scholarly journals A Foam Mulching System to Control Weeds in Tomatoes and Sweet Basil

2003 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 324-328 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Masiunas ◽  
Elizabeth Wahle ◽  
Laurel Barmore ◽  
Albert Morgan
Keyword(s):  
Weed Control ◽  
Total Yield ◽  
Shoot Biomass ◽  
Light Penetration ◽  
Physical Barrier ◽  
Plastic Mulch ◽  
Ripe Fruit ◽  
Aqueous Mixture ◽  
Black Plastic ◽  
Weed Emergence

A foam mulch system was developed that can be applied as an aqueous mixture of cotton and cellulose fibers, gums, starches, surfactants and saponins and dries to an one inch thick mat. This mulch may overcome the difficulty in applying and lack of persistence with natural mulches. Foam mulch also has the advantage of being able to be incorporated into the soil without requiring disposal like some plastic mulches. The objective of our study was to determine the effect of foam mulch and its color on weed control within the crop row and on yields of basil (Ocimum basilicum) and tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum). The foam mulch maintained its integrity for the entire growing season and provided weed control within the crop row comparable to black plastic mulch. The only weeds that emerged in the crop row were through holes in either the black or foam mulch. Foam mulch color did not affect weed control because regardless of color it did not allow light penetration andserved as a physical barrier impeding weed emergence. Basil shoot biomass was not affected by mulch treatment. Mulch color affected early, ripe fruit, and total yield of tomato. Tomato yields in the blue foam were greater than other treatments. Yields in the black foam mulch were similar to those in black plastic mulch. Further research is needed to characterize the effects of foam mulch on crop microenvironment. Currently foam mulch is being commercialized for use in the home landscape and other highvalue situations.

Effect of plastic mulch and row covers on photosynthesis and yield of watermelon

2005 ◽  
Vol 45 (12) ◽  
pp. 1653 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Ibarra-Jiménez ◽  
J. Munguía-López ◽  
A. J. Lozano-del Río ◽  
A. Zermeño-González
Keyword(s):  
Total Yield ◽  
Net Photosynthesis ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Bare Soil ◽  
Plastic Mulch ◽  
Row Covers ◽  
Number Of Leaves ◽  
Clear Plastic ◽  
Black Plastic ◽  
Growing Conditions

The effect of row covers on watermelon (Citrullus vulgaris) grown on plastic mulch is well documented. However, row covers have not been adequately evaluated under Mexican growing conditions. Watermelon plants were grown on plastic mulch alone or with row covers to study their effect on photosynthesis, and early and total yields. Treatments were clear plastic mulch (C); black plastic mulch (B); B plus a Vispore cover of polypropylene (BV); B plus a white cover of perforated polyethylene (BW); B plus a clear cover of perforated polyethylene (BC); B plus an Agribon cover of polypropylene (BA); and bare soil as the control. For plants grown in treatment C, B or B combined with row covers, plant dry weight and number of leaves 40 days after seeding (DAS) were higher than the control (P<0.05), except BC which was comparable to the control. Total yields of treatments C, B, BV, BW and BA differed (P<0.05) from BC and the control. Total yields increased by 46.1, 43.2, 35.7, 41.6, 13.3, 15.4 and 35.8 t/ha for the C, B, BV, BW, BC and BA treatments, respectively, over the control, which yielded 27.1 t/ha. Total yield was highest for the C and the B treatment suggesting that there was no need for additional covers. The number of leaves per plant or dry weight per plant better explains the changes in yield than net photosynthesis rate. Stomatal conductance was explained in part by changes in photosynthesis.

scholarly journals 537 PB 043 ROWCOVER AND BLACK PLASTIC MULCH EFFECTS ON TOMATO PRODUCTIONS

HortScience ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 29 (5) ◽  
pp. 508d-508
Author(s):  
Ibrahim G. Rubeiz ◽  
Marlene M. Freiwat
Keyword(s):  
Air Temperature ◽  
Total Yield ◽  
Fruit Size ◽  
Plastic Mulch ◽  
Fruit Setting ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Black Plastic ◽  
Effect On Yield ◽  
Yield Time ◽  
And Control

Tomato cv. Alwadi were grown under floating rowcover, black plastic mulch, mulch plus rowcover, or no protection i.e. control, for studying the effect on yield in terms of earliness, total yield and average fruit size. Early yield was significantly increased by the mulch treatment while the rowcover treatment yielded the least (P < 0.05). Total yield was increased by the mulch and mulch plus rowcover treatments, while the rowover and control treatments yielded the least (P < 0.05). Soil temperature at 10 cm depth varied between 1° to 2°C only under the different treatments. Air temperature under the rowcover exceeded 35 to 40°C on many days, hence causing fruit setting problems and resulting in reduced early yield under the rowcover. Our results show that earliness is enhanced by black plastic mulch, while the rowcover alone can have a negative effect on yield. Time of rowcover removal above the mulch warrants further research.

scholarly journals 2005 PERSONAL SIZE “MINI” TRIPLOID WATERMELON VARIETY TRIAL

HortScience ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 41 (3) ◽  
pp. 510A-510
Author(s):  
Thomas Horgan ◽  
Richard Snyder ◽  
Peter Hudson ◽  
Edgar Vinson ◽  
Joseph Kemble
Keyword(s):  
Total Yield ◽  
Fruit Weight ◽  
Soluble Solids ◽  
Plant Spacing ◽  
Plastic Mulch ◽  
Variety Trial ◽  
Solids Concentration ◽  
Black Plastic ◽  
Triploid Watermelon ◽  
Soluble Solids Concentration

Ten “mini” or personal size seedless watermelons were evaluated at three locations: north and central Mississippi and in central Alabama. `Betsy', `Bobbie', `Demi-Sweet', `Extazy', `Mini Yellow', `Petite Treat', `Solitaire', `Valdoria', `Vanessa', and `Wonder' were the cultivars trialed. Seedlings were started, in a greenhouse, four weeks before planting. All locations used drip irrigation and black plastic mulch and were fertilized according to soil testing lab recommendations. A personal size diploid (seeded) variety, `Jenny', was used as the pollinator. One pollinator was planted, and interspaced evenly, for every three triploid plants. Four harvests were made at each location on 7-day intervals. Yields reported are based on 2,074 triploid plants per acre and 1,037 pollinizer plants per acre. Only the triploid yield reported. Plant spacing was 14 ft2 per plant. For total yield (lb/acre) the cultivars `Petite Treat' (27,210), `Valdoria' (25,700), and `Demi-Sweet' (26,400) were among the top producers at each location. `Mini Yellow' was a top producer at all locations averaging 22,480 lb/acre. For total yield (fruit/acre) the cultivars `Valdoria' (3,380), `Petite Treat' (3,470), `Bobbie' (3,470), `Betsy' (3,380), and `Vanessa' (2,740), were among the top producers at each location. For total yield (lb/fruit) `Betsy' (6.9), `Wonder' (6.7), and `Vanessa' (6.1) had the overall lowest individual fruit weights. `Demi-Sweet' had the highest individual fruit weight in central Alabama (10.0) and north Mississippi (8.8). One problem observed was that a number of melons among cultivars were above or below size class. Also determining melon ripeness was a challenge. Melon quality was good. The soluble solids concentration (sweetness) of all melons was excellent. `Demi-Sweet' had the highest incidence of hollowheart. `Wonder' and `Extazy' had no incidences of hollowheart at any location. Rind thickness had no significant differences, however in both locations measured `Mini Yellow' had the thinnest rind. Rind necrosis was not encountered.

scholarly journals Comparative Performance of Sugarcane Bagasse and Black Polyethylene as Mulch for Squash (Cucurbita pepo L.) Production

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Charles L. Webber III ◽  
Paul M. White Jr ◽  
Douglas J. Spaunhorst ◽  
Eric C. Petrie
Keyword(s):  
Sugarcane Bagasse ◽  
Cucurbita Pepo ◽  
Total Yield ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Vegetable Production ◽  
Plastic Mulch ◽  
Comparative Performance ◽  
Steam Power ◽  
Raw Sugar ◽  
Black Plastic

Louisiana processed 11.7 million mt of sugarcane in 2016, producing 1.47 million mt of raw sugar and an estimated 3.5 million mt of bagasse. Sugarcane bagasse is the fibrous material remaining after removing the sucrose, water, and other impurities (filter mud) from the millable sugarcane. Typically, Louisiana sugarcane mills burn a portion of the bagasse to heat boilers to steam power the mill for grinding and sugar processing. The balance of the bagasse is stored at the sugar mill where it accumulates in immense piles. Research was conducted in 2015 and 2016 to investigate the use of sugarcane bagasse as a natural mulch for vegetable production. The field experiment compared sugarcane bagasse mulch, black plastic mulch, and no mulch (control) for suitable mulching treatments for squash (Cucurbita pepo L.) production. The black plastic mulch produced significantly greater marketable fruits/plant, fruit number, and total yield (kg/ha) across years compared to the sugarcane bagasse mulch. The sugarcane bagasse mulch and the no mulch control were not significantly different for these same parameters. Black plastic also produced heaver fruit (g/fruit) than the sugarcane bagasse mulch and the control in 2015. The black plastic mulch produced greater yields due to the greater cumulative growing degree days (CGDD) received compared to the sugarcane bagasse mulch and no mulch control. The sugarcane bagasse mulch tended to mitigate temperature extremes by serving as a soil insulator. Future research should investigate the potential deleterious impact, if any, of the sugarcane bagasse on soil microbes, C/N ratio, soil pH, and allelopathy, which might adversely influence cucurbit growth.

scholarly journals Weed Control in Tomato through Mulching Approaches

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Zabihullah Rahmani ◽  
Shah Mahmoud Faqiri ◽  
Ahmad Jawid Muradi
Keyword(s):  
Weed Control ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Barley Straw ◽  
Control Treatment ◽  
Plastic Mulch ◽  
Transparent Plastic ◽  
Randomized Block Design ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Black Plastic ◽  
And Control

The objective of this study is to evaluate effect of different types of mulches on weed control and yield of tomato in the farm of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation Department were conducted in the year 2019. The method for study is completely randomized block design with three replications and four treatments such as transparent plastic, black plastic, barley straw and control (without mulch). According to the study, the control treatment, black plastic mulches were a significant effect on the number of weeds and yield of tomatoes. The maximum yields were 48.05 (ton/ha) in black plastic and the minimum yields were 19 (ton/ha) in control mulch. The present work suggests that the application of different types of mulches can be an effective method to reduce the number of weeds in a tomato farm. The black plastic mulch is recommended due to increase in the yield of tomato and also an effective practice on controlling the weeds.

scholarly journals Growth and Yield of Six Medicinal Herbs in Response to Mulch Type

HortScience ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 779C-779
Author(s):  
Jeanine M. Davis* ◽  
George B. Cox
Keyword(s):  
Weed Control ◽  
Echinacea Purpurea ◽  
Medicinal Herbs ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Bare Ground ◽  
Plastic Mulch ◽  
Echinacea Angustifolia ◽  
Ground Treatment ◽  
Growing Seasons ◽  
Black Plastic

Weeds are a major concern in the production of many medicinal herbs. Weeds can interfere with the growth of the herb, reducing yields of foliage, flowers, and roots. The presence of weeds in the harvested herb can lessen the value of the herb or render it unmarketable. Weed control on medicinal herbs is difficult because there are few herbicides cleared for use and many herbs are organically grown. In this study, we examined the use of white and black plastic mulches to control weeds in the production of six medicinal herbs in the northern piedmont region of North Carolina. The herbs were grown for 2 years on raised beds with drip-irrigation. The beds were left bare or covered with black plastic mulch or white plastic mulch. The herbs grown were Arnica chamissonis, Echinacea angustifolia, Echinacea purpurea, Leonurus cardiaca, Scutellaria lateriflora, and Spilanthes oleracea. Transplants were field set in May and June. Depending on the particular herb, foliage, and flowers were harvested during both growing seasons and roots were harvested at the end of the second season. Both plastic mulches provided excellent weed control compared to the bare ground treatment. A. chamissonis flower yields were reduced when plants were grown with either plastic mulch. Growth and yield of E. angustifolia, L. cardiaca, and S. lateriflora were unaffected by any mulch treatment. In contrast, total season yields of E. purpurea tops (stems, leaves, and flowers) and roots were higher with both plastic mulches than with the bare ground treatment. Root yields of S. oleracea were higher with the bare ground treatment than with either mulch, but top yields were unaffected by treatment.

Effect of Planting Method, Mulch, and Rowcover Combinations on Yield and Fruit Quality of `Earliqueen' Muskmelon

HortScience ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 475a-475
Author(s):  
David T. Handley ◽  
Sheri I. Koller ◽  
James F. Dill
Keyword(s):  
Total Yield ◽  
Growth Period ◽  
Direct Seeding ◽  
Plastic Mulch ◽  
Marketable Yield ◽  
Early Maturity ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Black Plastic ◽  
Marketable Fruit ◽  
Planting Method

Three techniques to enhance the development and yield of `Earliqueen' muskmelon, including transplanting, plastic mulch, and rowcovers, were applied in all combinations to determine which practice or practices offered the most beneficial effects on early maturity, and total marketable yield. Using transplants (two true leaf stage) as opposed to direct seeding had the greatest effect on increasing early yield. Black plastic mulch also significantly increased early yield. Rowcovers did not provide an overall increase in early yield, although the highest early yield was achieved from the transplant/mulch/rowcover combination. Black plastic mulch had the greatest effect on total marketable yield. Transplanting also significantly increased total yield. A slight increase observed for rowcover treatments was not significant. The combination of transplanting/plastic mulch/rowcover produced the highest marketable yield of any treatment. Direct seeding combined with no mulch produced the lowest yields and the lowest percent of marketable fruit. Under the conditions of a prolonged, cool, cloudy spring, followed by a hot, dry summer, the use of transplants and black plastic mulch provided significant increases in marketable yield of `Earliqueen' muskmelons. Rowcovers did not provide significant yield effects, probably due to low light levels during the early growth period.

scholarly journals Production of iceberg lettuce using mulches

2001 ◽  
Vol 58 (4) ◽  
pp. 737-740 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcelo Fontanetti Verdial ◽  
Márcio Santos de Lima ◽  
Átila F. Morgor ◽  
Rumy Goto
Keyword(s):  
Weed Control ◽  
Sugarcane Bagasse ◽  
Iron Accumulation ◽  
Plastic Mulch ◽  
Individual Weight ◽  
Iceberg Lettuce ◽  
Black Plastic ◽  
Nitrogen Phosphorus

Mulches bring several benefits to lettuce cultivation. This work evaluated the effect of mulches on the cultivation of iceberg lettuce, cv. Lucy Brown. The treatment plots were: 1- no mulch and no weed control (control); 2- no mulch and weed control every 15 days; 3- sugarcane bagasse mulch of 2 cm thickness; 4- black plastic mulch; 5- double-faced plastic mulch (silver/black). Data were collected in regard to plant cycle when in the field, amount of chlorophyll in the leaves, productivity (individual weight per head) and amount of nutrients absorbed by the leaves. Double-faced plastic mulch provides the highest productivity and the highest values for the amount of chlorophyll, nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur, boron and iron accumulation in the leaves.

scholarly journals Effectiveness of Alternative Control Methods for Tithonia diversifolia on Water Yam (Dioscorea alata) Plot

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
O. S. Olabode ◽  
A. Ogunsola ◽  
O. S. Oladapo ◽  
A. O. Sangodele
Keyword(s):  
Weed Control ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Infested Soil ◽  
Control Methods ◽  
Tithonia Diversifolia ◽  
Plastic Mulch ◽  
Black Plastic ◽  
Water Yam

Tithonia diversifolia has become a significant agronomic problem to optimum arable crop production in Nigeria which has necessitated effective and timely control if the good yield is expected on infested soil. This study compared the performance of water yam under different weed control methods on Tithonia infested plot at Ogunba village near Baaya-Oje in Surulere Local Government area of Ogbomoso, Oyo State during the 2015 growing season. Eight (8) control treatments were evaluated namely: Weed control with Atrazine, Diuron, 2 hoe weeding, 3 hoe weeding, Black plastic mulch, grass mulch, Diuron + Atrazine + Plastic mulch (IWM) and unweeded plot. The three (3) hoe weeding and the unweeded plot served as the control treatments. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized complete block design with three replicates. Yam setts were planted at a spacing of    1 m x 1 m to give a population of 10000 plants/ha. Atrazine and Diuron were applied at the rate of 2.5 kg a.i/ha, 2 hoe weeding was done at 3 and 6 weeks after planting (WAP), 3 hoe weeding was done at 3,6 and 9 WAP, while grass mulch was applied at the rate of 5 tons/ha. In IWM, Atrazine and Diuron were applied each at the half recommended rate (1.25 kg/ha) before applying plastic mulch. The treatments were applied pre-emergently on a rain wetted soil after planting. Data were collected on growth and yield parameters of yam as well as on Tithonia weed population and dry matter yield. Results showed that weed control methods significantly (P < 0.05) influenced water yam yield. The highest tuber yield (21 tons/ha) in plastic mulch was comparable to IWM (20 tons/ha), 3 hoe weeding (19 tons/ha) and 2 hoe weeding (18 tons/ha). Grass mulch (16 tons/ha), Diuron (15 tons/ha), Atrazine (14 tons/ha) were also not significantly (P > 0.05) different. Thus, it may be concluded that plastic much is the most efficient of the methods for weed control in yam. The implication of this finding is discussed.

scholarly journals Amelioration of Blossom-end Rot of Bell Pepper by Rowcovers and Supplemental Calcium

HortScience ◽  
1997 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 530B-530
Author(s):  
George H. Clough ◽  
Shara E. Alexander
Keyword(s):  
Irrigation System ◽  
Total Yield ◽  
Bell Pepper ◽  
Plastic Mulch ◽  
Marketable Yield ◽  
Yield And Quality ◽  
Supplemental Calcium ◽  
Blossom End Rot ◽  
Black Plastic ◽  
Calcium Fertilization

A 2-year study was conducted in eastern Oregon to evaluate the effects of hooped spunbonded polypropylene rowcovers and calcium fertilization on yield and quality of drip-irrigated bell pepper grown on black plastic mulch. The experiment was a complete factorial with four replications of two varieties, covered and uncovered plots, and three levels of supplemental calcium fertilization at 0, 34 and 68 kg·ha–1 applied through the drip irrigation system as Ca(NO3)2. Marketable yields increased with rowcover, both at the first harvest and over the season. Blossom-end rot and sunscald were reduced substantially by rowcovers; the effect was greatest during the earlier harvests. First harvest and season total yield of fancy grade peppers increased linearly as rate of supplemental calcium increased, as did total marketable yield at the first harvest. There was a trend to decreasing yield of fruit with blossom-end rot as calcium rate increased, and the percent fruit with blossom-end rot at the first harvest decreased linearly with increasing rate of calcium fertilization. Yield of fruit affected by sunscald decreased linearly as supplemental calcium rate increased at the first harvest; overall, yield of sunscald fruit was reduced by application of calcium at either rate.

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