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Research Article

volume 40 issue 4 (december 2019) : 314-318,   Doi: 10.18805/ag.R-1913

Plastic Mulch Pollution and Introduction of Biodegradable Plastic Mulches – A Review

V
V.U. Divya
N
N.C. Sarkar
1Department of Agronomy, Visva-Bharati University, Sriniketan-731 236, West Bengal, India.
Cite article:- Divya V.U., Sarkar N.C. (2019). Plastic Mulch Pollution and Introduction of Biodegradable Plastic Mulches – A Review. Agricultural Reviews. 40(4): 314-318. doi: 10.18805/ag.R-1913.

ABSTRACT

The use of plastic mulch in agriculture has increased dramatically in the last 10 years throughout the world. The adverse effects of plastic mulch pollution in agriculture forced the scientists to search for alternatives. Studies in Xinjiang showed that residual plastic film mulch levels of 200 kg m-2 in the topsoil (0–20 cm) affected the emergence rate of cotton seeds and reduced cotton production by 15%. Soil mulching for 5–20 consecutive years led to a 122–146% increase in the salt content of the topsoil. Efficiency of both plastic mulches and biodegradable mulches compared in terms of crop production, period of weed control, etc.

REFERENCES

  1. Anonymous (2002). Biodegradable plastics—developments and environmental impacts.
  2. Briassoulis, D., M. Hiskakis, E. Babou, S.K. Antiohos and C. Papadi. (2012). Experimental investigation of the quality characteristics of agricultural plastic wastes regarding their recycling and energy recovery potential. Waste Management. 32(6): 1075–90.
  3. China Agricultural Statistical Yearbook, (2011). https://en.m. wikipedia.org/wiki/Mulch www.ams.usda.gov/nop
  4. Anderson, D.F., Garisto, M.A., Bourrut, J.C., Schonbeck, M.W., Jaye, R., Wurzberger A. and De Gregorio, R. (1995). Evaluation of a paper mulch made from recycled materials as an alternative to plastic film mulch for vegetables. Journal of Sustainable Agriculture. 7:39–61.
  5. Anzalone, A., Cirujeda, A., Aibar, J., Pardo, G. and Zaragoza., C. (2010). Effect of biodegradable mulch materials on weed control in processing tomatoes. Weed Technology. 24(3):369–377.
  6. Barlaz, M.A., Ham, R.K. and Schaefer, D.M. (1989). Mass-balance analysis of anaerobically decomposed refuse. J Environ Eng. 115:1088–1102.
  7. Briassoulis, D. (2006). Mechanical behaviour of biodegradable agricultural films under real field conditions. Polym. Degrad. Stabil. 91: 1256–1272.
  8. Clarke, S.P. (1996). Recycling farm plastic films fact sheet. http:// www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/engineer/facts/95-019.htm. 
  9. Debeaufort, F., Quezada-Gallo, J.A., and Voilley, A. (1998). Edible films and coatings: tomorrow’s packagings: a review. Crit Rev Food SciNutr. 38(4):299–313.
  10. Doi,Y. (1990). Microbial polyesters. VCH, New York.
  11. De Prisco, N., Immirzi, B., Malinconico, M., Mormile., Petti, L. and Gatta, G. (2002). Preparation, physico-chemical characterization and optical analysis of polyvinyl alcohol-based films suitable for protected cultivation. J Appl Polym Sci. 86:622–632.
  12. Felton, R. (2016). Detroit incinerator is hotspot for health problems, environmentalists claim. https://www.theguardian.com/    us-news/2016/oct/23/detroit-garbage-incinerator-pollution- healthproblems-environmentalists.
  13. Feuilloley, P., Cesar, L., Benguigui, L., Grohens,Y., Pillin, I., Bewa, H., Lefaux,S. and Jamal, M .(2005). Degradation of polyethylene designed for agricultural purposes. J Polym Environ. 13:349–355.
  14. Fukuzaki, H., Yoshida, M., Asano, M. and Kumakura, M. (1989). Synthesis of copoly (D, L-lactic acid) with relative low molecular weight and in vitro degradation. Eur Polym J. 25:1019–1026.
  15. Garthe, J. W. and Kowal, P.D. (1993). Resource recovery: Turning waste into energy. University Park, Pa.: Penn State Agricultural Sciences Cooperative Extension.
  16. Goldberger, J., Emmet, R., Jones, Miles, C., Wallace., R and Inglis, D. (2013). Barriers and bridges to the adoption of biodegradable plastic mulches for US specialty crop production. Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems. 30(2): 143–153 doi:10.1017/S1742170513000276.
  17. Griffin G, J, L. (1980). Synthetic polymers and the living environment. Pure Appl Chem. 52:399–407.
  18. Gu, J.D., Ford, T.E., Mitton, D.B., Mitchell, R. (2000). Microbial corrosion of metals. In: Revie W, editor. The Uhlig Corrosion Handbook. 2nd Edition. New York: Wiley.915–927.
  19. Guilbert, S., Gontard, N. and Gorris L, G, M. (1996). Prolongation of the shelflife of perishable food products using biodegradable films and coatings. Lebensm Wiss U Technol. 29:10–17
  20. Halley, P., Rutgers, R., Coombs, S., Kettels, J., Gralton, J., Christie, G., Jenkins, M., Beh, H., Griffin, K., Jayasekara, R., and Lonergan, G. (2001). Developing biodegradable mulch films from starch-based polymers. Starch. 53:362–367.
  21. Hemphill, D.D. (1993). Agricultural plastics as solid waste: what are the options for disposal? HortTechnology, 3:70–73.
  22. Hurley, S. (2008). Postconsumer agricultural plastic report. California Environmental Protection Agency, Integrated Waste Management Board.
  23. Jayasekara, R., Harding. I., Bowater, I. and Lornergan, G. (2005). Biodegradability of selected range of polymers and polymer blends. 
  24. Kamal M, R. and Huang, B. (1992). Natural and artificial weathering of polymers. In: Hamid SH, Ami MB, Maadhan AG (eds) Handbook of polymer degradation. Marcel Dekker, New York, pp 127–168.
  25. Kim, H.S., Kim, H.J., Lee, J.W. and Choi, I.G. (2006). Biodegradability of bioflour filled biodegradable poly (butylene succinate) bio composites in natural and compost soil.Polym Degrad Stab. 91 (5):1117–1127.
  26. Kasirajan, S. and Ngouajio, M. (2012). Polyethylene and biodegradable mulches for agricultural applications: a review Agron. Sustain. Dev. (2012). 32:501–529 doi: 10. 1007/s13593- 011-0068-3.
  27. Kathiresan, K. (2003). Polythene and plastics-degrading microbes from the mangrove soil. Rev Biol Trop. 51:3–4.
  28. Lamont, W. J. (2005). Plastics: modifying the microclimate for the production of vegetable crops. HortTechnology. 15:477-481.
  29. Levitan, L. and Barro, A. (2003). Recycling agricultural plastics in New York state. Environmental Risk Analysis Program, Cornell Center for the Environment, CornellUniversity, Ithaca. http://cwmi.css.cornell. edu/recyclingagplastics.pdf.
  30. Liu, E. K., He, W. K. and Yan C. R. (2014). ‘White revolution’ to ‘white pollution’— agricultural plastic film mulch in China Environmental Research Letter9 (2014), 091001 (3pp) doi:10.1088/1748-9326/9/9/091001.
  31. Mooney, B.P. (2009). The second green revolution? Production of plant based biodegradable plastics. Biochem J. 418:219-232.
  32. Moore, J. and Wszelak, A. (2016). Plastic Mulch in Fruit and Vegetable Production: Challenges for Disposal. Report No. FA-    2016-02.biodegradablemulch.org.
  33. Moreno, M. and Moreno, A. (2008). Effect of different biodegradable and polyethylene mulches on soil properties and production in a tomato crop. Scientia Horticulturae. 116:256–263 Retrieved from www.elsevier.com/locate/scihorti
  34. Olsen, J.K. and Gounder, R.K. (2001). Alternatives to polyethylene mulch film: a field assessment of transported materials in capsicum (Capsicum annuum L.). Aust J ExptAgr. 41:93–103.
  35. Pranamuda, H., Chollakup, R. and Tokiwa, T. (1999). Degradation of Polycarbonate by a Polyester-Degrading Strain,    Amycolatopsis sp. Strain HT-6. Appl Environ Microbiol. 65(9): 4220–4222.
  36. Schonbeck, M.W., (1995). Mulching practices and innovations for warm season vegetables in Virginia and neighbouring states. 1. An informal survey of growers VA Assoc. Biol. Farming, Blacksburg, VA, 24pp.
  37. Schonbeck, M.W. and Evanylo, G.K. (1998). Effects of mulches on soil properties and tomato production I. Soil temperature, soil moisture and marketable yield. J Sustain Agric. 13:55–81.
  38. Shogren, R.L. (1999). Preparation and characterization of a biodegradable mulch: paper coated with polymerized vegetable oils. J Appl Polym Sci. 73:921–967.
  39. Shrogen, R.L. (2000). Biodegradable mulches from renewable resources. J. Sustain. Agr. 16:33-47.
  40. Smith, A. (1931). Effect of paper mulches on soil temperature, soil moisture and yields of crops. Hilgardia. 61:592–601.
  41. Springman, R. (2014). Agricultural plastics: Turning the corner to sustainability. April 25, 2014 presentation at Illinois Sustainable Technology Center. http://www.istc.illinois. edu/about/seminarpresentations/20140425.pdf
  42. Srinidhi, A and Nazareth, D. (2018). Beating plastic pollution in agriculture – World Environment Day special.Beating plastic pollution in agriculture – World Environment Day special Swift, G. (1997). Non-medical biodegradable polymers: environmentally degradable polymers. In: Domb AJ, Kost K, Wiseman DM (eds) Handbook of biodegradable polymers. Harwood Academic, Amsterdam, pp 473–511.
  43. Tomita, K., Kuraki, Y. and Nagai, K. (1999). Isolation of thermophiles degradating poly (L-lactic acid). J Biosci Bioeng. 8:752-755.
  44. Torres, A., Li, S., Roussos,S. and Vert, M. (1996). Screening of microorganisms for biodegradation of poly (lactic acid) and lactic acid-containing polymers. Appl Environ Microbiol.    62:2393–2397.
  45. Valavanidis, A., N. Iliopoulos, G. Gotsis and K. Fiotakis. (2008). Persistent free radicals, heavy metals and PAHs generated in particulate soot emissions and residue ash from controlled combustion of common types of plastic. Journal of Hazardous Materials. 156(1–3): 277–84.
  46. Waterer, D. (2010). Evaluation of biodegradable mulches for production of warm season vegetable crops. Can J Plant Sci. 90:737–743.
  47. Wang, Y.Z., Yang, K.K., Wang, X.L., Zhou, Q., Zheng, C.Y. and Chen Z, F. (2004). Agricultural application and environmental degradation of photo biodegradablelyethylenemulching films. J Polym Environ. 12:7–10. 
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    Research Article

    volume 40 issue 4 (december 2019) : 314-318,   Doi: 10.18805/ag.R-1913

    Plastic Mulch Pollution and Introduction of Biodegradable Plastic Mulches – A Review

    V
    V.U. Divya
    N
    N.C. Sarkar
    1Department of Agronomy, Visva-Bharati University, Sriniketan-731 236, West Bengal, India.
    Cite article:- Divya V.U., Sarkar N.C. (2019). Plastic Mulch Pollution and Introduction of Biodegradable Plastic Mulches – A Review. Agricultural Reviews. 40(4): 314-318. doi: 10.18805/ag.R-1913.

    ABSTRACT

    The use of plastic mulch in agriculture has increased dramatically in the last 10 years throughout the world. The adverse effects of plastic mulch pollution in agriculture forced the scientists to search for alternatives. Studies in Xinjiang showed that residual plastic film mulch levels of 200 kg m-2 in the topsoil (0–20 cm) affected the emergence rate of cotton seeds and reduced cotton production by 15%. Soil mulching for 5–20 consecutive years led to a 122–146% increase in the salt content of the topsoil. Efficiency of both plastic mulches and biodegradable mulches compared in terms of crop production, period of weed control, etc.

    REFERENCES

    1. Anonymous (2002). Biodegradable plastics—developments and environmental impacts.
    2. Briassoulis, D., M. Hiskakis, E. Babou, S.K. Antiohos and C. Papadi. (2012). Experimental investigation of the quality characteristics of agricultural plastic wastes regarding their recycling and energy recovery potential. Waste Management. 32(6): 1075–90.
    3. China Agricultural Statistical Yearbook, (2011). https://en.m. wikipedia.org/wiki/Mulch www.ams.usda.gov/nop
    4. Anderson, D.F., Garisto, M.A., Bourrut, J.C., Schonbeck, M.W., Jaye, R., Wurzberger A. and De Gregorio, R. (1995). Evaluation of a paper mulch made from recycled materials as an alternative to plastic film mulch for vegetables. Journal of Sustainable Agriculture. 7:39–61.
    5. Anzalone, A., Cirujeda, A., Aibar, J., Pardo, G. and Zaragoza., C. (2010). Effect of biodegradable mulch materials on weed control in processing tomatoes. Weed Technology. 24(3):369–377.
    6. Barlaz, M.A., Ham, R.K. and Schaefer, D.M. (1989). Mass-balance analysis of anaerobically decomposed refuse. J Environ Eng. 115:1088–1102.
    7. Briassoulis, D. (2006). Mechanical behaviour of biodegradable agricultural films under real field conditions. Polym. Degrad. Stabil. 91: 1256–1272.
    8. Clarke, S.P. (1996). Recycling farm plastic films fact sheet. http:// www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/engineer/facts/95-019.htm. 
    9. Debeaufort, F., Quezada-Gallo, J.A., and Voilley, A. (1998). Edible films and coatings: tomorrow’s packagings: a review. Crit Rev Food SciNutr. 38(4):299–313.
    10. Doi,Y. (1990). Microbial polyesters. VCH, New York.
    11. De Prisco, N., Immirzi, B., Malinconico, M., Mormile., Petti, L. and Gatta, G. (2002). Preparation, physico-chemical characterization and optical analysis of polyvinyl alcohol-based films suitable for protected cultivation. J Appl Polym Sci. 86:622–632.
    12. Felton, R. (2016). Detroit incinerator is hotspot for health problems, environmentalists claim. https://www.theguardian.com/    us-news/2016/oct/23/detroit-garbage-incinerator-pollution- healthproblems-environmentalists.
    13. Feuilloley, P., Cesar, L., Benguigui, L., Grohens,Y., Pillin, I., Bewa, H., Lefaux,S. and Jamal, M .(2005). Degradation of polyethylene designed for agricultural purposes. J Polym Environ. 13:349–355.
    14. Fukuzaki, H., Yoshida, M., Asano, M. and Kumakura, M. (1989). Synthesis of copoly (D, L-lactic acid) with relative low molecular weight and in vitro degradation. Eur Polym J. 25:1019–1026.
    15. Garthe, J. W. and Kowal, P.D. (1993). Resource recovery: Turning waste into energy. University Park, Pa.: Penn State Agricultural Sciences Cooperative Extension.
    16. Goldberger, J., Emmet, R., Jones, Miles, C., Wallace., R and Inglis, D. (2013). Barriers and bridges to the adoption of biodegradable plastic mulches for US specialty crop production. Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems. 30(2): 143–153 doi:10.1017/S1742170513000276.
    17. Griffin G, J, L. (1980). Synthetic polymers and the living environment. Pure Appl Chem. 52:399–407.
    18. Gu, J.D., Ford, T.E., Mitton, D.B., Mitchell, R. (2000). Microbial corrosion of metals. In: Revie W, editor. The Uhlig Corrosion Handbook. 2nd Edition. New York: Wiley.915–927.
    19. Guilbert, S., Gontard, N. and Gorris L, G, M. (1996). Prolongation of the shelflife of perishable food products using biodegradable films and coatings. Lebensm Wiss U Technol. 29:10–17
    20. Halley, P., Rutgers, R., Coombs, S., Kettels, J., Gralton, J., Christie, G., Jenkins, M., Beh, H., Griffin, K., Jayasekara, R., and Lonergan, G. (2001). Developing biodegradable mulch films from starch-based polymers. Starch. 53:362–367.
    21. Hemphill, D.D. (1993). Agricultural plastics as solid waste: what are the options for disposal? HortTechnology, 3:70–73.
    22. Hurley, S. (2008). Postconsumer agricultural plastic report. California Environmental Protection Agency, Integrated Waste Management Board.
    23. Jayasekara, R., Harding. I., Bowater, I. and Lornergan, G. (2005). Biodegradability of selected range of polymers and polymer blends. 
    24. Kamal M, R. and Huang, B. (1992). Natural and artificial weathering of polymers. In: Hamid SH, Ami MB, Maadhan AG (eds) Handbook of polymer degradation. Marcel Dekker, New York, pp 127–168.
    25. Kim, H.S., Kim, H.J., Lee, J.W. and Choi, I.G. (2006). Biodegradability of bioflour filled biodegradable poly (butylene succinate) bio composites in natural and compost soil.Polym Degrad Stab. 91 (5):1117–1127.
    26. Kasirajan, S. and Ngouajio, M. (2012). Polyethylene and biodegradable mulches for agricultural applications: a review Agron. Sustain. Dev. (2012). 32:501–529 doi: 10. 1007/s13593- 011-0068-3.
    27. Kathiresan, K. (2003). Polythene and plastics-degrading microbes from the mangrove soil. Rev Biol Trop. 51:3–4.
    28. Lamont, W. J. (2005). Plastics: modifying the microclimate for the production of vegetable crops. HortTechnology. 15:477-481.
    29. Levitan, L. and Barro, A. (2003). Recycling agricultural plastics in New York state. Environmental Risk Analysis Program, Cornell Center for the Environment, CornellUniversity, Ithaca. http://cwmi.css.cornell. edu/recyclingagplastics.pdf.
    30. Liu, E. K., He, W. K. and Yan C. R. (2014). ‘White revolution’ to ‘white pollution’— agricultural plastic film mulch in China Environmental Research Letter9 (2014), 091001 (3pp) doi:10.1088/1748-9326/9/9/091001.
    31. Mooney, B.P. (2009). The second green revolution? Production of plant based biodegradable plastics. Biochem J. 418:219-232.
    32. Moore, J. and Wszelak, A. (2016). Plastic Mulch in Fruit and Vegetable Production: Challenges for Disposal. Report No. FA-    2016-02.biodegradablemulch.org.
    33. Moreno, M. and Moreno, A. (2008). Effect of different biodegradable and polyethylene mulches on soil properties and production in a tomato crop. Scientia Horticulturae. 116:256–263 Retrieved from www.elsevier.com/locate/scihorti
    34. Olsen, J.K. and Gounder, R.K. (2001). Alternatives to polyethylene mulch film: a field assessment of transported materials in capsicum (Capsicum annuum L.). Aust J ExptAgr. 41:93–103.
    35. Pranamuda, H., Chollakup, R. and Tokiwa, T. (1999). Degradation of Polycarbonate by a Polyester-Degrading Strain,    Amycolatopsis sp. Strain HT-6. Appl Environ Microbiol. 65(9): 4220–4222.
    36. Schonbeck, M.W., (1995). Mulching practices and innovations for warm season vegetables in Virginia and neighbouring states. 1. An informal survey of growers VA Assoc. Biol. Farming, Blacksburg, VA, 24pp.
    37. Schonbeck, M.W. and Evanylo, G.K. (1998). Effects of mulches on soil properties and tomato production I. Soil temperature, soil moisture and marketable yield. J Sustain Agric. 13:55–81.
    38. Shogren, R.L. (1999). Preparation and characterization of a biodegradable mulch: paper coated with polymerized vegetable oils. J Appl Polym Sci. 73:921–967.
    39. Shrogen, R.L. (2000). Biodegradable mulches from renewable resources. J. Sustain. Agr. 16:33-47.
    40. Smith, A. (1931). Effect of paper mulches on soil temperature, soil moisture and yields of crops. Hilgardia. 61:592–601.
    41. Springman, R. (2014). Agricultural plastics: Turning the corner to sustainability. April 25, 2014 presentation at Illinois Sustainable Technology Center. http://www.istc.illinois. edu/about/seminarpresentations/20140425.pdf
    42. Srinidhi, A and Nazareth, D. (2018). Beating plastic pollution in agriculture – World Environment Day special.Beating plastic pollution in agriculture – World Environment Day special Swift, G. (1997). Non-medical biodegradable polymers: environmentally degradable polymers. In: Domb AJ, Kost K, Wiseman DM (eds) Handbook of biodegradable polymers. Harwood Academic, Amsterdam, pp 473–511.
    43. Tomita, K., Kuraki, Y. and Nagai, K. (1999). Isolation of thermophiles degradating poly (L-lactic acid). J Biosci Bioeng. 8:752-755.
    44. Torres, A., Li, S., Roussos,S. and Vert, M. (1996). Screening of microorganisms for biodegradation of poly (lactic acid) and lactic acid-containing polymers. Appl Environ Microbiol.    62:2393–2397.
    45. Valavanidis, A., N. Iliopoulos, G. Gotsis and K. Fiotakis. (2008). Persistent free radicals, heavy metals and PAHs generated in particulate soot emissions and residue ash from controlled combustion of common types of plastic. Journal of Hazardous Materials. 156(1–3): 277–84.
    46. Waterer, D. (2010). Evaluation of biodegradable mulches for production of warm season vegetable crops. Can J Plant Sci. 90:737–743.
    47. Wang, Y.Z., Yang, K.K., Wang, X.L., Zhou, Q., Zheng, C.Y. and Chen Z, F. (2004). Agricultural application and environmental degradation of photo biodegradablelyethylenemulching films. J Polym Environ. 12:7–10. 
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