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Mulch and Tillage Effects on Root Growth and Water Uptake by Cowpea

Abdul Hamid
Institute of Postgraduate Studies in Agriculture Salna, Gazipur

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Root growth, water uptake and yield performance of cowpea were investigated under variable tillage systems with or without mulch cover on a rapidly drying heavy textured soil. Grain yield of cowpea was related to root growth and water uptake patterns. Rooting density was more with tillage than without it. Conventional and reduced tillage produced identical root length densities. Cowpea without mulch produced deeper root system while roots tended to concentrate in the upper layers under mulch cover. Soil moisture depletion from the deeper layers was enhanced by greater root ramification as produced under conventional and reduced tillage system. There was little difference in the total water depletion from the profile due to tillage and mulch. However, mulching in general resulted in better crop growth and increased grain yield. Reduced and conventional tillage systems also improved yield performance. Cowpea yield and associated attributes were influenced by the root system development but remained unaffected by the amount of moisture depletion from the profile.

Keywords: Mulch, Tillage, Root growth,Water uptake, Cowpea

Location: Institute of Postgraduate Studies in Agriculture, Salna

Start Date: 00-00-1984

End Date: 00-00-1985

Program Area: Crop-Soil-Water Management

Commodity: Cowpea

Objectives:

To evaluate the development of root systems, profile soil moisture depletion patterns and yield performance of cowpea in a drying soil during dry season as affected by tillage and mulching.

Methodology:

The study was carried out on a heavy textured grey terrace soil (Typic haplaauept) at the Institute of Postgraduate Studies in Agriculture, Salna during the dry season of 1984-85. Bulk density ranged from 1.24 to 1.42 glee. The clay fraction increased and silt content decreased with increasing depth. Sand content was low throughout the profile although it tended to increase with increasing depth. The saturated soil moisture content was rather high ranging from 0.44 10 0.54 cm³/cm³ to 0.54 cm³/cm³. The soil was slightly acidic having pH values raging from 5.3 to 5.7. Organic matter content in the upper layers was low. It was drier than usual and no rainfall was received during the growing season (November 25 through April 8). Mean daily solar radiation was 326 cal/cm/day, mean daily temperature was 24.2°C, and mean monthly open pan evaporation was 39.3 cm. Cowpea seeds (cv.Chittagong Local) were planted at a row spacing of 40 cm, The experiment consisting of three levels of tillage (conventional, reduced and no-tillage) and two levels of mulch (mulch and without mulch) was laid out in a randomized complete block design. Rice straw (approximately 10 t/ha) was spread on the seedbed immediately after sowing where mulch was the treatment. In no tillage plots, seeds were dibbled. One time cultivation by country plow in order to scratch the top soil and sowing seeds in the furrow made the reduced tillage treatment. In the conventional tillage plots soil was brought to fine tilth by repeated plowing and breaking the soil clods by laddering. Cowpea seeds were planted in rows 20 cm apart on November 24, 1934. Immediately before planting fertilizers were applied at 30 kg N and 60 kg P₂0₅ per hectare in bands for uncultivated and reduced tillage and broadcast for conventional tillage plots At the trifoliate stage plants were thinned to approximately plants/square meter. Soil moisture was monitored at weekly interval throughout the growing season. The crop was grown without Irrigation. At the time of first flowering root length density plants was measured using the procedure described by Drew and

Source of Information: Bangladesh Agron. J. 1 (1) : 14-24, 1986

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Cowpea without mulch produced deeper root system while roots tended to concentrate in the upper layers under mulch cover. Soil moisture depletion from the deeper layers was enhanced by greater root ramification as produced under conventional and reduced tillage system. There was little difference in the total water depletion from the profile due to tillage and mulch. However, mulching in general resulted in better crop growth and increased grain yield. Reduced and conventional tillage systems also improved yield performance. Cowpea yield and associated attributes were influenced by the root system development but remained unaffected by the amount of moisture depletion from the profile.

Knowledge Management: Journal