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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Florence, South Carolina » Coastal Plain Soil, Water and Plant Conservation Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #62053
Title: INFLUENCE OF PLASTIC MULCH COLOR ON OKRA

Author
item GREER, E - KENTUCKY STATE UNIV
item KAUL, K - KENTUCKY STATE UNIV
item Kasperbauer, Michael
item MAHL, C - KENTUCKY STATE UNIV

Submitted to: Agronomy Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/15/1995
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Plants grown on plastic mulch with higher far-red to red (FR/R) ratios have been shown to have greater yield. However, it is unknown whether limited plant exposure to these higher FR/R mulches would provide the same benefits as season long exposure. Okra plants were transplanted into white, red, or green painted polyethylene plots. After 3, 6, 9, or 12 weeks of exposure to these mulches, bare soil was placed over the mulch to limit plant exposure. Yield and vegetative measurements showed little difference between plants exposed for different periods, suggesting that short exposure periods are sufficient to provide beneficial effects. However, within an exposure period, plants grown on plastic with higher FR/R ratios were taller, had larger stalk diameters and greater yield.