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HANDLE WITH CARE:HANDLE WITH CARE:BIODEGRADABLE BIODEGRADABLE
MULCH HANDLING MULCH HANDLING AND CLEANING AND CLEANING
Jeremy S. CowanDepartment of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Washington
State University, WSU Mount Vernon NWREC, 16650 State Route 536, Mount Vernon, WA
98273
Mount Vernon, Washington field site, July 23, 2010
Evaluating Biodegradable Plastic Evaluating Biodegradable Plastic Mulches for Use in High Tunnel Mulches for Use in High Tunnel Tomato Production in Western Tomato Production in Western
WashingtonWashington Effects of BDM on tomato yield and fruit
quality oBrix, Acidity, pH, Firmness, *Ascorbic Acid,
*Lycopene
Visual ratings of BDM degradation and image analysis Calibrate visual assessments w/ image analysis and
compare with physical properties to determine efficacy for measuring loss of BDM integrity
Potential Barriers to Adoption Demonstration plots, field days, focus groups,
surveys
Crop Yield & Fruit Quality Assessments
Marketable fruit (USDA grading) for fresh tomato: average weight and total fruit count
Unmarketable fruit categorized by predominantdisorder or disease
Fruit quality assessments include: Juice content Soluble solids (Brix) pH & titratable acidity Lycopene and β-carotene Ascorbic acid
Table 1. Comparison of tomato yield in each field location (HT and OF) in Washington in 2010.
Table 2. Comparison of tomato yield by mulch treatment in Washington in 2010
Notice the tenting of SB PLA mulch and edge degradation of cellulose mulch at soil interface.
SB PLA
Cellulose
Table 3. Comparison of area under mulch degradation progress curve (AUDPC) values amongmulch treatments by field location (HT and OF) in Washington in 2010
Digital imaging of mulch samplesTransformation to monochromatic
imagesHistogram of luminosity is obtainedCompare area under histogram curves
of BDM samples at Times 1 – 3 with visual assessments and physical properties data to establish correlation coefficients
Image-based Analysis of BDM Degradation
BDM samples collected & analyzed upon receipt from manufacturer (Time 0), at mulch laying (Time 1), at first flower (Time 2), and at final harvest (Time 3)
Evaluating primary physical/structural characteristics by measuring: Thickness Weight Tensile strength Elongation Tearing strength
Mulch Treatment Degradation & Biodegradation Assessments
The QuestionIf biodegradable plastic mulches
provide both environmental benefits (no landfilling or burning) and
economic benefits (one study reports a 25% cost savings) then why are
farmers slow to adopt in the United States, specifically Western
Washington? And, how might an opportunity to see degrading mulches
affect growers perceptions?
Theoretical FrameworkNeoclassical Economic Theory
Diffusion of Innovations
Bourdieu’s Theory of CapitalForms of Cultural Capital
Epistemic Barriers
Current Status Year 1 complete Year 2
Tunnels are upBDM’s are laid Inside tomatoes planted
Protocols for image analysis being developed
Light box designed and under construction Experimental design for adoption study
under development Demonstration plots are being planned
Many Thanks to:Carol MilesKaren LeonasDebbie Inglis & Babette
GundersonJonathan Roozen, Karen
Hasenoehrl, and the MV Veg Hort Team and Grad Students
Hang Liu and the Leonas’ Lab