Effect of time of planting and mulching on weed intensity in the tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) crop

Field experiment was carried out in the 2016-17 and 2017-18 to determine the effect of time of planting and mulching on weed intensity in the tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) crop under field condition at Vegetable Farm, Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur. The different time of planting and application of mulch significantly influenced the weed intensity in the tomato crop. The maximum number of weeds per square metre were found with planting on 30th November and without mulching (control), whereas minimum population of weeds were recorded with planting on 30th October and application of bio-mulch (Paddy straw). The planting on 30th November and without mulching (control) recorded maximum weed bio-mass (fresh and dry weight) at harvest stage. The minimum weed biomass were recorded with planting on 30th October and application of bio-mulch (Paddy straw) during both the years of experiments.