Black Mulch Treatment Research Articles

Effects of Different Polyethylene Mulch Colors on Greenhouse Cucumber Cultivation

In this study, effects of blue and black polyethylene mulches used together with drip irrigation on yield of Yağmur cucumber cultivar were investigated under greenhouse conditions and mulching treatments were compared with unmulched drip irrigation treatments. Experiments were conducted in a polycarbonate greenhouse in Kayseri province of Turkey in 2019. Throughout the growing season, 655 mm irrigation water was applied in drip+mulch treatments and 776 mm in unmulched drip irrigation treatments. Although 16% less water was applied in drip+mulch treatments, 37% more yield was obtained from drip+blue mulch treatments and 34% more from drip+black mulch treatments. The highest cucumber yields per decare (12296.7 and 11783.6 kg) were respectively obtained from drip+blue mulch and drip+black mulch treatments and the lowest (7771 kg) from unmulched drip irrigation treatments. The highest weed dry biomass (88.42 g m-2) was obtained from unmulched drip irrigation treatments. While the effects of mulching treatments on weed biomass were found to be significant as compared to unmulched treatments, blue and black mulches were not significantly different.

Use of Mulch and Organic Fertilizer on Chrysanthemum

This study aims to determine the growth response and yield of chrysanthemum plants in the application of several types of mulch and organic fertilizer. This research uses the basic design of Randomized Block Design with the factorial pattern with 2 factors and 3 replications. The first factor is mulch treatment consisting of 3 levels ie without mulch, rice husk mulch, and black silver plastic mulch. The second factor is organic fertilizer consists of 3 levels namely petrogenic, cow manure and chicken manure. The research results showed that the highest weight of flower stalk was obtained in silver black mulch treatment, increase of 9.63% when compared with the weight of the lowest flower stalk. The highest economic fresh weight was obtained in mulch treatment, increase of 17.53% when compared with the lowest fresh economic weight on mulch rice husk mulch treatment weighing. The highest weight of the flower stalk was obtained in the treatment of cow manure, increased of 10.14% when compared with the lowest weight of the flower stalk obtained in the treatment of cow manure weighing. The highest economic fresh weight was obtained in the cow manure treatment, which increased by 9.91% when compared with the lowest fresh economic interest weight obtained in the treatment of petrogenic fertilizer weighing.
 
 Keywords: type mulch, petrogenic, manure; flower

Effects of plastic mulch on the radiative and thermal conditions and potato growth under drip irrigation in arid Northwest China

Drip irrigation and plastic-film mulch are useful water-saving tools for potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) production in arid Northwest China. Effects of the radiative and thermal conditions produced by the plastic-film mulch on potato growth can be positive or negative. The objective of this study is to know how radiative and thermal conditions and potato growth are affected by the two most commonly used plastic-film mulches (transparent and black) to efficiently use the positive effects of the plastic-film mulch. Field experiments were conducted at the experimental station located in Wuwei, Gansu Province to explore the effects of transparent mulch (TM), a non-mulched check (NM), and black mulch (BM) on the net radiation (Rn), soil heat flux (G), soil temperature, and potato growth under surface drip irrigation during different plant development stages in 2014 and 2015. Results indicated that the daily integral Rn in the BM treatment was greater than in the TM treatment, while the amplitude of G in the BM treatment was lower than in the TM treatment. The BM treatment had 3.0 and 3.9°C greater maximum mulch surface temperature than the TM treatment and had greater longwave radiation on the canopy emitted from the mulch surface. The differences in Rn, G, and soil temperature among the treatments diminished with plant canopy enlargement. The potato plant height rankings were BM>TM>NM. The BM treatment had 26% higher jumbo plus large tuber yield than the TM treatment in 2014. Compared with the BM treatment, the TM treatment had the similar potato yield but 9% and 8% less evapotranspiration in 2014 and 2015. The results suggested that the black plastic-film mulch was more suitable for large potato tuber production, while the transparent plastic-film mulch was favorable for water-saving.

Effect of Plastic Mulch Type and Insecticide on Incidence of Tomato Spotted Wilt, Plant Growth, and Yield of Tomato

Tomato spotted wilt (TSW) is caused by a Tospovirus [tomato spotted wilt virus (TSVW)] and is vectored by thrips. TSW is a major impediment to tomato production worldwide and has been identified as the most significant limitation in the southeastern United States. The objectives of this study were to quantify the impact of polyethylene mulch type (black, metalized, Heat stripe, and Sonoco printed) and insecticide (alternating applications of spinosad and methamidophos) on midafternoon soil temperature under the mulch, reflected photosynthetic photon flux (PPF), vegetative growth, flower number, incidence of TSW, yield, and fruit quality of ‘FL-47’ tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.). Midafternoon soil temperature during April and May (10-cm depth) averaged 2 to 4 °C higher under black mulch compared with the other mulches. The reflectance of PPF was highest for metalized mulch (up to two-thirds of PPF in full sunlight) followed by Heat stripe, Sonoco printed, and black mulch. In the presence of a full plant canopy, PPF reflectance was greatly reduced. The incidence of TSW [as determined visually and confirmed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)] was very high in 2002 and relatively low in 2003. Stem weight was significantly reduced in the black mulch treatment; however, plant height, leaf weight, or total numbers of flowers were not influenced by mulch type. For both years, the incidence of TSW on black mulch was significantly greater than that of the other mulch treatments for most sampling dates. The application of insecticides reduced percentage TSW on the last two sampling dates in both years. In 2002, but not 2003, yield per hectare was affected by mulch type. In both years, mulch type did not influence yield per plant and percentage marketable fruit, and insecticide applications increased yield per hectare, yield per plant, and percentage marketable fruit.

Combining reflective mulch and host plant resistance for sweetpotato whitefly (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) management in watermelon

A study was conducted to evaluate the use of reflective mulch and host plant resistance for the management of the sweetpotato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), in watermelon [ Citrullus lanatus var. lanatus (Thunberg) Matsum & Nakai]. Whitefly abundance data were collected under both greenhouse (caged and uncaged) and field conditions. Consistently, a reflective mulch (also called silver or metallic) treatment resulted in a lower incidence of adult whiteflies as compared with a standard black mulch treatment. Moreover, two whitefly resistant Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad genotypes, which are wild relatives of cultivated watermelon, reduced whitefly populations as compared with standard watermelon. There was generally no interaction between the mulch and genotype variables. No effect of mulch color was observed on sticky card capture of Delphastus catalinae (Horn), a whitefly predator, or on capture of an Eretmocerus sp. whitefly parasitoid in caged trials, which suggests no adverse effect on these natural enemies when using reflective mulch. Overall whitefly populations were relatively low during four seasons of field trials (2006–2009). Results from this study suggest that a combination of using reflective mulch and host plant resistance can additively suppress whitefly infestations, which have particular importance in the fast-growing organic vegetable production industry.

Reflective Plastic Mulch but not a Resistance-Inducing Treatment Reduced Watermelon Mosaic Virus Incidence and Yield Losses in Squash

Plant viruses, especially those transmitted by aphids in a nonpersistent manner, cause significant yield losses in cucurbit crops. Studies have shown that UV-reflective mulches can reduce insects from entering a crop with coincidental reductions in virus incidence. Treatment of plants with various forms of resistance-inducing agents have also shown promise for their ability to reduce plant virus incidence and associated losses. In this article, we describe a two-trial study that evaluated the integration of UV-reflective plastic mulch and a commercially available resistance-inducing treatment, BioYield™, to reduce the incidence and disease-related yield losses in summer squash [Cucurbita pepo var. melopepo (L.) Alef.] caused by the aphid-borne plant virus, Watermelon mosaic virus (WMV). In the spring trial, there was significantly reduced WMV incidence and whole treatment average enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) values among squash plants grown on silver-on-black (UV-reflective) mulch compared with plants grown on nonreflective black mulch. Significantly greater squash fruit yields were obtained for plants grown on the silver-on-black mulch relative to the black mulch treatment. In the fall trial, highly UV-reflective silver mulch was used in addition to silver-on-black and black mulches. WMV incidence and whole treatment average ELISA values were significantly lower for squash plants in the silver mulch treatment compared with silver-on-black and black mulch treatments. The silver-on-black treatment resulted in lower WMV incidence and whole treatment average ELISA values compared with the black mulch treatment. Squash plant yields were significantly greater for plants in the silver-on-black mulch treatment than for those in the silver or black mulch treatments. Treatment of squash plants with BioYield™ did not reduce virus incidence, or whole treatment average ELISA values, nor did it result in higher squash fruit yields compared with the nontreated control in spring or fall trials.

Patch expansion of purple nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus) and yellow nutsedge (Cyperus esculentus) with and without polyethylene mulch

Purple and yellow nutsedge are the most troublesome weeds of vegetable crops in the southeast United States. Elimination of methyl bromide use will require alternative management programs to suppress nutsedge growth and interference in vegetables. Polyethylene mulch is an effective barrier for most weeds; however, nutsedges can proliferate in beds covered with polyethylene mulch. The influence of polyethylene mulch on shoot production and lateral expansion patterns of single tubers of purple nutsedge and yellow nutsedge over time was evaluated in field studies. Purple nutsedge patch size was similar in the black mulch treatment and nonmulched control after 8 and 16 wk after planting (WAP). By the end of the growing season, purple nutsedge patch size in the black mulch treatment was nearly twice that in the nonmulched control. At 32 WAP, there were 1,550 shoots in the 16.1 m2 patch in the black mulch treatment and 790 shoots in the 8.1 m2 patch in the nonmulched control. In contrast, yellow nutsedge growth was suppressed in the black mulch treatment, relative to the nonmulched control. Compared with the black mulch treatment at 16 and 24 WAP, the nonmulched control produced nearly three times as many yellow nutsedge shoots (140 shoots at 16 WAP and 210 shoots at 24 WAP) and patches that were twice the size (0.10 m2 at 16 WAP and 0.18 m2 at 24 WAP). These data indicate that there are significant differences in the growth habits of the two nutsedges species in mulched vegetable systems. The differences in response to black mulch will likely lead to purple nutsedge becoming a greater problem, relative to yellow nutsedge, in vegetable systems. The rapid expansion of a single purple nutsedge shoot to form a patch that is 22.1 m2 and containing 3,440 shoots at 60 WAP illustrates the importance of managing this species.

Integrated management tactics for Frankliniella thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) in field-grown pepper.

In a 2-yr study, the impacts of different plastic soil mulches, insecticides, and predator releases on Frankliniella thrips and their natural enemies were investigated in field-grown peppers. Ultraviolet light (UV)-reflective mulch significantly reduced early season abundance of adult thrips compared with standard black plastic mulch. This difference diminished as the growing seasons progressed. Late season abundance of thrips larvae was higher in UV reflective mulch compared with black mulch plots. The abundance of the predator Orius insidiosus (Say) was significantly lower in UV-reflective mulch compared with black mulch treatments. Infection of plants with tomato spotted wilt virus, a pathogen vectored by Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande), was <6%. In the year with the higher disease incidence (2000), UV-reflective mulch plots had significantly less disease (1.9%) compared with black mulch plots (4.4%). Yield was significantly higher in UV-reflective mulch (24,529 kg/ha) compared with black mulch (15,315 kg/ha) during this year. Effects of insecticides varied with species of thrips. Spinosad reduced abundance of F. occidentalis, but not Frankliniella tritici. In contrast, esfenvalerate and acephate reduced numbers of F. tritici and Frankliniella bispinosa, but resulted in higher populations of F. occidentalis. Spinosad was the least disruptive insecticide to populations of O. insidiosus. Releases of O. insidiosus and Geocoris punctipes (Say) reduced populations of thrips immediately after releases; naturally occurring predators probably provided late season control of thrips. Our results suggest that UV-reflective mulch, combined with early season applications of spinosad, can effectively reduce abundance of thrips in field-grown pepper.

Influence of Various Polyethylene Mulch Colors on Growth and Development of `Vates' Collards

The effect of various mulch colors (black, yellow, red, blue, white, and aluminum) on growth and development of `Vates' collards was evaluated in Fall 1996 at the E.V. Smith Research Center in Shorter, Ala. Black polyethylene mulch was installed onto raised, fumigated beds, then sprayed with a 1: 2 (v/v) mixture of exterior oil-based enamel paint to paint thinner with one of the five mulch colors listed. Five-week-old plants were transplanted into beds. Beginning two weeks after transplanting and continuing every other week thereafter, heads were harvested to determine head fresh weight and dry weight. Hourly soil temperatures at 10 cm soil depth were recorded and growing degree days (GDDs) with a base temperature of 4.4 °C were calculated. At two weeks after transplanting, average head fresh and dry weight were highest for the aluminum-colored treatment with head fresh (24.7 and 12.3 g, respectively) and dry weights (2.7 and 1.3 g, respectively) twice that of the yellow treatment (P ≤ 0.05). By four weeks after transplanting and up through the final harvest, marketable yield and average head fresh weights did not differ among the treatments (17,900 kg/ha, 1.4 kg per head, respectively). The red and black mulch treatments accumulated more GDDs than the other treatments, but total marketable yields did not differ among any treatments.

Influence of Nitrogen Fertilization and Plastic Mulches on Insect Populations and Disease Incidence on Bell Peppers (Capsicum annuum)

Production of red bell peppers (Capsicum annuum L. cv. King Arthur) is relatively new to Quebec, and management techniques need to be further developed in terms of insect and disease control as well as fertigation techniques. The purpose of the experiment was to compare the fertigation of peppers using either the conventional method (weekly fertigation) or fertigation based on the readings of the SPAD 502 chlorophyll meter. The experiment compared the effects of these fertigation treatments, with respect to insects and diseases, on either a silver or black mulch. The study done in 1995, demonstrated that using the chlorophyll meter saved 28 kg N/ha compared to the weekly fertigated plants. However, this decrease did not affect the population of insects or the disease incidence on the plants. The main differences occurred between the black and silver mulch treatments for aphid populations. Plants on silver mulch had significantly lower numbers of aphids than the other treatments. Plants on black mulch also had low aphid population compared to plants grown on bare soil. The relationship between silver mulch and viruses or tarnished plant bug were not as apparent. However, the viral infections and tarnished plant bug populations on the plants tended to be lower than those on most of the black mulch treatments. Sunscald was not influenced by mulch or fertigation treatments. This may be partly attributed to the amount of leaf area. The number of fruit invaded by European corn borer was too low to draw any conclusions. Blossom end rot, sclerotinia, and bacterial spot were not present in the field in the 1995 season. The results from the 1996 season should further elucidate these results.

THE EFFECT OF YEAR, PLANTING DATE, MULCHES AND TUNNELS ON THE PRODUCTIVITY OF FIELD CUCUMBERS IN SOUTHERN QUEBEC

In 1986 and 1987, five mulch/tunnel treatments (bare soil (BS), black mulch (BM), transparent mulch (TM), black mulch/perforated transparent tunnel (BMT), and transparent mulch/perforated transparent tunnel (TMT)) were factorially combined with three planting dates representing very early (10 May), early (21 May) and normal (3 June) dates for Southern Québec. Following a late frost after the first two planting dates of 1986, all treatment combinations resulted in significant improvements in survival rates over BS plants. Only the TMT treatment proved justifiable for the earliest planting date across both years, though there were no significant differences between TMT and BMT treatments under milder growing conditions. Tunnel treatments proved superior to their mulch-only counterparts for earlier plantings and/or the cooler season (1986). TM resulted in superior yields over BM for all planting dates in 1986, and for no planting dates in the warmer season. TM generally resulted in yields superior to that of BS. BM treatments rarely improved early yields over BS, though total yields were improved in 1986.Key words: Cucumber, planting date, mulch, tunnels

Muskmelon Production under Mulch and Trickle Irrigation in the Jordan Valley

Abstract The effects of different plastic mulching using drip irrigation on yields, soil temperature, crop water requirements, and root density and distribution were determined for muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.) at the Jordan Valley Research Station, Jordan. There were no significant differences among transparent, black, and nonmulched treatments with respect to irrigation amounts, soil moisture depletion, total water supplied, deep percolation losses, and vapotranspiration. Root weights, density, and distribution, horizontally and vertically, were not significantly different among treatments. Transparent mulch treatment yields averaged 14.2 t·ha-1 and were significantly lower (5% level) than average yields (28.7 t·ha-1) of the black mulch treatments. Nonmulched treatment yields averaged 6.0 t·ha-1 and were significantly different from the average transparent mulch (5% level) and from black mulch (1% level). This difference in yield may be attributed to the fact that black mulch treatments received more irrigations than transparent mulch and bare ones. Calculations of expected potential evapotranspiration for muskmelon during the season showed that the plants did not receive their water requirements.