Articles
Influence of woven polypropylene groundcovers during winter on weed pressure, yield and quality of mint crops in the following season
Article number
1358_25
Pages
191 – 194
Language
English
Abstract
Weed control is a key factor for the productivity and profitability of medicinal and aromatic plants, especially in organic farming.
In mint, one way to reduce weed pressure is to cover the plants and the soil with a woven polypropylene fabric (PPF) during winter from early November to late March.
To evaluate the effects of such a soil cover during winter, four different mint species with and without soil cover were observed to determine weed pressure, yield and quality of mint.
In these trials, the inhibitory effect of the black PPF on weed flora development was convincing.
In covered plots, the time required for mechanical weed control was reduced by 440 h ha‑1 compared to plots without PPF. In addition, the dry matter yield of the first harvest was significantly higher with than without PPF (plus 0.4 to 1.2 t dry weight ha‑1 according the mint species). However, the essential oil content in the leaves was slightly higher or not significantly affected by the soil cover.
In summary, the protective and positive effects of the soil cover with a woven PPF was evident.
Weed pressure in winter and spring was drastically reduced and yield as well as profitability of mint crops were significantly increased.
In mint, one way to reduce weed pressure is to cover the plants and the soil with a woven polypropylene fabric (PPF) during winter from early November to late March.
To evaluate the effects of such a soil cover during winter, four different mint species with and without soil cover were observed to determine weed pressure, yield and quality of mint.
In these trials, the inhibitory effect of the black PPF on weed flora development was convincing.
In covered plots, the time required for mechanical weed control was reduced by 440 h ha‑1 compared to plots without PPF. In addition, the dry matter yield of the first harvest was significantly higher with than without PPF (plus 0.4 to 1.2 t dry weight ha‑1 according the mint species). However, the essential oil content in the leaves was slightly higher or not significantly affected by the soil cover.
In summary, the protective and positive effects of the soil cover with a woven PPF was evident.
Weed pressure in winter and spring was drastically reduced and yield as well as profitability of mint crops were significantly increased.
Authors
C. Carlen, C.-A. Carron, M.B. Christ, X. Simonnet
Keywords
Mypex ground cover, Mentha species, quality, weed management, yield
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