Thumbnail Image

Theses

Browse

20211
Reset filters
Subject: Agronomy × Author: Jaiswal, Omrita × End date: 2021 × Start date: 2021 × Thesis Type: M.Sc ×
Reset filters

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Response of spring maize to enriched biochar and mulching management under different irrigation regimes and sowing methods
    (G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar - 263145 (Uttarakhand), 2021-02) Jaiswal, Omrita; Subhash Chandra
    A field experiment was conducted at Water Management block (C-5) of NEB Crop Research Center, G B Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar (263145), Uttrakhand during spring season of 2019. The experiment consisted of two irrigation levels (IW/CPE 0.80 and 1.0); two crop establishment methods (Ridge sowing and Furrow sowing) and three moisture management practices (Control, Enriched biochar and Straw mulching). In furrow sowing, the earthing up was done at post knee height stage (ridge soil was removed with spade and placed in furrows along crop row in the form of ridge; herein called RIFUR i.e. ridge furrow reversal).The experiment was laid out in split plot design with three replications. The soil of the experimental site was sandy loam in texture, neutral in pH (7.30), high in organic carbon (0.67%), low in available nitrogen (201 kg/ha), medium in potassium (218 kg/ha) and rich in phosphorus (11.1 kg/ha). The irrigation depth was 50 mm. During the crop season 41.0 mm rainfall was received against 763.3 mm evaporation. Maize hybrid variety Pioneer-1844(hybrid grain maize) was sown in the third week of February at a spacing of 70 x 20 cm. Irrigation at IW/CPE 1.0 (11 irrigations) recorded higher value of growth parameters viz., plant height, stem girth and plant dry matter as well as yield attributes over IW:CPE 0.80. The grain yield, stover yield and biological yield were found to be significantly higher under higher ratio than lower ratio (IW/ CPE 0.80). Irrigation level IW/ CPE 1.0 recorded higher B:C ratio but lower water use efficiency than IW/CPE 0.80. RIFUR sowing management produced significantly higher value of growth and yield attributes than ridge sowing. The grain yield under RIFUR was higher by 10.2% than ridge sowing (6.15 t/ha). The increase in stover yield was found to be 17.4 percent. RIFUR sowing gave (Rs. 29630/ha) higher net return than ridge sowing, increase being 43.4 percent. The increase in B:C ratio was 38.2 percent. RIFUR sowing also recorded 28.5% high IWUE and 30.7% high crop CWUE than ridge sowing (IWUE 0.123 and CWUE 0.114 t/ha-cm). Plant height, stem girth and dry matter were the maximum with application of straw mulch. The grain yield, stover yield and biological yields were the highest with straw mulching followed by enriched biochar and lowest with control. The net returns and B: C ratio were the lowest under enriched biochar due to higher cost of material. Straw mulching (1.93) recorded at par B: C ratio with control (1.91) but the net return was significantly higher. The water productivity in terms of irrigation water use efficiency and consumptive water use efficiency were also the maximum with application of straw mulching. Thus for spring sown hybrid maize irrigation at IW/CPE 1.0, RIFUR sowing management and rice straw mulching may be advocated to achieve higher yield and water use efficiency.