Evaluating the effects of diverse mulches on maize yield, water use efficiency, and economic viability under varying saline drip irrigation regimes

Abstract:

The scarcity of quality irrigation water in coastal regions necessitates alternative strategies for sustaining crop productivity. A field experiment was conducted during rabi 2024-25 at Agricultural College Farm, Bapatla, Andhra Pradesh to investigate the effect of saline water irrigation and mulching on maize yield, water use efficiency (WUE) and economics. The experiment followed a split-plot design with three replications, comprising four salinity levels [Best Available Water (BAW, 0.4 dS m⁻¹), 2 dS m⁻¹, 4 dS m⁻¹, 6 dS m⁻¹] as main plots and three mulch treatments (no mulch, straw mulch, plastic mulch) as sub-plots. The results revealed that BAW irrigation significantly enhanced kernel yield of 7418 kg ha⁻¹, which were statistically on par with 2 dS m⁻¹ and 4 dS m⁻¹ salinity levels. Plastic mulch recorded significantly higher growth, yield and WUE compared to no mulch and straw mulch. Economic analysis indicated that BAW with plastic mulch achieved the highest net returns (₹1,45,085 ha⁻¹) and B:C ratio (2.87). The study concludes that integrating saline water irrigation up to 4 dS m⁻¹ with mulching, especially plastic mulch, improves maize productivity and profitability in saline-prone coastal areas.