Agrotextiles: Important Characteristics of Fibres and Their Applications – a Review
Vishnu Dorugade, Mengistu Taye, Sajid Ahmed Qureshi, Tewodros Agazie, Seyoum Bihonegn, Badasa Abebe, Srikant Komarabathina
Abstract
The global rise in population and growing demand for better and high-quality vegetables and fruits is the main growth driver for agro-textiles. Agro-textiles are the textiles used for crop protection, fertilization, aquaculture, horticulture, and forestry. Fibers for agro-textiles are selected as per the application area in agro-tech. The fibers like, jute, coir, sisal, and hemp have wide applications in agro-textiles. Owing to their price, ease of transport and storage, and longer service life, synthetic fibers are used more than natural fibers in agricultural applications. The most commonly used synthetic fibers in agro-textiles are nylon, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, and other high-performance fibers. Today agro-textiles play a significant role to control environment for crop production, eliminate variations in climate, weather change and generate optimum condition for plant growth. Textile structures in various forms are used in shade house/poly house, green house and also in open fields to control environmental factors like, temperature, water, and humidity.