Mapping Soil Productivity Index on Plantation Land in ATP Jatikerto, Kromengan District, Malang Regency

It is feared that the decline in productivity of plantation crops in Malang Regency, so it is necessary to analyze the soil productivity index at ATP Jatikerto as one of the locations for producing plantation plants. This soil productivity index assessment was presented in the form of a map to make it easier to see the distribution pattern of soil productivity in ATP Jatikerto. The results of the calculation of the productivity index showed that the land potential varied from land with poor to sufficient criteria, namely maize land with an IP (Productivity Index) of 43.27, which is included in the bad IP criteria. In coffee, cocoa, sugarcane, papaya, and citrus fields, they are categorized as moderate with IPs of 50.14, respectively; 45.82; 39.45; 52.26; and 45.82. Actions that can be taken to overcome the problem of decreasing productivity are to carry out regular fertilization, both organic and inorganic, to keep nutrients available for cultivated plants, as well as adding organic matter using litter which not only serves to add nutrients but can also be used as organic mulch to prevent raindrops from falling directly to the ground so that the loss of topsoil can be minimized and increase the population of soil microorganisms. In addition, it can also use bagasse, blotong or manure which can improve the physical condition of the soil by reducing soil density and increasing macropores for better root growth, and ultimately increasing sugarcane yield.

Soil Restoration through the Application of Organic Mulch Following Skidding Operations Causing Vehicle Induced Compaction in the Hyrcanian Forests, Northern Iran

In this study an attempt was made to assess how different mulches affect the soil environment. In particular, different organic mulches such as leaf litter, straw and sawdust were tested in order to assess their capacities to amend the soil conditions. These analyses were carried out in the Hyrcanian mixed broadleaved forest. Organic mulches can compensate the litter layer loss on compaction-induced soil and accelerate the restoration process of soil properties, which takes from a few years to several decades without mulching. However, comprehensive knowledge on the effects of organic mulch on soil quality in terms of compaction-induced soil in the scientific literature is still scarce and inadequate. The main aim of the study was to examine the effects of three organic mulches (leaf litter, straw and sawdust) on the restoration of forestry vehicle-induced soil properties in the skid trail over a 2-year period. The results showed as the values of soil physical and chemical properties in litter, straw and sawdust treatments were significantly restored as compared with the values in the untreated soil. In general, leaf litter supplies nutrients at higher rates than the straw and sawdust mulches. However, according to the current results, a 2-year period is not enough to return the soil physical and chemical properties to pre-traffic levels. Furthermore, the present study shows that organic mulch spread on the surface of mineral soil in the skid trails after machine traffic acts as a fertilizer to accelerate the decomposition of organic matter.

Effect of organic mulch and LEDs light colors on green bean plants (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

Studying the positive role of applying organic mulch and different colors of LEDs light, on the growth and yield of green bean plants, were carried out during 2019/2020 and 2020/2021 seasons, at a privet farm within Suez Governorate. Seedlings of Bronco cultivar were transplanted at the 15th of October of both seasons. Two types of organic mulch i.e., chopped maize straw and chopped rice straw, addition to bare soil (control) were tested as a soil mulch treatment (factor 1). In addition, LEDs light colors i.e., red, blue and "red + blue" and without LED light were also tested (factor 2). Finally, interaction between both studied factors was also studied. Studied factors were arranged in split plot design with three replicates. Organic soil mulches were arranged in the main plots. However, LEDs light colors were arranged within the sub main plots. Vegetative growth parameters i.e., plant height, number of leaves/plant, stem diameter, number of branches/plant, fresh and dry weight of plants were measured. Moreover, percentages of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium contents in leaves, as well as, chlorophyll reading (SPAD) were also measured. In addition, pod characteristics i.e., number of pods/plant, average pod weight and fiber content in pods, were studied as well. Finally, both early and total yield of green bean were studied. Changes in soil temperature under organic mulch treatments, as well as, bare soil were daily measured during the growing seasons. Results indicated that, in general, applying tested types of organic mulch modified soil temperature. Moreover, both tested factors were enhanced measured characters of vegetative growth, leaves content of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, as well as yield and its components. Furthermore, both treatments of chopped maize straw and "red + blue" LEDs light, as well as the interaction between both treatments were the most suitable for increasing productivity and quality of green bean plants.

Strategies to terminate summer cover crops for weed management in no-tillage vegetable production in southeast Brazil

Cover crop residue left on the soil surface as organic mulch in no-tillage crop production provides several environmental benefits, including weed suppression. Thus, many farmers who use cover crops attempt to reduce the use of agricultural inputs, especially herbicides. Therefore, our objectives were to study the potential of different cover crop species to suppress weeds and produce an in situ organic mulch, and evaluate the effect of the organic mulch with and without spraying glyphosate on weed suppression for vegetable (tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L. and broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. botrytis) growth and yield. Five cover crop treatments (sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea L.), jack bean [Canavalia ensiformis (L.) DC.], pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.], grain sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench ssp. bicolor] and a no-cover crop (control)) were used in the main plots; and spraying or no spraying glyphosate on the flattened cover crop in the sub plots of split-plot experimental design. Organic mulch from pearl millet, sorghum and sunn hemp resulted in lower weed biomass during the early season of both tomato and broccoli than jack bean and no-cover crop (control). Spraying glyphosate after roller crimping reduced weed biomass by 103 g m−2 and 20 g m−2 by 45 and 60 days after transplanting (DAT) of tomato, respectively and resulted in a better tomato yield compared to non spraying. Glyphosate reduced weed biomass by 110 g m−2 in the early season of broccoli (30 DAT), but did not affect yield. Terminating high biomass cover crops with a roller crimper is a promising technique for weed management in vegetable crops, which has the potential to reduce or even eliminate the need for herbicide.

Effect of Different Mulches on the Biometric Performance of Cucumber Crop under Polyhouse

The present study entitled “Effect of different mulches on the biometric performance of cucumber crop under polyhouse” was conducted during summer, 2019 at polyhouse, College of Agricultural Engineering, Kandi. Sangareddy, Telangana. Treatments consisted of five different mulches (White transparent, Black and silver, Black, Organic (paddy straw) and without mulch). The experiment was laid out in a randomized block with four replications. Growth parameters visually vine length and the number of leaves plant-1 differed significantly with different mulches and cucumber without mulch gave significantly higher growth parameters, followed by black and silver, black, white transparent whereas significantly lower growth parameters were recorded with organic mulch. The yield attributes visually the number of fruits plant-1, fruit length and fruit circumferences were significantly superior with cucumber without mulch whereas significantly lower yield attributes were observed in organic mulch. Fruit yield ha-1 was significantly higher with cucumber without mulch. Organic mulch recorded significantly lower fruit yield ha-1. Gross and net returns were higher with cucumber without mulch whereas significantly lower gross and net returns were observed in organic mulch. The highest benefit-cost ratio was observed with cucumber without mulch whereas the lowest benefit-cost ratio was observed with white transparent mulch. The study has shown that cucumber can be grown without any mulch during the summer season under polyhouse at Central Telangana Zone of Telangana.

Performance of lettuce plants under organic mulch and LEDs light colors

This study was performed out at net house, privet farm, Cairo-Alexandria desert road, 80 Km, to present the positive role of using different types of organic mulch; different LEDS (light-emitting diodes) light colors and their combination on lettuce plants as growth and yield. Three types of organic mulch i.e., (mushroom wastes, compost and palm fibers) compared to bare soil and four LEDs light colors i.e., (white, yellow, green and "red + blue + green") plus natural light. Seedlings of lettuce cv. Iceberg were transplanting at 1st November through 2019 and 2020seasons. The study was conducted in a split plot design with three replications. Results obtained that using different types of organic mulch, different LEDs light colors and their combination had a significant overall tested parameters (plant length, number of leaves/head, fresh and dry weights of leaves, leaves contents from N, P and K and total heads yield/m2). In general, cultivated lettuce plants with using different types organic mulch and different LEDs light colors enhanced all tested parameters compared to bare soil or/and natural light. The most positive role of tested factors was noticed with using compost mulch, LEDs "R + B+ G" colors and their combination as compost mulch plus LEDs "R + B+ G colors", which, had greatest values of all tested parameters more than other treatments.

Increasing Soybean (Glycine max. L.Merrill) Crop Production by Using Biourine and Organic Mulch

Soybean (Glycine max L.Merrill) is one of the main food commodities in Indonesia. The need for soybeans continues to increase in line with the increasing population of Indonesia. To overcome the problem of the gap between soybean production and consumption, efforts can be made to increase soybean production through fertilizers. Apart from fertilizers, mulching is an important component in efforts to increase plant growth and yield. Therefore, liquid organic fertilizer and organic mulch are the right innovations to be applied to support the growth and production of these soybean plants. The research method used was a randomized block design (RBD) with a factorial pattern with 3 replications, which consisted of 2 factors. The first factor was Liquid Organic Fertilizer (P) consisting of 3 levels, namely P1 (cow urine), P2 (goat urine), P3 (rabbit urine). The second factor was kinds of organic mulch with 3 levels, namely M0 (no mulch), M1 (straw mulch), M2 (husk mulch). The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of livestock bio urine and organic mulch on the growth and production of soybean (Glycine max. L,Merril). From the results of observations and calculations through analysis of variance, it can be concluded that the ones that give high production are the treatment of Rabbit Urine Liquid Organic Fertilizer and Organic Straw Mulch (P3M1).

Strategic Mulching of Trees in Forested Urban Parkland for Rooting Medium Amendment

Trees planted along city streets and in urban parks are subject to many adversities that affect growth and can often result in mortality. The application of organic mulch to the rooting medium of newly planted urban trees has the potential to improve the soil chemical and physical properties necessary for tree root health. This study examined the difference in soil nutrient supply rates (μg/10cm2/28 days) between three areal treatments of wood chips (0.75 m, 1.0m and 1.5 m radii) and before mulch application versus after mulch application using Analysis of Covariance. PRSTM-Probes were inserted into the soil over six 28-day periods to measure the supply rate of bioavailable nutrients (NO3-, NH4+, P, K, S, Ca, Mg, and Cu). Meteorological data and other soil chemical and physical factors were measured and included as covariates in the statistical model. Results indicate that mulching had a significant effect (p<0.05) on P supply rates; supply rates were lower in the reference plots compared to the treatment plots post-mulching. S, Ca, Mg, and Cu supply rates decreased after mulch application; however, the decrease was observed in all plots, which is likely due to temporal variations in plant demand rather than mulching. The wood chips also had a significant impact on buffering fluctuating soil temperatures and reducing soil moisture loss compared to non-mulched plots. The knowledge obtained from this research can be used to improve urban forest management strategies by providing a more in-depth understanding of the prescriptive use of organic mulch.

Strategic Mulching of Trees in Forested Urban Parkland for Rooting Medium Amendment

Trees planted along city streets and in urban parks are subject to many adversities that affect growth and can often result in mortality. The application of organic mulch to the rooting medium of newly planted urban trees has the potential to improve the soil chemical and physical properties necessary for tree root health. This study examined the difference in soil nutrient supply rates (μg/10cm2/28 days) between three areal treatments of wood chips (0.75 m, 1.0m and 1.5 m radii) and before mulch application versus after mulch application using Analysis of Covariance. PRSTM-Probes were inserted into the soil over six 28-day periods to measure the supply rate of bioavailable nutrients (NO3-, NH4+, P, K, S, Ca, Mg, and Cu). Meteorological data and other soil chemical and physical factors were measured and included as covariates in the statistical model. Results indicate that mulching had a significant effect (p<0.05) on P supply rates; supply rates were lower in the reference plots compared to the treatment plots post-mulching. S, Ca, Mg, and Cu supply rates decreased after mulch application; however, the decrease was observed in all plots, which is likely due to temporal variations in plant demand rather than mulching. The wood chips also had a significant impact on buffering fluctuating soil temperatures and reducing soil moisture loss compared to non-mulched plots. The knowledge obtained from this research can be used to improve urban forest management strategies by providing a more in-depth understanding of the prescriptive use of organic mulch.