Effect of soil moisture regimes and mulches on growth, yield and economics of summer squash (Cucurbita pepo L.) under rainfed mid-hill condition of Uttarakhand
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Date
2013-08
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G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar - 263145 (Uttarakhand)
Abstract
The present study was undertaken to study the effect of soil moisture regime and mulch materials on plant growth, yield and economics of summer squash (Cucurbita pepo L.) under rainfed mid-hill condition of Uttarakhand at Vegetable Science Research Block of Hill Campus, Ranichauri, (G. B. Pant University of Agriculture &Technology), Tehri Garhwal, Uttarakhand during, spring – summer season 2012. The trial was laid out in two Factorial Randomized Block Design, replicated thrice, of the two factors the first one was mulch materials (black polyethylene, organic mulch and unmulched control) while, the second one was soil moisture regimes i.e. 20-25, 15-20 and 10-15 per cent of soil moisture range. During the study, observations for plant height, plant spread, leaf area, days to 50 per cent flowering, number of harvestings, number of fruits per plant, total yield etc. were recorded. In addition, to assess the profitability of treatments, cost of cultivation, net profit and benefit- cost ratio was also worked out. The experimental findings revealed that summer squash performance was significantly influenced by different soil moisture regimes and mulch materials. Among three soil moisture regimes, 20 to 25 per cent soil moisture levels was found to be best with respect to plant growth characters, total yield (73.37 t ha-1), net return (Rs. 5,68,705.33 ha-1) and benefit – cost ratio (4.48). Similarly, out of two mulches, black polyethylene mulch was found to be the best with respect to plant growth characters, total yield (72.13 t ha-1), net return (Rs.5,51,513.67 ha-1) and benefit – cost ratio (4.23). So far interaction between soil moisture regime and mulching material are concerned out of 9 treatment combinations, S1M1 (under black polyethylene mulch) had recorded maximum yield of 83.80 t ha-1 along with highest net profit of Rs. 6,61,439.00 ha-1 and benefit – cost ratio of 4.74. Based on overall performance, it could be concluded that under the prevalent climatic condition of rainfed mid – hill of Uttarakhand, treatment combination S1M1 (20 to 25 per cent soil moisture under black polyethylene) is the best and most economical treatment, hence, recommended for commercial cultivation at farmers’ fields, provided all other scientific management practices are followed.
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