Vegetables under plastic mulch in Southeast Spain

Responsible partner: Camposeven (Cooperative of organic producers) Contact person: Fco. Javier Castillo, tecnicos@camposeven.com Adolfo Garcia, adolfo@camposeven.com Biogeographicaltype: Mediterranean Region Area description: : Semiarid (around 300 mm/year) with poor soils < 2% OM

History : In this CSS there are at least 2 sorts of plastic mulches residues in soils: polyethylene (PE) and Oxo-biodegradable. PE mulch has been used in this CSS for years for weed control and water saving mainly. In the last years most of the farmers from the cooperative switched from PE mulch to oxo-biodegradable. Also, biodegradable mulch is used. Existing data: Microplasticsstudy in 2018 (concentration and type) from DIVERFARMING.

Main objectives : Study long term effects of PE, oxo-biodegradable and biodegradable plastic mulches on soil physicochemical and biological conditions.

Farm # Main crop per field (Cropping system category) Soil texture Plastic use history (intentional) Secondary sources of plastic Other potential contaminants
1-V(Org)Celery-lettucebarleySandy loamBiodegradableDrip irrigation tubes, packagingNo
2-V (Org)Bell pepperlegumeClay loamBiodegradableDrip irrigation tubes, packagingNO
3-W(Org)Citrus fruitsSandy loamNoDrip irrigation tubes, packagingNo
4-W(Org)
4-V(Org)
-Citrus fruits
-Bell pepperlegume
Clay loamPEDrip irrigation tubes, plant support thread,packagi ngNo
5-V(Conv)Lettuce-barleyClay loamPE, BIODDrip irrigation tubes, packagingPesticides
6-V(Conv)Lettuce-Water melonClay loamPE, BIODDrip irrigation tubes, packagingPesticides
7-V(Conv)CauliflowerartichokeClayPE 6 years agoDrip irrigation tubes, packagingPesticides PE
from nearby farms
8-V(Conv)BrocoliClayPE 6 years agoDrip irrigation tubes,
packaging
Pesticides PE
from nearby farms
9-V(Conv)VegetablesClay loamPEDrip irrigation tubes,
packaging
No
10-V(Org)Celery-Water melonClayPEDrip irrigation tubes,
packaging
No

Coping system: V: Vegetables dominated- W: Woody plants or fruit trees Management: C: conventionnal – O: organicPlastyc types: PE: polyethylene – OXO: oxo-biodegradable – BIOD: biodegradable in soils acording to UNE

Involved stakeholders: Farmers associations: COAG Cooperatives of agricultural producers for selling: SURINVER

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