INFLUENCE OF DOUBLE CROPPING ON GROWTH AND YIELD OF DRY BEANS WITH COLORED PLASTIC MULCHES

There are numerous studies of the use of plastic mulches in vegetable production, but there is little documentation of their use with dry beans ( Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in single and double cropping. The objective of this study was to grow dry beans over two consecutive growing seasons using the same plastic mulch of different colors and examine the influence of soil temperature on growth and yield. The experiment was conducted in Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico, in the spring and summer of 2008. The treatments included four colored plastic mulches: white-on-black, black, silver-on-black, aluminum-on-black, and bare soil as a control. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with four replicates. The percentage of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) reflected from the plastic tended to be highest with the white-on-black mulch and lowest with the black mulch. Mean soil temperature under the plastic mulch decreased with the increasing percentage of reflected PAR. Mean soil temperature exhibited a relationship of 98% and 99% to yield in the first and second growing season, respectively. Photosynthetically active radiation had a relationship of 98% and 86% to yield in the first and second growing season, respectively. The effect of the colored plastic mulch on yield was significant (p ≤ 0.05) in the first growing season but not in the second, where plastic mulch and bare soil treatments had similar yields, indicating that plastic mulches do not always increase yield

Photosynthesis, growth, and fruit yield of cucumber in response to oxo-degradable plastic mulches

The use of plastic mulch is associated with a higher increase in yield of vegetables. However, at the end of the growing season for each crop, plastic mulching can create environmental pollution that can cause negative impacts on the environment that could be solved by the use of degradable plastics. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of oxo-degradable plastic mulches on soil temperature, growth, gas exchange, and cucumber crop yield. The study was conducted in two locations in the northeast of Mexico during the spring and summer of 2013. The plastic mulch colors with additives were blue, green, and red and each color having 8% and 12% of pigment and 22% and 23% of Titanium dioxide (Rutile). The resultant treatments were compared with the black plastic mulch, which is the standard plastic in the world, and bare soil in a randomized complete block design with three replications in two locations. The mean soil temperature at both locations was statistically higher in black plastic mulch, followed by the oxo-degradable plastics mulches and lowest in the control. Gas exchange was not affected by plastic mulches. SPAD units as the index of chlorophyll content in leaves were very little affected by plastic mulch. Both, commercial and total yield were statistically similar in the oxo-degradable plastic mulches and the black plastic mulch, and lowest in the control. Plastics with higher concentrations of pigment registered higher degradation in both locations. Our results suggest that different plastic mulches impact positively on the yield of cucumber crop. The benefit in yield by the different plastic mulches in the conditions of this study was due to their soil warming ability that results in improved soil temperature, leaf area, and plant dry weight

Animal-based organic nutrition can substitute inorganic fertigation in soilless-grown grape tomato

Purpose: In recent years, interest in plant nutrition research has arisen with a strong focus on organic forms. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of different organic fertilizers on growth, yield, fruit quality and polyphenol content in soilless grown grape tomatoes under greenhouse conditions. Materials and methods: Tomato plants were subjected to three organic nutrient solutions, which consisted of different mixtures of several OMRI (Organic Materials Review Institute) certified nitrogen fertilizers of industrially processed residues: Treatment I: solid and soluble liquid fertilizers of animal raw materials, natural potassium sulphate-non-synthetic, and calcium chloride; Treatment II: solid and soluble liquid fertilizers of animal raw materials, by-product of marine raw material (soluble liquid), natural potassium sulphate-non-synthetic, and calcium chloride; and Treatment III: solid fertilizers of animal raw materials, natural potassium sulphate-non-synthetic, and calcium chloride to 100% [0-30 days after transplanting (DAT)], 125% [31-80 DAT], and 150% [>81 DAT]. The Steiner solution (SS) was used as a control (Treatment IV). Results: Yield did not differ between organic and conventional treatments, ranging from 3.04 to 3.35 kg m-2 while fresh weight in organic treatments was 3.14 compared to 3.2 kg m-2 in plants fed with the SS. No significant differences in plant height or fruit quality were found. The application of organic fertilizers positively affected the total hydrolysable and condensed polyphenols of tomato fruits compared to the control. Twelve phenolic compounds were identified, highlighting 3-Caffeoylquinic acid, salvianolic acid and 5,6-Dihydroxy-7,8,3’,4’-tetramethoxyflavone (Treatment I) and Medioresinol (Lignan) (Treatment II). Conclusions: The results indicated that organic fertilization through animal-based fertilizer application is a feasible alternative for grape tomato production under greenhouse conditions

Impact of Iodine Biofortification on Greenhouse Melon (Cucumis melo L.) Growth and Production

Aims: Evaluate the impact and biofortification of iodide (I-) and iodate (IO3-), on melon morphology and physiology under greenhouse conditions. Study Design: Experimental design was completely randomized with a 2x2x3 factorial arrangement, for a total of 12 treatments and 4 repetitions, giving a total of 48 experimental units. Means were compared using LSD test at 0.05. Place and Duration of Study: Experiment was established in greenhouses of Universidad Autónoma Agraria Antonio Narro, Saltillo. Coahuila. Mexico, between April and July 2020. Methodology: Iodine applications were made 15 days after transplant, with a total of 10 applications to substrate and 5 foliar applications during experiment. Treatments consisted of potassium iodide (KI) applications directly to the substrate and foliar at 0.0, 0.5 and 1 mM of iodide (I-), every week to the substrate and every 15 days in a foliar way. In same way, with potassium iodate (KIO3) treatments, applying 0, 0.5 and 1 mM of iodate (IO3-). Results: Applications of 1 mM iodate to the substrate increased the number of leaves and leaf area. Yields decreased where iodine was applied. Nitrogen uptake improved in almost all applications of iodide and iodate. Potassium decreased with iodide and iodate applications. The concentration of iodine in the stage of flowering and maturity with applications of iodide to the substrate 1 mM. Iodine concentrations in melon fruit were better at low concentrations of foliar applied iodide and 0.5 mM substrate. Conclusion: Applications of iodide and iodate have a positive effect to melon fruits, without presenting phytotoxic effects

Animal-based organic nutrition induces comparable fruit quality to that of inorganic fertigation in soilless-grown grape tomato

<p>The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of animal-based organic nutrition and environmental parameters on tomato fruit quality, as well as to establish relations among colour and morphological values performed by the Tomato Analyzer (TA) software application. Organic tomato fruits produced by three organic nutrient solutions, which consisted of different mixtures of several OMRI certified nitrogen fertilizers and one inorganic nutrient solution (Steiner’s solution) as the control, were evaluated for their polyphenol and carotenoid content. We used Tomato Analyzer (TA) to evaluate fruit size and shape. Moreover, we implemented a digital image analysis tool, Color Test (CT), as part of the TA software application to collect and analyse fruit colour parameters. The application of organic fertilizers positively affected the total hydrolysable and condensed polyphenols of tomato fruits compared to the control. The high air temperature (>30°C) and sub-optimal light intensity negatively affected the carotene content of tomato fruits, as well as their morphological and colour attributes. Plants fed with organic solutions containing ASA + ASB + NK2SO4 showed comparable morphology and fruit colour attributes to those of the control plants that received Steiner’s nutrient solution. The results indicated that the application of organic fertilizers positively affected the total hydrolysable and condensed polyphenols of tomato fruits compared to the control. Plants fed with the Steiner’s nutrient solution exhibited the highest carotenoid content in tomato fruits. Organically produced tomatoes through animal-based fertilizer application displayed similar fruit morphology and colour attributes compared to conventionally produced tomatoes.</p