The practice of applying mulches for the production of vegetables dates back thousands of years ( Coolong, 2012 ; Rowe-Dutton, 1957 ). A primary purpose for using mulches is for weed suppression in the crop to be grown. Mulches typically function
international markets. Ridge and furrow rainwater-harvesting (RFRH) systems with mulches were first researched in the flat, lowland, semiarid conditions of northwest China ( Li et al., 2000 , 2001 ) to improve water availability and to increase crop production
acknowledge the assistance of Juan Bernal, Carlos Rodriguez, Venancio Gonzalez and Eden Hinojosa for assistance in all aspects of this study and to Marvin Baker for help in measuring mulch strengths; we would like to clarify that they are co-authors in as much
Abstract
The root system of the cultivated highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) is primarily composed of fine, thread-like roots less than 1 mm in diameter. Essentially all of the roots of 7-year-old ‘Lateblue’ bushes were located within the area between the crown and the dripline. Most of the roots on 13-year-old ‘Coville’ bushes were also within this area. Roots were found 180 cm from the crown and at depths of 81 cm. Roots were in the decomposing low layers of the sawdust mulch but not within the upper, non-decomposing layers.
through the use of mulches has been previously demonstrated on apple ( Reuther and Boyton, 1940 ; Wander and Gourley, 1943 ) and peach ( Baker, 1949 ). This response is related in part to actual K contained in the mulch, increased exchangeable K in the
`Crimson Sweet' watermelon [Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. & Nakai] plants were grown with various mulches and rowcovers and analyzed for relative growth rate (RGR), net assimilation rate (NAR), specific leaf area (SLA), leaf area index (LAI), and crop growth rate (CGR). Spunbonded polyester fabric (SB-PF) and perforated polyethylene film (PCP) rowcovers generally showed greater mean RGR, SLA and CGR than spunbonded polypropylene polyamide net (SB-PP), black plus clear combination plastic mulch and black plastic mulch alone. Plants on mulches and under rowcovers showed significant increases in RGR, NAR, and SLA over plants grown in bare soil. Carbon dioxide concentration inside the transplanting mulch holes was nearly twice the ambient CO, concentration. Growth analysis of sampled watermelon plants during early stages of development under various treatments was predictive of crop yield. Plants under SB-PF and PCP rowcovers produced the earliest fruit and the greatest total yield. An asymmetrical curvilinear model for watermelon growth and development based on cardinal temperatures was developed. The model uses hourly averaged temperatures to predict growth and phenological development of `Crimson Sweet' watermelon plants grown with and without rowcovers. Early vegetative growth correlated well with accumulated heat units. Results indicate a consistent heat unit requirement for the `Crimson Sweet' watermelon plants to reach first male flower, first female flower and first harvest in uncovered plants and plants under rowcovers. Greater variability was observed in predicting date of first harvest than first bloom.
Abstract
Factorial combinations of trickle or overhead irrigation, polyethylene mulch or no mulch, and 100% NH4NO3 or 50% sulfur-coated urea (SCU) and 50% NH4NO3 were evaluated for their effects on yield and N recovery by tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill). In treatments using 100% NH4NO3, 15N-depleted NH4NO3 was applied. Neither tomato yield nor N uptake were affected by irrigation method but both were increased by the use of polyethylene mulch. Higher yields were obtained with NH4NO3 than with 50% NH4NO3 and 50% SCU. An average of 65% of the N in the plant and fruit originated from fertilizer N. Nitrogen recovery from plants and soil at the end of the season in treatments using 15N-depleted fertilizer ranged from 52% to 95%. Highest recovery was obtained with mulch plus overhead irrigation. With this system, 53% of the added N was recovered by the plant and 42% remained in the soil. Only 5% of the added N was lost from the system. All of the other treatments resulted in loss of an average of 46% of the added N.
mulching were proposed alternatives, with composting currently being the most common alternative. However, collected shade tree leaves can be a valuable resource as mulch and soil amendment for many agricultural purposes. Every autumn, New Jersey
In the United States, the market for landscape mulch is increasing ( Satkofsky, 2001 ). In 2006, demand for bagged mulch was predicted to increase by 5.5% per year and annual sales were predicted to increase from around $550 million to $915 million
current practices could potentially be improved. Mulching The cornerstone of a landscape weed control program is the use of organic or inorganic mulches. Mulches serve several functions in the landscape including moisture retention ( Iles and Dosmann, 1999