Paddy Straw Mulch Research Articles

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.

Impact of paddy straw mulch on germination and growth of celery (Apium graveolens L.) seedlings and associated weeds in nursery

A study was undertaken during three consecutive rabi seasons of 2014–15 to 2016–17 at the Research Farm, Department of Agronomy, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana (Punjab) to determine the effect of paddy straw mulch load and retention time on the germination and growth of celery and associated weeds. The experiment was conducted in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with nine treatments viz., paddy straw mulch @ 4 and 6 t ha-1 with retention time of 15, 20, 25 days after sowing (DAS), full time retention (60 DAS), and control (without mulch). The results indicated that application of paddy straw mulch @ 4 or 6 t ha-1 significantly improved the germination of celery in nursery as compared to no mulch treatment but retention of paddy straw mulch beyond 20 days after sowing suppressed the celery seedlings adversely resulting in lowering seedling population as well as fresh and dry weight of celery seedlings. Application of paddy straw mulch @ 4 or 6 t ha-1 resulted in significantly lower density and dry weight of weeds as compared to control. Further, each successive increase in retention time of paddy straw mulch from 15 DAS to full time retention (60 DAS) through 20 and 25 DAS significantly reduced the weed population in celery nursery.

Soil Hydrothermal Regimes, Biological Activity and Nutrient Availability under Various Mulches and Weed Management Practices in Tomato

The impact of different mulching materials and weed management practices on soil properties were evaluated by a field study conducted at College of Horticulture, Rajendranagar during 2015 with tomato as test crop. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with seven treatments consisting of control (unweeded check), pendimethalin (PE) @1.0 kg a.i. ha-1 + hand weeding at 30 DAT, black polythene mulch, reflective polythene mulch, paddy straw mulch, paddy husk mulch, hand weeding two times (20 DAT & 40 DAT) and replicated thrice. The mean temperature was higher by 1.7°C under black polythene mulch compared to control (bare soil) and it was less by 1.8 °C under paddy straw mulch. Soil moisture content under black polythene mulch was significantly higher by 31.21%, 36.07% and 24.19% respectively at 20, 40 DAT and at harvest. In the initial stages i.e., at 20 DAT, reflective polythene mulch (28.81%) and paddy husk mulch (24.52%) were also equally effective in maintaining soil moisture on par to that of black polythene mulch. Significantly highest dehydrogenase activity (8.62 and 6.17 μg of TPF released g-1day-1 respectively), acid phosphatase activity (121.81 and 92.15 μg of PNP released g-1hr-1 respectively) and alkaline phosphatase activity (135.19 and 106.10 μg of PNP released g-1hr-1 respectively) were recorded under paddy straw mulch at 40 days after transplanting and after harvest. Similarly, significantly highest bacterial count (7.49 log10 CFU g soil-1 and 7.34 log10 CFU g soil-1), fungal count (4.53 log10 CFU g soil-1 and 4.36 log10 CFU g soil-1) and actinomycetes count (5.42 log10 CFU g soil-1 and 5.26 log10 CFU g soil-1) at 40 DAT and after harvest respectively were high under paddy straw mulch. Availability of nitrogen and phosphorus was high under reflective polythene mulch while that of potassium under straw mulch. Weed management either through pre-emergence application of pendimethalin @1.0 kg a.i. ha-1 + hand weeding at 30 DAT or by hand weeding two times (20 DAT & 40 DAT) did not influence the soil properties significantly.

Effect of weed management strategies on weed count and yield attributes of apple (Malus × Domestica) under high density orchard system

A field experiment was conducted during 2018 to assess the effect of different weed management strategies on weed count and yield attributes of apple under high density orchard system. The said investigation was carried out in experimental fields of Division of Fruit Science, SKUAST, Kashmir. One year old trees of exotic apple cv. “Elstar” grafted on M-9 T337 rootstock, introduced from Holland in March 2017, were selected for experimentation. Thirteen selected treatments were laid in randomized complete block design, with each treatment replicated thrice. The results revealed that the use of the combination of pre and post emergent herbicide was significantly effective in controlling weeds. Minimum weed count (0.25) was found under T12 (Oxyfluorfen followed by Glufosinate ammonium). Maximum incidence of weeds was recorded under unweeded control. Furthermore significant influence of different weed management strategies was observed on initial and final fruit set in high density apple trees. Maximum final fruit retention was obtained under paddy straw mulch. The highest fruit yield per tree was recorded under T12 (Oxyfluorfen followed by Glufosinate ammonium) which was statistically at par with T5 (paddy straw mulch). Minimum final fruit retention, fruit yield and yield efficiency was recorded under control indicating that weed management strategies are very much essential under high density orchard system for obtaining higher yield.

Weed dynamics as affected by practices and straw mulches in chickpea

A two year field experiment entitled “Effect of weed control practices alone and in combination with crop mulch on weed dynamics, yield and economics of chickpea” was conducted at Live Stock Farm, Department of Agronomy, Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya, Jabalpur during Rabi 2018-2019 and 2019-2020. The 16 treatments comprising of four weed control practices viz. Pendimethalin (38.7% CS) 1 kg a.i. /ha as PPI, Hand Weeding at 30 DAS, Hand Hoeing at 30 DAS and Control (No weed control) as a main plot treatments and four crop mulches i.e. Wheat straw (5 t/ha), Paddy straw (5 t/ha), Soybean straw (5 t/ha) and Control (No mulch) were assigned in sub-plot treatments and these were laidout in a split plot design with three replications. It is evident from the data Cichorium intybus (31.95%), Medicago truncatula (21.82%) and Melilotus indica (20.52%) were rampant weeds in chickpea. Hand hoeing at 30 DAS caused marginal reduction in density and dry weight of weeds over weedy check. However, hand weeding done at 30 DAS in chickpea curbed the density and dry weight of weeds to the maximum extent followed by pendimethalin 1 kg /ha as PPI and attained the higher values of weed control efficiency (69.68 and 52.12% respectively) compared to hand hoeing (42.23%) and weedy check plots (0.00%). Similarly, application of paddy straw (5 t/ha) reduced the density and dry weight of weeds appreciably and attained higher weed control efficiency (61.34%) followed by wheat straw (53.04%) against soybean straw which reduced weed biomass to the tune 32.62 % only. The chickpea yield was minimum (0.87 t/ha) in control plots, which was increased markedly under different weed control practices and crop mulches. Hand weeding done at 30 DAS produced significantly higher seed yield (1.67 t/ha) being at par to pendimethalin 1kg /ha (1.49 t/ha) than one hand hoeing (1.27 t/ha) and control plots (0.87 t/ha). The seed yield was significantly higher (1.55 t/ha) under paddy straw mulch (5 t/ha) followed by wheat straw mulch (1.40 t/ha) in comparison to no straw mulch plots (1.10 t/ha) and soybean straw mulch (1.23 t/ha).

Effect of paddy straw mulch, irrigation regimes and nitrogen levels on the performance of spring transplanted bell pepper in semi-arid environment of South-Western Punjab

A 4-years study was conducted to investigate the effect ofthree irrigation levels (I1= IW/CPE=0.6, I2=0.9, I3=1.2) andthree nitrogen levels (N1=100 kg/ha, N2=125 kg/ha, N3=150kg/ha) on growth, yield, quality and water use efficiency(WUE) of spring transplanted bell pepper with paddy strawmulching (PSM) @ 6 t/ha (M1) vis-à-vis without mulching(M0). Significantly higher fruit yield was recorded withhigher number of irrigations (I3) as compared to I1 and I2levels. The fruit yield under M0I3 was statistically at parwith that under M1I2 implying saving of 5-7 irrigations byusing PSM. Low nitrogen fertilization with PSM (N1M1)yielded at par with higher nitrogen fertilization withoutmulching (N3M0) revealing that 50 kg N/ha may be saved byusing PSM. The dry matter, ascorbic acid and chlorophyll(a, b and total chlorophyll) in fruits harvested from M1 plotswere higher than those from M0 plots whereas, the capsaicincontent in fruit was 14.6% lower in M1 plots than those frombare soil. The dry matter, vitamin C and chlorophyll (a, b andtotal) in fruits were the lowest in I1 and the highest valueswere recorded in I3 whereas the capsaicin content exhibitedthe contrary trend. A significant increase in fruit dry matter,ascorbic acid and chlorophyll (a, b and total); and a decreasein capsaicin content was observed with increase in nitrogendose from 100 kg/ha to 150 kg/ha. Water use (WU) wasslightly higher under M0 as compared to M1 plots, whereas,the WUE and profile water use (PWU) were higher in M1than in M0 plots. The WU and PWU exhibited an increasingtrend with increasing frequency of irrigation whereas theWUE showed a decreasing trend. The WU and WUE valueswere the highest at N3 and the lowest at N1 level. The organiccarbon, available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassiumcontent of surface soil (0-15 cm) increased with PSM thanthose in bare soil.

Performance of Plant Aqueous Extracts for Organic Weed Management in Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea)

Different crops were raised and harvested at physiological maturity and weeds were collected at flowering stages during Kharif 2017 for preparing plant aqueous extracts at wet land farm of Sri Venkateswara Agricultural College, Tirupati. A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the performance of different plant aqueous extracts and paddy straw mulch for organic weed management in a randomized block design and replicated thrice during Rabi, 2017-18 and The predominant weed species observed were Cyperus rotundus L. (45%), Digitaria sanguinalis (L.) Scop. (15%), Borreria hispida (L.) K. Schum. (7%). All chemical weed management practices recorded significantly lesser weed density and dry weight than organic weed management practices. Among the organic weed management practice, application of paddy straw mulch at 5 t ha-1 recorded significantly lesser density and dry weight of weeds with higher weed control efficiency, apart from enhancing the yield components and pod yield of groundnut. Among the plant aqueous extracts, sorghum plant aqueous extract spray 15 L ha-1 at 15 and 30 DAS proved to be the best in controlling weeds and increasing pod yield. The performance of parthenium and purple nutsedge aqueous extracts each applied at 15 L ha-1 at 15 and 30 DAS were very poor in controlling weeds and promoting pod yield of groundnut. The reduction in pod yield of groundnut due to unchecked weed growth was 52.53 and 37.18% compared to pendimethalin 1kg ha-1 + HW at 30 DAS and paddy straw mulch at 5 t ha-1, respectively. Paddy straw mulch at 5 t ha-1 recorded significantly higher count of effective rhizobium nodules plant-1 and soil microorganisms viz., bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes.

Impact of mulch, spacing and fertilizer on growth, yield and economics of broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. Var. Italica) under crop cafeteria in Narsinghpur district M.P

A two year field experiment was conducted to examine the impact of mulch, fertilizer and spacing on growth, yield and economics of broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica) under crop cafeteria in Narsinghpur District M.P. Performance of broccoli was evaluated under Effect of Spacing S1(45x30cm) S2(45x40cm) S3(45x50cm), effect of organic manure F0 (No manure) F1 (FYM) F2 (vermi-compost) and effect of mulch M0 (no mulch) M1 (silver black polythene) M2 (paddy straw) was applied. Experiment was performed with three replications with completely randomized design (RBD). The use of M2 paddy straw mulch S3(45x50 cm) spacing and F2 Vermi-compost showed the superior results as compared to all other treatments. The maximum marketable yield 21.32 Kg and total Yield 27.03 Kg was recorded from paddy straw mulch while the minimum marketable yield 14.18 Kg and total yield 18.66 Kgwas recorded from un mulch condition. Where the maximum marketable yield 24.06 Kg and total Yield 30.07Kg was recorded from S3while the minimum marketable 18.30Kg and total yield 23.76Kg was recorded from S1plant spacing.Maximum marketable yield 26.04 Kg and total Yield 32.17 Kg was recorded from F2 while the minimum 11.68 Kg and total yield 15.55 Kg was recorded from F0.

Growth, productivity and profitability of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under rice–wheat cropping system as influenced by of in-situ microbial inoculated rice residue and nitrogen management

Continuous cropping of rice (Oryza sativa L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in IGP deplete soil fertility and crop productivity. In order to maintain or enhance the sustainability of this system use of crop residues and biological formulation of microbes will be play an important role in this areas. Field experiment was conducted in rabi seasons of 2013-14 and 2014-15 at New Delhi, India to study the effect of microbial inoculated rice residue and N management on growth, productivity and economics of wheat under rice–wheat cropping system (RWCS). After rice harvest in both years, wheat variety “HD-2967” was grown on the same layout with applied treatments. Results of this experiment revealed that composting inoculated (CI) paddy straw mulch were recorded significantly higher effective tiller, spike length, spike weight, 1,000-grain weight(test weight) and yield during both the years. However, 100% RDN + Azotobacter (Liquid) was found maximum with regard to all yield and yield attributes characteristics. On economic comparison application of composting inoculated PSM with 100% RDN + Azotobacter gave maximum gross return and net returns.

Weed Management in Apple Cv. Royal Delicious by Using Different Orchard Floor management Practices

ABSTRACT In this study, 19-year-old apple orchard at Arabal, Shalimar, Jammu and Kashmir, India, was selected during 2015 and 2016. Forty-five trees were treated with paddy straw mulch, paddy straw mulch followed by glyphosate @ 2.0 l ha−1, oxyflourfen @ 1.0 l ha−1, oxyflourfen @ 1.0 l ha−1 followed by glyphosate @ 2.0 l ha−1, atrazine @ 3.0 kg ha−1, atrazine @ 3.0 kg ha−1 followed by glyphosate @ 2.0 l ha−1, pendimethalin @ 2.0 l ha−1, pendimethalin @ 2.0 l ha−1 followed by glyphosate @ 2.0 l ha−1, bicolor polythene mulch, cowpea, white clover, clean cultivation, farmer practices, zero weeds and control. Three replications were maintained in a randomized complete block design. Minimum weeds (0.0) and weed control efficiency (100%) were recorded in zero weeds, bicolor polythene mulch and in paddy straw mulch followed by glyphosate. High levels of soil nutrients, large annual shoot extension (49.3 and 50.2 cm) and leaf area (77.83 and 78.57 cm−2) with maximum fruit yield (82.03 and 80.60 kg/tree) were recorded in paddy straw mulch followed by glyphosate during 2015 and 2016, respectively. Paddy straw mulch followed by glyphosate can be used for effective weed control with improved yield and growth characters of apple.

Response of different cultivars of potato to various soil moisture regimes under South Eastern Rajasthan

A field experiment was conducted to assess the effect of water management practices and varieties on the growth, yield and water productivity of potato at Agricultural Research Station, Kota during the year 2017–18 and 2018–19 situated in the humid south eastern plain zone of Rajasthan. Five potato varieties (V1- AICRP-P-21, V2- AICRP-P-32, V3- AICRP-P-37, V4- AICRP-P-38 and V5- Kufri Sindhuri) as main plot treatment and four levels of irrigation (subplot treatments) i.e I1-Irrigation at 20 mm cumulative pan evaporation (CPE), I2-Irrigation at 25 mm CPE (5, sub-optimal irrigations), I3-Irrigation at 30 mm CPE (4 irrigations at critical stages) and I4- Irrigation at 30 mm CPE + paddy straw mulch @ 5 t/ha at the time of planting were arranged in split plot design with three replications. The results revealed that the emergence was significantly higher in variety AICRP- P-38, tuber yield and plant height was significantly higher in variety Kufri Sinduri and number of shoots per plant were significantly higher in the variety AICRP- P-32. Application of straw mulch @5 t/ha along with four irrigation gave crop yield at par with the treatment with five irrigation and resulted in saving of one irrigation as compared to I3 treatment. Thus, paddy straw mulching @5t/ha alongwith four irrigation (I3) may be recommended to achieve higher tuber yield, seed grade tubers under lower water availability in arid environment of Rajasthan.

Effect of spacing and mulching on vegetative growth, fruit yield and quality of strawberry cultivars (<em>Faragria× ananassa</em> Duch.)

The present study was carried out at Fruit Research Farm , Guru Kashi University Talwandi Sabo, Bathinda, during the period 2016- 2017. The experiment was performed to find out the most suitable cultivar and the best spacing and mulching material for Punjab conditions. The experiment was laid out split-split plot design with four replication. The treatment comprised of three main treatment as cultivar (Chandler, Camarosa and Winterdown), three sub treatment as spacing (30×15 cm, 30×20 cm and 30×30 cm) and two sub-sub treatment as mulching (paddy straw mulch and without mulch).On the basis of statistical data, it is concluded that cv. Chandler with spacing 30×30 cm was found to be best in terms of plant growth viz., plant height, number of leaves, plant spread, mean fruit weight and number of days required for flowering, fruit set and ripening, mean fruit yield / plant, fruit length and diameter, quality parameters TSS, Acidity and TSS / Acid ratio. The highest yield / ha was recorded with spacing 30×15 due to increasing number of plants per unit. Paddy straw mulching had significant effect on all over characters.

Interaction effect of irrigation scheduling, mulching and integrated nutrient management on summer groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) yields under subtropical conditions of eastern Uttar Pradesh

The study aimed to evaluate the interaction effect of irrigation scheduling, mulching and integrated nutrient management on yields of summer groundnut under sub-tropical conditions. An experiment of summer groundnut involving three irrigation scheduling, two mulching and four integrated nutrient management treatments was undertaken for consecutive two years at Agricultural Research Farm, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India in a split-plot design with three replications Treatments significantly influenced pod, kernel, haulm, and biological yield of groundnut. Irrigation scheduling at 60 CPE (cumulative pan evaporation) with paddy straw mulch and 75% recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN) + 25% N through farmyard manure (FYM)] + 60 kg S through gypsum recorded highest pod (3611 kg ha-1), kernel (2254 kg ha-1), haulm (5185 kg ha-1), and biological yield (8743 kg ha-1). Further this treatment combination was found better for increasing summer groundnut yields under subtropical conditions

Available nitrogen and methane emission from soils amended with organic manures and urea in rice-wheat system

A field experiment was conducted at ICAR-IARI, New Delhi for two years (2014–2016) with rice-wheat cropping system to estimate available nitrogen (NH4+-N and NO3−-N) and methane emission from soil amended with different organic manures viz., FYM, vermicompost, Sesbania green manure and paddy straw. The experiment were laid out in rice and wheat crops comprising two tillage practices viz. puddled and non-puddled in rice and conventional tillage and no-tillage in wheat. There were seven treatments viz., T1: 120 kg N ha−1 through urea (control); T2: 120 kg N ha−1 + 5.0 t FYM ha−1; T3: 90 kg N ha−1 + 5.0 t FYM ha−1; T4: 120 kg N ha−1 + 5.0 t GM ha−1; T5: 90 kg N ha−1 + 5.0 t GM ha−1; T6: 120 kg N ha−1 + 3.0 t vermicompost ha−1; T7: 90 kg N ha−1+ 3.0 t vermicompost ha−1 for rice crop. In wheat crop, paddy straw mulch was applied @ 5.0 t ha−1 and green manuring was replaced (T4 and T5) but rest treatments remained same as in rice. Results showed that addition of manure resulted in higher release of NH4+-N and methane from rice fields and these values were higher in puddled plots than un-puddled plots. Contrary to it, NO3—N was higher in wheat fields compared to rice fields. In puddled and non-puddled rice fields conditions, total cumulative emission of CH4 was lowest i.e., 38.3 and 20.8 kg ha−1, respectively in the control treatment and the highest (78.9 and 46.7 kg ha−1) in FYM + 100% nitrogen treatment. No-tillage had lower emission than conventional tillage in wheat supporting soils.

Response of mulching and weed management practices on weed control, yield and economics of garlic

A field experiment was conducted during rainy season of (Kharif) 2014 and 2015 at Main Research Station, Hebbal, Bengaluru to know the bio-efficacy of different herbicides against weeds and their effect on growth, yield of garlic and to study the integrated impact of mulching and herbicides on weed growth and to know phytotoxicity effect, if any. The experiment was laid out in a split-plot design with ten treatments, comprising with and without paddy straw mulch 5.0 t/ha in main-plot and weed management methods like pendimethalin at 1.0 kg/ha, oxyflurofen at 0.22 kg/ha, oxadiargyl at 0.14 kg/ha, manual weeding twice at 20 and 40 DAS and weedy check in sub-plot. Results revealed that among weed management practices, significantly higher bulb yield was obtained in oxadiargyl 0.14 kg/ha (6.6 t/ha in 2014 and 6.2 t/ha in 2015), at par with manual weeding (6.5 t/ha in 2014 and 6.0 t/ha in 2015), due to lower weed density and dry weight resulting in higher net returns and benefit:cost ratio.

Performance of intercropping in pre-bearing mango orchards under drip irrigation in a degraded land

A field experiment was carried out to evaluate the performance of pre-bearing mango plantation with different intercrops (papaya, pineapple and combination of papaya and pineapple) in a sandy clay loam soil on a degraded land under drip irrigation at ICAR-Indian Institute of Water Management, Bhubaneswar, Odisha during 2017-18. Different intercrops planted in the mango (cv. Amrapali) were (i) two rows of papaya (cv. Red lady) in either side of mango plants, (ii) two paired rows of pineapple (cv. Queen) in either side of mango plants and (iii) one row of papaya and one paired row of pineapple in either side of mango plants with and without paddy straw mulch. All plants were irrigated by drip irrigation (DI) system. The amount of water used in mango–papaya cropping system (1220 mm) was higher than that in mango-pineapple cropping (975 mm). The volumetric soil water content in top 0.60 m soil in mango, papaya and pineapple were 20-23%, 21-24% and 22-24%, respectively. The vegetative growth parameters (plant height, canopy diameter and trunk girth) of young mango plants were not affected significantly either by papaya or pineapple intercropping. Straw mulch enhanced the growth parameters of mango plants by 8-12%. Similarly, growth parameters of papaya and pineapple were not affected significantly either by intercrops or by straw mulch. The highest yield (17.5 t/ha) and water productivity (21.1 kg/ha.mm) were observed in mango–pineapple system with straw much. The net profit from pineapple intercropping with straw mulch was highest (Rs. 140000/ ha) with benefit-cost ratio of 1.67, followed by papaya-pineapple intercropping with straw mulch in mango. Overall, the study reveals that mango intercropped with pineapple under drip irrigation with rice straw mulch can be practiced in pre-bearing mango orchards of Eastern India.

Growth, yield and quality of maize (Zea mays L.) as influenced by straw mulching and herbicides

The field experiment was carried out at Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana and Regional Research Station Gurdaspur (PAU) during kharif 2017 to assess the effect of straw mulching and weed control treatments on growth parameters, yield and quality of maize. Application of paddy straw mulch at 9.0 t/ha produced significantly higher plant height, dry matter accumulation, leaf area index and grain yield in comparison to 6.25 t/hamulch and no mulch treatments; however, 6.25 and 9.0 t/hamulch treatments remained statistically at par with each other with respect to number of leaves per plant. Straw mulch at 6.25 t/ha also resulted in significantly higher plant height, number of leaves per plant, dry matter accumulation, leaf area index and grain yield than no mulch treatment. Among the herbicide treatments, post-emergence application of tembotrione at 0.088 kg/ha recorded significantly higher plant height, number of leaves per plant, dry matter accumulation, leaf area index and grain yield as compared to pre-emergence application of atrazine at 0.8 kg/ha, atrazine at 1.0 kg/ha and unweeded check but remained statistically at par with tembotrione at 0.110 kg/ha and weed free treatments. Protein and oil contents in maize grains were not significantly influenced by different straw mulch and weed control treatments.

Influence of integrated weed management on weed dynamics and productivity of chili

A field experiment was carried out at Vegetable Research Farm, Mahrajpur, Department of Horticulture, JNKVV, Jabalpur (M.P.) to study the efficacy of different herbicides and mulches against weeds in chili, It was recorded that dominant weed flora in the experiment was Eragrostis cillansis and Cyperus rotindus among monocot weeds, Chenopodium album, Melilotus alba, Anagallis aruensis and Parthenium hysterophorus among dicot weeds. Highest weed density of all the weed species, dry weed biomass were recorded in weedy check plots. Pendimethalin @ 1.5 l/ha + black polythene mulch resulted in the highest plant height (75.3 cm), number of primary branches per plant (15.66), number of fruits per plant (73.33), yield of red ripe fruit (134.7q/ha-1) and yield of dry fruit (22qha-1) followed by Pendimethalin @ 1.5 l/ha + paddy straw mulch. Therefore, pendimethalin @ 1.5 l/ha + black polythene mulch resulted in the most effective treatment in terms of weed suppression and yield enhancement of chili crop.

Weed Management in Common Cottonwood (Populus deltoides) Nursery Plantation

AbstractCommon cottonwood-based agroforestry system is widely adopted in Indian Indo-Gangetic plains. The stem cuttings of common cottonwood are raised in a nursery 10 to 12 months in rows spaced 0.5 mx0.5 m, before re-planting in the field. The longer duration of 10 to 12 months and wider spacing of stem cuttings in the nursery makes the entire transplants highly vulnerable to weed competition, especially during early establishment stages. The efficacy of preemergence herbicides and plastic and straw mulches for weed management in common cottonwood nursery was investigated at two sites in years 2014 and 2015. The major weed flora in the experimental field consisted of three grass weeds (crowfootgrass, feather lovegrass, and southern crabgrass), and four broadleaf weeds (scarlet pimpernel, garden spurge, niruri, and lesser swinecress). The integrated use of pendimethalin or alachlor applied PRE with paddy straw mulch significantly reduced density and biomass of both grass and broadleaf weeds compared to herbicide or straw mulch used alone, and provided similar level of weed control to hand weeding at both locations. Spreading of plastic mulch in the whole field after punching holes for common cottonwood stem cuttings, or in row spaces recorded similar weed control to hand-weeding. The integrated use of herbicides with straw mulch, and or plastic mulch alone significantly improved plant height, stem diameter, below- and above-ground biomass of common cottonwood plants compared to unweeded check. The study concluded that integrated use of herbicides plus paddy straw mulch or plastic mulch alone could be adopted for weed management in common cottonwood nursery plantations.