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Effect of different organic mulches on growing broccoli (Brassica oleracea l. var. italica) in Ecuador

Abstract:

In a broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. Italica) culture of the ecuadorian Andes (2850 m.s.n.m., 01º 24’ S, 78º 35’ O), some variables of growth, crop production, weed control and moisture and nitrogen content, were evaluated in response to the application of different types of organic mulch. A randomized experimental block design with five treatments and three replicates was used. The treatments were: M0: without mulch; MM: maize mulch (Zea mays L.); MV: vicia mulch (Vicia sativa L.); MA: oat mulch (Avena sativa L.) and MC: sugarcane mulch (Saccharum officinarum L.). Vegetative growth and crop production were higher (p < 0.05) in vetch mulch treatment (31.8 t/ha) followed by oat mulch (18.6 t/ha). Corn mulch (11.4 t/ha) obtained similar crop production than control without mulch (13.9 t/ha), but sugar cane mulch treatment had lower production (7.9 t/ha) than control without mulch, probably due to some sort of allelopathy. As for weed control, all treatments had a lower fresh weight of weed (p < 0.05) than control without mulch (6.9 kg), however oat mulch (3.4 kg) was less effective than vetch mulch (2.4 kg) and sugar cane mulch (1.9 kg). Moisture and nitrogen concentration were similar in all treatments. The results show that the best option for growing broccoli is vetch mulch as it achieved an increase in production and an efficient weed control.