100% BIODEGRADABLE ONE-TIME APPLICATION

ALTERNATIVE TO MECHANICAL OR CHEMICAL WEEDING AND TO PLASTIC MULCHING

ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY (BIO-BASED)

THE CORNERS OF THE MULCH ARE SHAPED TO EASE ITS FIXATION WITH BIOPINS

ADDITIONAL BENEFIT: REDUCES SOIL WATER EVAPORATION

INNOVATIVE BIOPOLYMER MULCH FOR COST-EFFICIENT AND

SUSTAINABLE TREE PLANTING

The biopolymer groundcover effectively avoids weed competi-tion beside the tree

Left: tree with poor vigour, without any mulch installedRight: tree at the same site with high vigour, favoured by the inno-vative biopolymer mulch

Fixation biopins (100% biode-gradable) designed to fit on the mulch corners

A version with a modified design is available: the biopolymer is fixed to a biodegradable film as a rim, for easing installation

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Birch (Betula pendula) volume growth in montane conditions. Left column: 2014 growth; right column: 2015 growth.

The letters on the bars correspond to treatment grouping according to Duncan test. Treatments with different letters provide results that are statistically significant (p<0.05).

TECHNIQUE PERFORMANCEThe effects of this innovative biopolymer mulch on tree survival, vigour and physiological indicators are similar and often superior to the best commercial mulching alternatives. This technique resulted in higher growth rates than unweeded trees in the conditions tested. These results were obtained in field trials located in montane conditions, representative of continental European climates. The following figure shows the effect of this technique on tree growth.

SPECIALLY RECOMMENDED FOR- Tree planting in sites where the investment

in maintenance is intended to be minimized (poorly accessible, minimal management schemes)

- Moderate or severe competition by weeds- Areas where herbicide use is restricted

EASY INSTALLATION Thanks to its semi-rigid structure, which avoids the need for unfolding the groundcover. It is flexible enough as to allow a good adaptation in uneven terrain

ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLYThis product is based on renewable raw materials (biopolymers), 100% biode-gradable, avoids the use of mechanical or chemical weeding or of plastic mulching

The performance of this product in outdoor and laboratory conditions has been endorsed and certified by RTD institutions: Forest Sciences Centre of Catalonia, Centexbel and Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, in the framework of Sustaffor project, financed by EU 7th Framework Programme (2013- 2015) and managed by REA-Research Executive Agency http://ec.europa.eu/research/rea (FP7/2007-2013) under grant agreement n° 606554.