Alternative Mulches for Sustainable Greenhouse Tomato Production

Abstract

Soil mulching has advantages for horticultural crops, from both agronomic and phytosanitary points of view. The most common material used is polyethylene (PE); however, promising alternatives from the circular economy exist, such as straw (ST) and biodegradable biopolymers (BBs). The effect of the three aforementioned mulches was evaluated and compared to non-mulched soil in a Mediterranean greenhouse for two years of an organic tomato crop. Physical (moisture and temperature) and physicochemical properties of the soil, in addition to crop yield and the effect of the mulches on weed control, were assessed. Additionally, the deterioration of plastic mulches was assessed. The temperature was higher in the mulched soils, but few differences were found between soil and BB at the end of the second cycle. Evaporation was lower in mulched soil, in general, without big differences among the types of mulch. Crop yield did not show differences. At the end of the trials, of the 16 physicochemical variables evaluated, only a slight increase in pH was detected in the ST-mulched plots. BB film degradation reached 5.6% and 6.7% of the total surface at the end of the first and second cycles, respectively. Weeds were equally limited for PE, BB, and ST mulches, but cereal seeds contained within the straw germinated randomly all over the crop cycle. In summary, straw and biodegradable plastic mulches offered the same benefits as conventional PE mulch. Therefore, they can be considered a feasible and more sustainable option, in addition to being consistent with the principles of the bioeconomy.

Impact of environmental policies on the profitability of greenhouse agriculture in southeastern Spain

“…In addition, they had a plastic water storage tank with a 10‐year payback period. These techniques were evaluated in order to assess real alternatives and not just those of experimental character (Castillo‐Díaz et al, 2022a, 2022b; FER, 2017; MAPA & Cajamar, 2022; Marín‐Guirao et al, 2022). The photovoltaic self‐consumption system and sensors for water status ( datalogger with 2 tensiometers and capacitive electrical conductivity sensor) and soil nutrients (nitrates, potassium, and pH) had a payback period of 7 and 5 years, respectively.…”

“…The economic impact of sustainable food production in greenhouse agriculture based on the implementation of sustainable cultivation techniques (biodisinfection, plant debris management, use of desalinated water, use of biodegradable plastics in mulching and trellising, sensoric and photovoltaic energyin) was studied in southeastern Spain (Figure 1). These techniques were evaluated in order to assess real alternatives and not just those of experimental nature (Castillo‐Díaz, Belmonte‐Ureña, Batlles‐Delafuente, et al, 2022; Castillo‐Díaz, Belmonte‐Ureña, Camacho‐Ferre, et al, 2022; FER, 2017; MAPA & Cajamar, 2022; Marín‐Guirao et al, 2022). Protected agriculture in the province of Almería (Spain) was taken as an indicator, as it is the main area of agriculture under cover in southeastern Spain (MAPA, 2021).…”

“…The economic impact of sustainable food production in greenhouse agriculture based on the implementation of sustainable cultivation techniques (biodisinfection, plant debris management, use of desalinated water, use of biodegradable plastics in mulching and trellising, sensoric and photovoltaic energyin) was studied in southeastern Spain (Figure 1). Cajamar, 2022;Marín-Guirao et al, 2022). Protected agriculture in the province of Almería (Spain) was taken as an indicator, as it is the main area of agriculture under cover in southeastern Spain ).…”

“…The EU also stands out for having the largest number of hectares of greenhouse crops worldwide, with Spain being the first European power in this type of agricultural system, followed by Italy, Greece, and the Netherlands (Rabobank, 2017). Hence, the EU's desire to have a neutral carbon footprint by 2050 triggers a reduction or substitution of agricultural inputs such as inorganic fertilizers, fumigants, petrochemical plastics, or non‐renewable energy by other environmentally friendly alternatives: use of biomass, biodegradable plastics, photovoltaic systems, and sensoric systems (European Comission, 2019; FER, 2017; Kumar et al, 2022; MAPA & Cajamar, 2022; Marín‐Guirao et al, 2022; Salinas et al, 2020; Wilson et al, 2018).…”

Utilization of Indigenous Mulches on the Growth and Yield of Different Tomato Varieties in Catarman, Camiguin, Philippines

“…Synthetic mulch such as plastic mulch has been commonly used in vegetable production however due to its cost and difficulty in its disposal, vegetable farmers opt to find alternative. One of which is the use of indigenous or organic mulch which are locally available (Marín-Guirao et al, 2022). Organic mulches were found to be very effective for growth performance of vegetables through improved water content in the soil, heat energy and addition of organic nitrogen and minerals thereby improving the soil nutrient status (Saeed & Ahmad, 2009).…”