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

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.

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The effect of plastic mulch and row covers on the growth and physiology of cucumber

Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture ◽

10.1071/ea02088 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 44 (1) ◽

pp. 91 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

L. Ibarra-Jiménez ◽

M. R. Quezada-Martín ◽

M. de la Rosa-Ibarra

Keyword(s):

Block Design ◽

Dry Weight ◽

Bare Soil ◽

Physiological Changes ◽

Plastic Mulch ◽

Yield Increase ◽

Row Covers ◽

Black Plastic ◽

Whole Plants ◽

Polyethylene Mulch

To determine the effectiveness of black plastic mulch alone and in combination with row covers, on growth and physiological changes of cucumber plants, 6 treatments were established in a randomised complete block design with 4 replications: bare soil (control); black polyethylene mulch alone (B); B plus a clear cover of perforated polyethylene (BRCP); B plus a white cover of perforated polyethylene (BRWP); B plus an Agribon cover of polypropylene (BRA); and B plus a Kimberly farm row cover (BRK). For the plants grown with mulch or mulch combined with row covers, the dry weight of leaves 50 days after seeding (DAS), and the dry weight of whole plants (at 50 and 110 DAS) were significantly (P<0.05) different from the control. Early yields of treatments B, BRCP, BRWP, BRA and BRK were 2.1, 1.9, 2.6, 1.9 and 2.4 times higher than the control, which yielded 10 t/ha. Total yields were increased by 9.7, 15.4, 19.8, 14.9 and 20 t/ha, over the control which yielded 104 t/ha. Increases in plant dry weight explained the changes in yield. Stomatal conductance may explain in part, the increase in photosynthetic rate, but may not explain yield increase.

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Effects of Mulch Type and Planting Date on Tomato Earliness within a High Tunnel

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.39.4.867a ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 39 (4) ◽

pp. 867A-867

Author(s):

Lewis Jett* ◽

Andrew Read

Keyword(s):

Great Plains ◽

Plastic Mulch ◽

Marketable Yield ◽

Tomato Production ◽

High Tunnel ◽

Row Covers ◽

High Tunnels ◽

Clear Plastic ◽

Black Plastic ◽

Growing Conditions

High tunnels are passive solar greenhouses that are used to extend the traditional growing season for many horticulture crops. Growing conditions within a high tunnel are significantly different from growing conditions encountered in field production. Tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) are wells suited for high tunnel culture having an upright growth habit and a significant economic premium for precocious harvest. The objective of this research was to investigate three planting dates (15 Mar., 30 Mar., and 10 Apr.) and three mulch types (black plastic, bareground, and clear plastic) with or without row covers, for early tomato production within a high tunnel in the Central Great Plains. High tunnels increased the average daily temperature by ≈6 °C. Early planting (i.e., mid- to late March) resulted in significantly earlier yield (i.e., early July). Using clear plastic mulch increased total marketable yield, but was not significantly different from black plastic. Row covers and plastic mulch are necessary for early tomato production. Row covers are specifically necessary for frost protection, but can be removed when the risk of frost has decreased.

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The Effects of Colored Plastic Mulches and Row Covers on the Growth and Yield of Okra

HortTechnology ◽

10.21273/horttech.20.1.224 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

pp. 224-233 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Garry G. Gordon ◽

Wheeler G. Foshee ◽

Stewart T. Reed ◽

James E. Brown ◽

Edgar L. Vinson

Keyword(s):

Sandy Loam ◽

Total Yield ◽

Bare Soil ◽

Leafy Vegetables ◽

Growth And Yield ◽

Plastic Mulch ◽

Row Covers ◽

Air Temperatures ◽

Soil Temperatures ◽

Black Plastic

Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus ‘Clemson Spineless’) was grown on an Orangeburg sandy loam soil in Shorter, AL. Okra was direct-seeded in single rows. Treatments consisted of five mulch colors: black, white, red, silver, and blue installed either with or without spun-bonded row cover. Soil temperatures were 4 to 7 °C lower than air temperatures in all treatments. The use of darker (black, blue, red) -colored plastic mulches increased early and total yield of okra compared with bare soil with and without row cover. Increased soil and air temperatures did not always correlate to an increase in yield. It can be concluded that the use of dark plastic mulch is advantageous to growers of okra in climates that do not have cool springs, but the added use of row covers to plastic mulch has no effect on growth and yield. The profit of marketable okra produced using a row cover was $1.37 versus $1.35 per pound without a cover in 2003 and $1.28 versus $1.29 per pound in 2004. Blue plastic mulch is ≈$0.08 per foot more expensive than black plastic. Our data do not show an economic advantage for blue over black mulch for okra, but the positive effect cited by other authors may be more pronounced with leafy vegetables.

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USE OF OF BLACK PLASTIC MULCH AND ROW COVERS AS A METHOD OF INDUCING RESISTANCE OF LEAF SPOT DISEASES OF VEGETABLES

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.28.4.271a ◽

1993 ◽

Vol 28 (4) ◽

pp. 271A-271

Author(s):

C. Stevens ◽

V.A. Khan ◽

M.A. Wilson ◽

D. Ploper ◽

P. Backman ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Leaf Spot ◽

Early Blight ◽

Bare Soil ◽

Plastic Mulch ◽

New Yorker ◽

Row Covers ◽

Plant Grown ◽

Clear Plastic ◽

Black Plastic ◽

New Crop

The application of plastic mulches, row cover or a combination of the two were evaluated from 1987 to 1991 for reducing early blight of tomatoes and Alternaria leaf spot of okra. Early blight on early season tomatoes (TU-80-130, New Yorker and Floradade) was significantly reduced by the application of black plastic mulch (BM) or BM plus spunbonded polyester row cover (RC) compared to bare soil. Early blight evaluation of late season tomato (Better Boy) showed that BM significantly reduced the incidence and number of lesions per leaf on the fruit clusters compared to bare soil, but the spunbonded polyester RC treatment didn't improve disease reduction of the BM. Alternaria 14 spot of Clemson Spineless okra in 1989 was severe on plant grown in bare soil compared to those grown on BM, BM plus VisPore row cover, clear plastic mulch (CM) and CM plus VisPore RC treatments. These soldier indicted that the application of agriplastic techniques could be used as a new crop management option in an IPM program to reduce the application of foliar fungicides or application of biological control agents.

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Agronomic performances of Pak Choi grown with different soil cover

Horticultura Brasileira ◽

10.1590/s0102-053620150000200020 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 33 (2) ◽

pp. 261-266 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Márcia M Echer ◽

Graciela M Dalastra ◽

Tiago L Hachmann ◽

Elcio S Klosowski ◽

Vandeir F Guimarães

Keyword(s):

Soil Cover ◽

Block Design ◽

Dry Weight ◽

Bare Soil ◽

Production Traits ◽

Pak Choi ◽

Randomized Block Design ◽

Black Plastic ◽

Growing Conditions ◽

Set Up

An important aspect in the cultivation of vegetables is the quality of the product to be marketed, free from dirt and damage and the practice of mulching could be an option, but there is scarse information. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of mulching on the production traits of three cultivars of Pak Choi. The experiment was set up during March to May 2013 using a split plot randomized block design, with four replications. Soil cover treatments (white agrotextile, black agrotextile, black plastic, silver plastic, tifton straw and bare soil) were arranged in the plots, and three cultivars of Pak Choi (Green Pak Choi, White Pak Choi and Chingensai Natsu Shomi) in subplots. Height and diameter of shoots, number of leaves, fresh weight of the head and petiole, base diameter, dry weight of stem, petiole, and leaf were evaluated thirty-five days after transplantation. The total dry weight and leaf area were measured, and then we estimated the yield. There was a significant effect of soil cover and cultivar. In general, the cover with synthetic materials showed higher values on production of Pak Choi. The cultivar White Pak Choi was better adapted to the growing conditions, with an average yield of 57.78 t/ha.

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Aluminum Foil, Aluminium-painted, Plastic, and Degradable Mulches Increase Yields and Decrease Insectvectored Viral Diseases of Vegetables

HortTechnology ◽

10.21273/horttech.13.2.0276 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 13 (2) ◽

pp. 276-284 ◽

Cited By ~ 38

Author(s):

Lane Greer ◽

John M. Dole

Keyword(s):

Crop Yields ◽

Insect Pests ◽

Aluminum Foil ◽

Bare Soil ◽

Early Spring ◽

Plastic Mulch ◽

Weed Growth ◽

Clear Plastic ◽

Black Plastic ◽

And Control

For decades, vegetable growers have used black polyethylene mulch to warm the soil in early spring, reduce weeds, and conserve soil moisture. Use of plastic mulch can increase crop yields and improve fruit quality. This article reviews research performed with plastic, aluminum foil, aluminum-painted, and degradable mulches. Most research focused on the effects of plastic mulches on insects and viruses they vector, and on yields. Aluminum foil and aluminum-painted mulches are effective at repelling insect pests, especially aphids (Aphididae) and thrips (Thripidae). Yields are often higher with black plastic compared to bare ground. Clear plastic is rarely used in the U.S. because it can encourage weed growth, unless a herbicide or fumigant is used underneath. Colored mulches can increase yields and control pests, but color may be less important than brightness of the mulch or contrast with bare soil. New forms of photodegradable mulches eliminate the need to remove and dispose of plastic at the end of the growing season, but have not been widely adapted because they tend to degrade prematurely.

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Effect of Mulches Types Use and Chicken Manure Doses to Growth and Yield of Shallot

Asian Plant Research Journal ◽

10.9734/aprj/2020/v4i330088 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 31-38

Author(s):

Indra Dwipa ◽

Warnita . ◽

Yanni Savitri

Keyword(s):

Factorial Design ◽

Dry Weight ◽

Chicken Manure ◽

Growth And Yield ◽

Tuber Weight ◽

Plastic Mulch ◽

Randomized Design ◽

Number Of Leaves ◽

Completely Randomized Design ◽

Black Plastic

Aims: The research aimed to study the interaction of mulch types and chicken manure doses to growth and yield of shallot. Study Design: Factorial design in completely randomized design with 2 factors. Place and Duration of Study: The research was conducted in Panai Pasir Talang, Muaralabuh, South Solok Regency, West Sumatera, Indonesia from December 2018 to February 2019. The altitude of research site was 430 meter above sea level (asl). Methodology: Factorial design in completely randomized design with 2 factors was used in the research. First factor was much types (black plastic, silver plastic mulch and rice straw mulch). The second factor was chicken manure dose (10 ton/ha, 20 ton/ha and 30 ton/ha). The data was analyzed by Duncan’s New Multiple Range Test in 5%. Results: The result showed that there was no effect of the interaction between mulch types use and chicken manure doses on growth and yield of shallot. For single factor, the black plastic mulch was the best treatment for fresh tuber weight per hectare (11.74 ton/ha). 20 ton/ha of chicken manure dose affected the plant height, number of leaves, fresh tuber weight per hectare and dry weight per hectare. Conclusion: There was no treatment can be conducted for increasing the growth of shallot.

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Effect of Plastic Mulch, Floating Rowcovers, and Microtunnels on Insect Populations and Yield of Muskmelon

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.31.4.677b ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 31 (4) ◽

pp. 677b-677 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

J. Farias-Larios ◽

M. Orozco ◽

S. Guzman ◽

J. Perez

Keyword(s):

Bare Soil ◽

Growth And Yield ◽

Plastic Mulch ◽

Western Mexico ◽

National Quality ◽

Tropical Conditions ◽

Insect Populations ◽

Clear Plastic ◽

Black Plastic ◽

Marketable Fruit

This work was conducted for evaluate the influence of clear and black polyethylene mulches, used alone or combined with floating rowcover (FRC) and plastic perforated microtunnels, on insect populations, growth and yield of muskmelon. Treatments evaluated were 1) clear plastic + FRC, 2) polyethylene perforated microtunnel, 3) clear plastic + polyethylene not perforated microtunnel, 4) black plastic + FRC, 5) clear plastic, 6) black polyethylene, 7) clear plastic + oil, and 8) bare soil. Aphids and sweetpotato whitefly adults and nymphs were completely excluded by floating rowcovers while the plots covered. The export and national quality fruit yield was major in the mulched beds in relation to control. Clear polyethylene mulch + FRC increased number of fruit and export marketable fruit of cantaloupe (45.2% and 44.8%) with respect to black plastic + FRC, respectively. It is proposed that, under tropical conditions and under high insect stress, mulches combined with floating rowcovers should be selected for their effects on insects in addition to their effects on melon yield. Polyethylene microtunnels were found not economical for cantaloupe production in western Mexico.

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Effect of Chicken Manure and Mulch Types to Growth and Yield of Shallot (Allium ascalonicum L.) in Lowland

Asian Journal of Advances in Agricultural Research ◽

10.9734/ajaar/2021/v15i130143 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 18-23

Author(s):

Dedi Azwardi ◽

Indra Dwipa ◽

Malin Dipinto

Keyword(s):

Factorial Design ◽

Block Design ◽

Dry Weight ◽

Chicken Manure ◽

Growth And Yield ◽

Plastic Mulch ◽

Randomized Design ◽

Number Of Leaves ◽

Black Plastic ◽

Range Test

Aims: The research aimed to study the interaction between chicken manure dose and mulch type to growth and yield of shallot in lowland. Study Design: Factorial design in Randomized complete block design. Place and Duration of Study: The research was conducted in experimental garden of Faculty of Agriculture, Andalas University, West Sumatera, Indonesia from September-December 2019. Methodology: Factorial design with 3 factors in block randomized design was used in the research. The first factor chicken manure dose that consisted of three degrees (30 ton/ha, 40 ton/ha and 50 ton/ha). The second factor was type of mulch that consisted of two degrees (black plastic mulch and silver plastic mulch). The observed parameters were height of plant, number of leaves, number of bulb per clump and dry weight per hectare. The data was analyzed by using F test in 5% and followed by Duncan’s New Multiple Range Test in 5%. Results: The result showed that the interaction between chicken manure and mulch type did not affect the growth and yield of shallot. Conclusion: Chicken manure and mulch type were not effective to use for increasing the growth and yield of shallot in same time.

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The Effects of Soil Temperature From Soil Mulching and Harvesting Period On Phenol, Flavonoid And Antioxidant Contents of Java Tea (Orthosiphon Aristatus B.)

10.21203/rs.3.rs-186489/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Komariah Komariah ◽

Diora Diah Ayu Pitaloka ◽

Irmanida Batubara ◽

Waras Nurcholis ◽

Apong Sandrawati ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Secondary Metabolites ◽

Soil Temperature ◽

Abiotic Factors ◽

Dry Weight ◽

Total Phenol ◽

Plastic Mulch ◽

Transparent Plastic ◽

Randomized Design ◽

Number Of Leaves ◽

Black Plastic

Abstract Purpose: The secondary metabolites of Java tea (Orthosiphon aristatus B) are effective to treat kidney inflammation, kidney stones, and other diseases. Abiotic factors have been known to determine the secondary metabolites contents of Java tea. This study aimed at evaluating the effects of soil temperature resulted from soil mulching and harvesting period on total phenol, flavonoid and antioxidant contents of Java tea. Methods: The research was carried out using nested with completely randomized design under a screen house at Karanganyar, Indonesia from July to December 2019. The first factor was soil mulching (control; black plastic mulch, transparent plastic mulch, biodegradable mulch and rice straw mulch) with three repetitions. The first factor was nested in second factor, namely harvesting period which consisted of two levels, i.e.: 80 and 100 days. The observation parameters were soil temperature of 10-minutes (maximum; mean; minimum and soil temperature based- growing degree days, GDD) with sensors and logger; plant growth (plant height, number of leaves, fresh and dry weight); and secondary metabolites including phenol, flavonoids and antioxidant. Results: The results confirmed the order of the highest to the lowest mean soil temperature was resulted under the transparent plastic mulch> straw > black plastic mulch >control > biodegradable plastic mulch (26.69 > 26.29 > 26.10 > 26.07 > 25.68 oC, respectively). The total phenol, flavonoids and antioxidant produced ranging from 193.75 – 412.50 mg GAE/ 100 g DW; 81.13 – 141.47 mg QE/ 100 g DW; and 1875.5 – 2144.4 µmol TE/g DW.Conclusion: Higher maximum soil temperature resulted into lower phenol content, while higher minimum soil temperature and shorter harvest period increased total flavonoid. Longer harvest period produced more total phenol and antioxidant due to bigger soil temperature based- Growing Degree Day (GDD).

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