537 PB 043 ROWCOVER AND BLACK PLASTIC MULCH EFFECTS ON TOMATO PRODUCTIONS

Abstract

Tomato cv. Alwadi were grown under floating rowcover, black plastic mulch, mulch plus rowcover, or no protection i.e. control, for studying the effect on yield in terms of earliness, total yield and average fruit size. Early yield was significantly increased by the mulch treatment while the rowcover treatment yielded the least (P < 0.05). Total yield was increased by the mulch and mulch plus rowcover treatments, while the rowover and control treatments yielded the least (P < 0.05). Soil temperature at 10 cm depth varied between 1° to 2°C only under the different treatments. Air temperature under the rowcover exceeded 35 to 40°C on many days, hence causing fruit setting problems and resulting in reduced early yield under the rowcover. Our results show that earliness is enhanced by black plastic mulch, while the rowcover alone can have a negative effect on yield. Time of rowcover removal above the mulch warrants further research.