A mulching experiment was conducted with black and white polyethylene as well as organic mulches in bearing acid lime (Citrus aurantifolia Swingle). The effect of mulching on growth of the plant, fruit yield and quality, soil moisture conservation and weed intensity was investigated in this experiment. Three years study indicated that the highest increase in plant height and stock girth were recorded in black polyethylene mulch of 100 μ followed by local grass mulch @ 3 tons/ha. The tree canopy volume was significantly increased using black polyethylene mulch followed by mulching with local grass as compared to the control treatment (no mulching). The highest fruit yield (13.28 q tree−1) was recorded with black polyethylene 100 μ mulch followed by grass mulching (11.89 q tree−1). The fruit weight, Total Soluble Solids, acidity and juice content of lime fruits was higher with black polyethylene mulch 100 μ and grass mulch. This study revealed that better growth, yield and fruit quality of drip irrigated acid lime can be very well achieved with black polyethylene 100 μ mulch or grass mulching @ 3 tons/ha besides soil moisture conservation and weed reduction.
Acid lime, Fruit production, Polyethylene mulch, Soil moisture conservation
