EVALUATION OF REFLECTIVE MULCH AND WHITE INTER-ROW MULCH FOR INCREASING YIELDS OF BELL PEPPER

摘要

Maine vegetable growers face several difficult challenges to economically viable pepper production. The use of black plastic mulch and raised beds is relatively common. However, additional techniques are needed to enhance maturity and yield to make this a more profitable crop in Maine. Studies have shown that white plastic mulch placed between black plastic covered, raised beds increased tomatoes yields 28 to 36%. Research has also shown reflective silver mulch increased yields of bell pepper. Experiments conducted in 2003 and 2004 evaluated the use of reflective plastic mulches and inter-row mulches. In 2003, the treatments were: beds covered with black plastic (control); black plastic covered beds with white inter-row mulch; and beds covered withreflective mulch (ReflecTek Foils, Dual Heat Trap). In 2004, white and silver inter-row mulch were compared to no inter-row mulch in a commercial grower's field. Earliness, fruit quality and total yield of transplanted bell pepper were evaluated across the treatments. In 2003, the white inter-row mulch treatment increased yield of peppers 32% over peppers grown on black plastic alone. Results in 2004 were not as dramatic. No significant differences were observed between the white inter-row mulch and the check treatment.