A SEMINAR ON

AGRO TEXTILES
BY sanket valia

AGRICULTURE IS THE BACKBONE OF INDIA, TEXTILE IS THE BACKBONE OF AGRICULTURE

INTRODUCTION
Agrotextiles is one of the growing areas of technical textiles. Agrotextiles is application of textile materials in the agriculture field. Agrotextiles provides protection against extreme climatic conditions.

MARKET TREND

FORMS OF AGROTEXTILES
Nets

Sheets
Woven Nonwovens

Knitted
Novel Coated

FIBERS USED

There is use of synthetics as well as natural fibers in agrotextiles. Fibers used in are as follows:
Nylon Polyester Polyethylene Polyolefin

Polypropylene
Jute Wool

PARTICULARS OF AGROTEXTILE PRODUCTS

Properties required for Agrotextiles products

Techniques of producing agro textile products

Several techniques of fabric production can be used to produce Agrotextiles; each method offers specific advantages for particular product. The techniques are,

. Woven . Knitting . Nonwoven

Needle-punched nonwoven Stitch-bonded nonwovens Thermally bonded nonwovens Hydro entangled nonwovens Spun bonded nonwovens

Applications of agro textiles

Ground cover

It is mainly used in planted areas It provides weed suppression and ground moisture conservation This maintains higher soil temperatures and promotes more rapid and even plant growth. It has a high degree of UV stabilizer added to protect it from the harmful effects of exposure to sunlight. It can reduce the costs and minimizes undesirable herbicide use.

AGRO BAGS

The roots are protected together, which facilitates transplantation and accelerates the resumption of growth. The losses are limited. The productivity per acres is increased

INSECT MESHES
Fine woven meshes which resist insect penetration. woven, and knitted, polyethylene monofilament meshes to exclude harmful insects The fine woven screens protect plants from insect attack (without the use of insecticides). Insect meshes can also be placed over the openings of greenhouses to prevent pollinating insects

Monofil nets

A suitable windbreak, set at a right-angle to the prevailing wind, will protect plants against the harmful effects of blustery weather which can break young branches, damage flowers and cause leaves to dry or tear. They can also be used to block sand and salinity as well as reduce wind erosion.

Cherry covers The fabric is very tough,

with a high degree of UV stabilization to protect against sunlight. offering protection throughout the season. The cover creates a micro-climate (without hindering ventilation) which gives protection against adverse weather conditions - improving both quality and yields.

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.

GREEN HOUSES

Film greenhouses for the culture of plants growing in the half-light. This eliminates the disadvantages from usual films for greenhouses for this kind of use.

Sunscreens:In order to protect fields and greenhouses from the intense solar radiation for healthy plant growth and good harvest. The gsm of net ranges from 40 to 80g/sq.mt. Bird protection nets:Open-mesh net fabrics are used as a means of protecting fruit plantation. Knitted monofilament nets offer effective passive protection of seeds. The gsm of net ranges from 80g/sq.mt .

Plant net;Fruits, which grow close to the ground, can be kept away from the damp soil The gsm of net ranges from 80g/sq.mt

Windshield:Windshields are used in farming to protect fruit plantations from wind and to prevent damage to plants. It also prevents plants being cooled by the wind .The gsm of net ranges from 90g/sq.mt .

Animal Husbandry
The animal husbandry is another important application where the textile is used for animal related application In this application there is use of agrotextiles 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.

Root ball net:It is extremely important for safe and speedy growing of young plants that root system is not damaged when they are dug up, transported or replanted . Turf protection net:Nets are put over the grassy areas on riverbanks, dykes etc., so that lumps of earth are not removed . This will help in minimizing soil erosion loss and improve conservation. Nets for covering pallets:This prevents damage to goods during transportation. For safe transportation of fruits and vegetables to the market the boxes are covered with large mesh nets and pallets to stop the boxes being turned upside down. Packing materials for agricultural products :Nets can be used for packaging of farm products for many end uses. It includes: . Packing sacks for vegetables . Tubular packing nets for fruits . Wrappers for Christmas trees

HORTICULTURAL BENEFITS

Nets, nonwoven mats, movable screens for glass houses, nonwoven sheets, mixed bed for mushrooms, cordage and strings are used in horticulture. Fabric protective greenhouses provide virusfree cultivation of young plants. Nylon fabric beds are used to grow mushrooms.

CONCLUSION
From above these various wide applications, it has been seen that the Agrotextile sector is having a very bright future. In the country like India the Indian farmer can improve the crop yield and quality. This not only going to be helpful for farmers but also to the country in order to do farming in such areas where there is very hostile climatic conditions so we can use a optimal available resources only by the use of agro textiles.

References
Asian textile journal, October 2004. 'Hand book of Industrial Textiles'-Sabit Adanur. www.fibre2fashion.com www.google.com www. Agrotex.com

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