Written by  members of the Biodegradable Mulch project team and their co-authors, these publications reflect our research about biodegradable mulch. Publications are sorted by topic area; within each topic area, the most recent publications are listed first. Publications that are not linked may be available through a literature search such as Google Scholar, or by contacting the author. Team members' contact information is here.

General/Policy

Biodegradabability of Mulch and Mulch Materials

Soil Quality

Crop Production

Adoption and Producer Perspectives

Economics

 

 
Added in 2018:

Goldberger, J.R. 2018. Agriculture in the plastic age. 2018 AFHVS presidential address. Agriculture and Human Values, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10460-018-9889-x

Chen, K.-J., T.L. Marsh, P.R. Tozer, and S.P. Galinato. 2018. Biotechnology to sustainability: Consumer preferences for food products grown on biodegradable mulches. Food Research International. doi:10.1016/j.foodres.2018.08.013 

Zhang, L., H.Y. Sintim, A.I.Bary, D.G. Hayes, L.C. Wadsworth, M.B. Anunciado, M. Flury. 2018. Interaction of Lumbricus terrestris with macroscopic polyethylene and biodegradable plastic mulch. Science of the Total Environment. 635 (2018): 1600-1608. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.04.054.

Bandopadhyay, S., L. Martin-Closas, A. M. Pelacho, and J. DeBruyn. 2018. Biodegradable plastic mulch films: Impact on soil microbial communities and ecosystem functions. Frontiers in Mircobiology 26 April 2018. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2018.00819.

Ghimire, S., A.L. Wszelaki, J.C. Moore, D.A. Inglis, and C.A. Miles. 2018. Use of biodegradable mulches in pie pumpkin production in two diverse climates. Horticultural Science 53(3):288-294. doi:10.21273/hortsci12630-17.

DeVetter, L.W, H. Zhang, S. Ghimere, S. Watkinson, and C.A. Miles. 2017. Plastic biodegradable mulches reduce weeds and promote crop growth in day-neutral strawberry in western Washington. Horticultural Science 52(12): 1700-1706. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI12422-17. (cover article)

Ghimire, S., A.M. Saxton, A.L. Wszelaki, J.C. Moore, and C.A. Miles. 2017. Reliability of soil sampling method to assess visible biodegradable mulch fragments remaining in the field after soil incorporation. HortTechnology 27(5): 650-658. doi:10.21273/horttech03821-17.

 

General/Policy

Goldberger, J.R. 2018. Agriculture in the plastic age. 2018 AFHVS presidential address. Agriculture and Human Values, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10460-018-9889-x

Hayes, D.G. 2017. Commentary: The relationship between "biobased," "biodegradability" and "environmentally friendliness" (or the absence thereof). Editorial in J Am Oil Chem Soc 94: 1329-1331. DOI: 10.1007/s11746-017-3040-9.

Brodhagen, M., J. Goldberger, D. Hayes, D. Inglis, T. Marsh, and C. Miles. 2017. Policy considerations for limiting unintended residual plastic in agricultural soils. Environmental Science & Policy 69(March 2017): 81-84. Available online Dec 2016. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2016.12.014

Cowan, J., C. Miles, and S. Ghimire. Biodegradable mulch films: their constituents and suitability for organic agriculture. American Society for Horticultural Science, August 7 - 11, 2016. Atlanta, GA.

Miles, C., L. DeVetter, S. Ghimire, and D.G. Hayes. 2017. Suitability of biodegradable plastic mulches for organic and sustainable agricultural production systems. Horticultural Science 52(1): 10-15. Doi:10.21273/HORTSCI11249-16.

 

Zhang, L., H.Y. Sintim, A.I.Bary, D.G. Hayes, L.C. Wadsworth, M.B. Anunciado, M. Flury. 2018. Interaction of Lumbricus terrestris with macroscopic polyethylene and biodegradable plastic mulch. Science of the Total Environment. 635 (2018): 1600-1608. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.04.054.
Hayes, D., L. Wadsworth, H. Sintim, M. Flury, M. English, S. Schaeffer, A. Saxton. 2017. Effect of diverse weathering conditions on the physiochemical properties of biodegradable plastic mulches. Polymer Testing 62(September 2017): 454-467. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymertesting.2017.07.027.
Cowan, J., A. Saxton, H. Liu, K. Leonas, D. Inglis, and C. Miles. 2016. Visual assessments of biodegradable mulch are not indicative of changes in mechanical properties. Horticultural Science 51(3): 245-254.
Dharmalingam, S., D.G. Hayes, L.C. Wadsworth, and R.N. Dunlap. 2015. Analysis of the time course of degradation for fully biobased nonwoven agricultural mulches in compost-enriched soil. Textile Research Journal, first online publishing Nov. 11. doi:10.1177/0040517515612358.
Dharmalingam, S., D.G. Hayes, L.C. Wadsworth, and R.N. Dunlap, J.M. DeBruyn, J. Lee, A.L Wszelaki. 2015. Soil degradation of polylactic acid / polyhydroxyalkanoate-based nonwoven mulches. J. Polym. Environ. 23(3): 302-315. doi: 10.1007/s10924-015-0716-9.
Hablot, E., S. Dharmalingam, D.G. Hayes, L.C. Wadsworth, C. Blazy, and R. Narayan. 2014. Effects of simulated weathering on physiochemical properties and inherent biodegradation of PLA/PHA nonwoven mulches. J. Polym. Environ. 22(4): 417-429.
Wadsworth, L.C., D.G. Hayes, A.L. Wszelaki, T.L. Washington, J. Martin, J. Lee, R. Raley, C.T. Pannell, S. Dharmalingam, C.A. Miles, A.M. Saxton, and D.A. Inglis. 2013. Evaluation of degradable spun-melt 100% polylactic acid nonwoven mulch materials in a greenhouse environment. J. of Eng. Fibers and Fabrics 8(4):50-59.
Maimekov, Adilet. 2011. WSU non-thesis M.S. Factors determining prices of commodity thermoplastics. WSU School of Economic Sciences, Pullman, WA. 36 p.
Wadsworth, L.C., A.L. Wszelaki, D.G. Hayes, and B.R. Smith. 2009. Development of Enhanced Biodegradable Mulch Nonwovens to Replace Plastic Films. Proceedings of the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists International Conference, March 10–12, Myrtle Beach, SC.
Wadsworth, L.C., A.L. Wszelaki, D.G. Hayes, and B.R. Smith, 2009. Development of Next Generation of Biodegradable Mulch Nonwovens to Replace Plastic Films. Proceedings of the International Nonwovens Technical Conference, Denver, CO.
Smith, B.R., L.C. Wadsworth, M.G. Kamath, A.L. Wszelaki, and C.E. Sams. 2008. Development of Next Generation Biodegradable Mulch Nonwovens to Replace Polyethylene Plastic. Proceedings of the International Conference on Sustainable Textiles, October 21–24, Wuxi, China.
 
Bandopadhyay, S., L. Martin-Closas, A. M. Pelacho, and J. DeBruyn. 2018. Biodegradable plastic mulch films: Impact on soil microbial communities and ecosystem functions. Frontiers in Mircobiology, 26 April 2018. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2018.00819.
Saglam, M., H.Y. Sintim, A.I. Bary, C.A. Miles, S. Ghimire, D.A. Inglis, M. Flury. 2017. Modeling the effect of biodegradable paper and plastic mulch on soil moisture dynamics. Agric. Water Manage. 193: 240-250.
Sintim, H. and M. Flury. 2017. Is biodegradable plastic mulch the solution to agriculture's plastic problem? Environmental Science & Technology, 51(3): 1068-1069. DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.6b0b042
Sintim, H., S. Bandopadhyay, S. Ghimire, M. Flury, A. Bary, S. Schaeffer, J. DeBruyn, C. Miles, and D. Inglis. 2016. Soil quality and coloid transport under biodegradable mulches. EGU General Assembly 2016, Vienna, Austria, p. 18410.
Schaeffer, S.M., M. Flury, H.Y. Sintim, S. Bandopadhyay, S. Ghimire, A.I. Bary, and J.M. DeBruyn. 2015.  Soil physical characteristics and biological indicators of soil quality under different biodegradable mulches. AGU Annual Meeting Abstracts, San Francisco, December 14-15, 2015.
Sintim, H.Y., S. Bandopadhyay, S. Ghimire, M. Flury, A.I. Bary, S. Schaeffer, J.M. DeBruyn, C. Miles, D. Inglis. 2015. Soil quality, moisture, and temperature evaluation under different biodegradable mulches. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting, Minneapolis, MN, Nov. 15-18.

Brodhagen, M., M. Peyron, C. Miles, and D.A. Inglis. 2015. Biodegradable plastic agricultural mulches and key features of microbial degradation. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology 99:1039-1056. doi: 10.1007/s00253-014-6267-5
Li, C., J. Moore-Kucera, J. Lee, A. Corbin, M. Brodhagen, C. Miles, and D. Inglis. 2014. Degradation of potentially biodegradable plastic mulch films at three diverse U.S. locations. Journal of Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems 38(7): doi 10.1080/21683565.2014.884515. 
Li, C., J. Moore-Kucera, J. Lee, A. Corbin, M. Brodhagen, C. Miles, and D. Inglis. 2014. Effects of biodegradable mulch on soil quality. Applied Soil Ecology 79:59-69.
Moore-Kucera, J., S.B. Cox, M. Peyron, G. Bailes, K. Kinloch, K. Karich, C. Miles, D.A. Inglis, and M. Brodhagen. 2014. Native soil fungi associated with compostable plastics in three contrasting agricultural settings. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology 98(14): 6467-6485. doi 10.1007/s00253-014-5711-x.
Bailes, G., M. Lind, A. Ely, M. Powell, J. Moore-Kucera, C. Miles, D. Inglis, and M. Brodhagen. 2013. Isolation of native soil microorganisms with potential for breaking down biodegradable plastic films used in agriculture. J. Vis. Exp. (75), e50373, doi:10.3791/50373.
 
Ghimire, S., A.L. Wszelaki, J.C. Moore, D.A. Inglis, and C.A. Miles. 2018. Use of biodegradable mulches in pie pumpkin production in two diverse climates. Horticultural Science 53(3):288-294. doi:10.21273/hortsci12630-17.


Tymon, L, and Inglis, D. 2017. Identification and pathogenicity of a Pseudomonas syringae genomospecies 1 phylogroup 2B causing leaf spots and fruit warts on cucurbits in western Washington, U.S. J. Plant Path 99(3). http://dx.doi.org/10.4454/jpp.v99i3.3956.

DeVetter, L.W, H. Zhang, S. Ghimere, S. Watkinson, and C.A. Miles. 2017. Plastic biodegradable mulches reduce weeds and promote crop growth in day-neutral strawberry in western Washington. Horticultural Science 52(12): 1700-1706. doi: 10.21273/HORTSCI12422-17. (cover article)

Miles, C., L. DeVetter, S. Ghimire, and D.G. Hayes. 2017. Suitability of biodegradable plastic mulches for organic and sustainable agricultural production systems. Horticultural Science 52(1): 10-15. Doi:10.21273/HORTSCI11249-16.
Cowan, J.S., C.A. Miles, P.K. Andrews, and D.A. Inglis. 2014. Biodegradable mulch performed comparable to polyethylene in high tunnel tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) production. J. Sci. Food Agric. 94:1854-1864. doi: 10.1002/jsfa.6504.
Cowan, J.S., D.A. Inglis, and C.A. Miles. 2013. Deterioration of three potentially biodegradable plastic mulches before and after soil incorporation in a broccoli field production system in northwestern Washington. HortTechnology 23(6):849-858.
Corbin, A., J. Cowan, C.A. Miles, D. Hayes, J. Dorgan, D.A. Inglis, D.A. January 2013. Using Biodegradable Plastics as Agricultural Mulches. Washington State University Extension publication FS081E. 6 p.
Miles, C., R. Wallace, A. Wszelaki, J. Martin, J. Cowan, T. Walters, and D. Inglis. 2012. Deterioration of potentially biodegradable alternatives to black plastic mulch in three tomato production regions. HortSci. 47:1270-1277.
Miles, C. and T. Marsh. 2012. Biodegradable plastic mulches, China and U.S. In: Profit from Storage: The costs and benefits of water buffering. Steenbergen, F. van, A. Tuinhof, and L. Knoop (Eds). Wageningen, The Netherlands: 3R Water Secretariat. ISBN:978-90-79658-05-3. Pp. 80-84.
Miles, C., D. Hayes, J. Moore-Kucera, M. Brodhagen, T. Marsh, A. Corbin, R. Wallace, A. Wszelaki, T. Walters, J. Lee, and D. Inglis. 2011. Biodegradable alternatives to plastic mulch. In: Transforming Lives Transforming Landscapes. The Business of Sustainable Water Buffer Management. Steenbergen, F. van, A. Tuinhof, and L. Knoop (Eds). Wageningen, The Netherlands: 3R Water Secretariat. Pp. 84-89.
Cowan, J., C. Miles, D. Inglis, K. Leonas, J. Moore-Kucera, A. Wszelaki, R. Wallace, D. Hayes, and L. Wadsworth. 2010. Evaluating potential biodegradable mulches for high tunnel and field vegetable production. Proceedings Agricultural Plastics Congress, July 31–August 1, Palm Desert, CA. (Abstract, oral presentation and proceedings)
 
Ghimire, S., A.M. Saxton, A.L. Wszelaki, J.C. Moore, and C.A. Miles. 2017. Reliability of soil sampling method to assess visible biodegradable mulch fragments remaining in the field after soil incorporation. HortTechnology 27(5): 650-658. doi:10.21273/horttech03821-17.
Benedict, C., and C. Miles. 2016. Designing and implementing multi-dimensional outreach activities. Horticultural Science 51(9):S330 (Conf abstract).
Cowan, J., J. Goldberger, C. Miles, and D. Inglis. 2015. Creating tactile space during a university extension field day event: The case of a sustainable agriculture innovation. Rural Sociology. doi: 10.1111/ruso.12073
Goldberger, J., R. Jones, C. Miles, R. Wallace, and D. Inglis. 2013. Barriers and bridges to the adoption of biodegradable plastic mulches for U.S. specialty crop production. Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems. doi:10.1017/S1742170513000276
Miles, C., C. Beus, A. Corbin, R. Wallace, A. Wszelaki, H. Saez, T. Walters, K. Leonas, M. Brodhagen, D. Hayes, and D. Inglis. 2009. Research and extension priorities to ensure adaptation of high tunnels and biodegradable plastic mulch in the United States. Agricultural Plastics Congress, July 13–16, College Station, Pennsylvania.


Economics
Chen, K.-J., T.L. Marsh, P.R. Tozer, and S.P. Galinato. 2018. Biotechnology to sustainability: Consumer preferences for food products grown on biodegradable mulches. Food Research International. doi:10.1016/j.foodres.2018.08.013 
Jiang, J., T.L. Marsh, and P.R.Tozer. 2015. Policy induced price volatility transmission: Linking the U.S. crude oil, corn and plastic markets. Energy Economics. 52, Part A: 217-225. doi:10.1016/j.eneco.2015.10.008