Yield and quality improvement of mango through drip irrigation coupled with polyethylene mulching under high density planting

A field experiment was conducted at Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture, Lucknow during 2005–2011 with an objective of improving the yield and fruit quality of mango cv. Dashehari through drip irrigation and polyethylene mulching under two densities 9.0 x 6.0 and 6.0 x 3.0 m, replicated three times in a randomized block design. The experimental plot of mango (six year old) was irrigated with a drip irrigation system having 4 emitters per plant of 8 liter per hour (lph) capacity based on four irrigation levels (T₁ = 40%, T₂ = 60%, T₃ = 80% and T₄ = 100% of pan evaporation). UV stabilized black polyethylene mulching (100 μ thickness) was done during October - November. Higher fruit set, fruit weight, fruits number and fruit yield per tree were recorded by application of irrigation at 60% PE per day per plant under black polyethylene mulching. Water saving to the tune of 45–58% through mulching was recorded in all treatments. Fruit yield varied from maximum value of 5.90 t/ha in treatment T₂ as compared to control (3.22 t ha⁻¹). Drip irrigation coupled with polyethylene mulching resulted in better quality of fruits in terms of increased TSS (25.33 ^oBrix), firmness (0.68 kg cm⁻²) and reduced cumulative physiological losses (5.45%) under 9.0 x 6.0 m density. Whereas under 6.0 x 3.0 m the treatment T₃ (80% PE) showed maximum value in terms of yield (12.82 t/ha), TSS (25.13 ^oBrix), firmness (0.74 Kg cm⁻²) and reduced cumulative physiological losses (6.09%). Thus, drip irrigation at 60% PE and 80% PE level coupled with black polyethylene mulching improves the yield and quality of mango var. Dashehari under 9.0 x 6.0 m and 6.0 x 3.0 m densities, respectively.