STUDIES OF TOMATO RESPONSE TO MULCHING ON RIDGED AND FLAT ROWS

Abstract

Black plastic and sawdust mulches were applied to ridged and flat rows in a 2-year (1956–1957) study of their effect on tomato culture. Records were taken of soil temperature and moisture levels, ripe fruit to August 31, and total crop (ripe and green fruit).The highest early yield was obtained from the unmulched and sawdust plots but the heaviest total yield came from the black plastic plots. Highest soil temperature and lowest moisture readings were recorded under the black plastic, and lowest so 1 temperature and highest moisture under the sawdust.The earliest ripe fruits came from the flat rows, but the total crop was significantly higher on the ridge rows. There was no significant interaction for mulches and row type.