Paddy Straw Mulch Research Articles

Studies on Relative Economics of Apple Nursery Production under Different Weed Management Practices in Kashmir Valley, India

Aims: The purpose of this study was to assess the relative economics of various weed management practices in apple nursery in Kashmir valley, India.
 Study Design: A Randomized Complete Block Design with seven treatments and three replications was employed as the experimental design.
 Place and Duration of Study: The experiment was laid out at the Experimental Farm, Division of Fruit Science, Faculty of Horticulture, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Shalimar Campus, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India during the year 2020.
 Methodology: Seven weed management treatments (manual weeding, pendimethalin @ 1 kg a.i. ha-1, pendimethalin @ 1 kg a.i. ha-1 + manual weeding, paddy straw mulch-6 cm thick, black polyethylene mulch-200 micron), weed-free and weedy check) were tested in apple nursery (cv. Silver Spur grafted on M9-T337). The input costs and output in terms of monetary values were calculated under different treatments at prevailing market rates. The net return and benefit-cost (B:C) ratio was worked out based on input and output values under each treatment.
 Results: The treatment paddy straw mulch showed the highest input cost (₹9543725.90) while black polyethylene mulch resulted the maximum output (17113252.80). The maximum net returns of ₹78,02,726 from grafted apple nursery plants were recorded under black polyethylene mulch with a benefit-cost ratio of 1.83 followed by pendimethalin @ 1 kg a.i. ha-1 + manual weeding with net returns of ₹71,60,541 and benefit-cost ratio of 1.77.
 Conclusion: Black polyethylene mulch resulted highest net return and B:C ratio, hence it found to be most profitable weed management practice in apple nursery. Pendimethalin @ 1 kg a.i. ha-1 + manual weeding can also be considered as alternative weed management option.

Effect of Weed Management Approaches on Weed Density and Weed Control Efficiency in Apple Nursery Plants Grafted on Clonal Rootstock

Aims: The study aimed to evaluate the influence of different weed management approaches on weed density and weed control efficiency in apple nurseries.
 Study Design: The experimental method used in this study was a Randomized Complete Block Design with seven treatments, each replicated three times.
 Place and Duration of Study: The experiment was set up at the Experimental Farm, Division of Fruit Science, Faculty of Horticulture, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Shalimar Campus, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India during the year 2020.
 Methodology: Seven weed management treatments i.e. manual weeding, pendimethalin @ 1 kg a.i. ha-1, pendimethalin @ 1 kg a.i. ha-1 + manual weeding, paddy straw mulch – 6 cm thick, black polyethylene mulch - 200 micron, weed-free and weedy check were tested in apple nursery (Apple cv. Silver) Spur grafted on M-9 T337 was used as plant material for the study. Weed flora, density, dry weight, and weed control efficiency were all observed and recorded.
 Results: Among different weed management approaches tested, black polyethylene mulch (200 micron) resulted in the lowest weed density and weed dry weight, and the highest weed control efficiency followed by paddy straw mulch (6 cm thick) and pendimethalin @ 1 kg a.i. ha-1 + manual weeding.
 Conclusion: In apple nurseries on clonal rootstock M9-T337, black polyethylene (200 micron) was determined to be the most effective weed control strategy for reducing weed density while increasing overall control efficiency.

Weed Management Practices Affects Vegetative Growth and Graft Survival of Apple cv. Silver Spur/M9-T337 Nursery Plants

The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of different weed management practices on vegetative growth and graft survival of apple nursery. The experiment was laid out at the Experimental Farm, Division of Fruit Science, Faculty of Horticulture, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and technology of Kashmir, Shalimar Campus, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India during the year 2020. Seven weed management practices i.e. T1 (manual weeding), T2 (pendimethalin @ 1 kg a.i. ha-1), T3 (pendimethalin @ 1 kg a.i. ha-1 + manual weeding), T4 (paddy straw mulch - 6cm thick), T5 (black polyethylene mulch - 200 micron), T6 (weed free) and T7 (weedy check) were tested in apple nursery (cv. Silver Spur grafted on M9-T337). The experimental design used was Randomized Complete Block Design with three replicates. Observations on vegetative growth parameters of nursery stocks (plant height, number of branches & number of leaves per plant, leaf area, rootstock girth and scion girth) and graft survival was recorded. Plant growth and graft survival percentage of apple nursery plants was significantly affected by weed management practices. Black polyethylene and paddy straw mulches resulted superior plant growth and both the treatments were statistically at par for all the vegetative growth parameters. Plant height (87.81cm), number of branches (0.4) and number of leaves (45.04) per plant and leaf area (23.63 cm-2) was maximum with black polyethylene much, while scion girth (3.26 cm) and rootstock girth (4.38 cm) was maximum with paddy straw mulch, Significantly maximum graft survival (90.60%) were recorded with black polyethylene. Hence, Black polyethylene (200 micron) found to be most effective weed management practice for obtaining higher graft survival of apple nursery plants with better plant growth characteristics.

Crop and water productivity and profitability of broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica) under gravity drip irrigation with mulching condition in a humid sub-tropical climate.

Strategic irrigation planning and soil water conservation measure can be rewarding for increasing agricultural productivity in a humid subtropical climatic environment. Field experiments were conducted to evaluate broccoli yield response to crop water productivity (CWP), irrigation water productivity (IWP) and economics under varied irrigation regimes and mulching. Four levels of irrigation: surface irrigation at 1.0 IW/CPE (irrigation water to cumulative pan evaporation, I1), drip irrigation at 0.6 (I2), 0.8 (I3) and 1.0 (I4) of crop evapotranspiration (ETc) and three mulches: none (M0), black polythene mulch (BPM, M1) and paddy straw mulch (PSM, M2) were examined. Among these treatments I3M1 produced the higher yield (19.17 t ha-1), CWP, IWP and maximum benefit-cost ratio (BCR), being almost competitive with I3M1. Under scarcity of water, I2M1 was an alternative. Drip irrigation could save 21.2–52.7% water over surface irrigation which accommodated 17.1 to 53.3% additional area under irrigation. Yield response factor and water-yield production function suggested the potential yield decrease in relation to increased deficit irrigation. However, a deficit drip irrigation scheduling with 0.8 ETc at a 3-day interval is optimum for increased curd yield, water productivity and economics of broccoli.

Impact of mulching and nutrients on soil water balance and actual evapotranspiration of irrigated winter cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata L.)

An optimal nutrient prescription along with favorable water management through mulching is key to high horticultural productivity, efficient water use, and minimizing soil nutrient loss. A field experiment was conducted in the Balindi Research Complex, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya in the Indo-Gangetic Plains of India, to evaluate the impact of mulching and balanced fertilization on actual evapotranspiration (ETa), crop coefficients (Kc), yield and yield attributes of cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata L. cv. Green Express) during the winter seasons of 2018–2019 and 2019–2020 in the cabbage-fallow upland system under surface irrigated conditions. The experiment was laid out in a factorial strip plot design where no mulch (M1), live mulch [M2, Egyptian clover (Trifolium alexandrinum L.)], and paddy straw mulch (M3) were in strips with cabbage. Each treatment contained nutrient levels of 75% (N1), 100% (N2), and 125% (N3) of the recommended dose of an NPK fertilizer (RDF) with 200 N:100 P2O5:100 K2O. Higher soil water conservation under M3 incited 60% and 46% lower profile water change than M1 and M2 treatments, respectively. Paddy straw mulch produced 10.1% and 22.3% more yield and achieved 29.5% and 15.1% higher water productivity (WP) as compared to M1 and M2, respectively. Treatment N3 produced the highest yield and the least partial factor productivity of fertilizer (PFPf) compared to N2 and N1 treatments. Maximum ETa loss was from the M1N3 treatment (226.30 mm) and the highest yield (25,695 kg ha−1), yield attributes, and WP (120.1 kg ha−1 mm−1) were obtained from the M3N3 combination. The average estimated Kc values were 0.5 for initial, 1.0 for crop development, and 1.2 for mid-season, and 0.6 for maturity stages. The results suggest that the application of straw mulch with 125% RDF of chemical fertilizer under surface irrigated conditions improved cabbage yield, water productivity and soil fertility, however, living mulch achieved a higher economic return to the Indo-Gangetic alluvial clay loam Inceptisol of India.

EFFECT OF DIFFERENT MULCHING MATERIALS ON GROWTH AND YIELD OF CUCUMBER (Cucumis sativus cv. Bhaktapur local), IN GOKULESHWOR, BAITADI

The experiment titled “Effect of Different Mulching Materials on Growth and Yield of Cucumber” was conducted during March to June 2021 at Gokuleshwor , Baitadi district of Nepal. Cultivar Bhaktapur local was used as principal cultivar for this research. The experiment was done by using Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD). Accordingly, four different mulching material,viz.silver on black polythene mulch, black polythene mulch, rice straw and wheat husk mulch were used as treatment. Each treatment was replicated five times. Un-mulched plot served as control. Results reveals that the application of mulching significiantly influence both growth and yield parameters of cucumber. The broad objectives of this study was to determine the effect of mulching on the growth and yield of cucumber plant. The primary data was obtained through experimental analysis of sample plants of each plot without replacement. Plant height and number of leaves were significantly higher when black polythene mulch was used. Similarly, maximum leaf area was shown in paddy straw mulching at 75 days of transplanting (2318 cm square) . Mulching enhances flower production by 3-4 folds and increases the amount of blooms and fruit per plant. Likewise maximum number of flowers (80.00) and fruit (65.00) were observed in paddy straw mulching. Also highest weight (33.52) and yield (16.76) is seen in paddy straw mulching. And shortest height (977cm) , least number of leaves( 402) and leaf area (1911cm square ) was observed in control at 75 days after transplanting. Due to these mentioned reasons no mulch gave lowest yield per plot. Finding of this experiment thus clearly suggest the benefit of using paddy straw mulch as well as silver and black polythene mulch in cucumber compared to the other common mulching materials.

Impact of different mulches on soil temperature and plant growth in guava nursery under subtropical conditions

The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of organic and inorganic mulches on soil temperature, moisture, weed control efficacy and growth of guava nursery plants. Black polypropylene woven mats were found to be most effective in suppressing the weed growth even after 240 days of application. Weed biomass of 1.4 g/m2 was recorded in black polypropylene woven mats after 300 days of application as compared to 42.5 g/m2 in control and 20.5g/m2 in paddy straw mulch. The biodegradable mulch started degrading after 150 days of application and recorded a weed biomass of 4.8g/m2 at this stage. Black polypropylene woven mats resulted in 2–3 per cent higher soil temperature during winters and maintained 1.5–2 percent higher moisture content during the month of May-June. The maximum colony count of fungi (34.04 × 103 cfu/g of soil), bacteria (42.33 × 106 cfu/g of soil) and actinomycetes (34.52 × 105 cfu/g of soil) was recorded under paddy straw mulch plots. The highest percentage of buddable plants (84.73%) with maximum plant height (44.26 cm) was also recorded in black polypropylene woven mats. Thus, it was concluded that the black polypropylene woven mats can be applied in the guava nursery plots to control the weed growth effectively as well as to moderate soil temperature and enhance soil microbial population.

Evaluation of micro irrigation and mulches on the growth and yield of potato

A field experiment was conducted during the year 2018-19 and 2019-20 at ICAR-CPRI-RS, Gwalior (M.P) to Evaluation of micro irrigation for improving productivity and water use efficiency in. The investigation comprised of sixteen treatments and each treatment was repeated thrice in split plot design. The treatments comprised of irrigation systems- S1: drip irrigation system, S2: sprinkler irrigation system; irrigation mulching- M1: no mulch, M2¬: paddy straw mulch @ 5 t/ha, M3: polythene sheet mulch (25µ thickness), M4: spray of chemical formulation at TIS & Bulking stage (40 & 65 DAP) and their combination. The results show that plant population per plot found higher with treatment S1M3 at 30 DAP (88.17) and at maturity (90.50); number of compound leaves/plant found higher with treatment S1M3 at 30 DAP (39.70), at 60 DAP (53.09) and at maturity (54.90); number of tubers/plant found maximum with treatment S2M3 at 30 DAP (2.90), at 60 DAP (12.41) and at maturity (13.04); higher root shoot ratio found higher in treatment S1M2 at 30 DAP (0.334), at 60 DAP (0.293) and at maturity (0.297) treatment S1M1 recorded maximum root shoot ratio; chlorophyll content found higher in treatment S1M3 at 30 DAP (51.78), at 60 DAP (45.67) and at maturity (39.56); Fresh haulm yield (26.047 t/ha) found higher with S2M2; Fresh tuber yield (38.415 t/ha) found higher with S2M2; starch content of potato tuber (13.8%) found higher in treatment S1M2; water content of potato tuber (81.84%) found higher in treatment S1M1; N (91.074 kg/ha), P (19.891 kg/ha), K (140.855 kg/ha) uptake by potato tuber is found higher with treatment S2M2; N (66.258 kg/ha), P (15.956 kg/ha), K (68.883 kg/ha) uptake by potato haulm is found higher with treatment S2M2; significantly higher gross return (Rs. 1,92,075/-), net return (Rs. 1,13,056/-), B:C ratio (2.43) and harvest index (60.23%). While, minimum gross return (Rs. 1, 11,045/-), net return (Rs. 33,026/-), B: C ratio (1.42) and harvest index (53.07%) recorded with treatment S2M1.

Effect of different intercropping and mulching on yield and quality of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.)

The field experiment entitled “Effect of different intercropping and mulching on yield and quality of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.)” was conducted at students’ research farm, Khalsa College, Amritsar during kharif season of 2020-21. The soil of the experimental field was categorized as sandy loam. The soil reaction pH ranged from 7.7 to 8.4. The maximum pH (8.4) was observed in open condition followed by soil under sugarcane plantation and least were observed in peach. The value of OC (%), available N, P and K were higher under peach as compared to sugarcane plantation and open conditions. The field experiment was laid out in Factorial split-plot design with three intercropping system viz. T3 (turmeric + peach), T2 (turmeric + sugarcane) along with T1 (turmeric sole) in main plots while the three different mulching rates viz. M8 (Mulching @8t ha-1), M4 (Mulching @4t ha-1) and M0 (Mulching @0t ha-1) in sub plots with four replications. Results indicated that growth parameters such as plant height (90.1 cm), number of leaves (12.9), LAI (4.2) were highest in intercropping as compared to control, whereas yield parameters such as number of tillers (2.9), Fresh (189.5 g) and dry weight (34.9) of rhizomes, fresh (174.2 q ha-1), dry (38.2 q ha-1) and processed yield (36.5 q ha-1) were recorded higher in T1 as compared to T2 and least were found in T3. The oil (8.23 %) and curcumin content (1.8%) increased with intercropping. On the other hand, it was observed that application of paddy straw mulch resulted in significantly higher emergence count (81.9 %), plant height (89.8 cm), number of leaves (12.7), LAI (4.1) number of tillers (2.8), number of rhizomes (15.1), Fresh (193.4g) and dry rhizome weight (35.2g) and Fresh yield (174.2 q ha-1), Dry yield (38.2 q ha-1) and processed rhizome yield (36.4 q ha-1) of turmeric. These parameters were significantly higher in M8 over M4 and M0. Application of straw mulch resulted in higher curcumin (1.85 %) and oil content (8.15 %). So it was concluded that paddy straw mulch application @ 8t ha-1 is resulted higher rhizome yield and growth parameters and thus improved performance of turmeric.

Effect of integrated weed management on weed dynamics in rose

An experiment was directed to assess the effect of integrated weed management practices on weed density and dry biomass in rose cv. Gruss-en-Tepltiz by using treatments paddy straw mulch 0.6 kg/m2, paddy straw mulch 1.2 kg/m2, oxyfluorfen 0.025 g/m2, oxyfluorfen 0.025 g/m2 + paddy straw mulch 0.6 kg/m2, oxyfluorfen 0.025 g/m2 + paddy straw mulch 1.2 kg/m2, hand weeding (at monthly interval) and unweeded control. The least value of weed count of diverse species was recorded in hand weeding closely followed by oxyfluorfen 0.025 g/m2 + paddy straw mulch 1.2 kg/m2. Dry biomass of weeds and weed control efficiency was also marked to be lowest in hand weeding followed by oxyfluorfen 0.025 g/m2 + paddy straw mulch 1.2 kg/m2. Since hand weeding is costly, tedious, laborious, and if not done legitimately, harms the plant and root system, the result of the study advocated using oxyfluorfen in combination with paddy straw mulch at a rate of 1.2 kg/m2 for effectively reducing weed growth

Influence of Land Configurations and Mulching on Plant Growth and Yield of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

Inadequate moisture supply and poor soil management are some of the major constraints for productivity in grain legumes like chickpea, present study was to focus on effect of land configurations and mulching in overcoming the constraints and their effect on growth and yield of chickpea. During rabi, 2019-20, the experiment was laid out in split plot design at College Farm, Agricultural College, Polasa, Jagtial with three land configurations (M1- Flat bed, M2- Ridge and furrow, M3- Broad bed and furrow) as main plots and four mulching treatments (S1- Control, S2- Sesamum mulch, S3- Gliricidia mulch, S4- Paddy straw mulch) as sub plots and are evaluated for growth and yield. Significant performance of the growth parameters was observed under broad bed and furrow land configuration and in contrast, flat bed land configuration recorded the least performance. Among the mulching treatments gliricidia recorded the better performance over other treatments.

Soil temperature and horticultural traits as influenced by mulching materials and orchard floor management practices in ber (Zizypus mauritiana Lamk.)


 Different type of mulches viz. paddy straw mulch (PSM), black polythene mulch (BPM), and white polythene mulch (WPM) were spreaded under the canopies of Indian ber (Zizypus mauritiana Lamk.) trees in second fortnight of October. The treatments of inter-cultivation (IC) and chemical weed management (CWM), and control trees were also kept for comparative analysis. The daily soil temperature recorded at 0900, 1200, 1400 and 1700 hours from October to April months during 2018-19 and 2019-20 revealed significant variations under different treatments. The respective soil temperature variation during 1st and 2nd year was minimum (9.2 and 9.9 oC) under PSM as compared to 16.5 oC in control plots throughout the investigation period. The soil temperature under PSM was higher during extreme winters whereas, it was comparatively lower during pre and post-winter season as compared to other treatments.The variations in intra-day average soil temperature during the months of October-November and again in March-April was higher than in December-February; the period of extreme winters. Significant reduction in physiological fruit drop was recorded under all the treatments with minimum fruit drop under PSM followed by BPM, while it was maximum in control trees. Likewise, fruit weight and fruit yield was also recorded highest under PSM followed by BPM treatments. The microbes in the rhizopshere of mulched trees with PSM followed by BPM exhibited highest and sustained activity from from Otober to April month under North-West Indian conditions.

Paddy straw mulch effect on micr oclimate, growth and yield of wheat under zero till sowing in North-West India

Paddy straw mulch effect on micr oclimate, growth and yield of wheat under zero till sowing in North-West India

Water use efficiency of green gram (Vigna radiata L.) impacted by paddy straw mulch and irrigation regimes in north-western India

A multilocation field experiment was conducted at Students’ Research Farm, Department of Agronomy, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana and PAU, Regional Research Station (RRS), Bathinda, during summer 2019. The experiment was conducted in RCBD with 15 treatment combinations with 3 replications. The treatments comprised of 3 mulch levels i.e., M0, M6, and M12 i.e., no mulch, 6 and 12 t ha−1, respectively, and 5 irrigation schedules i.e., I10, I20, I30, and I40 with 10%, 20%, 30% and 40% depletion of available soil water (ASW), respectively, and IR (PAU recommendation as 4 irrigations). The growth parameters (plant height, dry matter accumulation and leaf area index), yield attributing characters namely pods per plant, number of seeds per pod and thousand-grain weight, seed and straw yield were significantly higher in M12 than M6 and no mulch (M0). The growth parameters, yield attributes, seed and straw yield were significantly higher for I10 due to increased irrigation frequency (5–6 irrigations). Both M0I10 (seven irrigations without mulch) and M6I30 (3 irrigations with straw mulch (6 t ha−1)) treatments observed comparable seed yield (1.06 t ha−1). Therefore, the substantial increase in seed yield with lower crop water use with the usage of straw mulch saves a considerable amount of water. Subsequently, the use of 6 t ha−1 of straw mulch with 3 irrigations (30% depletion from available soil water) facilitated a higher seed yield. The crop water use (CWU) was highest for M0 as due to bare soil, resulted in more evapotranspiration. The bio-physical productivity (BPWP) and water use efficiency was found to be maximum for mulch treatments. The I10 reported maximum CWU, whereas, Bio-physical water productivity (BPWP) were higher for I40 treatment where only one irrigation was given in this treatment. The WUE was maximum in I30 treatment at Ludhiana and in I20 at Bathinda location.

Weed Control Using Paddy Straw Mulch in Integration with Herbicides in Autumn Potato in North-West India

Weeds are a major problem in potato production. Two years of trials were conducted to study the efficacy of herbicides and integrated use of mulch with herbicides in controlling weeds and for improving the growth and yield of autumn potato crop at Ludhiana, north-west India, during autumn 2016 and 2017. Each trial had a randomized complete block design with three replicates. There were 11 treatments including weed-free and weedy controls. Uncontrolled weeds caused a yield reduction of 49.7%. Metribuzin at 350 g/ha pre-emergence resulted in 82.4% weed control efficiency at 30 days after planting but this control was reduced to 23.9% at harvest. In contrast, metribuzin at 350 g/ha applied post-emergence controlled broadleaf weeds and grasses very effectively. Clodinafop at 60 g/ha post-emergence resulted in control of grasses only. The post-emergence application of pre-mix clodinafop plus metribuzin at 260 g/ha provided effective weed control and resulted in more tuber yield and economic returns and was significantly better than an application solely of metribuzin or clodinafop. The integrated weed control treatment of paddy straw mulch (PSM) at 6 t/ha with clodinafop plus metribuzin at 195 g/ha post-emergence resulted in the highest tuber yield with weed control efficiency of 95.3% at harvest. The next best one was an integrated treatment of PSM at 6 t/ha with metribuzin at 275 g/ha pre-emergence.

Influence of soil solarization on the multiplication of aeroponic seed potato under net house (Gen-0) and open field conditions (Gen-1) of north central India

A field experiment was conducted at ICAR- CPRI, Regional Station, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh to study the effect of soil solarization on weed population and multiplication of seed potatoes under aphid proof net house (Gen-0) and subsequently under field conditions (Gen-1) of 3 potato cultivars, viz. Kufri Mohan, Kufri Chipsona-1 and Kufri Lauvkar during 2017-18 and 2018-19. Treatments were replicated thrice in split plot design. The experimental area was solarized with black polythene and paddy straw mulch, whereas, unsolarized plots served as control. Mean monthly maximum temperature at all the soil depths was higher in polythene solarized plots followed by unsolarized and paddy straw mulch solarized plots under both net house and open field conditions. Soil nutrient properties, viz. pH, OC, available N, P and K were influenced by soil solarization both at planting and harvesting. Solarization with polythene and paddy straw mulch resulted in 88.23% and 41.05% reduction in weed population under net house and 74.80 and 37.79% reduction under open field conditions. Under net house conditions, total tuber yield was significantly higher with polythene solarization (29.33 t/ha), whereas, under open field conditions yield was maximum with paddy straw mulch (37.45 t/ha) over other two treatments respectively.

Liquid organic fertilizer and types of organic mulch toward photosynthesis translocation of green beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

Green bean productivity is closely related to the accumulation of photosynthesis translocation. Organic base matter for fertilizer and mulch provide eco-friendly system to support plant productivity. Liquid organic fertilizer and types of organic mulch serve the optimum condition for growing environment of green beans. This study aimed to determine the concentrations of liquid organic fertilizer and types of organic mulch toward biomass addition in green beans. The experiment was conducted on Andisol soil in Cisalak, Subang West Java from January to March 2018. A factorial randomized block design was used to arrange the first factors (0 ml l−1, 1 ml l−1, 2 ml l−1, and 3 ml l−1 liquid organic fertilizer) and the second factors (without mulch, paddy straw mulch, and reeds mulch). The results obtain no interaction between liquid organic fertilizer and types of organic mulch for number pods per plant, pods weight per plant, dry stover weight, shoot root ratio and harvest index. Liquid organic fertilization in 2 ml and paddy straw mulch, independently, gave the best recommendation to increase green bean productivity.

Effect of irrigation levels and mulching on growth and flower production in african marigold (Tagetes erecta L.)

The present investigation studies the effect of irrigation levels and mulching on growth and flower production in African marigold variety Punjab Gainda No. 1. There were 15 treatments comprising of five levels of irrigation as main plot (60%, 70%, 80%, 90% and 100% ET c) and three kinds of mulches as sub plot (No mulch (Control), Paddy straw mulch and Silver-black mulch) were used. Growth parameters like plant height, plant spread, number of branches, stem diameter, size of flower were recorded higher with treatment combination 1.0 ETc with Silver-black polythene mulch which was statistically at par with treatment combination 0.9 ETc with Silver-black polythene mulch and 1.0 ETc with paddy straw mulch. Similarly, yield attributes i.e number of flowers per plant and flower weight per plant were recorded maximum with treatment combination 1.0 ETc with Silver-black polythene mulch which was statistically at par with treatment combination 0.9 ETc with Silver-black polythene mulch. WUE was maximum in treatment combination 0.6 ETc with Silver-black polythene mulch.

Hydraulic performance of existing drip irrigation system and effect of used plastic based mulching system on Rabi onion (Allium cepa)

Polythene mulches have been practiced for soil solarisation during winter months in various vegetable crops and have been found superior over other types of mulches, but plastics is create environmental problems. With this in view the present study has be undertaken on clay loam soil at Raipur, Chhattisgarh for Rabi onion. The aim of the experiment was to study the hydraulic performance of existing drip irrigation system under different operating pressure and prepare used plastic based mulching sheet to evaluate their performance in terms of change in micro-climate. In this study eight different types of mulching conditions were considered viz. black plastic mulch (BPM), silver plastic mulch (SPM), used reddish rice bag mulch (RBM), used whitish wheat flour bag mulch (WFBM), used yellowish cement bag mulch (CBM), Paddy straw mulch (PSM), soil mulch (SM) and without mulch (WM) (control) and comparison was done among them in micro-climatic condition. The main micro-climatic parameters like soil temperature, soil moisture content, soil moisture depletion were studied with randomized block designed in three replications. In Hydraulic performances of drip irrigation system were studied for 2.4 l h-1 inline emitters at 1, 1.2 and 1.5 kg cm-2 pressures, discharges from drippers were found to be 1.99 l h-1, 2.22 l h-1 and 2.33 l h-1, coefficient of variation 0.061, 0.044 and 0.029 were found and emission uniformity 95.59%, 96.54% and 96.69% were found, respectively. Also, from this study, it was found that during forenoon soil temperature increases with increasing soil depth but in afternoon the trend was vice-versa. The maximum soil moisture content (27.89%) was found under BPM and minimum soil moisture content (21.52%) was found under used WM. Similarly soil moisture depletion was found minimum in BPM (0.31 mm) and maximum under WM (3.08 mm) under all eight types of mulches. The study concludes that the hydraulic performance of drip irrigation system was found good and needs to be operated at 1.2-1.5 kg cm-2 pressure for 2.4 lh-1 inline emitter. At a particular spacing, the emission uniformity, uniformity coefficient and irrigation efficiencies increases when operating pressure is increased but coefficient of variation and emitter flow variation decreases when operating pressure is increased. Mulching roll can be prepared from used plastic bags which are available with the farmers in plenty and can be reused as mulching material satisfactorily by small and marginal farmers.

Effect of different weed control methods on weeds and yield of Chili (Capsicum annum L.)

To study the effect of different weed control practices on weeds and growth of chilies, an experiment was carried out at Vegetable Research Farm, Mahrajpur, Department of Horticulture, JNKVV, Jabalpur (M.P.) in the rabi season of 2010-2011. The experiment was laid out in a completely randomized block design having there replications, and comprising of sixteen treatments chili variety ‘’JM-218’’ was selected for the experiment and sown in a plot size of 3.0 m x 2.0 m. All the treatments significantly affected the parameters of weed density m-2, fresh weight biomass, and yield components of chilies such as plant height, number of fruits per plant, red ripe fruit yield and dry fruit yield. Highest weed density of all the weed species, fresh weed biomass were recorded in weedy check plots. Pendimethalin @ 1.5 l/ha + black mulch resulted in the highest plant height (75.3 cm), number of fruits per plant (73.33), yield of red ripe fruit (134.7 q ha-1) and yield of dry fruit (22q ha-1) followed by pendimethalin @ 1.5 l/ha + paddy straw mulch. Therefore, pendimethalin @ 1.5 l/ha + black polythene mulch resulted as the most effective treatment in terms of weed suppression and yield enhancement of chili crop.