Polyethylene Mulch Research Articles

Effect of Agronomic Management on Soil Microclimatic Parameters and Root Yield of Sida Hemp (Sida alnifolia L.)

Agronomic management exhibits great influence on growth and yield of crops by modifying physical, chemical and biological properties of soil and plants. Field experiment was conducted during June to December, 2018 to assess the effect of agronomic management viz. light intensity, application of manuring and weed management on soil microclimatic variations and its effects on root yield of Sida hemp (Sida alnifolia L.). The treatments included two levels of light intensity (open and 50 per cent shade), two levels of manuring (no manure and FYM@10 t ha-1), and four weed management practices (black polythene mulching, organic mulching with paddy straw @ 5 t ha-1, hand weeding at 1,3,5 MAP (Month after planting) and no weeding). Higher soil temperature at 10 cm depth was observed in open condition and under black polythene mulching throughout the growing period. Higher soil moisture content at 15 cm depth was recorded under shade and black polythene mulching. Black polythene mulching resulted in increase in soil temperature and soil moisture content by almost two percent as compared to bare soil in open condition. The highest root yield of 14.66 t ha-1 was noticed in plots with black polythene mulching with FYM under open condition. Soil temperature and light intensity showed positive correlation with root yield.

Dose-response of plasticulture summer squash and triploid watermelon to fomesafen applied pre-transplanting

AbstractDose-response trials to determine the tolerance of summer squash and watermelon to fomesafen applied (over the top of black polyethylene mulch and respective row middles) pre-transplanting were performed between 2020 and 2021 at three Indiana locations: the Meigs Horticulture Research Farm (MEIGS), the Pinney Purdue Agricultural Center (PPAC), and the Southwest Purdue Agricultural Center (SWPAC). Summer squash trials were performed at the MEIGS and PPAC locations, and watermelon trials were performed at the MEIGS and SWPAC locations. The experiments for both summer squash and watermelon had a split-plot arrangement in which the main plot was herbicide rate, and the subplot was cultivar. Summer squash injury included necrotic leaf margin, chlorosis, brown and white spots, and stunting. Fomesafen rates from 262 to 1,048 g ai ha−1 in 2020 at both locations, and from 280 to 1,120 g ai ha−1 in 2021 at MEIGS did not affect summer squash yield. However, in 2021 at PPAC, fomesafen applied at rates from 280 to 1,120 g ha−1 delayed summer squash harvest and decreased marketable yield from 95% to 61% compared with the nontreated control. Watermelon injury included bronzing and stunting. Fomesafen rates from 210 to 840 g ai ha−1 did not affect marketable watermelon yield or fruit number. Crop safety was attributed to rain, which washed off most of the herbicide from the polyethylene mulch before plants were transplanted or little to no rain after transplant. Injury was observed only when there was no rain before transplant followed by excessive rain shortly after transplant. Overall, the 1× rate used for each trial was safe for use 1 d before transplanting summer squash and 6 to 7 d before transplanting watermelon.

Effects of residual mulching films with different mulching years on the diversity of soil microbial communities in typical regions

Polyethylene mulching film plays a critical role in agricultural production. To clarify the impact of residual film and microplastics on soil microorganisms, this study examined four cotton fields with different film coverage years in typical areas of Xinjiang and analyzed the changes in soil bacterial and fungal community structure and diversity under residual film and microplastics using high-throughput sequencing technology. The results showed that the residual film in the 0–150 mm soil layers and 150–300 mm soil layers at the same sampling point had spatial distribution characteristics of 60–70% and 30–40%, respectively. The short period of the 0–10 years film mulching treatment increased the soil microbial diversity of the cotton field, whereas continuous film mulching for 25 years significantly decreased the soil microbial diversity, in which Proteobacteria was the dominant bacterial phylum and Ascomycetes was the dominant fungal phylum. The microbial diversity of the film-covered soil was lower than that of the control group. The spatial distribution of the residual film and microplastic changed the distribution of the microbial communities. The diversity of the microbial community structure of the 0–150 mm soil layers was higher than that of the 150–300 mm soil layers. The increase in residual film and microplastics had no significant effect on the diversity of the fungal community but decreased the diversity of the soil bacterial community and decreased the relative abundance of Proteobacteria and Campylobacter. In conclusion, long-term film mulching reduced the soil microbial diversity in cotton fields. This study provides a theoretical basis for understanding the impact of film residues on microorganisms and the ecological environment in typical areas.

Comparative Analysis on Impact of Different Mulches on Growth and Yield Parameters of Mulberry under Rainfed Condition of Poonch District of Jammu and Kashmir

The current study was formulated to analyse the impact of different biodegradable and synthetic mulches on growth and yield parameters of mulberry plant. Among the selected parameters survival rate of mulberry plants was recorded to be maximum in T-2 i.e, paddy straw and husk as 95% followed by T-1 and T-3 i.e, Black polythene mulch and Green branches of tree respectively as 90% and least for Control i.e, without any mulch as 70%. Least population of weeds with minimum intensity was recorded in T-1 (05) followed by T-2 (08) and T-3 (10). Maximum weed flora with highest intensity of weeds was found in Control i.e, without any mulch (20). For the studied samples, maximum soil moisture percentage and moisture retention capacity (MRC) of 66.57 & 95.6% was recorded in T-1 followed by T-3 as 40.31 & 87% and T-2 as 16.36 & 91% and minimum in control as 13.43 & 85.56%. The pH was recorded as 6.1 in T-1 depicting the slightly acidic soiland could be viewed as the most appropriate soil pH for mulberry cultivation. Available NPK were recorded to be in the most ideal range for T-1 as 8.2, 1.3 and 9.6%. Maximum leaf size was recorded in T-1 as 126cm followed by T-2 and T-3 as 116cm and 110cm respectively and 105cm in control. Moisture percentage was recorded to be highest 76.23% followed by 74.61% and 54.16% for T-3, T-1 and T-2 respectively and 68.2% in control. Maximum MRC was observed in case of plants grown under Black polythene mulch (73.24%) and least in green branch mulch (61.39%). Therefore, it can be concluded that application of suitable bio-mulches in mulberry fields can reduce the dependency of chemical weedicides.

Response of bell pepper (Capsicum annuum) to different agro-techniques and NAA application

An experiment was conducted during the rainy (kharif) seasons of 2017–18 and 2018–19 at the research farm of Dr. Y S Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry in Nauni, Solan, Himachal Pradesh to study the effects of different planting methods, mulches and the addition of natural organic acids (NAAs) on bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) growth and yield. The experiment involved 12 different treatments of 2 planting methods, 3 mulching levels, and 2 levels of NAA in a Randomized Block Design (Factorial) and 3 replications. The yield and its characteristics were shown to be highly impacted by planting methods, mulch material, and NAA levels. In terms of maximum plant height, early blooming, maximum fruit length, fruit width, fruit weight, fruits/plant, fruits/plot, and yield/ha, P1, M2, and N1 each stood out as the best. The raised bed planting technique with silver/black polythene mulch and NAA treatment @15 ppm at 30 and 45 days after planting (P1M2N1) resulted in the highest plant height, days to 50% flowering, fruit length, fruit breadth, fruit weight, number of fruits/plant, yield/plot and yield/ha. According to the findings, in the mid-hill conditions of Himachal Pradesh, the treatment P1M2N1 achieved the highest levels of yield and its attributing features.

Leaching of di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate from biodegradable and conventional microplastics and the potential risks

There has been a growing concern about plastic pollution, both from a health and ecological perspective. One of the major concerns with plastic debris, especially microplastics (MPs) relates to their strong potential for releasing additives and chemicals. Di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) is a common plastic additive widely used as plasticizer in plastic products, and is of global concern due to its widespread contamination in the environment. In this study, two conventional nondegradable plastics (polyethylene (PE) bags and PE mulch) and two biodegradable plastics (poly(butylene adipate co-terephtalate)-starch-based-polylactic acid bags (PBAT/PLA bags) and PLA mulch) were selected to investigate the release of DEHP to seawater. The results showed that leaching potentials of DEHP from different types of MPs varied. Among the four selected MPs, PE mulch had the highest leaching potential (6.88 μg/g), followed by PE bags (4.24 μg/g), PLA mulch (1.10 μg/g) and PBAT/PLA bags (0.89 μg/g). The DEHP leaching kinetic curves of the four MPs were all in line with the pseudo first order model. The potential risk of environmental and human exposure to the leached DEHP was assessed using the average Phthalate Pollution Index (PPI). The calculated PPI indicated low pollution risks of DEHP released by the four MPs in seawater.

Recycling, disposal, or biodegradable-alternative of polyethylene plastic film for agricultural mulching? A life cycle analysis of their environmental impacts

Plastic mulching is widely used in croplands to improve yields, while its mismanagement leads to plastic pollution in rural areas. China has explored different approaches to manage post-use plastic mulching, while there is still inadequate research regarding their corresponding environmental impacts. This study establishes five plastic mulching management scenarios, i.e., plastic mulching disposed of in nature, substituting biodegradable plastic, recycling, incineration, and landfilling, and maize cultivation in rural areas of northern China was taken as the studied case. We determine the comprehensive environmental impacts through a life cycle assessment (LCA) approach and completed a field investigation to obtain local datasets. The impurity content of used polyethylene mulching (PEM), an essential parameter for the entire life-cycle environmental impact assessment, is 80.1% ± 9.5%, examined by on-site sampling and scanning electron microscope. Results show that: 1) the use of biodegradable mulching (BM) instead of traditional PEM reduces carbon emissions by 22.6%; 2) the increment of soil carbon flux caused in the application stage is more significant than that in the post-use stage; 3) incineration of post-use mulch causes relatively significant photochemical oxidant formation effect; furthermore, recycling of plastic mulching leads to negative impacts in terms of human toxicity effect, meanwhile the positive environmental impact of fossil depletion effect is 2.3 times higher than that of incineration. Reducing the rate of impurity content in wasted plastic mulching can reduce transportation costs and promote sustainable plastic pollution management in rural areas.

Weed invasion of groundnut crop in sandy soil using drip irrigation system with black polyethylene mulch

Weeds cause serious damage to the crop yield by sharing land, water, soil nutrients, and sunlight, etc.,which increase the cost of cultivation, impairment of quantity and quality. The objective of the research isto compare the water use efficiency, weed index, and weed control efficiency under a drip irrigation systemwith black polyethylene mulch, using four treatments, such as Drip, Drip with Mulch, Mulch, and Control.The acquired findings revealed that there is a significant difference between the treatment means, with theleast significant difference being (P>0.05). However, the maximum acquired water use efficiency in dripwith mulch treatment is 14.43 kg/ha-mm, followed by drip, mulch, and control were 10.89, 8.82, 6.55 kg/ ha-mm, respectively. Due to increasing weed infestation, the weed index in control was found to be high as33.69 percent, followed by mulch, drip and drip with mulch were 28.79, 12.81 and zero per cent duly. Theweed control efficiency was acquired to be high in drip with mulch treatment as 91.34 percent and 84.78percent at 30 and 60 days after sowing respectively. Plastic mulch improves the water use efficiency andproductivity with a controlled amount of water application with drip irrigation system. The researchconcludes that using a drip irrigation system in conjunction with black polyethylene mulch for the cultivationof groundnut crops in sandy soils is superior and beneficial for the farmers to achieve high yields, whichresults in economic benefit of the farmers.

Biodegradability of polyethylene mulch film by Bacillus paramycoides

Discarded polyethylene (PE) mulch film has led to persistent agricultural pollution. Biodegradation of plastic waste is considered as a promising solution that can potentially overcome environmental and economic problems. In this study, a novel bacterium (Bacillus paramycoides) was isolated from a waste mulch recycling plant and showed an extraordinary ability to customize polyethylene film. It was observed by scanning electron microscopy that a large number of pits and wrinkle cracks existed on the polyethylene, indicating that the strain used PE film as the sole carbon source. Meanwhile, the loss of weight of the film was tested continuously, and approximately 12% of the initial weight of the film was found to be lost within 45 days after coincubation with TW-2. The surface hydrophobicity of the polyethylene film decreased while the surface tension increased from 9.755 to 31.013. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis indicated that absorption peaks near 1740 cm−1 and 2760 cm−1 were attributed to the stretching vibrations of aldehyde and carboxyl groups, respectively, suggesting that hydrophilic groups were produced. This was also confirmed by XPS spectroscopy analysis. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis also showed that the relative crystallinity decreased from 33% to 11.51%. In addition, GPC analysis showed that the molecular weight decreased, while the proportion of low molecular weight fragments increased. These results strongly indicated that the PE film was able to be degraded to some extent by the strain. Finally, a new biodegradable mechanism for polyethylene was proposed.

Risk and uncertainty of plastic mulch adoption in raspberry production systems

AbstractAgriculture plays a central role in providing food security and essential goods globally. Producers must consider and manage risk to ensure that the production system and its associated individuals are capable of enduring unexpected and disruptive events. Analyzing the different types of risk and accompanying uncertainties that growers experience can be essential to better reflect and understand the realities of their circumstances, but these concepts are not always accounted for in the adoption process. Drawing on the importance of risk and uncertainty, this study aims to assess the different types of risk and uncertainties involved in the risk decision-making process of the processed raspberry industry, where plastic mulch is a new production technique. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with participants involved in the use, research, outreach, manufacturing, and distribution of plastic mulch, specifically polyethylene (PE) mulch and soil-biodegradable mulch (BDM). Findings indicate that risk can be present in various forms including production, price, and hidden risks, with production and price risks being the most significant to all participants. When accounting for overall risk, PE mulch was considered riskier to industry representatives but less risky to growers and most research and outreach specialists. BDM was considered risky due to the uncertainties about durability, degradability, and the unknown impacts on the environment if BDM fragments do not degrade readily. The application of PE mulch and/or BDM can be beneficial for the raspberry production systems but will require time for additional research and effort to disseminate information to a wider agricultural audience.

Effect of Different Type of Mulches on Soil Properties and Weed Control Efficiency in Cauliflower Var. Pusa Snowball K-1

The present experiment was conducted during winter 2021-22 at Polytechnic in Horticulture, ASPEE College of Horticulture and Forestry, Navsari Agricultural University, Paria, Gujarat, India to study the effect of different type of mulches on soil properties and weed control efficiency in cauliflower var. Pusa Snowball K-1. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design (RBD) with three replications and nine treatments viz., T1- Black polyethylene mulch, T2- Silver polyethylene mulch, T3- Red polyethylene mulch, T4- Silver black polyethylene mulch, T5- White polyethylene mulch, T6- Paddy straw mulch (10 t ha-1), T7- Sugarcane trash (10 t ha-1), T8- Farmer’s practice (Two hand weeding with flood irrigation) and T9- Control (No mulch). The study revealed that the black polyethylene mulch had a positive impact on soil properties and weed control efficiency in cauliflower var. Pusa Snowball K-1. Black polyethylene mulch (T1) recorded maximum soil temperature (32.70 °C, 32.33 °C, 29.86 °C, 27.93 °C, 27.73 °C, 31.70 °C and 33.93 °C) and soil moisture content (23.65 %, 22.60 %, 20.98 %, 22.26 %, 21.55 %, 20.65 % and 22.46 %) at 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90 and 105 DATP, respectively. The highest weed control efficiency (97.26 %) was also recorded by black polyethylene mulch (T1) among the all treatments.

Mulching as soil moisture conservation to improve physiological traits in maize (Zea mays L.)

Field experiments were conducted at Yezin farm and Sepin research farm, Yamethin, Myanmar to study the effect of different mulching materials on percent reduction of soil moisture content and physiological traits in Yezin and Yamethin. Randomized complete block design (RCB) was used with three replications from October, 2019 to March, 2020. 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) and no mulching (T1) were tested with NK-621, variety. At Yezin, the minimum percent reduction of soil moisture content (45.89) was obtained from T2 and (76.79, 58.07) was resulted in T7 whereas the maximum percent reduction of soil moisture contents (76.93, 89.00, 83.93) were recorded from T1 at 14 DAI (Days after irrigation). At tasseling stage, the maximum photosynthesis rates (20.45 µmol m-2s-1) and (21.59 µmol m-2s-1) were observed from T2 at Yezin and Yamethin. At two locations, the maximum stomatal conductance (158.36 mmol m-2s-1) and (204.44 mmol m-2s-1) was observed from T2 at maximum growth stage. At maximum growth stage, the maximum SPAD values (33.90) and (53.98) were obtained from T6 at Yezin and T2 at Yamethin. The maximum five ears weight (1830.6 g) was recorded from rice straw mulching whereas the minimum five ears weight (1326.0 g) was resulted from no mulching at Yamethin. According to the results, rice straw mulching resulted in the highest physiological traits of maize, and white plastic polyethylene mulching recorded the minimum percent reduction of soil moisture content at Yezin and maize stover mulching at Yamethin.

Effects of different colored polyethylene mulching films on bacterial communities from soil during enrichment incubation

Studies have shown that mulching agricultural fields with plastic residues can influence microbial communities in the environment, but few studies have investigated the differences in the soil microbial communities in distinct areas under mulching with different colored plastic products. Thus, in this study, we explored how different colored polyethylene mulching films (PMFs) might affect soil bacterial communities during enrichment incubation. We found significant differences in the bacterial communities under different colored PMFs after incubation. Treatment with the same colored PMF obtained more similar bacterial community compositions. For instance, at the class level, Gammaproteobacteria and Bacteroidia were most abundant with black PMF, whereas Actinobacteria and Bacteroidia were most abundant with white PMF. The most abundant genera were Acinetobacter and Chryseobacterium with black PMF but Rhodanobacter and Paenarthrobacter with white PMF. Polyethylene- and hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria were the core members detected under both treatments, and the bacterial communities were predicted to have the potential for the biodegradation and metabolism of xenobiotics after enrichment culture according to the Phylogenetic Investigation of Communities by Reconstruction of Unobserved States (PICRUSt) tool. In addition, the bacterial communities in soil from Xinjiang treated with white PMF and in soil from Yangling treated with black PMF were strongly correlated and stable. Our results suggest that the color of the PMF applied affected the soil bacterial communities, where plastics with the same color may have recruited similar species of microorganisms, although the origins of these microorganisms were not the same.

Impact of buried debris from agricultural biodegradable plastic mulches on two horticultural crop plants: Tomato and lettuce

Biodegradable mulches (BDM) are increasingly valued and used for substituting non-biodegradable plastic mulches polluting agricultural soils. They are tilled into soil, where they fragment and release compounds throughout their biodegradation. The consequences of BDM use on the plant-soil environment have been partially studied with pristine and with artificially-weathered BDM fragments. However, to guarantee safety use of BDM, studies on the BDM debris effects are required. For this, to determine potential effects of the field-weathering BDM on plants, a mesocosm experiment was performed by sowing seeds from two major plant species commonly cultivated with BDM, tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) and lettuce (Lactuca sativa), in plant pots containing pristine and field-weathered pieces from seven different BDM formulations, one paper mulch, a polyethylene (PE) mulch, and no-mulch control pots.Germination of both plant species was unaffected by any of the mulch treatments; however, PHB (polyhydroxybutyrate)-based BDM fragments severely inhibited tomato and lettuce plant growth, 90 and 95 %, respectively. Moreover, all pristine and field-weathered BDM significantly delayed lettuce plant development. Tomato plant growth progressed better, but growth retardation was also evidenced with most field-weathered BDM treatments. Overall, field-weathered fragments caused stronger effects on plants than the pristine unused ones. No effects were found for PE mulch, either pristine or field-weathered. The obtained results highlight that BDM debris may alter plant development depending on their nature and on their weathering, rather than on their physical presence, and evidence the need to conduct further experiments on the impact of field-weathered BDM on the plant-soil environment.

Effect of Non-Chemical Weed Management Approaches on Yield and Nutrient Uptake in High Density Planting of Cotton in Vertisol of Northern Karnataka

In order to investigate the impact of non-chemical eco-friendly weed management strategies on the yield, nutrient uptake, and soil balance of high density planting cotton in deep vertisols, a field experiment was carried out in 2017 and 2018 at the Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, UAS, Raichur. Three replications were used in the experiment's Randomized Completely Block Design layout. There were 14 different interventions used, including polythene mulch, paddy straw mulch, cotton stalk mulch, intercropping with green manures at a 1:1 ratio (sunnhemp and cowpea), four different botanical extracts at 20% as PE (Eucalyptus sp., Prosopis juliflora extract, Cassia tora, and Parthenium hysterophorus), mechanical, cultural, and their combination, in comparison to weed-free check. Three replicated randomised complete block design was used to conduct the experiment. The two years pooled data showed that, compared to the other treatments, weed free check had a significantly higher seed cotton production (1,722 kg /ha). It was then followed by Cotton + Sunnhemp (1:1) in-situ mulching at 45 DAS (1299 kg /ha), pendimethalin 38.7 CS @ 680 g a.i./ha as PE fb pyrithiobac sodium 10 EC 75 g a.i./ha + quizolofop ethyl 37.5 g a.i./ha at 25 DAS as PoE (1274 kg /ha), The environmentally friendly treatments, such as cotton + sunnhemp (1:1) and in-situ mulching at 45 DAS, mulching with black polythene sheet, cotton + cowpea (1:1) and in-situ mulching at 45 DAS, and others, were on par with weed free check and may be suggested since they were the best options.

Environmental and Economic Impacts of Biodegradable Plastic Film Mulching on Rainfed Maize: Evaluations on Sustainability and Productivity

Fully biodegradable (Bio) plastic film is an alternative option to replace widely used polythene film in semiarid rainfed regions. However, its productivity and environmental friendliness remain unclear. Field observations were conducted using maize variety Pioneer 335 to evaluate the effects of Bio film mulching on soil hydrothermal status, carbon sequestration, and water productivity in a semiarid site of northwest China from 2016 to 2017. Six treatments were designed as (1) CK-1, ridge and furrow (RF) without mulching, (2) CK-2, conventional flat planting without mulching, (3) RFT, RF with transparent polyethylene film mulching, (4) RFB, RF with black polyethylene mulching, (5) RFS, RF with wheat straw mulching, and (6) RFBIO, RF with Bio film mulching. The results indicated the growth prophase of maize from sowing to silking stage received 160 mm of rainfall in cool and wet 2016, but decreased to 119.8 mm in warm and dry 2017. Bio film degradation was advanced at the mid stages of maize growth by 10 days in 2017 compared with 2016. Similarly to RFT, RFBIO significantly improved soil hydrothermal conditions compared with RFS, CK-1, and CK-2; however, its magnitude decreased at the maturity stage (P < 0.05). Both RFT and RFB had significantly higher grain yields, economic benefits and water use efficiencies than RFBIO and RFS did across two growing seasons (P < 0.05). RFBIO led to a steady improvement in soil organic carbon, light fraction organic carbon, and carbon to nitrogen ratio, which were better than those of RFT. Therefore, Bio film mulching might be environmentally friendly but not highly productive.

Industrial Hemp Root Length Density and Distribution under Polyethylene Mulch with Drip Irrigation

Delineating the depth and extent of the industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) root zone assists with proper irrigation management and minimizes nutrient leaching. The objective of this 3-year field study was to measure root distribution and root length density of industrial hemp cultivars produced for cannabinoids grown under polyethylene mulch with drip irrigation. Root length density (RLD) was measured from 75-cm-deep soil cores obtained during vegetative growth, at early bloom, and at flower harvest. Cores were taken in-row and 15 cm to the side of each plant. In addition to root cores, the trench profile method was used during 2020 to observe in situ gross root architecture of a direct-seeded cannabinoid cultivar. RLD was significantly greater in the 0- to 30-cm soil depth and dropped dramatically below 30 cm; RLD was not significantly affected by cultivar. These findings suggest that the effective root zone depth for industrial hemp cultivars produced for cannabinoids is 0 to 30 cm and that the cultivars tested in this study do not differ in root system size or location.

Effect of polyethylene mulch colour and maturity stage on strawberry phytochemicals and postharvest quality

Effect of polyethylene mulch colour and maturity stage on strawberry phytochemicals and postharvest quality

Effect of mulching materials on soil temperature and horticultural attributes in pear (Pyrus pyrifoila (Burm.) Nakai) under humid subtropical climate of Punjab

ABSTRACT- The effect of mulching materials on soil temperature and horticultural attributes in pear under subtropics of northwestern India was studied for years 2018 and 2019. Different mulches such as paddy straw mulch (PSM), white polythene mulch (WPM) and black polythene mulch (BPM) were applied underneath the canopies of ‘Patharnakh’ pear trees during second week of April. The weedy check (control) and manual weeding plots were kept to compare the relative effects of different mulching materials. The observations on soil temperature were noted at weekly interval while the quality parameters of pear fruit were recorded at harvest. Among the time intervals of soil temperatures, the higher soil temperature was observed with the WPM mulch followed by BPM while the minimum soil temperature was recorded with PSM. The WPM treatment showed soil warming effect from 16th to 28th standard meteorological week (SMW) during both the years of investigation. Different mulches significantly influenced the fruit yield and quality attributes of Patharnakh pear. The maximum fruit weight and fruit yield was observed in PSM, while minimum in control as weedy check. The internal quality of pear fruits in terms of total soluble solids was better in PSM and WPM as compared to fruits from control plants. It can be summarized that the readily available soil moisture and optimum soil temperature conditions during fruit development period improves fruit size particularly under PSM and WPM.&#x0D; Key words: Soil temperature, mulches, management practices, pear, fruit attributes.

Effects of polyethylene mulch ridge coverage and coverage period on tuberous root characteristics and characteristics of “hoshi-imo” steamed and dried sweetpotato slices during sweetpotato (&lt;i&gt;Ipomoea batatas L.&lt;/i&gt;) cultivation

Effects of polyethylene mulch ridge coverage and coverage period on tuberous root characteristics and characteristics of “hoshi-imo” steamed and dried sweetpotato slices during sweetpotato (&lt;i&gt;Ipomoea batatas L.&lt;/i&gt;) cultivation