Characterization of sprayable mulch film from yam nagara starch for agricultural application

Abstract

The conventional mulch film generally produced from plastic to control of weed in agriculture activities. Nevertheless, the used of conventional mulch film has impact to pollute the environment, due to non-degradable. Therefore, mulch film from natural material derived yam nagara starch can be alternative to substitute the conventional mulch film that more eco-friendly. The aims of this study are to fabricate and characterization of mulch film from yam nagara starch which prepared by sprayed technique. The yam nagara starch prepared from local sweet potato varieties (Ipomoea batatas L) of Nagara, South Kalimantan. Fabrication of mulch film was conducted by mixed yam nagara starch with varied composition (0.25-0.75 wt%), hydrolysed keratin of chicken feather, corn gluten meal (CGM), acetate acid, and carbon black. The final solution of yam nagara mulch film was applied on top soil as plant medium using compressor spray gun and left to dry for 24 h. Furthermore, the sprayable mulch films were characterized by several parameters i.e., FTIR, water solubility, water uptake, tensile strength and elongation. Sprayable mulch film from yam nagara starch were successfully fabricated for agriculture application. The results show the sprayable mulch film with composition of 0.75 wt% yam nagara starch obtain a good plastic-like characteristics and may be affordable to be degraded due to easily to can soluble with water and high-water uptake properties. In other hand, sprayable mulch film from yam nagara starch in this work affordable to restrains weeds of the chilli plants for agriculture application.