Table 2 Soil moisture content as influenced by mulch treatments, varieties and their interactions under water stress

Control (unmulched and irrigated)

14.373 ± 0.69^c

14.153 ± 0.16^c

14.263^c

Mulch 1 Mg ha⁻¹ + water

15.703 ± 0.38^b

15.313 ± 0.18^b

15.508^b

Mulch 3 Mg ha⁻¹ + water

15.757 ± 0.29^b

15.417 ± 0.15^b

15.587^b

Mulch 5 Mg ha⁻¹ + water

16.597 ± 0.24^a

16.660 ± 0.11^a

16.628^a

Water stress (40% soil field capacity)

7.333 ± 0.23^gh

6.690 ± 0.07 ^h

7.012^f

Mulch 1 (Mg ha⁻¹⁾ + water stress

8.337 ± 0.15^ef

7.870 ± 0.10 ^fg

8.103^e

Mulch 3 (Mg ha⁻¹) + water stress

8.667 ± 0.15^de

8.233 ± 0.15^ef

8.450^e

Mulch 5 (Mg ha⁻¹) + water stress

9.077 ± 0.06^d

8.860 ± 0.06^de

8.968^d

Mean

11.980^a

11.650^b