Influence of different mulches on weed count, fruit yield and economics of tomato

Abstract

Research on weed count studies at fortnightly interval revealed least number of weeds under Black Polyethylene mulch (BPM) followed by Straw Mulch (SM) under midhills condition of Himachal pradesh. BPM also impacted the resulting fruit yield and recorded highest fruit yield of 36.14 kg/plot and 631.78 q/ha followed by Transparent Polyethylene Mulch (TPM) with 32.15 kg/plot and 561.99 q/ha. Further mulch thickness and alignment also significantly appreciated the growth and yield parameters. Analysis of the combined mulch treatments showed that M2m5 (Black polyethylene mulch 50 micron intra-row) as the most effective treatment in terms of yield parameters. Use of BPM recorded the highest BC ratio of 2.49 followed by TPM with 2.05.