Biodegradable Mulch in Florida Strawberries: Research, Challenges, and Opportunities

Podcast Transcript

[00:00:00] Nataliya Shcherbatyuk: Hello and welcome to the Mulch Matters podcast where we will explore the intriguing world of mulch and its impact on agriculture and the environment, as well as update you on the latest research about soil-biodegradable mulch and recycling options for plastic mulch. I am your host, Dr. Nataliya Shcherbatyuk, and I am a communications specialist for the project, “Improving end-of-life management of plastic mulch in strawberry system”. In each episode, we’ll dive into the latest research, trends, news, and insights on why mulch matters and how we can improve plastic mulch end-of-life options. We’ll also branch out and discuss other plastics as well as talk to researchers, experts, and practitioners in the field who will share their insights and experiences on how to use mulch effectively in different settings

[00:01:03] Nataliya Shcherbatyuk: Welcome back to another episode of Mulch Matters podcast, and welcome our guest from Florida, Hadi Ghasemi. Hello Hadi, how are you?

[00:01:15] Hadi Ghasemi: Hello, Nataliya. I’m doing well. How are you?

[00:01:18] Nataliya Shcherbatyuk: I’m pretty good. So, you’re in Florida right now, right?

[00:01:20] Hadi Ghasemi: Yes, in Sunshine, Florida.

[00:01:24] Nataliya Shcherbatyuk: That’s awesome. Well, let’s go ahead and start our conversation today and what I would like to ask you first is if you can tell a little bit about yourself, so our audience can learn about you, but also what brought you to this project in agriculture research that you’re doing right now, and specifically into studying strawberries.

[00:01:52] Hadi Ghasemi: Okay. That’s a good question. Well, I grew up around agriculture, and my grandfather had a saffron farm in Iran, and every fall the fields would turn purple. That visual and the seasonal rhythm of the probably sparked me interested in horticulture early on and in high school, I chose to study environment agriculture control, where I was introduced to crop production systems more scientifically. Strawberries stood out to me because they are both economically important and physiologically interesting, and because they respond strongly to environmental conditions, which makes them a great model crop. So that combination of personal background and scientific is what led me into agriculture research and eventually into working with strawberries.

[00:02:43] Nataliya Shcherbatyuk: That’s very exciting. I also from the childhood, well when I was raised and I was in Ukraine, we had a lot of woods around and I think that the view of the woods in fall, it just mind blowing: the leaves, a change in color is definitely a question mark in my head all the time, but why is this happening? So, I can relate why I am also in horticulture and agriculture as well. That’s good, and you know, I’ve been doing some readings and listening to your work, and I know you’ve, you are working on several projects, but one of your research project, it looks at biodegradable plastic mulch, which should be called BDMs in our audience is quite familiar, those who listen in our previous episodes. So, I wanted to ask you, how do BDMs compare with conventional PE (polyethylene mulch) in Florida strawberry production?

[00:03:42] Hadi Ghasemi: So, based on my experience, BDMs are promising, but they are not yet a complete replacement for PE in all conditions, in our trials performance varied between seasons and for example, in one season on one year, they performed comparably or equally to PE and another year we saw some limitations particular in durability and consistency. However, technology has improved significantly over the past two decades and like earlier, BDMs degraded too quickly and almost it looks like a paper, but now materials are much more stable, and a hundred percent looks like plastic, you know? So, while more research is still needed, especially under Florida conditions, I believe BDMs have a strong potential to partially or fully replace PE in the future.

[00:04:38] Nataliya Shcherbatyuk: That’s quite interesting and talking a little bit more about this research, can you tell us what agronomic factors you evaluated, such as crop growth, yield, soil temperature, etc. when you were comparing these.

[00:04:56] Hadi Ghasemi: That’s a good question. In this project we evaluated several key agro- and environmental parameters to get a comprehensive understanding of mulch performance, which are, include canopy area as a major of plan growth, and we did monthly and then weekly and total marketable yield through the season, and soil temperature and moisture, plastic deterioration over time and with density and also type of density and by combining these measurements, we were able to assess both crop performance and system level impacts.

[00:05:34] Nataliya Shcherbatyuk: That’s interesting. So, you’ve kind of been looking at the big picture.

[00:05:40] Hadi Ghasemi: What we did is really like, you know, what the farmers needed. Because of this, all of this is answering the questions, you know, they have all the farmers in Florida area.

[00:05:55] Nataliya Shcherbatyuk: That’s, that’s fantastic there. That’s great. And well, I mean, we all know that, you know, the big issue in horticulture is plastic waste but what can you say, how much of the environmental impact can BDMs we talking about, biodegradable mulch, potentially make if adapted widely?

[00:06:16] Hadi Ghasemi: That’s an interesting question, Nataliya. Plastic waste, we know, is a major issue in horticulture, especially in systems like strawberry production. In other words, we can say for specialty crops, because we are using plastic mulch every season, and it’s not possible to say we can use plastic and use it next year. I mean, the same plastic. So, if BDMs are widely adapted—when I’m saying BDMs, I’m just referring to biodegradable plastic mulches as a short word—they could significantly reduce the need for plastic removal and disposal, which is both like labor intensive and environmentally problematic. So instead of accumulating in landfills or fragmenting into microplastics, BDMs are designed to break down in the, in the soil under proper conditions. So, while they are not a perfect solution yet, they represent an important step toward more sustainable production systems. And if I want just give an example, I mean, talk about one example that kind of like we can feel better, you know, how this plastic can affect our world, I was reading a paper when we are going to ocean for swimming, what’s happening, there are a lot of microplastic in the ocean. And it’s going through our body and also, they found microplastic in human blood. So, when it’s really like working through our life right now, microplastics. So, I think that’s really important to work on this project and then not just as a case of just environment for like talking about plants and animals. No, this is like something, it’s like working through all the ecosystems. That’s my understanding about how important these days are for our work.

[00:08:18] Nataliya Shcherbatyuk: So, moving forward, I wanted to ask you, while you were working with BDMs, what were some challenges that you faced, you know, when you were testing those BDMs in real production systems?

[00:08:31] Hadi Ghasemi: That’s a great question because I believe different conditions have different challenges. One of the main challenges we observed in Florida was related to environmental conditions, especially high soil moisture and wind. We saw that they tend to deteriorate faster along the edge where they are in direct contact with the soil. This sometimes weakens the structure of the mulch. There’s a tear in, you know, in the base and at the same time, wind could lift and damage the mulch, when it’s like, when, its integrity was reduced, which can affect stability and moisture retention was critical for strawberries. You’ll just imagine that plastic is like opening from the side and sometimes it’s windy and the bed is losing some moisture. And what’s the result? Just have less fruit, I mean less yield. So, these real field challenges highlight why location specific testing is essential, right?

[00:09:34] Nataliya Shcherbatyuk: Well and I think you mentioned the beginning also that some years, for example, you have BDMs were behaving quite similar to PE mulch in some years not. So that probably also could have been impacted by the environment of the specific season.

[00:09:52] Hadi Ghasemi: It’s possible. But if I want to answer it, we need to really design a new project and then, you know, just test all those and talk about it. Like, you know, saying yes but if you ask me just based on, you know what I observe in the field, yes. Like the amount of rain we are receiving, or the amount of like, you know, or if some years here we have a hurricane at the early season that’s happening sometimes, or if we consider all those things together, we can say yes. But to say which one is more effective or like, you know, if it’s significant or something like that.

[00:10:30] Nataliya Shcherbatyuk: For sure. We need research, I mean a trial, right. Yes, I agree with that. Research is needed for sure to make any summary or any conclusions. Yes, and I was quite fascinated to read that. Another project that you’ve been working on, you’ve been focusing on photosynthesis. I wanted to ask you how the photosynthesis fondling, have that linked into your mulch work?

[00:11:02] Hadi Ghasemi: First of all, I love photosynthesis, when we are talking about plant physiology mostly, I like to focus on photosynthesis. And this project connects directly to mulch because mulch influenced the plant microenvironment, especially light and temperature, which are key drivers of the photosynthesis. So, by understanding how much modified these factors are, we can better model and optimize for the photosynthesis performance.

[00:11:41] Nataliya Shcherbatyuk: That’s interesting. And didn’t you also were testing different plastic mulch colors to optimize light reflection.

[00:11:50] Hadi Ghasemi: Yes. Mulch color and composition influence both light reflection and pressure as I mentioned it, which directly affected plant physiology. Different colors reflect different amounts and wavelengths of light. In our work, we were particularly interested in how reflected light from the mulch surface can reach the lower side of the leaves for strawberries and contribute to photosynthesis. So, we found that reflected light can indeed enhance photosynthesis in the lower canopy and the lower side of leaves, which is often light limited. At the same time, mulch can also change soil and canopy temperature, and temperature strongly influence photosynthesis efficiencies. So, the goal of our research is to identify mulch type that optimize both light reflection and temperature condition across different growth stages.

[00:12:34] Nataliya Shcherbatyuk: That’s very interesting. You are having a pretty cool project got to tell you that.

[00:12:41] Hadi Ghasemi: Thank you, actually, I love, you know, connecting physiology to the real world of agriculture.

[00:12:50] Nataliya Shcherbatyuk: I mean, yes, those are great ’cause the answering the needed questions. And what else, I was gonna actually had a question that I wanted to ask you. So, when you think about strawberry production in Florida, but also outside of Florida, just if you think overall about strawberry agriculture production, what are the biggest opportunities do you see that can be done to improve sustainability in strawberry agriculture? And we are talking in over like next five to 10 years?

[00:13:16] Hadi Ghasemi: That’s a really big question. I’d say, the biggest opportunity is just my, you know, understanding actually. I’m not talking based, you know, what they’re talking like in the maybe scientific world, but based on my experience, I think the biggest opportunity is interesting. I mean, integrating sustainable materials with precision management. This includes replacing conventional plastic with biodegradable alternatives, but also optimizing inputs like water, fertilizer, and light using data driven approaches. So, a hierarchy opportunity is tailoring management practice, like mulch selection or light strategy to plan growth stages, which can improve efficiency and reduce waste. So, sustainability will come from combining better materials with smarter management, I think that’s the part. And I’m also, I’m feeling it like even, everything’s like AI technology and everything is kind of like shifting to that way more efficiency, but better pro product. I mean more products and they are of high quality.

[00:14:35] Nataliya Shcherbatyuk: What do you think, how can growers benefit from your specific work that you’re doing with your projects, particularly with your projects on the day-to-day decisions that they have to make?

[00:14:53] Hadi Ghasemi: The goal of our work is to translate research into practical recommendations for growers. For example, our module studies can help growers choose materials that balance, yield, durability, and environmental impact. So, for example, our photosynthesis work can inform decision about light management, planting strategy, and even future controlling environment systems. And ultimately, we aim to provide data that helps growers make more informed, efficient, and profitable decisions in their day-to-day operations.

[00:15:32] Nataliya Shcherbatyuk: So, with your job that you’re doing with your project, you’re gonna see growers quite often, right?

[00:15:46] Hadi Ghasemi: Yes, also, I think because our research center is kind of near to the main area there, they are planting strawberries in Florida, which is in west Central Florida, around Tampa. Because we are so close to that area, there is a big connection between our center farmers and also strawberry Association. That’s how we are like visiting a lot of farmers that are coming to our center. We are going to their fields. Yeah, that’s fantastic. So, you can talk, you can hear the questions, concerns, ideas from the firsthand from growers. That’s one of the best benefits I think to be, you know, a researcher and work with real products in the field. I think one of the projects we are doing, actually, because I was talking to a farmer mm-hmm. And then he was talking about like one of the strawberry varieties, he was talking have a better like yield under white plastic. And then he was saying it, but he didn’t have any data, like, you know, waiting, everything, and you know, have a project, like a scientific project. So, when I was thinking about it, I started to talk, I mean, thinking more about physiology and then started to design the research, and then when I started to design that research, we came to this research talking about larger flexion. And then, you know, I found other researcher in that center. They had some like ideas about it, and they did some preliminary exams. So, we like, you know, bring. All these ideas were taken there to make a new idea and start working on that chapter actually.

[00:17:16] Nataliya Shcherbatyuk: That’s fantastic. Yeah, those are really questions that you’re answering that being asked by growers, so that’s really important. And Hadi, tell me what is next for you. So right now, how much longer do you have to complete your education and project?

[00:17:32] Hadi Ghasemi: Actually, I’m in the last year. I’m trying to write down things, so, I’m trying to see if there is anything, like, you know, for the side I can do more to have better, like maybe answer for all that research. I’m interested in doing it, but also, I’m thinking with my supervisor to see if he can do more or otherwise, you know, just find a job, defend my PhD, and then going for the next chapter. Continue living.

[00:18:06] Nataliya Shcherbatyuk: Yes. That’s a good plan. But definitely in horticulture, agriculture area, right? You’re not leaving that part. When you’re in, you’re in. There’s no way out.

[00:18:17] Hadi Ghasemi: When I officially started working in horticulture from my high school, as I mentioned at the beginning, so I think for the last, I say 17 years or maybe less or more, I’m in horticultural field and even before that I was helping my grandpa, you know.

[00:18:34] Nataliya Shcherbatyuk: Yeah. I feel like you. Sometimes it is a joke for me personally that you know, you can take me out of plants, but you cannot take plants out of me. I started to interest in plants when I was a kid, like literally kindergarten, and since then it was just interesting. Plants are always, they have, they just have to be, you can’t go without plants. It just doesn’t work for me. So, I understand when you say that.

[00:19:09] Hadi Ghasemi: I like your quote; I’ll write it down for sure. And put it on the wall. That is just, its life is better when you have plants around. For me, that’s how it works, it’s kind of helping me to have better feeling and you know, it’s giving me the feeling of being fresh, actually.

[00:19:21] Nataliya Shcherbatyuk: Well, and I know we are sidetracking a little bit from the podcast, but there are also scientific publications about plant therapy on humans and how green itself and the plants affect our mood and the way they feel. So, it’s not something that we just think they help us, they truly do.

[00:19:42] Hadi Ghasemi: Yes, we have a program actually in UF, in the university, in south Florida. We have a program like horticultural therapy, something like that.

[00:19:56] Nataliya Shcherbatyuk: Yeah. So that is, you are feeling it, because it exists. And actually, I was going to ask you something. So, if you have a chance, and you do have a chance right now when you’re talking to young scientists who are listening to a podcast and they’re interested in horticulture or plant physiology, what advice would you give them?

[00:20:19] Hadi Ghasemi: That’s a good question. So, I’m trying to answer based on my experience. For sure I don’t have that much experience, you know, talking about these things just like a young, you know, researcher who’s finishing his PhD. So, one of the most important things I think is consistency. Progress in research comes from small but daily for overtime. That’s my experience from my PhD, master, bachelor’s degree and planning their work daily, day by day is critical. And also, is equally important to do follow up always. I’m saying follow up works miracle. That’s one thing always, you know, I’m saying it everywhere, you know, that’s my quote Natalyia that is great. We should be sure to make sure you complete what you start, that’s important. That’s why I’m saying consistency, follow up, having planned daily, day by day and on top of all those things, I want to add something. Networking is also essential. It helps you to stay connected to new ideas, collaborate more effectively, and grow faster as a scientist. And these days, like don’t have any network or have less network, it means your internet is not working. Networking is absolutely like having internet and personally, being part of collaborative projects like this, I’m working with, like our multi-state project, that is led by Dr. Lisa DeVetter, shows me how valuable strong professional network can be. So, this is all of my advice for young researchers who are a little bit younger than me, actually, I’m not really old, Nataliya.

[00:22:01] Nataliya Shcherbatyuk: Natalia. Yes. I think those are great, very great tips. And I wanted to expand a little bit more also on networking, which I do agree highly that networking is extremely important and I know, and I understand that when we just start master of PhD, that there is a huge overwhelming time that there’s a lot of classes, a lot of exams you have to pass, and we focus so much on that part that we sort of abandoned networking. But it’s important, it’s very important to establish networking from the beginning and now with the technology, it just made much easier. You could connect with people on social media; you could connect with people through any online conferences if in person is not a possibility. You can also listen to podcasts like ours. You can also listen, yes, check out our social media Mulch Matters, LinkedIn and Instagram, and just connect. Ask your questions. Any questions you have, do not be shy to ask. There is, of course, always someone who will respond with the answer, and that answer will be very useful.

[00:23:10] Hadi Ghasemi: I really agree with you and always Nataliya when I’m find someone talking in a podcast or even reading something about their works, I’m finding them in LinkedIn and take for a coffee chat, and I can say I have at least one coffee chat and talking to new people, and I’m sure that networking is helping me to grow faster because just our knowledge and what we are learning actually is not really enough to have a high quality scientific things, I mean, to be a high quality scientific. So, I really agree with your idea a hundred percent.

[00:23:49] Nataliya Shcherbatyuk: Yeah, I agree with coffee chats. I always think that we people need people and we need people for ideas. You know, we might think we are the smartest person in the room, but even that, you still need ideas, you need to share your ideas, and then you realize you weren’t actually the smartest, and that’s great because you do want to have a lot of people around you to improve your own thinking. Well, Hadi, thank you so much for your time and the great discussion.

[00:24:22] Hadi Ghasemi: Thank you so much. Appreciate the podcast you have for BDMs. And I know you start this podcast, that’s really interesting, sometimes I didn’t listen to all of them, but I listen to at least half of them, I can say love the way you are doing the podcast because in a short time we are learning a lot of things and getting a lot of updates about the new things, and I really appreciate for the time, and the opportunity to talk.

[00:24:55] Nataliya Shcherbatyuk: Thank you so much, Hadi. And remember, consistency is the key. Do not listen to just half of the podcast, listen to them all.

[00:25:17] Nataliya Shcherbatyuk: That’s it for today and until the next episode. You can find more information by following us on Instagram and LinkedIn by @mulch_matters and going to our websites (www.smallfruits.wsu.edu) and choose ‘Mulch Technologies’. This work is supported by Specialty Crops Research Initiative Award 2022-51181-38325 from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed on this podcast are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.