Plasticultura en México: Impactos Ambientales y Desafíos para la Sostenibilidad

Arturo Rafael Armenta López; Israel Osuna Flores

doi:10.32351/rca.v11.425

Authors

Arturo Rafael Armenta López National Polytechnic Institute https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7417-3121
Israel Osuna Flores Universidad Autónoma Indígena de México https://orcid.org/0009-0001-0199-2983

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32351/rca.v11.425

Política de Crossmark DOI: https://doi.org/10.32351/politica-crossmark

Keywords:

protected agriculture, agroplastics, soil pollution, waste management, horticulture

Abstract

Plasticulture has transformed Mexican horticulture, with over 45,000 hectares under protected agriculture in northern and central states. However, the inadequate management of agricultural plastic waste—mulches, greenhouse covers, and irrigation systems—has emerged as a growing environmental problem due to its contribution to microplastic pollution in soils. The objective of this study was to critically analyze the scientific evidence on the adverse effects of plasticulture in Mexico, with an emphasis on microplastic generation, its soil impacts, and the regulatory challenges to sustainability. A systematic review was conducted on environmental and ecological impact aspects, as well as the management of plastic waste generated by plasticulture in Mexico. International evidence shows that microplastics alter soil properties, reduce photosynthesis in crops by up to 12%, and are transferred through food chains. For Mexico, critical gaps have been identified: the absence of a national inventory of agricultural plastic waste and the lack of specific regulations. The installed recycling capacity covers less than 1% of the estimated annual waste generation. It is concluded that it is urgent to create a monitoring system, develop regulations based on a circular economy, promote biodegradable alternatives, and establish extended producer responsibility.

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Author Biographies

Arturo Rafael Armenta López, National Polytechnic Institute

Is an Agricultural Engineer specializing in Plant Protection. He holds a Master's and a Doctorate in Agricultural Sciences from the Autonomous University of Sinaloa. He has served as a Visiting Professor at the Autonomous Indigenous University of Mexico, in the Virtual Unit, within the Biotechnology Engineering program. He is currently a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Interdisciplinary Research Center for Regional Integral Development (CIIDIR), Guasave Unit, belonging to the National Polytechnic Institute. His academic and scientific work focuses on the biological and agricultural sciences, with an emphasis on agricultural biotechnology, an area in which he has published several scientific articles.
Israel Osuna Flores, Universidad Autónoma Indígena de México

Is currently a Professor-Researcher at the Autonomous Indigenous University of Mexico (UNAM), affiliated with the Biotechnology Engineering Program at both the Virtual Unit and the Mochicahui Unit. He recently received an honorary doctorate from the International Organization for Inclusion and Quality Education (OIICE). He has held various positions, including Administrative Analyst and Reviewer at the National Aquaculture and Fisheries Commission; advisor to the company Acuícola Gilberto, S.C. de C.V., R.L.; and columnist for the online newspaper Phoenix Medios. He is currently the Coordinator of the Biotechnology Engineering Program (Virtual Unit) at UNAM. He teaches courses in Biology, Social and Solidarity Economy, Introduction to Biotechnology, Community Engagement Awareness, and Information Management Tools. He was Coordinator of the Projects Department at the Technology Transfer Office of the Autonomous Indigenous University of Mexico and is a member of the Sinaloa System of Researchers and Technologists. He has also been a Professor-Researcher at the same institution, where he taught courses in the Bachelor's Degree in Forestry Engineering and Sustainable Development (Forest Entomology, Biodiversity, Thesis Seminar, Environmental Projection, and Project Formulation and Evaluation), as well as in the Graduate Program in Sciences in Sustainable Development of Natural Resources (Aquaculture Production, Environmental Pollution, and Ecotoxicology). He has directed and advised two undergraduate theses and monographs and three graduate theses and dissertations. He was a member of the Academic Group on Sustainable Development. His research experience focuses on adding value to agroforestry products, pollution, and environmental toxicology. He has published articles in JCR-indexed, peer-reviewed, and popular science journals. In addition, he participates in various scientific societies and has served as a project evaluator at events such as the Pacific Regional Science Fair and the National Science Fair. He was a member of the National System of Researchers (SNI) as a Candidate from July 2002 to December 2005 and received recognition from the CONACYT Repatriation Program in 1999. His professional experience includes leading several research and outreach projects funded by COSNET and SECIHTI, as well as holding various academic and administrative positions, including: Head of the Toxic Waste Laboratory at the Center for Research in Food and Development, A.C. (Delicias Unit), and Director of Research at the Autonomous Indigenous University of Mexico (UNAM). He has been a candidate for Rector of UNAM in Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico, on three occasions (2017, 2021, and 2025). He has also worked at the National Technological Institute of Mexico (Los Mochis Campus), the University of the Sea, the Autonomous University of the West, the University of Guadalajara and the Center for Research in Food and Development, A.C. (Delicias Unit), where he has developed research projects and taught courses related to Fisheries Biology, Fisheries Technology, Ecology, Zoology, Aquaculture, Environmental Toxicology and Ecotoxicology.

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