Biodegradable Mulch | Biodegradable Mulch

Building and sharing information and best practices for biodegradable mulch

2016 Team Picture of Biodegradable Mulch group

Transdisciplinary Approach

A multi-university partnership is determining whether the use of biodegradable plastic mulches can increase the sustainability of specialty crop production.

Focus on Producers

Ease of application, effects on productivity, perceptions of the product, and the economics of use all affect producers' decisions to use biodegradable mulch.

Biodegradable Mulch

Biodegradable mulches provide an alternative to plastic mulch film for weed control, soil temperature moderation, water conservation, and other benefits.

Project News & Updates

New Journal Articles!

See the publications page for more information.

Moore and Wszelaki. “The use of biodegradable mulches in pepper production in the Southeastern United States” in HortScience.

Dentzman and Goldberger. “Plastic scraps: Biodegradable mulch finlms and the aesthetics of ‘good farming’ in US specialty crop production” in Agriculture and Human Values.

Astner, Hayes, et al. “Mechanical formation of micro- and nano-plastic materials for environmental studeies in agricultural ecosystems” in Science of the Total Environment.

New Factsheets!

See these factsheets and other basic information about biodegradable mulch.

“Disparity between the Terms ‘Biodegradability’ and ‘Biobased’ Pertaining to Biodegradable Mulch Films” co-authored by Marife Anunciado and Doug Hayes.

“Paper Mulch for Nutsdedge Control in Vegetable Production” co-authored by Jenny Moore and Annette Wszelaki.