IN-SITU MOISTURE CONSERVATION FOR WHEAT (TRITICUM-AESTIVUM) THROUGH MULCHING PREVIOUS STANDING MAIZE (ZEA-MAYS) CROP WITH WILD SAGE (LANTANA-CAMARA)

Effect of mulching the previous standing maize (Zea mays L.) with an organic waste, wild sage (Lantana camara L), at receding monsoon for moisture conservation and carry-over for wheat (Triticum aestivum L emend. Fiori & Paol.) was studied during 1987-90 to mitigate the problem of non-availability of pre-sowing irrigation to wheat. This practice not only ensured timely sowing of wheat without pre-sowing irrigation of 8 cm and gave maximum water-use efficiency of rainfed crop but also increased the crop-yield equivalent to 40 kg N/ha. Application of light irrigation from the water-harvesting reservoirs in hills proved highly useful compared with heavy pre-sowing irrigation and then application of the remaining quantity as early post-sowing irrigation. For the wheat sowing in early November in hills of north-west India, rain received by the second week of December proved most crucial. In its absence 1 life-saving irrigation to wheat was found essential.