Mulch Effect on Soil Properties and Tomato Growth Using Micro‐Irrigation

Abstract

Although use of micro‐irrigation has risen steadily in Georgia, few studies have been reported describing its effect on yield or rooting distribution of tomato (Licopersicon esculentum). The objective of this experiment was to determine the effects of mulch type (plastic mesh and straw) and micro‐irrigation on soil physical properties and growth of ‘Celebrity’ tomato. In 1986, an experiment was initiated on a Cecil sandy loam (clayey, kaolinitic, thermic, Typic Kanhapludult) at Griffin, GA. Tomato yield and root growth, soil temperature, and water potential in 1987 and 1988 were compared using black plastic mesh and straw mulches and three micro‐irrigation frequencies: control (no irrigation), daily, and twice weekly. Soil properties beneath the two types of mulches were compared in terms of surface evaporation, measured during 24‐h periods several times each year and bulk density, organic C, pH, infiltration rate, and cone index measured at the end of the 1988 growing season. Straw mulch resulted in a significantly greater infiltration rate, and lower pH, bulk density, surface evaporation, cone index, soil temperature and matric potential than the plastic mulch. Yields were higher under the straw mulch compared to the plastic mulch and irrigation increased yield with a straw mulch in 1987 but not 1988. Yields were not increased by irrigation of the plastic mulch treatment. Straw mulches have the potential to improve tomato yields in high‐temperature environments, provided soil pH is controlled.

Drip irrigation scheduling for tomatoes in unheated greenhouses

“…The tensiometers installed at depth of 15 cm under the drip tape were used to monitor soil moisture in the active root zone of the plants. Irrigation was started when the water potential at a depth of 15 cm was between ±15 kPa and ±20 kPa (see Abbott et al 1985;Clark et al 1991;Tindall et al 1991). The quantity of irrigation water required each time was estimated according to the previous irrigation amount.…”

“…1 A sectional drawing of unheated small greenhouses in the North of China air temperature was about 20°C, and the soil temperature (5 cm and 10 cm depths) was above 19°C. The air temperature (Oliveira et al 1996) and soil temperature (Tindall et al 1991) were adequate for tomato growth without heating in late autumn and winter.…”

Comparison of different mulch materials in a tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) crop

“…Tindall et al (1991) and Grass- et al (1995) with different plastic mulch materials in a tomato crop. However, Decoteau et al (1989) and Abdul-Baki et al (1992) attributed the highest tomato yields, in part, to the highest temperatures reached under the mulches tested.…”

Effect of Different Colored Polyethylene Mulch on the Change of Soil Temperature and Yield of Chinese Cabbage in Autumn Season

“…따라서 식물뿌리의 생육 적온 이하에서는 지온상승과 생산량 증가는 정의 상관관계 를 보이지만 (Paulsen, 1994), 생육적온 이상의 지온 상승은 생육과 생산량을 감소시킨다 (Cooper, 1973;Voorhees et al, 1981). 특히, 대기온도와 태양복사에너지가 높은 시기 의 멀칭은 과도한 지온상승을 유발하고, 이는 식물생육을 저해한다 (Miller, 1986;Tindall et al, 1991 인 용 문 헌…”

“…특히, 폴리에틸렌 멀칭은 온도 가 낮은 시기에 지온상승에 의한 작물 수량증진 효과가 있 다고 하였다 (Lim et al, 1988;Yun et al, 2011). 그러나 대기 온도가 높은 시기의 멀칭은 높은 토양 온도 상승에 의 해 작물의 수량이 오히려 감소된다는 보고도 있다 (Miller, 1986;Tindall et al, 1991). 예를 들면 대기온도가 낮은 봄 에는 흑색 멀칭이 토양 온도상승에 효과적이고 (Hatt et al, 1995), 여름에는 과도한 온도 상승을 억제하는 흰색 멀칭이 흑색 멀칭보다 작물수량 증수에 효과적이다 (Schalk and Robbins, 1987;Hatt et al, 1995).…”