ISHS Acta Horticulturae 724: IX International Symposium on the Processing Tomato
THE USE OF DIFFERENT PLASTIC MULCHES ON PROCESSING TOMATOES |
| Authors: | R. Arméndariz, J.I. Macua, I. Lahoz, A. Santos, S. Calvillo |
| Keywords: | Lycopersicum esculentum, biodegradable plastics, yield, industrial quality |
| Abstract:
Production of processing tomatoes using the combination of plastic mulch and drip irrigation has increased considerably in the Ebro Valley of Spain. Presently, nearly 90% of tomato crops (by area) in Navarra are managed in this way. Consequently, the use of these plastics (polyethylene 15 µ thick) is producing an important environmental problem as it is difficult to recover residues when the crop is finished. Alternatives such as biodegradable plastic mulches are now being studied. This paper reports on the influence of different plastic films in relation to yield and the industrial quality of the paste cultivar ‘Red Sky’. Eleven types of plastic mulch were tested: polyethylene 15 and 30 μ thick, 5 biodegradable plastics of thickness 12, 13, 15, 20 and 25 µ, different colours (black and green), and finally, 4 photo-degradable plastics in black and 15 µ thick. Drip irrigation was used. Significant differences were observed between the plastics in relation to harvest grouping and yield. There were no differences in relation to average weight of fruit, and only small effects in relation to industrial quality parameters. The biggest differences were in degradation of the different materials, being highest in plastics from vegetable compounds (corn and potato starch, etc.). Photo-degradable plastics have the disadvantage that shaded areas do not degrade because they are not exposed to light. | |
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