Effect of Agronomic Management on Soil Microclimatic Parameters and Root Yield of Sida Hemp (Sida alnifolia L.)

Abstract

Agronomic management exhibits great influence on growth and yield of crops by modifying physical, chemical and biological properties of soil and plants. Field experiment was conducted during June to December, 2018 to assess the effect of agronomic management viz. light intensity, application of manuring and weed management on soil microclimatic variations and its effects on root yield of Sida hemp (Sida alnifolia L.). The treatments included two levels of light intensity (open and 50 per cent shade), two levels of manuring (no manure and FYM@10 t ha-1), and four weed management practices (black polythene mulching, organic mulching with paddy straw @ 5 t ha-1, hand weeding at 1,3,5 MAP (Month after planting) and no weeding). Higher soil temperature at 10 cm depth was observed in open condition and under black polythene mulching throughout the growing period. Higher soil moisture content at 15 cm depth was recorded under shade and black polythene mulching. Black polythene mulching resulted in increase in soil temperature and soil moisture content by almost two percent as compared to bare soil in open condition. The highest root yield of 14.66 t ha-1 was noticed in plots with black polythene mulching with FYM under open condition. Soil temperature and light intensity showed positive correlation with root yield.