Agricultural Plastics Impact on Soil Health

Agriculture relies heavily on the extensive use of plastic. From mulching and irrigation to fishing gear and greenhouse films, plastics help farmers, foresters, and fishers in sustaining their livelihoods, increasing production, minimizing crop losses, and conserving water. However, recent research indicates that despite their numerous advantages, agricultural plastics are now posing a threat to environmental sustainability.Top of Form In this article, Marut Nandan discusses the impact of agricultural plastics on soil health.

- Marut Nandan

In our agriculture system, materials made of toxic plastics have varied use including: single-use plastic sachets for packing seeds and fertilizers, seedling trays, mulching and greenhouse film, protective nets, irrigation pipes, and drip irrigation tapes.1 It is established that additives and chemicals embedded in plastics could potentially diminish soil porosity and hinder air circulation apart from altering microbial communities leading to reduction in soil fertility. The National Committee on Precision Agriculture and Horticulture under the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare (MoA&FW) prescribes use of plastic in agriculture, although assessment by NITI Aayog states that plastic use in agriculture in India has reached 23 per cent of the total plastic consumption.2 Growth in the use of plastics could result in microplastics and nanoplastics entering living organisms also, when better access to chemical fertilizers and plastic materials for agricultural activities is already contributing to deterioration in soil health. A study in 2020 estimated that 14 per cent of the total plastics released into environment go into agricultural soils.³

In 2021, the total consumption of plastic in India amounted to approximately 21 million tonnes signalling a 23-fold increase since 1990.