When the climate conditions are not favorable for plant growth, we try to change this environment and make if appropriate for the culture. The most usual technique for this is building a greenhouse or tunnel lined with plastic or other material. Thus, we change the environment helping the plant to grow better. As a result, this environment has not only the appropriate soil, available water, but also a favorable climate. Regarding climate, it is important to remember the partial control we try to obtain on the temperature, light, air humidity and gas concentration on the environment.

Today, there are many options available in the market referring to types of structures and materials that may be used to cover these structures. However, all the materials used until now to protect the plants need some structure or support in order to avoid the contact of this material (plastic, screen etc.) with the plant, which represents an investment, generally with high cost.

Due to constant studies, we already have another material, which can change the climate conditions and may be placed directly over the plant without needing any support this is the "nonwoven" of polypropylene or Agrotextile.

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This article was originally posted in Brazilian Association of Nonwoven and Technical Textiles Industries. The authors of this article are Dr. Rosana Fernandes Otto and Marie Yamamoto Reghin, Researchers in the Oil Culture Area of the Agronomy Course of UEPG – State University of Ponta Grossa – PR.