Polyethylene and biodegradable mulches for agricultural applications: a review

• Published in: Agronomy for sustainable development Vol. 32; no. 2; pp. 501 - 529
• Main Authors: Kasirajan, Subrahmaniyan, Ngouajio, Mathieu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Paris Springer-Verlag 01.04.2012; EDP Sciences; Springer Verlag/EDP Sciences/INRA
• Subjects: additives; Agricultural sciences; Agriculture; Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; bioactive properties; biodegradable products; Biological and medical sciences; Biomedical and Life Sciences; carbon dioxide; composite polymers; composts; crop yield; Cropping systems. Cultivation. Soil tillage; Ecology, environment; edaphic factors; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General agronomy. Plant production; innovation adoption; insect pests; lactic acid; Life Sciences; microbial activity; microclimate; organic production; pest management; petroleum; plastic film; plastic film mulches; plastics; pollution; polyethylene; Protected cultivation; Review Article; soil fertility; soil nutrients; Soil Science & Conservation; soil temperature; Soilless cultures. Protected cultivation; Sustainable Development; Tending. Growth control; Tillage. Tending. Growth control; weeds; Biodegradation; Plastic mulch; Plasticulture; Polymers; Biodegradable mulch; Polyethylene; Biodegradability; Polymer; Protected cultivation; Review; Plastic mulching; Agronomy; Agriculture; Application
• ISSN: 1774-0746; 1773-0155
• DOI: 10.1007/s13593-011-0068-3

The use of plastic mulch in agriculture has increased dramatically in the last 10 years throughout the world. This increase is due to benefits such as increase in soil temperature, reduced weed pressure, moisture conservation, reduction of certain insect pests, higher crop yields, and more efficient use of soil nutrients. However, disposing of used plastic films, which cause pollution, has led to development of photodegradable and biodegradable mulches. Here we review the use of plastic mulches in agriculture, with special reference to biodegradable mulches. Major topics discussed are (1) history of plastic mulch and impact on crop yield and pest management, (2) limitations of polyethylene mulches and potential alternatives, (3) biodegradable and photodegradable plastic mulches, (4) field performance of biodegradable mulches, and (5) use of biodegradable plastic mulches in organic production. We found that (1) despite multiple benefits, removal and disposal of conventional polyethylene mulches remains a major agronomic, economic, and environmental constraint; (2) early use of photodegradable plastic mulch during the 1970s and 1980s, wrongly named biodegradable mulch films, discouraged adoption of new biodegradable mulch films because they were too expensive and their breakdown was unpredictable; (3) biodegradable plastic films are converted through microbial activity in the soil to carbon dioxide, water, and natural substances; (4) polymers such as poly(lactic acid), poly(butylene adipate-coterephthalate), poly(ε-caprolactone), and starch-based polymer blends or copolymers can degrade when exposed to bioactive environments such as soil and compost; (5) with truly biodegradable materials obtained from petroleum and natural resources, opportunity for using biodegradable polymers as agricultural mulch films has become more viable; and (6) the source of polymer and additives may limit use of some biodegradable mulches in organic production. More knowledge is needed on the effect of biodegradable mulches on crop growth, microclimate modifications, soil biota, soil fertility, and yields.