Effect of mulching and training systems on growth parameters of tomato

Abstract

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of mulching and training systems on the growth parameters of tomato. The investigation was carried out at the Horticultural Instructional cum Research Farm, Department of Vegetable Science, Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Raipur (C.G.) during Rabi season of year 2022-23 and 2023-24. The results revealed that both mulching and training systems affected plant growth parameters significantly. The results of various observations recorded during the experiment were statistically analysed (year-wise and pooled) using a Factorial Randomized Block Design. Total four mulches were used: - Black plastic mulch (M1), White plastic mulch (M2), Crop residue mulch (M3) and No mulch (M4). Similarly, four training systems were used: - Two stem training (T1), Three stem training (T2), Four stem training (T3) and No training (T4). The results revealed that among the mulches, Black plastic mulches (M1) was found superior in all growth parameters viz. Plant height at 90 Days after transplanting (79.12 cm in 2022-23, 77.33 cm in 2023-24, and a pooled mean of 78.22 cm), Days to 50% flowering (39.92 days in 2022-23, 39.25 days in 2023-24, and a pooled mean of 39.58 days), Number of flowers per cluster (4.68 in 2022-23, 4.78 in 2023-24, and a pooled mean of 4.73) and Days required for first harvesting (92.34 days in 2022-23 and 91.61 days in 2023-24, with a pooled mean of 91.98 days). Similarly, among training systems, No training (T4) was found superior in Days to 50% flowering (39.17 days in 2022-23, 38.50 days in 2023-24, and a pooled mean of 38.83 days), Days required for first harvesting (91.24 days in 2022-23 and 90.71 days in 2023-24 and with a pooled mean of 90.98 days). Whereas, Two stem training (T1) was found superior in Plant height at 90 Days after transplanting (76.11 cm in 2022-23, 75.40 cm in 2023-24 and a pooled mean of 75.76 cm) and Number of flowers per cluster (4.82 flowers in 2022-23, 4.71 in 2023-24, and a pooled mean of 4.76).