Effect of Spacing and Mulching on Growth and Yield of Black Gram in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India

The study was carried out at the Crop Research Farm, Department of Agronomy, SHUATS, Prayagraj (U.P), India during Zaid 2021. The soil in the experimental area had a sandy loam texture, was virtually neutral in soil reaction (pH 7.1), was low in organic carbon (0.36 percent), had accessible N (171.2 kg ha -1), available P (15.2 kg ha -1), and available K (15.2 kg ha -1). (232.5 kg ha -1). The experiment consisted of two spacing (30 x 15cm & 45 x 10cm) and 9 treatments and arranged in factorial combination was laid out in Randomized complete Block Design with three replications. The treatments were T1: 30 x 15 cm + No mulch, T2: 30 x 15 cm + Mustard Straw, T3: 30 x 15 cm + Saw dust/ Dry leaves, T4: 30 x 15 cm + Newspaper/ Brown paper, T5: 45 x 10 cm + No mulch, T6: 45 x 10 cm + Mustard Straw, T7: 45 x 10 cm + Saw dust/ Dry leaves, T8: 45 x 10 cm + Newspaper/ Brown paper, T9: Control plot (no mulching done). The findings of this study showed that significantly heigher plant height (43.91 cm), nodules per plant(13.27), Branches per plant( 6.53), Plant dry weight (6.39g per plant), Pods per plant(65.09), Seed per pod(7.66),Test weight (37.18 g), werw recorded with 45 x 10 cm + Mustard Straw. However, higher seed yield (669.33 kg ha -1), gross returns (Rs. 73626.3 ha -1), net return (Rs. 50741.65 ha -1) and benefit cost ratio (2.21) were obtained with 30 x 15 cm + Mustard Straw as compared to other treatments.