Effect of rain water harvesting and mulch material on soil moisture regimes, fertility status and yield of almond under rainfed conditions of north western Himalayas

A field experiment was conducted to study the effect of rain water harvesting and mulching techniques for rainfed almond production during 2008-09 and 2009-10 at Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir. Five water harvesting systems (half-moon, full-moon, trench, cup and plate and control) and three mulching (plastic, organic and control) were evaluated in factorial randomized block design. The experimental results clearly indicated that maximum plant height (4.4 m), trunk cross sectional area (193 cm(2)), canopy volume (28.2 m(3)), nut wt. (1.68 g), yield (3.35 kg/tree), soil moisture content (14%) and soil fertility (0.66% soil organic carbon 516 kg N, 26.3 kg P and 304 kg K ha(-1)) were recorded in full-moon water harvesting system. Productivity efficiency (18.18 g cm(-2) TCSA) was higher in trench water harvesting system. Among mulches, plastic mulch performed better in respect to TCSA (166 cm(2)), yield (3.02 kg/tree), productivity efficiency (18.19 g cm(-2) TCSA) and soil moisture content (14.8, 14.2, 13.2, 12.7 and 12.3%). Whereas, organic mulch registered the highest soil fertility status. Interaction effect of water harvesting and mulching indicated that growth, yield, productivity efficiency and soil moisture status were recorded in full-moon water harvesting + plastic mulch in almond 'Non Pareil' under rainfed conditions of Kashmir valley.