SUMMARY

 

The purpose and aim of these investigations of influence of mechanized mulching with PE foil with simultaneoues sowing onto the increase and yield of watermelon.

The laying of foil with simultaneous sowing was clone by "plasti" sowing machine of a domestic producer DIV-2. The darkened PE foil, 14Ím thick and 1,2 m wide, was used for mulching. The investigations were conducted on two soil types: smonica (subtype non-carbonatic) and aluvium.

The results of investigations indicate that there is a significant influence of mechanized mulching onto the increase and amount of realized watermelon yields in comparison to variant without mulching of soil.

On mulched smonica soil the average yields of 36.127 kg/ha were realized, while on unmulched soil of the same type the average yiled of 30.389 kg/ha was realized, Wich is 16% less than on mulched soil.

The similiar influence of mechanized mulching was also recorded on aluvium. In the variant of mechanized mulching with PE foil, with simultaneous sowing water-melon, the average yields of 33.296 kg/ha were realized, while unmulched soil the average yields of 28.941 kg/ha were realized, which is 13,1% less than covered (mulched) soil.

 

          Key words: watermelon, mechanized mulching, PE foil, sowing, yields.