Plastics in agriculture: Which are suitable?

Plastics have been an unavoidable part of life for many years, and they have now crept into almost industry that there is. However, when it comes to agriculture, farmers have found that they have needed to be careful which plastics they use. This is because some can be harmful to the environment and the crops that they grow. However, there are also some plastics which have proved to be essential in growing crops and have made the process safer and more successful.

So, how do you know which plastics are suitable for use in the world of agriculture? In this article, Ansini take a look at the plastics that have proved to be useful and what their benefits are.

HDPE

High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) is an incredibly widely used plastic as it is one of the safest options around food. It is resistant to heat and UV rays and does not transmit any chemicals into the soil or crops, making it an excellent choice for use in agriculture.

LDPE

Much like HDPE, Low Density Polyethylene is also used in things such as food storage and is therefore also considered safe in agriculture. It can also withstand a wide range of temperatures and does not transmit any chemicals, making it a very safe choice for farmers.

EVA

EVA stands for Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate Copolymer, and it is a very common plastic in the world of agriculture. It is often used as a thin film for shielding crops from the outside elements but offers enough transparency to let light in and help the crops to grow. It is resistant to high temperatures and have proved itself to be very durable as well as affordable and can help the growing season to last a little longer.

PE

Polyethylene (PE) comes in the form of plastic film in agriculture as another form of protection for crops. It can help to prevent the growth of weeds and stop moisture from escaping, with crops growing through holes which have been cut into it. Polyethylene is both strong and flexible, making it perfect for this task, although it is a single-use plastic and so can be responsible for large amounts of waste.

PC

Polycarbonate (PC) is the form of plastic that brings strength, making it a great alternative to greenhouse glass. It is not only clear, but also has UV-transmitting and UV-filtering varieties, so it can be applied to a number of different situations. It is a great plastic for helping plants to grow all year round, and as it is 250 times stronger than glass, it can also be incredibly resilient.

PP

Polypropylene is used in almost everything, as it is very water resistant. This makes it perfect for the bags used to store and transport crops, ensuring nothing is spoilt by water, temperature or humidity.

PVC

PVC, or Polyvinyl Chloride to give it its proper name, is a very flexible but durable type of plastic, but it can be prone to leaching, and so has not been favoured in many forms of agriculture. However, as it is resistant to corrosion, it has proved itself to be very useful when it comes to irrigation, as its strength means that it will not easily spring a leak. This not only ensures that crops are kept healthy and nourished, but also helps to avoid wasting water, which is of particular importance in drier climates where water is at a premium. 

Plastics to avoid

At a glance, you might think that you have never heard of PET plastics, but they are actually all around us. Polyethylene terephthalate plastics are a feature in every home and business as they are used in everything from drinks bottles to jars. These tend not to be used in agriculture because it is intended as a single-use plastic and therefore starts to break down when exposed to heat or light over a long period of time.

Any plastic which is made from polycarbonate or polylactide are generally best to be avoided when it comes to use in agriculture. This is because it has been found to be a significant culprit when it comes to leaching BPA, leading to a number of health concerns.

Use of plastics in agriculture

Just as plastics are used in every area of your home, they are also widely used in agriculture. Their flexibility and versatility mean that can be adopted for a variety of purposes that can help to protect crops all through the year. Whilst greenhouses were once made solely from glass, this proved difficult to sustain due to the fragility of the material, and so plastic has taken its place. Durable and transparent plastic now makes up most greenhouses to give young plants the warmth and protection that they need.

Plastics are also used heavily in producing tunnels for crops to grow in. These are often low to the ground and help to let light through to the plants whilst keeping weeds, insects and extreme weather conditions at bay. It is for this reason that plastics are also used in mulching, where layers of plastic film cover the soil for the plants to grow through. Humidity is maintained whilst weeds are prevented from growing.

Water systems are now made mainly from plastic due to their strength and resistance to corrosion, whilst plastic is also heavily used in silage to keep animal feed and straw protected all through the winter. Plastics are also used as containers for crop collecting and handling and nets for protection from the sun and hail, showing there is no end to their uses in agriculture.

Plastics are an unavoidable element of agriculture, as they are not only versatile and durable, but they also tend to have lower costs associated with them. In an industry where every penny counts, this is an incredibly important factor and explains why plastic is such a big feature. However, picking the right plastics is important in order to keep soil healthy and crops protected so it is important to choose wisely.