Four years of continuous use of soil-biodegradable plastic mulch: impact on soil and groundwater quality

• Published in: Geoderma Vol. 381; p. 114665
• Main Authors: Sintim, Henry Y., Bandopadhyay, Sreejata, English, Marie E., Bary, Andy, Liquet y González, José E., DeBruyn, Jennifer M., Schaeffer, Sean M., Miles, Carol A., Flury, Markus
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.01.2021
• Subjects: aggregate stability; crop production; enzyme activity; extracellular enzymes; infiltration rate; lysimeters; microbial activity; nitrates; nitrites; nutrient content; nutrient uptake; organic carbon; plastic film mulches; soil aggregates; spring; water quality

•Environmental impact of soil-biodegradable plastic mulch (SBPM) was assessed.•SBPM increased soil aggregate stability by 6–16% than no mulching.•SBPM increased water infiltration rate by 10–12% than no mulching.•SBPM reduced 4-7 kg ha−1 of nitrate and nitrite leached into groundwater.•The downside,...