ISHS Acta Horticulturae 801: International Symposium on High Technology for Greenhouse System Management: Greensys2007
BIODEGRADABLE IRRIGATION SYSTEMS FOR PROTECTED CULTIVATION |
| Authors: | D. Briassoulis, M. Hiskakis, E. Babou |
| Keywords: | biodegradable plastics, irrigation tapes, irrigation pipes, drippers, biodegradation |
| Abstract:
New environmental regulations, societal concerns, and a growing environmental awareness throughout the world have triggered the search for new products and processes that are compatible with the environment. This paper presents the results of a research project carried out by the Agricultural University of Athens with the cooperation of Eurodrip S.A. investigating the possibilities and limitations in developing biodegradable irrigation pipes for agriculture. Biodegradable drip irrigation systems are especially needed in the cases of protected cultivation systems using biodegradable mulching and low tunnel films. The aim is that all biodegradable materials, films and irrigation system are roto-tilled into the soil following the end of the cultivation period eliminating in this way the agricultural plastic waste management problem. The first ever experimental biodegradable irrigation tapes and pipes with drippers were produced using ‘Mater Bi’. The processing conditions were investigated thoroughly and optimised under the constraint of the available conventional equipment. The mechanical and irrigation performance and degradation behaviour of the pipes produced were evaluated under laboratory and real field conditions. The results obtained are promising concerning the feasibility to develop in the future optimised commercial products. | |
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