Physical and Degradable Properties of Mulching Films Prepared from Natural Fibers and Biodegradable Polymers

Abstract

Abstract:The use of plastic film in agriculture has the serious drawback of producing vast quantities of waste. In this work, films were prepared from natural fibers and biodegradable polymers as potential substitutes for the conventional non-biodegradable plastic film used as mulching material in agricultural production. The physical properties (e.g., mechanical properties, heat preservation, water permeability, and photopermeability) and degradation characteristics (evaluated by micro-organic culture testing and soil burial testing) of the films were studied in both laboratory and field tests. The experimental results indicated that these fiber/polymer films exhibited favorable physical properties that were sufficient for use in mulching film applications. Moreover, the degradation degree of the three tested films decreased in the following order: fiber/starch (ST) film > fiber/poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) film > fiber/polyacrylate (PA) film. The fiber/starch and fiber/PVA films were made from completely biodegradable materials and demonstrated the potential to substitute non-biodegradable films.

Effects of Microplastics in Soil Ecosystems: Above and Below Ground

“…Many plastic items are manufactured from durable polymers, such as polyethylene (e.g. high-density polyethylene), which is not considered biodegradable and can persist in the environment for decades 26 Increasingly, biodegradable polymers, such as polylactic acid (PLA), are becoming a common alternative to conventional agricultural mulches 27 , but the degradation of many biodegradable polymers under ambient conditions has proven to be lengthy or incomplete 28,29 .…”

Effect of Empty Fruit Brunch reinforcement in PolyButylene-Succinate/Modified Tapioca Starch blend for Agricultural Mulch Films

“…The kinematic energy consumption also found lesser than without EFB reinforcement polymer composites. Besides, natural fibre reinforced in starch and polymer films have been studied in previous work and the results demonstrated a high potential to substitute non-biodegradable mulch films 26 . On the other hand, the use of fibre reinforced polymer organic mulch films in agricultural helps to endure and strengthen the mulch film in crop cultivation, as well as help plants to adapt climate changes 27 .…”

Organic and non-organic mulches – impact on environmental conditions, yield, and quality of Cucurbitaceae

“…Mulches developed from biomass are increasingly used to cover the soil around the plants. According to Tan et al (2016), a biodegradable mulch 0.35 mm thick with a surface weight of 40 g m -2 , consisting of 16% corn starch and 84% natural fibre, allowed about 15% of radiation in the range 450-850 mm to pass, exhibited very good water permeability and thermal stability under field conditions. Its degradation rate in soil at 10-25°C and 65% humidity was the highest compared to mulches based on natural polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and polyacrylate (PA) (Tan et al, 2016).…”