ASHS 2025 Conference

Transplants provide an early start and help with better establishment and enhanced yield and quality in vegetable crops. For production of healthy and high-quality transplants, nutrient management is critical. There are several organic amendments available that can be directly added to the transplant growing media to provide essential nutrients for transplant growth and development. Some of the commonly used amendments include blood meal, bone meal, feather meal, fish emulsion, alfalfa meal, crab meal, shrimp meal, bat guano, etc., These organic amendments are obtained from dried animal blood or bone products which are rich in nutrients like Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium. Even though these amendments are available, there is lack of information on their efficacy and impact in organic transplant production. This greenhouse study conducted at Iowa State University, investigated the use of several amendments in broccoli transplant production. Treatments included: blood meal, bone meal, feather meal, fish emulsion, compost, conventional fertilizer, compost, and a no-fertilizer control. Plant height, stem diameter, SPAD (Soil Plant Analysis Development), dry biomass, and root length are the parameters we analyzed to determine the transplant growth. The findings show that the conventional fertilizer treatment had the tallest plant, with a mean height of 8.54 cm, followed by the blood meal with a height of 8.15 cm. No significant difference was observed between the conventional fertilizer and blood meal treatment. The highest mean stem diameter was found in the blood meal treatment, measuring 4.2 mm, followed by the feather meal treatment, which had a mean stem diameter of 3.65 mm. Blood meal and feather meal treatments were significantly different from each other. The plant biomass was high in the blood meal treatment at 3.36g. The blood and feather meal treatments differed significantly from the bone meal, compost, fish emulsion, and control treatments. Results from this study show that organic amendments can be successfully used to improve the transplant growth with a single application, potentially saving labor and cost. Keywords: transplants, organic amendments, SPAD, nutrients, blood meal, bone meal, feather meal.

Shifts in regional precipitation patterns and rising temperatures due to climate change have increased uncertainty surrounding optimal planting windows and nitrogen (N) management strategies for broccoli production in North Carolina (NC). In particular, growers face challenges in aligning planting schedules with ideal environmental conditions and adjusting N application rates to match crop demands under variable temperature regimes. Given that both air and soil temperatures directly influence crop nutrient uptake and development, this study aimed to evaluate the combined effects of planting date, nitrogen rate, and application timing on the growth and productivity of two commercially important broccoli cultivars: 'Eastern Crown' and 'Emerald Crown.' Field experiments were conducted at the Horticultural Crops Research Station of North Carolina State University in Clinton, NC. The first trial included four planting dates—early March, late March, early April, and late April—combined with three fertigation N rates of 120, 100, and 80 lb/acre. The second trial focused on two planting dates, late March and late April, combined with four pre-plant N application rates: 0%, 20%, 40%, and 60% of total recommended N. Across both trials, plant performance was assessed through measurements of canopy volume, aboveground biomass, leaf greenness via Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), tissue nutrient content, and marketable yield. Results show that early planting dates were associated with lower accumulation of Growing Degree Days (GDD), which may have limited early crop development. In contrast, later planting dates generally experienced higher GDD accumulation, improving crop rate of growth. Higher N application rates were positively correlated with increased NDVI values, biomass, and yield. Reduced NDVI readings under lower N rates indicate a possible decline in plant vigor and photosynthetic activity. Additionally, strategic pre-plant N applications showed potential benefits in improving early plant establishment and nutrient status, particularly under later planting dates. Overall, our findings show the importance of optimizing both planting timing and N management strategies to improve broccoli productivity in NC. Tailoring N rates based on planting date and anticipated thermal conditions may contribute to more resilient production systems under changing climate conditions.

SafeRock micronized is a 100% natural mineral soil enhancer and fertilizer booster mined from unique sandstone deposits in United Kingdom and contains a balanced blend of over 70 nutrients and clay minerals. A field experiment was conducted at Blackville SC to evaluate the ability of SafeRock micronized to improve nutrient use efficiency, growth and yield of tomato and sweet corn. The experiment comprised of seven treatments [normal farming practices (NFP), NFP SafeRock soil mix (50 and 75 kg/ha.), NFP SafeRock fertigation (50 and 75 kg/ha.), 80% N

Ensuring nitrogen applications targeting the optimum rate is critical in tomato production. This is because nitrogen (N) requirements in tomato production may vary depending on the soil type, location, climate, and cultivation practices. Despite tomato being a major vegetable crop in MS, information on the N requirements for commercial production in the state is limited. Therefore, this study was conducted in an open field to determine the critical nitrogen rate for commercial tomato production under the northeast growing conditions of MS. The study evaluated six N application rates (0, 67, 101, 135, 202, and 269 kg ha-1) arranged in a randomized complete block design with four replicates per treatment. Red Duce variety of tomato was planted, and nitrogen was applied at 50% pre-plant (33-0-0) and 50% fertigation (15.5-0-0). Both potassium and phosphorus were the same for all treatments and applied at 100% pre-plant using 0-0-60 and 0-46-0 respectively. Preliminary results indicate that higher N application rates significantly increased total fruit yield, total marketable yield, fruit sizes, and total biomass. The highest total fruit yield (93.79 t ha-1), total marketable yield (71.58 t ha-1), large fruit yield (10.40 t ha-1), and total biomass (6.96 t ha-1) were observed at 269 kg N ha-1. Increasing N application rates significantly increased tissue N concentration. Therefore, the greater yield observed at higher N application rates was attributed to the consistently higher tissue N concentration from leaf samples collected at different weeks during the growing season. Based on the results obtained, the critical N application rate for open-field fresh-market tomato production in northeast MS could be up to 269 kg ha-1. However, follow-up studies are currently being conducted to validate these preliminary results.

Phosphorus (P) is a macronutrient essential for plant growth and yield; however, its availability in spodosols is often limited due to high acidity, low organic matter, and strong adsorption to soil minerals, particularly iron (Fe) and aluminum (Al) in tropic Spodosol in Northeast Florida. Efficient P management is essential for optimizing crop productivity while minimizing environmental risks. This study investigated the effects of different P fertilizer rates on Potato (Solanum tuberosum, L.) growth, yield, and nutrient dynamics at the UF/IFAS Hastings Agricultural Extension Center, Northeast Florida over two consecutive growing seasons (Spring 2022 and Sprin 2023). A randomized complete block design was employed, with five P rates of 0, 90, 135, 180, and 225 kg ha-1 of phosphorus pentoxide (P2O5) as triple superphosphate (TSP). The changes in plant growth, nutrient uptake, yield, as well as soil properties were determined to evaluate the effectiveness of P fertilization as plant growth performance and tuber yield. The results showed that P application significantly increased potato tuber yield compared to the control, with the highest yield observed at 225 kg ha-1 P2O5. Pearson correlation analysis indicated strong associations between plant growth, tuber yield, and nutrient accumulation. Principal component analysis (PCA) highlighted notable seasonal differences in tuber yield and soil characteristics. The study highlights the importance of site-specific P recommendation to synchronize nutrient availability with crop demand, particularly in nutrient-poor spodosols in Northeast Florida. These findings provide a scientific basis for establishing P fertilizer thresholds that balance crop productivity with environmental sustainability in agricultural systems.

Phosphorus is well known for being a nutrient vital for plants, influencing key stages of plant cycle. However, its efficiency can be reduced by nutrient fixation processes or leaching, with challenging strategies to enhance phosphorus availability. Hydrogel polymers have been proposed as soil amendments to improve moisture retention and nutrient uptake. This study evaluates the impact of hydrogel polymer combined with different phosphorus rates on the growth and yield of Snap Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris). The experiment consists of six phosphorus rates of 0, 100, 150, 200, 250, and 300 lbs/A P2O5, and a hydrogel rate of 30 lbs/A. Treatments were arranged in a randomized complete block design with 4 replications per treatment, and 4 rows per replication. Growth parameters such as Plant Height, Leaf chlorophyll content, weekly tissue sampling. Yield parameters such as number of pods per plant, pod weight, pod yield were also assessed. Data analysis is performed using one-way ANOVA in R Studio, with post-hoc comparisons using Tukey’s HSD test at P

Snap bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is a vital crop in Florida, but it is highly vulnerable to low-oxygen (O₂) stress in soil and phosphorus (P) deficiency, particularly in regions utilizing deep well irrigation. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of liquid O₂ and P fertigation on plant growth, pod yield, and nutrient uptake under field conditions. A Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four replications was employed, testing two rates of liquid O₂ (0 and 45 kg ha⁻¹ as hydrogen peroxide, H₂O₂) and five levels (0, 90, 135, 180, and 225 kg ha⁻¹) of liquid P as 0-54-0 phosphoric acid (H₃PO₄). Key variables assessed included plant growth, P uptake, pod yield, and soil properties to evaluate the effectiveness of fertigation in promoting plant performance and nutrient uptake. The results indicated that both liquid O₂ and P applications enhanced plant growth and pod yield, with the highest pod yield achieved from the combination of 45 kg ha⁻¹ of liquid O₂ and 225 kg ha⁻¹ of liquid P. Pearson correlation analysis revealed strong associations between plant growth, pod yield, and nutrient uptake. Principal component analysis (PCA) confirmed the significant effects of liquid O₂ and P fertigation on growth parameters and pod yield. This study concludes that liquid O₂ fertigation alleviates soil hypoxia, improves P use efficiency, and boosts crop productivity, offering a promising and cost-effective solution for optimizing snap bean cultivation.

The pH of the root zone plays a crucial role in influencing the solubility of nutrients within a soilless substrate or hydroponic solution, affecting their uptake into plant tissue. Our objective was to re-evaluate and update the understanding of how root zone pH affects nutrient solubility in soilless substrates and hydroponic systems using chemical equilibria software, laboratory testing, and a literature review. The aim was to provide horticulture practitioners with an understanding of the trends that should be considered when managing substrates and fertilization. Calcium and magnesium have decreasing solubility with increasing pH. However, dolomitic limestone added for neutralization of acidic substrates such as bark and peat increase Ca and Mg under alkaline conditions. Because potassium salts are usually the liming sources in hydroponics, Ca and Mg levels decrease at high pH. Phosphorus availability is limited primarily because of reactions with Ca at high pH. Results demonstrated substantial differences in micronutrient solubility between sulfate-based and chelated micronutrients. In hydroponic simulations (GEOCHEM-EZ), sulfate-based micronutrients rapidly became insoluble at higher pH (>6.0), whereas chelates, particularly Fe-EDDHA (ethylenediamine-N,N-bis(2-hydroxyphenylacetic acid), maintained solubility even under alkaline conditions (up to pH 10.0). Visual MINTEQ simulations highlighted the role of DOM in stabilizing micronutrient availability in soilless substrates through the formation of metal-organic complexes, especially for metal micronutrients Fe, Cu, and Zn. Laboratory measurements were consistent with chemical equilibrium simulations, demonstrating higher water-extractable micronutrient solubility with EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) chelates compared with sulfate forms, particularly at elevated pH. Fe and Mn solubility sharply declined with increasing substrate pH, whereas Zn and Cu solubility peaked at intermediate pH levels (5.5 to 6.5). Boron availability decreased as substrate pH increased, whereas Mo solubility increased under alkaline conditions. A review of trends in plant tissue micronutrient concentration at different pH levels in hydroponics and soilless substrates emphasized that translating micronutrient solubility to plant availability is complex. For example, absorption of cations by roots at very low pH may be impeded in soilless substrates hydroponics by a combination of growth inhibition, nutrient disorders, and direct pH effects of H concentration. Plant uptake involves numerous biological processes, including root exudation, microbial interactions, nutrient competition, redox conditions, and plant-specific nutrient strategies. Updated pH solubility charts were developed to help visualize micronutrient solubility and plant uptake under different scenarios that have practical implications for horticulture fertilizer management.

Pre-harvest fruit drop (PFD) causes significant yield losses in commercially valuable apple cultivars like 'Honeycrisp'. Ethylene, the master regulator of various fruit ripening traits in climacteric fruits, accelerates pre-harvest fruit drop. While ethylene inhibitors such as aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG) effectively reduces PFD, it can negatively impact fruit color development, a process also regulated by the plant hormone ethylene. To address this trade-off, we evaluated various plant growth regulators (PGRs), such as Accede (1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC)-10%), Motivate (ethephon-21.7%), ReTain (AVG-15%) and their combinations, in ‘Honeycrisp’ apples over two consecutive years (2023

Approximately 3-5% of perennial orchard trees are replanted annually. Bearing fruit on newly planted orchard trees is undesirable because fruits are strong carbohydrate sinks and compete with shoot growth, and thus limit early growth of orchard trees to fill their space. Therefore, manual removal of flowers and fruitlets from newly planted trees has been practiced. In almond, leaving nuts on young trees cannot just limit vegetative growth but also serve as harboring site for navel orange worm. Therefore, removal of flowers and fruitlets/nutlets via spray application of chemical thinners would be highly desirable to aim tree growth and reduce manual labor cost for tree defruiting. In a series of experiments in nectarines, almonds and walnuts in California, we investigated the effects of the application of ACC alone or in combination with S-abscisic acid (S-ABA), 6-benzyladenine (6-BA) on flower and fruitlet/nutlet removal. Results indicated that ACC by itself at 450-600 mg/L or in combination with 300 mg/L S-ABA or 400 mg/L 6-BA can effectively defruit young orchard trees and reduce manual labor cost. No phytotoxicity was observed in any of the trials.

‘Ambrosia’ is an emerging apple cultivar recently introduced from British Columbia and knowledge of ripening and preharvest physiology is limited in the mid-Atlantic region. ‘Ambrosia’ must meet minimum quality and color marketability standards in the US though it requires a high temperature differential for full color development and has a short harvest period. Plant growth regulators, such as aminoethoxyvinylglicine (AVG) and 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP), can alter preharvest fruit drop, maturity and quality by hindering ethylene biosynthesis and perception, respectively. AVG has historically been used at several rates by mid-Atlantic growers with variable cultivar specific impacts. The objective of this study was to characterize and compare the effects of AVG and 1-MCP on preharvest fruit drop and crack, ethylene production, fruit physicochemical parameters, skin color, and transcript accumulation of ethylene and anthocyanin-related genes in 'Ambrosia' apples throughout on-the-tree ripening over two production seasons. Four treatments were established and applied based on manufacturer’s recommendations: full-rate AVG (Retain), half-rate AVG (Retain), 1-MCP (Harvista) and a control. Fruits were harvested at three maturity stages: 1 week before the anticipated commercial harvest (1WBCH), at the anticipated commercial harvest (CH), and one week after CH (CH 1). Our results showed that both AVG and 1-MCP treatments significantly reduced preharvest fruit drop and crack with respect to control fruit. While full-rate AVG treatment showed the most significant decrease in ethylene production and exhibited the greatest downregulation of ethylene biosynthesis and perception-related gene expression, it also negatively impacted red color and anthocyanin biosynthesis related gene expression and reached minimum 50% skin blush one week later than the other treatments. Half-rate AVG and 1-MCP treatments displayed an intermediate behavior between full-rate AVG and control fruit, delaying fruit maturity and the associated gene expression when compared to control, but without sacrificing skin blush development. This study contributes to understand how preharvest ethylene regulator treatments influence ‘Ambrosia’ apples grown under the mid-Atlantic environmental conditions.

Ethylene plays a significant role in flower and fruitlet abscission. The use of compounds that generate ethylene for chemical thinning of fruit trees has been in the focus of research for decades. 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) is a naturally occurring precursor to ethylene and has recently been registered as a chemical thinner in the US and elsewhere for stone fruit and apple. Ethephon has also been evaluated for chemical thinning of peaches but phytotoxicity and inconsistency in efficacy has hindered its commercial use. With the recent registration of ACC for chemical thinning of peaches, questions arose if similar efficacy can be achieved with the use of ethephon. The objective of the study reported here was to compare thinning efficacy and phytotoxicity of ACC (300 mg/L) and ethephon (428 mg/L; molar equivalent to 300 mg/L ACC) when used in peaches. A field experiment was conducted in Red Top peach variety in Oregon where the two compounds were sprayed to different set of trees every day from pink bud to petal fall to evaluate the effect of daily weather conditions on flower abscission. Phytotoxicty was also recorded in the experiment. ACC and ethephon showed similar thinning pattern throughout the flowering time. While no phytotoxicity was observed for ACC, severe leaf drop and gummosis occurred in the ethephon treatments. The presentation will discuss the potential reasons for the efficacy and difference in level of phytotoxicity between the two compounds.

Our objective was to quantify prohexadione-calcium foliar spray or substrate drench applications to control growth of two perennial ornamental grass taxa. On 6 June 2024, 38-cell liner trays (126-mL individual cell volume) of Andropogon gerardii ‘Red October’ and Miscanthus sinensis ‘Fire Dragon’ were received from a commercial propagator. Liners were transplanted with one plant per 19.7-cm-diameter container (1.7 L volume) filled with a commercially available bark-based substrate comprised of (by vol.) 56.5% aged pine bark, 34.8% Canadian sphagnum peatmoss, and 8.7% perlite, dolomitic limestone, a nutrient starter charge, and a wetting agent. Plants were grown at bench-level in a glass-glazed greenhouse under supplemental and day-extension lighting provided by 1000-W light-emitting diode lamps from 0600 to 2200 HR (16-h photoperiod) with an air temperature set point of 20 °C. At 7 d after transplant, 10 single-plant replicates of each taxa were treated with a solution containing prohexadione-calcium and a water conditioning agent. Plants received either a foliar spray (vol. 0.2 L·m–2) solution containing deionized water (0 mg·L–1; untreated) or 250, 500, 750, 1,000, or 2,000 mg·L–1 prohexadione-calcium or a substrate drench of 296-mL aliquots of solution containing 0, 125, 250, 500, or 1,000 mg·L–1 prohexadione-calcium. At eight weeks after treatment, plant height, plant diameter, and shoot dry weight (SDW) were determined for all plants, and root dry weights (RDW) were determined for a sub-sample (n = 5) of each taxa from each substrate drench treatment. Foliar spray applications of 125 to 2,000 mg·L–1 prohexadione-calcium did not affect growth of either perennial ornamental grass taxa. Substrate drenches were effective in controlling growth of each perennial ornamental grass taxa although the magnitude of response varied among taxa. For example, compared to untreated plants, plant height, plant diameter, SDW, and RDW of ‘Red October’ Andropogon drenched with 125 to 1,000 mg·L–1 prohexadione-calcium decreased by 20% to 57% (19.7 to 55.9 cm), 0% to 43% (7.8 to 33.4 cm), 3.6 to 28.9 g (10% to 81%), and 10.4 to 28.5 g (27% to 74%), respectively. This research demonstrated substrate drench applications of prohexadione-calcium to be effective for controlling growth, while further research is warranted to determine optimal concentrations for foliar spray applications. We suggest substrate drench applications of 125 to 500 mg·L–1 prohexadione-calcium as an initial range for trials to control growth of ornamental perennial grasses.

The propagation of ornamental woody nursery liners (young plants) is primarily through stem cuttings to maintain genotypic and phenotypic uniformity. The application of rooting hormones is common practice in stem cutting propagation to hasten, promote uniformity, and enhance the quality of adventitious rooting. Rooting hormones are traditionally applied by dipping cuttings into solutions or powders. However, these methods increase labor costs, cutting stress, and opportunities for contamination. Foliar applications of rooting hormones would improve production efficiency, reduce cutting contamination and stress, and allow for multiple hormone applications after sticking. Thus, there is a critical need to identify the optimal rates of foliar rooting hormones to improve and maximize adventitious rooting in woody nursery taxa. Therefore, this study aimed to quantify the impact of foliar rooting hormones on root growth and development of ornamental woody nursery cuttings. Unrooted stem cuttings of four ornamental nursery taxa were obtained from commercial nurseries and individually inserted into 6.4-cm diameter containers filled with a propagation substrate. Cuttings were placed in a diffused glass-glazed greenhouse under a propagation environment of fixed 4-mil clear construction film. The greenhouse was set at 20 °C air temperature, 80% relative humidity, and ambient daylight supplemented with ≈120 µmol·m–2·s–1 delivered from light-emitting diode arrays from 0600 to 2200 hr. At 1 d after sticking, cuttings were sprayed with a solution containing clear tap water and 0, 500, 1,000, 1,500, 3,000, or 6,000 mg·L–1 20% indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) at a volume of 1.89 L·m–2. After 42 d, data was collected including callusing and rooting percentage, stem length and caliper, leaf area, and shoot and root dry mass. In general, increasing IBA foliar application concentration improved rooting success and uniformity to different magnitudes among species. For example, rooting percentage of Chamaecyparis increased by 67% as foliar IBA concentrations increased from 0 to 6,000 mg·L–1 IBA. The results of this study determined the optimal rates of foliar IBA application across an array of woody taxa to hasten adventitious rooting and improve quality for ornamental woody nursery liner production.

A high-quality containerized culinary herb is one that is proportional to its container with a compact growth habit and stems or leaves that are not excessively elongated. However, chemical plant growth regulators (PGRs) used to modify plant growth, increase branching, or reduce stem elongation are not labeled for use on culinary herbs. A novel option for reducing stem elongation could be exposure to night-interruption (NI) ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Therefore, our objectives were to 1) quantify the influence of UV-A radiation on the growth, stem elongation, and relative chlorophyll concentration of containerized spearmint (Mentha spicata) and Greek oregano (Origanum vulgare var. hirtum) and 2) determine the most effective duration and sequence of exposure. Rooted cuttings were transplanted into 15-cm containers and placed in a greenhouse at 23 °C and under a 16-h long-day (LD) provided by LED supplemental lighting (SL) or under a 9-h short-day (SD) and 6-h of NI lighting providing 385 nm of UV-A radiation at an intensity of 20 µmol∙m–2∙s–1 for 4 weeks. The 10 treatments included: LD entire time, LD 2 week-UV 2 weeks, LD 1.5 weeks-UV 2.5 weeks, LD 2 weeks-UV 2 weeks, LD 2 week-UV 1 weeks-LD 1 week, UV entire time, UV 2 weeks-LD 2 weeks, UV 2.5 weeks-LD 1.5 weeks, UV 2 weeks-LD 2 weeks, or UV 2 week-LD 1 week-UV 1 week. Exposure to SD UV-A NI for 4 weeks, resulted in a ≈ 25 and 29% reduction in height of Greek oregano and spearmint, respectively. Furthermore, when LDs were the last treatment spearmint plants received, they had a higher chlorophyll content than those exposed to UV-A. Our results indicate that UV-A NI lighting for spearmint and Greek oregano may be an option for height control in controlled environments.

Greenhouse substrates are soilless mixes formulated by blending organic and inorganic components at varying proportions. Substrate properties are known to influence the efficacy of plant growth regulators applied as a substrate drench. Ethephon is a plant growth regulator used in floriculture production to control stem elongation, increase lateral branching, and manipulate flowering. Ethephon substrate drenches have been shown to control growth in annual bedding plants and herbaceous perennials; however, there is a lack of research examining how substrate composition influences the efficacy of ethephon substrate drenches. Therefore, the objective of this research was to evaluate ethephon drench efficacy in peat-based substrates amended with perlite, aged pine bark, or wood fiber. Lantana (Lantana camara L. ‘BandoleroTM Pink’ and ‘New Gold’) were transplanted into 15.2-cm containers filled with one of six peat-based substrates amended (by vol.) with 20% or 40% perlite, aged pine bark, or wood fiber. After 10 d, eight single-plant replicates received a drench of 150 mL aliquots of solution containing 0, 25, 50, 75, 100, or 200 mg·L–1 ethephon. Plants were grown in a glass-glazed greenhouse for 5 weeks after drench before growth data, including plant height, plant diameter, shoot dry weight (SDW), and root dry weight (RDW) were determined. Increasing concentrations of ethephon decreased plant height, plant diameter, SDW, and RDW of both cultivars of lantana. Substrate components and formulation had varied effects on plant growth. For example, in Expt. 1, plant height was unaffected by formulation but the component × concentration interaction was significant. When substrates were formulated with perlite, aged pine bark, or wood fiber plants were 23% (3.9 cm), 13% (2.0 cm), and 18% (3.1 cm) shorter, respectively, as concentrations increased from 0 to 200 mg·L–1 ethephon, compared to untreated plants. In Expt. 2, neither component or formulation significantly influenced plant height, and when drenched with 200 mg·L–1 ethephon plant diameter was 42% (15.8 cm) less than untreated plants. In Expt. 1, SDW was not influenced by formulation but the component × concentration interaction was significant. For instance, compared to untreated plants, SDW of plants grown in substrates containing perlite, aged pine bark, or wood fiber were 42% (3.8 g), 23% (1.7 g), and 35% (2.7 g) smaller, respectively, as concentrations increased from 0 to 200 mg·L–1 ethephon. Overall, ethephon substrate drench efficacy was not reduced by the incorporation of perlite, pine bark, or wood fiber in peat-based substrates.

Polyethylene glycol (PEG) is widely used to simulate drought stress in plant germination studies due to its ability to induce osmotic stress without being absorbed by plant tissues. This study investigates the effects of PEG-induced drought stress on the seed germination of various ornamental plant species, including Celosia argentea, Petunia hybrida, Rudbeckia hirta, Salvia splendens, and Zinnia elegans. Seeds are treated with different concentrations of PEG-6000 (0%, 5%, 10%, and 15%) to mimic varying levels of water deficit. Germination trials are conducted under controlled environmental conditions using LED lights with a 16/8-hour photoperiod to simulate light/dark conditions, and an optimum temperature of 70-75°F (21-23°C) to support ideal germination and seedling growth. Current seed research trials are underway with aims to evaluate germination-related traits under stress, including germination percentage, mean germination time, germination rate, and seedling vigor. These traits are used to assess the early-stage drought tolerance of ornamental plants. Understanding how different species respond to water stress at the germination stage is crucial for the ornamental plant industry, as it supports the selection and development of more resilient varieties suited for landscapes and markets increasingly affected by water scarcity.

To fully evaluate jujube germplasm, we sampled sour jujubes both from Las Cruces, NM and western Texas to examine their fruit and seed metabolomic profiles to facilitate further employment of those jujube germplasm trees. Samples were taken from the NMSU campus and Tornillo/Fabens, TX which had both the wild type and middle types (cross between wild ones and cultivars). Jujube germplasm fruit metabolomic profile reveals that jujube cultivar samples were similar to germplasm samples from Texas. Sour jujube samples in NM were separated from sour jujube from TX. Sour jujube in TX were mingled together with Cross in TX. So-called Cross and sour jujube were arbitrary classifications. Without cultivars, germplasm was separated by location NM vs TX, not by sour jujube or Cross. For significant compounds, there were only 110 significant different compounds between TX sour jujube vs Cross, while Cross vs NM sour jujube, TX sour jujube vs NM sour jujube or TX vs NM, had over 700. TXS and Cross group overlaid and NM group was totally separated from the other two groups. TX samples had significantly higher contents of large numbers of amino acids and derivatives. More compounds were identified from seed samples and their grouping/PCA results were similar to fruit metabolomic results. Cross samples were mixed together with TX sour jujubes and NM sour jujubes were separated from TX samples. New Mexico samples in Las Crues near graduate student housing area were planted at similar time which could be from one nursery, closed related to each other. Texas germplasm was the result of human selection, not the original sour jujubes but cross between sour jujubes or sour jujube and cultivar-like germplasm. The dominant triterpenes were different between fruit and seeds. In fruit flesh, pomolic acid was the dominant one with Honeyjar as the highest, followed by rutundic acid, Cleanothic acid, 2,3,23-Trihydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid, 2,3,23-Trihydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid, madasiatic acid, which were higher for NM samples than TX samples. In seeds, the dominant triterpenes were oleanolic acid, mangiferotic acid, momordicoside I aglycone, 3,13,15-trihydroxyolenonane-12-one, jujubogenin, and pomolic acid. The contents of the first three metabolites were equivalent and much higher than the rest, ranging from 0.5X108 to 1.5x108 depending on germplasm. Pomolic acid was much lower in seeds than in fruit. The data contained over 1600 metabolites in fruit and over 2000 for seeds which would be good references for future utilization of those jujube germplasm for horticultural or pharmaceutical purposes.

The accumulated genetic, genomic, and breeding data for Prunus species is often underutilized in breeding applications. This study examines 25 years of curated Prunus data in the Genome Database for Rosaceae (GDR, rosaceae.org) to uncover the genetic architecture of key traits, and provide actionable insights for Prunus breeding. The curated dataset includes 177 genetic maps, primarily for almond, apricot, peach, and sweet cherry, and 28,971 trait-associated loci. Most of the trait associations (72.4%) were from genome-wide association studies (GWAS), 18.7% from quantitative trait loci (QTL), and 8.9% from Mendelian trait loci. We identified 17 potential QTL hotspots for fruit morphology, fruit quality, and disease resistance, as well as 17 syntenic regions among peach, sweet cherry, and almond. These findings provide valuable resources for tool development for Prunus breeding, particularly for complex polyploid genomes and less-studied species.

Pears (genus Pyrus) are one of the most widely cultivated temperate fruit. Both abiotic and biotic stress, however, can be harsh constraints on pear cultivation; in America pear production has nearly ceased in the Eastern half of the nation, and in Europe extreme weather has become a growing threat to production, especially in Southern growing regions. Currently, high-quality reference genomes exist for the most widely cultivated Pyrus species, but little genomic information is available on ornamental, less cultivated, and wild Pyrus species. These species inhabit a wide range of climates across Eurasia, exhibiting diverse physiological adaptations to disease, high temperature, and water stress, while also showing variation in fruiting physiology and tree architecture. Discovery of genomic features responsible for this wide functional diversity could be applied to accelerating the genetic improvement of commercially cultivated Pyrus species. In order to characterize the genetic diversity within Pyrus, Nanopore whole genome DNA sequencing has been completed on 24 Pyrus accessions collected from the National Clonal Germplasm Repository, enabling highly contiguous (median N50 ~30Mb) and complete (median ~99% BUSCO assessed completeness), telomere-to-telomere assemblies with Hifiasm. Ab initio gene prediction via the BRAKER pipeline followed by comparative analysis with OrthoFinder has been used to find biome specific genes, while synteny analysis via MCScanX allows for the exploration of structural alterations in the evolution of Pyrus. These newly characterized Pyrus accessions represent an expansion of genomic resources to aid in the development of more resilient pears for the future.

Peach (Prunus persica (L.) Batsch) is a member of the genus Prunus within the Rosaceae family and represents one of the most extensively cultivated temperate deciduous fruit crops, ranking after apples and pears in global production. Due to its diploid genome (2n = 16) and relatively small genome size (~230 Mb), peach serves as a model species for fruit tree genome research. In this study, we performed whole-genome sequencing (WGS) on 445 peach genetic resources using the Illumina NovaSeq 6000 platform at a sequencing depth of 15´ coverage. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified from the WGS data and used to establish a core collection of peach genetic resources. Additionally, these SNPs will be utilized in a genome-wide association study (GWAS) to investigate key agronomic traits, including fruit shape, pollen fertility, flower morphology, maturity timing and so on. SNP filtration was conducted based on the following criteria: (1) SNPs with a missing rate exceeding 30% were removed, and (2) SNPs with a minor allele frequency (MAF) below 0.05 were excluded. As a result, 944,670 high-confidence SNPs were identified across the peach genetic resources. Based on this dataset, we established a core collection consisting of 150 accessions that retained over 99% of the total genetic diversity observed within the 445 peach genetic resources. Furthermore, we developed a high-resolution melting (HRM) marker derived from WGS-identified SNPs, which enables differentiation between round and flat peach fruit shapes. The SNP regions that can distinguish the fruit shape (round and flat shape) identified in this study were confirmed to be the same regions as the results of previously reported papers. Collectively, we successfully constructed a peach core collection through WGS analysis and developed a HRM marker for fruit shape classification. Also, our results produced in this study should be valuable for peach breeding program, identifying of agriculturally important genes, GWAS analyses, and further genomic studies in peach.

Although peach production worldwide has been increasing for decades, peach production in the United States continues to decline in the face of changing climate, disease pressures, and reduced consumption. Novel and diverse germplasm is required to improve peach breeding efforts with the goal of developing new cultivars better adapted to these challenges. Unfortunately, current peach SNP genotyping platforms are expensive and need to be outsourced to specialized laboratories. The purpose of this project is to use SNPs generated using Capture-Seq technology to evaluate the diversity of potential new sources of breeding material in comparison with germplasm from different regions of the world. In addition, our goal is to create a panel of SNP-based markers that can be used in-house for future studies. Capture-Seq technology yielded 134,424 SNPs when comparing P. persica (221 genotypes) and related Prunus species (29 genotypes). A PCA from these SNPs yielded different clusters representing Asian, Australian, European, and North American germplasm. AMOVA indicated that, among P. persica samples, 21.3% of the genetic variation was between regions with 78.7% of the variation present within regions. STRUCTURE analysis showed differences between regional groups, where the Asian group composition was different to the other regions, North American and European group composition were similar to each other, and the Australian group composition had a large percentage of genotypes sharing a group mostly present in Asia. This study confirms that Australia’s peach populations could be a valuable source of novel germplasm to bolster worldwide peach breeding efforts. Furthermore, a panel of informative SNP markers can be converted into KASP markers, which can be used in-house for numerous applications, including genetic fingerprinting, MAS, GWAS, among others.

‘Hamlin 1-4-1’ sweet orange (Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck) is one of the major varieties cultivated in Florida and is of relevant importance for the orange juice industry as an early maturing variety. While this cultivar does not produce juice of sufficient quality to meet USDA Grade A orange juice standards, it performs relatively well in semitropical climates characterized by high temperatures and humidity levels. To provide the bioinformatics tools required to support the genetic improvement of modern citrus varieties, we present the de novo and fully phased ‘Hamlin’ genome. The DNA of the plant was sequenced using two different platforms. PacBio technology was adopted to generate long reads sequencing, while Oxford Nanopore was employed to produce ultra-long reads. Hi-C technique was used to capture chromosome conformation and facilitate the correct assembly of contigs into two haplotypes. RNA samples were collected from five different tissues (leaves, petals, ovaries, peel, and bark) and sequenced with the Illumina platform. These RNA sequences enabled the identification and annotation of as many functional genes as possible. The results of this study will provide the genomic information required to compare the ‘Hamlin 1-4-1 genome with the more commonly grown industry standard ‘Valencia’ and to investigate the differences between the genomes of these two clonally derived sweet oranges. These data will also aid in comparing budlines of Hamlin and other sweet orange accessions that appear to be HLB tolerant. This research will facilitate the detection of DNA variants related to traits of interest and their integration in new germplasm resources. In addition, it will allow breeders to get further insights into mutations that may have occurred to new budlines originating from ‘Hamlin’.

Aneuploidy refers to a condition in which a cell or organism that has an abnormal chromosome number compared to the base chromosome number. This can cause gene dosage imbalances and a potential decrease in fitness. Most potato (Solanum tuberosum) cultivars are tetraploid (2n=4x=48) with a base chromosome number of 12. In this study, we analyzed 1,014 potato genotypes, 422 from two autotetraploid bi-parental full-sib populations and 592 from a diversity panel. We used allele SNP fluorescent intensity data for each individual to determine their ploidy and identify aneuploid individuals using the R package Qploidy. This package estimates the copy number by evaluating the standardized B allele frequencies (BAF) distributions across a sample, chromosome, or chromosome arm. Within the mapping populations, 41% of the members were aneuploids, compared to only 17% of the in the diversity panel; with an average of 27% aneuploidy level across all individuals included in the study. However, the frequency of aneuploidy for any given chromosome was 3%. As a measure of fitness, we compared 19 phenotypic traits related to tuber yield and quality in one of the full-sib mapping populations. There were significant differences between aneuploid and euploid family members for six traits. Aneuploid genotypes had significantly lower total tuber weight/plant, marketable tuber weight/plant, non-marketable tuber number/plant, tuber density, and overall appearance, while having higher percentage of tubers with heat sprouts compared to euploid family members. Chromosome additions were more common than chromosome losses in aneuploid individuals accounting for 57% and 39% of the aneuploid chromosomes, respectively. By analyzing this large potato genotypic dataset (most autotetraploids), we gained a better understanding of patterns of aneuploidy and their impact on crop performance in polyploid crops.

High tunnels (HT) are utilized by vegetable growers to extend the growing season and improve the yield and quality of crops. However, concerns about the sustainability of HT soil health can have direct effects on yield and profitability. Recently, growers and researchers have expressed concerns related to soil moisture in high tunnels and potential negative consequences to soil health. The use of non-permeable polyethylene tarps has become popular for urban and small-scale vegetable farmers to manage weeds through occultation. Similar tarps could also be used as mulch, but little is known about how this will affect crop productivity compared to other mulch types. The goal of this study was to examine silage tarps and other mulch types in HTs and the open field to determine how this practice may affect yield and quality of tomato and lettuce. Tomato and lettuce trials were conducted from 2022 to 2024 in HTs and open-field plots to determine the effect of various mulch treatments (bareground, black plastic film, black woven fabric, paper mulch, white silage tarp and black silage tarp) on tomato and lettuce yield and quality. For tomato, harvesting occurred weekly to monitor total, marketable, and non-marketable yield. Texture and organoleptic quality were assessed from 3 harvests across the two years. In 2023, lettuce were harvested and yield data were collected. Leaf color and water content were also assessed. In the HT tomato trials, mulch had the greatest effects on yield during the early season and the application of white silage tarp and plastic film mulch increased early marketable fruit yield by 58% compared to the bareground treatment. Mulch type had no significant effect on tomato or lettuce on the postharvest qualities that were assessed. Our data indicate that silage tarps may be an effective mulch, particularly for HT growers that are looking to conserve soil moisture and ultimately improve soil health. Yield and quality of tomato and lettuce were not penalized when tarps were utilized, and in some cases, yield was improved. As growers continue to adopt practices that help sustain or improve soil health, it is likely that silage tarps and other mulch types can be effective at maintaining crop productivity

Polyethylene (PE) mulch is a valuable tool that suppresses weeds, optimizes the soil and canopy microclimate, and enhances efficient production of quality fruits and vegetables. However, PE mulch is not biodegradable and limited cost-effective waste management options lead to large amounts of used PE mulch being annually landfilled, stockpiled on farms, burned, and sometimes buried in soil. The objective of this presentation is to review the status of alternative mulch technologies that have the potential to reduce plastic waste generation in strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) cultivation with an emphasis on soil-biodegradable plastic mulch (BDM), hydromulch, and cellulose-based film. Several commercial BDM products have been available in the market since the 1990s and are made using a blend of fossil-fuel derived and biobased ingredients. Trials conducted in Washington State show strawberry yield and fruit quality are comparable when plants are grown with black PE mulch or BDM. Green BDM deteriorates rapidly depending on environmental conditions. Rapid deterioration may lead to increased weed pressure and reduced production similar to bare ground cultivation. Hydromulch is a sprayable mulch alternative that can be formulated with ingredients that meet the requirements for certified organic production in North America, whereas commercially available BDMs do not meet these requirements. Trials carried out in Washington State and North Dakota demonstrated hydromulch maintains strawberry yield and fruit quality. Hydromulch formulations with guar gum demonstrate superior mechanical properties relative to formulations without or with other tackifiers. Reduced weed suppression, the logistics of sourcing hydromulch feedstock, lack of specialized application equipment, and high material and application costs are current barriers to this emerging technology. Cellulose-based film, such as lignocellulose film, is another fully biodegradable and emerging alternative to PE mulch and can be made with ingredients suitable for certified organic production. Field trials with cellulose-based film are limited, but current findings show high levels of biodegradability and maintenance of crop growth. Growers, crop consultants, and marketers should consider biodegradable mulch alternatives to reduce plastic waste generation and persistent plastic pollution in agricultural and environmental settings, particularly if recycling is not available or a cost-effective option.

An estimated two million tons of plastic mulch films (PMFs) are used in horticultural production worldwide due to the benefits these films provide that may lead to yield increases. Despite the high usage rates of PMFs, there are many environmental drawbacks to the implementation of plastic mulches. To investigate potential mitigation strategies, two plastic and two biodegradable plastic films were used for multiple consecutive growing seasons. Soil conditions, plant yield and mulch durability were used to evaluate the soundness of reusing mulch films for multiple growing seasons. There were no significant differences between mulch types for the first season, with the highest yield being 307.23 pounds of tomatoes and the lowest yield being 235.62 pounds of tomatoes per 50 row feet. There were significant yield differences between mulch types for the second season, where each cabbage head produced on plastic mulches weighed an average of 3.68 pounds while each cabbage head produced on biodegradable mulches weighed between 1.22 and 1.84 pounds. The yield differences observed in season two may be in part due to increased soil penetration resistance under the biodegradable mulches, which had to be replaced at the end of the first season. The biodegradable mulches had to be replaced at the end of the first season due to their extreme degradation, but they were replaced at unfavorably high soil moisture conditions which led to considerable compaction, and higher penetration resistance, in those plots. Biodegradable mulched plots exhibited more than 50% bare ground at the end of the first growing season while plastic mulched plots both exhibited less than 10% bare ground. In addition to their in-field degradation, biodegradable films are also significantly weaker materials than PMFs, with average tensile strengths of 2.02 N and 2.91 N at the end of season one, compared to the average tensile strength of 4.56 N of conventional polyethylene. These results suggest that biodegradable PMFs may not be a good option for use over multiple seasons. Further research is needed to determine the optimum management practices for increased profitability PMFs in vegetable production systems while also improving environmental friendliness.

Mulch films play a crucial role in enhancing crop yields and suppressing weeds; however, conventional plastic mulch films (PEMs) contribute significantly to environmental burdens, particularly at the end-of-life (EOL) stage. In response, soil-biodegradable mulch films (BDMs) have emerged as an alternative, offering potential benefits in reducing waste and emissions. This study conducts a cradle-to-grave life cycle assessment (LCA) of BDMs (PBAT/PLA, 30/70 PBAT/TPS, 70/30 PBAT/TPS blends) compared to PEMs (LDPE) across ten environmental impact categories in the production of 1 kg of strawberries per hectare in California, USA. Multiple EOL scenarios were evaluated, including soil-biodegradation, anaerobic digestion, and composting for BDMs, and landfill (with and without energy recovery) for PEMs. Results indicated that during the manufacturing stage, BDMs exhibited the lowest fossil fuel depletion, with the 30/70 PBAT/PLA achieving a 72% reduction; however, all BDMs had higher global warming potential (GWP). The highest environmental burdens in manufacturing were associated with BDM-PBAT/PLA due to its high energy requirements. During the mulch use stage, all BDMs consistently outperformed PEMs slightly in key impact categories such as GWP (reducing emissions by approximately 4.7%), acidification, and smog formation. No significant differences were observed among BDMs in this stage, suggesting that primary environmental distinctions arise from manufacturing and EOL scenarios rather than field application. The EOL stage significantly influenced the overall sustainability of mulch films. In terms of fossil fuel consumption, carbon emissions, and human toxicity potential, the most favorable scenarios were BDM-soil-biodegradation (-2.65 kg CO2-eq) and BDM-anaerobic digestion (-20.9 kg CO2-eq), both of which also reduced ecotoxicity (approximately -51 CTUe) and carcinogenic effects while minimizing fossil fuel depletion (approximately -1.72 MJ). In contrast, BDM-composting resulted in higher acidification (up to 0.344 kg SO2 eq) and smog formation, making it a less favorable option. PEMs, even under energy recovery scenarios, exhibited higher impacts and lacked the benefits of biodegradability, emphasizing the sustainability advantages of BDMs. When considering the full cradle-to-grave life cycle, BDMs demonstrated superior environmental performance under optimal EOL strategies. Although PEMs had a lower manufacturing footprint, their EOL challenges negated these benefits. Among BDMs, PBAT/TPS blends, particularly the 30/70 PBAT/TPS, exhibited the most balanced performance, offering reduced manufacturing burdens alongside excellent EOL outcomes. This study provides a detailed analysis of the environmental benefits and trade-offs of BDMs. The findings, along with nuanced recommendations, support the transition toward more sustainable mulch film applications.

Lignocellulosic film is a biodegradable alternative to traditional, non-biodegradable polyethylene (PE) mulch, and is made with fully biobased feedstocks. The biobased composition of lignocellulose film renders it suitable for certified organic production in the United States and Canada, whereas soil-biodegradable plastic mulches are not permitted given they are not made with fully biobased feedstocks. However, information regarding the horticultural performance of lignocellulose film as a mulch is lacking. The objective of this study was to address this knowledge gap by comparing the functionality of lignocellulosic film to other mulch treatments using raspberry grown in a greenhouse. ‘Cascade Premier’ tissue culture transplants were planted in 12.7 x 12.7 cm (1.89 L) pots and grown for 112 days. Mulch treatments were placed over the surface of the media and around the base of the plants before being arranged in a randomized complete block design with eight replicates. Treatments included PE, soil-biodegradable mulch (starch-based, PBAT copolyester), paper mulch, lignocellulosic film, lignocellulosic film with biochar, cellulose film, and no mulch. Mulch treatment did not significantly impact overall plant growth throughout the trial, although variations in soil temperature were observed with lignocellulosic film having the highest reported temperature overall. Following the greenhouse experiment, new mulch samples were subjected to a soil biodegradation assay whereby samples were buried in two contrasting climates in Washington (i.e., warm-summer Mediterranean and cold semi-arid climates) with four replicates per location. Lignocellulosic film made with a hot press and lignocellulosic film with biochar and a hot press were added as additional treatments. Mesh bags containing the mulch samples were collected and analyzed for visual breakdown. Differences in breakdown were observed across mulch treatments with cellulose film being the most degraded, PE mulch being the least degraded, and lignocellulose being intermediate. After 3 months, lignocellulose had degraded by approximately 50% in both locations. Results to date indicate films made with lignocellulose maintain plant growth relative to PE mulch and biodegrade rapidly once incorporated into the soil. Future work should focus on scaling up lignocellulose material generation so they may be evaluated in open-field settings.

While agricultural plastic mulch significantly enhances crop yields, its widespread use generates substantial plastic waste, raising serious environmental concerns. Traditional disposal methods such as landfilling and incineration not only contribute to greenhouse gas emissions but also result in valuable resource losses. To address these challenges, this study performs a systematic life cycle assessment (LCA) comparing five end-of-life (EOL) strategies for polyethylene (PE) mulch films in strawberry cultivation: conventional landfilling, incineration, pyrolysis-based conversion, wood-plastic composite (WPC) production, and asphalt modification. A gate-to-gate LCA framework was adopted, with system boundaries spanning from on-farm mulch collection to final material or energy recovery. Environmental impacts were evaluated using the TRACI 2.1 methodology, encompassing global warming potential (GWP), cumulative energy demand, air/water pollution, land occupation, resource recovery efficiency, microplastic leakage risks, and human health impacts. Results reveal distinct trade-offs among the EOL pathways. Pyrolysis emerges as the optimal energy recovery strategy, reducing fossil fuel dependence by converting 85% of plastic waste into syngas while mitigating microplastic release. WPC production demonstrates superior material circularity, repurposing 92% of waste into durable construction materials with a 40-year service life. Asphalt modification offers the lowest GWP (1.2 kg CO₂-eq/kg plastic) and reduces virgin polymer demand by 30%, though its long-term microplastic leaching requires further investigation. In contrast, landfilling and incineration exhibit 60-75% higher life cycle emissions and fail to recover material value. This study provides the first comprehensive comparison of agricultural plastic waste management strategies that integrates both energy recovery and material upcycling paradigms. By extending traditional LCA boundaries to include microplastic pollution risks and long-term degradation effects, the findings offer actionable insights for policymakers to prioritize scalable, resource-efficient solutions that align with circular economy principles in agri-plastic management.

Biodegradable plastic mulches (BDMs) have been introduced as a sustainable alternative to polyethylene (PE) mulches, which can contribute to plastic contamination and incur high removal and disposal costs. The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance and suitability of BDMs for winter strawberry production in Florida. We conducted field experiments using ‘Florida Brilliance’ short-day strawberry during the 2023–2024 (Season 1) and 2024–2025 (Season 2) winter seasons in West Central Florida. Five mulch treatments were evaluated: black PE mulch, black Mater-Bi® BDM (black MB–BDM), black Ecovio® BDM (black EV–BDM), white Mater-Bi® BDM (white MB–BDM), and white Ecovio® BDM (white EV–BDM ). Mater-Bi® is primarily starch-based but also contains polyester resins such as polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT) and polycaprolactone. By contrast, Ecovio® is predominantly resin-based, comprising PBAT, polylactic acid, and other biodegradable polymers. The film thickness was 27.9 μm for the black PE and 22.9 μm for all BDMs. Season-dependent trends were observed in some results. In Season 1, all BDMs exhibited minimal deterioration with only minor tearing, and there was no significant difference in marketable yield compared to the black PE. In Season 2, all BDMs developed splits or tears within a month after transplanting, with the black EV–BDM and both white BDMs showing higher deterioration rates than the black PE. Orthogonal contrast analysis was used to assess BDM performance based on color and composition. Compared to the black PE, marketable yield was reduced by 28% for the black BDMs (34.0 vs. 26.5 t·ha–1) and by 8% for the white BDMs (34.0 vs. 31.3 t·ha–1). The white BDMs produced 18% higher yield than the black BDMs (31.3 vs. 26.5 t·ha–1), whereas no significant difference was found between the MB–BDMs and the EV–BDMs (28.8 vs. 29.1 t·ha–1). Soluble solid content remained unaffected by mulch treatment across both seasons and all growth stages. These results suggest that the performance of BDMs depends on seasonal weather conditions, mulch color, and composition, presenting challenges for commercial adoption. Enhancing the reliability and adoption of BDMs may require optimization of color, material composition, and film thickness.