Multicriteria optimization of a novel degradable nonwoven mulch fabricated from recycled natural fibers using CV-TOPSIS technique

Abstract

Conventional polyethylene mulch is widely used in arid areas; however, excess residues have caused significant problems, such as tillage soil pollution, crop destruction, and food crisis. To solve these problems, new types of degradable nonwoven mulch fabricated from recycled natural fibers are proposed in this study, which are measured by field trial performances based on cotton yield and quality indicators, and prioritized by the Coefficient of Variation-Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (CV-TOPSIS) method. The results from this study indicate the suitability of the new mulch in cropping systems. Moreover, based on the CV-TOPSIS method, five mulch samples were prioritized as N-3 > N-4 > N-1 > N-2 > N-5, considering an agricultural evaluation. This study also confirmed that the CV-TOPSIS method was precise and robust for analyzing comprehensive agronomic assessments. The development of a new degradable nonwoven mulch provides a bidirectionally beneficial approach for recycling industrial waste fibers and for enhancing agricultural production. The comprehensive evaluation method for both crop quantity and quality introduces an efficient assessment of various mulch. In the future, deducing the parameters of the degradable nonwoven mulch design and optimizing this method requires further study.