Applicazione in agricoltura di materiali polimerici biodegradabili basati su idrolizzati proteici

Aim of the research is the development of biodegradable polymeric materials based on hydrolyzed proteins, derived from waste products of the leather industry. These compostable and biodegradable materials are used in order to made biodegradable mulching films. Fillers, coloured pigments, natural plasticizer and vegetal fibres were opportunely added inn order to assure the chemical, physical-mechanical properties of the film during the cultivation time. Soil mulching films, made with the biodegradable materials, were applied to the soil by means of spray techniques; the mulches were tested in an ornamental cultivation carried out inside a greenhouse. The innovative biodegradable spray films lasted in the field up to 12 months, keeping their mulching effect and guarantying weed suppression