Gilsha Bai E B
Effect of Different Types of Mulches on Growth and Yield of Drip Irrigated Vegetables - Tavanur Department of Land and Water Resources and Conservation Engineering, Kelappaji College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology 1997
The present project was to study the effect of drip
irrigation along with two colours of plastic mulching on the
growth and yield of summer season vegetable. Two types of
irrigation methods, drip and surface, and two colours of
plastic mulches, black and transparent, were used in the
experiment. Three levels of irrigation water, v, 0.8V and
0.6V volume, were applied in drip treatments.
Mulches increased the soil temperature. High soil
temperature was developed under transparent mulch compared to
black mulch. Black mulch increased the soil temperature in
the root zone by 3 to 4°C compared to non-mulched plots. This
increase in soil temperature under the black mulch was
advantageous to the crop.
Presence of mulch sheet over the soil reduced the
evaporation from the soil. Hence, moisture depleted from the
non-mulched plots were more than mulched plots. Water saving
obtained by the use of plastic mulch was about 30 to 35% in
the different treatments.
Black mulched and non-mulched treatments did not show
significant difference in the plant height. Maximum plant
height was observed in the non-mulched drip irrigated
treatment with O. BV volume of water. Maximum plant spread was
observed in the surface irrigated black mulch treatment.
Surface irrigated treatments gave more plant spread than drip
irrigated treatments.
Use of mulch sheets reduced the weed growth in the field.
Practically, there was no need of weeding from the plastic
mulched plots. Earlier flowering and maturity of fruits were
observed in the mulched plots.
All treatments with black mulch increased the yield
compared to the control. Treatment with black mulch and drip
irrigation with O.BV volume of water gave 76.5% more yield
than the control. Most of the treatments with transparent
mulch reduced the yield. This reduction in yield was due to
the high soil temperature developed under the transparent
mulch. Yield was increased with the soil temperature upto an
optimal level of about 46°C and then decreased with the
increase in soil temperature.
In drip method O.BV volume of irrigation water level was
the best. It gave highest yield and growth in mulched as well
as non-mulched treatments. Drip irrigation along with
mulching in summer vegetable can reduce the cost of
cultivation through efficient water management. Also the area
of cultivation can be increased with the available water in
the water scarce areas.
631.3 / GIL/EF
Effect of Different Types of Mulches on Growth and Yield of Drip Irrigated Vegetables - Tavanur Department of Land and Water Resources and Conservation Engineering, Kelappaji College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology 1997
The present project was to study the effect of drip
irrigation along with two colours of plastic mulching on the
growth and yield of summer season vegetable. Two types of
irrigation methods, drip and surface, and two colours of
plastic mulches, black and transparent, were used in the
experiment. Three levels of irrigation water, v, 0.8V and
0.6V volume, were applied in drip treatments.
Mulches increased the soil temperature. High soil
temperature was developed under transparent mulch compared to
black mulch. Black mulch increased the soil temperature in
the root zone by 3 to 4°C compared to non-mulched plots. This
increase in soil temperature under the black mulch was
advantageous to the crop.
Presence of mulch sheet over the soil reduced the
evaporation from the soil. Hence, moisture depleted from the
non-mulched plots were more than mulched plots. Water saving
obtained by the use of plastic mulch was about 30 to 35% in
the different treatments.
Black mulched and non-mulched treatments did not show
significant difference in the plant height. Maximum plant
height was observed in the non-mulched drip irrigated
treatment with O. BV volume of water. Maximum plant spread was
observed in the surface irrigated black mulch treatment.
Surface irrigated treatments gave more plant spread than drip
irrigated treatments.
Use of mulch sheets reduced the weed growth in the field.
Practically, there was no need of weeding from the plastic
mulched plots. Earlier flowering and maturity of fruits were
observed in the mulched plots.
All treatments with black mulch increased the yield
compared to the control. Treatment with black mulch and drip
irrigation with O.BV volume of water gave 76.5% more yield
than the control. Most of the treatments with transparent
mulch reduced the yield. This reduction in yield was due to
the high soil temperature developed under the transparent
mulch. Yield was increased with the soil temperature upto an
optimal level of about 46°C and then decreased with the
increase in soil temperature.
In drip method O.BV volume of irrigation water level was
the best. It gave highest yield and growth in mulched as well
as non-mulched treatments. Drip irrigation along with
mulching in summer vegetable can reduce the cost of
cultivation through efficient water management. Also the area
of cultivation can be increased with the available water in
the water scarce areas.
631.3 / GIL/EF