EFFECTS OF MULCHING AND PRUNING ON GROWTH AND YIELD OF TOMATO (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.)

Abstract

straw and control (no mulch) and three pruning treatments cg. single stem pruning. pruning up to I st llowcr cluster and control (no pruning) at the research farm of Olcriculturc Division of the I lorticulturc Research Center (I IRC), Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Joydcbpur. Gazipur during the period from 20 October 2004 lo 20 March 2005 lo find out the suitable mulching and pruning practices on growth and yield of tomato (IJARl-6). The result of the experiment revealed that the plant height. number or flower cluster per plant, number or fruits per plant. fruit breadth. yield of fruit per plant and yield tons per hectare were significantly influenced by different mulching and pruning treatments. EFFECTS OF MULCHING AND PRUNING ON GROWTH AND YIELD TOMATO I\ field experiment was

The result of the experiment revealed that the plant height. number or flower cluster per plant, number or fruits per plant. fruit breadth. yield of fruit per plant and yield tons per hectare were significantly influenced by different mulching and pruning treatments. EFFECTS OF MULCHING AND PRUNING ON GROWTH AND YIELD TOMATO I\ field experiment was conducted with three mulching treatments cg. mulching The highest yield (94.37 t/ha) was obtained from straw mulch followed by mulch with black polyethylene (88.47 t/ha) and no mulch (72.43 t/ha) respectively. The pruning up to I '1 flower cluster produced highest yield (89.57 t/hu) than no pruning (89.17 I/ha) and the single stem pruning (76.53 I/ha). The highest fruit yield (103.5 t/ha) was recorded from the combination or mulching with straw and pruning up lo I '1 [lower cluster. which may be recommended for high yield or tomato.