In partnership with Washington State University and Montana State University 
Building and sharing information and best practices for biodegradable mulch

 

​Are there reflective or white versions of biodegradable plastic mulch?

​Manufacturers of biodegradable plastic mulches produce versions that are black, clear, white, and white-on-black. To our knowledge there is currently not a metallic-sided biodegradable product. Color affects the temperature of both the soil and the mulch itself, with different colors absorbing or reflecting more light. Because black will absorb solar radiation, black plastic mulch will warm the soil if the mulch sufficiently contacts the soil. Because white will reflect solar radiation, both white and white-on-black mulches will decrease the soil temperature. Clear plastic mulches produce greater soil warming than black mulches because they transmit solar radiation, but water trapped by the mulch prevents outgoing infrared radiation.
[See more information and other FAQ here.]

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>> New Publications Available. Project team members co-authored three articles just published  and accessible through our publications page:

"Policy considerations for limiting unintended residual plastic in agricultural soils" in Environmental Science & Policy

"Is biodegradable plastic mulch the solution to agriculture's plastic problem?" in Environmental Science & Technology.

"Suitability of biodegradable plastic mulches for organic and sustainable agricultural production systems" in Horticultural Science.