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The Use of Hydromulching as an Alternative to Plastic Films in an Artichoke ( Cynara cardunculus cv. Symphony) Crop: A Study of the Economic Viability

Author

Listed:
  • Josefa López-Marín

    (Department of Crop Production and Agri-Technology, IMIDA, 30150 Murcia, Spain)

  • Miriam Romero

    (Department of Crop Production and Agri-Technology, IMIDA, 30150 Murcia, Spain)

  • Amparo Gálvez

    (Department of Crop Production and Agri-Technology, IMIDA, 30150 Murcia, Spain)

  • Francisco Moisés del Amor

    (Department of Crop Production and Agri-Technology, IMIDA, 30150 Murcia, Spain)

  • Maria Carmen Piñero

    (Department of Crop Production and Agri-Technology, IMIDA, 30150 Murcia, Spain)

  • José Manuel Brotons-Martínez

    (Department of Economic a Financial Studies, Miguel Hernández University, 03203 Elche, Spain)

Abstract

The use of mulching in agriculture suppresses the weeds around crop plants, enhances the nutrients status of soil, controls the soil structure and temperature, and reduces soil water evaporation. Excessive use of low-density polyethylene mulches is contributing to the accumulation of high amounts of plastic wastes, an environmental problem for agricultural ecosystems. Fragments of plastic from such wastes can be found in soils, in water resources, and in organisms, including humans. The objective of this work was to study the economic viability of the use of different hydromulches in an artichoke crop. Three blends were prepared by mixing paper pulp (recycled from used paper) and cardboard (from paper mills) with different additives: wheat straw (WS), rice hulls (RH), and substrate used for mushroom cultivation (MS). These were compared with low-density polyethylene (Pe), a treatment without mulching on bare soil where hand weeding was performed (HW), and a treatment without mulching on bare soil where herbicide was applied (H). The results indicate that the use of hydromulch in an artichoke crop represents a good alternative for reducing plastic waste in agriculture. The net profits of the hydromulch treatments (MS, WS, RH) were higher than for HW and H, and slightly lower than for Pe. The most profitable treatment was Pe (€0.69 m −3 ), followed by RH (€0.59 m −3 ), WS (€0.58 m −3 ), MS (€0.47 m −3 ), HW (€0.36 m −3 ), and H (€0.32 m −3 ). A sensitivity analysis showed a probability of negative results of 0.04 in Pe, 0.13 in SM, 0.08 in WS, and 0.07 in RH, so the probability that the grower will make a profit is greater than 0.9 with the use of mulch (except mushroom substrate) or polyethylene.

Suggested Citation

  • Josefa López-Marín & Miriam Romero & Amparo Gálvez & Francisco Moisés del Amor & Maria Carmen Piñero & José Manuel Brotons-Martínez, 2021. "The Use of Hydromulching as an Alternative to Plastic Films in an Artichoke ( Cynara cardunculus cv. Symphony) Crop: A Study of the Economic Viability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-17, May.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:9:p:5313-:d:551557
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    References listed on IDEAS

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