Polyethylene mulch films have become a dominant production practice to increase the yield potential of high value crops, but they are a significant source of environmental contamination. Alternatively, biodegradable mulches are a potentially sustainable alternative , but are less popular among growers as they vary in durability and performance in the field environment. Cover crops when sufficiently tall may be able to improve biodegradable mulch durability by reducing wind intensity within a mulched bed. To quantify the utility of a cover crop windbreak, we tested the effect of a fall-planted, 6ft wide strip of cereal rye planted parallel to the southern side of mulched bell pepper beds. Whole plot treatments included presence or absence of rye and split plot treatments included a comparison of polyethylene mulch, biodegradable mulch, and a bare ground control. Day windspeeds were reduced in peppers protected by a south-facing cereal rye strip by 60% relative to unprotected peppers. Large hole occurrences in biodegradable mulch were reduced by 50% and small holes by 15% in peppers protected by a cereal rye strip relative to unprotected peppers. Peppers grown behind the cover of cereal rye had a 42% reduction in leaning plants compared to peppers without cereal rye. Stomatal conductance was increased by 27% in peppers protected by cereal rye relative to unprotected peppers as a result of reduced windspeeds, though there were no differences in fruit yields. Results suggest cover crops can extend the useful life of biodegradable mulch films, which may help address a common barrier to adoption. Ongoing research aims to better understand the effects of the cover crop on crop health, yield, and quality.
