For Clean, Smart and Profitable Farming.
Crop Cultivation Guidance
MP scientists develop three new varieties of high-yielding wheat The regional wheat research station in Indore has developed three new varieties of wheat that will increase the yield and are disease resistant. The research station's principal scientist and head H N Pandey said that HI-1479, HI-1500 and HI-8653 have been developed in natural conditions and would be formally released sometime next month. Of the three, HI-1479 and HI-1500 are of bread wheat variety while the third one is a durum wheat. He said, that the variety was developed specially for this region. (Courtesy- The Economic Times, July, 23) Top cross cassava hybrids Two promising hybrids of cassava (tapioca) named ‘SreeRekha’ and ‘Sree Prabha’ developed by scientist of CTCRI using a novel method of top crossing. Scientists at the Central Tuber Crops Research Institute (CTCRI), Sreekariyam, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, have developed two promising hybrids of cassava (tapioca) using a novel method of top crossing. Two Hybrids named ‘SreeRekha’ and ‘Sree Prabha’ were released for commercial cultivation in Kerala. The two were found to possess superior traits and high yield potential. ‘Sree Rekha’ produces long, conical tubers with light brown skin and cream coloured flesh. It has recorded an average yield of 45-48 tonnes per hectare in ten months. ‘Sree Prabha’ produces short, conical tubers with brown skin and yellow flesh. It has recorded an output of 40-45 tonnes per hectare in ten months. The tubers with good cooking qualities have won the admiration of both the growers and the consumers. Both these two hybrids are ideally suited for cultivation in upland and lowland conditions in Kerala. The new varieties will substantially enhance the income of cassava farmers. (Courtesy- The Hindu, July, 18)Rapid, reliable and economical immunodiagnostic kits has been developed by Central Institute for Cotton Research, Nagpur for quality assurance during transgenic seed production and large scale screening of plants to assess expression of gene in Bt-Cotton. “Bt- Cotton” has been approved by the Government of India for cultivation. It is effective against specific lepidopteran pests. In a transgenic Bt cotton plant, the crystal protein is produced in all the plant parts and when an insect larva feeds on any of the plant parts, it consumes the toxin and dies within hours. Testing for seed purity and for expression of Bt-toxin in plants is an important aspect for seed producers and farmers. Monitoring the expression through Cry toxin quantification is of paramount importance both in the initial and final steps of development of transgenic plants. Three different kits having different capacity are developed, they are Bt-Express, Cry 1Ac Bt-Quant and Bt-Detect.
Improved varieties of elephant-foot yam are free of acridity, and have excellent cooking traits. Elephant-foot Yam (Amorphophallus paeoniifolius) is a popular tuber crop of humid tropics, and it is widely grown in Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry. A number of high yielding varieties of this promising tuber crop have been developed at the Central Tuber Crops Research Institute (CTCRI), and other State Agricultural Universities. The improved varieties of elephant-foot yam are non-acrid, and endowed with excellent cooking qualities. The tubers are prescribed as medicine in ayurveda to treat piles, dysentery, asthma, swelling of lungs, vomiting and abdominal pain. It is used as a blood purifier. The paste of tubers is applied externally to reduce pain in arthritis. Elephant-foot yam performs well in warm and humid belts. It prefers partial shading, and it is grown as an intercrop in coconut groves and orchards in Kerala and Andhra Pradesh. The improved varieties should be vegetatively propagated. The tubers should be dipped in cow-dung slurry and dried in shade before being planted. Bio-fertilizers and other beneficial microbial organisms should be added to the cow dung slurry to get good results from the crop. The tubers should be planted in well-worked fields where pits of 30 cm x 30 cm x 30 cm are dug at a spacing of 90 cm x 90 cm. The pits should be filled with adequate quantities of organic manure, especially vermin-compost and powdered neem cake. The pits should then be mulched properly with leaf mould or paddy straw. February-March is the best time for planting in Kerala and northeastern India. As a rainfed crop, it can be planted in May-June or July with the onset of the rains. The plants are robust, and they can be protected from sucking and chewing pests by resorting to sprayings with botanical insecticides. The crop comes to harvest in 6-8 months after planting. The drooping and yellowing of the leaves will indicate the maturity of the crop, and with a shallow irrigation, the corms can be dug out. Care should be taken to prevent any injury to the corms while harvesting.
(Courtesy- The Hindu, July, 11)
The prickly pear cactus can be grown extensively in the wastelands in dry belts. Prickly pear cactus (Opuntia species) is found in abundance along roadsides and drought-prone regions. It is highly nutritious and is endowed with good medicinal properties. It is of great economic value, and is extensively grown in Mexico, parts of Central and South America and the Caribbean region. In Mexico, the flattened stems are eaten, and are very popular. Prickly pear cactus also gives a delicious fruit called tunas. The cactus can be dehydrated, pulverized and made into capsules. Mexico exports huge quantities of prickly pear cactus to Japan as a herbal medicine, says Ms Margarita Barney de Cruz, President of the Group to Promote Education and Sustainable Development (GRUPEDSAC), pioneering non-governmental organization in Naucalpan, Mexico. Also the prickly pear cactus is used in making a highly effective waterproof paint for homes. (Courtesy- The Hindu, June 27th 2002)
A high-yielding variety of coriander, which yields bold and attractive coloured grains with high essential oil content, have been developed by scientists at the department of spices and plantation crops of the Horticultural College and Research Institute (HC&RI), Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), Coimbatore. Christened “CO (CR) 4”, the coriander has a short duration (65-70 days). It can be cultivated under rainfed and irrigated conditions. The plants of the new CO (CR) 4 variety grow up to a height of 35 cm. The plants flower in 30-35 days after sowing. The variety has recorded an average yield of 587.2 kg grains per hectare in irrigated condition and 539.4 kg grains in rainfed crop. Seeds should be treated with Azospirillum at 600 g per hectare, and treatment with Trichoderma viride at 4 g per kg should be done to prevent the incidence of wilt disease. The variety responds well to organic nutrients, and sound cultural practices. About 10kg nitrogen, 40 kg phosphorus and 20 kg potash should be applied per hectare as basal dressing, and 10 kg nitrogen should be applied as top dressing on the 30th day after sowing. Adequate care should be taken to prevent the incidence of pests and diseases by adopting suitable integrated pest and disease management strategies. (Courtesy- The Hindu, June, 4)
The Paradise tree with attractive circular crown is ideal for planting in the wastelands and fruits containing the oil-rich seeds. Scientists at the Forest College and Research Institute (FC&RI) of the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) at Mettupalayam have been conducting extensive research on a high yielding oil-bearing tree that can be successfully grown in the waste lands. The tree popularly known as the Paradise tree (Simaruba glauca) has been found to yield good quality edible oil. Being a highly drought-tolerant tree, it can be ideally grown in the dry tracts, and it can be an ideal tree species for afforesting the wastelands. Say Dean, FC&RI. Also called the ‘king of oilseed trees’, the Paradise tree is an evergreen tree originating from El Salvadora, Brazil. The Paradise tree yields seeds of high oil content. Seed samples analyzed at the Central Food technological Research Institute (CFTRI), Mysore, recorded 58% oil. The oil quality is almost equivalent to groundnut oil. (Courtesy- The Hindu)
A fungal pathogen that infects the dreaded rice pest rice brown plant hopper (BPH) has been isolated and used as an effective bio-pesticide to control and manage the scourge by an entomologist Prof. P. Narayanasamy of the department of Entomology, Faculty of Agriculture, Annamalai University, Annamalainagar in Tamil Nadu. Pandora delphacis is an entomophthoralean fungus, and it established its potency in killing the rice BPH and green leaf hopper (GLH) extensively. The pest mortality ranged from 61.03% to 100%. The fungus was found widespread on BPH and GLH regularly during the Samba season. The wettable powder has been found to be more effective against all forms and stages of BPH in the field trials. This formulation contained 70% of the fungal spores and specific portions of sorghum grains, clay and teepol. Prof. Narayanasamy said, “We have established the field efficacy of the formulation in managing the BPH problem in rice, and are confident that this eco-friendly insecticide will find place in the integrated pest management (IPM) strategies for rice. Among the various biological control agents used in pest management, fungal organisms are found to be predominant and more potent against the target pests. It is particularly clear in dealing with the rice pests. BPH, one of the most serious pests of rice, is attacked by more number of fungal pathogens than other pests. (Courtesy- The Hindu)
The new tapioca variety yields more tubers in a short duration of about 255 days. An early maturing, high yielding tapioca variety has been released for commercial cultivation as “CO (TP) 4-Tapioca” by Scientists at the department of vegetables, Horticultural college and Research Institute of the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), Coimbatore. The new variety is a clonal selection from one of the seedling progenies of the hybrid SM 1679 (CM 2766-5 X CM 4843) obtained from the International Centre for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) in Colombia. It is a high yielding clone with a duration of about 255 days. This improved variety recorded a mean tuber yield of 50.6 tonnes per hectare. It is suited for cultivation under irrigated and rainfed conditions. The plants of this variety are erect with top-branching habit and are capable of producing high biomass. The tubers are long, cylindrical with dark brown skin and white flesh. The tubers are rich in extractable starch (40%), and total sugars (5.6 g per 100g) and with low hydro cyanic acid content in the flesh. It is moderately susceptible to Indian Cassava Mosaic Virus (ICMV). Liberal application of organic manure and sound nutrient management schedule should be followed to get high yields from this variety. Good irrigation schedule and systematic plant protection using integrated disease and pest management strategies will prove to be highly beneficial. The field should be free of weeds and other unwanted vegetation.
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A long green brinjal variety with a high yield potential has been developed by Scientists at the Horticultural Research Station (HRS) of the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) at Pechiparai in Kanyakumari district. This improved variety has been recently released for commercial cultivation by TNAU, Coimbatore, as `PPI (B) brinjal'. PPI (B) brinjal is a pure line selection from `Karungal local' of Kalkulam taluk in Kanyakumari district. It is a high yielding long green variety suitable for cultivation in all the brinjal growing tracts of Tamil Nadu, especially Kanyakumari district, according to scientists.It has been found to do well in a wide range of soil and climatic conditions. The new variety is an erect plant, with semi-spreading and determinate habit. It can grow to about 140 cm in height. Borne as solitary fruits, the oblong green fruits have minimum seeds, and no bitterness. The fruits have good cooking quality. Each plant will bear 30 to 35 fruits. About 15 harvests can be had from this variety in a duration of 185 days, and the average yield of 45 to 50 tonnes per hectare can be got from the variety. The variety is moderately tolerant to Fusarial wilt disease. The fruit quality is good with less fibre, high protein, high vitamin A and vitamin C content. This variety will do well in well drained loamy soil enriched with organic manure. It can be grown in April-May and October-November seasons. About 400 g seeds will be needed to raise nursery to cover a hectare of main field. The seeds should be ideally treated 4 g of Pseudomonos fluorescens and Azosprillum at 100 g per kg seed. About 100 sq. metre elevated nursery bed is sufficient to prepare seedlings to cover a hectare of main field. Roughly 200 kg of powdered neem cake should be added and 2 kg of Azospirillum should be applied for each hectare for getting good results from this variety. The variety responds well to regular irrigation and sound plant protection strategies using the botanical insecticides and beneficial microbes and friendly insects. (Courtesy- The Hindu)
Pranjali Trading has launched two herbal compositions, which it says, can destroy the eriophyid mite. This mite has been causing havoc in the coconut plantations of Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu since 1998 leading to a 30% crop loss in ‘00-01. It has affected 4.2 crore trees (50%) in Karnataka alone. General manager of the company said that the products have been approved by the technical committee set up by the Karnataka government to monitor the mite eradication programme. The two products, Aum Herbal Shakti and Aum Herbal Suraksha are non-toxic, biodegradable, environment-friendly and harmless to animals and humans. The herbal formulation consists of azadirachtin (neem) combined with alkaloids and extract of 15 herbs. The product can be crown sprayed, root drenched or stem injected. Once the tree has been cured, repeat spraying can be done once in two month to prevent recurrence. The treatment would cost Rs 33 for five consecutive applications. For preventive treatment, thereafter, it will cost Rs 6.6 per treatment. (Courtesy- The Economic Times)
The French bean yields attractive pods with excellent cooking qualities. A high-yielding, bush-type French beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) highly suitable for cultivation in the high, middle and lower elevations of the Niligiris and other similar hilly tracts has been released for commercial cultivation by the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), Coimbatore, recently. Developed at the Horticultural Research Station of TNAU at Vijayanagaram in Ooty, the new French bean yields attractive light green pods, which are highly fleshy and totally string less. It is a pure line selection from the accession PV-15 among the 33-germplasm types maintained at the Horticultural Research Station. The new variety performed well in all the field trials and it has been released as French beans "Ooty (FB-2)". The pods have excellent cooking quality and it has been found to have good market preference. The plants of Ooty (FB-2) have a vigorous growth habit, and grow to a height of 60 cm. Normally, the first white coloured flowers are borne in clusters of 4-5 at 45th day after sowing. It has a yield potential of 14.30 tonnes per hectare in a duration of 90 days. The variety is moderately resistant to major diseases like leaf spot, anthracnose and angular leaf spot. It is also moderately resistant to pests like pod borer and aphids. The pods contain high protein (22.38 per cent), crude fat (2 per cent), calcium (1.22 per cent) and magnesium (0.34 per cent), which help to increase the nutritional security of the people. The variety can be grown in the all the three seasons (main, autumn and irrigated) in the Nilgiris. It can also be raised in the plains in the cool season under irrigated conditions. The variety thrives best in well-drained loamy soils and cool climate. (Courtesy-The Hindu) An early bearing, tall coconut variety The new hybrid yields more nuts per tree in a year than the ruling varieties. Scientists at the Agricultural Research Station (ARS) of the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) at Aliyarnagar have developed an early bearing, tall coconut variety with a high yield potential. The improved variety is named `ALR (CN) 1'. "This variety comes to flowering in five. The mean yield during the stabilized period is 125 nuts with a potential yield of 183 nuts per tree in a year," say scientists. ALR (CN) 1 recorded a yield of 22, 020 nuts in a hectare per year, which is 46 per cent more than that of West Coast Tall. It yielded 2.88 tonnes of copra per hectare, which is 53 per cent higher than that of West Coast Tall, and 95 per cent more than that of East Coast Tall. Its copra yield is 24 per cent higher than that of VPM-3. The oil yield from the new variety was 1.915 tonnes per hectare. For making one tonne of copra about 7,645 nuts of ALR (CN) 1 is required. The new variety is found to be moderately tolerant to major pests such as rhinoceros beetle, scale insects, mealy bug, eriophyid mite and red palm weevil as compared to the other ruling varieties. It is also moderately tolerant to diseases such as leaf spot and bud rot when compared to them. It is highly suitable for raising in rainfed regions, and also comes up well in irrigated tracts. The variety does well in red sandy loam, laterite and alluvial soils. The best time for planting is June-July and December-January. A spacing of 7 m by 7 m is recommended to accommodate 175 plants in a hectare. Pits of 1 m by 1m by 1m should be dug, and filled up with well-decomposed farmyard manure and leaf mould. A nutrient dose of 560 g nitrogen, 320 g phosphorus and 1200 g potash should be applied for a five-year-old palm. For one year-old-palms a quarter of that dose is recommended, and it should be gradually increased every year. The crop will allow intercropping in the initial five years. Green manure crops can be raised and ploughed in-situ to increase the organic matter content in the soil. Manuring should be done when there is sufficient moisture in the soil. The variety responds well to regular irrigation, especially in summer. Fastest growing alternative to teak Mangium survives various terrains and soil conditions, including degraded areas such as bushes, grasslands, open areas and even compact ground. MANGIUM (Acacia mangium) is one amongst the three fastest growing useful hardwood trees. This native of Australia is also known as Brown Sal, is a major re-forestation tree in Malaysia with more than 80 per cent of new plantation. A hardy tree, Mangium survives various terrains and soil conditions, including degraded areas such as bushes, grasslands, open areas and even compact grounds. Saplings raised with seeds, naturally crossbred and hybridised, produces disease resistant quality timber trees. The tree is usually planted for windbreakers, erosion control, in agro forestry and for pollution control. Planting is done during monsoon the pit size should be 50 x 50 x 50 cms filled with red soil, river sand, FYM, at the ratio of 1:2:1. Plants planted at 1.5m between plants and 2.5m between rows at 2650 plants/Ha with 10 per cent on mortality, 30 per cent thinning in 2nd year, 20 per cent thinning in 5th year, 25 per cent in 1st harvest in the 10th year 20 cuft round logs/ trees at Rs. 150/cuft and 15 per cent in the final harvest in the 15th year 30 cuft round logs/ tree at Rs. 200/cuft. The two most common diseases which affect the tree are root rot and heart rots. They are effectively controlled with the usage of 1 per cent bordeaux mixture, Rhizobium, Phosphobacteria and VAM. Caterpillars and grasshoppers occasionally cause problems. They can be controlled by usual methods. Regular pruning of branches makes it grow straight. It can be grown with other shade resistant medicinal plants (Gymnema Sylvestre) black pepper, for interim returns. (Courtesy-The Hindu)
Developed by the scientists at the Regional Agricultural Research Station, Ambalavayal of the Kerala Agricultural University (KAU), the improved variety was released for commercial cultivation in the name of Deepthi, a few years ago. Developed by pureline selection from the local variety Edavaka, the new variety has been found to have positive traits for growing in the high ranges. It is resistant to Udbatta disease and moderately resistant to blast and pests like leaf-roller and stem-borer. It has moderate tolerance to drought. Deepthi is a semi-tall (128 cm) photo-insensitive variety with dark green foliage. It produces about eight effective tillers. It has an average grain yield of 4 tonnes per hectare and a straw yield of 4.74 tonnes in 155 days (seed to seed). The 1000-grain weight of the variety is 29.3 g, according to the scientists. It is suitable for planting in both the first and second crop seasons. It is a medium-duration variety (150-160 days) and it produced red-kernelled rice with good cooking quality. In the higher ranges, farmers prefer this variety to the others because of its earliness and high yielding capacity. (Courtesy-The Hindu) |
