An Evaluation of Plastic and Fibrous Materials as Mulches for Total Vegetation Control1

Abstract

Abstract Twenty-three plastic and fibrous materials were tested in the greenhouse to determine their growth suppression capacity on herbaceous and woody plants. Promising treatments were then applied under field conditions. Materials which controlled vegetation most effectively were rigid urethane foam (a new mulch material), fiberglass mat, fiberglass mat over black polyethylene film, and burlap impregnated with either tert-butylcarbamic acid ester with 3-(m-hydroxyphenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea (karbutilate), or 5-bromo-3-sec-butyl-6-methyluracil (bromacil).