INFLUENCE OF MULCHES UNDER NO-TILLAGE ON GROWTH AND YIELD OF MAIZE INSLOPES OF CHITTAGONG HILL TRACT

Effect of dried sungrass (Imperata cylindrica) as mulch, earthling up as soil mulch and no mulches under no-tillage conditions were studied on the growth and yield of maize at Agricultural Research Sub-station, Khagrachari. Sungrass mulch had lower soil temperature and higher soi l moisture content than soil and no mulch during the growing season. C rop Growth Rate and Net Assimilation Rate were higher during 15 to 45 and 46 to 75 days after emergence but Relative Growth Rate was higher during 46 to 75 days after emergence in sungrass mulch than soil or no mulch. The values of Leaf Area Indices and dry Matter and grain yield were higher in sungrass mulch than soil mulch or no mulch.