Sustainable Plasticulture in Chinese Agriculture : a Review of Challenges and Routes to Achieving Long-term Food and Ecosecurity

Cusworth, Sam and Davies, Bill and McAinsh, Martin and Stevens, Carly and Wang, Weilu (2024) Sustainable Plasticulture in Chinese Agriculture : a Review of Challenges and Routes to Achieving Long-term Food and Ecosecurity. Frontiers of Agricultural Science and Engineering (FASE), 11 (1). pp. 155-168. ISSN 2095-7505

Abstract

Plastic pollution is global concern, affecting most aspects of global food production systems. Plasticulture, a practice used in agriculture to improve crop quality and quantity, among other factors, is a significant source of plastic pollution. This review examines the extent of plasticulture in China, the implications of the practice across decades of use and the legislative instruments used to resolve those issues. It briefly assesses the effectiveness of these policies and proposes possible future innovations to promote increases in long-term food and eco-security, where sustainable plasticulture is a key agent for change. While plasticulture has increased agricultural productivity in growth-limiting conditions, plastic pollution in agricultural soils has become acute in China. Consequently, plastic pollution is having deleterious effects on soil health and in turn, crop productivity in China. Plastic pollution in agriculture is a multifaceted issue and so proposed solutions should be informed by this complexity. Current measures do not reflect a holistic approach to solving this socioecological challenge and adopt a top-down approach, with little or no supportive mechanisms. Future recommendations need to consider the particular set of conditions that influence the production, use and end-of-life management of agriplastics, specific to the environmental, economic and social conditions in each location.