A Foam Mulching System to Control Weeds in Tomatoes and Sweet Basil

Abstract

<jats:p>A foam mulch system was developed that can be applied as an aqueous mixture of cotton and cellulose fibers, gums, starches, surfactants and saponins and dries to an one inch thick mat. This mulch may overcome the difficulty in applying and lack of persistence with natural mulches. Foam mulch also has the advantage of being able to be incorporated into the soil without requiring disposal like some plastic mulches. The objective of our study was to determine the effect of foam mulch and its color on weed control within the crop row and on yields of basil (<jats:italic>Ocimum basilicum</jats:italic>) and tomatoes (<jats:italic>Lycopersicon esculentum</jats:italic>). The foam mulch maintained its integrity for the entire growing season and provided weed control within the crop row comparable to black plastic mulch. The only weeds that emerged in the crop row were through holes in either the black or foam mulch. Foam mulch color did not affect weed control because regardless of color it did not allow light penetration andserved as a physical barrier impeding weed emergence. Basil shoot biomass was not affected by mulch treatment. Mulch color affected early, ripe fruit, and total yield of tomato. Tomato yields in the blue foam were greater than other treatments. Yields in the black foam mulch were similar to those in black plastic mulch. Further research is needed to characterize the effects of foam mulch on crop microenvironment. Currently foam mulch is being commercialized for use in the home landscape and other highvalue situations.</jats:p>

Weed suppression with hydramulch, a biodegradable liquid paper mulch in development

“…The drip emitters regularly moistened the hydramulch up to a 10 cm radius with no observable increase in weed penetration near the emitters—an important finding when considering using hydramulch in wet weather conditions or with overhead sprinklers. The results with foam mulch 16 suggest that a thicker material that maintains its integrity throughout the season is highly effective at suppressing broadleaf weeds.…”

“…Other potential alternative mulches for weed management are biodegradable materials that are applied as slurries: foam mulch, hydraulic mulches and hydramulch. Foam mulch consists of: recycled cotton and cellulose fibers, gums and starches, surfactants and saponins, pigments, fertilizers and buffers 16 . This material maintained its integrity throughout the growing season and provided broadleaf and grass weed control similar to that of black polyethylene mulch.…”

Can Hydromulch Reduce the Emergence of Perennial Weeds?

“…It is based on spraying a liquid blend, which solidifies on the ground, generally containing stabilized organic residues mixed with binders and water. However, due to its capacity to reduce evaporation and weed emergence, the use of this technique has been extended to greenhouses, nurseries, parks, and railway facilities [4][5][6], and several different formulations have been tested.…”

Cover Crops for Weed Management in Southern Reduced-Tillage Vegetable Cropping Systems

“…To this end, Law et al (2006) in Kentucky and Mulvaney et al (2011) in Alabama have reported effective weed suppression in herbicide-free vegetable production with surface-applied mulches including straw, wood chips, and perennial weed cuttings. Additional alternative mulches, such as hydraulic and foam mulches, have been developed for use in organic systems and have potential for successful weed control (Masiunas et al 2003). Hydramulch, a type of cellulose fiber-based hydraulic mulch applied as a slurry, has been tested in Florida and shows promise for weed control in organic production of vining plants where nutsedge (Cyperus spp.)…”