An integrated weed management approach in tomato using soil steaming, mulching, and winter cover crops

One of the most significant yield losses in tomato ( Solanum lycopersicum L.) is due to weeds. Yellow and purple nutsedge, large crabgrass, Palmer amaranth are troublesome weed species production throughout southeastern United States. This study aimed determine impact soil steaming, plastic mulching, cover crops on suppression, height, fruit yield. The used were hairy vetch Vicia villosa ), crimson clover Trifolium incarnatum cereal rye Secale cereale ). was conducted at Mississippi State University Truck Crops Experiment Station Crystal Springs, Mississippi, USA. experiment a completely randomized block design with three fall crop treatments, including fallow, each replicated times repeated two years. Each plot broadcasted mixture yellow nutsedge Cyperus esculentus L.), crabgrass Digitaria sanguinalis barnyardgrass Echinochloa crus-galli) , [ Amaranthus palmeri (S.) Watson] density 20 plants m -2 for species. Two days after sowing seeds, surface steamed according its assigned treatment until it reached 61°C either 0, 5, or min. After drip irrigation tubing laid row, covered by black, 0.0254-mm mulch. Data recorded both years, cover, plant lowest observed 5 min steaming mulched treatment, highest noted 0 absence mulching. dominant species, even under steam mulch treatments. use did not show difference compared fallow However, showed followed clover. Tomato up 13 cm taller than those unsteamed soils. Additionally, combination increased marketable cull Soil mulching height while decreasing population can, therefore, be effectively incorporated into an integrated management program tomato.