Polypropylene woven fabric: A good mulch material for young rubber plants
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.19071/jpc.2015.v43.i3.2850Abstract
In young rubber  plantations, dry leaf, coco tree mat, polypropylene woven fabric and coir  pith were evaluated as agricultural mulch materials for their influence on  soil moisture conservation, weed control, soil temperature and microflora,  plant growth and durability in two field experiments. The experiments were  conducted in a drought susceptible clone (RRII 105) and a comparatively  drought tolerant clone (RRII 430) at Chimoni Estate, Thrissur district, a  drought-prone area in Kerala. The effects of different treatments were  similar in both the experiments irrespective of clones. Though dry leaf and  coir pith were effective in soil moisture conservation, they remained in the  field for one season only and failed to control weeds during rainy season.  Coco tree mat conserved moisture and also smothered weeds in plant basins. However,  it remained in the field for almost one year only before it was completely  decomposed. Polypropylene woven fabric improved soil moisture retention, as  well as suppressed weed growth and was found durable. Though mulching reduced  the adverse effects of summer, significant impact on soil microflora and  plant growth was not manifested. Polypropylene woven fabric appears to be a  good alternative mulch material for Hevea.