Preventing mold development on greenhouse plastics

Added on 14 July 2023

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Preventing mold development on greenhouse plastics

Polytunnels are designed to offer optimized conditions for cultivation, with warm temperatures, enhanced light levels, high humidity, and protection from the elements. Unfortunately, these humid and moist environments allow more than just plants to flourish; many microorganisms also thrive, and mold growth is a common and expensive challenge for growers. Microbes can proliferate on the polymeric plastic structures themselves – including the covering sheets and films – and their growth can lead to staining, discoloration, and product deterioration.

Furthermore, an important feature of polytunnel films is the transparent nature of the coverings, allowing transmittance of sunlight for photosynthetic plant growth. Mold proliferation can lower the film clarity, hindering UV light penetration and negatively impacting crop health. Ultimately, this causes early disposal and replacement of components that end up in landfill, further contributing to the large amounts of plastic waste generated by the agricultural sector – between 2 and 6.5 million tons annually. The development of new strategies to tackle this issue is critical to improving the industry’s green credentials, and antifungal technologies represent an interesting solution.