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A review of soil pollution from LDPE mulching films and the consequences of the substitute biodegradable plastic on soil health
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This review examines how conventional plastic mulch films break down into micro- and nanoplastics in agricultural soil, disrupting soil health, microbial communities, and plant growth. Researchers compare these effects with biodegradable plastic mulches, which are designed to decompose more safely. The study highlights that while biodegradable alternatives show promise, more research is needed to fully understand their long-term effects on soil ecosystems.
The plastic film mulching system has a significant role in increasing crop grain yields by changing the microenvironment of the plant. On the other hand, plastic mulching materials pollute the land and water because they are not degraded or disposed of properly. Biodegradable plastic mulches (BPM) may be used as a substitute for conventional low-density polyethylene (LDPE) to protect soil health. In this review, the effect of micro(nano)plastics on soil health and function has been discussed in light of their distribution in soil, changes in soil biochemistry, interactions between microplastics with soil microbes and plants, and their growth patterns. The nano-plastics are now incorporated into the food chain from the soil through plants and finally harm the whole ecosystem, including humans. The use of BPM has been practiced recently, but only 1% of the world’s total plastic production is from biodegradable materials. In the second part of the review, the confusing terms "bio-based" and "biodegradable" were clarified based on their polymeric constituents. The physical parameters of different constituent materials for mulching purposes and their capability for sustainable solarization have been discussed. The effect of biodegradable mulches on soil health and other ecotoxic effects on plants, soil microorganisms, and other soil dwellers like Daphnia magna, Vibrio fischeri bacteria, green algae, slime mould, protozoa, invertebrates like earthworms, and common water fleas have been focused on in this review. In conclusion, the use of BPM for mulching purposes was reported to improve crop quality and yield and reduce weed growth in comparison to naked soil. The recent short-term studies ensured that mulches stayed unbroken throughout the growing season. But simultaneously, the biodegradable mulches affect soil health and have a substantial impact on physical parameters such as soil pH, electrical conductivity, aggregate stability, infiltration, nitrate-N, exchangeable potassium, etc. Therefore, a lot of long-term research is required for the use of BPM as a substitute for conventional LDPE as a mulching film in the agricultural field.
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Biodegradable Plastic Mulch Films: Impacts on Soil Microbial Communities and Ecosystem Functions
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This review examines how biodegradable plastic mulch films affect soil microbial communities and ecosystem functions compared to conventional polyethylene mulches. Researchers found that while biodegradable films avoid the problem of permanent plastic accumulation, their breakdown products can still alter soil microbiomes and carbon cycling in ways that are not yet fully understood. The study highlights the need for long-term field research to determine whether biodegradable mulches are truly a sustainable alternative for agriculture.
From plastic mulching to microplastic pollution : An effect assessment of microplastics in the soil-plant system
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This review assessed how plastic mulching films contribute to agricultural microplastic pollution, finding that biodegradable alternatives rarely fully degrade under field conditions and instead fragment into microplastics, with both LDPE and biodegradable microplastics producing measurable ecological effects in soil-plant systems.
Microplastics in agroecosystem – effects of plastic mulch film residues on soil-plant system
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This review examines how residues from both conventional polyethylene and biodegradable plastic mulch films accumulate in agricultural soils and affect plant growth and soil health. Both types of mulch film residues are found to have negative effects on the soil-plant system, raising questions about the environmental safety of biodegradable plastic alternatives.
A Comprehensive Review of Polyethylene and Biodegradable Plastic Mulch Films: Impacts on Soil Health and Plant Growth
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This comprehensive review compares polyethylene and biodegradable plastic mulch films used in agriculture, examining their effects on soil properties, microplastic accumulation, plant growth, and the actual biodegradation performance of certified biodegradable alternatives under field conditions.
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.
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