Effects of Novel "Lights Out" Mulching and Fertilization Turfgrass Renovation Technique on Arthropod, Weed, and Nematode Communities.

Michalski, Jennifer R.

Effects of Novel "Lights Out" Mulching and Fertilization Turfgrass Renovation Technique on Arthropod, Weed, and Nematode Communities.

Files

2017-05-ms-michalski.pdf (2.13 MB)

Date

2017-05

Authors

Michalski, Jennifer R.

Department

Entomology

Abstract

“Lights Out” mulching is a pesticide-free method of weed and pest management that can reduce weed pressure when replanting turf, switching grass types, or completing a total renovation of a designated grassy area. In this two-year study, we addressed the feasibility of using black, geotextile weed mats made of woven polypropylene plastic where: 1) the black plastic mulch significantly reduced light from reaching the soil surface for repeated coverings, 2) a fertilization amendment followed by irrigation on de-thatched ground stimulated weed seed germination to effectively flush the weed seed bank, and 3) prolonged periods of covering eliminated old turf and weed presence before re-establishing new turf. This introduction provides a justification for pursuing this management method, provides a comparison to traditional methods of control, and addresses the gaps in knowledge about Lights Out mulching. A comprehensive literature review is also provided to elaborate on what is known about the effects of plastic mulching on arthropod, weed, and nematode communities.

URI

http://hdl.handle.net/10125/62427

Rights

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Collections

M.S. - Entomology

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