Summary and Recommendations for the Use of Mulch Color in Vegetable Production
Michael D. Orzolek and William J. Lamont, Jr.
Department of Horticulture - Center for Plasticulture, The Pennsylvania State University


When purchasing polyethylene film for use in the production of vegetables in the field, there are several characteristics of the polyethylene that users must consider for specific applications. Film thickness spans the entire range from 0.015 mil to 1.5 mil; the thinner films requiring specific applicators to place the film in the field, to the thicker films which would last for 2 years or a triple cropping sequence. Opacity of the film (how much light will pass through the plastic) will govern both the amount of radiation which will heat the soil and the growth of weeds under the film. The last characteristic which growers have to decide is mulch color: black, white, silver, red, blue, brown, IRT (infrared thermal), green IRT and yellow. Each of the colors will produce specific temperature (both soil and ambient) and light modifications within the micro-environment of the raise-bed/plant canopy.


Over the last 10 years, we have conducted extensive testing of the affect of mulch color and various vegetable crops. Some generalities that can be made regarding color are: 1) silver repels aphids, 2) blue attracts thrips - has been very effective in greenhouse tomato production and 3) yellow attracts insects. There also appears to be some reduction in disease pressure with crops grown on specific colors. Based on years of field research at the Horticulture Research Farm, Rock Springs, PA, the following colors are recommended for specific crops.


Tomato - this crop appears to respond more to red mulch compared to black with an average 12% increase in marketable fruit yield over a 3 year period. There appears to be a reduction in the incidence of early blight in plants grown on red mulch compared to plants grown on black mulch. When environmental conditions for plant growth are ideal, tomato response to red mulch is minimal.


Pepper - this crop appears to respond more to silver mulch compared to black with an average 20% increase in marketable fruit yield and fruit size over a 3 year period. Lowest yield of marketable pepper were harvested from plants grown on either white or light blue mulch at this location. In more southern climates, below North Carolina, pepper response to white mulch would be entirely different. Pepper plants grown on green IRT had similar marketable fruit yields compared to plants grown on black.


Eggplant - this crop appears to respond more to red mulch compared to black with an average 12% increase in marketable fruit yield over a 2 year period. Greatest response of eggplant to red mulch observed when plants were growing under stress conditions (temperature and water). There may be a varietal response of eggplant to the use of plastic mulch.


Cantaloupe - this crop appears to respond more to green IRT or dark blue mulch compared to black with an average 35% increase in marketable fruit yield over a 3 year period. Lowest yield of marketable cantaloupe were harvested from plants grown on either white or black mulch at this location. In more southern climates, below North Carolina, cantaloupe response to white or black mulch would be entirely different.


Cucumber - this crop appears to respond more to dark blue mulch compared to black with an average 30% increase in marketable fruit yield over a 3 year period. There was a difference in yield response between an open-pollinated and hybrid variety. Lowest yield of marketable cucumber were harvested from plants grown on yellow mulch at this location. In more southern climates, below North Carolina, cucumber response to yellow mulch may be entirely different.


Summer Squash - this crop appears to respond more to dark blue mulch compared to black with an average 20% increase in marketable fruit yield over a 2 year period. Lowest yield of marketable zucchini squash was harvested from plants grown on yellow mulch at this location. In more southern climates, below North Carolina, cucumber response to yellow mulch may be entirely different.


Onion - this crop appears to respond more to several different mulch colors including red, metalized silver and black compared to no plastic mulch with an average 24% increase in marketable bulb yield over 8 varieties. There was a significant difference in yield response between specific onion varieties and mulch color. This trial evaluated red onions, but other onion types should respond similar to the red onion varieties grown in this mulch trial.


Potato - this crop appears to respond more to several different mulch colors including red, metalized silver and black compared to no plastic mulch with an average 24% increase in marketable tuber yield. While there was no significant difference in yield response between the mulch colors, potatoes grown on the metalized silver mulch can have the highest marketable tuber yields, coolest soil temperature and least number of Colorado Potato beetle adults. However, the metalized silver mulch can be difficult to lay in the field and obtain a tight fit over the raised bed. Compared to black or red plastic mulch, the metalized silver mulch in cool years may also have the lowest plant population of potatoes because of poor plant emergence. There was a significant difference in yield response between specific potato varieties and mulch color. Use of black or possibly red plastic mulch will produce the highest yield of quality potatoes.

Curled from http://extension.psu.edu/plants/plasticulture/technologies/plastic-mulches

We all know the effect of irrigation systems to crop productions.

We have Irrigation systems for 0.25Hecters complete package with the following items and accessories

Disc Filter
Ventury Injectors for fertilizers
PVC Ball Valve
PE Layflat Hose
Flat emitter drip tape - 3000meters
Tape offtake for layflat hose
coupling for tape
end plug for tape
simple punch tool
tee connector
elbow
end plug for layflat hose
hose clamp
water pressure
Pipe fitting for Micro irrigation

All our items are going for give away prices including Black/Silver and red mulch.

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Call: 08056363230, Whatsap: 08025171575
Suite 54, 3rd Floor, 70D, Allen Avenue, Ikeja, Lagos.
+234 802 517 1575, +234 805 636 3230
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Irrigation System with Fertiliser injector, full accessories for 1acre with 3000m drip tapes for N170,000 call while stock last.

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Order now while stock last. One roll each remaining. With two complete irrigation system kits with Fertiliser injectors.

Call: 08056363230, Whatsap: 08025171575
Suite 54, 3rd Floor, 70D, Allen Avenue, Ikeja, Lagos.
+234 802 517 1575, +234 805 636 3230
info@itcityglobalcomms.com
itcityglobalcommunications@gmail.com

Call for yours now

Call: 08056363230, Whatsap: 08025171575
Suite 54, 3rd Floor, 70D, Allen Avenue, Ikeja, Lagos.
+234 802 517 1575, +234 805 636 3230
info@itcityglobalcomms.com
itcityglobalcommunications@gmail.com

how much?

What exactly do you want to know the price, the mulch or the irrigation system?

olukemiyemi:
how much?

LUKINGUY:
What exactly do you want to know the price, the mulch or the irrigation system?

Price of the irrigation system

how much for the mulching film sir

olukemiyemi:


Price of the irrigation system

The cost of the irrigation system is N170,000

ishayaauta:
how much for the mulching film sir

The cost of the Mulching film Black / Silver is N40,000, Red is N17,000

@ op, what is d size of d mulching film(size in width and breadth)

The size is 1.2m width and 500m length for Black/Silver while 1.2m width and 500m length for Red

Juliana7:
@ op, what is d size of d mulching film(size in width and breadth)

Your products look good, but the price is the issue

It's not our fault? It's the exchange rate and challenges on shipment cost and process.

LUKINGUY:
Irrigation System with Fertiliser injector, full accessories for 1acre with 3000m drip tapes for N170,000 call while stock last.

call us now

Pls do you still have the above item? I urgently need one ASAP!
Thanks.

It's been sold out. Call us by first week october we will be having stock.

Thanks

omotinugbonkace:



Pls do you still have the above item? I urgently need one ASAP!
Thanks.

For those who has been asking us for drip irrigation system, contact us bellow for your package. Click the link bellow for more information

https://www.nairaland.com/3416510/drip-irrigation-available-subsidized-price

AmaGrows Investment Limited (AMADRIP)
Sahada Plaza, Suite 54, 3rd Floor,70d Allen Avenue Ikeja, Lagos,
Mobile: 08056363230
Whatsap & Telegram = 08025171575
Skype: nicelukinguy
info@amadrip.com
www.amadrip.com

Tomatoes and Cucumbers best planting season with irrigation

Better offers available

https://www.nairaland.com/3416510/drip-irrigation-available-subsidized-price

LUKINGUY:
Better offers available

https://www.nairaland.com/3416510/drip-irrigation-available-subsidized-price

DATS NICE

LUKINGUY:
The cost of the Mulching film Black / Silver is N40,000, Red is N17,000

what quantity would I need to cover one hecter of land?

6 rolls

Black/Silver mulching film is available

1.5m x 300m - 35microns - N35,000.00

Call for yours now

Mulching Film.... here call for yours