Economic Viability of the Hydromulching in Artichokes.
Economic Viability of the Hydromulching in Artichokes.

Author(s): Jose Manuel Brotons Martinez, Amparo Galvez, Mariam Romero, Josefa Lopez Marin
Subject(s): Social Sciences, Economy
Published by: Udruženje ekonomista i menadžera Balkana
Keywords: Eco-friendly; Microplastic; Mulch; Weed control
Summary/Abstract: Although its utility, excessive use of low-density polyethylene mulches is contributing to the accumulation of high amounts of plastic wastes and environmental problems for agricultural ecosystems. The objective of this work was to study the economic viability of the use of different hydromulches in an artichoke crop. Three blends were prepared by mixing paper pulp and cardboard with different additives: wheat straw (WS), rice hulls (RH), and substrate used for mushroom cultivation (MS). These were compared with low-density polyethylene (Pe), a treatment without mulching on bare soil where hand weeding was performed (HW), and treatment without mulching on bare soil where herbicide was applied (H). The results indicate that the use of hydromulch in an artichoke crop represents a good alternative for reducing plastic waste in agriculture. The net profits of the hydromulch treatments (MS, WS, RH) were higher than for HW and H, and slightly lower than for Pe

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