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Weed control As every plant requires a process of photosynthesis for generation of food, which requires sunlight, on using of plastic mulch film the weed plant which will be below the plastic mulch sheet, the sheet does not allow the sunrays to pass through it, as our film has a unique quality of reflecting back the sunlight, which will not allow the weed to grow. Moisture conservation Plastic film with its moisture barrier properties does not allow the soil moisture to escape Water that evaporates from the soil surface under mulch film, condenses on the lower surface of the film and falls back as droplets. Thus moisture is preserved for several days and increases the period between two irrigations. Plastic mulches also aid in evenly distributing moisture to the soil which reduces plant stress. Savings in water is one of the greatest advantage with plastic mulch and such savings are found to vary from 20% to as high as 75%. The savings in water are more pronounced in dry areas. Reduction in the cost of fertilizer Basically water has the property to go deep into the soil (also called as leaching property), where as the roots cant go too much deep into the soil, when fertilizer get dissolved in the water because of the leaching property there is a huge wastage of fertilizer, the use of plastic mulch along with drip irrigation allows the dissolved fertilizer not to go deep into the soil and allows timely and evenly distribution of nutrients to the plant, which helps the plant to grow faster and healthier. Based on the above concept fertilizer use efficiency by the plant will be more than 95%, hence there will be an approximate saving of 50% in the cost of fertilizer. Quality produce Plastic mulches avoid the ripening fruits from direct soil contact. There by decreases fruit rot as well as keeps the fruit and vegetables clean. This gives quality produce and better marketability. Reduction in soil compaction The plastic mulch covering the soil decreases the crusting effect of rain and sunlight. The reduction in weed quantity means a decreased need for mechanical cultivation. Weed control between beds of plastic can be done using directly applied herbicides and through mechanical means. The soil underneath the plastic mulch stays loose and well aerated. This increases the amount of oxygen in the soil and aids in microbial activity. There by more active root zone will be developed. Reduction in root damage The use of plastic mulch creates a practically weed free area around the plant, removing the need for inter cultivation except between the rows of plastic. Root damage associated with inter cultivation is therefore eliminated. Due to these factors, the use of plastic mulch can lead to an improvement in the overall growth of the plant. Chimney effect. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is slightly heavier than air during night. The CO2 tends to stay low near the plant before it finally defuses into the air. The green leaves of all plants feed from CO2. They take out the carbon and release the oxygen. Based on the above concept some of the CO2 will be preserved under the mulch film during the night, during the day time because of heat the CO2 will become lighter and goes upwards through the mulch whole at the stem of the plant, there by reaching the leaves above, which helps effective photosynthesis. Soil Erosion: Ideally soil erosion should be less than 4 to 5 tons/ha/year. The reduction of water runoff and erosion is one of the greatest advantages of having a plastic mulch by intercepting raindrops, hence the valuable fertile soil( humus layer) will be protected. Early production : The use of plastic mulch alters soil temperature. Mulch applied to the soil intercept sunlight warming the soil allowing earlier planting as well as encouraging faster

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mid-summer when cooler soil might be required. Pest control:

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growth early in the growing season. White mulch reflects heat from the sun effectively reducing soil temperature. This reduction in temperature may help establish plants in

Plastic mulches like silver have the property to repellent the sucking pests like white flies, moreover plastic mulches will reduce the effect of soil born pathogen. Soil micro climate: Mulches create a micro environment which alters plant growth and development. Plastic mulches affect plant microclimate by retaining soil moisture and changing rootzone temperatures and the quantity and quality of light reflected back to the plants there by altering the soil energy balance and restricting soil water evaporation, benefiting the plant growth and give better yield. Precautions for Mulch Laying Do not stretch the film very tightly. It should be loose enough to overcome the expansion and shrinkage conditions caused by temperature and the impacts of cultural operation. The film should not be laid on the hottest time of the day, when the film will be in expanded condition. Width: This depends upon the inter row spacing. Normally a one to one and half meter width film can be easily adapted to different conditions. Mulch Laying Techniques Mulch should be laid on a non-windy condition ii. The mulch material should be held tight without any crease and laid on the bed iii. The borders (10 cm) should be anchored inside the soil in about 7-10 cm deep in small furrows at an angle of 45. SELCTION OF PLASTIC MULCH S.NO. 1 2 3 CROPS Groundnut Fruits and vegetables short duration ( 3 to 4 months crops) Fruits and vegetables Medium duration ( 10 to 12 months crops) early stage of fruit crops, coffee, banana, papaya, sugarcane, cotton etc. 4 5 Long duration crops ( more than 12 months old) fruit 70-100 crops, plantation crops, rose, etc Soil solarisation (transparent film) 150-200 40-50 THICKNESS (MICRONS) 7 25-30

YEILD INCREASE IN DIFFERENT CROPS BY USE OF PLASTIC MULCH CROP Musk melon Water melon Banana (1.5X 1.5) Banana (1.8X1.8) Papaya Hot pepper Tomato Brinjal Okra Capsicum Cabbage Cauliflower % OF YEILD INCREASE 30-35% 30-35% 45-50% 15-18% 75-80% 40-50% 60-65% 20-25% 60-65% 35-45% 70-75% 40-50% CROP Sugarcane Mango Citrus Grapes Guava Pomegranates Cotton Areca nut Ground nut Jack fruit Potato Coconut % OF YEILD INCREASE 50-55% 40-45% 15-20% 40-50% 20-25% 30-35% 40-45% 25-30% 60-70% 25-30% 35-40% 70-75%

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