Development and Performance Evaluation of Two Row Subsoil Organic Mulch Cum Fertilizer Applicator

摘要

Deep tillage loosens the subsoil layers that remain moist. Presence of organic mulch material in the subsoil could also make the subsoil biologically active and enhance the root growth in to subsoil layers. For precise application of the limited available organic mulch in susb-soil soil at desired application rate and depth, two row subsoil organic mulch cum fertilizer applicator has been developed. The performance of the prototype two row subsoil coir pith mulcher was evaluated in field and compared with subsoiling and control plots. The composted coir pith mulch registered 14.1, 18.5, 2.7, 8.3, 18.6 and 16.6 % higher plant height, boll formation, root length, root spread, root volume and yield respectively. The deep loosening and placement of mulch in the subsoil layer just below the plant rows resulted in reduction of soil strength which helped the plant roots to penetrate deep into this layer and proliferate in vertical subsoil trenches. The recompaction of subsoil trenches is prevented due to the presence of raw and composted coir pith mulch. The soil moisture content in the composted coir pith mulched plot, raw coirpith mulched plot and subsoiled plot were consistently higher than that of the control plots. The effect of mulching is predominant when placed at medium depth of 250-350 mm and deeper depth of 350-450 mm when compared to shallow depth.