Effect of black polythene mulch on growth and yield of Winter Dawn strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) by improving root zone temperature

Root-zone temperature (RZT) plays important role in improving plant growth and development of strawberry (Fragaria×ananassa Duch) by influencing the uptake of water and mineral nutrients by roots. RZT attains greater prominence as roots are less adapted to fluctuations in temperature than shoots. The North-Indian plains are characterized by clear demarcation of seasons with extreme winter and summer. For effective root zone temperature, weed control and moisture regulation, mulching has been recommended. In the present study, we investigated the effect of different mulch materials on RZT, the root growth and its impact on plant performance. Mulching-induced improvement in RZT resulted in improved plant and root growth as evidenced by higher fresh and dry matter content. The beneficial effects of mulching on RZT, and subsequent impact on root and plant growth were reflected as increased number of fruit/plant and better-size fruit. Improvement in plant growth parameters led to almost 1.5-fold increase in yield over those grown on bare soil. Among the different mulches tested, black polythene outperformed the rest in terms of growth (plant fresh weight 187.31 g and dry weight 57.28 g) and yield parameters (fruit size length 54.00 mm and width 42.59 mm; fruit fresh weight 36.74 g, dry weight 2.88 g; no. of fruits/plant 33.55 and fruit yield/plant 536.55g).