الفهرس 
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Abstract
Study the effect of mulching and organic manures on growth and yield of tomatoes and cucumbers.
Two field experiments were carried out at the Reasersh farm of Faculty of Agriculture, Minia University, EI-Minia Governorate, Egypt, during the two successive winter seasons of 1995/96 and 1996/97. Tomato cv. ”Super Marmande” was selected for this study to study the influence of mulching and organic manures on growth and yield of tomatoes.
Treatments were arranged in a .spl it-plot design in complete randomized block with four repl icates. Organic material treatments were arranged at random in the main plots, these treatments were: (1) without organIc material (Control); (2) cattle l11anure, (3) chicken manure or (4) compost. Also, five mulching treatments were distributed at random in the sub-plots, these treatments \vere; (1) bare soil (control); (2) black polyethylene mulch; (3) clear polyethylene mulch, (4) red polyethylene mulch or (5) yellow polyethylene mulch.
Data on plant height and number of branches per plant at 30, 45 and 60 days from transplanting were recorded as parameters of vegetative growth. Also, data on average fruit weight, early fruit number per plant, total fruit number per plant, early yield and toal yield were recorded as parameters of yield.
Data were subjected to combined analysis to detect the effect of the grown seasons on the studied variable.
Results of the two seasons study are summarized as follows: ,Effect of the growing seasons:
.1. Vegetative gr’owth:
All growth parameters were significantly affected by the rowing seasons at all growth stages. The highest number of branches r plant after 45 and 60 days from tansplanting were obtained in the ·rst season. The tallest plant at all growth stages and highest number f branches per plant after 30 days from transplanting were obtained the second season. Also, concentration of P and K was signi ficantly
frected by the growing seasons.
All yield parameters were significantly affected by the growing easons. The highest value for all yield parameters were obtained in me first season.
1.3 Fruit quality:
Titrable acidity content and reducing sugar were significantly ffected by the growing seasons. The highest value for titratable cidity content and reducing sugars were obtained in the second
l. Effect of various organic manures:
l.t. Vegeta tive growth:
All growth parameters were significantly affected by soil amendments at all growth stages. Cattle manure increased plant height after 30 and 45 days from transplanting and number on branches per plant after 30 and 60 days from transplanting. Chicken manure
lowed by cattle manure increased number of branches per plant er 45 day from transplanting. Compost followed by cattle manure I”eased plant height after 60 days from transplanting. Also, centration of N, P and K in tomato leaves at 57 days from
nsplanting was significantly affected by organic materials.
Organic manure significantly affected average fruit weight, total it number per plant and total yield. Cattle manure gave the highest lal yield. Chicken manure gave the highest value for average fruit ight and total fruit number per plant.
3 Fruit quality:
Organic manures significantly affected llscorbic acid content. e highest value for ascorbic acid content was obtained from without allure (control).
Effect of mulch color: 1 Vegetative growth:
All polyethylene mulching treatments significantly increased all owth parameters at all growth stages compared with bare soil ontrol). Black polyethylene mulch increased all growth parameters all growth stages compared with other colors. Also, concentration N, P and K in tomato leaves at 57 days from transplanting was gnificantly affected by mulching.