Chloe Zhang
Plastic mulch is a product used in plasticulture to suppress weeds and conserve water in crop production. It is often used in conjunction with drip irrigation. The use of plastic mulch requires specialized equipment, including a bed press, mulch layer, and mulch transplanter. These machines shape the soil and apply the plastic to the prepared soil. Several manufacturers make machines that lay plastic between crop rows, including the Compact Mulch Layer RB448 and RB436, which can be used with small tractors, and the Model 2570 Plastic Mulch Layer, which can be used manually or automatically.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Plastic layer, bed shaper, mulch layer, or mulch transplanter |
| Function | Shapes the soil and applies plastic to the prepared soil |
| Types | Single- and multiple-row models, manual or automatic |
| Plastic type | LDPE (low-density polyethylene) or HDPE (high-density polyethylene) |
| Plastic width | 36", 42", or 48" |
| Plastic color | Black or clear |
| Plastic cost | $350-$700 per acre |
| Advantages | Weed suppression, water conservation, improved growth, earlier fruiting, better fumigation, higher yields |
| Disadvantages | Higher initial costs, environmental concerns, weed growth under clear mulch |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic mulch machines vary in design and function
Some plastic mulch machines are designed to raise beds and lay plastic, while others are designed specifically for laying plastic. The former type of machine is often larger and heavier, designed for larger acreage, while the latter is smaller and lighter, intended for smaller plots of land. The larger machines are often more complex, with multiple functions, such as forming the bed, fumigating, and laying plastic and drip tube all in one operation.
Most machines have unique features that set them apart. For example, some plastic-laying machines can change rolls of plastic without stopping, and all have some method of holding an extra roll of film. Most machines can also control the tension of the film as it is laid.
The process of laying plastic mulch begins with preparing the field in the same way one would for a flat seedbed. The field must be free of large soil clods and organic residue. A machine called a plastic layer or a bed shaper is then pulled over the field, creating a row of plastic mulch covering a planting bed. This machine shapes the soil and applies the plastic to the prepared soil.
The use of plastic mulch offers several benefits, such as weed control, soil moistening, increased soil nutrients, and reduced pest infestation. It also aids in the conservation of water by reducing evaporation and evenly distributing moisture to the soil.
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Plasticulture requires an investment in specialised equipment
Plasticulture, or the use of plastic mulch, requires an investment in specialized equipment, including a bed press, mulch layer, and mulch transplanter (or plug-mix seeder). Initial production costs are significantly higher than traditional practices due to the upfront costs of equipment, plastic film, and transplanters designed for plastic beds.
The plastic mulch application process begins with preparing the field, ensuring it is free of large soil clods, stones, sticks, and organic residue. A machine called a plastic layer or bed shaper is then used to create rows of plastic mulch covering planting beds. This machine shapes the soil and applies the plastic to the prepared soil. The bed must be tight, firm, and well-formed for the plastic mulch to lay properly. The bed should also be crowned to allow for water runoff and adequate drainage.
Several manufacturers make machines that raise beds and/or lay plastic. These machines may vary in design, but they all serve the same function. For example, a specialized tractor implement can lay the drip tape and plastic mulch simultaneously, reducing the number of passes through the field. The cost of equipment for shaping the beds, fumigating the soil, and laying the plastic and drip tape is approximately $5,500. A one-row bed shaper alone costs $3,000 to $5,000 new.
In addition to the upfront costs of equipment, there are also yearly costs associated with plastic mulch and drip tubing, further increasing production expenses. However, these costs should be offset by increased returns from earlier harvests, better quality, and higher yields. The use of plastic mulch can improve crop yields and speed up fruit harvest, thereby increasing profits.
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Plastic mulch offers several advantages over bare-ground production
Additionally, plastic mulch can alter soil temperature, with coloured mulches, such as blue, red, and black, having varying effects. For example, clear plastic mulch records the highest temperature, while black plastic mulch with a row cover also increases the temperature. By selecting the appropriate colour based on climate, soil type, crop type, and intended purpose, growers can optimize their soil temperature for enhanced plant growth.
Plastic mulch also facilitates earlier harvesting. For instance, fall-applied mulch allows for earlier transplantation in the spring, and the use of plastic mulch in conjunction with drip irrigation can further enhance earliness and yield. Furthermore, certain plastic mulches, such as silver mulches, have the added benefit of repelling insects like aphids, which vector viral diseases.
While plastic mulch offers these advantages, it is important to acknowledge the higher upfront costs associated with it, including the cost of the mulch itself, specialized equipment, and additional labour during installation and removal. However, these costs should be offset by the increased returns from improved quality and higher yields.
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$332.34
Plastic mulch has been linked to environmental concerns
The physical extraction of plastic mulches at the end of the growing season is often very laborious and ineffective, and small pieces of mulch are left in the field, which later convert into microplastic particles. These microplastics become more toxic after accumulating other contaminants from the environment. They may also affect crop productivity by influencing soil physicochemical properties and altering the richness of microbial communities in the rhizosphere.
The use of plastic mulch also requires specialized equipment, such as a bed press, mulch layer, and mulch transplanter, which can increase production costs. The yearly costs of plastic and drip tubing further increase these expenses. The disposal of plastic mulch is an environmental problem, and while technologies exist to recycle used plastic mulch, they are not very effective due to contamination by agrochemicals.
To address these environmental concerns, researchers are focusing on alternative solutions to conventional plastic mulch films, such as the use of biodegradable mulches. Biodegradable polymers provide a more sustainable alternative to conventional plastics, as they can be degraded by the naturally occurring microbial community in an environmental system. Bio-sheets made of compostable polymers are proving to be a highly effective and easy-to-manage solution, officially recognized by the European Parliament in 2017.
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Plastic mulch machines can be purchased or constructed
Plastic mulch machines are used to lay plastic mulch film in gardens or on farms. They can be purchased or constructed.
Purchasing a Plastic Mulch Machine
Plastic mulch machines can be purchased from various companies, including Earth Tools, Berryhill Drip, and Grillo. The Compact Mulch Layer RB448 and RB436 by Berryhill Drip are designed to be used with small tractors and can lay plastic mulch film in widths of 36", 42", and 48". The RB448 model can also lay 48" wide plastic mulch film. These machines also have the option to include a drip attachment for laying drip tape.
Constructing a Plastic Mulch Machine
Constructing a plastic mulch machine requires some knowledge and access to the necessary tools and materials. One user on My Tractor Forum shared their experience building a plastic mulch layer. They started with 2X2X3/16 box steel for the frame, using adjustable mounts, old steel, and small equipment for the openers, closing discs, and press wheels. They also used a 5/8X5 machine bolt for the axle, cutting off the head and welding it into the bar stock. Tires were purchased from TSC. The total cost of the materials for this build was approximately $1440.
Considerations for Using a Plastic Mulch Machine
When using a plastic mulch machine, it is important to ensure that the bed is prepared properly. The soil should be loose, friable, and free of stones, clods, sticks, and undecomposed plant residue. The bed should be tight, firm, and well-formed to ensure the plastic mulch lays correctly and to prevent water accumulation that could cause fruit to rot. It is also recommended to use drip irrigation or drip tape to provide moisture, as rain cannot penetrate the plastic mulch.
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Frequently asked questions
A machine that lays plastic between crop rows is called a mulch-laying machine.
Using a mulch-laying machine can help to suppress weeds and conserve water in crop production and landscaping. It can also act as a barrier to keep methyl bromide, a powerful fumigant and ozone depleter, in the soil.
A mulch-laying machine typically shapes the soil and applies the plastic to the prepared soil. It can also place the drip irrigation line under the plastic while laying the plastic.
