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Structurally engineered cellulose-based mulch film with enhanced hydrophobicity and strength for green agriculture
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This paper develops a cellulose-based mulch film coated with starch and a silane compound to mimic the strength and water resistance of conventional plastic agricultural film, achieving a water contact angle of 128 degrees (up from 16 degrees for untreated cellulose) and complete biodegradation in soil within 56 days. Unlike polyethylene mulch films that fragment into persistent microplastics in farmland, this material decomposes within a crop growing cycle, offering a practical biodegradable alternative for agriculture.
Conventional low-density polyethylene (LDPE) mulch films have caused serious white pollution, driving the need for sustainable alternatives. Biodegradable cellulose paper mulch has shown great potential, yet its practical use remains limited by excessive water absorption and poor mechanical strength. To overcome these drawbacks, a sandwich-like multilayer structure was innovatively constructed by successively coating cationic starch (S) and 3-aminopropyl triethoxysilane (APTES) onto cellulose substrates, followed by glyoxal-mediated cross-linking (CSGA). CS acted as an interfacial adhesive via hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interaction, while APTES introduced hydrophobic silane moieties through Schiff base and acetal linkages. Compared to pristine cellulose paper, the resultant composite film (CSGA) exhibited a significant improvement in dry tensile strength (26.8 MPa) and wet tensile strength (5.2 MPa), with a water contact angle increased from 16° to 128°, and a reduced swelling ratio from 123 % to 62 %. Additionally, the seed germination rate under CSGA was 82 %, comparable to that of commercial LDPE mulch. The CSGA film also demonstrated complete biodegradability within 56 days in natural soil, aligning with crop growth cycles. This work presents a facile and scalable approach for fabricating high-performance biodegradable mulch films, offering a promising solution for microplastics pollution.
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This paper reviewed the development of eco-friendly mulch films for agriculture, examining biopolymer and composite alternatives to the 2.5 million tons of polyethylene mulch film used annually, with a focus on materials that degrade in soil without leaving persistent microplastic residues.
All-biodegradable soy protein isolate/lignin composite cross-linked by oxidized sucrose as agricultural mulch films for green farming
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Researchers developed an all-biodegradable mulch film made from soy protein, lignin, and oxidized sucrose as a green alternative to conventional plastic agricultural films. The film demonstrated improved tensile strength, UV-shielding capability, moisture retention, and controlled fertilizer release properties. Field tests showed higher cabbage seed germination rates compared to traditional polyethylene film, suggesting this bio-based material could reduce microplastic generation from agricultural practices.
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This review examined the challenge of developing biodegradable plastic mulch materials suitable for agricultural use, noting that plasticulture consumes about 6.7 million tons of plastic annually, most of which cannot be practically recycled. The authors assessed candidate biodegradable polymers based on their degradation rates in soil, mechanical performance, and cost.
Are mulch biofilms used in agriculture an environmentally friendly solution? - An insight into their biodegradability and ecotoxicity using key organisms in soil ecosystems
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Researchers assessed the biodegradation and ecotoxicity of a commercial biodegradable mulch biofilm in soil systems. The study found that while marketed as environmentally friendly alternatives to conventional plastic mulch, biodegradable films did not fully degrade under natural soil conditions as certification standards would predict. The results suggest that more rigorous testing under realistic field conditions is needed before assuming these products are safe for soil ecosystems.
Mildly hydrophobic biobased mulch: A sustainable approach to controlling bare soil evaporation
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Researchers tested partially polymerized soybean oil coated sand as a biodegradable mulch alternative to reduce evaporation from bare agricultural soil. The bio-based coating reduced evaporation significantly without leaving persistent plastic residues. The study supports the development of natural mulch alternatives that provide the water-saving benefits of plastic mulch without microplastic pollution.
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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.