Efficacy of organic mulches on soil properties, earthworm population, growth and yield of aonla cv. NA7 in semi- arid ecosystem

Abstract

The influence of different organic mulches viz, paddy straw, maize straw, rice husk, grasses, subabul loppings on soil properties, earthworm population, growth, yield and fruit quality attributes was studied. Various organic mulches significantly increased the soil moisture status at various soil depths. Paddy straw mulch recorded the maximum soil moisture content followed by maize straw and grasses, among the different evaluated organic mulches. The findings of the study indicated that paddy straw mulch followed by maize straw and grasses had given favourable results with regards to soil moisture and physico-chemical attributes of soil and earthworm population in basin soil. Paddy straw mulches were found to be more effective in producing maximum growth than rest of the mulching treatments. Plants treated with paddy straw mulch recorded highest yield 09.00 kg/plant and 42.15 kg/plant during 2005 and 2006. TSS, total sugar, total phenols and vitamin C were observed maximum with paddy straw followed by maize straw mulch. Among the evaluated organic mulches, paddy straw had showed better response followed by maize straw. In view of the superiority over other organic mulches, use of paddy straw as mulch material over long period needs to be popularized for increasing the productivity of aonla orchards in rainfed condition under semi-arid ecosystem.