Effects of Straw Mulch on Pest Insects, Predators, and Weeds in Watermelons and Potatoes

Johnson, Jane M. F.; Hough-Goldstein, Judith; VanGessel, Mark J.

doi:10.1603/0046-225x-33.6.1632

Cited by 75 publications

(58 citation statements)

References 38 publications

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“…In an apple orchard in India, rice straw mulch effectively controlled weeds compared to no-mulch treatment (Ramakrishna et al, 2006). Straw mulch effectively controlled weeds in potatoes and watermelons in Georgia, USA when applied at planting, but when applied 4 weeks after planting, weeds were not suppressed (Johnson et al, 2004). Hay mulch used in tomato plots in Virginia, USA had lower weed biomass compared to plastic and paper mulch (Schonbeck, 1999).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 94%

Mulch and Organic Herbicide Combinations for In-Row Orchard Weed Suppression

Rowley

Ransom

Reeve

et al. 2011

International Journal of Fruit Science

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Trials were established at two locations to evaluate weed control provided by mulches and organic herbicides alone or in combination. Mulch treatments included barley straw, pine wood chips, paper, and no mulch (bare-ground control). Herbicide treatments included three organically certified herbicides: lemon grass oil (14% v/v), clove oil (8% v/v), and two rates of acetic acid (10 and 15% v/v). Other treatments included pelargonic acid (7% v/v), glyphosate (1.06 kg ai/ha), and no-herbicide (control). Individual herbicide treatments were applied according to weed pressure and were determined every 7 to 10 days. Herbicide applications were made two and three times in 2009 at Logan and Kaysville, respectively. Treatments were carried out for a second year at both locations with herbicide treatments applied a maximum of four times. A third trial was established in 2010 at Kaysville with four application times. Weed control evaluations were made once a month, and weed population densities were evaluated at the beginning and end of the season. Weed biomass and percent weed cover were collected at the end of the 2010 season. Mulches each provided significant weed suppression in the first year, but each mulch presented unique challenges over time. For example, paper mulch effectiveness decreased over time as cracks developed during wet-dry cycles allowing weed seedlings to emerge. Volunteer barley became problematic in straw mulch plots in the first year of each trial, and annual weed seed germination on top of the wood chip mulch became problematic in the second year. The straw mulch consistently provided among the highest weed control and the least end-of-season weed biomass. Glyphosate and pelargonic acid gave Use of trade names does not imply an endorsement of the products named or criticism of similar ones not named.Organic In-Row Orchard Weed Suppression 317 near 100% weed control among all mulch treatments, including the non-mulched plots. Lemon oil and clove oil displayed the same weed control ratings as the no-herbicide treatment in the three mulches (straw, wood chip, and paper), but displayed 41-95% weed control when applied without mulch. While organically certified herbicides generally did not provide sufficient weed control alone, some mulches and organic herbicide combinations provided weed suppression similar to conventional herbicide application.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 94%

Mulch and Organic Herbicide Combinations for In-Row Orchard Weed Suppression

Rowley

Ransom

Reeve

et al. 2011

International Journal of Fruit Science

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“…Straw mulch might initially influence the maturation of plants in a way that is not desirable due to the vast difference in proportion between their carbon and nitrogen content [25], stemming from the fungi and bacteria which degrade the straw mulch and take nitrogen from the surrounding soil [26,27]. Nevertheless, the lighter color and greater reflectivity of wheat straw mulch may cool soil more along with providing good moisture retention [25,28].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Yield Performance of Organic Sweetpotato Varieties in Various Mulches

2017

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Interest in organic sweetpotato production in the United States has been growing as consumers and producers are becoming increasingly concerned about how their food is cultivated. Thus, there is a growing need for information on sweetpotato production and variety selection under an organic management production system. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of various mulches on yields-total and marketable-of fourteen sweetpotato varieties grown under organic management. Three types of mulch, wheat straw, pine needle, and black plastic, and a control (no mulch) were evaluated during the 2016 growing season. The wheat straw mulch yielded significantly higher yields than the black plastic and pine needle mulch treatments, though it was not significantly different from the control. The total and marketable yields of sweetpotato roots also varied significantly among the varieties, ranging from 39,719 kg·ha −1 for Beauregard to 4925 kg·ha −1 for O'Henry. There was a significant interaction between variety and mulch treatment on total but not marketable yield. More research is needed to ascertain the stability of the effects of varieties, mulch treatment, and their interactions on total and marketable yields and to elucidate other treatments and varieties with better potential to improve sweetpotato yields in organically managed production systems.

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“…A sufficient layer of mulch can also inhibit the emergence of weeds, as documented by the results of some authors who showed a positive effect of mulching on weed density (Johnson et al 2004, Sinkevičiene et al 2009). The organic mulching promotes microbial activity in the soil (Debosz et al 1999), provides shelter for natural enemies (Brust 1994) and even reduces the incidence of certain diseases, such as virus Y (Saucke and Döring 2004).…”

mentioning

confidence: 88%

Reply of mulch systems on weeds and yield components in potatoes

Dvořák¹,

Tomasek²,

Hamouz³

et al. 2015

Plant Soil Environ.

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Surface mulch is an important factor of soil protection technology in the cultivation of potatoes. Presented herein are the results of three years (2009)(2010)(2011) of field trials at two sites (Leškovice and Uhříněves), where two cultivars (Finka and Katka) were grown. Three mulching treatments (grass mulch after planting, grass mulch before germination and black polypropylene mulch textile) were used in the study. The weight of marketable tubers (tuber over 40 mm) and tuber size distribution were influenced significantly by mulching. The application of grass mulch on surface of the row ensured a 20.5-24.8% increase of weight of marketable tubers and higher occurrence of tubers over 56 mm (resp. tubers 56-60 mm and over 60 mm). There was no consistent effect of grass mulch on the aboveground biomass of weeds. Higher occurrences of larvae of Colorado potato beetle was found on the plots with black polypropylene textile in warmer site Uhříněves.

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Effects of Straw Mulch on Pest Insects, Predators, and Weeds in Watermelons and Potatoes

Cited by 75 publications

References 38 publications

Mulch and Organic Herbicide Combinations for In-Row Orchard Weed Suppression

Mulch and Organic Herbicide Combinations for In-Row Orchard Weed Suppression

Yield Performance of Organic Sweetpotato Varieties in Various Mulches

Reply of mulch systems on weeds and yield components in potatoes

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