What Are the Components of a Plasticulture Vegetable System?

Lamont, William J.

doi:10.21273/horttech.6.3.150

Cited by 58 publications

(39 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…However, biofabrics were between 7 and 10 times heavier and between 316 and 400 times thicker than bioplastics; thus, transportation and application of biofabrics may be more costly and cumbersome to the farmer. In addition, biofabrics are permeable and would not be compatible with conventional soil fumigation practices often used to control pests (Lamont, 1996). Nonetheless, biofabrics may be useful to organic farmers who are prohibited from using soil fumigants, but could benefit from increased soil moisture and weed suppression observed in this study.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 92%

Assessing the potential for spunbond, nonwoven biodegradable fabric as mulches for tomato and bell pepper crops

Wortman

Kadoma

Crandall

2015

Scientia Horticulturae

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 92%

Assessing the potential for spunbond, nonwoven biodegradable fabric as mulches for tomato and bell pepper crops

Wortman

Kadoma

Crandall

2015

Scientia Horticulturae

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“…2). Presumably, relative humidity values tend to be higher under rowcovers as a result of reduced evapotranspiration and condensation of water within the rowcovers under field conditions (Lamont, 1996;Moreno et al, 2002). However, it is also possible that the high temperature under the rowcovers might have reduced relative humidity by increasing vapor pressure deficit.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Integrating Rowcovers and Soil Amendments for Organic Cucumber Production: Implications on Crop Growth, Yield, and Microclimate

Nair¹,

Ngouajio²

2010

horts

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The area of organic production has registered a steady increase over past recent years. Transitioning to organic production is not straightforward and often includes a steep learning curve. Organic growers have to develop strategies to best manage nutrients, pests, and crop growth and yield. Additionally, in regions with temperate climate like the Great Lakes region, weather (especially temperature and solar radiation) plays an important role in crop productivity. Growers routinely use compost for nutrient provisioning and rowcovers for insect exclusion and growth enhancement. The objective of this work was to study the combined effect of rowcovers (with different light transmission) and compost organic cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) growth and microclimate. Plots were assigned to three rowcover treatments (60% light transmission, 85% light transmission, and uncovered) and two amendment treatments (compost and no compost) in a split-plot factorial design. Data were collected for ambient air and soil temperature, photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), relative humidity, plant growth characteristics, and yield. Rowcovers modified crop microclimate by increasing air and soil temperature and decreasing PAR. There was a marked increase in the growing degree-day accumulations under rowcovers when compared with uncovered treatment. The impact of rowcovers on plant growth was significant. Use of rowcovers increased vine length, flower count, leaf area, leaf count, plant biomass, and total marketable yield. Use of compost in conjunction with rowcovers enhanced the rowcover effect. With the use of compost, there were not many significant differences in plant growth characteristics between rowcover materials; however, as expected, rowcover with 60% transmission was able to trap more heat and reduce light transmission when compared with rowcover with 85% transmission. This study clearly shows the importance of organic amendments, especially compost, in organic vegetable production. Applications of compost enhanced crop growth and also led to higher marketable yields. Results of this study suggest additive effects of rowcover and compost application on organic cucumber production.

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“…Thus, for example, polyethylene (PE)-based mulching films do not break down in soil and should never be rototilled and incorporated into the soil following the end of their useful lifetime (Lamont 1996;Briassoulis et al 2010b). However, the process of recovering and recycling them, following the end of the cultivation period, is difficult, or impossible, as a large percentage of the weight of the recovered mulching film waste is foreign materials (e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Analysis of long-term degradation behaviour of polyethylene mulching films with pro-oxidants under real cultivation and soil burial conditions

Briassoulis

Babou

Hiskakis

et al. 2014

Environ Sci Pollut Res

117

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Apart from the conventional polyethylene and the bio-based or mainly bio-based biodegradable in soil mulching films, polyethylene mulching films of controlled degradation in soil are already used in agriculture. The use of special pro-oxidants as additives is expected to accelerate the abiotic oxidation and the subsequent chain scission of the polymer under specific UV radiation or thermal degradation conditions, according to the literature. The role of pro-oxidants in the possible biodegradation of polyethylene has been theoretically supported through the use of controlled laboratory conditions. However, results obtained in real soil conditions, but also several laboratory test results, are not supporting these claims and the issue remains disputed. Mulching films made of linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) with pro-oxidants, after being used for one cultivation period in an experimental field with watermelon cultivation, were buried in the soil under real field conditions. This work presents the analysis of the degradation of the mulching films during the cultivation period as compared to the corresponding changes after a long soil burial period of 8.5 years. The combined effects of critical factors on the photochemical degradation of the degradable mulching LLDPE films with pro-oxidants under the cultivation conditions and their subsequent further degradation behaviour in the soil are analysed by testing their mechanical properties and through spectroscopic and thermal analysis.

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What Are the Components of a Plasticulture Vegetable System?

Cited by 58 publications

References 7 publications

Assessing the potential for spunbond, nonwoven biodegradable fabric as mulches for tomato and bell pepper crops

Assessing the potential for spunbond, nonwoven biodegradable fabric as mulches for tomato and bell pepper crops

Integrating Rowcovers and Soil Amendments for Organic Cucumber Production: Implications on Crop Growth, Yield, and Microclimate

Analysis of long-term degradation behaviour of polyethylene mulching films with pro-oxidants under real cultivation and soil burial conditions

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