Effect of Different Plant Densities and Mulches on Growth and Yield of Mango (Mangifera indica L.) cv. Alphonso

High density planting is a highly efficient and advanced production system of fruit cultivation. High yield and good fruit quality can be achieved with a high density orchard in guava when the orchard has good light distribution throughout the tree canopy and there is a balance between vegetative growth and cropping. To know the effect of high density planting and different mulches on growth and yield of mango (Mangifera indica L.) cv. Alphonso was undertaken at Regional Horticulture Research and Extension Centre, Dharwad (University of Horticultural Sciences, Bagalkot) during May - 2016 to June – 2018. The maximum incremental data of plant height (29.96 cm), plant spread (East- West) of 32.82 cm was recorded in D4M3 (7.5 × 5 m spacing with plastic mulch) and the maximum increment of plant girth (1.20 cm) were recorded in D2M2 (5× 2.5 m spacing with straw mulch). The treatment D2M3 (5×2.5 m spacing with plastic mulch) recorded the maximum plant spread of 30.90 cm (North-South), tertiary branches of 26.44 was found maximum in the treatment D4M1, maximum number of fruits per plant of 52.97 was recorded in D3M3 and highest yield per plant (14.79 kg) was recorded in D3M3. Whereas, the treatment D1M3 (2.5× 2.5 m spacing with plastic mulch) recorded the maximum canopy volume (1.33 cm3). Whereas, the highest number of primary branches of 4.33 was found in D2M2 and secondary branches (8.83) were recorded in the treatment D4M3 (5.0 x 2.5 m spacing in control). The maximum yield per hectare (13.56) was recorded in D1M3 (2.5 x 2.5 m spacing with no mulch).