Biodegradable Plastic Mulches for Specialty Crop Production

Closing Remarks

ASHS Colloquium, August 1, 2011, Miami, FL

With special thanks…

o Colloquium speakerso ASHS organizerso USDA AFRI SCRI programo Audience participantso SCRI-SREP project team on

Biodegradable Mulches for Specialty Crops Produced Under Protective Covers (Ref. No. 2009-02484)

Biodegradable mulches…

Agriculture has the opportunity to take a

leadership role in:

o Product developmento Product break-downo Product standardso Versatility in field applications o Alternative methods of disposal o Environmental impactso Consumer awareness

Trans-disciplinary approaches will continue to be critically important in future research & extension efforts

Crops: EntomologistsHorticulturists

Plant pathologistsWeed scientists

Materials:Biosystems engineersChemical engineersPolymer scientistsTextile scientists

Socio-Economic:EconomistsSociologists

Soils:Env. Biophysicists

Soil chemistsSoil ecologists

Soil microbiologists

Mulch manufacturers

Mulch distributors

Mulch users(growers/others)

Unique partnerships will continue to be critically important in future research & extension efforts

Non-biased information will continue to be critically important in future research & extension efforts

Nat’loutreach

Performanceacross diverse environments

Establishment of standards

Future Biodegradable Mulch topics…

Meeting organic production requirements Setting standards for biodegradation, in soil and

in composting Understanding the risks and benefits of carbon

emissions during microbial break-down Unexpected, new, and versatile uses Using ‘targeted’ microbial degraders