SOIL-TEMPERATURE AND MOISTURE UNDER DIFFERENT PLASTIC MULCHES AND THEIR RELATION TO GROWTH AND CUCUMBER YIELD IN A TROPICAL REGION

Research was conducted to determine the effect of temperature and soil moisture variation under three different plastic mulches and its rela tion to growth and cucumber yield during 1992-1993. Cucumber plants gr own under clear, black, and white polyethylene mulch had an earlier fl owering, fewer days to first harvest and an increased yield when compa red with unmulched plants. Marketable yields of 63.3, 46.2, 44.8, and 21.6 t/ha were achieved under clear, white, black, and unmulched soil, respectively. Weekly soil temperature and moisture were increased by all plastics. Midday soil temperature at a 10 cm depth were highest be neath clear mulches. All mulches significantly increased soil moisture in comparison to the bare soil bed. These studies provided further ev idence that mulching can be used to increase soil temperature, conserv e water, enhance flowering period, reduce the days to first harvest, a nd increase the yield of cucumber crops in dry-tropical regions.