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Plasticulture refers to the practice of using plastic materials in agricultural applications. The plastic materials used among the agricultural activities and its allied sectors referred as the Ag-Plastic or Agri-plastic. But the term is most often used to describe all kinds of plastic plant/soil coverings.
There are different kinds of usage with plastic in agricultural sciences .
soil fumigation film
irrigation drip tape/tubing
plastic plant packaging cord
plastic mulch
green house coverings.
Plastic degradation into microplastics is damaging to soil health, microorganisms and beneficial organism like earth worms.
PLASTIC THAT WERE USED IN AGRICULTURAL SECTORS:
Polyethylene (PE) -is the plastic film used by the majority of growers because of its affordability, flexibility and easy manufacturing.
plastic that give it properties beneficial to plant growth such as reduced water loss, UV stabilization to cool soil and prevent insects, elimination of photosynthetically active radiation to prevent weed growth, IR opacity, anti-drip/antifog, and fluorescence.
Polyethylene absorbs almost no water.
PE can become brittle when exposed to sunlight, carbon black is usually used as a UV stabilizer.
2. Polypropylene (pp)- is often used for agricultural plant packaging cord .
Polypropylene belongs to the group of polyolefins and is partially crystalline and non-polar.
Its properties are similar to polyethylene, but it is slightly harder and more heat resistant.
It is a white, mechanically rugged material and has a high chemical resistance.
Polypropylene is the second-most widely produced commodity plastic (after polyethylene).
APPLICATIONS:-
GREEN HOUSE :A greenhouse is a large structure in which it is possible to stand and work with automated ventilation.
It is a structure with walls and roof made chiefly of transparent material, such as glass, in which plants requiring regulated climatic conditions are grown.
The interior of a greenhouse exposed to sunlight becomes significantly warmer than the external temperature, protecting its contents in cold weather.
2. PLASTIC MULCH: Plastic mulching is when a thin plastic film is placed over the ground, poking holes at regular intervals for seeds to be planted in, or placing it directly over plants in the beginning stages of growth.
Plastic mulch is often used in conjunction with drip irrigation. Disposal of plastic mulch is an environmental problem.
Environmental Impact:-
Bio-PP is the bio-based counterpart of polypropylene (PP).
Recycling of plastic mulch is difficult because the mulch is often wet or dirty. Thin mulch breaks down quickly, and can be impossible to pick up for recycling once degraded.
Biodegradable polymers are polymers that can be degraded by the naturally occurring microbial community in an environmental system. They provide a more sustainable alternative to conventionally used plastics for mulch films.
By KHAS
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