Influence of crop residues as mulch on the productivity of pearl millet [Pennisetum Glaucum (L.)] under rainfed condition

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at the Regional Agricultural Research Station, Vijayapur, during the kharif seasons of 2020, 2021, and 2022 on sandy loam soil. The study followed a randomized block design with three replications. The treatments were as follows: T₁ - Control, T₂ - Crop residue (CR) mulch at 5.0 t ha⁻¹, T₃ - Pusa Hydrogel (dry) at 5.0 kg ha⁻¹, T₄ - SPG 1118 (dry) at 5.0 kg ha⁻¹, T₅ - Pusa Hydrogel (slurry) at 5.0 kg ha⁻¹, T₆ - SPG 1118 (slurry) at 5.0 kg ha⁻¹, T₇ - T₃ + CR mulch at 5.0 t ha⁻¹, T₈ - T₄ + CR mulch at 5.0 t ha⁻¹, T₉ - T₅ + CR mulch at 5.0 t ha⁻¹, and T₁₀ - T₆ + CR mulch at 5.0 t ha⁻¹. The combined analysis over three years showed that treatment T₁₀ (SPG 1118 slurry at 5 kg ha⁻¹ + CR mulch at 5 t ha⁻¹) recorded the highest soil moisture content at both the tillering and flowering stages, with 20.81% and 22.12% at 0-15 cm depth, and 20.99% and 21.45% at 15-30 cm depth, respectively. These values were statistically comparable to T₉ and T₂. Grain and dry fodder yields were also significantly higher under T₁₀ (2242 and 7131 kg ha⁻¹, respectively), followed closely by T₉ (2125 and 7096 kg ha⁻¹) and T₂ (2139 and 6989 kg ha⁻¹). However, the highest net returns (Rs. 25,968 ha⁻¹) and benefit-cost ratio (3.42) were observed in T₂, which also showed significantly higher soil available nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels (232.23, 25.24, and 428.50 kg ha⁻¹, respectively). The lowest net return was recorded in the control (T₁) with Rs. 17,559 ha⁻¹. Crop residue mulching effectively reduced weed population, improved the microclimate around the root zone, and consequently enhanced pearl millet yield and profitability.