We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Papers
20 resultsShowing papers similar to Design of a Completely Eco-friendly Mulch Foil for Agricultural Production
ClearPast, present, and future perspectives of biodegradable films for soil: A 30-year systematic review
This systematic review tracks 30 years of research on biodegradable films for agricultural soil use, analyzing trends and future directions. As concerns grow about conventional plastic mulch leaving microplastic residues in farmland, biodegradable alternatives are gaining attention. The review identifies which biodegradable materials show the most promise for replacing traditional plastic films while maintaining crop benefits.
Biodegradable Mulch for Vegetable Production. A Review
This review examined biodegradable plastic mulches as alternatives to conventional polyethylene mulch films in vegetable production, summarizing yield benefits and degradation performance. Replacing conventional plastic mulch with truly biodegradable alternatives could reduce the large amounts of agricultural microplastics shed by mulch film fragmentation.
On the quest for novel bio-degradable plastics for agricultural field mulching
This review examined the challenge of developing biodegradable plastic mulch materials suitable for agricultural use, noting that plasticulture consumes about 6.7 million tons of plastic annually, most of which cannot be practically recycled. The authors assessed candidate biodegradable polymers based on their degradation rates in soil, mechanical performance, and cost.
Soil Bioplastic Mulches for Agroecosystem Sustainability: A Comprehensive Review
This review comprehensively assesses biodegradable plastic mulches as sustainable alternatives to conventional petroleum-based films in agriculture, examining their soil degradation, effects on microorganisms, weed control efficacy, and soil property impacts.
Environmental fate and effects of mulch films on agricultural soil: A systematic review from application to residual impact
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.
Environmental fate and effects of mulch films on agricultural soil: A systematic review from application to residual impact
This systematic review traces the full lifecycle of plastic mulch films used in farming, from application to breakdown in soil. While these films boost crop yields, they leave behind persistent residues that fragment into microplastics, potentially contaminating soil and groundwater. The review highlights the need for biodegradable alternatives to reduce long-term microplastic accumulation in agricultural land.
Are mulch biofilms used in agriculture an environmentally friendly solution? - An insight into their biodegradability and ecotoxicity using key organisms in soil ecosystems
Researchers assessed the biodegradation and ecotoxicity of a commercial biodegradable mulch biofilm in soil systems. The study found that while marketed as environmentally friendly alternatives to conventional plastic mulch, biodegradable films did not fully degrade under natural soil conditions as certification standards would predict. The results suggest that more rigorous testing under realistic field conditions is needed before assuming these products are safe for soil ecosystems.
Improvement of crop and soil management practices through mulching for enhancement of soil fertility and environmental sustainability: A review
This review examined mulching practices in agriculture as a strategy for improving soil fertility, water retention, and crop yields, while also noting that plastic mulch films generate persistent microplastic contamination in agricultural soils. The authors discussed biodegradable mulch alternatives and best management practices for reducing plastic residues.
Potentials of synthetic biodegradable mulch for improved livelihoods on smallholder farmers: a systematic review
This systematic review evaluates biodegradable mulch as an alternative to conventional plastic mulch in farming, which is a major source of microplastic contamination in agricultural soils. Switching to biodegradable options could help reduce the buildup of microplastics in the soil where food crops are grown.
Polymers Use as Mulch Films in Agriculture—A Review of History, Problems and Current Trends
This review traces the history of plastic mulch films in agriculture, from their widespread adoption for moisture retention and weed control to growing concerns about soil contamination. Researchers found that while polyethylene mulch is highly effective, its accumulation in farmland creates long-term pollution and health risks. The study examines emerging biodegradable alternatives and new regulations aimed at reducing agricultural plastic waste.
iMulch: an investigation of the influence of polymers on a terrestrial ecosystem using the example of mulch films used in agriculture
This research project studied how plastic mulch films used in farming break down into microplastics in soil, comparing conventional polyethylene films with biodegradable alternatives. The findings show that both types of mulch release microplastic particles into agricultural soil, though they behave differently in the environment, raising questions about the true sustainability of biodegradable farm plastics.
A Comprehensive Review of Polyethylene and Biodegradable Plastic Mulch Films: Impacts on Soil Health and Plant Growth
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.
Effect of mulching on soil properties, microbial diversity and activities, and crop yield
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.
A review of applications, effects, and potential of mulching technology in agriculture
This review comprehensively examines mulching practices in agriculture — covering organic, synthetic, and living materials — and their effects on soil moisture, temperature, weed suppression, and crop yield. The authors highlight emerging biodegradable mulch alternatives as more sustainable options amid growing concerns about microplastic contamination from plastic mulch films.
Dynamics of macroplastics and microplastics formed by biodegradable mulch film in an agricultural field
Researchers tracked the breakdown of biodegradable mulch film in agricultural fields over four years and found that while the material fragmented into smaller pieces, complete degradation did not occur. Both macro- and microplastic fragments from the biodegradable film persisted in the soil throughout the study period. The findings suggest that biodegradable mulch films, promoted as environmentally friendly alternatives to conventional plastic, may still contribute to microplastic accumulation in farmland.
From plastic mulching to microplastic pollution : An effect assessment of microplastics in the soil-plant system
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.
Structurally engineered cellulose-based mulch film with enhanced hydrophobicity and strength for green agriculture
This paper develops a cellulose-based mulch film coated with starch and a silane compound to mimic the strength and water resistance of conventional plastic agricultural film, achieving a water contact angle of 128 degrees (up from 16 degrees for untreated cellulose) and complete biodegradation in soil within 56 days. Unlike polyethylene mulch films that fragment into persistent microplastics in farmland, this material decomposes within a crop growing cycle, offering a practical biodegradable alternative for agriculture.
A spray-on environmentally friendly degradable mulch material and its weed suppressing effect in greenhouse experiments
Researchers developed a spray-on biodegradable mulch material from rapeseed oil, starch, and alginate as an alternative to plastic mulch films, one of the largest sources of agricultural microplastic contamination. The spray-on material suppressed weeds effectively in greenhouse tests, demonstrating a viable plastic-free alternative for farmers.
Agricultural Plastic Mulch: A Brief Review of Development, Composition and Catalytic Upcycling Strategies
This review examines the environmental impact of agricultural plastic mulch film, which has led to significant microplastic accumulation in farm soils worldwide. Researchers evaluate various catalytic upcycling technologies including photocatalysis and thermocatalysis that can convert waste mulch into useful hydrocarbon resources with near-complete efficiency. The study also assesses the progress and remaining challenges of biodegradable mulch alternatives for sustainable agriculture.
Agricultural mulch films as soil microplastic contamination factor
This review examines agricultural mulch films as a source of soil microplastic contamination, summarizing evidence on degradation rates, particle accumulation in soil profiles, and impacts on soil properties and biological communities over time.