Root zone temperature, plant growth and yield of broccoli [ Brassica oleracea (Plenck) var. italica] as affected by plastic film mulches

Abstract

Plastic film mulches are often associated with increases in plant growth and yield of vegetable crops. Few studies, however, report on the effect of plastic film mulches on root zone temperature on broccoli. The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of colored plastic mulches on root zone temperature and broccoli plant growth and yield Broccoli (‘Packman’) plants were grown using plastic film mulch and drip irrigation. The treatments consisted of plastic film mulch (black, blue, gray on black, red, silver on black, and white on black mulches) and bare soil. Colored plastic film mulches affected root zone temperature and the accumulation of soil degree-days. Mean daily RZT, maximal daily RZT and degree day accumulation in the soil were highest in dark-colored mulches (blue, black, red, and gray) and lowest in light-colored mulches (silver and white), while minimal daily RZT was highest in silver mulch and lowest in white mulch. Silver mulch showed the smallest diurnal fluctuations in RZT among plastic mulches, with the highest RZT during the night and among the lowest in the afternoon. Colored plastic mulches also affected broccoli plant growth and yield, although the effect of mulches was more dramatic in the spring than in the fall seasons. Broccoli yield was linearly related to both the vegetative top dry weight and root dry weight of mature plants. Broccoli yield was little affected at mean RZT of <21 °C but increased with increasing mean RZTs above 21 °C up to 25 °C. Thus, broccoli plant growth and yield responded more favorably to dark-colored mulches than to light-colored mulches, suggesting that broccoli benefited from increased soil warming. No high RZT stress effects on broccoli plant growth or yield were observed in this study. Thus, this study suggests that plastic film mulches, particularly the dark-colored mulches, may be an option for spring broccoli production in areas with cool conditions early in the spring.