Mulching as alternative to chemical weed control in nursery containerized crops

Weed control effectiveness of five mulching materials was determined in three container-grown ornamental crops (Photinia xfraseri 'Red Robin',Prunus laurocerasus 'Rotundifolia' and Thujaplicata 'Atrovirens'). Mulches tested were: AW-Disk® (a by-product of coconut); Basotop® (made of almond drupe shells without glue); two other materials made of vegetal and synthetic fibers; an experimental textile made of both polyester and synthetic absorbent fibers. Two chemicals-Gallery® T-DG (trifluralin + isoxaben) and Ronstar® (oxadia-zon)-were also evaluated in comparison to hand weeding. Weeds were counted and removed from pots twice during the growing season. Where differences in weed number were observed among treatments, mulches tended to provide more effectiveness than chemical products. Moreover, moisture loss was reduced in mulched containers. Mulches did not affect plant growth (dry biomass and height increase during growing season).