Energetics and Cost Economics of Laying Plastic Mulch in Vegetable Cultivation

The use of plastic mulch in agriculture is increasing day by day due for increasing crop yield. Mulch film are available in different types but plastic mulching requires less efforts. This paper highlights a new developed mulch laying machine for spreading of polyethylene black plastic mulch on soil. Animal drawn plastic mulch laying machine was developed at the SV College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, IGKV, Raipur and was evaluated for its performance by conducting field trials. The average field capacity and average field efficiency was found to be 0.115 ha/h and 71% respectively. The average speed of operation was found 1.35 km/h for developed machine and 0.226 km/h for traditional method of mulch laying. The cost of operation was found to be Rs.1343/ha. Energy requirement of developed machine in mulch laying operation was found 187.34 MJ/ha it was found very less than the energy requirement 754.60 MJ/ha of traditional method of mulch laying. This machine will avoid the wages of labours used for laying plastic mulch and covers the plastic mulch with the soil on its either side edges. Using the mechanical system, the accuracy and ease during plastic laying was achieved.