Solarization and occultation are weed management strategies used by growers across the globe. However, there is not a large amount of literature discussing the impacts of this weed management practice on soil health. This study evaluated the impact of tarp materials and duration of tarp coverage on soil microbiology. Field experiments were conducted in the 2023 growing season in Brookings, South Dakota. Solarization was conducted using clear tarps secured with sandbags and buried edges. Clear tarps were placed early spring for six, four, and two weeks before tarp removal in May. Immediately following tarp removal, each plot was tilled, and rows of onion transplants were planted. Occultation was conducted using white side up and black side up silage tarps, both applied for six, four, and two weeks before removal and planting onions. These treatments were organized in a randomized complete block design with four blocks and ten treatment plots per block including a control with no tarp. Temperature and moisture data were taken in treatment plots using HOBO temperature and moisture sensors during tarping as well as during the growing season. Soil samples were taken before tarp application to observe organic matter and basic nutrients. Samples were also collected in each treatment plot after tarping and at the end of the growing season to determine differences in organic matter, basic nutrients, soil respiration, permanganate oxidizable carbon, and nitrogen. Solarized plots showed trends of higher temperatures during tarping compared to occultation plots. Solarized plots showed higher soil moisture trends during tarping and lower moisture trends during the growing season. Occultation tarp treatments showed trends of lower moisture during tarping and higher moisture during the growing season. No significant differences were seen between tarp treatments for soil respiration, permanganate oxidizable carbon, and nitrogen. While soil tarping can manipulate soil microbiology, more research is needed to determine the full extent of these impacts.
