The plastic mulch film in agriculture has increased dominantly in the last 20 years in entire world. The use of plastic mulch film thus increases the benefits such as increase in soil temperature, reduced weed pressure, moisture conservation, reduction of certain insect pests, higher crop yields, and more efficient use of soil nutrients. The main problem with the plastic mulch film was disposing of used plastic films, which cause pollution, and this issue led to development of photodegradable and biodegradable mulches. Here, review the use of plastic mulches in agriculture, with special reference to biode- gradable mulches. Major topics discussed are (1) history of plastic mulch and impact on crop yield and pest management, (2) limitations of polyethylene mulches and potential alternatives, (3) biodegradable and photodegradable plastic mulches, (4) field performance of biodegradable mulches, and (5) use of biodegradable plastic mulches in organic production. We found that removal and disposal of conventional polyethylene mulches remains a major agro- nomic, economic, and environmental constrain. polymers such as poly(lactic acid), poly(butylene adipate- coterephthalate), poly(ε-caprolactone), and starch-based polymer blends or copolymers can degrade when exposed to bioactive environments such as soil and compost; The biodegradable materials obtained from petroleum and natural resources, opportunity for using biodegradable polymers as agricultural mulch films has become more viable, and the source of polymer and additives may limit use of some biode- gradable mulches in organic production. More knowledge is needed on the effect of biodegradable mulches on crop growth, microclimate modifications, soil biota, soil fertility, and yields.

Tractor 3 point hitch drawn hybrid bio-composite bio degradable mulch laying machine was designed and developed based on the formulation of the hybrid bio-composite mulch sheets with a intension of the integrate the field operations at easy pace and conserve the time and labour. The prototype was fabricated and tested in the fields in order to perform the operations such as hybrid bio-composite mulch sheet laying, Mulch sheet pressing and guiding and soil covering on the edges of the mulch sheets in one forward movement of the machine. The machine was fabricated with design of many components but the power transmission system was plays a major role in this machine as the entire forward movement of machine and performance of the mulch sheet laying unit was depends on the power transmission system only. Various components of power transmission system was designed such as shafts, chain, bearings and sprockets etc. The shaft design was done considering the two conditions of fields while in operation like considering twisting and bending moments of the shaft as well as sudden applied shocks and fluctuated loads.  Considering the two conditions, the main shaft, counter shaft and rear wheel shafts diameters were designed based on this two conditions and obtained results were  30 mm, 40 mm and 25 mm respectively The chain and sprocket will be used for the transmitting the power from one shaft to other one. The length of the chain was calculated 162.56 cm and the HP transmitted by the selected chain and HP of chain drive system were calculated as 2.05 hp and 0.339 hp respectively. Based on the results, the calculated horse power was less than the  horse power of selected chain that means required horse power was 0.339 hp but we have got 2.05 hp, hence the design was safe and  machine will be operate without any hassles.