Promising Agromaterials Based on Biodegradable Polymers: Polylactide and Poly-3-Hydroxybutyrate.

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Agricultural Science
• Biotechnology

Background:

• Electrospun fabrics possess unique properties like uniform morphology and high surface area to volume ratio.
• Ultrathin nonwoven fabrics are crucial for applications in biomedicine, nanosensors, tissue engineering, and filtration.
• Biodegradable polymers offer sustainable alternatives in various technological fields.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the potential of electrospun biodegradable polymer fabrics as substrates for winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) seed germination and growth.
• To analyze the structural, mechanical, and chemical properties of the fabricated polymer fabrics.
• To evaluate the impact of these polymer substrates on seed germination and subsequent plant development.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of nonwoven polylactide (PLA), PLA/natural rubber (NR), poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB), and PHB/nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) fabrics via electrospinning.
• Characterization of fabric structure and properties using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), IR-spectroscopy, and optical microscopy.
• Assessment of mechanical properties before and after the plant growth experiment.

Main Results:

• Electrospun polymer fabrics demonstrated a stimulating effect on winter wheat seed germination and plant growth.
• Polymer substrates influenced the structural and mechanical properties of the fabrics, with PHB and PHB/NBR samples showing decreased crystallinity and loss of mechanical integrity post-experiment.
• The chemical nature and structure of the biodegradable matrix were identified as key factors in the efficacy of seed growth on these substrates.

Conclusions:

• Electrospun biodegradable polymer fabrics can serve as effective substrates for enhancing winter wheat germination and growth.
• The degradation and property changes of the polymer matrix during plant cultivation are significant considerations for material design.
• Tailoring the chemical composition and structure of biodegradable polymers is crucial for optimizing their performance in agricultural applications.