The agricultural field transforms speedily to achieve sustainable agriculture needs, which result from growing environmental concerns. Biodegradable mulching films offer an important environmental response to the risks associated with traditional plastic mulching films. Soil degradation and plastic pollution from traditional plastic mulching films serve as major pollutants of fields and soil while these films increase crop-yield productivity. Biodegradable mulching films enable farmers to obtain agricultural advantages, yet they produce reduced environmental impacts compared to traditional products. The contribution of biodegradable mulching film to agriculture receives evaluation in this article together with its benefits and challenges alongside future sustainable approaches in agriculture.
What is Biodegradable Mulching Film?
Biodegradable mulching films derive their nature-made decomposition properties from the action of microorganisms. The removal procedure for biodegradable film ends with complete decomposition and prevents the buildup of toxic residue in the soil, while conventional plastic can persist for hundreds of years. Silent-film manufacturers produce their products from various renewable materials, including starch, polylactic acid (PLA), polyhydroxyalkanoates, biopolymers and alternative sustainable substances.
Agriculture uses mulching films primarily for improving soil conditions that promote crop wellness. A key objective of installing mulching films is to sustain moisture while blocking weeds while also shielding soil from becoming too hot. Soil pollution alongside waste has emerged as the environmental downside of historically relying on polyethylene-based plastic films for this task. The advantage of biodegradable films exists without attracting the problematic connotations that conventional films do.
Also Read: Production of Biodegradable plastic Products
How Biodegradable Mulching Film Works
Biodegradable mulching films have advantages similar to their older plastic counterparts but do not have any adverse environmental impact. These films are created to turn into harmless organic materials after their beneficial service lifetime. This transformation shall be done by soil microorganisms that use the carbon in the film to convert it into carbon dioxide, water, and naturally occurring byproducts.
The biodegradable films have the same major functions – moisture retention, temperature regulation, and weed suppression. The film covers sunlight to prevent weeds from germination. At the same time, it helps the soil retain moisture, reducing frequent irrigation in those limited water areas. The film also regulates soil temperature for the best growth conditions for crops.
As the biodegradable film degrades, so do organic compounds become added to the soil, enhancing the soil health and fertility. Thus, the decomposition process shall eventually add to the enhancement of the soil for future crop cycles.
Advantages of Biodegradable Mulching Films
Environmental Benefits
The reduced environmental impact is perhaps the most considerable advantage of biodegradable mulching films. Unlike plastic films, which take hundreds of years to break down, biodegradable films break down in months or years, depending on environmental conditions. All this minimises the problem of plastic waste accumulation in soil and in the surrounding environment.
Furthermore, the biodegradable films are made mostly from renewable resources like corn starch and sugarcane, unlike petroleum-based plastics. Further, the manufacturing processes of these biopolymers usually have low carbon emissions, thus a step towards an increase in sustainability in farming.
Improvement of Soil Health
Organic matter accumulates as biodegradable films break down and introduce themselves into the soil. This organic matter improves the structure and nutrient content of the soil and thus its overall fertility. Healthy soil is very important for growing crops and for the sustainability of long-term agricultural productivity. In addition, this organic matter helps the soil microorganisms to cater to the needs of enhancing growth and resilience for plants.
Less Need for Plastic Disposal
There will no longer be a need for post-harvest collection and disposal of plastics with the use of these films. Farmers can forget the painstaking processes of removing plastic films from the field during harvest. The film just decomposes in place, cutting down on waste, time, and costs associated with its disposal.
More Crop Yields
It has been reported that biodegradable mulching films give crop yields as high as those given by traditional plastic mulches. They help conserve moisture and keep the temperature of soil consistently within limits, thereby providing an appropriate condition for plant growth. Also, improved nutrient availability and suppression of weeds greatly enhance the total success of crop production.
Compliance with Terms of Use
With the rising global concerns over plastic pollution, different countries have started putting even stricter rules on the use of plastics in agriculture. Biodegradable mulching films provide farmers with another option to stay in compliance with the newer regulations. Thereby, in becoming biodegradable, farmers do not only stay ahead of environmental regulations but also avoid the risk of being charged with fines in the future.
Types of Biodegradable Mulching Films
Different biodegradable mulching films are characterised differently as follows:
Starch-Based Films
The biodegradable mulching films are starch-based and contain plant starches like corn or potato starches made from renewable sources. They degraded within a few days in the soil and are cheap for use on short-term crop production. Biodegradable and eco-friendly starch-based mulching films would serve as excellent alternatives for any farmer who wants to be environmentally considerate.
The PLA Films
The PLA-based films are sugar polymeric from plants like corn or sugarcane. These films promise biodegradability, compostability, and, above all, durability that helps with the potential use in the season-long growing period. The mulch of PLA is mostly helpful to embed crops requiring a tough mulch and is now very famous in temperate climates.
PHA (Polyhydroxyalkanoates) Films
PHA films are derived from biodegradable polymers synthesised by bacteria. They are highly biodegradable and flexible, making them perfect for many agricultural applications. In addition, they boast the added value of being renewable resource-based, thus contributing to sustainability.
Compostable Mulch Films
Some biodegradable films have also been certified to compost, which means that under certain conditions, they will degrade into compost. These films add soil quality to the degradation process through composting.
Challenges and Their Implications
Then again, here come some disadvantages, just like every coin has two sides, the other side being even as much as the biodegradable mulching films boast of their environmental auspicious benefits:
- Price: The biodegradable films are usually costlier than the traditional plastic mulch. But higher initial production costs, in many cases, are compensated for by reduced labour costs due to savings on collection and disposal of plastic waste.
- Degradation rate: The rates by which these biodegradable films would be decomposing depend on many factors: soil temperatures, moisture content, and microbial activity. Sometimes, their decomposition is considerably longer than expected, especially in cold areas or badly drained soils.
- Extreme Condition Performance: When there is strong wind or heavy rain, biodegradable mulching films may not be able to withstand weather extremes as long as plastic films do. But strides are being made by researchers to improve the biodegradability, strength and reliability of such films so that they can stand to the demands of any farming environment.
Future Holds for Biodegradable Mulching Films
Future prospects for biodegradable mulching films are bright. Technology continues to develop, and production cycle efficiencies, as well as costs, will make biodegradable films available to many more users in the future. Increasing attention towards the sustainable practices of farmers and relevant governance is likely to make biodegradable films essential tools in decreasing plastic waste and enhancing soil health.
Conclusion
Biodegradable mulch films are an emerging response to the problem of plastic waste in agriculture. The new mulch films will be able to extend the same benefits as plastic mulches – weeding, moisture retention, temperature control, and harvest increase – to a reduction of farmers’ footprints as far as the environment is concerned. Improved technology adoption will ensure that biodegradable mulching films find pathways to a sustainable future in agriculture.
NIIR believes firmly in creating awareness about innovative as well as green practices within agriculture. This could include organisations that would like to learn about biodegradable mulching film or want to explore beyond sustainable agriculture practices – contact us today. Creating with us a greener, sustainable future for agriculture with these initiatives.