Agronomic Potential of Biopolymer Films

Martín-Closas, L.; Pelacho, A. M.

doi:10.1002/9781119994312.ch13

Cited by 15 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 57 publications

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“…A solution that could overcome these issues has been stated in a recent review on biopolymers employed in agriculture: ''… the best choice appears to be a mulch material with an outdoor service life which matches the crop duration, and which would later be incorporated by the agricultural system'' [11]. After the growing season, weathered mulches would be tilled into the soil, where they would undergo complete aerobic mineralization within a reasonable period of time (2 years).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of Simulated Weathering on Physicochemical Properties and Inherent Biodegradation of PLA/PHA Nonwoven Mulches

Hablot

Dharmalingam²,

Hayes³

et al. 2014

J Polym Environ

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The effect of simulated weathering on the physicochemical properties and biodegradability of four fully biobased and potentially biodegradable agricultural mulches prepared nonwoven textile technology, consisting of randomly oriented fibers of average diameter 7-16 lm, has been investigated. Two mulches were prepared from polylactic acid (PLA) using spunbond processing, one naturally white and the other black (SB-W and SB-B, respectively), and two via meltblown processing, from 100 % PLA and a 75/25 w/w blend of PLA and polyhydroxyalkanoate [PHA; poly (3-hydroxybutyrate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate); MB-PLA and MB-PLA?PHA, respectively]. SB-W and SB-B possessed higher tensile strength than MB-PLA and MB-PLA?PHA (56.2N, 37.1N, 8.96N, and 3.90N, respectively). Simulated weathering introduced minor changes in physicochemical properties of SBs, but enhanced inherent biodegradability, yielding 68-72 % mineralization in 90 days. Simulated weathering greatly affected the physicochemical properties of the MB mulches, particularly MB-PLA?PHA, which underwent a 95 % loss of tensile strength, 32 % decrease of weightaveraged molecular weight (from 95.4 to 70.5 kDa), and breakage of microfibers, during a 21 days weatherometry cycle. Weathering accelerated the biodegradation of both MB mulches, with the time course of biodegradation and final extent of biodegradation (91-93 % in 90 days) nearly matching the value obtained for the cellulosic positive control. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy suggested the SB and MB mulches underwent hydrolysis and photodegradative chain scission (Norrish Type II reaction). SB nonwovens may prove useful as biobased and compostable materials for multi-season mulching, and other longterm agricultural applications, such as for row covers in perennial cropping systems. MB nonwovens may be better suited for more traditional agricultural mulch applications.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of Simulated Weathering on Physicochemical Properties and Inherent Biodegradation of PLA/PHA Nonwoven Mulches

Hablot

Dharmalingam²,

Hayes³

et al. 2014

J Polym Environ

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“…Biodegradable polymers are increasingly being used today for several applications in the agricultural sector (Nayak 1999, Wang et al 2003, Gross and Kalra 2002, especially for developing agricultural films, mainly mulching films (Briassoulis 2004, Martin-Closas andPelacho 2011), but also plant pots, guide strings/nets for climbing plants, nets for agriculture and forestry (including animal nets), compost bags, etc. (Japan Environment Association 2007).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Analysis of long-term degradation behaviour of polyethylene mulching films with pro-oxidants under real cultivation and soil burial conditions

Briassoulis

Babou

Hiskakis

et al. 2014

Environ Sci Pollut Res

133

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Apart from the conventional polyethylene and the bio-based or mainly bio-based biodegradable in soil mulching films, polyethylene mulching films of controlled degradation in soil are already used in agriculture. The use of special pro-oxidants as additives is expected to accelerate the abiotic oxidation and the subsequent chain scission of the polymer under specific UV radiation or thermal degradation conditions, according to the literature. The role of pro-oxidants in the possible biodegradation of polyethylene has been theoretically supported through the use of controlled laboratory conditions. However, results obtained in real soil conditions, but also several laboratory test results, are not supporting these claims and the issue remains disputed. Mulching films made of linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) with pro-oxidants, after being used for one cultivation period in an experimental field with watermelon cultivation, were buried in the soil under real field conditions. This work presents the analysis of the degradation of the mulching films during the cultivation period as compared to the corresponding changes after a long soil burial period of 8.5 years. The combined effects of critical factors on the photochemical degradation of the degradable mulching LLDPE films with pro-oxidants under the cultivation conditions and their subsequent further degradation behaviour in the soil are analysed by testing their mechanical properties and through spectroscopic and thermal analysis.

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“…However, new materials described in detail by Martín-Closas and Pelacho (2011) and Kasirajan and Ngouajio (2012) have appeared recently due to the nondegradability of these fi lms. Most of them demonstrated satisfactory behavior in relation to weed control and crop yields (Moreno et al, 2009;Cirujeda et al, 2012).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Univariate and multivariate analysis on processing tomato quality under different mulches

Moreno

Mancebo

Tarquis

et al. 2014

Sci. agric. (Piracicaba, Braz.)

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The use of eco-friendly mulch materials as alternatives to the standard polyethylene (PE) has become increasingly prevalent worldwide. Consequently, a comparison of mulch materials from different origins is necessary to evaluate their feasibility. Several researchers have compared the effects of mulch materials on each crop variable through univariate analysis (ANOVA).However, it is important to focus on the effect of these materials on fruit quality, because this factor decisively infl uences the acceptance of the fi nal product by consumers and the industrial sector. This study aimed to analyze the information supplied by a randomized complete block experiment combined over two seasons, a principal component analysis (PCA) and a cluster analysis (CA) when studying the effects of mulch materials on the quality of processing tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.). The study focused on the variability in the quality measurements and on the determination of mulch materials with a similar response to them. A comparison of the results from both types of analysis yielded complementary information. ANOVA showed the similarity of certain materials. However, considering the totality of the variables analyzed, the fi nal interpretation was slightly complicated. PCA indicated that the juice color, the fruit fi rmness and the soluble solid content were the most infl uential factors in the total variability of a set of 12 juice and fruit variables, and CA allowed us to establish four categories of treatment: plastics (polyethylene -PE, oxo-and biodegradable materials), papers, manual weeding and barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) straw. Oxobiodegradable and PE were most closely related based on CA.

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Agronomic Potential of Biopolymer Films

Cited by 15 publications

References 57 publications

Effect of Simulated Weathering on Physicochemical Properties and Inherent Biodegradation of PLA/PHA Nonwoven Mulches

Effect of Simulated Weathering on Physicochemical Properties and Inherent Biodegradation of PLA/PHA Nonwoven Mulches

Analysis of long-term degradation behaviour of polyethylene mulching films with pro-oxidants under real cultivation and soil burial conditions

Univariate and multivariate analysis on processing tomato quality under different mulches

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