The paper describes a method of modifying a commercial viscose nonwoven fabric and its use as a modern mulching material in agriculture. The conducted research confirmed that the proposed modification of the viscose nonwoven fabric could be successfully used as a multipurpose and, above all, completely biodegradable nonwoven crop cover, which will eliminate the problem of disposal after the harvest period. Modified cellulose nonwoven fabric was obtained by staining with NB-BT helion brown, then padding with potassium nitrate (KNO3) solution (used as a fertilizer) and finally coating with polylactide (PLA) solution. The characterisation of the nonwoven fabric included structural analysis, physicochemical properties and mechanical tests. The modified cellulose nonwovens were used in the tunnel cultivation of tomatoes as a heat-retardant, water-absorbing, antiweed mulching material that prevents soil infestation and slowly releases fertilizers.
Keywords: chemical fertilisers; degradation; nonwoven crop cover; polylactide; viscose.