Geotemperature, net heat flow from the soil and morphological variables of the soybean crop (Glycine max L.) under plastic mulch conditions

Abstract

Most crops are affected by various factors, plastic mulch emerges as an alternative, causing a positive impact on the temperature in the root zone, microbial life and the physical properties of the soil associated with the improvement of crop yield. The objective of the research was to evaluate the yield of the soybean crop (Glycine max L.) under plastic mulch conditions. Geotemperature parameters, net heat flow from the soil and morphological variables were analyzed. The completely randomized design was used, the study factor was plastic mulch of different colors: black (T1), red (T2), blue (T3), and green (T4) and the control (T0, bare ground). The results showed that the plastic mulch influences the soil temperature up to 6 °C with respect to the bare soil (T4) and the net heat flux, the black and green colors are relevant, as well as the morphological variables, being the treatments T3 and T4, the ones that had the best results compared to bare soil, improving crop yield up to 2 t ha-1. Blue and green plastic mulch is a viable option to improve soybean productivity and economic performance.