Plastic mulch

Plastic mulch is a film laid over agricultural soil to suppress weeds, conserve moisture, regulate soil temperature, and support crop production.

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Drip irrigation: An irrigation method that delivers water through emitters near plant roots. Drip lines commonly run beneath the film, delivering water while limiting evaporation.
Strawberry production: The cultivation of strawberry plants for fruit harvest. Plastic mulch is widely used in strawberry beds to suppress weeds and keep fruit clean.
Agricultural plastic pollution: Plastic contamination arising from farming materials and practices. Discarded or fragmented mulch contributes plastic to farmland and surrounding environments.
Organic mulch: A soil covering made from plant-derived materials such as straw, leaves, or wood chips. Unlike plastic film, organic mulch can decompose and add organic matter to soil.
Polyethylene: A widely used thermoplastic polymer made from ethylene monomers. Most conventional mulch films are made from polyethylene because it is flexible and inexpensive.
Soil solarization: A pest-management method that heats moist soil beneath transparent plastic using solar energy. Transparent mulch can raise soil temperatures enough to suppress some soilborne pests.
Tomato cultivation: The cultivation of tomato plants for food production. Mulch supports weed control and moisture management in field-grown tomatoes.
Microplastics in soil: Plastic particles smaller than five millimeters present in soil. Aging mulch films can fragment into particles that persist in agricultural soils.
Biodegradable mulch film: A mulch film designed to break down through biological activity after use. It can be incorporated into soil rather than collected, unlike conventional plastic film.
Soil temperature: The temperature of soil at a particular depth and time. Film color and transparency alter how quickly covered soil warms or cools.