What Is Agricultural Vinyl?
Agricultural vinyl, as the name implies, is vinyl used for agricultural purposes and is used for plastic greenhouses and tunnels.
Agricultural vinyl is mainly made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or vinyl chloride resin. There are various types of vinyl with different characteristics, such as heat retention, moisture retention, and dustproofing, etc. By selecting the appropriate vinyl according to the crops to be grown and the characteristics of the climate, it is possible to improve work efficiency, increase yield, and suppress pests and diseases.
Use of Agricultural Vinyl
Agricultural vinyl is used as a covering material. It is used in plastic greenhouses and tunnels.
The main material is polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which is relatively inexpensive and easy to obtain. Various processing, chemical attachments, and coloring have been used to develop products with added effects, some of which are expensive.
In general, there are two types of materials: transparent and pearskin. Transparent materials are characterized by their ability to allow light to pass through and their high heat-raising effect. Pearskin fabrics scatter light and adjust transmission, reducing unevenness of light inside the greenhouse.
Characteristics of Agricultural Vinyl
Advantages
The main characteristic of agricultural vinyl is its excellent heat retention properties. Polyvinyl chloride, the main raw material of agricultural vinyl, is a type of synthetic resin that has a high heat-retaining effect.
By utilizing the heat-retaining properties of agricultural vinyl, cultivation in plastic greenhouses and tunnels is less susceptible to outside temperatures and other environmental factors, and cultivation can be conducted in a stable manner. This feature helps protect crops from the external environment when growing cold-sensitive or high-demand crops throughout the year.
Disadvantages
Agricultural vinyl chloride has poor weather resistance and is easily degraded by rain, wind, ultraviolet rays, and other weather and temperature changes. Deteriorated agricultural vinyl is often damaged on a large scale when exposed to strong stimuli, such as strong winds.
Even small-scale tears require prompt action because of the potential for secondary damage not only to the crop being grown but also to adjacent greenhouses and tunnels.
Types of Agricultural Vinyl
Agricultural vinyl is not only made of polyvinyl chloride but also of polyolefin film for agricultural use, which is more weather resistant, and of fluoroplastic. Various types of processed vinyl are also available.
1. General Agricultural Vinyl
There are two types: transparent, which allows light to pass through well, and pear-shaped, which scatters light, suppresses unevenness of light, and is less sticky, making it easy to work with.
2. Agricultural Vinyl for Long-Term Spreading
Compared to general agricultural vinyl, this type is thicker and has been treated with a strong dust-proofing property to extend its durability.
3. Agricultural Vinyl With Enhanced Heat-Retaining Ability
By adding an infrared absorbing material, the heat-retaining effect is stronger than that of ordinary vinyl.
4. Foggy Mist Suppression
When greenhouse cultivation is conducted in a humid environment, this product has the effect of suppressing fog and mist in the greenhouse.
5. Dust-Proof Agricultural Vinyl
The outer surface is coated to prevent dust from adhering to the material, making it highly weather resistant.
6. Colored Agricultural Vinyl
By coloring the vinyl and adding an ultraviolet absorber, the quality of light transmitted through the vinyl can be controlled.
7. Special Agricultural Vinyl for Specific Crops
Used for the cultivation of specific crops, such as eggplant and strawberries.
How to Select Agricultural Vinyl
Agricultural vinyl has different cost requirements depending on its material and characteristics. Therefore, it is important to compare not only in terms of functionality but also in terms of price. Since the frequency of replacement will vary depending on the weather resistance, it is necessary to select agricultural vinyl that suits your operation style while also considering the running cost.
Light transmission, persistence, and spectral characteristics also vary depending on the material. If you have a budget to spare, you can choose the right vinyl for the crop to be grown and the local climate.
How to Use Agricultural Vinyl
Agricultural vinyl is used as a covering material to cover the posts when building plastic greenhouses or tunnels. In both cases, agricultural vinyl should be set up on poles in a sunny, windless location and secured with vinyl rails or packers.
Care should be taken to avoid sagging or looseness, which may result in sparse light transmission and vinyl coming off the poles.