Mulching is the process of covering the soil to build more favorable conditions for plant growth, development and also for more crop production. Mulch is a technical term which means ‘covering of the soil’. The natural mulches like dry leaves, straw and waste plant parts have been used for centuries, during the
last 60 years the arrival of synthetic materials has altered the methods and benefits of mulching. As compared to other mulches plastic mulches are impermeable to water; therefore it prevents evaporation of moisture from the soil and thus limits the water losses and soil erosion over the surface.
Advantages of plastic mulching
It is impermeable to water.
It prevents the direct evaporation of moisture from the soil
It can facilitate fertilizer placement and reduce the loss of plant nutrient through leaching.
Mulches can minimize weed growth.
Mulches maintain warm temperature during night time which enables seeds to germinate quickly and for young plants to rapidly establish a strong root growth system.