Author
|
Submitted to: Weed Science Society of America Meeting Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only Publication Acceptance Date: 1/18/2013 Publication Date: 2/4/2013 Citation: Johnson, W.C. 2013. Waste cotton as a biodegradable mulching material for transplanted watermelon and cantaloupe production [abstract]. Weed Science Society of America Meeting Abstracts. 53:43. Interpretive Summary: 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 mulch offers many crop production advantages over bareground systems, including weed suppression. However, LDPE mulches are costly to remove and dispose ($210 to $370/ha). Discarded LDPE mulch is often burned, discarded in landfills, or piled in large unsightly mounds in bordering areas. Biodegradable mulches that eliminate removal and disposal costs would be of significant value, provided that weeds are adequately suppressed. Cotton gin trash is a waste product, composed of fiber fragments and seed pieces, and biodegradable. Using a proprietary process, cotton gin trash can be pressed into a loosely woven mat and stored as a continuous roll. Research trials were conducted from 2010 to 2012 to determine if the rolled cotton fiber mat 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 41 cm wide. ‘Athena’ cantaloupe and ‘Crimson Sweet’ watermelon were transplanted using a waterwheel transplanter. There was no pre-plant fumigation. Mulching materials included nontreated rolled cotton fiber mat, rolled cotton fiber mat sprayed with boiled linseed oil after mulch application, rolled cotton fiber mat sprayed with black latex paint, rolled cotton fiber mat sprayed with tan-colored paint (derived from soybean), black LDPE, and bareground. Herbicide treatments included ethalfluralin plus halosulfuron plus glyphosate applied as directed spray and nontreated with herbicides. Rolled cotton fiber mat was easily applied with a conventional mulch-layer with no modification and minimal adjustment, producing no tears, rips, or holes. The biodegradable cotton fiber mat performed best when treated with boiled linseed oil or black latex paint after mulch application. Treated cotton fiber mat suppressed weeds equal to or slightly better than LDPE, with cantaloupe and watermelon yields responding similarly. |
