Soil Mulch Effect on the Enhance1nent of Growth and Early Yield of Okra and Pepper Under Assiut Conditions

Abstract

Plant growth, development, survivity and early yield are greatly affected by the climatic factors prevailing during the growing season e.g., temperature, soil moisture stresses and relative humidity. Vegetable growers especially under erratic climates often try to extend the growing season for selected crops for the purpose of obtaining a marketing advantage. For example, crops that are produced early in the spring, early summer or "off-season" crops often command a greater price on the market. Extending the growing season can be accomplished by earlier planting (before the recommended planting date for the region) with the use of protective structures such as row covers or low tunnels and can also, be accomplished with the use of synthetic mulches (e.g., plastic mulch), which can enhance crop maturity (Decoteau, 2000).

However, soil mulch using clear or black polyethylene was reviewed to enhance stand (Cavero et al., 1996 in pepper), earlier growth, flowering and earliness (lncalcaterra et al., 2000 in okra; Pakyurek et al., 1994; Vos and Sumarni, 1997 in pepper and Farghali, 1994 in eggplant), and fruit quality (AI-Masoum and EI-Gharib, 1996 in okra; and Nagalakshmi et al., 2002 in pepper) in many vegetable crops. Through one or more of the following advantages, increased soil temperature, increased growth, earlier crops, reduced weed problems, reduced fertilizer leaching, reduced drowning of crops, reduced evaporation, cleaner product and root pruning eliminated. Although some disadvantage may rise by using soil mulch, i.e., greater initial costs, increased management, costly to remove, increased crop/weed competition and increased soil erosion.