Effect of different mulching materials on growth and yield of garlic (Allium sativum L.) in Khajura, Banke, Nepal
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.26832/24566632.2026.110109Keywords:
Garlic, Growth, Mulching, Plastic, Soil moisture, Straw, YieldAbstract
A field experiment was conducted in Khajura, Banke, Nepal, to evaluate the effect of different mulching materials on the growth, and yield of garlic (Allium sativum L.). The study was based on a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) consisting of four replications and five treatments, i.e. control (no mulch), black plastic, rice straw, wheat straw and lentil straw. Data were recorded on germination, growth parameters, yield attributes and soil moisture status. Statistical analysis revealed significant effects of mulching materials on most growth, yield, and soil moisture parameters. Plastic mulch outperformed all other treatments with tallest plants (68.13 cm), maximum number of leaves (5.83) along with maximum bulb diameter (4.30 cm), cloves per bulb (18.35), bulb weight (27.06 g), total biomass yield (19.96 t/ha), economic yield (15.08 t/ha), and soil moisture content (21.43%). Lentil Straw followed it with plant height of 67.05 cm, 5.56 leaves, bulb diameter of 4.30 cm, 15.85 cloves per bulb, bulb weight of 24.72 g, total biomass yield of 17.47 t/ha, economic yield of 13.77 t/ha, and soil moisture content of 19.51%. Rice straw and wheat straw showed considerable performance over control plots with economic yields of 11.57 t/ha and 11.68 t/ha, respectively, compared to only 7.67 t/ha in bare soil. Based on this study, plastic mulch is the most effective practice for maximizing garlic productivity in Khajura, Banke and Lentil straw mulch is suggested as an environmentally sustainable alternative.Downloads
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