Mulch Type Research Articles

Integrated Use of Potassium and Soil Mulching on Growth and Productivity of Garlic (<i>Allium sativum</i> L.) under Deficit Irrigation

This study was carried out during the winter seasons of 2016 and 2017 at private farm in Beni Suief Governorate, Egypt to investigate the integrative use of potassium levels (24, 48, 72 and 96 kg K2O fed-1) and soil mulching (rice straw and bare soil) on growth and productivity of garlic under three levels of surface irrigation (60, 80 and 100 % of crop evapotranspiration (ETC)). The experimental layout was a spit-spilt plot system based on Randomized Complete Blocks Design. Irrigation levels, potassium rates and mulch types were randomly allocated in the main, sub and sub-sub plots, orderly. The obtained results showed that, the amount of irrigation at 80 and/or 100 % ETC was accompanied increases by plant height, leaves number, leaf area and dry weight plant-1, total bulbs yield, individual bulb weight, cloves weight and number bulb-1 compared to irrigation 60 % ETC. The application of potassium from 24 to 48 and further to 72 and 96 kg K2O fed-1 gave gradual increments in the aforementioned growth and productivity of traits. The rice straw mulch augmented all previous growth, total bulbs yield and its components compared to bare soil. Generally, the 1st order interaction between irrigation percent at 100 and/or 80 % ETC × potassium rate at 96 and/or 72 kg K2O fed-1, irrigation percent at 80 and/or 100 % ETC × rice straw, potassium rate at 96 kg K2O fed-1 × rice straw and the 2nd interaction of irrigation percent at 100 % ETC × potassium rate at 96 kg K2O fed-1 × rice straw mulch had pronounced effects on morphological characters and bulbs yield and its components compared to other combined treatments.

Integrated Use of Potassium and Soil Mulching on Growth and Productivity of Garlic (<i>Allium sativum</i> L.) under Deficit Irrigation

This study was carried out during the winter seasons of 2016 and 2017 at private farm in Beni Suief Governorate, Egypt to investigate the integrative use of potassium levels (24, 48, 72 and 96 kg K2O fed-1) and soil mulching (rice straw and bare soil) on growth and productivity of garlic under three levels of surface irrigation (60, 80 and 100 % of crop evapotranspiration (ETC)). The experimental layout was a spit-spilt plot system based on Randomized Complete Blocks Design. Irrigation levels, potassium rates and mulch types were randomly allocated in the main, sub and sub-sub plots, orderly. The obtained results showed that, the amount of irrigation at 80 and/or 100 % ETC was accompanied increases by plant height, leaves number, leaf area and dry weight plant-1, total bulbs yield, individual bulb weight, cloves weight and number bulb-1 compared to irrigation 60 % ETC. The application of potassium from 24 to 48 and further to 72 and 96 kg K2O fed-1 gave gradual increments in the aforementioned growth and productivity of traits. The rice straw mulch augmented all previous growth, total bulbs yield and its components compared to bare soil. Generally, the 1st order interaction between irrigation percent at 100 and/or 80 % ETC × potassium rate at 96 and/or 72 kg K2O fed-1, irrigation percent at 80 and/or 100 % ETC × rice straw, potassium rate at 96 kg K2O fed-1 × rice straw and the 2nd interaction of irrigation percent at 100 % ETC × potassium rate at 96 kg K2O fed-1 × rice straw mulch had pronounced effects on morphological characters and bulbs yield and its components compared to other combined treatments.

Mulching as a cultural control strategy for Drosophila suzukii in blueberry.

Fruit growers largely depend on chemical control to reduce populations of the economically damaging invasive fly, Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura). Drosophila suzukii is susceptible to high temperatures and low humidity; therefore, it may be possible to implement cultural control practices that create microclimates unfavorable for its development and survival. In addition to other fruit production benefits, in-row mulches may impede the development of D. suzukii immatures when larvae leave the fruit to pupate in the soil. This study compared the effects of different mulches (black polypropylene fabric weedmats, sawdust, and wood chips) on temperature and relative humidity (RH), and on adult emergence of D. suzukii from larvae in blueberries and pupae, both above and below the ground surface in blueberry plantings (Vaccinium corymbosum L.). Across regions, both lower larval survival and longer periods with high suboptimal temperatures occurred above the ground in comparison to buried below the ground, regardless of mulch type. Fewer D. suzukii adults emerged from larvae on weedmat mulch at one site, but there was no effect of mulch type on temperature, RH, or D. suzukii emergence at most sites. The relationships between temperature, RH, and the emergence of adults from larvae and pupae varied by region. Natural infestation by D. suzukii in blueberries was lower over weedmat compared to wood-based mulches at one site. Greenhouse experiments showed that larvae burrowed to pupate underneath sawdust mulch, but were unable to pupate underneath a weedmat mulch. Although weedmats may not modify temperatures or RH enough to consistently affect D. suzukii emergence, they can reduce field suitability for D. suzukii by providing a barrier that prevents larvae from reaching favorable pupation microhabitats underground. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.

Differential responses of the soil microbial community in two pitaya orchards with different mulch types

To prevent plants from being damaged due to extreme temperature and sunlight, the pitaya orchards in Hainan Province, China, are increasingly adopting living and black fabric cloth mulching. In this study, an Illumina Hiseq sequencer was employed to compare the soil microbial communities of two pitaya orchards, one covered by living mulching (LM) and the other covered by black fabric cloth (FC). Bacterial abundance was higher in the LM orchard than in the FC orchard (1.19 × 104versus 4.49 × 104 g−1 soil). In contrast, fungal abundance was higher in the FC orchard than in the LM orchard (2.71 × 106versus 2.97 × 105 g−1 soil). We also found that the most dominant species in the FC orchard were from the genus Neoscytalidium, which included species that could cause infection in a large variety of plant hosts. However, the LM orchard mainly harbored useful fungal species, such as Trichoderma and Chaetomium. Soil nutrients were positively correlated in the FC orchard, which potentially indicated that the FC orchard could demonstrate better fertilizer utilization efficiency. However, the LM and FC strategies have both advantages and disadvantages with regards to the cultivation management of pitaya orchards.

Evaluation of the biodegradation rate of mulch films

In Brazil in 2010 about 2,500 t of mulch films was used in horticulture. After the crop cycle, polyethylene mulches are often buried or burned with crop residues, as mulch films recycling is time-consuming and expensive due to high removal labour cost. Biodegradable mulch films appear as an alternative to polyethylene use, once they are incorporated in soil with crop residues at the end of the crop cycle. This study was performed in order to evaluate the biodegradation of different types of mulches in both real and laboratorial conditions, in tropical soils. The experimental design used was randomized blocks with five repetitions and four treatments: bare soil (BS), rice husk mulch (RHM), polyethylene mulch (PM), and biodegradable mulch (BM). In the laboratory a respirometric test was performed with the soil, at 70% of water holding capacity and 28°C. Carbon dioxide production was measured every 2 days, during a 20-days period. Microbial carbon was also determined by fumigation method, at the end of respirometric test. The results showed that the BM modality produced more carbon dioxide, 82.01 mg C-CO2 g soil‑1, than other modalities. Microbial carbon was higher on RHM modality with 21.56 µg Cmic g soil‑1, followed by BM with 19.60 µg Cmic g soil‑1 and lower values were found on BS and PM, with 12.18 and 13.57 µg Cmic g soil‑1, respectively. From the results obtained, RHM and BM higher CO2 verified were probably due to a synergetic effect between mulches carbon content and microorganism growth rate.

PERTUMBUHAN DAN HASIL TANAMAN TOMAT (Lycopersicum esculentum Mill) PADA BERBAGAI JENIS MULSA

This study aims to determine and explore the growth and yield of tomato plants in various types of mulch carried out in Maku Village, Biromaru District, Sigi Regency, Central Sulawesi Province. This study was designed using a randomized block design (RAK) of one factor grouped based on plant seed height. The treatment that was tried was to share the type of mulch (M), the treatment of the study was as follows: without mulch, black silver plastic mulch, transparent plastic mulch, 10 t / ha wood sawdust and 10 t / ha rice straw. Each treatment was repeated three times so that there were 15 experimental plots. To find out the effect of the treatment being tried, a variance analysis of 0.05 was carried out. Analysis of variance that showed a significant effect, carried out further tests BNJ α = 0.05. The results of the study showed that the use of various types of mulch had a significant effect on the growth and yield of tomato plants. 10 t / ha straw mulch gives better growth rates and yields of tomato plants, respectively; the height of tomato plants aged 3 and 6 MST was 34.37 cm and 70.27 cm, stem diameters of 3 and 6 weeks were 2.31 mm and 2.41 mm, the number of branches aged 3 and 6 MST was 0.60 and 5.80 pieces, yields I, II and III were 0.93 kg / plot, 0.99 kg / plot and 1.79 kg / plot respectively, the total yield per plot was 3.70 kg / plot and Harvest yield per hectare is 6.17 t / ha.

Pengaruh Dosis Pupuk Kompos Jerami dan Jenis Mulsa Terhadap Pertumbuhan Dan Produksi Tanaman Melon (Cucumis melo L.)

Penelitian bertujuan mengetahui pengaruh kompos jerami padi dan jenis mulsa pada pertumbuhan dan hasil melon. Penelitian dilakukan di Kabupaten Blitar pada bulan Agustus hingga November 2016. Penelitian menggunakan Rancangan Acak Kelompok (RAK) pola faktorial dengan3 ulangan. Faktor pertama dosis kompos jerami terdiri dari tiga aras, k0: Tanpa kompos jerami, k1: kompos jerami 10 ton/ha; k2: kompos jerami 20 ton / ha. Faktor II: jenis mulsa, terdiri dari tiga aras, m0: Tanpa mulsa; m1: Mulsa jerami; m2: mulsa plastik hitam silver. Pengamatan meliputi: panjang tanaman (cm), jumlah daun (daun), bobot segar dan bobot kering brangkasan (g), bobot buah (kg), diameter buah (cm) dan tebal buah (mm). Data dianalisis menggunakan ANOVA dilanjut dengan uji Duncan kesalahan 5%. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa terdapat interaksi nyata perlakuan kompos jerami padi (k) dan jenis mulsa (m) terhadap bobot kering tanaman dan bobot segar tanaman. Hasil tertinggi adalah kombinasi perlakuan kompos jerami 20 ton/ha dan mulsa plastik hitam perak (k2m2) dan mampu meningkatkan bobot kering tanaman hingga 26,87% dibandingkan perlakuan tanpa kompos jerami dan tanpa mulsa/kontrol. Dosis kompos jerami padi 20 ton/ha dapat meningkatkan pertumbuhan tanaman dan hasil melon lebih baik daripada perlakuan tanpa kompos jerami. Peningkatan hasil berat melon akibat kompos jerami padi adalah 21,59%. Mulsa plastik hitam dan perak dapat meningkatkan hasil melon 15,56% lebih tinggi daripada tanpa mulsa dan meningkat 6,077% lebih tinggi dari mulsa jerami padi.

Effects of Organic Mulching on Soil Water Potential and SPAD Values as Factors on Yield of Potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.)

In the present study, Finka and Katka potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) varieties were used at two localities (Leškovice and Uhříněves) and the effects of the surface mulching on chlorophyll content (SPAD values), soil water potential (SWP) a nd tuber yield of potato (YWP) were observed. Two mulching treatments (chopped grass and black polypropylene mulch) were used in the study. The results showed that plastic mulch can be an important factor for potato cultivation on localities with dystric cambisol soil type currently facing lack of precipitation. Organic mulching (with chopped grass) significantly influenced YWP. It favorably increased the fresh weight of tubers (over 60 mm) per plant by 81.4% in comparison with control. Additionally, it has been found that the type of mulching or varieties can be expressed by different SPAD-yield relationship. Whereas the values of SWP and SPAD values too were not significantly affected by organic mulch, they were significantly correlated with the YWP (r2= 42.4%, P<0.0001 and r2= 28.8%, P<0.0023). SPAD value can predict the level of tuber yield if the value was calibrated for particular potato variety. However, the highest SPAD reading value did not guarantee the highest tuber yield.

Organic and non-organic mulches – impact on environmental conditions, yield, and quality of Cucurbitaceae

Abstract The publication presents the current state of knowledge regarding the importance of mulching in the cultivation of Cucurbitaceae (cucurbit, or gourd family) vegetables. The intensifying climate change – mainly decreasing rainfall – combined with large-scale production of cucurbit vegetables worldwide prompt the application of methods that reduce evaporation and weed infestation. One of the widespread methods is mulching of the soil. The most important advantages of this treatment include the efficient use of water, the reduction in soil erosion and in the leaching of nutrients to the deeper layers. In addition, mulching improves the physical and chemical properties of the soil, and positively affects the surrounding microclimate of the plant. The report includes descriptions of the characteristics of various types of organic, mineral and synthetic mulches used. The results of studies on the environmental conditions forming in mulched soil are presented. Also, the results of research into the physico-chemical properties of mulch-covered soil are collated. The effect of mulching on cucurbit vegetables was evaluated in terms of plant growth and development as well as fruit yield and its biological value. The monograph also deals with the effect of mulching on weed infestation, as well as the occurrence of harmful and beneficial organisms.

Effect of humic acid and mulches on characteristics of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.)

Application[Editor 321] of biotic growth regulators (e.g. humic components) and appropriate mulches is recommended to improve turfgrass quality especially in arid andsemi-arid climate zones. However, limited number of studies have investigated their effect on lawn establishment. To investigate the effect of humic acid (HA) and selected mulches on characteristics of Festuca arundinacea in its planting stage, a factorial experiment based on a completely randomized block design with three replications was performed. The first factor was mulch types including vermicompost, leaf compost, cow manure,[Editor 322] and sand (control) which were used to cover the seeds. The second factor was a HA solution (100 ml l-1) sprayed monthly over the period of the experiment. Plant height, fresh and dry weight of lawn clippings, photosynthetic index, leaf texture, and overall turfgrass quality were measured. Spraying HA significantly improved the measured factors except the dry weight and photosynthetic index of the plants. Among the mulches, vermicompost provided better impressions on improving the characteristics of this turfgrass species including 48% increase in fresh weight, 18% increase in height, 48% increase in total quality, and 10% reduction in leaf width of the turfgrass. This research can assist in developing knowledge for having high quality lawns in urban landscapes of arid and semi-arid environments.

Effects of Nitrogen Fertilizer and Mulch Application on Growth Performance and Pod Yields of Hot Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) under Irrigated Condition

Hot pepper is an important vegetable and spice crop in Ethiopia. However, the productivity of hot pepper is limited by poor soil fertility and lack of proper soil and water conservation measures under irrigated condition. Therefore, hot pepper crop response to nitrogen (N) fertilizer and mulching experiment was conducted at Alage ATVET College. The treatments consisted of three mulch types (no mulch, transparent plastic mulch, and dry banana leaves mulch) and four levels of N (0, 50, 100 and 150 kg N ha-1) factorial arranged in a randomized complete block design with four replications. A hot pepper cultivar commonly known as “MarekoFana” was used for the study. Days to 50% flowering, 50% fruit set, maturity and harvest were significantly prolonged in response to increasing N application. The delays were about 7, 19, 23 and 12 days at the N levels of 50, 100 and 150 kg N ha-1respectively compared to the control. The analysis of variance revealed that plant height, number of branches per plant, number of pods per plant, dry weight of seeds per pod, total weight of dried pods per plant, weight of individual dry pods and width were significantly (P = .001) increased by the main effect of mulching. Generally, the results revealed that nitrogen application significantly (P = .001) influenced all growth parameters, pod yield, and yield components of the crop. Nitrogen application at 100 kg ha-1 resulted in the highest total dried pod yield (4.5 tha-1), marketable yield (3.76 t ha- 1), pod length (13.3 cm), pod width (3.2 cm), mean dry weight of pod (3.85 g), and seed number per pod (108.4). The interaction of N and mulching also significantly (P = .05) affected marketable and total pod yields. In conclusion, based on agronomic performance and partial budget analyses results we recommend a combined application of dry banana leaves mulch and 100 kg N ha-1 for economically feasible and sustainable hot pepper production in Alage areas of Central Rift Valley of Ethiopia.

Production, Leaf Quality and Antioxidants of Perennial Wall Rocket as Affected by Crop Cycle and Mulching Type

The plastic mulch has raised a disposal issue, which has been diverting the research focus on biodegradable film as an alternative. Research was carried out in southern Italy in 2016–2017 and 2017–2018 in order to assess the effects of three crop cycles (autumn-winter, winter, spring) in factorial combination with three soil mulching types (a MaterBi biodegradable black film; a brown photoselective low density polyethylene (LDPE) film; a black-standard LDPE film) and a non-mulched control, on leaves yield, quality and antioxidants of greenhouse grown Diplotaxis tenuifolia (L.) D.C. The spring cycle was the shortest and best enhanced plant growth and yield. The non-mulched control caused an 11% yield reduction compared to the mulching treatments average (12.4 t ha−1). The soil temperature was highest under photoselective and standard LDPE films. The Soil Plant Analysis Development (SPAD) index was 17.4% higher in the leaves grown in mulched soil. Winter season and biodegradable mulch led to higher leaf dry residue and organic acids. Leaf nitrate content was highest in winter and under mulching. The spring cycle, the biodegradable and photoselective LDPE film resulted in the highest antioxidant compound content and activity. The biodegradable polymer improved leaf quality, showing suitable features for sustainable production.

Effect of shade level and mulch type on growth, yield and essential oil composition of damask rose (Rosa damascena Mill.) under mid hill conditions of Western Himalayas.

A field experiment was conducted at the experimental farm of CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology, Palampur, India for two consecutive years (2015–16 and 2016–17). The aim of the study was to test the hypothesis whether different shade level and mulch type would influence the growth, flower yield and essential oil profile of R. damascena. Yield attributes viz., numbers of flowers plant-1, fresh flower weight plant-1, flower yield, and essential oil yield were significantly higher under open sunny conditions as compared to 25% and 50% shade levels. However, plants grown under 50% shade level recorded significantly higher plant height (cm), plant spread (cm) and the lowest numbers of branches as compared to control. Among mulches, black polyethylene mulch recorded significantly higher growth, and yield attributes of damask rose as compared to other mulches. Black polyethylene mulch recorded 74.5 and 39.2% higher fresh flower yield as compared to without mulch, during 2015–16 and 2016–17, respectively. Correlation studies showed a positively significant correlation between quality and quantity traits. A total of twenty-six essential oil compounds were identified which accounted for a total of 88.8 to 95.3%. Plants grown under open sunny conditions along with the applications of black polyethylene mulch produced a higher concentration of citronellol and trans-geraniol. Damask rose planted in open sunny conditions and mulched with black polyethylene sheet recorded significantly higher flower yield.

The resilience research of the plant and soil optimization design base on the habitat-site design in semiarid green space.

As the northwest region's advancement in urbanization has improved, the contradiction between urbanization and the fragile ecological environment has been gradually resolved. Facing the constraint of regional fragile ecological pressures, northwestern cities must create new ecological processes by using resilient designs. It is necessary to promote an organic ease construction mode, which is proper for the ecological matrix space in ecological construction of the northwestern landscape. In this research, which aims to solve problems and conflicts between the plant landscape design and site habitat conditions, we used the experimental method for plant landscape construction and soil optimization based on the previous theory and foundation of habitat-site design. We established the research framework as "natural plant community investigation experimental base simulation database construction." First, based on natural plant community research, the ecological prototype of the near natural plant community was quantized and evaluated, and the database was established; second, the plant community fabric was constructed, and the soil optimization technique was tested by using a "habitat island," the purpose of which was to create a stably structured, low-maintenance, drought-adaptive, water-resistant, and beautiful plant community model to screen the suitable soil medium ratio and mulching type for plant growth. Finally, following the "artificial intervention, natural formation" design idea, the practice of habitat unit construction and established database of the plant community structure model was carried out to provide theoretical and technical support for the plant landscape construction and soil optimization of habitat construction in the northwestern green space.

Effect of varieties and mulch types on foliar insect pests of okra [&lt;i&gt;Abelmoschus esculentus&lt;/i&gt; L. (Moench)] in a humid tropical environment

The effect of varieties and mulch types were evaluated on some vegetative insect pests of okra ( Abelmoschus esculentus ) at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria. A 3 x 5 factorial in randomized complete block design (RCBD) was used to lay out the trial. Three varieties of okra (NHAe47-4, V 35 and Lady’s finger) and five mulch types [dry palm fronds, dry grass, black polyethylene, groundnut (live mulch) and unmulch (as control)] were used as treatments. Ten tonnes per hectare (10 t ha -1 ) of dry grass and dry palm fronds, respectively, were applied before planting. The black polyethylene mulch was applied to fit the 1 m x 3 m plot size. Groundnut seeds were planted between the okra plants, at a spacing of 60 cm x 25 cm, as live mulch. A 60 cm x 45 cm spacing was used to sow the okra seeds. Data collected were plant height, number of leaves, leaf area and number of damaged leaves. At different developmental phases of the crop, insect pests were sampled. Results indicated mulch application had significant effect on insect pest leaf damage whereas no significant differences existed between the varieties used. Black polyethylene mulch treated plants had the least insect pests attack and consequently, the lowest number of damaged leaves. The flea beetle Podagrica spp., cotton leaf roller Notarcha derogata , cotton strainer Dysdercus spp., whitefly Bemisia tabaci and Nigerian grasshopper Oedaleus nigeriensis were identified as the major vegetative insect pests of okra. It may be concluded that okra cultivated with plastic mulch reduced insect pests and produced healthier plants. Keywords: Black Polyethylene, Dry Grass, Dry Palm Fronds, Insect Pests, Live Mulch, Okra Varieties

Çilekte Sulama Düzeyleri ile Malç Uygulamalarının Pomolojik Özellikler Üzerine Etkileri

Bu çalışma ile Türkiye‘nin üretim miktarı ile dünyada dördüncü sırada yer aldığı çilek (Fragaria x ananassa cv. Fortuna) türünde İspanyol tipi yüksek tüneller altında 2016-2017 yetiştiricilik döneminde iki farklı sulama rejimi (IR100 ve IR50) ile üç farklı malç materyali (gri, siyah, şeffaf ve kontrol) uygulamalarının toprak nemi ve meyvelerdeki bazı pomolojik özellikler üzerine etkileri incelenmiştir. Çalışma sonucunda, IR100 (397 mm) uygulamalarında gri malç (ortalama, %34,3) altında toprak nemi dönem boyunca en yüksek seviyede kalmış ve bunu, sırası ile siyah (%33,4), şeffaf (%27,3) ve kontrol (%23,9) uygulamaları izlemiştir. IR50 (288mm) sulama rejiminde kontrol uygulamasının solma noktasına çok yakın seyrettiği gözlenirken, malçlama ile su içeriğinin arttığı ve en fazla nem içeriğinin gri (%26,3), siyah (%24,9) ve şeffaf (%23,8) olarak sıralandığı gözlemlenmiştir. Artan sulama suyu miktarıyla çilekte verim artışının yanında, ortalama meyve ağırlığının da önemli düzeyde arttığı belirlenmiştir. Meyve boyutu üzerine farklı malç tipleri değerlendirildiğinde, çilek tarımda kullanılan malçın; yabancı ot kontrolü, toprak nemini koruması gibi olumlu etkileri yanında, meyve boyutunu önemli ölçüde arttırdığı saptanmıştır. Genel olarak en iyi meyve boyutlarının gri malçın kullanıldığı bitkilerden elde edildiği, bunu ise ticari olarak da yaygın olarak kullanılan siyah malçın izlediği belirlenmiştir. En düşük değer ise malç kullanılmayan parsellerden elde edilmiştir. Buna ek olarak azalan sulama suyu ile SÇKM‘nin önemli ölçüde arttığı belirlenmiştir. Kullanılan malç tiplerinin ise SÇKM üzerine önemli bir etkisinin olmadığı, değerin %7,9 ile 8,2 arasında değiştiği saptanmıştır. Meyve eti sertliği üzerine sulama seviyelerinin etkisi önemsiz olsa dahi, artan sulama suyunun meyve eti sertliği üzerine olumlu katkı yaptığı görülmektedir. Sonuç olarak, farklı malç ve sulama suyu uygulamalarında en etkin tarımsal uygulamanın Gri IR100 olduğu saptanmıştır. Buna karşın bu yargının üreticiye önerilebilmesi için ekonomik olarak da değerlendirilmesi önemle gerekmektedir.

Film mulched furrow-ridge water harvesting planting improves agronomic productivity and water use efficiency in Rainfed Areas

Film fully-mulched ridge–furrow (FMRF) water harvesting, film mulched conventional flat planting with one-half (FMCF) and two-thirds (FTMCF) has been widely adopted in Northern China. However, it is unclear whether sustainability are. An 8-year corn yield in these three systems was investigated at Zhenyuan of East Gansu in 2008 to 2015, and a 4-year location study with FMRF and FMCF, three corn hybrids, and three densities was conducted at Pengyang of South Ningxia from 2012 to 2015. The results indicated that FMRF with rain-harvesting efficiency of 65.7%–82.7% makes rainwater infiltrate deep soil and soil moisture double increase in furrow root-zone. The 8-year average grain yield increased by 22.7% in FMRF and 14.5% in FTMCF compared with FMCF. In the 4-year field trail, rainfall and its seasonal distribution highly impacted grain yield and water-use efficiency (WUE), but order of importance for grain yield and WUE increases were density > mulching type > hybrid. Grain yield and WUE increased by 20.0% and 3.45 kg ha−1 mm−1 and 12.0% and 2.97 kg ha-1 mm−1 from low to medium density and medium to high density; ET and grain yield and WUE increased simultaneously from low to medium density, however grain yield and WUE improved but ET changed slightly from medium to high. Soil water content of the 0–200 cm layer during growing season was always higher in FMRF than in FMCF, and ET did not differ. FMRF kept more than 50–90 mm soil water in the 0–200 cm during grain filling period. Neither higher grain yield in the FMRF depleted soil water, nor resulted in soil desiccation regardless of the year of precipitation. On the contrary, the FMRF kept much more water into soil layers at corn harvest, and negative effects to soil water balance were not observed. Thus, the package of FMRF combining with close planting and density tolerance hybrids is climate-smart technique for coping with droughts and ensuring corn yield in rainfed areas.

Nematicidal Properties of Moringa oleifera, Chromolaena odorata and Panicum maximum and their Control Effects on Pathogenic Nematodes of Yam

A field study was conducted at Atonsu, Sekyere Central District, Ghana from 2013 to 2014, to (i) determine the effects of Moringa oleifera, Chromolaena odorata and Panicum maximum as ex-situ mulches, on soil nematodes population after two years of yam cropping and (ii) assess the effects of the soil nematodes on the yield and physical tuber quality of yam. The field experiment was a 3x3 factorial arrangement in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The first factor was ex-situ mulch types at three levels; Panicum maximum (farmers’ choice), Chromolaena odorata and Moringa oleifera. The second factor was natural fallow aged systems at three levels: 3, 5, and 7 years old. Data collected included nematode population changes, total tuber yield of yam and tuber physical quality assessment. Generally, Meloidogyne spp., Pratylenchus spp., and Scutellonema spp. were the nematode genera identified. However, Scutellonema spp. was found to be the most pathogenic nematode affecting yam tuber yield and physical quality. Chromolaena and Moringa mulches suppressed Scutellonema spp. populations by 80.7% and 76.2% respectively as compared to the Panicum maximum mulch. The suppressed Scutellonema spp. population significantly contributed to higher tuber yields and good tuber physical quality under the M. oleifera and C. odorata mulches in comparison to the P. maximum mulch.

Effect of various mulches on soil physico—Chemical properties and tree growth (Sophora japonica) in urban tree pits

Mulching is a widely employed soil management practice. The mulches used have variable effects on the soil properties and plant growth. In China, mulches are used to cover bare soil at a few places in landscapes, where most of the soil is uncovered, especially in tree pits. As to improve our understanding on the effect of various mulches on soil properties and tree growth after two years of the treatment justifying its implication in soil fertility and tree growth. A comparison study was conducted to determine the effects of inorganic (cobblestone—CB; water permeable brick—WPB), organic (pine bark—PB; green waste compost—GWC), and living (turf grass—TG) mulches on soil physical and chemical properties at three different depths (0–10 cm, 10–20 cm, and 20–40cm), and on tree growth (Sophora japonica) in urban tree pits. Soil moisture was measured once a month in 2015.The soil samples were collected from the tree pits two years after mulching and used to evaluate the physical and chemical properties. Further, trunk diameter and tree height were determined once a year. During the most months, all types of mulches significantly affected the moisture content of the soil at all the depths analyzed. In July and August, however, the moisture content of PB and TG treated soil decreased when compared with that of unmulched bare soil. Two years after mulching, the bulk density of the soil treated with PB, GWC, and TG was significantly affected at10–20 cm, with GWC exhibiting a relatively better effect. The treatments with PB, GWC, and TG also improved the total porosity, macroporosity, and microporosity of the soil at lower depths. Further, WPB worsened the bulk density and porosity of the soil, elevating the pH at lower depths. The organic matter, total N, mineral N, available P, and available K contents of the soil at lower depths increased when mulched with organic material. Turf grass significantly increased only the total N and available K at 0–10 and 10–20 cm. There was no significant difference in the soil properties among the treatments at 20–40 cm. Furthermore, the trunk diameter and tree height were not affected by the mulches two years after mulching. In conclusion, organic mulches especially GWC, not only increased soil fertility significantly but improved soil physical characters (0–10 cm depth) comparing to other mulches, are suitable to cover bare soil in urban tree pits.

Mulch Type and Depth, Herbicide Formulation, and Postapplication Irrigation Volume Influence on Control of Common Landscape Weed Species

Mulch is often applied in landscape planting beds for weed control, but little research has focused specifically on mulch and preemergence (PRE) herbicide combinations. The objectives of this research were to determine the efficacy of herbicide + mulch combinations and which factors significantly affected weed control, including herbicide formulation and posttreatment irrigation volumes. Additional objectives were to determine efficacy derived from mulch or herbicides used alone under herbicide + mulch combinations and to identify differences in the additive (herbicide + mulch combinations) or singular (herbicide or mulch) effects compared with the use of herbicides or mulch only. Large crabgrass (Digitaria sanguinalis), garden spurge (Euphorbia hirta), and eclipta (Eclipta prostrata) were used as bioassay species for prodiamine, dimethenamid-P + pendimethalin, and indaziflam efficacy, respectively. The experiment consisted of a factorial treatment arrangement of two herbicide formulations (granular or spray applied), three mulch types [hardwood chips (HWs), pine bark (PB), and pine straw (PS)], two mulch depths (1 and 2 inches), and three levels of one-time, posttreatment irrigation volumes (0.5, 1, and 2 inches). Three sets of controls were used: the first set included three mulch types applied at two depths receiving only 0.5-inch irrigation volume, the second set included only two herbicide formulations and three one-time irrigation volumes, whereas the last set received no treatment (no herbicide or mulch) and only 0.5-inch irrigation volume. High levels of large crabgrass and garden spurge control (88% to 100%) were observed with all herbicide + mulch combinations evaluated at mulch depths of 1 inch or greater. When comparing mulch types, the best eclipta control was achieved with hardwood at 2 inches depth. The spray formulation of indaziflam outperformed the granular formulation in most cases when used alone or in combination with mulch. Overall, the results showed that spray formulations of prodiamine and dimethenamid-P + pendimethalin were more effective than granular formulations when applied alone, whereas indaziflam was more effective as a spray formulation when used both alone and in combination with mulch. Increasing irrigation volume was not a significant factor for any of the herbicide + mulch combinations when evaluating overall weed control.