Effect
of Coloured Mulch on the Production and Thrips Control in Leek
F. Benoit and N. Ceustermans
European Vegetable R & D Centre
Binnenweg 6, B-2860 Sint-Katelijne-Waver - Belgium
Keywords: leek, thrips, coloured mulches, ecology
Abstract: In the Belgian climatological conditions (51°NL; 4°30’EL), the development of the leek plant is not influenced by the soil mulch during the first 6 weeks after planting (end of June – early July). The weight increase is realized from August till October, and it is on average 10 % higher with mulched plants. The plant weight keeps increasing through mid November to a limited way on the mulched parcels, while on the uncovered soil it stagnates from October onwards. The variations in weight are correlated to the increase of the white shaft diameter. The favorable effects of the white soil mulch are ascribed to the more regular growth of the stem part as a result of the lower soil humidity tensions and the cooler temperatures registered under white plastic. With plants on white, yellow and blue mulch, spread with glue, the incidence of thrips was less. In addition to the above-mentioned advantages, we must also emphasize the suppression of weed development and the reduction of the washing out of nitrate as ecological achievements of soil covering.
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