Comparison of wet strength performance of different kinds of wet strength agent on kenaf mulch

Land-coverage with plastic film has brought great economic benefits to agriculture. But it also has caused serious soil pollution. The use of biodegradable mulch film made of cellulous fibers is, an important way to resolve this problem. Mulch is used in the open air of such weather as windy, rainy, fine and cloudy. So higher dry and wet strength is required. In this paper, performance of sheet with adding Polyamide polyamine epichlorohydrin (PAE), Melamine Formaldehyde (MF) and chitosan in kenaf pulp were studied, which given degree 52 degrees SR, Carboxyl methyl cellulose (CMC) amount 0.1%, soluable polyethylene (PVA) amount 1%. Breaking length, wet-dry strength ratio, tear index and burst index of kenaf mulch were measured and optimum wet strength agent in varied properties was selected. The aim is to make mulch have properties of heat preservation, humidity preservation, growth prompting, biodegradation and maximum wet strength and improve impact resistance of mulch to rainwater so as to assure growth of plant and replace plastic film.