Data from: Biodegradable composite hydromulches for sustainable organic horticulture

This research was led by Dilpreet Bajwa at Montana State University as part of a larger NIFA (OREI) project aimed at developing alternatives to plastic film mulch for use in organic horticultural production. The objective of the research was to test physical properties associated with various formulations of hydromulch. Hydromulch is an aqueous-applied cellulose-based mulch that can replace plastic film mulch. Surface-applied mulches help retain soil moisture and optimize soil temperature while preventing weed growth and benefiting many horticultural crops. The most common mulch material is low-density polyethylene (LDPE), is typically landfilled, buried, or burned at the end of growing season causing negative environmental impacts. The goal of this research was to develop soil-biodegradable, liquid-applied (i.e., hydromulch) alternatives to LDPE mulch and optimize formulations that are acceptable for organic horticulture. Hydromulch (HM) treatments contained mixtures of paper pulp, wood fiber, or hemp hurds (<i>Cannabis sativa L.</i>) combined with various tackifiers and water. The tackifiers were guar gum (<i>Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub.</i>), psyllium husk <i>(Plantago ovata L.)</i>, and camelina meal (<i>Camelina sativa (L.) Crantz</i>), included at various proportions. Hydromulch samples were tested for physical properties (density, water holding capacity, C:N ratio, soil adhesion) and mechanical properties (tensile strength, puncture resistance). Hydromulches containing no tackifiers were included as controls to determine if the addition of tackifiers resulted in enhanced mechanical properties. File names describe the data type and an accompanying README PDF file explains abbreviation and units associated with each column of data.