Vol. 8, Issue 6 (2019)

Author(s):
Bijeta and Manoj Raghav

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 mulching on yield, quality, weed growth and economics of potato. A field experiment was conducted at Vegetable Research Centre (VRC), G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology Pantnagar during rabi season to evaluate the performance of mulching on potato production. For meet up the demand six treatments viz. Black polyethylene mulch (25µ), Sugarcane dry leaves of 2.5 cm thickness, sugarcane dry leaves of 5.0 cm thickness, paddy straw mulch of 2.5 cm thickness, paddy straw mulch of 5.0 cm thickness and control (without mulch) were used to find the best materials that can help the farmers to improve their production practice. Now a days mulching has become an important factor for potato production. The results concluded that sugarcane dry leaves mulch of 5.0 cm thickness 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 yield, quality characters, weed population and economics of the experiment. Weeds are one of the most limiting factors in potato cultivation. This study aims to evaluate the effects of mulching on the prevalence of weeds and to discuss the implications on potato production. The economic consideration among all the treatments revealed that the sugarcane dry leaves of 5.0 cm thickness gave the highest net income. The positive response of various organic mulches on, yield, quality, weed growth and economics may be due to the fact that mulch treatments provide a congenial environment for proper plant growth which ultimately improves these parameters.