The Rotofilm by Oliver Agro is the inter-row weeder designed specifically for plastic mulch crops: strawberry, courgette, melon, watermelon and all vegetables grown on mulch film. Thanks to rubber-coated rotors, it works right up to the edge of the film without tearing or wrinkling it — a unique solution on the market for mechanical weeding along mulch edges.
The Problem: Weeds at the Mulch Film Edge
In plastic mulch crops, weeds grow mainly at two critical points:
- Along the film edge, where the ridged soil meets the plastic — extremely difficult to reach mechanically without damaging the film
- In the open inter-row space between beds — accessible to standard weeders
Chemical weeding along film edges is often ineffective or prohibited in organic farming. Manual labour is expensive and increasingly scarce. The Rotofilm solves both problems in a single pass.
How the Rotofilm Works
Rotofilm rotors are specifically coated with rubber tubing to work on ridged soil right at the film edge without damaging it:
- The rounded shape and rubber coating prevent tearing or wrinkling of the film
- Works both at the start of the season (freshly laid film) and late in the season (deteriorated, more fragile film)
- Compatible with biodegradable mulch films — more delicate and prone to tearing — thanks to the gentle action of the rubber-coated rotors
- Rotors work closer to the film edge than any other solution on the market
Compatible Crops
- Strawberry — the main plastic mulch crop, with narrow rows and delicate film
- Courgette and squash — summer crops on black plastic
- Melon and watermelon — large areas with widely spaced rows
- Processing tomato on mulch film
- Any vegetable crop on plastic or biodegradable mulch
Rotofilm for Organic Farming
The Rotofilm is particularly suitable for organic mulch crops, where chemical weeding is not permitted and weed control at film edges is one of the most critical operations of the season. Biodegradable mulch films — increasingly common in certified organic farming — are fully compatible with the Rotofilm thanks to the rubber-coated rotors.
Frequently Asked Questions on the Rotofilm
Does the Rotofilm work with biodegradable mulch films?
Yes — this is one of the Rotofilm’s key strengths. Biodegradable films are more delicate than conventional plastic and prone to tearing. The rubber coating on Rotofilm rotors allows work at the film edge without tears, even in the later stages of the season when the film has deteriorated.
What is the difference between the Rotofilm and a standard weeder for mulch crops?
A standard weeder with steel rotors can only work in the open inter-row, unable to approach the film without risking tears. The Rotofilm, with rubber-coated rotors, can work directly on the ridged soil at the film edge — the most critical weed zone — without film damage.
Does the Rotofilm work on strawberry crops?
Yes, strawberry is one of the main crops for which the Rotofilm was developed. Strawberry rows on mulch film are particularly vulnerable to edge weeds, and manual weeding labour is very expensive. The Rotofilm solves this mechanically, on both plastic and biodegradable film.
Does Oliver Agro have weeders for inter-row spaces between mulch beds?
Yes. For the inter-row space between beds (without film), Oliver Agro offers the Rotosark and the Rotovert depending on row spacing. The Rotofilm handles specifically the critical zone at the mulch film edge.
Discover the Rotofilm in the Oliver Agro catalogue, or contact us to assess the right solution for your mulch crops.