Published 2023-03-28
Abstract
Advanced production technologies are essential to improve marketable yields from existing agricultural lands and meet the nutritional demands of a growing human population. Cabbage production using advanced plasticulture (i.e. plastic mulch combined with drip irrigation) was compared with conventional, bare ground production in Northeast
Florida. Advanced plots consisted of plastic mulch with four drills per bed with in-row spacings of 0.25 m (two outer drills) and 0.35m (two inner drills), resulting in 73,753 plants/ha. The marketable yield (58 Mg/ha) was 93% higher than bare ground planting (30 Mg/ha) and 45% higher than the statewide average in Florida (40 Mg/ha). An economic
evaluation showed that additional earnings of $9,951/ha are possible using the high-density configuration with plasticulture compared to conventional methods. Environmental advantages include twice the productivity using the same land area and more efficient use of valuable inputs including nutrients and water.