scholarly journals Performance of Paper Mulches Using a Mechanical Plastic Layer and Water Wheel Transplanter for the Production of Summer Squash

2010 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 319-324 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy Coolong
Keyword(s):  
Plastic Layer ◽  
Vegetable Production ◽  
Bare Ground ◽  
Plastic Mulch ◽  
Kraft Paper ◽  
Yield And Quality ◽  
Summer Squash ◽  
Soil Temperatures ◽  
Water Wheel ◽  
Black Plastic

Polyethylene mulches are widely used in vegetable production. Advantages include improving yields, controlling weeds, and enhancing quality. However, the removal and disposal of plastic mulch used for vegetable production represents a significant financial cost for farmers and can be detrimental to the environment. A study was conducted in Fall 2007 and Spring 2008 evaluating the performance of paper mulches for the production of summer squash (Cucurbita pepo ssp. ovifera) ‘Conqueror III’. Four paper mulches, 50-lb kraft paper, 50-lb polyethylene-coated kraft paper, 40-lb white butcher paper, and 30-lb waxed paper were compared with 1-mil black polyethylene mulch, bare-ground hand-weeded, and bare-ground nonweeded treatments. Mulches were placed using a traditional plastic mulch layer and seedlings were transplanted using a water wheel transplanter. Crop yield and quality, weed biomass, soil temperatures under the mulch (Spring 2008 only), and mulch degradation were evaluated. Most paper mulches were able to be placed with a mulch layer, but were not well suited for use with a water wheel transplanter. In Fall 2007, butcher paper and polyethylene-coated kraft paper controlled weeds as well as black plastic mulch. However, in Spring 2008, black plastic mulch provided superior weed control compared with other mulches. Yields among waxed, butcher, and polyethylene-coated kraft papers were similar to black plastic mulch in 2007, though yields in paper mulch plots were significantly less than plastic mulch in Spring 2008. The results of this study suggest that although paper mulches can be effective, cropping conditions and the environment will influence effectiveness.

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 Efficacy of Mulching Materials on Growth Performance and Yield Characters of Summer Squash (Cucurbita pepo cv Shlesha 1214) in Mahottari, Nepal

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 57-63
Author(s):  
Radhika Regmi ◽  
Nabin Bhusal ◽  
Sudip Neupane
Keyword(s):  
Growth Performance ◽  
Growth Parameters ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Male Flower ◽  
Vegetable Production ◽  
Plastic Mulch ◽  
Leaf Petiole ◽  
Saw Dust ◽  
Summer Squash ◽  
Black Plastic

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of mulching materials on growth performance, and yield characters of summer squash under water constraint condition during February to May 2020 in Mahottari district, Nepal. Shlesha 1214 variety of summer squash was used and the experiment was laid in single factor Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with 4 replications in an area of about 600 m2. Four different mulching materials black plastic mulch, silver on black plastic mulch, rice straw mulch and sawdust mulch were used as treatments, un-mulched plot serving as control. The effect of mulching materials on growth parameters was found to be statistically significant. Plant height, number of leaves per plant and leaf petiole length were the highest in silver plastic mulch. Effect of mulches on days to opening of first male flower had non-significant effect but had the significant effect on days to opening of first female flower, total number of male and female flowers per plant, Sex ratio, Fruit length, Number of fruits per plant, total number of pickings and the yield. Highest yield (72.16 Mt/ha) was recorded with silver plastic mulch and lowest (46.73 Mt/ha) was recorded with saw dust mulch. Highest B:C (3.46) ratio was obtained  from silver plastic mulch and the lowest (1.98) being at saw dust mulch. The use of plastic mulch (plasticulture) mainly silver on black plastic mulch is a better tool for promoting vegetable production in the research area.   

scholarly journals Soil-biodegradable Mulches for Growth, Yield, and Quality of Sweet Corn in a Mediterranean-type Climate

HortScience ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 55 (3) ◽  
pp. 317-325 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuresh Ghimire ◽  
Edward Scheenstra ◽  
Carol A. Miles
Keyword(s):  
Plant Height ◽  
Sweet Corn ◽  
Growth Yield ◽  
Soluble Solid Content ◽  
Vegetable Crops ◽  
Bare Ground ◽  
Plastic Mulch ◽  
Yield And Quality ◽  
Black Plastic

Plastic mulch is commonly used to produce many vegetable crops because of its potential to decrease days to harvest, control weeds, and improve soil moisture conservation. However, use of plastic mulch is relatively new for sweet corn (Zea mays L.) in North America. We compared five plastic soil-biodegradable mulches [BDMs; Bio360, Organix AG, Clear Organix AG, Naturecycle, and Experimental polylactic acid/polyhydroxyalkanoates (Metabolix, Inc., Cambridge, MA)] and a paper mulch (WeedGuardPlus) against standard black polyethylene (PE; nonbiodegradable) mulch and bare ground cultivation for growth, yield, and quality of sweet corn cultivar Xtra Tender 2171. This field experiment was carried out in Mount Vernon, WA, which has a Mediterranean-type climate with an average air temperature of 16.1 °C during the 2017 and 2018 growing seasons. The experiment was drip irrigated; and in both years, preemergence herbicides were applied to the entire experimental area 1 to 2 days after seeding, and post-emergence herbicides were applied to alleys. While most mulches remained intact until the end of the growing season, Clear Organix AG started to split shortly after laying, resulting in significant weed pressure by midseason in both 2017 and 2018. Plant height toward the end of the season was lowest for plants grown on bare ground, intermediate for Clear Organix AG and WeedGuardPlus, and highest for the black plastic BDM and PE mulch treatments both years, except for Bio360 in 2018 where plant height was intermediate. Days to 50% tasseling and 50% silking were delayed 9 and 13 days, respectively, for bare ground and WeedGuardPlus compared with all other treatments in both years. Marketable ear yield was highest with the black plastic BDMs and PE mulch and lowest with bare ground, WeedGuardPlus, and Clear Organix AG treatments in both years. Total soluble solid content of kernels, and length and diameter of ears grown on the plastic BDM and PE mulch treatments were equal to or greater than, but never lower than, bare ground and WeedGuardPlus. These results indicate that growth, yield, and quality of sweet corn grown with black plastic BDMs are comparable to PE mulch, making black plastic BDMs an effective alternative to black PE mulch for sweet corn production in a Mediterranean-type climate.

scholarly journals Comparative Performance of Sugarcane Bagasse and Black Polyethylene as Mulch for Squash (Cucurbita pepo L.) Production

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Charles L. Webber III ◽  
Paul M. White Jr ◽  
Douglas J. Spaunhorst ◽  
Eric C. Petrie
Keyword(s):  
Sugarcane Bagasse ◽  
Cucurbita Pepo ◽  
Total Yield ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Vegetable Production ◽  
Plastic Mulch ◽  
Comparative Performance ◽  
Steam Power ◽  
Raw Sugar ◽  
Black Plastic

Louisiana processed 11.7 million mt of sugarcane in 2016, producing 1.47 million mt of raw sugar and an estimated 3.5 million mt of bagasse. Sugarcane bagasse is the fibrous material remaining after removing the sucrose, water, and other impurities (filter mud) from the millable sugarcane. Typically, Louisiana sugarcane mills burn a portion of the bagasse to heat boilers to steam power the mill for grinding and sugar processing. The balance of the bagasse is stored at the sugar mill where it accumulates in immense piles. Research was conducted in 2015 and 2016 to investigate the use of sugarcane bagasse as a natural mulch for vegetable production. The field experiment compared sugarcane bagasse mulch, black plastic mulch, and no mulch (control) for suitable mulching treatments for squash (Cucurbita pepo L.) production. The black plastic mulch produced significantly greater marketable fruits/plant, fruit number, and total yield (kg/ha) across years compared to the sugarcane bagasse mulch. The sugarcane bagasse mulch and the no mulch control were not significantly different for these same parameters. Black plastic also produced heaver fruit (g/fruit) than the sugarcane bagasse mulch and the control in 2015. The black plastic mulch produced greater yields due to the greater cumulative growing degree days (CGDD) received compared to the sugarcane bagasse mulch and no mulch control. The sugarcane bagasse mulch tended to mitigate temperature extremes by serving as a soil insulator. Future research should investigate the potential deleterious impact, if any, of the sugarcane bagasse on soil microbes, C/N ratio, soil pH, and allelopathy, which might adversely influence cucurbit growth.

Yield and Quality Evaluation of Zucchini and Yellow Squash Varieties

HortScience ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 470b-470
Author(s):  
M.L. Infante ◽  
S.A. Garrison ◽  
S.A. Mangano ◽  
P.R. Probasco
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Research ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Green Light ◽  
Plastic Mulch ◽  
Yield Data ◽  
Yield And Quality ◽  
Significant Yield ◽  
Black Plastic ◽  
Dark Green ◽  
Extension Center

In Summer 1997, zucchini (ZC) and yellow squash (YS) varieties were evaluated for yield and aesthetic qualities at the Rutgers Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Bridgeton, N.J. Only green ZC varieties and straightneck YS varieties were tested These types are commercially acceptable to fresh markets in New Jersey. Trials included 15 ZC and 11 YS varieties from seven participating seed companies. Experimental design included two sites arranged in a randomized complete-block design with three replications. Site 1 included the ZC varieties and Site 2 included YS varieties. Squash plants were grown on raised beds with black plastic mulch and drip irrigation. Squash was hand seeded on 30 May and harvests began on 7 July. Pesticides and fertilizers were applied according to the 1997 Rutgers Commercial Vegetable Recommendations Gluide. Plots were harvested, graded, weighed, and yield data recorded three times weekly; 12 harvests (over 4 weeks) for ZC and 15 harvests (over 15 weeks) for YS. Of the 15 ZC varieties, five expressed exceptional quality and highest yields: `Spineless Beauty', `Zucchini Elite', `Select', `XPHT-1776', `XPHT-1777'. Statistics showed that yields for these five varieties and two other ZC varieties were significantly higher than other ZC varieties trialed. There were no statistically significant yield differences among the 11 YS varieties evaluated. Fruit color from ZC and YS was subjectively rated to classify fruit into three categories: Dark Green, Medium Green, Light Green for ZC and Golden, Pale Yellow, and Yellow-Green for YS.

scholarly journals Comparison of Plastic Mulch and Nitrogen Form on the Incidence of Verticillium Wilt of Eggplant

Plant Disease ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 84 (11) ◽  
pp. 1231-1234 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wade H. Elmer
Keyword(s):  
Disease Severity ◽  
Verticillium Wilt ◽  
Growth Curve ◽  
Nitrogen Fertilizer ◽  
Plant Canopy ◽  
Nitrogen Form ◽  
Bare Ground ◽  
Plastic Mulch ◽  
Black Plastic ◽  
Experimental Plots

Eggplants (cv. Midnite) were grown during 1996 to 1998 in soils naturally infested with Verti-cillium dahliae. Experimental plots were either mulched with black plastic or grown on bare ground and fertilized with either (NH4)2SO4 or Ca(NO3)2 at 224 kg of N per hectare each season. Compared to bare ground, mulch resulted in a 42 and 68% increase in 1996 and 1997, respectively. Compared to Ca(NO3)2, (NH4)2SO4 fertilization increased yield by 22 and 18% in 1996 and 1997, respectively. In both years, there were no significant interactions between the mulch and fertilizer treatments on yield or on integrated estimates of the plant canopy growth curve or disease severity. However, the treatment effects were additive. When compared to bare ground, mulching increased the plant canopy 3 weeks after planting and reduced the percentage of symptomatic foliage 8 weeks after planting. Compared to Ca(NO3)2, fertilization with (NH4)2SO4 increased the plant canopy after 6 weeks, but did not affect the percentage of symptomatic foliage. Mulching or (NH4)2SO4 fertilization increased the number of flowers compared to no mulching or Ca(NO3)2 fertilization, respectively. The rate of nitrogen fertilizer at planting or as a side-dress application did not affect growth or disease, but plants treated with (NH4)2SO4 were larger and had less symptoms than Ca(NO3)2-treated plants. The use of black plastic mulch with (NH4)2SO4 fertilization complements one another and may reduce damage from Verticillium wilt on eggplant.

scholarly journals Growth and Yield of Six Medicinal Herbs in Response to Mulch Type

HortScience ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 779C-779
Author(s):  
Jeanine M. Davis* ◽  
George B. Cox
Keyword(s):  
Weed Control ◽  
Echinacea Purpurea ◽  
Medicinal Herbs ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Bare Ground ◽  
Plastic Mulch ◽  
Echinacea Angustifolia ◽  
Ground Treatment ◽  
Growing Seasons ◽  
Black Plastic

Weeds are a major concern in the production of many medicinal herbs. Weeds can interfere with the growth of the herb, reducing yields of foliage, flowers, and roots. The presence of weeds in the harvested herb can lessen the value of the herb or render it unmarketable. Weed control on medicinal herbs is difficult because there are few herbicides cleared for use and many herbs are organically grown. In this study, we examined the use of white and black plastic mulches to control weeds in the production of six medicinal herbs in the northern piedmont region of North Carolina. The herbs were grown for 2 years on raised beds with drip-irrigation. The beds were left bare or covered with black plastic mulch or white plastic mulch. The herbs grown were Arnica chamissonis, Echinacea angustifolia, Echinacea purpurea, Leonurus cardiaca, Scutellaria lateriflora, and Spilanthes oleracea. Transplants were field set in May and June. Depending on the particular herb, foliage, and flowers were harvested during both growing seasons and roots were harvested at the end of the second season. Both plastic mulches provided excellent weed control compared to the bare ground treatment. A. chamissonis flower yields were reduced when plants were grown with either plastic mulch. Growth and yield of E. angustifolia, L. cardiaca, and S. lateriflora were unaffected by any mulch treatment. In contrast, total season yields of E. purpurea tops (stems, leaves, and flowers) and roots were higher with both plastic mulches than with the bare ground treatment. Root yields of S. oleracea were higher with the bare ground treatment than with either mulch, but top yields were unaffected by treatment.

scholarly journals Delay in Mosaic Virus Onset and Aphid Vector Reduction in Summer Squash Grown on Reflective Mulches

HortScience ◽  
1993 ◽  
Vol 28 (9) ◽  
pp. 895-896 ◽  
Author(s):  
James E. Brown ◽  
James M. Dangler ◽  
Floyd M. Woods ◽  
Ken M. Tilt ◽  
Michael D. Henshaw ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mosaic Virus ◽  
Cucurbita Pepo ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Bare Ground ◽  
Plastic Mulch ◽  
Virus Diseases ◽  
Aphid Vector ◽  
Summer Squash ◽  
Disease Reduction ◽  
Aphid Populations

Silver reflective plastic mulches were compared with conventional bare-ground culture of yellow crookneck summer squash (Cucurbita pepo L. var. melopepo Alef.) for reducing aphids and the following mosaic virus diseases: cucumber mosaic, watermelon mosaic I and II, zucchini yellows mosaic, and squash mosaic. Plants grown on silver plastic mulch produced higher marketable yields than those grown on bare ground. Other colors (white, yellow, and black with yellow edges) of plastic mulch were intermediate in their effects on aphid population and virus disease reduction. Silver reflective mulch alone and silver reflective mulch with insecticide were superior to other colors of plastic mulch in reducing aphid populations. Silver reflective plastic mulch, with or without insecticide, resulted in 10 to 13 days delay in the onset of the mosaic diseases noted.

scholarly journals The Effects of Black and White Plastic Mulch on Soil Temperature and Yield of Crisphead Lettuce in Southern New England

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (6) ◽  
pp. 781-788
Author(s):  
Rahmatallah Gheshm ◽  
Rebecca Nelson Brown
Keyword(s):  
New England ◽  
Soil Temperature ◽  
Rank Order ◽  
Bare Ground ◽  
Plastic Mulch ◽  
Black And White ◽  
Southern New England ◽  
Soil Temperatures ◽  
Head Height ◽  
Canopy Size

Annually, Americans consume an average of 24.5 lb of lettuce (Lactuca sativa) per capita, more than half of which is head lettuce. This study examined the impacts of using black and white-on-black polyethylene mulches on three crisphead lettuce cultivars for spring production in the open field, with data collected on the soil temperature and lettuce yields. Black polyethylene, white-on-black polyethylene, and bare ground were compared for effects on soil temperature, lettuce yields, and lettuce head height and diameter. Mean soil temperatures at a 5 cm depth were 18.9 °C under black polyethylene, 17.7 °C under white-on-black polyethylene, and 17.1 °C in bare ground plots. Changes in the lettuce canopy size presented a similar trend over the growing season in all treatments. Both mulch type and cultivar significantly (P < 0.01) affected the canopy growth in head lettuce. Lettuce on black polyethylene mulch grew significantly (P < 0.01) faster than lettuce on white-on-black polyethylene or bare ground. However, the black and white-on-black mulches produced similar yields, averaging 5.76 and 5.71 kg·mˉ2, respectively. Meanwhile, bare ground plot yields were significantly (P < 0.01) lower at 4.57 kg·mˉ2. Cultivar rank order was consistent across treatments, and Crispino and Garmsir at 5.82 and 5.47 kg·mˉ2 fresh weight had significantly higher yields than Nevada at 4.75 kg·mˉ2 (P < 0.01).

Influence of Mulches on the Colonization by Adults and Survival of Larvae of the Colorado Potato Beetle (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in Eggplant

1997 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kimberly A. Stoner
Keyword(s):  
Leptinotarsa Decemlineata ◽  
First Generation ◽  
Bare Ground ◽  
Plastic Mulch ◽  
Straw Mulch ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Potato Beetle ◽  
Leptinotarsa Decemlineata Say ◽  
Aluminum Paint ◽  
Black Plastic

Six treatments (no mulch, black plastic mulch, black plastic painted with reflective aluminum paint, straw mulch, black plastic plus straw, and a living mulch of rye growing between the rows) were used to grow eggplant and to observe the effects on movement of adult Colorado potato beetles, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say); oviposition; and density and survival of larvae. Straw mulch and rye treatments reduced movement of overwintered beetles into the plots and also reduced the growth of the plants compared to black plastic mulch. Survival from the egg to small larva (first and second instar) was lower in the plots with straw mulch and black plastic plus straw than in plots with rye, bare ground or aluminum-painted mulch. None of the treatments had an effect on movement of the first generation adults, which was primarily determined by the proximity of the plots to the source field of potatoes. It may be possible to combine the positive effects of black plastic on early season growth and straw mulch on reducing the survival of potato beetle larvae by transplanting the eggplants into black plastic mulch, then adding straw as the egg masses of the potato beetle begin to hatch.

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