Frothed foams will be prepared and applied in place as low cost mulches for weed control in small plot specialty crop operations. Foam mixes will be formulated from degradable natural polymers including gelatins and starches. Fillers will be common cellulosic mulch ingredients such as crushed seed hulls and corncobs. A conventional portable spray tank modified with an impeller blade will mechanically produce the froth. Natural cross-linkers may be used. Greenhouse and cold frame testing of foamed mulches and control weed control systems will be measured using common weed species and commercially useful specialty plants. Measurement of foam mulch durability and weed barrier efficiency are research issues.Applications:Field applied foam in place mulches will provide a low cost, environmentally sound weed control method. Lower labor, capitol and raw material costs combined with much faster application rates will encourage diversification of small farms into specialty markets currently in jeopardy to imports. Herbicide free mulching will open organically grown markets. Productivity and viability of small marginal farms will increase. Manufacture of spray equipment and tank mixes will create farm sector and rural jobs.
