Abstract
Growers are interested in biodegradable alternatives to petroleum-based polyethylene mulch film (PEM). However, many growers cite limited knowledge about biodegradable mulch films (BDMs) as a significant barrier to adoption. Agronomic field tests of BDMs are often limited temporally or spatially, and the variability of performance results relative to PEM may be contributing to this perceived knowledge gap. Our objective was to use data available in the scientific literature to provide the first quantitative performance benchmark of BDMs against PEM. We extracted data from 66 articles for meta-analysis. Response ratios were calculated for comparison of BDMs relative to black PEM, and differences among categorical groups were determined using 95% bootstrap confidence intervals. Overall, BDMs reduced soil temperature by 4.5% ± 0.8% (±one standard error) compared to PEM, and temperatures were coolest beneath paper-based BDM. Starch-polyester BDM was less effective than PEM for weed control, but paper-based BDM reduced weed density and biomass by 85.7% ± 9.2%. Paper-based BDMs were particularly useful for controlling Cyperus spp. weeds. Despite differences in soil temperature and weed suppression, crop yields were not different between BDMs and PEM. Future research should focus on reducing costs, adding functional value, and increasing the biodegradability of BDMs.
Highlights
Agricultural mulches are characterized as a physical barrier between the soil and cultivated crop, and are most commonly used in specialty crop production, including small fruits and vegetables [1,2,3].Potential agronomic benefits of mulch include weed suppression [4], soil moisture conservation [5], reduced soil erosion [6], increased soil temperature, crop protection from insects and pathogens, and increased crop yield and quality [7]
The agronomic benefits of biodegradable mulch films (BDMs) compared to polyethylene mulch (PEM) were estimated via systematic literature review and meta-analysis of data extracted from the literature
Additional requirements for inclusion in the meta-analysis were that the article must: (i) include agronomic study of at least one BDM; (ii) include a black PEM control; (iii) include data for yield, weeds, soil moisture, and/or soil temperature for at least one BDM in comparison to PEM; (v) be published in English or Portuguese; and (vi) have full text available on-line or through the University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Summary
Agricultural mulches are characterized as a physical barrier between the soil and cultivated crop, and are most commonly used in specialty crop production, including small fruits and vegetables [1,2,3].Potential agronomic benefits of mulch include weed suppression [4], soil moisture conservation [5], reduced soil erosion [6], increased soil temperature, crop protection from insects and pathogens, and increased crop yield and quality [7]. Agricultural mulches are characterized as a physical barrier between the soil and cultivated crop, and are most commonly used in specialty crop production, including small fruits and vegetables [1,2,3]. The most common mulch used in commercial agricultural systems is polyethylene plastic film [6]. First introduced in the mid-20th century, polyethylene mulch (PEM) film revolutionized commercial production of many vegetable crops [8]. Polyethylene mulch film is popular because of its low cost, availability, and its physical properties (e.g., flexible yet durable) that allow for easy mechanical application on a commercial scale [9,10]. There are increasing concerns about PEM because it is manufactured from non-renewable petroleum-based polymers, and may contribute to environmental contamination after use [10,11]. Given the environmental limitations of PEM, considerable research and innovation efforts over the last four
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