installation, a mixture of methyl bromide (67%)–chloropicrin (33%) was applied at a broadcast rate of 392 kg·ha −1 to the bed area. Plastic mulches were all 91.4 cm wide and included black mulch, highly ultraviolet-reflective metalized mulch (Reflectek Foils
Plastic (polyethylene) mulches have been used in vegetable production in the United States since the 1950s. Black polyethylene plastic mulch is the standard plastic mulch used in vegetable production. Black plastic alters the plant's growing
plastic mulches affect the field temperature regime J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 118 188 193 Hutton, M.G. Handley, D.T. 2007 Effects of silver reflective mulch, white inter-row mulch, and plant density on yields of
et al., 2017 ; RodrÃguez-Seijo and Pereira, 2019 ). Of particular concern are the environmental impacts associated with the use and disposal of low-density polyethylene plastic mulch films for crop production ( He et al., 2015 ; Kasirajan and
production and higher yields of warm-season vegetable crops such as watermelon ( Bhella, 1988 ; Brinen et al., 1979 ; Sanders et al., 1999 ). In addition, plastic mulch reduces water evaporation and controls weeds. Wavelength-selective or -reflective
savings equated to 81.8% for BP and 90.6% for WP treatments compared with the NT treatment, as determined by soil moisture sensors. White plastic mulch saved 52% of the irrigation volume compared with BP possibly because of the reflective nature of white
better experimental control of the surface reflection properties than if white plastic was used (because white plastics have different reflective properties depending on the manufacturer and formulation). The black mulch treatment was unpainted. The
the mulch material, and each material has a different reflectivity and absorptivity ( Pramanik et al., 2015 ). Dark-colored mulches will absorb more solar radiation and emit longwave radiation toward both the air and soil. Plastic mulches, regardless
-density polyethylene (LDPE) or high-density polyethylene (HDPE) mulches, which are extensively used in vegetable crops in Florida. Another type of film is the metallized mulch, which is covered with a reflective aluminum-based coat on the surface. This type of film is
). Mulch consists of a thin layer that may be organic material (such as wood chips, grass clippings, straw, or other low-value biproducts of agriculture), textile, or films of metal or plastic. Plastic mulch films can be of synthetic or biological origin