ECHNICAL ARTICLE

Agro-Textiles
Dr. V. Subramaniam, G. R. Poongodi and V. Veena Sindhuja
Textile Departmenf, Jayo Engineering College, Chennai.

The paper deals with 'AGRO-TEXTILE' which is a part of technical textile. Tapping the potential of technical textile and putting their vital properties for the development of agriculture and forestry is known as Agro-textile. In this paper we have discussed about the production, needs, areas of use, basic properties needed for agro-textile products. Importance of agro-textile products for agriculture is stressed by discussing about various agro-textile products tike Sunscreens, Bird protection nets. Plant nets. Ground covers. Wind shields. Root ball nets. Insect meshes. The latest developed products like. Turf protection net, Monofil nets. Tape net. Cherry covers. Packing materials for agricultural products also discussed with their properties and uses. Key words: Polymer fibres, UV radiation. Plant nets, Monofil nets. Turf protection.

INTRODUCTION Food, olothing and shelter are the three basic needs of human being which made man to use textile fibers from 'old stone age'. The latest developments in textiles and its industrial uses lead to the birth and development in Technical textile. Technical textile goods are mostly manufactured for non-aesthetic purpose where the function is its criteria. This is a very vast and rapidly developing sector that supports many industries. India has tremendous potential for production, consumption and export of technical textile. Agro- textile contributes about 1.5% to the total production of technical textile goods in India, while the globally growing demand for agricultural products will increase the need for Agro-textile products globally which turns this topic as a important one to be discussed. Technical textile can be classified into many fields likeAero. electrical, horticulture, agriculture, mining, civil, water, chemical, apparel, sports, defence, manufacturing, automotive, medical, paper, furniture etc. Technical textile used for agricultural applications are called as Agro-textile. In the era of
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modernizing agriculture for high production, taste and to be eoo-friendly will not be possible with out agro-textiles. Need Of Agro-textiles: They prevent the soil from drying out and increase crop yield They improve product quality Agro textiles protects farmer from harmful pesticides Thermal protection textiles are treated with ultraviolet ray stabilizers. The best-known products are shade netting and thermal screens, the use of which can save up to 40% on energy in heating greenhouses Their use prevents staining and improves uniformity of color.

PRODUCTION Fibres used and Manufacturing Techniques: There is use of synthetics as well as natural fibers in agro

textiles. Fibers used in agro-textiles are as follows: Nylon. Polyester. Polyethylene, Polyolefin, Polypropylene. Jute, Wool & among all these fibers the Polyolefin is extensively used where as among natural fiber jute and wool is used it not only serve the purpose but also after some year it degrades and act as the natural fertilizer. Several techniques of fabric production can be used to produce Agro-textiies; each method offers specific advantages for particular product. The techniques are, Woven: Woven products are produced by using Sulzer projectile weaving machines. The machines with weaving width of 540cm to 846cm are available for the production of agro textiles. The nets with a mesh width of 1,8 mm tc 40 mm can be produced. Knitting: Warp knitting technique is most widely used compare to weft knitting. Warp knitted protective nets used in different sectors, are produced on raschel machines. Non-woven: There are many techniques to produce Non-woven fabrics, Spun bonding and needle punch techniques are mainly used for the production of non-wcven Agro-textiles. The spun bonded fabric has high and constant tensile strength in all directions. It has also good tearing strength, Needle punched fabric plant bags provide advantages over conventional fired clay pots. All natural fibers offer an added advantage of that the container decomposes after being planted in the ground,

woven (light permeability: 80 to 90% to allow photosynthesis to take place). 3. Bio degradability: Natural fibers like wool, jute, cotton are also used where the bio-degradability of product is essential. Natural polymer gives the advantage of bio-degradation but has low service life when compared to the synthetics. 4. High potential to retain water: This is achieved by means of fiber materials which ailow taking in much water and by filling in super-absorbers. While non-woven meant for the covering of piants show a mass per unit area of 15 to 60 gm/m^, values between 100 and 500 g/nf are reached with materials for use on embankments and slopes, 5. Protection property: Protection from wind and the creation of a micro-climate between the ground and the non-woven, which results in temperature and humidity being balanced cut. At the same time, temperature in the root area rise. This is what causes earlier harvests. Sufficient stiffness, flexibility, evenness, elasticity bio-degradability, dimensional stability and resistance to wetness. Fungicidal finish (upto 2% of the total mass), which avoids soil contamination,

AGRO-TEXTILE PRODUCTS
Ground Covers: Borders and rockeries, nursery display areas, greenhouse floors, soft fruit beds and orchids, root barriers, paved areas, bark play pits, horse menages and bridleways, cycle paths and footpaths, tree mats and hedge strips, planter liners, seed harvesting areas and golf course bunkers. Types: 100 % Polypropylene 80, 90, 100, 110, 130, 150 g/m^ Colors: black, green, maroon and white Linked, made lines, squared, with hcies of plantations Sun screen: In order to protect fields and greenhouses from the intense solar radiation for healthy plant growth and good harvest. Sunscreen nets with open mesh construction are used to control sunshine and amount of shade required. These net fabrics allow the air to flow freely, So the excess heat does not built up under the screen The percentage of shadow varies according to the density of the threads. We currently offer 45%, 65% and approximately 85% shadow. Shading requirements vary according to the area and crop type. Available in various colors: black, white, dark green, light green, green and white, blue and white.

PROPERTIES REQUIRED
Man made fibers are preferred for agricultural products than the natural fibers mainly due tc their favorable price performance ratio, ease of transport, space saving storage and long service life properties likes. 1, Resistance to solar-radiation: Agro textiles are laid over the cultivated areas immediately after sowing or planting. For such application Agro-textiles has to withstand solar radiation with varying surrounding temperature. 2. Resistance to ultraviolet radiation: Polyethylene is resistant to radiation in the visible range. But UV radiation leads to degradation of molecular chains. Hence when used as an outdoor material polyethylene is treated with the appropriate UV stabilizers. These are special types of carbon black which convert the UV radiation into thermal radiation. Good potential to reduce the impact of UV radiation on plants by light-absorbing or light-reflecting non-

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Black is the most common color since shade.

guarantees most

help enhance the mioro-olimate (Photosynthesis, and ground moisture, is improved by reduced evaporation and transpiration). While special anti-hail net grades have been designed to withstand the impact of heavy hailstorms, when installed in roof-profile above crops and orchirds. This not only safeguards the ourrent harvest but also benefits future crops, since the woody part of the plant are protected too.

Bird Protecton Nets: Knitted monofilament nets (Open, knitted, nets for crop protection) offer effective passive protection of seeds, crops and fruit against damage caused by birds and a variety of pests. Open-mesh net fabrics are used as a means of protecting fruit plantation. The special open structure repels birds, provides minimal shading and excellent air circulation - allowing plants to flourish, whilst avoiding the risk of dangerous mould developing on the fruit Plant Nets: These are the made from polyolefin type of fiber. It is mainly used for the tomato type of plant. The gsm of the nets are 3040. Fruits, which grow close to the ground, can be kept away from the damp soil by aliowtng them to grow through vertical or tiered nets in order to keep the amount of decayed fruit to minimum.

MODERN DEVELOVPMENTS
Root Ball Nets: 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. Normally the root balls are wrapped in cloth. Elastic net tubes are alternative to this. When the plants are transplanted the nets on the outside do not have to be removed since the roots oan protrude through the nets. Insect Meshes: Clear, woven, and knitted, polyethylene monofilament meshes to exclude harmful insects from greenhouses and tunnels, or to keep pollinating insects inside. 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, such as bumblebees, from escaping.

Wind Shields: Windshields are used in farming to reduce the velocity of the wind and protect fruit plantations from wind to avoid damage to plants. It also prevents plants being cooled by the wind. Monofil Nets: Tough, knitted Monofil nets for windbreak fences and shading/privacy screens. A suitable windbreak, set at a rightangle 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. The nets also protect against frosts and Weed Control Fabric; Prevent weed growth naturally with this protective fabric based on Tex-R technology. You'll find plenty of uses for this multipurpose membrane. And it's breathable, letting air and water through effortlessly. Available in rolls oovering 86 sq. ft. to 1506 sq. ft. Needle punched non-woven fabric is

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mainly used for the purpose of weed control applications Turf Protection: Nets are put over the grassy areas on riverbanks; dykes etc., so that lumps of earth are not removed. While animals are grazing them. This will help in minimizing soil erosion loss and improve conservation. Tape Nets: Film greenhouses are used to culture the plants growing in half-light, which eliminates the disadvantages from usual films for greenhouses for this kind of use. For the culture of musinrooms, intensive in work, we produce woven EP highly resistant, who are used for example as tablecloths of breeding on racks of production. Knitted flat tape nets are available in a wide range of densities for shade, reduced sunlight intensity, fruit support, privacy screening and animal protection. The nets are practical, economical and easy to install; creating ideal growing conditions by avoiding overheating, scorching and moisture loss, The low shade factor nets are used for growing vegetables, while those with medium light-reduction/ screening offer ideal conditions for storage areas, cultivating flowering plants/houseplants and acclimatizing plants moved out of greenhouses. In the area of agriculture it is possible to use non-woven blanket fabric that is permeable for water, air and light and during vegetation it creates microclimate optimal for the pfant development and growth. Plants are protected against weather changes (short-term frost), strong wind, hail and pests. Light weight, knitted tape, nets for shade and frost protection. In the alternative agriculture, they often use black mulching fabric that is laid directly on the soil and prevents the growth and spread of weed, which significantly decreases or eliminates the need of herbicides. This fabric is water permeable; it allows the soil to get warm, minimizes non-productive evaporation and prevents creation of soil crust. Spun bond is non-woven fabric manufactured by means of spun bond technology from polypropylene. The basic quality of this type of non-woven fabric is barrier quality, which is used for manufacturing of single-use products. This type of non-woven fabric used in a wide range of applications, from the production of hygienic products (baby nappies, ladies hygiene products, incontinency nappies and towels) to agriculture, building industry or automotive industry Cherry Covers: Growing cherries has proved an uncertain business because of their vulnerability to the weather damage - especially during the blossom, stoning and fruit ripening periods, The new cherry cover system has been specifically designed to tackle these problems; offering protection throughout the season from frost, rain, hail and wind. The fabric Is very tough, with a high degree of UV stabilization (to protect against breakdown in sunlight), so will provide many years of use, and the suppleness makes it very easy to handle.

The unique property of this system is unrivalled performance. The cover creates a micro-climate (without hindering ventilation) which gives protection against adverse weather conditions - improving both quality and yields.

Packing Matterials For Agri-Goods: Nets can be used for packaging of farm products for many end uses. It includes: Packing sacks for vegetables Tubuiar packing nets for fruits Wrappers for Christmas trees

Net structures are preferred because of their high strength, low weight, air permeability and cheapness. Nets for Covering Pallets: 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. This prevents damage to goods during transportation.

BENEFITS OF AGRO-TEXTILE
Agro-textile can be used inside greenhouses as well as in the open air, to keep areas safe and tidy. Agro-textile improves plant growth and crops. Used mainly in planted areas, provides weed suppression and ground moisture conservation, whilst allowing roots to breathe and water, air and nutrients to permeate through. This reduces upkeep, maintains higher soil temperatures and promotes more rapid and even plant growth. It is favored by many leading landscape architects for its unrivalled performance, quality and price. Apart from these all application agro-textiles are widely used in agriculture, industries, homes and many other area CONCLUSION Thus the need of textile goods in the field of agriculture was shown and we have observed the reduced usage of harmful pesticides and herbicides to render a healthy farming culture. Unique manufacturing techniques and properties of this biend of agro-textile sector products whose cost is lesser than that of pesticides and chemical herbicides have been discussed. Textiles prove to be flexible In its suitability for specific geographical locations. So now it's our turn, to carefully and beautifully shape this infant technology, to contribute to the nation's economy and thus making a developed country.

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REFERENCES
1. www.fibrol ine.com/agrotexti les 2. 3. 4. 5. www.linq.corn/agrotex/agrohome www.technicai-texliles.net www.magrotexsl.com www.ttf.textiles.ofg.tw/news

Statement about ownership and particulars about the Newspaper MAN-MADE TEXTILES IN INDIA Form IV (See Rule 8)
1. 2. 3. Place of Publication Periodicity of Its Publication Printer's Name Nationality Address Mumbai Monthly L. Simon indian The Synthetic & Art Siik Mills' Research Association, (SASMIRA), Sasmira Marg, Worii, Mumbai - 400 030. L. Simon Indian The Synthetic & Art Silk fvtills' Research Association. (SASMIRA), Sasmira Marg, WorIi, Mumbai - 400 030. Dr. Arup K. Rakshit Indian The Synthetic & Art Silk Mills' Research Association, (SASMIRA), Sasmira Marg, WorIi, Mumbai - 400 030. The Synthetic & Art Silk Mills' Research Association, (SASMIRA), Sasmira Marg, WorIi, Mumbai - 400 030.

4.

Publisher's Name Nationaiity Address Editor's Name Nationality Address

5.

6.

Name and Address to individuals who own the newspaper and partners and share holders holding more than one per cent of the total capitai.

I, L. Simon, hereby declare that the particulars given above are true to the best of my knowledge and belief. Date : 1.3.2008 Sd/L SIMON Publisher

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