Research at the USDA-ARS Soil and Water Conservation research lab in Florence, SC, in 1985, done by Michael J. Kasperbauer and Patrick G. Hunt found that growing staked tomatoes on red plastic mulch increased yields up to 20 %. This is due to the wavelength of red light reflect back up to the plants foliage. The increase can be attributed to the plants phytochrome system. For more information, see my proposed Honors Research Project.