ISSN 2756-3790
International Journal of Horticulture and Floriculture ISSN 2167-0455 Vol. 8 (3), pp. 001-003, March, 2020. © International Scholars Journals
Short Communication
Effect of black plastic mulch on soil temperature and tomato yield in mid hills of Garhwal Himalayas
Ajay Kumar Singh* and Shashi Kamal
KVK, Jakhdhar, Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand, Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar 246 439, India.
Accepted 07 January, 2020
Abstract
The effect of soil mulching with black plastic sheets on soil temperature and tomato yield was evaluated in the temperate region of Uttarakhand. The experiment was carried out from May to September, of the year 2006, 2007 and 2008 in a 5 × 1.8 m size plot with ten replications. Highest soil temperature was obtained under the black plastic mulch during the early growth season due to less shade on the surface. The difference in temperature between mulched and bare soil was 2.2 to 3.4°C. Black plastic mulch significantly affects the tomato yield. The yield increased with black plastic mulch from 20.7 to 29.8% as compared to bare soil.
Key words: Tomato, soil temperature, black plastic mulch, yield.