Effect of planting systems and mulching on soil hydrothermal regime, plant physiology, yield and water use efficiency in tomato

A two year study was conducted to determine the response of a tomato crop to three planting systems and three mulch materials. Results indicated that planting systems significantly influenced the soil moisture regimes; weed growth and water use efficiency but did not affect the yield and other parameters. Mulch materials significantly influenced the hydrothermal regime of soil, physiological traits, yield and water use efficiency. Black polythene and paddy straw mulch have significantly higher soil water tensions (−56.6 to -38.4 kPa) and moisture in soil profile (15.1–18.4%). The maximum leaf area (0.426 m²/plant), specific leaf area (8.47 mg/cm²), fruit yield (400.08 q/ha) and water use efficiency (96.58 kg/ha-mm) were obtained under paddy straw mulch. The lowest dry weed biomass (5.5 g/m²) was recorded under black polythene. Black polythene, transparent polythene and paddy straw mulch saved 17, 11.3 and 15.4% water than unmulched control. Furrow irrigated raised bed saved about 36% water over flat bed planting. As for as the interaction of planting system and mulch is concerned, the maximum dry matter production (231.03 g/plant), fruit yield (449.36 q/ha) and water use efficiency (143.57 kg/ha-mm) was noticed under raised bed planting coupled with paddy straw mulching. This combination also saved about 49% water with 55% higher yield over absolute control.