Rural Agricultural Work Experience Programme (RAWEP) Final Report ALB 7108.pdf

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UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES,
BANGALORE
Submitted to
Dr. G. Eswarappa
Dr. Ashok Doddamani
Name: MUHAMMED AMEER ID Number: ALB7108
College of Agriculture, GKVK, Bangalore- 560065
2020-2021 RAWEP

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CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that the report of Rural Agriculture Work Experience
Programme (Rawep) activities submitted by Muhammed Ameer, ID
No: ALB7108 during the semester VIII of BSc (Hons.) Agriculture
program, under the supervision of Dr.G.Eshwarappa and Dr. Ashok
Doddamani, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore.
Signature of the Supervisor:
Date: 07/07/2021

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
First and foremost, praises and thanks to Lord Almighty, for the showers
of blessings to complete the assigned work successfully.
I would like to express my deep and sincere gratitude to my
contact farmers and our RAWE group teachers, Dr. G. Eshwarappa and
Dr. Ashok Doddamani for providing me with the inevitable guidance
throughout the program. They have filled us with motivation and taught
us the methodology to carry out the weekly activities as clearly as
possible. I would also like to thank the friendship and the sense of
togetherness offered by my classmates during the period of our RAWE
work. I am extending my heartfelt thanks to respected Dean and RAWE
coordinators for their support.
My special thanks go to my parents for their love and support, for
helping me with this project.

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CONTENTS
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
WEEK 1 5
WEEK 2 23
WEEK 3 52
WEEK 4 81
WEEK 5 105
WEEK 6 133
WEEK 7 150
WEEK 8 163

RURAL AGRICULTURAL WORK
EXPERIENCE PROGRAM 2021
WEEKLY REPORT- 1
Name: Muhammed Ameer ID Number: ALB 7108
Team: 19
2020-2021
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WEEK 1 ACTIVITIES
1. Collection of village information and agricultural database
2. Data collection of contact farmers
3. Identifying thrust area for the village
4. PRA techniques / extension methods adopted
5. Virtual group formation and information sharing
6. Identifying major agricultural problems
7. Identifying major crops and familiarizing with pop
8. Identifying technical problems in the major crops and methods to overcome
9. Calculating cost of cultivation of major crops and methods to increase the
income
10.Identifying status of developmental programs in village
11.Status Covid awareness in village
12.Farm and home visit to contact farmers
13.Visit to KRISHIBHAVAN
14.Work diary
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VILLAGE INFORMATION AND AGRICULTURAL
DATABASE
Name of the village: Kayakkodi
Name of the Block: Kunnummal
Name of the district: Kozhikkode
Borders of this village are;
North- Narippatta panchayath
South- Kuttiadi panchayath, Maruthonkara Panchayath
East- Kavilumpara Panchayath
West- Kunnummal panchayath
Total geographical area of this village is 2819 Ha
Total River area: 58.085 Ha
Land not utilized for agricultural purpose: 204 Ha
Uncultivable land: 20 Ha
Total cropped area is 2615 Ha under which rainfed cultivation accounts for 2485 Ha and
the irrigated area is 130 Ha.
Housing pattern
Concrete house 754
Tilled house 65
Huts 32
Total 851
Table 1: Housing pattern
Population of the village
Male 112670
Female 11906
Total 23173
Table 2: Population of village
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Weather parameters of the village
Average annual rainfall: 3060 mm
Mean maximum temperature: 30.8 °C
Mean minimum temperature: 23.6 °C
Source of irrigation
Table 3: Source of irrigation
Depth of ground water in hilly area: 10-20 m
Depth of ground water in valleys: 2.5 m
Source of irrigation in summer: 1) Pookkod Branch canal
2) Kovakkunnu- Changaramkulam Branch canal
Crops grown
Major crops grown in this village are Coconut, Arecanut, Cashew and Banana. Pepper,
colocasia and other tuber crops are some of the minor crops grown here.
Farmer community profile
Majority of the people in this village are occupied in non-agricultural sector. Very few
farmers are there, most of them falling under marginal and small farmer category.
Type Number
Marginal farmer 632
Small farmer 690
Big farmer 4
Agricultural laborer 290
Table 5: Farmer community profile
Livestock:
There are 952 cattle, 1613 goats and 15429 poultry in this village. There is no registered
buffalo or pig production. Apiculture, Sericulture or Mushroom production is also absent.
Source of irrigation Numbers
Lift (Well) 74
Minor (Pond) 31
Major (Canal) 26
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CONTACT FARMERS
I have selected 4 contact farmers for my rawep program from the village consisting 1
marginal farmer, 1 small farmer and 2 medium farmer because there is no large farmers in
my village.
MARGINAL FARMER:
1. Name: Krishnan V
2. Father’s name: Kanaran
3. Address: Vepremmal House, Karandott, Kuttiadi - 673508
4. Primary Occupation: Agriculture
5. Family members: 2
6. Area of cultivation: 25 cents
7. Crops grown: Paddy, Banana and Arecanut
8. Other trees in the farm: Mango, Jackfruit
9. Irrigation : Rainfed, Canal in summer
10.Livestock: No
SMALL FARMER- 1:
1. Name: V P Balan
2. Father’s name: Pokkan
3. Address: Valluparambath House, Kayakkodi - 673508
6. Area of cultivation: 2 Ha
7. Crops grown: Coconut, Arecanut , Banana and Tapioca
8. Other trees in the farm: Jackfruit, Mango
9. Irrigation : Rainfed
10.Livestock: No
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SMALL FARMER- 2:
1. Name: Aravindakshan K
2. Father’s name: Balagopalan Nair
3. Address: Kokkunnummal House, Kovakkunnu, Mokeri - 673507
6. Area of cultivation: 1.6 Ha
7. Crops grown: Coconut, Arecanut , Pepper, Banana, Mango, Sapota
8. Other trees in the farm: Neem, Cinnamon
9. Irrigation : Rainfed, Canal in summer
10.Livestock: Poultry.
MEDIUM FARMER- 1:
1. Name: Ashokan Thayyil
2. Father’s name: Pokkan
3. Address: Thayyil House, Valiyapoyil, Nitumannur - 673508
4. Primary Occupation: Hardware shop
7. Crops grown: Coconut, arecanut, Pepper, Colocasia and Yam
8. Other trees in the farm: Teak, Neem, Uppila
9. Irrigation : Rainfed and open well
10.Livestock: Fish culture
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MEDIUM FARMER- 2:
1. Name: Nishad V V
2. Father’s name: Aboobacker V V
3. Address: Valiya Veettil House, Thaleekkara - 673508
7. Crops grown: Paddy and Vegetables
8. Other trees in the farm: Jackfruit
9. Irrigation : Rainfed
10.Livestock: Cattle
THRUST AREAS IDENTIFIED FOR THE
VILLAGE
Major problem faced in the village is lack of availability of labourers. Main reason
behind this is that most of the youth tends to procure business as their profession and try
to focus their work area to gulf countries. This resulted in non- availability of labourers.
Roads in village is poorly built and not properly maintained. Road accidents and deaths
are high due to gutters on roads.
Some of the low- lying areas are flood prone. This has caused considerable damage in the
area for the floods that occurred in Kerala in the last two years.
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EXTENSION METHODS ADOPTED
Weather data and village demographics and map was collected from the respective
government websites. Village database was collected with the help of two Krishibhavan
officials by contacting them over phone. Since it is lockdown, the office was closed and I
could not visit and collect the database. One of the clerk opened the office himself and
send the Photos through whatsapp.
Interviews and home visit could not conducted for farmers’ data collection. So contacted
them over phone and collected the details as much as possible.
Krishibhavan in Kayakkodi conducts many extension programs for farmers namely
demonstrations, training, farm visit, farmers calls, leaflet, folder, booklet, chart posters etc.
They also provide seeds and fertilizers to farmers as part of different schemes adopted by
government. Incentives are also provided to promote farm activities and to encourage
farmers.
CHART PREPERATION
Chart on Coconut disease Control
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MAJOR AGRICULTURAL PROBLEMS OF
VILLAGE
By discussing with farmers, I noted down some of the main problems faced by farmers in
my village. Diseases affecting crops mainly from fungus account to considerable loss in
production. This is mainly due to high humidity in the area and thereby causing optimal
growth conditions to the fungus. Water logging and button shedding appeared to be a
common problem in all fields due to heavy rains.
Non- availability of labourers also affects the farming activities. This is very crucial that
even farmers tend to leave the profession due to this very reason that they can’t manage
the works of whole area.
Another issue is lack of proper machineries to carry out agricultural activities. As farmers
hold small landholdings, buying of machineries won’t be cost- effective. But there is no
enough machine hiring systems in this area which is possible by government to establish to
support farmers.
FARMERS VIRTUAL GROUP FORMATION AND
SHARING OF INFROMATION
Out of 5 farmers contacted, 1 of them uses standard phone set. So I created a Whatsapp
group in the name of “KRISHIKKARYANGAL” meaning ‘About Farming’ adding the
other four farmers. Package and Practices of crops (KAU), farm related news and other
relevant information is shared to the group.
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MAJOR CROPS AND THEIR POP
Major crops of this village are paddy, coconut, arecanut, banana and cashew. Package of
practices of these crops are released by KERALA AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY.
COCONUT:
Selection of site Select sites with deep (not less than 1.5 m depth) well drained soil. Avoid
shallow soils with underlying hard rock, low-lying areas subject to water stagnation and
heavy clayey soils.
Cultivars: 1. West Coast Tall (WCT) 2. Lakshadweep Ordinary (Chandrakalpa) 3.
Philippines Ordinary (Kerachandra) 4. Andaman Ordinary 5. Java 6. Cochin China 7.
Kappadam 8. Komadan 9. Kerasagara 10. Kalparaksha 11. Kalpadhenu 12. Kalpaprathibha
13. Kalpamithr
Spacing of nuts: Plant the seed nuts at a spacing of 30 cm (between rows) x 30 cm
(between nuts) with four or five rows per bed.
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Method of planting seed nuts: Plant the seed nuts in the beds in trenches 25-30 cm deep
and cover with soil so that to portion of husk alone is visible. The nuts may be planted
either horizontally with the widest of the segments at the top or vertically with stalk-end
up. Vertical planting is preferable on account of convenience in transporting and lesser risk
of seedling injury.
Shading and irrigation: For the first two years from planting, irrigate @ 45 litres of water
per seedling, once in 4 days, during dry summer months. Provide adequate shade to the
transplanted seedlings.
Manuring: young palms For the first three years after planting under rainfed conditions,
apply fertilizers in two split doses at the rates
ARECANUT:
Varieties: Mangala, Sumangala, Sreemangala and Mohitnagar, VTLAH1, VTLAH2
Selection of site Select sites with deep well drained soil without high water table. Provide
adequate irrigation facilities. Selection of mother palms Select mother palms showing
earliness and regularity in bearing, high percentage of fruit set and dwarf to semi-tall
stature.
Selection of seed nuts: Select fully tree-ripe nuts from middle bunches during mid season.
Discard nuts, which are undersized, malformed and low in weight. Nursery techniques
Sow selected seed nuts soon after harvest in nursery bed with stalk-end up and with a
spacing of 5-6 cm. Cover the seed nuts with sand and irrigate daily
Cultural operations: Keep the garden free of weeds and break up surface crust by light
forking or digging after cessation of monsoon during OctoberNovember. In slopes, prevent
soil erosion by terracing. Sow seeds of green manure-cumcover crops such as Mimosa
invisa, Stylosanthes gracilis and Calapagonium muconoides in April-May with the onset of
pre-monsoon rains. Cut and apply them to the palms in September-October.
BANANA:
Varieties Nendran (Clones): Nedunendran, Chengalikodan, Manjeri Nendran, Zanzibar,
Big Ebanga.
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Planting Plant suckers upright in the centre of pits with 5 cm pseudostem remaining above
soil level. Press soil around the sucker to avoid hollow air spaces.
Manuring 1. Apply compost, cattle manure or green leaves @ 10 kg/plant at the time of
planting. For double sucker planting at a spacing of 3 m x 2 m, 133 per cent of
recommended dose for single sucker planting in six splits is needed when farm yard
manure is used as the organic source. The recommended dose for single sucker itself is
sufficient with vermicompost as organic source. This should be accompanied with in situ
green manuring @ 15 g cowpea seeds per pit (25 kg ha-1) at the time of planting.
Incorporate the cowpea crop into soil 40 days after sowing
Irrigation 1. During summer months, irrigate once in three days. 2. Ensure good drainage
and prevent water logging.
Desuckering Remove side suckers produced till the emergence of bunch. Retain one or
two suckers produced after the emergence of bunch
Manures and Fertilizers: Apply FYM @ 15-20 kg per plant and lime 1 kg per plant at
the time of land preparation. Apply N:P2 O5 :K2 O @ 300:115:450 g per plant in six split
doses
PADDY:
Seed rate :for Transplanting is 60-85 kg ha-1, Broadcasting 80-100 kg ha-1 , Dibbling
80-90 kg ha-1. The above seed rates are specified for farmers’ field on the basis of
minimum germination of 80 per cent.
Seed treatment
Dry seed treatment: Dress seeds with P. fluorescenes @ 10 g/kg of seeds before sowing
or with the following fungicides on the previous day of sowing (12 to 16 hours ahead) at
dosage given below: Carbendazim 2g per kg of seed
Wet seed treatment: Soak seed for 12 to 16 hours in a solution of P. fluorescenes @ 10
g/litre of water per kg of seed or Carbendazim 2 g/kg of seed per litre of water and drain to
induce germination
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Land preparation: Plough the field thoroughly to incorporate the weeds and straw into
the soil. Ensure a smooth, level field for transplanting the seedlings. It would be better to
transplant 10-15 days after incorporating organic manure. Before transplanting or sowing,
apply manures and fertilizers at the rates specified for the region and varieties as indicated
in Table 4. Apply fertilizers on the drained soil at the time of final ploughing and levelling
and thoroughly mix into the soil.
Transplanting: Transplant seedlings of appropriate age for the variety @ 2-3 seedlings
per hill in rows, at suitable spacing
Methods of fertilizer application: For pre-planting application, apply the fertilizers at the
final ploughing. In areas where availability of water is assured, temporarily draining the
field one day prior to application and re-flooding after twelve hours is recommended for
top dressing of fertilizer. For increasing the efficiency of urea for top dressing, mix urea
with six times its weight of slightly moist soil and apply to the field 24- 28 hours after
mixing. Oil seed cakes such as punna and neem cakes can also be mixed with urea (1 part
of oil cake + 5 parts of urea by weight) for increasing fertilizer use efficiency. This method
is particularly useful for basal application of nitrogen. Under special conditions of drought
and water-logging, apply nitrogen as foliar spray. Urea may be applied as a low volume
spray at 15 per cent concentration using power sprayer or at 5 per cent concentration using
a high volume sprayer, the quantity applied in one application being limited to 15 kg ha-1.
When zinc deficiency is noticed, apply zinc sulphate @ 20 kg ha-1. K status of soil is
maintained by straw incorporation. After straw incorporation, if soil analysis prior to
cropping season indicates low K status, K should be applied @ 15 kg K2 O ha -1.
TECHNICAL PROBLEMS OF MAJOR CROPS
AND METHODS TO OVERCOME
COCONUT: Main problem in cocnut plantation is drought management. It can be
controlled by
1. Husk burial for moisture conservation Burying of fresh or dried coconut husk around
the palm is a desirable practice particularly for moisture retention. The husk can be buried
either in linear trenches taken 3 m away from the trunk between rows of palms or in
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circular trenches taken around the palm at a distance of 2 m from the trunk. The trenches
may be of 0.5 m width and depth. The husks are to be placed in layers with concave
surface facing upwards and covered with soil.
2. Mulching : Mulch the coconut basins with green / dry leaves. In level lands, during
rainy seasons excess water may be conserved in small trenches dug out in the plantation.
In sloppy areas, land may be terraced and trenches dug across. This will facilitate
maximum percolation of rainwater and water conservation. For moisture conservation,
lowermost 3-5 leaves may be cut and removed. Provide adequate shade for the
transplanted seedlings for 1-2 years. To minimize the sun scorch on the srunk, application
of lime solution on the trunk up to a height of 2-3 m at the start of the summer season is
recommended.
3. Green manure and cover crops: Green manure and cover crops recommended for
cultivation in coconut gardens are: a. Green manure crops: Crotalaria juncea (sunhemp),
Tephrosia purpurea (kolinji), Indigofera hirsuta, Pueraria phaseoloides b. Cover crops:
Calapagonium muconoides, Mimosa invisa, Stylosanthes gracilis c. Shade-cum-green
manure shrub: Tephrosia candida
ARECANUT: Main problems in arecanut cultivation here is mahali disease and de
husking facility
1. Koleroga (Mahali or fruit rot) (Phytophthora palmivora) :Spray Bordeaux mixture 1
per cent on all bunches three times in a year, one just before the onset of southwest
monsoon and the rest at 40 days intervals. If monsoon season is prolonged give a
third spray. Use rosin soda adhesive to ensure tenacity of the spray deposit on
treated substrate. Remove and burn all fallen and infected nuts
2. De-husking: A simple de-husking device has been standardized by the CPCRI,
Kasaragod. The out turn with this device is 60 kg of husked nuts in the case of dry
nuts and 30 kg in the case of green nuts.The cost of the device is about Rs. 250/
BANANA: Main issues in banana cultivation which farmers of this area faces are banana
pseudo stem weevil and sigatoka leaf spot
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Banana Pseudostem weevil : Field sanitation is the most important factor in the
prophylactic and curative control of this pest AND Remove affected plants along with the
rhizome in full and destroy them by burning the life stages of the insect using kerosene or
by burying the material in deep pits in soil.
Sigatoka leaf spot (Mycosphaerella sp.) 1. Cut and burn all severely affected leaves. 2.
Spray 1 per cent Bordeaux mixture with sticker soon after the appearance of the initial
symptoms of the disease. The disease appears with the commencement of southwest
monsoon. Five to six sprayings at fortnightly intervals are to be given depending upon the
severity of the disease. 3. Petroleum based mineral oil 1 per cent emulsion is also effective
in controlling the disease. 4. Spray carbendazim 1 g l-1 or give alternate sprays of
mancozeb (2 g l-1) and carbendazim (1 g l-1) soon after the appearance of initial
symptoms of the disease. Three to four sprays at fortnightly intervals are to be given
depending on the severity of disease
PADDY: Pest and disease attack can be managed by following the IPM suggested by
KAU.Other than the pest and disease main problem in rice cultivation is birds. Method to
over come that is,
Install artificial nesting sites viz., wooden nest boxes in the rice fields (@ 12 nests ha-1)
for colonization by cavity nesting birds (magpie robin, common myna, barn owl, etc.)
which play a vital role in managing a variety of insect and non-insect pests. The nest
boxes should be installed at a height more than 8 feet on wooden pole, tree trunk, etc.
COST OF CULTIVATION OF MAJOR CROPS
Major crop of my village is coconut, arecanut, banana and paddy. Cost of cultivation of the
crops is given in the table.
Average cost incurred for coconut is 64821/- and for arecanut is 60255/-. Average cost of
banana cultivation is 160214/-. Average cost incurred by the farmers for paddy is 99297 /-.
The cost can be reduced by Growing a green manure crop like daincha in April-May in
areas where the virippu crop is usually transplanted. Puddle and level the field thoroughly.
This will help to reduce the cost of weed control and also the loss of water and nutrients
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through percolation. The cost of cultivation can be reduced by using high yielding
varieties, using optimum plant density etc. maintaining proper distance will help in
reducing cost of weed control and pest control.
Table 6: Cost of cultivation of major crops
Particular Paddy Coconut Arecanut Banana
HIRED HUMAN LABOUR 68775 35891 34169 65315
ANIMAL LABOUR 153 0 0 0
MACHINE LABOUR 8369 58 36 314
SEED /SEEDLINGS 2405 691 542 23517
FERTILISER 8522 12592 8466 37897
PLANT PROTECTION 819 250 175 1521
LAND TAX AND IRRIGATION
CESS
139 240 233 613
REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE
CHARGES OF IMPLEMENT AND
MACHINERIES
751 1361 3267 1452
INTEREST ON WORKING
CAPITAL
3250 5290 4631 14096
OTHER EXPENSES 3670 3419 2922 12391
INTEREST ON FIXED CAPITAL 2444 5029 5814 3098
TOTAL(Rs) 99297 64821 60255 160214
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AWARENESS OR STATUS OF
DEVELOPMENTAL PROGRAMS
1. Life Mission – A helping scheme for providing initially land and home for
landless and homeless families. Every year 5 – 6 families are being gifted a
home as a helping hand to improve living standard of poor families.
2. Paddy development scheme – A scheme for the promotion of paddy
cultivation especially in fallow lands like unused wetlands.
a) Rs. 3 lakh given to Padashekhara Samiti for conducting group activities under
cooperative farming.
b) Input assistance of Rs. 5500 per hectare.
3. Kudumbasree – A comprehensive poverty alleviation programme to focus
primarily on poor rural and urban women. It includes neighborhood groups,
area development societies and community development societies. Work
includes under women self-help groups for financial and technical upliftment.
COVID AWARENESS CREATED
1. Awareness on COVID was done by grama panchayat through public
announcements, placing posters and banners in public places
2. Break the chain campaign promoted regular washing of hands and use of sanitizer
at public places
3. Regular patrolling by police ensured social distancing among people and avoided
crowds.
4. Locality based RRT and coordinated activities
5. Community kitchen by kudumbashree
6. Free covid test in primary health center
FARM AND HOME VISIT TO CONTACT
FARMERS AND KRISHIBHAVAN
I could not visit any farm as there is lockdown in my area. I contacted both farmers and
agricultural officer in krishibhavan over phone call.
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WORK DIARY
12/05/21: Orientation Class by Dr. Eshwarappa and Dr. Ashoka Doddamani explaining
weekly activities to be conducted. Informed Teachers about my Covid infection and they
granted leave till health conditions are okay.
24/05/21: Collected information about village database over phone call with agricultural
officer in krishibhavan and collected information regarding different PRA techniques
followed. Started searching for farmers in Kayakkodi Panchayat.
25/05/21: Made calls to collect data from farmers. Arranged call time later for those farmers
who were busy then. Identified major crops and familiarized with its PoP proposed by KAU
26/05/21: Continued collecting data from farmers and also collected basic data information
from krishibhavan.
27/05/21: Analyzed cost of cultivation of major crops, collected information of different
schemes implemented by authorities in agricultural sector.
28/05/21: Preperation of report and ppt of week 1activities.
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WEEKLY REPORT- 2
Team: 19
2020-2021
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WEEK 2 ACTIVITIES
1. Soil Sampling and Soil Testing
2. Problematic Soils and Reclamation
3. Contingent Cropping Plan
4. FYM/ Compost Preperation Using Crop Residues.
5. Crop Museum
6. Agricultural Inputs and Requirement
7. Seed Testing
8. Seed Production
9. Awareness on PPV & FR Act
10. Seed Treatment
11. Beejamruth
12. Seed Replacement rate
13. Aberrations In Weather and Preperation Of Crop Planning
14. Information Center
15. Work Diary
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SOIL SAMPLING AND SOIL TESTING
Soil sampling is important as it measures the nutrients that are left in your field following
harvest. Tells you which nutrients are lacking or are in excess throughout the soil in a field.
Helps you determine the most favourable fertilizer plan to increase or maintain yields for
the following year. This allows you to determine the soils fertility, nutrient deficiencies and
excesses and come up with the best plan as you head into spring and prepare for next years’
crop. Doing a conventional soil sampling one takes 10 – 15 samples from throughout a
field.
To get an accurate representation of the field stay away from hill tops and low spots and
take soil from areas of the field where the yield is usually average. The results obtained
should then be an average representation of the field. each sample collected must be a true
representative of the area being sampled. Utility of the results obtained from the laboratory
analysis depends on the sampling precision. Hence, collection of large number of samples
is advisable so that sample of desired size can be obtained by sub-sampling. In general,
sampling is done at the rate of one sample for every two hectare area. However, at-least one
sample should be collected for a maximum area of five hectares. For soil survey work,
samples are collected from a soil profile representative to the soil of the surrounding area.
Points to be considered
1. Collect the soil sample during fallow period.
2. In the standing crop, collect samples between rows.
3. Sampling at several locations in a zig-zag pattern ensures homogeneity.
4. Fields, which are similar in appearance, production and past-management practices,
can be grouped into a single sampling unit.
5. Collect separate samples from fields that differ in colour, slope, drainage, past
management practices like liming, gypsum application, fertilization, cropping system etc.
6. Avoid sampling in dead furrows, wet spots, areas near main bund, trees, manure
heaps and irrigation channels.
7. For shallow rooted crops, collect samples up to 15 cm depth. For deep rooted crops,
collect samples up to 30 cm depth. For tree crops, collect profile samples.
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8. Always collect the soil sample in presence of the farm owner who knows the farm
better
Procedure
Divide the field into different homogenous units based on the visual observation and
farmer’s experience Remove the surface litter at the sampling spot. Drive the auger to a
plough depth of 15 cm and draw the soil sample. Collect at least 10 to 15 samples from
each sampling unit and place in a bucket or tray.If auger is not available, make a ‘V’
shaped cut to a depth of 15 cm in the sampling spot using spade.Remove thick slices of soil
from top to bottom of exposed face of the ‘V’ shaped cut and place in a clean container.
Mixing of soil sample : Mix the samples thoroughly and remove foreign materials like
roots, stones, pebbles and gravels. Reduce the bulk to about half to one kilogram by
quartering or compartmentalization. Quartering is done by dividing the thoroughly mixed
sample into four equal parts. The two opposite quarters are discarded and the remaining
two quarters are remixed and the process repeated until the desired sample size is obtained.
Compartmentalization is done by uniformly spreading the soil over a clean hard surface
and dividing into smaller compartments by drawing lines along and across the length and
breadth. From each compartment a pinch of soil is collected. This process is repeated till
the desired quantity of sample is obtained. Collect the sample in a clean cloth or polythene
bag.
Label the bag with information like name of the farmer, location of the farm, survey
number, previous crop grown, present crop, crop to be grown in the next season, date of
collection, name of the sampler etc.
Processing and storage
Assign the sample number and enter it in the laboratory soil sample register. Dry the
sample collected from the field in shade by spreading on a clean sheet of paper after
breaking the large lumps, if present. Spread the soil on a paper or polythene sheet on a hard
surface and powder the sample by breaking the clods to its ultimate soil particle using a
wooden mallet. Sieve the soil material through 2 mm sieve. Repeat powdering and sieving
until only materials of >2 mm (no soil or clod) are left on the sieve. Collect the material
passing through the sieve and store in a clean glass or plastic container or polythene bag
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with proper labelling for laboratory analysis. For the determination of organic matter it is
desirable to grind a representative sub sample and sieve it through 0.2 mm sieve. If the
samples are meant for the analysis of micronutrients at-most care is needed in handling the
sample to avoid contamination of iron, zinc and copper. Brass sieves should be avoided and
it is better to use stainless steel or polythene materials for collection, processing and storage
of samples. Air-drying of soils must be avoided if the samples are to be analysed for NO3-
N and NH4-N as well as for bacterial count. Field moisture content must be estimated in
un-dried sample or to be preserved in a sealed polythene bag immediately after collection.
Estimate the moisture content of sample before every analysis to express the results on dry
weight basis.
I prepared one chart with concise details on how to collect soil sample from field. Also
another chart was prepared on soil testing. This information is shared with farmers’
whatsapp group.
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PROBLEMATIC SOILS AND ITS RECLAMATION
Problematic soils are the soil that causes additional problems from the engineering point of
view as a result of the circumstances of its composition or a change in environmental
conditions. hese soils need special management for satisfactory crop production. Physical
limitations can be managed by irrigation, drainage, mulching, manuring, tillage,
and soil conservation measures such as terracing, contouring, and cover crops whichever is
appropriate.different forms of problematic soils are
 Aline soil
 Sodic/alkaline soil
 Saline –sodic
 Acidic soils
Soil of my village is acidic in nature.
RECLAMATION OF ACID SOILS : Acidic soils can be managed by the methods like
liming, using suitable crop, soil fertility managemnetn etc.
Liming:
Application of lime is recommended for reclaming acid soils. Chemicals used for liming
are , Burnt lime -CaO, Hydrated lime- Ca(OH)2, Basic slag –CaSiO3, Dolomite-
CaCO3.MgCO3, Calcite. Etc.,.
It improves the base saturation,inactivates iron ,manganese and aluminium in soil solution
.Lime should be applied once in five years depending on soil pH.
Choice of crops:
• Rice is relatively tolerant to soil acidity,since flooding the field raise soil pH to near
neutrality. • Millets and oats among cereals, groundnut among the legumes, tea and potato
among others can be grown on acid soils.
Soil fertility management:
Leaching losses of nitrogen fertilisers can be reduced by split by split applications. • Use
of completely water soluble sources like SSP,TSP,DAP should be avoided. • Potassium
sulphate is preferred over murate of potash, but there are certain Problems associated with
over liming .
28

They are:
1) Deficiency of Fe, Cu,Mn,Zn
2) Phosphorus availability reduce
3) Incidence of diseases like Scab in root crops increases.
4) Boron deficiency is seen , it adsorbed on Al(OH)3
5) Root tip swelling due to high cons. of OH- ion
I made a chart about soil reclamation methods and shared with farmers.
29

CONTINGENT CROPPING PLAN
Contingency cropping is growing of a suitable crop in place of normally sown highly
profitable crop of the region due to aberrant weather conditions. In dryland agriculture,
contingency of growing another crop in place of normally grown crop arises due to delay in
the onset of monsoon. As per the report by kerala agricultural university, the main
contingency this area prone to are, flood , sea -water intrusion, pest and disease incidence
and man- animal conflict. Contingency crop planning refers to implementing a plan for
making alternate crop or cultivar choices in tune with the actual rainfall situation and soils
in a given location. In rainfed areas, as a general rule early sowing of crops with the onset
of monsoon is the best-bet practice that gives higher realizable yield. n general, the change
in sowing or planting time of crops, change in seed rate, change in schedule of fertilizer
use, use of short duration varieties, improved crop genotypeform the core component of
contingency crop planning.
Contingent plan Under irregular rain
For rice: Improve drainage facility at vegetative stage , flowering stage and Harvest the
crop at physiological maturity and Improve storage facility
For horticulture crops: Improve drainage facility, Collection and conservation of rain
water, mulching
Contingent plan heavy rain and wind:
For Rice: Improve drainage facility, alley cropping, providing wind breaks . Improve
storage after harvest
Horticulture crops : Improve drainage facility, Propping of Banana plants facility
Outbreak of pests and diseases due to unseasonal rains:
Rice Cultivation of resistant varieties, Use of disease free healthy seeds, proper seed
treatment, application of bio control agents, phytosanitation, balanced fertilizer application,
adopt suitable cultural practices
Coconut, areca nut : Avoid water stagnation in the garden by providing drainage
facilities, prophylactic spray of 1% Bordeaux mixture, adopt phyto sanitation, cleaning of
the crown,
30

Banana Use disease free healthy suckers, provide better drainage facility, prophylactic
application of Bordeaux mixture, use of bio control agents, removal and destruction of
inoculum from the field
Shared contingent cropping plan for important crops grown by contact farmers.
A chart was shared with farmers regarding contingent crop planning and its importance in
this area.
31

FYM/ COMPOST PREPARATION
Farmyard Manure (FYM)is primarily made from cow dung, cow urine, waste grass, and
other dairy waste. Properties of FYM are,FYM is nutrient-rich. A small portion of N is
available directly to the plants, while a greater portion is made available when FYM
decomposes. Once cow dung and urine are combined, the plants get good nutrition.
Potassium and phosphorus available from FYM are similar to those from inorganic sources.
FYM implementation increases soil fertility.
compost is a mixture of ingredients used to fertilise and improve the soil. Compost is
commonly prepared by decomposing plant and food waste, recycling the organic materials
so that the mixture is rich in plant nutrients and beneficial organisms such as worms and
fungal mycelium.
Method of making FYM (Farm Yard Manure):
To prepare good quality FYM, it should be prepared in the pit. FYM should be prepared
in fixed dimension pits. In pits the FYM gets rotten in good way and its dosage element is
handled. The right way to make FYM properly is this way.
Gathering of animals excreta:The important thing is to gather animal excreta without
losing its urine. Therefore straw, waste fodder or remains of crop is spread under the
animals so that urine gets absorbed in it. Paddy straw is very suitable for this. 1 kg straw
will absorb approximately 1.5 kg urine. By absorbing urine in straw, the proportion of
carbon and nitrogen also gets reduced. Because of this reason the straw gets rotten earlier.
If there is a solid floor under the animal, then about 50% urine can be gathered, which can
be added on Farm waste with the help of buckets.
Pit digging: the dimensions of pit will depend upon the number of animals and the amount
of excreta. Mainly for 3-5 animals excreta, 6-7 m long, 1-1.5 m wide and 3 feet deep pit is
enough. The depth of pit from one side should be 3 feet and from another side it should be
3.5 feet. Dug the pit at a place where rain water cannot gets gathered. Ridges should be
made around the pit.
Pit filling: Starts filling the pit with a low deep side and fill it up to 1.5 feet high from the
ground and then make 1.5-2 inch thick soil layer above it. By doing this, the seeds of the
farm waste will also be degraded and the dosage elements will be saved from the sunlight.
32

Number of pits: Every farmer must have at least 2-3 pits so that first pit gets covered after
adding soil and then second pit should be start filling. During this time, the FYM of first pit
will be ready to be added in the field, which will again get free after using manure.
• I made chart on the preparation of Tray method compost and shared in the group. A
pictorial depiction of small scale vermi-composting was made. This is an easy to try
method for beginners.
33

CROP MUSEUM
Crop museum has become an effective tool for reaching and disseminating modern farming
technologies to the grassroots farmers side by side with a successful expansion of
various crops. Usually a crop museum consists of suitable crops of that area. It provides a
live teaching tool for cultivation practices, INM< IPM< IDM etc. due to Covid 19 and
lockdown, constructing a crop museum was not practically possible. Instead, I made a
nutritive crop plan for farmers which they can follow in coming cropping season.
According to soil conditions and weather conditions of the village, suggested a cropping
plan layout to the farmers.
34

AGRICULTURAL INPUTS AND REQUIREMENT
Agricultural inputs are defined as products permitted for use in organic farming. These
include feedstuffs, fertilizers and permitted plant protection products as well as cleaning
agents and additives used in food production.
Important agricultural inputs required for major crops grown in maniyur village is as
follows:
For paddy:
Transplating material: available from different nurseries
Rice planter: from Krishi bhavan on rent. It is used for transplanting the seedlings to main
field
Drone sprayer: the nearest market where drone available is Calicut. It is used for precised
spraying of plant protection chemicals
Fertiliser,chemical: for effective plant growth
Harvester: used to harvest the crop
Thresher
For coconut:
planting material: nuts from the nursey
Fertiliser and chemicals: for effective plant growth
Coconut climber
For Arecanut:
Planting material
fertiliser and chemicals
Arecanut climber, harvester & sprayer
For Banana
Planting material,
digger
Fertiliser and chemicals
Banana cutter
Main stages where these inputs are used are, planting stages, for intercultivation, for
harvesting, and for post harvest processing.
35

SEED TESTING
Seed testing is determining the standards of a seed lot viz., physical purity, moisture,
germination and ODV and thereby enabling the farming community to get quality seeds.
The Seed Testing Laboratory is the hub of seed quality control. The most common tests are
the cold germination test, accelerated aging test, the tetrazolium test and warm
germination test. Each test is designed to evaluate various qualities of the seed. The most
common test is a warm germination test because it is required by seed laws to appear on the
label. Seeds are tested for germination to determine how they will perform when planted in
the field, the garden, or in a seedling nursery. This information is also needed for labeling
and marketing purposes or to determine if a seed lot has been properly labeled when sold or
offered for sale. The most common methods of seed testing is germination test
The most accurate test of viability is the germination test and this will be described here.
The germination test is made under controlled conditions to find out how many seeds will
germinate and produce normal seedlings which could develop into normal reproductively
mature plants.
Germination test
A germination test determines the percentage of seeds that are alive in any seed lot. ...
While the speed of germination varies slightly across varieties, seeds should absorb
moisture within two days and produce a root and the first leaf within four days. At this
point, the seed is considered to have germinated.
A germination test is often the only test a farmer can conduct on the seed to determine if it
is suitable for planting. When seed is stored in traditional open systems, the germination
rate of most rice seed begins to deteriorate rapidly after six months. Also, many varieties
have a dormancy period immediately after harvest that can last for 1−2 months. By
knowing the germination rate, farmers can adjust their planting rates to attain the desired
plant population in the field. Equipment
To conduct this test, you will need the following:
 Waterproof tray. A flat-sided water bottle cut in half-lengthwise makes a good tray.
 Water-absorbent material. Tissues or cotton wool are ideal.
36

 Seeds
 Water supply
Procedure
 Place the water-absorbent material inside the waterproof tray.
 Take random samples from each seed lot and mix those in a container
 Take at least three seed samples from the mixed grain.
 Count out 100 seeds from each sample and place on absorbent material inside the
tray.
 Carefully saturate the absorbent material
 For each of 10 days, check to see that the absorbent material remains moist and
record the number of germinated seeds.
 Compute germination test after five days, and another after ten days.
The rate of germination is an indicator of vigor. Rapid seed germination increases the
chance of the seed establishing in the field.
Calculatinggerminationrate: Germination rate is the average number of seeds that germinate
over the 5- and 10- day periods.
A Chart presenting the procedure of seed germination test was made. Depiction of healthy
seeds , weak seeds and abnormal seeds was done. A formula for calculating seed
germination percentage was also done which can help the farmers to assess their seedlot.
37

SEED PRODUCTION
Availability of quality seeds of improved cultivars is considered crucial for realizing
productivity and adoption of cultivars in different agro-climatic conditions. The quality of
seed alone is known to account for at least 10-15% increase in the productivity (ICAR
1993). However, lack of quality seed continues to be one of the greatest impediments to
bridging the vast yield gap. Therefore, to approach the potentially realizable yield of a
cultivar, production and distribution of quality seed is essential. The good quality seed
should have the following characters:
 Genetic purity, and uniformity and should conform to the standards of theparticular
cultivar.
 Disease free, viable seeds.
 Free from admixtures of other crop seeds, weeds and inert matter.
 Acceptable uniformity with respect to size, shape and color.
Seed Production: Systemized crop production is known as seed production. In seed
production adequate care is given from the purchase of seeds upto harvest adopting proper
seed and crop management techniques. The benefits of seed production are  Higher
income  Higher quality seed for next sowing.
There are two types (major) of seed production ie. Varietal and hybrid.
Seed is the critical determinant of agricultural production on which depends the
performance and efficacy of other inputs. Quality seeds appropriate to different agro-
climatic conditions and in sufficient quantity at affordable prices are required to raise
productivity. Availability and use of quality seeds is not a onetime affair. Sustained
increase in agriculture production and productivity necessarily requires continuous
development of new and improved varieties of crops and efficient system of production and
supply of seeds to farmers. The National Seeds Policy 2002 clearly emphasizes that “It has
become evident that in order to achieve the food production targets of the future, a major
38

effort will be required to enhance the seed replacement rates of various crops. This would
require a major increase in the production of quality seeds” According to the National seeds
Policy 2002, the thrust areas have to be 1. Varietal Development. 2. Seed Production. 3.
Seed Replacement Rate Enhancement. 4. Primary responsibility for production of breeder
seed to be that of the ICAR/State Agriculture Universities. 5. An effective seed production
programme. 6. Popularization of new varieties. 7. Availability of newly developed varieties
to farmers with minimum time gap. 8. Provision of incentives to domestic seed industry to
enable it to produce seeds ofhigh yielding varieties and hybrid seeds at a faster pace to meet
the challenges of domestic requirements. After the genesis of NSP, NSE & SSC and private
seed companies, production of certified and foundation seeds have been undertaken by
them.
Currently, none of my contact framers does seed production. Made them aware of
different methods/technology to cultivate crop for seed purpose using a chart.
39

AWARENESS ON PPV&FR ACT,2001
The Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Act (PPV&FR Act) seeks to address
the rights of plant breeders and farmers on an equal footing. It affirms the necessity of
recognizing and protecting the rights of farmers with respect to the contribution they make
in conserving, improving and making Plant Genetic Resources (PGR) available for the
development of new plant varieties.
The PPV&FR Act recognizes the multiple roles played by farmers in cultivating,
conserving, developing and selecting varieties. With regard to developing or selecting
varieties, the Act refers to the value added by farmers to wild species or traditional
varieties/ landraces through selection and identification for their economic traits.
Accordingly, farmers’ rights encompass the roles of farmers as users, conservers and
breeders. Farmers are granted nine specific rights, which are as under:
A patent deals with IPR over devices of Industrial applications whereas PPV & FR Act,
2001 confers IPR to plant breeders who have bred or developed plant varieties. A patent is
a set of exclusive rights granted by a state (national government) to an inventor or their
assignee for a limited period of time in exchange for the public disclosure of an invention.
The PPV&FR Act, give rights to farmers, breeders and researches besides giving protection
to varieties of all crop species which are notified under the Act. There is also provision for
benefits sharing, compensation to the farmers, recognition and award to the farmers for
supporting conservation and sustainable use of plant genetics resource
Most of my contact farmers were unaware of the Act. They were made aware of the
incentives and recognition given to farmers who protect and improve traditional farm saved
seeds through a chart depiction.
40

SEED TREATMENT
Seed treatment refers to the application of fungicide, insecticide, or a combination of both,
to seeds so as to disinfect and disinfect them from seed-borne or soil-borne pathogenic
organisms and storage insects. It also refers to the subjecting of seeds to solar energy
exposure, immersion in conditioned water, etc. The seed treatment is done to achieve the
following benefits.
Benefits of Seed Treatment:
1) Prevents spread of plant diseases
2) Protects seed from seed rot and seedling blights
3) Improves germination
4) Provides protection from storage insects
5) Controls soil insects.
41

Types of Seed Treatment:
1) Seed disinfection: Seed disinfection refers to the eradication of fungal spores that have
become established within the seed coat, or i more deep-seated tissues. For effective
control, the fungicidal treatment must actually penetrate the seed in order to kill the fungus
that is present.
2) Seed disinfestation: Seed disinfestation refers to the destruction of surface-borne
organisms that have contaminated the seed surface but not infected the seed surface.
Chemical dips, soaks, fungicides applied as dust, slurry or liquid have been found
successful.
3) Seed Protection: The purpose of seed protection is to protect the seed and young
seedling from organisms in the soil which might otherwise cause decay of the seed before
germination.
Conditions under which seed must be treated
1) Injured Seeds: Any break in the seed coat of a seed affords an excellent opportunity for
fungi to enter the seed and either kill it, or awaken the seedling that will be produced from
it. Seeds suffer mechanical injury during combining and threshing operations, or from
being dropped from excessive heights. They may also be injured by weather or improper
storage.
2) Diseased seed: Seed may be infected by disease organisms even at the time of harvest, or
may become infected during processing, if processed on contaminated machinery or if
stored in contaminated containers or warehouses.
3) Undesirable soil conditions: Seeds are sometimes planted under unfavourable soil
conditions such as cold and damp soils, or extremely dry soils. Such unfavourable soil
conditions may be favourable to the growth and development of certain fungi spores
enabling them to attack and damage the seeds.
4) Disease-free seed: Seeds are invariably infected, by disease organisms ranging from no
economic consequence to severe economic consequences. Seed treatment provides a good
42

insurance against diseases, soil-borne organisms and thus affords protection to weak seeds
enabling them to germinate and produce seedlings.
Precautions in Seed Treatment:
Most products used in the treatment of seeds are harmful to humans, but they can also be
harmful to seeds. Extreme care is required to ensure that treated seed is never used as
human or animal food. To minimise this possibility, treated seed should be clearly labelled
as being dangerous, if consumed. The temptation to use unsold treated seed for human or
animal feed can be avoided if care is taken to treat only the quantity for which sales are
assured.
Care must also be taken to treat seed at the correct dosage rate; applying too much or too
little material can be as damaging as never treating at all. Seed with a very high moisture
content is very susceptible to injury when treated with some of the concentrated liquid
products.
If the seeds are to be treated with bacterial cultures also, the order in which seed treatments
should be done shall be as follows
i) Chemical treatments
ii) Insecticide and fungicide treatments
iii) Special treatments
Types of Seed Treatment
Pre sowing seed treatments: It is the treatments given to the seeds before sowing to
improve the germination and vigour potential and as well as to maintain the health of the
seed. Pre sowing seed treatments includes the following
1.Chemical treatments to improve germination and vigour potential.:
43

Soaking / treating the seeds with nutrients vitamins and micronutrients etc. Paddy: Seeds
can be soaked in 1 % KCl solution for 12 hours to improve the germination and vigour
potential
2.Insecticidal and fungicidal treatment.
Seed Treatment Fungicides Fungicides are applied to seed prior to planting to provide
effective protection against many seed and soil-borne plant pathogens. Chemical
(fungicide) treatment guards against the various seed rots and seedling blights that occur
during storage or after planting.Fungicidal seed treatment may be divided into three
categories, depending on the nature and purpose of the treatment. These categories are:
(1) seed disinfection: - Disinfection is the elimination of a pathogen which has penetrated
into living cells of the seed, infected it and become established-for example, loose smut of
barley and wheat.
(2) seed disinfestation: Disinfestation is the control of spores and other forms of pathogenic
organisms found on the surface of the seed.
(3) seed protection: Seed protection is chemical treatment to protect the seed and young
seedling from pathogenic organisms in the soil. Seed treatment materials are usually
applied to seed in one of four forms: dust; slurry (a mixture of wettable powder in water);
liquids; and planter-box formulations. Based on composition, seed treatment fungicides
may be organic or inorganic, metallic or non-metallic, and, until recently, mercurial or non-
mercurial.
Seed Treatment Insecticides: Insecticides are often applied to seed to control or reduce
insect damage to seed during storage and, to a lesser degree, to prevent damage from such
insects as wireworms and seed corn maggots in the soil. Combinations Since some
pesticides are selective in their control of pests, many times two or more compounds are
combined in the treater tank, or an extra tank may be used, to give the spectrum of control
needed. The manufacturers of pesticides are now making combinations available to seed
processors, but should a processor blend two or more pesticides, the compatibility of the
materials must be determined, since some combinations of materials may seriously reduce
44

seed germination. Also, when applying two or more pesticides, even at different times, the
sequence of application may be very important. Whether a single pesticide or a
combination is to be applied to the seed, read the label and follow the manufacturer's
directions carefully.
3. Special treatments:
i) Seed hardening treatment Seeds can be hardened for 2 purposes I) Drought tolerance ii)
Cold tolerance The treatments are imposed to the seeds mainly to tolerate initial drought
and cold. Cold tolerance treatment is given to germinated seeds, such treatments are given
only to temperate crop and tree seeds.
ii) Seed fortification Main aim is to supply nutrients to seeds. The main objective is to
achieve the high vigour to overcome unfavourable soil reactions
Prepared a chart on seed treatments and its importance and circulated it through
whatsapp group.
45

BEEJAMRUTH
Beejamruth is used as a treatment for seeds, seedlings or any planting plant material. It is
very effective in protecting young roots from fungus and other microbes as well as from
soil borne and seed-borne diseases that commonly affect plants after the monsoon season.
Beejamruth is composed of similar ingredients as Jeevamrutha - local cow dung that is a
powerful natural fungicide and cow urine which a strong anti-bacterial liquid, lime, and
soil. It is nothing but the Jeevamrutha applied as a seed treatment.
Application of Beejamrutha
Apply as a seed treatment to the seeds of any crop or coat them, mixing by hand and dry
them well before using them for sowing. For leguminous seeds/ crops, just dip the seeds
quickly and let them dry in shade.
Shared a chart on beejamruth and its importance and its ingredients used for preparation.
46

SEED REPLACEMENT RATE
Seed Replacement Rate (SSR) or Seed Replacement Ratio is a measure of how much of the
total cropped area was sown with certified seeds in comparison to farm saved seeds. As
adequate information is not available on replacement schedules followed by farmers, how
to compute actual replacement rates? One simple method is to take the ratio of
quality seed of a crop produced during the year to the total seed needed to cover the entire
area under the crop. SRR is a measure of cropped area covered with quality seed.
Hence SRR is having a direct bearing on productivity augmentation and enhancement in
farmers' income and is one of the means for achieving doubling the farmers' income.
Distribution of good quality seeds at subsidized rates will encourage the farmers to use
certified good quality seeds in place of farm saved seeds which will enhance the Seed
Replacement Rate & ultimately increase the productivity & production and income of the
farmers of the state. A better seed replacement rate shows a better utilization of the
Certified / Quality Seeds. Since certified seeds are better in productivity, the Seed
Replacement Rate is directly proportional to productivity. Thus, higher the Seed
Replacement Ratio, higher is production as well as productivity and higher are chances of
achieving nutritional security, food security and containing food price inflation. Supply of
quality seeds is not a onetime affair; they need to be produced every new season
continuously. The hybrid seeds (those produced by cross pollinating of plants) can be sown
only once because the seed from their first generation does not reliably produce the same
copies of their parents. Thus, every new crop season requires purchase of new seeds.
Producing certified seeds from breeder seeds takes at least three years efforts.
Due to huge demand supply gap, India suffers from a dismal seed Replacement Ratio.
Currently, only around 15 per cent of India’s total cropped area is planted with freshly
obtained quality seeds every year. A huge 85 per cent area is sown with farm saved seeds.
This ratio varies from crop to crop between 7% in staple crops to maximum 70% in some
vegetables and fruits. For wheat and rice, it is between 9 to 18%.
We note here that enough seeds are available for fruits, vegetables, flowers and high value /
costly seed crops but not enough seeds are supplied in case of low value and high volume
crops such as rice, wheat. For crops such as wheat; this ratio must be between 20-30%. For
47

oilseeds and pulses; this ratio must be between 20-100% and for some crops such as Hybrid
cotton, it must be 100%.
Without achieving the optimal seed replacement ration, any efforts to get expected yields
will be futile.
ABERRATIONS IN WEATHER AND
PREPERATION OF CROP PLANNING
Farmers were given the weather data of next five days and agrometeorological
advisories published by Kerala Agricultural University released both in Malayalam
and English. I found a table format from district contingency cropping plan similar to
the above table. I edited the table and filled the particulars corresponding to my
village.
I informed them and detailed about the practices what they were not following. Also
created an awareness about crop planning and advisories released by Kerala
Agricultural University on weekly basis.
Weather forecast for next five days:
48

Rice Land
preparation
In places where broadcasting is adopted, apply lime to the soil @ 140 kg/acre
of land.
Where ever transplanting is adopted, while preparing nursery apply FYM or
compost @ 1kg/m2
of land. Before sowing treat the seeds with
Pseudomonas fluorescens (@ 10g Pseudomonas per kilogram of seeds).
Parallelly the main field preparations also should be undertaken. All the
blocks in the drainage channels should be cleared to ensure good drainage.
Remove all the weeds on the bunds. First ploughing can be undertaken.
Incorporate lime to the soil @ 140 kg/acre of land while ploughing.
Coconut All stages Fertilizer can be applied by opening basins in midlands and hilly areas where
there may not be any water stagnation.
Open the basins at a radium of 1.8 to 2m; with a slop from the basal of the
trunk so that the depth of the basins will be 30cm near its circumference.
Uniformly spread dolomite/lime @ 1.0 kg per palm in the basin around the
palm. Apply green/green leaf manures @ 25kg/palm.
After a week, FYM and the first dose of fertilizers can be applied. For an
adult coconut palm with more than three years of age; apply 250g urea +
300g rock phosphate + 400g potash + 250g magnesium sulfate, around the
basin leaving 1.5m distance from the trunk.
The seedlings can be supplied with 1/10th
of the above dose during the year
of planting. The one year old palms should be provided with 1/3rd
of the
dose and second year old palms with 2/3rd
of the adult dose. From three year
age onwards the adult dose is recommended
NB:- This is a general recommendation under ordinary management
conditions. Depending on the varieties and management conditions, the
fertilizer dozes can be adjusted based on soil test values.
Black pepper All stages Foot rot As prophylactic measure, apply 150 gram of
Trichoderma enriched neem cake - cow dung
mixture in the basins of the vines and
incorporate thoroughly with the soil.
If disease already appeared, drench soil in the
plant basins with Redomil 0.2% (2g/litre of
water). Spray the same on the leaves also.
Banana Various
stages of
growth
Sigatoka leaf spot Cut and burn all affected leaves.
Spray Propiconazole or Hexaconazole (@ 2ml
per litre)
Crop Stages Problems Agro-meteorological advisories
General conditions
There will be moderate rainfalls up to 30th
May In isolated places
thunderstorm with lightning and heavy winds can also be expected.
Do not keep harvested produces like rice, rubber, copra, pulses,
vegetables, seeds, etc. and fertilizers at open places.
Give strong propping to banana, vegetables and other soft stemmed crop
plants.
The prevailing high humidity together with increased heat index may
cause wide spread of fungal diseases like Bud rot and in coconut and
Mahali in Arecanut. As a prophylactic measure apply 1% Bordeaux
mixture on the spindle leaves of Coconut and on leaves and bunches of
Arecanut
Rice Land
preparation
In places where broadcasting is adopted, apply lime to the soil @ 140 kg/acre
of land.
Where ever transplanting is adopted, while preparing nursery apply FYM or
compost @ 1kg/m2
of land. Before sowing treat the seeds with
Pseudomonas fluorescens (@ 10g Pseudomonas per kilogram of seeds).
Parallelly the main field preparations also should be undertaken. All the
blocks in the drainage channels should be cleared to ensure good drainage.
Remove all the weeds on the bunds. First ploughing can be undertaken.
Incorporate lime to the soil @ 140 kg/acre of land while ploughing.
Coconut All stages Fertilizer can be applied by opening basins in midlands and hilly areas where
there may not be any water stagnation.
Open the basins at a radium of 1.8 to 2m; with a slop from the basal of the
trunk so that the depth of the basins will be 30cm near its circumference.
Uniformly spread dolomite/lime @ 1.0 kg per palm in the basin around the
palm. Apply green/green leaf manures @ 25kg/palm.
After a week, FYM and the first dose of fertilizers can be applied. For an
adult coconut palm with more than three years of age; apply 250g urea +
300g rock phosphate + 400g potash + 250g magnesium sulfate, around the
basin leaving 1.5m distance from the trunk.
The seedlings can be supplied with 1/10th
of the above dose during the year
of planting. The one year old palms should be provided with 1/3rd
of the
dose and second year old palms with 2/3rd
of the adult dose. From three year
age onwards the adult dose is recommended
NB:- This is a general recommendation under ordinary management
conditions. Depending on the varieties and management conditions, the
fertilizer dozes can be adjusted based on soil test values.
Black pepper All stages Foot rot As prophylactic measure, apply 150 gram of
Trichoderma enriched neem cake - cow dung
mixture in the basins of the vines and
incorporate thoroughly with the soil.
If disease already appeared, drench soil in the
plant basins with Redomil 0.2% (2g/litre of
water). Spray the same on the leaves also.
Banana Various
stages of
growth
Sigatoka leaf spot Cut and burn all affected leaves.
Spray Propiconazole or Hexaconazole (@ 2ml
per litre)
Agrometeorological Advisories:
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INFORMATION CENTER
Whatsapp group used as the information center. Shared all AV aids prepared this week
among the farmers.
All the charts and information were shared with contact farmers through whatsapp
group.
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WORK DIARY
29/05/21: Prepared charts on Soil sampling and soil testing, crop contingency plan, crop
museum layout, composting and seed germination test.
30/05/21: Preparation of second week presentation. Continued preparation of charts on seed
treatment, beejamrutha, problematic soils, awareness on PPV FRA 2011 and assessed
inputs for Kharif season. Shared the prepared charts and information with farmers through
whatsapp groups and contacted them over phone.
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WEEKLY REPORT- 3
Team: 19
2020-2021
52

WEEK 3 ACTIVITIES
1. Establishment of Azolla Cultivation Demonstration
2. Nutrient Requirements of Important Crops
3. Vermicomposting- Importance, Production and Maintenance
4. Easy Methods For Identifying Adulterated Fertilizers
5. Adoption Integrated Nutrient Management Practices For Different Crops
6. Enhancing Nutrient Use Efficiency Of Chemical Fertilizers
7. Information Center
8. Work Diary
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ESTABLISHMENT OF AZOLLA CULTIVATION
DEMONSTRATION
Azolla is a genus of seven species of aquatic ferns in the family Salviniaceae. They are
extremely reduced in form and specialized, looking nothing like other typical ferns but
more resembling duckweed or some mosses. Azolla filiculoides is one of just two fern
species for which a reference genome has been published. Azolla can be used as an animal
feed a human food, a medicine and water purifier. It may also be used for the production of
hydrogen fuel the production of biogas the control of mosquitoes and the reduction of
ammonia volatilization which accompanies the application of chemical nitrogen fertilizer.
Uses of azolla:
Azolla covering water surface reduce light penetration of soil surface, resulting in the
depreciation in the germination of weeds (70% of the weed). Thus growth of azolla reduces
aquatic weeds in flooded rice fields. The integrated use of azolla with rice and fish farming
has been developed. The integrated approach can enhance a farmer's income while reduce
the use of pesticide and fertilizers and consequently environmental pollution. It can fix
atomospheric nitrogen, carry out photosynthesis and uptake nutrients from its surrounding
environment through its root system.
It has wide range of use including fodder for dairy cattle, pigs, chicken, ducks and fish.
Azolla can be used for all type of vegetables and plantation crops. In some village
communities it has even increased the overall milk yield. The application of azolla as
biofertilizer on agriculture crops, in order to provide a natural source of crucial nutrients
nitrogen, can be very beneficial for the future.
Due to fact that rice paddy field from an ideal environment for azolla. Improve the
nutritional status of the soil. Azolla has been used as green manure. Improve yields by 15-
20 per cent.
Azolla can be used as an animal feed a human food, a medicine and water purifier.
It may also be used for the production of hydrogen fuel the production of biogas the control
of mosquitoes and the reduction of ammonia volatilization which accompanies the
application of chemical nitrogen fertilizer.
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Azolla cultivation:
Create an artificial pond for growing Azolla.
For creating the Azolla cultivation pond, select a partially shaded area because Azolla
needs 30% sunlight; too much sunlight will destroy the plant. The area under the tree is
preferable.
If you decide to grow an Azolla on a large scale, you can make small concrete tanks.
Otherwise, you can make the pond any size you want.
Dig out the soil for the pond and level the soil; after that, spread the plastic sheet around the
ground to prevent water loss. Make sure the pond is at least 20 CM Deep.
Add some soil uniformly on the plastic sheet in the pond. For 2M X 2M size pond, add 10-
15 kg soil.
Azolla needs Phosphorus to grow well you can use Super Phosphate along with cow dung
slurry. Cow dung increases the available nutrients. Use cow dung 4-5 days old.
Next, fill the pond with water to a level of about 10 cm; this will allow the AzollaPlant’s
short route to floating freely, then leave the pond for 2 to 3 days so the ingredients can
settle.
After 2-3 days, add Azolla culture in the pond by gently rubbing Azolla in hands. It helps
break Azolla into smaller pieces for faster multiplication.
After two-week start harvesting, form a pond of 2M X 2M size, you can harvest 1kg
Azolla each day.
Maintenance of azolla:
1. Azolla rapidly grows, so maintain Azolla biomass 300 gms – 350 gms /sq.meter hence
harvest daily to avoid overcrowding.
2. Add once in 5 days mixture of Super Phosphate and cow dung also add mixture
containing magnesium, iron, copper,
Sulfur etc., at weekly intervals, to enhance the mineral content of Azolla.
3. Replace 25 to 30% old water with fresh water once in 10 days; it helps prevent nitrogen
build up in the pond.
4. Replace complete water and soil at least once in six months, and then add Fresh Azolla
seeds.
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5. Maintain the water level of at least 10 cm, so Azolla root doesn’t grow in the soil by
keeping the roots floating, it becomes easy to harvest.
6. Harvested Azolla wash thoroughly, so it removes dirt and smell of cow dung and then
feeds them to animals.
A chart was prepared about azolla establishment and shared to farmers. The chart
shows steps to establish a azolla pond with dimensions, materials and the way to
maintain it. Azolla can be used as organic manure as well as feed for livestock.
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NUTRIENT REQUIREMENTS OF IMPORTANT
CROPS
Nutrients can be divided into the two categories: macro nutrients and micro nutrients. The six elements
normally classified as macro nutrients are: nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), sulphur (S),
calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg). The plant roots mainly take up these nutrients in ionic form.
N is the element that plants require in greatest amounts and frequently the most limiting nutrient for plant
growth. The use of N is usually higher than the total use of the other macro nutrients and micro nutrients
together. N is essential to the photosynthesis and healthy cell growth and reproduction. It is vital in
producing chlorophyll (which gives the leaves good green colour) and amino acids. It also promotes shoot
and leaf growth.The plant takes up N as ions of nitrate (NO3-) and ammonium (NH4+). The main natural
sources in soil of plant available N are degradation of organic matter and N fixation by microorganisms
living in symbiosis with the roots of legumes.
P is taken up by the plants in the form of phosphate ions (at pH 5- to 7 mainly as HPO42-and H2PO4-). P is
required for cell growth and plant reproduction, for the conversion of light energy to chemical energy
during photosynthesis and is crucial for flower and fruit formation. Too little phosphorus can result in
stunting, but too much can cause bitter flavour in crops. Symptoms of phosphorus deficiency are often
mistakenly attributed to viral diseases. The supply of plant-available P comes from dissolution of soluble
phosphates in the soil and from mineralisation of organic matter. P is not easy to dissolve in water, so
plants often miss P if the level of organic matter in the soil is low.
K can be taken up in large amounts by many crops. High water solubility and natural K-content in the soil
often results in a good supply of plant-available K, e.g. of K+. However, crops such as vegetables need
large amounts of K and therefore additional K fertilisation may improve plant growth. K enhances plant
health, reduces pest sensitivity, increases share of vitamins, proteins and oil in the plants. It increases
drought tolerance and helps building up fibre in the plants.
S is also highly water-soluble and most crops need it in somewhat smaller amounts than P. S is a
component of amino acids and proteins and important for plant growth.Yearly fertilisation with S is often
needed. S is taken up as SO42+.
The addition of Ca and Mg is often not needed since soils with acceptable pH contain enough Ca and Mg.
The most important macro nutrients that need to be added frequently during crop production are therefore
N, P, K and S.
Micro nutrients are as essential for plant growth as macro nutrients, but are taken up in fairly small (micro)
amounts. The elements normally considered micro nutrients are boron (B), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), chloride
(Cl), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo) and zinc (Zn) (FRAUSTO DA SILVA 1997 and
MARSCHNER 1997). Most of the micro nutrients are needed for the formation of different enzymes.
These micro nutrients are normally available in sufficient quantities through initial soil content and
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mineralisation of organic material. Only in special circumstances does scarcity of micro nutrients limit
plant growth. When human excreta or manure are used as a fertiliser, the risk for such deficiency is
minimal as excreta contain all micro nutrients necessary for plant growth.
Each crop requires various nutrient for its proper growth . major crops grown by farmers and important
nutrients required for its growth is listed down:
PADDY
Paddy requires the following essential nutrients for its normal development:
Nitrogen: Nitrogen, the most important nutrient for rice, is universally limiting the rice productivity.
Nitrogen encourages the vegetative development of plants by imparting a healthy green color to the leaves.
Phosphorus: Phosphorus is particularly important in early growth stages.It is mobile within the plant and
promotes root development (Particularly the development of fibrous roots),tillering and early flowering.
Potassium: Potassium enhances the ability of the plants to resist diseases, insect attacks, cold and other
adverse conditions.It plays an essential part in the formation of starch and in the production and
translocation of sugars, and is thus of special value to carbohydrate-rich crops.Involves in working of
enzymes.
Micronutrients:
Ca: Calcium combines with pectin in the plant to form calcium pectate, which is an essential constituent of
the cell-wall
Zn: Essential for the transformation of carbohydrates. Regulates consumption of sugars.The function of
zinc in plants is as a metal activator of enzymes. Deficiency of zinc in lowland rice occurs in near neural to
alkaline
COCONUT:
Of the primary nutrients, potash(K) has been found to be the most important in coconut cultivation,
followed by nitrogen(N). There is a general response to the application of K and N; while response to
phosphorous (P) is seen only in certain restricted and localized condition.
Among the secondary nutrients, magnesium (Mg) and chlorine (Cl) have beneficial effects, followed by
calcium (Ca), Sulphur(S) and sodium (Na). Among micro-nutrients, zinc (Zn), boron (B) and manganese
(Mn) are required under certain restricted conditions.
Pottassium:
Adequate supply of potash helps for development of kernel and the formation of oil in it. It is usually
reflected in high setting percentage and better copra outturn.
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K content of leaves is reported to reach up to 0.8 to 1.0%. An increase in level of potash in the leaves
improves the precocity of flowering, increasing number of female flowers and setting percentage; number
of bunches per palm; average copra per nut and total copra production per palm. It improves all the nut
characteristics by 14% including quality and quantity of copra.
Nitrogen
Nitrogen is a constituent of plant cells and green colouring matter i.e., chlorophyll of leaves. Nitrogen
hunger is very common in most of the plants; and in case of palms, it is often more apparent in young
plantations. Increase in nitrogen doses in the absence of P, leads to a corresponding increase in the
incidence of leaf-spot diseases.
The deficiency of N is usually reflected in the restricted growth, yellowing of young and old leaves to
varied degrees. Causes of N deficiency are climatic, pedagogical and agronomic conditions.
For coastal sandy soils, Urea formaldehyde is more preferable as a N source.
Phosphate
Phosphate promotes root growth, enhances flowering and ripening of fruits. However, an overdose of
phosphate results in the production of barren nuts or nuts with poor copra content. Phosphate is essentially
found in the leaves and seeds and where vigorous division takes place like growing parts of the shoot and
root.
Among phosphatic fertilizers, di-calcium phosphate application significantly increases production of nuts
and copra content per nut. Rock phosphate (Musoorie phos) application proves to be better than
superphosphate for acidic soils.
For coastal sandy soils, SSP is more suitable than MOP as a P source.
Effect of N, P, K in Combination
 The beneficial effects in the growth and productivity of coconut palms are manifested only if P and
K are provided with N and thus the complete effects of N in plant metabolism can be achieved.
Effects of Lime
 Calcium is particularly important as a nutrient in the acid laterite soils, where it increases P
availability. Lime is also supposed to regulate base saturation and pH, if applied in larger quantities and
thus lime serves two-fold functions. It can exert beneficial effect by counteracting toxic effect of high
content of soluble aluminium (A1) salts. However, the actual lime requirement of coconut is small which
can be met by calcium in the bonemeal, superphosphate etc. Quick lime or freshly slaked lime also
increases the coconut yield. Calcium can only be studied properly in association with other cationic
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elements. Hence, the disturbance in nutrient uptake in acidic coconut soils may be compensated by
increasing the Ca concentration in the soil.
Effect of Magnesium
 Magnesium (Mg) and chlorine (CI) have beneficial effects on the general growth and productivity
of palm. Mg deficiency is most prevalent in acidic sandy soils. It is reported that the quantity of Mg in
sandy soils is correlated with the availability of organic matter. Mg deficient chlorosis is very common in
most of the high rainfall regions. However, Mg hunger may exist at levels under 0.2% of leaf magnesium.
 There is a positive effect of magnesium sulphate on the production of more female flowers, high
setting percentage and more number of nuts per bunch. It also plays an important role in photosynthesis
and greenness of leaves. It brings out full benefit of K-fertilization. Application of magnesium increases
Mg content in the lecithin of copra. It is reported that 500g MgSO4 (i.e., 170 g MgO)/palm/year gives
beneficial results.
BANANA:
Crop growth depends on, among other things, nutrients. Both macro and micronutrients are essential for
plant growth.
Macronutrients are those elements needed in large amounts by the crop, and large quantities have to be
applied if the soil is deficient in one or more of them.
Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P) and Potassium (K) are the ‘primary macronutrients’ and these form the basis
of NPK fertilizer compounds. The ‘secondary macronutrients’ are Calcium (Ca), Magnesium (Mg) and
Sulphur (S).
Micronutrients are those elements required in very small quantities. Despite being needed in small
quantities, micronutrients are essential for the overall performance and health of the Ragi crop. They
include Iron (Fe), Manganese (Mn), Zinc (Zn), Copper (Cu), Molybdenum (Mo), and Boron (B).
Nitrogen: Nitrogen is the chief promoter of growth. It induces vegetative growth of pseudostem and
leaves giving a healthy green colour and robust frame which are essential for high yields.
N influences the number of leaves produced, time taken for the leaf unfolding and longitudinal growth of
petioles.
Phosphorus: Phosphorus helps produce healthy rhizome and a strong root system.
It also influences flower setting and general vegetative growth.
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Potassium: Potassium stimulates early shooting and significantly shortens the time required for fruit
maturity.
It improves bunch grade and size of fingers and also the quality of the fruits.
Magnesium: Deficiencies usually occur while bananas have been grown for 10-12 years without
magnesium fertilizer or where high amounts of potassium fertilizer have been given for a number of years.
Magnesium is considered to be moderately redistributed in the banana plant.
Calcium: Although calcium is quite immobile in the banana, early description of calcium deficiency
referred to a marginal scorch on older leaves.
It appears that these symptoms may have been an artifact of high sodium supply. In the field calcium
deficiency symptoms include spike leaves i.e. leaves in which the banana is deformed or almost absent.
ARECANUT:
Pottassium:
 Adequate supply of potash helps for development of kernel and the formation of oil in it. It is
usually reflected in high setting percentage and better copra outturn.
Nitrogen:
Nitrogen is a constituent of plant cells and green colouring matter i.e., chlorophyll of leaves. Nitrogen
hunger is very common in most of the plants; and in case of palms, it is often more apparent in young
plantations. Increase in nitrogen doses in the absence of P, leads to a corresponding increase in the
incidence of leaf-spot diseases.
 The deficiency of N is usually reflected in the restricted growth, yellowing of young and old leaves
to varied degrees. Causes of N deficiency are climatic, pedagogical and agronomic conditions.
 For coastal sandy soils, Urea formaldehyde is more preferable as a N source.
Phosphate
 Phosphate promotes root growth, enhances flowering and ripening of fruits. However, an overdose
of phosphate results in the production of barren nuts or nuts with poor copra content. Phosphate is
essentially found in the leaves and seeds and where vigorous division takes place like growing parts of the
shoot and root.
 Among phosphatic fertilizers, di-calcium phosphate application significantly increases production
of nuts and copra content per nut. Rock phosphate (Musoorie phos) application proves to be better than
superphosphate for acidic soils.
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For coastal sandy soils, SSP is more suitable than MOP as a P source.
Table 1: Important Nutrients Required
62

VERMICOMPOSTING- IMPORTANCE,
PRODUCTION AND MAINTENANCE
Vermicompost (vermi-compost) is the product of the decomposition process using various
species of worms, usually red wigglers, white worms, and other earthworms, to create a
mixture of decomposing vegetable or food waste, bedding materials, and vermicast. This
process is called vermicomposting, while the rearing of worms for this purpose is called
vermiculture.
Vermicast (also called worm castings, worm humus, worm manure, or worm faeces) is the
end-product of the breakdown of organic matter by earthworms.[1]
These castings have
been shown to contain reduced levels of contaminants and a higher saturation of nutrients
than the organic materials before vermicomposting. Vermicompost contains water-soluble
nutrients and is an excellent, nutrient-rich organic fertilizer and soil conditioner. It is used
in farming and small scale sustainable, organic farming.
Vermicomposting can also be applied for treatment of sewage. A variation of the process
is vermifiltration (or vermidigestion) which is used to remove organic matter, pathogens
and oxygen demand from wastewater or directly from blackwater of flush toilets.
vermicomposting has gained popularity in both industrial and domestic settings because, as
compared with conventional composting, it provides a way to treat organic wastes more
quickly. In manure composting, it also generates products that have lower salinity levels.
The earthworm species (or composting worms) most often used are red wigglers (Eisenia
fetida or Eisenia andrei), though European nightcrawlers (Eisenia hortensis,
synonym Dendrobaena veneta) and red earthworm (Lumbricus rubellus) could also be
used.[7]
Red wigglers are recommended by most vermicomposting experts, as they have
some of the best appetites and breed very quickly. Users refer to European nightcrawlers by
a variety of other names, including dendrobaenas, dendras, Dutch nightcrawlers, and
Belgian nightcrawlers.
Containing water-soluble nutrients, vermicompost is a nutrient-rich organic fertilizer and
soil conditioner in a form that is relatively easy for plants to absorb. Worm castings are
sometimes used as an organic fertilizer. Because the earthworms grind and uniformly mix
minerals in simple forms, plants need only minimal effort to obtain them. The worms'
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digestive systems create environments that allow certain species of microbes to thrive to
help create a "living" soil environment for plants. The fraction of soil which has gone
through the digestive tract of earthworms is called the drilosphere. Vermicomposting is a
common practice in permaculture.
Preparation method:
For vermicomposting at home, a large variety of bins are commercially available, or a
variety of adapted containers may be used. They may be made of old plastic containers,
wood, Styrofoam, or metal containers. The design of a small bin usually depends on where
an individual wishes to store the bin and how they wish to feed the worms.
Some materials are less desirable than others in worm bin construction. Metal containers
often conduct heat too readily, are prone to rusting, and may release heavy metals into the
vermicompost. Styrofoam containers may release chemicals into the organic
material Some cedars, yellow cedar, and redwood contain resinous oils that may harm
worms, although western red cedar has excellent longevity in composting
conditions. Hemlock is another inexpensive and fairly rot-resistant wood species that may
be used to build worm bins.
Bins need holes or mesh for aeration. Some people add a spout or holes in the bottom for
excess liquid to drain into a tray for collection. The most common materials used are
plastic: recycled polyethylene and polypropylene and wood. Worm compost bins made
from plastic are ideal, but require more drainage than wooden ones because they are non-
absorbent. However, wooden bins will eventually decay and need to be replaced.
Small-scale vermicomposting is well-suited to turn kitchen waste into high-quality soil
amendments, where space is limited. Worms can decompose organic matter without the
additional human physical effort (turning the bin) that bin composting requires.
Composting worms which are detritivorous (eaters of trash), such as the red
wiggler Eisenia fetida, are epigeic (surface dwellers) and together with symbiotic
associated microbes are the ideal vectors for decomposing food waste. Common
earthworms such as Lumbricus terrestris are anecic (deep burrowing) species and hence
unsuitable for use in a closed system. Other soil species that contribute include insects,
other worms and molds. Such systems usually use kitchen and garden waste, using
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"earthworms and other microorganisms to digest organic wastes, such as kitchen
scraps". This includes:
 All fruits and vegetables (including citrus, in limited quantities)
 Vegetable and fruit peels and ends
 Coffee grounds and filters
 Tea bags (even those with high tannin levels)
 Grains such as bread, cracker and cereal (including moldy and stale)
 Eggshells (rinsed off)
 Leaves and grass clippings (not sprayed with pesticides)
 Newspapers (most inks used in newspapers are not toxic)
 Paper toweling (which has not been used with cleaners or chemicals)
Benefits
Soil
 Improves soil aeration
 Enriches soil with micro-organisms (adding enzymes such
as phosphatase and cellulase)
 Microbial activity in worm castings is 10 to 20 times higher than in the soil and
organic matter that the worm ingest.
 Attracts deep-burrowing earthworms already present in the soil
 Improves water holding capacity
Plant growth
 Enhances germination, plant growth, and crop yield
 It helps in root and plant growth
 Enriches soil with micro-organisms (adding plant hormones such
as auxins and gibberellic acid)
Economic
 Biowastes conversion reduces waste flow to landfills
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 Elimination of biowastes from the waste stream reduces contamination of other
recyclables collected in a single bin (a common problem in communities practicing single-
stream recycling)
 Creates low-skill jobs at local level
 Low capital investment and relatively simple technologies make vermicomposting
practical for less-developed agricultural regions
Environmental
 Helps to close the "metabolic gap" through recycling waste on-site
 Large systems often use temperature control and mechanized harvesting, however
other equipment is relatively simple and does not wear out quickly
Production reduces greenhouse gas emissions such as methane and nitric oxide (produced
in landfills or incinerators when not composted).
Vermicompost can be prepared at home easily. This chart shows importance,
preperation and maintainence of vermicompost. Chart has been shared with the
farmers through whatsapp group.
66

EASY METHODS FOR IDENTIFYING
ADULTERATED FERTILIZERS
Fertilizer is any organic or inorganic material of natural or synthetic origin that is added to
a soil to supply one or more plant nutrients essential to the growth of plants. India, being
the third largest producer and consumer of fertilizers, consumes nearly 40 million tons of
fertilizer materials, equivalent to over 18 million tons of nutrient, consisting of a variety of
nitrogenous, phosphatic, potassic and complex fertilizers, catering to nearly 106 million
farming families.
Adulteration of fertilizers involves the practice of adding extraneous material to a standard
fertilizer to lower its quality. It is rampart in many states of India and farmers and suffering
great losses. According to tests carried out by Soil Research Development Institute (SRDI),
nearly 40 per cent of all fertilizers used by farmers are adulterated, as reported in a leading
Bangla daily. Mixing of harmful chemical substances degrades fertility of the land and
causes serious health issues for humans.
Moreover, by applying such contaminated fertilizers, farmers are cheated and production
suffers. Though the department of agriculture extension along with other agencies regularly
test fertilizers available in the market. Following methods for easy detection of fertilizer
adulterations are:
For presence of Nitrogen: By mixing small quantity of lime in sample and rubbing, the
smell of pungent Ammonia gas indicates the presence of Nitrogen. Sodium Hydroxide
(concentrated) to be added and by heating the tube from the side then put moist red litmus
paper on the mouth of the tube. Observe the change of the red litmus paper to blue which
confirms the presence of Nitrogen and no change indicates the absence of the nitrogen and
the fertilizer may be considered suspected.
For presence of Phosphorus: On adding 2 ml of Ferric Chloride-Ammonium acetate
reagent and formation of yellow precipitate, which gets dissolved in 5-6 drops of
concentrate Nitric Acid confirms presence of phosphate. Non formation of yellow
precipitate indicates absence of Phosphate and the sample is suspected. Likewise, with the
use of filter paper, take 1 ml silver nitrate in the filtrate. If the formation of yellow
precipitate is also dissolved in 5-6 drops of nitric acid it confirms the presence of phosphate
in the material.
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For presence of Potassium: By adding 5-6 drops of Cobalt Nitrite reagent in the filtrate
and formation of yellow precipitate indicates the presence of potassium in the fertilizers.
The non-formation of the precipitate indicates that the material is spurious. These are for
testing the NPK Complexes.
These are quick testing kit and there are limitations also. It is only for qualitative test.
Samples failing in the quick test are likely to fail in the detailed laboratory analysis.
Urea
White, shining and round shaped grains of approximately uniform size. Completely soluble
in water and when solution is touch, it feels cold. It melts when it is put on hot plate and
nothing remains if it is heated.
To detect adulteration in the Urea, take 1 gm fertilizer in test tube and add 5 ml distilled
water to dissolve the material. Add 5-6 drops of Silver Nitrate Solution. The formation of
white precipitate indicates that material is adulterated. The non-formation of any precipitate
indicates that Urea is pure.
Di Ammonium Phosphate (DAP)
Hard, granular, brown or black in colour and difficult to erase with nails. If some grains of
DAP are mixed with lime and rubbed, it produces sharp odour which is un bearable to
smell. The grains swell if put on a hot plate.
For DAP and MOP take 1 gm fertilizer, add 5 ml distilled water and shake well. Then add
1 ml Nitric Acid and
again shake. If it is dissolved and forms semi-transparent solution then DAP is pure and if
any insoluble material remains, then it is adulterated.
Potassic Fertilizer
Potassic fertilizer adulterated by mixture light white powdery salt and red chili. If the
potash particles are moist, they do not stick and fertilizer is not adulterated. If dissolved in
water, red portion of the fertilizer comes up.
Super Phosphate
This is a hard granular, brown or black in colour which cannot be easily broken by the
nails. It is available in the form of powder also. There is a possibility of adulterating it often
with mixture of DAP and NPK.
If this granular fertilizer is heated, it does not swell whereas grain of DAP and other
complex swells. In this way, adulteration can easily be identified.
Zinc Sulphate
Magnesium sulphate is most commonly used chemical for adulteration in Zinc sulphate. As
they are physically
similar in appearance, it is difficult to identify fake fertilizer. If zinc sulphate is mixed with
DAP, a thick precipitate is formed but it does not happen so with Magnesium sulphate. If
zinc sulphate solution is mixed with light caustic solution, a dark muddy precipitate is
formed. Which dissolves completely in concentrate caustic solution, if there is
Magnesium sulphate in place of Zinc sulphate, precipitate does not dissolve.
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Adulterated fertilizers are widespread in the market. So this is an important area
where farmers need to be enlightened.
I have prepared a chart on the same and sent it to farmers group. I have received a
good response from farmers after sharing this information.
I have got a very good response from farmers when I shared this information. They
were concerned about adulteration and thanked me for providing this information.
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ADOPTION INTEGRATED NUTRIENT
MANAGEMENT PRACTICES FOR DIFFERENT
CROPS
Integrated Nutrient Management refers to the maintenance of soil fertility and of plant
nutrient supply at an optimum level for sustaining the desired productivity through
optimization of the benefits from all possible sources of organic, inorganic and biological
components in an integrated manner. Main objective of this practice is Regulated nutrient
supply for optimum crop growth and higher productivity., Improvement and maintenance
of soil fertility and Zero adverse impact on agro – ecosystem quality by balanced
fertilization of organic manures, inorganic fertilizers and bio- inoculant. INM system is an
age-old concept but its importance was not realized earlier as nutrient removal by the crops
was very low due to subsistence farming. At present, INM system has a great significance
because of intensive farming being practised (Mahajan and Sharma, 2005). Moreover, for
realization of higher crop yields from a system on an economic basis, judicious and
efficient blending of organic and inorganic sources of plant nutrients is essential. The need
of INM system has arisen due to the following reasons.
Main Advantages of this practice are;
1. Enhances the availability of applied as well as native soil nutrients
2. Synchronizes the nutrient demand of the crop with nutrient supply from native and
applied sources.
3. Provides balanced nutrition to crops and minimizes the antagonistic effects resulting
from hidden deficiencies and nutrient imbalance.
4. Improves and sustains the physical, chemical and biological functioning of soil.
5. Minimizes the deterioration of soil, water and ecosystem by promoting carbon
sequestration, reducing nutrient losses to ground and surface water bodies and to
atmosphere
1. Different components of INM are; ORGANIC MANURE • Bulky organic manure
a.FYM b.Compost c.Green manure • Concentrated organic manure a.Blood meal b.Oil
cakes 1.sunflower cake 2.Groundnut cake
2. 7. • BIO-FERTILIZER  Azotobacter  Rhizobium  Azolla  Azospirillum •
CHEMICAL FERTILIZERS  Urea  Ammonium sulphate  DAP  SSP
INM practices of major crops in my area are listed down:
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PADDY:
Seed treatment
 Seed treatment with Pseudomonas fluorescens: Treat the seeds with talc based
formulation of Pseudomonas fluorescens 10g/kg of seed and soak in 1lit of water
overnight. Decant the excess water and allow the seeds to sprout for 24hrs and then sow.
 Seed treatment with biofertilizers : Five packets (1kg/ha) each of Azospirillum and
Phosphobacteria or five packets (1kg/ha) of Azophos bioinoculants are mixed with
sufficient water wherein the seeds are soaked overnight before sowing in the nursery bed
(The bacterial suspension after decanting may be poured over the nursery area itself).
Biocontrol agents are compatible with biofertilizers.
Biofertilizers and biocontrol agents can be mixed together for seed soaking.
Fungicides and biocontrol agents are incompatible.
Nutrient management
Application of organic manures
 Apply 12.5 t of FYM or compost or green leaf manure @ 6.25 t/ha.
 If green manure is raised @ 50 kg seeds/ha in situ, incorporate it to a depth of 15 cm
using a green manure trampler or tractor.
 In the place of green manure, press-mud / composted coir-pith can also be used.
Biofertilizer application
 Broadcast 10 kg of soil based powdered BGA flakes at 10 DAT for the dry season
crop. Maintain a thin film of water for multiplication.
 Raise Azolla as a dual crop by inoculating 250 kg/ha 3 to 5 DAT and then
incorporate during weeding for the wet season crop.
 Pseudomonas fluorescens (Pf 1) at 2.5 kg/ha mixed with 50 kg FYM and 25 kg of
soil and broadcast the mixture uniformly before transplanting.
71

Application of inorganic fertilizers
 Apply fertilizer nutrients as per STCR-IPNS recommendations for desired yield
target (Appendix I) (or)
 N dose may be through Leaf Color Chart (LCC)*
Split application of N and K
 Apply N and K in four equal splits viz., basal, tillering, panicle initiation and heading
stages. Tillering and Panicle initiation periods are crucial and should not be reduced with
the recommended quantity.
 N management through LCC may be adopted wherever chart is available
Application of P fertilizer
 P may be applied as basal and incorporated.
 When the green manure is applied, rock phosphate can be used as a cheap source of
P fertilizer. If rock phosphate is applied, the succeeding rice crop need not be supplied with
P. Application of rock phosphate + single super phosphate or DAP mixed in different
proportions (75:25 or 50:50) is equally effective as SSP or DAP alone.
Application of zinc sulphate
 Apply 25 kg of zinc sulphate/ha mixed with 50 kg dry sand or apply 25 kg of TNAU
Wetland rice MN mixture/ha enriched in FYM at 1:10 ratio incubated for 30 days at friable
moisture, just before transplanting.
 It is enough to apply 12.5 kg zinc sulphate /ha, if green manure (6.25 t/ha) or
enriched FYM, is applied.
 If deficiency symptom appears in the standing crop, foliar application of 0.5% zinc
sulphate + 1.0% urea can be given at 15 days interval until the Zn deficiency symptoms
disappear.
72

Rural Agricultural Work Experience Programme (RAWEP) Final Report ALB 7108.pdf

Rural Agricultural Work Experience Programme (RAWEP) Final Report ALB 7108.pdf

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Rural Agricultural Work Experience Programme (RAWEP) Final Report ALB 7108.pdf