Growth, yield and quality response of beetroot to organic mulches in tropical conditions : submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirement for the degree of Master of Science (Horticultural Science) at Massey University, Manawatu, New Zealand
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Date
2021
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Massey University
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Abstract
A field experiment was conducted in Malawi (Bvumbwe, Thyolo) between June and September 2020 to evaluate the impact of locally found organic mulches, viz maize straw (SM) and compost mulches (CM), with an un-mulched control, on the growth, yield and quality of three beetroot varieties, viz Detroit dark red (DDR), Crimson globe (CG) and Globe dark red (GDR). The experiment was set up under a split-plot design, randomized, and replicated three times. During the experiment, observations on plant height, number of leaves, leaf length and width, marketable and non-marketable yield, root diameter, shoot and root dry weights and dry matter content were recorded. The profitability of the two mulch treatments was assessed by working out the net profit for each treatment per hectare. The results showed that mulching improved all growth parameters and yield in beets. Additionally, net return was maximized by mulching. Compost mulch produced superior results with the highest plant height (20.6cm) and marketable yield (2423g) while the control had the least plant height (12.7cm) and marketable yield (443g) which subsequently reduced the overall net profit. However, mulching did not affect dry matter percentage as there were no significant differences observed between the control and straw mulch. However, the lowest dry matter content was found in beets planted under compost mulch. The total net return was higher in all mulched plots with compost mulch giving the maximum net return. There were no significant differences observed between the effects of mulches on the three beetroot varieties. However, Detroit dark red and Globe dark red produced the maximum plant height and yield respectively. Based on the results of this study, it can be concluded that mulching was the most effective treatment compared to non-mulched treatment. Therefore, it is recommended for commercial beetroot cultivation in farmers’ fields.
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Figures 3 & 4 are re-used under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC 4.0) and Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0) respectively.
Keywords
beetroot, mulch, organic, variety, plant height, yield, quality, Malawi