플라스틱 멀칭필름은 농업 분야에서 광범위하게 활용되며 토양의 수분 함량과 온도를 조절하고 잡초 생장을 억제하여 농작물의 수확량을 유지하거나 증가시킨다. 그러나 기존 플라스틱 멀칭필름은 농촌 사회의 고령화 문제로 인해 수거가 어렵고, 미세플라스틱을 생성한다. 생성된 미세 플라스틱은 환경적 요인으로 인해 넓은 지역으로 퍼지게 된다. 미세 플라스틱은 전체적인 환경에 광범위한 영향을 미치며, 특히 토양 내 미세 플라스틱은 작물과 사람에게 직접적인 악영향을 미친다. 이에 따라 토양 내 미생물에 의해 분해되어 수거가 필요 없고, 미세플라스틱이 발생하지 않는 생분해성 멀칭필름이 개발되었다. 국내에서도 생분해성 멀칭필름에 대한 연구가 활발히 진행되고 있으나, 아직까지도 높은 초기 비용과 인식 부족으로 인해 기존 PE 멀칭필름에 비해 사용량이 매우 적다. 본 연구는 이러한 인식을 개선하고자 PE 멀칭필름, 생분해성 멀칭필름뿐 아니라 생분해성 멀칭필름에 비해 가격이 저렴한 열가소성 전분(TPS)이 함유된 생분해성 멀칭필름을 비교하는 시험을 하였다. 실험은 각 멀칭필름의 기초 물성부터 농약별 내구성, 매립 평가, 다양한 작물과 지역에서의 실용성을 평가하여 열가소성 전분이 함유된 생분해성 멀칭필름이 국내 농업 환경에서의 생분해성 멀칭필름의 적용 가능성을 검토하였다._x000D_
<br>주제어: 생분해성 멀칭필름, 멀칭필름, 열가소성 전분(TPS), 미세플라스틱, 토양 환경|Plastic mulch film is widely used in agriculture to regulate soil moisture content and temperature, as well as to suppress weed growth, thereby maintaining or increasing crop yields. However, conventional plastic mulch films pose challenges in rural areas due to difficulties in collection caused by an aging population and the generation of microplastics. Generated microplastics spread over wide areas due to environmental factors. Microplastics have widespread impacts on the overall environment, particularly in soil where they directly affect crops and humans. Consequently, biodegradable mulch films that do not require collection and do not generate microplastics have been developed. Despite active research on biodegradable mulch films in Korea, their usage remains significantly lower compared to conventional PE mulch films due to high initial costs and a lack of awareness. This study aims to address this issue by comparing PE mulch films with biodegradable mulch films, as well as biodegradable mulch films containing low-cost thermoplastic starch (TPS). The experiment evaluates the basic properties, durability against pesticides, landfill assessments, and practicality in various crops and regions of each mulch film, aiming to assess the applicability of TPS-containing biodegradable mulch films in Korea's agricultural environment._x000D_
<br>Keywords: biodegradable, mulch film, thermoplastic starch, microplastics, soil environment
Alternative Abstract
Plastic mulch film is widely used in agriculture to regulate soil moisture content and temperature, as well as to suppress weed growth, thereby maintaining or increasing crop yields. However, conventional plastic mulch films pose challenges in rural areas due to difficulties in collection caused by an aging population and the generation of microplastics. Generated microplastics spread over wide areas due to environmental factors. Microplastics have widespread impacts on the overall environment, particularly in soil where they directly affect crops and humans. Consequently, biodegradable mulch films that do not require collection and do not generate microplastics have been developed. Despite active research on biodegradable mulch films in Korea, their usage remains significantly lower compared to conventional PE mulch films due to high initial costs and a lack of awareness. This study aims to address this issue by comparing PE mulch films with biodegradable mulch films, as well as biodegradable mulch films containing low-cost thermoplastic starch (TPS). The experiment evaluates the basic properties, durability against pesticides, landfill assessments, and practicality in various crops and regions of each mulch film, aiming to assess the applicability of TPS-containing biodegradable mulch films in Korea's agricultural environment._x000D_
<br>Keywords: biodegradable, mulch film, thermoplastic starch, microplastics, soil environment
