2017 ASHS Annual Conference

Biodegradable paper mulches play a role in increasing soil temperatures during sunny days, retaining soil moisture, increasing organic content, with an effect on weed control. Yield response with paper mulch has been variable. Mustard seed meal (MSM) is a by-product of the oil processing process and pelleted MSM has been used in strawberry production, due to its allelopathic properties to control soil borne pests. The objective of this study was to see if paper pellet mulch (PPM), MSM and their combination had an effect on weed control, crop yield and strawberry plant growth and to compare their performance to standard fumigation practice. Study was established in the 2015-16 growing season at the Hampton Roads Agricultural Research and Extension Center in a randomized complete block design with seven treatments and four replications. Treatments were PPM at 4882, 6103,7324 kg/ha respectively, MSM at 2242 kg/ha, PPM at 6103 kg/ha + MSM at 2242 kg/ha 1,3-D + Pic (39% 1,3-dichloropropene + 59.6% chloropicrin) that was shank-fumigated in beds at 152 kg ha^-1 and covered with virtually impermeable film and nontreated control. PPM was applied on the surface of the beds underneath the tarp, while MSM was incorporated in the beds up to 0.15 m depth at the time of bed preparation. Beds were 11.3 m in length, 0.7 m wide and 0.14 m high. The center 4.6 m of the bed was used for transplanting ‘Chandler’ strawberry plugs in two rows at 36 cm in-row spacing where data collection was done. Weed density data was taken in 1.5 m length by 0.7 m wide area by creating a weed viewing window and yield data was taken on remaining 3 m bed length. Total weed density was the least in 1,3-D + Pic treated plots and it was comparable to the PPM + MSM plots, though PPM+MSM and nontreated plots were not significantly different. Compared to the nontreated plots, marketable yield was higher and comparable in MSM, PPM + MSM and PPM at 7324 kg/ha, while total yield was highest in PPM+MSM plots compared to the nontreated and the 1,3-D + Pic plots. Both marketable and total yield was comparable in nontreated and 1,3-D + Pic plots. Fruit size was significantly different with larger fruits in MSM and 1,3-D + Pic plots compared to the nontreated plots. The study is being repeated in 2016-17 growing season.