S.Shrestha, D.M. Gautam, S.M. Shakya and M.D. Sharma

DOI

ABSTRACT

In Bardiya, western Nepal, a field experiment was carried out in 2x5 randomized complete block design (RCBD) with 3 replications to investigate the effects of different mulching treatments viz. rice straw, rice husk, black plastic and red plastic in two commercial varieties of tomato i.e. Pusa Ruby and F1 hybrid Abinash-2 during spring season 2004. Treatment without mulching served as control. Plants of Pusa Ruby were significantly taller (114.37 cm) than Abinash-2 (72.09 cm). Number of flowers per truss, number of fruits per truss, percent fruit set and fruit yield of Abinash-2 were significantly higher than Pusa Ruby. Total marketable fruit yield was almost 50 percent higher in Abinash-2 (29.35 ton/ha) than in Pusa Ruby (20.45 ton/ha). In general, all the mulching treatments resulted better plant growth and yield as compared to control. Rice husk produced highest number of fruits per plant (38.48) and highest marketable yield (31.03 tons/ha). However, earliest flowering, highest number of flowers per truss (5.79), highest percentage of fruit set (81.47%), highest average fruit weight (48.49 gram) and earlier harvest were observed with red plastic mulch. The overall performance was found superior in rice husk mulching followed by rice straw.