AGROTEXTILES – An Overview

INTRODUCTION

Food, clothing and shelter are the three basic needs of the human being. The human being started using the fibers as human clothing from the Old Stone Age; later on textiles come up with the large areas of applications mainly known as industrial textiles. An important application of the textiles in agriculture is in the protection against extreme climatic conditions.

A textile fabric has a long history of application in agriculture. The word Agrotextiles now is used to classify the woven, nonwoven and knitted fabrics applied for agricultural & horticultural uses covering livestock protection, shading, weed and insect control, and extension of the growing season. Agrotextiles help to keep sufficient soil humidity and increase the soil temperature.

Return ample gauze weaves; for example, protect the harvests of fruits against the damage caused by the hail.

Preliminary studies have shown that using woven of return gauze are possible to increase the harvest of fruits in a 30% under favorable conditions of time and until in a 50% under unfavorable conditions. The agro textiles are also used to prevent the growth of injurious weeds to agriculture.

Need Of Agrotextiles

They prevent the soil from drying out increase crop yield
They improve product quality
Agro textiles protects farmer from harmful pesticides
Thermal protection textiles are treated with ultraviolet ray stabilizers.
The best-known products are shade netting and thermal screens, the use of which can save up to 40% on energy in heating greenhouses
Their use improves the quality of fruit, prevents staining and improves uniformity of color
__________________________________________________________________________

Forms Of Agrotextiles

There are different forms of agro textiles are available such as : -
Nets
Sheets
Woven
Nonwovens
Knitted
Novel
Coated

A comprehensive range of woven and knitted fabrics, nets and meshes for landscaping, horticulture and agriculture, protective textiles it is mainly used.

Fibers Used

There is use of synthetics as well as natural fibers in agro textiles. Fibers used in agro textiles are as follows: -

Nylon
Polyester
Polyethylene
Polyolefin
Polypropylene
Jute
Wool
Among all these fibers the Polyolefin is extensively used where as among natural jute and wool is used it not only serve the purpose but also after some year it degrades and act as the natural fertilizer.

Properties Requirements

The properties required for agro textiles are
Weather resistance- It must work effectively in cold as well as hot climatic conditions
Resistance to microorganisms-it must resistant to microorganism to protect the living being
Stable construction- the construction must be such that it must be stable for any application
Lightweight- the weight of the fabric should be such that it will bare by the plant.

Areas Of Applications

Agriculture, horticulture, protective textiles and landscaping: applications are in woven tape ground covers, wind-break screens, frost protection covers, hail netting, insect screens, silage protection, ventilation screens, shading and reflection screens, bind netting, etc.

Protective Membrane

Textile works with any type of ground and offers an equal performance in agricultural, residential applications or in drainage of the roads. Use it to prevent bad grasses or sand to block the crucial drains. This permeable textile under high-pressure and is extremely easy to install.
Available in rollers of 1 feet 6 inches out of 11 feet 6 inches

Separation Membrane

Remarkably strong, versatile, and effective. This fabric meets the separation requirements of most landscaping projects. Use Garden Helper to control weeds around trees and borders, prevent soil contamination, control erosion, and much more.
Available in rolls covering 107 sq. ft. to 5164 sq. ft.

Windscreens

Research is performed into the various parameters characterizing agro textiles used as windscreens. The often-used 'total open area' is not an unequivocal parameter, opening size distribution and characteristic opening give more information on the structure of an agro textiles. To mutually compare the wind velocity reduction of various kinds of synthetic windscreens under all circumstances a velocity reduction coefficient is determined.

The usability of the velocity reduction coefficient and the efficiency of the different kinds of synthetic windscreens are studied in a wind tunnel belonging to the International Centre for Eremology (ICE) of the University of Gent. This research clearly demonstrates the usefulness of the velocity reduction coefficient as a measure for the direct comparison of synthetic windscreens; it enables thus the choice of a material based on the velocity reduction coefficient.

In the wind tunnel, the effect of successive screens on wind breaking is studied at a perpendicular angle of incidence of the wind direction, together with the influence of the angle of incidence of wind direction with the windscreen. The results of the measurements in the wind tunnel at scale model under stable and perfectly controllable conditions will be compared with the results of the measurements obtained under unstable conditions.

Green Houses

Film greenhouses for the culture of plants growing in the half-light, which eliminates the disadvantages from usual films for greenhouses for this kind of use. For the culture of mushrooms, intensive in work, we produce woven EP highly resistant, who are used for example as tablecloths of breeding on racks of production

Shading Screens:

In the research on the influence of shading screens used as shelter for plants, a comparison is made between temperature and relative humidity respectively beneath the shading screen and in the open air. In addition, the effect of light intensity will be studied.
Screens in glasshouses: a preliminary research with a lightbox was started to measure the passage of visible light and photosynthetic active rays through an agrotextile used as screen in glasshouses. In a later stage, with field experiments in glasshouses, the relevance of the measurement of UV-rays will be investigated.

The percentage of shadow varies according to the density of the threads. We currently offer 45%, 65% and approximately 85% shadow. Shading requirements vary according to the area and crop type. Available in various colors: black, white, dark green, light green, green and white, blue and white. Black is the most common color since this guarantees most shade.

Soil Covers:

The relevant parameters for an agro textile, used as soil cover, will be determined based on laboratory tests and field experiments.
The relevant parameters for soil cover fabric features:
Woven polypropylene fabric
Controls weed growth for agricultural settings
Permeable (allows water to pass through)
Colored stripes every 12" make for easy plant alignment
Ideal for greenhouses or outdoors where weeds need to be controlled
UV stabilized for extended life

Nets For Harvesting

It is important in those countries where the cost of labour is high.

In this application the net is placed around the trees, these nets are mainly used for the purpose of fruit harvesting.

Plant Nets

These are the made from polyolefin type of fiber which is used for keeping away the fruit from the damp soil. It is mainly used for the tomato type of plant. The gsm of the nets are 30-40.

Weed Control Fabric

Prevent weed growth naturally with this protective fabric based on Tex-R technology. Youll find plenty of uses for this multipurpose membrane. And its breathable, letting air and water through effortlessly.
Available in rolls covering 86 sq. ft. to 1506 sq. ft. Needle punched nonwovens fabric is mainly used for the purpose of weed control applications

There is use of agro bags which has following advantages:
The roots are protected together, which facilitates transplantation and accelerates the resumption of growth.
The losses are limited.
The productivity per acres is increased

Ground Covering Fabric

Agro textiles prevent the growth of grasses by blocking of the solar radiation and reduction of photosynthesis UV stabilized quality groundcover mulch to inhibit weed growth. Water permeable for optimum drainage.

Typical applications include:

Borders and rockeries, nursery display areas, greenhouse floors, soft fruit beds and orchards, root barriers, paved areas, bark play pits, horse menages and bridleways, cycle paths and footpaths, tree mats and hedge strips, planter liners, seed harvesting areas and golf course bunkers.

Types:
100 % Polypropylene
80, 90, 100, 110, 130, 150 g/m
Colors: black, green, maroon and white Linked, made lines, squared, with holes of plantations preformed

Grass Reinforcements

Puts an end to muddy tracks - a grass reinforcement mesh providing a cost-effective alternative to gravel and paving. Ideal for stabilizing farm gateways, tracks and pathways. Agro textile for this application is very simple to install. Here jute fiber is mainly used because after a particular years it will degrade and act as natural fertilizes

Horticultural Benefits:

Using agro textiles in display areas, nurseries and greenhouses will provide a clean, free draining and hardwearing surface. While the pre-marked white grid aids spacing. In orchards and fruit beds the fabric is regularly used to maintain a clean crop and reduce maintenance and disease problems.

Brief Details:

This black, woven polypropylene, fabric is supplied in a convenient variety of roll widths, or as tree mat squares. The fabric is also available in white for increased light reflection, or green for discrete applications.
Roll Widths: 1.00, 1.50, 2.05, 2.57, 3.05, 4.15 and 5.15m
Roll Lengths: 100m
Tree Mats: 0.50 or 1.00m squares with single slit to center

Agronets For Protection Of Crop Against Birds

Open mesh nets are effective means of protection and can be laid over the plants easily. The advantage of using the nets over the plants is that the nets only have to be erected once in the season. These nets will not damage to the plant because of its light weight initially in the olden days there is extensively used to fire shots in order to keep the birds away from the crop but that was requiring a continuous monitoring.

Knitted flat tape nets are available in a wide range of densities for shade, reduced sunlight intensity, fruit support, privacy screening and animal protection.

The nets are practical, economical and easy to install; creating ideal growing conditions by avoiding overheating, scorching and moisture loss.

The low shade factor nets are used for growing vegetables, while those with medium light-reduction/screening offer ideal conditions for storage areas, cultivating flowering plants/houseplants and acclimatizing plants moved out of greenhouses.

The densest net grades are used for enclosures; to create shaded areas for animals; and as privacy screening (Especially to camouflage chain-link fencing).

There are also milk white, and two-tone, grades to block sun rays without significantly reducing light levels.

The AG TAPE FS range, are designed for inside use - such as greenhouses and perishable goods storage areas. Their low weight also means they can be laid directly onto plants.
The more robust and durable AG TAPE OM range can be used both inside and out, and are ideal for use in open fields, and exposed places, such as hardening-off areas.

Agro- Protective Garments

During farming there are chances of harmful pesticides will penetrate through clothing and come contact with the skin and cause a problem, use of clothing like rubber apron, waterproof outer garment, and face mask for longer period is difficult so selection of clothing is important. These agro protective garments must be:-

Lightweight and cheaper
Protect from pesticides
Good breathable property and readily washable

Tradionally textiles with polyester and cotton with repellent finish was used today these are made from high-tech woven and non-woven with fluorocarbon finish is used. This new technology of the protective textile not only protects the farmer from harmful pesticides but also keep him comfortable and aesthetically satisfied.

Animal Husbandry

The animal husbandry is another important application where the textile is used for animal related application which is indirectly related with the field.

In this application there is use of agro textiles for 3 main areas

Identification belts of polyester and nylon material for animals identification
Filtering of milk in an automatic milking system
Underlay to reduce the mud on cattle paths and trails.

CONCLUSION:

Agrotextile can be used inside greenhouses as well as in the open air, to keep areas safe and tidy.

Agrotextile improves plant growth and crops in the orchards. Used mainly in planted areas, Covertex^TM provides weed suppression and ground moisture conservation, whilst allowing roots to breathe and water, air and nutrients to permeate through. This reduces upkeep, maintains higher soil temperatures and promotes more rapid and even plant growth. Covertex is favoured by many leading landscape architects for its unrivalled performance, quality and price. Covertex is also available as pre-cut treemats.

Apart from these all application agrotextiles are widely used in agriculture, industries, homes and many other areas.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:

First of all we would like to express profound gratitude to the management of the institute, Administrative Officer Shri R.C.Parmar Principal Dr.Ing.V.P.Singh,and Advisor Prof. Dr.H.V.S.Murthy and Head of the department Prof.Dr. Prabhakar Bhat for giving encouragement and guidance to work on AGROTEXTILES An Overview

REFERENCES:

1.www.shadenet.biz/Products.htm
2.www.google.com
3.www.Agrotex.com

About Author:

The authors are Lecturers in the Department of Textile Technology, Shri Vaishnav Institute of Technology and Science, Baroli (Indore-Sanwer Road), Distt: Indore (M.P) Pin-453331