Impact of Mulches on Water Dynamics for Chrysanthemum (Dendranthema grandiflora l.) Crop under Drip Irrigation System in India

A field experiment was conducted at Precision Farming Development Center, college farm, college of agriculture, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad during kharif, The experiment was laid out in split plot design with three drip irrigation levels as main plot treatments (viz., I1- Drip irrigation at 1.0 E pan, I2- Drip irrigation 0.8 E pan, I3- Drip irrigation 0.6E pan) and four mulches (viz., M1-No mulch, M2- Paddy straw, M3- Black plastic mulch, M4- Dried leaves) as sub treatments and were replicated thrice. The experimental soil was sandy clay loam in texture with low in available nitrogen and high in available phosphorus and potassium. Moisture content was estimated under all three main plot treatments and four subplot treatments. Higher moisture was observed below black plastic mulch and lowest moisture observed below the no mulch condition. Drip irrigation scheduled at 0.6 E pan recorded higher water use efficiency (111.09 kg ha-1 mm-1). The least WUE was observed in drip irrigation at 1.0 E pan. On the other hand maximum WUE was recorded with application of polythene mulch (113.5 kg ha-1 mm-1), While the least was recorded with no mulch (90.43 kg ha-1 mm-1). The results of soil moisture content in the present study indicated that, application of black plastic mulch would reduce the soil moisture evaporation which will enhance the uniform distribution availability of soil moisture for longer days, compare to other mulches namely no mulch, paddy straw and dried leaves.