An experiment was carried out to investigate the effect of different types of mulching materials on vegetative and floral parameters of rose cv. Laher. The effectiveness of two different coloured (black and white/clear) plastic mulch of different thickness (50, 100 and 200 m) and rice straw mulch were compared in this study. The results of the experiment revealed that mulch with 200 m black polythene produced tallest plant with maximum spread and number of branch plant−1. However, there were no significant differences obtained with the use of 200 m black polythene mulch and 100 m black polythene mulch for these parameters. Different mulch treatments failed to influence any significant change in number of thorn m−2 of branch. Flowering parameters like number of flowers plant−1, flower diameter, duration of flowering and length of flowering stalk were recorded highest under 100 m black polythene mulch treatment. Flowers, which were collected from the plots covered with 100 m black polythene mulch, recorded maximum vase life with highest water uptake. Significant infestation of weeds was occurred underneath the white polythene irrespective of different thickness. This study indicates that the vegetative and floral characteristics of rose can be improved with the use of 100 m black polythene mulch.
Mulch, polythene, paddy straw, rose
