Effect of various types of mulching on growth characters of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)

Abstract

To find out a suitable mulch material for potato production is an important issue for the farmers. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of inorganic and organic mulches on growth, yield and quality of potato cv. Kufri Himalini under drip irrigation system in the Department of Horticulture, at the research Farm, College of Agriculture, Indore (M.P.) during the rabi season of 2020-21 and 2021-22. A field experiment was conducted in the Randomized Block Design with three replication and comprised of total twenty treatments. The results concluded that removal of black polyethylene mulch (25 µ) at 60 DAP was found most effective and more beneficial than rest of the treatment for all the characters of potato while the minimum values of the same was found under control (without mulch) treatment. All the mulches have significant influence on the growth characters viz. Plant height, Number of branches. The results revealed that in the first year 2020-21 the maximum plant height at 45, 60, 75 DAP and at harvest was recorded 39.07, 51.03, 51.67 and 49.04 respectively in the treatment T­2 (removal of black mulch 25 micron at 60 DAP) while in the second year 2021-22 the results were 37.03, 49.43, 49.53 and 48.20 at the same days of interval respectively. In pooled year the values were 38.05, 50.23, 50.60 and 48.62 at 45, 60, 75 DAP and at harvest respectively was found in the treatment T­2 (removal of black mulch 25 micron at 60 DAP) respectively over rest of the treatment. Significantly also maximum number of branches. The results revealed that in the first year 2020-21 the maximum number of branches at 45, 60, 75 DAP and at harvest stage was recorded 20.67, 21.53, 21.79 and 20.73 respectively in the treatment T­2 – (removal of black mulch 25 micron at 60 DAP). These treatments were statistically at par with each other while in the second year 2021-22 the results were 19.67, 21.20, 21.53 and 20.04 at the same days of interval stage respectively. In pooled year the values were 20.17, 21.37, 21.66 and 20.39 at 45, 60, 75 DAP and at harvest stage respectively also obtained in the same treatment over the non mulch treatment.