Raspberry Mulch Evaluation

Project Overview

FNE98-204
Project Type: Farmer
Funds awarded in 1998: $1,895.00
Projected End Date: 12/31/1998
Matching Non-Federal Funds: $19,895.00
Region: Northeast
State: Maine
Project Leader:
Chris Bailey
The Morris Farm

Commodities

  • Fruits: general small fruits

Practices

  • Production Systems: general crop production

    Proposal summary:

    The SARE-funded raspberry study of the use of mulches to control weeds during the establishment year showed that mulching with straw produced greater cane number and yields in the second year compared with plots treated with herbicides or weeded by hand. The study showed that straw should be removed before the second year to prevent increased phytopthera root rot incidence. The SEED grant proposes to study two questions: (1) whether conifer bark mulch controls weeds with equal success to straw and the economic costs or benefits of using one versus the other; and (2) whether conifer bark mulch retained around the raspberry plants into the second year results in higher or lower rates of phytopthera incidence than removed straw mulch that allows white clover to move in and the economic costs or benefits of one practice or the other.

    Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture or SARE.