The polymer substrate that promotes the growth of wheat was developed by experts at NUST MISIS in cooperation with the Physical Chemistry Laboratory of Synthetic and Natural Polymer Compositions at the Institute of Biochemical Physics of the Russian Academy of Sciences. This collaboration was shared with socialbites.ca through NUST MISIS.
Petroleum-based polymers have long been used to manufacture protective films and nonwoven fabrics for crop cultivation. The new substrate, however, relies on biodegradable polymers such as polylactide and poly-3-hydroxybutyrate. When these materials enter the soil, microorganisms break them down and they provide a nutrient medium for seeds while leaving no harmful residue behind.
On polymer substrates, wheat seedlings reach about 1 centimeter taller on average compared with control samples. The fresh mass and root length of the plants grown on nonwoven materials show significant increases as well. As the substrate degrades under the influence of water and wheat enzymes, it acts as a temporary source of carbon dioxide and heat for the seeds, accelerating germination. The material gradually disappears in four to six months when used in closed-ground growing systems, according to Yulia Tertyshnaya, a senior researcher at the Institute of Biochemical Physics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, within the Physical Chemistry Laboratory of Synthetic and Natural Polymer Compositions.
Future work will explore additional approaches to crop cultivation. Field trials will evaluate how these biodegradable fabrics perform under harsher environmental conditions and in open-field settings. Biodegradable polymers offer a potential environmentally friendly and more efficient alternative to traditional crop production methods, with the promise of supporting sustainable farming practices in North America as well as beyond. Researchers emphasize that ongoing study will help clarify the performance and limitations of these materials across different crops and growing systems. Attribution: NUST MISIS.