While the amount of straw mulch required was not conclusive
in these experiments, 1–2 t/ha of straw mulch had rather a large
effect. It is expected that the area planted to mungbean after rice
is much smaller than the rice area on a farm, and it is likely that
sufficient straw would be available for mulching. This is particularly
so with the increase in tractor mechanisation and the decrease in
use of draught animals. If mulch is required for alternative uses
after mungbean planting, it could be removed at a later stage. The
work of Rahman et al. (2005) showed that the removal of rice straw
20 days after planting of wheat had only minor effect on crop yield