Determination of non-chemical weed management methods in organically grown greenhouse tomato and cucumber

Tomato and cucumber are important crops in Turkey. This study was done to determine the effects of non-chemical weed management practices on the weeds and the yields of organically grown both crops. To evaluate their effects, the experiments were conducted under greenhouse condition in the Research and Applied Area of the Department of Plant Protection, Agricultural Faculty, University of Çukurova in 2006 and 2007. Paper mulch, mulching textile, hand hoeing, black polyetilen mulch and a cover crop, Common vetch (Vicia sativa L.) were applied for managing weeds while other pests were controlled using ecological management methods during the experiments. Some parameters such as number of weeds, weed cover and the crop yield were recorded and compered at the end of the experiments. In tomato, the highest yield (9,080.40 kg/da) was taken from black polyetilen mulch plot in 2006, while 11,571.80 kg/da in cover crop 2007. The yield of weedy check plots were determined as 5,992.50 kg/da and 10,254.90 kg/da, repectivelly. In the experiments of the year 2006, the highest cucumber yield (8,269.60 kg/da) was obtained from black polyethylen mulch whereas the yield of weedy check plots were only 5.556,70 kg/da. In 2007, the highest cucumber yield (4,192.80 kg/da) was taken from mulching textile and the yield of weedy check plots were determined as 2,816.70 kg/da.