THE EFFECT OF REFLECTIVE AND BLACK MULCHES ON YIELD, QUALITY AND APHID POPULATIONS ON PROCESSING TOMATO

The effect of reflective and black mulches on yield, quality and aphid populations of processing tomato was studied at Karacabeyarea (Turkey) in 2001 season, DR-055 (NDM) variety was in trial. Data were collected, analyzed and tabulated on total yield, early yield, paste output, brix, pH, colour (a/b) and fruit weights. Total yield was 122.85 ton/ha, 104.99 ton/ha and 95.68 ton/ha for reflective mulch, black mulch and control (without mulch) respectively. Earliness percentage was higher at mulch treatments than control plots. Highest colour values were obtained at reflective mulch treatment. There were no important differences between treatments for brix and pH values. On the other hand, the lowest population of Aphids has occurred in reflective mulch treatment.