An Introduction to Plasticulture
By Dr. Michael D. Orzolek
Center for Plasticulture at Penn State University
From Plasticulture in North America

The term plasticulture is defined as the use of plastics in agriculture. This broad term would include plastic film mulches, drip irrigation tape, row covers, low tunnels, high tunnels, silage bags, hay bale wraps, and plastic trays and pots used in transplant and bedding plant production

Use of plastic in horticulture crop production has increased dramatically in the last ten years even though the number of agricultural plastic manufactures has been reduced by 40% over the same period.

The use of plasticulture in the production of horticultural crops (vegetables, small fruits, flowers, tree fruits, and ornamentals) helps to mitigate the sometime extreme fluctuations in weather, especially temperature, rainfall and wind, which occurs in may parts of North American. Many growers in North America experience some extreme in weather conditions during the growing season that can kill or injure the crops, or reduce marketable yield. Row covers, low tunnels and high tunnels all have the potential to minimize the effect of these extreme weather events on the crop and optimize plant growth and development in a protected environment.