Title: COMPARISON OF DIFFERENT MULCHING METHODS FOR WEED CONTROL IN ORGANIC GREEN BEAN AND TOMATO
Abstract: Recently, herbicide free weed control methods in Hungary are getting more attention due to environmental and ecological factors. Vegetable production requires good weed management Mulching provides weed control and reduces evaporation. Eight types of mulches were examined for weed control and their effects on green bean and tomato yields. We used weedy, hoed and herbicide treated plots as control during 2000 and 2001. The weather conditions were significantly different in these two years. In extremely arid year 2000, plastic sheet, paper mulch and straw mulch showed the best results in weed control and tomato yield and were significantly different from the yield of herbicide treated and hoed control plots. In humid year 2001, the use of plastic sheet, paper mulch and grass clippings caused the lowest weed cover however highest yield were in paper mulched plots. As for green bean, in 2000, weed control was higher in plastic sheet, paper mulch and straw mulch treated plots but was not significantly different from those in control treatments. At the end of growing season in 2001 high weed cover was observable in every treatment except paper mulched and hoed plots. We found no significant difference between green bean yields of different plots in both of the years. After experiences of the two years under above-mentioned circumstances compost and legume clipping were unsuitable for mulching. Mowed weeds showed negative results too. In these treatments high weed cover and low yield were noticeable in both years. INTRODUCTION During 1901 and 1950 rainfall in Hungary decreased significantly whereas annual average temperatures increased slightly. This phenomenon radically modifies sustainability and successfulness of farming habits, which were accommodated to climatic conditions through many years. One possible solution is decreasing evaporation with soil covering, which is also a weed management method. Partly because of environment protection and partly because of ecological farming there is more and more attention on herbicide free weed control in Hungary. Mechanical and physical weed management methods that are widespread in ecological farming have significant expenses, so we need to examine other methods under local circumstances to save expenses. We can use living plants, plant residues (straw, compost, mowed grass, processing by-products) and industry-origin materials (black polyethylene foil, paper, felt, different kinds of textile) as mulch. Each mulching material has different weed control effect. Black foils is one of the most standby methods for weed control but as its disadvantage we have to mention that we have to remove if it is a non-degradable foil. Environmentally friendly, degradable mulch is paper. It is pervious and after turning under at the end of growing season it is biodegradable. In West Europe organic mulch is prevalent. Grass, leafage, straw and mowed weeds are used for inter-row covering. Besides its shading effect it can provide nutrients to the soil. One of the most former mulches is straw, by-product of plant production. In Indian, straw mulch increased yield of crop and water keeping capacity of the soil (Moitra et al., 1996). According to Tu Proc. XXVI IHC – Sustainability of Horticultural Systems Eds. L. Bertschinger and J.D. Anderson Acta Hort. 638, ISHS 2004 Publication supported by Can. Int. Dev. Agency (CIDA) 190 et al. (2001.) straw mulch is not advisable for controlling of perennial weeds, because these plants accumulate much nutrient and break through the covered surface easily. Otherwise in the case of cirsium (Cirsium arvense) thick straw mulch decreased the number of flowering plants. According to Agele et al. (1999, 2000) grass clipping mulch improve yield of tomato and water keeping capacity of the soil according to uncovered control. It increased the amount of water in the top 5 cm of the soil and decreased soil temperature in the top 5 cm. In the case of late planted tomato they reached faster growing and higher yield with mulching before drought came. By using the results of this experiment we will be able to set up a system, which is suitable for weed control, helps to protect soil structure and water content and encourages soil life. This production system could mean alternative solution for production under arid circumstances, and could avoid watering and its disadvantages. MATERIALS AND METHODS Ecological Circumstances Soil type is restrainedly deep chernozem-like sandy soil. Soil forming rock is calcareous sand. Depth of humic layer is 30-40 cm. Soil is fast warmer, with good water permeability and good air capacity. The disadvantage of this soil type, it is inclined to quick cooling down and drying out, weakly calciferous, faintly alkaline soil. Green beans were sown in first week of May. Each treatment was established on 10 m parcels, beans were sown by 40 x 25 cm with 3 seeds per each pit. The test plant was dwarf beans, the variety was: Cherokee. Tomato was planted in second decade of May. Each treatment was established on 10 m parcels, tomatoes were planted by 70 x 60 cm. The test variety was: Dual (half determinate). All the 11 treatments were carried out in 4 replications. Treatments 1) weedy control 2) herbicide control: solved into 4 l water into the all 4 repetitions: − 9 ml Olitref (before sowing) and 8 ml Dual 960 EC (after sowing) − in tomato: Dual 960 EC (before planting) 3) hoeing control 4) rye straw mulching with 10 cm depth 5) rye straw mulching + Phylazonit M bacteria fertiliser. Phylazonit were applied and ploughed under immediately before the straw mulching. 6) black plastic covering (fixed on the edges) 7) paper covering (fixed on the edges) 8) grass clippings mulch with 10 cm depth 9) alfalfa clippings mulch with 10 cm depth 10) compost mulching with 5 cm depth 11) mowed weeds. Permanent mowing, clipping were left on the surface Measurements, Monitoring − weed survey (in each month) − dry mass of weeds − Crop weight measuring All the weed surveys were carried out 2 weeks after the treatments (hoeing, mowing). Test plots were the whole 10 m parcels. Surveys were made in: June, July, August 3 decade. Weed and tomato/bean cover percentage were registered. All the data were analysed with statistical tests (Tukey-test).
Publication Year: 2004
Publication Date: 2004-06-01
Language: en
Type: article
Indexed In: ['crossref']
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Cited By Count: 33
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