Finally, the rain gods showed some mercy at us and showered a couple of good spells in mid July. Not excessively moist, it was the right time to plough the intercrop area between the mangoes. After the watermelon harvest, vines and leaves were left on the ground to decay to enhance the organic content.
Like last year, the plan is to sprinkle some Daincha seeds in between mango rows to augment nitrogen levels of the soil.
A 9-finger implement was used to plough the area. After a couple of runs, larger vines (entangled within the implement) were dislodged at the end of the field. In order to make use of the 'waste', it was decided to use it as mulch for the existing mango plants. Mulching results in suppression of weeds, retention of moisture and decrease in soil temperature.
Mulch placed under a plant.
In any agri related operation, it is imperative to use and reuse available waste and resources to augment soil quality and reduce maintenance costs like reduction in manure, fertilizers and watering etc..
Like last year, the plan is to sprinkle some Daincha seeds in between mango rows to augment nitrogen levels of the soil.
A 9-finger implement was used to plough the area. After a couple of runs, larger vines (entangled within the implement) were dislodged at the end of the field. In order to make use of the 'waste', it was decided to use it as mulch for the existing mango plants. Mulching results in suppression of weeds, retention of moisture and decrease in soil temperature.
In any agri related operation, it is imperative to use and reuse available waste and resources to augment soil quality and reduce maintenance costs like reduction in manure, fertilizers and watering etc..
Looks like this much mulch is not enough, you can probably get the dry rice plants (after harvesting the rice) and put it around. This seems to be cheap as well.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the suggestion. We will be using hay in January after the harvest. The mulch accumulated from watermelon was enough only for approx. 600 plants (out of 6500+ plants)
DeleteIs this UHD? I ask because it looks rather spaced out - perhaps because the saplings are small.
ReplyDeleteThis particular plot is 5x5 m. Originally, it was a 10x10m plot which was converted over to 5x5m later.
DeleteI'd also like to know how you are going to irrigate the Daincha please. Completely rain-fed?
ReplyDeleteSprinkle daincha after a spell of rain. The moisture is enough for the seeds to germinate. Germination is high and does not require much water, once germinated.
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