Advanced applications of green materials in agriculture

Abstract

The objective of this chapter is to present the potential applications and benefits that green materials can provide to food production. In order to meet the cost-effective sustainable agriculture and the global increasing food demand, novel green materials are being developed. The need to increase safety-food production while reducing inputs, represents a significant challenge to be faced by researchers in the current century. The use of biomaterials in agriculture, particularly polymeric biomaterials, has been increasing during the last 40 years and their field of research is in constant growth. Technological advances are reaching the market in areas with direct repercussion on the environment like the development of phytoactive substances delivery systems, biodegradable pots, mulching films, soil conditioners, and coatings for seed germination. In this chapter we review new developments and discuss the main research results and applications of green materials in agriculture, including their current regulation.