Effect of rice husk mulching on germination percentage, yield and economics of pea (Makhyatmubi) Pisum sativum L.

Mulch can effectively minimize water vapour loss, soil erosion, weed problems and nutrient loss. Modification of soil microclimate by mulching favours seedling emergence and root proliferation. Organic mulches add nutrients to the soil when decomposed by microbes in the soil. A field experiment was conducted during the rabi season of 2018 and the treatments comprised of one control (T1 -no mulch) and six levels of rice husk mulching viz, T2 (10q/ha), T3 (20q/ha), T4 (30q/ha), T5 (40q/ha), T6 (50q/ha)and T7 (60q/ ha) were laid out in RBD with three replications. The application of rice husk mulching 60q/ha (T7 ) had significant effect on the germination percentage of the crop. The highest number of pods, pods per plant and longest pod length were recorded in the treatment of rice husk mulching with 60q/ha (T7 ). The test weight was found to be non-significant. With respect to economics of yield production in pea, higher gross returns, net returns and returns per rupee invested (B:C ratio) was obtained by 60q/ha rice husk mulching as compared to the other treatments. From the present investigation it was observed that pea was found to perform better in rice husk mulching of 60q/ha.