Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
ranging from 9.2% (plum), 85.6% (tomato) by use of plastic mulches. The
most serious problems associated with plasticulture relate to removal of
used plastics from the field and its environment friendly disposal. Biode-
gradable plastics are made with starches from plants such as corn, wheat,
cassava and potato. They are broken down by microbes. Biodegradable
plastics currently on the market are more expensive than traditional plas-
tics, but the lower price of traditional plastics does not reflect their true
environmental cost. Field trials in India and abroad using biodegradable
mulch on several crops have shown it performs just as well as regular
plastic films and it can be safely plowed into the ground after harvest. In
the absence of polythene, use of organic sources like weeds or straw have
also been found beneficial in improving soil moisture status.
Application of externally produced organic mulches affects crop
growth by influencing weed growth, soil conditions, soil nutrient status,
and soil erosion: If weeds are likely to reduce crop yields, organic surface
mulches might be able to suppress their growth by hindering and delaying
germination (emergence) through shading. On the other hand, mulch may
enhance soil conditions for plant growth in general so that also weeds are
favored. Limited time for mulch decomposition is reason for the fact that
mulch favors crop growth by enhancing soil physical conditions rather
than by adding nutrients. Efficacy of organic sources as mulching material
in terms of increase in soil water content, organic matter, yield and qual-
ity of produce have been successfully demonstrated in many horticultural
crops like grape, apple, citrus, litchi, tomato, etc.
4.10.10 RAINWATER HARVESTING FOR LIFESAVING
IRRIGATION OF HORTICULTURAL CROPS
In the areas with no alternate source of irrigation, technologies on rain-
water harvesting can effectively be used for ensuring lifesaving irrigation
particularly for newly planted fruit plants. Low cost rainwater harvesting
structures like plastic lined
Dobha
has been developed and successfully
demonstrated in farmers' fields for ensuring life saving irrigation to newly
planted orchards. The technology has shown promise in farmers fields and
hence required to be incorporated in different development schemes on
horticulture development particularly under plateau and hilly regions with
adequate rainfall.
