Studies on the influence of different types of mulches on quality of pomegranate cv. Bhagwa

Pomegrante is an important fruit having anti-oxidant, anti-viral and anti-tumor properties and is said to be good source of vitamins especially vitamin A, C and E, as well as folic acid. For crop cultivation mulches play an important role in conserving soil moisture especially in water deficient areas. Present investigation was carried out to evaluate the effect of organic and inorganic mulching materials on quality of pomegranate cv. Bhagwa. Different mulching materials used were T1-Black polythene mulch (100 microns), T2-Silver polythene mulch (100 microns), T3-White polythene mulch (100 microns), T4-Paddy straw mulch (6" thickness), T5-Sugarcane trash mulch (6" thickness), T6-Maize stover mulch (6" thickness) and T7-Control (without mulch). Results indicate that treatment T1 i.e., plants under black polythene was found tobemost effective toimprove the quality(TSS 15.89 ºBrix, pH-3.57, total sugars-14.40% and shelf life 27.85 days) of pomegranate cv. Bhagwa. Physiological loss in weight was also least in this treatment, indicating that it resulted in fruits with maximum shelf life. Therefore, black polythene mulch can be recommended for obtaining better quality and shelf stable fruits of pomegranate cv. Bhagwa.