Effect of different type of mulches on weed control in cauliflower

Abstract

Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis L.) is an important cool-season vegetable crop valued for its nutritional and economic significance. Weeds represent a significant challenge in Indian agriculture, accounting for approximately 33% of total agricultural losses. China and India dominate global production, contributing over 70% of the total yield, with West Bengal leading within India. The edible curds are highly nutritious, containing 90.8% moisture, 2.6% protein, 1.2% fibre and 4.0% carbohydrates, providing about 30 kcal per 100 grams and also rich in essential minerals. Weed infestation is a major constraint to cauliflower production, causing substantial yield losses through competition for nutrients, moisture, light and space. This intense competition not only stunts crop development but also leads to significant reductions in yield and overall produce quality (Mal et al., 2005). Although manual weeding is effective, increasing labour costs and environmental concerns associated with herbicide use have encouraged the adoption of sustainable weed management practices. In addition to hand weeding and herbicide application, mulching techniques, especially those involving organic and inorganic materials, have been recommended by researchers (Bana et al., 2012) for their efficacy in suppressing weed growth. Considering the above circumstances, this work was undertaken to study the effect of different types of mulches on weed control and yield of cauliflower.