A study was conducted during 2003–2009 on the impact of mulches viz. black polyethylene mulch film, banana leaves, paddy straw, dry grasses, control (without mulch) on growth, fruiting characteristics, qualitative attributes and microbial population of soil under meadow orchard of guava cv. Allabhabad Safeda. Among the different mulches, the minimum plant height was recorded in control and paddy straw mulch (0.99m) followed by banana leaf mulch (1.02m), grass mulch (1.05m) and polyethylene mulch film (1.06m). The highest value of canopy spread (NS/EW) among the mulches was recorded in the plant mulched with polyethylene. The difference between mulches, topping and hedging applications were found to be significant at p=0.5 in terms of tree volume (m2) and trunk cross sectional area (cm2). The highest tree volume (0.31 m2) has been obtained from polyethylene mulch closely followed by banana and grass mulches (0.26 m2). Paddy straw mulch and control (un-mulch) had no significant differences. In general, soil mulched with polyethylene film showed beneficial effect in enhancing flowering and fruit set. Plants mulched with polyethylene film and banana leaf produced more number of flowering shoot as a result of topping and hedging. The highest yield was obtained i.e. 12.7 kg/plant (equal to 63.5 tonns/ha) under mulched with polyethylene. Among the organic mulches, the fruit yield was maximum (12.5 kg/plant equal to 62.5 tonns/ha) in plants mulched with banana leaf followed by paddy straw and grass mulches (12.4 kg/plant equal to 62.0 tonns/ha). The plants under without mulch had produced 12.0 kg/plant which is equal to 60 tonns/ha. Highest value of fruit weight (250 g) was obtained from banana leaf mulched closely followed by polyethylene mulched film (225 g). Water saving has been recorded to the tune of 25.92 to 51.85 per cent in all the mulches being maximum (51.85) with polyethylene mulch over the control. Higher population of beneficial microorganism reveals that plastic mulching improved the microbial quality of soil by way of maintaining moisture and temperature. Plastic mulching provides favourable micro climate for the growth of beneficial bacteria including N fixer and P solubilizers resulting in higher nutrient availability to the plant and higher yields with better quality of produces.
