Turmeric cultivation under bamboo based agroforestry system - Effect of bamboo species and mulch material on weeds and soil characteristics

Abstract

A field investigation was undertaken during 2014-2015 to evaluate effects of bamboo species and mulch materials on weed dynamics and physico-chemical properties of soil when turmeric was grown under bamboo species and open area (sole cropping). The experiment was carried out in split plot design with three replications. Weed growth was higher under sole cropping. However, there was not much alteration among the treatments.  Bamboo species significantly increased the organic carbon (OC), available phosphorus (P) and potassium (K). It was found reverse in case of soil pH, electrical conductivity (EC) and bulk density (BD), which was higher in sole cropping. Mulched plots showed an increase in organic carbon, available nitrogen (N), P and K over un-mulched plots. OC, N and K showed maximum value in T₅ (Alnus nitida + FYM + RDF). However, available P was reported maximum in T₇ (Toona ciliata + FYM + RDF). Further, turmeric crop supplied with the mulch of Pinus roxbhurghii + FYM + RDF under sole cropping displayed a maximum return of Rs. 1,54,484 ha^-1