Effect of Colored Plastic Mulch on Soil Temperature and Yield of Eastern Muskmelon in Indiana

Indiana ranks seventh in the nation for watermelon production and fifth in the nation in muskmelon production. Both of these crops are intensively managed and cultivation using plastic mulches is the industry standard in the area. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of plastic mulches of various colors and breakdown properties on the yield and earliness of eastern muskmelons in southwestern Indiana in 2002 and 2003. In 2002, eight colors were used, black, clear, brown, green, olive, grey, blue, and red. In 2003, five colors were used, grey, black, blue, clear, and olive. A bare ground treatment was also included in 2003. Temperature information was also collected both above and below these plastics in attempt to relate that back to performance of the crop. In 2002, green and clear mulches produced more melon numbers and higher melon weights compared to other mulch colors, however this was not significantly different than the black control mulch. In 2003, olive mulch produced significantly higher melon number and weight than clear mulches. In 2003, early-breakdown clear mulches, designed to last only until canopy fill, produced significantly lower yields than early-breakdown black mulch. This appears to be due primarily to weed production initiated early under the clear mulch and subsequent weed growth after mulch was broken down. The effect of plastic mulch type and earliness to crop maturity is also explored.