View Poster Application

Redesigned Polymer-Coated Paper Mulch Fostered Higher Yields than Plastic Mulch in Watermelon Crop

Applied Research

Raymond Balaguer Barbosa
University of Florida
Live Oak

Abstract

Mulching refers to the use of a cover for the soil with a physical barrier that permits only the roots of the crop to be in contact with the soil. Benefits of mulching in horticultural crop production include increased water use efficiency by limiting soil water loss through evaporation, improved nutrient cycling, improved soil properties through the reduction of erosion, earlier yields, weed suppression, and increased micro- and macrobiological activity in the soil due to higher soil temperatures. Since they were first used commercially in the late 1950s, polyethylene mulches have become the preferred type of mulch among horticultural crop growers. Nondegradable polyethylene mulches, however, are produced from non-renewable, petroleum-based materials that typically are used for one growing season before being removed and discarded, exacerbating issues of plastic disposal and adding labor and expenses. Advances in the manufacturing of paper mulches have made this material a potential alternative to plastic mulch that is also cost-efficient due to weed control and labor hour reduction over the crop development cycle. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of paper mulch (WestRock Gen 3, Richmond, VA) and the more commonly used standard low-density polyethylene (LDPE) mulch from the perspective of resistance to degradation, nutsedge emergence, and watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) early and total season yield. Data was collected on nutsedge emergence through mulch treatments, degradation rate of the mulch at the buried tuck, and marketable yield of watermelons.

 

No nutsedge was observed to pierce through any treatment of paper mulch throughout the entire watermelon growing season, while the LDPE mulch did allow nutsedge emergence. Total season yields were higher for the plants on the black paper mulch treatment than all other treatments. Future commercialization of Gen 3 paper in watermelon production will require a black color to warm the soil early in the spring season in Florida and to reduce sunlight penetration through the paper for weed suppression. On-farm demonstrations are currently being carried out in North Florida to increase farmer awareness of the benefits of the paper mulch and to assess further technological adjustments needed based on the farmer experience with this material.

Poster has NOT been presented at any previous NACAA AM/PIC

This poster is being submitted for judging. It will be displayed at the AM/PIC if not selected as a State winner. The abstract will be published in the proceedings.

Click to view Poster

Authors: Raymond Balaguer Barbosa, Robert Hochmuth, Emily Beach, Kaleb Kelley, Avery Kelley, Tatiana Sanchez-Jones, Sudeep Sidhu, Mark Warren, Sydney Williams
  1. Balaguer Barbosa, R. , , Florida, 32064
  2. Hochmuth, R. Regional Specialized Extension Agent, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Florida, 32060
  3. Beach, E. Extension Agent, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Florida, 32066
  4. Kelley, K. OPS, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Florida, 32060
  5. Kelley, A. Agricultural Assistant, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Florida, 32060
  6. Sanchez-Jones, T. Extension Agent, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Florida, 32669
  7. Sidhu, S. Assistant Professor, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Florida, 32351
  8. Warren, M. Extension Agent, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Florida, 32621
  9. Williams, S. Research Coordinator, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Florida, 32060