Hemicelluloses-based sprayable and biodegradable pesticide mulch films for Chinese cabbage growth

In this study, one high-performance hemicelluloses (HC)-based sprayable and biodegradable pesticide mulch film was developed. Firstly, HC was transesterified with vinyl acetate (VA) to improve its solubility and film-forming ability. Then abamectin (ABA) was encapsulated by beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CD) to endow mulch film persistent anti pesticide activity. After that, sodium alginate (SA) and gelatin were added to develop the mechanical performances of the mulch film. As a result, the obtained mulch film showed good characteristics, with optimum mechanical strength, elongation at break, water vapor permeability (WVP), swelling ratio (SR), and weight loss (biodegradability) of 7.9 +/- 0.3 MPa, 43.6 +/- 2.0 %, 2.1 +/- 0.1 x 10-11 g mm m- 2 s- 1 kPa- 1, 73.8 +/- 2.0 %, and 69.3 %, respectively. After covering with mulch film, the soil moisture and temperature were developed to 90.8 % and 19.3 +/- 0.2 degrees C, respectively, which could facilitate Chinese cabbage growth, with optimum germination rate of 98.6 +/- 6.4 %.