A seventh-grader in Puerto Rico, Wileidy Feliciano-Rivera, develops a biodegradable mulch made from discarded plantain peels. In testing, the mulch—branded as EcoMusa—helps suppress weeds, with one reported result showing weed growth reduced by 53%.
The project also targets environmental issues linked to organic waste and plastic pollution, using agricultural byproducts instead of conventional materials. According to the reports, the mulch retains soil moisture and lowers soil temperatures, which are presented as contributing factors for the weed reduction.
Outlet coverage highlights the student’s innovation and its practical implications for agriculture, while also noting recognition beyond the trials. Feliciano-Rivera’s work is described as reaching the finalist stage of the 2026 Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge, bringing wider attention to the approach.
