The effectiveness of reflective mulch in the intercropping system between soybean and oil palm: effects on growth, chlorophyll content, and photosynthetic characteristics

This study was conducted to analyze the effectiveness of using reflective mulch under stands oil palm plants several ages on intensity solar radiation reflection, growth, chlorophyll content, and photosynthetic characteristics soybeans. A nested design used, with first factor age group consisting open land aged 4, 5, 8 years. The second that included without mulch, inorganic organic mulch. use in soybean-oil intercropping system able increase reflection surface radiation, as well soybean interception. significantly increased leaf area, specific weight, stomatal density. Organic led significant reductions amount B content. rate lower leaves significantly. Inorganic resulted transpiration, intercellular CO2 concentration, conductance stomata leaves. contributed improved performance stands. for grown up 5 years better growth rates due reflected from surface. However, effect could not meet needs >5 very low transmission. Therefore, is more effective efficient until reaches