Effect of Mulch Material and Bio-Stimulants on Growth, Cropping and Microbial Population in Daisy Mandarin
Sustainable management of soil moisture, nutrient availability and microbial activity is important for maintaining the growth, productivity and fruit quality of Daisy mandarin. Mulching and biological inputs such as Jeevamrit and Panchgavya may improve the soil microenvironment; however, their combined effects on Daisy mandarin growth, yield, fruit quality and soil characteristics require evaluation. The present study was carried out at the College of Horticulture and Forestry, Neri, Hamirpur (H.P.), during 2024-2025. The experiment was laid out in a factorial randomised block design with three replications. The study comprised twelve treatments involving different types of mulching materials, viz. M0: no mulch, M1: grass mulch, M2: black polythene mulch and M3: mulch mat, and three biostimulant treatments: B0: no biostimulants, B1: Jeevamrit @ 10% and B2: Panchgavya @ 5%, either alone or in combination. The results showed that vegetative growth, flowering, yield, fruit quality, soil nutrient status and microbial populations were significantly enhanced under M1B1 (grass mulch + Jeevamrit @ 10%). The maximum increase in plant height (64.10 cm), maximum number of fruits (62.00/plant) and highest yield (12.52 kg/plant) were observed under M1B1 (grass mulch + Jeevamrit @ 10%). Biochemical parameters such as TSS, total sugars and ascorbic acid content were highest under M1B1 (grass mulch + Jeevamrit @ 10%). The highest soil organic carbon (1.52%), available soil nitrogen (274.90 kg/ha), available soil potassium (243.03 kg/ha) and total microbial count (1.64× 108 cfu g-1) were recorded under M1B1 (grass mulch + Jeevamrit @ 10%). Therefore, M1B1 (grass mulch + Jeevamrit @ 10%) can be regarded as the best treatment in the present study.