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Impacts of Biodegradable Mulch: Benefits, Degradation, and Residue Effects on Soil Properties and Plant Growth
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Researchers reviewed the performance of biodegradable mulch films as replacements for conventional plastic mulch in agriculture, finding that while they offer clear environmental benefits by fully degrading in soil, significant uncertainties remain around degradation rates under real-world conditions and the long-term effects of residues on soil health and plant growth.
Biodegradable mulch is gaining popularity as a sustainable replacement for conventional plastic mulch because it can fully degrade in the soil, making it more environmentally friendly. However, uncertainties remain regarding its in-situ degradation under diverse natural conditions and over prolonged durations. Furthermore, questions persist about the long-term environmental impact of biodegradable mulch usage on plant–soil health. This review focuses on the use of plastic mulch in agriculture, including its benefits, application across climates, degradation characteristics, and the impact of plastic mulch residues on soil properties and plant growth.
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A Comprehensive Review of Polyethylene and Biodegradable Plastic Mulch Films: Impacts on Soil Health and Plant Growth
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This comprehensive review compares polyethylene and biodegradable plastic mulch films used in agriculture, examining their effects on soil properties, microplastic accumulation, plant growth, and the actual biodegradation performance of certified biodegradable alternatives under field conditions.
Effect of Long-Term Biodegradable Film Mulch on Soil Physicochemical and Microbial Properties
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Long-term use of biodegradable mulch film was compared to conventional plastic and no-mulch controls in terms of soil physical, chemical, and microbial properties, with results showing that biodegradable mulch altered soil structure and microbial diversity in ways differing from both conventional plastic and bare soil. The findings raise questions about the cumulative effects of biodegradable plastic residues on agricultural soil health.
The long-term uncertainty of biodegradable mulch film residues and associated microplastics pollution on plant-soil health
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This study investigated the long-term effects of biodegradable mulch film residues and their associated microplastics on soil health and plant growth. Researchers found that as biodegradable films break down faster than conventional plastics, they may actually generate more microplastics in a shorter timeframe. The results raise concerns that biodegradable mulch films, often promoted as eco-friendly alternatives, could pose their own risks to agricultural soil ecosystems.
Soil Bioplastic Mulches for Agroecosystem Sustainability: A Comprehensive Review
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This review comprehensively assesses biodegradable plastic mulches as sustainable alternatives to conventional petroleum-based films in agriculture, examining their soil degradation, effects on microorganisms, weed control efficacy, and soil property impacts.
Microplastics in agroecosystem – effects of plastic mulch film residues on soil-plant system
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This review examines how residues from both conventional polyethylene and biodegradable plastic mulch films accumulate in agricultural soils and affect plant growth and soil health. Both types of mulch film residues are found to have negative effects on the soil-plant system, raising questions about the environmental safety of biodegradable plastic alternatives.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.