2017 ASHS Annual Conference

Polyethylene plastic mulches provide specialty crop growers with many agronomic benefits (e.g., weed management, water conservation, and improved crop quality), but the disposal process can be financially and environmentally costly. Biodegradable plastic mulches, which ideally provide similar agronomic benefits, may be an appealing alternative. Biodegradable plastic mulches can be tilled into the soil or composted at the end of the growing season, reducing the labor and environmental costs associated with plastic removal and disposal. Although available since the 1980s, biodegradable plastic mulches have not been used widely by specialty crop growers in the United States (U.S.). Because of the prevalence of raised bed plasticulture for strawberries, we hypothesized that certain segments of the U.S. strawberry grower population might be 'early adopters' of biodegradable plastic mulches. The purpose of our study was to explore strawberry growers' experiences with and opinions about biodegradable plastic mulches in three U.S. regions: California, Mid-Atlantic (New York, Pennsylvania), and Pacific Northwest (Oregon, Washington). A mail/web survey of strawberry growers was conducted in February-April 2016. Two hundred and nineteen (219) growers completed the survey (21% response rate). This poster presents regional comparisons for the following variables: (1) farm characteristics, (2) strawberry production and marketing practices, (3) growers' familiarity and experience with biodegradable plastic mulches, (4) growers' opinions about biodegradable plastic mulches, and (5) growers' likelihood of using biodegradable plastic mulches in future strawberry production. We found statistically significant differences across the three regions for nearly all variables, suggesting that U.S. strawberry growers are not a homogeneous group with regards to experiences with and opinions about biodegradable plastic mulches. Regional differences in farm characteristics and strawberry production practices likely influence growers' interest (or lack of interest) in and subsequent adoption (or rejection) of biodegradable plastic mulches. As more biodegradable plastic mulch products enter the market in the coming years, we recommend site-specific education and outreach approaches that target different segments of the U.S. strawberry grower population.