Simulazione mediante modello matematico della solarizzazione con doppio strato di film plastico

NUMERICAL SIMULATION MODEL FOR SOLARIZATION WITH DOUBLE PLASTIC FILM A mathematical model describing the energy balance in the soil mulched with a double photodegradable plastic film structure was developed. The model was implemented on a PC in order to predict the soil temperature under the mulching materials at different soil depths as a function of the solar radiation, the external temperature and the wind velocity. Experimental tests were carried out for testing the model by means of measured figures. Particularly the climatic parameters and the soil temperature at the depths of 10, 20, 30 and 50 cm in a solarized and in a uncovered non solarized soil were measured during the testing period in July and August of 1993. The comparison between the measured and the calculated data, obtained by the simulation model, showed a good agreement between them. The effects produced by the solarization with the double film structure on the soilborn pathogens and on the weed natural infestation in the mulched soil were analysed. The thermal levels reached in the solarized soil were able to reduce strongly the soilborn pathogens and the weed natural infestation in comparison with the uncovered soil.