ISHS Acta Horticulturae 255: III International Symposium on Soil Desinfestation
USE OF POLYMER MULCHES IN INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS FOR ESTABLISHMENT OF PERENNIAL FRUIT CROPS |
| Authors: | J.J. Stapleton, J.E. DeVay, W.K. Asai |
| Abstract:
Field experiments were done to determine the benefits and drawbacks of using polyethylene film mulches, primarily soil solarization, for pest control in establishment and replanting of perennial fruit crops. Experimental crops included apple and pecan trees, and grapevines planted in the semi-arid San Joaquin Valley of California. Soil temperatures at 15–23 cm depth usually were raised by 10–18°C under transparent (solarization), and 8–12°C under black film mulching. Both treatments reduced natural population densities of Pythium ultimum and Verticillium dahliae 55–97 % in the 0–23 cm soil depth range. Viability of artificially-infested sclerotia of Sclerotium rolfsii in contact with field soil at 2.5 cm soil depth was reduced by more than 95 % after 30 days of mulching by either film treatment. Mulches were less effective in reducing viability of S. rolfsii at 10 or 30 cm depth, especially when sclerotia were incubated without soil contact. Solarization did not noticeably affect survival of grape phylloxera (Daktulosphaira vitifoliae) on grapevine roots. Percent ground cover by winter or summer weeds was reduced more than 82 % after solarization or black film mulching. No evidence of tree or vine damage was observed after mulching. Pre-irrigated pecan trees were grown for an entire season without further irrigation when mulched in May with either transparent or black film. Although no significant crop growth responses were found, a consistent trend of increased crop vegetative growth or fruit yield was observed after film mulching. | |
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