacinth mulch. The results indicated the highest yield (32.65 t/ha) was found in water hyacinth mulch (M3) and the lowest yield (21.37 t/ha) was detected in M0 without mulch (control). The treatment M3 (water hyacinth mulch) gave the maximum sugar-acid ratio (12.04%) and minimum sugar-acid ratio (9.42%) was found in control (no mulch). Furthermore, the result showed the production potentiality was the highest yield (29.41 t ha-1) was found in tomato- Albizia lebbeck agroforestry (T1) and the lowest yield (25.95 t ha-1) was recorded in sole cropping of tomato (T0). The maximum sugar-acid ratio (11.37%) was found in tomato- Albizia lebbeck agroforestry (T1) and the minimum sugar-acid ratio (10.31%) was found in sole cropping of tomato (T0). On the other, the combined effect tomato- Albizia lebbeck agroforestry with water hyacinth mulch gave the highest yield (35.01 while, the lowest yield (22.47 t ha-1) was observed in sole cropping of tomato without mulch. The research finding also revealed the maximum benefit-cost ratio (4.94) was found from the tomato- Albizia lebbeck agroforestry which was 20 % higher than tomato was grown in sole cropping. Finally, the tomato- Albizia lebbeck agroforestry production in association with organic hyacinth mulch can be an effective production approach for maximum return in terms of yield, quality and money.

Efficacy of Mulching Materials on Growth Performance and Yield Characters of Summer Squash (Cucurbita pepo cv Shlesha 1214) in Mahottari, Nepal

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of mulching materials on growth performance, and yield characters of summer squash under water constraint condition during February to May 2020 in Mahottari district, Nepal. Shlesha 1214 variety of summer squash was used and the experiment was laid in single factor Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with 4 replications in an area of about 600 m2. Four different mulching materials black plastic mulch, silver on black plastic mulch, rice straw mulch and sawdust mulch were used as treatments, un-mulched plot serving as control. The effect of mulching materials on growth parameters was found to be statistically significant. Plant height, number of leaves per plant and leaf petiole length were the highest in silver plastic mulch. Effect of mulches on days to opening of first male flower had non-significant effect but had the significant effect on days to opening of first female flower, total number of male and female flowers per plant, Sex ratio, Fruit length, Number of fruits per plant, total number of pickings and the yield. Highest yield (72.16 Mt/ha) was recorded with silver plastic mulch and lowest (46.73 Mt/ha) was recorded with saw dust mulch. Highest B:C (3.46) ratio was obtained from silver plastic mulch and the lowest (1.98) being at saw dust mulch. The use of plastic mulch (plasticulture) mainly silver on black plastic mulch is a better tool for promoting vegetable production in the research area.

Effect of Moisture Conservation Practices and Zinc Fertilization on Nutrient Status and Quality of Pearlmillet Pennisetum glaucum (L.) under Rainfed Condition

Background: Pearlmillet growing areas in country are mostly confined to coarse texture soil suffering from the problem of poor moisture retention capacity, low soil fertility and zinc deficiency. The main problem of rainfed area is uncertainty and uneven distribution of rainfall and loss of water through runoff which lead to low and unstable productivity due to moisture stress at critical stage of crop growth. At present, widespread and acute deficiency of zinc is another serious problem in arid and semi-arid region. Hence, the current study aim to find out suitable moisture conservation practices and zinc fertilization to mitigate the water stress and zinc deficiency under rainfed condition. Methods: A study on “Effect of moisture conservation practices and zinc fertilization on nutrient status and quality of pearlmillet” was conducted at Agronomy farm, S.K.N. College of Agriculture, Jobner (Rajasthan) during kharif, 2017. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design (RBD) with 20 treatments and replicated thrice. The experiment consisted of five moisture conservation practices i.e. control, dust mulch, pusa hydrogel, stover mulch and pusa hydrogel + stover mulch and four zinc fertilization practices i.e. control, 2 kg Zn/ha, 4 kg Zn/ha and 6 kg Zn/ha. Result: The perusal of data clearly indicated that among moisture conservation practices, stover mulch proved significantly superior to control, dust mulch, pusa hydrogel with respect to higher in N, P, K and Zn content, their total uptake and protein content in pearlmillet but it was at par with pusa hydrogel + stover mulch. Under zinc fertilization treatments direct application of 6.0 and 4.0 kg Zn/ha being at par with each other and recorded significantly higher in nutrient content, protein content and total uptake of N, Zn and K over control.

Response of kharif maize under different mulching and integrated nutrient management practices in eastern region of Uttar Pradesh

A field experiment was conducted in a split-plot design during the kharif seasons of 2017 at Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, to evaluate the relative performance of different mulching, viz. M1:control (no mulch), M2:dust mulch and M3:rice straw mulch and integrated nutrient management include S1:100% RDF, S2:75% RDF + 25% N through poultry manure, S3: 100% RDF + 25% N through poultry manure, S4: 75% RDF + 25% N through FYM and S5: 100% RDF + 25% N through FYM on growth and yield kharif maize (Zea maize L.). The recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) for rice was 120, 60 and 60 kg ha-1 of N, P2O5 and K2O respectively. Various growth parameters and yield of maize showed significant variation under different mulching and integrated nutrient management practices. Among the mulching treatments, dust mulch significantly recorded number of leafs, plant height (cm), leaf area index at 75 DAS, chlorophyll content at 75 DAS (spad value), grain yield (q ha-1) and stover yield (q ha-1) of maize over control (no mulch) and it were at par with the rice straw mulch, respectively. Applications of integrated nutrient management practices were positively correlated with various growth parameters and yield of kharif maize. Among the integrated nutrient management, application of S3: 100% RDF + 25% N through poultry manure recorded significantly highest number of leafs, plant height (cm), leaf area index at 75 DAS, chlorophyll content at 75 DAS (spad value), grain yield (q ha-1) and stover yield (q ha-1) as compared to S2:75% RDF + 25% N through poultry manure, S4: 75% RDF + 25% N through FYM and S5:100% RDF and it were at par with S5: 100% RDF + 25% N through FYM, respectively

Effect of Different Herbicides, Plant Extracts and Mulches on Yield and Yield Components of Maize

ABSTRACT: To examine the effect of pre emergence herbicides, plant extracts and mulches on yield and yield components of maize, a field experiment was carried out at New Developmental Farm, The University of Agriculture Peshawar-Pakistan during summer crop season 2016. Maize variety “Azam” was sown in Randomized Complete Block (RCB) design having four replications and ten treatments i.e. hand weeding, Dual Gold 960 EC (S-metolachlor 1 L ha-1), Stomp 330 EC (pendimethaline 2.5 L ha-1), atrazine 1.25 L ha-1, Eucalyptus camaldulensis L. extract (125 g L-1), Ammi visnaga L. extract (125 g L-1), black plastic mulch, wheat straw mulch, saw dust mulch and weedy check. The data revealed that hand weeding and herbicides significantly affected the weed density (m-2), weeds biomass (kg ha-1), plant height (cm), kernels weight (g), number of kernels ear-1, biological yield (kg ha-1) and grain yield (kg ha-1). All the significant parameters of crop were comparable among the hand weeding, atrazine, S-metolachlor and pendimethaline treated plots. However, atrazine and S-metolachlor proved to be the most economical herbicides giving maximum yield (4636.4 and 4562.8 kg ha-1), respectively. Among plant extracts, E. camaldulensis showed satisfactory results in suppressing weeds and enhancing yield of maize i.e. (3441.6 kg ha-1). Hence, the use of herbicides (atrazine and S-metolachlor) at the recommended rates and hand weeding is recommended for effective weed control and ultimately high yield of maize crop.

Effects of Coir Dust Mulch on Evapotranspiration of PH4 Maize in Coastal Region of Kenya

Although the Coastal region of Kenya is awash with abundance of moisture bearing South Easterly monsoons, (and therefore tropical rainfall) from the adjacent vast Indian Ocean, heat stress, high velocity wind regimes are major factors limiting crop productivity in the region. Occurrence of these abiotic factors tend to occasion cloud free conditions, high atmospheric demand and vapor pressure deficit that results in increased soil moisture deficit, which more often coincides with critical stages of maize growth resulting in poor maize yields. A 2x3 randomized complete block design experiment was set in 2007 and 2008 seasons at Pwani university farm using PH4 maize variety and coir dust mulch treatments at two levels, with and without mulch, to evaluate effects of coir dust mulch in ameliorating the effects of high temperatures and high velocity wind regimes on soil moisture status. The results showed that PH4 maize evapotranspired at an average rate of 157.5 mm and 151.3 mm per phasic growth stage in non-mulched and coir mulched maize crops, respectively during the relatively wetter season I; and by 156.3 mm and 151.0 mm in non-mulched and coir mulched maize crops, respectively during the relatively drier season II. Coir mulching reduced the average rates of water use per phasic growth stage by 3.9% and 3.4% during the relatively wetter and drier seasons I and II, respectively. The results showed that during the relatively wetter season I, between 534-549.6 mm of soil moisture had to be expended as basal evaporation before any tangible dry matter yields could be obtained, while during the relatively drier season, 167.7-190.1 mm had to be expended. This basal evaporation values represented 48.2% and 17.0% of long rain’s total precipitation during seasons’ I and II, respectively, indicating that much of the received precipitation was not effectively used for grain production, but mainly lost as non-productive component of seasonal evapotranspiration. The results also indicated coir mulching resulted in decreased seasonal evapotranspiration but significantly increased conserved 100 cm-profile soil moisture early in the season, when compared to non-mulched control treatments. This conserved moisture was available later in the season for increased dry matter and grain yields. Coir mulching increased WUE by 8.4%. The study showed that adoption of a simple agronomic practice of applying a 10 cm thick layer of coir dust mulch could increase maize productivity by 10.4% and help improve livelihoods of people in Coastal region.

Quantitative Behaviour of Guar (<i>Cymopsis tetragnolobus</i> L.) to Various Tillage Systems and Mulches and Soil Physical Properties

A field study was conducted to evaluate the effect of organic mulches and tillage practices on growth, yield of cluster bean and soil physical properties. Experiment was comprised of two factors: A (Tillage), B (Mulches). Factor A was assigned to main plot and consisted of two treatments (Minimum tillage and Conventional tillage). Factor B was assigned to sub plot and consisted of four treatments (no mulch, wheat straw mulch, grass clipping mulch and saw dust mulch). The mulching materials were partially incorporated in the field after germination of crop. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with split plot arrangement having three replications. Control treatment was kept for comparison. All other agronomic practices were kept standardized and consistent for all the treatments. Data regarding growth and yield components were collected and analyzed statistically by fisher analysis of variance and treatment significance was measured by significant difference test at 5% probability level. The factors, tillage and mulches significantly affected growth, yield, yield parameters and soil physical properties. Maximum plant population (31.7 m2), plant height (159 cm), branches per plant (18.9), cluster per plant (15.88), grains per pod (7.3), 1000-grain weight (34.6 g), grain yield (1.9 t•ha-1), biological yield (9.91 t•ha-1) and harvest index (19.15) was recorded in conventional tillage comparative to minimum tillage. Mulches also affected grain yield, and maximum grain yield was recorded in wheat straw mulch (1.88 t•ha-1) followed by grass clipping mulch (1.81 t•ha-1) and saw dust mulch (1.76 t•ha-1) while minimum grain yield was recorded in control without mulch application (1.67 t•ha-1). Tillage and mulches interactively affect pH, soil organic matter contents, electrical conductivity and soil bulk density. Mulches and minimum tillage improved soil physical properties. Highest BCR was obtained from conventional tillage without mulch and lowest calculated from minimum tillage with saw dust application. The conclusion is that the mulching and conventional tillage improves cluster bean yield about 1%.

Effect of Tillage and Organic Mulches on Growth, Yield and Quality of Autumn Planted Maize (Zea Mays L.) and Soil Physical Properties

Abstract The research work was conducted to see the effect of organic mulches and tillage practices on growth, yield and quality of autumn planted maize and soil physical properties. Four types of tillage practices i.e. conventional tillage, zero tillage, bar harrow tillage, subsoiler tillage and two types of mulching material i.e. wheat straw mulch and saw dust mulch was used. The mulching material was partially incorporated in the field after germination of crop. The experiment was carried out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Control treatment was kept for comparison. All other practices were kept uniform throughout the crop period. Data about growth and yield components were collected and analyzed statistically by fisher analysis of variance and treatment significance was measured by significant difference test at 5v% level. The results showed that zero tillage + wheat straw mulch gave maximum 1000-grain weight (341.67 g) and grain yield (6.33 t ha-1) and it was followed by conventional tillage + saw dust mulch (4.92 t ha-1). Higher protein content was recorded in Subsoiler tillage (10.26 %). Conducive soil physical conditions were observed in the zero tillage practices over the other tillage practices. On the basis of these results it could be proposed that the tillage and mulching is a very important practice to increase the yield of crop. Among different practices, zero tillage with wheat straw mulching gave maximum yield and net benefits.

Impact of Mulching on Soil Moisture, Plant Growth and Yield of Mauritius Pineapple (Ananas comosus. L. Merr)

The impact of mulching on soil moisture and pineapple ( Ananas comosus. L. Merr) growth and yield was studied from 2003-2005 at Makandura Research and Development Center. Soil moisture content at 30cm depth was significantly different among treatments at the harvesting stage. Highest soil moisture content of 10.9 at 30cm depth at harvesting was recorded in the coir dust mulch was not different from soil mulching (soil mounding), black polythene, and paddy husk treatments. There was no difference in moisture content at 15cm depth between all treatments at tested growth stages. Highest Dleaf length of 92.1cm recorded in the coir dust mulch treatment was not different from sawdust, paddy husk, black polyethylene, and soil mulching treatments in both seasons. The highest fruit yield of 24.3t/ha in the plant crop was recorded in the black polythene treatment. It was significantly higher than the poultry litter, coconut husk, paddy husk, and rice straw treatments. Similar trend in the yield was observed in the second season. Therefore, it can be concluded that the impact of coir dust, soil mulch (soil mounding), black polythene, and sawdust treatments had shown similar impact on soil moisture, plant characters and fruit yield. During on- farm demonstrations, because of minimum expense and convenience growers appreciated soil mulching as the best substitute for coir dust mulching. Key words: Mounding; Mulching; Pineapple; Soil moisture. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/jfa.v2i1.3938 JFA 2009; 2(1): 15-21

Conservation tillage in Turkish dryland research

Central Anatolian soils have high risk of erosion, degradation and intensive cultivation. Consequently, they are in danger of exhausting their agricultural use unless conservation agricultural practices are adopted. Conservation agriculture is a key tool in sustainable production systems throughout the world and is developed around soil management technology that minimizes soil disturbance, maximizes the soil cover and promotes crop diversity to offer benefits to farmers and to the environment. It has been particularly effective at sustaining crop production in semi-arid rain-fed regions such as the Central Anatolian soils, where potential evaporation exceeds precipitation during most months of the year, dry farming is extensively practiced, water and wind erosion is common, and proper application of water- and soil-conserving tillage technology is critical. The area under plow expanded its limits as the number of tractors in agriculture dramatically increased in the 1960s. This is the starting point for inappropriate use of the agricultural land. The conservation agricultural technologies, therefore, are of utmost importance for the region. Common farmers’ practices of a fallow-wheat system in the central plateau of Turkey are incompatible with the conservation agriculture concept. The objective of this review is to re-evaluate the performances of the partial and full conservation tillage practices previously tried in the region. This review reached the following conclusions: (1) agreeing with the conservation principles, fall tillage as a primary operation in the fallow phase was found to be useless compared with leaving the land without tillage; (2) therefore, much research has focused on spring tillage as a primary operation and employed conventional, semi-conservative and conservative methods. Results showed that the conventional system, in addition to being ecologically unfriendly, is unprofitable as compared with other conservation practices regarding the updated cost analysis; (3) similarly, tillage depth in primary spring tillage was determined to be shallower than the depths currently practiced by farmers, in agreement with the conservation principles; (4) fallow tillage operations in summer to create dust mulch for eliminating soil moisture loss did not increase the crop yields and soil moisture as compared with chemical fallow; (5) no-till fallow was similar to the conventional clean fallow system in terms of moisture and yield levels. However, no-tillage resulted in 50% reduction in the cost of tillage besides its ecologically-friendly effects; (6) the existing dryland agricultural systems in the plateau should be transformed into or changed toward sustainable systems, although further research is required on residue and stubble management, and integrated weed control methods to drill the soil with high amounts of residue on the field.

Interactive effect of tillage depth and mulch on soil temperature, productivity and water use pattern of rainfed barley ( Hordium vulgare L.)

Soil porosity and organic matter content influence the hydrology, thermal status and productivity of agricultural soils. Shape, size and continuity of soil pores are determined by tillage practices. Thus appropriate tillage and mulch management can conserve residual soil moisture during the post rainy season. This can play a key role in enhancing productivity under the rainfed ecosystem of subhumid region in eastern India. A field study was carried out on a fine loamy soil from 1993–1994 to 1995–1996. Two tillage treatments were conventional ploughing (150 mm depth) and shallow ploughing (90 mm) depth. Each tillage practice was tested with three mulch management viz., no mulch, soil dust mulch and rice ( Oryza sativa L.) straw mulch. Soil organic carbon, bulk density, moisture retentivity, soil temperature with productivity and water use pattern of barley ( Hordium vulgare L.) were measured. Reduction in ploughing depth resulted in nominal increase in profile (0.0–1.2 m) moisture status, yield, and soil thermal status at 14:00 and water use efficiency (WUE). However, it decreased the magnitude of soil temperature in the morning (07:00). Straw mulch conserved 19–21 mm of moisture in the profile (1.2 m) over the unmulched condition. Both soil dust and rice straw mulching elevated soil thermal status at 07:00 as compared to unmulched condition, but this trend was reversed at 14:00. Straw mulching significantly increased grain yield and WUE over soil dust mulch and unmulched condition. Impact of straw mulch was more pronounced under shallow ploughing depth. Shallow tillage with rice straw mulching is recommended to the farmers to obtain higher level of yield and water use efficiency.