The global market for Biodegradable
Mulch Film is projected to reach US$63.2 million by 2025, driven by growing
concerns over the impact of agricultural production on climate change. Carbon footprint
of crops includes direct soil and indirect soil N2O emissions; soil carbon
change; CO2 fertilizer and machinery manufacturing; CO2 field operations; CO2
on-farm transport, among others. With
agriculture contributing to over 20.4% of global man made greenhouse gas (GHG)
emissions worldwide, pressure is mounting on the agricultural sector to minimize
its role in climate change. Mulching as a practice gained significance over the
last two decades due to benefits such as increase in soil temperature, reduced
weed growth, moisture conservation, reduction of certain insect pests, higher
crop yields, efficient use of soil nutrients and increased water use efficiency
in farmlands. However, unsafe disposal of used plastic films has created an
huge environmental burden requiring immediate remediation. Soil emission is the
one the biggest areas of concern with plastic mulching identified as the chief cause
of increased soil CO2 concentration and emissions. Plastic film-mulched field
plots tend to have higher carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrous oxide (N2O)
concentrations. The scenario is driving special interest in biodegradable plastic and paper mulch films. Biodegradable
mulch offers several benefits such as eco-friendliness and sustainability when compared
to polyethylene (PE) mulch; least impact on soil biological and biogeochemical
processes; reduced risk of microbial community changes and functioning via
microclimate modification; elimination of labor costs and landfill disposal
fees associated with removing and disposing PE mulch; lower environmental
burden when compared to on-farm burning and stockpiling issues associated with PE
mulches; cost effective, easy application, zero toxic residues in the soil and
ensures agroecosystem sustainability. Read More…
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