Biodegradable Plastic Mulches: Barriers and Bridges to Adoption

Since 2009, the experiences and perspectives of specialty crop growers, Extension personnel, agricultural input suppliers, and others have been assessed in order to better understand the barriers and bridges to the adoption of biodegradable plastic mulches for specialty crop production systems in the United States. This presentation reports the results from a survey of progressive growers (Beus, 2008), six focus groups with individuals involved in biodegradable plastic mulch agro-production systems (Beus, Jones and Kirschner, 2010–11), and a survey of Extension personnel, agricultural input suppliers, and other individuals (intermediaries) who work with specialty crop growers (2012). Surveys and focus group meetings have taken place in Tennessee, Texas, and Washington, three diverse agricultural regions of the United States. Results showed that approximately 30% of progressive growers were using biodegradable plastic mulches, but they were not satisfied because of unpredictable or incomplete biodegradation. Most growers (79%) lacked adequate access to information about biodegradable plastic mulches, and 50% were interested in working with scientists and Extension educators on research related to them. From the focus group meetings, perceived barriers to the adoption of biodegradable plastic mulches included high cost, lack of knowledge, uncertain performance, and uncertain long-term impact on the soil. Perceived bridges to adoption included environmental benefits, reduced waste, and effective weed control. The intermediary survey results are forthcoming. The survey and focus group findings can be used to guide the activities of all those involved in the development and promotion of biodegradable plastic mulches for U.S. specialty crop production systems.