Black Plastic Effect: Temperature Increase Over Crop Rows

Black plastic mulch is used to increase the temperature of the soil, which can lead to higher yields for early spring-planted crops. The temperature increase depends on the type of soil, the crop, and the climatic conditions of the area. Clear plastic is more efficient at increasing soil temperature than black plastic, but it requires good weed control. Research has shown that black plastic mulch can increase the temperature of the soil by up to 10°F compared to bare soil. However, high temperatures (90°F or higher) and clear skies can lead to heat buildup on the surface of black plastic mulch, causing damage to stems and reducing germination.

Black plastic mulch increases soil temperature more than olive, silver, white and blue mulch

Black plastic mulch increases soil temperature more than olive, silver, white, and blue mulch. However, the impact of coloured plastic mulches on soil temperature varies from area to area and from crop to crop. For example, brown and blue plastic mulches have been found to increase soil temperature more than black mulch.

Clear plastic is more effective at increasing soil temperature than black plastic. Clear plastic can increase soil temperature by 10 °F compared to black plastic, and 15 °F to 20 °F compared to bare soil. However, black plastic mulch is still efficient in increasing minimum, maximum, and mean soil temperature compared to white/black, aluminium/black plastic mulching systems.

High temperatures (90 °F or higher) coupled with clear skies can lead to heat buildup on the surface of black plastic mulched soils. This can cause losses with transplants as stems near the mulch are damaged by the high heat. Germination is often reduced, and if plants do emerge, they can be killed by the excess heat. High soil temperatures under black mulch can also lead to fruit quality issues in tomatoes and peppers.

Clear plastic increases temperatures more than black plastic

Clear plastic increases temperatures more efficiently than black plastic. Soil temperatures are generally 10 °F warmer under clear plastic than black plastic and 15 °F to 20 °F warmer than bare soil. This extra warmth usually results in high yields for early spring-planted crops. However, one disadvantage associated with clear plastic is the need for good weed control under the mulch.

Clear plastic is not the only type of plastic that increases temperatures more than black plastic. Green “IRT” mulches are used where soil temperatures need to be warmer. In addition, Shah Jahan et al. indicated that higher temperatures were recorded by black plastic mulches than olive, silver, white, and blue. However, Ibarra-Jime´nez et al. reported that brown and blue plastic mulches were higher in soil temperature than the other mulches including black.

The impact of coloured plastic mulches on soil temperature varies from area to area and from crop to crop. This variation is due to variations in soil type and climatic conditions of the areas.

Black plastic mulch can cause heat buildup on the surface, damaging stems and reducing germination

Black plastic mulch has been found to increase soil temperature more than white, silver, olive, and blue plastic mulches. However, the impact of coloured plastic mulches on soil temperature can vary from area to area and from crop to crop. For example, brown and blue plastic mulches have been found to increase soil temperature more than black plastic mulch in certain areas. Soil temperatures are generally 10°F warmer under clear plastic than black plastic and 15°F to 20°F warmer than bare soil.

The extra warmth provided by black plastic mulch can result in higher yields for early spring-planted crops. However, it is important to consider the potential for heat buildup and the negative impacts this can have on transplants and germination.

Soil temperature increases are variable from area to area and from crop to crop

Soil temperatures are generally 10 °F warmer under clear than black plastic and 15 °F to 20 °F warmer than bare soil. Clear skies and high temperatures (90 °F or higher) can lead to heat buildup on the surface of black plastic mulched soils, with temperatures of over 140 °F recorded. This can cause losses with transplants as stems near the mulch are damaged by the high heat. Germination is often reduced, and if plants do emerge, they can be killed by the excess heat.

Clear plastic is more efficient at increasing temperatures than white or coloured plastics. However, black plastic mulch is efficient in increasing minimum, maximum, and mean soil temperature.

Green 'IRT' mulches are used when soil temperatures need to be warmer

Black plastic mulch increases the temperature of the soil underneath it. The highest temperature recorded by black plastic mulch with row cover was 31.2 °C, while the lowest temperature recorded was 31.2 °C from bare soil. Soil temperatures are generally 10 °F warmer under clear plastic than black plastic and 15 °F to 20 °F warmer than bare soil. Clear plastic is more efficient at increasing temperatures than white or coloured plastics, but it requires good weed control.

Green IRT mulches are used when soil temperatures need to be warmer. They are more effective at increasing soil temperature than black plastic mulches. Black plastic mulches are the most common type of mulch, but in some cases, green IRT mulches are used to increase soil temperature. The impact of coloured plastic mulches on soil temperature varies from area to area and from crop to crop. For example, research has indicated that black plastic mulches result in higher temperatures than olive, silver, white, and blue mulches. However, other research has shown that brown and blue plastic mulches result in higher soil temperatures than black mulches. This variation is due to differences in soil type and climatic conditions.

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