PJB-2019-407
Characterization and field assessment of biodegradable mulch films in tobacco growth area
Ying-Hao Xue
Abstract
Mulching film is a widely used agricultural tool. Mulching of soil increases the temperature and organic content of soil while reducing water evaporation and inhibiting growth of weeds. Performance of three biodegradable films (B1, B2 and B3), two oxo-biodegradable films (OB1 and OB2), and a single non-degradable polyethylene (PE) mulching film, as the control (CF), were compared. Mechanical tests showed a relatively higher elongation rate, lower stress load at break, and lower tear resistance load at break of OB1 and OB2 compared to those of B1, B2, and B3, suggesting that oxo-biodegradable films were more deformable than biodegradable films. Degradation analyses revealed that these biodegradable and oxo-biodegradable films showed faster or similar degradation velocities to CF. When films were applied to tobacco growing practices, all tested degradable films showed similar or improved effects on harvest production and total biomass of plants, in comparison to CF. Degradable mulching films effectively controlled weeds, with the exception of OB2 which showed no difference from the non-mulched blank area. Taken together, the present study revealed biodegradable and oxo-biodegradable mulching films to be capable of replacing ordinary non-degradable PE films in agricultural applications of tobacco growing in China.
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