What Is Reflective Sheeting?
Reflective sheeting is an agricultural material designed to reflect sunlight, enhancing plant growth, fruit sugar content, and coloration while controlling pests. Thin as 0.2 mm, it’s known by various names based on its features, such as sunlight reflective sheet and aluminum reflective sheet.
Uses of Reflective Sheeting
This versatile sheeting benefits vegetables, fruits, grains, and more, in both greenhouse and open-air cultivation. It’s placed beneath plants like tomatoes and strawberries to improve sunlight exposure, and used for young rice seedlings to prevent sunburn.
Features of Reflective Sheeting
Advantages
- Enhances plant growth and fruit coloration by reflecting light to the underside of plants.
- Repels insect pests such as thrips and whiteflies with its reflective properties.
- Prevents disease and promotes crop health by distributing light evenly.
- Increases crop yields by supporting growth and reducing pest and disease damage.
Disadvantages
- Effectiveness decreases during prolonged rainy weather due to reduced sunlight reflection.
- Non-durable sheeting may tear if laid in high-traffic areas of the field.
- Some sheeting materials may be difficult to clean if stained.
Types of Reflective Sheeting
Reflective sheeting comes in materials ranging from non-woven fabrics to combinations of polyester and aluminum. It’s available in white and silver, with white offering broader light diffusion and heat shielding, and silver providing high reflectance for fruit coloration and pest control.
How to Choose Reflective Sheeting
Selection should be based on use, with sizes varying from 65 cm to 150 cm in width and 50 m to 100 m in length. Lifespan is typically 3 to 4 years, and durability and stain resistance are key factors to consider, especially for larger agricultural operations.