Mulch film is a 20th century innovation in agriculture techniques to enhance the growth of crops and act as a protective barrier to suppress weeds and conserve water.
There are several types of mulch films –
a) Clear Films
Since these films are transparent to short infrared radiation, they allow better soil warming compared to colored films. This type of film helps optimize the early maturity and early yield of the crop.
Clear mulch film does not limit the growth of weeds. Yet heavy weed pressure can lead to film degradation and loss of benefits.
b) Black Films
The black color significantly limits the growth of weeds. However, this color traps heat from solar radiation and therefore leads to an increase in the temperature of the film, thus causing risks, depending on the intensity of the solar radiation, of spots or burns on the crops.
A black film is therefore not recommended for any crops with fragile skin. The early maturity and early yield of crops using a black film are significantly reduced compared to those obtained when using a clear film
c) Black-white Films
The black side, in contact with the ground, significantly limits the growth of weeds.
The white side, facing upwards, reflects sunlight. This results in an increase in the amount of light available for photosynthesis of the crops.
These films have no thermal effect. The use of such a product leads to cooling of the soil; the early maturity and early yield of the crops are significantly reduced compared to those obtained when using a clear film.
These films are available in thickness range starting from 15 microns, with width and color (transparent, black, black-white) available as per customer’s requirement.