[tomato] RE Mulches
Byron.Bromley (Tomato@GlobalGarden.com)
Sat, 20 Feb 1999 21:58:58 -0500
Here is some info on mulches that I have recently found
I have not tried red plastic mulch, I just heard about it for
the first time when I recieved an announcement about the seminar.
The results were from testing on peppers. But the bottom line
was it really depended on the weather .Red, green and black
and irt and white did better in some years in NH.
Also Dr. Mike Orzolek ant Penn State tried it on Peppers and
squash. On additional finding that it help kill most root-knot nematodes
RE: Agricultria; Research Oct 1977. This report also claims it helps
tomato yeild but does give the amount of increase.
An interesting note, the growing area was also raised soil
(No frame) in all cases
Dr Otho Wells said green mulch helped pepper yeilds, but
his numbers were 13,267 lbs per acre on black mulch vs 13,697lbs
on green, Personaly I did not think that a less than 10% increase
was significant.
Another researcher from Penn State also experimented with yellow
and blue, She found yellow attracted aphids and whiteflies and blue
attracted thrips.
Another item, The Penn State info supports the Red mulch made
Sonoco, some mulchs are not color fast and will fade or the color
will flake off. They suggested looking for statement "Color Fast"
There is a Polyon Inc In San Diego CA Phone 619-279-6393
fax 619-279-6394
They are major distributors, a call will get you a more local
and save big$$ on shipping.
Note Also have listings for other man & dist.
I forgot to mention a new site I found. Its from UCONN
with some other links on Intergrated Pest Management
IPM
try http://www.canr.uconn.edu/ces/ipm
Byron