Effect of mulching on soil properties, growth and yield of strawberry cv. Chandler under mid hill conditions of Uttarakhand

The organic and inorganic mulches were tried in strawberry cv. Chandler. Mulching with organic materials was quite effective in improving the chemical properties of soil, i.e., pH, electrical conductivity, organic carbon content, available nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and viable bacterial count. Their values increased as compared to control and inorganic mulches (black polythene, transparent polythene, silver colour polythene). Mulching treatments encouraged plant growth, yield, effectively checked the weed growth and also regulated soil temperature. The cost per plot and hectare basis showed that inorganic mulches are very expensive and also does not incorporate any humus in the soil. Contrary to this, paddy straw is locally and easily available, showed better response followed by Eupatorium adenophorum sprengel. Therefore, their use over a number of years would be helpful in improving the soil fertility.