EVALUATION OF PLASTIC MULCH FOR CHANGES IN MECHANICAL PROPERTIES DURING ONION CULTIVATION

The use of plastic materials for mulching is a very common practice for horticultural crops. Black polyethylene is widely used due to its excellent properties and low cost. An experiment was conducted to ascertain the effect of different types of black polyethylene mulches of varying thickness for its mechanical properties during crop growing period under onion. Changes in tensile strength, elongation at break and tear resistance varied from 24.17 % to 74.82 %, 30.18% to 78.21 % and 19.45 to 60.68 % respectively within different thickness of plastic mulch during the entire duration of the crop. Poly-mulch made of recycled material (50 µm) underwent early deterioration which ultimately affected yield and growth of the crop. Other mulches remained functional during use, although its impact on soil compaction, soil temperature and soil moisture availability differed in narrow range but