Alternative Mulches for Sustainable Greenhouse Tomato Production

Soil mulching has advantages for horticultural crops, from both agronomic and phytosanitary points of view. The most common material used is polyethylene (PE); however, promising alternatives the circular economy exist, such as straw (ST) biodegradable biopolymers (BBs). effect three aforementioned mulches was evaluated compared to non-mulched soil in a Mediterranean greenhouse two years an organic tomato crop. Physical (moisture temperature) physicochemical properties soil, addition crop yield on weed control, were assessed. Additionally, deterioration plastic temperature higher mulched soils, but few differences found between BB at end second cycle. Evaporation lower general, without big among types mulch. Crop did not show differences. At trials, 16 variables evaluated, only slight increase pH detected ST-mulched plots. film degradation reached 5.6% 6.7% total surface first cycles, respectively. Weeds equally limited PE, BB, ST mulches, cereal seeds contained within germinated randomly all over In summary, offered same benefits conventional PE Therefore, they can be considered feasible more sustainable option, being consistent with principles bioeconomy.