Abstract:
Mulching is a common practice in tomato production both under protected and field
conditions. Container gown tomato production is rapidly gaining popularity among greenhouse
tomato growers in Kenya. Although mulching is known to conserve water and reduce weed
menace in tomato production, little is currently documented on effect of grass mulching rate on
yield and growth of container grown tomatoes under plastic tunnel conditions. The main objective
of the study was to investigate the effect of mulching depth on growth and yield of container
grown tomatoes under plastic tunnel conditions. The experimental design was randomized
complete block design replicated three times. The treatments consisted of four mulching depths;
no mulch, 5 cm, 7 cm and 10 cm. Data was collected on growth, yield and yield components and
weed density. The data was subjected to analysis of variance at P =0.05 using MINITAB
statistical software and significant means separated using Tukeys at P = 0.05. Mulching with grass
7 and 10 cm depths significantly delayed days to 50% flowering. Total tomato yield was highest
when no mulch was applied. Fruit quality (total soluble solids, total soluble solids: titratable
acidity) were significantly highest with no mulch. The depressed yield and quality of under higher
grass mulching rates could be attributed to reduced rhizospheric temperature. Thick grass
mulching depth significantly reduced weed density per unit area. Grass mulching depths
significantly sustained high and low soil moisture and temperature respectively. The depressed
yield Grass mulching above 7 cm depth is detrimental to container grown Cherry tomato under
greenhouse conditions. Further investigation is required to understand the interactive effect of
mulching depth and irrigation schedule in container grown tomatoes..
