Effect of transplanting dates and mulching on growth and yield of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.)

Abstract

The effect of different dates of transplanting and various kinds of mulching materials was evaluated on growth attributes and yield of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) under open field conditions. Different dates of transplanting and application of mulch significantly influenced the number of primary branches per plant at 30, 60 and 90 days after transplanting, number of secondary branches per plant at 60 and 90 days after transplanting, fruits per plant, fruit weight and the total fruit yield during both the years of experiments. Different dates of transplanting and application of mulch significantly influenced the plant height at all the growth stages except at 10 DAT. The maximum values of number of primary branches per plant at 30, 60 and 90 days after transplanting (8.78, 13.94 and 14.26, respectively), number of secondary branches per plant at 60 and 90 days after transplanting (9.45 and 11.65, respectively), fruits per plant (32.76), fruit weight (49.81g) and the total fruit yield (374.90 q/ha) during both the years recorded transplanting on 31st October with bio-mulch (Paddy straw), whereas the minimum values of number of primary branches per plant at 30, 60 and 90 days after transplanting, number of secondary branches per plant at 60 and 90 days after transplanting, fruits per plant, fruit weight and the total fruit yield during both the years of experiments recorded with crop transplanted on 30th November without mulch.