|
Abstract
|
Article Information:
Effect of Mulch and Irrigation on Growth, Yield and Quality of Radish (Raphanus sativus L.) in a Semi-Arid Sub-Tropical Environment
Patricia C. Carmichael, Victor D. Shongwe, Michael T. Masarirambi and Absalom M. Manyatsi
Corresponding Author: M.T. Masarirambi
Submitted: January 03, 2012
Accepted: January 25, 2012
Published: May 05, 2012 |
Abstract:
|
Radish is grown as an irrigated crop which can not tolerate water shortage. However, it has received
relatively little research pertaining to its mulching and water requirements. The objective of this experiment
was to investigate optimum water requirements of radish when using different mulching materials. The
experimental design was a randomized complete block design with 12 treatments, replicated three times. The
treatments were (three mulching matarials) grass mulch, black polyethylene cover, clear plastic cover and no
cover (control), with each subjected to three irrigation regimes (100, 70 and 50% MC). The data collected on
plant parameters included plant height, number of leaves, leaf length, leaf width, root diameter, % Total
Soluble Solids (% TSS) of extracted juice, fresh mass of leaves and roots. Significant (p<0.05) plant growth
increases were observed from treatment of grass mulch at 100% MC on plant height, root diameter, TSS (%)
and fresh mass when compared to the other treatments. This was followed by clear plastic at 100% MC, black
plastic at 100% MC and lastly the treatment of no cover at 100% MC. Similar results were obtained at 70 and
50% MC. There were no significant interaction between treatments (M × MC) for growth and yield parameters
measured. Only grass mulch at 100% MC produced significantly (p<0.05) higher number of leaves than all
the other treatments which had similar number of leaves. Root diameter varied significantly (p<0.05) across
all treatments. The widest root diameter was obtained from grass mulch at 100% MC followed in decreasing
order by no mulch at 100% MC, grass mulch at 70% MC and lastly black polyethylene at 100% MC.
Key words: Growth parameters, moisture content, mulch, Raphanus sativus, total soluble solids, ,
|
|
Abstract
|
PDF
|
HTML |
|
Cite this Reference:
Patricia C. Carmichael, Victor D. Shongwe, Michael T. Masarirambi and Absalom M. Manyatsi, . Effect of Mulch and Irrigation on Growth, Yield and Quality of Radish (Raphanus sativus L.) in a Semi-Arid Sub-Tropical Environment. Asian Journal of Agricultural Sciences, (3): 183-187.
|
|
|
|
 |
ISSN (Online): 2041-3890
ISSN (Print): 2041-3882 |
 |
| Information |
|
|
|
|
| Sales & Services |
|
|
|
|
