Evaluation of two degradable mulches in sweet pepper greenhouse cultivation

The experiment with degradable soil mulches in sweet pepper cultivation was carried out in 2012 and 2013 in plastic greenhouse at the experimental station of the University of Agriculture in Krakow, Poland. Three kinds of polyprophylene (PP) materials were used: non-degradable PP Agro and degradable PP with 0.02% photoactivator (PP photo) and polylactide PLA (all nonwovens with the surface mass 50 g m^‑2). Control treatment was the plot without mulching. Transplants were planted during the first decade of May. The marketable yield gained in both years was similar on the plots mulched with PP Agro, PLA and PP photo, respectively, in comparison with the non-covered ones. Concentration of L-ascorbic acid in sweet pepper fruits in both years was slightly different but the content of dry weight and soluble sugars was on the same level in all treatments. At the end of the experiment the analysis of the degradation of applied soil mulches was performed by using an estimation of supramolecular structure changes by wide angle X-ray diffraction. The results confirm that degradable materials can be used for a maximum of two seasons.