Plasticulture Engineering and Technology

The utilization of successful plasticulture engineering technology can ideally optimize crop yields and provide both economic and environmental benefits, such as reducing the need for water and fertilizer. This book discusses the myriad important aspects of crop production that utilize plastic, such as micro-irrigation, water management, plastic mulch films, protected cultivation and low tunnels, crop covers, canal linings, silage bags, and more. It also examines the latest methods for vertical farming and technological aspects, such as smart agriculture using the internet of things (IoT).The current state of the art, as well as potential future uses,ofplastics isdiscussed in addition to the benefits and limitations of plastics applications in agriculture generally.

Features

• Illustrates application of plastic in protected cultivation, water management, aquaculture, and hi-tech horticulture using innovative technologies to enhance water use efficiency and crop productivity
• Presents precision farming for climate-resilient technologies
• Includes real-world examples to present practical insights of plastic engineering for climate change mitigation strategies.

Plasticulture Engineering and Technology will serve as a useful resource for students, professionals, and researchers in agriculture and agricultural engineering, hydrology, hydraulics, water resources engineering, irrigation engineering, and environmental science.

Dr. Rohitashw Kumar (B.E., M.E., Ph. D.) is Associate Dean and Professor in College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Srinagar, India.He is also Professor Water Chair (Sheikkul Alam ShiekhNuruddin Water Chair), Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India, at the National Institute of Technology, Srinagar (J&K). He is also Professor and Head, Division of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering. He obtained his Ph.D. degree in Water Resources Engineering from NIT, Hamirpur, and Master of Engineering Degree in Irrigation Water Management Engineering from MPUAT, Udaipur. He got leadership award in 2020, Special Research award in2017 and Student Incentive Award-2015 (Ph.D. Research) from the Soil Conservation Society of India, New Delhi. He also got the first prize in India for best M. Tech thesis in Agricultural Engineering in 2001. He has published over 100 papers in peer-reviewed journals, more than 25 popular articles,4 books,2 practical manuals, and 25bookchapters. He has guided one Ph.D student and 14 M.Tech in soil and water engineering. He has handled more than 12 research projects as a principal or co-principal investigator. Since 2011, he has been Principal Investigator of ICAR- All India Coordinated Research Project on Plastic Engineering in Agriculture Structural and Environment Management.

Prof. Vijay P. Singh is a Distinguished Professor, a Regents Professor, and the inaugural holder of the Caroline and William N. Lehrer Distinguished Chair in Water Engineering at the Texas A&M University. His research interests include surface-water hydrology, groundwater hydrology, hydraulics, irrigation engineering, environmental quality, water resources, water-food-energy nexus, climate change impacts, entropy theory, copula theory, and mathematical modeling. He graduated with a B.Sc. in Engineering and Technology with emphasis on Soil and Water Conservation Engineering in 1967 from the U.P. Agricultural University, India. He earned an MS in Engineering with specialization in Hydrology in 1970 from the University of Guelph, Canada; a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering with specialization in Hydrology and Water Resources in 1974fromthe Colorado State University, Fort Collins, USA, and a D.Sc. in Environmental and Water Resources Engineering in 1998 from the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa. He has published extensively on a wide range of topics. His publications include more than 1365 journal articles, 32 books, 80 edited books, 305 book chapters, and 315 conference proceedings papers. For his seminar contributions he has received more than 100 national and international awards, including three honorary doctorates. Currently he serves as Past President of the American Academy of Water Resources Engineers, the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), and previously he served as President of the American Institute of Hydrology and Cahir, Watershed Council, ASCE. He is Editor-in-Chief of two book series, three journals, and serves on the editorial boards of more than 25 journals. He has served as Editor-in-Chief of three other journals. He is a Distinguished Member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, an Honorary Member of the American Water Resources Association, an Honorary Member of International Water Resource Association, and a Distinguished Fellow of the Association of Global Groundwater Scientists. He is a fellow of five professional societies. He is also a fellow or member of 11 national or international engineering or science academies.