Mulching studies in greenhouse by using eco-compatible plastic films on fresh tomato crop.

A high employment of plastics in agriculture causes the production of enormous quantities of waste, whose inappropriate management might have negative effects on the whole agro-ecosystem. In order to determine a reduction of the charge of plastic waste and to facilitate the waste disposal, one of the most interesting approaches, from an environmental point of view, lies in the location of innovatory materials for crop mulching materials such as co-extrused ultrathin films, which are able to reduce the plastic quantity to be managed; and biodegradable laminates, which after a first usage, will spontaneously start up a degradation process that avoids their collection and their consequent disposal. This paper reports the results of a research carried out in 2002, from March to July, close to Experimental Farm “Pantanello” (Lat. 40°09’; Long. 16°38’) in Southern Italy (Basilicata Region), with the aim to study tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. cv. Tomito F1) mulching in plastic-greenhouse. Several new mulching films were compared: two co-extrused ultrathin ones, two biodegradable ones and a traditional film (LDPE). The research has shown that coextrused films have spectroradio-metrics and mechanical characteristics able to ensure an anti-weed barrier, allowing a good thermal level in the soil too. They also gave better yield results than black LDPE. Besides, biodegradable films showed an agronomic behaviour equal to LDPE and their degradation times were compatible with the protected tomato crop cycle.