Researchers from Mendel University’s soil ecology research group are studying the effects of a degradable plastic, poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB), on soil and plants. They mixed different concentrations of PHB into soil and planted lettuce and corn, observing the plants over an eight-week period. The results showed that even a 1% concentration of PHB reduced lettuce growth to a tenth of its normal size, with corn seeing a 20% reduction in growth at the same concentration. The researchers found that the high carbon content of PHB encourages an overgrowth of microorganisms in the soil, disrupting its natural balance and reducing the amount of organic matter. This imbalance also affects plant growth, as microorganisms compete with plants for essential nutrients. Despite these concerns, the team believes that PHB and similar materials can be modified to benefit soil health, making them a potential eco-friendly alternative to conventional plastics. They plan to continue exploring ways to mitigate the negative effects of degradable plastics and create a more sustainable future for the environment.
A team of researchers from Brno in the Czech Republic uncovers alarming consequences of using bioplastics in agricultural production.
