Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Biodegradable plastic mulch films (BMFs) have been used in agriculture as an alternative to conventional polyethylene mulches, offering benefits such as reduced labor costs and in-soil biodegradability. However, BMFs often degrade slowly, and fragments remain in the soil for multiple years. This study introduces a novel multi-layer agricultural mulch film (MLAMF) with poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) outer layers and a thermoplastic starch (TPS) core, designed to enhance biodegradation and reduce plastic accumulation. In laboratory composting (LC), the MLAMF achieved 64% mass loss over 365 days, while pure PBAT films degraded by only 12%. In industrial composting (IC) conditions, the MLAMF and PBAT films showed 58% and 33% mass loss in 14 days, respectively. Respirometry tests indicate that the presence of TPS accelerates mineralization relative to the monolayer film. A small scale field trial revealed no statistically significant differences in onion yield or rot incidence between MLAMF and the commercial films.
Source: npj Sustainable Agriculture
Authors: Harshal J. Kansara, Yvan D. Hernandez-Charpak, Elizabeth M. Buck, Jarmila Haseler, Thomas A. Trabold, Jeffrey S. Lodge, Christopher L. Lewis, Carlos A. Diaz
Language: English
Subfield: Biomaterials
Field: Materials Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,490
Awards: G429579541, G7964954846
OpenAlex ID: W4416959207