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Liquid mulch based on poly(vinyl alcohol). PVA‐soil interaction
Author(s) -
Chiellini Emo,
Cinelli Patrizia,
D'Antone Salvatore,
Ilieva Vassilka I.,
Magni Simone,
Miele Sergio,
Pampana Silvia
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
macromolecular symposia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.257
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1521-3900
pISSN - 1022-1360
DOI - 10.1002/masy.200350713
Subject(s) - mulch , vinyl alcohol , lysimeter , pulp and paper industry , raw material , starch , waste management , environmental science , materials science , chemistry , agronomy , organic chemistry , composite material , soil water , polymer , engineering , soil science , biology
This study is meant to provide a contribution in recent developments of biodegradable polymeric materials applied in agricultural practices with particular reference to the mulching segment. Special attention has been devoted to material based on renewable resources or utilization of waste products from agro‐industrial activities, thus suggesting cost‐effective and environmentally sound solutions to specific social needs. In the present contribution PVA solubility at room temperature has been improved by premixing with chemical additives and proteic materials. Waste materials from ethanol production by corn fermentation and from wood industries have been used as, respectively starch‐based and lignocellulosic additives. The prepared formulations were applied on the soil by conventional spraying agricultural equipment. Time of permanence of the film formed on the soil was monitored as well as the effect on corn growth and yield production. Finally, in order to investigate the final fate of the PVA applied on the soil, a test was performed in lysimeters, with half of the lysimeters cropped with maize plants. PVA amount applied for the mulching test was in order of 5‐10 g PVA/1 m 2 ; under those conditions it resulted completely absorbed and no presence of PVA was recorded in the leached solutions.