Cover Crop Windbreaks Can Slow Deterioration of Biodegradable Mulch Film and Increase Bell Pepper Yield

Biodegradable mulches are a potentially sustainable alternative to polyethylene mulch film in specialty crops, but they are prone to early deterioration by weathering. Windbreaks could reduce the degrading effect of wind on biodegradable mulches and potentially extend their useful life span in open field conditions. We tested the effect of a cereal rye ( Secale cereale ) annual windbreak on biodegradable mulch durability and plant productivity in a mulched bell pepper ( Capsicum annuum ) crop across two years in Lincoln, NE, USA. Bioplastic and polyethylene mulches were tested during both years, and a paper mulch was included in year two. Windbreaks were oriented perpendicular to the southern prevailing wind direction with mulched beds located north of cereal rye windbreak strips. Data collection across both years included windspeed, gust speed, soil temperature, soil moisture, mulch deterioration, stomatal conductance, leaf greenness (soil plant analysis development), and total fruit yield. Annual wind trends in 2024 were characterized by stronger and more frequent southern winds than those in 2023; as a result, windbreaks were more effective for reducing windspeeds in 2024. Bioplastic and polyethylene mulches increased soil temperatures by 1.9 °C relative to paper mulch, and windbreaks increased soil temperatures by 0.9 °C in 2024 relative to no windbreak, which could contribute to crop earliness and greater total yield. Within 3 weeks of planting, small and large holes in mulch were greatest in bioplastic mulch across both years. In 2024, bioplastic mulches behind windbreak shelter had 42% fewer large holes than unsheltered bioplastic mulches. Stomatal conductance was 27% to 29% greater in pepper sheltered behind a windbreak (relative to unsheltered pepper) across both trial years. Total yield per plant of pepper grown behind a windbreak shelter was 24% greater than that of unsheltered pepper in 2024, but there were no yield differences in 2023. The results suggest that cover crop windbreaks can contribute to greater crop yield, particularly in windy years, by extending the functional lifespan of biodegradable mulch films and increasing crop stomatal conductance. Additional research is needed to evaluate additional biodegradable mulch types and cover crop species as windbreaks as well as the relative effects of windbreak size and distance from the windbreak on crop and mulch performance.