The recycling of this plastic mulch is the environmental problem.

If possible, use black plastic mulch on the sweet potato bed.

It is also one of the few weeds that cannot be stopped with plastic mulch.

"The soil surface was about 35 degrees lower in the middle of the day than under plastic mulch," he said.

By 1999 almost 30 million acres worldwide were covered in plastic mulch.

The benefits from using plastic mulch come at a higher cost than planting in bare soil.

The removal of plastic mulch also contributes to a higher cost through additional labor and equipment needed.

Plastic mulch is often used in conjunction with drip irrigation.

There are a few disadvantages to using plastic mulches in crop production as well.

Plastic mulches reduce the amount of water lost from the soil due to evaporation.

Transplanters designed for plastic mulch can be used to plant the desired crop.

If planted in plastic mulch, sweet potatoes require virtually no further attention until harvest time.

Plastic mulches can be something of a nuisance.

Otherwise soil temperatures can be raised by drying soils or the use of clear plastic mulches.

The soil underneath the plastic mulch stays loose and well aerated.

Due to these factors, the use of plastic mulch can lead to an improvement in the overall growth of the plant.

Plastic mulches keep ripening fruits off of the soil.

These non-biodegradable plastic mulches must be removed from the field and disposed of properly.

And she is devoted to black plastic mulch: six-millimeter-thick polyethylene, to be exact.

Plant size and yield have been superior when grown on plastic mulch as compared to bare soil."

The use of plastic mulch alters soil temperature.

The plastic mulch covering the soil decreases the crusting effect of rain and sunlight.

He does use drip feeding, with pipes under the plastic mulch trickling water and nutrients to each plant.

Plastic mulches also aid in evenly distributing moisture to the soil which reduces plant stress.

Although biodegradable plastic mulches exist, non-biodegradable plastics are more widespread.