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Effects of Plastic Mulch on the Growth, Maturity, and Yields of Corn
Author(s) -
Free G. R.,
Bay Clyde
Publication year - 1965
Publication title -
soil science society of america journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.836
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1435-0661
pISSN - 0361-5995
DOI - 10.2136/sssaj1965.03615995002900040031x
Subject(s) - loam , acre , mulch , agronomy , plastic mulch , crop , environmental science , evapotranspiration , pan evaporation , dry matter , plastic film , irrigation , soil water , biology , chemistry , soil science , ecology , organic chemistry , layer (electronics)
Slit translucent plastic covers on field plots of two corn hybrids ( Zea mays L.) on Honeoye silt loam in New York increased soil temperatures, rate of early growth, final grain yields, and percentage of dry matter in ears at harvest. The mean yields of shelled corn over a 3‐year period for corn hybrids, Cornell M‐10 and Robson 350, were increased by 1,456 and 896 lb/acre (26 and 16 bu/acre), respectively. When the plastic cover was not slit, but was sealed to the stalks to suppress evaporation and to prevent the entrance of rain, yields were at or above the 5,600‐lb/acre level (100‐bu/acre), and were consistently higher than yields for unmulched plots. Apparent use of soil moisture for crop production under the sealed treatment was about one–third of the total evapotranspiration from crop and soil under the bare or slit treatments.