Effect of legume leaf mulch and fertilizer on soil quality and rice yield for small scale production

Organic mulching especially of legumes is an important agroecological practice to improve soil health and crop productivity. Besides, it may combat with different stress conditions of hilly soils and may add economic advantage to the small farmers. This paper attempted to study the effect of Flemingia leaf mulch and NPK application on soil's physico-chemical and biological properties, and small-scale rice productivity. Upland rice seeds were sown in polypots filled with garden soils treated with 3 doses (5, 8 and 10 tons/ha) of Flemingia leaf mulch with NPK (6:4:4 ratio) to evaluate their influence on soil enzymes and crop productivity. The incorporation of leaf mulch brought a significant increase in soil pH, Ca, Av P, and Av K, while it resulted in a decrease in Mg. However, no significant change was observed in soil organic carbon and soil moisture by the combined application of mulch and NPK. Application of NPK increased ACP, DHY, and URE. While there was an increase in DHY and URE with an increase dose of mulch, ACP, however, decreased with increase dose of mulch. The combined application of mulch and NPK resulted in all biological parameters except straw yield, however, with an increasing dose of mulch, the economic yield of rice increased.The study recommended the application of legume leaf mulch (10 tons/ha) with NPK (6:4:4) for optimal rice yield and better soil health.