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Field studies were conducted for three seasons, Fall 1994, Spring 1995, and Fall 1995 on the effect of UV-reflective films (mulches) on fruit yields and on the silverleaf whitefly [Bemisia argentifolii (Bellows and Perring)] of staked, fresh-market tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill). The UV-reflective mulches were metallized aluminum (ALU) and painted aluminum (PAL) on either black or white plastic film. The AL and SL mulches were evaluated with and without a white (fall) or black (spring) 25-cm-wide painted band in the bed center. Controls were the conventional white (fall) or black (spring) polyethylene mulches. Highest reflected energy (μmol·m–2·s–1) to the plants at 25 cm from the mulch surface was measured on the ALU without white painted band or on PAL on white or black mulch with white painted band. Lowest energy was reflected from the white or black controls. Whitefly populations in the fall were lower on the ALU than on the PAL mulches. In the spring, when whitefly populations were low, number of whiteflies on tomato leaves were similar with all treatments. The proportion of plants with symptoms of the silverleaf whitefly transmitted tomato mottle virus (TMoV) were highest on controls. Yields in the fall were similar with UV-reflective or with white mulch. In the spring, fruit size and marketable yields were greater (P < 0.05) on plants with PAL on white plastic film without black band than on black control.
We thank Vacumet Corp., Wayne, N.J., and Polygro Plastics, Agandilla, Puerto Rico, for supplying the plastic films for this project. Florida Agricultural Experiment Station journal Series No. R-05998. The cost of publishing this paper was
, mineral nutrition, fruit yield and quality, and incidence of soilborne diseases in plastic-mulched bell pepper grown under shading nets ( Díaz-Pérez, 2014 ). WHITEWASH Application of a solution of whitewash and water to the plastic film cover of the high
Pest control-related problems jeopardize the advancement of our nation's vegetable industry. Because of the adverse effects of many fumigants. the grower is increasingly pressured to utilize sustainable. environmentally sound agricultural practices yet still maintain a marketable, blemish-free product.
The effects of wavelength selective mulches and three different fumigants on overall plant development and nematode control were studied in field grown, staked tomatoes. Plots were fumigated with methyl bromide. Telone II, or Telone C17. Within rows, mulch color was established by application of either white or red exterior enamel paint to the black plastic surface of polyethylene mulch. Reflective light from each mulch color was measured using a LiCor 1800 Spectroradiometer. Temperature below the mulch surface was monitored with a datalogger.
Prior to the first marketable harvest, plants grown on white mulch produced greater fruit weight and total dry weight than plants grown on black or red mulch. Total marketable yields, however. were not significantly different between the three mulches. Early and marketable yields from fumigated plots did not differ from control treatments. The lack of response due to fumigation may have been due to low initial nematode populations in the field.
The small, B size potatoes (<2 inches but ≥1.25 inches in diameter) represent a keen interest in new, specialty food items. Exotic shapes and color shades of the specialty varieties are also known for intense flavors and variations in textures in firmness and fiber that consumers are looking for today in an ever increasing health consciousness among consumers. In 2006, the varieties `French Fingerling' (West Edmonton, Alberta, Canada), Villetta Rose (Univ. of Wisconsin) and B1145-2 (USDA, Beltsville, Md.) were planted in a double row 8 inches between tubers and 18 inches between rows in a replicated trial using colored mulches. The mulch color included red, white, black, blue, green, and silver foil. These plastic mulches were laid on 6-ft centers. The mulches were shown to affect the microclimate of soil temperature, as expected, and therefore affecting yield. These temperature differences were measured with a Campbell CR 10X weather station (Logan, Utah) probes at a 2 inches above the soil surface and 4 and 6 inches below the soil surface. Plant stands were excellent with all mulches, however, blue mulch caused early emergence while white and silver delayed emergence. Just the opposite effect happened when it came to yields. The highest individual tubers per plant came from the white mulch with the green having the lowest tuber yields. Cultivar differences were also seen in there ability to produce marketable tubers. `Villetta Rose' had the highest plant vigor and also the most marketable tubers per plant. B1145-2 produced most of its tubers >2 inches in diameter with the tubers nonuniform in shape. French Fingerling produced a very uniform oblong tuber with few defects. Yields and quality were above normal for all cultivars when grown on either the silver reflective mulch or the white mulch.
compared reflective mulch films to the standard black plastic mulch for subtropical strawberry production. Perhaps most notably, Albregts and Chandler (1993) found entirely white- and yellow-painted mulch films to improve early-season yields compared with
Pumpkins are Ohio's third-largest fresh-market vegetable crop. Many non-traditional growers are planting pumpkins to increase gross income. Experienced growers have noticed that new producers are successful with low input. Are intensive production practices needed for a good crop? High and low input production schemes were studied, over 3 years on pumpkin yield and quality. High input consisted of Furadan at planting, reflective mulch, trickle irrigation, and a routine fungicide and insecticide spray program. Low input consisted of no mulch, no supplemental irrigation, and a reduced fungicide and insecticide program. The number of insecticide plus fungicide sprays for high vs. low input were: 10 vs. 5 in year 1; 5 vs. 3 in year 2; and 12 vs. 8 in year 3. Number and weight of marketable orange fruit in high-input plots were significantly higher than low input plots in year 1 and 3. Plastic mulch conserved soil moisture and resulted in 91% plant stand in high input vs. 57% in low input in year 1. The only year without a significant yield difference was when the difference in pesticide sprays was two. High input is suited for retail markets where the expectation is good yields of high quality pumpkins. Wholesale producers can probably get by with reduced inputs in certain areas.
installation, a mixture of methyl bromide (67%)–chloropicrin (33%) was applied at a broadcast rate of 392 kg·ha −1 to the bed area. Plastic mulches were all 91.4 cm wide and included black mulch, highly ultraviolet-reflective metalized mulch (Reflectek Foils
plastic mulches affect the field temperature regime J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 118 188 193 Hutton, M.G. Handley, D.T. 2007 Effects of silver reflective mulch, white inter-row mulch, and plant density on yields of
High-value vegetable crops such as bell pepper are typically grown in the United States using plastic mulch with drip irrigation ( Locascio, 2005 ). Plastic mulch can enhance productivity by warming soils, reducing in-row weed competition, and