Influence of tillage systems and mulches on guar (Cymopsis tetragnolobus L.) and soil physical properties

A field study to evaluate the most suitable organic mulch under conventional and minimum tillage was conducted at Agronomic Research Area, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, during summer 2014. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with split plot arrangement having three replications with net plot size 3 m x 7 m. Experiment comprised of two factors A (Tillage), B (Mulches). Factor A was assigned to main plot and consist of two treatments (Minimum tillage and Conventional tillage). Factor B was assigned to sub plot and consisted of four treatments (no mulch, wheat straw mulch, grass clipping mulch and saw dust mulch). The crop was sown in 30 cm spaced rows with hand drill during 1st week of June, 2014. All other agronomic practices were kept standardized and consistent for all the treatments. The observations were recorded on growth, agronomic and yield related traits by following standard procedures. Soil physico-chemical analysis was done prior to planting and after harvesting of crop by following standard procedure. The collected data was analyzed statistically using Fisher's analysis of variance technique and treatments' means was compared by employing least significant difference (LSD) test at 5% probability level. The factors, tillage and mulches significantly affected growth, yield, yield parameters and soil physical properties. Maximum plant population (31.7 m-2), plant height (159 cm), branches per plant (18.9), cluster per plant (15.88), grains per pod (7.3), 1000-grain weight (34.6 g), grain yield (1.9 t per ha), biological yield (9.91 t per ha) and harvest index (19.15%) was recorded in conventional tillage as compared to minimum tillage. Mulches also affected grain yield and maximum grain yield was recorded in wheat straw mulch (1.88 t per ha) followed by grass clipping mulch (1.81 t per ha) and saw dust mulch (1.76 t per ha). The minimum grain yield was recorded in control without mulch application (1.67 t per ha). Tillage and mulches interactively affect pH, soil organic matter contents, electrical conductivity and soil bulk density. Mulches and minimum tillage improved soil physical properties. Highest BCR was obtained from conventional tillage without mulch and lowest calculated from minimum tillage with saw dust application.