The effect of soil mulching on weed infestation in a strawberry plantation
Kesik, T.(Agricultural Univ. of Lublin (Poland). Dept. of Soil Cultivation and Fertilization of Horticultural Plants)E-mail:[email protected] | Maskalaniec, T.(Vilnius Agriculture College, Beitoji Voke (Lithuania))
In climatic and soil conditions of the Vilnius Region, a four years' research on the effectivity of mulching of a strawberry 'Senga Sengana' plantation was carried out. The strawberry plantation was covered with mulches with compost (peat and organic farm materials), rye straw, sawdust from needle trees, wood bark (from needle trees), and black plastic foil. The investigations were conducted in four replications, on brown soil formed from light clay sand. Estimation of weed infestation was conducted twice during each year: after strawberry blooming (June - primary weeds) and during full summer (August - secondary weeds). The number and species composition of weeds were estimated. Independently of the years of study and its objects, average number of weeds amounted to 39,3 units per 1 square m in primary weed infestation and 21,0 units per 1 square m in secondary weed infestation. Annual weeds dominated in primary as well as in secondary weed infestation; the total number of perennial weeds was much smaller. During the four years of investigations, 23 diverse weed species were observed (15 annual and 8 perennial). Among annual weeds, Galinsoga parviflora Cav., Chenopodium album L. and Capsella bursa-pastoris (L.) Med. were found in the greatest number. In conditions of field experiment, the best method of limiting weed infestation was soil mulching with black plastic foil. Organic mulches like pine bark, sawdust and straw also limited appearance of weeds. Compost mulch caused higher weed infestation compared to not mulched soil.
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