Biodegradable Mulch Films: Benefits, Challenges, and Their Role in Eco-Friendly Farming
- Published On: Jul 15, 2025
- Author: Al Mamun
- Tags: Agriculture
Biodegradable mulch films (BDMs) have emerged as a promising alternative to traditional polyethylene mulch films in the agricultural sector. These films are designed to decompose naturally in the soil, reducing the environmental impact associated with plastic waste. BDMs are gaining attention due to their potential to enhance agricultural sustainability while maintaining the benefits of conventional mulching practices.
Benefits of Biodegradable Mulch Films
1. Environmental Benefits: One of the primary advantages of BDMs is their ability to reduce plastic pollution. Unlike traditional PE films, which contribute to environmental waste and require removal and disposal after use, BDMs are designed to biodegrade in the soil, thus minimizing waste and reducing the environmental footprint of agricultural practices (Bandopadhyay et al., 2018; Serrano-Ruiz et al., 2020; Sintim & Flury, 2017). This biodegradability helps mitigate the accumulation of plastic residues in the soil, which is a significant concern with PE films (Sun et al., 2018; Anunciado et al., 2021).
2. Soil Health and Microbial Activity: BDMs have been shown to positively influence soil health by enhancing microbial activity. BDMs can enrich fungal taxa and stimulate microbial processes when incorporated into the soil, potentially improving soil organic matter dynamics (Bandopadhyay et al., 2018; Serrano-Ruiz et al., 2020). This enhancement of microbial activity is crucial for maintaining soil fertility and health, which are vital for sustainable agriculture.
3. Agronomic Benefits: BDMs provide several agronomic benefits similar to those of PE films. They help control weeds, conserve soil moisture, and regulate soil temperature, which can lead to improved crop yields and quality (Menossi et al., 2021; Sun et al., 2018; Cozzolino et al., 2023). For instance, studies have shown that BDMs can maintain soil conditions conducive to plant growth, similar to PE films, while also offering the added benefit of biodegradability (Akhir & Mustapha, 2022; Bo et al., 2022).
4. Economic Considerations: While BDMs offer numerous benefits, their higher initial cost compared to PE films can be a barrier to widespread adoption. However, the long-term savings in labor and disposal costs, as well as environmental benefits, can make BDMs a cost-effective solution in the long run (Bo et al., 2022). As technology advances and production costs decrease, BDMs are expected to become more economically viable for farmers (Menossi et al., 2021; Bo et al., 2022).
Challenges of Biodegradable Mulch Films
1. Environmental and Degradation Challenges: One of the primary challenges with BDMs is ensuring their effective degradation in various environmental conditions. While laboratory tests often show promising results, in-field degradation can vary significantly. For instance, studies have shown that BDMs may degrade more slowly in the field compared to laboratory conditions, with factors such as soil type, moisture, and temperature playing crucial roles in the degradation process (Griffin-LaHue et al., 2021; Sintim et al., 2020). This discrepancy underscores the need for field-specific testing protocols to more accurately predict degradation rates and ensure that BDMs do not contribute to soil pollution over time.
2. Impact on Soil and Ecosystem: Incorporating BDMs into soil can influence microbial communities and ecosystem functions. While BDMs are designed to biodegrade, their breakdown products can alter soil microbial activity and composition, potentially affecting soil health and nutrient dynamics (Bandopadhyay et al., 2018; Serrano-Ruiz et al., 2020). The long-term impacts of these changes are not yet fully understood, necessitating further research to evaluate the sustainability of BDMs in different agroecosystems.
3. Economic and Commercial Barriers: Despite their environmental benefits, the high cost of BDMs compared to conventional polyethylene films remains a significant barrier to adoption. The production of BDMs often involves more complex and costly materials, such as polysaccharide bio-composites, which can deter farmers from switching to these alternatives (Menossi et al., 2021; Tofanelli & Wortman, 2020). Additionally, there is a lack of awareness and knowledge about the benefits and performance of BDMs, which further hinders their commercial uptake (Tofanelli & Wortman, 2020).
4. Material and Performance Limitations: The performance of BDMs can vary based on their composition and the specific agricultural application. For example, some BDMs may not provide the same level of weed control or soil temperature regulation as traditional polyethylene films, which can impact crop yields (Tofanelli & Wortman, 2020). Moreover, the mechanical properties of BDMs, such as tensile strength and water resistance, need to be optimized to match those of conventional films while maintaining biodegradability (Chen et al., 2021; Merino et al., 2022).
Role in Eco-Friendly Farming
BDMs play a crucial role in promoting eco-friendly farming practices. By reducing plastic waste and enhancing soil health, they contribute to the development of sustainable agricultural systems. Their use aligns with global efforts to increase food production while minimizing environmental damage. BDMs offer a viable solution for farmers seeking to balance productivity with ecological responsibility (Chen et al., 2021; Zhang et al., 2020).
Biodegradable mulch films present a sustainable alternative to traditional plastic mulches, offering environmental, agronomic, and economic benefits. Despite challenges such as cost and performance variability, their role in eco-friendly farming is significant. Continued research and development are essential to optimize their use and ensure they meet the needs of modern agriculture.
References
Akhir, M., & Mustapha, M. (2022). Formulation of Biodegradable Plastic Mulch Film for Agriculture Crop Protection: A Review. Polymer Reviews, 62, 890–918. https://doi.org/10.1080/15583724.2022.2041031
Anunciado, M., Hayes, D., Astner, A., Wadsworth, L., Cowan-Banker, C., Gonzalez, J., & DeBruyn, J. (2021). Effect of Environmental Weathering on Biodegradation of Biodegradable Plastic Mulch Films under Ambient Soil and Composting Conditions. Journal of Polymers and the Environment, 29, 2916–2931. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10924-021-02088-4
Bandopadhyay, S., Martín-Closas, L., Pelacho, A., & DeBruyn, J. (2018). Biodegradable Plastic Mulch Films: Impacts on Soil Microbial Communities and Ecosystem Functions. Frontiers in Microbiology, 9. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2018.00819
Bo, L., Mao, X., & Wang, Y. (2022). Assessing the Applicability of Biodegradable Film Mulching in Northwest China Based on Comprehensive Benefits Study. Sustainability. https://doi.org/10.3390/su141710584
Chen, L., Qiang, T., Chen, X., Ren, W., & Zhang, H. (2021). Fabrication and Evaluation of Biodegradable Multi-Cross-Linked Mulch Film Based on Waste Gelatin. Chemical Engineering Journal, 129639. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.CEJ.2021.129639
Cozzolino, E., Di Di Mola, I., Ottaiano, L., Bilotto, M., Petriccione, M., Ferrara, E., Mori, M., & Morra, L. (2023). Assessing Yield and Quality of Melon (Cucumis melo L.) Improved by Biodegradable Mulching Film. Plants, 12. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12010219
Griffin‐LaHue, D., Ghimire, S., Yu, Y., Scheenstra, E., Miles, C., & Flury, M. (2021). In-field degradation of soil-biodegradable plastic mulch films in a Mediterranean climate. The Science of the Total Environment, 806 Pt 1, 150238. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.150238
Menossi, M., Cisneros, M., Alvarez, V., & Casalongué, C. (2021). Current and emerging biodegradable mulch films based on polysaccharide bio-composites: A review. Agronomy for Sustainable Development, 41. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13593-021-00685-0
Merino, D., Zych, A., & Athanassiou, A. (2022). Biodegradable and Biobased Mulch Films: Highly Stretchable PLA Composites with Different Industrial Vegetable Waste. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 14, 46920–46931. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsami.2c10965
Serrano-Ruiz, H., Martín-Closas, L., & Pelacho, A. (2020). Biodegradable plastic mulches: Impact on the agricultural biotic environment. The Science of the Total Environment, 750, 141228. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.141228
Sintim, H., & Flury, M. (2017). Is Biodegradable Plastic Mulch the Solution to Agriculture's Plastic Problem? Environmental Science & Technology, 51(3), 1068–1069. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.6b06042
Sintim, H., Bary, A., Hayes, D., Wadsworth, L., Anunciado, M., English, M., Bandopadhyay, S., Schaeffer, S., DeBruyn, J., Miles, C., Reganold, J., & Flury, M. (2020). In situ degradation of biodegradable plastic mulch films in compost and agricultural soils. The Science of the Total Environment, 727, 138668. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.138668
Sun, T., Li, G., Ning, T., Zhang, Z., Mi, Q., & Lal, R. (2018). Suitability of mulching with biodegradable film to moderate soil temperature and moisture and to increase photosynthesis and yield in peanut. Agricultural Water Management. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.AGWAT.2018.06.027
Tofanelli, M., & Wortman, S. (2020). Benchmarking the Agronomic Performance of Biodegradable Mulches against Polyethylene Mulch Film: A Meta-Analysis. Agronomy. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10101618
Zhang, X., Luo, C., Ren, H., Dai, R., Mburu, D., Kavagi, L., Wesly, K., Nyende, A., Batool, A., & Xiong, Y. (2020). Fully biodegradable film to boost rainfed maize (Zea mays L.) production in semiarid Kenya: An environmentally friendly perspective. European Journal of Agronomy, 119, 126124. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eja.2020.126124