Soil Mulching Research Articles

GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF TABLE BEET DEPENDING ON DIFFERENT METHODS OF MULCHING IN THE CONDITIONS OF THE RIGHT BANK FOREST STEPPE OF UKRAINE

Goal. Study the influence of soil mulching methods on the growth, development of table beet plants, root crop yield and their quality indicators in the conditions of the Right-Bank Forest-Steppe of Ukraine. Methods. Analysis, synthesis, generalization, laboratory and field experiment. Results. The use of mulching crops with organic and inorganic materials has a positive effect on reducing the duration of the growing season of table beets. The emergence of seedlings in the control variant was observed on the 17th day after sowing, and in the variants where mulching was used - on the 15th day. The formation of the first pair of real leaves during mulching of the soil with a transparent and black polyethylene film was ahead of the control by 3 days, and by humus, sawdust and agrofiber by 4 days. The use of inorganic materials promotes faster onset of technical ripeness, namely 3-6 days earlier, and mulching with organic materials - 6-7 days, respectively. The use of different methods of mulching crops contributes to the growth of the leaf surface of table beets by 4.3-5.8 thousand m2 / ha, or 15.5-20.9%, respectively. The period "beginning of root formation-technical ripeness" was characterized by the largest accumulation of biomass in table beet plants compared to the previous period. Based on this, the productivity of photosynthesis increased - 2.7-3.0 g / m2 × day, depending on different methods of mulching. The use of polyethylene film provided an increase in photosynthesis net productivity by 8% in the case of agrofiber by 12%. The most favorable conditions for the formation of the maximum indicator of photosynthesis net productivity have developed in the case of arable materials use (sawdust, humus). In the period "beginning of root formation-technical ripeness" the productivity of photosynthesis in this case was 2.9-3.0 g / m2 × day, which is 16-20% higher than the control. Conclusions. The results of research show that the use of different methods of mulching seedlings with polyethylene film, agrofiber and local organic materials, contributes to the intensification of physiological and biochemical processes occurring in the plant of table beet. Further study and improvement should focus on in-depth study of innovative mulching methods using modern high-yielding varieties and hybrids of table beets.

​Assessment of Soil and Water Conservation Practices and its Implication on Soil Physicochemical Properties, at West Guji Zone, Gelana Woreda, Southern Ethiopia

Background: Land degradation is one of the major challenges in developing nations like Ethiopia. The study was conducted on both conserved and non-conserved land. A total of 18 composite soil samples were collected from the top 0-20 cm soil depths to analyze the selected physical and chemical properties of soil. Methods: For data analysis one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used. From our observation soil and water conservation practice which is found in our study area was soil cut-off drains, waterways, bunds and bench terrace and also traditionally they use horizontal plough, land rotation, crop rotation and mulching soil management. Result: The results revealed that soil chemical and physical properties: soil organic matter, available phosphorous, soil pH, cation exchange capacity, bulk density and soil moisture shows significant difference between conserved and non-conserved lands. However soil texture and total nitrogen shows no significant difference. The non-conserved land had low organic matter, Cation exchange capacity, total nitrogen, available phosphorous, soil moisture and with highest bulk density. Further research is recommended to study the magnitude of the effects and a better understanding of sustainable soil and water conservation practices.

Fabrication and Characterization of Degradable Crop-Straw-Fiber Composite Film Using In Situ Polymerization with Melamine-Urea-Formaldehyde Prepolymer for Agricultural Film Mulching.

Soil mulch composite films composed of biodegradable materials are being increasingly used in agriculture. In this study, mulch films based on wheat straw fiber and an environmentally friendly modifier were prepared via in situ polymerization and tested as the ridge mulch for crops. The mechanical properties of the straw fiber film were significantly enhanced by the modification. In particular, the films exhibited a noticeable increase in dry and wet tensile strength from 2.35 to 4.15 and 0.41 to 1.51 kN/m, respectively, with increasing filler content from 0% to 25%. The contact angle of the straw also showed an improvement based on its hydrophilicity. The crystallinity of the modified film was higher than that of the unmodified film and increased with modifier content. The changes in chemical interaction of the straw fiber film were determined by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and the thermal stability of the unmodified film was improved by in situ polymerization. Scanning electron microscopy images indicated that the modifier was uniformly dispersed in the fiber film, resulting in an improvement in its mechanical properties. The modified straw fiber films could be degraded after mulching for approximately 50 days. Overall, the superior properties of the modified straw fiber film lend it great potential for agricultural application.

Tillage timing to improve soil water storage in Mediterranean long fallow

Creation of a dry soil mulch to maintain near-surface moisture in dry environments is an ancient practice that is still used in many regions of the world for timely establishment of crops after long fallow. Before availability of herbicides, the first tillage during fallow was timed to kill weeds, but now the optimum timing for tillage depends only on the interplay of evaporation and infiltration of rain. The goal is to maximize total root zone water storage and seed-zone water at seeding time. Our objective was to measure the effect of delaying soil mulch creation progressively later in the spring and summer on weed-free fallow for winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in the Mediterranean inland Pacific Northwest drylands of the United States. Over a period of six years and a total of 12 site-years, four to seven tillage timings were compared to an untilled treatment. Soil water was measured at seeding time in the seed zone and total root zone. Seed-zone water and total stored water produced by different tillage timings was surprisingly constant, with few statistically significant or substantial differences. On average, only 2% of stored water was lost in the top 1.0 m of soil over 80 days during the hot, dry period towards the end of fallow. Responses to late spring rain could be seen, and tillage near the end of June (early summer) often produced maximum soil water content.

Effect of Straw Mulching and Nitrogen Doses on Nutrient Status, Yield and Economics of Rabi Maize

At experimental farm of M. S. Swaminathan School of Agriculture, Centurion University of Technology and Management, Paralakhemundi, Odisha, India, an experiment was conducted to know the effect of nitrogen doses and mulching on nutrient status, yield and economics of maize during the rabi season of 2021-22. The hybrid maize seed (Hybrid variety 4226) was sown in a spilt plot design with three levels of mulching in main plot and four doses of nitrogen in sub-plot. The grain yield, nutrient composition of maize seeds and stover, N, P, K status of pre-harvest soil were increased significantly in combination of nitrogen and mulching. Application of straw mulch significantly increased the N content of grain and stover as well as the N uptake by grain and stover as compared to no mulch treatment. It also influenced the protein content of seeds. Application of higher dose of N significantly increased the N content of grain and stover as well as the N uptake by grain and stover over the control and also influenced the NPK status of soil and protein content of the seeds. Maximum values of grain and stover yield (7.26 and 9.21t ha-1 respectively) were recorded from 5 t ha-1mulchand 150% RDN (N:P2O5:K2O = 120:60:60) plot. Whereas this interaction effect (5 t ha-1 and 150% RDN) significantly increased the N content of seeds (1.40 %), stover (0.47 %), and protein content of seeds (8.76 %). After decomposition of straw mulch in soil with additional application of nitrogen increased the available N (195.43 kg ha-1) over low level of nitrogen dose with no mulching. The combined application of mulching @ 5 t ha-1 with 150% RDN resulted highest net return (₹76,365/- ha-1) with maximum B:C ratio (1.29).

Impact of Conservation Agriculture System on Combating Water Erosion Hazards at Wadi El-Raml, Northwestern Coast of Egypt

Conservation agriculture practices (CA) is a management for available organic matter resources and considered important measures to enable farming in accordance with the principles of sustainable agriculture. The two-years experiment were performed on the soil under wheat crop. CA practices can help to decrease the area and duration for exposed soil to water erosion by increased soil aggregate size distribution, soil porosity, soil moisture and soil organic matter. Soil organic matter (SOM) is an important indicator of soil fertility and productivity because of its crucial role in soil chemical, physical and biological properties. CA leaves a soil organic mulch at the soil surface, which decreases runoff and soil loss. On other hand, soil mulch with plant residue as a component of CA is increased soil content of SOM. The least total cost for cultivation wheat crops under rainfed agriculture of Egypt achieved at conservation agriculture with No-tillage treatment (CANT) while the highest cost achieved at traditional agriculture (TA) treatment. The best results of decreased soil loss, increased SOM and wheat crop yield obtained when continue to apply conservation practices for more than one season. Indeed, our results showed the soil loss decreased about (56%) while wheat grain yield and SOM increased about (7% and 45%) respectively when using CA at the second season compared to TA. Conservation agriculture signifies environmentally friendly technologies reduce of climate related risks.

A bioinformatic analysis of the fungi growing on biodegradable plastics mulch in agricultural soil

A bioinformatic analysis of the fungi growing on biodegradable plastics mulch in agricultural soil

Effects of post-fire mulching with straw and wood chips on soil hydrology in pine forests under Mediterranean conditions

Mulching is one of the most common post-fire management techniques, which has been widely studied at the global scale. However, more research is needed on the hydrological effects of mulching in forest ecosystems under Mediterranean semi-arid conditions. This study has evaluated water infiltration, surface runoff and soil loss using a portable rainfall simulator in Central-Eastern Spain after post-fire treatments. In this area, a large wildfire recently affected a pine forest, and the burned soil was mulched using wheat straw (dose of 0.3 kg/m2) or wood chips (2 kg/m2) on plots with two different slopes (about 30%, lower slope, and 50%, higher slope). The study has shown that the soil condition (burned control vs. soils mulched with straw or wood chips) and slope (lower vs. higher) did not significantly influence the water infiltration. However, the mean infiltration of the soils mulched with straw were higher (+40% and + 17%, respectively) compared to both the control and the plots mulched with wood chips. Moreover, lower surface runoff (−23%) was measured in the mulched soils compared to the control plots. The soil mulching with straw was more effective at decreasing the runoff coefficient (−31%) compared to plots treated with wood chips (−18%) and the control areas. Soil loss was significantly lower in plots treated using straw (−87% compared to the burned and not treated soils) compared to wood chips (−54%). Peaks of 90–95% of reduction in the soil loss were even recorded in the steeper soils. Finally, we suggest the application of wheat straw rather than wood chips, since the wheat straw mulch material provides a higher soil cover (on average 73% against 48% of wood chips) and therefore is more indicated to reduce the hydrological response in burned soils, as confirmed by the lower runoff (in the average − 16%) and erosion (−73%) measured in this experiment on both gentler and steeper soils.

Water-Saving Potential of Different Agricultural Management Practices in an Arid River Basin

Water scarcity threatens food security in arid areas, highlighting the importance of water-saving agriculture for food production. Agricultural management practices are developed to improve water-use efficiency, and their water-saving effects are generally evaluated at the field scale rather than the regional scale. To figure out the regional water-saving potential of irrigation methods and mulching practices, the FAO AquaCrop model was first calibrated and validated at the three experimental stations. With aggregating spatial information, a distributed model was constructed and validated in a typical arid river basin of northwest China. Twelve combinations of soil mulching (plastic and straw) and irrigation methods (basin, furrow, drip, and subsurface drip) were simulated using the model to evaluate the effect of agricultural management practices on crop evapotranspiration (ET), crop water productivity, and regional water consumption. The results showed that soil mulching, advanced irrigation methods, and their combinations reduced noneffective soil evaporation (E) and the E/ET ratios and improved crop water productivity. Plastic mulching combined with subsurface drip irrigation is the most promising practice, increasing the crop water productivity of seed maize and spring wheat by 18.2% and 11.1% on average and reducing regional crop water consumption by 7.7% (75.0 million m3) and 7.4% (72.7 million m3), respectively. The reduction in irrigation water extraction ranged from 20.6% under furrow irrigation with straw mulching to 68.7% under subsurface drip irrigation with plastic mulching. This study quantitatively assessed the water-saving potential of soil mulching, irrigation methods, and their combinations to reduce agricultural water use, offering practical implications for the management and development of water-saving agriculture in arid areas.

Impact of biochar and plastic mulch on soil properties in a maize field in Nepal

Biochar is a carbon rich product obtained from organic material by a process called pyrolysis. Similarly, plastic mulch protects soil from erosion, conserve water, suppress weed, and makes soil condition favorable for crop growth. The use of biochar and mulch has the potential to boost soil fertility by raising soil pH, increasing water and nutrient holding capacity, improving cation exchange capacity, and increasing microbial population. A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of biochar application and plastic mulch on soil properties applied in maize fields with sandy loam soil at Rampur, Chitwan, Nepal from 31 March to 6 July 2018. The experiment was carried out in a split-plot design having plastic mulch as a main factor and biochar doses as a sub factor with three replications. The main plot is comprised of plastic mulch and no mulch. Similarly, the subplot consisted of four biochar doses i.e., 0 t/ha, 5 t/ha, 15 t/ha, and 25 t/ha. To know the effect of treatments the soil samples were collected at random points in the middle of each plot (to avoid edge effect) from 30 cm depth with the help of a screw auger. Dried, and grounded soil samples were analyzed in the lab. The results indicated that the Bulk density of soil relatively decreased with the plastic mulch but it was significantly higher in plots with biochar. 0 t/ha biochar showed the highest (1.22 gm/cm3) bulk density and the lowest was obtained from 25 t/ha (1.09 gm/cm3). However, soil parameters such as soil pH, Cation Exchange Capacity, Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, and Organic Carbon were relatively higher under plastic mulch over no mulch. In the same way, the potassium content of the soil was significantly influenced by biochar doses, it was the highest at 25 t/ha (741.47 Kg/ha) and the lowest at 0 t/ha (351.60 Kg/ha). However, soil pH, CEC, N, P, and OC were relatively increased with increasing rates of biochar application. Therefore, application rate of 25 t ha−1 biochar and use of plastic mulch in soil is considered as suitable because these efficiently increase soil moisture. In addition to that biochar increase Potassium content, decrease bulk density, and also improves Soil pH, Cation Exchange Capacity, Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, and Organic Carbon of soil.

Soil-Mulching Influence on Spearmint Oil Yield, Ecophysiological Activities and Essential-Oil Content in Rainfed Environment of Southern Italy

The application of soil mulching is widely used to improve crop productivity within semiarid regions of Mediterranean environments. A field study was conducted during two consecutive cycles of spearmint (Mentha spicata L.) within the rainfed region of Southern Italy to evaluate the effects of straw mulch cultivation practices on crop yields and ecophysiological activities. Four treatments were evaluated: (1) rainfed with straw mulch (RM), (2) rainfed without straw mulch (R), (3) well-watered control plants (W) and (4) well-watered with straw mulch (WM). The rainfed mulch treatment (RM) significantly improved oil yields and ecophysiological activity of the spearmint in comparison with rainfed (R). The rainfed mulch treatment (RM) showed lower inhibition of photosynthesis and smaller diffusive limitations than control treatment, while in rainfed plants (R) photosynthetic activity and diffusive limitations strongly decreased at the end of crop cycle. The average essential-oil content was significantly lower under the W, WM and RM treatments, in comparison to the R treatment, during the full-bloom stages (40 DAT). Instead, at the end of crop cycle, the mulching practice (RM and WM) insignificantly changed the essential-oil content compared with non-mulched well-watered treatment (W), while in rainfed plants (R) the essential-oil content strongly decreased. In addition, rainfed conditions affected the percentage of the three major monoterpenes and decreased the formation of carvone from limonene. Therefore, the current study concluded that straw mulch is an effective management practice to improve growing conditions by decreasing groundwater consumption and to increase oil yields in spearmint within this Mediterranean rainfed region.

Numerical Simulation of Soil Temperature With Sand Mulching During the Growing Season of Spring Wheat

The thermal conditions of soil are important in practical agricultural production. The characteristics of heat flux, moisture content, thermal conductivity, and other soil parameters vary with temperature. This study uses VADOSE/W to create a model of heat transmission between soil and atmosphere, simulating daily changes in soil temperature using sand mulching. By using the published data to verify the model, the results show that the fitting effect is good and the reliability of the model is verified. We also used this model to determine the temporal and spatial distributions of soil temperature, temperature differences, and a temperature gradient for sand mulching and bare soil during the growing season of spring wheat. These results indicated that the sand mulching preserved heat at night. The difference in temperature at each depth and the temperature gradient became negative with the gradual increase in solar altitude. The difference in soil temperature at each depth and the temperature gradient tended to become positive by 22:00. These results indicated that the sand mulch effectively maintained the soil temperature in the morning and night during the growing season and impeded the transfer of heat at mid-day. This study provides a new method for determining the transfer of heat in sand-mulched soil, which can guide the effective regulation of soil temperature.

Alternative Mulches for Sustainable Greenhouse Tomato Production

Soil mulching has advantages for horticultural crops, from both agronomic and phytosanitary points of view. The most common material used is polyethylene (PE); however, promising alternatives from the circular economy exist, such as straw (ST) and biodegradable biopolymers (BBs). The effect of the three aforementioned mulches was evaluated and compared to non-mulched soil in a Mediterranean greenhouse for two years of an organic tomato crop. Physical (moisture and temperature) and physicochemical properties of the soil, in addition to crop yield and the effect of the mulches on weed control, were assessed. Additionally, the deterioration of plastic mulches was assessed. The temperature was higher in the mulched soils, but few differences were found between soil and BB at the end of the second cycle. Evaporation was lower in mulched soil, in general, without big differences among the types of mulch. Crop yield did not show differences. At the end of the trials, of the 16 physicochemical variables evaluated, only a slight increase in pH was detected in the ST-mulched plots. BB film degradation reached 5.6% and 6.7% of the total surface at the end of the first and second cycles, respectively. Weeds were equally limited for PE, BB, and ST mulches, but cereal seeds contained within the straw germinated randomly all over the crop cycle. In summary, straw and biodegradable plastic mulches offered the same benefits as conventional PE mulch. Therefore, they can be considered a feasible and more sustainable option, in addition to being consistent with the principles of the bioeconomy.

Water regimes on soil covered with plastic film mulch and relationships with soil water availability, yield, and water use efficiency of papaya trees

Plastic film mulches have the potential to be used in papaya production, mainly aiming to reduce water application in semi-arid regions. However, there is a lack of technical information and the need to introduce mulching practices in papaya orchards. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of plastic film mulch and irrigation depths on soil water availability (SWA), stomatal conductance, leaf temperature, and agronomic traits of papaya trees. The study was carried out during 2018 and 2019 in Jaíba city, located northern Minas Gerais state, in the Brazilian semi-arid region. The experiment was a split plot design, with soil cover conditions assigned to the plots (bare soil and mulched soil) and water replenishment levels to subplots (25%, 50%, 75%, 100% and 125% of crop evapotranspiration [ETc]). Plants were drip irrigated with water replenishments based on climate data. Soil moisture was measured along time and agronomic and physiological characteristics of papaya trees, as well. Water tensions were higher in treatments with lower water replenishments. Results showed that the increase in irrigation depth favors leaf-area growth rate, stomatal conductance, yield, and water footprint of papaya. The use of mulch together with the increase in water replenishment levels contributes for maintenance of the soil water content between the upper limit of SWA and 75%SWA. The use black plastic mulching with drip irrigation in medium-textured soil saves up to 152 L of water per Kg of fruit, and increase productivity up to 34% by replenishing the crop evapotranspiration every irrigation event. The use of black plastic as ground cover is technically feasible for keeping soil water availability above 75% by irrigation supply of at least 75% of ETc on sand-clay-loam soil.

Effect of Tillage and Mulching on Growth, Yield and Economics of Maize Crops

The field experiments were conducted during July to October, 2017, 2018 and 2019 in split plot design was laid out at Zonal Research Station farm, Chianki, Palamu, Jharkhand, India. The cultural practices included two factors i.e. the first factor included conventional tillage (CT), minimum tillage (MT), raised bed sowing (RBS), the second factor included without mulch (WM), farm waste mulch (FWM), polythene mulch (PM), soil mulch (SM). The rain water use efficiency was higher in raised bed sowing+polythene mulch (5.71 kg ha-1 mm-1) than the other treatments but it was lowest in MT+WM (2.96 kg ha-1 mm-1) over the three years. The high water use efficiency in the year 2019 (5.71 kg ha-1 mm-1) influences the maximum growth and yield (5,169 kg ha-1)of the crop followed by 2018 (4.74 kg ha-1 mm-1) but the minimum yield was found under minimum tillage without mulch in every year. This higher growth leads to higher stover yield and plastic mulch prevents the weeding cost which finally improved the B:C ratio (1.97) by reducing cost of cultivation and improving net return. In conclusion, minimum tillage without mulch is not recommended under dryland condition but raise bed sowing with plastic mulch is a suitable practice among all practices. This shows that raised bed practice prevent the maize crop from excess water condition and plastic mulching is helpful in increasing water use efficiency, controlling weed and maintaining temperature near root zone but no mulch condition degrade the fertile layer of soil by erosion.

Attitudes of Agricultural Extension Workers in Kirkuk Governorate towards Soil Mulching

The study aims to identify the attitudes of agricultural extension workers in Kirkuk governorate towards soil mulching, As well as determining the correlation between the attitudes of agricultural extension workers in Kirkuk governorate towards soil mulching and each of the following variables: (age, gender, upbringing, academic achievement, duration of functional service, work location). The research included all workers in agricultural extension in the center of Kirkuk governorate, whose number is (343) persons, A random sample of (79) employees was selected of the research community. The data were collected using a questionnaire that consisted of two parts. The first part included a set of questions related to the distinctive characteristics of the respondents, while the second part included a scale consisting of (26) items, including positive and negative items, in front of which alternatives were placed (agree, neutral, disagree). It was given a numerical value (3, 2, 1) for the positive items and vice versa for the negative items. The data was analyzed using a set of statistical means using the SPSS program. The results showed that (83.54%) of the respondents working in agricultural extension had neutral to negative attitudes. The results also showed a significant correlation between the attitudes of agricultural extension workers towards using the soil mulching technique and each of (age, gender, upbringing, duration of functional service, and academic achievement), While there was no significant correlation with (work location). The researcher recommended the necessity of holding training courses for agricultural extension workers in Kirkuk governorate in the field of disseminating modern agricultural ideas and involving them in devising modern agricultural ideas.

Ridge-furrow plastic film mulching enhances grain yield and yield stability of rainfed maize by improving resources capture and use efficiency in a semi-humid drought-prone region

Soil mulching, e.g. straw mulching (SM) and ridge-furrow plastic film mulching (RP), has been reported to promote rainfed crop production in semi-arid regions, but its applicability in improving maize yield and especially yield stability in semi-humid drought-prone regions has been rarely explored. The capture and utilization of thermal, light, water and nutrients resources by maize plants under various soil mulching conditions are also poorly understood. A consecutive five-season field experiment was conducted on rainfed maize in a semi-humid drought-prone region of China during 2015–2019 to assess the effects of SM and RP on soil hydrothermal conditions, radiation interception, photosynthesis, evapotranspiration and grain yield stability, profitability and resources use efficiency compared with non-mulching (NM). The results showed that RP enhanced soil hydrothermal conditions, promoted the conversion of water from soil evaporation to plant transpiration and improved water productivity by 10.9%−203.2% compared with NM (P < 0.05). Although the growth duration was shortened, the accumulative soil thermal time and intercepted photosynthetically active radiation under RP were still 4.4% and 3.9% higher, with average increases in thermal time use efficiency by 23% and radiation use efficiency by 24%, which resulted in significantly higher nutrients accumulation (by 6.7%−19.7% for nitrogen and 4.1%−42.0% for phosphorous), grain yield (by 9.5%−186.4%) and yield stability (by 38.1%). These improvements were particularly pronounced in normal and dry years (2015, 2016 and 2017). No significant difference existed in maize’s capacity of absorbing water and nutrients and maize productivity between SM and RP under sufficient precipitation supply (2018 and 2019). The average net profit was highest under RP, especially in dry and normal years, while SM could achieve comparable net profit to RP in wet years. Overall, RP was preferable for rainfed maize production in semi-humid drought-prone regions in any precipitation year, while SM can be an alternative mulching practice in wet years. These results can improve our understanding of how RP and SM enhance rainfed maize productivity by improving resources capture and use efficiency.

Biocontrol of Potato Common Scab Cultivated on Different Soil Mulch

Potato common scab causes significant economic losses worldwide, and current control methods remain ineffective. However, biological control methods have been effective in controlling phytopathogens in several other crops. Trichoderma spp. and Bacillus subtilis are the most studied microorganisms in agriculture for controlling plant diseases. However, interactions between these biological control agents and the organic matter present at the cultivation site have not been extensively studied. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the action of biological agents in controlling potato common scab using different soil mulch compositions. Two field experiments were performed simultaneously: one tested T. longibrachiatum (TL) and T. asperellum (TA) treatments in the control of potato scab, and the other tested two types of soil mulch (vetch and palisade grass) and four microorganism treatments (TL, TA, B. subtilis + Enterococcus faecium + Lactobacillus plantarum (BSEFLP), and B. subtilis + B. licheniformis + T. longibrachiatum (BSBLTL)). In the first experiment, TL and TA decreased the disease severity from 80% in the control to 34%, and 56% in the control to 5%, respectively, based on yield losses caused by the potato scab. In the second experiment, TA and BSEFLP reduced the disease severity to 61% and 62%, respectively, compared with that in the control (98%), and losses caused by the common scab to 38% and 40%, respectively, when combined with vetch mulch (control: 98%), demonstrating that microbial response can be influenced by the cover crop. Therefore, this work provides evidence that biological control of potato common scab is a viable alternative for disease control.

Effects of ground bamboo application on weed suppression and rice production: a 3-year paddy field experiment

BackgroundIn light of the dramatic expansion of Japan’s bamboo forests, it is necessary to develop a strategy for the effective use of bamboo biomass resources. In this study, we tested the effects of ground bamboo as an organic mulching material or soil conditioner during a 3-year, agrochemical-free rice cultivation period.MethodsWe performed field experiments in 16 experimental paddy fields and established five treatments with three or four replicates each: control, manual weeding, low-volume ground bamboo application (0.5 kg m−2), medium-volume ground bamboo application (1.0 kg m−2), and high-volume ground bamboo application (2.0 kg m−2).ResultsWe observed no suppression of aquatic weeds with the ground bamboo treatments. Nevertheless, in the first year, rice yields were 1.7–1.8 times greater in the medium- and high-volume ground bamboo treatments than in the controls. In the second and third years, rice yields did not differ among treatments. During the 3-year period, mean rice yields dropped dramatically to around 20%. Simple linear regression analyses indicated that rice yields were positively associated with available phosphate, and negatively associated with the silicic acid content of post-experiment paddy soils after the second and third years of cultivation. Multiple linear regression analyses indicated that available phosphate and silicic acid were important variables explaining rice yields. Application of ground bamboo did not appear to reduce external rice grain quality.ConclusionsApplication of ground bamboo may enhance the production of high-quality rice, particularly when soil phosphorus is not deficient.

Efficacy of agro-industrial wastes on the weed control, nutrient uptake, growth, and yield of onion crop (Allium cepa L.)

Purpose Two field experiments were conducted to examine the efficacy of orange peel waste (ORPW), olive oil processing waste (OLPW), and mango leaf waste (MLW) as aqueous extracts or soil mulches on growth, yield, and bulb quality response; nutrient uptake; and weed control. Methods The treatments were aqueous extracts (ORPW20%, OLPW30%, and MLW30%) alone or mixed with half a dose of oxyfluorfen herbicide (938 ml ha−1, ½OXYF, the recommended dose is 1875 ml ha−1), soil mulching with orange peel waste, mango leaves, olive oil waste, and rice straw (ORPWM, OLPWM, MLW, and RSM, respectively) at 10 tons ha−1, hoeing, oxyfluorfen herbicide (at 938 and 1875 ml ha−1), and unweeded control treatment. Results The highest weed control efficacy, at 100 days after transplanting, was found in the ORPW20% + ½OXYF (89%), hoeing (88.3%), and ORPWM (88%) treatments. The ORPW20% + ½OXYF and hoeing treatments also showed the highest ability in saving N, P, K, Zn, Mn, and Fe nutrients, without significant differences from the MLW30% + ½OXYF and ORPWM treatments. The ORPW20% + ½OXYF, ORPWM, MLWM, and MLW30% + ½OXYF treatments significantly increased marketable onion bulb yield by 100.6%, 93.9%, 92.1%, and 89%, respectively, without significant difference from hoeing treatment (102.3%). Conversely, the increase of marketable bulb yield in the RSM, OLPWM, and OLPW30% + ½OXYF treatments was 85.4%, 83.5%, and 78.7%, respectively, statistically equaled that obtained from OXYF treatment (79.3%). Conclusion It was concluded that ORPW and MLW as aqueous extracts mixed with ½OXYF herbicide or as soil mulches could be used in controlling weeds and increasing onion crop yield and bulb quality.