Effect of Different Types of Mulching and Herbicidal Treatments on Plant Growth and Yield in Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.)

Combination of three types of mulches (black, transparent polythene and rice straw) and two mulching techniques (full plot and half meter wide strip) were applied alone or in combination with two herebicides (Stomp 0.75 kg/ha and Goal 0.12 kg/ha). Highest plant height was recorded under transparent polythene mulch full (TPMF) + Stomp and TPMF + Goal treatments both at full growth asweli as at harvesting stage. There was insignificant difference in crop stand under various treatments. Highest total as well as marketable yield of tomato were recorded under TPMF + Stomp followed by black polythene mulch full (BPMF) + Stomp, TPMF + Goal and BPMF + Goal treatments. Maximum number of fruits per plant were obtained under TMPF + Stomp, BPMF + Stomp and TPMF + Goal treatments. Highest fruit weight were recorded under TPMF+Stomp, BPMF + Stomp and BPMF + Goal treatments. Higher early tomato yields were recorded under TPMF + Stomp followed by TPMF + Goal treatment. Late yields, however, was higher under rice straw treatments.