Influence of colored plastic mulching and drip irrigation levels on soil temperature, plant growth and fruit quality of tomato (Solanum Lycopersicum)

Abstract

Plastic mulching has significantly enhanced vegetable production worldwide since the 1950. It is used extensively due to its properties improved soil, plant growth, fruit quality properties and low cost. A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the influence of various color plastic mulches (white on black, silver on black and black on silver) and irrigation levels (60, 80 and 100 per cent ETc) on plant growth parameters and weed suppression in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) cultivation at Madurai district, TamilNadu. The experiment was laid out according to factorial randomized block design with three replications. The results observed were soil temperature increased about 2-40C under the colored plastic mulches as compared to control plot(Without mulch). Growth parameters of tomato such as plant height, number of branches per plant and leaf area index and total soluble solids of tomato were significantly influenced by colored plastic mulching and different irrigation levels. The maximum plant height (123.2 cm), maximum number of branches per plant (22.8), highest leaf area index (3.01) and highest chlorophyll (56.58) were recorded under white on black plastic mulch with 80 per cent Etc of drip irrigation when compared to other treatments.