MULCHING EFFECTS ON THE GROWTH AND YIELD OF RADISH (Raphanus sativus)

Mulching is the practice of covering the soil surface to conserve more moisture, provide additional nutrients from the mulch, improve soil structure, reduce soil erosion, reduce weeding time and lower soil temperature in order to obtain better crop growth and high yield. Thus, this study was conducted to examine which mulch is more effective on the growth and yield of radish. Specifically, it aims to evaluate the effect of mulch on the growth of radish, to know the difference of yield between different types of mulch and to assess the effect of mulch on weed population. This study used Randomized Complete Block Design having four Treatments with four replications. The Treatments were set up before planting and include Control (without mulch), plastic mulch, saw dust, newspaper. Data gathered were the Leaf Area Index which showed a significant difference among Treatments. Whereas, root diameter, length of the tap root, weight of the taproots, marketable roots, non-marketable roots, weed count and yield showed no significant differences. On the summed dominance ratio, mulches were effective in reducing the weed species.