Work

Isolation and identification of soil bacteria capable of degrading biodegradable mulch films

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Agricultural mulch films (AMFs) enhance crop productivity by controlling soil temperature and moisture and suppressing weed growth. Conventional AMFs made from polyethylene (PE) pose disposal challenges and contribute to long-term plastic pollution. Biodegradable mulch films (BMFs) offer a promising alternative, but their degradation in soil remains slow and inconsistent. This study employed a culture-enrichment approach to isolate soil bacteria (i.e., Pseudomonas guariconensis and Achromobacter denitrificans) capable of accelerating BMF biodegradation. Bioaugmentation with P. guariconensis enhanced CO₂ evolution in soil, with 48% and 36% carbon mineralization for two commercial BMFs (i.e., Bio360 and EcoVio), compared to 17% and 6.2% in non-inoculated soils. These findings demonstrate that targeted bacterial enrichment can accelerate BMF degradation, highlighting the potential for bioaugmentation to mitigate plastic accumulation in agricultural soils.

Source: Biodegradation

DOI: 10.1007/s10532-025-10223-4

Authors: Harshal J. Kansara, Yvan D. Hernandez-Charpak, André O. Hudson, Thomas A. Trabold, Jeffrey S. Lodge, Carlos A. Diaz

Institutions: Rochester Institute of Technology, Universidad de Los Andes

Language: English

Topic: Microplastics and Plastic Pollution

Subfield: Pollution

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Life on land, Responsible consumption and production, Zero hunger, Climate action

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,590