The Effects of Live Mulches on Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) Yield Under Tropical Conditions

• DOI: 10.1300/j064v26n01_04
• Publication Date: 2005-08-10T14:10:12Z
• Authors: H. A. Akintoye; E. O. Agbeyi; A. B. Olaniyan
• Keywords: Lycopersicon; Plastic mulch; Melon

ABSTRACT The use of mulches in vegetable production is undergoing a radical change away from high input, nonrenewable resources, such as plastic, to the high-residue organic cover crops. purpose this study was compare yield three tomato varieties when grown under different live mulches. In 2001 and 2002, (CLN14665, Roma T337) were evaluated for at Research Farm National Horticultural Institute (NIHORT), Ibadan, Nigeria, split-plot experiment laid out randomized complete block design. Tomatoes on plots with cucumber, melon, pumpkin (as mulches), herbicide, hand weeding no (control). Results indicated that highest significant 20.06 t ha−1 27.6 ha−1, resupectively, obtained T337, while CLN 14665 gave lowest (17.3 19.9 ha−1) same period. Among mulches, cucumber treatment produced number fruits plant−1 2001, significantly greater than herbicide treated 2002. weeded higher cucumber/tomato mixture both years study. mulch poor combination it had deleterious effect yield, but controlled weeds more effectively other crops used These results suggest will provide good tomatoes, esupecially T 337 system.