Mulch Surface Color Affects Yield of Fresh-market Tomatoes

Abstract

The influence of polyethylene mulch surface color on the plant light environment and tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill) production was investigated. White- or silver-painted mulches reflected more total light, and a lower ratio of far-red relative to red light, than mulches painted black or red. Soil temperatures were warmer under the black and red mulches. Mulch color also affected the yield and growth of tomato. Tomato plants grown with red mulch generally had the greatest early marketable yields and produced the least amount of foliage. Plants grown with a white or silver-colored mulch had lower early marketable yields but produced more foliage. These results suggest that mulch surface color can induce changes in the plant microclimate (e.g., spectral balance and quantity of light, root zone temperatures) that can act through natural regulatory systems within the growing plant and affect tomato plant growth and fruit production.

Selection of colored plastic-mulching films for the production of mini-tomatoes in the field

“…On the other hand, for the indeterminate (Bubble Candy) the optical properties of the black plastic-mulching film in winter may be benefiting it productivity. Decoteau et al (1989), in Florence, South Carolina, United States, achieved greater productivity of tomato plants grown on these plastic-mulching films and confirmed productive stimulus from films with larger relative proportion between the far-red and red spectra.…”

“…The use of colored plastic-mulching films in field conditions can contribute to the development (Jayakumar et al, 2017), production (Decoteau et al, 1989) and quality (Kasperbauer et al, 2001;Shiukhy et al, 2015) of various crop cultures, as well as favors crops in places or periods less favorable (Bonachela et al, 2012). These responses are associated with changes in temperature (Díaz-Pérez, 2010), soil evaporation (Khan et al, 2016), quantity and quality of the radiation reflected (Decoteau et al, 1989), presence of weeds (Cirujeda et al, 2012), soil physical and chemical structure (Wang et al, 2017) and the efficiency of the use of nutrients (Filipović et al, 2016), among other aspects.…”

Effect of Different Mulching Materials on Growth and Yield of Okra [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.)]

“…The dark color plastic mulch generates more soil temperature than that of light color. Gough (2001) and Decoteau et al (1989) also recorded warmer soil temperatures with darker colored mulches compared to lighter colored mulches.…”

Effect of Different Type of Mulches on Soil Properties and Weed Control Efficiency in Cauliflower Var. Pusa Snowball K-1

“…The mulching with plastic film raises soil surface temperature by altering the thermal balance [9]. Black coloured mulches recorded warmer soil temperatures as compared to lighter coloured mulches [10]. Black plastic mulch absorbs comparatively large amount of incoming radiation that traps the radiant energy and penetrates into the soil which warm up the soil.…”