ISHS Acta Horticulturae 357: III International Symposium on Protected Cultivation in Mild Winter Climates
EFECTO DEL COLOR DE LA COBERTURA PLASTICA DE SUELO SOBRE LA PRODUCCION DE TOMATE (LYCOPERSICON ESCULENTUM) |
| Authors: | E.L. Gabriel, H. Lotti, R.M. Benito |
| Keywords: | polyethylene mulch, tomato, Lycopersicon esculenium |
| Abstract:
A two-year (1990–91 and 1991–92) field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of mulch color on early and total yield of fresh-market tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum). Treatments consisted of: 1: Bare ground (Control= no mulch), 2: Clear polyethylene, 3: Black polyethylene, and 4: White/Black polyethylene mulches. Mulches were 80 cm wide and 40 microns thick films. Six-week-old seedlings of the determinate cultivars ‘Triuque’(INTA) in 1990 and ‘ACE 55’ (Petoseed) in 1991 were transplanted in the third week of September. Mature green and pink fruits were harvested, but only marketable fruits were recorded. The experiment was conducted on a completely randomized block design with 4 replicates. Means of early and total yields (weigth and number of fruits) were compared using Duncan's multiple range test at  =0.05.
Daily soil temperatures were 5.3°C; 3.0°C and 1.5°C warmer under all mulch treatments than under the control. Among mulches, clear polyethylene showed the warmest and white/black film the coolest. Mulch color affected early and total yield in both years. But soil temperature increments do not clearly explain increments in early and total fruit yields. Yield increments were due to an increment of number of fruits per plant. Weigth of fruits were not influenced. The highest early and total yields were obtained from ‘Triuque’ plants grown over transparent plastic. On the other hand, ‘AC55’ showed the highest yield over transparent and black polyethylene. In both seasons, early or total yields were not improved with white/black mulch. Transparent or black mulch increased early yield, which is important for fresh-market because it gets premium prices. Economic benefits of mulch application vs. the traditional production-system are discussed. | |
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