Effects of Mulching Materials on Soil Temperature under Polyhouse Condition

Abstract

In order to generate information and suggest solution experiment was conducted to study the effect of mulch (black and white plastic mulch as well as grass mulch) on soil temperature under polyhouse condition. The treatments were arranged in Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications during main rainy season of 2012 and 2013. Soil temperature during each individual years and combined over years was significantly improved with both plastic mulches over no mulch and grass mulch. The highest soil temperature was recorded under white plastic mulch followed by black plastic mulch. On the other hand lowest soil temperature was recorded under grass mulch treatment. White plastic mulch scored higher temperature by 1.17, 2.48 and 3.78 °C compared to black plastic mulch, no mulch and grass mulch, respectively. In general, all mulched and no mulched treatments soil temperatures were under optimal range for most warm season vegetable crops for water and mineral uptake from the soil. Both plastic mulches are recommended for users to produce most warm season vegetable crops by enhancing soil temperature during cool season and grass mulch to reduce soil temperature during hot season under polyhouse growing conditions.

Keywords: Mulch, Temperature polyhouse and vegetable