an official journal of: published by:
an official journal of: published by:
Editor in Chief: RAFFAELLO COSSU
Home

 

GO TO

REDUCING THE EFFECTS OF PLASTIC WASTE IN AGRICULTURAL APPLICATIONS BY DEVELOPING NEW OK SOIL BIODEGRADABLE PLASTICS

  • Carolina Peñalva - Polígono Empresarium, AITIIP, Centro Tecnológico, Spain
  • Marta Pérez - Parque Científico Tecnológico Aula Dei, Spain
  • Francesca Braca - Laboratori ARCHA, Italy
  • Diego Redondo - Estación Experimental de Aula Dei, Spain

DOI 10.31025/2611-4135/2020.14023

Released under CC BY-NC-ND

Copyright: © 2020 CISA Publisher

Abstract

Current intensive farming practices require the use of large quantities of mulching film and fruit protection bags since they prevent the growth of weeds, regulate soil temperature, retain water and nutrients and protect crops from insects. For these practices, single-use conventional non-degradable polymers are used, creating a serious problem of waste management since it is time-consuming, expensive to recycle and, more importantly, is non-environmentally friendly contaminating the environment. By using biodegradable plastics, this problem could be solved by preventing the creation of waste. The objectives of our study were to produce an innovative biobased and biodegradable plastic film that entirely biodegrades in natural conditions on the field within a short time after their usage and to know it effects in tomato and peach crops. For this purpose, films have been produced for biomulching to which specific oligo elements has been added to test in tomato crops and for biobags to protect the fruits from insects and improve quality at harvest in peaches. Tests carried out on tomato showed that, these bioplastics improved soil quality by increasing (up to 13%) the concentration of oligo elements and by decreasing (65%) blossom end rot. In the case of peaches, by using biobags, a uniform colour (without red blush), a required characteristic in this type of commodity (Protected Designation of Origin ‘Calanda’) was obtained, with a decrease in both a* colour coordinate (more than 2 points) and carotenoid content (more than 3 µg g-1 fw). Moreover, bioplastics degrade completely after 6 within the soil.

Keywords

Editorial History

  • Received: 07 Jan 2020
  • Revised: 21 May 2020
  • Accepted: 05 Jun 2020
  • Available online: 05 Oct 2020

References

Agricultural Films., 2017. Plasteurope.com

Cowan, J.S., Inglis, D.A., and Miles, C.A., 2013. Deterioration of three potentially biodegradable plastic mulches before and after soil incorporation in a broccoli field production system in Northwestern Washington. Hort Technology. 23 (6), 849-858

European Commission, 2014. “Towards a Circular Economy”

Hernández, T., Chocano, C., Moreno, J.L., and García, C., 2016. Use of compost as an alternative to conventional inorganic fertilizers in intensive lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) crops: Effects on soil and plant. Soil and Tillage Research. 160, 14-22.
DOI 10.1016/j.still.2016.02.005

Kader, M.A., Senge, M., Mojid, M.A., and Ito, K., 2017. Recent advances in mulching materials and methods for modifying soil environment. Soil and Tillage Research. 168, 155-166.
DOI 10.1016/j.still.2017.01.001

Kasirajan, S., and Ngouajio, M., 2012. Polyethylene and biodegradable mulches for agricultural applications: a review. Agron. Sustain. Dev. 32, 501-529.
DOI 10.1007/s13593-011-0068-3

Malinconico, M., Immirzi, B., Santagata, G., Schettini, E., Vox, G., and Mugnozza, G.S., 2008. An overview on innovative biodegradable materials for agricultural applications. In Progress in Polymer Degradation and Stability Research, H.W. Moeller, eds. (Nova Science Publishers), p. 69-114

Martín-Closas, L., Pelacho, A.M., Picuno, P., and Rodríguez, D., 2008. Properties of new biodegradable plastics for mulching, and characterization of their degradation in the laboratory and in the field. Acta Hortic. 801, 275-282.
DOI 10.17660/ActaHortic.2008.801.27

Mormile, P., Petti, L., Rippa, M., Immirzi, B., Malinconico, M., and Santagata, G., 2007. Monitoring of the degradation dynamics of agricultural films by IR thermography. Polymer Degradation and Stability. 92, 777-784.
DOI 10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2007.02.015

Sharma, R.R., Reddy, S.V.R., and Jhalegar, M.J., 2014. Pre-harvest fruit bagging: a useful approach for plant protection and improved post-harvest fruit quality-a review. J. Hortic. Sci. Biotechnol. 89 (2), 101–113.
DOI 10.1080/14620316.2014.11513055

Steinmetz, Z., Wollmann, C., Schaefer, M., Buchmann, C., David, J., Tröger, J., Muñoz, K., Frör, O., and Schaumann, G.E., 2016. Plastic mulching in agriculture. Trading short-term agronomic benefits for long-term soil degradation? Science of the Total Environment. 550, 690-705

Vitova, K., 2015. Plastic Films at the Root of Efficient and Sustainable Agriculture. In International Industry Conference on Silage, Mulch, Greenhouse and Tunnel Films Used in Agriculture, Barcelona, Spain

Related Contents