Grass Mulch Research Articles

Residue Addition Can Mitigate Soil Health Challenges with Climate Change in Drylands: Insights from a Field Warming Experiment in Semi-Arid Texas

Texas cotton production is facing challenges from increased temperatures and extended droughts. We sought to determine whether applying a multi-species grass mulch on the surface of cotton fields in a semiarid region would mitigate some of the negative effects of climate change. We used open-top chambers (OTCs) to mimic climate warming and compared whether the effects of residue addition were similar between dryland and irrigated cotton fields located in the High Plains region of Texas during the summer of 2021. The OTCs raised the average air temperature by 2 °C. Under experimental warming, residue addition increased moisture content in non-irrigated (i.e., dryland) soils (+9.2%) and reduced the daily temperature range (by −1.4 °C) relative to uncovered soils. Furthermore, when pooled across irrigation and warming treatments, the addition of residue increased microbial biomass, soil respiration (+78.2%), and cotton yield (+15.2%) relative to uncovered soils. OTCs further enhanced the residue effects on microbial biomass by 34.9%. We also observed higher soil organic matter, microbial biomass, cotton biomass, and yield in irrigated fields compared to dryland, irrespective of residue addition. Our findings suggest that residue addition in dryland agriculture can mitigate the adverse effects of warming by stabilizing soil microclimates and promoting microbial growth and biomass by providing a more labile source of carbon, which, in turn, could boost the yield of cotton plants.

Effects of Different Living Grass Mulching on Soil Carbon and Nitrogen in an Apple Orchard on Loess Plateau

Living grass mulching (LMG) is a modern, environmentally friendly, practical, and efficient production management technology that improves the ecological environment, quality, and efficiency of the orchard. However, in arid and semi-arid areas, the effects of different grass species mulching on soil carbon composition, carbon pool stability, and nitrogen content are still unclear. Therefore, in order to explore the impact of different LMG on soil carbon, nitrogen, and its component content, as well as the related soil carbon pool management index in an apple orchard located in the semi-arid region of the Loess Plateau, a control experiment was conducted. The experiment involved different grass species cover treatments on an 11-year-old semi-dwarf Qinguan apple orchard from 2019 to 2022. Soil carbon and nitrogen content were measured under each treatment. The results indicated that the application of LMG treatment and depth of the soil had a significant impact on the soil organic carbon (SOC), particulate organic carbon (POC), inactive organic carbon (NAOC), total nitrogen (TN), and carbon-to-nitrogen ratio (C/N). Planting Vulpia myuros mulches significantly enhanced 39.6% surface soil organic carbon, 61.7% surface particulate organic carbon, 20.3% surface dissolved organic carbon (DOC), 75.8% surface inactive organic carbon, and 20.6% surface soil total nitrogen compared to clean tillage. Mulching treatment with the planting of Vulpia myuros boosted surface soil organic carbon and decreased soil carbon pool activity (CPA) and carbon pool activity index (CPAI), ultimately improving the stability of the soil carbon pool. The findings will have a beneficial impact on improving soil quality, carbon sequestration, and emission reduction in arid and semi-arid regions.

Prescribed fire and grass mulch impact on selected soil properties and amelioration potentials of amendments under an agricultural field in Ile-Ife, Nigeria

Prescribed fire (slash and burn) tends to impede the sustainable functionality of soil in agricultural systems. However, the use of amendment has a potential to reverse these negative effects. Prescribed fire is still used by farmers in Nigeria for land preparation before planting. This has continued to increase soil degradation in Nigeria with no agronomic activities that could ameliorate this effect in view. This study therefore examined the influence of prescribed fire and grass mulch on selected soil physical properties and organic carbon immediately after burning, and the potential of amendment to improve the soil properties negatively affected by fire. The prescribed fire treatments consisted of 200 °C and 500 °C fire intensities using Megathyrsus maximus (a large perennial bunch of grass that is dominant in the study area) as the fuel and also served as the grass mulch. Cured poultry manure at 7.5 t ha−1 was combined with urea at 40 kg N ha−1 and applied as a combined amendment while a single dose of urea was applied at 80 kg N ha−1 as an inorganic amendment. The experiment was carried out across three cropping seasons on maize (Zea mays L.) in 2019 and 2020. Soil water repellency (SWR), bulk density (Db), soil unsaturated hydraulic conductivity (Kunsat), water stable aggregates (WSA), soil strength (SS), and soil organic carbon (SOC) were determined immediately after burning and three months after amendments were applied. Data obtained were subjected to analysis of variance and means separated using the Duncan multiple range test at p≤0.05. Results showed that prescribed fires increased SWR by an average of 50.1 and 62.7 % for 200 °C and 500 °C intensities, respectively compared with the control. Three months later, the SWR was reduced by 25.9 % and 62.3 % for 200 °C and 500 °C, respectively when no amendment was added. Notably, the addition of sole urea and cured poultry manure + urea reduced the SWR by 50 % and 48.5 %, respectively in the 200 °C intensity, and 62.2 % and 62.7 % in the 500 °C intensity, respectively. Also, Kunsat was reduced by an average of 49.6 and 62.2 % by 200 °C and 500 °C intensities, respectively just after burning. However, it was not improved three months after the prescribed fires despite the applied amendments. The prescribed fire of 200 °C and grass mulch had no significant influence on OC just after the fire. Also, amendments did not significantly improve OC three months after prescribed fire. Therefore, the non-improvement of other soil properties, after the applied amendments, showed that further study is required to determine the required rate of the applied amendments that will significantly improve other soil properties negatively affected by prescribed fire in agricultural soils.

Mulching practices alter soil moisture, physico-chemical properties and pineapple (Smooth cayenne) yield

This field experiment was conducted in Chichu Kebele in the Dilla Zuria area from 2020 to 2023. The objective of the experiment was to determine the optimal mulching strategy for enhancing soil fertility and pineapple production by comparing three treatments (grass mulch, plastic mulch, and farmers’ practices without any mulch) using a RCB (Randomized Complete Block) design. The study’s findings showed that the treatments with plastic mulch had the greatest soil moisture content values (18.41%), while the treatments with no mulch had the lowest values (11.39%). Compared to mulched treatments, pineapple planted without mulch had the greatest bulk density values (1.43 g/cm3). Total nitrogen and organic carbon has increase by 34 and 25%, respectively due to plastic mulching. However, total nitrogen and organic carbon has increase by 43 and 37.5%, respectively due to grass mulching. Fruit length was larger by 42.7 and 33.2%, respectively due to plastic and grass mulch compared to the control. However, fruit girth was wider by 54.1 and 43.8%, respectively due to plastic and grass mulches compared to the control. The pineapple with the most fruit yield (71.39 t/ha), fruit length (17.4 cm), fruit girth (46.67 cm), and sucker number (15 pieces) was obtained using plastic mulching. However, pineapple grown without mulch had the lowest yield ever noted. Plastic mulch outperformed farmers’ practices and grass mulching in terms of conserving soil moisture, which increased yield and yield characteristics. For the baseline, the marginal rate of return generated by the plastic and grass mulch treatments was 118.5 and 93.65%, respectively. Thus, the study’s best recommendation for improving soils and achieving a high pineapple fruit yield is to grow pineapples using plastic mulch.

EFFECTS OF RAINWATER HARVESTING PRACTICES ON BIOMASS YIELD AND MORPHOMETRIC TRAITS OF SORGHUM (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) IN SEMI-ARID KITUI COUNTY, KENYA

<p><strong>Background</strong>: Sorghum is an important source of fodder in the semi-arid areas of Kenya. However, its biomass yield has remained low due to the low soil moisture content which is associated with low rainfall. <strong> Objective:</strong> To evaluate the synergistic effects of combining rainwater harvesting practices on biomass yield and the morphometric traits of sorghum in semi-arid Kitui County. <strong>Methodology</strong>: The study was conducted in a randomized complete block design under rainfed conditions between March and August 2021 at the Research Farm of South Eastern Kenya University. It had twelve treatments, including three farming systems (conventional flat planting, ridge and furrow, and zai pits) with three soil mulching types (transparent plastic film mulch, black plastic film mulch, and grass mulch). The farming systems without mulching were used as control treatments. Data were subjected to analysis of variance and means were separated using Fisher’s protected Least Significant Difference test at 0.05 %. <strong>Results:</strong> The zai pits with black plastic film mulch and flat planting with grass mulch had the highest and lowest moisture content of 68.65% and 52.5% respectively compared to flat planting. The highest biomass yield was observed in ridge-furrow with black plastic film mulch (3283.33kg ha-<sup>1</sup>) and ridge–furrow with transparent plastic film mulch (3266.03) and was not significantly different. The lowest biomass yield was recorded in conventional flat planting and zai pits and was not significantly different. In all treatments, there was a significant increase (p ≤ 0.05) in morphometric traits. <strong>Implications: </strong>The farming system and the type of soil mulching determined the increase of soil moisture content, biomass yield, and morphometric traits. <strong>Conclusion</strong>: Combining ridge-furrow and black plastic mulch is recommended to improve the biomass yield of sorghum in semi-arid Kitui County, and other areas with similar agroecological conditions.</p>

Do Living Mulches or Environmental Conditions Have a Greater Impact on the External Quality of the Apple Fruit ‘Chopin’ Cultivar?

Research was carried out to assess the yield and quality of fruits from the new Polish apple tree ‘Chopin’—a ‘green peel’, scab-resistant cultivar under grass living mulch management. Blue fescue and red fescue were tested in experiment no. 1. In experiment no. 2, meadow grass and perennial ryegrass were used. Every species of grass was sown in two doses of 50 and 150 kg per ha. Herbicide fallow was introduced as a control in both experiments. Strongly variable temperatures and precipitations in the years of evaluation made it possible to estimate year—a function of variable environmental conditions—as an additional experimental factor. An unexpected effect of the presence of living mulch was its significant impact on the appearance of blush on the ‘green peel’ fruit. However, living mulches had little effect on weight and fruit size. Cool days during apple ripening enhanced the process of fruit skin red coloration. The effect of both agrotechnical and environmental factors on fruit quality was more visible in the case of less vigorous trees, which were more susceptible to experimental, stressful conditions. However, increasing the sowing dose of each grass seed did not influence red blushing, weight, or fruit size. An additional difficulty for the trees was the competition caused by the early germination of these living grass mulches, reinforced by the presence of Trifolium repens L.

Agri‐mat and grass mulch effect on crop biomass yield in sandy loam and loam soils

AbstractThe role of agri‐mat mulch as a soil and water conservation technology for improved and sustainable plant production has not been explored. The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of agri‐mats and grass mulch on crop biomass yield of maize and spinach under sandy loam and loam soils. The following five mulch treatments were established in two sites (Durban with loam soil and Pretoria with sandy loam soil) during the 2017/18 and 2018/19 planting seasons: (a) full agri‐mat mulch cover (100%AG), (b) half agri‐mat mulch cover, (c) bare (control), (d) six tons of grass mulch per hectare (6t.GM), and (e) three tons of grass mulch per hectare. Crop growth parameters such as number of leaves, leaf length, plant height, and crop biomass yield were measured in both planting seasons. The results indicate that the crop biomass yield (both spinach and maize) was higher under 100%AG treatment compared to other mulching treatments followed by 6t.GM in the Pretoria site. For the Durban site, the highest crop growth parameters and biomass yield for both spinach and maize was recorded under the 100%AG treatment. The 100%AG treatment produced 33% more spinach biomass yield during the 2018 growing season in Durban compared with the 6t.GM treatment, with no percentage differences in the 2019 growing season. In Pretoria, there was a 20% (2018) and 32% (2019) difference in spinach biomass yield between the highest and second‐highest performing treatments. As hypothesized, agri‐mats can effectively improve crop biomass yields in semiarid and humid agro‐ecological zones with different soil types.

Effect of Mulching as a Weed Management Strategy in Field Production of French Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L) in Western Kenya

There has been a 2% decrease on French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L) production in Kenya due to factors such as weeds, pests and diseases and the challenge of controlling them using chemicals that result in high rejection rate or interception in the export market because of chemical residues. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effect of different mulching materials on the growth and yield of French bean cultivars and to determine the effect of different mulching materials on weed density. Field experiments were carried out at KALRO Kitale, Trans Nzoia county Kenya. Season 1 was carried out during long rains of April and June 2021 and season two during the short rains of August and October 2021. Black polythene and grass mulch were compared with two hand weedings and no weeding in a Randomized Complete Block Design experiment with three replications. Data on growth and yield of French Beans were collected and subjected to ANOVA using GenStat to determine the significant differences between the treatments. The means were separated using Fisher’s Unprotected LSD at 5% significance level. Growth and yield of French Beans was significantly influenced by the treatments (p≤0.05). Plants grown under black polythene and grass mulch had the tallest height and the highest number of leaves and branches as well as number of pods and cumulative pod yield as compared to those that were hand weeded and unweeded. The highest yield of 2138 and 2597 kg/ ha was obtained under black polythene mulch in season 1 and 2 respectively. This was significantly higher than that obtained from grass mulch, hand weeding and unweeding. In conclusion polythene and grass mulch improved growth and yield of French beans and reduced weed density. It is therefore recommended that farmers should adapt mulching as a cultural weed management strategy.

Influence of prescribed fire intensity and grass mulch on soil erosion and runoff under rainfed maize in Nigeria

The experiment was conducted at the Teaching and Research Farm, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria to investigate the influence of prescribed fire intensity on soil erosion and runoff, a situation that occur regularly in the study area. The experimental site is within the rainforest ecosystem of the Southwest Nigeria, and usually experiences a significant amount of rainfall every year. This encourages rainfed farming around the study area with most farmers using prescribed fire for land preparation before planting. It is presumed that bush burning causes erosion and degradation of other soil properties. The study therefore investigated the influence of prescribed fire of two intensities and mulching on runoff and soil loss, runoff coefficient, phosphate and nitrate contents of the runoff water. The treatments consisted of fire intensities of 200 °C (with effect correspondingly felt at a maximum of 2 cm soil depth) and 500 °C (with effect correspondingly felt at a maximum of 5 cm soil depth), grass mulch, and control (bare soil without vegetation or plant residue). Each treatment was imposed on a plot of 1 m2 arranged in a randomized complete block design with triplicates, for three cropping seasons, and prescribed burning at the start of each cropping season. The first season was from May to August 2019, second season was from September to December 2019 while the third season was from September to December 2020. Runoff volume, soil loss, phosphate and nitrate contents in runoff were measured using bounded erosion plots of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) materials with a harvesting container (25 L) installed at about 1 m deep. The 200 °C prescribed fire plots had higher soil loss than that of 500 °C. The runoff in the 200 °C prescribed fire plot were 13.36 mm, 10.80 mm and 12.78 mm during the first, second and third seasons respectively, while those of the 500 °C prescribed fire were 12.88 mm, 7.63 mm and 11.96 mm in the same order. Soil loss from the 200 °C prescribed fire plot was an average of 2.46, 3.40, 1.77 Mg ha−1 in the first, second and third seasons respectively, while the 500 °C prescribed fire plot lost an average of 1.70, 1.23 and 2.17 Mg ha−1 in the same order. The Average concentration of nitrates in the runoff under 200 °C prescribed fire were an average of 0.14, 0.21, and 0.38 mg L−1 while for 500 °C, they were 0.18, 0.19, 0.81 mg L−1 in the first, second and third seasons respectively. Nitrate and phosphate contents of the runoff were not significantly influenced by prescribed fire. The fire intensities did not have a significant impact on the total runoff and soil loss under maize in the prescribed fire plots. The slash and pack plots without burning experienced the highest runoff and soil loss. However, grass mulch plot reduced total runoff and soil loss. Therefore, grass mulching of soil is encouraged to mitigate soil erosion in maize fields.

Influence of Grass Mulching and Organic Fertilizer Addition on Soil Microbial Community Composition and Function in a ‘Dongzao’ Jujube (Ziziphus jujuba Mill. ‘Dongzao’) Orchard

Influence of Grass Mulching and Organic Fertilizer Addition on Soil Microbial Community Composition and Function in a ‘Dongzao’ Jujube (Ziziphus jujuba Mill. ‘Dongzao’) Orchard

Effect of drip irrigation and organic mulches on growth, yield and water-use efficiency of French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris)

French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is an important crop for green and dry beans while tender pods as vegetable. An experiment was conducted during March–June 2021 at the research farm of Dr Y S Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan, Himachal Pradesh to assess the effect of different irrigation levels and organic mulches on soil properties, growth and productivity of French bean. Experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design with 3 replications comprising of 7 treatments. The study resulted, that plant height, no. of pods per plant, days to first harvest and yield of French bean were significantly affected by different irrigation levels and organic mulches. The maximum yield, water use efficiency, B:C ratio were observed under treatment I1M2 (80% ETc + Grass mulch). Therefore, adopting drip irrigation with mulching can contribute to increasing irrigated area and enhancing yield potential of French bean in the mid hill zone of Himachal Pradesh.

Effect of Different Irrigation Levels and Potato Hybrids on Yield and Nutrient Uptake of the Crop under Water Stress Conditions

As the scarcity of water increases, India will face the problem of decreasing annual freshwater use per capita. Healthy and sufficient crop and food production is essential for everyone due to the population increasing globally. Drought can result in severe productivity losses, especially for crops like the potato (Solanum tuberosum) that have shallow roots. In agriculture, it's critical to keep an eye on the soil, the climate, and the water supply for a crop. The study was carried out at the research farm of Vegetable Science, Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University- Hisar, India during the rabi season of the year 2018-19. The field experiment was conducted in split plot design with four irrigation levels I1 (irrigation at 20mm CPE (Cumulative Pan Evaporimeter)), I2 (irrigation at 25mm CPE), I3 (irrigation at 30mm CPE) and I4 (irrigation at 30mm CPE + 5 t/ha grass mulch) and five potato hybrids V1 (P-21), V2 (P-32), V3 (P-37), V4 (P-38), V5 (Kufri Bahar) under two different crops at 60 and 75 days. The results revealed that parameters i.e., number of leaves, total tuber yield, and nitrogen uptake by crop were higher in both 60 and 75 days of crops under irrigation level 20 mm CPE (I1) and hybrid P-38 but in water stress condition I3 gives a better yield than other irrigation levels with hybrid -38. The present study opens up new doors to the farmers and researchers for sustainable production of potatoes.

Influence of selected grass mulches on soil physical properties under sprinkler irrigation system

Mulching is a vital agricultural practice that affects soil moisture retention, temperature regulation, and overall soil health. Three grass mulching materials (Gamba (Andropogon Gayanus), Jema (Chrysopogan Zizanioides) and Kachala (Typha Angustifolia)) at four mulching depths (0, 5, 10 and 15 cm) were examined to assess their effects on soil moisture content, temperature, bulk density and porosity. The study was conducted on onion plots irrigated with sprinkler system at a constant operating pressure (100 kPa). The study was carried out at the irrigation field laboratory of the Yelwa campus of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi. Data were analysed using SPSS software version 23. The results indicated a significant combined impact of mulch type and depth on all studied parameters, except for bulk density. Results showed that Kachala grass, particularly at 15 cm depth, demonstrated superior moisture retention capabilities with 16.8% moisture content, leading to optimal soil moisture levels for plant growth. While the lowest soil moisture (8.81%) was conserved under the control (Un-mulched plot). Soil temperature recorded beneath the mulch was lowest (19.1oC) under 10 cm Kachala grass, while the highest (28.0 oC) was recorded under 15 cm Gamba grass. Highest soil bulk density (1.78 g/cm3) was recorded under the control, while 15 cm depth of Kachala grass gave the lowest (1.5 g/cm3) value of bulk density. The highest value of soil porosity (46.8%) was observed under 15 cm Kachala grass and the lowest (34.2%) was observed under the control. In conclusion, grass mulching has a positive effect on soil physical properties under sprinkler irrigation system in the fadama areas of Bauchi, Nigeria.

Improved soil physico-chemical characteristics, soil moisture and plant growth properties through vertical mulching in a plum orchard

ABSTRACTThis study investigated effects of vertical mulching with organic manures (applied into vertical holes in the soil) in combination with grass mulching of the soil surface, on plant growth, leaf and soil properties in plums (Prunus salicina Lindl. cv. Red Beaut) grown in Himachal Pradesh, India. Five manures were used for vertical mulching (farmyard manure, vermicompost, mushroom compost, ghanjeevamrit and jeevamrit) in combination with two levels of grass mulching (with and without). Vertical mulching treatments with ghanjeevamrit and vermicompost resulted in significant improvements of plant growth, leaf chlorophyll and photosynthetic rate. Leaf and soil nutrient concentrations were also highest in treatments with vermicompost and ghanjeevamrit, with the highest soil nutrient concentrations recorded when these manures were applied with grass mulching. For most plant growth parameters, trees grown with grass mulching performed better than those grown without. Soil physical properties were significantly enhanced by vertical mulching with vermicompost and ghanjeevamrit. Soil moisture at 15 and 30 cm depth was not affected by the vertical mulching with manures, but at 45 and 60 cm depth the manures had significant effects. Grass mulching was also found to be important for regulating soil moisture. The results showed the potential benefits of vertical mulching with manures in combination with grass mulching, with positive effects on both plant growth and soil fertility. The importance of grass mulching was highlighted in terms of its potential for preserving soil moisture and the use of ghanjeevamrit and vermicompost for their potential as nutrient sources and to improve soil fertility.

Combining infiltration hole and mulching techniques with fish-scale pits effectively improved soil water storage in semiarid areas with shallow buried bedrock (Pisha Sandstone) in China

Effectively regulating slope runoff and infiltrating maximum rainwater are essential to reduce soil and water loss, and promote vegetation restoration in the Pisha Sandstone areas of China, which are semiarid areas with shallow buried bedrock. However, the effects of individual or combined rainwater regulation measures, such as infiltration holes, mulch, and fish-scale pits (a semicircle-shaped pit), on soil water infiltration and restoration in such regions have not yet been fully explored. In this study, the responses of soil water to rainfall in the 0–1.6 m soil layer was investigated through in situ monitoring during the two main rainy seasons under four rainwater regulation treatments in the Pisha Sandstone area of China covered in thin soil layer (0–0.3 m): fish-scale pits with grass mulching and infiltration holes (PGH), fish-scale pits with grass mulching (PG), fish-scale pits without mulching (P), and slope land (control, CK). The results have shown that because of the relatively low permeability (0.08–0.17 m d−1) of Pisha Sandstone, individual torrential rainfall events (63.2 mm) increased the soil water only in the 0–0.3 m layer after 3 days under the CK, P, and PG treatments. However, the PGH treatment simultaneously and significantly increased the soil water in the 0–0.3 m and 0.7–0.8 m layers. Compared with the CK treatment, rainwater replenishment depths under the P, PG, and PGH treatments increased from approximately 0.4 m to 0.9 m, 1.0 m, and 1.1 m, respectively, and the average soil water storage increased by 27 mm, 34 mm, and 50 mm, respectively, in the 0–1.6 m soil layer. Moreover, the PGH treatment enhanced rainwater storage in deep soil (0.6–0.9 m), which decreased the potential for water loss by evaporation. We concluded that the PGH treatment was effective in increasing soil water storage and reducing soil erosion in areas with shallow buried bedrock.

Effect of Hydrogel and Mulching on Soil Moisture, Yield and Economics on Yellow Passion Fruit in Embu and Kiambu Counties, Kenya

Inadequate rainfall is a significant problem hindering the production of most crops in dryland regions. The current study was carried out to assess the effect of selected soil-water conserving interventions on soil moisture, growth, yield, quality, and profitability of yellow passion fruit. The experiment was laid in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) at Kenyatta University (Kiambu County) and Ugweri (Embu County). The treatments were: grass mulch, plastic mulch, hydrogel 10 g per plant (49 g m-2) + plastic mulch, hydrogel 20 g per plant (98 g m-2), hydrogel 10 g per plant + grass mulch, and a control (no hydrogel, no mulch). Results showed significant effects of treatments on soil moisture, growth, and yield of yellow passion fruit at both sites. Hydrogel 10 g per plant + plastic mulch treatment had significantly higher mean soil moisture than other treatments during all the sampling dates. The treatments: hydrogel 10 g per plant + plastic mulch, hydrogel 10 g per plant + grass mulch, and plastic mulch, recorded the highest average vine length. Hydrogel 10 g per plant + plastic mulch treatment had significantly higher yields than other treatments during 46, 48, 50, and 52 weeks after transplanting (WAT) at both sites. Treatments did not significantly affect the total soluble solids (TSS) of fruits. At Ugweri, hydrogel 10 g per plant + plastic mulch and hydrogel 10 g per plant + grass mulch had higher net benefits; 2599.00 USD ha-1 and 2455.10 USD ha-1, respectively. At Kenyatta University, hydrogel 10 g per plant + plastic mulch provided significantly higher net benefit (3390.40 USD ha-1) than other treatments. Based on the results, hydrogel 10 g per plant + plastic mulch and hydrogel 10 g per plant + grass mulch are recommended for yellow passion fruit growers in regions facing water scarcity.

Productive and Economic Evaluation of Potato Hybrids under Different Water Stress Conditions

As the scarcity of water increases, India will face the problem of decreasing annual freshwater use per capita. Drought can cause significant output losses, particularly for crops with shallow root system like potato (Solanum tuberosum). An experiment was carried out to measure the effects of different levels of irrigation on yield parameters of different potato hybrids under water stress conditions during the winter season 2018-19 in open field conditions at the field of department of vegetable science in CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar. The experiment included four irrigation levels I1 (irrigation at 20mm Cummulative Pan Evaporimeter (CPE)), I2 (irigation at 25mm CPE), I3 (irrigation at 30mm CPE) and I4 (irrigation at 30mm CPE + 5 t/ha grass mulch) and five potato hybrids under two different crops at 60 and 75 days. The results revealed that yield parameters i.e., total tuber yield, number of tubers in each grade, yield of tubers in each grade, harvest index, and biological yield were higher in both 60 and 75 days of crops under irrigation level 20 mm CPE (I1) and hybrid P-38. But, under water-stressed conditions, hybrid P-38 with an I4 schedule saves one irrigation and yields more than I3. The maximum water use efficiency (19.27 and 20.56 q/ha/mm) was attained with irrigation level I4 in 60 and 75 days of crop. In water stress conditions (I4) potato hybrid P-38 produced the highest net returns and benefit cost ratio (1.49 and 2.29). It was found that the potato hybrid P-38 with I4 was more cost-effective and produced more tubers in areas with lower water tables and less water.

Cogon grass (Imperata cylindrica L.) mulch effect on microclimate, weed management and yield of upland rice

One of the problems of upland rice cultivation in dry land is the availability of water needed to maintain humidity and temperature around plant roots. Cogon grass (Imperata cylindrica L.) mulch which has a long decomposed duration, can be an alternative to maintain the microclimate humidity and control weeds. This study aimed to obtain the best dose of cogon grass mulch on microclimate, weed management and upland rice yield on ameliorated ultisol soils. The research was carried out using a randomized complete block design with five doses of cogon grass mulch, i.e. 0, 10, 15, 20, and 25 tons/ha and three replications. Data were analyzed statistically by the F test at a 5% significance level and mean comparison using Tukey’s test. Results showed that applying cogon grass mulch could reduce temperature and increase the soil’s moisture. Biomass and species of weeds decreased with increasing doses of cogon grass mulch. Applied 10 tons/ha of cogon grass mulch effectively suppresses weed growth by 42.8%. Cogon grass mulch application did not affect upland rice growth variables, but 20 t/ha mulch significantly increased the yield by 21.7%.

Influence of Irrigation Levels and Mulching Types on Growth and Yield of Bean in Drought Prone Area of Bugesera, Eastern Rwanda

Purpose: Water saving practices are crucial for crop production in drought prone areas. This study was conducted in Bugesera District, in the Eastern Province of Rwanda. The objective was to determine the effect of irrigation levels and mulching types on growth and yields of beans. 
 Methodology: A split plot experiment consisting of three irrigation levels as main plots and three mulching types (no mulch, grass mulch and plastic mulch) as subplots, in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD), with three replications was conducted. Climbing bean, Mac 44 variety, was planted at 50 cm × 20 cm spacing. Different levels of irrigation and mulching were applied from 3 weeks after crop emergence. Irrigation water was applied using a manual watering can.
 Findings: Bean height and grain yield varied significantly due to the combined effects of irrigation × mulching. Highest value of plant height, 100 grain weight and yield value were obtained under the combination of 50% irrigation level with grass mulch. Compared to the control, yield improvement of 83%, 100 grains weight improvement of 39% and plant height increase of 20 % were observed under I1M1. Significant and positive correlations were observed between yield, plant height and yield parameters. The observed interdependence of yield parameters is illustrated by the positive and significant correlation between these parameters. Combining irrigation and mulching would improve climbing production while saving irrigation water up to 50%.
 Recommendation: Both plastic and grass mulch gave similar results, however grass mulch is recommended for climbing bean production in the study area due to its additional advantages over the plastic mulch. 

Response of Fruit Productivity and Quality, Soil Physicochemical Properties and Microbiota to Nitrogen Reduction and Grass Mulching in Pomelo Orchard

Response of Fruit Productivity and Quality, Soil Physicochemical Properties and Microbiota to Nitrogen Reduction and Grass Mulching in Pomelo Orchard