H. G. Taber, V. Lawson, and B. Smith
Department of Horticulture
Iowa State University
Ames, IA 50011

Keywords:  earliness, light quality, reflectance, flowering, fruit set

Abstract: Black plastic mulch is the standard plastic used in the upper Midwest for fresh market tomato production.  Red plastic mulch was evaluated for tomato fruit production at 5 site-year locations from 1997 to 1999.  All experimental plots contained Mtn. Spring or Sunstart varieties and were grown with the mulched bed, staked, and trickle irrigated culture system.  Rows were an east-west direction.  Other plastic mulches in the comparison included black, clear, IRT100, and silver.  Red and IRT100 mulch, compared to black plastic, doubled early yield at 3 of the 5 site-year locations and the clear at one location.  Flower numbers and fruit set were not affected by plastic treatment. The early yield enhancement was the result of increased maturation rate.  At only 1 of the sites was the minimum soil temperature significantly increased, by 1.2^o C, by red and IRT100 and at that site-year there was no early yield differences.  In 1997 and 1998, the red mulch had the lowest R:FR ratio, 9 to 11% less then black plastic.  But in 1999, the red had the highest ratio, 10% higher than the black plastic.  Mulch standards for reflectivity should be established to promote product consistency.

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