Polyethylene (PE) mulch needs to be removed from the field at the end of the growing season. Even though PE mulch is removed, fragments usually remain causing concerns about soil health. Soil-biodegradable mulch (BDM) is designed to be tilled into the soil at the end of the season. Fragments of BDM still remain in the soil as it degrades and there is concern that these residual fragments could also impact soil health. Studies to date show that BDMs do not have immediate negative impacts on soil health. However, the potential for long term effects need to be studied.
Reports
Scientific Publications
- Reliability of Soil Sampling Method to Assess Visible Biodegradable Mulch Fragments Remaining in the Field after Soil Incorporation. Ghimire, S., A.M. Saxton, A.L. Wszelaki, J.C. Moore, and C. A. Miles. 2017. HortTechnology 27:650-658.
- Sintim, H., A. Bary, D. Hayes, L. Wadsworth, M. Anunciado, M. English, S. Bandopadhyay, S. Schaeffer; J. DeBruyn, C. Miles, J. Reganold, M. Flury. 2020 In situ degradation of biodegradable plastic mulch films in compost and agricultural soils. Total Environ. 727:138668 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.138668
- Visual assessments of biodegradable mulch deterioration are not indicative of mulch degradation. Cowan, J., A. Saxton, H. Liu, K. Leonas, D. Inglis, and C. Miles. 2016. HortScience 51:245-254.
- Impacts of biodegradable plastic mulches on soil health. Sintim, H.Y., S. Bandopadhyay, M.E. English, A.I. Bary, J.M. DeBruyn, S.M. Schaeffer, C.A. Miles, J.P. Reganold, M. Flury. 2019. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment 273(2019): 36-49.
- Policy considerations for limiting unintended residual plastic in agricultural soils. Brodhagen, M., J.R. Goldberger, D.G. Hayes, D.A. Inglis, T.L. Marsh, and C. Miles. 2017. Environ. Sci. Policy, 69:81–84.
- Release of micro- and nanoparticles from biodegradable plastic during in situ composting. Sintim, H., A. Bary, D. Hayes, M. English, S. Schaeffer, C. Miles, A. Zelenyuk, K. Suski, and M. Flury. 2019. System for Science of the Total Environment 675:686–693.
- Effects of biodegradable mulch on soil quality. Li C., J. Moore-Kucera, J. Lee, A. Corbin, M. Brodhagen, C. Miles, and D. Inglis. 2014. Applied Soil Ecology 79:59-69.
- Native soil fungi associated with compostable plastics in three contrasting agricultural settings. Moore-Kucera, J., S.B. Cox, M. Peyron, G. Bailes, K. Kinloch, K. Karich, C. Miles, D.A. Inglis, and M. Brodhagen. 2014. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology 98(14): 6467-6485.
- Modeling the effect of biodegradable paper and plastic mulch on soil moisture dynamics. Saglam, M., H.Y. Sintim, A.I. Bary, C.A. Miles, S. Ghimire, D.A. Inglis, M. Flury. 2017. Agric. Water Manage. 193: 240-250 https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/agiwat/v193y2017icp240-250.html