The efficiency of using different mulch films in the cultivation of yellow gentian (Gentiana lutea L.) in Serbia

Field trial with yellow gentian was established (11.1 plants per m2) at 1004 m.a.s.l., in order to assess the effect of black PE (bPE), silver PE (sPE), and black permeable biodegradable (bPB) mulching films on the root yield and development during six years. The highest crop density measured prior to the root harvest (sixth year), was obtained in the plot with bPB film (84%), while in the plot with bPE and in control (without mulch) number of plants was reduced by 34.2% and 45%, respectively. In addition, application of the bPB film proved to be the most effective treatment; in the fifth and sixth year root yields per m2 increased by 92.3% and 106.0%, respectively, in comparison to bPE, and by 78.9% and 69.2%, respectively, in comparison to sPE, and by 184.4% and 169.6%, respectively, in comparison to control. Application of bPE had a lower positive effect on YG root yield than control (-18.6%-54.95%), whereas the effect of sPE was higher than the bPE and control; the achieved root yields were higher, 29.7% and 70.6%, respectively.