Relay-intercropping muskmelons with Scotch pine Christmas trees using plastic mulch and drip irrigation

• Published in: HortScience Vol. 28; no. 3; pp. 177 - 178
• Main Authors: Lamont, W.J, Hensley, D.L, Wiest, S, Gaussoin, R.E
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Alexandria, VA American Society for Horticultural Science 01.03.1993
• Subjects: Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; ANALISIS DE COSTOS; ANALISIS DE COSTOS Y BENEFICIOS; ANALYSE COUT AVANTAGE; ANALYSE DES COUTS; ARBOLES DE NAVIDAD; ARBRE DE NOEL; Biological and medical sciences; Cropping systems. Cultivation. Soil tillage; CUBRIMIENTO DEL SUELO; CUCUMIS MELO; CULTIVO INTERCALADO; CULTURE INTERCALAIRE; FILM PLASTIQUE; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General agronomy. Plant production; Generalities. Cropping systems and patterns; IRRIGATION GOUTTE A GOUTTE; KANSAS; PAILLAGE; PELICULA PLASTICA; PINUS SYLVESTRIS; RIEGO POR GOTEO; Cultural practice; Cucurbitaceae; Cropping system; Christmas tree(plant); Relay intercropping; Ornamental crop; Pinus sylvestris; Coniferous ornamental tree; Plastic mulching; Plasticulture; Fruit crop; Dicotyledones; Angiospermae; Gymnospermae; Intercropping; Trickle irrigation; Coniferales; Spermatophyta; Cucumis melo
• ISSN: 0018-5345; 2327-9834
• DOI: 10.21273/HORTSCI.28.3.177

Two systems of relay-intercropping muskmelons (Cucumis melo L.) with Scotch pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) Christmas trees using black plastic mulch and drip irrigation were evaluated for their potential to improve cash return. Returns ranged from a high of $26,200/ha for plastic mulch-drip irrigation and a selling price of $1.00/melon to a low of $6900/ha for bare ground-drip irrigation and a selling price of $0.40/melon. The benefit-cost index ranged from 24 to 3.4, depending on the system evaluated. Pine growth apparently was impeded by plastic mulch; however, increased yields of melons grown under plastic mulch may offset the slight decrease in pine growth