The intentional use of the vegetative growth of mushroom-forming fungi on wood mulch substrates as a biologically active filtration media, a process known as mycofiltration, is a promising new technology for enhancing biofiltration of stormwater, graywater, and agricultural runoff. Recent trials have documented that Escherichia coli can be selectively removed from contaminated water approximate...

Three palm species common to southern California landscapes were grown and established under mulch treatments. Turfgrass clippings and Eucalyptus sideroxylon mulches increased the growth of king and queen palms and increased survival of king palms. Although palms growing under fresh eucalyptus mulches did not display nutrient de®ciency symptoms, Mexican fan palm and queen palm were not signi®ca...

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) ‘Spunta’ plants were grown with the root zone covered by different types of polyethylene plastic mulches. The plastic mulches used were transparent, white, co-extruded black and white, and black. As a control, plants were grown without plastic mulch. The parameters analyzed were soil temperature, root concentration of K and Ca, and enzymatic activities of ATPase an...

This study was conducted to estimate the yield, and identify quantify primary secondary metabolites in fruit of Malus domestica Borkh. cv. ‘Sampion’ under two agrotechnical factors: floor management (herbicide fallow living mulch) dose nitrogen (50, 80, 110, 140 kg ha−1). Compared herbicide fallow, mulch did not decrease yield. Research showed a rich composition phenolic volatile organic compou...

Agricultural plastics area significant contributor to solid waste disposal problems, particularly in areas with heavy use of plastic-covered greenhouses or mulch films. Fieldburning and landfilling are no longer viable options for disposal in many areas. Reuse and reduced weight of films are two methods to reduce the amount of material requiring disposal. Recycling, incineration, and on-site de...

One of the principal components of the contaminant load in urban stormwater runoff is oil and grease (O&G) pollution, resulting from vehicle emissions. A mulch layer was used as a contaminant trap to remove O&G (dissolved and particulate-associated naphthalene, dissolved toluene, and dissolved motor oil hydrocarbons) from a synthetic runoff during a bench-scale infiltration study. Approximately...

Cotton is the most important natural fiber source for the textile industry world-wide. It is also an alternative of the man-made petroleum-based “synthetic fibers” providing an advantage for a sustainable environment. Cotton is formed by developing seed of several Gossypium species, which are mainly grown as an important cash crop in more than 70 countries including USA, India, China and Uzbeki...

An experiment was designed to test the effects of metalized UV reflective silver plastic mulch on insect populations on a tomato crop as compared to the standard black plastic mulch. Yellow sticky cards, replaced weekly from June 8 to July 12, were used to collect flying insects, which were counted and classified. The total number of insects, and insects in the Thysanoptera, Homoptera, Aphidida...

Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) is a Tospovirus affecting field tomato crops worldwide. The virus is transmitted by some species of thrips. The most damaging vectors in Italy are Frankliniella occidentalis and Thrips tabaci. Only the first instar larvae can acquire the virus from an infected plant. After acquisition, the virus replicates in the vector, and the viruliferous thrips is capable of...