Development of Low-cost Technology for Sustainable Vegetable Production in Coastal Saline Soil of Sundarbans

摘要

An experiment was conducted during winter season of 1994-95 and 1995-1996 to study the effects of various mulch types and colours on growth and yield of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) and chilli (Capsicum annuum L.), weed growth, soil temperature, moisture and salinity. Mulches promoted vegetative growth of tomato and chilli in terms of plant height and number of branches and leaves/plant over bare soil (control). Polyethylene mulch, irrespective of its surface colour, proved more beneficial than organic mulches such as paddy straw or water hyacinth. However, the variation in vegetative growth due to colour of polyethylene mulch was not significant. Polyethylene mulches advanced flowering by more than a week in both tomato and chilli. Earlier flowering, greater number of fruits/plant and greater fruit weight resulted in 70.5 % higher yield in tomato and 54.4% in chilli as a result of black polyethylene mulching. Black polyethylene proved best, followed by red polyethylene. Weed growth was minimum under black polyethylene. Other colours also suppressed weed growth, while clear polyethylene and organic mulches were markedly less efficient. Higher soil temperature (2-3℃ above the control), greater soil moisture conservation and lower salinity level were also observed with polyethylene mulches, but mulch colour except black had no appreciable effect. The economic return from black polyethylene was highest.