The Influence of Plastic Mulching Materials and Sowing Dates on the Yield and Yield Components of Pea (Pisum sativum L.)

Abstract

The use of plastic mulches affects the microclimate in the vicinity of the plant by modifying the radiation on the soil surface and reduce the loss of water. Pea is more nutritious and 2^nd food source after cereals at Pakistan, but due to lake of proper management, yield is still not up to mark as compare to developed world. To reduce this problem, a field experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of mulching material and sowing dates on the yield of Pea. The study consisted of three different mulching materials (Polythene Black, Polythene Blue and Polythene Brown) with three different sowing dates (1^st, 15^th and 30^th October) arranged in a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. The results showed that different sowing dates and mulching materials had significant effect on the yield parameters of Pea. Regarding sowing dates, maximum days to pod formation (8.08 days), pods plant^?1 (21.25), Pod weight (18.84 g) and pod yield (4.39 tons ha^?1) were noted in pea sown on October 1^st. Whereas, minimum data of days to pod formation (3.08 days), pod plant^?1 (15.34), pod weight (13.17 g) and pod yields (2.69tons ha^?1) were recorded in pea sown on October 30^th. In case of mulching types maximum number of pods plant^?1 (19.00), pod length (6.89 cm), seeds pod^?1 (7.78), pod weight (17.34 g) and pod yield (3.69 tons ha^?1) were observed in pea mulched with Polythene Black, while minimum pods plant^-1, pod length, seeds pod^-1, pod weight and pod yield were found in control. The study suggested that pea should be sown on October 1^st while mulched with Polythene Black to produce maximum yield and production in agro environment of district Peshawar.