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Development of Hybrid Mulching Sheets Using Tomato Stem and Rice Stalk
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Researchers developed hybrid mulching sheets combining tomato stem residues and rice stalks as a biodegradable, microplastic-free alternative to conventional plastic mulch films. The hybrid sheets achieved tensile rupture stress of 9.78-14.87 MPa and light-shielding ratios above 99.9%, confirming the feasibility of combining natural fibers from different plant families.
Natural fiber-based mulching sheets are biodegradable and pose no risk of microplastic pollution. While single-fiber mulching sheets have been developed in previous studies, this research proposed hybrid mulching sheets using tomato stem residues and rice stalks. The results confirmed the feasibility of combining natural fibers from different genera and families for mulching sheet production. The hybrid mulching sheets exhibited densities ranging from 0.684 g/cm3 to 0.792 g/cm3. The tensile rupture stress of the hybrid mulching sheets ranged from 9.78 MPa to 14.87 MPa. The light-shielding ratio of the mulching sheets was over 99.9%. The mulching sheets made from tomato stem residues showed particularly high tensile rupture stress. These results highlight a sustainable approach to utilizing diverse agricultural residues, providing potential alternatives to conventional plastic mulching films.
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