Advances in Precision

Farming
Dr.D.Tamilmani,
Professor,
Dept. of Soil & Water Cons. Engg.
TNAU, Coimbatore-641003
Topics for discussion
1. Drip automation
2. Nutrient Film Technology
 Drip Automation DATA

Block Diagram
LOGGING

AMPLIFIER LCD
DISPLAY

MOTOR
MICROCONTROLLER
CONSTANT RELAY
CURRENT
SOURCE SOLENOID
RELAY

MULTIPLEXER

E E E E E E
L L L L L L
E E E E E E
C C C C C C
T T T T T T
R R R R R R
O O O O O O
D D D D D D
E E E E E E
1 2 3 4 5 6
Drip Automation unit

Electrode Sensors
Automation unit

Sensor
 Moisture content Vs Resistance for Red Sandy Soil

Moisture Resistance Red sandy soil

content (%) () 2500

16 1700 2000

resistance
1500

14 1920 1000
4th

500
12 2142 0

11 2342
0 5 10 15 20
moisture content (%)

10 2200

Gist of findings
Soil Resistance in wet condition( ) Resistance in dry condition( )
Clay 1400 to 1700 3800 to 4200
Red sandy 1700 to 1900 2100 to 2200
Soil moisture deficit based drip automation
system

Details of Drip automation cost

Sl. No. of No. of No. of sensors Area in System Cost/ acre
No unit solenoid valve acres cost (Rs)
(Rs)
1 One - 6 10 34,000 3400

2 Two 2 6 10 40,000 4000

3 Three 3 6 10 43,000 4300

Cost of automation software with six sensors Rs.34,000

Cost of Solenoid valve Rs.3000 each

Cost of sensors Rs.400 each

Nutrient Film Technique (NFT)
For Vegetable Production
 NUTRIENT FILM TECHNIQUE (NFT)

NFT is an ultra-resource efficient method of

growing plants by providing a highly
oxygenated, slowly moving film (stream) of
dissolved minerals to the roots in a flat
bottomed, gently sloped channel (the gully)
 The nutrient film technique (NFT) was developed during
the late 1960's by Dr Allan Cooper at the Glasshouse
Crops Research Institute in the U.K
NFT uses little or no medium and uses a continuous
solution flow over the roots
Normally the plant is supported in a small plastic basket
with the roots dangling into the nutrient solution.
The root mat develops partly in the shallow stream of
recirculating solution and partly above it.
The depth of the recirculating stream should be very
shallow, little more than a film of water, hence the name
'nutrient film. The thin film ensures the root system has
access to adequate oxygen levels.
 ADVANTAGES
Plant roots are exposed to adequate supplies of
water, oxygen and nutrients
eliminates soil cultivation and soil sterilization and
ensures uniformity of nutrient supply
Can produce large- scale crops cheaply where soil
quality is poor and water is scarce
Higher yields and high quality produce are
obtained over an extended period of cropping
Boasts 30% more production per acre and uses
just one tenth the water of traditional crop
production
 Inflow

Outflow

Reservoir

NFT Mechanism
Multi-layered NFT Mechanism
 Limitations of NFT
Need to balance the pH of the nutrient
mixtures and encountering of complex
nutritional problems.

Some diseases like fusarium and

verticellium which can spread rapidly
through this system.

Initial capital costs are slightly higher.

Requires skill and thorough knowledge of

physiology, chemistry and mathematics for
the preparation of solutions.
Installation of trough and thermocole before planting
 Calcium All other
nitrate salts
solution

Storage of nutrient stock solutions

Storage of nutrient solution for pumping through the trough
Lettuce crop grown under non circulation system
Tomato, cucumber, lettuce grown under circulation system
 Non
Circulation Aeroponic musk melon
cultivation

Circulation
Circulation
cucumber
cultivation
Circulation Chive onion cultivation
Storage tanks of nutrient stock solutions and
computerized mixing of stock solution
Schematic view of planting area in aeroponics
Side view of
Aeroponic
system
Side view of Aeroponic system
 Storage tank of nutrient
solution in Aeroponic system
Functioning of Aeroponic system
 Types of NFT Systems
1. NFT and Rockwool
Plants are established on small rockwool slabs which are
then positioned in channels containing recycling nutrient
solution.
The rockwool block acting as a reservoir of nutrient solution
in case of pump failure and helps to anchor the plants in the
NFT channel.
Portable NFT Setup
Root mass of the musk melon
crop in Aeroponic system
View of root mass inside the
structure of Aeroponics
Aggregate system of
soil-less culture
using peat and perlite
Tomato crop grown under soil-less aggregate system
 Soil less system
Water culture flowing method NFT, DFT*
Stationary method floating culture, capillary action
system

Aeroponics, spray culture

- gravel culture
inorganic granule sand culture
natural media - - peatmoss culture
- sawdust culture
organic - bark culture
- rice husk culture
Media - coconut fiber culture
culture - granule expanded clay culture
inorganic carbonized rice husk culture
artificial or - fiber -- rockwool culture
processed media -
- others - vermiculite culture
perlite culture
- foam - polyurethan foam culture
chemical - polyphenol foam culture
- fiber - polyether culture
- others - polyvinyl culture

* DFT : Deep flow Technique, NFT : Nutrient Film (Flow) Technique

 Trough system for soilless culture

Polypropylene sheet
Drip line B/W
60cm
Plants

45cm

Drainage collection Drip liner

1m trough
GI pipes
 Conclusions
Growth and yield parameters

Among the treatments peat: vermicompost: sand in the ratio

of 2.5:2.5:1 with 100% fertigation under polyhouse. best
performance

Highest root length (36.24 cm)

The earliest flowering (32.50 days) was observed

The highest yield per plant (2.05 kg/plant) and yield per hectare
113.89 t/ha

The highest B:C ratio (3.43), under polyhouse.

In open field condition the highest B:C ratio (2.36)

MULCHES
The process of covering the soil around the plant with dry leaves, straw, hay,
stones, plastic film etc is called mulching.
Mulch increases the efficiency by:
Improved moisture conservation.
Increased soil temperature.
Elimination of weed growth and hence increases the yield.
 MULCH FILMS
Types of mulches
Organic plant residues
Inert material like pebble etc.,
Synthetic materials like plastic
LDPE and LLDPE plastic films
LLDPE black colour mulch most popular due to
1) possible down gauging
2) better puncture resistance
Down gauging leads to availability of thinner film at a
lower cost.
Puncture resistance and opacity check the weed
growth under the film.
 WORLD CONSUMPTION OF PLASTIC USED IN
AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION (TONNES)
1985 1991 1999 2005

Tunnels 88,000 122,000 168,000 188,000

Mulch 270,000 370,000 650,000 810,000
Floating Mulch 22,500 27,000 40,000 48,000
Greenhouses 180,000 350,000 450,000 530,000
Silages 140,000 265,000 540,000 690,000
PP twine for hay & 100,000 140,000 204,000 295,000
straw
Hydroponics Systems 5,000 10,000 20,000 29,000
Micro-irrigation 260,000 325,000 625,000 775,000

Others (Nets, bags 80,000 130,000 150,000 175,000

etc.)
TOTAL 1,145,500 1,759,000 2,247,000 3,540,000
 USE OF PLASTIC MULCH (ha) IN THE WORLD
1991 1999 2005
WORLD 12,130,000
Africa and 80,000 96,000
Middle East
Egypt 7,000 30,000 42,000
Israel 4,000 26,000 35,000
America 200,000 248,000
USA 20,000 75,000 110,000
Asia 9,760,000 12,610,000
China 1,400,000 9,600,000 10,890,000
Japan 1,50,000 160,000 290,000
Europe 450,000 495,000
Spain 100,000 150,000 210,000
France 100,000 100,000 120,000
Italy 50,000 75,000 105,000
 SCOPE OF PLASTIC MULCHING

32,57,283 ha UNDER ORCHARDS

53,35,447 ha UNDER VEGETABLES

81,923 ha UNDER FLOWERS

25 ,61,381 ha UNDER PLANTATION & AGRIL

CROPS LIKE GROUNDNUT ,
COTTON, SUGARCANE ETC.
(SOURCE: INDIAN HORT. DATABASE)
 AREAS OF APPLICATION OF PLASTIC
MULCHES
Mulching is mainly employed for
Moisture conservation in rain fed areas.
Reduction of irrigation frequency and water
saving in irrigated areas.
Soil temperature moderation in greenhouse
cultivation.
Soil solarisation for control of soil borne
diseases.
Reduce the rain impact, prevent soil erosion
and maintain soil structure.
In places where high value crops only to be
cultivated.
TYPES OF PLASTIC MULCHES

Black
Clear
Double Colour Mulch
Yellow/black
White/black
Silver/black
Red/brown
Reflective Mulch
Thermic Films
Co-extruded Films
Photo Degradable Mulch
 IMPORTANCE PARAMETERS OF
PLASTIC FILM
Thickness
Thickness of film does not affect the
mulching effect except when it is used for
solarisation.
Width
Depends upon the inter row spacing.One
meter width film can be easily adopted.
Perforations
The capillary movement of water and
fertilizer distribution will be better and more
uniform under unperforated condition.
 BIS STANDARDS & QUALITY ASPECTS
IS : 15177: 2002 : SURFACE COVERED
CULTIVATION PLASTICS MULCHING
CODE OF PRACTICE

Quality LLDPE mulch film is made out of virgin material.

Thickness of the mulch film is recommended as per the

duration of the crops.

Quality mulch film should last minimum as per the

duration of the crop.

Properly mulched film can be re-used.

SELECTION OF FILM FOR VARIOUS TYPES OF
CROPS
Film thickness Life expectancy Duration of crop
15 25 3-4 months Short
(Vegetables)

50 11-12 months Medium

(Early stage of fruit
crops, Coffee, papaya,
sugarcane.)

100 12 20 Long
months (Mango, Citrus fruits
and medium grown
trees)
 THICKNESS AND AREA OF LLDPE
FILM PER KILOGRAM
Thickness Weight of
Area (sq. 1 sq.
(Microns) (mm) (Gauge)* metre) metre
film (gm)
25 0.025 100 43.50 23
40 0.040 160 27.20 35
50 0.050 200 21.75 46
60 0.060 240 18.10 54
75 0.075 300 15.50 70
100 0.100 400 10.90 93
125 0.125 500 8.70 119
175 0.175 700 6.20 170
250 0.250 1000 4.35 233
 MULCH FILM
LAYING TECHNIQUES
Mulch should be laid on a non-windy condition.
The mulch material should be held tight without
any crease and laid on the bed.
The borders (10 cm) should be anchored inside
the soil in about 7-10 cm deep in small furrows
at an angle of 45o.

Pre-punctured mulch:
The mulch material should be punctured at the
required distances as per crop spacing. Pre-
punched black LLDPE mulch films are used for
vegetables and cash crops.
 PRECAUTIONS IN MULCH LAYING

Do not stretch the film very tightly. It

should be loose enough to overcome the
expansion and shrinkage conditions
caused by temperature and the impacts of
cultural operation.

The slackness for black film should be

more as the expansion, shrinkage
phenomenon is maximum in this colour.

The film should not be laid on the hottest

time of the day, when the film will be in
expanded condition.
 IRRIGATION PRACTICES UNDER
MULCHING

In drip irrigation the lateral pipelines are laid

under the mulch film
In case inter-cultivation need to be carried out,
it is better to keep the laterals and drippers on
top of the mulch film and regulate the flow of
water through a small pipe or through the holes
made on the mulch film
In flooding the irrigation water passes through
the semi circular holes on the mulch sheet.
PREPUNCHED 25 MICRON BLACK LLDPE FILM IN BHENDI
 ECONOMICS OF MULCHING

Mulching is carried out in strips covering 50

to 60 % of the field area.
Cost of mulching material which again
depends upon the thickness of longevity.
Increase in yield.
Increase in return due to bringing additional
area under cultivation.
Differential market value of the product
based on quality.
Cost of cultivation.
Cost Economics of Mulching for Bhendi Crop
Black LLDPE
Sl. No. Particulars Control
film mulch
1 Cost of cultivation (Rs. / ha) 16000 21000
2 Cost of mulch film per season 16600 --
3 Total seasonal cost (2+1) 32600 21000
4 Yield of produce (kg/ha) 11660 7770
5 Market price (Rs./kg) 6.00 6.00
6 Revenue (Rs./ha) 69960 46620
7 Total expenditure 32600 * 21000
8 Net income 37360 25620
9 Difference in net seasonal income 11740
10 Benefit cost ratio 1.45 : 1
* 60% area covered with film, 50 micron film of 1 kg cover 22 sq. m
SUCCESS STORIES
 MULCHING UNDER PANDAL SYSTEM

Plant Spacing : 3.0 m x 1.5 m

Area : 420 m2
Thickness of Black LLDPE : 50 micron for 2 seasons
Cost of film / season : Rs. 1400/-
Crop : Snake gourd, bitter
gourd and ribbed gourd.
Net Profit : Rs. 6800/- per season
Selling Price of Gourds : Rs. 6/- per Kg.
REQUIREMENT FOR MANGO ORCHARD

Distance : RR x PP : 10 m x 10 m
No. of plants 100 Plants Per ha.
Early stage up to 3 Years.
100 thickness film is recommended.
2.0 m x 2.0 m film is provided for each plant
For 100 plants 20 kgs film is required
Total cost of film Rs 2400 @ rate of Rs 120 / kg
CASE STUDIES
 Plastic Mulching in Bhendi

Investigations carried out in bhendi

to analyse the effect of LLDPE mulch
combined with irrigation at different
IW/CPE ratios indicated that irrigating
at IW/CPE ratio 0.8 coupled with black
LLDPE mulch (25 micron) produced the
highest yield (45.8% higher than
control).
25 MICRON BLACK LLDPE MULCH FILM IN TWO ROWS OF BHENDI
 Plastic Mulching in Tomato

Investigations carried out in tomato to

analyse the effect of plastic mulch
revealed that irrigating at 0.8 IW/CPE
ratio coupled with black LLDPE mulch
(25 micron) produced higher yields
(21.03% higher than control).
 Plastic Mulching in Chilli
Experiment undertaken to optimize mulching
requirements for chilli indicated that plastic
mulching with black LLDPE (25 micron)
coupled with irrigation at 0.61 IW/CPE ratio
produced higher yield (19% higher than
control) and better weed control.
Plastic Mulching in Brinjal
Mulching experiments in brinjal indicated
that moisture conservation (28.4%) and weed
suppression (57%) were higher in plastic
mulched plots compared to control. The yield
increase over control due to plastic mulching
was 30%.
 Drip Irrigation and Mulching in Papaya

Experiments on drip irrigation and plastic

mulching in papaya indicated that drip
irrigation with 8 litres/ plant/ day of water
coupled with plastic mulching led to
increased yield (83.3 fruits/tree compared to
74.6 fruits/tree in control) and increased fruit
size (1.8 to 3.2kg compared to 1.3 2.4kg in
control).
 Drip Cum Mulching in Coconut
Coconut can be irrigated through drip with
50-60 litres of water per day per tree
depending upon the rate of evaporation.
Mulching of the tree after laying out the drip
system to supply 50-60 litres of water per
tree will not only save considerable quantity
of water, but also will be cost effective with a
benefit to cost ratio of 2.48.
Application of the quantum of water through
four drippers of 4lph capacity per tree is
more beneficial than using high capacity
emitters or taps.
Drip Irrigation and Plastic Mulching
in Amla

Drip irrigation with 10 litres of water on

alternate days coupled with plastic
mulching in amla produced higher
yields (40 kg/tree) compared to un-
mulched plants given surface irrigation.
COLOUR MULCHES
 MECHANISATION IN MULCH
FILM LAYING
One of the constraints in adopting mulching
on large scale is labour intensive.

Countries like china , Israel are following

tractor drawn machines.

Ground nut and vegetable mulching needs

mechanisation.

CIAE, Bhopal and Indo Israel project , New

Delhi developed tractor mounted as well as
bullock operated mulch film laying
machines.
CHINA EXPERIENCE ON PMG
TRACTOR DRAWN MACHINE USED IN CHINA
FILM LAYING AND TRANSPLANTING
BOTH SIMULTANEOUSLY
MACHINE DEVELOPED AT RAIPUR
MACHINE USED BY PEPSI FOR TOMATO /GNUT MULCHING
 Pond lining
Pond sealing or lining is the process of installing
a fixed lining of impervious material, or
mechanically treating the soil in a pond to
impede or prevent water loss.
Materials commonly used as pond liners are:
High Density and Linear Low Density
Polyethylene (HDPE and LLDPE), Polyvinyl
Chloride (PVC), geosynthetic clay liner (GCL),
and synthetic rubber (EPDM).
 Benefits of Pond and Reservoir lining with plastics film

Reduction in seepage losses to the maximum extent (95%).

Harvesting and storing of rain water from early monsoons.

Utilisation of harvested rain-water for short duration crops as well as

during off season.

Lining of ponds and reservoirs improve water availability over a longer

period of time.

It is highly useful in porous soils where water retention in ponds and

water harvesting tanks is minimal.

Economical and effective method of storing water.

Eliminates water logging and prevents upward intrusion of salts into

stored water.

Prevents soil erosion.

 Typical Mechanical Properties of LDPE
Property Test Method Unit Expected Value
Melt flow IS: 2530 gm/10 min 0.20
Density IS: 2508 gm /cmat 23c 0.930
Carbon black content IS: 2530 % 2.5-3.0
Carbon black dispersion -do- - Satisfactory
Nominal thickness IS: 2508 microns 100,125,150
175,200,250
Tolerance on thickness -do- % 20
Tensile Strength at Break* -do- Kg/cm M/D 140
T/D 110
Elongation at break* -do- % M/D 200
T/D 400
Impact strength:
For 100 microns IS: 2508 F 50 gms 120
125 microns IS: 2508 F 50 gms 155
150 microns IS: 2508 F 50 gms 190
175 microns IS: 2508 F 50 gms 215
200 microns IS: 2508 F 50 gms 250
250 microns IS: 2508 F 50 gms 320
Kinetic coefficient of friction IS: 2508 Not less
than 0.40
Measured on 100 microns Thick LDPE Film.
 Thickness of LDPE Film with Rigid cover/ with Earth cover
corresponding to Water Depth

Sl. Water Depth Film Thickness (microns)

No. (m)

With Rigid Cover With Earth

Cover

Film as Film as
Primary Secondary
Barrier Barrier
1. up to 1m 150 100 200
2. 1 m to 3 m 200 100 250
3. Exceeding
250 100 300
3m
 Lining materials - Properties
Impermeability to water
Low rugosity coefficient to ensure higher
velocity and lesser water way and section
Reasonable durability
Flexibility over a wide range of temperatures
Resistance to mechanical damage
Resistance to weathering and deterioration
from biological activities
Reasonably low investment and maintenance
costs
Environmentally friendly
 Design considerations
Provision of proper side slope
Provision of anchoring film
Preparation of subgrade
Spreading of film
Covering of film
Finishing of surface
Field testing
 Film Laying Technique
1. The film shall be laid/ spread/ unrolled over subgrade
prepared below the designed bed level to the extent
of cover thickness, in strips.

2. The film can be laid parallel or perpendicular to the

flow of the water. Longitudinal joints should be
avoided.

3. Necessary space shall be kept vacant at the trenches

for anchoring the film.

4. The film shall be spread loosely over the subgrade so

that it shall attain the contours of subgrade and
compensate for thermal variations during the day.
5. Extra length of one percent in both the
directions on this account shall be provided.

6. The adjacent layers of film shall be laid in such

a manner that over- lap shall point towards
down stream of canals.

7. The film shall be jointed using any suitable

method
Simple over Lapping
Folded Over Lap
 Heat sealing
The temperature of the iron shall be adjusted and
maintained at 150 C and pressed on the film joint
over-lap for 3 seconds for 100 micron film.

every 50 micron increase in the film thickness the time

is increased by one second.

To avoid the risk of the film sticking to the iron, a poly-

tetra-fluroethylene (PTFE) impregnated glass cloth or
Teflon sheet or cellophane sheet should be placed
between the film and the iron.

Heat sealing is the most effective of all the methods.

 Cost of storage
Pond
Sl.No. Cost component
specifications
1 Bottom Area 5x5m
2 Top Area 13 x 13 m
3 Depth 2m
4 Capacity (volume of water to be stored) 194 m3
5 Size of lining material required (surface area of lining) 258 m2

6 Cost of lining material (Rs.55 / m2) Rs.14190/5

Expected life time is 5 years (minimum) = Rs.2,838

7 JCB working cost (total work hours = 22) Rs.13,200

8 Labour cost Rs.600
9 Lining material laying and joining cost (Rs.6 / m2) Rs.360

10 Total cost Rs.18,186

11. Cost of Storage per m3 Rs.94
Initial digging and shaping
Spreading - coconut coir dust
Thermo Plastering of film
Spreading of Plastic film
LDPE- Lined pond 500 micron thick black polyethylene
 Cost of storage
1 Bottom Area 20 m x 20 m
2 Top Area 35 m X 35 m
3 Depth 2.2 m
4 Cost of lining material (Rs) 85,000
5 Excavation (Rs) 20,000
6 Coir dust & spreading (Rs) 2,000
7 Spreading plastic lining and sheet welding (Rs) and 27,000
with earth cover
8 Cost of inlet and outlet structures 66,000
Total cost (Rs) 2,00,000