Polyethylene mulch stimulates early root growth and nutrient uptake of transplanted tomatoes

Journal Article · Mon Mar 01 00:00:00 EST 1993 · Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science; (United States)

OSTI ID:6307459

Wien, H C; Minotti, P L; Grubinger, V P ^[1]

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1. Cornell Univ., Ithaca, NY (United States). Dept. of Fruit and Vegetable Science

Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) plants grown on polyethylene (PE) mulch in New York State frequently have more branches and increased mineral nutrient uptake and yield than plants not mulched. In four field experiments conducted on a silt loam soil, clear PE mulch stimulated root extension shortly after transplanting. One week after transplanting, roots were significantly longer for mulched than for unmulched plants in all four experiments, whereas above ground dry matter differences did not become significant until 14 days after transplanting in two of four trials. Mulching increased branching, hastened flowering on basal branches, and increased concentration of major nutrients in the above ground parts. In the field, stimulation of above ground growth due to mulch might be brought about by warming of the stem by air escaping from the planting hole in the mulch. However, an experiment with black, white, or clear mulch, in which the planting hole was either left uncovered or covered with soil, showed no effect of hole closure on branching even though air temperature near the stem was increased when holes were left uncovered. The results taken together imply that the increased above ground growth observed with mulching is a consequence of enhanced root growth and nutrient uptake.

• OSTI ID: 6307459
• Journal Information: Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science; (United States), Vol. 118:2; ISSN 0003-1062
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
HERBS
PLANT GROWTH
NUTRIENTS
UPTAKE
POLYETHYLENES
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
PLANT STEMS
PRODUCTIVITY
ROOTS
SEEDLINGS
TOMATOES
TRANSPLANTS
FOOD
FRUITS
GROWTH
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC POLYMERS
PLANTS
POLYMERS
POLYOLEFINS
560300* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology