This paper investigates the biodegradation properties of cellulose fibers and PLA biopolymer. For that purpose, hemp, jute, and sisal fibers as lignocellulose fibers; viscose fibers (CV) as regenerated cellulose; and polylactide (PLA) as biopolymer were buried in farmland soil for periods of 2, 4, 7, 9 and 11 days under controlled conditions. The influence of their biodegradation on the fiber mechanical properties, bacteria and fungi population, as well as on the soil quality were investigated. After exposure to microorganisms, analyses of the fibers’ morphological (SEM), chemical (FTIR), and thermal (TGA) properties were conducted to achieve a comprehensive understanding of their biodegradability. The analysis concluded that lignin and pectin content have a greater impact on the biodegradation of hemp, jute, and sisal fibers than factors like crystallinity and degree of polymerization. The viscose fibers showed lower biodegradability despite their lower degree of polymerization, indicating a resistance to biodegradation due to the “skin” formed during the spinning process. PLA fibers experienced chemical hydrolysis and significant microbial attack, resulting in reduced tenacity. The acquired findings yield valuable insights into the biodegradability of the fibers, thereby facilitating the selection of appropriate fibers for the development of environmentally sustainable products. Notably, a literature review revealed a paucity of research on fiber biodegradability, underscoring the significance of the present study’s contributions.

As society becomes more aware of environmental pollution, global warming, and environmental disasters, people are increasingly turning to sustainable materials and products. This includes agrotextiles in a wide range of products, including nonwoven agrotextiles for mulching. This review provides insight into relevant available data and information on the condition, possibilities, and trends of nonwoven mulches from natural fibres, biopolymers, and recycled sources. The basic definitions and differences between biodegradation and composting processes are explained, and the current standards related to biodegradation are presented. In addition, an insight into the biodegradation of various nonwoven mulches and films, including their advantages and disadvantages, is provided, to predict the future directions of nonwoven mulches development.

The need for sustainable alternatives to conventional plastic mulches in agriculture has led to the development of various types of biodegradable mulches made from natural fibres and biopolymers to reduce environmental pollution and mitigate soil pollution caused by conventional plastic mulch usage. Degradation, impact on soil temperature and humidity, and weed suppression properties of needle-punched nonwoven mulches of different mass per unit area, made of jute, hemp, viscose, and PLA biopolymer, are investigated. Their biodegradation is determined by changes in the mulch properties (mass per unit area, thickness, air permeability, tensile properties, microscopic images, and FTIR analyses) during 300 days of exposure to the environmental conditions in the period from May 2022 to February 2023. The change in mass per unit area, thickness, air permeability, and tensile properties of nonwoven mulches did not show a tendency to degrade during exposure to environmental conditions. The microscopic and FTIR analysis showed the degradation of the fibres from the mulches during the exposure time to a certain extent. The environmental conditions influence the change in the dimensions of the mulches (shrinkage and expansion)—which impact periodically tested mass results per unit area—as well as their thickness and air permeability. The nonwoven mulches provide higher temperatures compared to bare soil, though not as high as those observed beneath traditional agricultural foil. When comparing the humidity in bare soil and soil covered by mulches during the plant growth period (June to October), it was found that soil humidity was higher beneath all mulches. The nonwoven mulches provide superior soil moisture retention compared to conventionally used agrofoil. Almost all nonwoven mulches effectively suppressed weed growth, except hemp mulches. The newly produced mulches have the potential to replace traditional agrofoil, offering improved conditions for plant growth, effective weed control, and faster degradation without causing harm to the environment.

The impact of the field conditions on needle-punched mulches made of cellulose fibres and PLA biopolymer during the 300 days of exposure was investigated. The study observed the degradation of nonwoven mulches during specific exposure periods (30, 90, 180 and 300 days), evaluating their mechanical, morphological and chemical properties. The impact of nonwoven mulches on soil temperature and moisture, consequently on the number of microorganisms developed beneath mulches after 300 days of exposure, were analysed and associated with obtained results complementing comprehension of nonwoven mulch degradation. The findings show that nonwoven mulches made from jute, hemp, viscose and PLA fibres change when exposed to environmental conditions (soil, sunlight, rainfall, snow, ice accumulation, air and soil temperatures, wind). The changes include alterations in colour, structure shifts and modifications in properties. The results highlight the degradation pathways of cellulose and PLA mulches, revealing that cellulose-based fibres degrade through the removal of amorphous components, leading to increased crystallinity and eventual structural breakdown. WAXD findings demonstrated that microbial and environmental factors initially enhance crystalline regions in cellulose fibres but ultimately reduce tensile strength and flexibility due to amorphous phase loss. FTIR analysis confirmed the molecular changes in cellulose chains, particularly in pectin and lignin, while SEM provided direct evidence of surface damage and fibre disintegration. Furthermore, it was found that fibre types of nonwoven mulch influence soil moisture retention and soil microbial activity due to a complex interplay of fibre composition, environmental conditions and nonwoven fabric characteristics. Comprehensive mechanical, morphological and chemical results of different types of nonwoven mulch during the 300 days of exposure to the field conditions provide valuable insights into sustainable practices for using nonwoven mulches for growing crops.

Numerous research showed that mulching with conventional agro foils elevates soil temperature and promotes plant growth, but negatively influences soil health and brings environmental concerns. Most of the published research on nonwoven mulches for plant cultivation includes nonwoven fabrics produced by extrusion processes providing nonwoven fabric structures similar to films. A limited number of studies investigate the impact of nonwoven mulches produced by a mechanical process on the cards and bonded by needling on plant cultivation. For this study, nonwoven mulches of mass per unit area of 400 g m⁻² made from jute, hemp, viscose (CV), and polylactide (PLA) fibers were produced on the card bonded by needle punching. The field experiment was conducted two consecutive years in a row, in spring 2022 and 2023, by planting lettuce seedlings. The nonwoven mulches maintain lower temperatures and higher soil moisture levels compared to agro foil and the control field. The fibrous structure and their water absorption properties allow natural ventilation, regulating temperatures and retaining moisture of soil, consequently improving soil quality, lettuce yield, and quality. The fiber type from which the mulches were produced, influenced soil temperature and humidity, soil quality, and lettuce cultivation. The nonwoven mulches were successful in weed control concerning the weediness of the control field. Based on the obtained results, the newly produced mulches are likely to yield better results when used for the cultivation of vegetables with longer growing periods. Newly produced biodegradable nonwoven mulches could be an eco-friendly alternative to traditional agro foil, minimizing environmental harm during decomposition. The obtained results suggest that the newly produced mulches would be even more suitable for growing vegetables with longer growing seasons.

An open field experiment from November 2022 to May 2023 in Croatia, which is characterized by a continental humid climate, evaluated nonwoven mulches made from viscose, jute, and hemp fibres blended with PLA fibres. The blends of viscose and jute fibres (90:10, 80:20, and 70:30 ratios) were produced using mechanical web formation on cards with needle punching for bonding webs. Additionally, hemp fibres were blended with PLA fibres in a ratio of 80:20. Winter conditions caused significant structural changes in the mulches, including shrinkage, increased mass per unit area, thickness, and reduced air permeability. The amount of PLA fibre in the nonwoven mulch blends significantly affected nonwoven fabric structure change during exposure to winter conditions. After 180 days, the breaking force of all mulches increased by 30% to 277%. The soil beneath jute and hemp mulches maintained higher temperatures and moisture levels compared to viscose mulches. Soil organic carbon content varied with fibre type and was higher under jute and hemp mulches. K₂O content was significantly higher in soils covered by mulches. All mulches effectively suppressed weeds. The experiment results showed that the newly produced nonwoven mulches could replace the conventional agro foil. Results also suggest that choosing biodegradable nonwoven mulches produced from fibres obtained from natural and renewable sources can influence soil fertility and the availability of nutrients, ultimately affecting plant growth and agricultural productivity.