Characterization and Use of a Crop-Residue-Based Mat Mulch in the Production of Pepper (Capsicum annuum) during Dry Season

Jaime Proaño-Saraguro,Alexandra Portalanza-Chavarria,Diego Rojas-Tortolero,Carlos Arias-Vega,José Álvarez-Barreto,Daynet Sosa,Víctor Hernández-Aranda

doi:10.3390/agronomy11061173

Jaime Proaño-Saraguro, Alexandra Portalanza-Chavarria + Show 5 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11061173

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Abstract

Agricultural mulches from plant waste constitute an ecological alternative due to their capacity to biodegrade and incorporate into the soil. This work aimed at evaluating, during a drought, the effects of a mat mulch, based on banana rachis and rice straw, on bell pepper (Capsicum annuum) production, and to characterize the material, both mechanically (traction resistance) and physical-chemically (water retention capacity, organic and inorganic components). Two contrasting irrigation regimes were used to determine the effect of the mat mulch on edaphic and productive parameters such as plant height, basal stem diameter, number of fruits and flowers, harvest, plant biomass, macro- and micronutrients in leaves, weeds/m2, and soil temperature. Treatments with the mat mulch resulted in increased height, number of fruits and flowers, biomass, and P, Zn and Cu concentrations. The mat mulch contributes to soil water retention, improves pepper agronomic variables response in plant’s height, basal stem diameter, and the number of flowers and fruits, especially with a low water irrigation regime. Furthermore, a 95% reduction in weed/m2, and soil temperature (18 °C) compared to air temperature (26.8 °C) was found. The characteristics of the waste-based mat mulch in soils offer new possibilities for environmentally friendly, efficient, and sustainable agricultural practices.

Highlights

There is a variety of synthetic mulching that allows the reduction of weed growth, optimizing water consumption, maintaining soil temperature, and increasing production, among other benefits [6]
The mulch has shown a significant influence on agronomic variables such as the plant’s height and diameter, the number of their flowers and fruits, as well as the harvest per plant and plant biomass, with the application of the 129 mm water irrigation regime
The use of the mat mulch contributed to two other fundamental issues, the soil’s thermal regulation and the reduction of weeds

Summary

Introduction

Mulches can be defined as covers that are applied on soils, mainly to counteract the effects of local climate, as well as other factors that affect crops, when they are implemented [1]. The use of soil mulching in agriculture, both synthetic and organic, has become a prevalent practice worldwide [2]. In agricultural systems with low productivity due to low soil fertility and limited water supply and nutrients, the use of mulches becomes an essential option because they increase production and improve soil structure [4,5]. There is a variety of synthetic mulching that allows the reduction of weed growth, optimizing water consumption, maintaining soil temperature, and increasing production, among other benefits [6]. In 2018, around 360 million tons of plastic production were distributed mainly in Asia with a 51%, United States, Canada and Mexico 18%, Europe 17%, Africa 7%, Latin America 4% and 3%

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