Effect of black plastic mulch and raised bed on soil temperature and yield of sweet pepper

Abstract

A field study was conducted in Central Hungary in 2001 and 2002 in order to evaluate the effects of black plastic mulch and raised bed on soil temperature and on yield and fruit quality of sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L. cv. `Kárpia'). The experiment was a complete block design with four replicates. Four different technologies were used as treatments: raised bed with black PE mulch, raised bed without mulch, level ground with black PE mulch and level ground without mulch. In both years soil temperature was the highest in the covered raised bed treatment, about 2 °C higher than in the uncovered raised bed. Optimum soil temperature requirement of sweet pepper roots was met to the highest degree in case of the covered raised bed, 26-28% of the total growing period. The more favourable soil temperature conditions resulted in better yield, compared to the uncovered level ground treatment the covered raised bed treatment produced 19% and 14% higher yield in 2001 and 2002, respectively.

Effect of Crop Management Practices on Growth, Yield, Quality, Economics of Buckeye Rot, Alternaria Disease of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) var. Solan Lalima

“…Plant growth, number of fruits per cluster and yield: Raised bed causes a significant difference in the root zone temperature during day time thus hastens the metabolic activities inside the plant cells and thereby approaches the reproductive phase more rapidly rather than vegetative phase consequently more fruits per cluster which ultimately increases the yield of tomato [12] Bahadur et al [13] also narrated that better soil aeration and light interception in raised bed planting have contributed to improved plant growth and yield. Arvidsson et al [14] linked increase in fruit size and other related characters to easy assimilation of macro and micronutrients, more developed root system caused by tillage and greater nutrients availability.…”

“…Total Soluble Solids: The best possible reason for the high total soluble solids in the raised bed planting method is the more exposed surface area which allows more absorbance of radiations and greater photosynthetic activities within the plant cells. Therefore, the photosynthates are better partitioned resulting into high TSS of tomato fruits [12,18] were of the opinion that that raised bed planting system achieved higher vitamin C content in vegetables due to increased soil microorganism's activity which enhances nitrogen fixation, mineralization and enzyme activity and ultimately increased quality and yield.…”

Mulch Cover Management for Improving Weed Control in Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) Production

“…It might be due to the reason that the soil in a raised bed is more stabilized and therefore compaction is almost non-existent so the need for seasonal tilling is minimal [7]. Another reason could be proper drainage facility which allows the plant roots to breathe properly as compared to the weeds, quick warming up of the soil, allowing the longer growing season and better growing conditions for the plants in the raised beds as compared to the flat beds [8].…”

The effect of growing system and growing media on the morphological, biological and sensory quality of sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L.)

“…Plastic mulches has many advantages such as higher yield, better weed control, increased soil temperature, better nutrient uptake, earlier ripening (Lament, 1993). Locher et al (2005) finds out in their experiment, that with the application of plastic soil mulch and raised bed the soil temperature increased.…”