Functional polysaccharides and cellulose fibres: spray mulching for a sustainable agriculture. Mario Malinconico

Transcription

1 Functional polysaccharides and cellulose fibres: spray mulching for a sustainable agriculture By Mario Malinconico (mali@ictp.cnr.it)

2 Biopolymers in crop protection Mulching allows: Reduction of spontaneous weeds Control of soil humidity and temperature Reduction of water evaporation Reduction in the use of pesticides Reduction of product dirtiness in Italy Greenhouses and tunnel: ha Low tunnel: ha Mulching: ha ICTP

3 World plastic consumption (tons) in agriculture Greenhouses Low tunnels Direct covers Mulching Silages PP twine Hydroponic systems Microirrigation Others (bags, nets, ) Total

4 Used plastic films management Collection accumulation abandon incineration

5 Available mulching films Traditional: LDPE - EVA Biodegradable: Mater Bi Principal characteristics of mulching films: Durability Environmental resistance Resistance to pesticides and chemicals Additional functions (like reflectivity)

6 ECONOMIC EVALUATION PE granules 0.9 euro/kg PE Black mulching film 1.80 euro/kg Starch 0.5 euro/kg Mater Bi Black mulching film 4.00 euro/kg UNFAVOURABLE TO MATER BI INTRODUCTION

7 Innovative approach: biopolymers and fillers from renewable resources in spray formulations TARGET: To realise a composite material made of polysaccharides based polymers (such as those contained in large quantities in seaweeds, crustaceous or fruits) to be applied directly on soil from water dispersions. The solution contains also natural fibers which creates a sort of textile, and also pigments can be added. The thickness is regulated by the concentration and by the speed of application.

8 Natural fibers as reinforcement. Properties in comparison with engineering fibers Fiber Specific gravity [g/cm 3 ] Tensile strength [GPa] Tensile modulus [GPa] Specific strength [GPa/g.cm -3 ] Specific modulus [GPa/g.cm -3 ] Cost ratio Sisal Flax E- Glass Kevlar Carbon (standa rd)

9 Waste fibers available from industrial activities Exhaust Cellulose Tomatoes peels Chestnuts skin Betulle

10 SPRAY FILMS FOR FLOWERS Polysaccharide mixture plus paper pulp fiber (1 l/m 2 ) distributed by a high pressure spray machine at 150 bars

11 FLOWERS EXPERIMENTAL CULTIVATION February - June 2005

12 06 June DAI

13 Mater Bi 21 March DAI EMERGENCE OF BUDS WITHOUT HUMAN HELP FOR SPRAY Spray A Spray B Spray C

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15 Stem height stem height, cm MG MF MA MPY MPS MPB Spray compositions PE films Mater Bi

16 Pot plants with black spray film 14 dic.2004

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20 Large fields application

21 Test for tomatoes cultivation in Puglia

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25 Agronomical results on strawberry production t/ha Spray film 2 Spray film 1 Black PE

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27 Residual mulching film in the soil % on initial weight months from the tillage ICTP

28 % Biodegradation Biodegradation curves for Cellulose and different Spray films Cell Spray 1 Spray 2 Spray 2 + Ca Time (gg)

29 SEM Analysis Spray 1 films downside t=t0 downside after 60 days

30 Economical evaluation In table we report the actual costs of some of the materials tested during the experimental cultivations (PE, Mater Bi of two different thicknesses, and Polysaccharides with fibers) and the cost of a paper mulching proposed on the market. Economical analysis of the mulch films Water based Parameters PE Paper Mater-bi Mater-bi Polysaccharides +waste fibers Thickness (mm) 0,045-0,015 0,012 0,050 Film weight (g/m 2 ) Area covered per kg of film (m 2 /kg) Cost per kg of film (euro/kg) 1,39 1,55 5,50 5,50 1,0 Mulched area (kg/ha) 0,063 0,172 0,100 0,079 0,060 Removal costs (euro/ha) Disposal costs (euro/ha) Total costs (euro/ha)

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36 Biodegradable pots (to be used instead of polyethylene pots or polystyrene nursery pots) Bio-hydroplastics Bio-wastes employed starch olive coconuts alginate chitosan Artemisia tomatoes

37 Cultivation tests in Bari (Italy) 2011

38 Functional polysaccharides and cellulose fibres: spray mulching for a sustainable agriculture By Mario Malinconico (mali@ictp.cnr.it)