Effect of Polyethylene Mulching Type on the Growth, Yield and Fruits Quality of Physalis Pubescens

Abstract

This investigation was carried out in a private farm located at Shebeen El-Qanatir city, El-Qaliubiya governorate, Egypt during the two successive seasons (2011/2012 and 2012/2013 A.D.) to study the response of husk tomato plants (Physalis pubescens L.) cv. (local variety) to polyethylene mulching black and double face (white on black). A bare soil plot of equal area was also maintained with raised beds un-mulched as a control. Seedlings were transplanted forty days after sowing into open field transplanting carried out in 60 cm apart on the row among plants. Results showed that the significant maximum value of plant height, stem diameter, number of branches per plant and leaf area were obtained from white on black mulching treatment followed in a descending order by black treatment, while bare soil treatment recorded the minimum significantly value in both seasons. Results appeared that the significant maximum value of total soluble solids, vitamin C, total sugar and total carotenoids were obtained from white on black mulching treatment followed by black treatment, while bare soil treatment recorded the minimum value in both seasons. On the other hand, no significant different for total acidity and dry matter were recorded among mulching treatments in both seasons. Results appeared that the significant maximum value of number of fruit/ plant, total yield and early yield per plot were obtained from (white on black) mulching treatment followed in a descending order by black treatment, while bare soil treatment recorded the minimum value in both seasons. Keywords:

Integrated Water and Weed Management of Sugar Beet Crop by Using Different Mulching in New Reclaimed Areas

“…Using BPFM recorded a significant increase in sucrose by 6.96, 14.61 and 19.30% and in purity percentage by 4.71, 8.28 and 10.41%, on the other hand, impurities percentage reduced by 24.50, 38.49 and 46.38% compared to WPFM, RSM, and NM, respectively. These results are in harmony with those obtained by Helaly et al (2017) and Malik et al (2018a) whom they reported that black or white film mulch and straw mulch increased sugar content of sugar beet by 2.35 and 3.78% as well as Physalis Pubescens by 8.10 and 38.20%, respectively compared to no mulch. In general, different kinds and color mulches increased sugar content followed by straw mulch (Parmar et al, 2013).…”

“…In general, different kinds and color mulches increased sugar content followed by straw mulch (Parmar et al, 2013). Positive effect of mulching on juice quality might be due to the promotion effect in plant growth, metabolic process and translocation of carbohydrates from tops to roots (Helaly et al, 2017).…”

Coloured plastic mulches: impact on soil properties and crop productivity

“…Onion crops grown by silver polyethylene film exhibited an increase in the content of total soluble solids, reducing sugar, non-reducing sugar, vitamin C, and pyruvates. Researchers associated this factor with the potential of coloured plastic films in reflecting light influences the microbial activity in enhancing S and K activity photosynthesis [5,86].…”

“…Polyethylene plastic mulches also create soil puddling, soil erosion, and reduced water holding capacity. In addition, use of coloured plastic mulches will impact the soil microbiota and will negate the natural functioning of terrestrial ecosystems by its direct and indirect impact on soil health [86,108].…”

Yield and postharvest of ‘BRS Platina’ banana not irrigated under different types of soil mulches

“…This author found that different types of organic or inorganic mulch provided higher values in the growth characteristics in banana plants. Helaly et al (2017) observed an increase in plant length, stem diameter and leaf area of husk tomato (Physalis pubescens L.) plants, using black plastic film and white and black compared to the bare soil. Santosh et al (2017) concluded that the treatment 80% of fertilizer requirement application through drip and plastic mulch performed well in respect of growth parameters, maximum plant height, pseudostem girth of banana 'Grand Naine' .…”