Effect of Black Plastic Mulch and Row Cover on Sweet Potato Production

The sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.) requires a long, hot growing season to attain good yields. In a cool climate, the use of black plastic mulch to heat the soil can improve growth but cultivars, plant spacing, and harvest date must be carefully selected to optimize yields and to attain market quality standards. In this two-year study in Quebec, Canada, two sweet potato cultivars (‘Georgia Jet’ and ‘Beauregard’) were grown at four in-row spacings (15, 30, 45, and 60 cm) and harvested at three dates (mid September, late September, and early October). Cumulative growing degree-days (GDD) with base temperatures of 10°C and 15.5°C were calculated for each harvest date. ‘Georgia Jet’ had higher total and marketable yields than ‘Beauregard’. In-row spacing had no effect on yields per hectare of ‘Beauregard’ and only affected ‘Georgia Jet’ in one year of the study. Average root weight of sweet potatoes, yields per plant, and number of roots per plant increased with wider spacing. Delaying harvest by one or two weeks had little effect on ‘Beauregard’ but increased yields of ‘Georgia Jet’. GDD may be a useful predictor of optimum harvest date but a lower base temperature used to calculate GDD may be desirable with ‘Georgia Jet’ as its yields continued to increase even when growing under cool conditions of late September and early October.

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Applicability of plastic mulch and conservation strip tillage for potato production in Bangladesh

Sains Tanah - Journal of Soil Science and Agroclimatology ◽

10.20961/stjssa.v18i2.53559 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (2) ◽

pp. 115

Author(s):

Md. Abdul Kader ◽

Ferdous Hossain Khan ◽

Shibli Sadik Tulip ◽

Md. Abid Hossain Mridha ◽

Arif Jewel

Keyword(s):

Irrigation Water ◽

Management Practices ◽

Potato Production ◽

Tuber Quality ◽

Good Prospect ◽

Tuber Growth ◽

Plastic Mulch ◽

Black Plastic ◽

Semi Arid Region ◽

Strip Tillage

Application of plastic mulches in potato production is rarely used by farmers in Bangladesh although it has a good prospect for saving irrigation water, weed control, maintaining tuber quality, and increasing yield. A study was conducted in experimental farm at Rural Development Academy (RDA), Bogura, Bangladesh to evaluate the precision of irrigation water for potato production using different colored plastic mulches i.e, black and blue in combination with conservation strip tillage and control (no-mulch). Four different treatments were prepared where some of the phenological characteristics of plants as well as yield of potato were compared among treatments by applying the same amount of irrigation water. The results showed that treatment with black plastic mulch had the highest tuber growth as well as yield of 25.1 t ha-1 compared to other treatments while other treatments such as blue plastic mulch, control, and strip tillage had a yield of 16.37, 13.75, and 15.75 t ha-1, respectively. Potato plants having black plastic mulch took less time to mature in comparison to other treatments. Black plastic mulch restricts soil moisture evaporation and keeps the soil warm. In conclusion, potato production with various mulches has a great scope in a semi-arid region like Bangladesh and present experimental results will help to improve the understanding of potato growers for adopting best mulch management practices.

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Effect of plastic mulches on growth and yield of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) in Dadeldhura, Nepal

Journal of Agriculture and Natural Resources ◽

10.3126/janr.v3i2.32509 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 3 (2) ◽

pp. 228-240

Author(s):

Manoj Bhatta ◽

Bhimsen Shrestha ◽

Ananta Raj Devkota ◽

Khem Raj Joshi ◽

Sabin Bhattarai ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Tuber Yield ◽

Growth Parameters ◽

Solanum Tuberosum L ◽

Block Design ◽

Potato Production ◽

Quality Parameters ◽

Growth And Yield ◽

Plastic Mulch ◽

Marketable Tuber ◽

Black Plastic

A field experiment was conducted from February to June, 2020 at Bhatkanda, Dadeldhura, Nepal to assess the effectiveness of plastic mulches in potato production. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four replications comprising of five treatments viz: T1: white plastic mulch (white on black colored), T2: silver plastic mulch (silver on black colored), T3: perforated black plastic mulch, T4: black plastic mulch and T5: control (without mulch). Results revealed that the black plastic mulch significantly increased the rate of emergence while perforated black plastic exhibited highest values of all other studied growth parameters, yield components and quality parameters. The highest marketable tuber yield was obtained in perforated black plastic (6.05 kg/m2) followed by silver plastic (5.62 kg/m2), white plastic (5.46 kg/m2), black plastic (5.14 kg/m2) and lowest marketable tuber yield was obtained in control condition (4.07 kg/m2). Similarly, temperature difference between controlled and mulched condition at 15 cm depth of soil was observed up to 2.8°C with its highest value in black plastic mulch and lowest in control condition. The perforated black plastic mulch was found most economical with maximum value of net return (NRs. 1904.31 thousands/ha) and B: C ratio (5.83). This study concludes that the use of perforated black plastic mulch is most economical with optimum plant growth and yield, producing best quality potatoes under climatic condition of Dadeldhura, Nepal.

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Effect of Irrigation Methods and Mulching on Growth and Seed Yield of Semialata

Journal of AgriSearch ◽

10.21921/jas.v7i01.17628 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 7 (01) ◽

Author(s):

SK SRIVASTAVA ◽

PAWAN JEET

Keyword(s):

Seed Yield ◽

Drip Irrigation ◽

Growth Parameters ◽

Block Design ◽

Water Requirement ◽

Furrow Irrigation ◽

Plastic Mulch ◽

Randomized Block Design ◽

Daily Water ◽

Black Plastic

A study was conducted to assess the effect of drip irrigation and plastic mulch on growth and seed yield of Semialata. Two types of plastic mulch (green and silver/black) were tested at three levels of irrigation (120%, 100% and 80%) by drip irrigation and one level (100%) by furrow irrigation. The daily water requirement of Semialata was estimated by the equation ETcrop= ETox crop factor. ETcrop is crop water requirement mm/day. ETo (reference evapotranspiration, mm/day) was calculated by FAO calculator which uses temperature and humidity data. In this experiments there were twelve treatments were considered. The treatments were replicated thrice. The experiment was laid in randomized block design. It was observed that drip irrigation with or without plastic mulch is yielding better results in terms of growth parameters and seed yield as compared to furrow irrigation without plastic mulch. It was also observed that maximum suppression (67.58%) of weeds resulted with drip irrigation and silver/black plastic mulch at 80% level of irrigation.

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Large-Scale Seedling Grow-Out Experiments Do Not Support Seed Transmission of Sweet Potato Leaf Curl Virus in Sweet Potato

Plants ◽

10.3390/plants10010139 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

pp. 139

Author(s):

Sharon A. Andreason ◽

Omotola G. Olaniyi ◽

Andrea C. Gilliard ◽

Phillip A. Wadl ◽

Livy H. Williams ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sweet Potato ◽

Large Scale ◽

Seed Transmission ◽

Potato Production ◽

Potato Leaf ◽

Vector Transmission ◽

Leaf Curl Virus ◽

Seed Coats ◽

Potato Seedlings ◽

Leaf Curl

Sweet potato leaf curl virus (SPLCV) threatens global sweet potato production. SPLCV is transmitted by Bemisia tabaci or via infected vegetative planting materials; however, SPLCV was suggested to be seed transmissible, which is a characteristic that is disputed for geminiviruses. The objective of this study was to revisit the validity of seed transmission of SPLCV in sweet potato. Using large-scale grow-out of sweet potato seedlings from SPLCV-contaminated seeds over 4 consecutive years, approximately 23,034 sweet potato seedlings of 118 genotype entries were evaluated. All seedlings germinating in a greenhouse under insect-proof conditions or in a growth chamber were free of SPLCV; however, a few seedlings grown in an open bench greenhouse lacking insect exclusion tested positive for SPLCV. Inspection of these seedlings revealed that B. tabaci had infiltrated the greenhouse. Therefore, transmission experiments were conducted using B. tabaci MEAM1, demonstrating successful vector transmission of SPLCV to sweet potato. Additionally, tests on contaminated seed coats and germinating cotyledons demonstrated that SPLCV contaminated a high percentage of seed coats collected from infected maternal plants, but SPLCV was never detected in emerging cotyledons. Based on the results of grow-out experiments, seed coat and cotyledon tests, and vector transmission experiments, we conclude that SPLCV is not seed transmitted in sweet potato.

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Fertilization and Colors of Plastic Mulch Affect Biomass and Essential Oil of Sweet-Scented Geranium

The Scientific World JOURNAL ◽

10.1155/2014/828259 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 2014 ◽

pp. 1-7 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Anderson de Carvalho Silva ◽

Arie Fitzgerald Blank ◽

Wallace Melo dos Santos ◽

Paloma Santana Prata ◽

Péricles Barreto Alves ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Essential Oil ◽

Soil Cover ◽

Mineral Fertilizer ◽

Cattle Manure ◽

Plastic Mulch ◽

Pelargonium Graveolens ◽

Food Industries ◽

Black Plastic ◽

Soap Perfume

Sweet-scented geranium (Pelargonium graveolensL’Hér), a plant belonging to the Geraniaceae family, has medicinal and aromatic properties and is widely used in the cosmetic, soap, perfume, aromatherapy, and food industries. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of fertilization and the use of different colors of plastic mulch on sweet-scented geranium biomass and essential oil. Three colors of plastic mulch (black, white, and silver-colored) and a control without plastic mulch were assessed along with three fertilizers (20,000 L·ha−1of cattle manure; 1,000 kg·ha−1of NPK 3-12-6; and 20,000 L·ha−1of cattle manure + 1,000 kg·ha−1of NPK 3-12-6 fertilizer) and a control without fertilizer. The absence of a soil cover negatively influenced the agronomical variables, while coverage with plastic mulch was associated with increased biomass. The use of fertilizer had no effect on the evaluated agronomic variables. When cattle manure and NPK 3-12-6 were used together, combined with white or black plastic mulch, the highest yields of essential oil were obtained. For the silver-colored plastic mulch, higher amounts of essential oil (6,9-guaiadien) were obtained with mineral fertilizer.

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PENGARUH JENIS MULSA DAN PUPUK GANDASIL-B TERHADAP PERTUMBUHAN DAN HASIL TANAMAN CABAI RAWIT (Capsium frustescens L.) PADA TANAH GAMBUT PEDALAMAN (The Effect of Mulch Type and Gandasil-B Fertilizer on The Growth and Yield of Chili Pepper (Capsicum fr

AgriPeat ◽

10.36873/agp.v18i01.17 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 18 (01) ◽

pp. 1-9

Author(s):

Admin Journal

Keyword(s):

Block Design ◽

Peat Soil ◽

Chili Pepper ◽

Growth And Yield ◽

Plastic Mulch ◽

Randomized Block Design ◽

Different Types ◽

Split Plot ◽

Main Plot ◽

Black Plastic

ABSTRACTThis research was aimed to investigate the effect of mulch type and gandasil-B fertilizer on the growth and yield of chili pepper (Capsicum frutescens L.) on inland peat soil. The method used in this research was two-factor Randomized Block Design with split plot arrangement and three replications. The main plot was the mulch type which consists of three treatments, namely: control, cogon grass and silver-black plastic mulch, and as sub plot was the dose of gandasil-B which consists of four 4 levels, namely: 0, 1, 2, and 3 g L-1 water. Results showed that the interaction between different types of mulch and gandasil-B fertilizer only had significant effect on the diameter of the stem, the number of productive branch, the number of fruit per plant, and the weight of fruit per plant. The utilization of silver-black plastic mulch and gandasil- B fertilizer at the concentration of 3 g L-1 water showed more number of productive branch (14.00 branches) and number of fruit (151.17 fruits) per plant and the weight of fruit (166.52 g) per plant was significantly higher.Keywords : Mulch, cogon grass, silver-black plastic, Gandasil-B, inland peat soil ABSTRAKPenelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui pengaruh jenis mulsa dan pupuk gandasil-B terhadap pertumbuhan dan hasil tanaman cabai rawit (Capsicum fruestescens L.) pada tanah gambut pedalaman. Percobaan ini menggunaakan Rancangan Acak Kelompok (RAK) disusun secara split plot dengan dua faktor perlakuan dan tiga ulangan. Sebagai petak utama, yaitu jenis mulsa terdiri dari tiga jenis, yaitu : kontrol, mulsa alang-alang dan mulsa plastik hitam perak. Sebagai anak petak adalah dosis pupuk Gandasil-B terdiri dari 4 taraf perlakuan, yaitu : 0, 1, 2 dan 3 g L-1 air. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa interaksi penggunaan jenis mulsa dengan pupuk gandasil-B hanya berpengaruh nyata terhadap diameter batang, jumlah cabang produktif, jumlah buah per tanaman dan berat buah per tanaman. Penggunaan mulsa plastik hitam perak dan pupuk gandasil-B 3 g L-1 air diperoleh jumlah cabang produktif (14.00 cabang) dan jumlah buah (151.17 buah) per tanaman) nyata lebih banyak dan berat buah (166.52 g) per tanaman nyata lebih tinggi.Kata kunci : Mulsa, alang-alang, plastik hitam perak, pupuk gandasil-B, gambut pedalaman

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Food Security and Income through Sweet Potato Production in Teso, Uganda

Sustainable Agriculture Research ◽

10.5539/sar.v7n1p146 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

pp. 146

Author(s):

William Faustine Epeju ◽

Peter Milton Rukundo

Keyword(s):

Food Security ◽

Sweet Potato ◽

Quantitative Methods ◽

Potato Production ◽

Grain Legumes ◽

Agricultural System ◽

Sweet Potatoes ◽

Sustainable Food ◽

Qualitative And Quantitative Methods ◽

Adequate Food

Two relevant studies on food security are referred to in the article. Food insecurity from time to time threatens in Teso sub region which houses a viable Teso agricultural system. One study was done during 2001-2003 in Teso on sweet potato production with 650 persons participating and the second one was done in one disaster affected area of Bududa District nearby during 2012-2016 when 1,142 persons participated. Kiryandongo District where Bududa landslide survivors were resettled in Uganda was included in that study. Participatory methods such as focus group discussions, farm observations, in-depth interviews, and questionnaires were used. Both studies used qualitative and quantitative methods for data analysis. The sweet potato stands second after cassava as the crop for famine and disaster periods in Teso to meet the human right to adequate food to complement the well dried cereals & grain legumes that stored longer. Livestock especially was also one of the prime determinants of food security and income in Teso. Free from cyanides with a good content of affordable Vitamin A from orange fleshed varieties, sweet potatoes in Teso contributed about 61% to the yearly food per capita of the population thus a recommendable crop for sustainable food security and some income in Teso and beyond.

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Evaluation of Organic and Inorganic Mulching as an Integrated Weed Management Strategy in Maize Under Rainfed Conditions

Planta Daninha ◽

10.1590/s0100-83582018360100143 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 36 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

T. MEHMOOD ◽

S.U. KHAN ◽

A. QAYYUM ◽

A.R. GURMANI ◽

W. AHMED ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Wheat Straw ◽

Rice Straw ◽

Insect Pests ◽

Weed Suppression ◽

Plastic Mulch ◽

Test Species ◽

Weed Density ◽

Straw Mulch ◽

Dry Biomass ◽

Black Plastic

ABSTRACT: Weeds affect crop growth, health and yield by competing for resources, and they serve as refuge for insect pests. Mulches of different materials have been found to control weeds and insect pests. A field study was conducted at the village of Mang, Haripur, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, to explore the effect of various mulch materials on weed suppression in maize fields under rain-fed conditions in 2013. Eight mulch materials treatments were used: control (no mulching), wheat straw mulch, dry leaves of eucalyptus, rice straw mulch, grass clippings, living mulch (soybean crop), black plastic mulch and the herbicide Primextra were investigated under a randomized complete block design with four replications. Statistical analysis of data showed maximum reduction in weed density, relative weed density, fresh biomass and dry biomass in all the test species at 25, 50 and 75 days after sowing (DAS) where Primextra and black plastic mulch were used, and this was statistically similar to where rice straw and wheat straw were used. Maximum weed density, relative weed density, fresh and dry biomass of all weed species were recorded where soybean was intercropped with maize and grass clippings were used. Based on these results, it was inferred that the mulch material of eucalyptus and rice straw can effectively be used for controlling weeds in maize fields under rain-fed conditions.

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Possibility of stevia (Stevia rebaudiana B.) production in Hungary

International Journal of Horticultural Science ◽

10.31421/ijhs/22/1-2./1180 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 22 (1-2) ◽

Author(s):

M. Takácsné Hájos ◽

T. Rubóczki ◽

A. Kiss

Keyword(s):

Harmful Effect ◽

Stevia Rebaudiana ◽

Vegetation Period ◽

Total Biomass ◽

Plastic Mulch ◽

Plastic Sheet ◽

Black And White ◽

Raised Bed ◽

Fungi Infection ◽

Black Plastic

Artificial sweeteners have harmful effect on human health, so it is great interested in stevia extract. Our experiment was aimed to show the possibility of inland production of stevia. Different plastic mulches were used (black and white) on raised bed and were compared to uncovered (control) plots for yield and state of health of plants. Furthermore we evaluated the depth of cuttings (low cutting until the 6th double leaf; normal cutting until the upper ⅓ of the plant) on the yield depending on the covering method. The plants were transplanted on 9 of May, 2014 on raised bed, 3 rows on it, with 33x25 cm spacing. According to our results, the black plastic mulch produced the highest yield, which can be explained by suppressing effect on weeds, furthermore it kept the soil warm, moist and protected the lower leaves from soil wetness. But, the white sheet mulch could not eliminate weeds around the plants. The total biomass on the black plastic sheet covered plots was the highest, nearly 1000 g pro plant by low cutting. On the control plots the fungi infection reached about 25-30%, which caused leaf falling of plants, decreasing of yield by the end of vegetation period. To summarise, stevia production is possible in Hungary, but it is important to pay attention to the balanced soil moisture and low humidity in the leaf area. It is suggested to cover the soil with plastic sheet or organic materials, such as bark and chippings.

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