Xanthan- and Gelatine-Based Composites Used as Nursery Groundcovers: Assessment of Soil Microbiology and Seedling Performance

Francesco Valentini (), Alessandro Sorze (), Jaime Coello, Laura Ros, Atif Aziz Chowdhury, Federica Piergiacomo, Giulia Casapiccola, Lorenzo Brusetti, Janine Bösing, Sebastian Hirschmüller and Andrea Dorigato
Additional contact information
Francesco Valentini: Department of Industrial Engineering and INSTM Research Unit, University of Trento, via Sommarive 9, 38123 Trento, Italy
Alessandro Sorze: Department of Industrial Engineering and INSTM Research Unit, University of Trento, via Sommarive 9, 38123 Trento, Italy
Jaime Coello: Forest Science and Technology Centre of Catalonia (CTFC), Solsona, 25280 Lleida, Spain
Laura Ros: Forestal Catalana SA, 17451 Sant Feliu de Buixalleu, Spain
Atif Aziz Chowdhury: Faculty of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Sciences, Free University of Bolzano-Bozen, Piazza Università 1, 39100 Bolzano-Bozen, Italy
Federica Piergiacomo: Faculty of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Sciences, Free University of Bolzano-Bozen, Piazza Università 1, 39100 Bolzano-Bozen, Italy
Giulia Casapiccola: Faculty of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Sciences, Free University of Bolzano-Bozen, Piazza Università 1, 39100 Bolzano-Bozen, Italy
Lorenzo Brusetti: Faculty of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Sciences, Free University of Bolzano-Bozen, Piazza Università 1, 39100 Bolzano-Bozen, Italy
Janine Bösing: Department of Research, Development and Transfer, Technical University of Applied Sciences Rosenheim, Hochschulstraße 1, 83024 Rosenheim, Germany
Sebastian Hirschmüller: Department of Research, Development and Transfer, Technical University of Applied Sciences Rosenheim, Hochschulstraße 1, 83024 Rosenheim, Germany
Andrea Dorigato: Department of Industrial Engineering and INSTM Research Unit, University of Trento, via Sommarive 9, 38123 Trento, Italy

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 3, 1-21

Abstract: In light of the significant impact of climate change, it is imperative to identify effective solutions to promote afforestation and reforestation operations, which are often constrained by a low survival rate. To mitigate the impact of weed competition and enhance water availability, biodegradable groundcovers comprising xanthan gum and gelatine were developed and evaluated over the course of the growing season in a nursery setting on narrow-leaved ash ( Fraxinus angustifolia ) and alder ( Alnus glutinosa ) in 3.5 L pots. The results demonstrated a beneficial impact of all groundcovers, particularly the gelatine-based ones, on both the aboveground and belowground growth rates. The efficacy of weed competition was controlled using gelatine-based groundcovers in the case of ash trees. Furthermore, the gelatine-based groundcover altered the soil physiochemical characteristics and affected the bacterial community while maintaining its role in increasing the soil nitrogen pool. In contrast, the xanthan gum-based groundcover was demonstrated to enhance microbial richness and diversity, with an augmented contribution to the soil nitrogen pool. However, further trials with diverse tree species and soil conditions are necessary to gain a more comprehensive understanding of these effects.

Keywords: xanthan; gelatine; groundcovers; soil; agriculture; forestry; mulch (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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