What are the differences between agricultural plastic mulch and non-mulch farming methods?

Agricultural plastic mulch farming involves the use of plastic sheets to cover the soil, which helps in weed control, retains soil moisture, and can increase soil temperature. This method can lead to earlier crop maturity and higher yields. Non-mulch farming, on the other hand, does not use plastic sheets, relying instead on traditional methods of weed control, such as tillage or manual removal. Non-mulch farming might be more susceptible to soil erosion, have less moisture retention, and potentially lower yields compared to mulch farming. Additionally, plastic mulch can contribute to environmental concerns due to the non-biodegradable nature of plastics, whereas non-mulch farming avoids these issues.