Biochar-reinforced biodegradable mulching films: Toward climate-resilient and sustainable agriculture

The reinforcement of biodegradable mulching films with biochar represents a promising strategy to enhance the performance, sustainability, and environmental compatibility of water and nutrient management in agricultural practices. To guarantee food security, sustainable water management techniques must be developed. As water scarcity intensifies under changing climate conditions, there is an urgent need for environmentally responsible practices that enhance soil–water dynamics while supporting crop productivity. Recently, biodegradable mulching films have emerged as a promising, eco-friendly alternative to traditional plastic mulches. However, their mechanical strength, degradation behaviors, and long-term field stability remain key limitations. In this review, we critically examine and evaluate the potential of biochar-reinforced biodegradable mulching films as a next-generation solution for sustainable agriculture. Various types, properties, and mechanisms of biodegradable mulching films were discussed in this review. We also highlighted the prospect of application of biochar-reinforced biodegradable mulching films, highlighting their potential to address pressing challenges in climate-resilient and sustainable agriculture. We provided the synergistic advantages of biochar in enhancing the mechanical characteristics, thermal stability, water retention, and nutrient management of mulching films, while also contributing to carbon sequestration and soil health. This review emphasizes a novel pathway to developing cutting-edge mulching technologies that can more effectively promote climate-resilient food production by bridging knowledge across soil science, materials engineering, and climate-smart agriculture.