Colored Plastic Mulches Influence Fruit Yield and Insect Population of Tomato and Pepper

Experiments were conducted in 2008 and 2009 to determine the influence of colored plastic mulches on fruit yield, insect population and the incidence of tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) in tomato and pepper.  Mulched treatments were white on black, red, violet and aluminum coated arranged in a randomized complete block design and 4 replications.  Fertilizer N. P, and K were applied ate the rate of 134, 73, and 130 kg/ha, and 100, 73, and 120 kg/ha, for tomato and pepper, respectively, based on soil test.   Plants of both species were transplanted to plots through holes in the mulch at an off set to reduced contact with fertilizer applied prior to planting based on soil test.  Highest fruit yield for tomatoes was obtained from among plants mulched with white on black mulch while fruit yield of pepper was best among plants mulched with aluminum coated films.  The number of insects collected from sticky traps was lowest for aluminum coated mulch, followed by the white on black mulch.    The most common families of insects regardless of mulch color were Diptera>Hymenoptera>Homoptera.  Both red and violet mulches had greater number of insects, suggesting that the incidence of TSWV would be greater when these mulches are used, and in fact, fruits of both species grown on violet showed marginal symptoms of TSWV.