scholarly journals Investigations on effectiveness of wheat and rice straw mulches on moisture retention in potato crop (Solanum tuberosum L.)

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (S1) ◽  
pp. 345-356 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lalit Goel ◽  
Vijay Shankar ◽  
R. K. Sharma
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Wheat Straw ◽  
Rice Straw ◽  
Moisture Absorption ◽  
Potato Crop ◽  
Moisture Retention ◽  
Straw Mulch ◽  
Wheat Straw Mulch ◽  
Soil Moisture Retention ◽  
Scanning Electron

Abstract Purpose Mulching is a practice recommended for soil moisture conservation in potato. The wheat straw and rice straw obtained as major crop residues were used as mulching materials to compare their effectiveness for soil moisture retention in potato crop. Methods The field experiments were conducted in a randomized complete block design replicated thrice with three treatments viz. plots incorporated with wheat straw mulch, rice straw mulch at the rate of 10 tonnes per hectare each and no mulch serving as control. The soil moisture was determined using a soil moisture probe and data were recorded daily at 10 cm, 20 cm and 30 cm soil depths. The Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy was used to investigate moisture retention characteristics of the mulch materials. Results Soil moisture retention varied as wheat straw mulch > rice straw mulch > no mulch at 10 cm, 20 cm and 30 cm soil depths, respectively. Highest moisture retention in wheat straw mulch at 10 cm depth is attributed to better moisture absorption ability of wheat straw in comparison to rice straw. Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope images indicated the presence of smaller sized micro tubes in wheat straw than rice straw, which resulted in more water retention, thereby substantiating the findings of the study. Conclusion Wheat straw mulch is more effective than rice straw mulch for shallow rooted crops like potato, due to better moisture absorption and retention in upper soil layer.

scholarly journals Wheat straw mulch improves summer maize productivity and soil properties

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mehmood Ali Noor ◽  
Muhammad Mohsin Nawaz ◽  
Wei Ma ◽  
Ming Zhao
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Soil Temperature ◽  
Wheat Straw ◽  
Crop Residue ◽  
Soil Moisture Content ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Summer Maize ◽  
Straw Mulch ◽  
Maize Growth ◽  
Wheat Straw Mulch

Crop residue mulch in agricultural systems preserves soil health and improves crop productivity through its moderating influence on soil temperature regime and enhanced moisture retention. Therefore, a field experiment was conducted to determine the changes in soil properties and grain yield of irrigated summer maize in response to wheat straw mulching in the Northern maize region in China. The treatments investigated were: (i) application of wheat straw mulch (5000 kg ha-1) and (ii) no-mulch application (control). Maize growth and yield attributes were determined during various growth stages, and soil hydro-thermal properties were recorded for two depths (0-15 and 15-30 cm). Straw mulch increased the yield by 18% and also increased total dry biomass yield by 20%, compared to no-mulch. Yield increment was attributed to the increased number of ears per area and kernels number per ear. The effect on thousand kernels weight was found non-significant. Vigorous maize growth was observed under straw mulch treatment, having greater leaf area index (LAI), unit leaf rate (ULR), leaf area duration (LAD), and crop growth rate (CGR). Similarly, the dry matter partitioning for maize kernels was greater in mulch treatment. At the late reproductive stages (R3 and R5), SPAD values for ear and below-ear leaves were higher under mulch treatment. Straw mulch decreased the daytime soil temperature by 1.9 and 1.5 °C on average for 0-15 and 15-30 cm soil layers, respectively. Whereas, the soil moisture content increased about 2.5% (0-15 cm) and 3% (15-30 cm) under the mulch treatment. In crux, leftover crop residue application as mulch in irrigated maize could be a sustainable agronomic option to increase the crop productivity.   Highlights - Wheat straw mulch improved maize grain yield by approx. 18% mainly by increased kernel numbers per ear. - Maize growth attributes and SPAD values were improved under mulch treatment compared to no-mulch. - Straw mulching helped in maintaining comparatively higher soil moisture content (~2 %) and reduced the soil temperature (~1.72°C) during the crop growth period.

scholarly journals Soil moisture retention and rainfed wheat yield variations by the addition of gypsum and green manure

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 6-16
Author(s):  
Kausar Rahina ◽  
Imran Akram Muhammad ◽  
Iqbal Choudhary Muhammad ◽  
Malik Ayesha ◽  
Rashid Zahid Abdur ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Green Manure ◽  
Wheat Yield ◽  
Moisture Retention ◽  
Rainfed Wheat ◽  
Soil Moisture Retention

scholarly journals Evaluation of Organic and Inorganic Mulching as an Integrated Weed Management Strategy in Maize Under Rainfed Conditions

2018 ◽  
Vol 36 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. MEHMOOD ◽  
S.U. KHAN ◽  
A. QAYYUM ◽  
A.R. GURMANI ◽  
W. AHMED ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Wheat Straw ◽  
Rice Straw ◽  
Insect Pests ◽  
Weed Suppression ◽  
Plastic Mulch ◽  
Test Species ◽  
Weed Density ◽  
Straw Mulch ◽  
Dry Biomass ◽  
Black Plastic

ABSTRACT: Weeds affect crop growth, health and yield by competing for resources, and they serve as refuge for insect pests. Mulches of different materials have been found to control weeds and insect pests. A field study was conducted at the village of Mang, Haripur, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, to explore the effect of various mulch materials on weed suppression in maize fields under rain-fed conditions in 2013. Eight mulch materials treatments were used: control (no mulching), wheat straw mulch, dry leaves of eucalyptus, rice straw mulch, grass clippings, living mulch (soybean crop), black plastic mulch and the herbicide Primextra were investigated under a randomized complete block design with four replications. Statistical analysis of data showed maximum reduction in weed density, relative weed density, fresh biomass and dry biomass in all the test species at 25, 50 and 75 days after sowing (DAS) where Primextra and black plastic mulch were used, and this was statistically similar to where rice straw and wheat straw were used. Maximum weed density, relative weed density, fresh and dry biomass of all weed species were recorded where soybean was intercropped with maize and grass clippings were used. Based on these results, it was inferred that the mulch material of eucalyptus and rice straw can effectively be used for controlling weeds in maize fields under rain-fed conditions.

Digital mapping of soil moisture retention properties using solely satellite-based data and data mining techniques

2020 ◽  
Vol 585 ◽  
pp. 124786
Author(s):  
Mehrdad Jeihouni ◽  
Seyed Kazem Alavipanah ◽  
Ara Toomanian ◽  
Ali Asghar Jafarzadeh
Keyword(s):  
Data Mining ◽  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Moisture Retention ◽  
Data Mining Techniques ◽  
Digital Mapping ◽  
Soil Moisture Retention
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