Effects of different plastic mulching films on seed propagated artichoke (Cynara scolymus) production.

摘要

In an experiment conducted in Valencia, Spain, the agronomic effects of the mulching film system (black polyethylene) and co-extruded polyethylene (white and black) and the non-mulching system were compared on artichoke (cv. Imperial Star) in two cycles. Within the spring cycle, two transplanting dates (6 February and 9 March 2001) were studied. Within the autumn cycle, only one date (12 July 2001) was studied and plants were sprayed with gibberellic acid. The spring cycle turned out to be less productive than the autumn cycle. In the spring cycle, no statistically significant differences appeared either in the marketable yield or in the unmarketable production for the first transplanting date. In the second transplanting date, no statistically significant differences appeared either in marketable yield or in average head weight among treatments. No differences in yield were detected but head weight was highest with black polyethylene mulching. In the autumn cycle, the use of black polyethylene mulching film increased the post-transplant failure of plants and slowed down plant growth, thereby significantly reducing the yields. No differences were observed in external quality parameters. Stand deficiency was not different among treatments in both transplanting dates of the spring cycle, but it was clearly lower in black film-mulched plants in the autumn cycle.