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Materials used for soil mulching: A comprehensive review of performance, soil impact, and sustainability
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This review of existing farming research compares different materials used to cover soil ("mulch"), like plastic film, straw, and biodegradable covers, to see which best help crops grow while protecting soil health. The key takeaway: plastic mulch works great short-term but breaks down into microplastics that build up in soil over time, while organic materials like straw are better for long-term soil health, though no single option is perfect for every situation. This matters because the food we eat grows in this soil, so choices about farming materials can affect microplastic contamination in our food supply and the long-term sustainability of the land that produces it.
Soil mulching is a widely used agronomic practice for improving soil water conservation, temperature regulation, weed suppression, erosion control, and crop performance under variable environmental conditions. Its relevance has increased because modern agriculture faces water scarcity, heat stress, soil degradation, plastic pollution, and the need for resource-efficient production systems. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the main categories of mulch materials, including organic mulches, polyethylene plastic films, biodegradable films, mineral mulches, fiber-based covers, superhydrophobic sand, and biochar-based mulches. The review evaluates how these materials affect soil moisture retention, soil temperature, aggregation, nutrient cycling, microbial activity, water-use efficiency, yield formation, and environmental sustainability. Organic mulches generally provide the strongest long-term benefits for soil health because they add organic matter, stimulate biological activity, and reduce erosion, although their performance depends on biomass quality, decomposition rate, and nutrient management. Plastic films remain highly effective for short-term yield improvement, but their long-term use raises serious concerns related to residue persistence, microplastic accumulation, and soil contamination. Biodegradable films are promising alternatives, yet their degradation rate, durability, cost, and ecological consequences vary considerably under field conditions. Mineral and advanced mulches may be useful in arid and semi-arid agriculture but require broader field validation. The review concludes that no single mulch material is universally optimal. Effective selection should integrate climate, crop system, soil constraints, irrigation regime, tillage practice, material availability, economic feasibility, and environmental priorities.
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Mulching Influence on Agricultural Productivity and Climate Change Mitigation: A Review
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This review pulls together existing research on "mulching", covering soil with materials like straw or plastic film to help crops grow better and use less water, especially in dry regions. While plastic mulches work well short-term, they contribute to plastic pollution that can break down into microplastics in soil, which is a growing concern for food safety and human health; organic and newer biodegradable alternatives may offer similar farming benefits with less environmental risk. The bigger takeaway: smarter farming practices like this can help grow more food with less water while also fighting climate change, but choosing eco-friendly materials matters for protecting both the environment and the food we eat.
Plastic mulching in agriculture. Trading short-term agronomic benefits for long-term soil degradation?
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This study examined plastic mulch use in agriculture, arguing that short-term crop benefits come with long-term costs as mulch fragments accumulate in soil as microplastics and disrupt soil structure, biology, and water dynamics.
Environmental fate and effects of mulch films on agricultural soil: A systematic review from application to residual impact
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This systematic review examines how plastic mulch films used in agriculture break down over time and release microplastics into farm soil. The films improve crop growth but create lasting environmental damage as plastic fragments accumulate and alter soil properties. The findings underscore the importance of developing truly biodegradable alternatives to protect farmland from microplastic pollution.
Environmental fate and effects of mulch films on agricultural soil: A systematic review from application to residual impact
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This systematic review traces the full lifecycle of plastic mulch films used in farming, from application to breakdown in soil. While these films boost crop yields, they leave behind persistent residues that fragment into microplastics, potentially contaminating soil and groundwater. The review highlights the need for biodegradable alternatives to reduce long-term microplastic accumulation in agricultural land.
A review of applications, effects, and potential of mulching technology in agriculture
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This review comprehensively examines mulching practices in agriculture — covering organic, synthetic, and living materials — and their effects on soil moisture, temperature, weed suppression, and crop yield. The authors highlight emerging biodegradable mulch alternatives as more sustainable options amid growing concerns about microplastic contamination from plastic mulch films.
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