We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Biodegradable jute fiber-based composites with controllable seepage for sustainable agricultural water-saving management
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers developed a biodegradable composite made from jute fibers and polylactic acid (PLA) as a sustainable alternative to conventional PVC irrigation pipes. The material achieved controllable water seepage rates and demonstrated good mechanical strength, while degradation tests confirmed it loses up to 20 percent of its weight after three months in soil. The study suggests that these renewable fiber-based composites could help reduce microplastic pollution from agricultural irrigation infrastructure.
Abstract Effective water-saving seepage irrigation is essential to ensure the availability of water resources and maintain soil health. However, current irrigation strategies, which typically rely on non-biodegradable plastic materials such as PVC pipes, are deficient regarding sustainability and ecological impact, with challenges such as recycling difficulties, depletion of non-renewable resources, and soil pollution. Here, a biodegradable composite based on widely available and renewable jute fibers was developed to explore its potential to replace conventional capillary irrigation pipes. Jute fiber-reinforced polylactic acid (PLA) composites (JFPCs) and pipes were fabricated through an integrated knitting process and simple thermoforming technique. The adjustment of PLA content in JFPCs enhanced mechanical performance and allowed precise control of the seepage rate with tailored PLA film porosity. When increasing PLA content from 12.2 to 40.8%, JFPCs exhibited enhanced mechanical strength (3.1 MPa) and improved thermal decomposition temperature (376.9 °C), indicating better stability for maintaining material integrity or performance exposed to high temperature conditions. Seepage tests demonstrated JFPC pipes achieved controllable seepage rates ranging from 0 to 8.9 L/min with PLA film porosity adjusting. Sustainbale analysis and degradation tests (showing a maximum 20.2% weight loss after 3 months) confirmed the environmental suitability and biodegradability of JFPCs for sustainable agricultural application. These findings highlight the potential of JFPCs as an eco-friendly alternative for controllable irrigation, contributing to sustainable water-saving practices, reducing microplastic pollution of traditional plastic-based system, and supporting circular economy principles in agriculture.
More Papers Like This
Biodegradable fabric with efficient thermal-wet management for eco-friendly weed control and water retention of soil
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers developed an eco-friendly weed control fabric from jute fiber as a sustainable alternative to plastic-based ground covers that shed microplastics into soil. By adjusting the fabric density and porosity, they controlled how much sunlight and water could pass through, effectively suppressing weed growth while reducing water evaporation. The biodegradable jute fabric avoids the microplastic contamination problems associated with conventional synthetic weed barriers.
Promising biodegradable composite derived from corn straw fiber and waste Polyethylene
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers developed a biodegradable composite material from corn straw fibers and waste polyethylene as an agricultural mulch alternative, finding that incorporating agricultural crop residues improved the composite's mechanical and biodegradable properties. This approach simultaneously addresses plastic waste and agricultural residue disposal while reducing persistent plastic mulch contamination of farmland soils.
Transport of Polylactic Acid (PLA) Microplastics in Agricultural Soils under Simulated Rainfall Events - Analyzing Surface Water Runoff as an Environmental Pathway
AI summary Read the abstract
This study examined how biodegradable polylactic acid microplastics move through agricultural soil and into surface runoff during simulated rainfall. Even supposedly eco-friendly bioplastics can be transported off farmland into waterways, suggesting that biodegradable alternatives are not a complete solution to agricultural plastic pollution.
From crop to compost: Sonali Bag ®—The biopolymer revolutionizing sustainable agriculture
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers evaluated Sonali Bag, a cellulose-based biopolymer film derived from jute, as a sustainable alternative to conventional agricultural plastic films. The study found that the material completely biodegrades within 100 days leaving no toxic residue, while offering beneficial properties like high porosity for soil aeration and thermal stability up to 250 degrees Celsius.
Functionalization of slow-release fertilizers and “passive predation microplastics” mechanism for polylactic acid composites
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers developed a biodegradable fertilizer film made from polylactic acid (PLA) and modified lignin that can slowly release nutrients while breaking down naturally in soil, offering an alternative to conventional plastic mulch. The study also explored how plants absorb tiny fragments of bio-based plastics, which is important for understanding whether even biodegradable alternatives still pose risks to food safety.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.