Search results for "Plastic film"

Closed-loop recycling. A case study of films for greenhouses

2010

Abstract The degradation undergone by plastic films used for greenhouse coverage is the main cause of the worsening of the processability, of the mechanical properties and of the durability of secondary materials obtained by their recycling. This means that this secondary material cannot be processed to produce films for the same applications (closed-loop recycling). In this work different strategies are proposed to improve the processability, some mechanical properties and the resistance to photo-oxidation of these secondary materials. In particular, homopolymer blends or multilayer films where the secondary material is used in combination with virgin polymer give the best results.

Soil solarization with biodegradabile materials and its impact on soil microbial communities.

2008

Soil solarization (SS) seems one of the most promising techniques to control soilborne pathogens, but an important limitation to the diffusion of this technique is due to the drawback regarding the disposal of the used plastic materials. A possible solution to this problem is the use of biodegradable plastics. The aim of this study was compare the impact of SS with biodegradable materials with SS with plastic film and others pest management techniques (i.e. organic matter amendment, calcium cyanamide and Dazomet fungicide application) on crop productivity, soilborne disease incidence, weed suppression, and soil chemical (total N, ammonium, nitrate, available phosphorus, organic matter, hydr…

Enhancement of immunohistochemical staining

1982

The present paper describes two simple procedures which enhance immunohistochemical staining. One is to cover the sections with a plastic film to keep the serum uniformly distributed and minimize its evaporation. Secondly, rocking of the slides has been introduced, causing the serum to flow back and forth under the plastic film. Using this system, it has been possible to test for the effect of mixing on an immunohistochemical reaction (the demonstration of calcitonin in thyroid C cells). It has been found that mixing definitely enhances the reaction during the first 8 h. No effect of serum volume was observed.

RESPONSE OF MELON GENOTYPES TO POLYETHYLENE AND BIODEGRADABLE STARCH-BASED MULCHING FILMS USED FOR FRUIT PRODUCTION IN THE WESTERN COAST OF SICILY

2009

The early plastisphere of biodegradable and non-biodegradable plastic films in marine environment

2019

Introduction Plastic items are the most common form of marine debris and plastic accumulation in marine ecosystems is a serious environmental issue. One possible solution to reduce the amount of synthetic polymers released in the environment is to substitute them with bio-based polymers. When released in marine environments, plastics are readily colonized by biofilm-forming microorganisms, the so called “plastisphere community”, which may include pathogenic, invasive and plastic-degrading species; the composition and influence of the plastisphere on the fate of plastic is largely unknown. The aim of this study is to investigate the early biofilm formation and the structure and diversity of …

Effects of Plastic Mulching and Basal Nitrogen Application Depth on Nitrogen Use Efficiency and Yield in Maize

2018

The demand for increased grain production to support population and consumption growth has led to increased interest in field management approaches that incorporate plastic mulching and fertilization management. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of plastic mulching and basal nitrogen (N)-fertilizer application depth on N balance estimations, N use efficiency (NUE) and maize yield. The experiment was conducted in 2014 and 2015 with six treatments: no N fertilizer and no mulching (CK), traditional broadcast N fertilizer with mulching (T0), basal N-fertilizer application at a depth of 6 cm with no mulching (T1), basal N-fertilizer application at a depth of 6 cm with plas…

A new approach to studying sponge cake aroma after storage in treated paper and plastic packaging by direct gas chromatography–olfactometry (D-GC–O)

2007

The objective of this study was to use D-GC–O to compare the global odour of a sponge cake flavoured with either a ‘viennoiserie’ aromatic note or a simplified mixture of aroma compounds (used for physicochemical studies), then stored in a glass packaging (inert and impermeable) or in pouches made with treated papers or with plastic packaging, in accelerated ageing conditions (high temperature and relative humidity gradient). After 1 week of storage, the flavoured sponge cake headspace was SPME-extracted directly into the packaging and analysed by D-GC–O. The sponge cake global odour was better retained if plastic film rather than treated-papers was used, for both flavourings. Changes in th…

EFFECTS OF PLASTIC MULCH AND FLOATING COVER ON LETTUCE PRODUCTION IN SICILY

2012

The use of floating cover directly applied on top of the crop is rapidly increasing on leafy vegetables like lettuce as a simple, inexpensive and effective technique to induce earliness. Two lettuce types, ‘Iceberg’ and ‘Romaine’, under two different crop management systems (black plastic mulch and black plastic mulch combined with floating cover) were tested in Sicily in 2007. Plug type transplants were planted at the end of January on double rows. The nonwoven floating cover was applied after transplanting. Maximum and minimum air temperatures below the floating cover during the growing period were in the average 5 and 1.5°C higher than those without cover. Lettuces mulched and protected …

Solar UV-B radiation affects leaf quality and insect herbivory in the southern beech tree Nothofagus antarctica

2004

We examined the effects of solar ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation on plant-insect interactions in Tierra del Fuego (55°S), Argentina, an area strongly affected by ozone depletion because of its proximity to Antarctica. Solar UV-B under Nothofagus antarctica branches was manipulated using a polyester plastic film to attenuate UV-B (uvb-) and an Aclar film to provide near-ambient UV-B (uvb+). The plastic films were placed on both north-facing (i.e., high solar radiation in the Southern Hemisphere) and south-facing branches. Insects consumed 40% less leaf area from north- than from south-facing branches, and at least 30% less area from uvb+ branches than from uvb-branches. The reduced herbivory …

Improvement of plum storage with modified atmosphere packaging

2010

Post-harvest supply chain is a critical point for agro-food marketing. The management of freshness in the storage is fundamental to maintain high profits in the agro-food sector to improve the distribution and to respond to retailers and consumers' requirements. Plums are considered to have a climacteric-ripening pattern, in which ethylene is the hormone responsible for ripening. Modified atmosphere (MA) storage is a method helpful to maintain the natural quality of fruits. MA added to low temperatures influence fruit metabolism and reduce ethylene production, weight losses, hardness of pulp, preserving vitamins and organic acids. The objective of this study was to increase the condition of…