Yield and Economics of Brinjal (Solanum melongena) as Affected by Different Mulching Types and Its Effect on Soil Moisture Content and Weed Dynamics in Post Flood Situation of Coastal Odisha, India

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at the farmer’s field at Ratanpur village of Marshaghai block of Kendrapara, Odisha, India to evaluate effect of different mulching practices on weed population, moisture content in soil and yield of brinjal. The village is an adopted village by Krishi Vigyan Kendra Kendrapara, in which various activities in agriculture are going on under National Innovations on Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA) programme to combat the flood-affected area of the locality. The experiment consists of five mulching treatments like Black polythene mulch, Black and silver polythene mulch, Transparent mulch, Organic mulch (rice straw) and No mulch. Results revealed that black with silver colour polythene mulch was recorded with significantly higher yield per plant (2.59 kg) and yield per ha (62.1 t/ha) which was at par with black colour polythene mulch. Organic mulch was found to be next best treatment with respect to yield per plant (2.40 kg) and yield per ha (53.5 t/ha). The same treatment also resulted in the higher gross return (Rs. 434700/ha), net return (Rs. 274150/ha) and B:C ratio (2.71) which was followed by black polythene mulching and organic mulching practices. Weed suppression and moisture retention was higher with black polythene mulch.