scholarly journals Solarization and Chemical Alternatives to Methyl Bromide for Preplant Soil Treatment of Strawberries

2001 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 258-264 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Rieger ◽  
Gerard Krewer ◽  
Pamela Lewis
Keyword(s):  
Methyl Bromide ◽  
Untreated Control ◽  
Fruit Size ◽  
Single Layer ◽  
First Year ◽  
Metam Sodium ◽  
Soil Temperatures ◽  
Clear Plastic ◽  
Second Year ◽  
Black Plastic

Solarization and chemical alternatives to methyl bromide (MeBr) soil fumigation for strawberry (Fragaria {XtimesX}ananassa) were evaluated in a 3-year study in Savannah, Ga. Solarization using clear or black plastic, metam sodium (Sectagon), dazomet (Basamid), 1,3-dichloropropene and chloropicrin (Telone C-35), MeBr, and untreated control treatments were used. Solarization produced maximal soil temperatures of 55 to 60 °C (131 to 140 °F) at the 2.5 cm (1 inch) depth, and 42 to 48 °C (108 to 118 °F) at the 15 cm (6 inch) depth. Clear and black plastic were generally equally effective in heating the soil. A double layer of clear plastic raised soil temperatures 1 to 2 °C (2 to 4 °F) above those under a single layer of clear at the 2.5 cm depth, although this occurred less frequently at the 15 cm depth. MeBr treatment increased yield by 46% and 128% in the first and second years, respectively, compared to the untreated control, but all treatments were similar in yield in year three. Season average fruit size differed among treatments in only the first year, with MeBr resulting in fruit 13% to 25% larger than other treatments. Yield for the metam sodium treatment in the first year was 34% lower than for MeBr, but comparable to MeBr in the other 2 years. Solarization treatment yields were similar to those of MeBr in the first and third years, but could not be analyzed in the second year due to plot damage. Dazomet treatment yields were similar to those of MeBr, metam sodium, and the untreated control in its single year of testing, but logistics of application and high costs may disfavor this treatment. The 1,3-dichloropropene/chloropicrin treatment performed as well as MeBr in its single year of testing. Three treatments-metam sodium, 1,3-dichloropropene/chloropicrin, and solarization with black plastic-offer viable, lower cost alternatives to MeBr.

White mulch and a south facing position favour strawberry growth and quality in high latitude tunnel cultivation

2007 ◽  
Vol 87 (2) ◽  
pp. 317-325 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. T. Karhu ◽  
R. Puranen ◽  
A. Aflatuni
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Fruit Size ◽  
Soluble Solids ◽  
First Year ◽  
Fragaria Ananassa ◽  
Double Row ◽  
North East ◽  
Northern Latitudes ◽  
Soil Temperatures ◽  
Second Year

Polyethylene mulches with black or white surface were compared in seven strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) genotypes in a 2-yr experiment. The plants were covered by an unheated walk-in tunnel at the beginning of the first harvest season. The effects of a south-west versus north-east position of plants within the double-row beds were also studied. Soil temperatures were higher under black mulch, especially mid-day temperatures on the bed surface in the southward position. White mulch favoured root and crown growth in the first year, and the southwest position increased plant growth in both years. With black mulch, lower carbohydrate reserves were observed after transplanting, and a decreased chlorophyll content of leaves was detected in the second year. Mulch colour did not affect yield quantity. The first-year harvest was advanced with black mulch, but in the second year, the harvest season was earliest on the south side of beds with white mulch. Black mulch decreased fruit size in the first year and the concentration of fruit soluble solids in both years. The results suggest that in northern latitudes white mulch improves strawberry plant growth and fruit quality over that obtained using black mulch, but enhanced yield is not to be expected when a double-row tunnel cultivation system is used. Key words: Fragaria × ananassa, mulch, plasticulture, polyethylene, strawberry, tunnel

scholarly journals Response of Plasticultured Bell Pepper to Staking, Irrigation Frequency, and Fertigated Nitrogen Rate

HortScience ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 95-100 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pat Bowen ◽  
Brenda Frey
Keyword(s):  
Dry Matter ◽  
Fruit Size ◽  
First Year ◽  
Irrigation Frequency ◽  
Vegetative Development ◽  
Dry Matter Partitioning ◽  
Bell Peppers ◽  
Second Year ◽  
Pericarp Thickness ◽  
Polyethylene Mulch

Effects of staking, drip irrigation frequency and fertigated N rate on dry matter partitioning and yield of bell peppers (Capsicum annuum L.), grown using polyethylene mulch and mini-tunnels, were determined in two years. In the second year, which had higher early-season temperatures and more hours of direct sunlight, plants were larger, more productive and had larger fruit with thicker pericarps and a higher water content than in the first year. In both years, staked plants fertigated with 31.5 vs. 63 kg·ha-1 N produced higher yields due to increased fruit size and pericarp thickness. Compared with the response to monthly irrigation plus rainfall, additional irrigation applied when the soil moisture tension averaged below -25 and -20 kPa in the two years, respectively, affected yield only in the second year when it increased yield and the number of fruits produced by staked plants and decreased that of non-staked plants. Patterns of vegetative development and dry matter partitioning indicate that resources were remobilized from leaves to support fruit development.

Potential to double-crop plastic mulch

2008 ◽  
Vol 88 (1) ◽  
pp. 187-193 ◽  
Author(s):  
Doug Waterer ◽  
William Hrycan ◽  
Theresa Simms
Keyword(s):  
Light Transmission ◽  
Tomato Fruit ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
First Year ◽  
Vegetable Crops ◽  
Plastic Mulch ◽  
Weed Growth ◽  
Double Cropping ◽  
Soil Temperatures ◽  
Second Year

Double-cropping of plastic (polyethylene) mulches has the potential to increase the cost-effectiveness while reducing the environmental impact of this technology for enhancing growth of vegetable crops. In regions with a short growing season, double-cropping of soil mulches hinges on being able to leave the plastic in the field over winter. This extended exposure to the elements may alter the physical and optical characteristics of the mulch, thereby influencing crop productivity in the second year of use. This study evaluated the physical characteristics and efficacy of black, clear and infrared transmitting (IRT) mulches over two cropping seasons in Saskatchewan. The crops planted were pepper (Capsicum annuum) and cucumber (Cucumis sativus) in the first year and tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) in the second year. Early-season soil temperatures appeared highest under the clear mulch in the first year, but once the crop canopy was established there was little difference in soil temperature among plots having different mulches. Higher yields of both cucumber and pepper were produced in the first year by clear mulch than by black mulch or without mulch. All mulches were still physically sound at the end of the first growing season, but light transmission through the clear and IRT mulches was reduced relative to new mulch. Much of this change was due to soil and other debris on the surface of the mulches. There was little further change in the physical condition or light transmission characteristics of the mulches through the second year of use. Weed growth under clear mulch in its second year appeared to reduce soil temperatures, particularly relative to new clear mulch. Mulch type, either newly laid or year-old, had no impact on yields of marketable tomatoes. More fruit reached full red color prior to harvest in response to clear mulch than to no mulch (bare soil). Yields of marketable tomato fruit obtained on year-old mulch of all types were comparable to yields obtained with new mulch. These data suggest that double-cropping of plastic mulches can be done without loss of crop yield and provide significant savings in materials, labor and disposal costs. While clear mulch was generally the most beneficial for the production of warm season vegetable crops, it did not prevent weed growth in the second year which was problematic. Key words: Wavelength selective, light transmission, cucumber, pepper, tomato

scholarly journals Influence of Colored Plastic Mulches on Soil Temperature and Muskmelon Root Respiration

HortScience ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 802A-802
Author(s):  
John Jifon*
Keyword(s):  
Root Respiration ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Early Summer ◽  
Vegetable Crops ◽  
Bare Ground ◽  
Plastic Mulch ◽  
Soil Temperatures ◽  
Clear Plastic ◽  
Black Plastic ◽  
Marketable Fruit

Use of plastic mulch to increase rhizosphere temperatures is a common practice in spring production of vegetable crops. However, supraoptimal soil temperatures during the fruit maturation period in early summer can impair root function and reduce produce quality. The effects of colored plastic mulch on rhizosphere temperature and `Primo' muskmelon root respiration were investigated in the field during Fall (Aug.-Nov. 2002) and Spring (Mar.-May 2003) seasons. Rhizosphere temperatures (measured at 0.1 m below the soil surface with thermo-couples) and respiration under four plastic mulches (black, silver, white, and clear), and a bare ground control were studied. The soil warming properties of the different mulches differed between Spring and Fall. Bare ground rhizosphere temperatures declined from ≈33 to 21°C in the Fall and increased from 14 to 26 °C in Spring. In both studies, black and clear plastic mulches had the highest rhizosphere warming effects (3-8 °C) compared to bare ground. In the Fall, average midday soil temperatures under the white and silver mulches were 2-3 °C cooler than the bare ground treatment. Canopy establishment was accelerated by plastic mulches in Spring but not in Fall. Root + soil respiration was positively correlated with measured rhizosphere temperatures (r = 0.69), with the highest respiration rates recorded under the clear and black plastic mulches. More than 80% of fruits from the clear plastic treatment were deformed and unmarketable. The number of marketable fruit was similar among the black, white and silver mulch treatments and significantly greater (32% in Spring & 12% in Fall) than in the bare ground treatments.

scholarly journals Orchard Cooling with Pulsed Overtree Irrigation to Prevent Solar Injury and Improve Fruit Quality of `Jonagold' Apples

HortScience ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 31 (5) ◽  
pp. 802-804 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Parchomchuk ◽  
M. Meheriuk
Keyword(s):  
Fruit Size ◽  
Titratable Acidity ◽  
Soluble Solids ◽  
First Year ◽  
Average Surface ◽  
Solids Concentration ◽  
Second Year ◽  
Fruit Surface ◽  
Soluble Solids Concentration

Pulsed application of overtree irrigation for evaporative cooling of `Jonagold' apples (Malus domestica Borkh.) reduced visible solar injury by 15.8% (1991) and 9.4% (1992). Maximum fruit surface temperature was reduced by 8.1 °C on a day when the average surface mean of nonsprayed fruit rose to 45.6 °C. Air heated more slowly than the exposed fruit surface and was cooled only 1 to 2 °C by overtree irrigation. Cooling did not affect fruit size, firmness, or redness but reduced soluble solids concentration and increased titratable acidity. Storage breakdown was unaffected in the first year but was reduced by 6.0% in the second year.

Integrated weed management using row arrangements and herbicides in pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan) in Australia

2019 ◽  
Vol 70 (8) ◽  
pp. 676
Author(s):  
Gulshan Mahajan ◽  
Rao C. N. Rachaputi ◽  
Bhagirath Singh Chauhan
Keyword(s):  
Grain Yield ◽  
Weed Control ◽  
Cajanus Cajan ◽  
Untreated Control ◽  
First Year ◽  
Row Spacing ◽  
Single Application ◽  
Herbicide Treatments ◽  
Weed Flora ◽  
Second Year

In Australia, efforts are under way to revive the pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.) industry, which has high export potential because of an increased demand in the international market. However, weeds are a major constraint to achieve high yield in pigeonpea. This study was designed to assess the effect of row arrangement and herbicide treatment on weed suppression and pigeonpea grain yield. Row arrangements included row spacing (narrow, 25 cm; wide, 50 cm) and paired rows (rows 25 cm apart within a pair, each pair separated from the next by 75 cm). Herbicide treatments were: untreated control; pre-emergent pendimethalin at 910 g a.i. ha–1; post-emergent imazapic at 84 g a.i. ha–1; and pre-emergent pendimethalin followed by post-emergent imazapic (rates as above). In the first year, Trianthema portulacastrum was the dominant weed, and infestation was 100% in the non-treated control plots. In the second year, other weeds (Setaria viridis, Eragrostis cilianensis and Chloris virgata) comprised 30% of the weed population. Averaged over row arrangements, grain yield varied from 2088 to 2689 kg ha–1 in 2017 and from 835 to 2145 kg ha–1 in 2018, and was lowest in the untreated control and highest in the plots treated with the sequential application of pendimethalin and imazapic. Averaged over years and herbicide treatments, yield was lower in paired rows (1850 kg ha–1) than in narrow (2225 kg ha–1) and wide (2165 kg ha–1) row spacings. In the first year, all herbicide treatments provided >50% control of T. portulacastrum in the narrow and wide row spacings and increased yield by >22% over the untreated control. In the second year, the single application of imazapic proved inferior for controlling weeds, resulting in a 21% reduction in grain yield compared with sequential application of pendimethalin and imazapic. In both years, grain yield was similar for the single application of pendimethalin and sequential application of pendimethalin and imazapic. Despite the complex weed flora in 2018, the single application of imazapic provided acceptable weed control only when the crop was planted at 25 cm row spacing. Our results suggest that the single application of pendimethalin was effective on T. portulacastrum. However, in a complex weed flora situation, the sequential application of pendimethalin and imazapic provided effective weed control and resulted in improved yield.

scholarly journals Comparing Solarization Soil Treatment with Methyl-bromide Soil Fumigation on Strawberries

HortScience ◽  
1997 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 505B-505
Author(s):  
Royce S. Bringhurst ◽  
Jose Godoy F
Keyword(s):  
Soil Temperature ◽  
Methyl Bromide ◽  
Fruit Size ◽  
Plant Size ◽  
Soil Fumigation ◽  
Soil Humidity ◽  
Soil Fumigant ◽  
Sexual Responses ◽  
Soil Temperatures ◽  
Important Measurement

There is a great deal of interest in the possibility of developing suitable materials or procedures for use in strawberries and other crops in place of methylbromide as a soil fumigant. One such has been soil heating resulting from the bed application of transparent polyethylene. This requires high mid-summer soil temperatures with relatively high soil humidity. We present the results of a solarization experiment. Bed soil temperature were measured regularly at a depth of 12 cm through the 9 weeks of differential treatments. The soil temperature differences were highly significant, averaging ≈7°C higher than the non-solarized treatments. Weed control is one of the results of high interest. The number of weeds were counted twice. The number in the solar plots were not significantly different from the number counted for the methyl-bromide-fumigated plots. Vegetative vigor (asexual response) was also an important measurement. This was measured in two ways: first, the number of runners, and second, the measurement of plant size. The results were identical. The solarized plots and fumigated plots were identical in plant size and identical in runner production, and both were significantly different from the non-solarized and non-fumigated plots. Similar results were obtained for the sexual responses, yield, and fruit size. Solarization should be tested sufficiently in detail as a possible procedure to replace some methyl-bromide fumigation. The biggest problem may be difficulty getting the temperature high enough to be adequately effective.

scholarly journals Matted-row Strawberry Production using Landscape Fabrics and Organic Mulch for Weed Control

HortScience ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 561C-561b
Author(s):  
John Strang ◽  
Carl Harper ◽  
Dana Hadad ◽  
Kay Oakley ◽  
Darrell Slone ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Weed Control ◽  
Fruit Size ◽  
Fruit Yield ◽  
Woven Fabric ◽  
Bare Ground ◽  
Organic Mulch ◽  
Ground Treatment ◽  
Control Capability ◽  
Second Year ◽  
Black Plastic

Three landscape fabrics, Magic Mat®, a heavy black plastic woven fabric with a fuzzy underside; Weed Mat®, a thin black plastic sheet with small holes; and Typar®, a dark gray spun bonded material, with and without a cover of organic oak bark mulch, were evaluated for weed control and ability of strawberry plant roots to establish through the fabrics over a 4-year period. Landscape fabrics reduced weed numbers for the first 3 years in comparison with the bare ground treatment. With few exceptions. the organic mulch did not improve the weed control capability of landscape fabrics. Fruit yield for the Weed Mat and Magic Mat treatments did not differ from the bare ground treatment, but was lower for the Typar treatment when averaged over organic mulch treatments. Fruit yield was higher where the organic mulch was used when averaged over all landscape fabric treatments. Fruit size was slightly larger for the bare ground and smallest for the Typar treatments during the first harvest season, but there was no difference in fruit size by the third year of harvest. Fruit size for the organic mulched plots was slightly larger than that for the unmulched plots the second year of harvest, but there was no difference for the first or third years. The number of strawberry runner plants that rooted and plant row vigor were greater for the Weed Mat, Magic Mat and plots without the landscape fabric than for the Typar plots, particularly in the second and third season. Rooting of runner plants and plant row vigor was better with organic mulch. Landscape fabric tended to reduce extent of rooting, especially in the first season, but it was improved by the application of organic mulch.

scholarly journals Use of Compost as an Alternative to Methyl Bromide for Vegetables

HortScience ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 1110E-1111
Author(s):  
Doug Sanders ◽  
Luz M. Reyes ◽  
David Monks ◽  
Frank Louws ◽  
James Driver
Keyword(s):  
Pest Management ◽  
Methyl Bromide ◽  
First Year ◽  
Marketable Yield ◽  
Summer Squash ◽  
Second Year

We evaluated the influence of three compost sources and compost amended with T382 with fumigant Telone C-35 and various combinations of compost and Telone C-35 on the yield and pest management of cucumber, pepper, tomato, collard, southern pea, and summer squash in a multicrop rotational system. In the first year, there were few differences between the compost treatments and Telone C-35, but all treatments resulted in more yield than the control. In the second year, all compost treatments and/or Telone C-35 improved total and marketable yield of cucumber, pepper, tomato, southern pea, and summer squash. Furthermore, in the second year, Telone C-35 treat-ments produced more yield than some of the compost treatments in tomatoes. Combining Telone C-35 with compost did not differ from either treatment alone. Nematode and disease assessments were not consistent and will be discussed in further detail.

scholarly journals CULTURAL PRACTICES TO IMPROVE HEIRLOOM TOMATO YIELD

HortScience ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 41 (3) ◽  
pp. 496C-496
Author(s):  
Wesley L. Kline ◽  
Stephen A. Garrison ◽  
June F. Sudal
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Practices ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Fruit Size ◽  
Lower Percentage ◽  
First Year ◽  
Marketable Yield ◽  
Straw Mulch ◽  
Tomato Yield ◽  
Black Plastic ◽  
Marketable Fruit

The cultivar `Mortgage Lifter' was planted in a 2-year trial to evaluate staking systems. All plots were established with black plastic and drip in a randomized complete block design with three or four replications. In year 1, treatments consisted of straw mulch and plants grown on 4 and 8 ft tomato stakes without straw mulch. In year 2, treatments were added to include topping plants at 4 and 6 ft, when plants grew to the top of the stake and down to touch the plastic or not topping. All were grown on 4-ft stakes. Additionally, plants were grown on 8-ft stakes, but topped at 5, 6, 7, and 8 ft. The first year there were no statistical marketable yield differences between plants grown on 4 or 8-ft stakes, but the yields were significantly higher than the straw mulch treatment after the seventh harvest. The straw mulch treatment did have significantly more cull fruit, lower percentage marketable fruit and a smaller marketable fruit size for all harvests compared to the staking treatments. In year two, there were no statistical differences for marketable yield among the treatments until the late harvests (9–12). For the late harvest, all treatments grown on 8-ft stakes had higher marketable yields than all other treatments. When all harvests were combined, the 6- and 7-ft treatments had higher marketable yields with the exception of the 5- and 8-ft treatments and the 6-ft treatment on 4-ft stakes. Cull fruit yields were only significant among treatments for the mid season harvest (5–8) with the straw mulch treatment having more cull fruit than all other treatments. There were no statistical differences for percentage marketable fruit for any harvest.

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