Soil solarization an effective management practice on weed management and yield of palak (Beta vulgaris var. bengalensis)

Soil solarization is a non-chemical approach which can be performed by heating the soil during the summer months through various methods. It is an effective method of controlling soil borne pathogens, pests and weeds become inactivated by high temperature and excessive moisture during the hot season. Therefore an investigation was conducted to study the soil solaraization an effective management practice on weed management and yield of palak (Beta vulgaris var. bengalensis) was carried at Annamalai Univesity, Annamalai Nagar, Chidambaram in Cuddalore District, Tamil Nadu. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Block Design with seven treatments in three replications consisting of soil management treatments viz., fallow summer ploughing one time in 30 and 45 days, summer ploughing 2 times in 30 and 45 days, application of transparent polyethylene film of 0.05 mm thick for 45 days and biodegradeable polyethylene film for 45 days and compared with a control. The yield and weed components viz., number of leaves per plant, leaf weight per plant, leaf area per plant, yield of greens per plant, yield of greens per plot and yield of greens per hectare and weed parameters viz., weed count, weed control efficiency, weed biomass and weed control index were recorded at the time of harvest and were analysed. The results revealed that application of transparent polyethylene sheet significantly recorded the highest weed control index and improved yield parameters in Palak.