Impact of Plastic Mulch and Poultry Manure on Plant Establishment in Organic Strawberry Production

Abstract

ABSTRACT To make organic strawberry production a more attractive alternative for growers, it is crucial to improve the potential for rapid and effective plant establishment and to develop methods to control weeds and to handle the supply of nutrients. The objective of this study was to investigate how degradable plastic mulch and two different organic primary fertilizers affected strawberry plant establishment and mineralized nitrogen (N) in the soil. Amounts equivalent to 50 kg N/ha of fresh or dried poultry manure were broadcast and harrowed into the soil four weeks before planting. Half of the rows were covered with degradable plastic mulch. There were no differences in yield, plant growth, or mineralized N in the autumn resulting from type of manure used. Use of degradable plastic mulch resulted in 60% higher yield, more runners, healthier plants, and faster N mineralization in the autumn than in plots without mulch.