Newspaper mulches for suppressing weeds for organic high-tunnel cucumber production

Elsa Sánchez, William J. Lamont, Michael D. Orzolek

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

27 Scopus citations

Abstract

Mulches usable in organic production were evaluated in high tunnels for their ability to suppress weeds. Mulch treatments were shredded newspaper, sheets of newspaper, straw, and a no-mulch control that was weeded once. Four cucumber (Cucumis sativus) cultivars were also evaluated. Yields were highest and fruit largest from 'Sweet Marketmore' and lowest from 'Lemon'. Yields were unaffected by mulch treatments. Weed populations were highest in control plots and lowest in those with shredded newspaper. Cultivars did not affect weed populations. Sheets of newspaper degraded the most, followed by shredded newspaper and straw. Yields were not influenced by any mulch treatment, indicating weed populations remained below yield-depressing levels regardless of treatment.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)154-157
Number of pages4
JournalHortTechnology
Volume18
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 2008

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Horticulture

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