Kasetsart J. (Nat. Sci.

) 34 : 197 - 204 (2000)

Tillage and Mulching Affect on Growth and Yield of Cowpea Grown

Following Rice in the Post-Monsoon Season of Northeastern
Thailand
Anan Polthanee and Sadudee Wannapat

ABSTRACT

Field studies were conducted to assess the effects of tillage and no-tillage with and without mulch
on the growth and yield of cowpea grown following rice in the post-monsson season of Northeastern
Thailand. The results showed that growth and yield of cowpea were not significantly affected by tillage.
There was slightly higher seed yields in tilled plots. This was attributed to tillage operation which is known
to improve soil aeration. Mulch application significantly increased the leaf area per plant, total top dry
weights, tap root length, root dry weight per plant and seed yield of cowpea. This was due to the better ability
of mulched plots in storing soil moisture during the growing season.
Key words : cowpea, tillage, mulching, sequential cropping

INTRODUCTION seed germination and plant growth (Jensen et al.,

1964). Although the yield of crops on untilled plots
Dryland crops grown following wetland was slightly lower than that of tilled plots, the
rice is an important component of rainfed rice- economic return from untilled plots, in general,
based cropping systems in some parts of south-east was higher than that of tilled plots (Syarifuddin,
Asia. It offers prospects of being extended into 1982).
other parts of the region where they are not widely Cowpea crop grown following rice in the
grown (Angus, et al., 1983). Dryland crops have post-monsoon season of northeastern Thailand
the advantage of providing farm income for the rice produced poor yield due to the exposure of crops to
grower in dry season and a source of nutrient for the water stress during seed-filling phase (Polthanee,
rice crop in the coming rainy season when the 1997). Mulching had positive effects on soil
stover is incorporated into the soil. moisture conservation and improved cowpea yield
There were no significant differences in the (Kamara, 1981; Simpson and Gumbs, 1986a). This
cowpea yield of tilled and untilled plots, but the study was therefore, undertaken to examine the
lower average yield on untilled plots appeared to be response of cowpea to tillage, no-tillage and
the result of poorer physical soil condition (Simpson mulching, no-mulching on the paddy field in the
and Gumbs, 1985). Tillage improved soil aeration post-monsoon season of northeastern Thailand.
and provide a good physical seedbed condition for

Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand.
198 Kasetsart J. (Nat. Sci.) 34 (2)

MATERIALS AND METHODS Eight plants from each replication were

taken at days 15, 30 and 60 after sowing. and used
The experiment was conducted at the for dry weight and leaf area measurements The
farmer’s field in Ban Kokyai, Ban Fang district, final grain yields and number of pods per plant
Khon Kaen province. The soil was a typic were determined from 40 plants taken from each
Hapleudaff of the order Alfisol. The texture of the replication. Seed number per pod and 100 seeds
soil is sandy loam with pH 4.6, 0.43% organic weight were determined from 100 pods. Tap root
matter content, 0.016% total N, 14.6 ppm available length and root dry weights were determined from
P and 29.5 ppm exchangeable K. A split plot design eight plants taken from each replication at harvest.
was used with tillage and no-tillage as main plots, The data were analyzed using analysis of variance
as well as mulching and no-mulching as sub-plots. procedures and LSD were calculated where F-tests
There were four replications. The tilled plots were were significant.
ploughed twice and harrowed once. The untilled
plots were sprayed with Gramoxone (paraquat) RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
before planting. Two to three seeds of cowpea were
planted per hill and seedlings were thinned to one Rainfall and water table depth
plant per hill at 7 days after planting (DAP). The The crops received rainfall once 35 days
spacing used was 50 cm between rows and 20 cm after planting during the growing season. Therefore,
within rows. Fertilizer 15-15-15 at the rate of 156 the amount of water available to the crops was
kg ha-1 was applied at planting in a drill 5 cm deep mainly from the upward movement of water from
and 10 cm away from the seeds. The rice straw the shallow water table. The measured water table
mulch at the rate of 2 ton ha-1 was applied between depths ranged from 80 to 120 cm depth, and the
rows at 7 DAP. Azodrin, an insecticide, was sprayed recession was in the order of 1 to 10 cm/day during
onto the cowpea plant twice during the growing the growing season (Figure 1). The water table
season. Weed control was done once by hand depth was set up to a depth of about 100 cm for 56
weeding. days. Doorenbos and Pruitt (1975) reported that
Rainfall was recorded during the growing water contribution to the root zone can be greater
season. Observation wells of perforated PVC tubes than 1 mm/day for the sandy loam at the groundwater
were installed at 1.50 m depth. Water table depth depth of 100 cm below the root zone.
was measured at 7 DAP and weekly interval
thereafter until harvest. Soil moisture contents of Soil moisture content and soil temperature
samples from 0-15 and 15-30 cm depth were Mulched plots gave higher soil moisture
determined using the gravimetic procedure at 7 content than that of unmulched plots at 0-15 and
DAP and at weekly interval thereafter until harvest. 15-30 cm depth with both tilled and untilled plots
Soil temperatures were measured at the 10 cm (Figure 2, 3). Irrespective of soil temperature,
depth at 12.00 h using Multimeter (Aquater mulched plots had a lower soil temperature than
Instrument Inc., U.S.A.). that of unmulched plots (Figure 4). Mulches are
Air–filled porosity was determined at 0-10 known to decrease soil moisture loss by creating a
cm depth using soil core sampler. Air-filled porosity thick static layer above the soil surface which acts
was calculated using the formula set by Russel as a layer that reduces both soil temperature and the
(1949). evaporative loss of water (Priha et al., 1981;
 Kasetsart J. (Nat. Sci.) 34 (2) 199

soil surface

60
w ater table depth(cm)

80

100

120

140

160

7 21 35 49 63 77

Dec. J a n. F e b.

Days after planting (DAP)

Figure 1 Water table depth fluctuation during the entire experimental period.

14 14
Field Capacity (FC) Field Capacity (FC)
12
Soil moisture content (% w/w)

12

10 10

8 8

6 Permanent 6 Permanent
Wilting Point (PWP) Wilting Point (PWP)
4 4

2 2

0 0
7 21 35 49 63 77 7 21 35 49 63 77
Dec. Jan. Feb. Dec. Jan. Feb.
Days after planting (DAP) Days after planting (DAP)

Figure 2 Soil moisture contents at the 0-15 cm depth of the tillage + mulching ( ), tillage + no -
mulching ( ), no tillage + mulching ( ) and no tillage + no mulching ( )
treatments during the entire experimental period.

16 16
14 14
Soil moisture content (% w/w)

Field Capacity (FC) Field Capacity (FC)

12 12
10 10
8 8
6
Permanent Wilting Point (PWP) 6 Permanent Wilting Point (PWP)

4 4
2 2
0 0
7 21 35 49 63 77 7 21 35 49 63 77
Dec. Jan. Feb. Dec. Jan. Feb.
Days after planting (DAP) Days after planting (DAP)

Figure 3 Soil moisture contents at the 15-30 cm depth of the tillage + mulching ( ), tillage + no -
mulching ( ), no tillage + mulching ( ) and no tillage + no mulching ( )
treatments during the entire experimental period.
200 Kasetsart J. (Nat. Sci.) 34 (2)
35 35

Soil temperature ( C)
30 30
25 25

20 20
15 15
10 10

5 5

0 0
7 21 35 49 63 77 7 21 35 49 63 77
Dec. Jan. Feb. Dec. Jan. Feb.
Days after planting (DAP) Days after planting (DAP)

Figure 4 Soil temperature at the 10 cm depth of the tillage + mulching ( ), tillage + no -

mulching ( ), no tillage + mulching ( ) and no tillage + no mulching ( )
treatments during the entire experimental period.

Simpson and Gumbs, 1986a; Unger, 1987). In this known to improve soil physical properties. Jensen
study, the soil moisture content of 0-15 cm depth of et al. (1964) reported that tillage operation improved
both mulched plots and unmulched plots could be soil aeration. While Simpson and Gumbs (1985)
remained in the available range (between field indicated that tillage operation provided higher
capacity and permanent wilting point), except percentage of soil macroporosity.
during the last two weeks the soil moisture content
showed below permanent wilting point (Figure 2). Leaf area and total top dry weight
However, the soil moisture content at 15-30 cm Tillage methods did not significantly affect
depth was always above permanent wilting point. the leaf areas and total top dry weights of cowpea
This was attributed to the upward movement of at 15, 30 and 60 days after planting (DAP). The leaf
water from shallow water table (Figure 1). With area and total top dry weight, however, were slightly
soil temperature, mulched plots gave lower soil higher in tilled plots (Table 2). This agreed with the
temperature at 10 cm depth than that of unmulched work done by Gumbs and Lindsay (1993) and
plots, ranging from 0.4 to 2.8°C during the growing Gumbs et al. (1995). Irrespective of mulching,
season. Mulches application reduced soil there was significantly increased in leaf area and
temperature was also reported by Simpson and total top dry weight per plant of mulched plots at 30
Gumbs (1986a). Walker (1969) pointed out that and 60 DAP (Table 2). This could be the result of
even an 1°C difference in soil temperature could the capacity of mulched plots to store more soil
have significant effect on plant growth. During the moisture than that of unmulched plots (Figures 2,
growing period, however, soil temperature in the 3).
plant root zone could range from 21 to 33°C. It may
not reach as high as 40°C which is enough to effect Tap root length and root dry weight
the plant growth. Tillage methods did not significantly affect
the tap root length and root dry weight of cowpea
Air–filled porosity (Table 3). Mulched plots had longer tap roots and
Considering air-filled porosity (AFP) at 0, higher root dry weights than that of unmulched
15, 30, 45 and 60 days after planting, the results plots (Table 3). This could be the result of greater
showed that AFP was higher with tilled plots than soil moisture content of the mulched plots (Figures
with of untilled plot (Table 1). Tillage is generally 2, 3). Mulch application increased root dry weights
 Kasetsart J. (Nat. Sci.) 34 (2) 201

Table 1 Air – filled porosity (%) at 0-10 cm soil depth as influenced by tillage and mulching treatments.

Days after planting

Treatment 0 15 30 45 60

Tillage (T)
Till (T1) 30.4 a 28.3 a 31.0 a 37.2 a 45.8 a
No-till (T2) 16.3 b 21.4 b 23.6 b 24.5 b 30.1 b
Mulching (M)
Mulch (M1) 23.6 25.4 27.3 30.8 37.1
No-mulch (M2) 23.1 24.3 27.3 30.9 38.8
Tillage x Mulching
T1M1 30.8 29.6 31 37.4 44.8
T1M2 29.9 27 30.9 37 46.8
T2M1 16.3 21.2 23.5 24.2 29.4
T2M2 16.2 21.5 23.6 24.8 30.7

Tillage (T) ** ** ** ** **
Mulching (M) NS NS NS NS NS
TxM NS NS NS NS NS

Values in the same column followed by the same letter are not significantly different at the 0.05 level.

of cowpea (Simpson and Gumbs, 1986; Lindsay, Seed yield

1993; Gumbs et al., 1995). Mulch application There were no significant differences in
increased tap root length was also reported by yields of tilled and untilled plots. However, the
Kamara (1981). higher average yield was obtained from tilled plots.
This was attributed to the higher number of seeds
Yield components per pod of tilled plots (Table 4). Simpson and
Tillage methods were significantly affected Gumbs (1985) reported that the lower average
the number of seeds per pod, but not the number of yield of untilled plots resulted from poorer physical
pods per plant and 100 seeds weight (Table 4). soil conditions, although there were no significant
Tilled plots gave higher number of seeds per pod differences in the yield of tilled and untilled plots.
than that of untilled plots. This was probably due to Irrespective of mulching, the results showed that
tillage operation which improved soil aeration mulch application was significantly increased in
(Table 1). Mulch application significantly increased seed yield. These were attributed to the higher
the number of pods per plant and number of seeds number of pods per plant and the number of seeds
per pod (Table 4). This was because mulched plots per pod of mulched plot (Table 4). Simpson and
gave higher leaf area and total top dry weight per Gumbs (1986 b) reported that mulched plots gave
plant (Table 2). higher seed yield than that of unmulched plots
which was due to greater number of pods per plant
202 Kasetsart J. (Nat. Sci.) 34 (2)

Table 2 Leaf areas (LA, cm2/ plant) and total top dry weights (DW, g/ plant) of cowpea at 15, 30 and 60
days after planting as influenced by tillage and mulching treatments in the post – monsoon season
of Northeastern Thailand.

Days after planting

Treatment 15 30 60
LA DW LA DW LA DW

Tillage (T)
Till (T1) 47.3 0.53 189.2 1.96 532.5 5.3
No-till (T2) 45.4 0.51 180.2 1.8 531.3 5
Mulching (M)
Mulch (M1) 49.8 0.56 214.7 a 2.35 a 632.3 a 6.3 a
No-mulch 42.9 0.48 154.7 b 1.42 b 431.6 b 3.9 b
Tillage x Mulching
T1M1 52.3 0.58 220.2 2.46 649.1 6.5
T2M2 42.3 0.48 158.2 1.46 415.9 4
T2M1 47.3 0.54 209.2 2.23 615.4 6.1
T2M2 43.5 0.47 151.1 1.37 447.2 3.9

Tillage (T) NS NS NS NS NS NS
Mulching (M) NS NS ** ** ** **
TxM NS NS NS NS NS NS

Values in the same column followed by the same letter are not significantly different at the 0.05 level.

Table 3 Tap root length and root dry weight of cowpea at harvest as influenced by tillage and mulching
treatments in the post-monsoon season of Northeastern Thailand.

Treatment Tap root length (cm) Root dry weight (g/plant)

Tillage (T)
Till (T1) 17.4 1.34
No-till (T2) 16.4 1.27
Mulching (M)
Mulch (M1) 18.6 a 1.64 a
No-mulch (M2) 15.2 b 0.97 b
Tillage x Mulching
T1M1 19.2 1.7
T1M2 15.5 0.97
T2M1 17.9 1.57
T2M2 14.9 0.96

Tillage (T) NS NS
Mulching (M) ** *
TxM NS NS

Values in the same column followed by the same letter are not significantly different at the 0.05 level.
 Kasetsart J. (Nat. Sci.) 34 (2) 203

Table 4 Seed yields and yield components of cowpea as influenced by tillage and mulching treatments
in the post-monsoon season of Northeastern Thailand.

Treatment Pod/plant Seeds/pod 100-seeds weight Seed yield

(g) (kg/ha)

Tillage (T)
Till (T1) 8.4 8.2 a 18.7 841.5
No-till (T2) 8.2 6.7 b 18.3 804
Mulching (M)
Mulch (M1) 9.1 a 7.6 a 18.9 940.6 a
No-mulch (M2) 7.5 b 6.3 b 18.1 704.9 b
Tillage x Mulching
T1M1 9.2 8.9 18.9 965.8
T1M2 7.5 7.4 18.4 717.2
T2M1 9 7.3 18.8 915.3
T2M2 7.4 6.1 17.7 692.5

Tillage (T) NS * NS NS
Mulching (M) * * NS **
TxM NS NS NS NS

Values in the same column followed by the same letter are not significantly different at the 0.05 level.

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