Mulching as a physical weed control method applicable in medicinal plants cultivations

Abstract

Physical methods for weeds suppression in cultivation encompass many methods but our article focuses on application of various mulches. They belong to integrated non-chemical weed management strategies and are very useful in organic farming. Mulching might be performed either by the use of biodegradable mulching materials or by various mulch films. The main benefits of organic mulches are that they can be collected from the nature, thus providing cheaper crop production. In addition, they use to be biodegradable and with no harmful effects on environment. Physical methods of weed control can cause both, positive and negative effects; they certainly influence weed suppression leading to a higher yield of cultivated herbs and vegetables but if applied as living mulches in a main crop production, they compete for essential resources. In addition, apart from the weeds, living cover crop at the same time also suppress the main crop. Therefore, a great attention should be paid when selecting the most appropriate living mulch for the purpose of weed suppression in any specific cultivation. In this article, experiences with various biodegradable mulches (straw, chopped newspapers, biodegradable and photodegradable films, gravel and compost) are well described, with a special attention devoted to their use in cultivation of medicinal plants. Presented data support application of physical methods of weeds control in cultivated crops and suggest them as efficient for use in cultivation of medicinal plants.

Preliminary results of winter savory (Satureja montana L.) cultivated under permeable mulch film in dry farming conditions of South Banat

“…Used black "agrotextil" permeable film proved to be effective in preserving moisture and also in controlling weeds. Studies done on peppermint confirmed effectiveness of black "agrotextil" permeable film on yield and weed reduction (Matković et al, 2015). Positive effect in use of plastic mulch films on medicinal crops was reported in other studies conducted in our country as well (Radanovic et al, 2007;2016).…”

“…In order to avoid application of herbicides, alternative weed control methods are preferable. Physical methods, such as mulching, provide better conditions for cultivated crop as they reduce weeds and influence soil moisture, temperature and structure (Radanovic et al, 2016;Matković et al, 2015). In addition, dry farming conditions, which frequently include extreme environmental conditions (drought, high summer or low winter temperatures, strong wind, etc.)…”

Allelopathic Effect of Organic Mulches on Vegetable Germination and Early Developmen

“…Mulching is one of the most appropriate physical methods for weed control [Matković 2017]. Plant residues, such as straw, grass, or cover crops, and peat, used for mulching can suppress weeds and decrease weed infestation [Arentoft et al 2013, Kosterna 2014a, b, Kumar et al 2014, Błażewicz--Woźniak et al 2015, Thankamani et al 2016, prevent weed seed germination and growth due to release of phytotoxic substances during plant residue decomposition [Putnam et al 1983, Schilling et al 1985, Blum et al, 1997.…”

Preliminary investigation on efficiency of muches and other mechanical weeding methods applied in Mentha piperita L.: Cultivation

“…Weed infestation during the critical periods (between 30 and 75 days in the first harvest, and 15 and 45 days in the second one) in cultivation of Mentha arvensis L. caused significant reduction in plants height, herb and oil yields [6]. Therefore, principals of organic production [7] and application of acceptable alternative methods in weed control are highly recommended [8,9]. Weeds suppression with application of physical method, such as mulching [9,10] prove to have positive effects in so many ways [8,[11][12][13][14][15][16]; the main ones are reduction in weedness [14,17,18] with significantly lower weed biomass [19], and possibility to change weed composition in accordance to ecological conditions [20].…”

“…Therefore, principals of organic production [7] and application of acceptable alternative methods in weed control are highly recommended [8,9]. Weeds suppression with application of physical method, such as mulching [9,10] prove to have positive effects in so many ways [8,[11][12][13][14][15][16]; the main ones are reduction in weedness [14,17,18] with significantly lower weed biomass [19], and possibility to change weed composition in accordance to ecological conditions [20]. In addition, mulching positively influences the soil moisture, structure and temperature [21][22][23], providing better conditions for cultivated plant.…”