Biodegradable mulch films have no effect on soil microbial communities and exceed current biodegradability standards in a temperate climate

Here, we conducted a field experiment to investigate the abiotic and biotic (with and without meso- and macrofauna interaction) degradation of one conventional and seven biodegradable plastic mulch films (PMFs) in a temperate climate over 12 months. We assessed i) their chemical degradation rate; ii) their physical fragmentation and microplastic generation in soil; iii) their effect on soil properties; and iv) their effect on soil microbial communities.