Biodegradable jute fiber-based composites with controllable seepage for sustainable agricultural water-saving management

Abstract Effective water-saving seepage irrigation is essential to ensure the availability of water resources and maintain soil health. However, current irrigation strategies, which typically rely on non-biodegradable plastic materials such as PVC pipes, are deficient regarding sustainability and ecological impact, with challenges such as recycling difficulties, depletion of non-renewable resources, and soil pollution. Here, a biodegradable composite based on widely available and renewable jute fibers was developed to explore its potential to replace conventional capillary irrigation pipes. Jute fiber-reinforced polylactic acid (PLA) composites (JFPCs) and pipes were fabricated through an integrated knitting process and simple thermoforming technique. The adjustment of PLA content in JFPCs enhanced mechanical performance and allowed precise control of the seepage rate with tailored PLA film porosity. When increasing PLA content from 12.2 to 40.8%, JFPCs exhibited enhanced mechanical strength (3.1 MPa) and improved thermal decomposition temperature (376.9 °C), indicating better stability for maintaining material integrity or performance exposed to high temperature conditions. Seepage tests demonstrated JFPC pipes achieved controllable seepage rates ranging from 0 to 8.9 L/min with PLA film porosity adjusting. Sustainbale analysis and degradation tests (showing a maximum 20.2% weight loss after 3 months) confirmed the environmental suitability and biodegradability of JFPCs for sustainable agricultural application. These findings highlight the potential of JFPCs as an eco-friendly alternative for controllable irrigation, contributing to sustainable water-saving practices, reducing microplastic pollution of traditional plastic-based system, and supporting circular economy principles in agriculture.