It is impossible to imagine modern agriculture without plastics. 12 million tons are used every year. But what about the consequences for the environment? An international team of authors led by Thilo Hofmann from the Division of Environmental Geosciences at the University of Vienna addresses this question in a recent study in Communications Earth & Environment. The research shows the benefits and risks of using plastics in agriculture, and identifies solutions that ensure their sustainable use.
Applications of plastics in plant agriculture. There are multiple applications of plastics in plant agriculture. Plastics help to reduce irrigation water, pesticide, and fertilizer demand, leading to reduced greenhouse gas emissions and increased crop yield, which impacts several UN Sustainable Development Goals.
The new study from the University of Vienna was conducted by Thilo Hofmann, environmental psychologist Sabine Pahl and environmental scientist Thorsten Hüffer, along with international co-authors. Their research reveals that plastic plays a multi-faceted role: from mulch films that protect plants to water-saving irrigation systems, plastic is deeply embedded in our food production.
The use of plastic in agriculture undeniably conserves important resources. The front-runner is mulch films, which account for about 50% of all agricultural