Effect of mulching on plant growth, yield and quality of French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris)

Introduction

French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L., 2n = 22), a native crop of Central and South America (Swalder et al., 1992) [17] , ranks among the oldest cultivated plants in the world. It is a leguminosae family. French bean thrives in warm climates and is sensitive to frost. Optimal growth and yield occur at an average temperature of 20-25°C. While high temperatures hinder pod development, colder conditions are not conducive to healthy vegetative growth. According to Vavilov (1950) [20] , the crop originated in southern Mexico and Central America. The crop is extensively grown in tropical, subtropical, and temperate climates. In India, it is mainly cultivated during the kharif season in the northern hill regions of Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. It is also grown in Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, the Western and Eastern Ghats, and the North-Eastern Plains. In areas with mild, frost-free winters, French bean is also raised during the rabi season (Jyothi, 2017) [9] . French bean is nutritionally valuable, providing proteins, carbohydrates, fats, and minerals. It also contains essential vitamins like vitamin A, thiamine, riboflavin, vitamin C, and niacin (Sardana et al., 2000) [14] . French beans are typically grown in open field conditions, which often expose the crop to erratic and extreme weather events, adversely affecting yield and quality. However, modern agricultural techniques involving controlled or semi-controlled environments have shown promise in enhancing yield and quality compared to traditional field cultivation. Mulching is a beneficial agronomic practice that enhances soil moisture retention, improves soil structure and biological activity, and enriches soil fertility. It also helps in controlling weeds and reducing erosion. Plastic mulch combined with drip fertigation has emerged as an effective water management method, conserving soil moisture by reducing surface evaporation and thereby improving transpiration and crop yield (Agele et al., 2002) [2] . Mulching contributes significantly to soil health by improving soil conditions, boosting microbial activity, enhancing oxygen levels around roots, regulating soil temperature, and improving porosity and water infiltration. It also increases nutrient availability, reduces water loss through evaporation, prevents fertilizer leaching and compaction, and helps control weeds, runoff, and erosionultimately leading to better plant growth, yield, and quality.

Materials and Methods

The present investigation entitled "Effect of mulching on Plant Growth, Yield and Quality of French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) var. Arka Suvidha" in Prayagraj agro climatic conditions was conducted to identify the most suitable mulching material in terms of growth, yield, and quality of French bean. The experiment was carried out from October 2024 to January 2025 at the Horticultural Research Farm, Department of Horticulture, Naini Agricultural Institute, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences (SHUATS), Prayagraj. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design (RBD) with three replications. The experimental plot size was 2.4m x 2m with a spacing of 60 cm x 15 cm performed on eight different mulching treatments. Observations were recorded on five random selected plants and data collected were analyzed by using ANOVA. Transparent plastic mulch

Results and Discussion

Growth parameters

The data under various treatment combinations are presented in Table 2 which are statistically analyzed. The minimum days to germination was recorded in T6 (3.67 days the maximum germination period was observed in) whereas maximum was observed in T0 (4.53 days). The use of black mulch appeared to enhance seedling establishment by controlling the soil temperature, conserving soil moisture. These findings are consistent with those of Suresh et al. (2013) [16] ; Tang et al.

(2020) [18] . The minimum time to 50% flowering was recorded in T2 (41 days) and the maximum time to 50% flowering was T0 (46.7 days). Previous studies have also reported similar findings, where the use of mulches led to 50% flower initiation and enhanced flower production, Suresh et al. (2013) [16] ; (Das et al.

2023) [7] . The earliest first picking was recorded in T6 (54.53 days) while the maximum duration to first picking was observed in T0 (62.33 days). These observations are supported by finding from Chauhan et al. (2023) [6] . The maximum plant height was observed in the plot mulched with T6 at 90 DAS (51.2 cm) whereas the minimum plant height were recorded in T0 at 90 DAS (43.5 cm), where no mulch was applied. Mulching promotes plant height due to its ability to modify the soil microclimate. Similar positive impacts have been reported by Abd El-Rahman et al. (2018) [1] ; Ramesh et al. (2021) [12] ; Das et al. (2023) [7] ; Ramadhani et al. (2024) [11] . The maximum plant spread (SN:EW) was observed in the plot mulched with T6 at 90 DAS (48.7 cm) whereas minimum plant spread was recorded in the T0 at 90 DAS (41. [1] ; Das et al. (2023) [7] .

Yield parameters

The data on pod weight (g) of French bean as influenced by various mulch treatments are presented in Table 3 and statistical analysis showed that the observed differences were statistically significant. The maximum pod weight was observed in T6 (9.33 g) and the minimum pod weight was recorded in T0 (6.30 g). The observed increase in pod weight under mulch treatments is in agreement with the findings of Abd El-Rahman et al. (

; Maida et al. (2020) [10] . The maximum pod length was recorded in mulched plot T6 (11.91 cm) whereas the minimum pod length was observed in T0 (10.17 cm). The length of the pod in French bean also reported by Kamal et al. (2010) [15] ; Sahariar et al. (2015) [13] . The maximum pod diameter was recorded in mulched plot T6 (1.48 cm) whereas the minimum pod diameter was observed in T0 (0.78 cm). The beneficial effect of mulch on pod diameter is supported by the findings of Kamal et al. (2010) [15] ; Sahariar et al. (2015) [13] . The maximum number of pods per plant was observed in T6 (15.3) whereas the minimum number of pods per plant was recorded in T0 (10.1). The findings aligns with that of Kamal et al. (2010) [15] ; Sahariar et al. (2015) [13] ; Ramesh et al. (2021) [12] . The maximum pod yield was recorded in mulched plot of T6 (142 g) whereas the minimum yield (6 t/ha) was observed in the control T0 (63 g). The maximum pod yield was recorded in mulched plot of T6 (15.8 t/ha) whereas the minimum yield was observed in the control T0(7 t/ha). The results are consistent with the findings of Alam et al. (1989); Sahariar et al. (2015) [13] . The data on TSS (°Brix) following the application of different treatment combinations are presented in Table 4 and statistical analysis indicated that the observed differences were statistically significant. The significantly highest TSS content was observed in T2 (6.17°Brix) followed by T1 (5.63°Brix), while the lowest was recorded in T0 (5.07°Brix). Das et al. (2023) [7] ; Abd El-Rahman et al. (2018) [1] .

Soil parameters

The data on different soil parameters after harvesting of different treatment combinations are presented in Table 5 and statistical analysis showed that the observed differences were statistically non-significant. The maximum soil pH was observed in T0 (7.57) while the minimum was recorded in T1 (7.22). The data support the conclusions of earlier studies Billeaud et al. (1989) [4] ; Broschat, T.K. (2007) [5] ; Alharbi A. (2017) [3] . The maximum soil organic carbon content was observed in T4 (0.49) and the minimum was recorded in T0 (0.39). These findings are consistent with those of Das et al. (2017) [8] ; Tejada et al. (2007) [19] . The data on soil nutrient content (available NPK) before sowing and after harvesting showed that the maximum retention of available NPK before sowing was observed in N-T2 (294 kg/ha):P-T2(24.8 kg/ha): K-T7(190.3 kg/ha) while the minimum was recorded in N-T7 (270.5 kg/ha): P-T0(12.5 kg/ha):K-T2(154.6 kg/ha). The maximum retention of available NPK after harvesting was observed in N-T5 (215.2 kg/ha):P-T5(24.2 kg/ha): K-T5(174.8 kg/ha) while the minimum was recorded in N-T0 (198 kg/ha): P-T0(10 kg/ha):K-T0(134.7 kg/ha). Overall mulch has a positive effect on soil nutrient these findings align with previous research of Alharbi A. (2017) [3] ; Das et al. (2017) [8] ; Ayyar (2018); Ramesh et al. (2021) [12] .

Effect of different mulching on economics of French bean

The economic analysis of French bean was carried out for three months, presented in

Conclusion

Based on the present investigation, it is concluded that the cultivation of French bean with different mulching materials found as the best option for higher productivity in which the treatment T6 (Black plastic mulch) showed the best results in terms of growth, yield, quality and B:C ratio followed by treatment T2 (Rice husk mulch). Hence, the treatment T6 (Black plastic mulch) was best suited for the farmers in terms of growth, yield, quality and net returns.

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