Abstract
This paper presents results of the AGRIPAP-project which
aim was to develop a low cost, well performing paper
mulch as an alternative for plastic mulches. Plastic
mulches are predominantly made from polyethylene (PE)
which is of fossil origin and it is non-biodegradable.
Plastic mulch should be removed from the field after
cultivation period in order to avoid mulch accumulation
into soil. Due to contaminants, like soil and plant
residues, waste plastic can't be recycled but it has to
be disposed in a landfill. For paper mulches, the same
agricultural advantages were aimed for as those of PE
mulches i.e. high yield, good quality of yield, low
demand for weeding, and sufficient resistance of weather
conditions. The study was started by screening paper
qualities suitable for mulching from a group of 32
candidate papers. Their mulching properties were tested
in laboratory tests and papers were compared in field
trials with biodegradable plastic, PE mulch and bare
soil. The most promising paper qualities were chosen to
further studies. Additives to control their
biodegradability, properties in mechanized laying, impact
of mulch quality (composition, color, transparency) on
weather resistance, weed growth, soil temperature, and
soil water content were also studied. Field experiments
carried out in Finland, Turkey, Spain and Swaziland
indicated that the best paper mulches performed
comparably to conventional PE mulches and biodegradable
plastic mulches in terms of yield, weed control, and
resistance of weather conditions. Paper mulches can be
mixed into soil after growing season and they don't
accumulate but they are decomposed.
Original language | English |
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Title of host publication | Proceedings of the 12th international congress on mechanization and energy in agriculture |
Publisher | International Commission of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering |
Number of pages | 6 |
ISBN (Print) | 978-975-487-197-5 |
Publication status | Published - 2014 |
MoE publication type | A4 Article in a conference publication |
Event | 12th International Congress on Mechanization and Energy in Agriculture, ADAGENG 2014 - Nevsehir, Turkey Duration: 3 Sept 2014 → 6 Sept 2014 |
Conference
Conference | 12th International Congress on Mechanization and Energy in Agriculture, ADAGENG 2014 |
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Abbreviated title | ADAGENG 2014 |
Country/Territory | Turkey |
City | Nevsehir |
Period | 3/09/14 → 6/09/14 |
Keywords
- mulch
- polyethylene
- paper