The Problems Liquid Mulch Solves
An introduction to why and how the development of Liquid Mulch for weed control started
By Ruben Lenz
Polysaccharide chemist, President & Owner of Advanced Micro Polymers Inc.
The development of Liquid Mulch as a spray on mulch film was a multifaceted, multi partner, and multiyear undertaking. It was one of the most extensive development projects that I ever did. I am really proud of my team and of the technology that was developed. The benefits that it brings to you are enormous. This technology is useful in forestry, orchards, vineyards, landscaping, for home garden use, and many other places.
It all started with a proposal that I brought to the Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association here in Ontario, Canada. My proposal was to make biodegradable clips from polysaccharides for tomatoes and cucumbers. They quickly dismissed my proposal and stated that the real problem for anyone that wants to grow something is weeds. They were right and are still right. This has proven to be true time and time again. Everyone that I have spoken to and every report that I have read points to the fact that weeds are a growing issue. Despite advances in herbicides and in agricultural technology, weeds are a persistent and growing problem.
For example, weeds are becoming increasingly resistant to herbicides, and this is making life even more difficult for anyone with a garden or a farm. In many places now the use of herbicides is heavily restricted and may even be prohibited for some applications where you live. This is because weeds are becoming increasingly resistant to herbicides. According to Scientific American “ In some states including Minnesota and Arkansas, herbicide-resistant pigweed is so persistent that farmers have resorted to hiring laborers to handpick or blowtorch the weeds.”
According to weedscience.org “There are currently 532 unique cases (species x site of action) of herbicide resistant weeds globally, with 273 species (156 dicots and 117 monocots). Weeds have evolved resistance to 21 of the 31 known herbicide sites of action and to 168 different herbicides. Herbicide resistant weeds have been reported in 101 crops in 72 countries.” (Sept. 2024 statistic)
Herbicide resistance is a growing problem. This graph, taken from weedscience.org shows how weeds are becoming resistant to multiple herbicides at the same time. This makes it harder and harder for food producers to grow the crops that we rely on for food.
It also makes it harder for us to keep our gardens and flower beds clean of weeds. Since using herbicides in these none critical applications increases the number of herbicide resistant weeds.
According to Agriculture Canada: “Weeds growing in vegetable crops cause tens of millions of dollars in losses every year in Canada.” That is Canada only and in vegetable crops only. Imagine the cost worldwide!
Weeds was our starting point. But weeds are not the only issue faced by growers. In time, during the initial part of the development process, I also discovered additional problems that growers face and that could be solved with the solution that I envisaged. The second problem is water conservation. In many places around the world orchards, vineyards, plantations, among others are being abandoned because there is not enough water to grow a quality crop. The wells needed for irrigation are becoming deeper and deeper.
According to AGU: Water scarcity is projected to be higher than in the past in 83%–84% of global total croplands. The increased water scarcity is mostly caused by less water being available and by larger water demands as the need to grow more food increases.”
Water is generally described by three categories: blue water, green water, and grey water.
Green water is the water in soil that is available to plants. It is probably the largest freshwater resource. We cannot use it. It can only be used by plants and ground dwelling microbes. Green water is generally managed by farmers, foresters, and pasture or rangeland users.
Blue water is the water in the lakes, rivers, glaciers and aquifers. Blue water can be found as surface runoff in lakes, rivers, streams and as groundwater runoff in the aquifers. It includes surface water and ground-water.
Grey water is water that has already been used domestically, commercially and industrially. This includes the leftover, untreated water generated from washing machines, bathtubs and bathroom sinks. Depending on the source, it may or not be used for irrigation. The danger exists that it may contain contaminants, like heavy metals, if it was used to rinse equipment or clean machinery.
This map from Wikipedia shows the water shortage that was experienced around the world in 2019. As we know the situation is not getting better.
Specifically, my solution, that I call Liquid Mulch, help keep the green water in soil. Exposed soil, as is often the case on farms and in gardens looses water faster because there is nothing to hold it in the soil. The water evaporates quickly under the hot sun.
This situation makes the third problem even worse.
Finally, the third problem I encountered is soil erosion. This can happen from heavy rain, wind, or even flooding. When the top layer of soil erodes it becomes harder and harder to grow a crop because it is the top layer that is rich in nutrients.
These are the problems that I set out to solve with a natural, sustainable and non-harmful solution.
So, even if you cannot decide exactly how to approach the problem that you need to solve in your company. I can help you define the product that will best suit your customers’ needs.