INFLUENCE OF MULCHING ON DOUBLE CROPPING OF EARLY SOYBEAN (GLYCINE-MAX) AND LINSEED (LINUM-USITATISSIMUM) UNDER RAIN-FED CONDITIONS

An attempt was made during 1987-88 and 1988-89 to study the prospects of double cropping of oilseeds under rainfed conditions in the region of Vindhyan Plateau of Madhya Pradesh. There was more moisture content in the soil at the time of linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) sowing un der rainy season (kharif) fallow condition and yield was also signific antly more than other treatments. Linseed can be planted after soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.], if the optimum rains are received during th e rainy season. Use of wheat (Triticum aestivum L. emend. Fiori & Paol .) straw as surface mulch showed superiority to soybean straw mulch fo r soil-moisture conservation and seed yields of both soybean and linse ed crops. Self-mulching was found more economical under fallow as well as the double-cropped conditions in respect of soil-moisture conserva tion, growth and yield attributes and ultimately seed yields of both t he oilseed crops.