Abstract
The plastic mulch has raised a disposal issue, which has been diverting the research focus on biodegradable film as an alternative. Research was carried out in southern Italy in 2016–2017 and 2017–2018 in order to assess the effects of three crop cycles (autumn-winter, winter, spring) in factorial combination with three soil mulching types (a MaterBi biodegradable black film; a brown photoselective low density polyethylene (LDPE) film; a black-standard LDPE film) and a non-mulched control, on leaves yield, quality and antioxidants of greenhouse grown Diplotaxis tenuifolia (L.) D.C. The spring cycle was the shortest and best enhanced plant growth and yield. The non-mulched control caused an 11% yield reduction compared to the mulching treatments average (12.4 t ha−1). The soil temperature was highest under photoselective and standard LDPE films. The Soil Plant Analysis Development (SPAD) index was 17.4% higher in the leaves grown in mulched soil. Winter season and biodegradable mulch led to higher leaf dry residue and organic acids. Leaf nitrate content was highest in winter and under mulching. The spring cycle, the biodegradable and photoselective LDPE film resulted in the highest antioxidant compound content and activity. The biodegradable polymer improved leaf quality, showing suitable features for sustainable production.
Highlights
Perennial wall rocket (Diplotaxis tenuifolia (L.) D.C.) belongs to the Brassicaceae family, is currently cultivated in several agricultural areas worldwide and, in particular, on about 4800 ha in Italy based on the latest estimation in 2018 [1]
The autumn-winter crop cycle was the longest (73 days), showing more than double duration compared to the shortest spring one (35 days)
The winter crop cycle produced the highest number of leaves with the lowest mean weight and the yield was not significant different from that corresponding to the autumn-winter crops
Summary
Perennial wall rocket (Diplotaxis tenuifolia (L.) D.C.) belongs to the Brassicaceae family, is currently cultivated in several agricultural areas worldwide and, in particular, on about 4800 ha in Italy based on the latest estimation in 2018 [1]. The increasing diffusion of perennial wall rocket in the last two decades, both as a fresh-market and ready-to-use salad oriented crop, is due to its smooth and succulent leaves which meet the expectations of consumers. Plastic degradation is a complex process which is remarkably affected by the plastic composition as well as the biotic and abiotic conditions they are exposed to [13] In this respect, the biodegradable polymers offer the chance to make a sustainable choice from the environmental and crop management point of view [14,15]. The rate of biodegradation depends on different factors such as polymer characteristics (even thickness), soil and environmental conditions [13] In this respect, the films can break down too slowly, resulting in problems with persistent small fragments of residual mulch, or too quickly, leaving the crop unprotected [17]. Mater-Bi black mulch showed good performances in organic system under the Mediterranean continental climate [20]
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