INFLUENCE OF SOIL MULCHING ON YIELD AND DYNAMICS OF ZUCCHINI FRUIT FORMATION IN THE CONDITIONS OF THE RIGHT-RIVER FOREST STEPPE

Abstract

The results of researches on studying of influence of mulching of soil on formation of a crop of plants of a zucchini in the conditions of the Right - bank Forest - steppe are resulted. The dependence of the phases of growth and development of zucchini plants, the dynamics of fruiting and yield in general on the type of mulching material was revealed. The use of synthetic mulching materials helped to reduce the interphase periods, increase yields and the percentage of early and late harvest. Mulching materials of organic origin extended the interphase periods. Thus, the shorter germination period - the beginning of fruit formation was by mulching the soil with perforated black polyethylene film and black agrofiber, which is 5-8 days shorter than the control, respectively. The longest harvest of zucchini was carried out on options for mulching the soil with black agrofiber and perforated black polyethylene film, depending on the variety, the duration of fruiting ranged from 67-85 days with the value of this indicator in the control 72-77 days. The highest yield was obtained by mulching the soil with perforated black polyethylene film, where the increase relative to the control was 10.9 - 28.0 t / ha, respectively. The highest percentage of harvested early products was provided by options for mulching the soil with black agrofiber and perforated black polyethylene film at the level of 6.6-8.3% in 2016 (control - 0.8-4.1%) and 3.2-5, 0% in 2018, while in the control versions the collection started a decade later. The most intensive fruiting of zucchini was observed from the first decade of July to the first decade of August for all years of research.