Biodegradable Mulch in Modern Agriculture

Dear Colleagues,

Mulch films are an inseparable part of modern agricultural practices for improving soil moisture retention, regulating soil temperature, suppressing weeds, and enhancing crop productivity. Traditionally, mulch systems used to rely on organic materials such as straw and paper-based products; however, the widespread adoption of polyethylene (PE) mulch films during the mid-twentieth century revolutionized modern crop production due to their effectiveness, durability, and affordability. The extensive use of plastic mulches has raised significant environmental concerns, including the accumulation of plastic residues, microplastic pollution, soil contamination, and challenges in mulch retrieval and disposal. To address these issues, research into biodegradable mulch materials has expanded considerably over the past several decades. Biodegradable mulches are designed to provide agronomic benefits comparable to conventional plastic films. Recent advances in biodegradable polymers, bio-based materials, and sustainable manufacturing technologies have accelerated the development of high-performance mulch systems with improved durability, functionality, and environmental compatibility. However, significant challenges remain regarding degradation behavior under diverse field conditions, impacts on soil health and microbial communities, environmental safety, economic feasibility, and large-scale adoption. As agriculture seeks more sustainable and climate-resilient production systems, biodegradable mulch technologies have become an increasingly important area of research, innovation, and practical application.

This Special Issue aims to present and disseminate the latest advances in biodegradable mulch in modern agriculture. We seek contributions addressing the design, development, characterization, and field performance of biodegradable mulch materials; their effects on crop growth, yield, soil properties, and ecosystem functions; degradation mechanisms and environmental impacts; life-cycle assessment and economic analysis; policy and regulatory frameworks; and innovative applications that support sustainable and climate-smart agricultural production systems.

Topics of interest for publication include, but are not limited to, the following:

Development and Characterization of Biodegradable Mulch Materials

• Novel biodegradable polymers and bio-based composites;
• Material properties, durability, and degradation behavior;
• Manufacturing technologies and performance optimization.

Agronomic Performance and Soil–Crop Interactions

• Effects of biodegradable mulch on crop growth, yield, and quality;
• Impacts on soil moisture, temperature, nutrient dynamics, and soil health;
• Comparison with conventional plastic mulches under different cropping systems.

Environmental Impacts, Degradation Mechanisms, and Sustainability Assessment

• Biodegradation processes in soil and field conditions;
• Effects on soil microbial communities and ecosystem functions;
• Life-cycle assessment (LCA), carbon footprint, and environmental risk evaluation.

Economic, Policy, and Climate-Smart Applications of Biodegradable Mulches

• Cost–benefit and economic feasibility analyses;
• Regulatory standards, certification, and policy frameworks;
• Adoption of biodegradable mulches in sustainable and climate-resilient agricultural systems.

Dr. Raju Adhikari
Dr. Stuart G. Gordon
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Agriculture is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• biodegradable mulch
• biodegradable polymers
• bio-based materials
• sustainable agriculture
• soil health
• water conservation
• weed management
• polymer degradation
• microplastics
• circular economy