Reflective Film Mulches Influences Insect Control and Yield in Vegetables1

Abstract

In field tests, the most effective film mulch in deterring insects and reducing insect damage to fruits was aluminum. The insects affected were aphids, brown stink bugs, aphid parasites, and Diabrotica spp. Mosaic virus diseases were reduced among aluminum-mulched squash (Cucurbita pepo L.) and cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) plants. Plant growth, flowering, and fruiting were delayed in tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) and southernpeas (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.).

Integrated Effect of Plastic Mulches and Biorational Insecticides in Managing Tomato Chlorotic Spot Virus (TCSV) and Its Vector Thrips in Tomatoes

“…Our study also documents that the silver plastic mulches were shown to significantly reduce the number of virus-infected tomatoes compared to no mulch. Our results were consistent with the previous studies indicating that the tomato plants grown on silver mulches had a lower incidence of TCSV [ 40 ] and TSWV (related to TCSV) than plants grown on non-UV reflective plastic mulches [ 38 , 39 ]. It can be argued that silver mulches modify the light environment around the plants without causing any phytotoxicity and thus reduce the thrips activity [ 28 , 57 , 73 ].…”

“…In the present study, we revealed a low population of adult thrips and larvae on the silver reflective plastic mulches compared to the other plastic mulches and no mulch, irrespective of tomato leaves and flowers in both 2018 and 2019. Several research studies indicated the advantages of reflective mulches to reducing thrips population in host plants, including row vegetable crops such as tomato and capsicum [ 31 , 32 , 36 , 38 , 68 , 69 , 70 ]. The use of plastic mulch for row crops improved marketable yield, suppressed weeds, and increased the efficient use of water and fertilizers [ 71 ].…”

“…At the late growth stage of tomato with a dense canopy, the reflection capacity of plastic mulch becomes greatly limited. Metalized plastic mulch showed a lower incidence of TSWV in tomatoes than the plants grown on black plastic mulch [ 38 , 39 ]. A different study on silver and other colored plastic mulches on disease incidence indicates their effectiveness in thrips reduction, lowering or delaying the occurrence of tospovirus, and increased yield [ 28 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 ].…”