COMPARISON OF MULCH TYPE EFFECT ON YIELD OF PARSLEY IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS

A study was conducted to compare the effects of various mulch types on the growth and yield of parsley (Petroselinum sativum). Parsley was planted in plots consisting of 3 rows spaced 40 cm apart and a length of 5 m. Plants were spaced 30 cm within rows. Mulch treatments included black fabric (weed barrier), silver film, white plastic, grass straw and a non-mulch treatment. The experimental design was randomized complete blocks with 4 replications. All plots were drip irrigated to maintain a soil moisture tension of 30 kPa. Data on plant height, fresh and dry matter yields were collected for each harvest. Weed population and weed weight were determined before each weeding operation. Results from three harvests indicated no significant differences among mulch treatments in terms of total f. esh and dry matter yields but for the third harvest the straw mulch plots produced significantly higher yields of both fresh and dry parsley, compared to the weed barrier and white plastic, respectively. Overall, plants from the straw treatment were significantly taller than from other treatments except the non-mulch treatment. The effect of mulch on weed population, incidence of pests and diseases and water use will be discussed in this paper