Gene A. Giacomelli¹, Stephen A.Garrison², Merle Jensen³, David R. Mears¹,
James W. Paterson², William J. Roberts¹, and Otho S.Wells⁴¹Department of Bioresource Engineering
²Rutgers Agricultural Research and Extension Center
Cook College Rutgers University
New Brunswick, New Jersey  USA
³University of Arizona Tucson, Arizona
⁴University of New Hampshire, Durham, New Hampshire

Abstract:   The 23-year time period from the 7^th International Agricultural Plastics Congress in San Diego, California in 1977 to the 15^th in Hershey, Pennsylvania in 2000, has provided the development of many fundamental applications of agricultural plastics within the greenhouse and the intensive field production agricultural industry. In 1977, San Diego County, California was the largest user of agricultural plastics in the US, with an estimated 80% of plastic products developed for irrigation and water-related needs.  Today, plastic polymers for all forms of irrigation are prevalent throughout the U.S. and the world.  However, drip irrigation was still described as a ‘new development’, and one-half of the papers in the 7^th international proceedings were focused on news about drip irrigation. The technological concerns two decades ago were as basic as the reliability of polyethylene film and its potential failure due to stress cracks during use. The subsequent response of the manufacturing industry which provided various combinations of additives to the plastic formulations, now suggests that such developments of ‘designer’ films and rigid plastics can be accommodating to almost any situation envisioned.  The efforts of  congress co-chairman Bernarr J. Hall, San Diego County Farm Advisor, and Robert W. Grove, President Grove Products, Inc. brought more than 800 registrants from 31 countries and 37 states to San Diego.  There were 106 papers, and three tours that focused on  plastic row covers and soil mulch; soil fumigation; greenhouse construction, glazing and hydroponic systems;  and drip irrigation on greenhouse and field crops, such as strawberries, tomatoes, kiwi, citrus, and flowers.  Since the San Diego Congress, the US Agricultural Plastics Association (renamed the American Society for Plasticulture in 1991) has convened meetings in 15 locations from Florida to New Jersey and New Hampshire, and from Alabama to Arizona and Oregon, thereby facilitating the advancement and dissemination of Plasticulture technology throughout the US.  This is a review of US Plasticulture technology development as it evolved between the 7^th and 15^th International Agricultural Plastics Congresses by those who experienced what are now historical events of major significance for intensive production agriculture. The goal is to present insight into the evolution of Plasticulture technology, including the successes with the failures; the expectations with the limitations; and ultimately the beneficial impact of the technology throughout the world.  Topics of emphasis will include: actively controlled environments, such as greenhouse systems;  passive, modified environments, such as low and high tunnels;  plastic film row crop mulches;  drip, trickle, and fertigation irrigation systems;  and greenhouse hydroponic crop production systems.

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