Weed Suppression in Pumpkin by Mulches Composed of Organic Municipal Waste Materials

Field studies were conducted in 2011 and 2012 to compare mulch treatments of shredded newspaper, a combination of shredded newspaper plus turfgrass clippings (NP + grass), hardwood bark chips, black polyethylene plastic, and bare soil on weeds, insects, soil moisture, and soil temperature in pumpkins. Newspaper mulch or black plastic reduced total weed biomass ≥90%, and woodchip or NP + grass mulch each reduced total weed biomass 78% compared with bare soil under high rainfall conditions in 2011. In 2012, under low rainfall, all mulches reduced weed biomass 97% or more compared with bare soil. In both years, all mulches resulted in higher squash bug infestations than bare soil. The woodchip, newspaper, and NP + grass mulches retained higher soil moistures than bare soil or black plastic over the course of each growing season, and the woodchip and NP + grass mulches caused greatest fluctuations in soil temperature. Pumpkin yields were abnormally low in 2011 and did not differ among treatments. In 2012, all mulches produced greater total marketable pumpkin fruit weights compared with bare soil, but only black plastic, newspaper, and NP + grass mulches resulted in greater total numbers of marketable pumpkins. Overall results indicate that shredded newspaper or NP + grass mulches may be useful for organic and/or small-scale urban crop producers as sustainable alternatives to black plastic mulch; however, their weed suppression efficacy may require higher application rates with increasing moisture conditions, and they may require greater squash bug control measures than under bare soil conditions.

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Organic Mulch and Nitrogen Affect Spring and Fall Collard Yields

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.31.5.823 ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 31 (5) ◽

pp. 823-826 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

E.A. Guertal ◽

J.H. Edwards

Keyword(s):

Maximum Yield ◽

Wood Chip ◽

Bare Soil ◽

Wood Chips ◽

Small Scale ◽

Plastic Mulch ◽

Plant Populations ◽

Organic Mulch ◽

Black Plastic ◽

Rate Interaction

Fall and spring collards (Brassica oleracea L. Acephala Group) were grown under one of three mulches (black plastic, ground newspaper, wood chips) and in a bare soil control. Mulch treatments were arranged in a factorial design with five rates of N fertilizer: 0, 67, 134, 201, or 268 kg N/ha. All fertilizer was preplant-incorporated into the bed before applying mulches and transplanting collards. Season did not affect collard yield, and there was no significant season × N rate interaction. Collard yields increased with increasing rates of N, with a maximum yield at 163 kg N/ha. Mulch type significantly affected collard yield, with fall collard yields highest under bare ground or wood chip mulches and spring yields highest under black plastic mulch. Collards produced under newspaper mulch produced the lowest yields in the fall and yields equal to bare soil and wood chips in the spring. Collards produced under newspaper mulch had less tissue N at harvest than those of any of the other treatments in both seasons. Collards produced on black plastic produced the lowest plant populations in both seasons. Wood chips and newspaper offer some appeal as low-input, small-scale mulches, but additional research to explore fertility management is necessary.

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EFFECT OF ORGANIC AND SYNTHETIC MULCHES ON YIELD OF BASIL UNDER DRIP IRRIGATION

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.27.6.587c ◽

1992 ◽

Vol 27 (6) ◽

pp. 587c-587 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

M.C. Palada ◽

S.M.A. Crossman ◽

C.D. Collingwood

Keyword(s):

Soil Temperature ◽

Water Use ◽

Drip Irrigation ◽

Virgin Islands ◽

Small Scale ◽

Vegetable Production ◽

Plastic Mulch ◽

Surface Soil Temperature ◽

Black Plastic ◽

Reduced Water

Small-scale herb growers in the U.S. Virgin Islands traditionally water their crops with sprinkler cans and garden hoses. This method is inefficient and consumes large amounts of water, a scarce resource in the islands. Introduction of drip irrigation has reduced water use in vegetable production. Integrating this system with mulches may further cut water use, making herb production more profitable. Basil (Ocimum basilicum) was grown in plots with organic (compost or straw) and synthetic (black plastic or weed barrier) mulches. A no mulch control plot was also included. All plots were drip irrigated to maintain soil moisture at -30 kPa. Total plant fresh weight and leaf fresh and dry weights were highest in the compost mulch treatment. Fresh and dry basil yields in black plastic mulched plots were almost identical with those in compost mulch, but did not differ from other treatments. Black plastic mulch reduced water use 46% compared with 27% for compost or straw mulch. All mulch treatments resulted in increased water use efficiency. Organic mulches reduced surface soil temperature, while synthetic mulches increased soil temperature 2-5°C.

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Transparent, Black and Organic Mulches Effect on Weed Suppression in Green Pepper (Capsicum annuum) in Western Kenya

Journal of Agricultural Studies ◽

10.5296/jas.v5i1.10807 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 5 (1) ◽

pp. 67

Author(s):

Ocharo N. Edgar ◽

Joseph P. Gweyi-Onyango ◽

Nicholas Kibet Korir

Keyword(s):

Weed Control ◽

Management Practices ◽

Bare Soil ◽

Weed Suppression ◽

Weed Species ◽

Plastic Mulch ◽

Transparent Plastic ◽

Green Pepper ◽

Physical Methods ◽

Black Plastic

Weed suppression through physical methods in cultivation constitutes of many methods but this experiment focused on application of various mulches. Recently, herbicide-free weed control methods in the world are getting more attention due to environmental and ecological factors. Green pepper production requires good management practices in order to attain potential yields. Most of the known physical practices of weed control cause both positive and negative effects. Therefore, great attention should be paid when selecting the appropriate mulch with the aim of weed suppression in any specific cultivation. Three types of mulches were examined for weed control namely; black plastic mulch, transparent plastic mulch, straw mulch and bare soil as control during the 2015 short and long raining seasons in Busia County. In both seasons, the black plastic mulch treatment significantly (P<0.05) showed the lowest number of weed species (3) per m2 quadrat while the control had the highest with a maximum of 8 and 7 during the long and short raining seasons respectively. The number of species reduced after four weeks from transplanting when the first sampling was carried out. The lowest weed vigor was exhibited in the plastic treatments for both seasons at 4, 6 and 8 weeks after transplanting. Control had the highest weed fresh biomass for both seasons at all the sampling stages with the highest observed during the short raining season with 1626 g/m2 at 4 weeks after transplanting. This also translated to the highest weed dry biomass for both seasons in the control plots with the lowest recorded in the black plastic mulch. Out of several physical methods of weed control, mulching seems to be the most appropriate with the black plastic mulch being the best.

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Can hemp hurd or paper mulch and biochar application improve weed management in matted-row strawberry production systems?

Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems ◽

10.1017/s1742170521000533 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-11

Author(s):

Greta G. Gramig ◽

Samantha K. Hogstad ◽

Patrick M. Carr

Keyword(s):

Weed Management ◽

Production Systems ◽

Weed Suppression ◽

Plastic Mulch ◽

Yield Data ◽

Weed Biomass ◽

Soil Temperatures ◽

The Impact ◽

Hemp Hurd ◽

Amended Soil

Abstract During 2015 and 2016, studies were conducted at Absaraka and Dickinson, North Dakota to evaluate the impacts of hemp (applied at 1156 m3 ha−1) and commercial paper mulch, as well as soil-applied biochar (applied at 11.25 m3 ha−1), on weed suppression and strawberry growth during the establishment year, and on weed suppression and strawberry yield during the production year, in a matted row production (MRP) system. During 2015, biochar influenced dry weed biomass only within the hemp mulch, with slightly more weed biomass associated with biochar application compared to zero biochar (3.1 vs 0.4 g m−2), suggesting that biochar may have increased weed germination and/or emergence from beneath hemp mulch. Biochar application also slightly increased soil pH, from 6.9 in non-amended soil to 7.0 in amended soil. Strawberry runner number during 2015 was greater in association with hemp or paper mulch compared to zero mulch (4.5 and 4.9 vs 2.4 runners plant −1, respectively). This result mirrored a similar differential in per berry mass across sites (7.6 and 7.4 vs 6.2 g berry −1 for hemp mulch, paper mulch and zero mulch, respectively). These results may be related to hemp and paper mulch reducing maximum soil temperatures during summer 2015. During the establishment year, both hemp and paper mulch suppressed weeds well compared to zero mulch, although at Absaraka hemp mulch provided slightly better weed suppression than paper mulch. During the production year, both mulches continued to suppress weeds compared to zero mulch at Dickinson. However, at Absaraka, only hemp mulch provided weed suppression compared to zero mulch, possibly because of faster paper degradation caused by greater numbers of large precipitation events and greater relative humidity at Absaraka compared to Dickinson. Weeds were removed from plots during 2015 to allow separation of weed suppression from other possible mulch impacts; therefore, yield data do not reveal striking differences among mulch treatments. Because previous research has demonstrated the impact of weed management during the establishment of strawberries in a matted row system, we concluded that hemp mulch may provide more durable weed suppression compared to paper mulch, which would increase strawberry yield protection in an MRP system. Material cost may be an issue for implementing hemp mulch, as hemp hurd cost was 25 times paper mulch at the application rates used in this study. However, hemp mulch could still be a beneficial option, especially for organic strawberry growers desiring a renewable and environmentally sound replacement for plastic mulch who are able to find affordable local sources of this material.

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

Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture ◽

10.1071/ea04140 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 45 (12) ◽

pp. 1653 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

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.

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Mulches for yacon cultivation

Horticultura Brasileira ◽

10.1590/s0102-053620180317 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 36 (3) ◽

pp. 389-394

Author(s):

Fabio Luiz Oliveira ◽

Cristiano Henrique P Venturim ◽

Diego Mathias N Silva ◽

Mateus Augusto L Quaresma ◽

Leandro P Dalvi

Keyword(s):

Block Design ◽

Bare Soil ◽

Good Alternative ◽

Plastic Mulch ◽

Coffee Husk ◽

Corn Husk ◽

Randomized Complete Block Design ◽

Total Productivity ◽

Black Plastic ◽

Commercial Yield

ABSTRACT In Brazil, studies on commercial exploitation of yacon are still scarce. A growing interest in this vegetable has demanded some researches on this crop cultivation management, though. Considering that yacon has a long cycle, which exposes the soil, studies on mulch management will be of great value. We used a randomized complete block design, with five replicates, under different soil mulches for yacon cultivation: two plastic film covers (black and double-sided), four mulches (corn husk, coffee husk in three levels), and the control (bare soil). Plastic mulch can be used for yacon cultivation, considering that the double sided plastic provides greater production of total roots; however, the same yield of the most valued roots was obtained using black plastic. The second highest total productivity and the highest commercial yield in the most valued root classes were obtained using 50 L m-² of coffee husk as mulch, representing a good alternative for farmers.

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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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Cover Crop Management and Weed Suppression in No-tillage Sweet Corn Production

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.39.6.1262 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 39 (6) ◽

pp. 1262-1266 ◽

Cited By ~ 20

Author(s):

Lidia M. Carrera ◽

Aref A. Abdul-Baki ◽

John R. Teasdale

Keyword(s):

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Sweet Corn ◽

Crop Management ◽

Bare Soil ◽

Weed Suppression ◽

Corn Yield ◽

No Tillage ◽

Hairy Vetch ◽

Weed Biomass

Cover crops combined with conservation tillage practices can minimize chemical inputs and improve soil quality, soil water-holding capacity, weed suppression and crop yields. No-tillage production of sweet corn (Zea mays var. `Silver Queen') was studied for 2 years at the USDA Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Md., to determine cover crop management practices that maximize yield and suppress weeds. Cover crop treatments were hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth), rye (Secale cereale L.) and hairy vetch mixture, and bare soil (no cover crop). There were three cover crop killing methods: mowing, rolling or contact herbicide paraquat. All plots were treated with or without atrazine and metolachlor after planting. There was a 23% reduction in sweet corn plant population in the rye-hairy vetch mixture compared to bare soil. Averaged over both years, sweet corn yield in hairy vetch treatments was 43% greater than in bare soil, whereas yield in the rye-hairy vetch mixture was 30% greater than in bare soil. There were no significant main effects of kill method or significant interactions between kill method and cover crop on yield. Sweet corn yields were not different for hairy vetch or rye-hairy vetch treatments with or without atrazine and metolachlor. However, yield in bare soil without the herbicides atrazine and metolachor were reduced by 63% compared to bare soil with these herbicides. When no atrazine and metolachlor were applied, weed biomass was reduced in cover crops compared to the bare soil. Regression analysis showed greater yield loss per unit of weed biomass for bare soil than for the vetch or rye-hairy vetch mixture. This analysis suggests that cover crops increased sweet corn yield in the absence of atrazine and metolachlor not only by reducing weed biomass, but also by increasing the competitiveness of corn to weeds at any given biomass.

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331 Late Planting Reduces Annual Artichoke Productivity

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.34.3.500b ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 34 (3) ◽

pp. 500B-500

Author(s):

D.T. Drost ◽

N. Philips ◽

N. Thomsen

Keyword(s):

Plant Growth ◽

Leaf Area ◽

Environmental Conditions ◽

Bare Soil ◽

Planting Date ◽

Plastic Mulch ◽

Cool Season ◽

Late Planting ◽

Final Yield ◽

Black Plastic

Artichoke, a cool-season, frost-tolerant, but freeze-sensitive, crop, was investigated for annual production in Utah. The objectives were to assess the effects of alternative cropping methods on growth and productivity. Artichoke (`Imperial Star') was seeded in January or February and grown for 3 months before transplanting to the field. Plants were planted in bare soil, through plastic mulch or through plastic with floating rowcovers in April or May. Plant growth (leaf area), environmental conditions, and yield (number, weight, and quality) were monitored throughout the year. Planting date and mulching treatments had a significant effect on plant growth and productivity. Leaf area was greatest at all measurement dates as temperature adjacent to the plant increased (plastic with cover > plastic > bare soil). Early planting had greater yield than late planting regardless of mulching treatment. There was no difference in final yield between the plastic mulch and plastic plus cover at early plantings, although yields were higher than in bare soil. However, late planting through plastic with rowcovers significantly reduced bud yields compared to bare soil or black plastic only. While higher temperatures associated with plastic and rowcovers increased plant growth, increased temperatures under covers after the May planting date devernalized artichoke seedlings, which contributed to the lower yields late in the season.

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