Utilization of Indigenous Mulches on the Growth and Yield of Different Tomato Varieties in Catarman, Camiguin, Philippines

Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) is one of the major commercial vegetable crops and is widely grown both in the highland and lowland areas in the Philippines. Many tomato growers face challenges in choosing the appropriate varieties and the cost of production. Mulching as one of the cultural practices can be employed to provide a favorable environment for improved growth performance. The present study was carried out to observe the effects of variety and indigenous mulch on the growth performance of tomato. The study was laid out in a 3 x 5 factorial experiment in a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications under field conditions at Tangaro, Catarman, Camiguin from October 2015 to February 2016. Three popular tomato (Factor A) varieties namely, Diamante Max F1, Improve Pope and Marimar F1 and four mulching materials (Factor B) viz. rice straw, cogon grass, napier grass, and saw dust with a control (no mulch) were experimentally eval- uated to identify its potentiality on the growth performance of tomato. Results of the study showed that V1 (Diamante Max F1) produced the highest (4.28 t/ha) fruit yield, while V2 (Improve Pope) showed the lowest (0.8 t/ha) fruit yield. The mulching showed positive effect in some growth parameters, weeds incidence, and insect and disease infestation/in- fection. The combination of variety and mulch exhibited positive variation in some growth parameters, yield components, weeds incidence, and insect and disease infestation/infec- tion. The combination V1M4 (Diamante Max F1 and Saw dust) produced the maximum yield (5.08 t/ha) and thus the experiment revealed that saw dust, napier grass and rice straw mulches have the potentiality to increase in yield of tomato. Potential of these varieties and the different mulches needed to be further tested for verification under different growing season to elicit substantial conclusions.


INTRODUCTION
Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) is one of the major commercial vegetable crops and is widely grown both in the highland and lowland areas in the Philippines. It ranked second in terms of the total area planted and the volume of production is estimated at 17, 228.31 ha and 207, 655.1 tons of the top 6 vegetables grown (BAS, 2014). The world's average tomato productivity was 34.84 tons/ha (FAO, 2009) and the average productivity of the Philippines was 12.05 tons/ha, while for Camiguin, it was estimated to be about 9.79 tons/ha (BAS, 2014). Although it ranks second to eggplant in terms of total production area, seasonality of production and limited domestic supply continues to plague the industry. Fresh market tomato production is filled with many challenges because it is a high-management crop (Palada & Davis, 2001). Tomatoes require intensive hand labor input for operations such as staking, fertilization, mulching, cultivation, pruning, tying, training, spraying, and harvest. Tomatoes are also highly vulnerable to insect and disease damage. Mulching is a cultural management practice in vegetable production in which the soil surface is covered with any material (organic or inorganic) to provide a favorable environment (prevention of soil moisture loss, weed suppression, maintenance of soil temperature and promote soil productivity) for plant growth and development for an increase production (Grassbaugh et al., 2009;Basnet, 2022). Synthetic mulch such as plastic mulch has been commonly used in vegetable production however due to its cost and difficulty in its disposal, vegetable farmers opt to find alternative. One of which is the use of indigenous or organic mulch which are locally available (Marín-Guirao et al., 2022). Organic mulches were found to be very effective for growth performance of vegetables through improved water content in the soil, heat energy and addition of organic nitrogen and minerals thereby improving the soil nutrient status (Saeed & Ahmad, 2009). Various indigenous materials are being used as mulches, such as rice hulls, sawdust, and rice straw, among others (Sinkevičienė et al., 2009). Mulch regulates soil temperature (Kar & Kumar, 2007), creates suitable condition for germination, improves soil moisture, suppresses weed growth (Jodaugienė et al., 2006), and saves labor cost (Schonbeck, 2008) which ultimately increases the yield of tomatoes. In Camiguin setting, wherein mostly farmers cannot afford plastic mulching materials, indigenous or organic mulch is a good traditional substitute for mulching. Also, with the numerous tomato varieties available from local nurseries, retailers, and seed company catalogs, it can be challenging for the farmers to select a variety that is suited to the local climate and will fit their needs for end use. Although many tomato varieties will grow in the Province of Camiguin, little is known about their actual production. Also, there is a need for information on tomato cultivar performance under organic management in the tropics. Thus, this study was conducted to determine the effect of various indigenous mulches on growth and yield of different varieties of tomato.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
The study was conducted at Crop Science laboratory research area of the Institute of Agriculture, Camiguin Polytechnic State College -Catarman Campus, Tangaro, Catarman, Camiguin, from October 2015 to February 2015.

Materials
Tomato varieties used in the study were Improve Pope, Diamante Max F1, and Marimar F1 and indigenous mulch which are locally available were rice straw, cogon grass, Napier grass and sawdust.

Experimental Design and Treatments
The two factorial experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with 3 × 5 (15) treatment combinations with three (3) replications. Ten (10) plants per treatment was taken. Factor A were the tomato varieties, and Factor B was the different type of mulching materials. The different treatment combinations were as follows;

Experimental Area
An experimental area of 225 square meters (5.0 m x 45.0 m) was used in this study. There were six furrows with an alleyway of 1.0 m (center to center distance), and each furrow had a dimension of 0.5 m x 3.0 m by treatment (each treatment comprises two furrows with five plants per furrow).

Statistical Analysis
All data gathered was tabulated and analyzed using the analysis of variance (ANOVA) of a factorial experiment in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD). The difference among treatments was analyzed using Tukey's test.

Cultural Management Practices Soil Sampling
Soil samples were collected from the experimental area before land preparation for soil analysis. Taken samples were submitted to the Department of Agriculture Regional Office 10, Regional Soil Testing Laboratory at Cagayan de Oro City. The result is presented in Table 2 Land preparation and Lay-outing The land was plowed and harrowed twice thoroughly using animal-drawn equipment. A total area of around 225 square meters was used in the study, which was divided into six (6) plots. Each treatment is comprised of two (2) plots. The distance between plots was 1 meter. Each plot has a dimension of 0.5 x 3 meters and contains five (5) plants per plot. Bamboo slats were used to label each furrow for every treatment in each replication.

Seedling Establishment
The seedling was raised in seedling trays using a sterilized sowing medium such that healthy, vigorous seedlings were produced. Seedlings were raised in an enclosed site protected with nylon netting to keep them safe from infestations prior to transplanting.

Transplanting
Under favorable environmental conditions, plants were transplanted when they reached the five-leaf stage about four to five weeks after sowing.

Mulching
A one-inch layer of indigenous mulch was overlayed on the surface around the base of the plant immediately after establishment of transplanted seedlings.

Fertilization
Fertilizer application was done using vermicast based on the recommended rate (250 g/hill). The basal application was done first, then side dressing followed during 15 DAT or 20 DAT and 45 DAT.

Weeding/Cultivation
Removal of weeds was done along with cultivation to facilitate proper aeration and growth.

Pest and Disease Control
The entire area was grown with companion plants such as Marigold to minimize the incidence of pests and diseases.

Trellising
Trellising was done two weeks after transplanting or just before flowering. Any system of trellising with the use of available materials can be adopted as long as the fruits are raised from the soil to prevent fungal disease development on the fruits.

Harvesting
Harvesting should be best done in the morning when there is less transpiration and moistures loss of the fruits. Harvest fruits at a 3-4 day interval. At least 7-8 harvests can be done using a determinate type.

Marketing
Fresh tomatoes will be directly marketed to the municipality of Catarman. The researcher will facilitate the marketing process of the produced.

Data Gathered
The following data were gathered: Yield and its Component: 6. Number of Fruits -the number of marketable and non-marketable fruits harvested per plant was counted and recorded from first harvest up to last harvest.
7. Fruit yield -fruits harvested in each plant per plot from first up to last harvest was weighed and classified into marketable and non-marketable.
8. Number of Fruits -the number of marketable and non-marketable fruits harvested per plant was counted and recorded from first harvest up to last harvest.
9. Fruit weight -Average weight (grams) of 10 fruits from the second harvest was recorded.
10. Fruit size -fruit size was determined by selecting ten randomly fruit samples at maturity and the cross-sectional area was measured. Fruit size was then categorized based on the following scale.
i. Very small (<3 cm) ii. Small (3 -5 cm) iii. Intermediate(5.1 -8 cm) iv. Large (8.1 -10 cm) v. Very large (>10 cm) Source: IPGRI 11. Marketable yield per hectare -the total marketable yield was obtained by adding the yields of harvest. The marketable yield was converted into tons per hectare using the following formula: 12. Insect and disease rating -was taken one month after transplanting and during the first harvest using the scale below: 1 = No infection/infestation 2 = Slightly infected/infested 3 = Moderately infected/infested 4 = Slightly Severe 5 = Severe infection/Infestation 13. Weeds infestation -was taken one month after transplanting and during the first harvest using the scale below: 1 = No infestation 2 = Slightly infested 3 = Moderately infested 4 = Slightly severe 5 = Severe infestation Table 3 shows the mean plant height of tomatoes at different growth stages, which was determined from five (5) Table 6 presents the mean number of days to 50% flowering, days to the first harvest, and plant vigor of different tomato varieties. Results revealed that no significant differences were observed in the number of days to 50% flowering and the number of days to 1st  The number of days to 50% flowering and number of days to the first harvest showed no significant differences due to different mulching treatments ( Table  7). M4 produced earlier flowers hence harvested earlier.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
However, significant variation was observed in plant vigor 30 DAT and 60 DAT, with M4 as the more vigorous compared to other mulching treatments.    (Table 10). The interaction between varieties and mulches had an insignificant effect on the plant survival of tomatoes (Table 11). The varieties showed a significant variation in the total      (Table 14). However, numerically the highest number of fruits per plant was found from V3M3 with a treatment combination of Napier grass mulch and Marimar F1.
The varieties showed significant variation among the parameter studied (Table 15). Results revealed that V3 had a maximum total weight, marketable and non-marketable weight, and weight per fruit, with V1 having larger fruit size and more yield in tons/ha. The marked variation in individual parameters was observed due to the influence of different varieties. Statistical analysis showed no  HSDα0.05 ** ** * ** ** ** V1 = Diamante Max F1, V2 = Improve Pope, V3 = Marimar F1, *significant **highly significant nsnon-significant significant effect on the total weight, marketable and non -marketable weight, weight per fruit, fruit size, and yield tons/ha on the different mulching treatments (Table 16).
The combined effects between mulching and variety on total weight, total marketable, non-marketable weight, fruit size, and yield tons/ha showed no significant effect   (Table 17). The incidence of weeds was monitored at 30 and 60 DAT (Table 18). Statistical analysis showed highly significant variation A significant variation in the weeds incidence was observed in different mulching (Table 19). It implies that the different mulch types highly affect the crop incidence of weeds. Awodoyin et al. (2007) reported in their study that mulching increased the yield of tomatoes through modification of the crop growing environment   (Table  21), with V2 as moderately infested/infected while V1 as slightly infested/infected. Diseases infestations are well-known factors that decrease crop yields and expand production costs (Liliane & Charles, 2020). Fruit worm, armyworm, Bacterial wilt, TYLCV, The plants exhibited  infestation of pests and diseases was found in M1 (rice straw). However, at 60 DAT, results showed no significant effect between treatment means. The interaction between varieties and mulches had a significant effect on insect and disease infection/  (Table 23).

CONCLUSIONS
On the different varieties of tomatoes, among the growth parameters, although majority of cases were nonsignificant but healthier results were obtained on plant vigor, plant survival, yield and its component, weeds incidence, and insect and disease infection/infestation. Different mulching treatments exhibited improved effects only on few parameters such as the plant height, plant vigor, percent survival, weeds incidence, and insect and disease infestation. The interaction between varieties and mulches had an insignificant effect on plant height, plant vigor, yield and its component except for weight per fruit, weeds incidence and insect and disease infection/ infestation but showed comparatively superior than control in all aspects. Therefore, the growth and yield of tomatoes were not significantly all the time but affected by the different varieties and mulching treatments and interactions between these factors were obtained. It is therefore recommended that the potential of these varieties and the different mulches needed to be further tested for verification under different growing season to elicit substantial conclusions. Other parameters or data regarding moisture requirement and nutritional value should be gathered also to fully explore the potentiality of using indigenous mulch.