Abstract:
Optimum soil moisture content during the growing phase of tomatoes is necessary for plant
growth and yield, especially in arid and semi-arid regions. A field experiment was conducted
to evaluate the effect of mulches on the growth, yield and yield-related parameters of tomato
varieties (Lycopersicum esculuntem Mill) at Tana Belles in Jawi District, Awi Zone, Amhara
Region in 2022–2023 irrigation production season. The experiment consisted of three types of
mulch including control, (black plastic mulch, white plastic mulch, grass mulch, and control)
and three tomato varieties (Cochoro, Gelilema and Fetan). It arranged in factorial
combination in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replicates (blocks).
Analysis of variance results showed that the number of primary and secondary branches,
number of clusters per plant, number of flowers per cluster, fruit length, marketable and
unmarketable yield were very highly significantly (P<0.001) influenced by the interaction
effect of mulch types and tomato varieties. The interaction effect had also significantly
(P<0.005) impact on plant height, number of fruits per cluster, percentage of fruit set, fresh
fruit weight, fruit diameter, and total yield. In addition, the percentage of establishment rate
and fresh weight and dry weeds 30 and 60 days after transplanting highly significantly
affected by mulch types. Varieties and mulch types had also a very highly significant
(p<0.001) and a significant (p<0.05) effect on days to 50% flowering and maturity,
respectively. Accordingly, the highest marketable (40.73 t ha-1
) and total fruit yield (41.76 t
ha-1
) was obtained when Gelilema verities produced with grass mulch. The highest fruit
length (8.43 cm), fruit width (6.96 cm) and fruit weight (96.21 g) was obtained from grass
mulch type with varieties of Gelilema, Fetan and Cochoro, respectively. Based on the partial
budget analysis, the highest net benefit (706,349.25 ETB ha-1
) with acceptable marginal rate
of return (6,710.04%) was achieved from the treatment combination of Gelilema variety and
grass mulch. Therefore, the combination of Gelilema variety and grass mulch can be
recommended for economical production of tomatoes in Jawi district and areas with similar
agro ecologies. It is also recommended to repeat the study should be at multiple locations and
across the seasons.