Polyethylene Mulch Research Articles

Polythene mulch and potassium application enhances peanut productivity and biochemical traits under sustained salinity stress condition

As peanuts are sensitive to salinity, physiological and agronomic responses to mulching and varied potassium rates were explored to boost peanut yield. During 2013–14 and 2014–15, a field study with 12 treatment combinations using three levels of saline irrigation water (control, 2.0 and 4.0 dS m−1) and mulching (Plastic mulch and control) as main plot, and three levels of potassium treatment (control, 30 and 60 kg K2O ha−1) assisted in sub plots. Results revealed that, application of irrigation water at 2.0 and 4.0 dS m−1 salinity exhibited 46.7–133.3% lower nodule count and pod yield reduced by ∼22.5% at successive increase in salinity over best availability water with 0 dS m−1. Salinity levels lowered free amino acids and oil content, but protein and sugar quantities rose modestly. Polythene mulch enhanced peanut pod production, haulm yield, and oil content by 23.9%, 24.6%, and 49.5%, respectively. Potash fertilizer applied at 60 kg ha−1 has a greater impact on pod yield (2.50 Mg ha−1) than lower potassium fertilizer levels. External potassium application didn't affect peanut biochemistry. Adopting polythene mulch with 2.0 dS m−1 salinity level irrigation water increased pod yield by 6.37–116.1%. Polythene mulch + 60 kg K2O ha−1 + 2.0 dS m−1 increased 100 pod weight (88.4 g), root length (8.67 cm), nodules (9.00), and oil content (50.2%) over other combinations. Five principal component analysis (PCA) main components explained 84.4% variation with PC1 explaining 52% and correlating positively with yield related traits, nodule numbers and oil content. Polythene mulch containing 30–60 kg K2O ha−1 increased peanut yield, biochemical parameters, and oil content under similar growing conditions. Therefore, use of polythene mulch with combination of optimum potassium fertilizer application can be effectively used with salinity irrigation water up to 2.0 dS m−1 without compromising in yield and quality loss of peanut.

Weed Management Efficacy of Mulches, Planting Methods and NAA Application in Capsicum annuum L. under Mid Hills of Himachal Pradesh

Background: Sweet pepper is one of the most popular vegetables cultivated worldwide, which yield and quality is highly affected by weeds. Synthetic mulches and raised beds are a part of a wide strategy of integrated weed management in vegetable production systems. Methods: A field experiment was carried out in Dr YSP UHF, Nauni, Solan (HP) for two years to evaluate the effect of polythene mulches, planting on raised beds (RB) and Naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) application on weed management and yield of sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) crop. Result: The interaction effect of raised bed (RB) + black polythene mulch (BPM) + NAA has recorded less weed density, greater weed control efficiency (64.12%) and lower dry weed biomass (117.83 g/m2). However, highest yield (38.47 t/ha) of sweet pepper was recorded with raised bed (RB) + silver polythene mulch (SPM) + Naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA).

Performance of different mulching materials on soil moisture content, weed infestation and growth of maize (Zea mays L.)

Two field experiments were conducted at Yezin farm and Sepin research farm, Yamenthin, Myanmar to investigate the effect of different mulching materials on growth, soil moisture and weed infestation of maize and to identify the most
 Two field experiments were conducted at Yezin and Sepin research farms, Yamethin, Myanmar to investigate the effect of different mulching materials on growth, soil moisture and weed infestation of maize and to identify the most suitable mulching materials for maize cultivation in the study areas during the dry season (October, 2019 to March, 2020). The experiments used randomized complete block design (RCB) with three replications. No mulching and six mulching materials, including rice straw mulching, rice husk mulching, maize stover mulching, mung bean stover mulching, soybean stover mulching and white plastic polyethylene mulching were tested. NK-621 (120 days) was used as the tested variety. Different mulching materials showed higher plant height and SPAD value than no mulching whereas rice straw mulching was highest at both locations. The highest LAI was achieved from rice straw mulching at Yezin. At Yamethin, the maximum LAI (2.19) was recorded from rice straw mulching at maximum growth stage (MGS), LAI (2.71) observed from maize stover mulching at tasseling stage (TS). The maximum crop growth rate (CGR) (13.31 gm-2day-1) was achieved from rice straw mulching at Yezin and (14.19 gm-2day-1) at Yamethin. Soil moisture content and weed infestation were significantly different among different mulching materials at two locations. White plastic polyethylene mulching and rice straw mulching were observed as the most suitable for soil moisture content and minimal weed infestation. According to the results, rice straw mulching is the best in all parameters among the treatments for Yezin and Yamethin areas.
 suitable mulching materials for maize cultivation in the study areas during the dry season (October, 2019 to March, 2020). The experiments were assigned by using randomized complete block design (RCB) with three replications. A total of seven treatment; no mulching (T1) and six mulching materials including rice straw mulching (T2), rice husk mulching (T3), maize stover mulching (T4), mung bean stover mulching (T5), soybean stover mulching (T6) and white plastic polyethylene mulching (T7) were tested. The most widely sown variety, NK-621 (120 days) was used as the tested variety. Different mulching materials showed higher plant height and SPAD value than no mulching whereas rice straw mulching (T2) was highest at both locations. At three sampling times, the highest LAI was achieved from rice straw mulching (T2) at Yezin. At Yamenthin, the maximum LAI (2.19) was recorded from rice straw mulching at maximum growth stage (MGS), LAI (2.71) observed from maize stover mulching (T4) at tasseling stage (TS) and LAI (2.00) achieved from white plastic polyethylene mulching (T7) at grain filling stage (GFS). The maximum crop growth rate (CGR) (13.31 gm-2day-1) was achieved from rice straw mulching (T2) at Yezin and (14.19 gm-2day-1) at Yamenthin. Soil moisture content and weed infestation were significantly different among different mulching materials at two locations. White plastic polyethylene mulching and rice straw mulching were observed as the most suitable for soil moisture content and minimal weed infestation. According to the results, rice straw mulching is the best in all parameters among the treatments for Yezin and Yamenthin areas.

Differential gas exchange and soil microclimate dynamics under biodegradable plastic, polyethylene, and paper mulches

Biodegradable plastic mulch is potentially a suitable alternative to conventional polyethylene mulch because of the limited disposal options of the latter. However, biodegradable plastic mulch must perform better or comparably to polyethylene mulch to be widely adopted. Gas exchange and soil microclimate are important factors impacted by the use of plastic mulch, which in turn have implications on crop productivity. A controlled-environment study was established in a greenhouse to assess gas exchange and soil microclimate dynamics under biodegradable plastic, polyethylene, and paper mulches with and without planting holes, as well as the impact of the mulches on the growth of sweet corn (Zea mays). A no-mulch condition was included as control. In addition, we monitored CO2 concentrations in the vicinity of planting holes (chimney effect) in a greenhouse and agricultural field conditions under sweet corn production. The plastic mulches (both biodegradable plastic and polyethylene mulches) decreased the soil O2concentration to a minimum of 181–183 mmol mol-1, and when compared to the no-mulch, the plastic mulches reduced water loss within 50 days by 35–68 mm. The paper mulch inhibited light penetration more than did the plastic mulches. There was an increase in the CO2 concentration at 2.5 cm above the planting holes in the plastic mulches compared to that under the no-mulch. However, the differences were not discernible at 15 cm above the ground. Consequently, we did not observe significant impacts on the growth of sweet corn, possibly, because the canopy height of sweet corn was more than 15 cm within a few days after planting. Overall, the plastic mulches did not reduce O2 concentration below 100 mmol mol-1, the minimum level in which plant growth becomes impaired. Also, the often reported improved growth of sweet corn from plastic mulching could be attributable to other factors, such as weed control, reduced water loss, and early season soil warming, rather than elevated CO2 concentrations and fluxes in the vicinity of planting holes. Highlights- Gas exchange and soil microclimate dynamics under biodegradable plastic, polyethylene, and paper mulches were assessed - Elevated CO2 levels were observed near planting holes of plastic mulches (both biodegradable and polyethylene) - The plastic mulches inhibited O2 exchange, but not to a level that could impair plant growth - Polyethylene mulch conserved soil water better than biodegradable plastic and paper mulches - Paper mulch inhibited light penetration better than plastic mulches

End-of-Life Management Options for Agricultural Mulch Films in the United States—A Review

Polyethylene plastic mulches are widely used in specialty cropping systems in the United States due to the horticultural benefits they provide. However, polyethylene mulch is reapplied seasonally, generating large volumes of plastic waste that contribute to plastic pollution concerns. This review synthesizes scientific and industry findings to provide a state of current end-of-life options of polyethylene mulch in the United States and identifies opportunities that can improve plastic waste management with a special emphasis on soil-biodegradable plastic mulches. Major points discussed are: (1) polyethylene mulch use in specialty cropping systems, (2) economic, environmental and waste management impacts of polyethylene mulch use, (3) current common end-of-life pathways of used polyethylene mulch, (4) use of soil-biodegradable plastic mulch as an alternative to reduce the amount of plastic waste in the environment and offset the negative impacts associated with residual non-degradable plastics, (5) socioeconomic factors that reduce the adoption of soil-biodegradable plastic mulch, and (6) limitations of soil-biodegradable mulch. The results of this review conclude that recycling and upcycling of used polyethylene mulch can be a more sustainable disposal option, however cleaning and decontaminating used polyethylene mulch is costly and commercial technology is often not accessible nor economically viable in many regions in the current economic and political situation. To make recycling a viable pathway in the future, research and policy developments are necessary to refine and encourage recycling. Soil-biodegradable plastic mulches can offer an additional opportunity to help address these limitations, but they are not permitted in organic agriculture in the United States. Further studies are necessary to address the current knowledge gaps and gain a better understanding of the factors influencing the degradation of soil-biodegradable mulches under diverse field conditions. Improved end-of-life strategies should continue to be pursued that balance sustainable use of plastic mulch while minimizing environmental risks.

Soil bacterial community and metabolism showed a more sensitive response to PBAT biodegradable mulch residues than that of LDPE mulch residues

Biodegradable mulch film (BDM) is considered as an environmentally sustainable alternative to low density polyethylene (LDPE) mulch film. However, the low degradation rate of BDM resulted in residues in soil after service period which were similar to LDPE mulch film. Distinguishing the differential responses of crop growth, soil bacteria and metabolism to residues of BDM and LDPE mulch films is favourable for comparing the environmental toxicities of the two materials. The results indicated that emergence rate and yield of Chinese cabbage (Brassica campestris L. ssp. chinensis Makino) were significantly inhibited by two types mulch residues. BDM residues significantly decreased bacterial diversity by 1.2–2.3% through the enrichment of dominant phyla and inhibition of inferior phyla, while LDPE mulch residues not. The effects of BDM residues on soil metabolite spectrum were stronger than LDPE mulch residues with significant increase (3.9% 5.8%) in the abundance of total metabolites. Besides the pathways of metabolism, organismal systems, environmental information processing influenced by LDPE mulch resides, differential pathways including human diseases and cellular processes were also determined in soil with BDM residues. According to all the results of the present study, prior to the promotion of BDM, its influences on soil safety must be carefully investigated through critical and systematic research.

Cover Image, Volume 114, Issue 4

On the cover: Students Alyssa Woodard and Marcella Chavez collecting data in the study from flue‐cured tobacco plants on red polyethylene mulch in Kinston, NC in 2020. See the article, “Evaluation of the use of polyethylene mulches in the production of organic flue‐cured tobacco” by Machanoff et al., in this issue of the journal. Photo Credit: Cordelia Machanoff. image

Evaluation of the use of polyethylene mulches in the production of organic flue‐cured tobacco

AbstractWeed and insect pest management in organic flue‐cured tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) is challenging due to lack of effective and affordable approved control options. Polyethylene plastic mulches are used in vegetable and berry production to manage in‐row weed populations, buffer soil temperatures, limit rain‐induced soil loss, and maintain soil moisture. Mulch color can affect plant growth, soil temperature, and insect pest populations in vegetable crops. Field trials were conducted in Kinston, NC, in 2019 and 2020 and Whiteville, NC, in 2020. Red, white, black, and silver polyethylene mulch (with drip irrigation) and bare ground with and without drip irrigation were compared to evaluate effects on tobacco yield, quality, and pests. Tobacco yields were elevated by at least 290% in mulch treatments compared with bare ground with irrigation in 2020 (p < .05), but did not differ in 2019 due to precipitation and temperature differences that conveyed an increased benefit in 2020. Opaque mulches successfully suppressed weed emergence. Fewer aphids were present in highly reflective silver mulch than all other treatments with irrigation in both years. Black and red mulch warmed soils while silver cooled them, affecting nitrogen mineralization rates. Higher levels of plant available nitrogen were maintained in mulch treatments, but tobacco nitrate levels and overall quality were not affected. These results are consistent with plasticulture research in other crops. The factors that make plasticulture well suited to intensively managed, high value crop production may benefit organic flue‐cured tobacco production especially when grown in rotation with other intensively managed crops.

New Mater-Bi, Biodegradable Mulching Film for Strawberry (Fragaria × Ananassa Duch.): Effects on Film Duration, Crop Yields, Qualitative, and Nutraceutical Traits of Fruits.

In the main strawberry areas of Southern Italy, cultivation is carried out by transplanting plants on raised beds (30–40 cm from ground level), mulched with black polyethylene (PE). This technique has becoming increasingly expensive due to the growing prices of plastic mulches, the cost to remove them at the end of crop cycle, and the difficulty to dispose of black, dirty plastic films. The main objective of this research was the replacement of PE mulch with a new biodegradable mulching film Mater-Bi®-based (Novamont), characterized by an increased permanence in the field designed for long crop life. In 2021, two Mater-Bi-based, black, 18 μm thick mulching films were tested under tunnel: N5 as innovative film and N18 as commercial standard film. Black PE film, 50 μm thick was the control. Strawberry cultivars ‘Sabrina’ and ‘Elide’ were cropped on the three mulching films according to a split plot design with four replications. Harvests lasted from March to June 2021. Cvs Sabrina and Elide yielded around 40 t ha−1, while the mean effect of mulching films did not point out differences between the biodegradable mulches and PE. In 4 out of 12 harvests we analyzed samples of fruits to assess the influence of mulches on the contents of °Brix, polyphenols, antioxidant activity, ascorbic acid, flavonoids, and anthocyanins. On average, °Brix was clearly improved in fruits on PE compared to biodegradable films, while all the other qualitative traits resulted in being more dependent on the cultivars and times of sampling effects. Overall, biodegradable mulches are a viable alternative to PE mulch, and the innovative N5 film appeared promising for the enhancement of durability of soil coverage in a long-lasting cycle.

Enhancing Production Through Input Use Efficiency of Virus-Resistant Pune Selection-3 Papaya Variety

An experiment was carried out using virus-resistant papaya variety Pune Selection-3 to study the effect of different cultivation methods for enhanced production and input use efficiency at Horticultural Research Farm, RAU, Pusa during the year 2016-2019. The outcomes of raised bed cultivation (a), drip irrigation (b), fertigation (c), polyethylene mulching (d) along with micronutrient spray (e) were analyzed using different combinations of these parameters as treatments for growth, yield-related parameters, and fruit quality. Nutrient use efficiency was also assessed by examining various interactive components such as soil nutrient content, nutrient acquisition with nutrient content in the leaves, the efficiency of nutrient utilization informs of the biomass produced, fruit yield, and fruit nutritional quality. The plant height was maximum in T1 (155 cm) which was significantly higher than the plant of control treatment. The flowering time was found to be reduced in all treatments. However, total soluble sugar was higher in T3. Overall, when the B:C ratio was compared, the treatment (T1) showed a higher value along with a 2.38-fold fruit yield/plant and 0.89-fold increase in fruit yield per hectare. The nutritional quality of fruits enhanced in T1 treated plants having a 1.78-fold increment in flavonoid content, and 1.2-fold more lycopene. The phenolic content was also 1.8-fold higher than the control (T5). The result obtained in the present study demonstrates that with the implementation of a suitable fertigation system in papaya cultivation we can obtain papaya growth, fruit yield per plant, and fruit quality by targeting enhancement in cost: benefit ratio.
 Int. J. Appl. Sci. Biotechnol. Vol 10(2): 84-92.

Management of Cucumber Mosaic Virus (Cmv) Infecting Cucumber in Bangladesh

Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) is the most important and widespread virus. It attacks cucumber (Cucumis sativus) causingsevere yield loss. A research project was undertaken with a view to developing appropriate management option against CMVof cucumber in Bangladesh.Six integrated disease management packages were tested under field condition. A non-treated control was included for comparison with the packages. The experiment was conducted in the research field of Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Gazipur during rabi season of 2018. All the treatment packages appreciably reduced CMV incidence of cucumber over control. Disease incidence was reduced to 35.71 to 76.97% over control and yield was increased to 0.37 to 6.40 t/h due to all treatment combinations compared to control. Two treatment packages T2- Netting seedling, sticky yellow trap, polythene mulch and 4 sprays of Imidacloprid 0.1 % at 15 days interval and T1- T2+Bio-neem0.2 % instead of Imidacloprid were considered as the most effective management options on the basis of minimum disease incidence (9.67; 10.5), higher yield (13.04 t/ha; 12.96 t/ha) and Marginal benefit cost ratio (1:3.17&1:2.93), respectively. Marginal cost benefit analysis indicated that the two management packages T1and T2may be economically viable and cost effective.These management packages may be recommended for management of CMV infecting cucumber.
 Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 45(1): 65-76, March 2020

Impact of Various Types of Mulch Materials on Plant Growth, Yield and Quality Attributes of Kinnow Mandarin

Background: Among Citrus fruits, Kinnow mandarin is one of the significantly important fruit crops commercially grown in North-Western parts of India. However, due to climate change scarcity of water and soil degradation are the challenging problems, which can cause economic loss to growers. Thus, use of mulching is the one of the appropriate practice for sustainable fruit production. Methods: The experiment consisted of six different types of mulch materials including inorganic and organic mulches like polyethylene (bicolour), bio-mulch (dried local weeds/grasses), mustard straw mulch, sugarcane trash mulch, control (no mulching+no weeding) and hand weeding were applied under Kinnow mandarin trees. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with three replications. Result: The findings of the study revealed that maximum canopy volume (5.62 m3), number of fruits (485.30 tree-1), fruit yield (95.44 kg tree-1) fruit length, fruit width, fruit weight, total soluble solids, ascorbic acid and juice content (6.51 cm, 8.07 cm, 196.74 g, 12.47°Brix, 46.89 mg/100 ml and 51.37%, respectively) with minimum peel thickness (2.10 mm) and acidity (1.03%) were recorded with bicolour polyethylene mulch followed by sugarcane trash mulch and were the lowest in control. The highest B:C ratio of 2.49 was obtained from the bicolour polyethylene mulch followed by sugarcane trash mulch (2.45) as compared to control (1.96).

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.

Subsurface organic ameliorant plus polyethylene mulching strengthened soil organic carbon by altering saline soil aggregate structure and regulating the fungal community

AbstractSubsurface organic ameliorant plus polyethylene mulching is a novel strategy for saline soil improvement and utilization in China. However, little is known about how this strategy impacts soil organic carbon (SOC) both directly (carbon input) and indirectly (soil aggregates protection and microbial regulation). Therefore, a field experiment was arranged and sampled after 3 years, including four treatments, i.e., no ameliorant with and without polyethylene mulching, and subsurface (10–30 cm soil depth) organic ameliorant with and without polyethylene mulching. Subsurface organic ameliorant raised the SOC content in the 0–40 cm by 70% and 90% with and without mulching, respectively. Subsurface organic ameliorant converted the major aggregation size from <0.053 to 0.25–2 mm, indicating that both direct carbon (C) input and indirect soil aggregates protection contributed to the increase in SOC content. In contrast, polyethylene mulching reduced the SOC content by 16% and 6% with and without organic ameliorant respectively. This was due to lower fungal diversity by 9%–14% and supported by the positive effect from fungal diversity to SOC. Further, the subsurface organic ameliorant plus polyethylene mulching increased SOC by 61% through direct C input, indirect soil aggregates protection and microbial regulation. Meanwhile, the contribution of physical protection standardized total effect (STE) = 0.223–0.294] was higher than microbial regulation (STE = 0.040–0.162) according to a structural equation model. Consequently, subsurface organic ameliorant plus polyethylene mulching represents a feasible agricultural practice to increase the SOC content for saline soil amelioration.

Studies on Relative Economics of Apple Nursery Production under Different Weed Management Practices in Kashmir Valley, India

Aims: The purpose of this study was to assess the relative economics of various weed management practices in apple nursery in Kashmir valley, India.
 Study Design: A Randomized Complete Block Design with seven treatments and three replications was employed as the experimental design.
 Place and Duration of Study: The experiment was laid out at the Experimental Farm, Division of Fruit Science, Faculty of Horticulture, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Shalimar Campus, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India during the year 2020.
 Methodology: Seven weed management treatments (manual weeding, pendimethalin @ 1 kg a.i. ha-1, pendimethalin @ 1 kg a.i. ha-1 + manual weeding, paddy straw mulch-6 cm thick, black polyethylene mulch-200 micron), weed-free and weedy check) were tested in apple nursery (cv. Silver Spur grafted on M9-T337). The input costs and output in terms of monetary values were calculated under different treatments at prevailing market rates. The net return and benefit-cost (B:C) ratio was worked out based on input and output values under each treatment.
 Results: The treatment paddy straw mulch showed the highest input cost (₹9543725.90) while black polyethylene mulch resulted the maximum output (17113252.80). The maximum net returns of ₹78,02,726 from grafted apple nursery plants were recorded under black polyethylene mulch with a benefit-cost ratio of 1.83 followed by pendimethalin @ 1 kg a.i. ha-1 + manual weeding with net returns of ₹71,60,541 and benefit-cost ratio of 1.77.
 Conclusion: Black polyethylene mulch resulted highest net return and B:C ratio, hence it found to be most profitable weed management practice in apple nursery. Pendimethalin @ 1 kg a.i. ha-1 + manual weeding can also be considered as alternative weed management option.

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.

Effect of Weed Management Approaches on Weed Density and Weed Control Efficiency in Apple Nursery Plants Grafted on Clonal Rootstock

Aims: The study aimed to evaluate the influence of different weed management approaches on weed density and weed control efficiency in apple nurseries.
 Study Design: The experimental method used in this study was a Randomized Complete Block Design with seven treatments, each replicated three times.
 Place and Duration of Study: The experiment was set up at the Experimental Farm, Division of Fruit Science, Faculty of Horticulture, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Shalimar Campus, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India during the year 2020.
 Methodology: Seven weed management treatments i.e. manual weeding, pendimethalin @ 1 kg a.i. ha-1, pendimethalin @ 1 kg a.i. ha-1 + manual weeding, paddy straw mulch – 6 cm thick, black polyethylene mulch - 200 micron, weed-free and weedy check were tested in apple nursery (Apple cv. Silver) Spur grafted on M-9 T337 was used as plant material for the study. Weed flora, density, dry weight, and weed control efficiency were all observed and recorded.
 Results: Among different weed management approaches tested, black polyethylene mulch (200 micron) resulted in the lowest weed density and weed dry weight, and the highest weed control efficiency followed by paddy straw mulch (6 cm thick) and pendimethalin @ 1 kg a.i. ha-1 + manual weeding.
 Conclusion: In apple nurseries on clonal rootstock M9-T337, black polyethylene (200 micron) was determined to be the most effective weed control strategy for reducing weed density while increasing overall control efficiency.

Weed Management Practices Affects Vegetative Growth and Graft Survival of Apple cv. Silver Spur/M9-T337 Nursery Plants

The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of different weed management practices on vegetative growth and graft survival of apple nursery. The experiment was laid out at the Experimental Farm, Division of Fruit Science, Faculty of Horticulture, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and technology of Kashmir, Shalimar Campus, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India during the year 2020. Seven weed management practices i.e. T1 (manual weeding), T2 (pendimethalin @ 1 kg a.i. ha-1), T3 (pendimethalin @ 1 kg a.i. ha-1 + manual weeding), T4 (paddy straw mulch - 6cm thick), T5 (black polyethylene mulch - 200 micron), T6 (weed free) and T7 (weedy check) were tested in apple nursery (cv. Silver Spur grafted on M9-T337). The experimental design used was Randomized Complete Block Design with three replicates. Observations on vegetative growth parameters of nursery stocks (plant height, number of branches & number of leaves per plant, leaf area, rootstock girth and scion girth) and graft survival was recorded. Plant growth and graft survival percentage of apple nursery plants was significantly affected by weed management practices. Black polyethylene and paddy straw mulches resulted superior plant growth and both the treatments were statistically at par for all the vegetative growth parameters. Plant height (87.81cm), number of branches (0.4) and number of leaves (45.04) per plant and leaf area (23.63 cm-2) was maximum with black polyethylene much, while scion girth (3.26 cm) and rootstock girth (4.38 cm) was maximum with paddy straw mulch, Significantly maximum graft survival (90.60%) were recorded with black polyethylene. Hence, Black polyethylene (200 micron) found to be most effective weed management practice for obtaining higher graft survival of apple nursery plants with better plant growth characteristics.

Impact of Mulches on Water Dynamics for Chrysanthemum (Dendranthema grandiflora l.) Crop under Drip Irrigation System in India

A field experiment was conducted at Precision Farming Development Center, college farm, college of agriculture, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad during kharif, The experiment was laid out in split plot design with three drip irrigation levels as main plot treatments (viz., I1- Drip irrigation at 1.0 E pan, I2- Drip irrigation 0.8 E pan, I3- Drip irrigation 0.6E pan) and four mulches (viz., M1-No mulch, M2- Paddy straw, M3- Black plastic mulch, M4- Dried leaves) as sub treatments and were replicated thrice. The experimental soil was sandy clay loam in texture with low in available nitrogen and high in available phosphorus and potassium. Moisture content was estimated under all three main plot treatments and four subplot treatments. Higher moisture was observed below black plastic mulch and lowest moisture observed below the no mulch condition. Drip irrigation scheduled at 0.6 E pan recorded higher water use efficiency (111.09 kg ha-1 mm-1). The least WUE was observed in drip irrigation at 1.0 E pan. On the other hand maximum WUE was recorded with application of polythene mulch (113.5 kg ha-1 mm-1), While the least was recorded with no mulch (90.43 kg ha-1 mm-1). The results of soil moisture content in the present study indicated that, application of black plastic mulch would reduce the soil moisture evaporation which will enhance the uniform distribution availability of soil moisture for longer days, compare to other mulches namely no mulch, paddy straw and dried leaves.

Plastic Mulch and In-row Spacing Effects on Sweetpotato Yield in Northwest Washington

Sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas) production in the northern United States is limited due to the perceived barriers of a short growing season and relatively cool summer temperatures, yet recent studies have shown yield in northern regions can be greater than the national average when sweetpotatoes are grown with plastic mulch. A study was conducted in northwest Washington to evaluate the productivity of ‘Covington’ sweetpotato with polyethylene (PE) and soil-biodegradable (BDM) mulches and different in-row spacings (20, 30, and 38 cm) in 2019, and to test accessions resistant to wireworm (Agriotes sp. and Limonius sp.) in 2020. In 2019, slips were shipped from North Carolina, and after 4 days in transit, 60% to 70% died after transplanting in the field. By the end of the season, BDM deterioration reached 11% compared with 0.4% for PE mulch, but there were no differences due to mulch in plant establishment, growth, yield, or the proportion of storage roots damaged by wireworm. Total storage root yield was 22 t⋅ha−1 with PE mulch and 15 t⋅ha−1 with BDM. Percent canopy cover was greatest at 20-cm spacing later in the growing season, likely due to intermingling of vines from adjacent plants, whereas high percent canopy cover at 38-cm spacing was likely due to increased production of secondary vines per plant. Total yield was greatest with 20-cm plant spacing (20.4 t⋅ha−1), intermediate with 30-cm spacing (18.0 t⋅ha−1), and lowest with 38-cm spacing (17.0 t⋅ha−1). In contrast, the greatest number of storage roots per plant was produced with 38-cm plant spacing (3.4). There were more jumbo sweetpotatoes produced with PE mulch (3.4 t⋅ha−1) and with 30-cm spacing (3 t⋅ha−1), and the weight of U.S. No. 2 grade sweetpotatoes was greatest at 20-cm spacing (10.2 t⋅ha−1). Soil temperature was increased by 3 °C under the PE mulch and 2 °C under the BDM compared with bare ground. However, 98% of storage roots were observed to be severely damaged by wireworm in 2019, with more than 10 to 20 holes per storage root. For wireworm-resistant accessions in 2020, 16% of the storage roots were damaged by wireworm, with 1.7 to 4.0 holes per storage root. Total yield of accessions PI 666141 and 04-791 (45.5 t⋅ha−1 on average) was greater than the national average (24.7 t⋅ha−1). Overall, sweetpotatoes appear to be suitable for production in northwest Washington, but low yield in 2019 highlights the importance of healthy slips for successful production. Future research should evaluate cultivars with maximum adaptation to the region, techniques to reduce wireworm damage including genetic resistance, and the economics of producing sweetpotatoes in northern regions.