Plastic Soil Covers Instead Of Herbicides Spur Pear Growth: Pear trees are growing bigger and faster with the use of polypropylene soil covers

摘要

THANKS to the use of polypropylene soil covers instead of herbicides, pear trees are growing bigger and faster in an Oregon test plot. The warm, damp environment under the plastic mulch boosts root and tree growth. Mulched trees are up to 38% larger than their unmulched counterparts. Quicker growth could mean greater yields later, according to two Oregon State University researchers who are trying to find an effective alternative to herbicides.