Table Of ContentPlasticulture Engineering and
Technology
Plasticulture Engineering and
Technology
Rohitashw Kumar and Vijay P. Singh
First edition published 2022
by CRC Press
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Library of Congress Cataloging‑in‑Publication Data
Names: Kumar, Rohitashw, author. | Singh, V. P. (Vijay P.), author.
Title: Plasticulture engineering and technology/Rohitashw Kumar, Vijay P.
Singh.
Description: First edition. | Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, 2022. | Includes
index.
Identifiers: LCCN 2021048665 (print) | LCCN 2021048666 (ebook) | ISBN
9781032045696 (hardback) | ISBN 9781032227450 (paperback) | ISBN
9781003273974 (ebook)
Subjects: LCSH: Plastics. | Plastics in agriculture. | Plastics in
irrigation.
Classification: LCC S494.5.P5 K86 2022 (print) | LCC S494.5.P5 (ebook) |
DDC 631.3--dc23/eng/20211122
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2021048665
LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2021048666
ISBN: 9781032045696 (hbk)
ISBN: 9781032227450 (pbk)
ISBN: 9781003273974 (ebk)
DOI: 10.1201/9781003273974
Typeset in Times
by Deanta Global Publishing Services, Chennai, India
Dedication
Rohitashw Kumar: My late parents Smt. Rajwan Devi and Sh. Chhalu
Ram; Brother Sh. Balbir Singh and Bhabhi Smt Kitabo Devi; my wife
Mrs Reshma Devi; daughter Meenu; and son Vineet Kumar.
Vijay P. Singh: My wife Anita who is no more; son Vinay; daughter Arti;
daughter-in-law Sonali; son-in-law Vamsi; grandsons Ronin, Kayden, and Davin.
Contents
Preface..........................................................................................................................................xxiii
Acknowledgments ........................................................................................................................xxvii
About the Authors .........................................................................................................................xxix
Chapter 1 Introduction ..................................................................................................................1
1.1 Definition ..........................................................................................................1
1.2 Plasticulture Development ................................................................................1
1.3 Film Manufacturing .........................................................................................3
1.4 Types and Quality of Plastics Used in Soil and Water Conservation ..............4
1.4.1 Micro-Irrigation ................................................................................5
1.4.2 Protected Cultivation ........................................................................5
1.4.3 Mulching ...........................................................................................7
1.4.4 Reducing Water Usage in Agriculture ..............................................8
1.5 Production Agriculture and Postharvest Management ....................................9
1.5.1 Postharvest and Storage Management ............................................10
1.5.2 Fruit and Vegetable Packaging .......................................................10
1.5.3 Silage Cover ....................................................................................11
1.6 Preference of Plasticulture .............................................................................11
1.7 Importance of Plastics ....................................................................................12
1.8 Types of Plastics .............................................................................................12
1.8.1 Thermoplastic and Thermosetting Plastics ....................................12
1.8.2 Types of Thermoplastics and Their Uses .......................................13
1.8.3 Types of Thermosetting Polymers and Their Uses .........................13
1.9 Plasticulture in India ......................................................................................14
1.10 How Plastic Is Used ........................................................................................15
1.11 Status of Plastics .............................................................................................15
1.12 Agencies Involved in Promotion of Plasticulture in India .............................16
1.12.1 Formation of NCPAH .....................................................................16
Questions ....................................................................................................................16
Multiple-Choice Questions ........................................................................................16
Answers ......................................................................................................................17
References ..................................................................................................................17
Chapter 2 Plastic Film Properties ...............................................................................................19
2.1 Introduction ....................................................................................................19
2.2 Polymer...........................................................................................................19
2.3 Classification of Polymers ..............................................................................20
2.3.1 Classification of Polymers Based on the Source of Availability ....20
2.4 Thermoplastics ...............................................................................................20
2.5 Polyethylene....................................................................................................21
2.5.1 Classification ...................................................................................21
2.6 Low-Density Polyethylene ..............................................................................21
2.6.1 Application of LDPE Areas ............................................................23
2.7 High-Density Polyethylene .............................................................................23
2.8 LDPE Application for Film Blowing and Extrusion ......................................23
vii
viii Contents
2.9 Cross-Linked Polyethylene .............................................................................23
2.10 General Properties and Test Method of LDPE ...............................................24
2.11 Polymerization ...............................................................................................24
2.11.1 High-Pressure Polymerization ........................................................24
2.11.2 Natural Polymers ............................................................................26
2.11.3 Semisynthetic Polymers ..................................................................26
2.11.4 Synthetic Polymers .........................................................................26
2.12 Classification of Polymers Based on the Structure ........................................26
2.12.1 Linear-Chain Polymers ...................................................................26
2.12.2 Branched-Chain Polymers ..............................................................26
2.12.3 Cross-Linked Polymers ..................................................................26
2.13 Classification of Polymers Based on Mode of Synthesis ...............................27
2.13.1 Addition Polymers ..........................................................................27
2.14 Classification of Polymers Based on Monomers ............................................27
2.14.1 Homomer ........................................................................................27
2.14.2 Heteropolymer or Copolymer .........................................................27
2.15 Classification Based on Molecular Forces .....................................................27
2.15.1 Elastomers .......................................................................................27
2.15.2 Fibers ..............................................................................................27
2.15.3 Condensation Polymers ..................................................................27
2.15.4 Thermosetting Polymers .................................................................28
2.16 Structure of Polymers .....................................................................................28
2.17 Types of Polymers ..........................................................................................28
2.17.1 Classification Based on the Type of Backbone Chain ....................28
Organic Polymers ...........................................................................28
Inorganic Polymers .........................................................................28
2.17.2 Classification on the Basis of Their Synthesis ................................28
2.18 Biodegradable Polymers .................................................................................29
2.18.1 High-Temperature Polymers ...........................................................29
2.19 Properties of Polymers ...................................................................................29
2.19.1 Physical Properties .........................................................................29
2.19.1.1 Degree of Polymerization and Molecular Weight .....29
2.19.1.2 Molecular Mass of Polymers.....................................29
2.19.1.3 Number Average Molecular Weight ..........................29
2.19.1.4 Weight Average Molecular Weight ...........................30
2.19.1.5 Polydispersity Index or Heterogeneity Index ............30
2.19.2 Mechanical Properties ....................................................................31
2.19.2.1 Tensile Strength .........................................................31
2.19.2.2 Young’s Modulus of Elasticity ..................................31
2.19.3 Transport Properties .......................................................................31
2.19.4 Chemical Properties .......................................................................32
2.19.5 Optical Properties ...........................................................................32
2.19.6 Electrical Properties .......................................................................32
2.20 Polymer Extrusion ..........................................................................................32
2.20.1 Variance Between Single- and Twin-Screw Extruders ..................34
2.20.2 Distinctive Zones of Single- and Twin-Screw Extruders ...............35
2.21 Die and Screw Parameters .............................................................................35
Short Questions ..........................................................................................................36
Multiple-Choice Questions ........................................................................................37
Answer........................................................................................................................37
References ..................................................................................................................37
Contents ix
Chapter 3 Micro-Irrigation .........................................................................................................39
3.1 Introduction ....................................................................................................39
3.2 History of Micro-Irrigation ............................................................................40
3.2.1 General Principles of Micro-Irrigation .............................................41
3.2.1.1 Wetting Patterns Under Micro-Irrigation .....................41
3.3 Advantages .....................................................................................................41
3.3.1 Water Saving .....................................................................................41
3.3.2 Lower Water Application Rates ........................................................42
3.3.3 Improved Fertilizer and Chemical Application ................................43
3.3.4 Water Sources with High Salinity ....................................................44
3.3.5 Improved Crop Yield ........................................................................44
3.3.6 Feasibility for Any Topography ........................................................44
3.3.7 Other Advantages .............................................................................45
3.4 Disadvantages .................................................................................................45
3.4.1 Clogging ...........................................................................................45
3.4.2 High Maintenance Costs...................................................................45
3.4.3 Salt Accumulation at Root Zone Periphery ......................................45
3.4.4 Moisture Distribution .......................................................................45
3.4.5 Restricted Root Development ...........................................................46
3.4.6 High Cost of Drip Irrigation Systems ...............................................46
3.5 Need of Micro-Irrigation ................................................................................46
3.6 Types of Micro-Irrigation ...............................................................................46
3.6.1 Online Emitter/Dripper System ........................................................47
3.6.2 Inline Drip System ............................................................................47
3.6.2.1 J-Turbo Line ..................................................................47
3.6.2.2 J-Turbo Aqua .................................................................47
3.6.2.3 Twin-Wall Drip Tap ......................................................47
3.6.3 Micro Jets..........................................................................................48
3.6.4 Mini Sprinklers .................................................................................48
3.7 Drip Irrigation ................................................................................................48
3.7.1 Components of Drip Irrigation System ............................................49
3.8 Sprinkler Irrigation ........................................................................................49
3.8.1 Components of Sprinkler Irrigation System .....................................50
3.9 Installation of Micro-Irrigation Systems ........................................................50
3.10 Maintenance and Troubleshooting .................................................................51
3.11 Micro-Irrigation under Protected Cultivation ................................................51
3.12 World Scenario of Micro-Irrigation System ..................................................52
3.13 Micro-Irrigation Potential in India .................................................................54
3.14 Conclusion ......................................................................................................55
Questions ....................................................................................................................55
Multiple-Choice Questions ........................................................................................55
Answers ......................................................................................................................56
References ..................................................................................................................56
Chapter 4 Design and Components of Micro-Irrigation .............................................................59
4.1 Definition ........................................................................................................59
4.2 General System Design ..................................................................................59
4.2.1 Initial Assessment .............................................................................60
4.3 Objectives of Design ......................................................................................63
