Impact on wheat health and rhizosphere microbiome of compost produced by adding compostable bioplastic packaging to organic waste: A field experiment

There is a growing global demand for innovative and sustainable bioplastic packaging to reduce the use of petroleum-based plastics (Álvarez-Chávez, et al., 2012). In line with the principle of a circular bio-economy, the use of compostable bioplastics (BPs) can bring several benefits to composting and urban organic waste (UOW) management by reducing contamination with conventional plastics and enabling the production of compost that can be safely used as agricultural fertiliser. However, the potential impact of the presence of BPs in compost on the soil microbiome and plant health needs to be clearly assessed, particularly in field trials. (Santini et al., 2024). This study, part of the ABRIOPACK project, aims to evaluate and compare the effects of 'standard' compost (Com) obtained from UOW and UOW composted with 3% BPs (Mater-bi, Novamont) (BioP) on the health of wheat (T. aestivum) and its rhizosphere microbiome.