Protected Cultivation Technologies for Off-Season Vegetable Production: A Review
Rajesh Jalwania
Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Shahpura (Bhilwara-II) – 311404, MPUAT, Udaipur, India.
Praveen Kumar
Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, (Bhola Paswan Shastri Agricultural College, Purnea, Bihar), BAU, Sabour, Bhagalpur, India.
Ashutosh Kumar *
KVK, Narkatiyaganj, RPCAU Pusa, Bihar, India.
Smriti Hansda
College of Agriculture, Bhawanipatna, Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology, Odisha, India.
Pratyksh Pandey
Department of Agriculture, Mangalayatan University, Beswan, Aligarh, India.
Krupali Jagadala
Department of Plant Physiology, College of Agriculture OUAT Chiplima, Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT Chiplima), Pincode 768026, India.
Khan Chand
Department of Agricultural Engineering, School of Agricultural Sciences, Nagaland University, Medziphema Campus-797106, Chumukedima, Nagaland, India.
Subhash Verma
School of Agriculture, Eklavya University, Damoh, (M.P.)-Pincode-470661, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Off-season vegetable cultivation has assumed greater relevance to the purpose of making vegetables available throughout the year, improving farmers' income, and enabling sustainable livelihoods. Protected cultivation technologies, including greenhouses, polyhouses, net houses, low tunnels, and hydroponics, are potential solutions for vegetable production under a controlled environment. These technologies offset the effects of unfavorable climatic conditions and ensure the best growth environment, thus enhancing yield, improving the quality of the produce, and lowering pest and disease pressure. This review paper discusses different protected cultivation technologies, their applications, merits, limitations, and future directions in the development of off-season vegetable production in India.
Keywords: Protected cultivation, off-season vegetables, polyhouse, low tunnel, net house, microclimate, yield improvement