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Does the Incorporation of Biochar in Biodegradable Mulch Films Affect Soil Carbon Stock?
Summary
This review examines whether adding biochar to biodegradable agricultural mulch films can improve their environmental profile by increasing soil carbon, but concludes the evidence is insufficient — the combination could alter greenhouse gas emissions and microbial diversity in unpredictable ways. The paper also notes that biodegradable mulch films still generate microplastic residues in soil, meaning more research is needed before they can be treated as a clean replacement for conventional plastic films.
The pollution caused by plastic mulch film in agriculture has garnered significant attention. To safeguard the ecosystem from the detrimental effects of plastic pollution, it is imperative to investigate the use of biodegradable materials for manufacturing agricultural plastic film. Biochar has emerged as a feasible substance for the production of biodegradable mulch film (BDM), significantly improving providing agricultural soil benefits. Although biochar has been widely applied in the BDM manufacturing, the effect of biochar-filled plastic mulch film on soil carbon stock has not been well documented. This study provides an overview of the current stage of biochar incorporated with BDM and summarizes the possible pathway of biochar incorporated BDM on soil carbon stock contribution. The application of biochar incorporated BDM can lead to substantial changes in soil microbial diversity, thereby influencing the emissions of greenhouse gas. These alterations may ultimately yield unforeseen repercussions on the carbon cycles. In light of the current knowledge vacuum and potential challenges, additional study is necessary to ascertain if biochar incorporated BDM can effectively mitigate the issues of residual mulch film and microplastic contamination in agricultural land. However, significant progress remains necessary before BDM may fully supplant traditional agricultural mulch film in agricultural production.