Transparent Polyethylene Mulch Research Articles

Effect of different weed control techniques on the leaf yield and nutritional qualities of Ocimum sanctum

AbstractOcimum sanctum is a leaf‐vegetable and spice crop with several nutritional, therapeutic, and curative properties. Economic losses due to weeds have posed a major challenge to farmers, who have adopted different techniques to manage weeds without regard to its effect on the crop's nutritional qualities. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of weed control techniques on weed eradication, leaf yield, and nutritional qualities of O. sanctum. Nine weed control techniques comprising black, red, and transparent polyethylene mulches, rice husk and sawdust mulches, daily removal of weed (DROW), hoe‐weeded, application of Haloxyfop post‐emergence herbicide spray (PEHS), and un‐weeded were investigated in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Significant variations in leaf‐yield and nutritional qualities among the different weed control techniques were recorded. Leaf yield was higher in plots treated with rice husk and black polyethylene mulches. Haloxyfop PEHS and transparent polyethylene mulch were superior in enhancing the proximate and vitamin contents of O. sanctum while black polyethylene and DROW were more efficient in weed control compared with the other weed control techniques. The use of polyethylene mulch as an effective weed management option offers numerous benefits for agriculture and gardening. Its ability to conserve moisture, suppress weed growth, and improve the crop microclimate, makes it a sustainable and cost‐effective option for farmers globally. Additionally, the use of herbicide to exploit plant biosynthetic pathways could lead to the unearthing of chemical innovations that could in addition to eradicating weed, also improve the nutritional qualities of crop.

COMPARATIVE BETWEEN WATER LEVEL AND SOIL COVER MATERIAL ON GROWTH, PRODUCTIVITY AND WATER USE EFFICIENCY OF HOT PEPPER PLANT

Two field experiments were conducted during the two successive winter seasons of 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 on the experimental farm belonging to the Central Laboratory for Agricultural Climate, Agricultural Research Center, Giza Governorate, and Egypt. The study comprised three irrigation levels (50, 75, and 100% of estimated water requirement based on climatic data) and four soil cover treatments namely transparent polyethylene mulch (PE), rice straw (RS), date palm fiber wastes (DPf) and control (bare soil). Hot pepper seeds (Capsicum annuum L.), Super Noura F1 hybrid. Hot pepper transplants were cultivated in the field in the first week of September for both seasons. The main results show that using 100% water level led to increased vegetative and yield of hot pepper during both seasons followed by using 75% while deficit irrigation gave the lowest hot pepper growth and yield. Using 75% water level gave the highest water use efficiency. Using PE mulch led to increasing the soil temperature during the growth season followed by rice straw mulch whereas the date palm fiber wastes mulch decrease soil temperature during both seasons. Moreover, PE treatment led to an increase in the growth and yield of hot pepper during both seasons. Control treatment combined with a 50% water level decreased the growth and productivity of hot pepper during the two seasons.

Effects of Agronomic Practices on the Severity of Sweet Basil Downy Mildew (Peronospora belbahrii).

Downy mildew (caused by Peronospora belbahrii) is a severe disease of sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum) crops around the world. We examined cultural methods for reducing the severity of sweet basil downy mildew (SBDM) under commercial conditions in greenhouses and walk-in tunnels. The effects of the orientation of walk-in tunnels, air circulation in greenhouses, plant density, and soil mulch were tested. SBDM was less severe in the tunnels that were oriented north-south than in those oriented east-west, but the yields in both types of tunnels were similar. Increased air circulation reduced SBDM severity, but did not affect yield. Gray or transparent polyethylene mulch reduced SBDM severity and, in most cases, increased yield relative to bare soil/growth medium. Yellow polyethylene mulch provided a smaller amount of control. The combination of increased air circulation and yellow polyethylene mulch provided synergistic SBDM control, whereas no synergism was observed when we combined increased air circulation with the other two types of mulch. Planting at half the usual density reduced disease severity. The reduced plant density was associated with reduced yield in the greenhouses, but not in the tunnels. All of the tested methods provided an intermediate level of SBDM control that varied among the different experiments.

Integration of soil solarization with bio-control agents for the management of stem rot of chrysanthemum

A study was conducted during 2016 at Nauni to find out the Effect of soil solarization with transparent polyethylene mulch (25µm thick) was recorded on soil temperature in the earthen pots and pathogenic potential of the stem rot pathogen mixed in the soil of the earthen pots. Soil solarization increased average maximum soil temperature to 45.9 °C, with an increase of 7.8 °C at 5 cm soil depth over unsolarized pots. Effect of combination of soil solarization and biocontrol agents was also observed on disease causing capability of the Rhizoctonia stem rot pathogen. Trichoderma viride was found most effective with no incidence of the disease and this treatment combination reduced the viability of the sclerotia by 99.2 per cent in comparison to unsolarized control.

Effect of soil solarization on viability, disease incidence and incubation period of stem rot of chrysanthemum caused by R. solani

A study conducted during 2016 at Nauni to find out the effect of soil solarization with transparent polyethylene mulch (25µm thick) was recorded on soil temperature in the earthen pots and pathogenic potential of the stem rot pathogen mixed in the soil of the earthen pots. Soil solarization increased average maximum soil temperature to 45.9 °C, in the year 2016 with an increase of 7.8 °C at 5 cm soil depth over unsolarized pots. Soil solarization for 40 days resulted in significant reduction in the potential of the pathogen to cause the disease. Soil solarization was observed on disease causing capability of the stem rot pathogen. Sclerotia of Rhizoctonia stem rot pathogen subjected to soil solarization with transparent polyethylene sheet which were put at 5 cm soil depth for 40 days lost the viability of by 88.7 per cent in comparison to unsolarized soil in the pots. Sclerotia of the stem rot pathogen subjected to soil solarization with transparent polyethylene sheet at 5 cm soil depth for 40 days increased the incubation period of the disease by 21.2 per cent i.e. symptoms were delayed and reduced the disease incidence by 46.1 per cent in comparison to unsolarized pots.

Effect of hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth.) and vetch-rye (Secale cereale L.) biculture cover crops and plastic mulching in high tunnel vegetable production under organic management

ABSTRACTEffects of cover crops on soil physical and chemical properties and yield of the following cash-crops were evaluated in an organic system in a high tunnel. The sequence of crops in the two-year study was: vetch or vetch-rye followed by zucchini (Cucurbita pepo) and then lettuce (Lactuca sativa L) in 2016 and celery (Apium graveolens L.) in 2017. In the plots with cover crops, two mulches (black and transparent polyethylene (PE) film) were used to cover the soil at the end of the first season during the winter period. The differences in the biomass between vetch grown on its own and the vetch-rye mixture were not significant, but the total amount of N accumulated in the biomass of the vetch (252 kg N ha−1) was greater than that of the vetch-rye mixture (174 kg N ha−1). The use of cover crops improved soil properties in the first season (2016), including water stable aggregate index and soil organic matter. In the second season (2017), the use of cover crops combined with PE mulching had a beneficial effect on soil the pH, the water-stable aggregate index, and the availability of Ca, Mg, B and Fe. Covering the soil with black PE mulch during the winter (in both the vetch and the vetch-rye treatments), increased celery yield, compared with the transparent PE mulch and the untreated soil. The use of black PE mulch in the vetch treatment and transparent PE mulch in the vetch-rye treatment reduced soil organic carbon.

Farklı malç tiplerinin kayısılarda erkencilik, meyve tutum oranları ve verim üzerine etkisi

The objective of this study is to enhance earliness and fruit set, which is a crucial factor in apricot production. The study was conducted on an apricot orchard located in Serinyol town of Antakya between 2010 and 2011. In the experiment, ‘Ninfa’, ‘Bebeco’, ‘Aurora’ and ‘Roksana’ cultivars were used. The experimental cultivars were planted on 3 x 6 m in 2006 as one-year-old plants budded on seedling rootstocks. The plants have been irrigated by drip irrigation since their transplantation. In the experiment, there were four treatments as follows: control, transparent polyethylene mulch, organic mulch, and transparent polyethylene mulch + organic mulch. As plastic mulch, a 0.02 mm (UV+AB) transparent plastic 1.60 cm in width; and, wheat straw as organic mulch was used. The experiment was designed as split-plot experimental design with 5 replications having 1 tree in each replication. The mulch was applied based on the physiological stages of the trees; prior to break of dormancy and opening of the buds. In the study, phenological observations (first flowering, full flowering and the end of the flowering as well as fruit set ratios), the status of vegetative development and yield were determined. As a result, in the both years, the flowering and fruit set ratios of control trees were found lower than the organic mulch or plastic mulch treated trees. Mulching treatments were enhanced 2-4 days earliness compared to control treatment for fruit maturity; and transparent polyethylene mulch + organic mulch was found partially better than the others two mulching treatments.

Exploring warm-season cover crops as carbon sources for anaerobic soil disinfestation (ASD)

Anaerobic soil disinfestation (ASD) has been shown to be an effective strategy for controlling soilborne plant pathogens and plant-parasitic nematodes in vegetable and other specialty crop production systems. Anaerobic soil disinfestation is based upon supplying labile carbon (C) to stimulate microbially-driven anaerobic soil conditions in moist soils covered with polyethylene mulch. To test the effectiveness of warm-season cover crops as C sources for ASD, a greenhouse study was conducted using a sandy field soil in which several warm-season legumes and grasses were grown and incorporated and compared to molasses-amended and no C source controls. Greenhouse pots were irrigated to fill soil porosity and covered with a transparent polyethylene mulch to initiate a 3-week ASD treatment prior to planting tomatoes. Soilborne plant pathogen inoculum packets, yellow nutsedge (Cyperus esculentus L.) tubers, and Southern root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid & White) Chitwood; M.i.) eggs and juveniles were introduced at cover crop incorporation. In nearly all cases, ASD treatment utilizing cover crops as a C source resulted in soil anaerobicity values that were equal to the molasses-amended fallow control and greater than the no C source fallow control. In trial 1, Fusarium oxysporum Schlechtend.:Fr. (F.o.) survival was reduced by more than 97% in all C source treatments compared to the no C source control but there was no effect of C source in Trial 2. Carbon source treatments were inconsistent in their effects on survival of Sclerotium rolfsii Sacc. (S.r). In general, the number of M.i. extracted from tomato root tissue and root gall ratings were low in all treatments with cover crop C source, molasses C source, or composted poultry litter. Germination of yellow nutsedge tubers was highest in the no C source control (76%), lowest in the molasses control (31%), and intermediate from cover crop treatments (49% to 61%). Warm-season cover crops have potential to serve as a C source for ASD in vegetable and other crop production systems, but more work is needed to improve consistency and further elucidate mechanisms of control of soilborne plant pathogens and weeds during ASD treatment utilizing cover crops.

Fungicidal management of wilt complex of scented geranium

Systemic fungicides, carbendazim + mancozeb and carbendazim alone completely inhibited the mycelia growth even at 100 and 200 ppm, whereas among non-systemic fungicides, thiram was found to be the most effective and gave 52.77, 62.77 and 85.00% inhibition at 500, 1000 and 1500 ppm concentrations, respectively. Thiram was found to be most effective fungicides in inhibiting the both fungi (68.84 and 58.69%) followed by the indofil M 45 (47.59 and 51.38%). In pot house condition, carbendazim + mancozeb (0.2%) and carbendazim (0.1%) were most effective fungicides in reducing cent percent disease incidence and severity, but it was at par with thiram (82.35; 87.50). In field condition, mulching with transparent polyethylene mulch (25 μm) resulted in highest survival rate (95.83%) and least mortality rate (4.16%) of rooted geranium cuttings after 30 days of germination. The application of carbendazim (Bavistin) at 0.1% when applied individually was also found almost complete control as is evident from low disease incidence (1.04%) and severity (0.52%), considered to be second best treatment. Apparent infection rate (0.0) was observed in carbendazim + mancozeb and carbendazim followed by copper oxychloride (0.006) and carboxin (0.009). Area under disease progress curve was less than 100 in cabendazim + mancozeb and carbendazim.

Integration of soil solarization and chemical sterilization with beneficial microorganisms for the control of white root rot and growth of nursery apple

White root rot ( Dematophora necatrix (Mart.)) is a serious disease of apple ( Malus domestica Borkh) in nurseries and orchards in India. In 2002 and 2003, field experiments were conducted to integrate soil solarization with native isolates of Azotobacter chrococcum and vesicular–arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and observe its effect on the incidence of white root rot and growth of the saplings. Apple seeds coated with two native isolates of A. chrococcum (AZUHF 1 and AZUHF 2) were sown in plots inoculated with 4 native isolates of va-mycorrhiza, i.e. AMUHF 1 ( Glomus fesiculatum), AMUHF 2 ( Glomus macrocarpum), AMUHF 3 ( Glomus mosseae) and AMUHF 4 ( Gigaspora sp.) in 14 different combinations and these plots were solarized with transparent polyethylene mulch (25 μm thick) for 40 days in summer months. Soil solarization resulted around 9 °C higher temperature with average maximum temperature of 38–39 °C. Inoculation of saplings with AMUHF 1 isolate of va-mycorrhiza and AZUHF 1 isolate of A. chrococcum and then their planting in solarized soil was found most effective with no incidence of white root rot in comparison to 33.6–35.4% in control accompanied with 78–113% increase in shoot length and 81.6–84.3% increase in root length. Shoot and root length of the saplings was 9.6–10.6 and 9.2–16.0% higher, respectively, in solarized plots in comparison to sterilized plots.

Modelling coupled water and heat transport in a soil–mulch–plant–atmosphere continuum (SMPAC) system

This paper presents a physically based model coupling water and heat transport in a soil–mulch–plant–atmosphere continuum (SMPAC) system, in which a transparent polyethylene mulch is applied to a winter wheat crop. The purpose of the study is to simulate profiles of soil water content and temperature for different stages of wheat growth. The mass and energy balance equations are constructed to determine upper boundary conditions of governing equations. Energy parameters are empirically formulated and calibrated from three-month field observed data. Resistance parameters in the SMPAC system are calculated. The mass and energy equations are solved by an iterative Newton–Raphson technique and a finite difference method is used to solve the governing equations. Water-consuming experiments are performed within the growing period of wheat. The results show that the model is quite satisfactory, particularly for high soil water content, in simulating the water and temperature profiles during the growth of the winter wheat.

フィルムマルチと畦の凹凸が地温に及ぼす影響

The purpose of this paper is to clarify the effect of the amount of contact between film mulch and row surface upon the variations of 10 soil temperatures and their deviations at the same 10cm depth, and thereby properly compare the soil temperatures of two plots.Three process zones, consisting of a zone without mulch, a zone with black polyethylene mulch, and a zone with transparent polyethylene mulch, were established. Each zone was divided into three sub-zones whose contact percentages, that is, the amount of contact between the variations of mulch and the soil, were set to 100%, 70%, and 50%, respectively. Each sub-zone was further divided into two plots: one where no vegetation would be grown, and the other where radish plants would be grown. In all, 18 experimental plots were prepared.The daily range in soil temperature was measured beneath each of the 18 plots. The order relation of the daily ranges among the plots was transparent mulch (1.8°C to 2.7°C)>no mulch (1.2°C to 1.9°C)>black mulch (0.8°C to 1.1°C).The soil temperature order of the two plots based on t-test was as follows : The soil temperature at no mulch zone at 6:00 was 100% plot >70% plot >50% plot. The temperature at 15:00 was 50% plot >70% plot >100% plot. Accordingly, temperature change in the 50% plot was most significant. Soil temperature in the black mulch zone at 6:00 was highest in the 50% plot. Therefore, the insulating effect at the black mulch zone was the greatest. At 15:00, temperature rise in the 70% plot was most significant. In the transparent mulch zone, the 100% and 70% plots showed an equivalent insulating effect at 6:00, and the temperature rise in the 50% plot at 15:00 was largest.The soil temperature difference between two plots for each mulch zone, the distribution range of the difference between the 100% plot and the 70% plot, and that between the 100% plot and the 50% plot, all increased with increasing amounts of solar radiation. In particular beneath the black mulch with vegetation, the kurtosis of the soil temperature distribution decreased with increasing amounts of solar radiation. Beneath the transparent mulch without vegetation, the tendency toward decreases in the largest frequency became evident with the same variation.

Floating Row Cover and Transparent Mulch to Reduce Insect Populations, Virus Diseases and Increase Yield in Cantaloupe

The influence of floating row cover on cantaloupe, alone or combined with transparent polyethylene mulch, was evaluated to determine its effect on population densities of aphids, sweetpotato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius), and the vegetable leafminer, Lyriomyza sativae Blanchard, as well as virus incidence and yield of cantaloupe, Cucumis melo L. Cv. Durango. The study was carried out in a dry tropic region of Colima, Mexico. Aphids, sweetpotato whitefly and vegetable leafminer were completely excluded by floating row cover while the plots were covered. Transparent polyethylene mulch reduced aphids and whitefly populations, but did not affect infestation by L. sativae. Floating row cover delayed the appearance of virus-diseased plants for two weeks with respect to control (bare soil). Furthermore, the transparent mulch reduced virus incidence. The yield (weight) and number of cantaloupe melons harvested were nearly four-fold higher in mulch plus row cover plots (when the cover was removed during perfect flowering) compared with the control plots, while the yield with floating row cover alone was tripled. The yield from mulched plants alone and covered plants (the cover removed during vegetative growth) was higher than that from plants grown on bare soil.

Yield of Three Cultivars of Muskmelon Growth on Transparent Mulch and Floating Rowcover in a Tropical Region

Muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.) is the major cucurbit crop in the Colima state, Mexico. The use transparent plastic mulch continues to increase in that region for high production technology systems of muskmelon, and more recently floating rowcovers were introduced to protect cucurbits from insects (direct pests or vector of viruses) and to increase yield of cucurbit crops. During 1993, yield was evaluated of three cultivars of muskmelon (`Crushier', `Laguna', and `Durango') growing on transparent polyethylene mulch alone or with floating rowcover. The cultivar Crushier showed the higher yield 40 ton/ha (77% for export market), followed by `Durango' with 28.5 ton (77% for export quality) and `Laguna' with about 23 ton (only 40% of export fruit). There was no significant difference in yield between cultivar growth on transparent mulch plots alone and combined with floating rowcover. Also, floating rowcover excluded (until perfect flowering) beetles leafminers, sweetpotato whitefly, and aphids, reducing the use of insecticide by 50%.

Effect of Floating Rowcover and Transparent Mulch on Insect Populations, Virus Diseases, and Yield of Muskmelon

The effect of floating rowcover and transparent polyethylene mulch was evaluated on insect populations, virus disease control, yield, and growth of muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.) cv. Durango in a tropical region of Colima state, Mexico. Aphids (Aphis gossypii Glover and other species), sweetpotato whitefly (Bemisia tabaci Gennadius), beetles (Diabrotica spp.), and leafminer (Lyriormyza sativae Blanchard) were completely excluded by the floating rowcover while the plots were covered (until perfect flowering). Transparent mulch reduced aphids and whitefly populations, but did not show effect on leafminer infestation. The appearance of virus diseases of plants was delayed for 2 weeks by floating rowcover with respect to control (bare soil). Also, the transparent mulch reduced the virus incidence. The yield and number of fruit were positively influenced by floating rowcover and transparent mulch. Plot with transparent mulch combined with floating rowcover yielded nearly 4-fold higher (50.9 t·ha–1) than that plots with bare soil (13.1 t·ha–1). The yield from plots with floating row cover on bare soil was of 38.3 t·ha–1, while in the transparent mulch plots it was of 23.1 t·ha–1. The results of this work shows the beneficial effects of floating rowcover and transparent mulch in dry tropical conditions.

Effect of transparent mulch on insect populations, virus diseases, soil temperature, and yield of cantaloup in a tropical region

Abstract Transparent polyethylene mulch was tested for its efficacy in reducing insect populations, virus diseases, and increasing soil temperature and yield of cantaloup (Cucumis melo L.) in a tropical region. Transparent mulch reduced whitefly populations, aphids caught in yellow traps, and virus incidence, with respect to bare soil (control). Also, soil temperatures in the morning, midday, and afternoon were significantly increased in the transparent mulch. Cantaloup fruit yield was positively influenced by the mulched plot. The export‐ and national‐quality fruit yield was 11‐fold and two‐fold higher, respectively in the mulched plot in relation to control. Total yield in the transparent mulch was 31.2 t/ha, whereas that in bare soil was 6.9 t.

Effect of Transparent Mulch, Floating Row Covers and Oil Sprays on Insect Populations, Virus Diseases and Yield of Cantaloup

ABSTRACT The effect of bare soil (control), transparent polyethylene mulch (TPM), floating row cover (FRC) and oil (petroleum and sunflower) sprays were evaluated for the population densities of aphids and whiteflies, as well as for virus incidence and fruit yield of cantaloup (Cucumis melo L. Cv. Primo). The study was carried out in a semi-arid tropic region of Colima, Mexico. Findings showed that TPM reduced aphids and whitefly populations, virus incidence, and increased export-quality fruit yield (1193 cartons/ha) with respect to the control treatment (871 cartons). FRC excluded insects while the plots were covered and also increased yield (1060 cartons/ha); with this last treatment, the appearance of virus diseased plants was delayed for two weeks with respect to bare soil. Petroleum oil sprays also reduced the virus incidence. However, they showed no effect on yield, while sunflower oil sprays had a negative effect on fruit yield and yielded lower than the control. This was related to toxicity caused to the cantaloup foliage.

SPATIAL SOIL TEMPERATURE REGIME UNDER TRANSPARENT POLYETHYLENE MULCH

ABSTRACT A two-dimensional numerical model for predicting the spatial soil temperature regime under transparent polyethylene mulch has been developed. The model takes into consideration weather conditions as well as soil characteristics. The results indicate that soil heating at the edges of the mulch is lower than at the center, and thus a narrow mulch provides less efficient heating than a wider mulch. The predicted results agree well with the observed data. This model enables us to determine the optimal size of mulch with respect to weather conditions, soil characteristics, and particular plant or agricultural requirements.

Relationship between Root Distribution of Upland Crops and Yield : II. Influence of mulching methods, seeding times and plant densities on root distribution of upland-cultured paddy rice and upland rice

This experiment was conducted to clarify that the root distribution of upland-cultured paddy rice (var. Myojoo) and upland rice (var. Norin No. 21) in the soil was influenced by soil temperature. To obtain the different soil temperature, two mulching methods, three seeding times and two plant densities were adopted. The soil temperature was raised by transparent-polyethylene mulch and was lowered by aluminium-foil mulch and it was also lower in the early seeding than the late seeding and in the dense planting than the sparse planting. The results obtained are as follows. 1. The roots of upland-cultured paddy rice were distributed shallow in the soil at high soil temperature and deep in the soil at low soil temperature. 2. The root distribution of upland rice was not influenced by soil tempcrature because upland rice has genetically deep rooting in thc soil. 3. Seeding times grcately influenced the root systems of upland rice. The roots of upland rice in the rainy season (May 28) penetrated into the shallow layer of soil because of high soil moisture. Otherwise, that in the dry season (June 29) penetrated into the deep layer of soil because of low soil moisture. 4. The roots of upland-cultured paddy rice and upland rice in sparse plant density penetrated into the deep layer of soil, otherwise that in dense plant density penetrated the shallow layer of soil. 5. The top weight and the root weight of upland-cultured paddy rice were enhanced at high soil temperature.