Evaluating properties of biodegradable materials in agriculture

The biological degradation of polymers can be characterised by several laboratory degradation tests (Grima, 2002, Domenek et al, 2004). These tests are generally standardised (Decriaud et al. 1998) but tests in real conditions can also be performed and consist of burying specimens in agricultural soils. 

A lot of data now exist concerning the biodegradation of polymers according to the above measurement methods (Decriaud, 1998). For instance as a part of an international project (Labelling biodegradable products, 2002), ring tests have been performed on 20 materials proposed on the market and several methods have been used and tested, namely  

Other respirometric tests (BODIS and head space tests) 

Composting experiments in 1401 composter bin. Certain parameters such as temperature, pH and moisture content were regularly monitored Soil burial tests in soil containers of 11 Soil burial tests in real agricultural soil (in situ) 

The result is a coefficient of degradation (in general a percentage of mass 

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