Manjunatha M.K.., B. Maheshwara Babu, G.V. Srinivasa Reddy, Rajkumar R. and Ramesh G.
Abstract
Shade nets are used for controlling the crop growth and improving crop productivity. A field experiment was conducted under shade net to determine the effect of environmental parameters on chrysanthemum under on different colour low tunnel shade nets. The experiment had split plot design consisting of different colour shade nets as main plots i.e., white shade net, green shade net, black shade net and open field condition and different mulches as a sub plots i.e., white colour plastic mulch, silver colour plastic mulch, black colour plastic mulch, jute mulch and no mulch. White colour shade net significantly increased the soil moisture and lowered the soil temperature compared to other colour shade nets. During the experimental period, maximum temperature (37.90 ðC) was recorded under control condition followed by black shade net (35.80 ðC) and green shade net (34.60 ðC). Minimum temperature (33.00 ðC) was recorded under white shade net. Maximum relative humidity (86.20 %) was recorded under white shade net followed by green shade net (82.30 %) and black shade net (79 %). Minimum relative humidity (77 %) was recorded under control condition. Maximum light intensity (49600 Lux) was recorded under control condition followed by white shade net (46800 Lux) and green shade net (37,000 Lux). Minimum light intensity was recorded under black shade net (33210 Lux). The results of biometric parameters depicted higher growth and yield parameters for chrysanthemum grown under white shade net with white plastic mulch. The yield of Chrysanthemum was increased in white shade net (8.75 t ha-1) than the black shade net (4.43 t ha-1). Chrysanthemum grown in open fields and without mulch produced lower growth and yield.