Potential of a corn-starch based biodegradable plastic film for soil solarization.

In temperate regions soil solarization with plastic films represents a valuable alternative to the use of methyl bromide for the control of soil borne diseases. However, large quantities of wastes are derived by plastic materials used for solar heating, whose inappropriate management could affect negatively the whole agro-ecosystem. Use of biodegradable films, which spontaneously start up a degradation process after their soil application, could represent a potential solution to these disposal problems. Greenhouse and open field experiments were undertaken in 2002 and 2003 in Southern Italy with the aim to assess the effect of soil solarization with a corn starch-based biodegradable plastic film on soil temperature, root-knot nematode (Melodogyne spp.) and weed control and crop yield, in comparison with EVA and LDPE plastic films. Mechanical and spectroradiometrical properties of the films were also studied. Use of biodegradable films resulted effective, particularly in greenhouse, for the control of nematodes and weeds improving yield and quality of melon fruits