Living Mulches in Field Cultivation of Vegetables

Living mulches as an element of vegetable cultivation in the integrated and ecological production systems perform a protective function towards the soil and the cultivated crops. They improve the physical, chemical and biological properties of the soil, and reduce weed and pest infestation. At the same time, however, they compete with vegetable plants for nutrients, water and space, and that is why research work has been carried out with the aim of minimizing this competition. The success of vegetable production with the assistance of living mulches depends on the right selection of the species, sowing or planting dates, as well as the means of controlling the growth of the companion plants. The experiments carried out at the Department of Horticulture of Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences demonstrated the usefulness of white clover and pink serradella as living mulches for tomato and leek, and of perennial ryegrass for pepper. Controlling the biomass of companion plants by regular mowing brought about a 2-17.2% increase in the yield of tomato fruits. The most favourable sowing date for these plants in the cultivation of pepper was week 9 and 12 of pepper plant growth, and week 4 and 6 in the cultivation of leek.