Published Paper Details:

Abstract:An experimentwere conductedon the effect of colour plastic mulches on plant height,days to fifty per cent flowering, leaf area indexunderdifferent irrigation levels. The treatments were laid out in split plot design with three replications and a non-mulched treatment as control.The plastic coloured mulches used were white on black, silver on black andblack. Theirrigation levels used were 60, 80, 100 and 120 per cent ET.The results indicated that the growth components of plant height, days to fifty per cent flowering and leaf area index were significantly influenced by drip irrigation levels. The maximum plant height (210 cm), least days to 50 per cent flowering (42 days) and highest leaf area index (3.60) were recorded under drip irrigation at 80 per cent ET with white on black plastic colour mulch when compared to other treatments throughout the growing period. This was followed by drip irrigation at 60 per cent ET with white on black plastic colour mulch (200 cm, 42.67 days and 3.45 respectively).