Diseases and Management of Crops under Protected Cultivation

Plastic mulching
(Diseases and Management of Crops under Protected Cultivation)
Mulching is a practice of covering of soil around plants. Use of black polyethylene sheet
(50-100 micron) as mulching makes growing condition more favorable by conserving soil moisture
for longer time, maintaining soil temperature during winter season, preventing weeds and allowing
soil micro flora to be favorably active.
Advantages of vegetable production in poly mulching:
• It conserves soil moisture by preventing water evaporation form it.
• It prevents germination of annual weeds because of its opaqueness.
• Plastic mulches maintain warm temperature during night which facilitates an early
establishment of seedlings by strong root system or germination of seeds.
• Minimizes soil water erosion.
• Plastic mulches serve for longer period. They can be used for more than one season.
• Provides cleaner crop produce.
• More income through early, higher and quality yields.
Low tunnel poly house techniques:
Transparent plastic films or nets are stretched over low (1.0 m or so) hoops made of steel
rod, bamboo, rose twigs or any other locally available suitable material to cover rows of plants in
the fields or nursery bed. These techniques providing protection against unfavorable environment
like low temperature in winter, frost, hail storm, heavy rains during rainy season, cold wave and
insect-pests.
Advantages of low tunnel poly house techniques:
• Seedlings are ready to transplant 15-20 days earlier than open condition.
• 40-50% more healthy seedling production as compared to traditional methods.
Poly house / green house for high value vegetable cultivation:
Poly house / Green house is framed structure having 200 micron (800 gauges) UV
stabilized transparent or translucent low density polyethylene or other claddings which create
green house effect making micro climate favorable for the plant growth and its development. This
structure is large enough for a person to work inside. The structure can be made in different shape
and size using locally available materials like steel, aluminum, bamboo or other combinations for
its frame. Insect proof net and shading materials are used to keep insect at bay and to lower
temperature in summer.
Table 2: recommended varieties for poly house condition in Uttarakhand
Sl. No. Name of crop Verities
1. Tomato Rakshita, Naveen 2000+, Avinash, snehlata, Pant poly
house tomato-2, Heem sohna, PPBT-Y, PPBY-9
2. Cucumber Isatis, Kiyan, Pant parthenocarpic cucumber-2, PCUC-2
3. Capsicum Tanvi, Bharat, Natasha, Indira, Swarna, Ganga
- 243 -