Effect of Mulching, Planting Methods and Bio Fertilizers on Growth and Yield of Gram (Cicer Arietinum L.)

Gram is one of the most important winter pulse crop in India. It can be a good alternative of prevailing non sustainable, non ecological and cost oriented rice-wheat cropping system. In rice growing area, continuous practice of crop residue burning and other ill practices caused reduction in soil organic matter and edaphic biodiversity. Adverse effect of rice-wheat system on survival of gram symbiotic micro-flora was reported by many workers. For successful establishment of crop and resource conservation, planting methods, mulching and inoculations are key inputs. The present investigation “Effect of mulching, planting methods and bio fertilizers on growth and yield of gram (Cicer arietinum L.)” was conducted at the Student's Research Farm, Khalsa College, Amritsar during Rabi season 2007–08. The soil of the experimental field was sandy loam in texture, normal in reaction (pH 7.8) and EC of soil is 0.21 dsm-1. The soil tested low in organic carbon (0.39 per cent), organic matter (0.68 percent) and available nitrogen (178 kg ha-1) and medium in available phosphorus (21.4 kg ha-1) and high in potassium (350 kg ha-1). The experiment was replicated thrice in split plot design. Treatments includes mulching and no mulching and three planting methods i.e. Bed planting with two rows, Bed planting with one row and Flat planting in main plot and three bio fertilizer treatments i.e. PSB inoculation, Rhizobium inoculation and dual inoculation of PSB and Rhizobium in sub plots. Recommended cultural practices except for treatments under study were followed throughout the crop growth period. Significant effect of mulching on the crop emergence, growth, yield contributing parameters and grain yield were noted. Mulched plots recorded higher seed yield of gram (16.6 q ha-1) which was 10.6 per cent higher than no mulching. Higher number of nodules per plant was also observed in mulched plots. The effect of different planting methods on emergence was non significant. However effect of different planting methods on growth, yield parameters and yield were significant. Higher seed yield was obtained from bed planting with two rows (16.8 qha-1) followed by bed planting with one row (15.5 qha-1) and flat planting (15.2 qha-1). Effect of bio fertilizers on crop emergence was found to be non significant however its effect on seed yield of gram was significant. Higher seed yield with combined inoculation of Rhizobium and PSB (16.7 q ha-1) over PSB (15.3 q ha-1) and Rhizobium (15.5 q ha-1) alone were observed. Combined inoculation of Rhizobium and PSB produced significantly more number of nodule per plant over PSB and Rhizobium alone. But Rhizobium and PSB remained at par with each other. Effect of different bio fertilizers treatments on harvest index was non significant. Seed protein content was significantly higher in Rhizobium alone and combined inoculation of Rhizobium and PSB over PSB alone. From the present study it was concluded that maximum yield was obtained with mulching over no mulching so we can solve problem of excess residue of proceeding rice crop. Bed planting with two rows produced maximum growth and yield indices of gram over bed planting with one row and flat planting. Maximum seed and straw yield was obtained with combined inoculation of both Rhizobium and PSB over Rhizobium and PSB inoculation alone.