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Biodegradable film: a sustainable alternative to polyethylene film for Loess Plateau maize production
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Scientists tested biodegradable plastic films instead of regular plastic films to cover soil when growing corn in China. The biodegradable films worked almost as well as regular plastic films for improving crop growth and water efficiency, while being better for the environment since they break down naturally instead of leaving harmful plastic pieces in soil. This matters because it shows farmers can reduce plastic pollution in our food system without hurting crop production.
The use of biodegradable film as an alternative to polyethylene film is still controversial. Thus, a split-plot field trial was performed with planting patterns [traditional planting (FNM), and ridge-furrow planting with polyethylene and biodegradable films mulching (RPM, RBM)] coupled with nitrogen application levels [0 kg ha −1 (N0), 180 kg ha −1 (N180)] to explore the substitution of RBM for RPM in maize production. Compared with FNM, RBM and RPM increased the soil moisture storage by 11.6% and 11.5%, respectively, and soil mineral N concentration by 23.0% and 16.0% (under N180), but they reduced evapotranspiration by 3.9–11.7% and 7.9–36.4%, NH 3 volatilization by 38.3% and 35.3%, and N 2 O emissions by 69.4% and 82.3% (2019 season). Moreover, compared with FNM, RBM and RPM increased the leaf area index by 16.8% and 19.4%, and aboveground dry matter by 10.8% and 16.5%, respectively. However, both mulching and N fertilization reduced the soil organic matter after 3 years of production. Path analysis revealed the differences in the influencing pathways of yield and the utilization of water and nitrogen. Consequently, compared with FNM, RBM and RPM under N180 improved the maize yield by 6.2% and 8.4%, and water use efficiency by 17.3% and 44.4%, respectively, but regardless of fertilization, they increased N harvest index by 9.2% and 10.8% and N use efficiency (2019 season) by 6.5% and 4.0%. These results demonstrated that the biodegradable film mulching was a viable replacement for polyethylene film mulching in maize production on the Loess Plateau in terms of soil fertility, plant growth, yield, and utilization of water and nitrogen.
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Biodegradable mulch film maintained crop growth and water use efficiency comparable to conventional polyethylene film in Chinese cotton and maize fields for the first 60 days, then began to degrade. Replacing conventional plastic mulch with biodegradable alternatives could reduce microplastic accumulation in agricultural soils.
Adaptation and mechanisms of biodegradable mulching films in Jerusalem artichoke cultivation on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau: crop-soil-microbe synergistic effects
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Researchers tested a biodegradable plastic mulch (a film farmers use to cover soil and boost crops) as an alternative to traditional plastic mulch on high-altitude farms in China, and found it broke down almost completely in one season while still helping plants grow bigger and produce a beneficial fiber compound. This matters because conventional plastic mulches often leave behind plastic fragments that break down into microplastics in soil — and from there, potentially into our food and water supply — so a mulch that actually degrades could help reduce that contamination while still supporting good harvests. That said, this was a single-season study at one location, so more research is need
Table 1_Adaptation and mechanisms of biodegradable mulching films in Jerusalem artichoke cultivation on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau: crop-soil-microbe synergistic effects.xlsx
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Farmers often cover fields with plastic sheeting to help crops grow in cold climates, but this plastic breaks down into microplastic pollution that lingers in soil for years. This study found that a biodegradable alternative worked just as well at boosting plant growth (and even improved a healthy fiber compound in the crop) while breaking down naturally by over 84%, compared to less than 7% for regular plastic film. That's good news for reducing microplastic buildup in farmland soil, which is important since these particles can eventually make their way into the food we eat.
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