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CC BY-NC-ND V4.0, Open Access
Journal article
Hydromulch Maintains Strawberry Yield, Fruit Quality, and Plant Nutrition across Two Contrasting Environments
HortScience, Vol.60(1), pp.111-117
01/01/2025
Abstract
Plastic mulches made from nonbiodegradable polyethylene (i.e., " PE mulch") are an integral tool for organic and conventional strawberry ( Fragaria x ananassa ) production due to their ability to optimize soil and crop microclimates, suppress weeds, and promote overall yield and fruit quality. Unfortunately, PE mulch is primarily single-use and seldom recycled, leading to large volumes of plastic waste, with some of the plastic mulch fragments residing in the soil or polluting the surrounding agroecosystem. Although soil-biodegradable plastic mulches are a promising mulch technology that aims to reduce waste generation, no commercial products are available that meet the National Organic Program's requirements. Hydromulches are an alternative mulch technology that is sprayable and can be formulated to meet organic requirements, but they have undergone limited testing. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of various hydromulch formulations on yield, fruit quality, and tissue nutrient status of day-neutral strawberries grown in two diverse environments. Hydromulches made with various formulations of paper, guar gum, or psyllium tackifiers were compared with PE mulch in Northwest Washington and North Dakota in 2022. Few treatment effects were observed throughout the experiment, and both strawberry yield and fruit quality were maintained. Slight variations in tissue nutrient concentrations were observed but not attributed to hydromulch treatments. Information resulting from this project demonstrates hydromulches maintain crop productivity and quality. Future research should evaluate the ability of hydromulches to suppress a spectrum of weed species, impacts on soil health, and economic viability.
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Details
- Title
- Hydromulch Maintains Strawberry Yield, Fruit Quality, and Plant Nutrition across Two Contrasting Environments
- Creators
- Ben Weiss - Washington State UniversityWaqas Ahmad - North Dakota State UniversityBrian Maupin - Washington State UniversityDakota Mcfadden - Washington State UniversityDilpreet S. Bajwa - Montana State UniversityAndrew Durado - Montana State UniversitySharon Weyers - North Central Soil Conservation Research LaboratorySuzette P. Galinato - Washington State UniversityGreta Gramig - North Dakota State UniversityLisa Wasko Devetter - Washington State University
- Publication Details
- HortScience, Vol.60(1), pp.111-117
- Academic Unit
- College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences
- Publisher
- Amer Soc Horticultural Science
- Number of pages
- 7
- Grant note
- WSU's Center for Interdisciplinary Statistical Edu-cation and Research (CISER) US Department of Agriculture National In-stitute of Food and Agriculture (USDA NIFA) 7003737 / USDA NIFA Hatch Project 2021-51300-34909 / Organic Research and Extension Initiative Award
- Identifiers
- 99901180184801842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article