• Authors:
    • Srivastava, A. K.
    • Panigrahi, P.
  • Source: Journal of Agricultural Engineering
  • Volume: 48
  • Issue: 3
  • Year: 2011
  • Summary: A field experiment was conducted during 2006-2008 to optimize the combined use of irrigation and fertilizers through drip irrigation for bearing Nagpur mandarin ( Citrus reticulate Blanco) plants at Nagpur, Maharashtra, India. The irrigation at 50% (I 1), 75% (I 2), and 100% (I 3) of daily class-A pan evaporation rate (Ep) along with 25% (F 1), 50% (F 2) and 75% (F 3) of recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF: 600 g N+100 g P 2O 5+200 g K 2O) were applied through drip emitters to 12 year old mandarin plants. For comparison, band placement of fertilizer (BPF) at 100% RDF under basin irrigation (BI) was taken as control. All the irrigation and fertilizer treatments (except I 1F 1) imposed through drip system produced higher plant growth and fruit yield, with better quality fruits over BI with BPF. The highest fruit yield (16.03 t.ha -1) with superior quality fruits (41.8% juice content, 10.2degreesBrix TSS and 0.82% acidity) was recorded under I 2F 3. Leaf nutrients (N, P, K, Fe, Cu, Zn and Mn) analysis indicated that I 2F 3 registered significantly higher leaf-N (2.15%) and K (1.87%), whereas I 3F 3 produced higher P (0.11%) and Fe (113.99 ppm) as compared with BI with BPF (1.98% N, 0.081% P, 1.64% K, and 93.52 ppm Fe). The study demonstrated that the application of optimum quantity of water and fertilizers (I 2F 3) through drip irrigation saved 50% and 25% of water and fertilizers, respectively, besides producing 60% higher fruit yield with better quality fruits over BI with BPF.
  • Authors:
    • Chauhan, S. N.
    • Kumari, P. R. V.
    • Tayade, A. S.
    • Reddy, A. R.
    • Thakare, S. K.
    • Majumdar, G.
    • Raju, A. R.
    • Mahalle, P. S.
    • Katore, J. R.
  • Source: Journal of Cotton Research and Development
  • Volume: 25
  • Issue: 2
  • Year: 2011
  • Summary: Series of field trials were conducted during 1987-2010 at Central Institute for Cotton Research, Nagpur indicated that in shallow, medium and deep soils, it was estimated to collect 150, 300 and 350 M 3 of runoff water/ha in experimental ponds (200 M 3) at down stream by September end, 56-82 per cent of the pond capacity, was stored. The recycling of this runoff water through supplemental irrigation during 1987-1993, improved additional seed cotton yield by 136, 290 and 387 kg/ha or 20, 28 and 26 per cent over rainfed cotton LRA 5166 in shallow, medium and deep soils respectively. The supplemental irrigations improved WUE by 34, 73 and 97 kg/ha cm respectively in shallow, medium and deep soils. Experimental pond (200 M 3) size presently advocated, were not accepted by the farmers as they were economically non viable at field scale, but these can be helpful in improving the recharge of existing gravitational wells. Two supplemental irrigations at flowering stage along with deficient micronutrients improved seed cotton yields of 25-30 per cent higher in shallow and medium deep soils, respectively during 2002-2007 in NHH 44 non Bt hybrid cotton. It is difficult to provide life saving irrigations from farm ponds in first fortnight of July to seedling droughts. Large farm ponds at community levels can solve this problem of seedling droughts from the recharge of previous year in underground aquifers besides recharging the drinking water wells for summer shortages with 2-3 years of breakeven under multiple uses of water. Terminal droughts of August can overcome by supplemental irrigations from farm ponds of 10 ha catchment with a breakeven of 12 years. Bt hybrid cotton responded for two supplemental irrigations from harvested runoff water at seedling/terminal droughts in July (12-47% runoff) or in mid September (23-80% runoff) @ 750 kg/ha seed cotton yield in vertisols.
  • Authors:
    • Hore, J. K.
  • Source: The Jackfruit
  • Year: 2011
  • Summary: Jackfruit is popularly known as poor man's fruit in eastern and southern parts in India. The tree can be cultivated on marginal land and does not require intensive management to provide a good crop. The jack fruit is adopted only to humid tropical and near-tropical climates. It thrives from sea level to an altitude of 1600 m. It is grown on a variety of soils, deep alluvial, sandy loam, or clay loam of medium fertility, calcareous or lateritic soil, shallow limestone or stony soil with a pH of 5.0-7.5. The tree exhibits moderate tolerance to saline soils and poor drought and flood tolerance. The jack flourishes in rich, deep soil of medium or open texture, sometimes on deep gravelly or laterite soil. The best time for planting grafts or seedlings is June to August but with irrigation facilities it may be extended upto November. Pits of 1.0 m cube are dug at least 10 days before planting at a spacing of 8*8 m to 10*10 m. About 30 kg well-rotted farm yard manure, 500 g superphosphate and 250 g. muriate of potash are mixed with the top soil of the pit and refilled. Spraying of gibberellic acid (25-200 ppm) enhances both shoot and root growth. The young trees must be kept weed few during first three to four years. A 5-10 cm mulch will be good for suppression of weeds as well as to maintain soil moisture, particularly during the dry period. Regular punning of weak, dead and diseased branches at the end of rainy season is recommended. Fruit thinning is also recommended to prevent damage to branches due to heavy fruit load. Based on the firmness of flesh cultivated types are of two general groups (i) soft flesh - the pulp of ripe fruit is very juicy and soft, (ii) firm flesh - the flesh pulp is firm and crispy at ripe and can be preserved for several months. Some types are available with their common names viz., Gulabi, Hazari, Champaka, Rudrakshi, Singapore etc. The trees need good nutrition to promote regular and good bearing. The quantity of fertilizer required depends on vigour and age of trees and fertility of soil. The quantity of FYM varied from 20-50 kg/plant. The NPK dose (g/plant/year) for mature plant is 750:400:500 in Tamil Nadu, 800:480:1050 in Madhya Pradesh, 600:300:240 in Karnataka and 210:160:1000 in Assam. The yearly amount should be applied in two splits i.e., at the beginning of rainy season and after the rainy season is over. Manures and fertilizers should be applied in the drip zone i.e. 10 m wide circular basin, leaving 50 cm, around tree trunk. The Jackfruit is not normally irrigated. The trees are sensitive to drought and respond well to irrigation between flowering and fruiting. Since jackfruit takes about 8-10 years to attain full bearing, intercropping with vegetables like tomato, brinjal, chilli, cabbage, bhindi etc. and leguminous crops like cowpea, gram, kalai etc. will benefit the farmer. Seedling trees start bearing from 7th to 8th year onwards while the grafted ones from third year. The tree attains its peak bearing stage in about 15-16 years of planting. Period of fruit development is February to June. The optimum stage of harvesting has been reported to be 90-110 days after appearance of the spike. The fruit matures towards the end of summer in June. A tree bears upto 250 fruits annually, weighing about 3 kg to 25 kg with yield variation of 50-80 tonnes of fruit/ha.
  • Authors:
    • Mahajanashetti, S. B.
    • Kunnal, L. B.
    • Basavaraja, H.
    • Acharya, S. P.
    • Bhat, A. R. S.
  • Source: Agricultural Economics Research Review
  • Volume: 24
  • Issue: 2
  • Year: 2011
  • Summary: The nature and extent of crop diversification in the Karnataka state has been analyzed by collecting secondary data for a period of 26 years from 1982-83 to 2007-08. Composite Entropy Index (CEI) and multiple linear regression analysis have been used to analyze the nature and extent of crop diversification in the state. The CEI for different crop groups has shown that almost all the crop groups have higher crop diversification index during post-WTO (1995-96 to 2007-08) than during pre-WTO (1982-83 to 1994-95) period, except for oilseeds and vegetable crops. There has been a vast increase in diversification of commercial crops after WTO. Crop diversification is influenced by a number of infrastructural and technological factors. The results have revealed that crop diversification influences production. The study has suggested that the creation of basic infrastructural facilities like sustained supply of irrigation water, markets, fertilizer availability, proper roads and transportation is an essential pre-requisite for creating enabling conditions for fostering the process of agricultural development and crop diversification, as most of these parameters are found to influence the nature and extent of crop diversification.
  • Authors:
    • Kalamkar, S. S.
  • Source: Agricultural Economics Research Review
  • Year: 2011
  • Summary: District-wise growth and the reasons behind stagnation in the productivity of important agricultural crops in Maharashtra are considered. Secondary data for the period 1960/61 - 2004/05 is used to analyse the growth pattern of production and productivity, and the regional variations of stagnation for cereals, pulses, oilseeds, cotton and sugarcane. Agricultural growth constraints are identified and district-level interventions to overcome the problems of stagnation are suggested. Measures for growth in TFP are recommended that include watershed development and rainwater harvesting, the supply of good quality inputs, greater research into increasing crop yields, and flexible credit facilities. Greater horticultural production and irrigation, and the development of drought-resistant, high yielding variables more suited to the agro-climate of the State are also suggested.
  • Authors:
    • Joshi, A. K.
    • Dixon, J.
    • Waddington, S. R.
    • Li, X.Y.
    • Vicente, M. C. de
  • Source: Food Security
  • Volume: 3
  • Issue: 1
  • Year: 2011
  • Summary: Variation in water availability is a major source of risk for agricultural productivity and food security in South Asia. Three hundred and thirty expert informants were surveyed during 2008-09 to determine the relative importance of drought and water-related constraints compared with other constraints limiting the production of four major food crops (wheat, rice, sorghum, chickpea) in five broad-based South Asian farming systems. Respondents considered drought an important constraint to crop yield in those farming systems that are predominantly rainfed, but associated it with low yield losses (well below 10% of all reported losses) for crops in farming systems with well-developed irrigation. In these systems, other water-related constraints (including difficult access to sufficient irrigation water, the high cost of irrigation, poor water management, waterlogging and flooding of low-lying fields) were more important. While confirming the importance of drought and water constraints for major food crops and farming systems in South Asia, this study also indicated they may contribute to no more than 20-30% of current yield gaps. Other types of constraint, particularly soil infertility and the poor management of fertilizer and weeds for the cereals, and pests and diseases for chickpea, contributed most yield losses in the systems. Respondents proposed a wide range of interventions to address these constraints. Continued investments in crop-based genetic solutions to alleviate drought may be justified for food crops grown in those South Asian farming systems that are predominantly rainfed. However, to provide the substantial production, sustainability and food security benefits that the region will need in coming decades, the study proposed that these be complemented by other water interventions, and by improvements to soil fertility for the cereals and plant protection with chickpea.
  • Authors:
    • Souza, R. F. de
    • Medeiros, M. A. de
    • Marouelli, W. A.
    • Resende, F. V.
  • Source: Horticultura Brasileira
  • Volume: 29
  • Issue: 3
  • Year: 2011
  • Summary: The efficient use of water and the environmental diversity are crucial to the balance and sustainability of the organic production system of tomatoes. The present study aimed to evaluate the organic production of tomato cultivated as a single crop and in consortium with coriander, under sprinkler and drip irrigation. The experiment was carried out at an organic production area on the Federal District of Brazil. The experimental design was randomized blocks with treatments arranged in a 2*2 factorial (two irrigation systems * two cropping schemes). No significant interaction between the both factors occurred, and there was no significant effect of the cropping scheme over the evaluated variables. Although the crop cycle has been reduced when tomato was drip irrigated, the fruit yield was not affected by the irrigation systems. The larger reduction in the stand of plants observed under sprinkler irrigation has been compensated by an increase in the number of fruits per plant, without a change on the fruit mass. The smaller volume of soil explored by the tomato roots associated with the higher incidence of South American tomato pinworm ( Tuta absoluta) and mainly powdery mildew ( Leveillula taurica) may have limited the yield of drip irrigated tomato. The fruit decay rate on sprinkle irrigated plants was twice the rate found on the drip irrigated system.
  • Authors:
    • Rajanna, M. P.
    • Sheshshayee, M. S.
    • Mohankumar, M. V.
    • Udayakumar, M.
  • Source: ARPN Journal of Agricultural and Biological Science
  • Volume: 6
  • Issue: 7
  • Year: 2011
  • Summary: Rice is an extensively consumed cereal crop, which serves as a major source of carbohydrate in human diet. Rice cultivation requires more than 50% of the total irrigation water used for agriculture. Therefore saving irrigation water without much compromising with grain yield in rice cultivation is an important global agenda. In the present study the relevance of several drought tolerance traits in improving grain yield of rice under aerobic condition is studied. Analysis of variance indicated significant genetic variability among all plant traits. Grain yield was significantly correlated with root volume, root weight, total biomass total leaf area and Delta 13C. Path analysis indicated that root traits like root length and root weight positive direct effect on grain yield. Above ground traits like SLA, TDM, and TLA had direct positive direct effects on grain yield. The direct of Delta 13C on grain yield was negligible. Root length had highest positive indirect effect on grain yield via root volume. These results indicated that root play a pivotal role in improving grain yield. Yield displayed highest H 2BS, where as Δ 13C displayed moderate heritability among the germplasm accessions.
  • Authors:
    • Muthukrishnan, P.
    • Fanish, S. A.
  • Source: Madras Agricultural Journal
  • Volume: 98
  • Issue: 7/9
  • Year: 2011
  • Summary: Field experiment was conducted at farmer's field at Palani taluk of Dindigul district in Tamil Nadu during kharif 2008 with the objective of evaluating the drip fertigation on water saving and Water Use Efficiency (WUE) in intensive maize based intercropping system. The experiment was laid out in strip plot design with three replications. The experiment consisted of 9 fertigation levels in main plot and 4 intercrops in sub plot. Among the different fertigation levels, higher maize grain yield of 7300 kg ha-1 was recorded under drip fertigation of 100 per cent RDF with 50 per cent P and K through water soluble fertilizer (WSF) followed by application of 150 per cent RDF through drip (7050 kg ha -1). The yield increase over drip irrigation with soil application of fertilizer was 39 per cent. Drip irrigation helped to save water up to 43.65 per cent compared to surface irrigation method. Among the different intercrops tested, higher WUE of 21.0 kg ha -1 mm -1 was observed under maize+vegetable coriander intercropping system.
  • Authors:
    • Gill, M. S.
    • Bhale, V. M.
    • Deshmukh, M. S.
    • Narkhede, W. N.
    • Gadade, G. D.
    • More, S. S.
  • Source: Indian Journal of Agronomy
  • Volume: 56
  • Issue: 2
  • Year: 2011
  • Summary: A field experiment was conducted for three consecutive years (2005-2007) at Parbhani to find out most productive and profitable cropping system. Among the different cropping systems, highest wheat [( Triticum aestivum L.) emend. Fiori & Paol] equivalent yield (19.9 t/ha) and net monetary returns (Rs 107.8*10 3/ha) were obtained from soybean [ Glycine max (L. Merr.)]-onion ( Allium capa L.) cropping system, followed by turmeric ( Curcuma domestica L.)+castor ( Ricinus communis L.) (WEY-14.0 t/ha, and NMR Rs 89.8*10 3/ha). The soybean-onion system also recorded maximum net monetary advantage per unit time (Rs 573/ha/day), employment (374 mandays) and water use efficiency (221 kg/ha-cm), followed by turmeric+castor intercropping system. The highest nutrient uptake was recorded in sorghum [ Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench]-wheat followed by maize ( Zea mays L.)+cow-pea ( Vigna sinensis L.)-wheat and maize-wheat cropping systems. The highest soil nutrient status was observed in cotton ( Gossypium sp.)-summer groundnut ( Arachis hypogaea L.) followed by soybean-onion cropping systems.