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Experiments on Mulching Sisal with Black Polythene in Tanganyika

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 October 2008

D. Hopkinson
D. Hopkinson
Affiliation:
Tanganyika Sisal Growers' Association, Sisal Research Station, P.O. Ngomeni, Tanga, Tanzania
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Summary

Experiments in bulbil nurseries and field sisal were carried out in N.E. Tanganyika, 5°S, 39°E, 200 m. above sea level, at a mean annual rainfall of 1160 mm., on deep red loam. The discussion covers the establishment of sisal through a polythene mulch, the control of weed growth, the persistence of polythene of different thicknesses and from different sources, and some effects on growth of the sisal and on soil properties. A mulch of black polythene improved the growth of bulbil nurseries by 30 per cent or more, due to conservation of soil moisture and elimination of weed competition and disturbance associated with the removal of weeds by hoeing. For nurseries 150-gauge material was preferred, but there were important differences in the persistence of material purchased from two sources. Where black polythene is used in a nursery the density can be increased from 80,000 to 110,000 plants per hectare, to help offset the high cost of the material. A mulch of 250-g. black polythene controlled weeds in field sisal but did not improve growth.

Type
Research Article
Information
Experimental Agriculture , Volume 4 , Issue 2 , April 1968 , pp. 143 - 150
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1968

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