Black Polyethylene Mulch Doubled Tomato Yield in a Low-input System in Arid Trans-Himalayan Ladakh Region

Abstract

The influence of black polyethylene mulch (BPM) on growth and yield of tomato was investigated under a low-input cultivation system in arid high altitude (elevation 3344 m) in trans-Himalaya. The mean marketable yield varied from 27.8±2.5 t.ha-1 in open-pollinated varieties with no mulch treatment to 81.2±11.9 t.ha -1 in hybrid tomatoes with BPM. The yield of hybrid tomatoes with BPM is similar or greater than those reported in high-input systems. With BPM, total marketable yield in hybrid varieties increased by 102 per cent and 107 per cent in 2014 and 2015, respectively. Yield increase due to mulching in open-pollinated varieties was 86 per cent and 80 per cent in 2014 and 2015, respectively. Increase in early fruiting under BPM was observed in all the five varieties studied. Difference in soil temperature between mulch and unmulch was significantly higher at early growth stage than during later stages. BPM reduced 57 per cent weed and save 74 per cent time in manual weeding. Incidence of insect-pest and diseases was minimal, and rotten fruit was less than 2 per cent of marketable yield without staking and pesticide or fungicide application.

Effect of Crop Management Practices on Growth, Yield, Quality, Economics of Buckeye Rot, Alternaria Disease of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) var. Solan Lalima

“…The present results are in line with the findings of Kosterna (2014) in tomato, Abhivyakti et al [23] in tomato, Helaley et al [29] in tomato, Angmo et al [30] in tomato, Kumari et al [31] in tomato and Sowinska and Turczuk [32] also in tomato crop. The possible reason for increased fruit weight could be fewer branches per plant because the fruits contained higher levels of carbohydrates and other soluble compounds [33][34][35].…”

Growing Muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.) under Low-input System in Arid trans-Himalayan Ladakh, India

“…Decrease in soil warming by BPM with respect to crop growth stages could be due to increase in foliage and deposition of soil on mulch surface due to flood irrigation. Similar observation was reported earlier in tomato 6 .…”

“…Importing goods to Ladakh necessitates the shipping of goods by truck across the Himalayas, with passes as high as 5300 m, covering the distance of Manali to Leh (480 km) or Srinagar to Leh (420 km) 5 . A survey conducted in the region in 2015 suggested that approximately 21.4 ml diesel is burn to transport one kilogram of fresh vegetable by truck from a nearby town at 450 km distance, which leads to emission of vehicular pollution in the fragile environment 6 . Therefore, there is a need to study feasibility of growing muskmelon in transHimalayan Ladakh region.…”

​Effect of Mulching on Crop Production under Rainfed Condition: A Review

“…According to Gao et al (2001) the nutrient paper mulch (NPM) advanced the plant growth as compared to plastic mulch and no mulch in tomato. Angmo et al, 2018 andKumari et al, 2018. also reported the similar results.…”