Journal article
Biodegradable mulch performed comparably to polyethylene in high tunnel tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) production
Journal of the science of food and agriculture, Vol.94(9), pp.1854-1864
07/2014
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/104243
PMID: 24288255
Abstract
BACKGROUND
High tunnels in the cool climate of north western Washington state improve the growing environment for crops otherwise suited to warmer climates. Biodegradable mulch may improve the sustainability of high tunnel vegetable production if it performs comparably to polyethylene. Four biodegradable mulch treatments (BioAgri, BioTelo, WeedGuardPlus and SB‐PLA‐10/11/12) were compared to black polyethylene and bare ground in high tunnels and open field settings to assess the impact of production system and mulch treatment on weed control, tomato yield, and fruit quality.
RESULTS
Fewer weeds grew in high tunnels than in the open field. High tunnels increased total and marketable fruit yields and increased individual fruit weight. High tunnel production increased juice content and pH of tomato fruit, but decreased total soluble solids, titratable acidity, and total phenolics compared to the open field. All mulch treatments except SB‐PLA‐10 controlled weeds. BioAgri, BioTelo and polyethylene increased total yields by 20%, though marketability was reduced 14% compared to bare ground and WeedGuardPlus treatments.
CONCLUSION
High tunnels can improve tomato yield and affect fruit quality in north western Washington. Biodegradable plastic mulches performed comparably to polyethylene in weed control, tomato yield, and fruit quality and may, therefore, improve the sustainability of high tunnel vegetable production. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
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Details
- Title
- Biodegradable mulch performed comparably to polyethylene in high tunnel tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) production
- Creators
- Jeremy S Cowan - Spokane County ExtensionCarol A Miles - Washington State UniversityPreston K Andrews - Washington State UniversityDebra A Inglis - Washington State University
- Publication Details
- Journal of the science of food and agriculture, Vol.94(9), pp.1854-1864
- Academic Unit
- Horticulture, Department of; Plant Pathology, Department of
- Publisher
- John Wiley & Sons, Ltd; Chichester, UK
- Number of pages
- 11
- Identifiers
- 99900546813401842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article