Soil conservation benefits of mulching and effects on growth, yield and quality of tomato in a rainforest environment

The effects of mulching materials on soil properties, growth and yield of tomato was evaluated in the rainforest of Nigeria. The experiment was 3 x 5 factorial fitted into randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications Mulching materials were black (BP) and transparent polythene sheet (TP), plant residue (PR), paper mulch (PA) and control unmulched. Tomato varieties were Lindo FI, UC82B and Akure Local. Data were collected on soil moisture and temperature regimes and tomato growth and yield variables. Tomato fruits were analysed in the laborartory for proximate and some biochemical constituents. Mulching effects was significant on soil moisture contents and temperature as well as the growth and yield of tomato. Tomato varieties differed in growth, yield and chemical qualities. Compared to the unmulched (bare ground), mulched plots had lower soil temperatures and higher soil moisture contents. Plant residue mulch better conserved soil moisture and temperature compared with polythene sheet mulches. Lindo F1 produced heaviest fruit weight and least by Akure Local, tomato varieties differed in proximate composition and bioactive phytochemical constituents. Fruits of Akure Local had higher fibre, protein, vitamin C, Phenol, FRAP, flavonoid and lycopene while Lindo F1 had highest DPPH and ABTS. Plant residue, paper, transparent and black polythene mulches conserved soil moisture while effects on soil temperature differed. Mulching modifies hydrothermal regimes and created favourable environment for enhancing growth and yield of tomato. The study established the relevance of mulching for soil moisture conservation, amelioration of soil temperatures, growth and yield enhancement of tomato.