Manual Multi purpose Machine for Drip cum Plastic Mulch Laying and Recollection for Reuse in Crop Production

Abstract

Plastic mulching is a soil moisture conservation method that involves placing poly film over raised or a flat bed to provide a more favorable environment for growth and production. Plastic mulch normally is used in conjunction with drip irrigation to maintain optimum soil moisture and for improved stand establishment. Plastic film mulching with drip irrigation is a proven technology for vegetable production and its popularity is ever increasing among vegetable growers. Mulches leave behind large amount of plastic in the soil which in the current practice is buried or burned in the field which are both hazardous to environment. So, a mechanism is to be developed for retrieval of mulches for reuse or recycle. Basic mulch laying technique should include that mulch is stretched and placed firmly against compacted soil and edges of mulch are properly buried under soil, so, that wind can’t loosen them. Tractor operated mulch laying machine in available but its use is limited to large areas and where crop spacing allows it as area lost in between two rows is very large. To suit the requirement of small farmers partial mechanization of laying of mulch film is envisaged by developing a Manual Multipurpose trolley for plastic mulch laying and recollection. This machine besides being simple in design and operation also caters to a very important operation, which is otherwise overlooked, that is of retrieving the used plastic mulch by rolling it back for better storage which significantly enhances its life beside being environment friendly.