Plastic vs. Plants: Mulch method changes tomato's gene activity

A suite of at least 10 genes in a tomato plant behaves differently depending on the farmer's mulch-and-fertilizer routine, according to an unusual analysis.

Earlier work showed that when researchers mulch with a layer of mown vetch instead of the conventional black plastic, tomato plants live longer and develop less fungal disease, says Autar Mattoo of a Department of Agriculture laboratory in Beltsville, Md