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Mulches are protective covers placed on the
soil surface. Like mineral and organic mulches,
plastic films used as soil mulches have the
potential to supress weeds, reduce erosion and
soil evaporation (Es), and alter soil (Ts) and air
(Ta) temperature. Unlike mineral (e.g., sand,
gravel and stones) and organic (e.g., crop
residue, sawdust, wood chips, and bark)
mulches, which typically slow soil warming
(unless mineral mulch is applied to high organic
matter soils), plastic film mulches permit faster
or slower soil warming depending on their
radiative properties (i.e., the reflectivity,
transmissivity and absorptivity of the plastic),
while also reducing Es. The data presented in
this document aim to enhance farmers’
understanding of the changes caused when
using various plastic film mulches. This will
strengthen farmer awareness and decision
making confidence, enabling them to use
plastic films (or plastic-like films) to adapt to
weather variability and climate change.
soil surface. Like mineral and organic mulches,
plastic films used as soil mulches have the
potential to supress weeds, reduce erosion and
soil evaporation (Es), and alter soil (Ts) and air
(Ta) temperature. Unlike mineral (e.g., sand,
gravel and stones) and organic (e.g., crop
residue, sawdust, wood chips, and bark)
mulches, which typically slow soil warming
(unless mineral mulch is applied to high organic
matter soils), plastic film mulches permit faster
or slower soil warming depending on their
radiative properties (i.e., the reflectivity,
transmissivity and absorptivity of the plastic),
while also reducing Es. The data presented in
this document aim to enhance farmers’
understanding of the changes caused when
using various plastic film mulches. This will
strengthen farmer awareness and decision
making confidence, enabling them to use
plastic films (or plastic-like films) to adapt to
weather variability and climate change.
Summary
The data presented in this document aim to enhance farmers’ understanding of the changes caused when using various plastic film mulches. This will strengthen farmer awareness and decision making confidence, enabling them to use plastic films (or plastic-like films) to adapt to weather variability and climate change.
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