Mulch films are the major cause of plastic contamination in agricultural soils. The need to face declining soil quality due to non-biodegradable plastic debris has pushed researches in search of novel bio-based biodegradable films for use as soil mulching (BPMFs) in agriculture. This matter has become more urgent since 2020 because of the further increase of carbon footprint of plastics due to the existing pandemic outbreak. Unlike low density polyethylene mulches (LDPMs), BPMFs are tilled into the soil at the end of their lifetime, where they undergo physical degradation by soil fauna and mineralization by microbial communities. However, uncertainty remains about a comprehensive assessment of the ecotoxicological responses, and the impact on soil properties and crops after BPMFs incorporation. Being a source of organic C, BPMFs can affect the C:N:P Redfield ratio once incorporated into the soil, with a consequent imbalance of nutrient cycling and altered soil functioning. The core idea of the MULCHING+ project is the preparation of innovative BPMFs made up of cellulose and chitosan enriched with N and P so that soluble nutrients are being released upon their biodegradation in soil, thus maintaining C-resources and soil fertility. Moreover, beneficial microorganisms selected from soil and earthworms’ gut will be sprayed on BPMFs at the end of their lifetime to speed-up the biodegradation process. To gain an in-depth assessment of the BPMFs impact on the soil-plant system, newly synthetized BPMFs will be investigated using micro- and mesocosm units to monitor (i) fate of C, N and P also by stable isotopes, (ii) changes in chemical and biochemical soil properties, (iii) shifts in microarthropods and (iv) prokaryotic soil communities, (v) variations in horticultural crop growth and yield. Finally, innovative BPMFs will be evaluated using the LCA and LCC methodology, within the context of the circular economy thinking. Three academic research units (Reggio Calabria and Ferrara coordinated by Palermo) will be jointly involved in the project and will collaborate synergistically to offer a multidisciplinary approach. All partners have the required expertise and the necessary equipment to fulfil the project’s tasks. Moreover, external advices are forecasted to address specific technically related aspects. MULCHING+ results are expected to have valuable impacts for sustainable horticulture and environmental quality. The outcomes will raise the interest of the industries to expand their offer of eco-sustainable products for soil mulching. Farmers will gain economic benefits due to minor costs for LDPMs removal, gradual decrease of synthetic fertilizers supply, maintenance of adequate soil fertility level and environmental quality, thus increasing their competitiveness. An integrated approach for strategic dissemination of the MULCHING+ project results will be properly designed to maximize its outreach and make it a relevant profitable investment.
Soil biodegradation of nutrients enriched cellulose- and chitosan-derived mulching films for sustainable horticulture (Acronym: MULCHING+)
silvia rita stazi
2022
Abstract
Mulch films are the major cause of plastic contamination in agricultural soils. The need to face declining soil quality due to non-biodegradable plastic debris has pushed researches in search of novel bio-based biodegradable films for use as soil mulching (BPMFs) in agriculture. This matter has become more urgent since 2020 because of the further increase of carbon footprint of plastics due to the existing pandemic outbreak. Unlike low density polyethylene mulches (LDPMs), BPMFs are tilled into the soil at the end of their lifetime, where they undergo physical degradation by soil fauna and mineralization by microbial communities. However, uncertainty remains about a comprehensive assessment of the ecotoxicological responses, and the impact on soil properties and crops after BPMFs incorporation. Being a source of organic C, BPMFs can affect the C:N:P Redfield ratio once incorporated into the soil, with a consequent imbalance of nutrient cycling and altered soil functioning. The core idea of the MULCHING+ project is the preparation of innovative BPMFs made up of cellulose and chitosan enriched with N and P so that soluble nutrients are being released upon their biodegradation in soil, thus maintaining C-resources and soil fertility. Moreover, beneficial microorganisms selected from soil and earthworms’ gut will be sprayed on BPMFs at the end of their lifetime to speed-up the biodegradation process. To gain an in-depth assessment of the BPMFs impact on the soil-plant system, newly synthetized BPMFs will be investigated using micro- and mesocosm units to monitor (i) fate of C, N and P also by stable isotopes, (ii) changes in chemical and biochemical soil properties, (iii) shifts in microarthropods and (iv) prokaryotic soil communities, (v) variations in horticultural crop growth and yield. Finally, innovative BPMFs will be evaluated using the LCA and LCC methodology, within the context of the circular economy thinking. Three academic research units (Reggio Calabria and Ferrara coordinated by Palermo) will be jointly involved in the project and will collaborate synergistically to offer a multidisciplinary approach. All partners have the required expertise and the necessary equipment to fulfil the project’s tasks. Moreover, external advices are forecasted to address specific technically related aspects. MULCHING+ results are expected to have valuable impacts for sustainable horticulture and environmental quality. The outcomes will raise the interest of the industries to expand their offer of eco-sustainable products for soil mulching. Farmers will gain economic benefits due to minor costs for LDPMs removal, gradual decrease of synthetic fertilizers supply, maintenance of adequate soil fertility level and environmental quality, thus increasing their competitiveness. An integrated approach for strategic dissemination of the MULCHING+ project results will be properly designed to maximize its outreach and make it a relevant profitable investment.I documenti in SFERA sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
