Asian Journal of Research and Review in Agriculture

Pineapple is an important tropical fruit crop that demonstrates a degree of drought tolerance despite its shallow root system and contributes significantly to household nutrition and diet diversity. This study evaluated the effect of black polyethylene mulch on growth performance and economic yield of pineapple under farmer-managed conditions in Aletachuko district, Sidama Region. Framers were selected purposively based on production potential, land availability, willingness of the farmers to implement full package of technology, aware effect of black Polyethylene on soil and health and sharing their knowledge to other farmers with collaboration of Woreda and Kebele agricultural experts. A field demonstration was implemented on 20 volunteer farmers’ field; where each plot (100 m²) was divided into mulched and non-mulched treatments. Results indicated a substantial yield advantage from mulching, with an average yield of 89.04 tons ha ^-1, significantly higher than the traditional practice. Farmers’ attitudes, perceptions, and opinions toward the mulching technology were assessed using a five-point Likert scale. The majority of respondents either strongly agreed or agreed that the mulching technology helped retain soil moisture (63.59%), increased productivity (91%), improved fruit taste (63.6), marketable (81.7%) and was easy to apply (81.7%)) whereas without mulching soil moisture (10.89%), increased productivity (36.29%), reduced weed pressure (3.5%), marketable (29%) and was easy to apply (9.02%).  So the results revealed  majority of them reported positive perceptions, highlighting improved soil moisture retention, reduced weed pressure, and improved productivity, marektable. Although the technology was promising, adoption may be constrained by the cost and availability of polythene sheets in the area. Moreover, concern about the potential environmental impacts of plastic sheet on soil biodiversity and micro-flora need further research.