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Impact of Polylactic Acid Fibers in Cellulose Nonwoven Mulch Blends on Biodegradability and Performance—An Open Field Study
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This field study tested biodegradable nonwoven mulches made from natural fibers like jute, hemp, and viscose as alternatives to traditional plastic agricultural film. Researchers found that adding polylactic acid (PLA) fibers to the blends slowed degradation, which could help the mulches last longer during the growing season but may delay their complete breakdown in soil.
The performance and degradation of nonwoven mulches made from viscose, jute, hemp fibers, and their blends with PLA fibers, subjected to field conditions, are investigated. This research explores the possible substitution of traditional agricultural polyethylene mulching agro foil with environmentally friendly biodegradable nonwoven mulches produced from blends of jute, hemp, and viscose fibers along with PLA fibers. The nonwoven mulches underwent a ten-month exposure to field conditions, showing varied degradation. The jute and hemp nonwoven mulches degraded completely within the test period, whereas their blends with PLA fibers exhibited slowed degradation. This study indicated that PLA fibers in blends with jute, hemp, and viscose mulches slowed degradation, impacting their structural integrity and tensile properties. The tensile properties of nonwoven mulches blended with 20% of PLA fibers increased the breaking forces after field exposure. Observations on structural changes through microscopy highlighted the structure maintenance in jute and hemp blends due to the non-degraded PLA fibers, contrasting the complete degradation of 100% jute and hemp mulches. A microscopic analysis revealed alterations in the fiber structure and density changes, particularly in viscose mulches and their blends with PLA fibers. Soil temperature variations were observed under different mulches; e.g., agro foil consistently exhibited higher temperatures compared to nonwoven mulches. Notably, the hemp and jute/PLA blend mulches showed slightly elevated temperatures, while the viscose-based mulches consistently revealed the lowest temperatures. Regarding soil moisture, the nonwoven mulches generally maintained higher moisture levels compared to the control field and agro foil from June to October. These findings suggest that nonwoven mulches effectively preserved soil moisture during critical growth periods, potentially positively impacting plant growth. The weed suppression capabilities varied among mulches, with hemp mulch initially displaying the lowest suppression ability in the first six months. The addition of 20% of PLA fibers in mulch blends with viscose, jute, and hemp notably improved the weed control capabilities. Understanding the impacts of field conditions on newly produced nonwoven mulches is crucial for optimizing mulch selection in agricultural practices to enhance soil conditions and weed management.
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Performance and Degradation of Nonwoven Mulches Made of Natural Fibres and PLA Polymer—Open Field Study
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Researchers tested biodegradable nonwoven mulches made from jute, hemp, viscose, and PLA biopolymer as alternatives to conventional plastic mulches in a 300-day field study. The study found varying rates of degradation depending on material composition and assessed their effectiveness for weed suppression, soil temperature regulation, and moisture retention compared to traditional plastic films.
The Impact of Cellulose and PLA Biopolymer Nonwoven Mulches on the Soil Health
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Biodegradable nonwoven mulches made from PLA fibers significantly reduced soil bacterial populations because they trapped heat and raised soil temperature, while mulches made from regenerated viscose (a cellulose-based fiber) had a lesser effect. The results caution against assuming that bioplastic agricultural films are benign for soil health, as thermal effects may harm beneficial soil microbes independently of chemical degradation.
Biodegradation Properties of Cellulose Fibers and PLA Biopolymer
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Researchers tested how quickly natural fibers like hemp, jute, and sisal break down in soil compared to PLA bioplastic, which is often marketed as eco-friendly. The natural cellulose fibers degraded significantly within days, while PLA broke down much more slowly. This matters because slow-degrading bioplastics can still fragment into microplastics, meaning they may not be the environmental solution many assume.
Biodegradable Poly(butylene adipate‐co‐terephthalate)/Poly(lactic) Acid Mulch Film with Soy Waste Filler for Improved Biodegradation and Plant Growth
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Researchers developed biodegradable mulch films from PBAT/PLA blended with 10% soy waste filler, finding that soy incorporation enhanced hydrolysis and mineralization during accelerated aging while improving mulch performance and plant growth outcomes in field trials.
Polylactic Acid Nonwoven Fabric-Based Plant Culture Medium Using Improved Melt-Blowing Method
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Researchers developed polylactic acid nonwoven fabric as a biodegradable growing medium for plants, as an alternative to non-biodegradable materials like polyester fiber and rockwool that can break down into microplastics. The PLA fabric showed suitable moisture retention for plant cultivation and would not persist in the environment after use.
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