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Data from: Liquid-applied biodegradable mulches control weeds and protect yield in organic onion production
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Researchers tested a plastic-free alternative for weed control in organic onion farming, made from recycled newspaper mixed with either guar gum or camelina meal. The guar gum version worked nearly as well as traditional plastic mulch at controlling weeds and maintaining onion yields, while fully breaking down in the soil instead of leaving behind plastic fragments. This matters because plastic mulches used in farming can shed microplastics into soil and food crops, so finding effective biodegradable replacements could help reduce a hidden source of microplastic exposure in our food system.
Organic onion production relies on non-biodegradable polyethylene (PE) mulches as a weed control method. Due to plastic pollution, organic horticultural crop growers are searching for environmentally-sound and sustainable biodegradable alternatives to PE mulches. This study aimed to develop cellulose-based biodegradable hydromulches (HMs) for weed suppression and yield improvement in organic onion production. The study was conducted at two sites in North Dakota, Fargo and Absaraka, during the 2023 growing season. Hydromulches were composed of water, shredded recycled newsprint, and one of two tackifiers, guar gum (GG) or camelina meal (CM). The hydromulch treatments include 3% GG, 6% GG, 3% CM, and 6% CM, and were compared to white-on-black PE (1mil) mulch, along with a weed-free and weedy check. Hydromulches were applied to raised bed plots measuring 0.9 x 3.0 meters at a targeted application rate of 5,765 kg dry matter (DM) ha-1. PE mulch provided complete weed suppression at both locations. Among hydromulches, 6% GG showed greater weed suppression (11 plants m-2) compared to 3% and 6% CM hydromulch (48 and 66 plants m-2, respectively). Variables measured included weed density (measured at peak emergence and peak growth), weed dry biomass (measured at peak growth), onion bulb yield, onion leaf chlorophyll (measured using a SPAD meter), onion bulb Brix (measured using a Brix meter with onion bulb juice), percentage mulch deterioration (esimated visually), soil moisture and temperature (measured continuously throughoput the growing season using Meter 'Teros 11' sensors installed at 20 deep in the soil), and canopy temperature (measured continuously throughout the growing season with 'Hobo' pendant sensors). Hydromulches effectively reduced weed dry biomass, except 6% CM, compared to weedy check. Mulch deterioration was zero for PE mulch and GG formulations were the most durable hydromulch, with only 2-3% soil exposure at the end of the growing season. Onion yield was greater in PE mulch compared to CM hydromulches and weedy check at both locations. However, GG formulations showed similar onion yield as PE mulch at Fargo. In summary, the outcomes from this study confirmed the potential of GG-based hydromulches with guar gum tackifier as a sustainable and effective alternative to PE mulch in organic onion production.
More Papers Like This
Data from: Liquid-applied biodegradable mulches control weeds and protect yield in organic onion production
AI summary Read the abstract
Farmers growing organic onions typically rely on plastic sheeting to block weeds, but that plastic breaks down into microplastic fragments that pollute soil over time. Researchers tested a plant-based alternative, a sprayable mixture of recycled paper and guar gum (a natural thickener), and found it controlled weeds and produced yields nearly as good as plastic, without leaving lasting waste behind. This matters because reducing plastic mulch use could mean less microplastic contamination in the soil that grows our food, though the biodegradable option isn't quite as effective as plastic yet.
Assessment of the Agricultural Effectiveness of Biodegradable Mulch Film in Onion Cultivation
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This multi-year, multi-region field trial compared biodegradable (BD) mulch film versus conventional polyethylene (PE) film and no-mulch in onion cultivation across 2023-2024. BD and PE films produced similar yields (>13% higher than no-mulch), comparable soil properties, and equivalent weed suppression, confirming BD film as a viable alternative that avoids persistent plastic residues in soil.
Table 1_Adaptation and mechanisms of biodegradable mulching films in Jerusalem artichoke cultivation on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau: crop-soil-microbe synergistic effects.xlsx
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Farmers often cover fields with plastic sheeting to help crops grow in cold climates, but this plastic breaks down into microplastic pollution that lingers in soil for years. This study found that a biodegradable alternative worked just as well at boosting plant growth (and even improved a healthy fiber compound in the crop) while breaking down naturally by over 84%, compared to less than 7% for regular plastic film. That's good news for reducing microplastic buildup in farmland soil, which is important since these particles can eventually make their way into the food we eat.
Adaptation and mechanisms of biodegradable mulching films in Jerusalem artichoke cultivation on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau: crop-soil-microbe synergistic effects
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Researchers tested a biodegradable plastic mulch (a film farmers use to cover soil and boost crops) as an alternative to traditional plastic mulch on high-altitude farms in China, and found it broke down almost completely in one season while still helping plants grow bigger and produce a beneficial fiber compound. This matters because conventional plastic mulches often leave behind plastic fragments that break down into microplastics in soil — and from there, potentially into our food and water supply — so a mulch that actually degrades could help reduce that contamination while still supporting good harvests. That said, this was a single-season study at one location, so more research is need
Biodegradable plastic mulch films increase yield and promote nitrogen use efficiency in organic horticulture
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Researchers tested biodegradable plastic mulch films in organic lettuce production and found they increased crop yields while improving how efficiently plants used nitrogen from organic fertilizers. The biodegradable films performed comparably to conventional polyethylene mulch in weed suppression and soil warming benefits. The study suggests biodegradable mulch could be a practical tool for organic farmers, avoiding the plastic waste problem of traditional film mulches.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.