Vol. 7, Issue 10 (2018)

Author(s):
Gottam Kishore, B Maheswara Babu, Kavita Kandpal, U Satishkumar and MS Ayyangowdar

Abstract:
A field experiment was conducted during 2015 to assess the weed growth and root parameters of tomato crop to evaluate effects of four main treatments 60, 80, 100 and 120 per cent Evapotranspiration (ET) using drip irrigation and three mulches (white on black, silver on black and black) with bare soil (weed free) and un-weeded as controls. The use of polyethylene mulch has increased dramatically in the last 15 years, in India. Because they have many benefits: increase in soil temperature especially in early spring, reduced weed problem, moisture conservation and higher crop yields. The maximum weed count was found in 120 per cent ET and minimum in 60 per cent ET. Among the mulches minimum weed count was found in white on black plastic colour mulch. Polythene mulches were effective in suppressing the weed infestation. The maximum root length was observed under treatment 60 per cent ET without mulch (55.24). This might be due to search of water by the plant roots which probe hundreds of feet deep in search of water. The maximum root spread was found in 80 per cent ET in combination with white on black plastic colour mulch. Altogether, our results showed that plastic colour mulching is one weed control strategy in tomato crop that also provides other benefits in terms of sustainable agriculture, such as soil protection or avoiding weedicide pollution.