Effect of perennial mulches on moisture conservation and soil-building properties through agroforestry

Abstract

The effect of perennial mulches on moisture status, soil characteristics and on crop yields (maize-wheat rotation) was evaluated from 1986 through 1989 in a silty loam acidic soil (pH 5.6, PWP 11.4 & FC 25.6%) at the Research Farm of the Central Soil & Water Conservation Research & Training Institute, Dahra Dun. Mulch materials, comprised of leaves of Leucaena leucocephala, Eucalyptus hybrid, Shorea robusta, Broussonatia paprifera or Pueraria hirsuta (chopped) @ 4 t/ha were applied just after sowing of wheat and the residual effect of applied mulch was seen in kharif maize each year.The distribution of profile moisture revealed that at the time of sowing of wheat the soil water content did not differ with depth (0--90 cm). With the advancement of time, the magnitude of moisture distribution changed. At various crop growth stages the highest amount of water was found in the plots mulched with S. robusta followed by E. hybrid. All the mulch materials, except B. paprifera, lowered the soil pH, the maximum effect was noted with E. hybrid (pH reduced from 5.6 to 5.0). After three years, N and K content of soil were found to be greatest with the application of L. leucocephala whereas the highest P content was observed in B. paprifera mulched plots.The highest wheat grain yield (2.46 t/ha) was recorded with L. leucocephala and minimum under control (2.11 t/ha) which represents a gain of 11.7 per cent. Maximum maize grain yield (0.73 t/ha) was found in S. robusta mulched plots followed by L. leucocephala (0.63 t/ha) and the minimum in the control (0.51 t/ha).

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

“…Variation in tillage practices in combination with different mulch management showed significant impact on productivity and water use pattern of oil seed crops in eastern India (Moitra et al, 1996). Zero tillage with surface mulch has been found to be a promising alternative to conventional tillage and gave higher yield as a consequence of improved water conservation (Lal, 1983;Tomar et al, 1992;Franzen et al, 1994).…”

Multipurpose tree prunings as a source of nitrogen to maize under semiarid conditions in Zimbabwe

“…Kang and Duguma (1985) showed that incorporating 10 Mg ha -t of leucaena and gliricidia prunings gave 65% and 25%, respectively, of more grain yield than surface application on an alfisol in subhumid Nigeria. Mulching with various MPT prunings has been shown also to conserve soil moisture, reduce soil temperature fluctuations, and suppress weed growth (Tomar et al, 1992;Budelman, 1988Budelman, , 1989. Mulching with various MPT prunings has been shown also to conserve soil moisture, reduce soil temperature fluctuations, and suppress weed growth (Tomar et al, 1992;Budelman, 1988Budelman, , 1989.…”

Revisión sobre la alelopatía de <em>Eucalyptus</em> L'Herit

“…La aplicación de hojarasca de eucalipto sobre cu ltivos (un experimento clásico para los que buscan probar alelopatía) 110 necesariamente resulta en efectos nocivos para los cu ltivos. Por ejemplo, Tomar et al (1992) aplicaron 4 ton/ha de hojas secas de un eucali pto híbrido (posiblemente de Eucalyptus tereticornis), en surcos y después de la siembra, a cultivos de trigo y maíz. Los rendimientos fueron igual es o mayores que los obtenidos en su elo sin hojas de eucalipto .…”