Several years ago, two scientists who work for USDA's Agricultural Research Service went looking for an organic mulching system to replace plastic sheeting, and touched off a tomato-growing revolution. Their unique grow-your-own organic mulch system continues to win converts, rewarding many who try it with more fruit of a higher quality for considerably less work.

The tomato research team:

Aref Abdul-Baki is a plant physiologist with the ARS Vegetable Laboratory, Rm. 213, B-10A, BARC-West, Beltsville MD 20705.

Dr. John Teasdale is a plant physiologist with the ARS Weed Science Laboratory, Rm. 103, Bldg. 264, BARC-East, Beltsville, MD 20705.

Research supporting these findings was conducted at the USDA-ARS Beltsville Agricultural Research Center in Beltsville, Maryland, and funded by contributions from the Sustainable Agriculture Program.