Use Of Rowcovers Research Articles

Rowcovers Improve Early Season Tomato Production

`Pilgrim' tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum) grown under slitted clear polyethylene or spunbonded polypropylene rowcovers were compared to those with no protection for the effect on yield. Both covers significantly increased early yield in terms of fruit numbers and weight, but no differences were observed in total yields. In addition, no difference was observed in yield between two tomato transplant sizes- 4- to 5-leaf stage and 6- to 7-leaf stage---grown in the same-sized containers. The results from this study indicate that early tomato yield may be enhanced with the use of rowcovers.

Micropropagated Raspberry Plant Establishment Responds to Weed Control Practice, Row Cover Use, and Fertilizer Placement

Micropropagated (MP) raspberries (Rubus idaeus L. var. idaeus) are sensitive to moisture and temperature extremes and to certain preemergent herbicides used at transplanting. We examined fertilizer placement and row covers in conjunction with various weed management strategies to identify beneficial practices for newly planted, MP primocane-fruiting `Heritage' raspberries. Uncontrolled weed growth during plant establishment inhibited raspberry cane growth and production into the second and third growing seasons. Handweeding and herbicide treatments successfully controlled weeds, but soil moisture was apparently insufficient for optimum growth of the MP raspberries when these treatments were imposed, even with normal rainfall in early summer and drip irrigation in late summer. Polyethylene and straw mulches during the establishment year provided both weed control and adequate soil moisture, resulting in more cane growth in the first and 2nd year, and higher yields the 2nd year. Primocane density after the third growing season still was influenced by first-year weed management practices. Raspberry plants responded best to straw mulch without row covers as plant growth was better in both years. Canes were thicker, yields were higher, and a larger portion of the total crop was harvested early. Row covers were beneficial only in bare-soil treatments, and method of fertilizer placement had no effect on any measured variable. Mulching newly transplanted MP raspberries is an alternative to herbicide use that also provides physiological benefits to the plant through microclimate modification.

THE EFFECTIVENESS OF ROW COVERS AS A BARRIER TO INSECT PESTS ON ROMAINE LETTUCE (PARRIS ISLAND COS)

This project examined a floating row cover as an alternative to chemical use for pest control. Insect and vertebrate pest control was excellent on the covered versus the uncovered crop plants. Average weight, length, and quality were enhanced through the use of covers. The interval of transplant-to-harvest was also decreased. While the cost of row cover use is quite high on a per-acre basis, additional gains in quality, yields, earlier plantings, and earlier harvests may justify the use of row covers as an alternative to chemical control. Although acceptance and use of row covers may ultimately rely on the consumer, demand for organically grown vegetables will warrant further evaluation of row cover materials.

THE EFFECTIVENESS OF ROW COVERS AS A BARRIER TO INSECT PESTS ON ROMAINE LETTUCE (PARRIS ISLAND COS)

This project examined a floating row cover as an alternative to chemical use for pest control. Insect and vertebrate pest control was excellent on the covered versus the uncovered crop plants. Average weight, length, and quality were enhanced through the use of covers. The interval of transplant-to-harvest was also decreased. While the cost of row cover use is quite high on a per-acre basis, additional gains in quality, yields, earlier plantings, and earlier harvests may justify the use of row covers as an alternative to chemical control. Although acceptance and use of row covers may ultimately rely on the consumer, demand for organically grown vegetables will warrant further evaluation of row cover materials.

キャベツにおける被覆資材を用いたコナガの被害防止

キャベツに不織布 (タフベル3000N), 透明寒冷紗 (クレモナF1000), 寒冷紗 (テイジンT400) の資材で被覆を行って, コナガの被害を防ぐ方法を検討した。 被覆内部に苗とともにコナガを持ち込まないように, 育苗床で薬剤散布し, 定植時に粒剤の土壌混和を行った。 定植時から収穫時または収穫10日前まで被覆し, 被覆期間中にコナガの発生を認めたら被覆資材の外から1回程度薬剤散布した区は, 無被覆で慣行防除を行った区と収量が同じで, 結球部の品質にも影響がなかった。 その他のアブラムシ類, 鱗翅目幼虫の発生も同時に抑えることができた。 夏どりキャベツでは一般に8～10回の薬剤散布が行われているが, 本方法では散布回数が軽減された。 これらのことから, 通気性のある被覆資材を利用した栽培はコナガをはじめ害虫に対する有効な防除手段になると考えられた。 コナガが被覆内で増殖するのは, 資材がキャベツ葉と接している部分にコナガが産卵し, 艀化幼虫が被覆内に侵入するためで,産卵を防ぐには, 葉と接しないようにキャベツの畝よりも大きめにかけることが必要と思われた。 日中, 被覆内部の温度は外部より約3℃高くなった。 このため, 冬どりキャベツでは生育が促進され, 収穫時期が早まった。

Row Cover Effects on Air and Soil Temperatures and Yield of Muskmelon

Abstract Three row covers (spunbonded polyester, double-slitted, and perforated polyethylene) used in combination with clear polyethylene mulch and trickle irrigation for muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.) production in 1985 and 1986, increased soil (5-cm depth) minimum and maximum temperatures and air (15-cm height) maximum temperatures compared to clear mulch alone. Increased minimum air temperatures resulted from the use of all row covers in 1985. All row covers enhanced earliness in both years. However, in 1985, there were no total marketable yield differences; in 1986, total marketable yield was greater with the spunbonded and double-slitted row covers than with the no row cover treatment. Within row cover treatment, the use of the perforated row cover in 1986 resulted in lower total marketable yields than with the spunbonded row cover. Excessive air temperatures with the perforated row cover may have resulted in reduced marketable yield. Lower minimum air temperatures in 1986 may have resulted in lower yields than in 1985.