OPTICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THREE MULCHING MATERIALS FOR OPEN FIELD GARLIC PRODUCTION

Mulching is a common practice in Korea and it is extensively used for crop production in open as well as protected fields. Beneficial effect of mulching on plant growth and development is well documented: however polymer manufactures are offering more and more new materials to fulfill crop producer’s demand. In our research work we tested 3 different types of mulching materials: biodegradable film, nonwoven fabric and clear polyethylene film. Spectroradiometric measurements showed that clear polyethylene had the highest total transmittance (89%) in the 330-1,100 nm waveband, while biodegradable film and nonwoven fabric had total trans-mittance of 86% and 85% respectively. Soil temperature was higher in plots covered with polyethylene mulch. Diurnal and nocturnal soil temperatures under bio-degradable film and polyethylene were almost similar.