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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Tifton, Georgia » Crop Protection and Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #293814
Title: Rolled cotton mulch as an alternative mulching material for transplanted cucurbit crops

Author
item Johnson, Wiley - Carroll
item RAY, JAMES - Ag Biotech, Llc
item DAVIS, JERRY - University Of Georgia

Submitted to: Weed Technology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/14/2013
Publication Date: 12/20/2013
Citation: Johnson, W.C., Ray, J.N., Davis, J.W. 2013. Rolled cotton mulch as an alternative mulching material for transplanted cucurbit crops. Weed Technology. 28:272-280.

Interpretive Summary: Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) mulch is commonly used in transplanted vegetable crop production in the southeastern U. S. Cantaloupe and watermelon growers use a system of transplants, grown on narrow LDPE mulch-covered seedbeds with overhead irrigation, and use the LDPE for only one crop. LDPE mulches are costly to remove from the field and dispose. Biodegradable mulches that eliminate removal and disposal costs would be of significant benefit, provided that weeds are adequately suppressed. Cotton gin trash is a waste product, composed of fiber fragments and seed pieces, and is biodegradable. Using a proprietary process, cotton gin trash can be chopped, pressed, and heated into a loose mat and stored on a continuous roll. Preliminary trials were conducted in 2010 and 2011 to determine if rolled cotton fiber mulch could be applied as a seedbed cover using conventional application equipment and adequately suppress weeds. Mulching materials (rolls 36 in. wide) were applied with a mulch layer that produced a finished seedbed 16 in. wide. ‘Athena’ cantaloupe and ‘Crimson Sweet’ watermelon were transplanted using a waterwheel transplanter. Mulching materials included rolled cotton fiber mulch sprayed with boiled linseed oil after mulch application, rolled cotton fiber mulch sprayed with black latex paint, black LDPE, and bareground. Herbicide treatments included ethalfluralin plus halosulfuron plus glyphosate applied as directed spray and nontreated with herbicides. Rolled cotton fiber mulch was easily applied with a conventional mulch-layer with no modification and minimal adjustment, producing no tears, rips, or holes. Biodegradable cotton fiber mulch treated with boiled linseed oil or black latex paint suppressed weeds equal to LDPE and all were better than bareground plots. Herbicide treatment improved control of all weeds over the nontreated control and was independent of weed suppression provided by seedbed mulches. Cantaloupe and watermelon yields were not affected by seedbed mulches, but were increased by weed control provided by herbicides. Rolled cotton mulch suppresses weeds equal to LDEP and offers potential as a biodegradable replacement in transplanted vegetable crop production.

Technical Abstract: Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) mulch is commonly used in transplanted vegetable crop production in the southeastern U. S. Cantaloupe and watermelon growers use a system of hybrid transplants, grown on narrow LDPE mulch-covered seedbeds with overhead irrigation, and use the mulch cover for only one crop. LDPE mulches are costly to remove from the field and dispose. Biodegradable mulches that eliminate removal and disposal costs would be of significant benefit, provided that weeds are adequately suppressed. Cotton gin trash is a waste product, composed of fiber fragments and seed pieces, and is biodegradable. Using a proprietary process, cotton gin trash can be chopped, pressed, and heated into a loose mat and stored on a continuous roll. Preliminary trials were conducted in 2010 and 2011 to determine if rolled cotton fiber mulch made from gin trash could be applied as a seedbed cover using conventional application equipment and adequately suppress weeds. Mulching materials (rolls 91 cm wide) were applied with a mulch layer that produced a finished seedbed 40 cm wide. ‘Athena’ cantaloupe and ‘Crimson Sweet’ watermelon were transplanted using a waterwheel transplanter. Mulching materials included rolled cotton fiber mulch sprayed with boiled linseed oil after mulch application, rolled cotton fiber mulch sprayed with black latex paint, black LDPE, and bareground. Herbicide treatments included ethalfluralin plus halosulfuron plus glyphosate applied as directed spray and nontreated with herbicides. Rolled cotton fiber mulch was easily applied with a conventional mulch-layer with no modification and minimal adjustment, producing no tears, rips, or holes. Biodegradable cotton fiber mulch treated with boiled linseed oil or black latex paint suppressed weeds equal to LDPE and all were better than bareground plots. Main effect of herbicides improved control of all weeds over the nontreated control and was independent of weed suppression provided by seedbed mulches. Cantaloupe and watermelon yields were not affected by seedbed mulches, but were increased by weed control provided by herbicides.