In 2022, scientists covered soil with 5 to 10 millimetres of wax-coated sand, slowing evaporation and increasing crop yields by up to 73%

In arid regions, farmers face the challenge of producing food while working with limited freshwater supplies. In Saudi Arabia, where agriculture relies heavily on irrigation, reducing water loss from cultivated soil is an important challenge. Plastic mulch film has long been used to reduce soil moisture loss by covering the soil surface. Although effective, conventional plastic mulch can generate substantial waste when it is removed after the growing season. In a 2022 study published in ACS Agricultural Science & Technology