Biodegradable Mulches for Specialty Crops Produced Under Protective Covers

BIODEGRADABLE MULCHES FOR SPECIALTY CROPS PRODUCED UNDER PROTECTIVE COVERS

Sponsoring Institution

National Institute of Food and Agriculture

Project Status

TERMINATED

Funding Source

OTHER GRANTS

Reporting Frequency

Annual

Accession No.

0219841

Grant No.

2009-51181-05897

Project No.

WNP03375

Proposal No.

2009-02484

Multistate No.

(N/A)

Program Code

SCRI

Project Start Date

Sep 1, 2009

Project End Date

Aug 31, 2013

Grant Year

2009

Project Director
Inglis, D. A.

Recipient Organization
WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY
240 FRENCH ADMINISTRATION BLDG
PULLMAN,WA 99164-0001

Performing Department
Mt. Vernon Res & Ext Unit

Non Technical Summary
Protective crop covering systems (high tunnels) can be more extensively utilized and optimized in specialty crop production. Protective covers can enhance the quality of fruits and vegetables, offer protection from climatic extremes, extend seasonality to generate significantly more revenue, ease the transition from conventional to organic food production, offer a solution to diminishing farmland availability, help provide a source of diverse locally grown food, and advance economic sustainability for many fruit and vegetable growers. However, a key production component within protective systems (high tunnels) is plastic mulch as a row cover which provides primary weed control, conserves soil moisture, increases crop yield, modifies soil temperature, and shortens the time to harvest for many crops. Mulch is comprised primarily of plastic manufactured from non-renewable petroleum feedstocks and in many regions is non-recyclable, which raises concern about the environmental sustainability of these highly desired production systems. The long term goals of this project are to assess agricultural, ecological, economic and sociological consequences of using both currently available and new formulations of prospective biodegradable mulches (BDMs) in protected specialty crop production systems in WA, TX and TN. Our project incorporates multiple disciplinary perspectives, including social, economic and environmental viewpoints. Through a whole systems approach, scientists, mulch manufacturers, agricultural industry members, and specialty crop growers will gain a better understanding of BDM technologies including physical, chemical and manufacturing properties that may prove efficacious and affordable. Specialty fruit and vegetable crop growers who utilize mulches in protected agriculture will also have access to new information regarding high tunnel management including how to optimize crop productivity, reduce labor and waste disposal costs, and minimize pest and disease threats. Team members will document the effects of BDMs on soil ecosystems and plant health to aid in ensuring a safe, healthy, sustainable and productive food system. The creation of new BDM prototypes from plant-derived polymers could ultimately result in a decreased need for petroleum-based feedstocks in mulch manufacturing, reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, and the amount of used agricultural plastics entering the waste stream. The ASTM standard for biodegradability, to be reinforced during all of the team's outreach efforts, will improve public understanding of requirements for desired BDMs.

Animal Health Component

(N/A)

Research Effort Categories

Basic

10%

Applied

80%

Developmental

10%

Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)	Subject of Investigation (SOI)	Field of Science (FOS)	Percent
216	1122	1060	10%
216	1430	1060	10%
216	1460	1060	15%
216	5120	1060	15%
601	1122	1060	10%
601	1430	1060	10%
601	1460	1060	15%
601	5120	1060	15%

Knowledge Area
216 - Integrated Pest Management Systems; 601 - Economics of Agricultural Production and Farm Management;

Subject Of Investigation
5120 - Textiles; 1122 - Strawberry; 1430 - Greens and leafy vegetables; 1460 - Tomato;

Field Of Science
1060 - Biology (whole systems);

Keywords

Goals / Objectives
The immediate goals of this project on biodegradable mulches (BDMs) for specialty crops produced under protective covers are fourfold. 1. Define the relative ability of existing and emerging BDMs to meet performance standards and completely biodegrade in the soil environment without manual removal techniques thereby decreasing labor and waste disposal costs, the need for expensive petroleum-based mulch manufacturing feedstocks, and limiting the amount of agricultural plastic in the waste stream. 2. Document the presence/absence of mulch residues in the soil environment and the effects on soil ecology and root health. 3. Research plant health and pest/disease threats resulting from growing crops using BDMs in high tunnels in three underserved regions of the U.S. ie., Pacific Northwest, Mid-South and Southeast. 4. Produce spunbond and meltblown nonwoven prototypes, which have the advantage of being readily produced from biodegradable polylactic acid (PLA) and polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) to specified weight, width, color and small fiber diameters, to lead to the next generation of BDM materials. The project's long-term goals and expected outputs, based on planning project accomplishments and stakeholder input, are fivefold. 1. Contribute to the knowledge base by testing existing and emerging biodegradable materials which can augment the polyethylene plastics now dominantly used for mulches in specialty crop systems. 2. Develop management strategies for using mulches on key crops in high tunnel systems that mitigate against inclement and pest/disease threats. 3. Foster the adaptation, environmental sustainability and economic feasibility of BDMs in high tunnel systems for three regions of the U.S. currently underserved by University research and education programs. 4. Gain a better understanding of mulch biodegradation and the potential effects on soil ecology and root health. 5. Help to promote research and development on BDMs in the future.

Project Methods
Four working groups (WGs) i.e., crops, materials, socio-economic and soils, each with a WG leader, have formed. Team members have been communicating both within and between WGs since a project planning conference in Wisconsin last fall. Six main activities are planned. Activity I (months 0 to 12) conducts performance assessments in the laboratory on the select core BDMs which will include a new PLA-based mulch prepared from commercially available feedstocks via spun-bond nonwoven manufacturing technology. Activity II (months 0 to 24) analyzes a spun-bond PLA-based BDM, and also a new melt-blown PLA-based BDM in soil assays via bench-scale and greenhouse tests. Activity III (months 6-36) evaluates the BDM core treatments in the field, and their effects on soil ecology, weed competition and root health. Activity IV (months 6-36) characterizes production, performance, and costs and returns of primary tunnel crops (tomato, lettuce, strawberry) in high tunnel versus open field production. Activity V (months 1-36) develops socio-economic data and outreach materials regarding BDMs for use in extension. Activity VI (months 18-36) compounds PLA and PHA blends for production of melt-blown fabric prototypes. Central to many of the WGs' activities, particularly in Year 1, will be a core set of prospective BDM materials (treatments) to analyze. Included in the core set, but not necessarily exclusive of others, will be Treatment 1 and 2 (current commercial products), Treatment 3 (spunbond (SB) nonwoven test material composed of 100% PLA polymer), Treatment 4 (black plastic agricultural mulch), and Treatment 5 (non-mulch control). The core set will be pre-selected in Year 1, but then those that perform optimally in laboratory and greenhouse experiments will be evaluated in Year 2 and 3. Also, shared among WG activities are four companion experiments inside of high tunnels versus open fields at the WA, TX and TN sites during Year 1, 2 and 3 growing seasons (study 1 on BDMs, and studies 2, 3 and 4 on primary crop cultivars). Environmental parameters (wind, rainfall/irrigation, soil and air temperatures, and soil moisture) will be recorded continuously using weather stations located within each main plot at each site in order to ascertain environment influences on both biodegradation and crop production parameters across locations. The tunnel sites will serve as the locations for many of the team's extension and project evaluation activities. Project data will help to modify existing life cycle analyses of biopolymers used as mulch manufacturing feedstocks, and be used in social cost-benefit analysis of BDMs.

Progress 09/01/09 to 08/31/13

Outputs
Target Audience: Targeted audiences were local, regional, national and international, and included both conventional and organic specialty crop growers who use high tunnels and mulches, as well as high tunnel and biodegradable mulch manufacturers. Audiences were reached via various publications and a public website; and, via presentations in classroom settings, at extension meetings, during workshops and field tours, by mass media and on-line articles, at seminars; and, via scientific meetings and publications. Changes/Problems: Dr. Karen Leonas left her position at WSU Pullman to chair a department at another university; Dr. Jeremy Cowan (Miles/Leonas’ former graduate student on the project) was hired to help complete the writing of Leonas’ manuscript. Dr. Jaehoon Lee’s graduate student at UTK left his position and other team members likely will need to take responsibility for completing the writing of a manuscript. Dr. Tom Walters, small fruit horticulturist at WSU Mount Vernon also left his position, and other team memberslikely will need to take responsibility for completing the writing of a manuscript. Some other manuscripts from some team members also are still forthcoming. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Four team members attended the American Society Horticultural Science annual meeting. Six graduate students (3 Ph.D. and 3 M.S.) and ~25 undergraduate students trained by project personnel; these students gained uncommon experience in transdisciplinary research approaches. One undergraduate independent study at UTK on “Identification of Native East Tennessee Micro-organisms Capable of Utilizing Biodegradable Mulches as a Carbon Energy Source.” Two undergraduate engineering design projects on improving structural design of high tunnels (UTK and WSU), finished. At Western Washington University, 12 undergraduate students received research credits for project participation. Graduate students on the project were hired: so far, one into a tenure-track teaching/research position; one into a tenure-track extension/teaching position; one into a PhD program; one into a Plant Diagnostic Clinic; and, one as a Volunteer Coordinator for a student internship program. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? The team engaged fully in information dissemination about BDMs and HTS to local, regional, national and international audiences via (i) classroom settings; (ii) extension presentations and publications, field demonstrations and tours, focus group sessions, media interviews, radio programs, and workshops; and, (iii) scientific abstracts, book chapters, invited presentations, meetings and seminars. Five team members participated in the team-sponsored colloquium, “Biodegradable Plastic Mulches for Specialty Crop Production: Current Status and Future Directions” at American Society Horticultural Science meeting in Miami, FL in 2012 and one of the team’s scientific advisors gave that year’s ASHS keynote address. A public website, http://mountvernon.wsu.edu/hightunnelswas created with discrete frames to allow information to be customized for the regional audiences; additionally, co-PD Miles coordinated the revision of the national website www.hightunnels.org to further disseminate new information. Presentations during previous project years have already been reported but those that occurred during 2013 include: 8 by Tennessee team members as senior authors; 18 by Texas team members as senior authors; and, 28 by Washington team members as senior authors. Overall during the project an estimated 100,000+ people directly educated; 3M+ people potentially impacted. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? The project evaluated five potentially biodegradable agricultural mulches in HT and OF settings (2010, 2011, 2012) in three areas of the US (mid-South, High Plains, Northwest) underserved for research and education on BDMs and HTs. Tomato was used as the test crop, but experiments on lettuce and strawberry also were carried out. In addition, experimental spunbond-and meltblown-PLA mulches were formulated for greenhouse and field testing in cooperation with plastic manufacturers. The team established five working groups (Crops, Economics, Materials, Sociology, Soils) who: (i) standardized protocols for setting-upexperiments and analyzing mulch, plant and soil samples in various laboratories; (ii) created both internal and public websites for sharing data, information and/or results as appropriate; (iii) completed experimental field, greenhouse and laboratory trials; (iv) arranged focus groups and interviews with advisors and stakeholders to collect economic and sociological data, and feedback; and (v) analyzed data, wrote articles/reports, and presented new information. To ensure a transdisciplinary approach, Working Group (WG) Leaders conferred across and within WGs via periodic conference calls and continuous e-mail messaging. Three team meetings for project advisors, team members, and students were held (Mount Vernon, 2010; Lubbock, 2011; Knoxville, 2012), and ‘round-robin’ sessions insured transdisciplinary interactions. Six graduate students (3 Ph.D. and 3 M.S.) and ~25 undergraduate students were trained by project personnel; students gained uncommon experience in transdisciplinary research approaches. Overall outcomes include:10+ scientific journal articles and reports and 15+ more submitted or nearly completed; 50+ scientific abstracts and proceedings; 3 book chapters; 5 crop enterprise budgets; 7 extension publications; 200+ extension presentations; 5 dissertations/theseswith 1 in progress; 32 media interviews; and3 websites. Overall impacts (expected and not expected) include: BDMs and HTs influence lettuce, strawberry and tomato production across contrasting environments; HTs can be used as a risk management tool as per crop insurance; NRCS now offers revenue credits for HT growers in TN, TX and WA; structural changes to HTs to better withstand high winds recommended; strawberry HT production surprisingly adaptable in TX; tomato growers manage late blight without fungicide sprays for the first time in western Washington. Also, ASTM invited two team members to help establish a new international standard for plastic biodegradation in soil; team members contributing comments on BDMs for organic production being brought from the petition to the approval stage by the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB); an economic model on optimal mulch use and related disposal decisions, and a mechanistic model on Polylactic Acid (PLA) degradation, proposed; more bioplastic manufacturers considering agricultural applications, and one manufacturer planning to hire an agricultural specialist; methods for detecting, and microbial bioplastic degraders identified; project team invited by a publisher to write a book on BDMs; utility of nonwoven PLA mulches for other agricultural applications realized; and, various field and laboratory techniques for assessing mulch degradation in/on soil developed.

Publications

Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: Jiang, J. Oct.2, 2013. "Participation in Green Practices: A Case of Plastic Bags Reduction. International Conference on Applied Business and Economics, New York, NY (20 attendees).
Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: Jiang, J. Oct. 5, 2013. Risk Spillovers in U.S. Crude Oil, Corn and Plastics Markets International Conference on Applied Business and Economics, New York, NY (30 attendees).
Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: Mathes, D. Oct 7, 2013. Biodegradable plastics. Guest speaker for Vancouver Chapter Master Gardeners Association of British Columbia monthly meeting. Vancouver, BC Canada (~100 attendees).
Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: Miles, C.A. Feb 15, 2013. Biodegradable mulch for crop production. Johnson Community College, Overland Park, KS (120 registrants).
Type: Journal Articles Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2013 Citation: Wadsworth, L,C., Hayes, D.G., Wszelaki, A.L., Washington, T.L., Martin, J., Lee, J., Raley, R., Pannell, C.T., Dharmalingam, S., Miles, C., Saxton, A., and Inglis, D.A. 2013. Evaluation of degradable spun-melt 100% polylactic acid nonwovens mulch materials in a greenhouse environment. Journal of Engineered Fibers and Fabrics 8(4): (in press for December edition).
Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Wallace, R.W, and Webb, C.J, 2013. Strawberries grown under protected cultivation on the Texas High Plains. Journal of the American Pomological Society 67(1): 7-10.
Type: Journal Articles Status: Submitted Year Published: 2014 Citation: Cowan, J.S., Goldberger, J., Miles, C., and Inglis, D. 201x. Finding tactile space during an Extension field day event: The case of biodegradable plastic mulch. Agriculture and Human Values: (submitted Aug 2, 2013).
Type: Journal Articles Status: Submitted Year Published: 2014 Citation: Li, C.H., Moore-Kucera, J., Lee, J., Corbin, A., Brodhagen, M., Miles, C., Inglis, D. 201x. Effects of biodegradable mulch on soil quality. Applied Soil Ecology (submitted Nov 19, 2013).
Type: Journal Articles Status: Submitted Year Published: 2014 Citation: Li, C., Moore-Kucera, J., Miles, C., Leonas, K., Lee, J., Corbin, A., and Inglis, D. 201x. Degradation of potentially biodegradable plastic mulch films and influence of abiotic and biotic properties in the soil environment at three geographically distinct agricultural locations in the U.S. Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems (submitted Jul 5, 2013).
Type: Other Status: Under Review Year Published: 2014 Citation: Wszelaki, A., and Martin, J. 2013. Choosing a high tunnel in Tennessee: A comparison of high tunnel types and uses. University of Tennessee Extension Publication SP 754-B. X p. (in review).
Type: Journal Articles Status: Under Review Year Published: 2014 Citation: Moore-Kucera, J., Cox, S.B., Peyron, M., Bailes, G., Kinloch, K., Karich, K., Miles, C., Inglis, D.A., and Brodhagen, M. 201x. Native soil fungi associated with compostable plastics in three contrasting agricultural settings. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology (completed; submitting ~Dec 1).
Type: Journal Articles Status: Under Review Year Published: 2014 Citation: Powell, M., Gundersen, B., Cowan, J., Miles, C.A., and Inglis, D.A. 201x. The effect of high tunnels on late blight and physiological leaf roll of tomato in western Washington. Plant Disease: (completed; submitting ~Dec 1).
Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Corbin, A., Miles, C., Cowan, J., Hayes, D., Inglis, D., and Dorgan, J. 2013. Biodegradable plastics as agricultural mulch. Washington State University Extension Fact Sheet: FS103E. 6 pages at https://pubs.wsu.edu/ItemDetail.aspx?ProductID=15552&SeriesCode=&CategoryID=&Keyword=mulch
Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Corbin, A.T., Miles, C., Cowan, J., Hayes, D., Moore-Kucera, J., and Inglis, D. 2013. Current and future prospects for biodegradable plastic mulch in certified organic production systems eOrganic: Available online May 2, 2013 at http://www.extension.org/pages/67951
Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Wallace, R.W. and Webb, C.J. 2013. High tunnels for crop production in Texas. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Pub. No. HT-016. 12 p.
Type: Journal Articles Status: Submitted Year Published: 2014 Citation: Hablot, E., Dharmalingam, S., Hayes, D.G., Wadsworth, L.C., Narayan, R., and Inglis, D.A. 201x. Effect of simulated weatherometry on physio-chemical properties and inherent biodegradation of PLA/PHA non-wovens mulches. Polymer Degradation and Stability (submitted Oct 18, 2013).
Type: Journal Articles Status: Submitted Year Published: 2014 Citation: Jingze, J., and Marsh, T.L. 201x. Sustainable plastic mulch use and disposal decisions in agriculture. Ecological Economics (submitted Jul 23, 2013).
Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Wallace, R., Masabni, J., Gu, M., Porter, P., Nesbitt, M., and Palma, M. 2013. Crops for high tunnel production in Texas. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Pub. No. EHT-029. 13 p.
Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Wszelaki, A., C. Miles, R. Wallace and E. Belasco. 2013. A Case Study on the Uses (and Abuses) of High Tunnels for Fruit and Vegetable Production. Proceedings of the 6th National Small Farm Conference, Memphis, TN. p. 43-46.
Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Wszelaki, A., Lockwood, D., and Martin, J. 2013. High tunnel strawberry production in Tennessee. University of Tennessee Extension Publication SP 754-A. 3 p.
Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Cowan, J., C. Miles, K. Leonas, H. Liu, A. Saxton and D. Inglis. 2013. Evaluating visual assessments of mulch deterioration to predict changes in mulch mechanical properties. HortScience 48(9):S224.(Abstract). NIFA acknowledged during presentation: Cowan, J., C. Miles, K. Leonas, H. Liu, A. Saxton and D. Inglis. July 25, 2013. Evaluating visual assessments of mulch deterioration to predict changes in mulch mechanical properties. Annual Meeting American Society for Horticultural Science, Palm Desert, CA (~20 attendees).
Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Cowan, J., C. Miles and D. Inglis. 2013. Deterioration of three biodegradable plastic mulches before and after soil incorporation in a broccoli production system. HortScience 48(9):S223.(Abstract). NIFA acknowledged during presentation: Cowan, J., C. Miles and D. Inglis. July 25, 2013. Deterioration of three biodegradable plastic mulches before and after soil incorporation in a broccoli production system. Annual Meeting American Society for Horticultural Science, Palm Desert, CA (~20 attendees).
Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Martin, J.T. and Wszelaki, A.L. 2013. Assessment of degradable alternatives for plastic mulch for organic tomato production in the Southeast. HortScience 48(9):S126 (Abstract). NIFA acknowledged during presentation: Wszelaki, A. July 22, 2013. Assessment of degradable alternatives for plastic mulch for organic tomato production in the Southeast. Annual Meeting American Society for Horticultural Science, Palm Desert, CA (~40 attendees).
Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Powell, M., Gundersen, B., Miles, C.A., Cowan, J.S., and Inglis, D.A. 2013. The effect of an open-ended high tunnel production system on late blight of tomato in western Washington. Phytopathology 103(S3):15 (Abstract). NIFA acknowledged during presentation: Inglis, D.A. June 19, 2013. The effect of an open-ended high tunnel production system on late blight of tomato in western Washington. Joint Meeting Pacific & Caribbean Divisions, American Phytopathological Society, Tucson, AZ (~60 attendees).
Type: Theses/Dissertations Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2013 Citation: Dharmalingam, Sathishkumar. 201x. Fabrication of biodegradable agricultural mulches (Major advisor, D. Hayes). University of Tennessee at Knoxville. Biosystems Engineering. X p. (anticipated for December 2013).
Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: Inglis, D.A. July 22, 2013. Achieving transdisciplinary success: Biodegradable mulches for specialty crops produced under protective covers. SCRI Project Directors Workshop, Annual Meeting American Society for Horticultural Science, Palm Desert, CA (~20 attendees).
Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: Martin, J. March 13, 2013. The influence of organically managed high tunnel and open field production systems on strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa) quality and yield, tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) yield, and evaluation of plastic mulch alternatives. M.S. Thesis Seminar, Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee, Plant Sciences Department, Knoxville, TN (~20 attendees).
Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: Martin, J. August 19, 2013. Organically managed high tunnel and open field strawberry, tomato and lettuce variety trial research summary. University of Tennessee Crop Production Workshop Series: Organic Vegetable Showcase: Maximizing Your Investment from Variety Selection to High Tunnel Production, Knoxville, TN (46 attendees).
Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: Wszelaki, A. January 8, 2013. Overview of the Tennessee high tunnel program. Kentucky Fruit and Vegetable Growers Conference and Trade Show, Lexington, KY (~150 attendees).
Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: Wszelaki, A. January 26, 2013. High quality strawberry production in East Tennessee. Tennessee Horticultural Exposition, Nashville, TN (30 attendees).
Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: Wszelaki, A. February 7, 2013. Strawberries in December: Gardening year-round in tunnels. Master Gardener Winter School, Murfreesboro, TN (174 attendees).
Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: Wszelaki, A. June 19, 2013. Overview of the University of Tennessee Organic and Sustainable Crop Production Program. University of Tennessee Board of Trustees Meeting, Knoxville, TN (~50 attendees).
Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: Wallace, R.W. Feb 21, 2013. Construction of high tunnels and strawberry production. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Grower Meeting. Weslaco, TX (15 attendees).
Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: Wszelaki, A. August 6, 2013. High tunnel strawberry production. University of Tennessee Steak and Potatoes Field Day, Crossville, TN (110 attendees).
Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Galinato, S.P., C.A. Miles, and D.A. Inglis. 2013. Economic profitability of growing lettuce and tomato in western Washington under high tunnel and open field production systems. HortScience 48(9):S331 (Abstract). NIFA acknowledged on poster: Miles, C.A. July 23, 2013. Economic profitability of growing lettuce and tomato in western Washington under high tunnel and open field production systems. Annual Meeting American Society for Horticultural Science, Palm Desert, CA (poster presentation; ~300 potential viewers).
Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Ji, X. Miles, C.A., Martin, J.T., Wallace, R.W., Wszelaki, A.L., Moore-Kucera, J., Inglis, D.A., and Lee, J. 2013. Effect of biodegradable mulches on environmental data collected from high tunnel and open field settings. HortScience 48(9):S335-336 (Abstract). NIFA acknowledged on poster: Miles, C.A. Jul 23, 2013. Effect of biodegradable mulch on high tunnel and open field environments. Annual Meeting American Society for Horticultural Science, Palm Desert, CA (poster presentation; ~300 potential viewers).
Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: Wallace, R.W. Feb 26, 2013. High tunnel production in Texas. East Texas Commercial Fruit & Vegetable Conference. Tyler, TX (250 attendees).
Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: Wallace, R.W. Mar 21, 2013. High and low tunnels. Hale County Master Gardener Program. Plainview, TX (10 attendees).
Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: Li, C. May 28, 2013. In situ degradation of potentially biodegradable mulches under tomato production and impacts on soil health. M.S. Thesis Seminar, Department of Plant and Soil Science, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX (25 attendees).
Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: Wallace, R.W. Mar 30, 2013. High tunnel strawberry field day. Texas A&M AgriLife Research & Extension Center, Lubbock, TX (50 attendees).
Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: Wallace, R.W. Apr 4, 2013. High and low tunnels for vegetables. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Center, Abilene, TX (20 attendees).
Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: Wallace, R.W. Apr 5, 2013. High tunnel strawberry production. Texas Fruit Growers Association. Wichita Falls, TX (25 attendees).
Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: Wallace, R.W. Apr 6, 2013. High and low tunnels for vegetable production. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. Potter County Master Gardeners, Amarillo, TX (10 attendees).
Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: Wallace, R.W. Apr 9, 2013. High and low tunnels for vegetable production. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. Dawson County Gardening Class, Lamesa, TX (6 attendees).
Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: Wallace, R.W. Apr 16, 2013. High and low tunnels for vegetable production. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. Muleshoe Gardening Class, Muleshoe, TX (15 attendees).
Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: Wallace, R.W. Apr 18, 2013. High and low tunnels for vegetable production. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. Swisher County Gardening Class, Tulia, TX (20 attendees).
Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: Wallace, R.W. Apr 30, 2013. High and low tunnels for vegetable production. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. Tom Green County Master Gardeners, San Angelo, TX (20 attendees).
Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: Wallace, R.W. May 18, 2013. High and Low tunnels for vegetable production. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. Hemphill County Master Gardeners, Canadian, TX (10 attendees).
Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: Wallace, R.W. Jun 5, 2013. Gardening in the wind and heat. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. Presentation online through Microsoft Lync (30 viewers).
Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: Wallace, R.W. Jul 16, 2013. High and low tunnels for vegetable production. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. Cochran County Gardeners, Morton, TX (5 attendees).
Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: Brodhagen, M. Oct 7, 2013. Biodegradable plastics and native soil fungi. Guest speaker for Vancouver Chapter Master Gardeners Association of British Columbia monthly meeting. Vancouver, BC Canada (~100 attendees).
Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: Cowan, J. February 28, 2013. Exploring biodegradable mulch for specialty crop production. Department of Horticulture, University of Wisconsin Madison, Madison, WI (~30 attendees).
Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: Cowan, J. April 4, 2013. Exploring biodegradable mulch for specialty crop production. Ph.D. Dissertation Seminar, Department of Horticulture, Washington State University, Pullman, WA (~60 attendees).
Type: Theses/Dissertations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Jiang, Jingze. 2013. Economics of environmental and sustainable choices: Plastics and biodegradable products. Ph.D. Dissertation (Major advisor, T. Marsh). Washington State University, School of Economic Sciences. 165 p.
Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: Cowan, J. June x, 2013. WSU Spokane County Extension Regional Extension Horticulture: A plan for success. Spokane County Extension, Washington State University, Spokane, WA (~20 attendees).
Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: Inglis, D.A. July 18, 2013. Achieving transdisciplinary success: Biodegradable mulches for specialty crops produced under protective covers. Brown Bag Seminar, WSU Mount Vernon NWREC (~25 attendees).
Type: Theses/Dissertations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Cowan, Jeremy. 2013. The use of biodegradable mulch for tomato and broccoli production: Crop yield and quality, mulch deterioration, and growers' perceptions. Ph.D. Dissertation (Major advisor, C. Miles). Washington State University, Department of Horticulture. 204 p.
Type: Theses/Dissertations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Li, C. 2013. In situ degradation of potentially biodegradable mulches under tomato production and impacts on soil health. M.S. Thesis (Major advisor, J. Moore-Kucera), Department of Plant and Soil Science, Texas Tech University, Department of Plant and Soil Science. 146 p.
Type: Theses/Dissertations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Martin, J. 2013. The influence of organically managed high tunnel and open field production systems on strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa) quality and yield, tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) yield, and evaluation of plastic mulch alternatives. M.S. Thesis (Major advisor, A. Wszelaki). University of Tennessee, Plant Sciences Department. 128 p.
Type: Theses/Dissertations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Powell, Marianne. 2013. Assessment of tomato and lettuce diseases in organically managed high tunnel cropping systems in western Washington and isolation of soil microbes potentially capable of biodegrading agricultural mulches. M.S. Thesis (Major advisor, D. A. Inglis). Washington State University, Department of Plant Pathology. 181 p.
Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Bailes, G., Lind, M., Ely, A., Powell, M., Moore-Kucera, J., Miles, C., Inglis, D., and Brodhagen, M. 2013. Isolation of native soil microorganisms with potential for breaking down biodegradable plastic mulch films used in agriculture. Journal Visualized Experiments (75), e50373; available online doi:10.3791/50373.
Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Belasco, E., Galinato, S., Marsh, T., Miles, C., Wallace, R. D. 2013. High tunnels are my crop insurance: An assessment of risk management tools for small-scale specialty crop producers. Agricultural and Resource Economics Review 42/2, 403-418.
Type: Journal Articles Status: Accepted Year Published: 2014 Citation: Cowan, J. S., Miles, C.A., Andrews, P.K., and Inglis, D.A. 201x. High tunnels and biodegradable mulches control weeds and affect tomato yield and fruit quality. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture: (accepted pending revisions, August 28, 2013).
Type: Journal Articles Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2013 Citation: Cowan, J.S., Miles, C., and Inglis, D. 201x. Deterioration of three potentially biodegradable plastic mulches before and after soil incorporation in a broccoli field production system in northwestern Washington. HortTechnology 23(6): (in press for December edition).
Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Galinato, S.P, and Miles, C. A. 2013. Economic profitability of tomato and lettuce in western Washington under open field and high tunnel production systems. HortTechnology 23(4): 453-461.
Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2013 Citation: Cowan, J. April 8, 2013. Exploring biodegradable mulch for specialty crop production. Department of Horticulture, University of Georgia, Athens, GA (~50 attendees).
Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: Cowan J.. and C. Miles. April 20, 2013. Biodegradable mulch for crop production. Home and Garden Show. Klickitat County, WA (~6 attendees).
Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: Cowan J.. and C. Miles. April 20, 2013. High tunnel production. Home and Garden Show. Klickitat County, WA (~8 attendees).
Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: Cowan, J. June 4, 2013. Exploring biodegradable mulch for specialty crop production. Ferrum College. Ferrum, VA (~20 attendees).
Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: Cowan, J. and Goldberger, J., October 15, 16, 19, and 22, 2012. Biodegradable mulch demonstrations and focus group sessions. Washington State University NWREC, Mount Vernon, WA (24 total attendees).
Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: Miles, C.A. Jan 15, 2013. High profits under high tunnels. Oregon Horticultural Society, Canby, OR (150 registrants).
Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: A public website, http://mountvernon.wsu.edu/hightunnels, on high tunnels and crops mulches maintained specifically for Pacific Northwest, High Plains, and Southeast regional audiences.
Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: The co-PD coordinated the revision of the national website, www.hightunnels.org, to further disseminate information.
Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2012 Citation: Wallace, R.W. Oct 12, 2012. Strawberries and other fruit crop opportunities with high tunnels. Texas Fruit & Nut Orchard Conference, Bryan, TX (125 attendees; citation not included in Yr 3 report).
Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2012 Citation: Miles, C. Oct 29, 2012. High tunnel vegetable production workshop. Washington State University Clark Co. Extension, Vancouver, WA (75 registrants; citation not included in Yr 3 report).
Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2012 Citation: Wallace, R.W. Dec 7, 2012. Growing strawberries in high tunnels. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. High Plains Ag Conference. Lubbock, TX (20 attendees; citation not included in Yr 3 report).
Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2012 Citation: Wallace, R.W. Dec 11, 2012. High and low tunnels for vegetables. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, West Plains Ag Conference, Levelland, TX (20 attendees; citation not included in Yr 3 report).
Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2012 Citation: Miles, C. Oct. 7, 2012. High tunnel vegetable production in the South Sound. Washington State University Thurston Co. Extension, Olympia, WA (45 registrants; citation not included in Yr 3 report).
Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: Jiang, J. Apr 28, 2013. Optimal plastic mulch use and disposal decisions in agriculture. Invited Seminar, Endinboro University, Endinboro, PA (7 attendees).
Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: Jiang, J. May 17, 2013. Voluntary Rewards for Consumers Participation in Green Practices: A Case of Plastic Bags Reduction. 47th Annual Pacific Northwest Regional Economic Conference Regional Competitiveness in the Global Economy, Spokane, WA (12 attendees).

Progress 09/01/11 to 08/31/12

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Activities: Yr 3 of a field experiment under 3 diverse environments in TN, TX and WA, evaluated a modified (based on Yr 1 & 2 results) black, experimental spunbond (SB) polylactic acid/polyhydroxyalkanoate (PLA/PHA) nonwoven fabric (PLA-12) as a biodegradable mulch (BDM) for high tunnel (HT) and open field (OF) production. Comparisons to BioAgri and BioTelo (leading commercial BDMs), WeedGuardPlus (cellulose), and conventional black plastic made. A bare ground control, 4 reps of HT and OF plots, and tomato test crop were also included. Field tests on adaptability of 6 cultivars each of lettuce, strawberry, and tomato to HT vs. OF, and a 2-yr mesh bag study on biodegradation following mulch incorporation into soil, completed at each site. Greenhouse tests on soil additives to enhance mulch biodegradation carried-out at University of Tennessee in Knoxville. Research on biodegradability of SB-PLA and meltblown (MB)-PLA/PHA investigated using ASTM D5338 as coordinated with advisor at MSU in MI. BDMs studied using weatherometry to understand effects of sunlight and soil moisture on degradation. Events: Information about BDMs and HTs delivered to local, regional, and national audiences via (i) classroom; (ii) extension meetings and field tours; and, (iii) scientific articles and meetings, colloquia, keynote address, and invited presentations. Mesh bag, mulch, plant, and soil sampling completed regularly by project working groups (WGs) per previous protocols. Team (23 total) met Mar 13-15 at UTK where WG presentations, graduate student symposium, statistics training, and tour of SCRI field trials took place. Five team members participated in team-sponsored colloquium, "Biodegradable Plastic Mulches for Specialty Crop Production: Current Status and Future Directions" at American Society Horticultural Science meeting in Miami, FL, Jul 31-Aug 3. Team represented by Wszelaki at 6th Annual National Small Farms Conference in Memphis, TN, Sep 18-20; invited to present again at Kentucky Fruit and Vegetable Conference at Lexington in Jan 2013. A 2-year field demonstration for stakeholder focus groups at WA field site contrasted post-harvest management of BDMs. Services: Six graduate and 23 undergraduate students trained. One senior capstone design project on "Improving HT to Withstand Wind" accepted at UT-K. Two engineering Technology Senior Projects on PLA advised at WWU. Three graduate students at UTK evaluated "Evaporation and Soil Temperature and Moisture under BDMs". One student internship on "Risk of Postharvest Gray Mold in HTs and OF" advised at WSU. Products: Experimental mulch (SB-PLA+PHA-12) manufactured at Saxony Textile Research Institute in Germany, based on 2011 results. New methods for isolating native soil fungi and bacteria that colonize plastic mulch films after burial developed. Dissemination: Public website on HTs and BDMs maintained for Pacific Northwest, High Plains, and Southeast regional audiences (see http://mtvernon.wsu.edu/HighTunnels/index.html). Web survey, entitled "BDMs: Experiences and Opinions of Intermediaries" sent to targeted audiences in TN, TX, and WA to determine future project directions. PARTICIPANTS: Project Scientists (2011-2012): Project Director and Co-Project Director: Debra Ann Inglis and Carol Miles, Washington State University (WSU) NWREC, Mount Vernon, WA. Crops Working Group (WG): Annette Wszelaki (Leader), University of Tennessee (UTK), Knoxville,TN; Russell Wallace, Texas AgriLife Research & Extension Center, Lubbock, TX; Tom Walters, WSU Mount Vernon NWREC. Economics WG: Tom Marsh (Leader) and Suzette Galinato at WSU Pullman; Eric Belasco, Montana State University (MSU), Bozeman, MT. Materials WG: Douglas Hayes (Leader) and Larry Wadsworth at UTK; Karen Leonas and Hang Liu at WSU Pullman. Sociology WG: Jessica Goldberger (Leader), Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, WSU Pullman. Soils WG: Jennifer Moore-Kucera (Leader) at Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX; Marion Brodhagen, Western Washington University (WWU), Bellingham, WA; Andrew Corbin, WSU Snohomish County Extension; Jaehoon Lee, UTK. Other Project Participants (2011-2012): Ad Hoc Interest Groups: Terry Phillips, BIOgroupUSA, Inc., Palm Harbor, FL; Eric Menard, Dubois Agrinovations, Waterford (Ontario) CAN; Dick Mathes, Crown Films, Burlington, WA. Graduate Students: Jeremy Cowan (Ph.D. Horticulture, WSU); Jingze Jiang (Ph.D. Economics, WSU); Chenhui Li (M.S. Soils, TTU); Jeff Martin (M.S. Horticulture, UTK); Marianne Powell (M.S., WSU); Rob Raley (M.S. Soils, UTK). Industry Advisors: Robert Green, NatureWorks LLC, Cary, NC; Mark Williams, BioBag USA, Inc., Palm Harbor, FL. Scientific Advisors: John Dorgan, Colorado School of Mines; Lewis Jett, West Virginia University, Ramani Narayan, Michigan State University. Stakeholder (grower) Advisors: George (Ben) Craft, Alm Hill Gardens, Everson, WA; Elizabeth Malayter, Farm2School, Rogersville, TN; Ashley Basinger, South Plains Food Bank, Inc., Lubbock, TX; Tom Thornton, Cloud Mountain Farm, Everson, WA. Technical Support: C. Joel Webb (TX Agri-Life); Galina Melnichenko (UTK); Hang Liu (WSU Pullman); Babette Gundersen, Jacky King, Jonathan Roozen, Don Wallace (WSU Mount Vernon); Graham Bailes and Margaret Lind (WWU). Survey Collaborators: Rose Krebill-Prather and Leona Ding, WSU Pullman Social and Economic Sciences Research Center (SESRC). Undergraduate Students: Isaac Lucero (TX Agri-Life); Andrew Alleman, Jesus Blanco, Jessica Siewert (TTU); Rachel Dunlap, Sarah Elias,Tim Grant, Emily Hennely, Dara Smith (UTK); Matt Conklin, Deborah Rodriguez, Tasha Totten (WSU Pullman); Holly Gonzales and Ashley Quimby (WSU Mount Vernon); Cory Ashline, Andrew Ely, Kalin Karich, Briana Kinash, Kevin Kinloch, Megan Leonhard, Margaret Lind, Joseph McCollum, Maria McSharry (WWU). TARGET AUDIENCES: Targeted audiences were local, regional, national and international, and included both conventional and organic specialty crop growers who use high tunnels and mulches, as well as HT and BDM manufacturers. At least 500,000 people were reached via various publications and a public website; and, via presentations in classroom settings, at extension meetings, during workshops and field tours, by mass media and on-line articles, at seminars; and, via scientific meetings and publications (see above). PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: In personnel: Dr. Jessica Goldberger assumed the role of project sociologist due to previous sociologists no longer being involved in the project. In methods: Dr. Goldberger in collaboration with WSU's Social and Economic Sciences Research Center conducted an online survey, "Biodegradable Plastic Mulches: Experiences and Opinions of Intermediaries," to stakeholders in TN, TX and WA to assess intermediaries' experiences, opinions, and needs regarding BDMs.

Impacts
Knowledge: 26 abstracts and proceedings (read by 80,050+); 9 book chapters, journal articles, technical reports (read by 406,108+); 7 extension publications (all online); 47 presentations (attended by ~5,151); 2 media articles (both online); minimum estimate of people impacted= 491,208+. Actions: Hayes (team PI) invited and received travel grant to give research presentation at BEPS Research Symposium, Sep 18-21, University of North Texas, Denton, TX, and as a result, UTK graduate student under Hayes' direction selected for BEPS Poster Award. Inglis (team PD) advised scientist in NZ on controlling late blight on tomato using crop covers. Hayes (team PI) establishing potential new collaboration with scientist in Brazil. One team member served as SCRI Program Panel Reviewer. Two team members provided scientific expertise to National Organic Standards Board regarding biodegradability of plastic mulch. Two team members joined American Society Testing & Materials International to participate in a WG which is developing a new standard for plastic biodegradability in soil. New project team received WSU Planning Grant award, and creating follow-up SCRI CAPS project proposal using, in part, results from BDM survey by team sociologist. Change in Conditions: For Agricultural Norms - HTs accepted for first time into Natural Resources Conservation Service program in TX, based on project results. Team advisor Narayan gave the William A. ("Tex") Frazier Plenary Guest Lecture at ASHS Annual Meeting, Jul 31-Aug 3, Miami, FL, on "The Promise of Bioplastics: Understanding Value Proposition of Biobased and Biodegradable Plastics for Reducing Carbon Footprint and Improving Environmental Performance." New research emphasis is now being placed on engineering high tunnels for high wind environments. Two major plastic mulch manufacturers intend to hire an agricultural specialist to better integrate bioplastic product development with agricultural needs. For Community: Case study on "Evaluating biodegradability of biobased plastics buried in soil" invited and submitted by Hayes (team PI) to Knovel Academic Solutions Stories, with 120,000 potential newsletter subscribers and 10,000 blog views. For Economics: Eleven plastic manufacturers in CA, CAN, IN, MD, MN, NY, SC, RI, WA, and WV have expressed interest in becoming involved with future research on BDMs for agriculture. New grant award of $90,728 awarded by USDA Risk Management Agency's Risk Management Education & Outreach Partnership Program to Belasco (team PI) for "Training for Limited Resource and Beginning Farmers and Ranchers in Montana." For Environment: WeedGuardPlus and other BDM mulches now accepted for USDA OMRI classification and rule-making is in progress; Inglis and Miles (co-PDs) interviewed on this issue by the Center for Food Safety in Washington D.C. and team extension publication on BDMs used during sub-committee deliberations. Two book chapters on BDMs published. Project team honored by being asked by CRC Press/Taylor to prepare a book on BDMs for Agriculture.

Publications

Walters, T., Wallace, R., Wszelaki, A., Martin, J., Miles, C., and Inglis, D.A. 2012. High tunnels, cultivars and plant types influence disease incidence and severity in organically managed strawberries. American Society for Horticultural Science. Miami, FL. HortScience 47(9):S403 (abstract potentially read by ~4,000 people).
Belasco, E., Miles, C., Wszelaki, A., and Inglis, D. 2012. The use of high tunnels and crop insurance to manage risk in specialty crop production. Women in Agriculture Educators National Conference. Memphis, TN (abstract potentially read by 200 people).
Corbin, A., Miles, C., Cowan, J., Hayes, D. and Moore-Kucera, J. 2012. Current status of biodegradable plastic mulches in certified organic production. American Society for Horticultural Science, Miami, FL. HortScience 47(9):S152 (abstract potentially read by ~4,000 people).
Cowan, J., Miles, C., and Inglis, D. 2012. The effects of high tunnels and bio-degradable mulch on fruit quality of tomatoes grown in northwestern Washington. American Society for Horticultural Science. Miami, FL. HortScience 47(9):S152 (abstract potentially read by ~4,000 people).
Cowan, J., Miles, C., and Inglis, D. 2012. Effects of biodegradable mulch on yield of tomato grown in high tunnels and open field conditions in northwestern Washington. American Society for Horticultural Science. Miami, FL. HortScience 47(9):S109 (abstract potentially read by ~4,000 people).
Cowan, J.S., Miles, C.A., Wszelaki, A., Wallace, R., Martin, J., and Corbin, A. 2012. Biodegradable mulches for sustainable and organic crop production. Proceedings of the 6th National Small Farm Conference. Memphis, TN (conference proceedings potentially read by 1,000 people).
Galinato, S.P. and Miles, C.A. 2012. Cost estimates of producing fresh market field-grown head lettuce in western Washington. Washington State University Extension Fact Sheet: FS081E; 6 pages at http://cru.cahe.wsu.edu/CEPublications/FS081E/FS081E.pdf
Galinato, S.P., Miles, C.A., and Ponnaluru, S.S. 2012. Cost estimates of producing fresh market field-grown tomato in western Washington. Washington State University Extension Fact Sheet: FS080E; 6 pages at http://cru.cahe.wsu.edu/CEPublications/FS080E/FS080E.pdf
Galinato, S.P., Miles, C.A., and Ponnaluru, C.C. 2012. Cost estimates of producing head lettuce in high tunnels in western Washington. Washington State University Extension Fact Sheet: FS092E; 6 pages at http://cru.cahe.wsu.edu/CEPublications/FS092E/FS092E.pdf
Galinato, S.P., Miles, C.A., and Ponnaluru, S.S. 2012. Cost estimates of producing high-tunnel tomatoes in western Washington. Washington State University Extension Fact Sheet: FS090E; 6 pages at http://cru.cahe.wsu.edu/CEPublications/FS090E/FS090E.pdf
Corbin, A., Cowan, J., Miles, C.A., Hayes, D., Dorgan, J., and Roozen, J.F. 2012. Suitability of biodegradable plastic mulches in certified organic production. Proceedings Northeast Organic Research Symposium. Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York Winter Conference 1(1):50-51 (proceedings potentially read by ~1,500 people).
Goldberger, J. and Miles, C. 2012. Biodegradable plastic mulches: Barriers and bridges to adoption. Colloquium on Biodegradable Plastic Mulches for Specialty Crop Production: Current Status and Future Directions. American Society for Horticultural Science. Miami, FL. HortScience 47(9):S72 (abstract potentially read by ~4,000 people).
Gundersen, B., Miles, C., and Inglis, D. 2012. Control of late blight on tomato in western Washington using high tunnels. WSU Academic Showcase. Pullman, WA (abstract potentially read by 500 people).
Hayes, D.G., Dharmalingam, S., Wadsworth, L.C., Leonas, K.K., Miles, C., and Inglis, D.A. 2012. Biodegradable agricultural mulches derived from biopolymers. Pages 201-223 in Degradable Polymers and Materials, Principles and Practice, 2nd Edition (ACS Symposium Series, Volume 1114), Kishan C. Khemani and Carmen Scholz (Eds.). American Chemical Society. Washington, D.C. (book chapter with ~2,000 copies printed).
Hayes, D.G., Wadsworth, L.C., Dharmalingam, S., Leonas, K.K., Miles, C., and Inglis, D.A. 2012. Poly(lactic)/poly(hydroxyalkanoate) nonwovens as biodegradable agricultural materials. 20th Annual Meeting BioEnvironmental Polymer Society. University of North Texas, Denton, TX (abstract potentially read by ~150 people).
Hayes, D.G., Wadsworth, L.C., and Leonas, K.K. 2012. Fabricating biodegradable mulches. Colloquium on Biodegradable Plastic Mulches for Specialty Crop Production: Current Status and Future Directions. American Society for Horticultural Science. Miami, FL. HortScience 47(9):S70 (abstract potentially read by ~4,000 people).
Inglis, D.A., Gundersen, B., Miles, C. Jun 2012. Control of late blight on tomato in western Washington using high tunnels. Whatcom Ag Monthly newsletter. Volume 1, Issue 2 (~200 person readership).
Inglis, D., Gundersen, B., Roozen, J., Cowan, J., Powell, M., and Miles, C. 2012. Evaluation of physiological leaf roll on tomato cultivars in a high tunnel production system, 2011. Plant Disease Management Reports 6: V155 (readership of ~30,000 people).
Inglis, D.A. and Miles, C. 2012. Closing remarks and discussion. Colloquium on Biodegradable Plastic Mulches for Specialty Crop Production: Current Status and Future Directions. American Society for Horticultural Science. Miami, FL. HortScience 47(9):S72 (abstract potentially read by ~4,000 people).
Jiang, J., Marsh, T., and Belasco, E. 2012. Optimal pollution control in agricultural production: Biodegradable vs. plastic mulches. 46th Annual Pacific Northwest Regional Economic Conference. Seattle, WA (abstract potentially read by ~200 people).
Leonas, K., Wadsworth, L., Liu, H., Hayes, D., Wallace, R., Miles, C., Cowan, J., Wszelaki, A., Martin, J., and Inglis, D. 2012. Degradable agricultural mulch, a technical textile: Year 1 of a comprehensive field study. WSU Academic Showcase. Pullman, WA (abstract potentially read by 500 people).
Li, C., Moore-Kucera, J., Miles, C.A., and Inglis, D.A. 2012. In situ changes to soil microbial community structure and function following degradation of potentially biodegradable mulch films. American Society for Horticultural Science. Miami, FL. HortScience 47(9):S403 (abstract potentially read by ~4,000 people).
Martin, J. and Wszelaki, A. 2012. High quality winter strawberry production in high tunnels. American Society for Horticultural Science. Miami, FL. HortScience 47(9):S133 (abstract potentially read by ~4,000 people).
Miles, C. 2012. Opening remarks. Colloquium on Biodegradable Plastic Mulches for Specialty Crop Production: Current Status and Future Directions. American Society for Horticultural Science. Miami, FL. HortScience 47(9):S70 (abstract potentially read by ~4,000 people).
Miles, C., Hayes, D., Moore-Kucera, J., Leonas, K., and Inglis. D. 2012. Assessing potentially biodegradable mulches in tomato field production. Proceedings of the Society of Plastics Engineers Bioplastic Materials Conference. Seattle, WA (proceedings potentially read by ~4,000 people).
Miles, C. and Marsh, T. 2012. Biodegradable plastic mulches, China and U.S. Pages 80-84 in: Acacia Water. Steenbergen, F. van, A. Tuinhof and L. Knoop (Eds.). Wageningen, The Netherlands: 3R Water Secretariat. ISBN:978-90-79658-05-3 (readership not known).
Miles, C., Wallace, R., Wszelaki, A., Martin, J., Cowan, J., Walters, T., and Inglis. D.A. 2012. Deterioration of potentially biodegradable alternatives to black plastic mulch in three tomato production regions. HortScience 47(9):1270-1277 (readership of ~100,000).
Moore-Kucera, J. 2012. Biodegradable mulches and soil quality. Colloquium on Biodegradable Plastic Mulches for Specialty Crop Production: Current Status and Future Directions. American Society for Horticultural Science. Miami, FL. HortScience 47(9):S71 (abstract potentially read by ~4,000 people).
Narayan, R. 2012. Understanding the science of biodegradability and exploring misleading claims. Colloquium on Biodegradable Plastic Mulches for Specialty Crop Production: Current Status and Future Directions. American Society for Horticultural Science. Miami, FL. HortScience 47(9):S70 (abstract potentially read by ~4,000 people).
Powell, M. 2012. Assessment of tomato and lettuce diseases in organically managed high tunnel cropping systems in western Washington, and isolating soil microbes potentially capable of biodegrading agricultural mulches. M.S. Thesis, 167 pages. Department of Plant Pathology, Washington State University.
Powell, M., Gundersen, B., Cowan, J., Miles, C., and Inglis, D.A. 2012. Lettuce diseases observed in high tunnel and open field organic production in western Washington. Annual Meeting of the Pacific Division of the American Phytopathological Society. Sacramento, CA. Phytopathology 102(Suppl. 6):S6.11 (abstract potentially read by ~5,000 people).
Raley Jr., R., J. Lee, D. Hayes, and J. Tyner. 2012. Effects of UV degradation of biodegradable mulches on soil temperature, moisture, and evaporation. ASA/CSSA/SSSA Annual Meeting. Cincinnati, OH. See annual meetings abstracts [CD]. ASA, CSSA, and SSSA, Madison, WI (abstract potentially read by 3,000 people).
Wallace, R.W., Walters, T., Miles, C., Wszelaki, A.L., and Inglis, D.A. 2012. High tunnel strawberries: Potential new crop for small acreage growers in west Texas. American Society for Horticultural Science. Miami, FL. HortScience 47(9):S4022 (abstract potentially read by ~4,000 people).
Wallace, R.W., Wszelaki, A.L., Miles, C.A., Cowan, J.S., Martin, J., Roozen, J., Gundersen, B., and Inglis, D.A. 2012. Lettuce yield and quality when grown in high tunnel and open-field production systems under three diverse climates. HortTechnology: 22(5):659-668 (readership of ~2,000).
Walters, T., Wszelaki, A., Wallace, R., Martin, J., and Inglis, D. 2012. High tunnels and annual growing systems for organic strawberry production in three diverse environments. Acta Hort Proceedings (abstract potentially viewed by 7,000 ISHS members worldwide).
Wszelaki, A., Miles, C., Belasco, E. 2012. A case study on the uses (and abuses) of high tunnels for fruit and vegetable production. Proceedings 6th National Small Farm Conference. Memphis, TN (conference proceedings potentially read by ~1,000 people).
Wszelaki, A.L., Miles, C., Wallace, R., Walters, T., Cowan, J., Martin, J., and Inglis, D. 2012. Evaluating biodegradable mulches in diverse climates in the U.S. Colloquium on Biodegradable Plastic Mulches for Specialty Crop Production: Current Status and Future Directions. American Society for Horticultural Science. Miami, FL. HortScience 47(9):S71 (abstract read by ~4,000 people).

Progress 09/01/10 to 08/31/11

Outputs
OUTPUTS: ACTIVITIES: Yr 2 of a field experiment under three contrasting agricultural environments in TX, TN and WA, evaluated a modified (based on Yr 1 results) black, experimental spunbond (SB) polylactic acid (PLA) nonwoven fabric (PLA-11) as a biodegradable mulch (BDM) for specialty crops produced in high tunnel (HT) and open field (OF) settings. Comparisons to two leading commercial BDMs (BioBag, BioTelo), and cellulose mulch and conventional black plastic were made. A no mulch treatment was the control, with four replications of HT and OF plots and tomato test crop at all three sites. Three field experiments on adaptability of six cultivars each of lettuce, strawberry and tomato to HT vs. OF production were also done at each location. A two-year mesh bag study investigating biodegradation following mulch incorporation into soil was initiated. Greenhouse tests on soil additives to enhance mulch biodegradation were carried-out in TN and investigations on mulch biodegradability were coordinated with an internationally-renown scientific advisor at Michigan State University. All experiments involved mulch, plant and/or soil sampling with extensive laboratory analyses and/or comprehensive environmental and crop performance monitoring. Focus groups in TN and TX, and crop budget sessions in WA, were held with stakeholders. Widespread extension and scientific reporting took place. EVENTS: Four focus groups in TX and TN (38 people) on Apr 25-26 and 27-28 identified regional attitudes and knowledge of HTs and BDMs. Two crop enterprise meetings in WA (6 growers) on Nov 21-22 identified costs and returns for HT strawberry, and OF lettuce and strawberry production. Information about BDMs and HTs was delivered to local, regional, national and international audiences via (i) classroom settings; (ii) extension talks, field tours, workshops, radio programs; and, (iii) scientific abstracts, conferences, seminars, and invited presentations. Mesh bag, mulch, plant, and soil sampling completed regularly during 2011 by project working groups (WGs) per revised research protocols. The team and advisors (21 people) met Jun 1-2 in Lubbock, TX where WG presentations, graduate student symposium, video on mulch cleaning, and tours of South Plains Foodbank and SCRI field trials took place. Two team members participated in SCRI Session at ASHS meeting in Waikoloa, HI, Sep 25-28. SERVICES: Two post-docs, 6 graduate and 9 undergraduate students trained; 1 non-thesis M.S. advised; 2 graduate internships at other labs. PRODUCTS: Experimental spunbond (SB) nonwoven for the project (PLA-11) manufactured at Saxony Textile Research Institute, Chemnitz, Germany, based on 2010 project results. Protocols for monitoring crop, environment, mulch degradation and soil quality, refined by WGs based on Yr 1 progress, and archived on team website. Video on mulch cleaning created for team reference. Web-based tools for defining project terms, improving PPT presentations, making great posters, and the Yr 2 team presentations posted on internal website. Public website (http://mtvernon.wsu.edu/HighTunnels/index.html) re-designed for Pacific Northwest, High Plains, and Southeast regional audiences. PARTICIPANTS: Project participants (during 2010-2011): Project Director and Co-Project Director: Debra Ann Inglis and Carol Miles, Washington State University (WSU) NWREC at Mount Vernon. Crops Working Group (WG) members: Annette Wszelaki (Leader), University of Tennessee (UTK) at Knoxville; Russell Wallace, Texas AgriLife Research & Extension Center at Lubbock; and, Tom Walters at WSU NWREC. Economics WG members: Tom Marsh (Leader), Suzette Galinato, and Srinivasa Ponnaluru at WSU Pullman; and, Eric Belasco at Montana State University (MSU). Materials WG members: Douglas Hayes (Leader) and Larry Wadsworth at UTK; and, Karen Leonas and Hang Liu at WSU Pullman. Sociology WG members: Robert Jones at UTK (Leader), and Annabel Kirschner, WSU Emeritus Professor. Soils WG members: Jennifer Moore-Kucera (Leader) at Texas Tech University (TTU); Marion Brodhagen at USDA ARS Corvallis; Andrew Corbin at WSU Snohomish County Extension; and, Jaehoon Lee at UTK. Other participants (during 2010-2011): Ad Hoc Interest Groups: Terry Phillips, BIOgroupUSA, Inc., Palm Harbor, FL; Eric Menard, Dubois Agrinovations, Waterford (Ontario) CAN; and, Dick Mathes, Crown Films, Burlington, WA. Graduate Students: Sathiskumar Dharmalingam, Jeff Martin and Rob C. Raley at UTK; Chenhui Li at TTU; and, Jeremy S. Cowan and Marianne Powell at WSU Mount Vernon NWREC. Industry Advisors: Robert Green, NatureWorks LLC, Cary, NC; and, Mark Williams, BioBag USA, Inc., Palm Harbor, FL. Post-doctoral associates: Hang Liu and Sasi Ponnaluru at WSU. Scientific Advisors: John Dorgan at Colorado School of Mines; Lewis Jett at West Virginia University; and, Ramani Narayan at Michigan State University. Stakeholder (grower) Advisors: George (Ben) Craft, Alm Hill Gardens, Everson, WA; Elizabeth Malayter, Farm2School, Rogersville, TN; Ashley Basinger, South Plains Food Bank, Inc., Lubbock, TX; and, Tom Thornton, Cloud Mountain Farm, Everson, WA. TARGET AUDIENCES: TARGETED AUDIENCES: Targeted audiences are local, regional, national and international, and include both conventional and organic specialty crop growers who use high tunnels and mulches, as well as HT and BDM manufacturers. Over 618,364 people have been reached via various publications and a public website, and presentations in classroom settings, at extension meetings, focus group and crop enterprise budget sessions, during workshops and field tours, by radio programs, mass media and on-line articles, during seminars and scientific conferences, and via scientific publications. TEAM AUDIENCE (professional development): Altogether, project members involved in nine national and six international scientific meetings. Twenty-one team members and advisory committee members contributed to team meeting in Lubbock, TX where six graduate students presented their research and were critiqued during a symposium, and a mulch cleaning video was shown. Two Materials WG members visited Narayan laboratory Jul 7-17 at Michigan State University to review laboratory techniques for assessing biodegradation according to ASTM D5338, and set-up on-going experiments. One WSU graduate student visited Soils WG PI at USDA-Corvallis Mar-May to help isolate and identify soil microorganisms, potentially capable of biodegradation. Two web-based tools, Improving PowerPoint Presentations for SCRI Outreach, and Making a Great Poster, developed by Corbin for the team. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: PERSONNEL: Deviations: In personnel: Dr. Marion Brodhagen, soil microbiologist, returned to Western Washington University from USDA ARS in Corvallis, OR. Dr. Eric Belasco, agricultural economist, accepted new position at Montana State University. Dr. Robert Jones and Dr. Annabel Kirschner, sociologists, completed Yr 2 responsibilities but will not be participating during Yr 3. Dr. Ana Espinola-Arredondo (PI), and Brant Baugh and Mark Radosevich (advisors) also will not be participating during Yr 3. METHODS: WSU's Social and Economic Sciences Research Center will be utilized for Yr 3 project survey to assess the project's sociological impacts. UNEXPECTED OUTCOMES: HT model designed in TX withstood 75 mph winds with minimal damage and the high quality of strawberries in them was unexpected. Also in TX, Southern blight on tomato was problematic in HT although Fusarium crown rot was less severe than in OF. Some growers in TX are concerned about HT costs. In addition, 18 bacterial and 42 fungal isolates with potential biodegradation properties were obtained on minimal media (non-cellulosic BDMs as sole carbon source) from field soils in TN, TX and WA. Because feedstocks for BDMs in our study were not available (as originally expected) in powder form, they could not simply be added to media in suspension. Therefore, Soils WG developed a novel method for UV-sterilizing the mulches themselves and supplying them as a sole, intact C source atop growth media while still supplying non-C nutrients. The isolates grew on the BDMs but not on minimal medium lacking a C source in the original isolations. Isolates have continued to be re-checked, and a third evaluation has revealed some growth without a carbon source for some. To rule out the possibility that some isolates are oligotrophs (efficiently scavenging volatile C sources from laboratory air), rather than true biodegraders, further laboratory studies are underway at WWU. Identification of all strains is ongoing via 18S rDNA analysis.

Impacts
KNOWLEDGE: 16 publications; 69 presentations; 13 media interviews; 9,935 people directly educated; 331,763 scientists and 193,700+ people potentially impacted. HTs provide productive growing environments: in WA tomato yields can be 9 times greater, with earlier strawberry harvests and fewer culls; in TX strawberry yields can be 880% higher and tomato planting 6 wk earlier; in TN, TX and WA, lettuce can be variably affected depending on climate. The HT model in TX withstood repeated high winds, and can be used in risk management. Spring-retrieved mesh bags of the WA and TX cellulose mulch revealed near complete degradation; WA samples had increased microbial biomass, N mineralization potential and B-glucosaminidase activity relative to no mulch. Only TX samples showed significant degradation of the commercial BDMs. SB-PLA-10 did not break down during cropping or biodegrade in the soil 6 mo post-incorporation. SB-PLA-11 showed improvement over SB-PLA-10 in laboratory-assessed deterioration parameters and on acceptable field levels of weed seed germination and growth. Weather events may be just as important as biodegradation in overall deterioration of BDMs per laboratory, greenhouse, and field assessment results from cooperating institutions. Focus groups revealed stakeholder knowledge of HTs and BDMS as being low, but with strong and growing demand for these technologies. ACTIONS: Alternative feedstocks for nonwoven blends are needed to better meet requirements of agriculture. A modified SB-nonwoven (PLA+polyhydroxyalkanoate) manufactured in Germany for testing in 2012 (based on team feedback in 2011) now at Hayes lab in TN. Hayes submitted NSF-IGERT proposal on Customized Energy and Renewable Carbon through Lignocellulosic Engineering as PD for $3.5 M (Jul 1). HTs offer a long-sought, organic alternative for late blight control on tomato in WA and elsewhere, the topic of a new extension effort. Report on Deterioration of Mulches in HT and OF Tomato Culture sent to industry. Hand-out on Biodegradable Alternatives to Plastic Mulch created for field days. Four publications drafted (BDM fact sheet; manuscripts on HT lettuce, and BDM gh and field break-down). Yr 3 planning underway for (i) colloquium in 2012 on Biodegradable Plastic Mulches for Agriculture at ASHS Ann. Conf., Jul 21-Aug 3, Miami, FL, and (ii) Yr 3 team meeting, Mar 13-14, Knoxville, TN. CONDITIONS: Miles et al., contributed chapter on BDMs for new book published in The Netherlands; Hayes invited to give research presentations in China; Miles received inquiries from U.S. scientists on project techniques. Team efforts will again benefit stakeholders receiving reimbursement for HTs and/or BDMs via NRCS cost share program in TN and WA; TX growers wish to be eligible as some added HTs to their farms; NRCS stakeholders in MT also interested. WSU field site visits by representatives from BASF Biodegradables Plastics North America and Mirel-Bioplastitcs by Telles. Project director invited to discuss project management at SCRI Webinar Broadcast, Knoxville, TN (unavailable). Nearly all focus group attendees interested in learning more about HTs and BDMs, and working with project scientists.

Publications

Inglis, D., Miles, C., Gundersen, B. and Roozen, J. May 9, 2011. Evaluation of high tunnels in western Washington for growing three specialty potato cultivars. WSPC Potato Progress Vol. XI, No. 4 (newsletter article).
Jones, R., Cook, A., Lamphere, J., Corbin, A., Wszelaki, A., Wallace, R., Malayter, E., Basinger, A., Inglis, D., Miles, C., and Beus, C. Jun 4-8, 2011. Identifying the barriers and bridges to high tunnel/BDM production systems among specialty crop producers and stakeholders. Proceedings 17th International Symposium for Society and Natural Resource Management, Madison, WI (proceedings paper).
Jones, R., Kirschner, A., Lamphere, J., Corbin, A., Wszeleki, A., Wallace, R., Malayter, E., Basinger, A., Inglis, D. and Miles, C. Jun 12-17, 2011. Identifying the barriers and bridges to high tunnel/BDM production systems among specialty crop producers and other stakeholders. Proceedings 18th International Symposium for Society and Natural Resource Management, Koto, Kinabalu, Malaysia (proceedings paper).
Li, C., Davinic, M., Fultz, L., Lee, J., Wallace, R., Martin, J., Cowan, J., Raley, R. Jr., Miles, C., Inglis, D. and Moore-Kucera, J., Oct 17, 2011. Biodegradable mulches: Short-term degradability and impacts on soil health. Proceedings Soil Science Society of America Annual Meeting, 123-8 (abstract).
Maimekov, Adilet. 2011. Factors determining prices of commodity thermoplastics. WSU School of Economic Sciences, Pullman, WA. 36 p (WSU non-thesis M.S.).
Miles, C., Hayes, D., Moore-Kucera, J., Brodhagen, M., Marsh, T., Corbin, A., Wallace, R., Wszelaki, A., Walters, T. Lee, J., and Inglis, D. 2011. Biodegradable alternatives to plastic mulch. In: Transforming Lives Transforming Landscapes. The Business of Sustainable Water Buffer Management. Steenbergen, F. van, A. Tuinhof and L. Knoop (Eds). Wageningen, The Netherlands: 3R Water Secretariat (book chapter).
Belasco, E., Chen, C., Ponnaluru, S., Galinato, S. and Marsh, T. 2011. An assessment of the interaction between high tunnels and crop insurance for specialty crop producers. Proceedings Agriculture and Applied Economics Association and Northeastern Agricultural & Resource Economics Association Joint Annual Meeting, Pittsburgh, PA (juried proceedings paper).
Gundersen, B., Inglis, D., Miles, C., Wallace, R., and Wszelaki, A. 2011. Control of late blight on tomato in western Washington using high tunnels. Phytopathology 101:S79 (abstract).
Hayes, D.G., Wadsworth, L.C., Wszelaki, A., Martin, J., Washington, T., Pannell, C.T., Wallace, R., Leonas, K.K. Liu, H., Miles, C. and Inglis, D.A. Aug 7-10, 2011. Poly(lactic acid-based biodegradable mulches for Green agriculture. American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineering (ASABE) Annual Meeting, Louisville, KY (abstract).
Inglis, D., Gundersen, B., Miles, C., Roozen, J., Wallace, R., Wszelaki, A., and Walters, T. 2011. Evaluation of gray mold and Verticillium wilt on strawberry cultivars grown in high tunnel vs. open field environments, 2010. Plant Disease Management Reports 5: SMF047 (technical report).
Inglis, D., Gundersen, B., Miles, C., Roozen, J., Wallace, R., Wszelaki, A., and Walters, T. 2011. Evaluation of late blight on tomato cultivars grown in high tunnel vs. open field plots, 2010. Plant Disease Management Reports 5: VO71 (technical report).
Inglis, D., Gundersen, B., Miles, C., Roozen, J., Wallace, R., Wszelaki, A., Walters, T. and Evans, M. 2011. Evaluation of physiological leaf roll on tomato cultivars in a high tunnel production system, 2010. Plant Disease Management Reports 5: VO72 (technical report).
Moore-Kucera, J., Li, C., Davinic, M., Fultz, L., Lee, J., Miles, C., Inglis, D., Brodhagen, M., Wallace, R.W.,Cowan, Martin, J. 2011. Biodegradable mulches: Short-term degradability and impacts on soil health. HortScience 46(10): S68 (abstract).
Wallace, R.W., Miles, C., Wszelaki, A., Inglis, D.A., Roozen, J., Martin J. and Webb, C.J. 2011. High tunnel lettuce variety yield and quality when grown in different US climates. HortScience 46(10): S154 (abstract).
Leonas, K.K., Liu, H., Cowan, J., Hayes, D.G., Wadsworth, L.C., Wallace, R., Miles, C., Wszelaki, A., Martin, J. and Inglis, D. May 23-25, 2011. Degradable mulch for agriculture: Yr 1 comprehensive analysis of a field study. The Fiber Society Spring 2011 Conference, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong (abstract).
Leonas, K.K. Jan 4-7, 2011. Degradable mulch for agriculture: Year 1 of a field study. Proceedings Beltwide Cotton Conference: Nonwovens Symposium, Atlanta, GA (proceedings paper).

Progress 09/01/09 to 08/31/10

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Activities: Three field experiments under contrasting environments in TX, TN and WA, tested a white experimental spunbond (sb) polylactic acid (PLA) nonwoven fabric as a biodegradable mulch (BDM) for specialty crop production under high tunnel (HT) and open field settings. Comparison was made to two leading commercially-available BDM products (BioBag, BioTelo) and conventional black plastic, using cellulose mulch and no-mulch treatments as reference controls. The experiment had four replications of HT and open field plots and tomato as the test crop at all three sites. Experiments on adaptability of six cultivars each of lettuce, strawberry and tomato to HT production at each location were also included. Extensive soil sampling and analysis and environmental monitoring were completed at all three sites in Year 1 to secure baseline data for future soil and environmental quality assessment. Crop performance and productivity, and disease and pest pressures were also assessed. Two post-doctoral associate, 6 graduate, and 5 undergraduate students were hired. Events: The team and its advisory committee met on June 24 to 25, 2010 in Mount Vernon, WA. The team's project directors participated in the SCRI Session at ASHS meeting in Palm Desert, CA on August 2 to 5, 2010. The team sponsored two focus group meetings and field tours in Mount Vernon, WA on July, 8, 2010 to identify values, norms, beliefs, attitudes, and knowledge of HTs and BDMs among invited stakeholders. Information on the project, BDMs and HTs was delivered from three areas of the U.S. (Mid-South, High Plains, Pacific Northwest) to local, regional and national audiences via classroom settings, extension and focus group meetings, workshops and field tours, radio programs, media articles, seminars, and scientific conferences. Services: WSU Undergraduate Senior Design Project on Improving design of high tunnels to withstand strong winds accepted by WSU Mechanical & Materials Engineering Dept. Products: The experimental sb-PLA nonwoven for the project was manufactured in Saxon, Germany, and based on 2010 research, is being modified for 2011 testing. Extensive field and laboratory protocols for monitoring crop, soil, and environmental interactions with the BDMs as well as assessing BDM properties, performance, and degradation were developed and refined by team and advisory committee members, and posted on the team's website. Synchronous approaches for field plot design; cultural practices; crop and harvest assessments; environmental monitoring; soil sampling, analysis and quality assessment; BDM sample receipt, storage, cleaning and analysis; constructing lettuce, tomato and strawberry crop budgets, and risk management tools, all were developed. The protocols were presented as a proceedings paper at a national scientific meeting. A glossary of common definitions was created to standardize oral and written communications among team members and to the public. One website for information sharing among team members and one public website http://vegetables.wsu.edu/plasticulture.html for general outreach were created. PARTICIPANTS: Project Director and Co-Project Director: Debra Ann Inglis and Carol Miles, Washington State University (WSU) NWREC at Mount Vernon. Crops Working Group (WG) members: Annette Wszelaki (Leader), University of Tennessee (UTK) at Knoxville; Russell Wallace, Texas AgriLife Research & Extension Center at Lubbock; Tom Walters at WSU NWREC. Economics WG members: Tom Marsh (Leader), Ana Fabiola Espinola-Arredondo, Suzette Galinato and Srinivasa Ponnaluru at WSU Pullman; Eric Belasco at Texas Tech University (TTU). Materials WG members: Douglas Hayes (Leader) and Larry Wadsworth at UTK; Hang Liu and Karen K. Leonas at WSU Pullman. Sociology WG members: Robert Jones at UTK, and Annabel Kirschner at WSU Thurston County Extension. Soils WG members: Jennifer Moore-Kucera (Leader) at TTU; Marion Brodhagen at USDA ARS Corvallis; Andrew Corbin at WSU Snohomish County Extension; Jaehoon Lee at UTK. Scientific Advisors: John Dorgan at Colorado School of Mines; Ramani Narayan at Michigan State University; Mark Radosevich at UTK. Stakeholder Advisors: George (Ben) Craft, Alm Hill Gardens, Everson, WA; Brant A. Baugh, Texas Agri-Life Extension, Lubbock, TX; Lewis Jett, West Virginia University; Elizabeth Malayter, Farm2School; Rogersville, TN; Ashley Basinger, South Plains Food Bank, Inc., Lubbock, TX; Tom Thornton, Cloud Mountain Farm, Everson, WA. Industry Advisors: Robert Green, NatureWorks LLC, Cary, NC; Mark Williams, BioBag USA, Inc., Palm Harbor, FL. Ad Hoc Interest Groups: Terry Phillips, BIOgroupUSA, Inc., Palm Harbor, FL; Eric Menard, Dubois Agrinovations, Waterford (Ontario) Canada; Dick Mathes, Crown Films, Burlington, WA. Graduate Students: Jeremy S. Cowan and Marianne Powell at WSU Mount Vernon NWREC; Sathiskumar Dharmalingam, Jeff Martin and Rob C. Raley at UTK; Jared Chauncey at TTU. Professional Development: Attendance of some members at six different national scientific meetings; one team and advisory committee meeting at Mount Vernon, WA. TARGET AUDIENCES: Targeted audiences are local, regional and national and include both conventional and organic specialty crop growers who use high tunnels and mulches, as well as high tunnel and mulch manufacturers. Audiences have been reached via various publications and a public website, and presentations in classroom settings, at extension and focus group meetings, for workshops and field tours, by radio programs, mass media and on-line articles, and during seminars and scientific conferences. An estimated 5,066 people were directly educated via 9 abstracts and proceedings, 65 oral presentations, and 17 interviews. Nearly 1.9 million people were potentially impacted via mass media coverage and online articles. The NRCS in WA added cost reimbursement for vegetable growers who use current commercially available biodegradable mulch or plastic mulch. Concerns about wind and mulch degradation byproducts were identified by WA stakeholders as potential barriers to BDM and HT adoption. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Deviations (personnel): Dr. Tom Marsh has replaced Dr. Hector Saez as an economist on the project, and Dr. Annabel Kirschner has replaced Dr. Curt Beus as a sociologist on the project. Dr. Marion Brodhagen, the soil microbiologist, has recently changed locations, is now with USDA ARS in Corvallis, OR, and a new sub-contract is in progress. The reasons for these changes are all personal. Deviations (methods): more emphasis on high tunnel structural stability to withstand unexpected high winds; revised field research and mulch handling and mulch cleaning protocols to improve them; redesigned mesh bag study to better accommodate field tillage requirements over time; postponed focus group meetings in TN and TX until April 2011 to better accommodate organizers and participants; mulch physical testing procedures on porosity and abrasion resistance modified due to mulch cleaning difficulty after prolonged soil exposure. Unexpected outcomes: the experimental sb-PLA mulch manufactured for Year 1 did not biodegrade in soil and allowed unacceptable levels of weed growth so a new formulation is being manufactured for Year 2 based on team feedback; risk management tools to mitigate against adverse environmental conditions ie., wind and flooding are being developed; greater focus is needed on soilborne disease progression in HT versus open field environments with consideration of both organic and conventional disease control methods.

Impacts
Knowledge: a) A total of 9 publications; 65 oral presentations; 17 media interviews; 5,066 people directly educated; nearly 1.9 M people potentially impacted via mass media. b) The sb-PLA allowed unacceptable levels of weed seed germination and weed growth. c) The sb-PLA did not biodegrade in soil during the growing season and is not suitable for mechanical tillage at season end. d) High winds revealed structural weaknesses to the HT model used in WA, and stimulated discussions on risk management for HTs. e) In TN, commercial BDMs provided weed control throughout the season. The sb-PLA had 70% loss of tensile strength after 29 wk in greenhouse soil with significant biodegradation of meltblown PLA after 10 wk with lime and manure. f) In TX, the HT installation withstood sustained high winds; flooding from unseasonable rainfall revealed the need for adequate drainage during site selection. Soil temperatures increased under all mulches compared to bare ground and high soil variability existed across the TX study site. g) In WA, optimization of tomato size and/or quality was achieved by using commercial BDMs. Late blight was managed under wet conditions by growing tomatoes inside HTs, but physiological leaf roll on the crop was not exacerbated because of HTs. For lettuce and tomato, some soilborne pathogens increased under BDM and/or HT treatments. For strawberry, fruit rot was reduced in HTs but Verticillium wilt was more serious on a susceptible cultivar. h) Knowledge of HTs and BDMs among stakeholders (N=23) was limited in WA, but increased after field tour and focus group meetings. Participants expressed doubts about HTs and BDMs due to lack of knowledge and experience, and availability, reliability, predictability and short vs. long-term costs. Wind and mulch degradation byproducts were identified as potential barriers to BDM and HT adoption. Actions: a) A new sb-PLA nonwoven of different molecular weight polymer (= different fiber size) and color, is being manufactured for testing in 2011 based on team feedback to industry. Alternative feedstocks are being considered for nonwoven blends that better meet the requirements of agriculture. b) New efforts to research HT structural stability, educate growers on wind, and develop risk management tools, are underway; and the HT model in WA was modified. c) Mulch products were not incorporated into the soil at the end of the growing season; instead, pieces were buried in nylon-mesh bags to quantify degradation in situ, and impact on soil quality in Years 2 and 3. d) Fall-grown, HT strawberries may fill a production niche in late fall/early winter, with a second harvest in spring. e) New or increased disease and pest pressures inside HTs demand changes from organic to conventional practices at all sites for some pathogens and pests. f) Mulch physical testing procedures on porosity and abrasion resistance have been modified. Conditions: a) The NRCS in WA added cost reimbursement options for vegetable growers using plastic mulch or BDMs for 2011. b) Extension efforts in TN helped increase the number of stakeholders who received HTs through the NRCS cost-share program.

Publications

Hayes, D.G., Wadsworth, L.C., Wszelaki, A., Martin, J., WA, T., Pannell, T., Wallace, R., Leonas, K.K., Liu, H., Miles, C., and Inglis, D. 2010. Poly(lactic acid)-based biodegradable mulches for Green Agriculture. 18th Annual Meeting of the BioEnvironmental Polymer Society, October 13 to 16, Toronto, Canada (Abstract and oral presentation; 50 estimated participants.)
Inglis, D., Miles, C., Belasco, E., Brodhagen, M., Corbin, A., Espinola-Arredondo, A., Hayes, D., Jones, R., Lee, R., Leonas, K., Liu, H., Marsh, T., Moore-Kucera, K., Wadsworth, L., Wallace, R., Walters, T., and A. Wszelaki. 2010. Biodegradable mulches for specialty crops produced under protective covers. Annual Meeting American Society Horticultural Sciences, August 2 to 5, Palm Desert, CA. HortScience 45(8):S208-S209 (Abstract and poster presentation; 500 estimated observers.)
Leonas, K.K., Liu, H., Cowan, J., Hayes, D.G., Wadsworth, L, Wallace, R., Miles, C., Wszelaki, A., and Inglis, D. 201x. Degradable mulch for agriculture: Year 1 evaluation of a field study. Beltwide Cotton Conference: Nonwovens Symposium for January 4 to 7, 2011 in Atlanta, GA. (Abstract and oral presentation, accepted).
Wadsworth, L.C., Wong, C.K. and Washington, T.L. 2010. Development of the next generation of renewable nonwovens for agricultural and disposable hygiene applications. NatureWorks Innovation Takes Root Conference, April 13 to 15, Dallas, TX (Abstract and oral presentation; 250 estimated participants.)
Wadsworth, L.C., Hayes, D.G., Wszelaki, A.L., Lee, J., Leonas, K.K., Martin, J., Washington, T.L., Pannel, C., and Menlichenki, G. 2010. Biodegradation performance of cellulosic, meltblown PLA and spunbond PLA mulches in soil treatments used in crops. TAPPI NET Inc. Innovative Nonwovens Conference, November 10 to 12, Raleigh, NC (Abstract and oral presentation; 200 estimated participants.)
Wallace, R.W. and A.K. Petty. 2010. Biodegradable Mulches for Weed Control. Abstract. Proc. Weed Sci., Soc. Amer., February 9, Denver, CO. Abstract and oral presentation; 300 estimated participants.)
Cowan, J., Miles, C., Inglis, D., Leonas, K., Moore-Kucera, J., Wszelaki, A., Wallace, R., Hayes, D., and Wadsworth, L. 2010. Evaluating potential biodegradable mulches for high tunnel and field vegetable production. Proceedings Agricultural Plastics Congress, July 31 to August 1, Palm Desert, CA (Abstract, oral presentation and proceedings; 25 estimated participants.)
Martin, J., and Wszelaki, A. 2010. Tunnel Vision: Extending your production season with high tunnels. Extension Fact Sheet in UT Organic Field Tour Proceedings. University of TN-Knoxville. p. 4.
Gunter, C.C., Roos, D., and Wszelaki, A. 2010. Season extension methods for vegetable production. Extension Bulletin (In press). North Carolina State University. 8 p.