Mulch Film in Sinaloa: Choosing Color and Gauge

Why is mulch film used on Sinaloa vegetables?

Sinaloa grows vegetables mainly in the fall-winter cycle, with valleys as important as those of Culiacán, Navolato, Guasave and Ahome. Seeding or transplanting starts in September and October, when the soil is still warm and the sun is strong, and harvest takes place in the cold, dry months. In that rhythm, agricultural mulch film does three jobs that growers feel in their pocket.

The co-extruded film makes water and nutrient use more efficient, controls weeds and changes soil temperature. With drip irrigation, the covered bed loses less moisture to evaporation and fertilizer reaches the root zone better. In addition, the fruit stays separated from the soil, which helps keep it cleaner.

ICUSA manufactures these films at our plant and laboratory in Culiacán, in the heart of one of the country’s most important agricultural areas. For the national picture, see the guide to agricultural plastics by state.

Which mulch film color works best in Sinaloa?

Color is not decoration: it defines how much light is reflected, how much the soil heats up and how insects react.

The practical rule: if the problem is heat, reflect the light; if the problem is virus, confuse the insect; if the problem is cold, retain heat. Each field may call for something different.

How do you choose the gauge of mulch film?

Gauge is the thickness of the film, and ICUSA mulch film ranges from gauge 70 to gauge 200. There is no magic number, because it depends on three things:

• Cycle length. Tomato, eggplant and long-harvest chiles need a film that withstands months of sun, irrigation and crew work. A short-cycle cucumber does not demand the same.
• Laying method. Mechanical laying stretches the plastic; a very thin film tears more easily in loose soil or soil with clods.
• Wind and handling. In open fields without windbreaks, wind lifts the edges if the film is too light.

The maximum life of mulch film is 2 years, depending on the crop, gauge and use. In practice, almost all vegetable mulch film is removed at the end of the cycle; what matters is that it lasts intact until the final harvest. A technical advisor can review your crop and help you choose within that range, from gauge 70 to gauge 200.

What works for tomato, chile, cucumber and eggplant?

Tomato

Long cycle, staked plants and a lot of foot traffic from workers. You look for a tear-resistant film and a color that controls soil temperature at transplant; the black and white bicolor is the usual choice for warm plantings.

Chile

Very sensitive to insect-transmitted viruses. Silver and black makes sense when there is whitefly or aphid pressure, together with whitefly monitoring using yellow sticky insect traps.

Cucumber

Shorter cycle and a creeping plant that quickly covers the bed. Here weed control and fruit cleanliness matter more than a long-life film.

Eggplant

Long cycle and sustained heat. It is handled much like tomato: a color that reflects and a gauge that lasts the whole season.

What perforation does mulch film need?

Perforation and pre-perforation patterns: center, staggered, domino, three rows and multi-perforated. The pattern is chosen based on plant spacing, number of rows per bed and type of irrigation. Poor perforation forces you to punch holes by hand and breaks crop uniformity, so it is best to define it before ordering the roll.

What should you watch for when laying mulch film?

A good material is wasted by poor laying. Before covering, the bed should be well formed, firm and at the right moisture; the drip tape goes under the film, not on top. The plastic is stretched without forcing it, and the edges are covered evenly with soil so the wind does not lift it. At the end of the cycle it is best to remove it completely so no residue is left in the field. If the mulch film arrives with quality doubts or a factory defect, review the warranty and replacement policy.

And if the soil has to be disinfected first?

When the bed is fumigated before planting, the film must retain the gas. That is where the AgroTIF High Barrier film comes in, which the technical data sheet describes as an almost absolute barrier against oxygen and which improves pesticide retention. We explain when it makes sense in this article on soil disinfection.

Where can you get mulch film in Sinaloa?

ICUSA serves you directly from its plant in Culiacán, Sinaloa, and ships to your region. To get a quote, message an ICUSA advisor on WhatsApp at 667 791 3171, tell them your crop, planting date and irrigation method, and receive a recommendation for color, gauge and perforation.