Impact of different mulching material and weed management practices on weed dynamics, growth, fruit yield and economics of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum)

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted to assess the impact of different mulching practices on growth and yield of tomato (Solanum lycopersicon) at College of Horticulture, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, Telangana during 2015. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design with seven treatments in three replications. Growth and fruit yield (28.37 tha-1) were highest under black polythene mulch followed by reflective polythene mulch. Similarly, weed density, weed dry weight and weed control efficiency were significantly lowest with black polythene mulch at 20 and 40 Days after transplanting (DAT) while paddy husk recorded significantly lowest weed control efficiency. Highest Benefit Cost ratio (2.10) was recorded in black polythene mulch whereas lowest (1.04) was recorded in unweeded plot.These results indicated that black polythene mulch and reflective polythene mulch were effective for better growth and yield in tomato.