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Living Mulches, Rolled Cover Crops, and Plastic Mulch: Effects on Soil Properties, Weed Suppression, and Yield in Organic Strawberry Systems
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Researchers compared plastic mulch, white clover living mulch, roller-crimped sorghum-sudangrass, and buckwheat cover crop treatments in organic strawberry production in coastal California over two seasons (2022-2024), evaluating effects on soil properties, weed suppression, and yield. The study examined high-residue cover crops and living mulches as sustainable alternatives to black polyethylene mulch, which raises concerns about microplastic pollution and disposal challenges.
Plastic mulch is widely used in organic strawberry production but raises sustainability concerns due to its persistence, disposal challenges, and contribution to microplastic pollution. This study evaluated the potential of high-residue cover crops and living mulches as alternatives to plastic mulch in coastal California. Over two seasons (2022-2024), we compared five mulching treatments: black polyethylene mulch (Plastic); a white clover (Trifolium repens) living mulch (Clover); two roller-crimped sorghum-sudangrass and field pea mixtures (Sorghum 1, Sorghum 2); and a roller-crimped buckwheat-pea mixture (Buckwheat). The objectives were to evaluate the effectiveness of these treatments on (i) soil properties and biological indicators, (ii) weed suppression, and (iii) strawberry yield in organic systems. A schematic timeline was developed to depict cover-crop growth, termination, and strawberry production across both years. Compost (10 t·ha-1) and fish emulsion (5-1-1 NPK, 4 L·ha-1 biweekly) were applied to all treatments during fruiting. Sorghum residues produced the highest biomass (up to 23 t·ha-1) and supported yields comparable to plastic mulch in 2023. Under lower-yield conditions in 2024, sorghum-based treatments outperformed plastic. Soil responses were modest and time-point specific: Sorghum 1 showed higher organic C and organic N pre-harvest in 2023, and both sorghum treatments increased soil organic matter pre-harvest in 2024. Biological indicators such as CO2-C and microbially active carbon declined seasonally across all treatments, indicating strong temporal control. Weed outcomes diverged by system-Clover suppressed weeds effectively but reduced yield by >50% due to competition, while Buckwheat decomposed rapidly and provided limited late-season suppression. These results demonstrate that rolled high-residue cover crops, particularly sorghum-based systems, can reduce dependence on plastic mulch while maintaining yields and enhancing soil cover. Living mulches and short-lived covers may complement residue systems when managed to minimize competition and extend ground cover.
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This review comprehensively examines mulching practices in agriculture — covering organic, synthetic, and living materials — and their effects on soil moisture, temperature, weed suppression, and crop yield. The authors highlight emerging biodegradable mulch alternatives as more sustainable options amid growing concerns about microplastic contamination from plastic mulch films.
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Researchers compared traditional plastic mulch (the plastic sheeting farmers use to cover soil) with newer biodegradable versions to see how they affect strawberry plants and the helpful microbes living in the soil. This matters because regular plastic mulch breaks down into microplastics that can build up in soil and potentially make their way into our food, so finding a mulch that grows strawberries just as well without leaving lasting plastic waste behind could mean cleaner farmland and fewer microplastics in the food we eat.
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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.
Materials used for soil mulching: A comprehensive review of performance, soil impact, and sustainability
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This review of existing farming research compares different materials used to cover soil ("mulch"), like plastic film, straw, and biodegradable covers, to see which best help crops grow while protecting soil health. The key takeaway: plastic mulch works great short-term but breaks down into microplastics that build up in soil over time, while organic materials like straw are better for long-term soil health, though no single option is perfect for every situation. This matters because the food we eat grows in this soil, so choices about farming materials can affect microplastic contamination in our food supply and the long-term sustainability of the land that produces it.
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A survey of strawberry growers in three U.S. regions found mixed attitudes toward plastic mulch: it boosts crop yields but creates disposal headaches and environmental concerns. Biodegradable alternatives are gaining interest but face cost and performance barriers in the field.
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