In recent years, climate change has severely impacted forest ecosystems, leading to violent storms, wildfires, soil erosion, and increased insect and fungi infestations, clearing large forest areas. Restocking and restoring these forests is a challenge, particularly with the decrease in rainfall across Europe. Southern Europe faces a high risk of desertification due to over-exploitation of land and water, urban sprawl, tourism and unplanned industrialisation. To address these problems, it is necessary to develop technological solutions to support planting and forestry operations, even on degraded land. On the basis of these considerations, this research developed innovative and sustainable solutions for supporting plant growth and revitalizing degraded forests within the scope of the H2020 European project ONEforest. Laboratory and field studies were conducted to design novel multifunctional topsoil covers (TSCs) and soil conditioners (SCs). TSCs are mulching films that regulate soil moisture and protect plants from weeds, while SCs enhance soil chemical, physical, and water regulation properties by being mixed into the planting hole. Both products were produced as wood-reinforced composite materials using xanthan gum, a bio-based polysaccharide, as matrix. For the development of TSCs, various compositions of hydrogels based on xanthan gum reinforced with cellulose or wood fibers, and cross-linked with different agents, were tested. Hydrogels, especially those cross-linked with citric acid, showed excellent water absorption, retention, and stability. These hydrogels also demonstrated good water vapor permeability, weed growth inhibition, non-flammability and biodegradability. For the development of SCs, several compositions of xanthan gum mixed with different types of cellulose fillers were tested to improve water absorption and retention properties of the soil. These SCs significantly enhanced soil-water holding capacity and delayed water loss, outperforming commercial alternatives. However, in saturated conditions, high doses of SCs could negatively impact soil geotechnical properties. The local use of SCs in small quantities in planting holes could minimize these impacts. Field experiments were performed to assess the effects of TSCs and SCs on tree growth under various climates. TSCs maintained excellent plant health but did not significantly enhance plant growth. In contrast, SCs improved plant growth, health, and reduced mortality rates. Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) was conducted to identify the environmental impacts of the developed products. Furthermore, a cost estimate suggested that the current price for the production of TSC and SC was comparable to that of commercial products. Considering the ease of the manufacturing process, the interesting outcomes of laboratory activity and the results obtained from practical experiments, these products have the potential to be upscaled to an industrial level and to be widely applied in forestry and agricultural applications.

Multifunctional bio-composites for forestry and agricultural applications / Sorze, Alessandro. - (2025 Jan 15), pp. 1-310.

Multifunctional bio-composites for forestry and agricultural applications

Sorze, Alessandro
2025-01-15

Abstract

In recent years, climate change has severely impacted forest ecosystems, leading to violent storms, wildfires, soil erosion, and increased insect and fungi infestations, clearing large forest areas. Restocking and restoring these forests is a challenge, particularly with the decrease in rainfall across Europe. Southern Europe faces a high risk of desertification due to over-exploitation of land and water, urban sprawl, tourism and unplanned industrialisation. To address these problems, it is necessary to develop technological solutions to support planting and forestry operations, even on degraded land. On the basis of these considerations, this research developed innovative and sustainable solutions for supporting plant growth and revitalizing degraded forests within the scope of the H2020 European project ONEforest. Laboratory and field studies were conducted to design novel multifunctional topsoil covers (TSCs) and soil conditioners (SCs). TSCs are mulching films that regulate soil moisture and protect plants from weeds, while SCs enhance soil chemical, physical, and water regulation properties by being mixed into the planting hole. Both products were produced as wood-reinforced composite materials using xanthan gum, a bio-based polysaccharide, as matrix. For the development of TSCs, various compositions of hydrogels based on xanthan gum reinforced with cellulose or wood fibers, and cross-linked with different agents, were tested. Hydrogels, especially those cross-linked with citric acid, showed excellent water absorption, retention, and stability. These hydrogels also demonstrated good water vapor permeability, weed growth inhibition, non-flammability and biodegradability. For the development of SCs, several compositions of xanthan gum mixed with different types of cellulose fillers were tested to improve water absorption and retention properties of the soil. These SCs significantly enhanced soil-water holding capacity and delayed water loss, outperforming commercial alternatives. However, in saturated conditions, high doses of SCs could negatively impact soil geotechnical properties. The local use of SCs in small quantities in planting holes could minimize these impacts. Field experiments were performed to assess the effects of TSCs and SCs on tree growth under various climates. TSCs maintained excellent plant health but did not significantly enhance plant growth. In contrast, SCs improved plant growth, health, and reduced mortality rates. Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) was conducted to identify the environmental impacts of the developed products. Furthermore, a cost estimate suggested that the current price for the production of TSC and SC was comparable to that of commercial products. Considering the ease of the manufacturing process, the interesting outcomes of laboratory activity and the results obtained from practical experiments, these products have the potential to be upscaled to an industrial level and to be widely applied in forestry and agricultural applications.
15-gen-2025
XXXVI
2023-2024
Ingegneria industriale (29/10/12-)
Materials, Mechatronics and Systems Engineering
Dorigato, Andrea
no
Inglese
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11572/442833
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