Application of biopolymers in agriculture

The economic losses in agricultural production worldwide are attributed to pests and pathogens that cause destructive diseases, thereby affecting seedling stands and yield [22]. Therefore, ensuring the quality of the seed will in turn protect the seedlings and plant stand from such adversaries. Seed treatment with various chemicals and with advanced technology has enabled the minimization of pests and diseases and as a result, the economic losses [23]. 

Polylactone and poly(vinyl alcohol) films are readily degraded by soil microorganisms, whereas the addition of iron or calcium accelerated the breakdown of polyethylene. Degradable mulches should break down into small brittle pieces which pass through harvesting machinery without difficulty, and do not interfere with subsequent planting. Effective funaigant mulches require reduced-porosity films which reduce the escape of volatile chemicals, i.e. nematocides, insecticides, herbicides, etc., and therefore allow for lower application rates. 

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Applications of Biopolymers in Agriculture with Special Reference to Role of Plant Derived Biopolymers in Crop Protection... 

Another way of generating biopolymers is the fermentation of starch, sugar and other commodities by various microorganisms. Typical examples are poly(hydroxyalkanoates) (especially poly(hydroxybuty-rate) (PHB)) and poly(lactic acid) (PLA). Due to the chirality of lactic acid (D- L-form), two distinct forms of poly(lactic acid) exist (poly(L-lactic acid) and poly(D-lactic acid)). PLA is used, e.g. in biomedical application (sutures, stents, drug-delivery, preparation of bioplastic), in agriculture (mulch-film), packaging, and in blends with synthetic polymers. 

P. J. Barker, H. J. Stronks 1990, (Application of the low resolution pulsed NMR MINISPEC to analytical problems in the food and agriculture industries), in NMR Applications in Biopolymers, eds. 

Varona, S., Kareth, S., Martin, A., and Cocero, M.J. Formulation of lavandin essential oil with biopolymers by PGSS for application as biocide in ecological agriculture. The Journal of Supercritical Eluids... 

Biocomposites usefulness is no longer in question and more and more reports are focused on applicative aspects in the environment, packaging, agriculture devices, biomedical fields, etc. Moreover, because industrials were concerned about sustainable developments and a controlled end of life, production cost of biopolymers goes on decreasing which will allow strong developments of biopolymer-based materials. Therefore, these materials will be technically and financially competitive towards synthetic polymer-based composites. Then, this class of material opens a new dimension for plastic industry for a better sustainable development. 

PLA is a most promising biopolymer, since it offers unique features of biodegradability as well as thermoplastic processability. PLA is used for many different applications, from packaging to agricultural products and disposable materials, as well as in medicine, surgery and pharmaceutical fields. ° ... 

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