ISHS Acta Horticulturae 691: International Conference on Sustainable Greenhouse Systems - Greensys2004
RADIOMETRIC PROPERTIES OF BIODEGRADABLE FILMS FOR HORTICULTURAL PROTECTED CULTIVATION |
| Authors: | G. Vox, E. Schettini, G. Scarascia-Mugnozza |
| Keywords: | biodegradable films, starch based material, low tunnel, soil mulching, solar transmissivity, PAR transmissivity |
| DOI: | 10.17660/ActaHortic.2005.691.69 |
| Abstract:
The use of low-density polyethylene plastic films for soil mulching and greenhouse covering has been increasing significantly in the world. In order to overcome the environmental pollution due to the plastic wastes production, innovative biodegradable materials, which can be disposed directly in the soil or in composting plant, have been introduced to replace polyethylene films. Biodegradable films are innovative materials, as a consequence their physical properties must be evaluated in order to assess if they meet the agricultural requirements. In the present research the radiometric properties of biodegradable starch based films were tested in laboratory and during experimental field tests. The biodegradable films were used as low tunnel covering and mulching films in a melon cultivation in Southern Italy. Two black biodegradable and one transparent mulching film were used in combination with two biodegradable films for low tunnel covering. Low density polyethylene films were used for comparison too. Laboratory radiometric tests carried out on the biodegradable films for low tunnel covering showed values of the solar transmissivity coefficient between 86 and 87% and values of the long wave infrared coefficient ranging from 10 to 16%. The yield of melon obtained using biodegradable films was comparable with the yield obtained using polyethylene films, especially using the black mulching film rather than transparent mulching films. | |
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