Abstract. The highest biomass yield was obtained from pot marigold, used as a living mulch. Mowing of living mulches and herbicide application significantly decreased biomass yield at the end of the growing period. Delay sowing term of living mulches and suppression of their growth by mowing and herbicide treatment increased tomato fruits yield.

Living mulches in tomato production

Summary

Biomass yield from pot marigold at the end of growing period was higher by 36.1% than that from white clover and by 53.3 and 61.1% from serradella and perennial ryegrass. Mowing of living mulches and herbicide treatment decreased their yield by 26 and 68.5%, respectively. Serradella and perennial ryegrass as living mulches were less competitive to the tomato plants than white clover and pot marigold and as a result of this was the highest marketable yield of fruits. Delaying sowing term of living mulches increased tomato fruits yield by 14.9, 38.2 and 51.8% respectively. Mowing of living mulches increased the fruit yield by 6-14% while herbicide treatment by 10.8%.