Author(s):

M Jayalalitha, M Rajeswari, R Lalitha, T Ragavan and P Saravanapandian

Abstract: Field investigation was carried out during 2017 at Agricultural College and Research Institute, Madurai, to study the effect of colored plastic mulch and drip irrigation regimes on weed dry weight, root length and root spread of tomato. A factorial randomized block design with three colour mulches (white on black, silver on black and black on silver) and three irrigation regimes with control (without mulch) was laid to conduct the field experiment. The highest weed count of 27.3 was found in 100 per cent ET_c and the lowest weed count of 21.4 in 60 per cent ET_c. Among the mulches minimum weed count (4.9) was found in white on black plastic colour mulch. Plastic mulches were effective in repressing the weed infestation. The maximum root length was observed under treatment 60 per cent ET_c without mulch (48.2 cm). The maximum root spread was found in 80 per cent ET_c level with white on black colour mulch (41.1cm). The results showed that using colored plastic mulches control the weeds resulting in more root spread of the crop due to less competition for soil moisture and nutrients. Therefore, plastic mulch can be one of the weed control strategy in tomato production.

DOI: 10.22271/phyto.2020.v9.i2k.10925

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