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Mulch Color: Black, White, or Black Plastic Painted White for Fall Pepper Production in Georgia

Applied Research

Ted McAvoy
Assistant Professor - Vegetable Extension Specialist
Tifton

Abstract

Plastic mulch is widely used in vegetable production to regulate soil temperature, conserve soil moisture, retain fumigants, and suppress weeds. In Georgia, white plastic mulch is commonly used for fall bell pepper production because it helps moderate soil temperatures during warm conditions. However, growers are interested in lower-cost alternatives, including black plastic mulch or black plastic mulch painted white. Depending on mulch quality and operation size, switching materials could reduce costs by approximately 10-25%. This study was initiated by a grower seeking to reduce production costs and was conducted by University of Georgia and Fort Valley State University Extension agents in collaboration with vegetable specialist Dr. Ted McAvoy to provide on-farm, research-based recommendations. Field trials were conducted during the 2025 growing season on a commercial bell pepper farm in Lowndes County, Georgia. Three treatments were evaluated: black plastic mulch, white plastic mulch, and black plastic mulch painted white using a 10% white latex paint solution diluted with water and applied at 50 gallons per acre. The experiment consisted of four randomized 50-ft sections of plastic mulch for each replication. Early-season soil temperatures were recorded at the soil surface and at depths of 2, 4, and 6 inches. Peppers were harvested twice during the season, and fruit were categorized as marketable or unmarketable. Both fruit number and fruit weight were recorded. Mulch treatments produced clear differences in soil temperature. Black plastic mulch generated the highest temperatures, reaching 148.1°F at the soil surface and remaining above 102°F at the 6-inch depth. White plastic mulch maintained substantially lower soil temperatures, with a surface temperature of 98.5°F and 91.2°F at the 6-inch depth. Black plastic mulch painted white resulted in intermediate soil temperatures. Yield trends followed similar patterns. White plastic mulch produced the highest marketable yields, black plastic mulch painted white showed intermediate performance, and black plastic mulch resulted in the lowest yields. Overall, results indicate that white plastic mulch remains the most effective mulch option for fall bell pepper production in Georgia.

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

This poster is being submitted only for display at AM/PIC. Poster is not to be judged, but the abstract will be published in the proceedings.

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Authors: Ted McAvoy, Joshua Dawson, Sarah Curry, Justin Shealey, Ben Reeves
  1. McAvoy, T. Assistant Professor - Vegetable Extension Specialist, University of Georgia, Georgia, 31793
  2. Dawson, J. Extension Agent, Fort Valley State University, Georgia, 31030
  3. Curry, S. Extension Agent, University of Georgia, Georgia, 31635
  4. Shealey, J. Extension Agent, University of Georgia, Georgia, 31648
  5. Reeves, B. Extension Agent, University of Georgia, Georgia, 31639