Investigations on effectiveness of wheat and rice straw mulches on moisture retention in potato crop (Solanum tuberosum L.)

Abstract

Purpose Mulching is a practice recommended for soil moisture conservation in potato. The wheat straw and rice straw obtained as major crop residues were used as mulching materials to compare their effectiveness for soil moisture retention in potato crop. Methods The field experiments were conducted in a randomized complete block design replicated thrice with three treatments viz. plots incorporated with wheat straw mulch, rice straw mulch at the rate of 10 tonnes per hectare each and no mulch serving as control. The soil moisture was determined using a soil moisture probe and data were recorded daily at 10 cm, 20 cm and 30 cm soil depths. The Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy was used to investigate moisture retention characteristics of the mulch materials. Results Soil moisture retention varied as wheat straw mulch > rice straw mulch > no mulch at 10 cm, 20 cm and 30 cm soil depths, respectively. Highest moisture retention in wheat straw mulch at 10 cm depth is attributed to better moisture absorption ability of wheat straw in comparison to rice straw. Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope images indicated the presence of smaller sized micro tubes in wheat straw than rice straw, which resulted in more water retention, thereby substantiating the findings of the study. Conclusion Wheat straw mulch is more effective than rice straw mulch for shallow rooted crops like potato, due to better moisture absorption and retention in upper soil layer.

Graded level of nitrogen and mulching effect on growth and yield parameters of tomato in Arghakhanchi, Nepal

“…The microclimate created by mulching favors for a greater number of leaves production. This study supports the findings of Goel et al (2020), who showed the maximum number of leaves per plant was found in mulch condition.…”

Effects of applying biochar and straw on nitrate leaching and maize yield production

“…In treatments where wheat straw has been used in soil composition, increasing application rates have a high volume of deep percolation (Figure 6). Field experiments in Himachal Pradesh (India) have shown that wheat straw mulch prevents moisture from percolating deeper layers of the soil and in plants with shallow roots, it maintains effective soil moisture in the root zone (Goel et al, 2019). In treatments where wheat straw was used as a layer, increasing the thickness reduced the volume of deep percolation.…”

“…Also, The combination of straw with soil increased soil water content and reduced nitrate leaching losses in the soil layer of 10–30 cm (Yang et al, 2018; Zhao et al, 2019). Goel et al (2019) suggested that the use of wheat straw was more effective than rice straw mulch in plants with shallow roots such as potatoes because it was better to absorb and retain moisture in the topsoil. As a result, the residues of different plants will have different effects on retaining moisture and crop yield.…”

Potato Zero-Tillage and Mulching Is Promising in Achieving Agronomic Gain in Asia

“…The reduction in water evaporation promoted by a low solar energy incidence under organic mulching conditions leads to increased soil moisture conservation in potatoes [15,53,59] (Figure 4). However, the data are very variable; for instance, Li et al [41] reported an increase in WP by 7.7% at air temperatures ranging from 15 to 20 °C without significant effects over 20 °C (see details in Table 2), and Goel et al [69] registered a 13.5% increment of WP with paddy straw mulch. Li et al [41] also stated that straw mulching significantly increased potato WP by 8.3% in areas with low water input, but had no significant effect in areas with high water input.…”