(446h) Development and Characterization of Biobased Biodegradable Sprayable Mulching Materials to Control the Weeds in Agricultural Crops

Polyethylene plastic mulch (PPM) films have been employed in high-value and specialty crop production as a physical barrier to weed growth since the 1950s. Over the last decade, due to the environmental problems associated with PPM, biodegradable plastic mulch (BPM) films have started to replace PPM films. However, concerns have arisen regarding the control of BPM film deposition, removal, and decomposition. Biobased sprayable mulch (BSM) films are a promising substitute for BPM films. A series of BSM films was developed using locally available biomaterials, including corn starch (SC), potato starch (PS), chicken feather keratin hydrolysate (CFKH), corn zein (CZ), isolated soy protein (ISP), pea protein (PP), and lignin. Optimum BSM film-forming conditions of protein (CZ, ISP, and chicken feather keratin), starch, and plasticizer agent (glycerol) mixtures were determined by evaluating different protein/starch and protein/glycerol ratios. The isolation of keratin from chicken feathers was carried out by dissolving it in sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution. The chemical and physical properties of BSM film-forming solutions were analyzed (pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), conductivity, salinity, viscosity) and transferred to petri dishes and dried at 40°C for 24 hours. The dried BSM films were peeled off from the petri dishes for mechanical and other (FTIR, TGA, SEM) characterization, water absorption, and percentage of mass loss in water. The maximum tensile strength observed was 0.013 MPa, with an elongation at break of 25.7% and a young’s modulus of 0.269 MPa. Finally, two of the BSM film-forming solutions that showed higher mechanical strength and elongation at break were tested under greenhouse conditions.