Sofia Martinez
Plastic mulch has been used commercially on vegetables since the early 1960s. The three basic types of plastic mulches used in commercial production are black, clear, and white-on-black plastic. Plastic mulch directly impacts the microclimate around the plant by modifying the radiation budget (absorbance vs. reflectivity) of the surface and decreasing soil water loss. The benefits of plastic mulch include increased and earlier crop yields, warming the soil, and reducing evaporation. However, plastic mulch can also get too hot, especially in warm climates, and it is not suitable for cool-season crops. Additionally, ultra-damp conditions under plastic mulch can foster fungal diseases, and fertilizing plants can be challenging.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Use | Plastic mulches have been used commercially on vegetables since the early 1960s. |
| Types | Three basic mulch types have been used in commercial production: black, clear, and white-on-black plastic. |
| Purpose | Plastic mulch is used to regulate the temperature of the soil, warm the soil, reduce evaporation, and increase and hasten crop yields. |
| Advantages | Plastic mulch can increase earliness, yield, quality, and return per acre. It can also prevent soil compaction by keeping people from walking over it. |
| Disadvantages | Plastic mulch can get too hot and scorch plants, especially in warm climates. It can also be difficult to fertilize plants under plastic mulch and irrigation can be challenging. |
| Environmental Impact | Plastic mulch contributes to landfill waste and can take 450-1,000 years to break down. |
| Colour | The colour of mulch affects its energy-radiating behaviour and influence on the microclimate around plants. |
| Temperature | Daytime temperatures under clear plastic mulch are 8-14o F higher at a 2-inch depth and 6-9o F higher at a 4-inch depth compared to bare soil. |
| Alternatives | Paper and woven products, such as woven polypropylene, can be used as biodegradable alternatives to plastic mulch. |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic mulch can increase crop yields and allow for earlier harvesting
Plastic mulch has been used commercially on vegetables since the early 1960s. It has been a useful technology for specialty crops for over six decades. The benefits of plastic mulch include increased and earlier crop yields.
Plastic mulch directly impacts the microclimate around the plant by modifying the radiation budget (absorbance vs reflectivity) of the surface and decreasing soil water loss. The colour of a mulch largely determines its energy-radiating behaviour and its influence on the microclimate around a vegetable plant. For example, clear plastic mulch provides an even warmer soil environment, creating a mini-greenhouse effect that allows the early production of sweet corn and other crops.
Black plastic mulch is ideal for heat-loving vegetables like tomatoes, peppers, and melons, but it is not suitable for those living in warm climates as the plants will likely get scorched. It is also not appropriate for cool-season crops such as lettuce, peas, and root vegetables because the soil warms too much.
Red plastic mulch has been shown to increase yields in zucchini, honeydews, and muskmelons. White mulch can be used to establish fall crops during the heat of summer and has been shown to increase germination and survival of seeded crops.
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Plastic mulch regulates soil temperature
Plastic mulch has been used commercially on vegetables since the early 1960s. It is a useful technology for specialty crops and has been used by commercial farmers for decades. Plastic mulch regulates soil temperature by modifying the radiation budget (absorbance vs reflectivity) of the surface and decreasing the soil water loss. The colour of the mulch largely determines its energy-radiating behaviour and its influence on the microclimate around a vegetable plant.
Black plastic mulch is widely used in spring and late fall to warm up the soil. The black plastic absorbs the energy from the sunlight and heats up. The heat is then transferred by conduction from the black plastic mulch to the soil when there is tight contact with the soil. Heat conduction is inefficient and soil warming is suboptimal when black mulch is not tightly in contact with the soil. Improper bed preparation and/or plastic installation may result in clumpy soil and/or loose plastic mulch.
Clear plastic mulch is used in cooler regions, providing a warmer soil environment, almost like a mini-greenhouse effect, that allows the early production of sweet corn and other crops. Sunlight passes through the clear plastic mulch, reaching and heating the soil directly. Tight contact with the soil is not as important but is recommended to avoid flapping and transplant damage.
White mulches can lower bed temperature by up to 20°F. They reflect most of the sunlight back into the atmosphere, so there is minimal energy absorption and heat transfer to the soil. White mulches can increase transplant survival and increase germination and survival of seeded crops.
The use of mulch films can be viewed as a positive step toward a more sustainable model of large-scale agriculture. Soil erosion is greatly limited by the use of these films, as rain cannot fall directly onto the soil, and wind cannot carry it away.
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Plastic mulch reduces evaporation, cutting water consumption
Plastic mulch has been used commercially on vegetables since the early 1960s. One of the key benefits of using plastic mulch is its ability to reduce evaporation, thereby cutting water consumption.
Plastic mulch directly impacts the microclimate around the plant by modifying the radiation budget (absorbance vs. reflectivity) of the surface and decreasing soil water loss. The tight contact between the plastic mulch and the soil is critical to its success in reducing evaporation. This contact can be improved by warming the plastic before laying it, as this helps it to maintain better contact with the soil and transfer heat more efficiently.
Plastic mulch can reduce evaporation by up to 70%, which is one of the best reasons for its use. This reduced evaporation will not only cut water consumption but also reduce water bills and prevent the leaching of nutrients.
However, it is important to note that plastic mulch can also lead to excessive moisture retention, which can be detrimental to plants. Plants covered with plastic mulch do not easily benefit from rainfall or overhead sprinklers, and alternative irrigation methods such as soaker hoses or drip irrigation may be required. Additionally, the lack of evaporation makes it easier to overwater and drown plants.
In conclusion, while plastic mulch is effective in reducing evaporation and cutting water consumption, it requires careful management to avoid the negative consequences of excessive moisture retention.
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Plastic mulch can get too hot and damage plants
Plastic mulch has been used commercially on vegetables since the early 1960s. It is a useful technology for specialty crops and has been widely adopted due to its ability to increase crop yield and quality. However, one of the drawbacks of plastic mulch is that it can get too hot, damaging plants.
The colour of mulch largely determines its energy-radiating behaviour and its influence on the microclimate around a plant. Black plastic mulch, in particular, has been known to cause scorching in plants due to its heat-absorbing properties. When daytime temperatures are in the high 90s (°F) and skies are clear, the surface of black plastic mulch can reach temperatures of over 140°F, which is hot enough to kill plant cells. This heat buildup can cause transplant losses as stems near the mulch are damaged or killed by the high heat. Germination is also often reduced, and plants that do emerge may be killed. High soil temperatures under black mulch can also lead to fruit quality issues in tomatoes, peppers, and onions.
To mitigate the negative effects of black plastic mulch in warm weather, growers can switch to white mulch in the middle of June when days are longer and air temperatures are higher. White mulch reflects solar radiation, cooling the surface and the soil beneath. White mulches can lower bed temperature by up to 20°F, increasing transplant survival and germination and survival of seeded crops.
In cooler regions, clear plastic mulch is used to create a mini-greenhouse effect, allowing the early production of sweet corn and other crops. However, clear plastic mulch also requires the use of herbicides to control weeds. Red mulch is another option that is sometimes used in tomatoes, but it does not provide good weed control, and weeds can loosen the mulch.
Overall, while plastic mulch has been shown to increase crop yields, it is important to consider the potential drawbacks, including the risk of overheating, when deciding whether to adopt this technology. Proper selection and installation are critical to the success of plastic mulch.
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Plastic mulch can cause ultra-damp conditions, fostering fungal diseases
Plastic mulch has been used commercially on vegetables since the early 1960s. It has several benefits, such as increased and earlier crop yields, warming the soil, reducing evaporation, and preventing compacted soil. However, it also has some drawbacks, one of which is that it can cause ultra-damp conditions, fostering fungal diseases.
Plastic mulch can create ultra-damp conditions by reducing soil evaporation. While this may be beneficial in some cases, as it cuts down on water usage, it can also lead to overwatering and create an ideal environment for fungal diseases to thrive. Fungi thrive in damp, humid environments, and the reduced evaporation under plastic mulch can provide the perfect conditions for their growth.
Fungal diseases can cause significant damage to plants, affecting their growth, appearance, and even leading to plant death. Some common fungal diseases that may be encouraged by ultra-damp conditions include botrytis, powdery mildew, and root rot. These fungal pathogens can infect a wide range of plants, including vegetables, flowers, and ornamental plants.
To mitigate the risk of fostering fungal diseases, it is important to carefully manage the moisture levels under plastic mulch. While plastic mulch reduces evaporation, it is still essential to monitor the soil moisture and adjust watering accordingly. Overwatering should be avoided, as it can create an overly damp environment conducive to fungal growth.
Additionally, proper ventilation and airflow can help prevent the development of ultra-damp conditions. Ensuring that the plastic mulch is properly secured and not flapping in the wind can improve airflow and reduce the likelihood of fungal diseases. Regular inspection and maintenance of the plastic mulch setup can help identify and address any issues that may contribute to excessive dampness.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic mulch has been used commercially on vegetables since the early 1960s. It has several advantages, including:
- Increased and earlier crop yields
- Warmer soil, allowing for earlier planting
- Reduced evaporation, cutting water consumption and preventing the leaching of nutrients
- Preventing compacted soil
- Reflecting solar radiation to cool the soil, which is useful for establishing fall crops during the summer
- Repelling aphids, which spread virus diseases in vine crops
Plastic mulch has several disadvantages, including:
- Plastic mulch can get too hot, scorching the plants
- It is not suitable for cool-season crops as the soil warms too much
- It can be difficult for plants to obtain nutrients
- It is an expensive, inorganic product that contributes to landfill
- It can be difficult to fertilise plants under plastic mulch
- It can be difficult to control weeds, which may grow in close proximity to crops and compete for nutrients and water
The colour of mulch affects the surface temperature of the mulch and the underlying soil temperature. Black plastic mulch is ideal for heat-loving vegetables like tomatoes, peppers and melons, but it is not suitable for those living in warm climates, as the plants will likely get scorched. Clear plastic mulch is used in cooler regions, as it provides a warmer soil environment. White or aluminium reflective mulch is used where soil cooling is desired. Red mulch has been shown to increase yields in zucchini and in honeydews and muskmelons, and may also reduce the severity of early blight on tomatoes.
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