The Effect of UV-Reflective Mulching on Yield and Quality of Cantaloupes

Abstract

Three trials, one during Fall 2003 season and two during the spring 2004, were conducted at the Yuma Agricultural Center to investigate the influence of UV reflective mulching on yield and quality of cantaloupes. We report here results from the first two trials. The results showed that reflective mulching increased the total number of fruits by over 25%. The silver film allowed early harvesting, it produced fruits with higher content of soluble solids (°Brix), pulp with more intense color, and early-harvested fruits with higher content of vitamin C. This technique seems promising for the production of melons and probably other cucurbits but the grower is ultimately the one who needs to determine whether the economical return, associated with the mulch, compensates the costs of implementing it in their fields.