Soil parameters, onion growth, physiology, biochemical and mineral nutrient composition in response to colored polythene film mulches

The present study evaluated the effect of different colored plastic mulching viz. olive polythene film (OPF), silver polythene film (SPF), white polythene film (WPF), black polythene film (BPF) and blue polythene film (BLPF) on soil properties, growth, physiology, biochemical and mineral nutrient composition in onion bulbs. Soil properties at 0–10 cm depth are variably affected by colored polythene film mulches. The highest values of soil moisture and pH were found when covered with a silver film, whereas black film provided the higher temperature among other types of film. The contents of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and sulfur in the soils were slightly enhanced by mulching. Fresh biomass of shoot, bulb, and root was enhanced by silver colored mulching due to suitable…