Loading...
Polymers use as mulch films in agriculture— a review of history, problems and current trends
Mansoor, Zinnia Adamus, Grazyna Manning, Georgina Parati, Mattia Khan, Habib
Mansoor, Zinnia
Adamus, Grazyna
Manning, Georgina
Parati, Mattia
Khan, Habib
Editors
Other contributors
Affiliation
Epub Date
Issue Date
2022-11-22
Submitted date
Alternative
Abstract
The application of mulch films for preserving soil moisture and preventing weed growth has been a part of agricultural practice for decades. Different materials have been used as mulch films, but polyethylene plastic has been considered most effective due to its excellent mechanical strength, low cost and ability to act as a barrier for sunlight and water. However, its use carries a risk of plastic pollution and health hazards, hence new laws have been passed to replace it completely with other materials over the next few years. Research to find out about new biodegradable polymers for this purpose has gained impetus in the past few years, driven by regulations and the United Nations Organization’s Sustainable Development Goals. The primary requisite for these polymers is biodegradability under natural climatic conditions without the production of any toxic residual compounds. Therefore, biodegradable polymers developed from fossil fuels, microorganisms, animals and plants are viable options for using as mulching material. However, the solution is not as simple since each polymer has different mechanical properties and a compromise has to be made in terms of strength, cost and biodegradability of the polymer for its use as mulch film. This review discusses the history of mulching materials, the gradual evolution in the choice of materials, the process of biodegradation of mulch films, the regulations passed regarding material to be used, types of polymers that can be explored as potential mulch films and the future prospects in the area.
Citation
Mansoor Z, Tchuenbou-Magaia F, Kowalczuk M, Adamus G, Manning G, Parati M, Radecka I, Khan H. (2022) Polymers Use as Mulch Films in Agriculture—A Review of History, Problems and Current Trends. Polymers, 14(23):5062. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14235062
Publisher
Journal
Research Unit
PubMed ID
PubMed Central ID
Embedded videos
Additional Links
Type
Journal article
Language
en
Description
© 2022 The Authors. Published by MDPI. This is an open access article available under a Creative Commons licence. The published version can be accessed at the following link on the publisher’s website: https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14235062
Series/Report no.
ISSN
2073-4360
EISSN
2073-4360
ISBN
ISMN
Gov't Doc #
Sponsors
This research was funded by the University of Wolverhampton Research Investment Fund (RIF4) and the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) UK (reference PKCS-2021-645).