Eco-Friendly Biodegradable Agricultural Mulch Film with Light-Triggered Pesticide Release System
CWSF · 2026 Agriculture, Fisheries & Food Bronze Medal
Overview
White pollution—the buildup of plastic waste—poses increasing threats to our global ecosystems by damaging water sources and food supplies. Traditional agricultural plastics greatly contribute to this problem because they do not break down and often release harmful additives into the soil. My research focused on creating an improved biodegradable composite film intended to replace conventional plastics. This film is made from Polycaprolactone (PCL), natural starch, and calcium carbonate, producing a durable yet biodegradable alternative. To enhance its performance, I developed uniform microspheres capable of light-responsive controlled release. These microspheres are activated by sunlight to release their contents, ensuring agricultural inputs are delivered when needed. The effectiveness of this material was tested through a comparative growth study with lettuce seeds. Results showed that seeds grown with the biodegradable microsphere composite grew taller and maintained better overall health than those grown with other mulch options over 72 days.
Awards (2)
- Bronze Medal
- Selected for CWSF 2026
Competition history
- CWSF 2026
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