Role of Precision Farming Development Center (PFDC) Hyderabad in Plasticulture

The use of plastics in horticulture has made considerable headway during the last decade. We are aware that plastics contribute from planting to post harvest handling and processing in many fruit crops. Plastic is used at each and every stage of horticultural life cycle right from seeds packaging, planting, propagation, mulching, irrigation, harvesting, fruit packing and preservation. The application of plastics in agriculture sector is popularly known as Plasticulture. India produces about 5 million tons of plastics annually and use about 0.35 million tons in agriculture. Plastics are used in greenhouses to promote growth and production, mulching to suppress weeds and maintain soil temperature and moisture as well as in containers for seedling and soil solarization to reduce pest and diseases. The efficient use of plastics in agricultural and horticultural operations are utilized by PFDC Hyderabad. The plasticulture operations were performed and demonstrated by research trials by selecting suitable crops under polyhouse and shade nets. Use of drip irrigations system and sprinkler irrigation system with suitable irrigation scheduling and fertigation, demonstrating performance of agricultural and horticultural crops under plastic mulch sheets. The present study aims to determine the role of precision farming development center (PFDC) Hyderabad in plasticulture.