Field Performance of Aliphatic-aromatic Copolyester Biodegradable Mulch Films in a Fresh Market Tomato Production System

Abstract

<jats:p>Removal and disposal of polyethylene mulch in vegetable production represents a high economic and environmental cost to society. This study was conducted in 2006 and 2007 at Michigan State University to test the field performance of new biodegradable mulches using ‘Mountain Fresh Plus’ tomato (<jats:italic>Solanum lycopersicum</jats:italic>) as a model crop. Treatments included two biodegradable mulches (black and white), each with two thicknesses (35 and 25 μm). A conventional low-density polyethylene (LDPE) mulch of 25 μm was included as a control (a mulch commonly used by vegetable growers). Data loggers were installed 2 cm into the soil under the various mulches to record soil temperature. The experiment used a randomized complete block design with four replications. The mulches were used on a raised bed, drip irrigation system. Mulch degradation, soil temperature, tomato growth, weed density, and biomass were assessed during the seasons. Tomatoes were harvested at maturity and were fruit graded according to market specifications. Results indicate that soil temperature under the biodegradable mulches was greater than that under the LPDE mulch during the first week. Starting the second week, soil temperature dropped gradually under all the biodegradable mulches. The drop in temperature was greatest with the white mulch. Due to premature breakdown of the white mulches, weed pressure was high, resulting in smaller plants with low yield in 2007. Tomato growth, yield, and fruit quality from the black mulch was equivalent to that in the LDPE mulch. Future studies will optimize biodegradability of the mulches and test mechanical laying of the black mulch under commercial production.</jats:p>

Creating Tactile Space during a University Extension Field Day Event: The Case of a Sustainable Agriculture Innovation

“…; Ngouajio et al. ; Rangarajan and Ingall ). Evidence suggests that the overall cost of some biodegradable plastic mulches for crop production may be less than polyethylene mulch because of the elimination of disposal costs (Miles et al.…”

“…Researchers have investigated the efficacy, degradation, and impacts of biodegradable mulch use on crop yield, fruit quality, and soil health (see, e.g., Li et al 2014;Ngouajio et al 2008;Rangarajan and Ingall 2006). Evidence suggests that the overall cost of some biodegradable plastic mulches for crop production may be less than polyethylene mulch because of the elimination of disposal costs (Miles et al 2007;Waterer 2010), though this may not be true for all materials (Jiang 2013;Miles and Marsh 2012).…”

Biodegradable Plastic and Fabric Mulch Performance in Field and High Tunnel Cucumber Production

“…Bioplastic films have similar physical properties to PE and are typically effective in increasing soil temperatures relative to bare soil, which contributes to increased crop growth rate and yield (Cowan et al, 2014;Martin-Closas et al, 2008;Miles et al, 2012;Ngouajio et al, 2008). In contrast, most bioplastic films have lower tensile strength and mechanical resistance compared with PE (Martin-Closas et al, 2008).…”

Post‐yield Fracture Mechanics as a Measure of the Degradation of Artificially Aged Biodegradable Mulch Films

“…One of the most important fields for applying such polymer materials is the agriculture sector. For instance, poly(butylene adipate‐ co ‐terephthalate) (PBAT), a synthetic biodegradable copolyester, and blends comprising PBAT with different kinds of polymers as well as filled/reinforced PBAT systems have been extensively investigated . For agriculture purposes, PBAT was blended with different polymers (such as poly[lactide acid] [PLA], polyhydroxybutyrate [PBT], poly[propylene carbonate] [PPC], starch, chitosan) and filled with different fillers (such as carbon black, CaCO 3 ).…”

“…Biodegradable PBAT‐based mulch films are used to protect the plants and to harvest the crop earlier . After their use for farming purpose, the films ideally degrade completely at the fields and need not to be collected and disposed.…”