Interaction between Different Sowing Methods and Levels of Mulching on Rainfed Lentil

Background: To find out the best combination of sowing method and level of mulching for growing rainfed lentil. Methods: The present study was carried out under Institute of Agriculture, Visva-Bharati University, Sriniketan, West Bengal, India from 2018-19 to 2019-20 with four main plots as Spacing (S1-20 cm row spacing; S2-25 cm row spacing; S3-30 cm row spacing and S4- Broadcasting (seed rate @ 40 kg ha-1)) and four sub-plot as mulching (M0- Without mulching; M1-3 t ha-1 straw mulching; M2-4 t ha-1 straw mulching and M3-5 t ha-1 straw mulching) and replicrated trice and experimental designed followed was split plot design (SPD). Result: Broadcasting method is advantageous and found to be superior from the line sowing methods for lentil crop. The treatment combination of broadcasting @ 40 kg ha-1 and 4 t ha-1 straw mulching (M2) showed highest seed yield (975 kg ha-1) while the lowest seed yield (584 kg ha-1) was recorded in control plot (M0) with 25 cm row spacing. The crop sown by broadcasting (S4) achieved the highest gross return (` 59,460 ha-1), net return (` 39,161 ha-1) and returns per rupee invested (2.93). In contrast, 20 cm row spacing incurred the highest cost of cultivation (` 21,022 ha-1). Mulching with straw at 5 t ha-1 incurred the highest cost of cultivation (` 21,579 ha-1), while mulching at 4 t ha-1 resulted in the highest gross return (` 55,542 ha-1) and net return (` 32,076 ha-1). From the research work it was found that the highest seed yield of 975 kg ha-1 recorded in the treatment combination of broadcasting (S4) and 4 t ha-1 straw mulching (M2) while the lowest seed yield of 584 kg ha-1 recorded in control plot (M0) with 25 cm row spacing (S2).