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Effect of Mulch on Soil Temperature, Soil Moisture Conservation and Yield of Chilli

M.Yasmin
Regional Agricultural Research Station, BARI, Jamalpur

F.S.Shikha
Regional Agricultural Research Station, BARI, Jamalpur

M.A. Rahman
Regional Agricultural Research Station, BARI, Jamalpur

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The experiment was conducted at Regional Agricultural Research Station (RARS), Jamalpur during the period of 2017-2018 and 2018-19 with the objectives to evaluate the effect of different mulch on soil temperature, soil moisture conservation and yield attributes of chilli. There were five treatments comprising T₁: no mulch, T₂: rice straw mulch @ 5 t ha^-1, T₃: water hyacinth mulch @ 5 t ha^-1, T₄: black polyethylene mulch and T₅: white polyethylene mulch. All the mulching materials were significantly different from the control. In 2018-19, black polyethylene mulch increased the soil temperature by about 5.7^oC at 5 cm depth and by 5.9 ^oC at 10 cm depth compared to no mulch treatment at 120 DAT. Mulch treatment also had a higher soil moisture content at 5 cm and 10 cm depth compared to control treatment. The results revealed that, The rice straw mulch apparently showed highest soil moisture (21.1 %), followed by black (19.5 %) and white (18.9 %) polythene mulch at 5cm depth and the lowest moisture content (15.1 %) was recorded in the control plot at 120 DAT. In 2017-18, rice straw mulch @5tha^-1 produced the highest green chilli yield (9.13 t ha^-1) which was 26.62 % increased over no mulch treatment (7.21 t ha^-1) and in 2018-19, rice straw mulch @5tha^-1 also produced the highest green chilli yield (8.49 t ha^-1) which was 27.28 % increased over no mulch treatment (6.67 t ha^-1).Considering the economic analysis, the highest benefit cost ratio (3.01) and (2.80) was obtained from same treatment T₂i.e., rice straw mulch in both the years.

Keywords: Chilli, Mulch, Soil moisture

Location: RARS, BARI, Jamalpur

Start Date: 00-00-2018

End Date: 00-00-2019

Program Area: Variety and Species

Commodity: Chilli, Mulching

Objectives:

The following objectives: (1) Assess the impact of different mulch treatments on soil temperature and soil moisture conservation (2) Understand the yield contributing factors and identify economically viable and environment friendly mulching options

Methodology:

An experiment was conducted at Regional Agricultural Research Station (RARS), Jamalpur during 2017-2018 and 2018-19 to increase the soil moisture retention and to increase yield of chilli using different mulch. Nutrient status of initial soil prior to fertilization, initial soil temperature(°C) & soil moisture (%) and weather data were recorded. For second year, the experiment was conducted during the period of November 2018 to April 2019.The soil was neutral in pH and silty loam in texture. Before mulching, moisture content in rice straw and water hyacinth were estimated and it was 7.4% and 9.1%, respectively. The land was prepared by tilling in two directions with a power tiller. Weeds and crop stubble were removed. Plots were 3m × 2 m on 15 cm high raised beds. Urea, triple superphosphate (TSP) and muriate of potash (MP) were applied (260, 200 and 150 kg ha^-1, respectively). Total amount of TSP, MP and half of urea were broadcast and incorporated to the soil at final land preparation. The rest of urea was top-dressed at 40 days after transplanting (DAT). Well decomposed cowdung was applied (5 t ha^-1) prior to final tilling. BARI morich -1 was used as test variety transplanted in plots in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. The row and plant spacing was maintained at 60 cm and 50 cm respectively and each plot accommodated 20 plants.

Treatments were as follows as

T₁= no mulch

T₂= rice straw mulch @5tha^-1

T₃= water hyacinth mulch @5tha^-1

T₄= black polyethylene mulch

T₅= White polyethylene mulch

After taking the required length of film for crop, (3x2 m²/plot) one end of the mulch film was anchored in the soil approximately 4-6 inch and then film was unrolled along the length and width of the plot. A sharp tin on a handle was used to easily cut a hole on tightly laid mulched at 50 cm spacing and then transplanting done.-before lying of rice straw and water hyacinth, transplanting distance of 50 cm was marked. After marking, seedlings were transplanted and simultaneously organic mulches spread. Thirty-day old seedlings were transplanted at 60 cm × 50 cm spacing on 13 November 2018. Seedlings were watered after transplanting. Guard rows were established around the entire plot. Gap filling of seedling was with healthy seedlings previously planted in the border area. The fungicides of carbendajim group (Autostin at 2 g/1L) and insecticide of Imidachloprid (Imitaf @ 0.25 ml/L) were applied to prevent insect and disease infestation. Soil temperature was determined by soil thermometer at 5 cm and 10 cm depth in the experimental field. In every one month, it was determined in three different times (7 am, 12 pm and 5 pm) of the day.Soil moisture content was determined by soil moisture meter at 5 cm and 10 cm depth in every fifteen days. It was also determined by gravimetrically. (Taking fresh soil sampled from depths of 0–10 cm in the experimental field every two weeks. Sampled fresh weight was weighed and dried in oven for 24 hours at 105°C. The gravimetric soil water content was determined. Green fruit were harvested at weekly intervals when fruit length was at least 6.5 cm. Harvesting was started on 2 March 2019 and continued till 25 April 2019.Data on growth parameters were recorded and analyzed statistically using statistical software STAR which was developed by IRRI.

Source of Information: Annual Research Report - 2018-19 RARS, BARI, Jamalpur

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Soil temperature at 5 cm and 10 cm depth were different due to the presence of mulch and mulch colour. Soil temperature varied significantly with type of mulching, time of the day and the depth of soil. Soil temperature was low in the early morning and gradually increased until peaking at 12 PM in all the treatments and then declined. Temperature under mulches was higher than that of the control plots for all the times. The maximum difference in temperatures between mulched and control plots were 2.8 to 5.7°C at 5 cm soil depth at 12PM at 120 DAT. The black plastic mulch produced higher soil temperatures. In general, soil temperature was higher at 5 cm than at 10 cm depth. The soil moisture content in the experimental plots under different mulches was measured within 0– 10 cm depth. Results revealed that all the mulches retained higher amount of soil moisture compared to the control. The rice straw mulch apparently showed highest moisture (21.1 %), followed by black (19.5 %) and white (18.9 %) polythene mulch at 5cm depth at 120 DAT (days after transplanting). The lowest moisture (15.1 %) was recorded in the control plot.

Finally results revealed that, rice straw mulch and black plastic mulch were more effective as they produced higher yield. But, black plastic mulch is costly to use in commercial production when compared to rice straw mulch. From two year observations, it can be concluded that treatment T₂ (rice straw mulch @ 5 t ha^-1) is more suitable than all other treatments. For mulching use of rice straw mulch would be a better technology for chilli production.

Knowledge Management: Report/Proceedings