Effect of mulching materials on weed incidence, yield and economics of brinjal (Solanum melongena) in Koderma district of Chhota Nagpur Plateau of Jharkhand

The experiment was conducted the farmer’s field of different villages of Koderma district like Sardarodih, Dandadih, Tarwan, Chehal and Lohadanda. To evaluate effect of different types of mulching practices on weed population, moisture percentage in soil, yield and benefit : cost ratio of brinjal. The experiment consists of five types of mulching treatments Black colour polythene mulching, Black and silver colour polythene mulching, Transparent poly mulching, Mulching with Paddy straw (8–10 cm thick) and Without mulching (only 3 to 4 hand weeding). Results exposed that black with silver colour polythene mulch has recorded significantly higher yield per plant (2.5 kg) and yield per ha (56.5 t/ha) which was at par with black colour polythene mulch. Organic mulch was found to be the next best treatment with respect to yield per plant (1.5 kg) as well as yield per ha (46.0 t/ha). The same treatment also resulted the higher gross return (Rs. 349000/ha), net return (Rs. 211000/ha) and B:C ratio (2.52) followed by black polythene mulching and organic mulching practices. Weed suppression and moisture retention was higher with black polythene mulch.