Biodegradable mulch performed comparably to polyethylene in high tunnel tomato (Solanum lycopersicumL.) production

Abstract

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.

Decrease in artificial radiation with netting reduces stress and improves rabbit-eye blueberry ( Vaccinium virgatum Aiton) ‘Ochlockonee’ productivity

“…This should affect not only environmental and soil conditions (Bastías et al, 2012b;Cowan et al, 2014), but also in the photosynthetic apparatus (Lobos et al, 2013). Therefore, the objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of different radiation intensities on chlorophyll fluorescence variations, fruit quality and productive parameters in blueberry (Vaccinium virgatum Aiton) 'Ochlockonee' plants.…”

Influence of microclimatic conditions under high tunnels on the physiological and productive responses in blueberry 'O'Neal'

“…Studies have shown that air temperature inside the tunnel is 3 to 20 °C higher and that soil temperature is 2-5 °C higher than soil temperatures recorded in open fields (Ogden and van Iersel, 2009;Zhao et al, 2014). Studies conducted in tomatoes and strawberries indicate that the increase in temperature in high tunnels directly influences fruit precocity, with a harvest starting between 7 and 21 d earlier than in the open field (Wien, 2009;Singh et al, 2012;Cowan et al, 2014;Zhao et al, 2014). An increase in temperature of 2-3 °C and in relative humidity of 2-6% has been reported in strawberries grown under tunnels (Singh et al, 2012).…”

“…Polyethylene films that are commonly used to cover greenhouses or tunnels can reduce transmission of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) between 20% and 30% compared to radiation under unprotected conditions (Cowan et al, 2014). It has been found that a decrease in PAR availability may have negative effects on crop production under plastic because it decreases photosynthesis rate, which in turn affects yield and quality (Sandri et al, 2003).…”

Soil Degradation of Polylactic Acid/Polyhydroxyalkanoate-Based Nonwoven Mulches

“…1. Commercially available BDMs possess several disadvantages: relatively high cost (2.5-fold more expensive than conventional PE mulches), uncontrollable and unpredictable macroscopic deterioration during growing season (e.g., rips and tears) [18][19][20][21], and inclusion of fossil fuel-derived components [3,8]. The literature contains mixed results on the biodegradability of commercially available BDMs under ambient soil conditions [3,8].…”

“…In 3-4 month long field studies conducted in 2010-2012, black-colored SB mulches were equally as effective as commercial BDMs for the prevention of weeds and minimally underwent deterioration [19,21,40,41], due in part to superior mechanical strength. In agreement, SB mulches subjected to laboratory-scale simulated weathering (ASTM G155 [42]) underwent only minor changes in physicochemical properties (e.g., tensile strength and fiber diameter), suggesting the long-term stability of SB mulches is not compromised by weathering [43].…”