Basics and not so basics plasticulture J. D. Kindhart Components of Plasticulture . “Required” . Plastic mulch . “Optional” . Raised bed . Trickle irrigation . Fertilizer injector . Fumigation Advantages of Plasticulture . Improved control of soil moisture . Enhanced early and late season growth . Earlier yields . Weed control ??? . Allows for more intense cultivation per given acre for many crops . Higher yields Disadvantages of Plasticulture . Expensive . Requires a great commitment to management . Plastic is difficult to dispose . Specialized equipment required Common Pitfalls . Failure to manage soil fertility . Failure to control weeds between rows . Failure to monitor soil moisture properly . Failure to check on water quality . Failing to make a commitment to make it work . Failure to effectively conduct a spray program Myths of Plasticulture . Requires less water . Eliminates weed problems in plant row . Will automatically increase profitability . Plastic is removed after one crop Site selection for plasticulture . Good drainage . Site elevation . Soil type and slope . Cropping history . Previous crop residue . Access to water of sufficient quality to be used for irrigation . Roads (both field and municipal) that are capable of being used to transport harvested produce without causing damage Fertility Management . The significant investment in plasticulture mandates good fertility management . The high yields associated with intensive culture can only be realized if soil fertility is properly managed . Management of soil fertility is critical for both organic and conventional growers Why is soil testing important for specialty crop producers? Crop Yield . Corn 180 bu @ 56 = 10,800 . Tomato 20# * 2613 = 52,272 pounds pounds Nutrient Removal . Corn 180 bu . Tomato 52,272 lbs. N 140 lbs . N 104 lbs . P 55 lbs . P 21 lbs . K 37 lbs . K 182 lbs Problems more commonly found in specialty crops . Phosphorus scores too high . Advising on foliar feeding . Nutrients out of balance? . “Disease” associated with fertility Flow Control Meter and Valves Nitrogen Tank and Regulator Methyl Bromide Tank Fumigation-Equipment . Gaseous product applied through shanks-like anhydrous ammonia . one- or three-row application . Single or two pass operation . Custom application available . Time lag between application and transplanting Increases efficacy of fumigant Improves soil moisture Extends growing season in spring and fall Affords some weed control Types of mulch . Standard black . Degradable . IRT . White on black . Silver . Clear Holes Are Marked With Wheels From a Water Wheel Setter Why Manage Irrigation? . Maximize return on investment . Land . Transplants/seed . Irrigation equipment . Minimize crop loss . Improve crop quality Role of water in plants . Cell processes . Cooling . Carry nutrients . Turgor pressure . Photosynthesis Why is it important to have just the right amount of water? . Loss of yield . Loss of quality . Lower storage life . Avoid nutritional problems Advantages of Drip . Increased field access due to drier furrows . Improved crop yield and quality . Better management of applied crop protection materials . Crop protection savings due to reduced run-off . Fertilizer can be delivered directly to the plant’s root zone . Water savings . Less evaporation . Precision irrigation . Uniform watering . Energy savings . Decreased disease and weed pressure Stages of growth when moisture stress is most damaging to yield . Snap bean . Pod filling . Sweet corn . Tasseling and ear fill . Muskmelon . Flowering & fruit enlargement . Pepper . Establishment, flowering, . Tomato fruit set, and fruit enlargement . Eggplant Types of Problems . Water Source . Design . Operation and Maintenance . Other Water Source Problems . Surface . Herbicide contamination . Disease organisms . Size . Excessive algae . Well . Size/Capacity . Iron . Sand . Municipal . Volume/Pressure Surface Water Problems Algae Problems Algae Solutions Water Source Problems . Surface . Herbicide contamination . Disease organisms . Size . Excessive algae . Well . Size/Capacity . Iron . Sand . Municipal . Volume/Pressure Water Source Problems . Surface . Herbicide contamination . Disease organisms . Size . Excessive algae . Well . Size/Capacity . Iron . Sand . Municipal . Volume/Pressure RPZ Backflow Preventer Types of Problems . Water Source . Design . Operation and Maintenance . Other Types of Problems . Water Source . Design . Operation and Maintenance . Other Types of Problems . Water Source . Design . Operation and Maintenance . Other Clogging Emitters Clogging Emitters . Physical . Silt . Sand . Biological . Bacteria . Chemical . Calcium, magnesium, iron, and manganese . Fertilizer Constituent Level of Concern Low Moderate High pH <7.0 7.0-8.0 >8.0 Iron (Fe) mg/L <0.2 0.2-1.5 >1.5 Manganese (Mn) mg/L <0.1 0.1-1.5 >1.5 Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) mg/L <0.2 0.2-2.0 >2.0 Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) <500 500-2000 >2000 mg/L Total Suspended Solids (TSS) <50 50-100 >100 mg/L Bacteria Count (#/ml) <10,000 10,000-50,000 >50,000 Solutions . a method of filtering the irrigation water. a means of injecting chemicals into the water supply. in some cases a settling basin to allow aeration and the removal of solids. equipment for flushing the system. Most Common Problem . Management . Management . Management Monitor soil moisture Factors that influence soil moisture . Sun . Wind . Rain . Temp . Relative humidity . Crop removal Soil Moisture Techniques . The "Feel Method" . Neutron Probe . Electrical Resistance . Soil Tension . New Technology . Plant Indicators . Computerized Irrigation Scheduling Pest Management Double Cropping Removal .