Modification and Properties of Cellulose Nonwoven Fabric-Multifunctional Mulching Material for Agricultural Applications

Preparation of antibacterial cellulose of non-woven cotton fabric treated with curcumin/shellac based on polyvinyl alcohol/sodium caseinate blends for potential packaging purposes

Polysaccharides are renewable resources and can be used as alternative packaging materials that can serve as petroleum-based polymers. Non-woven fabrics are widely used in packaging because of their durability, ease of storage, and lightweight nature. Combining advantages of these materials offers benefits such as easy recyclability, molding simplicity, strong tear resistance and a compact design. In this research, novel antimicrobial packaging materials were fabricated by treating of non-woven cotton (NWC) fabric samples with various formulations containing polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and sodium caseinate (SC) followed by treatment with curcumin and/or shellac followed by cross-linking via an aqueous solution of acetic acid (AC). Factors influencing formation of these formulations films were studied. The results obtained revealed that the optimal conditions for preparing crosslinked PVA/SC film with good performance properties are: PVA/SC weight ratio, 25/75 respectively; AC concentration, 0.25%; and immersion time, 10 min. The chemical structure of the PVA/SC film under optimum conditions was confirmed through FTIR analysis. Toxicity evaluations indicated that casein exhibits minimal toxicity to brine shrimp, even at high concentrations. Shellac was found to be relatively safe (10 mg/L had 0.53% mortality), PVA displayed moderate toxicity. Curcumin is relatively non-toxic at lower concentrations, and the composite D12 (PVA/SC/SH/Ag-NPs) film recorded a mortality rate of 10.3% (low toxicity) at a concentration of 10 mg/L. To enhance the antimicrobial properties, bio-additives such as curcumin, shellac, silver nanoparticles, or their binary admixtures were incorporated into the film formulations. Among the antimicrobial PVA/SC (25/75) films, the film containing curcumin/shellac at a weight ratio of 0.075/10 exhibited the best performance properties. Applying the aforementioned PVA/SC/curcumin/shellac formulation to NWC fabric sample resulted in: (a) Reduced swelling properties accompanied by an increasing in gel fraction of the treated fabric (b) Improved antimicrobial activity of the treated fabric against Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus), Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli), pathogenic yeast (Candida albicans), and filamentous fungus: (Aspergillus niger), (c) Decreased air permeability along with an increased tensile strength, Young's and burst strength of the treated fabric, and (d) The best water vapor transmission rate compared to other treated formulations. The maximum hydrophobicity results increased the contact angle of NWC by 1219.28 and 1461.13%, respectively, after the addition of PVA/SC as in (NW1, 105.05°) and PVA/SC/CUR/SH as in (NW9, 124.31°) as compared to untreated non-woven. The successful incorporation of PVA/SC or PVA/SC/Cur/SH into NWC was evidenced by the X-ray analysis, which showed decreased crystallinity. Additionally, TGA analysis indicated that the non-woven cellulose's thermal stability was enhanced by the addition of PVA/SC/CUR-SH. The chemical structure of the treated fabric was confirmed through FTIR analysis, while its morphology was investigated using SEM analysis. These findings support the potential application of the PVA/SC/curcumin/shellac-treated fabric as a packaging material.

Effects of field conditions on the degradation of cellulose-based and PLA nonwoven mulches

The impact of the field conditions on needle-punched mulches made of cellulose fibres and PLA biopolymer during the 300 days of exposure was investigated. The study observed the degradation of nonwoven mulches during specific exposure periods (30, 90, 180 and 300 days), evaluating their mechanical, morphological and chemical properties. The impact of nonwoven mulches on soil temperature and moisture, consequently on the number of microorganisms developed beneath mulches after 300 days of exposure, were analysed and associated with obtained results complementing comprehension of nonwoven mulch degradation. The findings show that nonwoven mulches made from jute, hemp, viscose and PLA fibres change when exposed to environmental conditions (soil, sunlight, rainfall, snow, ice accumulation, air and soil temperatures, wind). The changes include alterations in colour, structure shifts and modifications in properties. The results highlight the degradation pathways of cellulose and PLA mulches, revealing that cellulose-based fibres degrade through the removal of amorphous components, leading to increased crystallinity and eventual structural breakdown. WAXD findings demonstrated that microbial and environmental factors initially enhance crystalline regions in cellulose fibres but ultimately reduce tensile strength and flexibility due to amorphous phase loss. FTIR analysis confirmed the molecular changes in cellulose chains, particularly in pectin and lignin, while SEM provided direct evidence of surface damage and fibre disintegration. Furthermore, it was found that fibre types of nonwoven mulch influence soil moisture retention and soil microbial activity due to a complex interplay of fibre composition, environmental conditions and nonwoven fabric characteristics. Comprehensive mechanical, morphological and chemical results of different types of nonwoven mulch during the 300 days of exposure to the field conditions provide valuable insights into sustainable practices for using nonwoven mulches for growing crops.

Effect of Biodegradable Nonwoven Mulches from Natural and Renewable Sources on Lettuce Cultivation

Numerous research showed that mulching with conventional agro foils elevates soil temperature and promotes plant growth, but negatively influences soil health and brings environmental concerns. Most of the published research on nonwoven mulches for plant cultivation includes nonwoven fabrics produced by extrusion processes providing nonwoven fabric structures similar to films. A limited number of studies investigate the impact of nonwoven mulches produced by a mechanical process on the cards and bonded by needling on plant cultivation. For this study, nonwoven mulches of mass per unit area of 400 g m-2 made from jute, hemp, viscose (CV), and polylactide (PLA) fibers were produced on the card bonded by needle punching. The field experiment was conducted two consecutive years in a row, in spring 2022 and 2023, by planting lettuce seedlings. The nonwoven mulches maintain lower temperatures and higher soil moisture levels compared to agro foil and the control field. The fibrous structure and their water absorption properties allow natural ventilation, regulating temperatures and retaining moisture of soil, consequently improving soil quality, lettuce yield, and quality. The fiber type from which the mulches were produced, influenced soil temperature and humidity, soil quality, and lettuce cultivation. The nonwoven mulches were successful in weed control concerning the weediness of the control field. Based on the obtained results, the newly produced mulches are likely to yield better results when used for the cultivation of vegetables with longer growing periods. Newly produced biodegradable nonwoven mulches could be an eco-friendly alternative to traditional agro foil, minimizing environmental harm during decomposition. The obtained results suggest that the newly produced mulches would be even more suitable for growing vegetables with longer growing seasons.

Advancing agriculture through bioresource technology: The role of cellulose-based biodegradable mulches

Agriculture plays a pivotal role in meeting the world's ever-growing food demands. However, traditional agricultural practices often have negative consequences for the environment, such as soil erosion and chemical runoff. Recently, there has been a pressing need for advance agricultural practices. Cellulose-based mulches offer a solution by optimizing agricultural productivity while minimizing harm. These mulches are made from renewable bioresources derived from cellulose-rich materials. Compared to plastic mulches, cellulose-based alternatives show potential in improving nutrient retention, soil health, weed suppression, water conservation, and erosion mitigation. The article investigates the characteristics and application methods of cellulose-based mulches, highlighting their biodegradability, water retention, crop protection, and weed suppression capabilities. It also evaluates their economic feasibility, emphasizing their potential to transform sustainable farming practices. Overall, cellulose-based mulches have the potential to revolutionize agriculture, addressing environmental concerns while optimizing productivity. They represent a significant step toward a more sustainable and resilient agricultural system.

Performance and Degradation of Nonwoven Mulches Made of Natural Fibres and PLA Polymer-Open Field Study

The need for sustainable alternatives to conventional plastic mulches in agriculture has led to the development of various types of biodegradable mulches made from natural fibres and biopolymers to reduce environmental pollution and mitigate soil pollution caused by conventional plastic mulch usage. Degradation, impact on soil temperature and humidity, and weed suppression properties of needle-punched nonwoven mulches of different mass per unit area, made of jute, hemp, viscose, and PLA biopolymer, are investigated. Their biodegradation is determined by changes in the mulch properties (mass per unit area, thickness, air permeability, tensile properties, microscopic images, and FTIR analyses) during 300 days of exposure to the environmental conditions in the period from May 2022 to February 2023. The change in mass per unit area, thickness, air permeability, and tensile properties of nonwoven mulches did not show a tendency to degrade during exposure to environmental conditions. The microscopic and FTIR analysis showed the degradation of the fibres from the mulches during the exposure time to a certain extent. The environmental conditions influence the change in the dimensions of the mulches (shrinkage and expansion)-which impact periodically tested mass results per unit area-as well as their thickness and air permeability. The nonwoven mulches provide higher temperatures compared to bare soil, though not as high as those observed beneath traditional agricultural foil. When comparing the humidity in bare soil and soil covered by mulches during the plant growth period (June to October), it was found that soil humidity was higher beneath all mulches. The nonwoven mulches provide superior soil moisture retention compared to conventionally used agrofoil. Almost all nonwoven mulches effectively suppressed weed growth, except hemp mulches. The newly produced mulches have the potential to replace traditional agrofoil, offering improved conditions for plant growth, effective weed control, and faster degradation without causing harm to the environment.

An Overview on Wood Waste Valorization as Biopolymers and Biocomposites: Definition, Classification, Production, Properties and Applications

Bio-based polymers, obtained from natural biomass, are nowadays considered good candidates for the replacement of traditional fossil-derived plastics. The need for substituting traditional synthetic plastics is mainly driven by many concerns about their detrimental effects on the environment and human health. The most innovative way to produce bioplastics involves the use of raw materials derived from wastes. Raw materials are of vital importance for human and animal health and due to their economic and environmental benefits. Among these, wood waste is gaining popularity as an innovative raw material for biopolymer manufacturing. On the other hand, the use of wastes as a source to produce biopolymers and biocomposites is still under development and the processing methods are currently being studied in order to reach a high reproducibility and thus increase the yield of production. This study therefore aimed to cover the current developments in the classification, manufacturing, performances and fields of application of bio-based polymers, especially focusing on wood waste sources. The work was carried out using both a descriptive and an analytical methodology: first, a description of the state of art as it exists at present was reported, then the available information was analyzed to make a critical evaluation of the results. A second way to employ wood scraps involves their use as bio-reinforcements for composites; therefore, the increase in the mechanical response obtained by the addition of wood waste in different bio-based matrices was explored in this work. Results showed an increase in Young's modulus up to 9 GPa for wood-reinforced PLA and up to 6 GPa for wood-reinforced PHA.

Biodegradable Nonwoven Agrotextile and Films—A Review

As society becomes more aware of environmental pollution, global warming, and environmental disasters, people are increasingly turning to sustainable materials and products. This includes agrotextiles in a wide range of products, including nonwoven agrotextiles for mulching. This review provides insight into relevant available data and information on the condition, possibilities, and trends of nonwoven mulches from natural fibres, biopolymers, and recycled sources. The basic definitions and differences between biodegradation and composting processes are explained, and the current standards related to biodegradation are presented. In addition, an insight into the biodegradation of various nonwoven mulches and films, including their advantages and disadvantages, is provided, to predict the future directions of nonwoven mulches development.