Application of Geotextiles to Improve Soil Properties and Productivity Under Maize Crop in Inceptisols

Abstract

At the University farm of Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Gayespur, Nadia district of West Bengal, kharif maize was used as the test crop in a field experiment to examine the impact of different geotextiles management on crop productivity and soil properties, particularly on changes in soil moisture. Four treatment combinations were applied as T₁-non-woven coco coir geotextiles (5 tons + NPK=50:30:20 kg/ha), T₂ -non woven jute geotextile (5 tons + NPK=50:30:20 kg/ha), T₃- non woven vetiver root geotextiles (5 tons + NPK=50:30:20 kg/ha) and T₄- farmer’s practices (i.e., control) (NPK-50:30:20 kg/ha) in RBD design with three replications. The yield of the maize crop was recorded as 36.25 q/ha, 36.68 q/ha, 37.83 q/ha and 31.94 q/ha and 4.31 q/ha (13.49%), 3.74 q/ha (11.7%) and 5.89 q/ha (18.44%) irrespectively in non woven coco coir geo textile, non woven jute geo textile, non-woven vetiver root geo textile and control (farmer’s practice). The Moisture Use Efficiency (MUE) was highest under treatment of vetiver root geotextiles than other and recorded its response of 7.63% over control. Significantly decrease of bulk density and corresponding increase of porosity were found by the application of geotextiles. The effect of organic carbon was more prominent (50 %) under vetiver root geotextiles than control. Similar effect of vetiver root geotextiles also noted for improving nutrient availability. The current study indicate that vetiver root geotextiles were the most effective in maintaining the soil’s friable state, which in turn serves to promote nutrient and water availability and, ultimately, boost crop output.