Mulching strategy provides higher healthier, and cleaner tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) crop in a profitable way

Abstract

To manage natural resources and achieve agricultural sustainability, effective production strategies are required. For a healthier crop and a cleaner environment, reducing or eliminating chemical use is also a desirable goal. The goal of this study was to see how soil polyethylene mulch affected tomato crop output and quality. The Experimental Farm of the Faculty of Agriculture, Sohag University, Egypt, was used for two consecutive early summer seasons production. Manual weeding was used as a positive control treatment to compare its effect with black plastic mulch and herbicide on the growth, yield, and quality of two tomato hybrids (G.S-12 and Fayrouz). Weed density and biomass and economic profitability levels were also investigated. The use of black plastic mulch greatly enhanced all of the measured characteristics in both seasons, according to the data. i.e., vegetative traits, vitamin C content, total soluble solids, and N, P, and K leaves' concentrations. Data also revealed a superiority of G.S-12 hybrid over Fayrouz hybrid in most characters. Results showed a surprising effect for black plastic mulch treatment on smothering weed emergence compared with the conventional manual or chemical weed control treatments during the two seasons of considering. The hand-hoeing treatment proved to be the least viable weed control system among all treatments. This study recommends applying black plastic soil mulch in tomato production particularly in reclaimed soil conditions to reduce labor requirements and produce a higher, healthier output. In terms of gross margin and benefit-cost ratio (BCR) analyses, it also showed to be the optimum strategy.

Impact of different mulching treatments on weed flora and productivity of maize (Zea mays L.) and sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.)

“…straw or wood chips), polyethylene foils, polypropylene nonwoven fabrics, gravels, biodegradable plastic foils are used to serve these purposes [25,26]. Plastic mulching plays an important role in crop growth and development as it conserves soil moisture and decreases weed infestation [27][28][29]. Furthermore, plastic mulching adjusts soil temperature, improves crop yield, and decreases costs incurred on herbicides and fertilizers [30].…”

Graded level of nitrogen and mulching effect on growth and yield parameters of tomato in Arghakhanchi, Nepal

“…In mulching Significantly higher height was found in 30 DAT (56.91 cm), 45 DAT (92.50 cm), 60 DAT (141.35 cm), and 75 DAT (173.6 cm). Hamed et al (2022) revealed that plastic mulching increases vegetative growth and maximizes plant height. There were several reports which showed the plastic mulching had increased soil temperature and early shoot growth in tomato (Qasem, 2019).…”