The Effect of Mulching Materials on Yield and Berry Quality in Organic Strawberry Production

Abstract

In this two-year study, four mulching methods and their effects on strawberry yield and Botrytis cinerea incidence were compared: Biodegradable plastic, paper wool, standard black plastic and standard straw. Biodegradable plastic and standard black plastic had comparable yield results, but biodegradable plastic was decomposed during the first season of growth. Paper wool caused a considerable delay in plant growth and, hence, a significant yield reduction in the first year. Compared with the standard use of straw, all three mulching materials proved possible as alternative weed management methods. However, both biodegradable plastic and paper wool are expensive alternatives and may only be feasible the first year of growth due to their quick decomposition. As for Botrytis, all treatments caused very low incidences in both years of trial.