Abstract
Mulching is used to improve the condition of agricultural soils by covering the soil with different materials, mainly black polyethylene (PE). However, problems derived from its use are how to remove it from the field and, in the case of it remaining in the soil, the possible effects on it. One possible solution is to use biodegradable plastic (BD) or paper (PP), as mulch, which could present an alternative, reducing nonrecyclable waste and decreasing the environmental pollution associated with it. Determination of mulch residues in the ground is one of the basic requirements to estimate the potential of each material to degrade. This study has the goal of evaluating the residue of several mulch materials over a crop campaign in Central Spain through image analysis. Color images were acquired under similar lighting conditions at the experimental field. Different thresholding methods were applied to binarize the histogram values of the image saturation plane in order to show the best contrast between soil and mulch. Then the percentage of white pixels (i.e., soil area) was used to calculate the mulch deterioration. A comparison of thresholding methods and the different mulch materials based on percentage of bare soil area obtained is shown.
Highlights
Mulching is a method of improving the condition of agricultural soils by covering the soil surface with different kinds of materials
A comparison of thresholding methods and the different mulch materials based on percentage of bare soil area obtained is shown
A major problem derived from its use is how to remove it from the field and how it can be completely done [2], because the useful life of plastic materials exceeds the duration of crop cycles, and they are usually left in the soil afterward
Summary
Mulching is a method of improving the condition of agricultural soils by covering the soil surface with different kinds of materials For this purpose, black polyethylene (PE), a petroleum-based plastic, is the most used due to its low price and the positive effects on crop yields [1, 2]. Feuilloley et al [4] found that it is difficult to foresee the accumulative effects of PE fragments and the impact of the repeated use of these PE films on the environment In this context, the microfragments derived from the buried pieces are electrically charged and their impact, if accumulated, on the argilo-humic complex is unknown. These substances contain different complexes of transition metals, Fe, Co, and Mn [5], with the environmental risk associated with soil heavy metal accumulation
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
