Methods of protecting a crop from weed infestation, controlling weed growth, reducing fumigant dosage in crop protection, and reducing the growth of weeds by applying a polymer composite material with or without a biocide to soil, a crop, a vegetable, a weed, or combinations thereof are provided. In an aspect, the disclosure provides for a polymer composite material including a base polymer coated with: (1) a first barrier layer; (2) a second layer with our without a biocide; and (3) a third protective layer.