Interaction of containment membranes with biofumigant: implications for their potential reuse based on structural analysis

• Agricultural membranes reduce gas emissions during soil fumigation. • Fumigant adsorption on the membrane slightly modifies the microstructure of the plastic. • Some agricultural films retain their integrity and can be reused after fumigation. • Reducing single-use plastic is imperative toward a responsible use of materials Intensive agriculture, which is necessary for rapid food production, has changed the microbiota and soil stability. Therefore, maintaining efficient production requires disinfecting fumigants to control pests and vermin that infest soil. Garlic-based agrochemicals, such as dimethyl disulfide (DMDS) have a high pest control capacity. However, it is vital to control the high volatility of the fumigant during its application, making the use of plastic membranes for gas containment necessary. Despite the advantages offered by these membranes in the agricultural sector, their plastic composition has a negative effect on the environment if it is not used with an optimized method. The life extension of fumigant containment membranes is limited to a single use per application. Therefore, in this study, the possible reuse of three membrane types for DMDS fumigation was investigated to promote waste reduction. The barrier to the gas permeability of the membranes was measured as described in ASTM E2945-14 . The stability of the plastic film in the presence of the DMDS fumigant was assessed by monitoring changes in the surface by atomic force microscopy and in the plastic microstructure by ASTM D638 and oxidative induction time analysis (ASTM D3895-19 ) using a differential scanning calorimeter.