Influence or Tillage Methods and Mulches on Soil Moisture and Yield of Gram and Wheat Under Rainfed Condition

Abstract

Influcnce of tillage methods in aSSOClallon wilh mulches was studied on the conservation of sail moisture, it- utilization and Ihe yield of gram and wheat crops raisad on a vertisol under rainfed condition. In gram. subsoiling + gypsum. and sub-soiling + saw dust treatments, respectively, retained soil moisture 175 to 21 5% and 16 to 20% higher than light harrowing wing + no mulch, and no-tillage + no mulch treatments. [n wheat, soil moisture was 9.4 to 9.9% and 8.2 to 8 8% higher under deep ploughing + gypsum, and sub-soiling + gypsum treatments compared to light harrowing + no mulch and no-tillage + no mulch treatments, respectively. Soil moisture utilization by gram and wheat was better in deep ploughing + gypsum treatments. The highest grain yields of gram (1.66t ha^-1) and wheat (1.52 t ha^-1) were obtained with sub-soiling + gypsum and deep ploughing + gypsum treatments. Deep village (sub-soiling and deep ploughing) and gypsum proved superior to other tillage end mulches on soil for moisture conservation, its efficient use and grain yields of the gram and wheat.