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March 24, 2010 Biodegradable Mulch: Applying Textile Science for a Positive Impact on Agriculture New research in the WSU Apparel, Merchandising, Design and Textiles Department is proving there is a lot more to AMDT than sewing and pattern making. Scientists in AMDT are involved in a research project to develop a biodegradable mulch that would provide an alternative to costly and environmentally detrimental plastic mulch. The research project spans three states and five research institutions, said Debra Inglis, associate plant pathologist and project director. Inglis is based at WSU’s Northwestern Washington Research and Extension Center in Mount Vernon. “Not only does this project span different disciplines, departments and universities, but it also spans across different research centers. The fact that we in Pullman can collaborate with the center in Mount Vernon is quite unique,” said Karen Leonas, chair of the AMDT department. The textiles department is playing a significant role in the research. The Textile Research Lab is responsible for testing many of the intrinsic qualities of both fabric and plastic mulches, Leonas said. Two AMDT undergraduates, Marc LaPointe and Leanne Goldstein, are conducting the physical and mechanical testing of the mulches…… Vegetables being grown under plastic mulch. WSU researchers are investigating a biodegradable alternative using textile science. For more information on the biodegradable mulch project, please visit http://bit.ly/b6AGI3. The SCRI Grant Biodegradable Mulches for Specialty Crops Produced under Protective Covers…. What it is and how we got there, … the role of AMDT I. II. III. Background Planning Project Grant SCRI SERP Grant a. Experimental design b. Testing in AMDT Terms SCRI – Specialty Crops Research Initative RFA – Request for application CAPS – Coordinated Agricultural Projects SERP – Standard Research & Extension Projects Protective Crop Covering Systems – High tunnels, low tunnels, mulches Specialty crops – fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture and nursery crops Trans-disciplinary - a multi-discipline approach bringing biological & physical scientists together with economists & social scientists to address challenges in a holistic manner. PLA – Polylactic Acid Polyethylene – plastic mulch BDM – Biodegradable Mulches Executive Summary from SCRI RFA “The National Institute of Food and Agriculture requests applications for the SCRI to solve critical United States specialty crop issues, priorities, or problems through the integration of research and extension activities that take systems-based, transdisciplinary approaches. The intent of the SCRI is to solve the needs of the various specialty crop industries through the promotion of collaboration, open communication, the exchange of information and the development of resources that accelerate application of scientific discovery and technology. “ Systems Approach “The philosophy of the SCRI is that truly effective, long-term solutions to specialty crop industry problems can best be achieved by understanding and treating those problems as complex systems of many interacting components.” Karen & Larry discuss degradable mulches Karen contacts Larry SCRI RFA Announced Karen contacts Rick Knowles, HLA Larry makes contacts with Tennessee & Industry Rick contacts Carol Miles who contacts Debbie Inglis Debbie & Carol contact Karen, industry representatives, and researchers at other instiutions Discuss SCRI grant options, prepare planning grant Receive planning grant -hold meeting Prepare , submit, receive SCRI SERP grant Planning Grant SCRI PROJECT PLANNING MEETING: CSREES AWARD NO. 2008-511800488 PLANNING FOR SPECIALTY CROP COVERS THAT USE DEGRADABLE MATERIALS October 30 – November 1, 2008, University of Wisconsin, River Falls Received Award letter October 3, 2008 Amount Received: $98,181 “Washington,Tennessee and Texas scientists in materials and textiles, economics, horticulture, plant pathology and soil microbiology propose a SCRI R&E Planning Project, “Protected Specialty Crop Covers that Use Degradable Materials” to better integrate the crop protective covers and degradable materials subject areas for the benefit of specialty crop production.” Meeting Expectations & Project Outcomes Working CAPs proposal outline, with prioritized objectives, and general research/outreach plans and budget and personnel requirements New professional acquaintances, and personal interaction with team members and stakeholders Introduction to key national leaders in the fields of interest Perspectives of stakeholders, and their prioritization of research and outreach issues Protocols and methodologies outlined for collaborative studies, outreach, and project evaluation—all with scheduled times of completion for inclusion in a timeline for the CAPs Subsequent dialogue with regional stakeholders via a Key Informant Survey in order to insure continued stakeholder input into CAPs proposal development Identification of budget and personnel needs New information to share with local audiences upon participants’ return home via local and regional meetings, Extension newsletters, and web pages. Identification of potential pitfalls Greater familiarity and expertise among team members on federal grants writing process Cross-disciplinary training and education among team members including i) creation of a glossary of shared terms, ii) crop production specifications for materials and fabric scientists, and iii) materials and fabric capabilities information synthesized for crop production scientists. Planning project evaluation instrument completed Development of a successful CAPs proposal! SCRI Planning Meeting Working Groups Crop Production Annette Wszelaki, Working Group Chair -Dept of Plant Sciences - Extension , University of Tennessee Debra Ann Inglis , Dept. of Plant Pathology, Washington State University NWREC Carol Miles , Dept. of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture ,Washington State University NWREC Hector Saez , Center for Sustaining Ag and Natural Resources, Washington State University NWREC Tom Walters ,Dept of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture ,Washington State University NWREC Andrew Corbin , WSU Snohomish County Extension Curt Beus , WSU Clallam County Extension Marion Brodhagen , Dept of Biology, Western Washington University George (Ben) Craft, Alm Hill Gardens , Everson, WA 98247 Allison and Paul Wiediger, Au Naturel Farm, KY Tom Thornton , Cloud Mountain Farm , Everson, WA 98257 Edward (Ted) Ewing Carey Department of Horticulture, Kansas State University Bill Lamont, Department of Horticulture, Pennsylvania State University John Biernbaum , Department Plant and Soil Sciences, Michigan State University Russell Wallace, Department of Horticulture Sciences & Extension, Texas A & M University Roy Riddle ,Carolyn Lanier Youth Farm, Texas Indicates Industry Partner Materials/Technology Karen K. Leonas, Working Group Chair, Apparel, Merchandising, Design & Textiles, WSU Douglas Hayes, Dept. of Biosystems Engineering and Soil Science , University of Tennessee John Dorgan , Site Director, Dept. of Chemical Engineering, Colorado School of Mines Hang Liu, Dept. of Apparel, Merchandizing, Design & Textiles, WSU Ramani Narayan ,Dept. of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Michigan State University Rita Schenck ,Institute for Environmental Research and Education,Vashon WA Robert Green , Natureworks LLC , Carey NC Tim Chaput , J&M Industries Inc. In attendance ◦ 24 stakeholders participated ◦ 8 universities ◦ 6 industry partners ◦ 10 disciplines ◦ 9 states Indicates Industry Partner Preparation of Proposal for 2009 SCRI RAF Utilized information from Planning Meeting Gained input from ◦ Grower advisors Industry representatives ◦ Scientific experts Organized Key Informant Survey Developed four groups ◦ Crops Materials Socio-economic Soils Proposal focused on two SCRI Focus Areas Improve long-term production efficiency, productivity, profitability Identify and address threats from pests/diseases). SCRI SERP Grant BIODEGRADABLE MULCHES FOR SPECIALTY CROPS PRODUCED UNDER PROTECTIVE COVERS October 31, 2009 – October 30, 2012 Amount Received: $199,900 “…will help to ascertain whether leading commerciallyavailable and experimental spun-melt nonwoven BDMs provide services of similar quality to conventional plastic products, are commercially viable, have potential for sustainable high tunnel environments, are better for the environment, and if nonwovens (which can be readily manufactured) have sufficient attributes to serve as prototypes for the next generation of BDMs.” The long-term research and outreach goals of this SREP proposal 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. contribute to the protective crop cover knowledge base by testing existing and emerging BDM materials which can augment the polyethylene plastics now dominantly used for mulches in specialty crop systems, develop management strategies for using mulches on key crops in high tunnel systems that mitigate against inclement weather (high winds, heavy rains, high humidity) and pest/disease threats, and in so doing lead to the adaptation, environmental sustainability and economic feasibility of BDMs in high tunnel systems for the PNW (cool marine climate), M-S (hot, dry climate) and SE (hot, humid climate), regions currently underserved by University research and education programs, and then, with entry of the three regions into this arena, gain a better understanding of mulch biodegradation and the potential effects on soil ecology and root health, which will help to promote research and development on BDMs in the future. SCRI TEAM on SERB Project Project Director, Debra Ann Inglis, Department of Plant Pathology, WSU NWREC Eric Belasco, Economist,Texas Tech University Curt Beus, Sociologist and WSU/Clallam Co. Extension Marion Brodhagen, Cellular & Molecular Biologist, Western Washington University Andrew Corbin, Ecologist and WSU/Snohomish Co. Extension Ana Espinola-Arredondo, Economist, WSU Pullman Suzette Galinato, Economist, WSU Pullman Doug Hayes, Biosystems Engineer, University of Tennessee-Knoxville Robert Jones, Sociologist, Energy, Environment and Resources Center, University of Tennessee-Knoxville Jaehoon Lee, Environmental and Soil Physicist, University of TennesseeKnoxville Karen Leonas,Textile Scientist,WSU Pullman Hang Liu, Post-doc and Textile Scientist, WSU Pullman Tom Marsh, Economist, WSU Pullman Carol Miles,Vegetable Horticulturist, WSU NWREC Jennifer Moore-Kucera, Soil and Environmental Microbiologist,Texas Tech University Srinivasa Ponnaluru, Economist, WSU Pullman Larry Wadsworth, Nonwoven Textiles Scientist, University of Tennessee-Knoxville Russ Wallace, Horticulturist,Texas Agri-Life REC Tom Waters, Small Fruit Horticulturist, WSU NWREC Annette Wszelaki, Horticulturist, University of Tennessee-Knoxville Protective Covers Types: ◦ High Tunnels, Low Tunnels, Mulches Purpose: ◦ Extend growing season Mulches also ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ Moderate soil temperatures Reduce moisture loss from soil Reduce weed growth Disease protection Reduce soil loss One-year use Mulches Currently ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ Most available are plastic (polyethylene) Price is increasing as are petroleum based Do not degrade and cannot be composted Upon loss of integrity – fragment increasing labor to remove from plots Mulch selection ◦ Consider laying equipment – strength, flexibility* ◦ Cost ◦ Color Mulch characteristics to consider ◦ Chemical Composition ◦ Physical structure Biodegradable Mulches (BDM) Biodegradable – process by which microorganisms convert material into biomass, CO2 & H2O Degradable – process where very large molecules are broken into smaller molecules or fragments Degradable polymeric material – designed to undergo a significant change in chemical structure under specific environmental conditions resulting in loss of properties Previous BDM’s commercially available Photodegradable Paper based Experimental Design for Materials Group 6 mulches x 4 times x 3 locations x 2 environments x 4 reps 6 Mulches ◦ Biobag BioTelo Meltblown PLA ◦ Non-biodegradable Cellulosic Mulch Spunbond PLA Times ◦ Control First flower Final harvest Locations ◦ WA Field control TN TX Environments ◦ Inside Tunnel Outside tunnel Experimental Design for Materials Group 6 mulches x 4 times x 3 locations x 2 environments x 4 reps 6 Mulches ◦ Biobag BioTelo Meltblown PLA ◦ Non-biodegradable Cellulosic Mulch Spunbond PLA Times ◦ Control First flower Final harvest Locations ◦ WA Field control TN TX Environments ◦ Inside Tunnel Outside tunnel Mulches Mulch characteristics to consider ◦ Chemical Composition ◦ Physical structure ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ In this study – 6 mulches Biobag BioTelo Meltblown PLA Spunbond PLA Non-biodegradable Cellulosic Marketed as Biodegradable Mulch Chemical Structure PLA Cellulose Polyethylene (nonbiodegradable) Corn Starch (BioBag, BioTelo) (C6H10O5)n Mulch Physical Structure Cellulose Meltblown PLA Spunbonded PLA Comparison of Meltblown & Spunbond 250 nanometer average diameter meltblown on 20 micron diameter spunbond http://www.hillsinc.net/nanomeltblownfabric.shtml 26 Experimental Design for Materials Group 6 mulches x 4 times x 3 locations x 2 environments x 4 reps 6 Mulches ◦ Biobag BioTelo Meltblown PLA ◦ Non-biodegradable Cellulosic Mulch Spunbond PLA Times ◦ Control First flower Final harvest Locations ◦ WA Field control TN TX Environments ◦ Inside Tunnel Outside tunnel Location & Environment Locations ◦ Pacific Northwest - cool marine climate ◦ Mid-South - hot, dry climate ◦ Southeast - hot, humid Environments In tunnel Out of tunnel Textile Research Laboratory Testing Mechanical properties, such as flexibility and durability, are critical for mulches to be successfully laid onto beds with commercial agricultural bed shaper/mulch layers, and to remain intact and withstand wind through the entire growing season. Pore size and its distribution are important parameters indicating air and water vapor permeability of fabrics thickness (ASTM D1777-96(2007)), weight (ASTM D3776-09), flexibility (IST 90.2 (01)), durability [tensile and elongation (ASTM D5035-06(2008)e1)], tear strength (ASTM D5734-95(2001)), and abrasion resistance (ASTM D4966-98 (2007)], deleted from study 1/10 pore size and distribution (Epps et al., 1997), light transmission accelerated weathering SEM micrographs Changes in mechanical properties indicate degradations: •Reduction in elongation indicate reduction in amorphous regions – usually first attacked in deg. process •As polymer chains are broken, reduction in dp - lower tenacity •Crystalinity is related to tear strength •Increase in pore size indicates increases opening sizes which could be result of degradation – loss of integrity •Reduction in weight indicates reduced MW – sign of degradation Thickness tester Stiffness Strength/Elongation Porometer Die Press for cutting Tear Tester Weatherometer Materials Group WSU Research Team Karen K. Leonas – Co Project Director Dr. Hang Liu, AMDT Post Doctoral Researcher Key Project Investigator AMDT Undergraduate Students Jeremy Cowan, Horticulture & Landscape Arch PhD student Leanne Goldstein Marc Lapointe Project Timeline from Fall 2007 - Present SCRI RFA is released Karen contacts Rick Knowles, HLA Recieve grant & Plannning meeting held Falll 2007 Win 2008 Spr 2008 Sum 2008 Fall 08 Larry Wasdsworth & Karen discuss meltblown mulch product Recieve notification of award & begin obtaining materials Carol & Debbie express interest, prepare planning grant Win 09 Spr 09 Sum 09 Prepare & submit SCRI SERB grant Begin material tesing & field planting Fall 09 Win 10 Spr 10 Recieving materials/ equipment training Sum 10 Thank You! Questions?