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Plastic Mulch Film may be defined as the process of covering the soil surface around the plants to create congenial conditions for the crop growth. This may include moisture and soil conservation, temperature moderation, salinity and weed control etc. It exerts a decisive affect on earliness, yield and quality of the crop.
The different mulch materials have the affect of modifying heat exchange between the covered and atmospheric environment. The temperature difference is the resultant effect between the accumulation and loss of energy.
Accumulation of energy :
- Shortwave radiation (Incoming )
- Generates heat: 380-780 nm - Most effective 500 nm
- Some contribution by 280-380 UV and 780-2500 l.R. also.
Loss of energy :
- Long wave radiation (5000-35000 nm)
- Terrestrial Radiation maximum losses 9000-10000 nm
- Advantages
- Moisture conservation
- Salinity control
- Maintanence of soil structure
- Cleanliness of the product
- Increase in yield
- Better fertilizer use
- Weed control
- Soil borne pathogens control
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