Mulching is a common practice used to increase yields, control weeds and achieve off-season production. When performed with plastic films (such as low-density polyethylene -LDPE), it can lead to a range of environmental and economic issues primarily related to management and disposal at the end of the crop cycle. To address this problem, soil-biodegradable mulching films made from organic materials are becoming increasingly used. Considering that the agronomic responses and plant quality of crops mulched with biodegradable films can vary depending on cultivar, type of biodegradable film, and cultivation conditions, this study aimed to evaluate, over two years of experimental trials (2022–2023) in a hot-arid environment, the effect of two different biodegradable mulching films made from MaterBi® (BION1-experimental; BION4-commercial) on the morphological, physiological, yield, and quality parameters of “Mirabelle F1” eggplant fruits. Additionally, the agronomic response of plants mulched with biodegradable films was compared to that those of plants mulched with LDPE and bare soil (BS). Regarding soil thermal conditions, mulching increased soil temperature by approximately 2 °C compared to BS, while the MaterBi® films reduced daily thermal fluctuations compared to LDPE and BS. Both MaterBi® films improved plant growth, leaf chlorophyll content, and increased yield, primarily due to the greater weight of the fruits compared to LDPE and BS. The BION1 film was associated with improvements in total soluble solids content, chlorophyll, and lipophilic antioxidant activity of the eggplant fruits. For most of the analyzed parameters, responses varied depending on temperature trends during the two years of study, leading us to suggest that MaterBi® films could be a valid alternative to non-biodegradable plastic mulching, particularly in hot-arid environments.
Iacuzzi, N., Tortorici, N., Ida, D.M., Alaimo, F., Cozzolino, E., Sarno, M., et al. (2024). Biodegradable mulching films affect soil temperature and agronomic performance of open field eggplant in hot-arid environments. ITALIAN JOURNAL OF AGRONOMY, 19(4) [10.1016/j.ijagro.2024.100025].
Biodegradable mulching films affect soil temperature and agronomic performance of open field eggplant in hot-arid environments
Iacuzzi, Nicolò;Tortorici, Noemi;Alaimo, Federica;Sarno, Mauro;Tuttolomondo, Teresa
2024-12-25
Abstract
Mulching is a common practice used to increase yields, control weeds and achieve off-season production. When performed with plastic films (such as low-density polyethylene -LDPE), it can lead to a range of environmental and economic issues primarily related to management and disposal at the end of the crop cycle. To address this problem, soil-biodegradable mulching films made from organic materials are becoming increasingly used. Considering that the agronomic responses and plant quality of crops mulched with biodegradable films can vary depending on cultivar, type of biodegradable film, and cultivation conditions, this study aimed to evaluate, over two years of experimental trials (2022–2023) in a hot-arid environment, the effect of two different biodegradable mulching films made from MaterBi® (BION1-experimental; BION4-commercial) on the morphological, physiological, yield, and quality parameters of “Mirabelle F1” eggplant fruits. Additionally, the agronomic response of plants mulched with biodegradable films was compared to that those of plants mulched with LDPE and bare soil (BS). Regarding soil thermal conditions, mulching increased soil temperature by approximately 2 °C compared to BS, while the MaterBi® films reduced daily thermal fluctuations compared to LDPE and BS. Both MaterBi® films improved plant growth, leaf chlorophyll content, and increased yield, primarily due to the greater weight of the fruits compared to LDPE and BS. The BION1 film was associated with improvements in total soluble solids content, chlorophyll, and lipophilic antioxidant activity of the eggplant fruits. For most of the analyzed parameters, responses varied depending on temperature trends during the two years of study, leading us to suggest that MaterBi® films could be a valid alternative to non-biodegradable plastic mulching, particularly in hot-arid environments.File | Dimensione | Formato | |
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