Book of Extended summaries ISDA

International Conference on Reimagining Rainfed Agro-ecosystems: Challenges &
Opportunities during 22-24, December 2022 at ICAR-CRIDA, Hyderabad
indicated that among the mulching material, black polythene mulch was found most efficient
with higher yields maximum net return as well benefit: cost ratio. The cost of production in
control plot was low on the contrary due to lower productivity net return and benefit: cost
ratio was less (Table). It was also effective in resource conservation through reducing weed
infestation, reducing the evaporation loss thereby enhancing the water use efficiency,
reducing the nutrient loss and maintaining favorable soil micro-climate. These factors
cumulatively triggered growth attributes which in turn showed synergistic effect on the
productivity of the pointed gourd. The result is corroborated with the findings of
Ramakrishna et al 2006.
Effect of different mulching treatments on growth attributes, productivity and
economics of pointed gourd and weed growth in the field (Pooled of two years)
Treatment
Vine
length
(cm)
Vine
girth
(cm)
Number of
branches
per plant
Nos. of
weed
per m 2
Dry weight
of weed per
m 2 (g)
Fruit
Yield
(t/ha)
Net
return
(Rs./ha)
B:C
ratio
T 1 193 2.57 6.40 123.3 40.8 19.47 142180 2.55
T 2 224 3.34 8.13 54.0 12.4 23.87 191640 3.02
T 3: 213 3.23 7.70 84.7 24.67 22.03 177860 2.89
T 4: 204 3.09 7.33 90.3 28.3 21.37 163740 2.76
S.Em (±) 3.03 0.08 0.11 6.32 2.45 0.36 - -
CD at 5% 9.01 0.23 0.32 18.05 7.07 1.11 - -
It may be inferred from the study that all the mulch treatments showed significant
improvement on crop growth and yield components of pointed gourd over the traditional or
without mulch treatment It ultimately resulted in a yield increase of 22.6 %. The
improvement in yield was higher in black polythene mulch treatment followed by paddy
straw mulch. Thus, it may be recommended that the black polythene mulch is useful for
pointed gourd production system with higher economic return.
References
Lamont, J., 2005. Modifying the microclimate for the production of vegetable crops. Hort.
technol. 15, 477-481.
Ossom, E.M., Pace, P.F., Rhykerd, R.L., Rhykerd, C.L. 2001. Effect of mulch on weed
infestation, soil temperature, nutrient concentration, and tuber yield in Ipomoea
batatus (L.) Lam. In Papua New Guinea. Trop. Agric. (Trinidad) 78, 144–151.
Ramakrishna, A., Tam, H.M., Wani, S.P., Long, T.D. 2006. Effect of mulch on soil
temperature, moisture, weed infestation and yield of groundnut in northern Vietnam.
Field Crop Res. 95, 115-125.
Climate resilient agriculture for risk mitigation
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