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Welco ME: Dadasaheb Mokashi College of Agriculture Rajmachi Karad

This document discusses the use of mulching paper in agriculture. It defines mulch and mulching paper as coverings used on the ground around plants to conserve water and suppress weeds. The document then provides a brief history of plastic mulch, noting its origins in the 1950s. It discusses the types of mulches used, including organic, inorganic, and plastic mulching. The document outlines the process of laying mulching paper and lists advantages such as increased soil temperature, reduced weeds and soil compaction, and cleaner products. Disadvantages include removal costs, increased initial costs, management needs, and potential for increased soil erosion and crop/weed competition.

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Rupchand Awale
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© © All Rights Reserved
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Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
48 views

Welco ME: Dadasaheb Mokashi College of Agriculture Rajmachi Karad

This document discusses the use of mulching paper in agriculture. It defines mulch and mulching paper as coverings used on the ground around plants to conserve water and suppress weeds. The document then provides a brief history of plastic mulch, noting its origins in the 1950s. It discusses the types of mulches used, including organic, inorganic, and plastic mulching. The document outlines the process of laying mulching paper and lists advantages such as increased soil temperature, reduced weeds and soil compaction, and cleaner products. Disadvantages include removal costs, increased initial costs, management needs, and potential for increased soil erosion and crop/weed competition.

Uploaded by

Rupchand Awale
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Dadasaheb Mokashi College Of Agriculture

Rajmachi Karad

OME
W E LC
Uses of Mulching
Paper

Presented by.

Rohan Vilasrao Deshmuk


h
ACR 20/2013
Definitions

Definitions
Mulch
Mulch is a covering as of straw compost or plastic sheeting spread on the
ground around the plants to suppress weeds and conserve water.

Mulching paper
Polythene paper used as Mulching on ground to prevent water evaporatio
n and stop weed growth
Introduction

History.

The idea of using polyethylene film as mulch in plant production saw its begi
nnings in the mid-1950s. Dr. Emery M. Emmert of theUniversity of Kentucky

Emery M. Emmert first to recognize the benefits of usingLDPE(low-density pol


yethylene) andHDPE(high-density polyethylene) film as mulch in vegetable pr
oduction.

Today, Dr. Emmert is considered the "father of plastic greenhouses".


Plastic mulch is used in crops like Muskmelon, tomato, cucumber, squas
h, eggplants, watermelon, chill and okra

Vegetable crops have shown significant increase in earliness, yield and f


ruit qualiy when grown on plastic mulch
Types of Mulches

Organic Mulches
Leaves
Grass clippings
Peat moss
Wood chips
Woodchip mulch
Bark chips
Straw mulch / field hay / salt hay
Cardboard / newspaper
Inorganic Mulches

Rocks and gravel

Rubber sheets

Plastic Mulching
Laying of Mulching paper

Prepare the Soil


Before laying plastic mulch it's essential to prepare the soil. Cultivate it
, incorporate fertilizer, compost, lime or sulfur to create a soil that's id
eal for the crops you're growing.

Install an Irrigation System


Even though plastic mulch promotes soil moisture retention, overhead
water sources, such as rain and water from a sprinkler system, won't p
enetrate the plastic to get to the soil. To provide supplemental moistur
e, install a drip irrigation system prior to laying the plastic.
Lay the Plastic
When installing plastic mulch anchor the edges of the polyethyle
ne fabric so the wind can't blow it away. Place rocks on the edge
s, cover them with soil or use U-shaped pins. The plastic must la
y level over the soil.

Protect the Crops


When planting crops on black plastic, keep the material away fro
m the stems of the plants, because hot plastic can burn them.
Advantages

Increased soil temperature: At a 2 inch depth; 4 to 5F under blac


k mulch, or 8 to 10F under clear mulch.

Reduced weed problems:Black and IRT plastic mulch provides go


od weed control in the row. Clear plastic will require use of a herbicide, f
umigation or lifting the mulch and cultivating

Reduced soil compaction: Soil under plastic mulch remains loose,


friable and well-aerated. Roots have access to adequate oxygen and micr
obial activity is excellent.
Reduced evaporation: Soil water does not escape from under
plastic mulch. Plant growth on mulch is often at least twice that
on bare soil.

Cleaner product: A mulched crop is cleaner and less subject t


o rots due to elimination of soil splashing on the plants or fruits.

Reduced fertilizer leaching: Water runs off the impervious


mulch, resulting in maximum utilization of the fertilizer.
Disadvantages

Costly to remove:Plastic mulch and drip irrigation tube


must be removed from the field annually. Clear plastic do
es break down with time but leaves a messy field

Greater initial costs:Plastic mulch and drip irrigation wi


ll increase cost of production.
Increased management:Plastic mulch and drip irrigatio
n must be carefully monitored (daily) to be successful.

Increased soil erosion:Soil erosion increases in middles


between plastic strips.

Increased crop/weed competition:Weeds can grow out


of the holes in close proximity with crops.
Thank You

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