Hydromulch maintains strawberry yield, fruit quality, and plant nutrition across two contrasting environments

Authors: WEISS, BENJAMIN - Washington State University; AHMAD, WAQAS - North Dakota State University; MAUPIN, BRIAN - Washington State University; MCFADDEN, DAKOTA - Washington State University; BAJWA, DILPREET - Montana State University; DURADO, ANDREW - Montana State University; Weyers, Sharon; GALINATO, SUZETTE - Washington State University; GRAMIG, GRETA - North Dakota State University; WASKO DEVETTER, LISA - Washington State University

Submitted to: HortScience
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/18/2024
Publication Date: 1/1/2025
Citation: Weiss, B., Ahmad, W., Maupin, B., McFadden, D., Bajwa, D.S., Durado, A., Weyers, S.L., Galinato, S.P., Gramig, G., Wasko Devetter, L. 2025. Hydromulch maintains strawberry yield, fruit quality, and plant nutrition across two contrasting environments. HortScience. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI18224-24.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI18224-24

Interpretive Summary: Hydromulch, an alternative sprayable technology made with paper pulp and a tacky substance (tackifier), can be formulated to meet organic requirements. Hydromulch has undergone limited field testing to confirm its suitability as a replacement for non-biodegradable polyethylene plastic mulches. Plastic mulches are primarily single use, seldom recycled, and often burned or landfilled, which can lead to environmental pollution. Hydromulch formulations made of paper with guar gum or psyllium tackifiers were compared to plastic mulch in northwest Washington and North Dakota. The effects of various hydromulch formulations on yield, fruit quality, and tissue nutrient status of day-neutral strawberries were evaluated. No differences in both strawberry yield and fruit quality with hydromulch compared to plastic mulch were found. Slight variations in tissue nutrient concentrations were observed but not attributed to hydromulch treatments. Information resulting from this project demonstrates hydromulches maintain crop productivity and quality. Results of this study can be used by researchers, regulators and others to improve agricultural sustainability and health of the environment.

Technical Abstract: Plastic mulches made from non-biodegradable polyethylene (i.e., “PE mulch”) are an integral tool for organic and conventional strawberry (Fragaria xananassa) production due to their ability to optimize soil and crop microclimates, suppress weeds, and promote overall yield and fruit quality. Unfortunately, PE mulch is primarily single-use and seldom recycled, leading to large volumes of plastic waste with some of the plastic mulch fragments residing in the soil or polluting the surrounding agroecosystem. While soil-biodegradable plastic mulches are a promising mulch technology that aims to reduce waste generation, no commercial products are available that meet the National Organic Program’s requirements. Hydromulches are an alternative mulch technology that is sprayable and can be formulated to meet organic requirements but has undergone limited testing. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of various hydromulch formulations on yield, fruit quality, and tissue nutrient status of day-neutral strawberries grown in two diverse environments. Hydromulches made with various formulations of paper and guar gum or psyllium tackifiers were compared to PE mulch in northwest Washington and North Dakota in 2022. Few treatment effects were observed throughout the trial and both strawberry yield and fruit quality were maintained. Slight variations in tissue nutrient concentrations were observed but not attributed to hydromulch treatments. Information resulting from this project demonstrates hydromulches maintain crop productivity and quality. Future research should evaluate the ability of hydromulches to suppress a spectrum of weed species, impacts on soil health, and economic viability.