Revolutionizing Water Conservation: CSIRO's Mulch Innovation
A groundbreaking initiative by the CSIRO aims to revolutionize water-saving techniques in agriculture. The research focuses on developing a composite mulch batt made from crop residues, which will break down naturally, enhancing soil health and moisture retention.
The project, funded by the GRDC, involves a 3-year development of a sprayable mulch film tailored for broadacre cropping, especially in low to medium-rainfall regions. Dr. Stuart Gordon, a senior scientist at CSIRO Agriculture and Food, leads this innovative endeavor.
Dr. Gordon's goal is to create a biodegradable water vapor transfer barrier that outperforms plastic sheeting. Plastic, while effective in lab conditions, only preserves up to 35% more moisture in the field due to damage and environmental factors. Straw, however, can achieve similar results over a growing season.
CSIRO's initial formula, a sprayable biodegradable mulch based on polyurethane, faced challenges due to high water content and transportation costs. The team redeveloped it into a friable powder of polyurethane particles coated with cellulose, offering a cost-effective and environmentally friendly solution.
This powder can be applied dry or mixed with water and sprayed onto crop residues. It can also be activated using low-temperature heat rollers. The product's polyurethane backbone, enriched with amine and urea groups, provides flexibility and bonding sites, ensuring the batt's stability and longevity.
Field trials in 2026 will assess the powder's performance, including its ability to moderate soil drying and crusting, and its compatibility with sowing equipment. Early laboratory and small plot trials have shown promising results, with over 50% of the binder biodegraded within 8 months.
The research also explores potential applications beyond moisture preservation. Adding pigments could enable weed suppression, while incorporating actives could protect against soil pathogens and nematodes. The team is also experimenting with refined cereal residues and recycled cotton clothing to enhance the binder's effectiveness.
CSIRO aims to produce the specific polyurethane formula domestically, considering production costs and application rates. A prototype product is set for release in 2026, marking a significant step towards sustainable and efficient water management in agriculture.
