A review on the application of starch in biodegradable mulch films

Traditional plastic mulch films have caused serious environmental problems. The continuous accumulation of non-degradable plastic residues such as polyethylene has led to soil pollution in agriculture and has become one of the major sources of the global plastic pollution crisis. With the enhancement of environmental awareness and policy support, more and more countries and regions have begun to pay attention to the research and application of biodegradable materials. This is to achieve sustainable agricultural development. Among them, starch-based biodegradable films have received extensive attention due to their unique advantages. Starch is completely biodegradable and can be decomposed by soil microorganisms into carbon dioxide and water, without causing long-term pollution. As a rich and renewable resource, starch has a relatively low production cost, making starch-based biodegradable films more economical feasible. However, starch still faces some technical challenges in the development of biodegradable films, such as improving mechanical strength and water resistance. Future research will focus on enhancing these properties to meet agricultural production needs while maintaining environmental friendliness.