Efficient Use of Jute Agrotextile Mulch on Onion Development
Fahmida Haque, Afrana Anam Any, Syrin Jahan Ritu, Dilshat Rubia Dola, Lamia Tasnim, Ayub Nabi Khan
Email: afrana.anam@buft.edu.bd
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Jute agro textile that are naturally available, eco-friendly and biodegradable products that acts as surface cover materials and useful amelioration to eliminare soil-related constraints to crop production. Plants that are mulched are protected from harsh temperatures which keep the soil cooler. Mulching saves time and labor for a farmer and improves soil fertility. It loosens the soil and minimizes the extent of cultivation. A field trial was conducted at the Crop Botany Research Farm, Bangladesh Agricultural University to see the effect of jute agro textile mulches on onion growth and bulb size. It was revealed by the study that jute agro textile mulches had a significant impact on several parameters. Onions planted on the 21st of November exhibited superior agronomic characteristics leading to higher yields. Mulches of different GSM jute agro textile significantly enhanced growth and production and the highest crop yield of 2.50 kg was recorded from 600 GSM variant. The total yields from 600 GSM were higher as compared yarns from polythene or 400 GSM (which costs more to produce 600 GSM). As rains during the production season impede manual weeding, the use of herbicides is essential for effective weed control. Research indicates that use of mulching material reduces labor, pesticide and weedicide cost, water utilization and production cost and improved crop output. The enhanced output value resulted in greater returns over cost of production.