Black Plastic Research Articles

Evaluation of Different Weed Management Practices on the Yield of Spring Maize in Gauradaha, Jhapa

Maize is more likely to have weed infestations due to its steady early growth rate and extensive row spacing, which favor weed development even before crop emergence. As a result, there prevails strong correlation between weed density and maize yield. An experiment was conducted at the Gauradaha Agriculture Campus, Jhapa, in the spring of 2022 to assess the effect of various weed control methods on maize yield. The experiment had three replications and eight treatments (control, cover crops, hand weeding at intervals of 15 days, botanical weedicides, inorganic weedicides, black plastic mulch, straw mulch, and small inter-row spacing). The number of cobs per hectare, sterility%, and shelling% were not significantly affected by various treatments. The use of black plastic mulching for weed management achieved significantly higher numbers of grain/cob (427.83), row/cob (13.40), weight of grain/cob (153.33gm), test weight, and yield (8.46t/ha). Similarly, the lowest test weight was recorded in T8 (111), i.e., the small inter-row spacing plot. While the lowest yield was observed in T4, i.e., botanical weedicides (3.20). This study found that plastic mulching had a positive impact on the majority of yield and yield-attributing indicators in spring maize, which could be helpful in weed-control strategies.

Response of Broccoli to Mulching and Foliar Application of Licorice Root Extract and their Effects on Yield and Macronutrient Contents

The research was done in the vegetables research farm at the College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences at University of Dohuk, Kurdistan region of Iraq, during the growing season in (2021-2022). The reason behind the study was to investigate the response of two cultivars of Broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica.) Ajjasi and Wisdom cv. to different types of mulching (without, black plastic and straw) and also the different concentrations levels of licorice root extract (0, 6, 12 and18g.L-1) on productivity and some nutrients content of Broccoli curd. The results showed that Wisdom cultivar performed better than Ajjassi in terms of early yield and nutrients content. Throughout the research season, both cultivars were considerably improved in all examined attributes. Additionally, it was shown that all features in both cultivars were noticeably enhanced in plastic mulch. There was an observed increase in the majority of features of the interactions between licorice root extract and straw. Early yield in Wisdom cultivar was meaningfully different from Ajjasi (27.814 and 24.138) ton. ha-1 respectively. Most of the measurements were greatly influenced by black plastic mulch, while the best overall outcome was achieved in black plastic mulch and 18g.L-1 concentration of licorice root extract in Ajjassi cultivar. In both cultivars, there were noticeable changes in the nutrient’s contents of (Nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium %). In general, the combination among treatments was significantly enhanced in the all studied traits.

Effects of Inner-Row Ground Management on the Volatomics of 'Cabernet Sauvignon' Grapes and Wines in the Region of the Eastern Foothills of the Ningxia Helan Mountains in Northwest China.

This two-consecutive-year study aimed to evaluate the effects of ground management methods on the volatomics of 'Cabernet Sauvignon' grapes and wines in Northwest China, in which inner-row crop covering with purslane (GRASS) and mulching with black plastic film (FILM) treatments were carried out, respectively. Compared with clean tillage (CK), the GRASS and FILM treatments changed the microclimates of grapevine fruit zones and rhizospheres, which delayed the ripening of grape berries and affected the accumulation of aroma substances in the mature grapes effectively. GRASS increased the concentration of terpenes and C13-norisoprenoids in berries and gave more floral, fruity, and caramel fragrances to wines, while FILM had the opposite effect of significantly increasing the synthesis of C6/C9 compounds and brought more green leaf flavors, showing that inner-row purslane covering is a potential and stable viticultural practice to improve the wine quality in this booming wine region.

Can Drip Irrigation without Film Mulching Be Favorable for Potato Growth in Eastern China?

The main measures to improve potato cultivation in eastern China are film mulching and drip irrigation. However, the film can cause soil pollution and inhibit plant growth because of non-degradable polyethylene, which is the main component of the film. Whether drip irrigation without mulching can improve potato yield needs to be fully explored. Field experiments were conducted at the Special Potato Experimental Station, China Agricultural University, Rizhao City, Shandong Province, China, in 2019 and 2020 to investigate the effects of mulching and soil wetted percentage on soil water and temperature distribution, as well as potato growth. In 2019, three treatments with soil wetted percentage of 50% were set up: black plastic film mulching (BMP2), transparent plastic film mulching (TMP2), and no mulching (NMP2). In 2020, soil wetted percentage treatments were added to the existing mulching treatments: no mulching without irrigation (NMP0) and no mulching with soil wetted percentage of 25% (NMP1), 50% (NMP2), and 75% (NMP3); black plastic film mulching without irrigation (BMP0) and black plastic mulching with 50% soil wetted percentage (BMP2); and transparent plastic film mulching with no irrigation (TMP0) and transparent plastic film mulching with 50% soil wetted percentage (TMP2). The results indicated that mulching did not have a significant effect (p < 0.05) on soil temperature, potato growth, and yield. Irrigation reduced soil temperature by a range of 0.4 to 3.0 °C during the high air temperature season. Irrigation significantly increased potato plant height, stem thickness, and yield. The potato yield under the irrigation treatment could be 16.0–24.9% greater than that under the non-irrigation treatment. The highest irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE) was achieved at soil wetted percentage P1 and P2, which were beneficial for water saving. The NMP1 and NMP2 treatments had 83.4% and 81.0% significantly higher IWUE than NMP3 treatment. Considering environmental protection, resource conservation, and economic efficiency, drip irrigation without mulching under soil wetted percentage P2 was suitable for potato cultivation in eastern China.

Effects of Different Types of Plastic Film Mulching on Soil Quality, Root Growth, and Yield

Aiming to address the problem of soil environmental pollution caused by the large-scale use of plastic film in agricultural production in China, field experiments were carried out by applying degradable plastic film. Pumpkin was used as the research material to explore the effects of black common plastic film (CK), white degradation plastic film (WDF), black degradation plastic film (BDF), and black CO2-based degradable plastic film (C-DF) on soil physicochemical properties, root growth and yield, and soil quality. The results showed that the soil water content and temperature of the three degradable plastic films were lower than those of ordinary plastic films to different degrees; there was no significant difference in soil organic matter content among the treatments. The soil available potassium content of the C-DF treatment was lower than that of CK, and WDF and BDF had no significant effect. Compared with those in CK and WDF, soil total nitrogen and available nitrogen contents in the BDF and C-DF treatments were lower, and the difference between treatments reached a significant level. Compared with that of CK, the catalase activities of the three types of degradation membranes were significantly increased by 2.9%-6.8%, and the sucrase was significantly decreased by 33.3%-38.4%. Compared with that in CK, the soil cellulase activity in the BDF treatment was significantly increased by 63.8%, whereas WDF and C-DF had no significant effects. The three types of degradable film treatments could promote the growth of underground roots, and the growth vigor was obviously enhanced. The yield of pumpkin treated with BDF and C-DF was close to that of CK, and the yield of pumpkin treated with BDF was significantly lower than that of CK by 11.4%. The experimental results showed that the effects of the BDF and C-DF treatments on soil quality and yield were comparable to those of CK. According to the results, two types of black degradable plastic film can effectively replace ordinary plastic film in the high-temperature production season.

Plastic mulches improve yield and reduce spotted-wing drosophila in primocane raspberry

Plastic mulches are increasingly used by growers producing perennial fruit crops to improve vegetative and fruit biomass, promote earlier yield, increase fruit quality, and enhance weed suppression. In this two-year study, we evaluated how black, white, and metallic plastic mulches impact primocane raspberry vegetative biomass, fruit yield and quality, and spotted-wing drosophila (Drosophila suzukii; SWD) infestation in a humid continental climate. All three plastic mulches increased vegetative biomass compared to the control with grass within the row. Marketable fruit yield was increased by 68-139%, 44-76%, and 33-110% in the black, white, and metallic plastic mulch plots, respectively, compared to the control. The black mulch extended fruit production by two weeks compared to the other treatments. Increases in vegetative and fruit biomass may be attributable to increased soil temperature under the black plastic mulch and increased reflection of photosynthetic active radiation (PAR) in the white and metallic mulches. None of the plastic mulches impacted the fruit quality parameters assessed, including soluble solids content, pH, titratable acidity, anthocyanin concentration, and total phenolics, compared to the control. All three plastic mulches reduced the proportion of unmarketable fruit, likely due to their 40-71% reduction in SWD larval infestation of fruit compared to the control. Overall, black, white, and metallic plastic mulches are an effective cultural practice for managing SWD while simultaneously increasing fruit and vegetative biomass.

Pengaruh Metode Pemupukan dan Berbagai Jenis Mulsa Terhadap Pertumbuhan dan Hasil Tanaman Stevia (Stevia Rebaudiana Bertoni) dengan Irigasi Tetes

This study wants to find the best fertilizing method and kind of mulch for better growth and yield of stevia. The research was conducted at October-February in PT. Daya Santosa Rekayasa, Karangploso, Malang at an altitude ±750 MAMSL. The research uses Split Plot Design using RBSL model with two factors and four replications. The first factor which is also used for the main plot is fertilizing method using fertigation (A1) and conventional method (A2). Second factor also uses as the subplot are black white plastic mulch (U1), rice straw mulch (U2), and without mulch (U3). Nondestructive variable was height of the plant and number of leaves. Destructive variable was observed in harvest time such as fresh weight of plant, fresh weight of yield, dry yield, root length, chlorophyll amount, and sucrose rate. The data will be tested using ANOVA and T-Test, if there is a significant difference, then will be processed again using Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT). The result showed that there is no significant interaction between the fertilizing methods and types of mulches in stevia. Fertigation and conventional method give no significant difference in growth or yield stevia but fertigation gives better result in every variable. Types of mulches show that black white plastic mulches give the best impact to height of the plant, number of leaves, fresh weight of plant, fresh weight of yield, dry yield, root length, and chlorophyll amount with fresh yield 11,4 gr each plant and also dry yield 2,27 gr.

Plastic monsters: Abjection, worms, the Cthulhic, and the black single-use plastic bag

The single-use plastic bag is the most legislated item of plastic in the world, banned in over 92 countries. The bans are largely concentrated in Africa and the Caribbean, where the plastic bags are often black and the plastic footprints small. The bans have destabilised essential economic, social, and technical arrangements of marginalised communities reliant on plastic engagements and adaptations to improvise against multiple, overlapping, incursive forms of violence. This article seeks to understand the spatial and material nature of these legislative actions and the particular item of single-use plastic they target. Acknowledging the (spatialised) material realities of the single-use plastic bag, this article argues that these bans are a legislative response to the black plastic bag as spatialised, racialised, sexualised, abject Other. Drawing from monster theory, the article reflects on the trans-corporeal body burdening of black plastic bags and the black hands, black bodies, black markets, and black, corrupt, illicit actions with whom and which they are associated. Reconceptualising the (black) single-use plastic bag as an agape, plastic monster that defines, patrols, and transgresses cultural/economic boundaries, this article calls for making explicit the vermicular activities within economic marginalisation and distinguishing them from the discursively constructed amorphous, tentacled mass.

Consequences of Mulch Practice on Growth, Flowering and Yield of Different Varieties of China Aster (Callistephus chinensis)

The investigation entitled with ‘Consequences of mulch practice on growth, flowering and yield of different varieties of China aster (Callistephus chinensis)’ were carried out at floriculture unit, Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, Dharwad, Karnataka during the year 2019-20. The experiment was laid out in Factorial Randomized Block Design consisting of 20 treatment combinations. Ten china aster varieties, Namdhari Pink (V1), Namdhari White (V2), Arka Kamini (V3), Arka Poornima (V4), Arka Shashank (V5), Phule Ganesh pink (V6), Phule Ganesh Puple (V7), AAC-1(V8), Miraj Local (V9) and Pink Cushion (V10) were planted under black plastic mulch (M2) and without mulch condition (M1). The variety Phule Ganseh Purple under mulched condition (V6M2) registered maximum plant height of 54.03 cm, plant spread of 38.53 cm and number of primary braches 25.46. However, minimum number of days 34.58 and 48.63 days, were recorded in treatment V5M2 (Arka Shashank under mulched condition) for days taken for flower bud initiation, 50 per cent flowering respectively, compared to other treatment combinations. The treatment V8M2 (AAC-1 under mulched condition) was observed with maximum flowering duration (34.26 days). Phule Ganseh Purple under mulch condition (V7M2) and Phule Ganseh Pink under mulch condition (V7M2) recorded maximum flower diameter of 7.47 cm and flower stalk length of 42.77 cm respectively. V7M2 treatment combination recorded highest flower yield (158.76 g) as compared to remaining treatment combinations. The overall experiment resulted that Phule Ganseh Series under black plastic mulch found superior under northern transitional zone of Karnataka.

Black Plastic Waste Classification by Laser-Induced Fluorescence Technique Combined with Machine Learning Approaches

Sensor-based sorting devices commonly used in plastic recycling plants, mainly working in the near infrared range (NIR), are unable to identify black plastics, due to their low spectral reflectance. The aim of this work was to investigate the potentialities offered by laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) technique (spectral range 270–750 nm) for the identification of black polymers inside a plastic waste stream, thus allowing the possibility to build efficient sorting strategies to be applied in recycling plants. Representative samples of black plastics collected among the most utilized in household packaging were selected, constituted by four different types of polymers, i.e., expanded polystyrene (EPS), polystyrene (PS), polypropylene (PP) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE). The acquired LIF spectra were processed using multivariate approaches in order to optimize polymer classification. The developed hierarchical—partial least square-discriminant analysis (Hi-PLS-DA) classification model, showed excellent performances, confirmed by the values of sensitivity and specificity values in prediction, being equal to 1. The correctness of classification obtained by LIF was confirmed by the application of Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) on the same samples. The achieved results demonstrated the potential of LIF technique combined with a machine learning approach as sorting/quality control tool of black polymers in recycling plants.Graphical

Differing short-term impacts of agricultural tarping on soil-dwelling and surface-active arthropods

Agricultural tarping, the practice of placing impermeable plastic tarps over crop beds before planting to suppress weeds, is rising in popularity. However, the use of tarps has uncertain effects on soil arthropod communities. We studied the impact of silage (black plastic) tarps and clear plastic tarps on surface-active and soil-dwelling arthropods by tracking immediate impacts and arthropod recovery for 5 weeks after tarps were removed. We also assessed how well environmental and experimental variables explained arthropod diversity and composition. During tarp application, we found that both silage and clear plastic tarps had significant negative impacts on surface-active arthropod diversity, while only clear plastic tarps impacted soil-dwelling arthropods. Surface-active arthropod diversity recovered by 1–3 weeks after tarping, but at 5 weeks after tarping soil-dwelling arthropod diversity was significantly lower in silage tarp and clear plastic plots than control plots. Tarps also led to compositional changes in the arthropod communities, though these changes were only significant during tarp cover. The variables that best explained arthropod diversity and community composition were treatment (i.e., silage tarp, clear plastic tarp, or control) and farm site. Other variables, such as soil moisture and weed coverage, were not consistently strong model predictors. These results imply that tarps may have temporary impacts on surface-active arthropods but potentially longer-lasting impacts on soil-dwelling arthropods. Continuing to monitor impacts of tarps on soil arthropods will better inform the sustainability of this practice.

The effect of fruit position and bagging treatment on Gamboge disorder in mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana L.)

Gamboge disorder has a detrimental effect on mangosteen. The leakage of the gamboge may result from water availability. Thus, modifying the transpiration of the fruit by bagging might minimize the inappropriate leak of the gamboge produced by the fruit. The study’s objective was to understand the relationship between different fruit positions and bagging treatment on the gamboge disorder in mangosteen. The experiment was conducted on 10-years old trees by tagging young fruits, five replicates with two fruit positions (inside and outside), and bagging treatment (no bagging, transparent and black plastic bagging). The result showed that bagging the fruits inside the canopy does not affect fruit mass. However, bagging with transparent and black plastic of the fruits inside the canopy decreases fruit size. The fruit quality improves by black bagging on the inside canopy fruits. These findings demonstrate that bagging fruits outside the canopy lowers their quality. Black bags used to package fruits inside the canopy improve fruit quality. However, the treatment also causes more fruit to fall from the tree and decreases the nutrient content.

DIFFERENCES IN THE TYPES OF MULCH AND VARIETIES ON THE GROWTH AND RESULTS OF SWEET CORN (Zea mays saccharata Sturt.)

Production of sweet corn in Indonesia has decreased accompanied by increased consumer demand, the reason being the lack of availability of superior seeds and weed disturbances. The use of mulch and varieties can increase crop production. This study aims to determine the growth and yield of sweet corn with different types of mulch and varieties. This study used a randomized block design with two factors, the first factor was the type of mulch (M) and the second factor was the variety (V). M0 : without mulch, M1 : rice straw mulch, M2 : silver black plastic mulch, V1 : Master Sweet, V2 : Bonanza, M3 : Sweet Boy. These factors were combined into 9 treatments and repeated 3 times resulting in 27 experimental units. Data analysis used a 5% significant level of variance and then tested further with Duncan's Multiple Range Test at a 5% significant level and correlation test. The results showed that there were significant differences in the interaction between mulch types and varieties on stem diameter at 4, 6, and 8 weeks after planting. Fresh weight of cobs without corn kernels per plant, estimated per plot and per hectare. Meanwhile, the variables of plant height, number of leaves, cob length, cob diameter, number of seed rows, and brix showed no significant interaction.
 
 

Performance of Potato Variety Rolpa Local (Solanum tuberosum L.) under Different Mulching Conditions and Zinc Levels at Rolpa, Nepal

Use of the right mulching techniques is a crucial first step in replacing the issues with irrigation and weed infestation in potato production. To assess the performance of potatoes at two doses of zinc under different mulching conditions, a field experiment was laid out in a two-factorial, randomized complete block design (RCBD) comprising eight treatments with three replications each. The variety used was Rolpa local. The first factor consisted of three mulching materials: plant residue (M1), black plastic (M2), silver on black plastic (M3), and a control plot (M0), whereas the second factor compromised two levels of zinc (0 kg/ha and 4 kg/ha). Both plastic mulches were found to have a significant influence on germination rate during the field research; however, all other observations for growth and yield parameters, such as plant height, tuber number, tuber weight, and yield per plant, were significantly superior in the silver on black plastic. The highest germination percentage was observed in black plastic mulch (94.67 %). However, all other observations for growth and yield parameters were found to be significantly superior in the silver on black plastic mulch condition, with plant height (87.28 cm), leaf count (145.70), number of tubers per plant (22.16), and a total yield of 21.83 t/ha. Similarly, all the yield-attributing characters were found to be significantly different among zinc levels, with the highest total yield of 17.70 t/ha at 4 kg/ha of zinc. Silver on black plastic mulch and 4 kg/ha of zinc level resulted in the highest benefit-cost (B:C) ratios of 3.18 and 2.23, respectively. The results showed that using silver on black plastic mulch with a zinc level of 4 kg/ha improved both vegetative growth and potato yield, with favorable B:C ratios resulting in higher profitability. Thus, to maximize profit, it would be advantageous to utilize silver on black plastic mulch with 4 kg/ha of zinc.

Effect of Soil Mulching and Spraying with Amino Acids on some Vegetative Growth Characteristics of Cauliflower

The experiment was conducted in one of the agricultural fields in the Diyala governorate to examine the impact of amino acid spraying at two concentrations (0,1 and 2 m L-1) on plant development and leaf N, P, K content. Soil was mulched with colorless and black plastic, and no mulching was used. White Snow F1 variety was used. SAS was used to run a statistical analysis, and a 0.05 significance level Duncan’s polynomial test was used to compare the means. Black mulching was found to be superior to other types of mulch in terms of the percentages of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium found in the leaves, as well as plant height, total leaves, leaf area, and relative chlorophyll content. Also the results showed a significant superiority of spraying with amino acids at a concentration of 2 m L-1 four sprays of plant height, number of leaves, leaf area, plant dry weight, relative chlorophyll content, as it gave. Interactions between the study’s two components also varied, as evidenced by the findings. The highest values for N, P, and K content in the leaves, plant height, number of leaves, leaf area, dry weight, and relative chlorophyll content were all obtained when black mulching was combined with spraying with amino acids at a concentration of 2 m L-1 four times. This resulted in values of 73.00 cm, 24.00 leaf-1, 271.94 cm2 plant-1, 3.33 cm, and 69.00 SPAD.

1.3: The Technology and Development of Laser Display Optical Screens

Laser display has the advantages of high brightness, wide color gamut, long lifetime, low power consumption, and better eye protection, and will become the mainstream of the next generation of high‐end display; This paper mainly expounds the structure and principle of Fresnel optical screen, black grid optical screen and white plastic frame screen electric pull screen for laser display.Besides, The three kinds of optical screens are also compared in structure, material, performance and applications . Finally, the development trend of mainstream anti‐light screens is prospected.

Neuronal responses of melanin-concentrating hormone and corticotropin-releasing hormone to background color in the self-fertilizing fish, Kryptolebias marmoratus.

We examined neuronal responses of hypothalamic melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) and corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) to background color in the self-fertilizing fish, Kryptolebias marmoratus. Fish were individually reared in lidless white or black cylindrical plastic containers for 15days. The number of MCH-immunoreactive (ir) cell bodies in the nucleus lateralis tuberis (NLT) of the hypothalamus was significantly greater in the white-acclimated fish, while no significant differences were observed in the nucleus anterior tuberis (NAT) of the hypothalamus. Significant differences were not seen in the number of CRH-ir cell bodies in the NLT between the groups. The body of the white- and black-acclimated fish appeared lighter and darker, respectively, compared with the baseline color. In the black-acclimated fish, feeding activity was significantly greater with a tendency toward higher specific growth rate compared with the observations in white-acclimated fish. No significant inter-group cortisol level differences were observed. These results indicate that background color affects MCH neuronal activity in the NLT as well as body color adaptation but does not affect CRH neuronal activity in K. marmoratus.

Effect of Different Mulching Materials on Leaf Spot Disease of Groundnut

A study was conducted in summer season of 2020 and 2021 to evaluate the effect of different mulching materials on late leaf spot disease of groundnut caused by Phaeoisariopsis personata (Berk. & Curt.) v. Arx at Oilseed Research Program, Sarlahi, Nepal. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with 7 treatments viz. rice husk, rice straw, black polythene sheet, Lantana camara, living mulch, sawdust and control in three replications with fertilizer dose 20:40:20 NPK kg per hectare. The disease was scored in 1-9 scale and severity and AUDPC was calculated. In 2020, Lantana camara mulched plot showed significantly the lowest disease severity and the lowest AUDPC value (66.67% and 1556) followed by rice husk (70.37% and 1556) and black plastic (70.37% and 1611) mulched plot. Similarly in 2021, Lantana camara mulched plot showed significantly lowest disease severity and the lowest AUDPC value (62.96% and 1500) followed by rice husk (66.67% and 1574) and black plastic (66.67% and 1574) mulched plot. Significantly the highest pod yield was obtained in rice husk mulched plot (2.35 t/ha in 2020 and 2.07 t/ha in 2021) followed by living mulch treated plot (2.13 t/ha in 2020 and 1.84 t/ha in 2021). The highest disease severity (81.4% same as rice straw and saw dust mulched plot) with highest AUDPC value (1981) was observed in plot with no mulch during 2020 where as in 2021, the highest disease severity (77.78 same as plot with no mulch) with highest AUDPC value (1889) was observed in rice straw mulched plot. This study shows that organic mulches like rice husk could be better option for reducing disease severity with better yield in groundnut.
 Int. J. Appl. Sci. Biotechnol. Vol 11(1): 37-41.

THE EFFECT OF PLASTIC COVERS WITH DIFFERENT COLOR ON THE TYPE AND ABUNDANCE OF EPIPELIC DIATOMS IN THE NATURAL LOVERS INTERIDAL AREA (PAB) CITY OF DUMAI

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of the plastic cover with different colors on the type and abundance of epipelic diatoms. This research was conducted in March 2022 which is located in the Pecinta Alam Bahari (PAB) area of ​​Dumai City. The method used is an experimental method with plastic cover treatment with different colors. This experiment has one factor, namely plastic color, with four levels of treatment, namely no plastic (control), clear, red, and black colors. The type of plastic used is the same type of plastic. The experimental units are made of iron which is assembled with a size of 1x1m and 12 subunits are measuring 10x10 cm. Observations were made every day for three consecutive days. The results showed that there were 15 species of epipelic diatoms, where the species that were often found every day were Cosdisnodiscus sp., Gyrosigma sp., Navicula sp., and Pleurosigma sp., Skeletonema sp, Striatella sp, Synedra sp. The abundance of diatoms in the treatment without plastic ranged from 38993.8 - 68239.2 ind/cm2, the clear plastic cover ranged from 39880.04 to 67353.0 ind/cm2, the red plastic cover ranged from 31904.0 to 69125.4 ind/cm2, and the black plastic cover ranged from 28359.14 – 54945.83 ind/cm2. The results of the One Way Anova test between treatments showed a significant difference every day, except on day 0 which was not significantly different

The Effect of Irrigation and Humic Acid on the Plant Yield and Quality of Sweet Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) with Mulching Application under Semi-Arid Ecological Conditions.

The adoption of suitable irrigation levels (IRL), humic acid doses (HAD) and soil mulching (SM) are important tools for improving the morpho-physiological and biochemical traits of medicinal and aromatic plants. Ocimum basilicum L. cultivated under four IRL: IRL 100 = 100% FC-IRL 75 = 75% FC-IRL 50 = 50% FC-IRL 25 = 25% FC and four HAD: HA 0 = 0.0 Lha-1-HA 10 = 10.0 Lha-1-HA 20 = 20.0 L ha-1-HA 40 = 40.0 L ha-1 were applied in order to evaluate morpho-physiological and biochemical traits under the ecological conditions of Eskişehir in 2016 and 2017. A second trial was conducted with black plastic soil mulch (SM) and compared with the control plots (CP) in 2016. The experiment was arranged in a randomized complete block design with split plots and three replications. The plant height (PH), fresh herb yield (FHY), dry herb yield (DHY), dry leaf yield (DLY), protein ratio (PR), and main essential oil compounds (MEOC) of Ocimum basilicum L. increased and the essential oil ratio (EOR) and essential oil yield (EOY) decreased with increasing IRL (IRL 100 and IRL 75). FHY (7268.3 and 7472.7 kg ha-1) and DLY (635.3 and 637.5 kg ha-1) increased with increasing HAD (HA 20 and HA 40) compared to the values of FHY and DLY at HA 0 (6852.6 and 587.0 respectively). The SM application at IRL 50 increased the PH between 8.8 and 13.5%, FHY 11.7 and 16.7%, DLY 22.5 and 29.2%, and at IRL 75 the EOY between 20.0 and 23.9% compared to CP. In addition, PH, FHY, DLY, and EOY were highest at HA 40 and HA 20. The MEOC (linalool, 1,8-cineole, and (E) - β-bergamotene) under SM were more pronounced at IRL 25 and IRL 50 compared to CP. HA particularly improved FHY, DLY, and the main essential oil compounds that can be considered plant biostimulants, which were defined by several studies and regulations.