Tunnel technology

Tunnel

Technology By

Allah Dad

Khan

Introduction:

1. Growing out-of- season crops in controlled atmosphere inside polythene tunnels is called Tunnel Farming. In Pakistan, this kind of farming is normally adopted for off-season cultivation of summer vegetables.

2. As it is not possible to grow summer vegetable in open fields from December to February due to low temperature and high frost levels, so these are grown inside polythene tunnels so that proper atmosphere may be given to plants for their maximum growth and yield.

3. Because of controlled atmosphere, Tunnel farming is the source of higher yields and earlier production, and this earlier and quality produce gives good profits to farmers.

4. For this reason, modern and progressive farmers of Pakistan are adopting this advance mode of farming at a faster pace.

Tunnel Farming for Off season Vegetables

Tunnel farming is the only way to get off-season

production of summer vegetables. Tunnel farming

involves constructing tunnels like Greenhouses

i.e. hut-like structures swathed in plastic that

serve as cocoons for growing cucumber, tomato,

pepper, carrot and lettuce etc. In addition to

summer vegetables, production of strawberry

inside tunnels has also become very popular in

the recent years.

Basic Idea of Tunnel Farming

The idea of tunnel farming is to shield the crops

from the elements and trap the heat of the sun,

extending the growing season and increasing

production. Tunnel farming is gaining acceptance

among educated farmers as it provides them with

an opportunity to save the input resources by

using less than 40 per cent water, fertilizer and

other resources under controlled conditions.

Through tunnel farming, it is possible to

overcome the three main impediments that

impact agricultural growth: chronic water

shortages, low yield per acre and low value of

crop production.

Principle of Tunnel Farming Tunnel farming operates on the principle that of

creating conditions during winter that are equivalent to those in summers. The vegetables sown in summer are then cultivated in these tunnels during winter. The entire farming area is covered by transparent polythene sheath fixed over D-shaped Bamboo/steel/aluminum pipes. The soil/growing media is also covered with black colored polythene sheath with small holes in which the seeds are sown. The sunlight during the day passes through transparent polythene sheath and is absorbed by the black sheath spread over the soil/growing media. This raises the temperature to desired level inside the tunnel. The plastic sheet on the soil serves three purposes: i) First it traps heat, ii) it reduces water loss and iii) it eliminates growth of weeds enormously.

Things to remember before start:

Prior to start off-season vegetable cultivation in

tunnels, the investor must have practical

knowledge about farming.

Soil and water quality of the farming site should

be tested before start.

Self-pollinated plants should be grown.

Recommended seed should be used.

Farmer must have complied and critically

analyzed market in formation to earn high profit.

Benefits/Objectives of Tunnel

Technology To introduce intensive cultivation per unit area.

To get maximum output/unit area.

To get production as per market demand.

To minimize the environmental Hazards.

To increase the life span and production ability of the plants.

To promote vertical cultivation to enhance quality and quantity of the produce and to lessen the area availability issues.

To get 3-5 times more production as compared to that taken in an open field.

To fetch higher price of produce because of its early availability in the market.

To save the input resources like water, fertilizer and Time & space.

To manage the crops in controlled and comparatively easy conditions.

To grow the crops in shorter time periods/growing

Suggestions for Successful

production:

Always keep the direction of the tunnel from East to West for better temperature gains inside the tunnel.

Always use good quality seed.

For cucumber, use Parthinocarpic variety seed.

For tomato, use indeterminate variety seed.

Use fertile soil and maintain its fertility during throughout the season.

Always grow more profitable vegetables as per market survey.

Protect seed of cucumber from rodents and insects till its germination.

Irrigate in morning and evening or as per expert’s advice according to the growing/atmospheric conditions inside your tunnel farm.

All plants are tied up with rope.

Prune the plants particularly three nodes at initial stage.

Use minimum quantity of farm yard manure for cucumber as compared to sweet pepper and tomato crops.

Use drip irrigation for economic irrigation and fertilizer application.

To avoid germination of weed, use black mulch into the growing bed.

Apply proper pesticide at proper time to control the insects or fungi.

Smoking is strictly prohibited inside Tunnel as it may cause a quick spread viral diseases throughout the tunnel.

What is Tunnel Technology Tunnel Farming

Growing out-of- season crops in controlled atmosphere inside polythene tunnels is called Tunnel Farming.

In Pakistan, this kind of farming is normally adopted for off-season cultivation of summer vegetables.

As it is not possible to grow summer vegetable in open fields from December to February due to low temperature and high frost levels, so these are grown inside polythene tunnels Tunnel farming is the only way to get off-season production of summer vegetables.

Tunnel farming involves constructing tunnels like Greenhouses i.e. hut-like structures swathed in plastic that serve as cocoons for growing cucumber, tomato, pepper, carrot and lettuce etc. In addition to summer vegetables, production of strawberry inside tunnels has also become very popular in the recent years. so that proper atmosphere may be given to plants for their maximum growth and yield.

Because of controlled atmosphere, Tunnel farming is the source of higher yields and earlier production, and this earlier and quality produce gives good profits to farmers. For this reason, modern and progressive farmers of Pakistan are adopting this advance mode of farming at a faster pace.

Plastic Tunnel

Cultivation by this method is gaining popularity

because of low cost and easy usage.Plastic

tunnels are transparent which provides required

sunshine to the plants, and the plastic also plays

a barrier against the cool air in winter

Concepts of Tunnel Technology

Tunnel farming involves constructing greenhouses-hut-like structures swathed in plastic that serve as cocoons for growing tomatoes, lettuce, peppers, carrots, strawberries and bushels of other fruits and vegetables.

The idea of tunnel farming is to shield the crops from the elements and trap the heat of the sun, extending the growing season and increasing production.

“The tunnels provide a microclimate around the crops that essentially fools them into thinking it is a different season than it really is,” agriculture specialist explained.

TUNNEL STRUCTUR

It depends upon type of tunnel. If

tunnel is:

- LOW then structure will be different.

- WALKIN then it would be different.

- HIGH then it would be different.

TYPE OF TUNNEL

Depends upon:-1. Crop to be sown. 2. Stature of the crop.3. Investment capacity. 4. Nature of the crop.5. Variety to be sown.6. Management level.

Type of tunnel

Veg to be grown Tunnel Type Tunnel Height

Cucumber

Tomato

Bottle gourd

High tunnel 10 to 12 feet

Sweet Pepper

Hot pepper

Walk in tunnel 5 to 6 feet

Sponge gourd

Water melon

Musk melon

Bitter gourd

Bottle gourd

Low tunnel 2.5 to 3 feet

Low Tunnel

It is cheaper than high tunnel but creates difficulty

for soil preparation, spraying and picking.The

tunnels are suitable for cucumber sown flat bed,

melons, watermelons, bitter gourds, squashes,

and snake gourds etc. The crop yield in this type

of tunnel ishowever low compared to high tunnels

Low Tunnels

Merits:

Used to protect vegetables from frost & chilling.

All types of vegetables can be grown.

Very cheap

Very popular in farmers being less expensive.

Installation is easy& quick.

Demerits:

− Vegetables can only be early for 20-30 days.

− Production of vegetables and Income is too less than walk in

& high tunnels.

Crop Management operations i.e spraying, hoeing, fertilizer

application etc are difficult and are conducted by lifting plastic

paper.

Low Tunnels

Kinds of structure

ii. Bamboo/Mulberry sticks Structure

− 3’ height from center

− 4-5’ width & 100-200’ length.

− Bamboo or Mulberry of

0.5 to 0.7” dia &10’ long are

bent into half moon shape &

fixed in soil.

− Average life 1 season.

− Very Cheap structure

(Rs. 25-30 thousand/acre)

− Good for heavy wind area.

− Very easy to construct & install.

LOW TUNNEL(5 x 2.5 ft)

Best Material

Steel rods of 6mm dia and 10 feet long

bent in the shape of half moon.

Sticks of different plants can also be

used but often create problems.

Plastic need to be removed at

flowering for pollination.

Make the crop about 1.5 month early.

Problem of weeds if not controlled.

Courtesy: Shadi Farm

Walk-in Tunnels

Walk-in tunnels are lower than the high tunnels

but they are gaining popularity asthey provide

high yield compared to low tunnels. The tunnel is

suitable for growingtomatoes, cucumbers, sweet

pepper and hot pepper.

Walk-IN Tunnels Merits: Best for bushy vegetables i.e sweet/hot peppers, squashes,

Freshbean etc.

Vine vegetables i.e tomato, cucumber, bitter gourds, sponggourds etc. can also be grown.

Relatively less expensive & high profitable.

Very popular in farmers being less expensive.

Installation is easy, quick and needs no technical expertise

• Demerits:

− Production of vine vegetables remain less than high tunnelsdue to restricted growth.

− Income is also relatively less than high tunnels.

Management operations i.e spraying, hoeing, plants trainingare difficult than high tunnel.

Walk-In Tunnels

Kinds of Structure

G.I. Pipe structure

− 6-6.5’ height from center

− 2 to 2.5’ height from sides

− 10-12’ width & 100–200 feet length.

− Made by 1/2” & 3/4’’ dia & 18-20’ long G.I. pipe.

− Average life 10-12 years.

− Less expensive structure

(Rs. 3 to 3.5 Lac/acre)

− Good for heavy wind area.

− Very popular due to low cost

& high profitability.

− Very easy to construct & install.

WALK IN TUNNEL(12 W x 6 ft H)

Best Material

Zn galvanized steel pipes of 0.75 inch

dia and of medium thickness bent in

the shape that it gives 12 ft wide and 6

ft high tunnel. It should be at least 2.5

ft high at the sides.

High Tunnel

High tunnel facilitates easy access for soil

preparation, picking and spraying due to itswidth

and height. The crop yield is maximum in this

type of tunnel. The tunnel issuitable for growing

tomatoes, cucumbers and sweet peppers.

High Tunnel Technology

High Tunnels

Kinds of structure

1. T.R / Angle Iron structure

− 11 to 14 feet height from center

− 7 to 8 feet height from sides

− 30 feet width & 100 – 200 feet length.

− Made by T. Iron & Angle Iron

− Average life 20-25 years.

− Safe for heavy productive

vegetables. But;

− Most expensive structure

(Rs.14-15 lac/acre)

− Not good for heavy wind area.

− Unpopular due to high cost.

Kinds of structure

2. Pipe Structure− Made by iron pipe of 1.5” dia & 14 -16 gauge.

11 to 14 feet height from center

7 feet height from sides

30 feet width & 100 – 200 feet length.

Average life 15-20 years.

Safe for heavy productive vegetables.

Relatively less expensive ss than T. R structure

(Rs. 9-10 Lac/acre)

Good for heavy wind area.

Relatively more popular than T.R

tunnels.

Good for all vine type vegetables

Kinds of structure

3. Bamboo or Mix Structure− Made by bamboo or bamboo + iron pipe 1.5” dia.

10-11’ height from center

7’ height from sides

30’ width & 100–200’ length.

Average life 1 to 2 years.

Very risky for heavy productive vegetables.

Very cheap structure (Rs. 1 to1.3 Lac/acre).

Very risky in heavy wind area.

Farmers use it to initiate the tunnel farming.

Some times structure collapsed due to heavy load.

Not reliable.

Production Process for Tunnel Farming

1. The production flow varies slightly for different vegetables. The following production flow

2. is based on the production of tomatoes.

3. Sowing of seeds in a separate plot of land for nursery.

4. Preparation of seed beds in the field for cultivation of vegetables.

5. Using fertilizer in the soil to maintain its fertility.

6. Transplantation of nursery in the soil or sowing of seeds directly in the soil.

7. Maintaining level of moisture in the soil.

8. Protection from the pests, diseases and other wild growths by using pesticides/sprays

9. of chemicals, and trimming.

10. Using fertilizer of different varieties for the smooth growth of plantation.

11. Picking/harvesting at various times as per nature/requirement of the plantation.

12. Grading of crop on the basis of quality and other standards.

13. Application of post harvesting technology for picking/plucking, packing and storing

14. the vegetables in order to fetch the maximum price.

15. Transportation to the sale points in local or export markets.

Questions