Growth, nodulation and productivity of rainfed soybean (Glycine max) as influenced by mulching and anti-transpirants

A field experiment was conducted during the rainy seasons (kharif) of 2012, 2013 and 2014 at the research farm of the Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab, to study the effect of straw mulching and anti- transpirants on growth, nodulation and productivity of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr]. The experiment was laid out in factorial randomized complete, block design with 3 replications. The treatments included 2 mulching lev- els [wheat straw mulch @ 5 t/ha after sowing and control (no mulch)] and 5 anti-transpirants [5% magnesium carbonate (MgCO ), 5% glycerol, 5% sodium carbonate (Na CO ) in 2012 and during 2013 and 2014 sodium carbon- 3 2 3 ate was 2%, potassium nitrate (KNO ) 1% and control] during all the 3 years. Application of straw mulch @ 5 t/ha 3 after sowing recorded the highest dry matter/plant, nodulation, plant height, pods/plant, straw yield and seed yield of soybean. Straw mulch recorded 17.6% higher seed yield and 22.6% higher rainfall use efficiency over no mulch. Straw mulching resulted in significantly higher gross ( 8,037) and net returns (3,037) as compared to the control (no mulch). Application of anti-transpirants had no significant effect on nodulation and seed yield of soy- bean. Application of potassium nitrate provided higher gross returns, net returns and benefit : cost ratio than the other anti-transpirants. However, use of anti-transpirants was not economical over the control. It is con- cluded that application of straw mulch @ 5 t/ha after sowing provides higher seed yield of soybean over no mulch.