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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 need for sustainable alternatives to conventional plastic mulches in agriculture has led to the development of various types of biodegradable mulches made from natural fibres and biopolymers to reduce environmental pollution and mitigate soil pollution caused by conventional plastic mulch usage. Degradation, impact on soil temperature and humidity, and weed suppression properties of needle-punched nonwoven mulches of different mass per unit area, made of jute, hemp, viscose, and PLA biopolymer, are investigated. Their biodegradation is determined by changes in the mulch properties (mass per unit area, thickness, air permeability, tensile properties, microscopic images, and FTIR analyses) during 300 days of exposure to the environmental conditions in the period from May 2022 to February 2023. The change in mass per unit area, thickness, air permeability, and tensile properties of nonwoven mulches did not show a tendency to degrade during exposure to environmental conditions. The microscopic and FTIR analysis showed the degradation of the fibres from the mulches during the exposure time to a certain extent. The environmental conditions influence the change in the dimensions of the mulches (shrinkage and expansion)-which impact periodically tested mass results per unit area-as well as their thickness and air permeability. The nonwoven mulches provide higher temperatures compared to bare soil, though not as high as those observed beneath traditional agricultural foil. When comparing the humidity in bare soil and soil covered by mulches during the plant growth period (June to October), it was found that soil humidity was higher beneath all mulches. The nonwoven mulches provide superior soil moisture retention compared to conventionally used agrofoil. Almost all nonwoven mulches effectively suppressed weed growth, except hemp mulches. The newly produced mulches have the potential to replace traditional agrofoil, offering improved conditions for plant growth, effective weed control, and faster degradation without causing harm to the environment.
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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.
Degradation Pattern of Five Biodegradable, Potentially Low-Environmental-Impact Mulches under Laboratory Conditions
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Five biodegradable plastic mulch materials were tested under laboratory conditions, with results showing highly variable degradation rates and completeness, raising questions about whether products marketed as biodegradable actually break down fully in field conditions.
Effect of mulching on soil properties, microbial diversity and activities, and crop yield
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Researchers examined mulching materials including plastic films and biodegradable hemp fiber alternatives, finding that plastic mulch leaves persistent microplastic fragments in soil with poorly understood consequences, while plant fiber bio-canvas offers a promising biodegradable substitute for weed control.
Development and Evaluation of Biodegradable Weed Control Mulch Mats from End-of-Use Cotton Waste
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Researchers developed and evaluated biodegradable weed control mulch mats from end-of-life natural fiber materials, assessing their effectiveness at suppressing weeds and their degradation rate in soil as an alternative to plastic mulch 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.
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