9th Biennial Workshop on Application of Plastics in Agriculture concludes

GANGTOK, 08 Nov: The 9th biennial workshop on ‘Application of Plastics in Agriculture’ that started on 04 November concluded yesterday at College of Agricultural Engineering and Post Harvest Technical (CAEPHT)-Central University (CAU), Ranipool, Gangtok, informs a press release.
During two days of technical sessions, all the 11 centers of All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Application of Plastics in Agriculture (APA) presented their two years achievements in their research projects and proposal for research projects to be undertaken during the next two years, the release informs.
The sessions included technical presentation, brain storming and plenary sessions and were chaired by Ex Vice chancellor, RAU, Pusa, Dr S R Singh, Deputy Director General (Engineering), ICAR New Delhi, Dr M M Pandey, and Assistant Director General (Process Engineering), ICAR, New Delhi, Dr K K Singh.
According to the release, during the two days thorough deliberation, it was concluded that for surface covered cultivation, large size polyhouses, Hydroponics & NFT (nutrient film technology), Multi-terraced polyhouses may be adopted and package of practices under covered cultivation may be stanadised. Region specific suitable polyhouse may be designed.
As per pathogic attack, alternative cropping sequences may be adopted. Water harvesting structures may be covered with polythene to reduce evaporation. Effect of coloured shade nets / cladding materials on crop productivity and soil structured may be included in the future research. Multi-tier crops / nursery may be adopted to utilize the volumetric space of poly houses instead of area. Soil less cultivation may be tried by constructing the poly houses on wasteland.
Software may be developed to validate the designed polyhouses for its suitability under different climatic conditions, total energy requirement and cost economics. A team comprising of Professor, PAU, Ludhiana, Dr KG Singh, Senior scientist, IARI, Dr (Ms) Neelam Patel, Associate Professor, MPUA&T, Udaipur, 'Dr S R Bhakar, were given this responsibility, the release informs.
The recommendations also include use of automated sprinkler and drip for irrigation and fertgation. All the KVKs may demonstrate on-farm plasticulture technologies. Design of ponds lined with polythene for aquaculture and sheds for animal husbandry may enhance the use of plasticulture. Mulching, soil solarisation, farm machinery, pHM, coloured mulch to be studied for response on various crops. Soil fertility and soil health, microbes after mulching are to be studied. Establishment of plastics testing centres was also stressed.