Is it advisable to cultivate vegetables in plastic containers and drums in large scale of 3 acres. Has anyone doing it. The main motto for this is
- Native soil is not fertile
- Water logging issues
Any suggestions on this.
Waterlogging can be efficiently regulated by modulating land shapes, mechanical as well as bio-drainage, and controlled irrigation measures.
Odisha, West Bengal, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh have maximum waterlogged soil in India and overall total area estimated one million hectares as per Ministry of Agriculture , GOI
Waterlogging creates anaerobic environment plant roots can’t survive in those conditions, but in raised bed cultivation practices an artificial aerobic condition created by cultural practices. If plantation crops planted on raised flat bed and rice on slope of the raised bed, gives greater results in-terms of yields.
As physical manipulation of soil and raised bed forming creates favourable conditions for higher hydraulic conductivity, and decreases soil bulk density that result greater root penetration and good drainage.
Bio-drainage may be defined as “pumping of excess soil water by deep-rooted plants using their bioenergy." The bio-drainage system consists of (i) fast growing tree species, (ii) larger canopy area, and (iii) plants with luxurious water consumption and higher transpiration rate. Syzygium cumini, Pongamia pinnata, Terminalia arjuna, Casurina glauca, Eucalyptus tereticornis are some most effective and used bio-drainage plants
Nutrient deficiency is one of the major effects of waterlogging on plants, resulting in reduced photosynthesis and net carbon fixation ultimately leading to a reduction in growth and therefore yield.
Other alternative is to apply A-Frame easily measures the slope in the field, known as Contour lines. , mostly used in terrace farm practises . Contour line guide the farmer in tilling and planting across instead of up and down the slope. Farming across the slope is one of the easiest ways for small-scale farmers to conserve soil and water. Just search some Youtube videos about contour line farming
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I am starting leafy plantation in hdpe grow bags due to low macros in the soil. Is using drums cost effective? The grow bag i am using is 5’x3’x1.5’and costing around 970 including transport.
Regards,
Dip