Disparity between the Terms “Biodegradability” and “Biobased” Pertaining to Biodegradable Mulch Films
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“Biobased” and “biodegradable” are essential and helpful terms when it comes to understanding biodegradable mulch films, yet these terms are often poorly misunderstood, hence miscommunicated. This fact sheet differentiates these terms and others related to biodegradable plastic.
(PDF)
Paper Mulch for Nutsdedge Control in Vegetable Production
Mulches provide crop production benefits, including weed control. However, nutsedge can be a very destructive weed that will break through both polyethylene and biodegradable plastic mulch. Paper mulch prevents nutsedge emergence, providing growers with a mulch that can be used when nutsedge control is needed
(PDF)
The Economic Feasibility of Adopting Plastic Biodegradable Mulches in Pumpkin Production
This factsheet provides a budget analysis of the net change in profit from use of biodegradable plastic mulch in the production of pumpkins, with focus on the balance between cost savings in labor and disposal and cost increase from biodegradable mulch use.
(PDF)
Micro- and Nanoplastics in Soil: Should We Be Concerned?
This factsheet addresses accumulation of micro- and nanoplastics in terrestrial environments, including agricultural soil, which has received little attention compared to plastics in marine environments. Plastics are used routinely in agriculture, and biodegradable plastic mulches may reduce future additions of micro- and nanoplastics to agricultural soil.
(PDF)
On-Farm Biodegradable Mulch Case Study: Boxx Berry Farm
This case study report documents the experience of a western Washington farm when growers tried out biodegradable plastic mulch alongside polyethylene mulch and paper mulch in their cut flower production.
(PDF)
The Role of Standards for Use of Biodegradable Plastic Mulches: Truth and Myths
Understanding standards is key to understanding how biodegradable plastic mulches are regulated and expected to perform. However, the multitude of different standards for these products have produced some misunderstandings. After explaining what standards are and how society uses them, we clarify the content of various standards related to biodegradable plastic mulches and summarize their objectives and limitations.
(PDF)
On-Farm Biodegradable Mulch Case Study: Cloudview Farm – Washington State
Following a trial of four types of mulches, the farm operators of Cloudview Farm concluded that biodegradable plastic mulches were a useful alternative to polyethylene (conventional plastic) mulch, but they had concerns about aesthetics and soil health over time.
(PDF)
On-Farm Biodegradable Mulch Case Study: Omache Farm – Washington State
This is the inaugural report of a series of case studies of farms that have field-tested biodegradable mulches. The Omache Farm operators preferred polyethylene (convential plastic) mulch over paper, and biodegradable plastic mulch over polyethylene plastic mulch. Reasons included weed control, labor, and plant growth.
(PDF)
Soil Sampling Method to Assess the Amount of Mulch Fragments in the Field after Tillage
A method to estimate the amount of visible mulch fragments in the soil is presented. This method does not measure the rate or extent of biodegradation, but it does assess the initial stage of mulch degradation after soil incorporation.
(PDF)
Impact of Biodegradable Plastic Mulch on Specialty Crop Production
Research on the efficacy of biodegradable plastic mulches (BDMs) has focused on its effects in vegetable and fruit crop production systems. This summary of research results provides a quick reference to the scientific literature on the use of BDM for vegetable and fruit crops. For some crops, several studies have been carried out in production systems around the world, and findings may vary.
(PDF)
Important Considerations for the Use of Biodegradable Mulch in Crop Production
This Washington State University factsheet reviews factors to consider when considering use of biodegradable plastic mulch, such as the amount needed, installation procedures, and labor savings at end-of-season relative to use of conventional polyethylene mulch.
(PDF)
A Summary and Assessment of EN-17033:2018, A New Standard for Biodegradable Plastic Mulch Films
A European Union standard for biodegradable plastic mulch was enacted in January 2018. The standard imposes biodegradation requirements for biodegradable plastic mulch or its constituents and establishes the standardized laboratory testing processes to determine if the product meets the requirements. Issues that remain, but which can be addressed by additional research, are identified.
(PDF)
Mulch Calculator
An interactive “mulch calculator” assists farmers in determining the quantity of mulch needed and provides cost comparison to polyethylene plastic mulch.
(PDF) – (EXCEL)
The Economics of Adopting Biodegradable Plastic Mulch Films
The questions farmers should ask and have answered when considering adoption of biodegradable plastic mulch are the focus of this University of Tennessee fact sheet. Product cost, disposal cost, end-of-season labor implications, and other economic factors are addressed.
(PDF)
Biodegradable Plastic Mulch and Suitability for Sustainable and Organic Agriculture
Biodegradable plastic mulch (BDM) offers crop production benefits similar to polyethylene (PE) mulch but is designed to be tilled into the soil after use, thereby eliminating waste and disposal challenges associated with PE mulch use. This Washington State University fact sheet explains the use of plastic mulch in agriculture, what plastic BDMs are made from, and what constitutes biodegradability. It also provides information about the suitability of plastic BDM for organic agriculture.
(PDF)
Oxo-degradable Plastics Risk Environmental Pollution
Oxo-degradable plastic mulch is a re-emerging alternative to biodegradable plastic mulch and conventional plastic mulch. However, oxo-degradable plastic is not biodegradable in field conditions; fragments will remain in the soil or surrounding environment for decades, where they become micro or nano particles that are pollutants in soil and water systems. There is a call to ban oxo-degradable plastic packaging in the U.S. and EU because it poses risk to our environment.
(PDF)
Soil Fumigation and Biodegradable Plastic Mulch
Biodegradable mulches are not EPA-approved tarps for soil fumigation. This fact sheet explains the limitations of biodegradable mulch use in soil fumigation systems.
(PDF)
Use of Plastic Mulch Films in U.S. Strawberry Production: Results from a Multi-State Survey about U.S. Strawberry Growers’ Perceptions and Experiences of Plastic Mulch Films
Strawberry growers often use polyethylene plastic mulch films and, consequently, may be potential early adopters of biodegradable plastic mulch films. The report presents the results of a survey of strawberry growers that assesses this potential, as well as opinions about conventional and biodegradable plastic mulch and information about strawberry production practices and farm decision making.
(PDF)
Plastic Mulch in Fruit and Vegetable Production: Challenges for Disposal
Plastic mulch provides many benefits to growers, but is it sustainable? This fact sheet gives a brief overview of how polyethylene (PE) mulch is being disposed of currently and what sustainable options are available.
(PDF)
Soil Carbon and Biodegradable Mulches
Soil carbon, in the form of living microbes, litter and humus, provides many benefits to crop growth. This fact sheet provides a basic overview of soil carbon and addresses how the USDA Specialty Crop Research project, Performance and Adoptability of Biodgradable Mulch for Sustainable Specialty Crop Production, will determine how biodegradable plastic mulches are contributing to soil carbon.
(PDF)
Dimensions and Costs of Paper, Polyethylene and Biodegradable Plastic Mulch
This Washington State University factsheet provides an overview of mulch roll dimensions, weights, costs, and number of rolls needed per acre based on bed spacing.
(PDF)
Mechanically Laying Biodegradable Paper and Plastic Mulch
This Washington State University factsheet offers brief instructions on laying paper and plastic mulch film using raised bed mulch layers.
(PDF)
Finding Out How Biodegradable Plastic Mulches Change Over Time
The methods to assess and quantify deterioration and biodegredation of biodegradable plastic mulches are explained in this fact sheet. The USDA Specialty Crops Research project, Performance and Adoptability of Biodegradable Mulch for Sustainable Specialty Crop Production, is using these methods to assess the performance of biodegradable plastic mulches.
(PDF)
What Is an Endophyte?
Currently, there’s a wide variety of mulch used in agriculture to improve the quality of the land and crops. Among them are biodegradable mulch, which is becoming increasingly popular thanks to their characteristics that make them more economically efficient and environmentally friendly. In this article, we’ll talk about their advantages and disadvantages, and the details that make them special when compared to other types of plastics.
These are plastic films that can biodegrade as a result of the action of microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi or algae. The biodegradation process produces carbon dioxide, water, inorganic compounds and biomass, which are not only harmless to the soil and crops, but also an additional source of fertilization, although limited, of course.
It’s important to make a distinction with oxo-degradable plastics, which are manufactured from conventional polyethene with oxo-fragmentable additives that break down the polyethene into small pieces, thus favouring the contamination of agricultural soils with microplastics.
For some years now, there has been an increase in campaigns focused on raising awareness among the population regarding the importance of reducing the use of plastics and products that contain them. As a result of that, more companies and agricultural producers are looking for alternatives that allow them to use mulching that, aside from being more environmentally friendly, allows them to maintain the quality of the products they grow.
One of the best alternatives is biodegradable mulch, since, although many of these plastics are made from polymers, they can biodegrade and serve as a compostable material to reduce environmental impact as they end up being incorporated into the soil.
In addition to the action exerted by microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi or algae, the degradation of biodegradable mulch is caused by the intervention of diverse factors such as climate (relative humidity, rain, temperature…), solar radiation received and the growing season among others, so farmers are attentive to establish the most appropriate time for ploughing, which will end the degradation process.
Now, before using biodegradable mulching, an exhaustive analysis or specific tests must be made to determine whether the intended use of the plastic is appropriate, thus guaranteeing the expected useful life of the film.
Like all products that have positive qualities and bring benefits to farmland, there are certain disadvantages to consider when choosing biodegradable mulches.
Although the disadvantages of these mulches are directly related to the degradation process, these are outweighed by the benefits they offer to crops. Today, there is a great diversity of fruits and vegetables that are cultivated with biodegradable mulch, for example, bell peppers, tomatoes, eggplants, zucchini, watermelons, melons or cantaloupe and lettuce.
Among the market’s innovations are black micro-perforated mulches for the specific cultivation of asparagus, black/white natural mulch for melon or cantaloupe cultivation and clear mulch for corn. For further information, we recommend reading our article on biodegradable films in agriculture: advantages, disadvantages and their different applications.
When choosing which type of mulch to use, it’s necessary to analyse certain aspects. One of them is the cost, however, it is not all about the price of the plastic, it is also important to consider its characteristics and the benefits it brings to the soil.
According to Javier Pery, Product Manager, and Sara Erlbacher, Export Sales, members of the Armando Alvarez Group, several factors make up the final and total cost of biodegradable or polyethene mulch such as:
For more information, we recommend watching our Webinar on biodegradable mulching: benefits and profitability.
Once the grower has decided to use biodegradable plastic mulch on his crops, one of the first aspects to know is what type of mulch to use.
Biodegradable plastic mulch must comply with the standard EN 17033:2018 or be certified as OK Biodegradable Soil. This is one way to ensure its proper performance in the cultivation soil.
The selection of plastic mulch will depend on the type of soil, the type of crop in which it will be used, and the climatic conditions of each region.
It is always advisable to carry out prior studies of the aspects mentioned above, as well as to consult your distributor to find out the best solution in each case before acquiring a particular type of mulch.
This is certainly one of the aspects that should not be neglected because biodegradable mulches will have a better performance depending on the condition of the soil and the conducive conditions that are created.
The soil should be prepared in advance to prevent leaving behind stones or other sharp and protruding objects that could stick out of the ground and damage the plastic.
Growers must be very careful to avoid installing plastic mulch on soils with high moisture levels or, on the contrary, when organic fertilizer has been incorporated into them to avoid the premature degradation of the mulch.
It’s important to be very careful to avoid placing the plastic immediately after the application of organic fertilizers. The ideal scenario is to wait at least four weeks to ensure that no residues remain, otherwise they may accelerate the biodegradation of the biodegradable mulch as a result of microbial activity associated with the fertilizer.
The installation of biodegradable mulch is a standard procedure that doesn’t require special machinery, so the same equipment can be used when laying conventional polyethene mulch.
However, it’s important to reduce the film tension and machine speed when placing the biodegradable mulch to avoid tearing or deterioration due to excessive stretching.
It is recommended that growers preparing the land for the placement of the mulch dig a small trench or furrow where they can place the irrigation tape so that it doesn’t come into direct contact with the plastic film, avoiding possible burning of the drip lines.
It’s also necessary to work on non-compacted soil to avoid the risk of breakage of the plastic with the sharp clods or stones that may be present in the soil. For more information on this subject, we recommend you read the following article.
The long-awaited moment has arrived: planting, and to do so it is best to proceed immediately after having placed the biodegradable mulch, so you can take full advantage of all its benefits.
Keep in mind that planting should never exceed 4 days after the installation of the plastic since premature degradation by solar radiation may occur and the properties of the film would no longer be the same.
It should be remembered that the use of biodegradable plastic mulch doesn’t imply variations in water consumption, irrigation flow, or changes regarding a conventional plastic material.
Due to the special characteristics of this type of film, it is recommended to store biodegradable mulch in a warehouse that’s properly conditioned to protect it from humidity, sunlight and other heat sources that may compromise its integrity and quality, as well as to try to keep it in its original packaging.
One of the recommendations always made to growers is to use the mulch in the same crop season, once purchased, even though plastic mulch rolls can be stored and kept for a reasonable period of time.
However, it all depends on whether the plastics are properly stored and protected according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Improper handling during storage can cause damage to the core or to the plastic sheet, compromising its integrity and affecting the unwinding process.
As we have mentioned, the degradation of a plastic mulch with biodegradable qualities will depend on factors such as climate, temperature, microbiological agents in the soil, humidity, and handling. However, once cultivation is finished the plastic can be left in the soil to finish degrading completely.
“Its final biodegradation will be favored if it is broken into small pieces, using a disk harrow or similar, and if the remains are buried, using a milling machine pass or chute. Also, favoring the activity of microorganisms through the contribution of organic matter and moisture will facilitate the biodegradation process, for example, with subsequent cultivation of green or horticultural manure,” according to the information reflected in the Plasticulture Workshop conducted between Earth University and Armando Alvarez Group.
Although more growers and companies are leaning towards the use of biodegradable mulch, there are still some who have doubts about it. The following is a brief comparison of biodegradable films and conventional polyethene films.
When deciding which mulch to use, we should not only consider the purchase price of the plastic because several factors make up the total cost as we mentioned before.
After comparing both plastics, it is evident that, although more expensive, the biodegradable mulch saves much more money in terms of labour costs in the long term, especially at the time of removing the conventional plastics and disposing of them at the end of the harvest.
Installing the biodegradable mulch can be done with the same equipment as traditional plastic mulches, while the plastic waste that is collected and disposed of at the end of the crop cycle is reduced to zero, as it simply remains to be ploughed along with the rest of the soil and vegetation.
Plastic biodegradation doesn’t cause soil contamination and reduces global greenhouse gas emissions significantly.
There may be differences in quality between biodegradable mulching from different manufacturers, as each company involved in their production will have different technologies, knowledge and raw materials that will result in better performing end products.
The degradation time may vary according to the factors influencing biodegradable mulches. For example:
Hence the importance of knowing how to choose the mulching that suits your needs.
The competitiveness of using mulching, biodegradable or not, will depend on factors such as production costs, purchase prices of necessary inputs or logistics. Usually, the more larger the production area, the better the economic payback conditions.
As these are biodegradable mulching, made from biopolymers, it’s important to know that their mechanical properties are a little lower, so applying the mulching with excessive tension may cause breakage. Therefore, it is recommended to reduce the tension during the installation of this type of mulching.
Once the crop is harvested, you can cultivate immediately in the same area, unless something unexpected that requires additional attention happens with the soil. The pigments used in the production of biodegradable films are also biodegradable and completely harmless.
Disparity between the Terms “Biodegradability” and “Biobased” Pertaining to Biodegradable Mulch Films
“Biobased” and “biodegradable” are essential and helpful terms when it comes to understanding biodegradable mulch films, yet these terms are often poorly misunderstood, hence miscommunicated. This fact sheet differentiates these terms and others related to biodegradable plastic.
(PDF)
Paper Mulch for Nutsdedge Control in Vegetable Production
Mulches provide crop production benefits, including weed control. However, nutsedge can be a very destructive weed that will break through both polyethylene and biodegradable plastic mulchbiodegradable plastic mulch. Paper mulch prevents nutsedge emergence, providing growers with a mulch that can be used when nutsedge control is needed
(PDF)
The Economic Feasibility of Adopting Plastic Biodegradable Mulches in Pumpkin Production
This factsheet provides a budget analysis of the net change in profit from use of biodegradable plastic mulch in the production of pumpkins, with focus on the balance between cost savings in labor and disposal and cost increase from biodegradable mulch use.
(PDF)
Micro- and Nanoplastics in Soil: Should We Be Concerned?
This factsheet addresses accumulation of micro- and nanoplastics in terrestrial environments, including agricultural soil, which has received little attention compared to plastics in marine environments. Plastics are used routinely in agriculture, and biodegradable plastic mulches may reduce future additions of micro- and nanoplastics to agricultural soil.
(PDF)
On-Farm Biodegradable Mulch Case Study: Boxx Berry Farm
This case study report documents the experience of a western Washington farm when growers tried out biodegradable plastic mulch alongside polyethylene mulch and paper mulch in their cut flower production.
(PDF)
The Role of Standards for Use of Biodegradable Plastic Mulches: Truth and Myths
Understanding standards is key to understanding how biodegradable plastic mulches are regulated and expected to perform. However, the multitude of different standards for these products have produced some misunderstandings. After explaining what standards are and how society uses them, we clarify the content of various standards related to biodegradable plastic mulches and summarize their objectives and limitations.
(PDF)
On-Farm Biodegradable Mulch Case Study: Cloudview Farm – Washington State
Following a trial of four types of mulches, the farm operators of Cloudview Farm concluded that biodegradable plastic mulches were a useful alternative to polyethylene (conventional plastic) mulch, but they had concerns about aesthetics and soil health over time.
(PDF)
On-Farm Biodegradable Mulch Case Study: Omache Farm – Washington State
This is the inaugural report of a series of case studies of farms that have field-tested biodegradable mulches. The Omache Farm operators preferred polyethylene (convential plastic) mulch over paper, and biodegradable plastic mulch over polyethylene plastic mulch. Reasons included weed control, labor, and plant growth.
(PDF)
Soil Sampling Method to Assess the Amount of Mulch Fragments in the Field after Tillage
A method to estimate the amount of visible mulch fragments in the soil is presented. This method does not measure the rate or extent of biodegradation, but it does assess the initial stage of mulch degradation after soil incorporation.
(PDF)
Impact of Biodegradable Plastic Mulch on Specialty Crop Production
Research on the efficacy of biodegradable plastic mulches (BDMs) has focused on its effects in vegetable and fruit crop production systems. This summary of research results provides a quick reference to the scientific literature on the use of BDM for vegetable and fruit crops. For some crops, several studies have been carried out in production systems around the world, and findings may vary.
(PDF)
Important Considerations for the Use of Biodegradable Mulch in Crop Production
This Washington State University factsheet reviews factors to consider when considering use of biodegradable plastic mulch, such as the amount needed, installation procedures, and labor savings at end-of-season relative to use of conventional polyethylene mulch.
(PDF)
A Summary and Assessment of EN-17033:2018, A New Standard for Biodegradable Plastic Mulch Films
A European Union standard for biodegradable plastic mulch was enacted in January 2018. The standard imposes biodegradation requirements for biodegradable plastic mulch or its constituents and establishes the standardized laboratory testing processes to determine if the product meets the requirements. Issues that remain, but which can be addressed by additional research, are identified.
(PDF)
Mulch Calculator
An interactive “mulch calculator” assists farmers in determining the quantity of mulch needed and provides cost comparison to polyethylene plastic mulch.
(PDF) – (EXCEL)
The Economics of Adopting Biodegradable Plastic Mulch Films
The questions farmers should ask and have answered when considering adoption of biodegradable plastic mulch are the focus of this University of Tennessee fact sheet. Product cost, disposal cost, end-of-season labor implications, and other economic factors are addressed.
(PDF)
Biodegradable Plastic Mulch and Suitability for Sustainable and Organic Agriculture
Biodegradable plastic mulch (BDM) offers crop production benefits similar to polyethylene (PE) mulch but is designed to be tilled into the soil after use, thereby eliminating waste and disposal challenges associated with PE mulch use. This Washington State University fact sheet explains the use of plastic mulch in agriculture, what plastic BDMs are made from, and what constitutes biodegradability. It also provides information about the suitability of plastic BDM for organic agriculture.
(PDF)
Oxo-degradable Plastics Risk Environmental Pollution
Oxo-degradable plastic mulch is a re-emerging alternative to biodegradable plastic mulch and conventional plastic mulch. However, oxo-degradable plastic is not biodegradable in field conditions; fragments will remain in the soil or surrounding environment for decades, where they become micro or nano particles that are pollutants in soil and water systems. There is a call to ban oxo-degradable plastic packaging in the U.S. and EU because it poses risk to our environment.
(PDF)
Soil Fumigation and Biodegradable Plastic Mulch
Biodegradable mulches are not EPA-approved tarps for soil fumigation. This fact sheet explains the limitations of biodegradable mulch use in soil fumigation systems.
(PDF)
Use of Plastic Mulch Films in U.S. Strawberry Production: Results from a Multi-State Survey about U.S. Strawberry Growers’ Perceptions and Experiences of Plastic Mulch Films
Strawberry growers often use polyethylene plastic mulch films and, consequently, may be potential early adopters of biodegradable plastic mulch films. The report presents the results of a survey of strawberry growers that assesses this potential, as well as opinions about conventional and biodegradable plastic mulch and information about strawberry production practices and farm decision making.
(PDF)
Plastic Mulch in Fruit and Vegetable Production: Challenges for Disposal
Plastic mulch provides many benefits to growers, but is it sustainable? This fact sheet gives a brief overview of how polyethylene (PE) mulch is being disposed of currently and what sustainable options are available.
(PDF)
Soil Carbon and Biodegradable Mulches
Soil carbon, in the form of living microbes, litter and humus, provides many benefits to crop growth. This fact sheet provides a basic overview of soil carbon and addresses how the USDA Specialty Crop Research project, Performance and Adoptability of Biodgradable Mulch for Sustainable Specialty Crop Production, will determine how biodegradable plastic mulches are contributing to soil carbon.
(PDF)
Dimensions and Costs of Paper, Polyethylene and Biodegradable Plastic Mulch
This Washington State University factsheet provides an overview of mulch roll dimensions, weights, costs, and number of rolls needed per acre based on bed spacing.
(PDF)
Mechanically Laying Biodegradable Paper and Plastic Mulch
This Washington State University factsheet offers brief instructions on laying paper and plastic mulch film using raised bed mulch layers.
(PDF)
Finding Out How Biodegradable Plastic Mulches Change Over Time
The methods to assess and quantify deterioration and biodegredation of biodegradable plastic mulches are explained in this fact sheet. The USDA Specialty Crops Research project, Performance and Adoptability of Biodegradable Mulch for Sustainable Specialty Crop Production, is using these methods to assess the performance of biodegradable plastic mulches.
(PDF)
What Is an Endophyte?
Endophytes are organisms that exist in association with plant hosts, in foliage and/or roots. These relationships range from symbiotic to pathogenic. This fact sheet describes what endophytes are and how they contribute to overall plant health. Future research will explore the role of endophytes in cropping systems that use biodegradable mulch.
(PDF)
What Is the Technology Adoption Working Group and Why Is It Necessary?
The Technology Adoption Working Group of the USDA SCRI project focused on biodegradable mulches gathers information on grower experiences and opinions to share with the scientists designing and testing biodegradable plastic mulch products.
(PDF)
Biodegradable Plastic Mulch in Organic Vegetable Production Systems
This presentation offers an overview of biodegradable plastic mulch, an update on its status with respect to organic production systems, and preliminary results of one year of field testing conducted by the USDA SCRI research project, Performance and Adoptability of Biodegradable Plastic Mulch for Sustainable Specialty Crop Production.
(PDF)
Biodegradation – Putting Biology to Work
Biodegradation is the process by which microorganisms decompose compounds. These microbes are key to breaking down biodegradable mulches when they are tilled into the soil. Learn more through this fact sheet.
(PDF)
What Is Soil Quality and How Is It Measured?
This fact sheet provides an overview of the physical, chemical and biological soil properties measured to determine soil quality and changes to it. Soil quality is a measure of how well a soil provides nutrients and water for plants and other organisms, cleans and filters water, and recycles essential plant nutrients.
(PDF)
Why Grow Pumpkins in a Biodegradable Mulch Field Study?
This paper explains the selection of pumpkins for the USDA SCRI project in which we are assessing the performance of biodegradable mulches in crop production.
(PDF)
Biodegradable Mulch Film for Organic Production Systems
This fact sheet outlines the rule established by the USDA-AMS National Organic Program defining requirements for a mulch film to be considered biodegradable and biobased.
(PDF)
Glossary of Terms Related to Biodegradable Mulch Films
With terms from “additive” to “transdisciplinary” and lots in between, this resource helps the user navigate the terminology associated with biodegradable plastic mulches and the USDA SCRI project studying their performance and adoptability.
(PDF)
Biodegradable Mulch Products
This resource identifies commercially available biodegradable mulch products, including paper and plastic types. The list is intended to help identify sources of mulch products and relevant contact information. It is neither exhaustive nor intended to be an endorsement of any product.
Currently, there’s a wide variety of mulch used in agriculture to improve the quality of the land and crops. Among them are biodegradable mulch, which is becoming increasingly popular thanks to their characteristics that make them more economically efficient and environmentally friendly. In this article, we’ll talk about their advantages and disadvantages, and the details that make them special when compared to other types of plastics.
These are plastic films that can biodegrade as a result of the action of microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi or algae. The biodegradation process produces carbon dioxide, water, inorganic compounds and biomass, which are not only harmless to the soil and crops, but also an additional source of fertilization, although limited, of course.
It’s important to make a distinction with oxo-degradable plastics, which are manufactured from conventional polyethene with oxo-fragmentable additives that break down the polyethene into small pieces, thus favouring the contamination of agricultural soils with microplastics.
For some years now, there has been an increase in campaigns focused on raising awareness among the population regarding the importance of reducing the use of plastics and products that contain them. As a result of that, more companies and agricultural producers are looking for alternatives that allow them to use mulching that, aside from being more environmentally friendly, allows them to maintain the quality of the products they grow.
One of the best alternatives is biodegradable mulch, since, although many of these plastics are made from polymers, they can biodegrade and serve as a compostable material to reduce environmental impact as they end up being incorporated into the soil.
In addition to the action exerted by microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi or algae, the degradation of biodegradable mulch is caused by the intervention of diverse factors such as climate (relative humidity, rain, temperature…), solar radiation received and the growing season among others, so farmers are attentive to establish the most appropriate time for ploughing, which will end the degradation process.
Now, before using biodegradable mulching, an exhaustive analysis or specific tests must be made to determine whether the intended use of the plastic is appropriate, thus guaranteeing the expected useful life of the film.
Like all products that have positive qualities and bring benefits to farmland, there are certain disadvantages to consider when choosing biodegradable mulches.
Although the disadvantages of these mulches are directly related to the degradation process, these are outweighed by the benefits they offer to crops. Today, there is a great diversity of fruits and vegetables that are cultivated with biodegradable mulch, for example, bell peppers, tomatoes, eggplants, zucchini, watermelons, melons or cantaloupe and lettuce.
Among the market’s innovations are black micro-perforated mulches for the specific cultivation of asparagus, black/white natural mulch for melon or cantaloupe cultivation and clear mulch for corn. For further information, we recommend reading our article on biodegradable films in agriculture: advantages, disadvantages and their different applications.
When choosing which type of mulch to use, it’s necessary to analyse certain aspects. One of them is the cost, however, it is not all about the price of the plastic, it is also important to consider its characteristics and the benefits it brings to the soil.
According to Javier Pery, Product Manager, and Sara Erlbacher, Export Sales, members of the Armando Alvarez Group, several factors make up the final and total cost of biodegradable or polyethene mulch such as:
For more information, we recommend watching our Webinar on biodegradable mulching: benefits and profitability.
Once the grower has decided to use biodegradable plastic mulch on his crops, one of the first aspects to know is what type of mulch to use.
Biodegradable plastic mulch must comply with the standard EN 17033:2018 or be certified as OK Biodegradable Soil. This is one way to ensure its proper performance in the cultivation soil.
The selection of plastic mulch will depend on the type of soil, the type of crop in which it will be used, and the climatic conditions of each region.
It is always advisable to carry out prior studies of the aspects mentioned above, as well as to consult your distributor to find out the best solution in each case before acquiring a particular type of mulch.
This is certainly one of the aspects that should not be neglected because biodegradable mulches will have a better performance depending on the condition of the soil and the conducive conditions that are created.
The soil should be prepared in advance to prevent leaving behind stones or other sharp and protruding objects that could stick out of the ground and damage the plastic.
Growers must be very careful to avoid installing plastic mulch on soils with high moisture levels or, on the contrary, when organic fertilizer has been incorporated into them to avoid the premature degradation of the mulch.
It’s important to be very careful to avoid placing the plastic immediately after the application of organic fertilizers. The ideal scenario is to wait at least four weeks to ensure that no residues remain, otherwise they may accelerate the biodegradation of the biodegradable mulch as a result of microbial activity associated with the fertilizer.
The installation of biodegradable mulch is a standard procedure that doesn’t require special machinery, so the same equipment can be used when laying conventional polyethene mulch.
However, it’s important to reduce the film tension and machine speed when placing the biodegradable mulch to avoid tearing or deterioration due to excessive stretching.
It is recommended that growers preparing the land for the placement of the mulch dig a small trench or furrow where they can place the irrigation tape so that it doesn’t come into direct contact with the plastic film, avoiding possible burning of the drip lines.
It’s also necessary to work on non-compacted soil to avoid the risk of breakage of the plastic with the sharp clods or stones that may be present in the soil. For more information on this subject, we recommend you read the following article.
The long-awaited moment has arrived: planting, and to do so it is best to proceed immediately after having placed the biodegradable mulch, so you can take full advantage of all its benefits.
Keep in mind that planting should never exceed 4 days after the installation of the plastic since premature degradation by solar radiation may occur and the properties of the film would no longer be the same.
It should be remembered that the use of biodegradable plastic mulch doesn’t imply variations in water consumption, irrigation flow, or changes regarding a conventional plastic material.
Due to the special characteristics of this type of film, it is recommended to store biodegradable mulch in a warehouse that’s properly conditioned to protect it from humidity, sunlight and other heat sources that may compromise its integrity and quality, as well as to try to keep it in its original packaging.
One of the recommendations always made to growers is to use the mulch in the same crop season, once purchased, even though plastic mulch rolls can be stored and kept for a reasonable period of time.
However, it all depends on whether the plastics are properly stored and protected according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Improper handling during storage can cause damage to the core or to the plastic sheet, compromising its integrity and affecting the unwinding process.
As we have mentioned, the degradation of a plastic mulch with biodegradable qualities will depend on factors such as climate, temperature, microbiological agents in the soil, humidity, and handling. However, once cultivation is finished the plastic can be left in the soil to finish degrading completely.
“Its final biodegradation will be favored if it is broken into small pieces, using a disk harrow or similar, and if the remains are buried, using a milling machine pass or chute. Also, favoring the activity of microorganisms through the contribution of organic matter and moisture will facilitate the biodegradation process, for example, with subsequent cultivation of green or horticultural manure,” according to the information reflected in the Plasticulture Workshop conducted between Earth University and Armando Alvarez Group.
Although more growers and companies are leaning towards the use of biodegradable mulch, there are still some who have doubts about it. The following is a brief comparison of biodegradable films and conventional polyethene films.
When deciding which mulch to use, we should not only consider the purchase price of the plastic because several factors make up the total cost as we mentioned before.
After comparing both plastics, it is evident that, although more expensive, the biodegradable mulch saves much more money in terms of labour costs in the long term, especially at the time of removing the conventional plastics and disposing of them at the end of the harvest.
Installing the biodegradable mulch can be done with the same equipment as traditional plastic mulches, while the plastic waste that is collected and disposed of at the end of the crop cycle is reduced to zero, as it simply remains to be ploughed along with the rest of the soil and vegetation.
Plastic biodegradation doesn’t cause soil contamination and reduces global greenhouse gas emissions significantly.
There may be differences in quality between biodegradable mulching from different manufacturers, as each company involved in their production will have different technologies, knowledge and raw materials that will result in better performing end products.
The degradation time may vary according to the factors influencing biodegradable mulches. For example:
Hence the importance of knowing how to choose the mulching that suits your needs.
The competitiveness of using mulching, biodegradable or not, will depend on factors such as production costs, purchase prices of necessary inputs or logistics. Usually, the more larger the production area, the better the economic payback conditions.
As these are biodegradable mulching, made from biopolymers, it’s important to know that their mechanical properties are a little lower, so applying the mulching with excessive tension may cause breakage. Therefore, it is recommended to reduce the tension during the installation of this type of mulching.
Once the crop is harvested, you can cultivate immediately in the same area, unless something unexpected that requires additional attention happens with the soil. The pigments used in the production of biodegradable films are also biodegradable and completely harmless.