Effect of different types of mulching in strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa) on growth and yield

The experiment was conducted in the Department of Horticulture, Naini Agricultural Institute, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences (SHUATS), Prayagraj, during the Rabi season spanning from November 2024 to February 2025. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of various organic and inorganic mulching materials on the growth and performance of the selected horticultural crop under the prevailing agro-climatic conditions. The experimental layout followed the principles of a Randomized Block Design (RBD), which included a total of eleven different treatments, namely: T₀ Control (Without mulching), T₁ Paddy straw, T₂ Wheat straw, T₃ Coconut coir, T₄ Peat moss, T₅ Saw dust, T₆ Black polythene, T₇ Transparent polythene, T₈ Blue polythene, T₉ Red polythene, and T₁₀ Silver polythene. Each treatment was replicated three times to ensure the accuracy and statistical validity of the results. Within each replication block, treatments were randomly allotted to eliminate bias and to reduce the impact of variability in soil and environmental conditions. Throughout the crop growth period, all essential horticultural practices were followed uniformly across the plots, and comprehensive observations were recorded at regular intervals. These observations included key parameters related to vegetative growth, yield attributes, and quality indicators of the crop. The data thus collected were intended for statistical analysis to assess the influence of the various mulching treatments and to identify the most effective one for enhancing crop performance.