scholarly journals Deterioration of Soil-biodegradable Mulch Films during Storage and Its Impact on Specialty Crop Production

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Marife B. Anunciado ◽  
Larry C. Wadsworth ◽  
Shuresh Ghimire ◽  
Carol Miles ◽  
Jenny C. Moore ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tensile Properties ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Structural Integrity ◽  
Average Molecular Weight ◽  
Peak Load ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Storage Conditions ◽  
Vegetable Production ◽  
Plastic Mulch ◽  
Mulch Films

Plastic mulch films contribute to improved crop yield and quality for vegetable and small fruit cropping systems. Although the single-season agronomic performance of conventional polyethylene mulches and soil-biodegradable mulches (BDMs) are similar, over time BDMs can begin to break down during storage and subsequently not provide season-long soil coverage. In this study, the changes in physicochemical properties of BDMs were investigated over 3 years of indoor storage (2015–18) under ideal environmental conditions in two laboratories. Mulches evaluated were black, 20–40 µm thick, suitable for annual vegetable production, and included three BDMs: two polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT)-enriched mulches that are commercially available in North America, an experimental polylactic acid (PLA) and polyhydroxyalkanote-based film, and a conventional polyethylene mulch as a control. Tensile properties, specifically peak load and elongation at maximum tensile stress, decreased during storage, particularly for the PBAT-based BDMs, indicating a loss of strength. During year 3 of storage, the tensile properties declined extensively, suggesting embrittlement. The average molecular weight of PLA and PBAT slightly increased during year 1, perhaps due to release of monomers or oligomers, and then decreased extensively during years 2 and 3 due to hydrolysis of ester bonds (confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic analysis). The structural integrity of BDMs was assessed during years 2 and 3 of the study (2017–18) in field trials at the locations where they were stored, Knoxville, TN, and Mount Vernon, WA, for vegetable production. The degradation of the BDMs during the cropping season was higher in 2018 compared with 2017, suggesting that degradation of mechanical and chemical properties while in storage may have contributed to rapid degradation of mulches in the field. In summary, BDMs undergo degradation even under ideal storage conditions and may perform best if deployed within 2 years of their receipt date. The farmer should verify that proper storage conditions have been used before receipt and that manufacturing date precedes the receipt date by no more than 6 months.

scholarly journals Sequential Cropping for Vegetable Production using Microirrigation on Sandy Soils in Southwestern Florida

1991 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 72-76 ◽  
Author(s):  
C.D. Stanley ◽  
A.A. Csizinszky ◽  
G.A. Clark ◽  
J.W. Prevatt
Keyword(s):  
Crop Production ◽  
Winter Season ◽  
Production Costs ◽  
Vegetable Production ◽  
Multiple Cropping ◽  
Plastic Mulch ◽  
Fresh Market ◽  
Crop Species ◽  
Tomato Crop ◽  
Cultural Management

Combinations ofvarious vegetable crop species grown in multiple-cropping sequences using microirrigation on a sandy soil were evaluated for production potential and changes in normal cultural management An initial fall-season fresh-market tomato crop was followed immediately by a winter-season crucifer crop (cauliflower, broccoli, or cabbage), which was followed by a spring-season cucurbit crop (cucumber, zucchini squash, or muskmelon). Studies were conducted over a 3-year period in southwestem Florida. Results showed that when cropping sequences were compared on a basis of a derived relative value index (RVI), the sequence of tomato-cauliflower-zucchini squash significantly outperformed other sequences. Several management concerns particular to the production system (crop residue removal and interference, plastic mulch deterioration and damage, and weed control) were identified and discussed. The potential savings when cropping sequences are compared to individual crop production resulted in net savings (dollar savings less additional production costs) that ranged from $565 to $1212/acre ($1396 to $2993/ha) and $614 to $1316/acre ($1516 to $3251/ha) for the 1986-87 and 1988-89 seasons, respectively.

scholarly journals Structural and Functional Responses of Soil Microbial Communities to Biodegradable Plastic Film Mulching in Two Agroecosystems

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sreejata Bandopadhyay ◽  
Henry Y. Sintim ◽  
Jennifer M. DeBruyn
Keyword(s):  
Community Structure ◽  
Bacterial Community ◽  
Microbial Communities ◽  
Bacterial Community Structure ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Soil Microbial Communities ◽  
Plastic Film ◽  
Plastic Mulch ◽  
Soil Microbial ◽  
Mulch Films

AbstractPolyethylene (PE) plastic mulch films are used globally in crop production but incur considerable disposal and environmental pollution issues. Biodegradable plastic mulch films (BDMs), an alternative to PE-based films, are designed to be tilled into the soil where they are expected to be mineralized to carbon dioxide, water and microbial biomass. However inadequate research regarding the impacts of repeated incorporation of BDMs on soil microbial communities has partly contributed to limited adoption of BDMs. In this study, we evaluated the effects of BDM incorporation on soil microbial community structure and function over two years in two geographical locations: Knoxville, TN, and in Mount Vernon, WA. Treatments included four plastic BDMs, a completely biodegradable cellulose mulch, a non-biodegradable PE mulch and a no mulch plot. Bacterial community structure determined using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing revealed significant differences by location and season. Differences in bacterial communities by mulch treatment were not significant for any season in either location, except for Fall 2015 in WA where differences were observed between BDMs and no-mulch plots. Extracellular enzyme rate assays were used to characterize communities functionally, revealing significant differences by location and sampling season in both TN and WA but minimal differences between BDMs and PE treatments. Limited effects of BDM incorporation on soil bacterial community structure and soil enzyme activities when compared to PE suggest that BDMs have comparable influences on soil microbial communities, and therefore could be considered an alternative to PE.ImportancePlastic film mulches increase crop yields and improve fruit quality. Most plastic mulches are made of polyethylene (PE), which is poorly degradable, resulting in undesirable end-of-life outcomes. Biodegradable mulches (BDMs) may be a sustainable alternative to PE. BDMs are made of polymers which can be degraded by soil microbial enzymes, and are meant to be tilled into soil after use. However, uncertainty about impacts of tilled-in BDMs on soil health has restricted adoption of BDMs. Our previous research showed BDMs did not have a major effect on a wide range of soil quality indicators (Sintim et al. 2019); here we focus on soil microbial communities, showing that BDMs do not have detectable effects on soil microbial communities and their functions, at least over the short term. This informs growers and regulators about use of BDMs in crop production, paving a way for an agricultural practice that reduces environmental plastic pollution.

scholarly journals Effects of biodegradable plastic film mulching on soil microbial communities in two agroecosystems

PeerJ ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. e9015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sreejata Bandopadhyay ◽  
Henry Y. Sintim ◽  
Jennifer M. DeBruyn
Keyword(s):  
Community Structure ◽  
Microbial Communities ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Soil Microbial Communities ◽  
Biodegradable Plastic ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Plastic Mulch ◽  
Soil Microbial Community Structure ◽  
Soil Microbial ◽  
Mulch Films

Plastic mulch films are used globally in crop production but incur considerable disposal and environmental pollution issues. Biodegradable plastic mulch films (BDMs), an alternative to polyethylene (PE)-based films, are designed to be tilled into the soil where they are expected to be mineralized to carbon dioxide, water and microbial biomass. However, insufficient research regarding the impacts of repeated soil incorporation of BDMs on soil microbial communities has partly contributed to limited adoption of BDMs. In this study, we evaluated the effects of BDM incorporation on soil microbial community structure and function over two years in two geographical locations: Knoxville, TN, and in Mount Vernon, WA, USA. Treatments included four plastic BDMs (three commercially available and one experimental film), a biodegradable cellulose paper mulch, a non-biodegradable PE mulch and a no mulch plot. Bacterial community structure determined using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing revealed significant differences by location and season. Differences in bacterial communities by mulch treatment were not significant for any season in either location, except for Fall 2015 in WA where differences were observed between BDMs and no-mulch plots. Extracellular enzyme assays were used to characterize communities functionally, revealing significant differences by location and sampling season in both TN and WA but minimal differences between BDMs and PE treatments. Overall, BDMs had comparable influences on soil microbial communities to PE mulch films.

scholarly journals Reducing Fumigant Application Rates and Soil Emissions with Plastic Mulch Technology

EDIS ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph W. Noling
Keyword(s):  
Crop Production ◽  
Field Studies ◽  
Plastic Mulch ◽  
Fact Sheet ◽  
Time Of Application ◽  
Application Rates ◽  
Soil Emissions ◽  
Mulch Films ◽  
Soil Fumigants ◽  
Gas Tight

With the new fumigant regulations and rising cost of crop production, including fumigants, it would be desirable to reduce the standard use rate of soil fumigants. The use of higher-barrier, gas-impermeable mulches may make it possible to reduce fumigant application rates by helping to contain the fumigant longer within the soil and reduce overall emissions into the atmosphere. The results of field studies show that fumigant application rates can be reduced by 20 to as much as 40% through the use of virtually impermeable or the more gas-tight TIF mulch films at the time of application. This 5-page fact sheet was written by J. W. Noling and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, March 2013. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in403

Biodegradable Plastic Mulch Films for Sustainable Specialty Crop Production

2019 ◽  
pp. 183-213 ◽  
Author(s):  
Douglas G. Hayes ◽  
Marife B. Anunciado ◽  
Jennifer M. DeBruyn ◽  
Sreejata Bandopadhyay ◽  
Sean Schaeffer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Crop Production ◽  
Biodegradable Plastic ◽  
Plastic Mulch ◽  
Specialty Crop ◽  
Mulch Films

Environmental and Hydrological Implications of Innovative Sprayable Biodegradable Polymer Membrane: First Results

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vilim Filipović ◽  
Lana Filipović ◽  
Yusong Wang ◽  
Michael V. Braunack ◽  
Raju Adhikari ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Biodegradable Polymer ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Development Stage ◽  
Polymer Membrane ◽  
Innovative Technology ◽  
Agricultural Practice ◽  
Plastic Mulch ◽  
First Results ◽  
Mulch Films

<p>Agricultural management techniques like plastic mulch films are widely used to enhance crop production by conserving soil water and increasing temperature with the ability to suppress weeds. However, the use of plastic represents large environmental concern since the recovery of plastics from soils and its persistence in the environment is causing global problems. The EU in leading in policy with ban on single use plastics and it is a matter of time when conventional plastic mulch films will be banned as well. To solve the problem, researchers have turned their attention to biodegradable products while lately sprayable biodegradable polymer membrane (SBPM) technology was introduced. Here, we present first results of glasshouse study and in-field experiments with SBPM technology in Australia where with the use of subsurface drip irrigation we could improve water use efficiency of crops with reducing evaporation. First results indicate that SBPM technology could limit soil evaporation, reduce irrigation needs and prevent weed emergence while at the same time providing environmentally sustainable agricultural practice through its biodegradability, nontoxicity and sprayability nature. This innovative technology shows large potential even at this early development stage with the need for further improvement of SBPM formulation, management and properties.</p>

CARPENTER 883 PLUS

Alloy Digest ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 43 (7) ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Fracture Toughness ◽  
Physical Properties ◽  
Tensile Properties ◽  
Structural Integrity ◽  
Heat Treating ◽  
Die Steel ◽  
Aisi Type ◽  
Red Hardness ◽  
Hot Work Die

Abstract CARPENTER 883 PLUS is a 5% Chromium hot work die steel designed for applications requiring both toughness and good red-hardness. It achieves this with higher purity, homogeneity and greater structural integrity than standard AISI type H13. This datasheet provides information on composition, physical properties, hardness, elasticity, and tensile properties as well as fracture toughness. It also includes information on forming, heat treating, and machining. Filing Code: TS-529. Producer or source: Carpenter. See also Alloy Digest TS-469, January 1987.

scholarly journals Insulative effect of plastic mulch systems and comparison between the effects of different plant types

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 317-324
Author(s):  
Kayla Snyder ◽  
Christopher Murray ◽  
Bryon Wolff
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Root Zone ◽  
Plastic Mulch ◽  
Root Zone Temperature ◽  
Tomato Plants ◽  
Black Film ◽  
Black And White ◽  
Mulch Film ◽  
Mulch Films ◽  
Zone Temperature

AbstractTo address agricultural needs of the future, a better understanding of plastic mulch film effects on soil temperature and moisture is required. The effects of different plant type and mulch combinations were studied over a 3.5-month period to better grasp the consequence of mulch on root zone temperature (RZT) and moisture. Measurements of (RZT) and soil moisture for tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), pepper (Capsicum annuum) and carrot (Daucus carota) grown using polyolefin mulch films (black and white-on-black) were conducted in Ontario using a plot without mulch as a control. Black mulch films used in combination with pepper and carrot plants caused similar RZTs relative to uncovered soil, but black mulch film in combination with tomato plants caused a reduction in RZT relative to soil without mulch that increased as plants grew and provided more shade. White-on-black mulch film used in combination with tomatoes, peppers or carrots led to a reduction in RZT relative to soil without mulch that became greater than the temperature of soil without mulch. This insulative capability was similarly observed for black mulch films used with tomato plants. Apart from white-on-black film used in combination with tomatoes, all mulch film and plant combinations demonstrated an ability to stabilize soil moisture relative to soil without mulch. RZT and soil moisture were generally stabilized with mulch film, but some differences were seen among different plant types.

scholarly journals Remote Control of Greenhouse Vegetable Production with Artificial Intelligence—Greenhouse Climate, Irrigation, and Crop Production

Sensors ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (8) ◽  
pp. 1807 ◽  
Author(s):  
Silke Hemming ◽  
Feije de Zwart ◽  
Anne Elings ◽  
Isabella Righini ◽  
Anna Petropoulou
Keyword(s):  
Artificial Intelligence ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Vegetable Production ◽  
Digital Interface ◽  
Greenhouse Climate ◽  
Fresh Food ◽  
Net Profit ◽  
Greenhouse Vegetable ◽  
Process Computer ◽  
Cucumber Yield

The global population is increasing rapidly, together with the demand for healthy fresh food. The greenhouse industry can play an important role, but encounters difficulties finding skilled staff to manage crop production. Artificial intelligence (AI) has reached breakthroughs in several areas, however, not yet in horticulture. An international competition on “autonomous greenhouses” aimed to combine horticultural expertise with AI to make breakthroughs in fresh food production with fewer resources. Five international teams, consisting of scientists, professionals, and students with different backgrounds in horticulture and AI, participated in a greenhouse growing experiment. Each team had a 96 m2 modern greenhouse compartment to grow a cucumber crop remotely during a 4-month-period. Each compartment was equipped with standard actuators (heating, ventilation, screening, lighting, fogging, CO2 supply, water and nutrient supply). Control setpoints were remotely determined by teams using their own AI algorithms. Actuators were operated by a process computer. Different sensors continuously collected measurements. Setpoints and measurements were exchanged via a digital interface. Achievements in AI-controlled compartments were compared with a manually operated reference. Detailed results on cucumber yield, resource use, and net profit obtained by teams are explained in this paper. We can conclude that in general AI performed well in controlling a greenhouse. One team outperformed the manually-grown reference.

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