Biodegradable mulch film is considered a promising alternative to traditional plastic mulch film. However, biodegradable mulch film-derived microplastics (BMPs) in the environment have been reported as carriers for herbicides. Particularly in agricultural settings, limited attention has been given to the abiotic and biological aging processes of BMPs, as well as the herbicides adsorption mechanisms and associated health risks of BMPs. This study investigated the adsorption behaviors and mechanisms of mesotrione on both virgin and aged polylactic acid (PLA)/poly (butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) BMPs, and further evaluated their bioaccessibilities in gastrointestinal fluids. A variety of physical and chemical methods, including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), revealed increased roughness, generation of oxygen-containing functional groups, and higher O/C ratios of PLA/ PBAT BMPs after ultraviolet (UV) and microbial aging processes. Both UV aging and microbial aging significantly enhanced the adsorption levels of mesotrione on PLA and PBAT BMPs by approximately two-fold, driven by pore filling, hydrogen bonding, and it-it conjugation. The adsorption capacity of mesotrione on BMPs decreased with the pH from 3.0 to 11.0, which was involved by electrostatic interactions. In addition, salt ionic strength (Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Fe3+) generally inhibited the adsorption due to ions competition for adsorption sites. Notably, mesotrione exhibited high bioaccessibility when adsorbed onto BMPs, with aged BMPs exhibiting greater desorption quantities in gastrointestinal fluids compared to virgin BMPs. These findings provide effective insights into the potential health threats posed by BMPs carrying herbicides in the environment and offer applicable guidance for managing and remediating composite pollution involving BMPs and adsorbed contaminants.

Mulching films serve various functions, such as temperature regulation, moisture retention, and weed suppression. They can substantially increase crop yields and are widely adopted in agricultural practices. However, the use of traditional plastic mulch films is limited by their difficult recycling processes and poor biodegradability, leading to soil contamination and negatively affecting crop growth. Consequently, eco-friendly alternatives are gaining attention as replacements for conventional petroleum-based films in agricultural applications. Enhancing the performance of these eco-friendly films remains a crucial challenge. Traditional polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) films have inherent limitations, including low mechanical strength and poor water resistance. In this work, a PVA/sodium alginate (SA)/glycerol (GLY)/glutaraldehyde (GA) film was prepared that is biodegradable, demonstrates superior mechanical properties, and offers exceptional transparency through glutaraldehyde crosslinking. The impact of GA on films was examined using characterization techniques. The findings revealed that the composite film has a uniform, compact surface with no observable holes or aggregation. The mechanical performance and water vapor barrier properties (WVP) of the film were significantly enhanced after GA crosslinking. The tensile strength and elongation at the break of the PVA/SA/GLY/GA film reached 33.73 MPa and 362.89%, respectively. This work offers a straightforward approach to the development of sustainable agricultural materials.

The generation of polyethylene mulch film (PEMF) has promoted the rapid development of agriculture, while the non-degradability of it has caused the serious damage for the ecological environment. Currently, the biodegradable mulch film is considered as the most promising green substitutes for petroleum-based PEMF, owing to its environmental friendliness and biodegradability. Hence, this study fabricated a biodegradable mulch film (PSGA) through the crosslink (the esterification/amidation reactions and hydrogen bonds) between polylactic acid waste liquid (PLAWL) and sodium alginate (SA)/gum arabic (GA). Then attapulgite (ATP) was added to improve the mechanical properties. Therein, PLAWL was a kind of waste liquid from the fabrication process of polylactic acid (PLA) based on straw. At the same time, PSGA had similar insulation and water retention performance to PEMF and great UV resistance, thermal stability, and hydrophilicity surface. Additionally, pot experiment showed that PSGA could significantly promote the growth of Chinese white cabbage and the degradability ratio of that could reach 50% in a month. The total amounts of Rhizobiaceae (Ensifer and Allorhizobium-Neorhizobium-Pararhizobium, fixing free nitrogen gas and providing nitrogen nutrients for plants) in soil with PSGA was 12%, which was obviously higher than that in blank (4.5%). Therefore, this study provides a high-value recycling route for industrial waste liquid, offering an alternative solution to PEMF.

Microplastic pollution from the agriculture industry presents a growing environmental and public health concern, driven in part by the widespread use of poly(ethylene) (PE)-based mulch. While plastic mulch is essential for sustaining an increasing global population, its contribution to microplastic pollution necessitates alternative solutions. This work addresses the urgent need for biodegradable mulches (BDMs) that match the performance of traditional PE films. A comprehensive methodology is proposed for the development and characterization of novel BDM formulations, informed by scientific literature, regulatory guidelines, commercial practices, and industry standards. The proposed approach emphasizes scalable formulation and processing of biodegradable polymer feedstocks, avoiding toxic solvents through thermal blending. For laboratory-scale production, hot melt pressing and blow film molding techniques are highlighted for their ability to produce uniform and reproducible films. Uniaxial mechanical testing of dog bone-shaped samples is recommended for rapid performance screening against industry benchmarks while film stability, water absorption, and biodegradation are evaluated under simulated agricultural conditions. Analytical techniques such as thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry are employed to characterize key properties, ensuring that the developed BDMs align with practical and environmental demands.

To enhance the barrier performance of biomass films, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) was combined with montmorillonite (MMT) modified by stearyltrimethylammonium bromide (STAB) and loaded with Fe3O4 particles as a nano-filler, and a CMC/m-OMMT mulch film was fabricated using magnetic field orientation. The characterization of m-OMMT was conducted through Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM), which confirmed the successful intercalation of STAB into the MMT structure, along with the effective loading of Fe3O4 particles onto the MMT matrix. A comprehensive investigation into the mechanical properties of CMC/m-OMMT films revealed that, in the dry state, the films exhibited a tensile strength of 29 MPa and an elongation at break of 64 %. A series of barrier performance tests were conducted on the films. The findings demonstrated that the incorporation of MMT and the application of a magnetic field substantially enhanced the water contact angle, increasing it from 86 degrees to 112 degrees. Additionally, water vapor permeability increased by approximately 30 %, soil erosion was reduced by about 22 %, and UV resistance was notably improved by 94 %. Moreover, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and biodegradation tests on the CMC/m-OMMT/40mT films revealed that the magnetic field effectively oriented the MMT nanosheets within the composite matrix. This study presents a novel approach for enhancing the barrier properties of biomass-based mulch films.

Microplastic contamination of low-density polyethylene mulch and nutrient loss from fertilizers present significant challenges in the crop-growing. In this study, the focus was on creating a biodegradable film that combines the advantages of plastic film, thermal insulation and water retention, as well as the controlled release of fertilizer. A key innovation was the efficient introduction of low molecular weight and low dispersibility of poplar lignin into chitosan and polyvinyl alcohol matrices. The lignin was extracted using deep eutectic solvents of binary carboxylic acids (choline chloride and maleic acid). The refined lignin was used as a superhydrophobic additive to improve the mechanical properties, hydrophobicity, and controlled nutrient release properties of the films through cross-linking. The mulch attained a tensile strength of 37.6 MPa, an elongation of 644.1 %, and a precise release of 53.1 % urea over 30 d at the ideal lignin content ratio (10 %). Furthermore, the film proficiently regulated soil temperature and moisture content. Successful enhancement of cabbage growth was achieved by actual measurements. This discovery provides innovative ideas for the development of nutrient slow- release high-strength integrated agricultural mulching films to promote sustainable, high-quality green agriculture.

Carbendazim (CBZ) is a highly effective benzimidazole fungicide; however, its excessive use poses significant risks to the environment and nontarget organisms. To mitigate this issue, in this study, we developed environmentally friendly antifungal mulch films that exhibited controlled CBZ release. The films were prepared using a tape-casting technique, incorporating 21.32 % CBZ-loaded halloysite nanotubes, ultramicrocrushed sorghum straw powder, corn starch, polyvinyl alcohol, and glycerol. This unique combination not only enhanced the environmental compatibility of the films but also leveraged the synergistic properties of the components. The resulting mulch films had excellent mechanical properties (maximum tensile load of 28.9 N) and barrier performance (water vapor transmission rate of 253.22 g/(m2 & sdot;d)), fully complying with the Chinese standard for biodegradable agricultural mulch films (GB/T 35795-2017). Additionally, the films demonstrated remarkable antifungal efficacy and controlled-release behavior, following a first-order release model with a cumulative release rate of 81.43 % CBZ over 18 d. The novelty of this study lies in the integration of CBZ-loaded halloysite nanotubes with a biodegradable matrix to develop multifunctional mulch films that combine antifungal performance, environmental protection, and agricultural sustainability. The controlled release of CBZ reduces its loss and excess release in soil, addressing pollution concerns and minimizing environmental risks. Thus, this study provides insight into the design of advanced agricultural materials that align with global sustainable development goals.

Extensively used plastic mulch film causes tremendous environmental pollution. Developing biodegradable mulch film represents an emerging demand for future agriculture. Bone gelatin (BG) has emerged as promising candidates in the field of biodegradable agricultural mulch film due to its eco-friendly and biodegradable attributes, yet the terrible mechanical properties and hydrophobicity are great challenges. Here, aminodimethylsiloxane/POSS polymer/bone gelatin (PDMS-NH2/PAH/BG) mulch film was prepared by incorporated POSS-allyl glycidyl ether hydroxyethyl acrylate polymer (PAH polymer) and aminodimethylsiloxane (PDMSNH2) into the BG. The effect of PDMS-NH2 dosages on performances of PDMS-NH2/PAH/BG mulch film was explored. When the PDMS-NH2 dosage was 4 %, the mulch film had a water contact angle (WCA) of 128 +/- 1 degrees, tensile strength (TS) of 5.93 +/- 0.81 MPa, and elongation at break (EAB) of 361.38 +/- 25.04 %. After being buried in the soil for 60 days, the degradation rate of mulch film reached 78 %. Additionally, it also had favourable light transmission, water vapor barrier and moisture retention and insulation performance. Pot experiment showed that the wheat seeds germination rate covered mulch film was 98 % and it could promote the growth of seedlings. The results indicated that PDMS-NH2/PAH/BG mulch film could serve as a biodegradable mulch film to boost crop yields, inspiring advancements in green ecological agriculture.

Numerous studies have been conducted to investigate the impact of microplastics on soil eco-system, yet little attention has been given to the specific effects of mulch microplastics and the leaching of plastic additives from mulch films. This review inspects the propensity of commonly used plastic additives in mulch films, such as Di(2ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), bisphenol A (BPA), and benzophenones (BPs), to migrate into soils and pose potential risks to soil biota. Further, we highlight the degradation of non-biodegradable plastic mulch films over time, which leads to an increase in the release of plastic additives and microplastics into agricultural soils. DEHP has been detected in high concentrations for example 25.2 mg/kg in agricultural soils, indicating a potential risk of uptake, translocation and accumulation in plants, ultimately altering soil physicochemical properties and affecting soil microflora and invertebrates. The review also explores how exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation and microbial activities accelerates the weathering of mulch films. Moreover, the resultant plastic additives and mulch microplastics can lead to genotoxicity and growth inhibition in earthworms (Eisenia fetida) and negatively impact the soil microbiome. Despite the significant implications, there has been a lack of comprehensive reviews comparing the effects of non-biodegradable mulch film additives on agricultural soil flora and fauna. Therefore, this review addresses the knowledge gaps providing a bibliometric analysis and eco-toxicological evaluation, discussing the challenges and future perspectives regarding mulch plastic additives and microplastics, thus offering a comprehensive understanding of their impact.

In this paper, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and hemicellulose derived from water hyacinth were used to prepare hemicellulose-based biodegradable mulch film by covalent cross-linking and ionic cross-linking in order to expand its application in agricultural production practice. The esterification reaction between hemicellulose, CMC and citric acid resulted in an increase in tensile strength and elongation at break of the membranes. When citric acid was not used as cross-linking agent and the pH was lowered, the sodium carboxylate group was protonated into carboxylic acid group, which provided abundant active sites for chemical cross-linking of hydroxyl group on hemicellulose and hydroxyl group on CMC. Furthermore Zn2+ could cross-link with carboxylic acid group through hydrogen bonding, and when the DS of carboxymethyl group was high, the cross-linking of Zn2+ with Zn2+ was higher, and the conversion into nano ZnO was lower, which was conducive to the uniform distribution and reduction of agglomeration phenomenon in the films. It is favorable for its uniform distribution in the film and reduces the agglomeration phenomenon. The mulch films made from water hyacinth has excellent mechanical properties, light transmittance, water absorption, soil moisture retention and heat preservation, and is biodegradable. This study will provide new ideas for water pollution control and farmland pollution for sustainable agricultural production.