We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Effect of Biodegradable Mulch and Different Synthetic Mulches on Growth and Yield of Field-Grown Small-Fruited Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.)
Summary
This field trial compared biodegradable and synthetic plastic mulches for tomato cultivation and found that all mulching treatments increased marketable yield by an average of 19.6%. Notably, fruits grown on biodegradable foil had the highest potassium, lycopene, and polyphenol content, suggesting biodegradable mulches can match synthetic plastic performance while reducing long-term plastic contamination of agricultural soil.
Mulching is a widely adopted practice in vegetable cultivation globally. This technique employs various plastic materials, such as polyethylene (PE) film or polypropylene (PP) nonwoven fabric, with an increasing trend toward the use of biodegradable materials. Between 2014 and 2016, field experiments were conducted to evaluate the performance of the small-fruited tomato Intrigo F1 cultivated using synthetic mulches. The trials, designed as single-factor experiments employing a randomized block layout with three replicates, assessed plant morphological traits, yield, and the biological value of the tomato fruits. Weather conditions and the type of mulch applied had a pronounced influence on the quality of tomato plants and yield. Compared to the control, the use of black, red, and aluminum PE films and brown PP resulted in a 7.2% increase in plant height. All mulching treatments, except white film, increased the lateral spread of the plants by an average of 24.2%. Plants cultivated on red PE film exhibited a 26.4% increase in leaf count with respect to the control. Mulched treatments achieved an average increase of 19.6% in marketable yield. The highest marketable fruit yield was recorded with black nonwoven fabric mulch. Mulching had a significant effect on the chemical composition of tomato fruits. Fruits on biodegradable foil had the most potassium, lycopene, and polyphenols.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Biodegradable Mulching Film vs. Traditional Polyethylene: Effects on Yield and Quality of San Marzano Tomato Fruits
A two-year field trial comparing biodegradable mulching film to conventional low-density polyethylene (LDPE) for San Marzano tomato production found that both mulch types produced equivalent yield increases (25%) and improvements in fruit quality compared to bare soil. Biodegradable film began degrading in the field between 71 and 104 days after transplanting, making it a viable alternative that avoids end-of-life plastic waste. Replacing conventional plastic mulch with biodegradable alternatives could significantly reduce the agricultural microplastic burden entering soils globally.
Alternative Mulches for Sustainable Greenhouse Tomato Production
Researchers evaluated three mulch types — polyethylene, straw, and biodegradable biopolymers — compared to non-mulched controls in a Mediterranean greenhouse over two years of organic tomato production, measuring soil moisture, temperature, physicochemical properties, crop yield, and weed control. They found that biodegradable biopolymer mulches offered comparable agronomic performance to polyethylene while avoiding plastic residue accumulation in soil.
Fresh-marketable tomato yields enhanced by moderate weed control and suppressed fruit dehiscence with woodchip mulching
Researchers found that mulberry woodchip mulch enhanced fresh-marketable tomato yields and reduced fruit dehiscence compared to plastic film mulch, supporting the use of organic alternatives to reduce agricultural plastic pollution.
Testing Biodegradable Films as Alternatives to Plastic-Film Mulching for Enhancing the Yield and Economic Benefits of Processed Tomato in Xinjiang Region
Biodegradable mulch films were tested against conventional plastic mulch in processed tomato fields in Xinjiang, China, with results showing comparable yields while substantially reducing plastic residue accumulation in soil.
The effect of adding residual humic acid biodegradable film on agronomic performance of potted tomato under greenhouse conditions
Researchers investigated the effects of incorporating residual humic acid biodegradable film into soil on the agronomic performance of potted tomatoes grown under greenhouse conditions. The study examined how the degradation of biodegradable plastic mulch film and associated humic acid residues influences soil environment quality and vegetable crop growth.