INFLUENCE OF APPLICATION OF ORGANIC MULCHES ON AGRO-PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS AND YIELD OF CARROT

In two-year experiments, conducted in 2009. and 2010, on the soil sub-type chernozem with signs of gley in loess (location Starcevo, South Banat), influence of different organic mulches on agro-physical characteristics and yield of carrot root, cultivars ˝Nantes SP-80˝, were investigated. The study included four types of organic mulches, as follows: straw, grass clippings, sawdust and cardboard pieces. Control treatment was a plot with no organic mulches applied. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with four replications. In both years, the highest root yield was obtained using the sawdust organic mulch, and the lowest on the plot without mulch (control treatment). Cardboard peaces organic mulch also proved to be very favourable for carrot. In the second experimental year, in all mulching variants, higher yields and better agro-physical characteristics were achieved