Lakeland, Qld

Soil Wealth ICP team members Umberto Calvo and Sophia Thach (AHR) will work with grower Shaun Jackson to trial alternatives to plastic mulch in melons.

Treatments such as various species of cover crops, spray-on wood mulch, paper mulch and biodegradable plastic mulch are being trialled.

The objective is to understand which option is the most suitable to replace single-use plastic mulch, suppressing weeds and retaining moisture, with the added benefit of improving soil health.

This trial aligns closely with the industry’s current drive to reduce reliance on single-use plastic mulch and enhance soil health – key steps towards greater environmental sustainability.