include increased weed control, moisture retention, and reduced loss to leaching of fertilizer

(Hochmuth, 1988a).

 There are several types of bedding production systems in Florida including (1) non-

 mulched tomato, (2) strip mulched tomato, (3) full-bed mulch with seep irrigation, (4) full-bed

 mulch with overhead irrigation, or (5) full-bed mulch with drip irrigation.

 In non-mulched tomato production, fertilizer is incorporated into the soil and then a band

 or strip four to five inches wide of nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) are incorporated along the

 edge of the bed. Subsurface or overhead irrigation can be used for application of water.

 In strip mulched tomato production, all micronutrients are incorporated into the soil along

with 20% of nitrogen (N) and potassium (K). A band of fertilizer is placed two to three inches

below the surface of the plastic. The strip of plastic is ten to twelve inches wide and is placed

in the center of the bed with tomatoes growing through the hole in the plastic. Overhead or

subsurface irrigation can be used for application of water.

 In full-bed mulch systems with seep irrigation, all soil requirements such as fumigants

and fertilizers are added prior to the application of plastics. Any additional application of

fertilizers can be done using an injection wheel. The following is a sequence of operations that

may be used in a full-bed mulch system with seep irrigation. First, land preparation includes

installation of irrigation, drainage system, and pH adjustment. Second, application of fertilizers

includes total micronutrients with phosphorus (P) incorporated along with 10-15% of nitrogen

(N) and potassium (K) added to the soil. Third, formation of bed includes application of mole

cricket bait and herbicides for weed control. Fourth, the remaining fertilizer is applied in a nine

to ten inch band on either side at one to two inches in depth. This step also includes fumigation,