Effects of Mulches on Soil Properties and Tomato Production I. Soil Temperature, Soil Moisture and Marketable Yield

Schonbeck, Mark W.; Evanylo, Gregory K.

doi:10.1300/j064v13n01_06

Cited by 77 publications

(79 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…The highest differences, ranging from 0.7ºC to 1.6ºC, were observed between the control object without mulch and plots mulched with straw. According to many authors, a slower increase in soil temperature under mulches and also lower fluctuations of soil temperature in the plant growing period contribute to the better growth and development of plants (Schonbeck and Evanylo 1998, Olasantan 1999, Kęsik and Maskalaniec 2005, Dahiya et al 2007, Sinkevičienė et al 2009). In turn, some authors claim that natural organic mulch eventually breaks down and becomes a part of the soil and a source of plant nutrients (Bond andGrundy 2001, Gruber et al 2008), which as a result improve plant growing conditions.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The effect of covering and mulching on the soil temperature, growth and yield of tomato

Kosterna

2014

Folia Horticulturae

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By improving the thermal and moisture conditions in the immediate vicinity of plants, plastic covers influenced the growth and development and increased the yield of vegetables. Soil mulching with organic material is one method of soil water protection and also helps maintain a constant soil temperature within the root system of crops. This study investigated the effect of plant covering and the type of straw applied to soil mulching (rye, corn, rape or buckwheat) on the soil temperature, development of the plant and the yield of 'Polfast' F 1 tomato. The effect of the straw was compared to a control plot without mulch. Soil temperature at a depth of 10 cm was higher in covered plots than in the plot without covers. The increase in soil temperature as a result of covering amounted to 1.3ºC at 8:00 a.m. and 1.7ºC at 2:00 p.m. Both in the morning and in the afternoon, the soil temperature in the plots without straw and without covers and under polypropylene fibre was higher than in the plots with straw. The application of covers resulted in higher aboveground parts of plants and higher leaf area compared to cultivation without covers. Irrespective of whether a covering was used, all of the types of straw investigated in the experiment caused the acceleration of growth and development of tomato plants. Simultaneous plant covering and soil mulching increased the total yield of fruits but did not have an influence on the share of marketable yield of the total yield. Ke y wor d s: assimilation leaf area, cover, leaf area index (LAI), Lycopersicon esculentum L., mulch, specific leaf area (SLA)

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The effect of covering and mulching on the soil temperature, growth and yield of tomato

Kosterna

2014

Folia Horticulturae

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“…Consequently, soil temperature under oiled kraft paper mulch was higher compared to bare soil or unoiled paper, but not higher than under black polyethylene mulch. Similarly, Schonbeck and Evanylo (1998) noticed that oiled paper mulches increased soil temperature even more than plastics, but the effect decreased as decomposition and dust accumulation rendered the paper opaque.…”

Section: Soil Temperaturementioning

confidence: 96%

“…Untreated paper was more permeable to moisture than black plastic or oiled paper, but may have accelerated moisture losses later in the season due to rapid decomposition (Schonbeck and Evanylo 1998). The highest soil moisture levels when compared to plastic and paper mulches were observed under organic mulches (hay or compost) that allowed rainfall and overhead irrigation to penetrate but reduced evaporative losses.…”

Section: Soil Water Contentmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Feasibility of paper mulches in crop production —a review

Haapala

Palonen²,

Korpela

et al. 2014

AFSci

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Mulching has become an important practice in modern field production. Plastics are the most widespread mulching materials, and especially black polyethylene is used almost everywhere due to its low price and proved positive results in production. Together with its still growing popularity, there is increasing concern about the environmental effects of using such vast amounts of plastics in agriculture without solutions for sustainable and safe disposal of the material. There have been several attempts to try to find safe and environmentally friendly alternative materials to replace plastic mulches. The use of biodegradable films is increasing because they can be left safely in the field after harvesting, but they are not very durable and are much more expensive than plastics. Another alternative is paper. This article reviews the published research on paper mulches and discusses the opportunity that they offer for solving the problems of the immense use of plastics in agriculture and the associated environmental threat. Different mulching materials have been used for different agricultural and horticultural species in different climatic environments, and results vary according to the chosen approach, growing practices, conditions and species, so generalizations are hard to make. One advantage of paper mulches is that they do not create the disposal problems that plastic films always and partially degradable bio-films often do in long-term use. Paper mulches break down naturally after usage and incorporate into the soil. Laying paper mulches in large scale farming is a problem to be solved. The quality of the paper needs to be adapted or improved for mulching purposes, and its price needs to be more competitive with that of plastic mulches. The review shows that there is considerable potential for using paper mulches in agriculture and horticulture.

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“…Among others, options for such treatment include organic mulches, which limit the growth of weeds, protect the soil from drying out and reduce the leaching of nutrients, resulting in a positive effect on the cultivated plant yield and improving its quality (Schonbeck and Evalylo 1998, Thakur et al 2000, Gajc-Wolska et al 2005, Ghosh et al 2006, Rahman et al 2006, Dahiya et al 2007, Saeed and Ahmad 2009). According to Björkman and Pearson (1998) and Birch et al (2000) plant growth conditions are the main determinant of the quality of their yield.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The effect of soil mulching with straw on the yield and selected components of nutritive value in broccoli and tomatoes

Kosterna

2014

Folia Horticulturae

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By maintaining proper moisture and reducing daily temperature fluctuations, mulching improves soil conditions for plant growth and development, resulting in a positive effect on the vegetable yield. The chemical composition of vegetables is genetically determined as well as being modified by factors affecting the plant during growth, and particularly climatic conditions and agro-technology practices.

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Effects of Mulches on Soil Properties and Tomato Production I. Soil Temperature, Soil Moisture and Marketable Yield

Cited by 77 publications

References 16 publications

The effect of covering and mulching on the soil temperature, growth and yield of tomato

The effect of covering and mulching on the soil temperature, growth and yield of tomato

Feasibility of paper mulches in crop production —a review

The effect of soil mulching with straw on the yield and selected components of nutritive value in broccoli and tomatoes

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