Effect of different mulches on growth and yield of carrot (Daucus carota L.)

Abstract

The present research work was conducted at Research field, Department of Horticulture, School of Agriculture, ITM University, Gwalior (M.P.) during the winter season of 2016-17. The experiment comprises of eight treatment viz.T1 -Control, T2 -Sugarcane straw mulch, T3 -Black polythene mulch, T4 -Leaves mulch (Dalbergia sissoo) T5 -Blue polythene mulch, T6 -Paddy straw mulch, T7 -Grass mulch (Cynodon dactylon) and T8 -White polythene mulch. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design with three replication. The results revealed that the treatment T3 - Black polythene mulch was found to be the best among the various treatment and recorded maximum plant height (61.70 cm), Length of leaf (26.78 cm), number of leaves (9.84 plant-1), Fresh weight of leaves (39.38 plant-1), Dry weight of leaves plant-1 (5.83 plant-1), Fresh weight of root plant -1 (225.33 plant-1), Dry weight of roots plant -1 (17.88 plant-1), Fresh weight of plant (264.72 g), Dry weight of plant (23.71 g), Total root length (23.45), Total root diameter (5.54cm). The treatment T3 also recorded the maximum yield (1.43 kg/m2 and 54.69 t/ha) which was followed by T5- Blue polythene mulch for these parameters.