"Improved End-of-Life of Plastic Mulches"; illustration of large strawberry with tractor tilling mulch into a strawberry field.

Impact of Biodegradable Plastic Mulch on Specialty Crop Production

Authors

Revised July 2026

Summary

Research on the efficacy of biodegradable plastic mulches (BDMs) has focused on its effects in vegetable and fruit crop production systems. This summary of research results provides a quick reference to the scientific literature on the use of BDM for vegetable and fruit crops. For some crops, several studies have been carried out in production systems around the world and findings may vary by location.

Project funding acknowledgement

Research on the efficacy of biodegradable plastic mulches (BDMs) for specialty crop production has been ongoing for over three decades. Most of the published research has focused on BDM effects in vegetable production systems, and more recently, scientists have been expanding BDM research to fruit crops. As the pace of BDM research and technological development quickens, scientists, growers, and crop advisors will benefit from accessible references to the studies evaluating BDM in their systems of interest.

Person wearing a hat kneeled down and working on mulched plants under high tunnels
Research has addressed BDM use in field and high-tunnel production systems.

Table 1 presents a summary of research results found in the scientific literature on the use of BDM for crops. The publications cited in that review and more recently published research are included in Table 1. Where multiple studies have been carried out on the same crop (e.g. BDM use in tomato systems worldwide), some researchers may have found positive impacts of BDM use, while others have found neutral or negative impacts. This information is reflected in Table 1, where “< = >” indicates that, among the studies reviewed, BDM use produced unfavorable “<”, comparable “=”, and favorable “>” results. Variable results occur because agricultural field research presents conditions that scientists are not able to control. Thus, research results can vary substantially by region, climate, soil type, product formulation, and a host of other factors. Readers should be aware of these variations.

Two rows of sweet corn growing in soil-biodegradable mulch.
Sweet corn is grown as part of a BDM research study.

Many of the factors scientists, growers, and others may be interested in have yet to be systematically studied. Not every study compared all factors, which is noted in Table 1 by the “ɸ” symbol. In some studies, BDM is compared to polyethylene (PE) or paper mulch (a “positive” control), while in other studies BDM is compared to bare ground (a “negative” control), or both. Additionally, studies vary in duration, with some lasting one season and others multiple years. We encourage the reader to review original publications to better understand the factors that may have impacted the results summarized here. Works included in Table 1 are presented in the Reference List following the table.

Table 1. Quick reference to available published research on general impacts of biodegradable plastic mulch (BDM) use in specialty crop production.1

CropCrop yield vs.
Bare ground		Crop yield vs.
Paper mulch		Crop yield vs.
PE 2		Crop quality vs.
Bare ground		Weed control
vs. PE
Broccoli> 3ɸ=ɸɸ
Christmas Treeɸɸɸɸ<
Cucumber>==ɸ=
Eggplant>ɸ= >><
Garlic>ɸ=ɸɸ
Grape>ɸ=ɸɸ
Hazelnutɸɸɸɸ<
Lettuce= >ɸ< = 4= >=
Melon>ɸ= >= >=
Onion= >ɸ===
Pepper< = >ɸ==< =
Potato>ɸ= >= >=
Pumpkin>= >< =< >=
Raspberry= >ɸ< =>=
Strawberry>= >< = >= >< = >
Sweet Corn>ɸ< =ɸ<
Sweet Potato>ɸ= >ɸ>
Tomato>>< =< =< =
Zucchiniɸɸ=ɸɸ
  1. More information is available in the original papers listed at the end of this fact sheet.
  2. Polyethylene mulch film.
  3. “ > ” BDM performed better; “ = ” BDM performed equivalent to; “ < ” BDM did not perform as well; “ ɸ ” nothing was mentioned.
  4. Reports that BDM had mixed results for the factor(s) listed. The reader should review the cited paper(s) to evaluate where deviations may have occurred.

References

Broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. gp. Italica L.)

  • Miles C, Klingler E, Nelson L et al (2007) Alternatives to plastic mulch in vegetable production systems. vegetables.wsu.edu/MulchReport07.pdf. Accessed 4 Sept 2016.
  • Lopez-Marin J, Gonzalez A, Fernandez JA et al (2012) Biodegradable mulch film in a broccoli production system. Acta Hortic 933:439–444.
  • Cowan JS, Inglis DA, Miles CA (2013) Deterioration of three potentially biodegradable plastic mulches before and after soil incorporation in a broccoli field production system in northwestern Washington. HortTechnology 23:849-858.
  • Shan X, Zhang W, Dai Z, et al (2022) Comparative Analysis of the Effects of Plastic Mulch Films on Soil Nutrient, Yields and Soil Microbiome in Three Vegetable Fields. Agronomy 12:506.

Christmas Tree (various genera and species)

  • Minuto G, Pisi L, Tinivella F et al (2008) Weed control with biodegradable mulch in vegetable crops. Acta Hortic 801:291–297.

Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.)

  • Siwek P, Domagala-Swiatkiewicz I, Kalisci A (2015) The influence of degradable polymer mulches on soil properties and cucumber yield. Agrochimica 59:108–123.
  • Wortman SE, Kadoma I, Crandall MD (2016) Biodegradable plastic and fabric mulch performance in field and high tunnel. HortTechnology 26:148–155.
  • Haapala T, Palonen P, Tamminen A et al (2015) Effects of different paper mulches on soil temperature and yield of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) in the temperate zone. Agric Food Sci 24:52–58.

Eggplant (Solanum melongena L.)

Garlic (Allium sativum)

Grape (Vitis spp. L.)

  • Minuto G, Pisi L, Tinivella F et al (2008) Weed control with biodegradable mulch in vegetable crops. Acta Hortic 801:291–297.
  • Hostetler GL, Merwin IA, Brown MG et al (2007) Influence of geotextile mulches on canopy microclimate, yield, and fruit composition of cabernet franc. Am J Enol Vitic 58:431–442.
  • Hostetler GL, Merwin IA, Br own MG et al (2007) Influence of undervine floor management on weed competition, vine nutrition, and yields of pinot noir. Am J Enol Vitic 58:421–430.
  • Touchaleaume F, Martin-Closas L, Angellier-Coussy H et al (2016) Performance and environmental impact of biodegradable polymers as agricultural mulching films. Chemosphere 144:433–439.
  • Touchaleaume F, Angellier-Coussy H, César Get al (2018) How performance and fate of biodegradable mulch films are impacted by field ageing. J Polym Environ 26(6):2588-2600.

Hazelnut (Corylus spp. L.)

  • Minuto G, Pisi L, Tinivella F et al (2008) Weed control with biodegradable mulch in vegetable crops. Acta Hortic 801:291–297.

Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.)

Melon (various genera and species)

  • Miles C, Klingler E, Nelson L et al (2007) Alternatives to plastic mulch in vegetable production systems. vegetables.wsu.edu/MulchReport07.pdf. Accessed 4 Sept 2016.
  • Candido V, Miccolis V, Gatta G et al (2003) Innovative films for melon mulching in protected cultivation. Acta Hortic 614:379–386.
  • Gonzalez A, Fernandez JA, Martin P et al (2003) Behaviour of biodegradable film for mulching in open-air melon cultivation in South-East Spain. Biodegradable materials and fiber composites in agriculture and horticulture. KTBL-Schrift, Darmstadt, pp 71–77.
  • Lopez J, Gonzalez A, Fernandez JA et al (2007) Behaviour of biodegradable films used for mulching in melon cultivation. Acta Hortic 747:125–130.
  • Incalcaterra G, Sciortino A, Vetrano F et al (2004) Agronomic response of winter melon (Cucumis melo inodorus Naud.) to biodegradable and polyethylene film mulches, and to different planting densities. Options Mediterraneennes 60:181–184.
  • Vetrano F, Fascella S, Iapichino G et al (2009) Response of melon genotypes to polyethylene and biodegradable starch-based mulching films used for fruit production in the Western coast of Sicily. Acta Hortic 807:109–113.
  • Iapichino G, Mustazza G, Sabatino L et al (2014) Polyethylene and biodegradable starch-based mulching films positively affect winter melon production in Sicily. Acta Hortic 1015:225–231.
  • Martin-Closas L, Tura J, Rojo F et al (2010) Agronomic evaluation of a new generation of biodegradable mulch films of Mater-Bi® in a melon crop. In: Science and horticulture for people. 28th International Horticultural Congress. August Lisboa 2010. Abstracts, vol II, p 617.
  • Filippi F, Magnani G, Guerrini S et al (2011) Agronomical evaluation of green biodegradable mulch on melon. Ital J Agron 6(e18):111–116.
  • Saraiva A, Costa R, Carvalho L et al (2012) The use of biodegradable mulch films in muskmelon crop production. Basic Res J Agric Sci Rev 1(4):88–95.
  • Benincasa P, Massoli A, Polegri L et al (2014) Optimising the use of plastic protective covers in field grown melon on a farm scale. Ital J Agron 9:8–14.
  • Limpus S, Heisswolf S, Kreymborg D et al (2012) Comparison of biodegradable mulch products to polyethylene in irrigated vegetable, tomato and melon crops. Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. Final report Project MT09068. Horticulture Australia Ltd., Sydney.
  • Cozzolino E, Di Mola I, Ottaiano L, et al (2023) Assessing Yield and Quality of Melon (Cucumis melo L.) Improved by Biodegradable Mulching Film. Plants 12:219.
  • Zhao H, Wang X, Jin P, et al (2025) Effects of Biodegradable Mulch Films with Different Thicknesses on the Quality of Watermelon Under Protected Cultivation. Agronomy 15:2336.
  • Sellami MH, Di Mola I, Ottaiano L, et al (2024) Evaluation of Biodegradable Mulch Films on Melon Production and Quality under Mediterranean Field Conditions. Agronomy 14:2075.
  • Othman, Y. A. & Leskovar, D. I. (2022). Degradable Mulch as an Alternative to Polyethylene for Watermelon Production. HortTechnology, 32(2):226-233.

Onion (Allium cepa)

Pepper (Capsicum spp. L.)

Potato (Solanum tuberosum)

Pumpkin (Cucurbita spp. L.)

Raspberry (Rubus spp.)

Strawberry (Fragaria spp. L.)

Sweet Corn (Zea mays var. saccharata [Sturt.] L.H. Bailey)

  • Waterer D (2010) Evaluation of biodegradable mulches for production of warm-season vegetable crops. Can J Plant Sci 90:737–743.
  • Rajablarijani HR, Mirshekari B (2014) Sweet corn weed control and yields in response to sowing date and cropping systems. HortScience 49:289–293.

Sweet Potato (Ipomea batatas [L.] Lam.)

  • Lee JS, Jeong KH, Kim HS et al (2009) Bio-degradable mulching for sweet potato cultivation. Korean J Crop Sci 54:135–142.
  • Sideman RG (2015) Performance of sweetpotato cultivars grown using biodegradable black plastic mulch in New Hampshire. HortTechnology 25:412–416.

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.)

  • Limpus S, Heisswolf S, Kreymborg D et al (2012) Comparison of biodegradable mulch products to polyethylene in irrigated vegetable, tomato and melon crops. Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. Final report Project MT09068. Horticulture Australia Ltd., Sydney.
  • Wortman SE, Kadoma I, Crandall MD (2015) Assessing the potential for spun-bond, nonwoven biodegradable fabric as mulches for tomato and bell pepper crops. Sci Hortic 193:209–217.
  • Martin-Closas L, Picuno P, Pelacho AM et al (2008) Properties of new biodegradable plastics for mulching, and characterization of their degradation in the laboratory and in the field. Acta Hortic 801:275–282.
  • Martin-Closas L, Bach A, Pelacho AM et al (2008) Biodegradable mulching in an organic tomato production system. Acta Hortic 767:267–274.
  • Martin-Closas L, Soler J, Pelacho AM (2003) Effect of different biodegradable mulch materials on an organic tomato production system. In: Biodegradable materials and fiber composites in agriculture and horticulture. KTBL-Schrift 414, Darmstadt, pp 78–85.
  • Armendariz R, Macua JI, Lahoz I et al (2006) The use of different plastic mulches on processing tomatoes. Acta Hortic 724:199–202.
  • Moreno MM, Moreno A (2008) Effect of different biodegradable and polyethylene mulches on soil properties and production in a tomato crop. Sci Hortic 116:256–263.
  • Moreno MM, Moreno A, Mancebo I (2009) Comparison of different mulch materials in a tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) crop. Span J Agric Res 7:454–464.
  • Anzalone A, Cirujeda A, Aibar J et al (2010) Effect of biodegradable mulch materials on weed control in processing tomatoes. Weed Technol 24:369–377.
  • Cirujeda A, Aibar J, Anzalone A et al (2012) Biodegradable mulch instead of polyethylene for weed control of processing tomato production. Agron Sustain Dev 32:889–897.
  • Macua JI, Jiménez E, Suso ML et al (2013) The future of processing tomato crops in the Ebro valley lies with the use of biodegradable mulching. Acta Hortic 971:143–146.
  • Candido V, Miccolis V, Castronuovo D et al (2006) Mulching studies in greenhouse by using eco-compatible plastic films on fresh tomato crop. Acta Hortic 710:415–420.
  • Candido V, Miccolis V, Castronuovo D et al (2007) Eco-compatible plastic films for crop mulching and soil solarisation in greenhouse. Acta Hortic 761:513–519.
  • Miles CA, Wallace R, Wszelaki A et al (2012) Deterioration of potentially biodegradable alternatives to black plastic mulch in three tomato production regions. HortScience 47: 1270–1277.
  • Cowan JS, Miles CA, Andrews PK et al (2014) Biodegradable mulch performed comparably to polyethylene in high tunnel tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) production. J Sci Food Agric 94:1854–1864.
  • Cirujeda A, Anzalone A, Aibar J et al (2012) Purple nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus L.) control with paper mulch in processing tomato. Crop Prot 39:66–71.
  • Cirujeda A, Aibar J, Moreno MM et al (2013) Effective mechanical weed control in processing tomato: seven years of results. Renew Agric Food Syst 30:223–232.
  • Fontanelli L, Raffaelli M, Martelloni L et al (2013) The influence of non-living mulch, mechanical and thermal treatments on weed population and yield of rainfed fresh-market tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.). Span J Agric Res 11:593–602.
  • Ngouajio M, Auras R, Fernández RT et al (2008) Field performance of aliphatic-aromatic copolyester biodegradable mulch films in a fresh market tomato production system. HortTechnology 18:605–610.
  • Di Mola I, Cozzolino E, Ottaiano L, et al (2023) Biodegradable Mulching Film vs. Traditional Polyethylene: Effects on Yield and Quality of San Marzano Tomato Fruits. Plants 12:3203.
  • Adamczewska-Sowińska K, Bykowy J, Jaworska J (2025) Effect of Biodegradable Mulch and Different Synthetic Mulches on Growth and Yield of Field-Grown Small-Fruited Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.). Agriculture 15:212.
  • Abduwaiti A, Liu X, Yan C, et al (2021) Testing Biodegradable Films as Alternatives to Plastic-Film Mulching for Enhancing the Yield and Economic Benefits of Processed Tomato in Xinjiang Region. Sustainability 13:3093.

Zucchini (Cucurbita pepo L.)

  • Minuto G, Pisi L, Tinivella F et al (2008) Weed control with biodegradable mulch in vegetable crops. Acta Hortic 801:291–297.
  • Waterer D (2010) Evaluation of biodegradable mulches for production of warm-season vegetable crops. Can J Plant Sci 90:737–743.

This material is based upon work that is supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, under award numbers 2022-51181-38325 & 2016-51181-25404, Hatch Projects 7005372 and 7003737, and CPPM award 2021-70006-35582. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and should not be construed to represent any official USDA or U.S. Government determination or policy. Additional support provided by WSARE under award 2019-51181-30012.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture

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