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This research was carried out to assess the effects of biodegradable mulching films on fruit yield and quality performances of greenhouse grown tomato, in southern Italy. Four mulching treatments (two MaterBi biodegradable black films, MB N2/12 and MB N8, having 15 and 12 μm thickness respectively; black polyethylene film, LDPE, 50 μm thick; non-mulched control) were compared using a randomized complete block design with three replicates. LDPE resulted in higher harvest precocity than non-mulched control. The biodegradable MB N8 and the plastic LDPE films led to the highest fruit yield, total crop biomass and leaf area index, whereas the non-mulched control had the lowest values in terms of overall performances. Fruit dry matter and soluble solids were the highest under the biodegradable films MB N2/12 and MB N8, and the lowest in the control. Titratable acidity and color component “a” were the highest under MB N8 and the lowest in the control. Fruits of MB N8 and LDPE attained the highest levels of color components “L” and “b” respectively, the biodegradable mulch MB N8 also led to the highest fruit firmness. The highest antioxidant concentrations and activities were obtained from the biodegradable films. Biodegradable mulch films MB N2/12 and MB N8 proved to be as effective as the plastic film in terms of tomato yield, but the positive effect on fruit quality and antioxidant content as well as the environmentally friendly features of those films also increase their importance.

Plastic in agriculture is essential for farmers, growers and the agriculture production. The plastic allows a better production in quantity and quality, while using less input: water, pesticides, fertilizers, etc. Therefore, agri-plastics has an important contribution for an intensive ecological agriculture (agro-ecology). Then plastic reduce the environmental impact of the agriculture production. Every year, the world is using 6,1 MT of agri-plastics: greenhouses, small tunnels, mulching, silage, stretch films, irrigations pipes, nets and many more. Without plastics, 60% of the vegetable and animal production will be jeopardized. After use, if collected, agri-plastics are recycled and contribute then to the circular economy. By 2030, the world will consume 8 MT of plastic for horticulture to face the growing demand of the increasing population. Due to the contamination (sand, earth, water, organic matters) the used agri-plastic will represent the equivalent of 17 MT of waste to be managed. Too often, all over the world, plastics for agriculture are not properly managed: plastics left in the field, accumulation in the soil, wild storage, with dramatic damage for the environment and jeopardizing the production itself. The plasticulture community (users, industry, distributors, scientific community) must be concern about the end-of life of agri-plastic and therefore take individuals and collectives initiatives to ease sustainable solutions for users and the environment.

International audience; The use of polyethylene (PE) mulch at planting ensures the successful and homogeneous establishment of vineyards and also leads them to produce one year earlier. However, as they are rarely removed from the vineyards, the aesthetic and environmental impact of those films is devastating. In addition, the long-term stability of conventional plastics appears disproportionate with respect to the material lifespan required in mulching practices. To face up this issue biodegradable films already used in horticulture would be an environmentally friendly alternative provided that they meet the requirements of the perennial crop and associated farming practices i.e. remain intact in the field long enough to provide its expected positive effects on the crop and then, biodegrade on the soil surface without additional ploughing. The performance and environmental impact of a commercially available biodegradable mulch films displaying different thicknesses were studied through two consecutive fullscale field experiments conducted in the south of France. The impact of mulching on soil properties and agronomic performance was measured during the three first crop cycles by monitoring vine growth and fruiting yield concomitantly with film ageing and fate in field. In parallel, respirometric tests were undertaken to evaluate the impact of field ageing on the biodegradation rate. As a result, the use of biodegradable films for vine mulching provide similar agronomical performances as PE; grapevine growth and harvest yield were found to be significantly higher for the mulched modalities than for the bare-soil. This positive mulch-induced effect appeared from the first growing season and was maintained three years later even if the biodegradable mulch started deteriorating 5 months after planting. Thus, in spite of the early loss of integrity of the studied biodegradable mulch films, a significant positive effect on the vine growth, the rootstock development, the earliness of the first harvest and the yield (and quality) of the two first harvests have been evidenced. This leads to reconsider the required life expectancy of mulch film in the case of vineyard and constitutes encouraging results towards the possibility of substituting PE films with biodegradable ones.

The aim of this research was to improve inner and external fruit quality and fruit coloration using four-year-old apple cultivar 'Braeburn Hillwell' trees on M9 (3×1 m spacing) by employing reflective ground covers at Klein-Altendorf near Bonn, Germany (50°N). Reflective ground covers were spread out on both sides of tree rows seven weeks before anticipated harvest. Adjacent trees of the same row without reflective ground cover served as control. For the first time, we compared two reflective mulches(woven textiles). Apple trees with Extenday® and Lumilys® also produced 69 and to 44% well-colored fruit (with 75-100% fruit coloration) compared with 16-26% in the control. There was no acceleration of ripening in plots with reflective ground covers compared with the control. There were no differences in sugar contents (°Brix) and fruit firmness (kg cm‑2), but starch breakdown in fruit with reflective mulch was significantly delayed compared with the control resulting in retarded maturation. An economic analysis based on material costs and lifespan - excluding the labor costs for spreading and removing the ground covers - showed an economic advantage, if these mulches are used more than once a year.

Blackcurrant is one of the main berry crops grown in Latvia. Local climatic conditions and market demands require an accurate choice of well-adapted cultivars and improving of growing technologies in order to obtain higher yield and reduce production costs. This study presents the evaluation results of eight blackcurrant cultivars: ‘Bagira’, ‘Ben Connan’, ‘Ben Tirran’, ‘Chereshneva’, ‘Lentyai’, ‘Mara Eglite’, ‘Veloi’ and Titania’ in two growing practices – with application of woodchips mulch (using increased N fertilization rate) and without mulching. The trial was established in 2010 at Pūre Horticultural Research Centre, Latvia. Plant vegetative growth, phenological parameters, winter hardiness, yield, fruit quality, incidence of pests and diseases were evaluated during 2012-2016. All evaluated cultivars showed good adaptability for growing in local conditions. Mulching of soil with woodchips did not influence blackcurrant phenological development, productivity, fruit size and damage severity by pests, whereas it reduced weeds growth and leaf spot disease severity.

In Brazil in 2010 about 2,500 t of mulch films was used in horticulture. After the crop cycle, polyethylene mulches are often buried or burned with crop residues, as mulch films recycling is time-consuming and expensive due to high removal labour cost. Biodegradable mulch films appear as an alternative to polyethylene use, once they are incorporated in soil with crop residues at the end of the crop cycle. This study was performed in order to evaluate the biodegradation of different types of mulches in both real and laboratorial conditions, in tropical soils. The experimental design used was randomized blocks with five repetitions and four treatments: bare soil (BS), rice husk mulch (RHM), polyethylene mulch (PM), and biodegradable mulch (BM). In the laboratory a respirometric test was performed with the soil, at 70% of water holding capacity and 28°C. Carbon dioxide production was measured every 2 days, during a 20-days period. Microbial carbon was also determined by fumigation method, at the end of respirometric test. The results showed that the BM modality produced more carbon dioxide, 82.01 mg C-CO2 g soil‑1, than other modalities. Microbial carbon was higher on RHM modality with 21.56 µg Cmic g soil‑1, followed by BM with 19.60 µg Cmic g soil‑1 and lower values were found on BS and PM, with 12.18 and 13.57 µg Cmic g soil‑1, respectively. From the results obtained, RHM and BM higher CO2 verified were probably due to a synergetic effect between mulches carbon content and microorganism growth rate.

We investigated the effects of water stress (regulated deficit irrigation - RDI) and mulching on the vegetative growth response of young 'Williams' pear trees. Using a water budget methodology, four levels of irrigation, specifically 100% of evapotranspiration (ET) as control and deficits of 80, 60 and 40%, were applied to 10 trees during the season, 5 of which were mulched with wood chips at a 20-cm layer. The experiment was conducted in Kosovo during 2013, 2014 and 2015 in a three- to five-year-old pear orchard using a nested experimental design. We found significant changes in a series of vegetative growth parameters. Irrigation levels significantly influenced all parameters. Mulching had a positive effect on all parameter values measured. Our results confirmed that a moderate water stress reduces excessive vegetation growth, especially canopy volume, leaf surface and area, LAI and shoot length. It can be concluded that regulated deficit irrigation can be successfully applied to young pears too with significant water saving.

Australian mango orchards, particularly of the 'Kensington Pride' cultivar, are often characterized by low yields and irregular bearing. Improved nutrition management techniques which increase total soil carbon sequestration and reduce nitrogen losses (nitrous oxide) may improve productivity and also reduce greenhouse gas emissions. A factorial trial was established in a 'Kensington Pride' mango orchard at Mareeba, Australia to assess the benefits of applying organic hay mulch to tree rows in combination with three nitrogen fertiliser treatments including two controlled-release fertiliser products. Three years after the initiation of treatments it was found that mango tree growth and fruit productivity was significantly improved when mulching was used to increase soil organic matter. Mulched soils had improved soil water holding capacity, less temperature variability, increased root biomass in the top soil, greater canopy leaf area and higher plant tissue potassium levels. Average fruit weights were increased by 10% and mango fruit yields per tree increased by 11%. Fruit quality was not affected when standard fungicide management treatments were used, although disease levels were higher with no post-harvest fungicide treatment. The nitrogen fertiliser products investigated did not have a significant influence on mango growth or final productivity. Trial results suggest that the adoption of mulching practices in mango orchards is a management practice which can increase orchard productivity and the sequestration of soil organic carbon, without detrimental effects on fruit quality.

Nowadays, the use of polyethylene (PE) mulch on horticultural crops leads to negative environmental impacts. To overcome these problems, biodegradable mulches were developed once they can be incorporated at the end of the crop cycle, towards a more sustainable agriculture. The aim of this study was to perform respirometric tests in standardized aerobic conditions using two methods: one in batch conditions (at 28°C) and the other in continuous mode (at 25°C). Biodegradation tests were developed in three types of soils: Ferralsols (T1), Calcisols (T2) and Arenosols (T3) with: 21 g kg(-1) organic matter (OM), sandy-loam texture, 5.8 pH (H(2)O); 11 g kg(-1) OM, clay texture, 7.6 pH (H(2)O); and 8 g kg(-1) OM, sand texture, 6.9 pH (H(2)O), respectively. Agrobiofilm® (15 µm, black) was used, in Brazil and Portugal, at real scale with same family crops: Asteraceae, Solanaceae and Cucurbitaceae, for that reason biodegradable mulch was selected. At Taubate University, in T1 soil, a respirometric test was developed in batch system to measure CO(2) production. At Lisbon University CO(2) production was measured in a continuous aeration test using the soils T1, T2 and T3. The results obtained regarding the Brazil test showed that CO(2) production was higher on Agrobiofilm® modality with 1.20 against 0.69 mg CO(2) g(-1) soil on bare soil modality. The data obtained from the trials performed in Portugal was for T1, T2 and T3, on Agrobiofilm modality: 3.04, 0.88, 0.74 mg CO(2) g(-1) soil, against bare soil: 1.88, 0.58, 0.50 mg CO(2) g(-1) soil, respectively. From results obtained, CO(2) production on continuous aeration methodology was 2.5 times higher than batch methodology. Overall the correlation between biodegradation rate and different soils' characteristics shows a promising approach emphasising the complex mechanisms involved.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the growth, productivity, and tree condition of sour cherries, depending on the cultivar and soil-moisture treatment. The research was carried out at the Institute of Horticulture, Latvia University of Agriculture. Five sour cherry cultivars were investigated using drip irrigation and woodchip mulch. The following data were collected and processed: trunk cross-section area (TCSA), trunk growth intensity (TGI), fruit set, yield tree(-1) and yield efficiency as a ratio of TCSA, photosynthesis performance index, and the level of defoliation caused by cherry leaf spot after natural infection in the field. Woodchip mulch preserved soil moisture at optimal levels or higher during most vegetation seasons. Sour cherry cultivars differed significantly in terms of growth, productivity, and tree condition, and in the response to soil-moisture treatment. Most of the sour cherry cultivars responded to drip irrigation and woodchip mulch by increasing the growth and productivity of trees; however, a negative (in 'Orlica') or minimal (in 'Bulatnikovskaya') effect of mulch was observed in a few cultivars. Our study highlights the variability of sour cherry cultivars and the necessity of further research before recommendations can be made to growers.

The use of plant biostimulant products, frequently of a hormone base, has become a common complement to traditional fertilization programs in row crops. The results of the use of these products varies from one formulation to the next, and between growing seasons. A long-term study of a popular biostimulant trademarked Stimulate based on gibberellins, auxins, and cytokinins was deemed necessary to determine the true effectivity of this product. The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of a biostimulant on the processing tomato crop over the course of five growing seasons. Trials were conducted in La Consulta, INTA Experimental Station in Mendoza, Argentina during the seasons 2012-18. Black oxobiodegradable mulch 22 microns thick was used for all trials. Daily water replenishment was done by a single surface tape according to evapotranspiration tank type “A”, adjusted by local K(C). The experimental unit was in all cases a 5-m length of bed; the numbers of replicates were established according to number of treatments, in a totally randomized complete design. In all of the trials the use of Stimulate was compared to the control treatment with no application of any biostimulant. The doses used were in all cases 1 L ha(-1), divided into three foliar applications of 250 mL ha(-1) 35, 55, and 70 days after transplanting, and a pre-transplanting treatment of 250 mL ha(-1, in which the plant containers were submerged. General production parameters were measured at harvest. These parameters were evaluated by ANOVA using Duncan's test at α=0.05. The results obtaine)d in the field showed an average greater production in every season, yet not statistically significant at α=0.05 when analyzed separately. After the results of the growing season 2016-2017 were obtained, showing once again a roughly 13% increase in yield, the data from all five years were pooled and analyzed as a whole, blocked according to trial and season. Evaluated in this way the data showed a statistically significant yield increment between the treatment and control of about 15%.

On slightly sloping land, current asparagus cultivation practices (including prolonged periods of bare soil, surface capping and compaction of wheelings) can lead to runoff and soil loss. This can result in on-site impacts to crops and field operations and offsite impacts on the wider environment. Research into soil and water management in green asparagus production has been undertaken in the UK since 2010. This paper details two separate runoff and erosion trials conducted in 2012 and 2013 on commercial asparagus fields. Each trial has tested the efficacy of a range of treatments applied to inter-row wheelings including green waste compost (of PAS:100 quality protocol standard) and wheat straw mulch at different application rates, both with and without shallow soil disturbance. It was realised early on that compost was ineffective in runoff and soil loss management where application quantity was restricted by nitrogen regulations in Nitrate Vulnerable Zones. Straw mulch alone has consistently reduced soil loss across both trials by 72 to 87% as compared to the bare soil control. Shallow soil disturbance alone reduced soil loss by 4 to 13%, with no significant differences observed between various tillage implements tested. Despite the reductions observed in soil loss, runoff sediment concentration still exceeds that stipulated by EU Directive for surface water quality; risking pollution of any receiving water bodies. The knowledge gained from these studies should be used to develop more effective runoff and soil loss control in order to ensure the future sustainability of asparagus production.

New ripening instrumentation like the PA analyser and the DA meter offer non-invasive tools based on degradation of chlorophyll in the fruit peel; their values were compared with the Streif index measured by an ART system, as traditional ripeness viz., picking tool using 5-year-old 'Braeburn Hillwell' at Klein-Altendorf in autumn 2015, when environmental weather pattern delayed harvest by ca. 3 weeks. Treatments included two reflective mulches and two biostimulants with an untreated control. The study showed that: 1) DA meter values (IAD) gave consistent results for the four treatments at the six measuring dates before harvest; 2) DA meter values (IAD) highly correlated with r=0.84-0.94 with Streif indices (ART system); 3) when 'Braeburn' stopped ripening at Streif=0.18 (harvest window for Streif 0.25-0.14 and for starch 3-5), DA meter values still continued to decrease; 4) fruit with reflective mulch (Extenday) appeared earlier ripe with the DA meter but later ripe with the ART system; 5) if we start to manipulate ripening e.g., by chemicals (phosphates, biostimulants, reflective mulches, 1-MCP), Streif values may reflect those changes in ripening, whereas DA meter values (IAD) still continue to decline at the same rate, unless the treatment has a direct chlorophyll effect, where DA values may be tricky to use.

The effect of regulated deficit irrigation and mulching were investigated in young 'Williams' pear trees. The aim was to determine the content of macro- and micro-elements in pear fruits after the application of regulated deficit irrigation at harvest and after storage in a cellar for about a month. Four levels of irrigation were applied, 100% of evapotranspiration (ET) as control (128 L of water/drip per season) and water deficit in 80 (102.40 L of water/drip), 60 (76.80 L of water/drip) and 40% of full ET (51.20 L of water/drip). ET was estimated using the FAO Penman Monteith approach. For each treatment we used 10 trees, 5 of which were mulched with wood chips at a 20-cm layer. The experiment was conducted in Kosovo during 2013 to 2015 and using a nested experimental design. For fruits stored in a cellar the nutrients content, Brix, acids, ash, dry matter, K, Ca, P, Fe, Cu, Mg, and Zn were higher than at harvest time. We found significant changes in the nutrients of fruits at harvest and after storage in a cellar. The irrigation levels significantly influenced all parameters: pH, Brix, acids, ash, dry matter, proteins, K, Ca, P, Mg, and Zn. Mulching too had a positive effect on all parameter values measured: pH, Brix, dry matter, proteins, ash, fat, K, Ca, P, Fe, Zn and Cu while, changes were not significant for Mg and Pb at harvest time and Mg, Ca, and dry matter when stored in a cellar. The application of mulching in combination with regulated deficit irrigation is a new technique that can be successfully applied to young pears to improve fruit quality.

The paper presents the results of leaf temperature measurements in a raspberries orchard, recorded by a thermal imaging camera. The raspberry orchard was planted in spring 2014, while the experiment was set up in spring 2015, i.e., the first yielding year. The orchard is located in the south-western part of Republic of Serbia (Ivanjica region). This mountain region is characterized by limited water resources. During the experiment, three irrigation treatments were applied: deficit irrigation (N), deficit irrigation with hay mulch (NM), and rain-fed condition (NN). Leaf temperature was measured with a FLIR T335 thermal camera, six times during harvesting. In total 30 measurements were carried out on plants of each treatment and the average leaf temperatures calculated. In the N and NM treatments, soil water content was continuously measured by TDR sensors. Weather data were automatically recorded near the experimental field. Results indicated that plants in the NN treatment were warmest, followed by those in the N treatment. Leaf temperatures for plants of the NN treatment were mostly higher than air temperature, while in the N and NM treatments higher values were only observed in one of the six measurements. However, soil moisture contents reflected the trend observed for leaf temperature. Soil moisture content in the NM treatment was the closest to field capacity, while that in NN treatment was close to the wilting point. According to the presented results, mulch has a positive impact on irrigation water saving, which is very important for this region. Difference in air and leaf temperature vs. vapour pressure deficit was linearly related. Average CWSI for N, NM and NN treatments indicated clear differences between treatments.

Landscape industry employees often advises homeowners to place organic mulches on soils surrounding trees in new and existing landscapes. However, limited research has been conducted to determine if organic mulch placed below established landscape trees enhances tree growth. Under non-irrigated conditions, our research objective was to compare gas exchange and growth of established landscape trees that either had, or did not have organic mulch placed on the soil surface surrounding each tree. English oak (Quercus robur), Chinquapin oak (Q. muehlenbergii), and Shantung maple (Acer truncatum) trees were planted 2002. In Fall 2008, six trees of each species were randomly assigned a mulch treatment: organic mulch or no organic mulch placed on the soil below the tree canopy. From Fall of 2008 through Fall of 2011 trees received weekly irrigation. Beginning 2012, trees were not irrigated. Daily weather data were collected by an onsite weather station. Throughout the 2012, 2013, and 2014 growing seasons bud break data was collected from each tree. In addition, throughout each growing season mid-day gas exchange data (stomatal conductance, photosynthetic rate, etc.) were collected. At the end of each growing season, growth data were assessed. Data indicate soil under mulch was cooler, had greater soil moisture, and less extreme temperature fluctuations extremes when compared to soil without mulch. Throughout the experiment, species and treatment differences were found in gas exchange data. Shoot growth tended to be greater for non-mulch trees. However, leaf area varied between species and mulch treatments. Results suggest benefits (greater gas exchange, growth, etc.) of organic mulch placed under non-irrigated established trees is species specific, and should be carefully considered prior to making recommendations.

Archaeological sites around Greece are usually large scale open spaces that are colonized by dense populations of various weed species soon after the excavations. This causes severe problems to both the monument and the functionality of the site that includes mechanical damages to the architectural parts, obstruction of restoration and excavation works, obstruction of visitor access, visual exclusion of the monument, threat of fire during the dry summer period and chemical corrosion. The national law for the protection of man and the environment prohibits the spraying of pesticides in archaeological sites. Soil solarization is a non-chemical method of weed suppression that could be applied as an alternative method in archaeological sites. The aim of the study was to determine the most effective combination of plastic mulch type, application period and soil pretreatment in weed suppression. An experimental field was set up in the Agricultural University of Athens in July 2014. Soil solarization treatments included two types of plastic mulch (opaque and clear), two application periods (July to August and August to September) and two types of soil pretreatments (no tillage, with tillage). Weed species growth was significantly affected by soil solarization treatments. Visual ratings of weed control revealed that clear plastic mulching during July-August provided close to 100% control for six months after treatments, even without soil pretreatment. Clear plastic mulching during August-September provided four months of around 100% residual control, while opaque mulching provided only one to two months of above 90% control for both application periods and soil pretreatments. Lowest fresh and dry biomass weight was measured under clear plastic mulching applied July-August with no differences between soil pretreatments. Second best results concerning biomass weight were obtained by clear plastic mulching applied August-September, with no differences between soil pretreatments. In conclusion, it was shown that soil solarization can be utilized effectively as an alternative tool for weed control in archaeological sites.

Resin-bound gravel, a type of porous pavement, is a popular surface treatment around city trees, primarily because it creates a continuous level walking surface. These installations often take place where no mulch has been used, and thus may significantly alter water relations between trees and soils. Although presumed to increase stormwater capture without any detriment to trees, their effect on root distribution, tree growth, soil water distribution, and drought resilience are unknown. In November 2014 12 Platanus ×acerifolia 'Bloodgood' whips were planted in simulated urban pervious pavement profiles, six constructed with pervious resin-bound gravel pavement (PRBGP) and six bare soil (BS), in a clay-loam soil in Blacksburg, Virginia, USA. Root growth was monitored with minirhizotrons, stem diameter was measured throughout the growing season, and soil moisture was recorded at 10, 30 and 60 cm depths. After one growing season, trees in PRBGP were larger (59% greater stem diameter) than those in BS and developed a shallower root system, with 26% of minirhizotron frames having roots in the first 10 cm while 6% had roots below 37 cm, compared to trees in BS that had 12% of frames with roots in the first 10 cm and 21% with roots below 37 cm. These effects are congruent with the increased moisture (23% greater at 10 cm depth) observed under PRBGP during dry periods. A lag phase in root development was also observed in BS compared to trees in PRBGP. It was concluded that the installation of PRBGP increased growth of newly planted trees compared to BS. However, roots appeared to be shallower under PRBGP profiles, which may affect drought resilience of urban trees and potentially increase root/pavement conflicts.

This study was conducted at The Princess Tasneem Bent Ghazi Technological Research Station, Al-Balqa' Applied University during the 2013-2014 growing season. The purpose of this study is to assess the impact of different soil mulches on field performance, yield and fruit quality of greenhouse tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum M.) under drip irrigation system. The experiment evaluated seven types of mulch treatments including black plastic, tuff gravel, clear plastic, compost, crushed stone, shredded wood, and the control. A randomized complete block design with three replicates was used. Different mulch types showed significant effects on vegetative growth, early, medium, late harvest, and total yields of the tomato fruits. Compost mulch resulted in the highest total yield. Higher early and medium yields were obtained using black and clear plastic mulches, respectively. In addition, larger fruits were obtained by applying compost mulch. Tomato fruit cracking was also affected in different ways depending on the mulch types used in this study.

Conventionalization of organic agriculture through input substitution, aimed to fulfill certification requirements, without improvement of natural ecological cycles in agroecosystem, is a relevant concern especially for the organic greenhouse (OGH) sector. Following a holistic approach, more resilient agroecosystems may be designed by taking advantage of Agro-ecological Services Crops (ASC) cultivation during the crops sequence and by using organic matter amendments for the soil fertility management. In this framework, we investigated ecological sustainability of three OGH production systems by studying the soil arthropods taxa. Following systems were under assessment: i) SUBST - bare soil priori to cash crop + organic fertilizer; ii) AGROCOM - ASC as green manure priori to cash crop + compost; and iii) AGROMAN - ASC as dead mulch + animal manure. Monitoring of soil arthropods was performed by using pitfall traps and divided in two phases: the pre-crop period (during cultivation of ASC or bare soil in SUBST) and cash crop (kohlrabi) production. Collembola was the most abundant group during cultivation of ASC, in all tested systems and their activity density (AD) was higher in SUBST compared to other two systems. Isopoda, Araneae and Staphylinidae were significantly more abundant in AGROMAN, where manure was applied before ASC sowing. During kohlrabi cultivation Collembola group was confirmed as the most represented in all systems, with the highest values in AGROMAN. Moreover, significant differences were found among the systems for Opiliones, Myriapoda and Staphylinidae groups; with the highest abundance of all these taxa in the AGROCOM system. Results obtained indicate that an agro-ecological practices (ASC cultivation, compost and manure application) could contribute to ecological sustainability and the development of organic agriculture under protected environment.

Blossom end rot (BER) in susceptible varieties of processing tomatoes can cause significant losses in marketable production. When using black biodegradable mulch, varieties of processing tomatoes susceptible to BER suffer an increase in the proportion of fruit affected compared with bare soil conditions. Elongated Italian pear-type cultivars of processing tomatoes used for premium whole peeled canned tomatoes are more susceptible to BER than blocky varieties. The percentage of fruit affected by BER increased fivefold (2.7 vs. 14.5%) between a susceptible cultivar without and with biodegradable mulch. Exogenous foliar applications of abscisic acid (ABA) at concentrations of 500 mg L-1 in greenhouse tomatoes have been found to reduce the incidence of BER significantly. The objective of this study was to determine whether exogenous applications of ABA can reduce the incidence of BER in a susceptible cultivar and, if so, to determine the economic viability of its use in field-grown processing tomatoes. A trial was conducted at La Consulta, INTA Experimental Station in Mendoza, Argentina, during the seasons 2014-15 and 2015-16. Black biodegradable mulch, 22 microns thick, was used. Daily water replenishment was done by a single surface tape according to evapotranspiration tank type “A”, adjusted by local KC. A variety susceptible to BER was used, 'HM 3861' (HM CLAUSE). The experimental unit was a 5-m length of bed with five replicates in a completely randomized design. During the main fruit setting period of the crop, four night-time foliar applications of ABA were used at 5-day intervals. Four different concentrations of ABA were used: 0 (control), 100, 300 and 500 mg L-1 in the 2014-15 season and 0 (control), 500, 1000 and 2000 mg L-1 in the 2015-16 season. General production parameters including BER index were measured at harvest. Stomatal conductance was measured during the application period. These parameters were evaluated by regression tests among treatments at α=0.05. The results obtained in the field showed no statistical differences in BER or any of the variables measured between treatments in the first year. In the second year, stomatal conductance was lower with higher doses of ABA, and the effects lasted about 3 days, indicating that application intervals should not exceed 4-5 days.

Systems for vegetable production in the dry tropics of North Queensland, Australia, have been dominated by intensive tillage and extensive use of nonrenewable polyethylene inputs. A field trial was established to investigate agronomic practices and soil health changes in capsicum and zucchini crops grown with intensive tillage and permanent bed systems. In 2011, conventional intensive tillage with 'plasticulture' was compared to a permanent bed system with subsurface drip irrigation, no soil disturbance and organic mulch produced from a summer sorghum crop. Soil compaction was a major production constraint in the permanent beds in 2011, along with water and nutrient management. Compared to intensive tillage, marketable yield in permanent beds had reductions of 70 and 30%, respectively in capsicum and zucchini. In 2012, the same intensive tillage system was compared to a permanent bed system where minimal soil disturbance had been produced by zone tillage in 10% of the cropped area. It was also compared to a modified system which had permanent beds and zone till but, in addition, had a polyethylene film mulch over the planting beds. The zone tillage and improved fertigation management in 2012 led to marketable yields that were not significantly different among the three tillage systems. In 2013, crops in permanent beds covered with a biodegradable film instead of polyethylene film, had marketable yields that were comparable to the intensive tillage system. Results from the first three years of this study gave indication that minimum tillage has the potential to provide acceptable marketable yields with less dependence on polyethylene use.