|
Sci Tech
FARMER'S NOTEBOOK
Mulching reduces cost of repeated soil preparation
M.J. PRABU
|
It is an alternative to burning of trashes and dried leaves
|
Photo: Special arrangement
Better benefit: Field of Mr. S. Subramanian, organic farmer in Tamil Nadu which is mulched using the sugarcane trashes. —
More than growing the crops, the residue or waste that is left in the field after the harvest poses a serious challenge to the farmers. For example, in banana fields, the pseudostem (commonly called as called Vazhai mattai in Tamil) that is left after the harvest raises a real disposal problem for farmers.
There are only two options. One is to dump the stems in a pit for decomposting, and the other is to use the stem for extracting fibres for making ropes.
Similarly, in sugarcane cultivation, the trashes or dried leaves that have to be removed after the harvest are often burnt in the field.
Harmful pathogens
Farmers generally believed, that by burning the trashes in the field itself the insect population and harmful pathogens already in the field would be killed.
But, on the other hand, burning of trashes spoils soil health, according to Dr. G. Nammalvar, organic scientist.
Instead of burning the trashes farmers can mulch them in the field itself. Throwing back (mulching) the unwanted materials into the field requires no big investment, rather it has several positive functions.
Thick mulch
A thick mulch of 20 cm thickness spread over the field, will conserve moisture in the soil as it arrests the evaporation loss and improves the water holding capacity of the soil. As a result water requirement of the crop becomes minimum.
Normally the trashes are placed in alternate furrows. Since the mulch prevents sunlight from touching the ground, weed growth is suppressed in half of the area.
Trash burning
“Burning of the trashes is killing the soil health whereas returning of biomass to the soil is feeding the microbes whose functions are essential for the plants to draw elements such as nitrogen and carbon (from air) and phosphorus and potash (from soil).
“More importantly mulching serves as a shelter for earthworms whose burrowing activity improves air-moisture balance in the soil. Earth worms help in bringing to the soil surface the leached down elements,” explained Dr. Nammalvar. Besides improving the physical properties of the soil, mulch returns to the soil the micro nutrients taken from it. As a cumulative benefit of these functions, the farmer is able to fallow “no tillage” farming which cuts down the cost of repeated soil preparation and planting of seed materials.
For example, Mr. S. Subramanian, an organic sugarcane farmer in Vikkravandi village, south of Tindivanam in Tamil Nadu, has been following all these methods in his field and is harvesting his fourth ratoon crop.
Drainage property
“Mulching has improved the drainage property of my field which is mainly clayey in nature which otherwise leads to water stagnation and rotting of the root system. Secondly,
I have stopped spending on chemical fertilizers and pesticides. The cane yield has increased from 40 tonnes per acre in 2004 to 60 tonnes in 2008,” said Mr. Subramanian.
Apart from the sugarcane trashes green manure plants can be also be grown in the fields and cut and placed as mulches.
Difference in practice
Sugarcane trashes can be used as mulches in mango, banana, coconut orchard or vegetable beds.
“There may be some differences in practice from place to place. But the principle and philosophy are universal.
“We need to return to the soil what nature has givenfor us to use. That is the law of nature. Following this law will save the world from food insecurity,” said Dr. Nammalvar.
For more information readers can contact Dr. G. Nammalvar, organic scientist at No 17/9, 5th cross, Srinivas nagar, Thiruvannaikoil, Tiruchi- 620005, Tamil Nadu, email: sadhguru@gmail.com, mobile: 9442531699.
Printer friendly
page
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Sci Tech
|
