Use of Plastic Films to Modify the Soil Water and Thermal Environment to Improve Crop Productivity.

Plastic films have been used successfully in agriculture to increase crop productivity by suppressing weeds, conserving soil water and modifying soil temperature. A key aim in using plastic films is to improve crop establishment and maximise plant transpiration by minimising soil evaporation, which is a non-beneficial water loss pathway. In this paper we use new capability recently implemented in the HYDRUS model to better understand the effects of plastic film on the near surface soil water and thermal environment. The aim in doing this is to help guide the development and use of plastic films to improve water use efficiency and crop productivity. We also discuss some of the benefits and drawbacks of current plastic films and the need for new biodegradable films to minimise pollution of our soil and water systems.