In a bid to augment the market value of horticultural produce through effective weed management, training in the use of plastic mulching in vegetables and flowers was conducted by Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Papparapatty, recently.
For a district that is predominantly known for the cultivation of flowers and vegetables, weed management is a constant battle for farmers. However, the cost of cultivation of vegetables and flowers is largely inflated by the cost incurred towards weed management. About 60 percent of the cost of cultivation in tuberose cultivation is incurred towards weed management.
According to KVK, quality and market value of the produce has largely been affected by poor weed management techniquesThe training focused on integrated weed management in vegetables and flowers, as weed management at present witnessed a heavy dependency no the use of herbicides due to lack of awareness on other management tactics.
Besides, use of plastic mulching for weed management, the training also created awareness on other spill off advantages of plastic mulching. such as water saving, reduced incidence of soil borne diseases, improvement in the quality of the produce, etc.
The Kendra scientists also demonstrated the use of five in one plastic mulch spreader with its application for formation of raised bed, laying of drip laterals, application of basal dose of fertilizers, spreading of mulching sheet and earthing up of the soil. Farmers that had adopted this technology shared their experience on the benefits of plastic mulching.

Source : The Hindu