The influence of biodegradable mulches on the yielding of autumn raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.)

A three-year experiment was set up to assess the effect of three mulch types on the growth and yield of 'Polka' autumn fruiting raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.). The experimental arrangement comprised four combinations of two parallel blocks, one of which was a field crop and the second was a covered crop in the form of a high tunnel with raised beds sides. The crop was grown on raised beds (approximately 30 cm high) covered with a mulch made of: 1) polypropylene non-woven (PP); 2) PP with a photodegradant; 3) polylactide nonwoven (PLA). A crop on a raised bed without any mulch was the control. Biometric, physiological and yield parameters were assessed and included the number of canes, plant height, chlorophyll content in the leaves, fruit yield, weight of 20 fruits and the extract content. The obtained results show that the height of the canes grown on PLA and PP mulch was significantly higher than for the PP with photodegradant. Cultivation on PP, PLA and PP with photodegradant mulch resulted in a significant increase in the weight of 20 raspberry fruits and higher chlorophyll content in the leaves compared to the control combination.