The effect of different mulching materials such as transparent plastic sheet, rice straw and black plastic sheet was investigated
on growth and flowering of Freesia cv. Aurora. There were four treatments, i.e. rice straw, white plastic sheet (transparent
PS), black plastic sheets (black PS), and control (no mulching) and each treatment was replicated thrice. The results showed
that time to germination was decreased and germination percentage was significantly improved by black mulch as compared
to control in freesia plants. Straw mulch produced maximum plant height; earlier flower emergence, highest number of
flower spikes per plant, floret per spike and flowers per plant. Maximum flower diameter was also observed in black
polythene mulch. From the results of this experiment it can be concluded that black plastic mulch triggers plant growth and
development (vegetative growth) while straw mulch encourages flower production both qualitatively and quantitatively in
freesia plants.
Adnan Younis, Muhammad Zahid Mukhtar Bhatti, Atif Riaz, Usman Tariq, Muhammad Arfan, Muhammad Nadeem, Muhammad Ahsan. (2012) Effect of different types of mulching on growth and flowering of Freesia alba CV. Aurora, , Volume-49, Issue-4.
