Environmental degradation and efficacy of a sprayable, biodegradable polymeric mulch

Borrowman, Cuyler K.; Johnston, Priscilla; Adhikari, Raju; Saito, Kei; Patti, Antonio F.

doi:10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2020.109126

Cited by 34 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 42 publications

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“…Drought and cryogenic freezing are the main meteorological disasters in the sample area, which are still the main reasons behind farmers’ DMF adoption. Compared with PE mulching, our research also confirms the applicability and advantages of DMF through farmers’ behavior response toward natural disaster shock (Borrowman et al , 2020). Our results are in alignment with the results of Deng (2019) and Kide (2014), who also proved that natural disaster shock has an “inducing” effect on farmers’ green technology adoption.…”

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 68%

“…To prevent and mitigate the adverse effects of disasters on agricultural productivity, polyethylene (PE) mulching played a vital and significant role in enhancing agricultural productivity (Li et al , 2018; Wang et al , 2009). However, the PE mulching has a highly stable molecular structure, high tensile strength and customizability, which is easy to be finely broken but is challenging to conserve the natural environment (Borrowman et al , 2020; Sintim and Flury, 2017). Residual mulch lowers the permeability of soil-water, declines the levels of soil microbial activities and soil fertility and also degenerates the soil structure and quality (Shogren, 2000; Chen et al , 2019).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Natural disaster shock, risk aversion and corn farmers’ adoption of degradable mulch film: evidence from Zhangye, China

Aziz

Liu

et al. 2021

IJCCSM

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Purpose Degradable mulch film (DMF) is a potential alternate to polyethylene (PE) mulching. In this regard, the purpose of this paper is to explore the effects and paths of natural disaster shock and risk aversion influencing farmers’ DMF adoption. Design/methodology/approach This research is conducted by collecting cross-sectional data of corn farmers in Zhangye, China. First, by using the Tobit model, the paper attempts to explore the effects of natural disaster shock and risk aversion influencing farmers’ DMF adoption. Second, IV-Tobit model is applied to deal with endogenous problems between risk aversion and DMF adoption. Additionally, the researchers used a moderating model to analyze feasible paths of natural disaster shock and risk aversion impacting farmers’ DMF adoption. Findings The outcomes show that natural disaster shock and risk aversion significantly and positively affect farmers’ DMF adoption. Though risk aversion plays a significant moderating effect in influencing farmers’ DMF adoption by natural disaster shock, the moderating effect has a serious disguising effect. By considering the heterogeneity of risk aversion, the paper further confirms that if the intensity of natural disaster shock is increased by one unit, the intensity of MDF adoption by farmers with high-risk aversion also tends to increase by 15.85%. Originality/value This study is the pioneer one, which is evaluating the intensity of farmers’ DMF adoption from adoption ratio, investment amount, labor input and adoption time. Additionally, the research provides important guidelines for policymakers to motivate medium and low-risk aversion farmers to adopt DMF.

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Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 68%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Natural disaster shock, risk aversion and corn farmers’ adoption of degradable mulch film: evidence from Zhangye, China

Aziz

Liu

et al. 2021

IJCCSM

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“…The degradation rate of biodegradable mulches depends mostly on the soil type where the biodegradable mulch is applied, as well as soil moisture content, wind, and temperature (Borrowman et al, 2020;Serrano-Ruiz et al, 2021). Plant surface (phylloplane) fungi strains can grow underneath the biodegradable mulch and form breaks along the direction of hyphal growth, indicating that the fungi release bioplastic-degrading enzymes that directly contribute to the acceleration of the degradation process (Koitabashi et al, 2012).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Degradable Mulch as an Alternative to Polyethylene for Watermelon Production

Othman

Leskovar

2022

hortte

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Polyethylene mulch is widely used for vegetable production in the United States as a tool to conserve water, control weeds, and produce earlier and cleaner products (i.e., less attached soil). However, the increasing labor costs for mulch removal and disposal after harvest and soil environmental pollution are major concerns. The objective of this study was to assess fruit yield and quality, mulch deterioration, soil microbial activity, and nutrient changes in ‘Stargazer’ watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) grown with degradable plastic mulch. The deterioration rates of degradable mulch were 7%, 37%, 57%, and 92% after 120, 210, 300, and 365 days, respectively, of placing the mulch in the field. However, the extra difference in using degradable mulch was calculated as $58.6/acre (polyethylene $600.9/acre vs. degradable $659.5/acre), including all costs associated with laying and disposing. One year after placing mulch in the field, the nitrate content and total and active fungi numerically increased (P = 0.08) in soils with the degradable mulch compared with polyethylene mulch. However, there were no statistical differences in soil phosphorus, potassium, organic carbon, and total and active bacteria. Extra-large fruit size yield (category >24.0 lb) from the polyethylene mulch treatment was higher than that from degradable mulch, whereas the 18.0- to 24.0-lb category was lower than that with degradable mulch. However, total yield and total soluble solids from both mulches were statistically similar. Considering the complete deterioration (less waste), mulch removal cost (not required), microbial associations (higher fungi abundance and activity), and similar yield and fruit quality of degradable mulch compared with polyethylene, the implementation of degradable mulches in commercial watermelon field practices is promising.

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“…Plastic films have been widely adopted in agriculture since the 1960s to increase soil temperature, reduce evaporation, and conserve water in the soil, ultimately improving plant growth [ 1 , 2 ]. Due to their excellent tensile strength and resistance to degradation, the most extensively used materials for agricultural mulching applications are polyethylenes (PEs), such as low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), and the copolymer poly(ethylene-vinyl acetate) (EVA) [ 3 , 4 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fabrication and Characterization of Degradable Crop-Straw-Fiber Composite Film Using In Situ Polymerization with Melamine–Urea–Formaldehyde Prepolymer for Agricultural Film Mulching

Qian¹,

Liu²,

Zhu³

et al. 2022

Materials

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Soil mulch composite films composed of biodegradable materials are being increasingly used in agriculture. In this study, mulch films based on wheat straw fiber and an environmentally friendly modifier were prepared via in situ polymerization and tested as the ridge mulch for crops. The mechanical properties of the straw fiber film were significantly enhanced by the modification. In particular, the films exhibited a noticeable increase in dry and wet tensile strength from 2.35 to 4.15 and 0.41 to 1.51 kN/m, respectively, with increasing filler content from 0% to 25%. The contact angle of the straw also showed an improvement based on its hydrophilicity. The crystallinity of the modified film was higher than that of the unmodified film and increased with modifier content. The changes in chemical interaction of the straw fiber film were determined by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and the thermal stability of the unmodified film was improved by in situ polymerization. Scanning electron microscopy images indicated that the modifier was uniformly dispersed in the fiber film, resulting in an improvement in its mechanical properties. The modified straw fiber films could be degraded after mulching for approximately 50 days. Overall, the superior properties of the modified straw fiber film lend it great potential for agricultural application.

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Environmental degradation and efficacy of a sprayable, biodegradable polymeric mulch

Cited by 34 publications

References 42 publications

Natural disaster shock, risk aversion and corn farmers’ adoption of degradable mulch film: evidence from Zhangye, China

Natural disaster shock, risk aversion and corn farmers’ adoption of degradable mulch film: evidence from Zhangye, China

Degradable Mulch as an Alternative to Polyethylene for Watermelon Production

Fabrication and Characterization of Degradable Crop-Straw-Fiber Composite Film Using In Situ Polymerization with Melamine–Urea–Formaldehyde Prepolymer for Agricultural Film Mulching

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