2020•Research & Reviews: Journal of Agricultural Science and TechnologyOpen access
Influence of Different Mulches on Weed Dynamics and Yield of Cucumber (Cucumis sativus cv. Malini) in Chitwan, Nepal
Ashmita Karki, Jenny Shrestha, Asmita Devkota, J. P. Dutta, Santosh Marahatta, Bishal Shrestha
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Abstract
Abstract An experiment was conducted to study the effect of mulching materials on weed dynamics and yield characters of Malini variety of cucumber under drip irrigation condition during Feb to May 2018 in Chitwan district, Nepal. The experiment was laid in one factor Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with 4 replications. Four different mulching materials- silver on black polyethylene mulch, black polyethylene mulch, rice straw mulch and rice husk mulch were used as treatments. Un-mulched plot served as control. Poa spp., Cyperusiria and Cynodondactylon were major weeds of cucumber during winter season. The highest weed density (12.95 m -2 ) and weed dry weight (11.56 g m -2 ) were recorded in rice husk mulch and the lowest weed density (2.45 m -2 )and weed dry weight (4.16 g m -2 )were recorded in silver on black polyethylene mulch and black polyethylene mulch respectively. It was observed that mulching improved the yield characters of cucumber. Plant growth and yield performance were the poorest in the un-mulched plots. Number of fruits per plant was recorded significantly highest (15.85) in silver on black polyethylene mulch and the lowest (6.75) was in control. Maximum yield (61.20 t ha -1 ) was recorded with silver on black polyethylene mulching and minimum (20.80 t ha -1 ) was recorded with control. The highest net profit (NRs. 1,035,800 ha -1 ) was observed in silver on black polyethylene mulch. Regarding the benefit cost ratio (B: C), the highest value (3.09) was recorded in silver on black polyethylene mulch and the lowest (0.48) was recorded in rice straw mulch. The overall performance was superior in polyethylene mulch Keywords : Cucumber, mulch, weed, yield, B: C ratio Cite this Article Ashmita Karki, Jenny Shrestha, Asmita Devkota, Jay Prakash Dutta, Santhosh Marahatta, Bishal Shrestha. Influence of Different Mulches on Weed Dynamics and Yield of Cucumber (Cucumis sativus cv. Malini) in Chitwan, Nepal. Research & Reviews: Journal of Agriculture Sciences and Technology . 2020; 9(1): 23–29p.