Trial of biodegradable mulch materials (Kent 2012)

Mulches are materials applied to the soil surface to control the growth of competitive weeds. The durability, practicality, and weed control efficacy of a range of mulch materials was tested for three years on a fertile ex-arable site planted with ash trees (Fraxinus excelsior (L.)) in southern England. Herbicides controlled weed growth effectively and resulted in the largest height and diameter increments for the lowest material cost. Biodegradable starch membrane mats, compressed wood fibre boards and hemp fibre mats did not control weed growth and did not improve height or stem diameter increment compared to the control. Hardboard and rubber mats both controlled weed growth and also significantly increased height and stem diameter increment. However, hardboard was difficult to handle on-site and rubber mats increased mortality, probably by reducing soil moisture availability. Costs of these treatments were high, partly due to small scale, experimental manufacture. Coir fibre mats with photodegradable membrane backing were durable, highly effective and practical. This was the only commercially available fully degradable material tested that resulted in a good growth response, comparable to that of non-biodegradable black plastic mats, which are often used on sites where herbicide use is not appropriate. On similar ex-agricultural sites, where a non-chemical approach is desirable, 1.2 m x 1.2 m coir mats with a photodegradable membrane are a practical alternative resulting in cost-effective growth benefits, although herbicides remain a cheaper, more effective option.
See also: Stokes, V. (2012) Some biodegradable mulch materials provide effective weed control during establishment of ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.) on farm woodland sites. Quarterly Journal of Forestry, 106 (4): 257-268. Attribution statement: If you use this data you must cite: Stokes, V. (2012) Some biodegradable mulch materials provide effective weed control during establishment of ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.) on farm woodland sites. Quarterly Journal of Forestry, 106 (4): 257-268.

覆盖物系指施加于土壤表面的材料，旨在抑制竞争性杂草的生长。本研究对一系列覆盖物材料在耐久性、实用性以及杂草控制效果方面的性能进行了为期三年的测试，测试地点位于英格兰南部一个肥沃的前耕作地，该地种植了白蜡树（Fraxinus excelsior (L.)）。除草剂有效地控制了杂草生长，并在最低的材料成本下实现了最大高度和直径的增加。可生物降解的淀粉膜垫、压缩木质纤维板和亚麻纤维垫未能控制杂草生长，且与对照相比，并未改善高度或茎直径的增加。硬纸板和橡胶垫均能控制杂草生长，并显著增加了高度和茎直径的增加。然而，硬纸板在现场处理较为困难，而橡胶垫则可能通过降低土壤水分可用性而增加了死亡率。这些处理措施的成本较高，部分原因是小规模实验性制造。具有光降解膜背衬的椰纤维垫耐用、高效且实用。这是唯一一种经过测试的、可商业获得的完全可降解材料，其生长反应良好，可与通常用于不适宜使用除草剂的场地的非可生物降解黑色塑料垫相媲美。在类似的前农业用地，若希望采取非化学方法，1.2米 x 1.2米的椰纤维垫配备光降解膜是一种实用的替代方案，能够带来成本效益的生长优势，尽管除草剂仍然是一种更便宜、更有效的选择。