India

n A

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RS

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Recent Agro-techniques for increasing

Wheat Production in Central India

K.C. Sharma, S.V. Saiprasad, A.K. Singh, J.B. Singh, Prakash TL, Divya Ambati, Rahul M. Phuke and Upendra Singh

Wheat varieties HI 8663 (Poshan) HI 1544 (Purna) and at farmers’ field

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Global Scenario (2013-14)

Country Area Production Yield % to World (mha) (mt) (t/ha) Production Germany 3.22 25.6 7.95 3.57

UK 1.98 15.4 7.80 2.15

Denmark 0.7 5.20 7.48 0.73

France 5.31 38.7 7.30 5.40

Egypt 1.40 8.95 6.39 1.25

China 24.1 126.0 5.23 17.6

Uzbekistan 1.40 6.80 4.86 0.95

Poland 2.20 15.4 4.36 2.15

Italy 1.84 7.10 3.86 0.99

India 31.2 95.9 3.08 13.4

World 222.6 716.1 3.22

(Source – USDA)

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Some facts on wheat production scenario

Global level:

• India’s wheat production has increased in last 10 years at 2.58%.

• Area under wheat cultivation has also increased in last 10

years at 1.67%. • India’s share in global area was almost 14.0% and production

13.4% during 2013-14. • India’s share in global export was 3.16%.

• India’s main wheat destinations are Bangladesh, South Korea,

UAE & Indonesia.

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Zones States/Regions Covered Approx Area

(million ha)

Northern Hill

Zone(NHZ)

Hilly areas of J&K( except Jammu, Kathua and Samba

districts), Himachal Pradesh ( except Una & Paonta

valley),Uttarakhand(excluding Tarai region) & Sikkim

0.90

North Western

Plains

Zone(NWPZ)

Punjab,Haryana,Western UP(except Jhansi Div),Rajasthan

(excluding Kota & Udaipur div),Delhi, Tarai region of

Uttarakhand, Una & Paonta valley of HP, Jammu,Samba

& Kathua districts of J&K and Chandigarh.

12.00

North Eastern

Plains

Zone(NEPZ)

Eastern UP(28 dist),Bihar,Jharkhand,West Bengal,Assam,

Odisha and other NE states (except Sikkim) 9.12

Central Zone MP, Gujarat, Chattisgarh, Kota & Udaipur Div of

Rajasthan & Bundelkhand region of UP. 7.80

Peninsular

Zone

Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu(except Nilgiris & Palani

Hills),Karnataka & Andhra Pradesh 1.10

Southern Hill

Zone(SHZ) Nilgiris & Palani Hills of Tamil Nadu 0.01

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Wheat production trend in India

____________________________________________________________ Year Area Production Productivity (mha) (mt) (t/ha) _____________________________________________________________ 1964-65 13.4 12.3 0.91 1969-70 16.6 20.1 1.21 1979-80 22.2 31.8 1.43 1989-90 23.5 49.8 2.12 1999-00 27.5 76.4 2.78 2009-10 28.5 80.7 2.83 2010-11 29.5 85.9 2.91 2011-12 29.9 94.9 3.18 2012-13 30.0 93.5 3.12 2013-14 30.5 95.9 3.15 2014-15 31.5 86.5 27.5 2015-16 (Est.) 30.2 93.5 30.9 _______________________________________________________________ Note: In 1947-48 wheat production was just 5.6 million tonnes and average productivity was less than one ton/ha.

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Wheat production in Indian context

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Trends of wheat production in different states

_______________________________________________________________ State Area Production Productivity (mha) (mt) (t/ha) _______________________________________________________________ 13-14 14-15 13-14 14-15 13-14 14-15 _______________________________________________________________ Punjab 3.51 3.50 17.6b 15.0 5.02a 4.29a Haryana 2.50 2.60 11.8 10.4 4.72b 3.98b UP 9.85a 9.66 29.9a 22.4a 3.04 2.28 Bihar 2.01 2.15 4.74 3.99 2.36 1.85 MP 5.38b 6.00 12.9 17.1b 2.40 2.85 Rajasthan 2.81 3.32 8.66 9.82 3.08 2.96 Gujarat 1.44 1.11 4.69 3.06 3.25 2.75 Maharashtra 1.10 1.31 1.60 1.23 1.46 1.23 All India 30.47 31.47 95.85 86.53 31.46 27.50

______________________________________________________________________

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State Level (Madhya Pradesh)

• Madhya Pradesh is an important wheat growing state, accounting for 19.8% of production and 19.0% of the area under cultivation.

• It is grown in an area of ~6.0 mha.

• From last 3 years, Madhya Pradesh wheat production is in an increasing trend and crossed Punjab and Haryana production.

• Main cause for the increase in production is the efforts of Government, related departments in making available the seeds of new and improved wheat varieties.

• Diversity for wheat varieties in Madhya Pradesh is higher than any other wheat growing areas in India.

• Area under new varieties viz., GW 322, GW 366, HI 1544, MP 1202, MP 3382, HD 2987, HI 1500, HI 1531, HI 8498, HI 8663, MP 4010 and MPO 1215 is increasing compared to old varieties like Lok-1, WH 147, C 306 and Sujata.

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Some important agro-techniques

1. Old wheat varieties are to be replaced with new high yielding varieties.

2. Varieties are to be sown as per farmer’s resource and sowing date.

3. Seed is to be used strictly as per 1000 grain weight. It means weight of 1000 grain in g x 2.5 = seed kg/ha.

4. Clean cultivation is to be adopted and use of chemicals for weed control is to be avoided for maximum extent.

5. Variety-wise recommended balanced use of fertilizers is to be given at the time of sowing and as top dressing.

6. Cross sowing of wheat is not beneficial and to be discouraged.

7. Irrigation is to be provided mostly based on variety and critical satge

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High yielding new bread wheat varieties

Cultivation condition Bread wheat

RF/RI (October sown) HW 2004 (Amar)

HI 1500 (Amrita)

HI 1531 (Harshita)

DBW 111

Timely Sown Irrigated HI 1418 (Naveen Chandausi)

HI 1479 (Swarna)

HI 1544 (Purna)

Late Sown, Irrigated HI 1418 (Naveen Chandausi)

HI 1454 (Abha)

DL 788-2 (Vidisha)

HI 1563 (Pusa Prachi)

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Wheat varieties for timely sown and irrigated conditions

Cultivation Condition Bread wheats

Timely Sown Irrigated HI 1418 (Naveen Chandausi)

HI 1479 (Swarna)

HI 1544 (Purna)

GW 366

GW 322

MP 1201

MP 1202

MP 3020

MP 3211

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Wheat Varieties – Late sown and irrigated conditions

Cultivation Condition Bread wheats

Late Sown, Irrigated HI 1418 (Naveen Chandausi)

HI 1454 (Abha)

DL 788-2 (Vidisha)

MP 3336

HD 2932

HD 2864

MP 4010

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Durum Wheat Varieties for Central India

Cultivation condition Varieties

Restricted Irrigation

(October Sown)

HD 4672 (Malav Ratna)

HI 8627 (Malav Kirti)

Timely Sown Irrigated HI 8381 (Malav Shree)

HI 8498 (Malav Shakti)

HI 8663 (Poshan)

HI 8713 (Pusa Mangal)

HI 8737 (Pusa Anmol)

HD 4728

MPO 1106 (Sudha)

MPO 1215

A-9-30-1 and GW 1

MPO 1255

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HI 1544 (Purna)

• Released in 2007

• High yielding and excellent grain quality bread wheat cultivar

• HI 1544 is a widely adapted genotype having 6.3 % to 7.9 % higher yield over checks.

• HI 1544 combines high “water use efficiency”, early maturity and high yield with strong disease resistance and “excellent grain quality”.

• Good chapati making quality.

• Can be cultivated under limited irrigation.

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HI 1563 (Pusa Prachi)

• High yielding and excellent grain quality notified in 2011

• HI 1563 is a widely adapted genotype with high degree of terminal heat tolerance having 6.7 % to 11.1 % higher yield over checks

• HI 1563 combines high “water use efficiency”, early maturity and high yield with strong disease resistance and “good grain quality”

• It exhibited adult-plant resistance to virulent rust pathotypes viz. 46S119 and 78S84 of stripe rust; 40A and 117-6 of stem rust; and 77-5 and 104-2 of leaf rust

• It can contribute to improving the genetic diversity in the region for wheat cultivation

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HI 8627 (Malav Kirti)

• Released in 2005

• First Dual Quality Durum variety for limited irrigation

• High in yellow pigment (~ 6.8 ppm)

• The plants create their own “leaf mulch” i.e., basal leaves provide complete coverage to soil surface checking soil-water evaporation from plant’s vicinity

• Very high tolerance to early heat

• High levels of resistance to stem and leaf rusts

• Rich in micronutrients

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HI 8663 (Poshan)

• Released in 2007

• High yielding and stable β carotene durum cultivar

• It is being popularised among the farmers in the form of “Naturally Bio-fortified Health Food” because of its high and stable β-carotene (~ 6.5 ppm), high sedimentation value (35 ml), high protein content (11.6 %) and high levels of micronutrients.

• Included in the Nutri-Farm Scheme of GOI

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HI 8713 (Pusa Mangal)

• Notified in 2012

• High yielding genotype with good grain quality

• High levels of resistance to stem and leaf rusts.

• High protein content (~ 12.0 %), high yellow pigment (~ 7.16 ppm) and good levels of essential micronutrients like iron, zinc, copper and manganese.

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HI 8737 (Pusa Anmol)

• Notified in October, 2014

• High yielding genotype with good grain quality

• High levels of resistance to stem and leaf rusts.

• High levels of resistance to karnal bunt

• Rich in β-carotene (precursor of Vitamin ‘A’) and essential micronutrients like iron and zinc with a high overall acceptability (7.3).

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Date of Sowing

Cardinal temperatures

• For each phase in the growth of cultivar, there is a temperature

range within which growth and development is optimum. These

temperature ranges are called cardinal temperatures.

• Minimum and maximum temperatures are mainly outcome of

prevalent weather conditions.

• Temperature affects physiological activities of plants which

reflects as growth and developmental activities of plant.

Cardinal temperatures for wheat sowing

______________________________________________________________

Cardinal temperatures (in 0C)

______________________________________________

Stage Minimum Maximum

_____________________________________________

Germination ± 18 ± 28

Growth ± or < 7 ± 18

Development ± 16 ± 30

Dough stage ± 20 ± 35 ______________________________________________________________

Date x Variety under different date of sowing

Period 2012-13 to 2014-15 (mean of 3 seasons grain yield in q/ha)

__________________________________________________________________________

Variety 5th Oct. 20 Oct. 5th Nov. Mean __________________________________________________________________________

HI 8663 44.1 46.9 44.3 45.1

HI 8713 44.9 48.2 44.6 45.9

HI 8627 43.9 42.3 40.9 42.4

HI 1531 37.5 40.8 34.4 37.6

HD 2987 34.7 45.2 49.4 43.1

GW 273 36.7 45.1 42.0 41.3

MP 3288 36.9 47.9 41.9 42.2

Lok 1 29.9 42.6 50.0 40.8

GW 366 27.9 44.1 44.7 38.9

HI 1544 35.7 47.1 51.6 44.8

HDCSW 18 44.8 41.5 39.5 41.9

Mean 37.5 44.2 44.3

_________________________________________________________________ Despite application of more number of irrigations under extra early sown conditions (5th October), poor

productivity of wheat suggest that the sowing of wheat can only be done after 20th October in vertisols of

Central India.

Proper sowing techniques and row spacing for higher wheat productivity (Mean data of two years)

For getting higher wheat yields, sowing of wheat can be done at 20 or 22.5 cm. apart rows in light black cotton soils of Central India.

5.515.31 5.15

5.43 5.54 5.575.34

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1

2

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4

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6

Gra

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(t/

ha)

Treatments

Effect of sowing technique and row spacing on wheat

productivity

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Effective seeding methods and seed rates for maximum wheat yield (Mean data of two years)

Treatments S1- 100 kg/ha

S2- Based on 1000 grain weight

S3- 25% higher than S2

S4- 50% higher than S2

Conclusion

Cross sowing of wheat and higher

seed rate than recommended

(based on 1000 grain weight)

substantially decreased the wheat

yield and line sowing of wheat

with seed rate application of on

the basis of 1000 grain weight

(weight of 1000 grains in gram x

2.5 = seed rate kg/ha) recorded

maximum wheat yield.

4.98 4.88 4.63

4.92 4.93 4.76 4.71

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1

2

3

4

5

6 G

rain

yie

ld (

t/h

a)

Treatment

Effect of sowing method and seed rate on wheat productivity

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Time and method of nitrogen topdressing in wheat

Main findings:

• For higher wheat productivity, urea topdressing can be done in three splits

(50% at sowing + 25% each after first and second irrigation) if 50% N is

drilled alone or mixed with seed before sowing.

• While in case of broadcast application of N at sowing, N should be top-

dressed in two splits i.e. 50% N at sowing + 50% before first irrigation.

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Method of basal fertilizers application

Urea top dressing Broadcast Drilled Mixed with seed Mean

50% before 1st irrigation 4.98 4.79 4.64 4.80

50% after 1st irrigation 4.81 4.70 4.77 4.76

25% each at 1st & 2nd irri. 4.74 4.65 4.80 4.73

25 % each after 1st & 2nd irri.

4.73 5.08 4.95 4.92

Mean 4.81 4.80 4.79

Fertilizer requirements

Conditions

N : P : K

Restricted

irrigation

80-100 : 40-50 : 20-25

(Half N and full P and K at sowing as basal

dose + remaining N at first irrigation)

Irrigated and timely

Sown

120-140* : 60-70 : 30-35

(1/3rd N and full P and K at sowing as basal

dose+ remaining 2/3rd N at Ist and IInd

irrigations)

* Use of high dose of N in durum wheat is

beneficial to chech the yellow berry in grains.

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Micronutrients

With intensive agriculture, deficiency of essential

nutrients has also become wide spread. The work

conducted under the All India Coordinated Research

Project on Micronutrient in Crops and Soils, has shown

wide spread deficiency of zinc in soils in India. At the

national level, the deficiency level in micro nutrients is : -

Micronutrient % deficiency

Zn 46

B 17

Mo 12

Fe 11

Cu 5

S 38

Zinc deficiency

Management: As corrective measure, spray of Zinc Sulphate @

0.5% Zn + 0.25% unslaked lime in 400 – 500 litres of water should

be done. It will be more appropriate if basal application of Zinc

Sulphate @ 20-25 kg/ha is done at alternate years in Zn deficient

soils.

Management: Through basal application of borax @ 10

kg/ha or by spraying of 0.5% B in 400 – 500 liters of water

after 15 DAS and at flower initiations.

Boron deficiency

Role and deficiency

symptoms: It plays an important role in synthesis of chlorophyll which is essential for photosynthetic activity. Iron is also required for chemical reduction of nitrate and sulphate and in nitrogen assimilation. Deficiency of iron is manifested as interveinal chlorosis of uppermost leaves. As deficiency intensifies, leaves turn almost white and dry.

Management: Through basal application of Ferrous sulphate @

15 kg/ha or by spraying of 2-3 times at weekly interval of 1.0%

FeSO4 in 400 – 500 litres of water.

Iron deficiency

Role and deficiency

symptoms: It is important for normal functioning of many enzymes, nitrogen metabolosm and carbon dioxide assimillation. In deficiency leaves show intervenal chlorosis with grayish yellow to pinkish brown specks of variable size and veins remains green. In acute deficiency may lead to drying of whole plant.

Manganese deficiency

Management: Deficiency of manganese can be corrected through foliar spray of 0.5% manganese sulphate at CRI stage.

Role and deficiency symptoms: It is involved in symbiotic N-fixation and protein syntheses in crops. Marginal scorching and rolling or cupping of leaves are indicative of Mo deficiency.

Molybdenum deficiency

Management: Deficiency

of Mo can be corrected either through application of 2-4 kg sodium or ammonium molybdate at the time of sowing or by seed treatment wih 10-20 g sodium molybdate per 25 kg of seed or throgh foliar spray of 0.1 to 0.3% ammonium molybdate solution twice or thrice as per need at 10 days interval.

Role and deficiency

symptoms: Sulphur is a

constituent of several amino

acids and fatty acids. The new leaf becomes small and yellowish like N deficiency but veins are paler than interveinal portion.

Sulphur deficiency

Management: Deficiency

of S can be corrected either through application Single Super Phosphate fertilizer for phosphorous application or by applying elemental sulphur or any other source of sulphur as basal application.

Irrigation requirements

Conditions Irrigation schedules

Restricted irrigation

Two: One at tillering + IInd at earing i.e. 75-80

days

Three: CRI (20-23 days) + late tillering (45-50

days) + milking (90-95 days)

Irrigated and timely

sown

Four: CRI + tillering + late jointing + milking

Five: CRI + tillering + late jointing + floweing +

milking stage at almost 20 days interval

Weed control efficiency and grain yield (q/ha) _________________________________________________________________

Treatment Doses WCE (%) Grain yield

(g ai/ha) 11-12 12-13 11-12 12-13 ______________________________________________________________________

Metribuzin 210 75.1 69.2 48.7 31.6

Clodinafop 60 83.8 79.8 57.6 38.8

Pinoxaden 40 81.8 77.5 61.8 30.8

Sulfosulfuron 25 79.5 82.1 64.4 38.2

Clod. + metri. 60+210 87.1 85.6 56.7 37.2

Pinox. + metri. 40+210 77.0 67.2 43.1 30.2

Sulfos.+ metri. 25+210 74.0 76.9 43.4 31.6

Accord plus 120+210 76.6 57.9 44.0 30.5 (Fenoxaprop+Metribuzin)

Total 32 87.1 79.8 59.1 36.2 (Sulfosulfuron + Metsulfuron)

Atlantis 14.4 85.6 86.5 59.3 40.2

Vesta 60+4 87.1 87.7 64.6 41.6

Isoprot.+2,4-D 1000+500 86.1 57.6 55.3 33.0

Weedy - 0 0 61.5 30.6

Weed free - 100 100 60.0 41.8

CD (P=0.05) - - - 14.96 7.26

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Chemical Weed Control

Pre-emergence :

• Stomp 30 EC (Pendimethalin) is available, which can be

applied @ 1.0 kg a.i./ha) at 0-3 days after sowing in 500 liters

of water/ha.

Post-emergence:

Only Broadleaf Weeds

• 2, 4-D @ 500 g a.i./ha in 300-400 liters of water/ha.

• Metsulfuron methyl @ 4 g a.i./ha 300-400 liters of water/ha.

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Only Grassy Weeds • Clodinafop propergyl@ 400 g/ha (60 g a.i./ha) in 250-300

liters of water/ha.

• Fenoxaprop-ethyl @ 120 g a.i./ha in 250-300 liters of

water/ha.

Both Grassy and Broad Leaved

• Sulfosulfuran @ 25.0 g a.i./ha in 250-300 liters of water /ha.

• A mixture of Sulfosulfuran at 25 g/ha and Metsulfuron @ 4

g/ha (Total) in 250-300 liters water/ha.

• Mixture of Clodinafop + Metsulfuron methyl

• Mixture of Mesosulfuron and Idosulfuron

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Plant Protection

Major Threats:

1. Rusts

2. Karnal Bunt

3. Black Point

4. Loose Smut

5. Foliar Blights

6. Powdery Mildew

7. Head Scab

8. Brown Wheat Mite

9. Army Worm

10.Legume Pod-borer

11.Termites, Aphids, Cereal Cyst Nematode, Rodents etc.

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Rust diseases in Wheat

Stem/black Leaf/brown

Management: Recommended recent varieties in most of the wheat growing zones are rust resistant, hence the old susceptible varieties should be avoided. If old or unidentified seed is used, it should be treated with fungicide Propicanazole.

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Loose Smut

Management: Disease can be controlled

through seed treatment with systemic

fungicides and removal of diseased plants

from the field. Treat the seed with fungicides

like carboxin (Vitavax 75WP @ 2.5g/kg seed),

carbendazim (Bavistin 50WP @ 2.5 g/kg

seed), tebuconazole (Raxil 2 DS) @ 1.25 g/kg

seed if the disease level in the seed lot is high.

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Army Worm

Management: Use 2% methyl parathion or 1.5%

Quinolphos @ 375 g a.i./ha or thimet (phorate) 10 G

@ 10 kg/ha alongwith soil in morning or evening

followed by irrigation.

Progressive farmer Mr.

Yogendra Kaushik of

Village Aslavada, Block

Badnagar Dist. Ujjain

(MP) had sown HI 8663

(Poshan) breeder seed

procured from IARI –

Regional Station, Indore and

got record yield of 95.32

q/ha as certified by revenue

as well as agricultural

department personnel in the

state crop cutting

experiments. He is a

recipient of ‘Best Farmer”

award from President of

India.

Success story In

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Conclusions

• All efforts are to be made in comprehensive manner for the replacement of old varieties with new high yielding disease resistant varieties.

• If farmer is using any old unknown wheat variety, it should be treated with recommended fungicide.

• Wheat varieties should be recommended as per farmer resources and sowing time.

• Crop residues burning is to be stopped completely to avoid micronutrients deficiency and environmental hazards.

• If any micro-nutrients deficiency emerges in crop, immediate correction measures should be followed at the advice of expert and soil application of recommended quantity of same nutrient should be at the time of soil preparation to grow a healthy crop.

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Conclusions (cont.)

• Application of balanced use of plant nutrients should be ensured as per variety used and if possible in integrated manner through the use of organic, inorganic and bio-fertilizers.

• Judicious use of irrigation water as per critical stages of wheat should be ensured for higher wheat productivity. In view of water saving and coverage of higher area under cropping under limiting water availability conditions, micro-irrigation systems may be used for irrigation.

• Effective control of weeds most probably through clean cultivation

and least use of chemicals.

• Proper use of seed rate, fertilizers, spacing, sowing methods etc.

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Future thrusts/Researchable issues

• Technologies related to conservation agriculture (CA) based Resource Conservation Practices (RCTs) options are to be refined suited to soil and environmental conditions. Which should include residue management through zero tillage, paired row ZT, direct seeding, unpuddled transplanting, reduced tillage, bed planting, surface seeding etc.

• Location specific research on crop intensification like SRI (System of Rice Intensification) and SWI (System of Wheat Intensification) should also be developed for the Zone and similar type of research needed for other crops also by intensive research on root development and ultimate crop yield.

• Site Specific Nutrient Management (SSNM) practice is to be verified in the zone as it is an important tool for higher productivity, Judicious use of macro and micro-nutrients, and nutrients economy.

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Future thrusts/Researchable issues (cont.)

• Looking to the continuous depletion of soil nutrients and increased soil reaction values Organic agriculture or Integrated nutrients management by giving balanced weightage to organic sources of nutrients and biofertilizers in association of inorganic fertilizers is to be worked out in holistic approach and economic considerations.

• Due to growing of high yielding varieties and continuous degradation of

soils, micro-nutrients (Zn, S, B, Mo etc.) deficiency is very common. Hence, immediate attention is needed to address the problem as location specific.

• Weeds are also a biotic big threat to crop productivity and manual

weeding is a costly affair, therefore chemical weeding or integrated weed management by putting chemicals, manual or bullocks or tractor drawn secondary tillage implements together can be assessed for

recommendation to farmers.

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Future thrusts/Researchable issues (cont.)

• As water is a precious input in agriculture, therefore, for its judicious use, crop factors should be worked out for proper water requirement of crop and its scheduling including micro-irrigation systems. Identification of crop-wise most critical stages are also necessary for effective use of available water for irrigation.

• There is a need to develop resource based crop diversification models for

different category of clientele for sustainable productivity of crops and system as such, which should be environmentally safe, beneficial to maintain soil health, continuous source of employment generation and maximize farmers family income.

In last, as an research and developmental activity, preference should be given on cropping/farming system based rather than individual crop/enterprise based. Ways and means for the improvement of soil health and resource based technology development must be on our top priority.

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