Properties of New Biodegradable Plastics for Mulching, and Characterization of Their Degradation in the Laboratory and in the Field

Martín-Closas, L.; Pelacho, A. M.; Picuno, Pietro; Rodriguez, David

doi:10.17660/actahortic.2008.801.27

Cited by 36 publications

(31 citation statements)

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“…There is also some evidence that vegetable crop yields in paper-based mulch systems can be competitive with those in PE mulch (Jenni et al, 2004;Cirujeda et al, 2012). Unfortunately, paper-based mulches often degrade too quickly during the growing season, especially the buried edges of the mulch, leading to weed infestation and reduced crop yield (Weber, 2003;Martin-Closas et al, 2008;Miles et al, 2012;Cowan et al, 2014). Degradation of paper-based mulch can be slowed through polymerization (e.g., adding oil to the paper), but this adds considerable mess, time, and expense to the mulching operation (Shogren and Hochmuth, 2004).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Like PE, bioplastic films are typically effective in increasing soil temperatures relative to bare soil contributing to increased crop growth rate and yield (Ngouajio et al, 2008;Martin-Closas et al, 2008;Miles et al, 2012;Cowan et al, 2014). Despite the similarities, most bioplastic films have lower tensile strength and mechanical resistance compared to PE (Martin-Closas et al, 2008). As a result, bioplastic films often deteriorate faster than PE during the growing season and are more susceptible to rips, tears, and holes, which threaten its capacity for season-long weed suppression (Martin-Closas et al, 2008;Moreno and Moreno, 2008;Ngouajio et al, 2008;Waterer, 2010;Miles et al, 2012).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Assessing the potential for spunbond, nonwoven biodegradable fabric as mulches for tomato and bell pepper crops

Wortman

Kadoma

Crandall

2015

Scientia Horticulturae

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Assessing the potential for spunbond, nonwoven biodegradable fabric as mulches for tomato and bell pepper crops

Wortman

Kadoma

Crandall

2015

Scientia Horticulturae

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“…Experimental research work has showed the potential and the limitations of using biodegradable solarizing films in place of conventional thin barrier plastic films for soil disinfection (e.g. Russo et al 2005, Martin-Closas et al 2008. Recently, the first experimental biodegradable irrigation system was developed .…”

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

129

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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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“…The average service life of plastic greenhouse films depends on parameters related both to the film itself and to the environment in which the film is used (Briassoulis, 2005;Briassoulis and Schettini, 2003;Desriac, 1991; Briassoulis, 1998, 2000;Khan and Hamid, 1995;Martin-Closas et al, 2008;Ruiz et al, 2006), varying from 3-6 months, for one cultivation season, to a maximum of 3-4 years in the Mediterranean area. The ultra violet (UV) radiation in the solar spectrum absorbed by the plastic films is one of the factors that have the biggest influence on the ageing and degradation process (Nijskens et al, 1990;Dilara and Briassoulis, 1998).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of agrochemicals, ultra violet stabilisers and solar radiation on the radiometric properties of greenhouse films

Vox

Schettini

2013

J Agricult Engineer

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Agrochemicals, based on iron, sulphur and chlorine, generate by products that lead to a degradation of greenhouse films together with a decrease in their mechanical and physical properties. The degradation due to agrochemicals depends on their active principles, method and frequency of application, and greenhouse ventilation. The aim of the research was to evaluate how agrochemical contamination and solar radiation influence the radiometric properties of ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer greenhouse films by means of laboratory and field tests. The films, manufactured on purpose with the addition of different light stabiliser systems, were exposed to natural outdoor weathering at the experimental farm of the University of Bari (Italy; 41° 05' N) in the period from 2006 to 2008. Each film was tested for two low tunnels: one low tunnel was sprayed from inside with the agrochemicals containing iron, chlorine and sulphur while the other one was not sprayed and served as control. Radiometric laboratory tests were carried out on the new films and on samples taken at the end of the trials. The experimental tests showed that both the natural weathering together with the agrochemicals did not modify significantly the radiometric properties of the films in the solar and in the photosynthetically active radiation wavelength range. Within six months of experimental field tests the variations in these radiometric characteristics were at most 10%. Significant variations, up to 70% of the initial value, were recorded for the stabilised films in the long-wave infrared radiation wavelength range. IntroductionThe radiometric properties of covering greenhouse films influence both the energy balance of the greenhouse and the crop behaviour (Kittas and Baille, 1998;Papadakis et al., 2000;Vox et al., 2010). The microclimate of the protected volume modifies the growing conditions of the crop in comparison with the external climatic conditions according to the quantity and quality of the solar radiation passing through the covering. The stability over time of the radiometric properties of the film during the crop cultivation cycle is an important goal for growers.Physical and mechanical properties decrease when the plastic film covering degrades in the field by discolouration, cracking of the surface, and stiffening. The average service life of plastic greenhouse films depends on parameters related both to the film itself and to the environment in which the film is used (Briassoulis, 2005;Briassoulis and Schettini, 2003;Desriac, 1991; Briassoulis, 1998, 2000;Khan and Hamid, 1995;Martin-Closas et al., 2008;Ruiz et al., 2006), varying from 3-6 months, for one cultivation season, to a maximum of 3-4 years in the Mediterranean area. The ultra violet (UV) radiation in the solar spectrum absorbed by the plastic films is one of the factors that have the biggest influence on the ageing and degradation process (Nijskens et al., 1990;Dilara and Briassoulis, 1998). The UV radiation, especially the UV-B and UV-A radiation that occurs in the ...

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Properties of New Biodegradable Plastics for Mulching, and Characterization of Their Degradation in the Laboratory and in the Field

Cited by 36 publications

References 0 publications

Assessing the potential for spunbond, nonwoven biodegradable fabric as mulches for tomato and bell pepper crops

Assessing the potential for spunbond, nonwoven biodegradable fabric as mulches for tomato and bell pepper crops

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

Effects of agrochemicals, ultra violet stabilisers and solar radiation on the radiometric properties of greenhouse films

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