Biodegradable plastic mulch films: impacts on soil microbial communities and ecosystem functions

View/ Open
Issue date
2018Suggested citation
Bandyopadhyay, Sreejata;
Martin-Closas, Lluis;
Pelacho Aja, Ana Mª;
DeBruyn, Jennifer M.;
.
(2018)
.
Biodegradable plastic mulch films: impacts on soil microbial communities and ecosystem functions.
Frontiers in Microbiology, 2018, vol. 9, article 819, p. 1-7.
https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2018.00819.
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Agricultural plastic mulch films are widely used in specialty crop production systems
because of their agronomic benefits. Biodegradable plastic mulches (BDMs) offer an
environmentally sustainable alternative to conventional polyethylene (PE) mulch. Unlike
PE films, which need to be removed after use, BDMs are tilled into soil where they are
expected to biodegrade. However, there remains considerable uncertainty about longterm
impacts of BDM incorporation on soil ecosystems. BDMs potentially influence soil
microbial communities in two ways: first, as a surface barrier prior to soil incorporation,
indirectly affecting soil microclimate and atmosphere (similar to PE films) and second,
after soil incorporation, as a direct input of physical fragments, which add carbon,
microorganisms, additives, and adherent chemicals. This review summarizes the current
literature on impacts of plastic mulches on soil biological and biogeochemical processes,
with a special emphasis on BDMs. The combined findings indicated that when used
as a surface barrier, plastic mulches altered soil microbial community composition
and functioning via microclimate modification, though the nature of these alterations
varied between studies. In addition, BDM incorporation into soil can result in enhanced
microbial activity and enrichment of fungal taxa. This suggests that despite the fact that
total carbon input from BDMs is minuscule, a stimulatory effect on microbial activity
may ultimately affect soil organic matter dynamics. To address the current knowledge
gaps, long term studies and a better understanding of impacts of BDMs on nutrient
biogeochemistry are needed. These are critical to evaluating BDMs as they relate to soil
health and agroecosystem sustainability.
Is part of
Frontiers in Microbiology, 2018, vol. 9, article 819, p. 1-7European research projects
The following license files are associated with this item:
Except where otherwise noted, this item's license is described as cc-by (c) Bandyopadhyay et al., 2018
Related items
Showing items related by title, author, creator and subject.
-
Above-soil and in-soil degradation of oxo- and biodegradable mulches: a qualitative approach
Martin-Closas, Lluis; Costa Tura, Joan; Cirujeda Ranzenberger, Alicia; Aibar, J.; Zaragoza, C.; Pardo, A.; Suso, M. L.; Moreno, M. M.; Moreno, C.; Lahoz, I.; Mácua, J.; Pelacho Aja, Ana Mª (CSIRO Publishing, 2016)Degradable materials have been suggested to overcome accumulation in the field of persistent plastic residues associated with the increasing use of polyethylene mulches. New degradable materials have been proven successful ... -
Degradation of agricultural biodegradable plastics in the soil under laboratory conditions
Barragán, Dan Jarry; Pelacho Aja, Ana Mª; Martin-Closas, Lluis (CSIRO Publishing, 2016)Mulches, usually consisting of polyethylene films, are used in agriculture to improve production. The main drawback of using polyethylene is its extremely high stability. Removing it from the field is usually not feasible, ... -
Performance and environmental impact of biodegradable polymers as agricultural mulching films
Touchaleaume, François; Martin-Closas, Lluis; Angellier Coussy, Hélène; Chevillard, Anne; Cesar, Guy; Gontard, Nathalie; Gastaldi, Emmanuelle (Elsevier, 2016)In the aim of resolving environmental key issues such as irreversible soil pollution by non-biodegradable and non-recoverable polyethylene (PE) fragments, a full-scale field experiment was set up to evaluate the suitability ...