The role of degradable polymers in agricultural systems

Summary

The longstanding practice of mulching has undergone considerable development since the introduction of plastics materials to replace natural products.

The introduction of photo-biodegradable plastic films substantially prevents the problems commonly arising from the use of other, non-speciality plastic products, thus extending the agricultural benefits and environmental compatibility of this technique in mechanical harvesting of herbaceous crops.

Research in this field has shown that it is possible to regulate the degradation times of the plastic films to meet the requirements of the crops involved. Moreover, it has been demonstrated that the degradation residues are neither pollutants, nor are they noxious to the crops concerned.