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Biodegradable Spray Mulch Applications in Greenhouse Agroecosystems

Author

Listed:
  • Michele Caputo

    (Council for Agricultural Research and Economics, 84098 Pontecagnano, SA, Italy)

  • Carlo Di Cesare

    (Council for Agricultural Research and Economics, 84098 Pontecagnano, SA, Italy)

  • Paola Iovieno

    (Council for Agricultural Research and Economics, 84098 Pontecagnano, SA, Italy)

  • Barbara Immirzi

    (Institute on Polymers, Composites and Biomaterials, National Research Council, 80078 Pozzuoli, NA, Italy)

  • Daniela Baldantoni

    (Department of Chemistry and Biology “Adolfo Zambelli”, University of Salerno, 84084 Fisciano, SA, Italy)

  • Marija Stipic

    (Council for Agricultural Research and Economics, 84098 Pontecagnano, SA, Italy)

  • Massimo Zaccardelli

    (Council for Agricultural Research and Economics, 84098 Pontecagnano, SA, Italy)

  • Accursio Venezia

    (Council for Agricultural Research and Economics, 84098 Pontecagnano, SA, Italy)

Abstract

The replacement of synthetic chemical herbicides and traditional plastic sheets is a major challenge of modern horticulture in view of a sustainable weed management. In the first step of this research, we tested the weed control efficacy of two biodegradable polymers, chitosan and galactomannan, applied to the soil surface as spray mulching, with or without the addition of charcoal as a light masking agent, and five essential oils with recognized herbicide properties. The results showed the ability of chitosan in reducing the number and the biomass of annual plants, regardless of the addition of charcoal and essential oils. In the second step, we tested the efficacy of one or three days of false seeding to increase the effectiveness of chitosan against seed germination. The results showed, on average, a reduction of 79% of annual weed presence after three days of false seeding. In both steps, the microbial biomass and three indicators of microbial activity (i.e., basal respiration, FDA hydrolysis activity, and D-glucosamine-induced respiration) were measured in the soil under the experiments in order to investigate possible alterations of soil biological activity induced by the treatments. The results provided no evidence of negative impact of the treatments on soil microbial biomass and activity.

Suggested Citation

  • Michele Caputo & Carlo Di Cesare & Paola Iovieno & Barbara Immirzi & Daniela Baldantoni & Marija Stipic & Massimo Zaccardelli & Accursio Venezia, 2024. "Biodegradable Spray Mulch Applications in Greenhouse Agroecosystems," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(14), pages 1-15, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:14:p:5973-:d:1434158
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Braunack, Michael V. & Zaja, Adriana & Tam, Kang & Filipović, Lana & Filipović, Vilim & Wang, Yusong & Bristow, Keith L., 2020. "A Sprayable Biodegradable Polymer Membrane (SBPM) technology: Effect of band width and application rate on water conservation and seedling emergence," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 230(C).
    2. Ewa Mackiewicz-Walec & Marzenna Olszewska, 2023. "Biostimulants in the Production of Forage Grasses and Turfgrasses," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-33, September.
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