The impact of type and level of tree leaf mulch on pearl millet yield attributes, yield and economics in custard apple based agri-horti system

Tree leaf mulch on performance of pearl millet

Abstract

An evaluation of the effects of leaf mulch type and leaf mulch level on the yield attribute, yield, and economics of pearl millet was conducted in a field experiment using a custard apple-based agri-horti system. The experiment used a factorial randomized block design with three types of mulch - Azadirachta indica, Eucalyptus species, and Leucaena leucocephalaand three leaf mulching levels - 0, 2, and 4 tha^-1  replicated thrice. The application of 4 t mulch ha^-1 produced the highest no of grain panicle^-11188, grain weight panicle^-1 12.82gm, test weight 10.55, grain yield of 1735 kg ha^-1, gross return Rs75468ha^-1, net return Rs 50982.33ha^-1, and B:C ratio 3.18. while the use of Leucaena leucocephala leaf mulching produced the highest no of grain panicle^-11113,  grain weight  panicle^-112.35gm, test weight 10.96 gm, grain yield of 1657 kg ha^-1 gross return (Rs 72817ha^-1), net return (Rs 488922ha^-1), and B:C ratio (3.15).