1

RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE WORKSHOP1. Priority areas for horiticulture in the state are:

i) Promotion of Commercial floriculture.

ii) Area expansion under high density fruitplantation.

iii) Intensive Vegetable cultivation for qualityproduction.

iv) Promotion of crop diversification throughmultitier production system.

v) Promotion of hi-tech nurseries for largescale production of quality plantingmaterial. Block nurseries & progenyorchards in the state to be rejuvenatedwith polyhouse facilities.

vi) Establishment of backward and forwardlinkages for promotion of medicinal andaromatic plants.

vii) Develop data base for location specific/zone-wise planning.

viii) System approach in Vegetable & Fruitcrops.

ix) Regular training & upgradation ofknowledge / skill.

x) Promotion of INM/IPM in crops.

xi) Developing processing technologies

xii) Marketing network.

Human resources development in horticulture(production, processing, marketing) should bea regular component. For this, University,I.C.A.R. & State Institutions to work together.

2. Crop plan (vegetable, fruit & flower) shouldbe zone-wise. Execution of the plan should beintegrated with involvement of localinstitutions & district/block level officersunder the guidance of State Department.

3. Market oriented development of horticulturalcommodities should be the approach. For thisauction yards, refrigerated cargo vehiclesshould be started.

4. State should establish Agro-processing units ateach district/Zone to encourage the farmers/farmer-groups in taking up horticulture as alivelihood option.

5. Hi-tech and tissue-culture to be promoted tomeet the requirement of the State for supply ofquality planting materials.

6. Export oriented organic horticulture shouldbe promoted with involvement of privatesector.

7. Promoting horticulture in the watersheds isimportant. In each watershed, prioritization ofthe area under agriculture, horticulture, fishery& other enterprises should be done based onfarmers, need & perception & agro-ecologicalsituations.

8. Post harvest management should receivegreater attention as fruits & vegetables are ofperishable nature. Establishment of coldstorage facility will help.

9. Approach should be to increase area underhigh value crops & value addition. Protectedcultivation will help in promoting these.

10. Mushroom cultivation should receive moreattention for nutritional security of people.Training of rural women & providingmarket facility will be required to promotethis.

11. Nutrient management in horticulture crops ispoor. There is need to promote INM withgreater use of P & K. Lime to neutralisesoil acidity, quality compost to enrich soilquality & use of secondary & micronutrientsbased on soil tests will help to sustain soilhealth.

12. State should take immediate steps to

(i) Operationalise AEZ for vegetables

(ii) Creating a data base on horticulture

(iii) Strengthen the infrastructure & develop aseed policy.

13. Use of drip & spinkler irrigation, mulching,root trainers, should be promoted in blocknurseries for greater dissemination ofknowledge among farmers.

2

Priorities of Horticulture Development in JharkhandS. Kumar, Vishal Nath and Bikas Das

Horticulture and Agro-forestry Research Programme(ICAR Research Complex for Eastern Region), Plandu, Ranchi - 834010)

Horticultural crops are profitable diver-sification options for better land use, improvedproductivity, increased employment opportunities,better economic return and nutritional security. Ithas played an important role in the nationaleconomy through production of 45.5 million tonnesfo fruit and over 88.62 million tonnes of vegetables.India is the second largest producer of fruits andvegetables, next only to Brazil and China,respectively. The land topography and agro-climateof the country suits well for various fruits,vegetables, flower, medicinal and aromatic plantsand plantation crops which have ability to achievesustainability, increase employment, improveenvironment, provide enormous export potentialand above all achieve self sufficiency and nutritionalsecurity. Lot of emphasis on diversification ofhorticultural crops in the country has been givenduring the last one decade.

The State of Jharkhand is endowed withapproximately 8 lakh hectare of uplands and mildclimate having immense potential for diversificationunder horticultural crops. Presently, the state is

producing 405 thousand tonnes of fruits and 2219thousands tonnes of vegetables from an area of 32.7and 144.6 thousand hectare, respectively (Table 1).Horticultural crops cover only 8.6% of the croppedarea in the state with productivity parallel to nationalproductivity.

Considering the productivity potential andvast area, a well thought out plan of action istherefore needed to be formulated and implementedto achieve at least 15% of the total cropped area (250thousand hectare) under different horticulturalcrops by the tenth Five Year Plan. In the way ofdoubling the area under horticultural crops, the cropmileages and existing infrasuctural support-irrigation, storage, transportation, marketing andprocessing has to be taken into consideration. As amatter of fact, the State at present, do not haveirrigation and other infrastructure facilities neededfor quantum shift in area under vegetable andfloriculture. Therefore, the option lies with only fruitcrops and fruit crop based multi-tier croppingsystem which requires comparatively low input andinvestment.

Table 1 : Area, production and productivity of horticultural crops in Jharkhand (2000)

Crops Area Production Productivity(,000ha) (,000 MT) (Tones/ha)

Mango 7.57 89.93 11.88

Guava 5.09 63.00 12.38

Banana 0.28 54.94 19.62

Citrus 5.52 55.16 10.00

Other fruits 14.24 141.86 9.96

Total fruits 32.7 404.89 12.38

Potatoes 38.12 359.54 9.42

Onion 11.35 227.05 20.00

Other vegetables 95.11 1632.11 17.16

Total vegetables 144.58 2218.70 15.35

Total horticultural crops 177.28 2623.59 8.57

Source: Directorate of Statistics & Evaluation and Department of Agriculture, GOB, Patna

3

Keeping in view the strategic geographicalconditions including climate suitable for qualityproduction of horticultural commodities,high volume of round the year production, highdomestic demand and easy availability oflabour at comparatively low rate, wide productbase, an attempt has been made to fix the possiblepriorities for horticulture development inthe state.

Priorities of horticulturedevelopment1. Zoning of the state based on

suitability of the cropsThe entire state of Jharkhand has been dividedinto 3 agro-climatic zones which have beenfurther divided into 6 sub zones (Table 2) toconsider the actual potential of the area fordifferent horticultural crops.

Table 2: Districts, their ecological specialties and suitable horticultural crops in the proposed sub-zones of Jharkhand

Sub Districts, their ecological specialties and suitable horticultural cropsZone

I Ranchi, part of Hazaribagh, Lohardaga, Gumla and Simdega having moderate temperature duringsummer, rainfall 1300-1500 mm, no gaseous pollution.

Fruits : Litchi, mango, guava, strawberry, sapota, custard apple, jackfruit, papaya, baelVegetables : Brinjal, cabbage, capsicum, cauliflower, chilli, tomato, peas & beans, root crop, leafy

vegetable and cucurbits, off season temperate vegetable.Flowers : Carnation, gerbera, rose, Chrysanthemum, marigold.

II West Singhbhm, East Singhbhum and Saraikela having relatively warmer & humid climate, high rainfalland climate affected by sea changes

Fruits : Mango, guava, cashewnut, banana, jackfruit, custard apple, tamarindVegetables : Brinjal, cabbage, capsicum, cauliflower, chilli, tomato, peas & beans, root crop, leafy

vegetable and cucurbits

III Garhwa, Palamau, Chatra and Latehar having dry climate with less rainy months

Fruits : Aonla, citrus, guava, bael, karondaVegetables : Brinjal, cabbage, capsicum, cauliflower, chilli, tomato, peas & beans, root crop, leafy

vegetable and cucurbits.Flowers : Marigold

IV Koderma, Giridih, Dhanbad, Bokaro and part of Hazaribagh having warmer climate, medium rainfall andhigh concentration of injurious gases

Fruits : Aonla, guava, karonda, bael, jamun, custard apple, tamarindVegetables : Brinjal, cabbage, capsicum, cauliflower, chilli, tomato, peas & beans, root crop, leafy vegetable

and cucurbitsFlower : Marigold, rose chrysanthemumMedicinal plants : Solanum kharianum, carisa augustalia, plantago ovate, vinca roseaSpices : Ginger, turmeric, corrianderVegetables seed production : Onion, cauliflower, peas, beans, brinjal, cucurbitaceous crops and tomato

V Deoghar, Jamtara, Dumka, Godda, Sahebganj and Pakur having warmer climate with high rainfall

Fruits : Mango, jackfruit, tamarind, custard apple and chiraunjiVegetables : Brinjal, cabbage, capsicum, cauliflower, chilli, tomato, peas & beans, root crop, leaf vegetable

and cucurbitsFlowers : Rose, tube rose, marigoldMedicinal plants : Asafoetida, costus, dioscoreaAromatic plants : Eucalyptus, vanilla, mentha, pelargonium, patcholi, aniseedMushroom : Tropical mushroom during rainy season and European mushroom under controlled conditionsVegetable seed production : Cauliflower, Onion, peas, beans, brinjal and tomato

VI Pat area of Gumla and Lohardaga hills having cooler region on altitude above 2000 ft

Fruits : Pear, peach, low chilling apple, loquatVegetables : Brinjal, cabbage, capsicum, cauliflower, chilli, tomato, peas & beans, root crop, leafy vegetable

and cucurbitsFlower : Terestial orchids, bulbaceous flower and chrysanthemumMedicinal Plants : Dioscorea floribunda and tulsi (basil)

4

2. Area expansion under horticulturalcrops

Considering the 183 thousand hectare targetedarea under increase by the end of next planperiod, the estimated area under fruits shouldbe increased upto 1,50 thousand ha. fromexisting 32.7 thousand ha. and area undervegetable and floriculture from 144 thousandhectare to 2,10 thousand ha. This all togetherwill cover about 15% of the total cropped areaof the state.

3. Special area programme for selectedpockets

Certain areas of the state like higher altitudesites have potential for off season vegetableproduction and vegetable seed production.These areas should be given special thrust fordevelopment of quality produce.

4. Promotion to intensive croppingsystem

The uplands of Jharkhand are the potentialareas for watershed development. In theselected watersheds of the region, intensivecropping based on fruit plant needs to bepromoted. In the lower catchment of thewatershed, fruit crop based multi-tier systemincorporating vegetables as inter crop and highdensity planting of fruit orchard needs to bepromoted.

5. Vegetable seed production andprocessing

Production of quality seeds of vegetablesparticularly onion, French bean, okra, brinjal,tomato, cowpea and pea is highly remunerativeventure for newly created state of Jharkhand.Technologies for seed production invegetables for this region are available whichcan be adopted at large scale to uplift theregion’s economy through establishment ofSeed Villages. The added advantage of thisenterprise is the utilization of family laboursfor production of much remunerativecommodities which will sustain and uplift

the farmer’s economy. It is estimated that 450 tonnes of seeds of different vegetables arepresently required for domestic market. Theseed production areas would require supportfor seed grading, treatment, packaging andstorage for its promotion.

6. Hi-tech nursery and Micropropagation

Since the region has immense potential for fruitproduction, assured supply of quality plantingmaterial of different fruit plants has greatscope. The region has the added advantage ofmild climate supported with medium-highrainfall where nurseries can flourish better.Availability of manpower will also facilitate theenterprise in the region. Apart from fruits,ornamental plants can also be propagated anddistributed in large scale. It is projected that ifhorticulture development is taken inright earnest the number of fruit cropsaplings required will be 20-30 lakhs every yearfor at least 10-15 years. Establishment ofPropagation Villages for mass multiplicationof the fruit plant needs high priority.Commercial plant propagation throughtissue-culture to meet the growing demand isthe need of hours. Setting up a micropropagation unit for propagation of cultivarsof different horticultural crops to meet thedemand is also essential. This will generateemployment for the rural youth and improvetheir economic condition. Micro propagationlinked with commercial cultivation of flowersfor domestic and export market would bringquantum change in the present state of art onfloriculture.

7. Promotion of export orientedfruit, vegetable and ornamentalgardening

The region possessing mild tropical climate andwell drained soil and often suitable climate forcultivation of a number of fruits, vegetable andornamental crops (Table 3) which have betterexport potential. These crops and commoditiesneeds to be promoted at commercial scale.

5

Table 3 : Export oriented horticultural commodities from Jharkhand

Commodities National Market International Market

Fruits Litchi, Aonla, Mango, Custard Apple Litchi, Aonla, TamarindJackfruit, Guava, Tamarind

Vegetables Pea, French bean, Tomato, Cauliflower, Pea, French bean, Tomato, OkraCucumber, Okra, Parwal, Beans, Chilly,Early potato, Coriander leaf

Ornamental Roses, Gladiolus, Gerbera, Orchids, China Roses, Gladiolus, Gerbera, Orchidsaster, Foliage plants, Marigold, Dahlia

Low volume high Mushroom (Oyster, button), Spices Button mushroom, Ginger,value crops (Ginger, turmeric) Turmeric

8. Emphasis on commercial floriculture

Hi-tech floriculture of the potential cropsprovides better opportunities for high profit.These include roses, carnation, gerbera,orchids, lillies, gladiolus for export market andmarigold, chrysanthemum, gladiolus, gerbera,tuberose, dahlia, golden rod etc. which offerimmense potential for internal market. Thetype of cut flowers available under protectedcultivation in the region is of world class.Different floral products like dry flowers, floral extracts (natural dyes) have immensepotential in the international market.Development of onward linkages withInternational market will open up a new era incommercial floriculture.

9. Promotion of medicinal and aromaticplants production and marketing

The region has large forest cover which servesas reservoir for large number of medicinal andaromatic plant species. Systematic collection,conservation and utilization of these plants tocure different diseases will be helpful inestablishing industries based on these plantsin this region. At the same time, systematicproduction of medicinal and aromatic plantsin multi-tier horticulture production system onthe basis of contract farming to start withwould be profitable.

10. Round-the-year mushroom-culture-unit

The Jharkhand state has mild climate which iswell suited to cultivate different types ofmushrooms. The raw material like paddy strawis abundantly available in the region which canbe utilized for rearing mushrooms whereas itswaste can be used for production ofvermicompost - an excellent source of organicmatter for crops, fruits, vegetables and nurserymanagement. A blend of temperate andtropical mushroom needs to be promoted formaking mushroom production a profitableallied enterprise.

11. Promotion of low volume high valuecrops

Several spices and condiments like turmeric,ginger, saunf, tej patta (bay leaf), etc. can begrown profitably in Jharkhand. Mushroom ismost paying low volume high value cropwhich can be effectively grown in the region.Metropolitan city like Kolkata is potentialmarket and located at short distance.

12. Establishment of cold storage

There is need to establish multi purpose, multichamber cold storage in this region for thestorage of surplus fruits and vegetables. Settingup of Hitech cold storage will be

6

highly profitable. This will regulate the market,useful to provide produce during off seasonand subsequently increase production.Setting up of this facility would in turn behelpful in handling of horticultural produce fordistant market and also for export ofhorticultural crops.

13. Establishment of processingindustriesThe state has abundance of raw material ofdifferent local fruits and vegetables throughoutthe year. The notable among are aonla, mango,litchi, tamarind, and jackfruit among the fruitsand tomato, cauliflower, cabbage, mushrooms

among vegetables. The horticulture producefaces a glut situation when it arrives at themarket and the farmers resort to distress saledue to perishability. It has been estimated that37% of our highly perishable horticulture cropsare wasted due to lack of post harvestmanagement and cold chain infrastructurewhich account a great annual loss.Establishment of processing industries will behighly helpful to utilize the surplus produceduring the season (Table 4). The processed/value added product can meet the requirementduring off season. This will not only regulatethe market but also enhance the production inthis region.

Table 4 : Availability of horticultural produce in Jharkhand for Processing Industry

Fruits/Vegetables Availability period Processed Product

Elephant Foot Yam August - December Pickle

Elephant Foot Yam October - January Chawanpras, Preserved Candy, Beverage, Jam, Pickle

and Dehydrated fruits

Mango March - August Pickle, Beverage, Pulp, Pectin from peel, Kernal powder

Guava August - February Jelly, Beverage, Toffee

Litchi May - June Litchi nut, Beverage, Aril slices

Jackfruit February - July Dried flakes, Pickle, Canned, Roosted seed

Custard apple September - October Custard paste, Dried custard pulp powder

Tamarind April - May Dehydrated pods, Pulp, Kernal powder

Bael March - May Beverage, Preserve, Slice

Tomato November - June Ketchup, Puree, Pulp

French bean September - December Canned, Pickle

Cauliflower Round the year Canned, Dehydrated, Pickle

Cabbage September - May Canned, Dehydrated, Saurkrau

Cucumber March - July Sliced, Canned

Pea December - April Canned

Bhendi April - September Brined, Canned

Lime and lemon February - December Pickle, Beverage, Marmalade

7

14. Integration of promotional effort by different agencies

Concerted and integrated support from different agencies to the entrepreneur/ grower holds the key forthe success of fruit processing sector in the state. Figure-1 indicates the role that can be played by differentagencies in supporting the entrepreneur/grower for the development of good processing sector in thestate.

Research andtrainingsupport(nationalInstitutes, StateAgriculturalUniversities)

Policy andinfrastructuralsupport (Govt.Deptt.)

Acreditionsupport(APEDA)

Creditsupport(FinancialInstitutions)

▲▲

GrowerEntrepreneur

▲

▲

Social support(NGO)

Market support(Cooperative/Marke-ting institutions

▲

▲

ConclusionHorticulture has to play an important role in

the development of Jharkhand. The favourableenvironmental conditions, virgin soils andabundance of skilled manpower in this area offeran immense scope for growing horticultural crops.Apart from major fruit crops (mango, litchi, bananaand guava) emphasis is required to be given ongrowing drought tolerant fruit crops like aonla, bael,custard apple, fig and tamarind which can be grownsuccessfully under rainfed condition. The seedproduction of various vegetable crops and plantpropagation of fruit crops should be taken onpriority basis to meet the growing demand. Specialemphasis should be given for selecting highyielding varieties suitable for high density infruits and for growing off season in vegetable cropsto enhance the farm production. Promotion offruit crop based multi-tier cropping system tominimize risk and improved livelihood needs to be

addressed at priority basis. It is needless to mentionthat the present economy is market driven andthrough value addition in horticultural cropsfarmers can be benefited. In this respectindustrialization of processing sector assumes theforemost role. Development of some of the basicindustries such as cold storage, processing units,setting up micro propagation and bio fertilizer/ biopesticide units are essentially needed. Thedissemination of the technologies with an effectivecollaboration and participation between theIndustrialist on one side and National ResearchInstitutions, State Agriculture Universities StateAgriculture Departments, State HorticultureDepartments, Horticultural Board, Extensionagencies and NGO’s working in Jharkhand will notonly lead to boost up production and productivityof horticultural crops but also support thehorticulture based industries to bring prosperity inthe region.

8

Greenhouse Cultivation of Cut FlowersR. L. Misra* and Vinod Kumar

Division of Floriculture and LandscapingIndian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi - 110 012

* Project Co-ordinator (Floriculture), AICRP, ICAR, New Delhi.

The system of growing plants under atransparent cover is known as greenhousecultivation. Greenhouses are the structures coveredwith transparent and translucent materials thatpermit the solar radiations to pass through but trapthe outgoing radiations emitted from the objectswithin. The cultivation of cut flowers in greenhouseheavily relies on the environmental manipulationto achieve higher yields and better quality thanoutdoor production. Greenhouses provide desirableconditions for optimum growth and developmentof cut flowers and the number of cut flowers isincreasing every year.

The greenhouse commonly employed for thecultivation of cut flowers provide protection fromrains, winds, excessive sunlight, insects, birds, etc.Greenhouse alongwith soilless culture is becomingmore popular in the developed countries such asUnited States, Canada, Western Europe and Japan.In order to satisfy market demand, cut flower offeris continuously diversifying and increasing.Worldwide, there has been a sudden spurt ingreenhouse production of cut flowers in the lastdecades.

Present state of greenhouse industryworldwide

During 1997, the total greenhouse area in Japanwas 52,571 hectare with a 2% annual increase.Vegetable crops occupy maximum area (69.9%),followed by flowers (16.4%) and fruits (13.7%). Theimportant cut flowers cultivate are chrysanthemum,carnations, roses and lilies. Rose cut flowers areactively grown in rockwool culture in Japan.

Protected cultivation of cut flowers forms anindispensable part of Dutch economy. The bulk ofDutch flowers grown under glass is exported. Thetotal greenhouse area is around 10,800 ha, divided

into vegetables (4500 ha), flowers (4400 ha) and potplants (1100 ha). The greenhouse cultivation ismainly concentrated near Aalsmeer. It has beenreported that 900 ha area is under rose, orchids andanthurium which are grown primarily on soillessmedia while chrysanthemum is grown on soil.

In Belgium, the total greehouse area is about2250 ha. Out of this 650 ha is under flowers and potplants. The important cut flowers cultivated are rose,canation, chrysanthemum and gladiolus.

Greenhouses occupy an area of 4,500 - 5,500 hain India. The cut flowers viz., rose, chrysanthemums,carnation, gerbera and lily are successfully grownin greenhouse. Moreover, the cut flowers obtainedso are of better quality and ideal for export. In India,greenhouse cultivation of cut flower is mainlyconcentrated in Western and Southern States. InNorthern parts of the country greenhousecultivation is not cost effective because of extremitiesof temperature regimes in summer and winter.Among the different states, Maharashtra is leadingin greehouse cultivation of flowers. Cut flowercultivation is mainly concentrated near Bangalore,Pune, Nasik and Hyderabad.

Media for Greenhouse

The following is a description of some of themost commonly used amendments for theproduction of greenhouse cut flowers.

Peat and Peat - Like Materials

Peat moss is formed by the accumulation anddeposition of plant materials in poorly drained areas.The type of plant material and degree ofdecomposition largely determine its value for use.It is costly and may have weed seeds. Although thecomposition of different peat deposits vary widely,four distinct categories are:

9

Hypnaceous moss - mainly consists of thepartially decomposed remains of hyprum,polytrichum and other mosses of the Hypnaceaefamily. Although it decomposes more rapidly thansome other peat types, it is suitable for media use.

Reed and Sedge - consist of moderatelydecomposed remains of rushes, coarse grasses,sedges reeds and similar plants; generally less acidicand contain relatively few fibrous particles. Therapid rate of decomposition, fine particle size andinsufficient fiber content make reed and sedge peatsunsatisfactory for growing media.

Humus or Muck - it is decomposed debris offinely divided plant materials of unknown origin.Humus often contains large quantities of slit and clayparticles. Due to its rapid rate of decomposition andparticle size, humus is considered to beunsatisfactory for growing cut flowers.

Sphagnum moss - is the dehydrated remainsof acid-bog plants from the genus Sphagnum (i.e.Spapillosum). It is light in weight and has the abilityto absorb 10 to 20 times its weight in water.Sphagnum moss contains specific fungistaticsubstances, which accounts for its ability to inhibitdamping - off of seedling. Sphagnum moss isperhaps the most desirable form of organic matterfor the preparation of growing media. It has goodCEC. Drainage and aeration are improved in heaviersoils while moisture and nutrient retentions areincreased in lighter soils.

Cocopeat - is manufactured by decomposingcoconut fibre for 3-4 months in water tank. It hasgood porosity, drainage and root spread withminimum resistance. Other media are compost, leafmould and synthetic aggregates like polysereneflakes. Generally media are prepared by mixingdifferent components based on judging relativeadvantages and disadvantages.

Wood Residues

Wood residues constitute a significant sourceof soilless growing media. Nitrogen depletion by soilmicroorganisms, during the decomposition process,is one of the primary problems associated with woodresidues. However, supplemental applications of N

to the growing media can make most wood residuesvaluable amendments.

Leaf Mould - maple, oak and sycamore areamong the main leaf types suitable for thepreparation of leaf mould. Layers of leaves and soilare composted together with small amounts ofnitrogenous compounds for approximately 12 to 18months. Leaf mould can effectively improve theaeration, drainage and water holding properties ofa growing medium.

Sawdust - the species of tree from whichsawdust is derived largely determines its quality andvalue for use in a growing medium. Severalsawdusts, such as walnut and non-compostedredwood are know to have direct phytotoxic effects.The high cellulose and lignin content along withinsufficient N supplies creates depletion problems,which can severely restrict plant growth.

Barks - are primarily a byproduct of the pulp,paper and plywood industries. Suitable particle sizeis obtained by hammer milling and screening. Thisproduces a material, which is suitable for use incontainer medium.

Bagasse

This is a waste by product of the sugar industry.It may be shredded and / or composted to producea material, which can increase the aeration anddrainage properties of container media. Because ofits high sugar content, rapid microbial activityresults after the incorporation of bagasse into amedium. This decreases the durability and longevityof bagasse and influences N levels. Althoughbagasse is readily available at low cost (usuallytransportation), its use is limited.

Sand

Sand, a basic component of soil, has particlesize from 0.05 mm to 2.0 mm diameter. Fine sand(0.05 mm - 0.25 mm) do little to improve the physicalproperties of a growing medium and may result inreduced drainage and aeration. Medium and coarsesand particles are those which provide optimumadjustments in media texture. Sand is least expensiveof all inorganic amendments. This results in high

10

transportation costs. Sand is a valuable amendmentfor both potting and propagation media.

PerliteThis is a silicacious mineral of volcanic origin

having pH of 6.8. The grades used in containermedium are first crushed and then heated until thevaporization of combined water expands it to a lightpowdery substance. Lightness and uniformity makeperlite very useful for increasing aeration anddrainage. Perlite is very dusty when dry and has atendency to float to the top of a container duringirrigation. It has also been shown that perlitecontains potentially toxic levels of fluorine. it cannot be used for fluorine sensitive plants. Althoughcosts are moderate, perlite is an effective emendationfor growing medium.

VermiculiteVermiculite is chemically hydrated magnesium

iron silicate. The expanded, plate like particles,which are formed, have a very high water holdingcapacity and aeration and drainage. Vermiculite hasexcellent exchange and buffering capacities aswell as the ability to supply potassium andmagnesium. Although vermiculite is lessdurable than sand and perlite, its chemical andphysical properties are very desirable for containermedium.

Preparing Soilless Growing Media

An ideal growing medium should be porousand well drained, yet rentive of sufficient moistureto meet the water requirements of plants betweenirrigations; relatively low in soluble salts, but withan adequate exchange capacity to retain and supplythe nutrients necessary for plants growth; free fromharmful soil pests; pathogenic organisms, soilinsects, nematodes and weed seeds; biologically andchemically stable following pasteurization;primarily free from organic matter that releasesammonia when it is subjected to heat or chemicaltreatments.

Recommended Growing Media

There are some media formulations which maybe used as a base. The following is a several list ofmost commonly used soilless mixtures :

Water for greenhouse should have EC of 0.75-1.50 ds/m and pH 6.0 - 7.0. Watering along withfertilizers (fertigation) is normally done in automaticcontrolled systems. This practice is generallyfollowed in greenhouses. Greenhouse parametersare controlled by manual semi-automated or fullycomputerized system. Below mentioned are thegreenhouse cultivation practices of important cutflowers in the domestic as well as the internationaltrade.

Anthurium

Anthuriums are easily cultured, have attractivefoliage and under ambient conditions produce longlasting flowers round the year. Anthuriumandraeanum is a florist Anthurium valued for its longlasting spikes while Anthurium Scherzeri is animportant pot plant. In A. andraeanum, about 3 to 8flowers / plant / year could be obtained at aninterval of 85-107 days. For proper growth anddevelopment, 50-90% shading is required dependingupon the cultivar and age of the plant. Warm humidtemperature is necessary for initial plant growth.Night temperature of 180C is optimum. Nighttemperature beyond 220C will result in poor colourof the spathes. Enriching the atmosphere with 900m1/m3 CO2 improved and advanced plant growthby 3 weeks in A. scherzerianum cv. Arndt’s Flamenco.Ideal growing medium should provide sufficientmoisture, nutrients and aeration along with goodanchorage. Different growing media viz., organicmatter (i.e. wood shavings, badges, parchment)volcanic cinder or an artificial medium (i..e.rockwool, polyphenol foam etc). have been tried foranthurium cultivation. In U.S.A., volcanic cinder is

Volume / Vol. Ratio Components

2:1 Peat, Perlite

2:1:1 Peat, Perlite, Vermiculite

2:1 Peat Sand

3:1:1 Peat, Perlite, Vermiculite

2:1:1 Peat, Bark, Sand

2:1:1 Peat, Bark, Perlite

3:1:1 Peat, Bark, Sand

Commonly used soilless mixtures for greenhousecrops

11

mostly used because of its availability and low cost.In India, it has been observed that cocopeat as wellas combination of leaf mould and cocopeat increasedthe number of branches/plant, suckers/plants,flowers/plant, inflorescence longevity and qualityin anthurium (A. andraeanum) cv. Temptation under75% shade net.

Carnation

Carnation is one of the leading flower crops inthe international trade of cut flowers. Floral inductionis determined by light intensity. It is a quantitativelylong day plant. Photoperiod is very important in earlydays of plant growth. Under low light intensity floralindustion is slow and more leaves are produced.However, rate of flower development is notinfluenced by light intensity. The optimum daytemperature should be 160C while night temperature100C. The CO2 concentration of 500 ppm increasesflower production by 10-30%. The pH of the mediumshould be 6.0 - 7.0. It can be planted directly in thesoil containing at least 25% decayed organic matter;a bit of lime and super-phosphate or bone mill shouldalso be added to the soil before planting. It would bebeneficial to or a slight channel between rows atplanting time so that water will sink into the rootswihtout setting on the stems. Fertigation is done withN 250 ppm, P205 100 ppm and K20 200 ppm. Irrigationis given once in 3 days in summer and at 10 days inwinter. Pinching is done above sixth node from thebottom. Disbudding is done when apical bud is 1.5cm in diameter. Fusarium wilt is a major diseaseproblem in carnations. Soil solarization for nearly 7weeks is recommended for control of Fusariumoxysporum f.sp. dianthi. Saprophytic forest fungi,Trichoderma viride, T. harzianum, Penicillium adametzii,P. funiculosum and P. nigricans can be effectively usedfor the biocontrol of F. oxysporum f. sp. dianthi.Combination or simultaneous application of bothprotective (propineb) and systemic (triforine)fungicides could be best strategy for the control offairy ring spot caused by Heterosporium echinulatum.Harvesting is done at tight bud and paint brush stagesdepending upon the requirement. Thus, 200 and 250flowers / m2 are obtained of standards and spraytypes of carnation. Soft terminal cutting (10-15 cmlong) may be used for propagation. Planting is doneat a distance of 15 cm x 15 cm (49 plants/m2).

Chrysanthemum

Florist chrysanthemum (dendranthema xgrandiflorum) belongs to family Asteraceae. This is aleading flower crop in Japan and China. In India, itoccupies a place among five commercial flowercrops. Chrysanthemum is a short day plant requiringand 91/2 hour dark period for flower initiation are101/2 hour dark for flower development. Foroptimum growth and development, daytemperature should be 16O C. High temperatureincreases pedicel length and delays flowering whilelow temperature prevents bud formation, delaysflowering, increases leaf number, promotes basalrowsetting, reduces internodal length and increasesflower diameter. Various reports are available thatflowering in chrysanthemum can be controlled bymanipulating photoperiod and using growthregulators but the number of days for floweringvaries with cultivars and temperature regimes.Application of GA3 (100 ppm) at 45 days oftransplanting under 50% shade increased durationof flowering, length of flower stalk and yield perplant in cultivar “Vasantika”. Flower componentsrespond differentially to day length i.e. ray florestsdevelop under long days and disc florets developunder short days. This can be used commercially toget best quality blooms. It has been reported byvarious workers that short days followed by 8 - 15long days, then resuming short days until maturityproduces flowers with more ray florets than undershort days. Under greenhouse conditions,35-40% more yield of flowers could be obtainedalong with two times more vase life than field grownflowers. CO2 concentration is 700-900 ppm. Black outand artificial lighting are followed to control daylength. Plants can be grown on wide rangeof growing media such as bark, soil, peat,perlite, sawdust, rockwool, etc. The pH of themedium should be 6.0-6.2 The cutting 4-6 cmlong is used for planting. Fertigation is done withN 200 ppm, P2O5 200 ppm and K2O5 200 ppm and K2O 200 ppm. Irrigation is given in 3-10 days depending on soil and weather conditions.Pinching and disbudding at proper stagesare followed for spray and standard typesof chrysanthemums, respectively. Cut flowersshould be harvested when buds begin toshow colour. Flower yield of spray types varies from

12

60-100 flowers/m2 and standards from 30-64flowers / m2.

Gerbera

Gerbera is one of the most commercial cutflowers in the international flower markets. Highlight intensity is essential during seeding growthbecause flower initiation commences after two orthree leaves are visible. Plants can be successfullyraised in a temperature range of 180-270C. A lowtemperature of 130C favours axillary vegetativeshoots and results in higher flower number later.Toot zone heating at a temperature of 210Ccan be followed to maintain the production of cutflowers. Pure coconut fibre or cocopeat can bereliable source for growing cut gerbera. In Turkey,growing media viz., peat+pumice (1:1v/v) forgerbera cut flower was found to be the best forobtaining highest number of flowers/plant i.e.,59.3%. Gerbera “Mammut” cut flower of goodquality and longevity could be obtained on coirpithsubstrate as well as plants sprayed with GA3 200ppm twice at monthly intervals starting from 90days after planting. The pH of the media should be6.0 - 7.0. The total dissolved salts in water shouldnot be more than 1200 ppm. Fertigation should bedone with N 260 ppm, P2O5 180 ppm and K2O 390ppm. The greenhouse environment can be enrichedwith 600-800 ppm CO2 for getting higher floweryield and long stalks if supplementary light is used.Yield varies from 250-300 flowers/m2/year. Cutflower are harvested when outer row of disc floretsis perpendicular to the stalk.

Lily

A number of hybrids and cultivars are grownfor cut flowers and potted flowering plants. It hasbeen reported that maintaining night temperaturesat 150-250 C during vegetative growth state and at100-130C from vegetative to reproductivedevelopment stage will be a key for increasing thenumber of flower buds on plants. Once flowerinitiation commences in Asiatic hybrids, lightintensity and duration have a little role to play,which is temperature dependent. During summerseason, 75% shading net and during winter 50%shading net should be used. Early and good qualityflowers could be obtained if atmosphere is enriched

with 1000 ppm CO2 along with supplementarylighting at 20W/m2. The ideal growing mediashould be will drained, fluoride free, sterilized andhaving a pH of 6.0. Fertile soil should be avoided,as it is fluoride contaminated. Bulb size should be10/12 for Asiatic hybrids and 10/18 for Orientalhybrids for optimum flowering. Plant densityshould be 50-60 bulbs / m2. Irrigation is given @ 10liters / m2 / day. Cut flowers are harvested atcoloured bud stage.

Rose

Rose is one of the leading cut flowers ininternational cut flower trade. Among the differentgroups, hybrid teas constitute the largest numberof cultivars grown for cut flowers. Light is one ofthe prime factors in greenhouse cultivation of roses.Day temperatures for greenhouse production ofroses range from 200-240C. On cloudy days, daytemperature should be maintained at 200-210C. Oncloudy days, day temperature should be maintainedat 200-210C while on rainy days it should bemaintained at 240-280C. Quality cut roses could beobtained with maximum and minimumtemperatures of 250C and 150C, respectively. In orderto prevent the water loss, relative humidity duringthe day should be maintained at about 70-80%. Athigh humidity, mildew attack is more. Theconcentration of CO2 should be 1000-2000 ppm.Plants can be actively raised hydroponically onrockwool, coirdust or cocopeat, perlite etc. The pHof the media should be around 5.5-6.0. Coal bottomash; hardwood bark (3:1, 2:1 and 1:1 by volume ) isone of the potential media for growing greenhouseroses. In “First Red” cut roses, increase in shootlength, flower neck length and total stem lengthwere observed with spray of 300 ppm GA3 at 15 daysafter pruning followed by monthly intervals. Rosecan be effectively planted in soil and copeat.Planting distance varies with class and variety.Generally 7-13 plants per m2 is ideal. Minimum dailywater requirement of rose varies from 2 to 8 liters ofwater, depending on weather conditions. Nutrientsvary to medium used but normally it is appliedthrough fertigation @N200 ppm, P205 150 ppm andK2O 200 ppm. Rose should be harvested at tight-budstage. Yield of 150-300 stems/m2/year dependingon variety is obtained.

13

Conclusion

Greenhouse production must satisfy highstandard of product quality (in terms of composition,mechanical properties, post-harvest behaviour,health value) and environment protection (throughthe reduction of nutrient and pesticide release). Itmay be concluded that if proper management ofgreenhouse in terms of temperature, photoperiodand photo-intensity, media, nutrition and irrigation(fertigation), humidity, CO2 enrichment, pest controland growth regulation through PGRs is done as perthe requirement, one can generate highest possibleyield.

Thrust Areas

1. The interactions between greenhouse crops andtheir environment in relation to the formationof product quality and the protection ofenvironment must be investigated.

2. The design of management tools of theprotected cultivation system aimed at reducingtheir environmental impact and improving thequality of their products.

3 New speciality cut flowers and unexploitnousflower species must be studied.

14

Prospects of Fruit Processing and Export in JharkhandRajesh Kumar

National Research Centre for Litchi, Muzaffarpur - 842 002, Bihar

The face of fruit processing industry is fast changing and the value added processed products holds immense promisein bolstering the national economy by reducing the significant post harvest losses and providing quality nourishment tomillions of consumers at affordable cost. The importance of processed value added fruit products in generating foreignrevenue through export also needs to be exploited. Jharkhand has good natural resource base with a high production offruits. The important fruits of this state are mainly under tropical and subtropical groups. The post harvest scenario offruits is not much encouraging and it is needed to look more closely at some basic aspects of the post harvest managementof fruits, so as to utilize the advantage of the high production and productivity and reduce the post harvest losses.Therefore, it is necessary to process the considerable quantity of these fruits into varied forms, mainly different types ofthe value added products by employing different methods of the fruit preservation. Thus, the seasonal glut and thesignificant post harvest losses due to poor shelf life of this large production base of fruits in this state, can profitably beexploited by driving the processing industry to adopt suitable/novel preservation techniques and making the processedand value added products of fruits and popularizing them in the domestic and international markets, as part from ourcountry, there is also a great demand of quality processed fruit products in foreign countries particularly in Europeancountries mainly in off season fruits and it is needed to take appropriate steps by both public and private sectors (particularlyentrepreneurship development) to explore and exploit the possibilities and potentials of fruit processing in this state.

Introduction

The developing state of Jharkhand is blessedwith the agro-climatic conditions, favouring theproduction of a wide range of tropical and sub-tropical fruits. The important ones are mainly undertropical (Jackfruit, Aonla, Bael, Ber, Custard apple,Jamun, Tamarind, Mahua, Mulberry, Karonda,Monkey fruit etc.) and subtropical (Mango, Guava,Citrus, Banana, Litchi, Papaya etc.) groups. With theadoption of high yielding varieties and improvedtechniques, the production and productivity of fruitshas increased but side by side we have notdeveloped suitable measures for the post harvesthandling and processing of the produce, resultingpost harvest losses in the tune of 25-30 per cent andultimately, all the significant efforts made forincreasing the production are going in vain.

The advantage of the high production andproductivity of the fruits can be exploited to producea variety of processed foods or value added itemsin large quantities. At present, the quantities ofvarious processed foods produced in the State isnegligible in comparison to the potentials. The sameis the situation at national level and only about onepercent of the total fruits and vegetable grown inthis country are being used for processing, while itis more than 30 per cent in the countries like

Philippines, Brazil, U.S., Malaysia and Thailand. Sothere is an urgent need to look more closely at somebasic aspects of post harvest management andprocessing. There is also need to develop newproducts from the highly perishable produce andpopularize them not only in domestic market butalso in international level. Hence, there is an urgentneed to look more closely at some basic aspects ofthe post harvest management of fruits and exploitthe actual potentials.

Methods of fruit processing:

The varied methods used for fruit processing/preservation are physical methods, chemcialmethods, by fermentation medhods and may be thejudicious combination of one or more of thesemethods. Under physical methods the hi-tech usedmainly for (i) preservation by cold i.e. by removalof heat (refrigeration, freezing, dehydro freezing andcarbonation), (ii) by thermal processing i.e. byaddition of heat (stationary pasteurization,sterilization, flash pasteurization), (iii) bydehydration i.e. by removal of water/moisture(dehydration, freeze drying, foam mat drying, puffdrying) and (iv) by irradiation (dosing with U.V.rays, ionizing radiation). The chemical methods ofpreservation are done by addition of acid, by saltingor brining, by addition of sugars and heating, by

15

addition of chemical preservatives, etc. Preservationby fermentation (yeast fermentation) is also age oldand important method. In many cases the mainclasses of preservation methods have been employedfor synergistic preservation.

Processed value added fruit products:The production of fruits is increasing every

year. Fruit processing and preservation will take careof seasonal gluts and all the wastes, occurring in spiteof all improvement in the distribution of marketingof fresh produce.

The ever increasing demand of processed fruitproducts is mainly due to following reasons (i) rapidurbanization (ii) advancement of the middle classfamilies and their increased purchasing power (iii)change in the food habits (iv) dying out of the ageold practice of fruit preservation in homes (v)increasing demands in the domestic and freignmarkets (vi) processed products fetches more pricethan their fresh ones. The cumbersome and tediousprocesses of preservation are now simplified by theadvancement of the new techniques and tools. Newmachines perform the job in more simplified andhygienic manner.

Future strategy:

Considering the vast scope for the developmentof agro-food industries and the variety of benefitsassociated with them, the Government has takennumber of steps including creation of the Ministryof Food Processing Industries to cater to therequirements of agro-food industries. Large houseshave been allowed to enter in this field. Furtheraction has to be taken to impart dynamism in theagro-food industries sector. The thrust areas for theirdevelopment have to be identified and policieschalked out. Problems of demand constraints shouldbe possibly minimized, all steps should be taken toensure supply of adequte quantity of raw materials.Attempts must be made to upgrade the quality ofraw material. Establishment (or location) of

processing industries should be based on the agro-climatic and cropping pattern map of the state.

It should also be based on optimum economicviability and integration of production andprocessing. The Government should also allot landto these units or permit the industry to acquire landon long lease for cultivation and suitably amend theland laws, if necessary. Units for commercialfarming/contact farming, cooperative farmingshould also go in along with the development ofallied infrastructures facilities like packing houses,cold storage chain, proper transportation etc. Thefood processing industries should be givenincentives, as it contribute towards increasing foodsupplies without any additional demand on land bypreventing heavy losses. Adequate finance atreasonable rates along with subsidy should beprovided to these industries. Effective marketingpromotion of the processed products at domestic aswell as export market. The Research andDevelopment infrastructure should be strengthened.Financial assistance could also be provided forupgrading, updating or modernizing andappending the allied infrastructure facilities.

The entrepreneurs should have the strong willpower and nature to have concerted effort onattainment of higher quality, safety and nutrition,development of substitutes for scarce raw materialand other inputs, new and safe chemicalpreservatives, upgradation of traditional foodtechnologies and emphasis on establishment of new,efficient and cost effective processing machinery andsimulated production.

The other aspect of concern is that the plan orproject proposal should have the scope for efficientdisposal and recycling of fruit wastes, which couldbe a source of atmospheric pollution andcontamination, would provide vital nutritionalcomponents to our foods and bring down the costof production of processed foods besides minimizingthe pollution hazards.

16

Tab

le :

Var

iou

s t

ypes

of

pro

cess

ed p

rod

uct

s fr

om i

mp

orta

nt

fru

its

of J

har

kh

and

S. N

o.N

ame

of th

e Fr

uit

Nam

e of

the

pro

cess

ed p

rod

uct

s(S

cien

tifi

c na

me)

1.M

ango

Can

ned

, Ju

ice,

Pow

der

, Slic

esSq

uas

h, S

yru

p, N

ecta

r, C

ord

ial

Jam

Jelly

, Mar

mal

ades

,(M

angi

fera

indi

ca)

Bev

erag

es (R

TS)

, Win

eP

ickl

es, T

offe

e,

2.G

uav

aC

anne

d, J

uic

e, P

owd

er, S

lices

Squ

ash,

Syr

up

, Nec

tar,

Cor

dia

lJa

m, J

elly

, Pic

kles

(Psi

dium

guj

ava)

Bev

erag

es (R

TS)

, Win

e

3.C

itru

sC

anne

d, J

uic

e, P

owd

erSq

uas

h, S

yru

p, N

ecta

r, C

ord

ial

Jam

, Jel

ly, M

arm

alad

es,

(Cit

rus

sp.)

Bev

erag

es (R

TS)

, Win

eP

ickl

es, T

offe

e,

4.B

anan

aC

anne

d, J

uic

e, P

owd

er, S

lices

,Sq

uas

h, S

yru

p, N

ecta

r, C

ord

ial

Jam

, Jel

ly(M

usa

sp.)

dri

ed c

hip

sB

ever

ages

(RT

S), W

ine

5.L

itch

iC

anne

d, J

uic

e, L

itch

i pow

der

, Slic

esSq

uas

h, S

yru

p, N

ecta

r, C

ord

ial

Jam

, Jel

ly, S

wee

ts,

(Lit

chi c

hine

nsis

)D

ried

nu

ts, f

roze

n lit

chi,

Bev

erag

es (R

TS)

, Win

eP

ickl

es, P

ud

din

gs

6.P

apay

aC

ann

ed, J

uic

e, P

owd

er, S

lice

s, d

ried

Sq

uas

h, S

yru

p, N

ecta

r, C

ord

ial,

Jam

, Jel

ly(C

aric

a pa

paya

)nu

tsB

ever

ages

(RT

S), W

ine

7.Ja

ckfr

uit

Can

ned

, Ju

ice,

Pow

der

, Slic

esSq

uas

h, S

yru

p, N

ecta

r, C

ord

ial

Jam

, Jel

ly(A

rtoc

arpu

s he

tero

phyl

lus)

Bev

erag

es (R

TS)

, Win

es,

8.A

onla

Juic

e, P

owd

er, S

lices

, dri

ed n

uts

Pre

serv

es, C

and

y, S

quas

h, h

erba

lH

erba

l Jam

, Sau

ce (m

ixed

),(E

mbe

llica

offi

cina

lis)

syru

p, N

ecta

r, C

ord

ial,

Bev

erag

esSw

eets

, Pic

kles

, Chu

tney

,(R

TS)

, Win

e,To

ffee

, Shr

eds

9.B

ael

Pow

der

Pre

serv

es &

Can

dy

(Mat

ure

gre

enJa

m, J

elly

(Aeg

le m

arm

elos

)fr

uit

s), S

quas

h, C

ider

, Bev

erag

es(R

TS)

, Tof

fee,

Sla

b

17

S. N

o.N

ame

of th

e Fr

uit

Nam

e of

the

pro

cess

ed p

rod

uct

s(S

cien

tifi

c na

me)

10.

Ber

Can

ned

, Ju

ice,

Pow

der

, Slic

esSq

uas

h, S

yru

p, N

ecta

r, C

ord

ial,

Jam

Jelly

, Pic

kles

(Zyz

yphu

s m

arut

iana

)d

ried

nu

tsB

ever

ages

(RT

S), W

ine

11.

Cu

star

d a

pp

leC

anne

d, J

uic

e, P

owd

erSq

uas

h, S

yru

p, N

ecta

r, C

ord

ial

Jam

, Jel

ly(A

nnon

a sq

uam

osa)

Bev

erag

es (R

TS)

, Win

e

12.

Jam

un

Can

ned

, Ju

ice,

Pow

der

, Slic

es,

Squ

ash,

Syr

up

, Nec

tar,

Cor

dia

lJa

m, J

elly

(Syz

ygiu

m c

um

inii)

dri

ed n

uts

Bev

erag

es (R

TS)

, Vin

egar

, Win

e

13.

Tam

arin

dC

anne

d, J

uic

e, P

owd

er, d

ried

nu

tsSq

uas

h, S

yru

p, N

ecta

r, C

ord

ial

Jam

, Jel

ly, P

ickl

es,

(Tam

arin

dus

indi

ca)

Bev

erag

es (R

TS)

, Win

eC

hutn

ey, T

offe

e

14.

Mah

ua

Can

ned

, Ju

ice,

Pow

der

Squ

ash,

Syr

up

, Nec

tar,

Cor

dia

lJa

m, J

elly

(Bas

sia

lati

folia

)B

ever

ages

(RT

S), W

ine

15.

Mu

lber

ryC

anne

d, J

uic

e, P

owd

er, S

lices

Squ

ash,

Syr

up

, Nec

tar,

Cor

dia

lJa

m, J

elly

, Pic

kles

,(M

orus

alb

a &

M. n

igra

)B

ever

ages

(RT

S), W

ine

Chu

tney

16.

Kar

ond

aC

anne

d, J

uic

e, P

owd

er, S

lices

Squ

ash,

Syr

up

, Nec

tar,

Cor

dia

lJa

m, J

elly

, Pic

kles

(Car

issa

car

anda

s)d

ried

nu

tsB

ever

ages

(RT

S), W

ines

Chu

tney

17.

Mon

key

jack

Can

ned

, Ju

ice,

Pow

der

, Slic

es,

Squ

ash,

Syr

up

, Nec

tar,

Cor

dia

lJa

m, J

elly

, Pic

kles

(Art

ocar

pus

lako

ocha

)B

ever

ages

(RT

S)

Tab

le :

Var

iou

s T

ypes

of

Pro

cess

ed P

rod

uct

s fr

om i

mp

orta

nt

Fru

its

of J

har

kh

and

18

S. N

o.N

ame

of th

e Fr

uit

Moi

s-P

rote

inFa

t

Min

eral

Fib

reC

arb

o-E

ner

gyC

aP

FeC

arot

ene

Vit

. C(S

cien

tifi

c n

ame)

ture

hyd

rate

(Cal

)(g

)(g

)(g

)(g

)(g

)(g

)(m

g)(m

g)(m

g)(m

g)(m

g)

1.M

ango

81.0

0.6

0.4

0.4

0.7

16.9

7414

161.

327

4316

(Man

gife

ra in

dica

)

2.G

uav

a81

.70.

90.

30.

75.

211

.251

1028

1.4

-21

2(P

sidi

um g

uaja

va)

3.C

itru

s (L

ime,

Lem

on)

84.6

1.5

1.0

0.7

1.3

10.9

5990

200.

315

63(C

itru

s sp

.)

4.B

anan

a70

.11.

20.

30.

80.

427

.211

617

360.

978

7(M

usa

sp.)

5.L

itch

i84

.11.

10.

20.

50.

513

.661

1035

0.7

-31

(Lit

chi c

hine

nsis

)

6.P

apay

a90

.80.

60.

10.

50.

87.

232

1713

0.5

666

57(C

aric

a pa

paya

)

7.Ja

ckfr

uit

76.2

1.9

0.1

0.9

1.1

19.8

8820

410.

517

57.

0(A

rtoc

arpu

she

tero

phyl

lus)

8.A

onla

81.1

0.5

0.1

0.5

3.4

13.7

5850

201.

29

500

(Em

belli

caof

ficin

alis

)

9.B

ael

61.5

1.8

0.3

1.7

2.9

31.8

137

8450

0.6

558

(Aeg

le m

arm

elos

Tab

le :

Imp

orta

nt

nu

trie

nt

elem

ents

of

fru

its

(per

100

g o

f ed

ible

par

t)

19

S. N

o.N

ame

of th

e Fr

uit

Moi

s-P

rote

inFa

t

Min

eral

Fib

erC

arb

o-E

ner

gyC

aP

FeC

arot

ene

Vit

. C(S

cien

tifi

c n

ame)

ture

hyd

rate

(Cal

)(g

)(g

)(g

)(g

)(g

)(g

)(m

g)(m

g)(m

g)(m

g)(m

g)

10.

Ber

81.6

0.8

0.3

0.3

-17

.074

49

1.8

2176

(Zyz

yphu

s m

arut

iana

)

11.

Cu

star

d a

pp

le70

.51.

60.

40.

93.

123

.510

417

471.

5-

17(A

nnon

a sq

uam

osa)

12.

Jam

un

83.7

0.7

0.3

0.4

0.9

14.0

6215

151.

248

18(S

yzyg

ium

cum

inii

)

13.

Tam

arin

d(T

amar

indu

s in

dica

)

14.

Mah

ua

(Bas

sia

lati

folia

)

15.

Mu

lber

ry86

.51.

10.

40.

61.

110

.349

7030

2.3

5712

(Mor

us a

lba

& M

. nig

ra)

16.

Kor

ond

a91

.01.

12.

90.

61.

52.

942

2138

--

110

(Car

issa

car

anda

s)

17.

Mon

key

jack

6-16

(Art

ocar

pus

lako

ocha

)Tab

le :

Imp

orta

nt

nu

trie

nt

elem

ents

of

fru

its

(per

100

g o

f ed

ible

par

t)

20

Production Technology of Some ImportantMedicinal Plants

B. M. ChowdharyDepartment of Horticulture, Birsa Agricultural University, Kanke, Ranchi-6

In recent years the importance of medicinal plantshas increased due to more than one reason - high costof medicines, side effects, unavailability in rural areas,prolonged use and temporary relief. Unlike allopathicmedicines the herbs act in almost magical ways - spasmmay relax, pains vanish, constipation overcome,nervousness recede, headaches disappear, allergiescounteracted and so on.

Throughout the world, several thousand plantshave been and are still used for medicinal purposesby herb doctors, dwellers in primitive places whoare forced to depend on the native plants of thevicinity.

The medicinal plants are mostly found in forestareas. Only few plants are being cultivated. Theplants collected from the forest find ways toshipment and processing of the crude materialcarried on in the USA and some European countries.

The medicinal value of the drug plant is due tothe presence in the plant tissue of some chemicalsubstances or substances that produce a definitephysiological action on the human body. The mostimportant of these substances are alkaloids,glycosides, essential oils, resins, mucilages, tannins,gums and compound of carbon, hydrogen, oxygenand nitrogen. Some of these materials are powerfulpoisons and as such the preparation andadministering of the drugs should be left entirely inthe hands of skilled pharmacists and physicians.

Export possibilities

India is a veritable emporium of medicinalplants and there is a vast potential for export ofmedicinal plants from our country. According toExam Bank report a favorable policy frame work willbe required to promote commercial cultivationresearch and development for increased export ofmedicinal plants.

Medicinal plant trade in India is estimated tobe worth Rs. 550 crores (1997-98) per year. The valueof global trade in medicinal plants has been put atover US $ 60 billion per year. India’s total turn overis of Rs. 2300 crore of Ayurvedic and herbal products.

The export market for medicinal plants appearsto be growing faster than the Indian domestic marketat the rate of 7 per cent per annum. Now a days thereis renewed world wide interest in natural medicinesand over uses in food and cosmetic industries withgood prospect for export of medicinal plants fromIndia. For example, the Isabgol husk and seeds, theglobal demand for these has doubled to 16000 tonnesduring 1985 to 1995. India will have to be at homein its marketing skills with suitable strategiescapable of catering to the dynamic marketrequirements supported by appropriate policy framework. It is imperative to evolve a national policy inmedicinal plant conservation. For long termconservation and management of medicinal plants,in situ network would have to be integrated withregular forestry and wild life management in thecountry. There is a need to promote nation-widenetwork of medicinal plant nurseries in order toensure immediate availability of plants and plantingmaterials to various user groups like farmers, plantbreeders, horticulturist, industry and conservationorganizations besides research workers for evolvingnew drugs.

Cultivation of medicinal plants inJharkhand region

Seeing the export market as well as domesticconsumption, many herbs can be successfullycultivated in this region. In fruits Aonla, bael, papaya(Papain), citrus, custard apple are few which havemuch medicinal value. Trees like Hara, Bahera,Neem, Ashok, Mahua, Palas, Chandan, Babool,Amaltas are few which have great curetic propertiesbeing grown in the Jharkhand. Likewise Tulsi,

21

Gheekuwar, Chiraita, Sada Bahar, Sarpgandha,Kutki, Gulaichi, Pipari, Ashwagandha, Musli,Brahmi, Gugul, Kalmegh, Satavari are some of theplants which can be profitably taken up. Aromaticplants such as Pudina, Lemon grass, Citronella,Palma rosa, Geranium can also be taken up. A shortdescription of cultivation of some medicinal plantsare being presented for reference.

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)

Family - Solanaceae

Part used - Roots

Uses - Hiccup, cough, dropsy,Rheumatism, Female disorders,Tonic, alternative, aphrodisiac

Alkaloid isolated from Ashwagandha

Tropine, Pseudotropine, Hyprine, Cuscohygrine,

Anaferine, Analygrine, Piperidine, thiosinamine etc.

CultivationSoil - Light loam with good drainage;

pH 7 to 8, can be grown in

lower pH and land unsuitablefor others.

Climate - Rainy season crop, require dryclimate in winter, rainfall upto1000mm

Seed - 5 to 6 kg per hectare10 kg per hectare for directsowing

Medicinal Plants - Their Utility& Economics1. Ashwagandha

Scientific Family Withania somnifera,SolanaceaePlant parts used - Roots

Uses: arthritis, asthma, bronchitis, cancer,cold, cough, cystitis, debility, Diarrhea,Dropsy, Fever, Hypertension, Nerves, Mental

Cropping season - July to FebruaryEconomics of cultivation /hectare (21/2 acres)

Preparation of land - 1500/-Seeds (5 kg) & sowing - 1000/-F.Y.M & Fertilizer - 1500/-Irrigation - 500/-Thinning & weeding - 1000/-Crop protection - 500/-Harvesting & Grading - 2500/-Misc - 1500/-

Rs. 10000/-

Return

Dry roots 6qt @ 6000/qt - 36000/-

Seed 30 kg @ 100/kg - 3000/-3900/-

Net income 39000/- 10000/-= 29000/- per ha

or 11500/- per acer

2. KalmeghAndrographic paniculate - Family Accanthaceae

Plant parts used - whole plant

Uses: astringent, anti inflammatory, dysentery,diarrhoea, cholera, fever, diabetic, bronchitis,itches, influenza, hypertension, piles,gonorrhoea, jaundice, dyspepsia, anthdnuntie

Cropping season - June - July

Economic of cultivation / ha

Cost of seed (800g) - 2000/-

Raising nursery - 500/-

Land preparation - 2000/-

FYM + Fertilizer - 2500/-

Transplanting of Seedings - 1000/-

Irrigation - 1000/-

Harvesting (2 harvest / yr)- 1500/-

Drying & Packing - 1500/-

Misc - 1000/-

Rs. 13000/-

Return : Herbs 35 Qt @ Rs 1500 /Qt. - 47500/-

Net return 47500 - 13000/- = 34500 / ha or 13000/ acer

3. BrahmiBacopa monnieri - Family Scroplulariaceae

Plant parts used - Whole plant

Uses : nerve tonic, insanity, epilepsy, mental

22

disorder increasing memory, aperient, diaretic,asthma, rheumatism, inflammation of joints, fevercardiotonic, snake bite.

Cropping season - Rainy season -perennial crop.Economics : per ha.Preparation of land - 2000/-FYM - 250 Qts. - 12000/-Fertilizer - 2000/-Transplanting of cuttings - 2500/-Planting material - 5000/-Irrigation (5 - 10 times) - 5000/-Wedding (2-3 times) - 3500/-Harvesting (2 times) - 3500/-Drying, Storing & Packing - 10000/-Misc. - 3500/-

Rs. 50000/-

Return per ha

Shade dried yield from first harvest 60 Qt

Shade dried yield from second harvest 40 Qt

Total dry matter 100 Qt

Gross return @4000/- per Qt- 4,00,000/-

Net return 400000 - 50000 = 350000/- ha

or 140000/- acer

4. ChamomileMatricaria Chamomile

Plant parts used - flower

Uses: antiseptic cream for wound healingexpectorant, carminative, anthelminticsedative, diauretic

Oil - Hair dyes, dermatitis pre clothing,flavoring alcoholic & non alcoholic drinksincreams & baked foods, high grade perfumes

Planting season - October

Cost of production per ha

Cost of Seed (600 g) - 600.00

Nursery preparation - 500.00

Land Preparation - 2000.00

FYM - 2000.00

Transplanting - 1000.00

Irrigation - 1500.00

Weeding - 1800.00

Harvesting of flowers - 13500.00

Drying of flowers - 1000.00

Misc - 1100.00

Rs. 25000.00

Return 10Qts @ 500/Qts - 50000/-

Net Profit - 25000/ ha or 10000 / acer

Income from oil yield 5 kg @ 30000/kg- 1,50,000/-

Cost of distillation & Transporting 25000/-

Net profit / ha 1.00 lakh or 40000 / - per acer

5. MarigoldTagetes minuta

Plant parts used - whole above ground

Planting time - October

Uses: Perfumery, Pharmaceutical, Diuretic,Purgative, Intestinal Parasites

Flowers - Stomatic, aperient, diaretic,diaphonetic

Economics/ ha:

Cost of seed (600 g) - 1000/-

Nursery raising - 500/-

Land preparation - 2000/-

Manures & fertilizer - 2000/-

Transplanting of seeding - 1500/-

Weeding & Hoeing - 1500/-

Irrigation - 1300/-

Harvesting (cutting) - 1500/-

Transporting & distillation - 2500/-

Misc. - 1000/-

15000/-

Income (Return) :

Harvesting at peak of flowering by March end30-40 cm above ground

65 kg oil @ 1000/kg - 65000/-

Net Profit 65000 - 15000/- = 40000/- per ha or16000/ acer

23

6. Safed MusliChlorophysum borrivillianum

Family Liliaceal

Plant parts used - Roots

Uses - General weakness, increasing milk,diseases after delivery, sextonic, diabities

Economics of cultivation/ ha:

Cost of planting material (10 Qts)-300000

F Y M, Compost 10 trolly - 15000

Land preparation (4 times) - 4000

Raising of beds (30 cm) - 5000

Fertilizers & soil tonic etc. - 5000

Weeding & hoeing (3 times) - 6000

Irrigation (Several times) - 15000

Plant protection - 2000

Harvesting & peeling & drying - 95000

Transporting, packing etc. - 5000

Care & Maintenance, Misc. - 5000

462000Return:Dried Musli 1- Qt @ 1000/- per kg- 1000000Planting material - 100000

1100000/-Net Profit - 11 lakh - 4.62 lakh = 6.38 lakh / haor 2.5 lakh / acer

7. SatawarAsparagus racemouses

Family Liliaceae

Plant parts used - Root

Uses : Diabetes, General Debility, Seminaldebility, Lencorrhoea, Diarrhoea, Anemia,Increasing breast milk.

Season of growing - May - June - 11/2 yr crop

Economics of cultivation / ha

Cash of Seed - 1800

Nursery raising - 500

Land preparation - 2000

Manures & Fertilizer - 3000

Transplanting of Seedling - 1500

Weeding, Hoeing etc (3 times) - 3000

Irrigation (2 times) - 1200

Harvesting, Peeling Drying & Grading - 5000

Transporting - 500

Misc. - 1000

20000

Return 700 - 800 of fresh roots

70-80 Qt dry roots @ 20/- per kg - 1,60,000/-

Net return - 1,60,000 - 20000

= 1,40000/- per ha or 74000/- per acer

8. Ra-tanjot (Jatropha)Jatropha curcusFamily EnphorbiaceaePlant parts used seed

Uses : Oil from seed mixed with diesel to runvehicle, soap making, lubricant, candle making,plastic & synthetic fibre and dye. Jatrophin -cancer, oczyma and skin disease. Root bark -Rhenumatism, Inflammation, Cough and TB.Twigs - Swellings, Chronic Dysentery, Ulcer.

Economics :

Planting distance - 2x2 mt.

Per hectare No of plants 2500

Life of Plants - 30-40 Yrs.

Yield Year Quantity Income

1st yr. 250 kg. 2500

2nd yr 1000 kg 10000

3rd yr 2500 kg 25000

4th yr 5000 kg 50000

5th yr 8000 kg 80000

6th yr 10000 kg 1,00,000

- Plant is not eaten by the animals

- Jatropha oil is used directly in the vehicle.

24

Production Technology of Some ImportantAromatic Plants

B. M. Chowdhary and Arti Beena EkkaDepartment of Horticulture, Birsa Agricultural University, Kanke, Ranchi

India having a vast area of land with variedclimatic conditions, is widely suited for aromaticplants. The foreign exchange earned by India in1998-99 from the export of Aromatic and Medicinalplants was over US $ 3000 million. Among thearomatic plants Mentha occupies the first positionin production, followed by lemon grass, citronella,palmarosa, geranium, jasmine, basil and lavenderetc. Vanilla, citrus and mint oil occupy first, secondand third position respectively in consumption offlavour and chemical constituents. Jasmine oil ispriced at Rs. 20000-30000 per kg internationally, asagainst Rs. 10000-15000 in the country. Theinternational price of rose oil is about Rs. 1.0 - 1.5lakh per kg. However, the annual export of thederviatives of aromatic plants is to be turn of Rs.600-700 million. There is need to do research anddevelopment to achieve higher production andquality in aromatic plants.

The cultivation, marketing, extraction, storageand conservation of aromatic plants should be takenunder consideration for its sustainable production.At present we depend only on natural resources oron forest, that are limited. So, there is need to trainfarmers in cultivation technology of some importantaromatic plants, which are area specific and demandbased.

There are many advantages of growingaromatic plants:

� Provide employment opportunity

� High potential for foreign exchange

� Scope for agri-business

� Value added, and

� Efficient utilization of natural resources

Aromatic plants provide raw materials for themanufacture of

1. Flavour : In icecreams, candies,chewing gum and bakedfood.

2. Herbal : As cooling, gastro - stimulantand syrups

3. Cosmetic : In creams, talcum powder,body lotions, after shavelotions, detergents and soaps.

4. Perfumery : Scenting of shampoos, soaps,face creams and liqueurs.

5. Oil : Pain relieving balms and hairoils.

The cultivation of some important aromaticplants which are best suited for the Jharkhand stateare discussed below:

A. Mint (Mentha spp.)

Family : Labiateae

Part used : Leaves and flowers

Uses : Vomiting, diarrhoea, nausea,headache, pain, cooling andfastro-stimulant properties,food flavour, confectionery,cosmetics, beverages andrelated industries.

Cultivation :Soil and climate :

Preferred well drained, rich in organic matter,good water holding capacity, 6.0 to 7.0 soil pH,average annual rainfall of 950-1050 mm, 15 to 250Ctemperature is ideal for its cultivation

Propagation : Two ways

1. Through suckers: Grown in nursery, about100 kg suckers are divided into smallpieces each bearing at least one node,rooted plants are ready for transplantingin 30-40 days; transplanting is done in themonth of March-April.

25

2. Through stolens: Fresh juicy stolens,4-5 cm long, with 2-4 growing points,planted in furrow at spacing of 40x10 cmdepth not more than 5 cm in the soil,planting is done between mid January tomid February, 3-4 q of stolens is enoughfor one ha.

Fertilizer: FYM @ 25 to 30 tonnes/ha

NPK @ 50:75:40 kg/ha

BHC @ 25 kg at land preparation

Crop rotation: Mint - maize - potato

Mint - early paddy - potato

Mint - late paddy - sweet potato

After care : 6-9 irrigation during dry seasonbefore first harvest; frequencydepends upon the soil texture,water holding capacity and weatherconditions; first weeding is done atthe height of 15 cm.

Harvesting : Generally harvested when it comesto flowering, maturity attainedafter 105-110 days of sprouting,January-February planted cropsready for first harvest by theend of June and second harvestingis possible in September - October.

Yield: 15 t/ha, 50 kg oil/ha

Disease and pest :

Rotting - Plants should be treatedwith

fungicide before transplanting.

Semilooper - Quinalphos spray @0.05%

Caterpillar - Endosulphan @ 0.07%

Aphid - Dimethoate @ 0.05%

Economics : Cost of inputs Rs. 6000

During crop year - 50.00 kg oil

Average rate - Rs. per kg 450

Total produce in Rs. 22500

Profit in Rs./year/acre - Rs. 8000

B. Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens)

Family : Geraniaceae

Part used : Leaves and branches

Uses : Scenting soaps, manufacturingperfumes, creams, talcumpowder and body location.

Cultivation :

Soil and climate: Deep well drained, fertile,slightly acidic, sandy loam toclay loams soils, 5.5 to 8.0 soilpH. Grown under mildsubtropical and sub-temperateclimate, average annual rainfallof 1500 mm, optimumtemperature of 5 to 230C.

Nursery raising: Propagated through stem androot cuttings, raised during earlyspring, 10-15 cm long terminalstem cuttings with 2-4 nodes,dipped in IBA (2000 ppm) orIAA (200 ppm) solutionbefore planting, 80 sq. m. areasufficient to plant a ha, bedsshould be raised and are laid outin 3 m x 1.5 m size, 3-4 week oldplants are ready fortransplanting.

Transplanting: Field prepared to a fine tilth,planted at 60x60 cm or 60x45 cmspacing, 30000 cuttings arerequired for planting in one ha.

Fertilization : FYM @ 25 tonnes/ha

NPK@ 100:30:60 kg/ha

After care : 1-2 hoeing and weeding whenplants grow tall and bushypruning helps in bushy growth,Tock-25 preferred as pre-emergence weedicide in rainyseason, during summerirrigation given at 10-15 daysinterval.

26

Harvesting : First year harvested once i.e. 6month after planting when theyhave flowered, thereafterharvested thrice or four timesannually.

Yield : 25000 per ha plants gives 150-180qt. leaves that givesapproximately 15 kg oil.

Economics : 25000-30000 Rs./year/ha profitOil yield - 20-30 kg/ha/yearOil price - 3500-4000/kgGross profit - 70000-120000/ha/year

C. Lemon grass (Cymbopogon flexuous)

Family : Geraniaceae

Part used : Whole plant

Uses : Scenting soaps, cosmetics,disinfectant, citial produced isstarting material formanufacturing of ion-one andVit.A.

Cultivation :

Soil and climate : They are very hardy, droughttolerant and adopted to a widevariety of soils, toleratealkalinity to some extent, soilshould be well drained, mediumto highly fertile soil is preferred,warm tropical climate, averageannual rainfall of 2500-3000 mmhigh temperature and sunshineincreases its oil content.

Seedling raising : Commercially propagatedthrough seeds, sown in nurseryduring April - May, 4-6 kg seedssown in raised beds are enoughfor planting in one ha, seedsgerminate in 5-6 days, 60 daysold seedling is ready fortransplanting.

Transplanting : Two month old seedlings areplanted in well prepared field, 40x 15 cm or 60 x 45 cm distanceshould be maintained,

maintained 4 years in irrigatedfield and 6-8 years as rainfed,allow 3-4 coppicing of leaves ina year.

Fertilization : FYM @ 2 tonnes/haNPK@ 150:40:40 kg/ha

After care : 1-2 intercultures in the first yearand one such interculture isgiven after 30 days of eachharvesting, earthling upimproves tillering, irrigation atfrequent intervals in dry season.

Harvesting : Two harvesting in first year, firstat 90 days after transplantingand 2nd at 70-80 days after 1stharvesting, cut at 20 cm aboveground and left for withering for4-6 hr in field, 3rd harvesting insecond year.

Yield : 18-20 tonnes/ha as rainfed cropand 25-30 tonnes/ha asirrigation crop producing 80-100kg and 150-180 kg oil per kg,respectively from well manuredfield.

Disease and pests: Shoot borer - sprayMonocrotophos @ 0.05%Spittle bug - Spray Quinalphos@ 0.05%Aphid - Monocrotophos @ 0.05%Termite - Drench withchlorpyriphos @ 0.1%

Economics : Cost of input in Rs. 3600Sub-sequence year Rs. 11,200Average rate - Rs. 150 per kg.Total produce in Rs. 39,450Profit in Rs/ year per acre -12,350

Farmers growing aromatic plants require adistillation unit, so that the oil may be extractedeasily. The cost of setting up a distillation unit on asmall scale, is rupees one lakh to one and half lakhs.Jharkhand is very much suitable for growing thesecrops. Over and above there is a need for researchon the perfection of the production technology.

27

Integrated Plant Nutrient Supply (IPNS) :Importance and Impediments

G. DevIMPHOS Consultant (India)

129 D, Kitchlu Nagar, Ludhiana -141001, Punjab

Definition of Integrated Nutrient SupplyProgramme (IPNS)

Refers to combined use of fertilisers, organicmanure, crop residues, green manures andbiofertilisers (Rhizobium, N-fixers, P-solubilisher)for obtaining high yields and for environmentalsafety.

Components of IPNS- Fertilisers

- Manurers: including FYM, compost &bulky manures

- Crop residues and green manuring

- Biofertilisers

- Rhizobium (legumes in cropping system)

- Other N fixing microorganisms

- Blue green algae (BGA)

- P solubilisers

- Azolla

IPNS means involvement of combinationof two or more than 2 components of IPNS

Usefulness of Manures and CropResidues

- Supply nutrients including secondary &micro

- Contribute to soil productivity by acting asstore house for nutrients

- Increase O.M. Status in soils. This helps inturn in:

- Increasing soil ability to retain nutrientsagainst leaching

- Improving physical properties of soil

- Reducing effects of soil compaction

- Improving water holding capacity of soil

- Improving chemicals properties of soil- Improving biologicals properties of soil

Bulky manurers are always beneficial, so useshould be as supplemental rather than substitution

Strategy in use of organic manures

Farmers understand importance of organics.The need is to educate them on:

(i) Complementary use in agriculture

(ii) Conserve them scientifically

(iii) Preferable use in cash crops

(iv) Use for biogas production

However, they may enhance weed infestation.

N-fixation in soil by different greenmanuring crops

Crop Season Green N content N addedmatter in green in soil(q/ha) matter (%) (q/ha)

Sannhemp kharif 152 0.43 84.0

Dhaincha kharif 144 0.42 77.1

Moong kharif 57 0.53 38.6

Lobia kharif 108 0.49 56.3

Guar kharif 144 0.34 62.3

Senji rabi -20-6- 0.51 134.4

Khesti rabi 88 0.54 61.4

Berseem rabi ill 0.43 60.7

Bio-FertilisersRefer to use of micro-organisms in free-living

state or in symbiotic association with plant formeeting nutrient requirements of crops.

Bio-fertilisers are bio-innocultants containingmicro-organisms beneficial to agriculturalproduction in terms of nutrient supply. The twotypes are:

28

1. N2 fixers (symbiotic or non-symbiotic)

2. P solublisers - They make native P moreavailable and do not add any P to the soil

The commonly used bio-fertilisers are:

- Rhizobium ........ in legumes for Nfixation from atmosphere

- Azotobacter ........ in non-legumes forN fixation from atmosphere

- Azosprillum ........ fixes 10-15 kg N/ha

- Blue green algae ..... fixes 20-30 kg N/ha

- Azolla ......... an aquatic water fern inponds production upto 330 t/ha = 840 kgN/ha/yr

used as:

(i) green manuring

(ii) Cropping in rice

(iii) for preparation of compost

- P solublising microbes eg AspergillusPseudomonas

Bio-fertilisers are living organisms.Therefore, for their proper functioning,optimum environment, soil and supply ofnutrients are essential.

Concerns of Manures, Bio-fertilisers,Crop residues

- Quantity available suffers because of:- cow-dung used as fuel;- crop residue used as cattle feed

- Quality aspect:- nutrients content of manures/residue- stage of decomposition of manures

Azolla Use:

- Inoculated in field- Direct addition in field- Composting and then use in field

Estimates of availability of bulky manures:1 m population = 0.25 m. to. dry faeces

1 m. cattle = 1.2 m. t. dry dung /year

Cattle dung = 2 billion tonne

Urban compost = 6.64 m.t.

Rural compost = 279.66 m.t.

Nutrients potentialfrom cattle dung = 7 m.t. NPK

(3.44 N + 1.31 P205+2.21 K20)

Crop residues = 270 m.t. (1/3 can berecycled)

Crop residue increases 1.2 - 1.5 m.t. with everym.t. increase in grain production

Nutrients potential from crop residues = 5.6 -8.1 m.t. NPK

Organic resource can contribute = 17-19 m.t.NPK but can supply at least = 3.9 - 5.7 m.t. NPK

Extent of availability in India (1996-97)

Compost, (lakh t,)Urban Rural48.281 1325.31Area under green manuring (lakh ha) = 22.51

Modern technology for increased agriculturalproduction does not mean that bulky organicmanures etc. should be ignored. Organics are usefulsources for supply of nutrients and have many otheradvantages when applied to soil. Thereforecombined use of organic manures and inorganicfertiliser need to be encouraged. However, in this,fertiliser will continue to be the dominantcontributor for meeting plant nutrient requirementsof crops for increasing agricultural production.

Importance of IPNS in horticulture : IPNS is morerelevant in horticulture as bulky manures especiallyFYM and fertilisers are recommended for allhorticultural crops as per Package of Practices.

Questions(i) It is difficult to raise O.M. status in warmer

climates.

(ii) Immobilization of nutrients with additionof fresh crop residues in soil.

(iii) Preparing quality compost.

(iv) Organic farming

29

Nitrogen Phosphate Potash(As N) (As P2O5) As K2O

I. Bulky organic manuresFarmyard manure 0.5-1.5 0.4-0.8 0.5-19Compost (Urban) 1.0-2.0 1.0 1.5Compost (Rural) 0.4-0.6 0.3-0.6 0.7-1.0Green manures (various averages) 0.5-0.7 0.1-0.2 0.6-0.8

II. Oil cake(a) Non-edible cake

Castor cake 5.5-5.8 1.8-1.9 1.0-1.1Mahua cake 2.5-2.6 1.8-1.9 1.8-1.9Karanj cake 3.9-4.0 0.9-1.0 1-1-1.4Neem cake 5.2-5.3 1.0-1.1 1.4-1.5Safflower cake (undecorticated) 4.8-4.9 1.4-1.5 1.2-1.3

(b) Edible cake*Coconut 3.0-3.2 1.8-1.9 1.7-1.8Cotton seed (Decorticated) cake 6.4-6.5 2.8-2.9 2.1-2.2Cotton seed (Undecorticated) cake 3.9-4.0 1.7-1.9 1.6-1.7Groundnut cake 7.0-7.2 1.5-1.6 1.3-1.4Unseed cake 5.5-5.6 1.1-1.5 1.2-1.3Niger cake 5.1-5.2 1.8-1.9 1.3-1.4Rapeseed cake 5.1-5.2 1.8-1.9 1.1-1.3Sesamum or till cake 6.2-6.3 2.0-2.1 1.2-1.3

III. Manure of animal orignDried blood 10.0-12.0 1.0-1.5 0.6-0.8Fish manure 4.0-10.0 3.0-9.0 0.3-1.5Bird guano 7.0-8.0 11.0-14.0 2.0-3.0Bonemeal (Raw) 3-4 20-25 -Bonemeal (Steamed) 1.0-2.0 25-30 -Activated sludge (Dry) 5.0-6.5 3.0-3.5 0.5-0.7Settled sludge (Dry) -2.0-2.5 1.0-1.2 0.4-0.5Night soil 1.2-1.3 0.8-1.0 0.4-0.5Human urine 1.1-1.2 0.1-0.2 02.-03Cattle dung and urine mixed 0.60 0.15 0.45Horse dung and urine mixed 0.70 0.25 0.55Sheep dung and urine mixed 0.95 0.35 1.00

Source : (1) C. N. Acharya (1957), Organic Manures, LC.A.R. Review Series No. 2.(2) J. A. Do (1955), Manures Manufing, W.A.R. Farm “edn No. 7.(3) Van Slyke (1953), Fertffser and Crop Producdon, Pubfished by Orange Jodd. Pubfishing, Co. New Yark.

AVERAGE CHEMICAL COMPOSITION (%) OF SOME ORGANIC MANURES

30

Method for collection of representative Soil Samplefor Horticulture Crops

G. DevIMPHOS Consultant in India

129 D, Kitchlu Nagar, Ludhiana - 141001, Punjab

Soil test is chemical test of a soil sample toknow the extent of food elements available to a crop.

Advantages: The advantages of soil testing arethat it serves as a guide for intelligent and judicioususe of fertiliser, gives information about the intensityof acidity, alkalinity or any other abnormality in thesoil and helps in planning and maintaining good soilmanagement programme. Soil testing also helps indetermining the effect of past fertilisation on soil andpredicting future needs and enables comparison ofsoil fertility over time and helps to evaluatedepletion or build up of soil fertility with fertiliseruse and cropping.

Soil testing ensures balanced use of inputskeeping into consideration the native soil fertilitystatus. When the soil tests low, higher amount offertiliser is needed but when the soil test is high,lower amount of fertiliser is added. The full impactof soil testing in actual farming in developingcountries is still to be realized.

Soil tests are not the whole answer to fertilityproblem; they only point out where the problemexists. Also soil test recommendations have to bedeveloped for different crops and crop rotations. Animportant considerations on soil testing is: how thesoil samples has been collected. The soil sample mustbe representative of the field. A poor sample is worsethan none at all and no test can be better than thesoil sample itself.

I. Sample For Orchard Plantation

1. Since the nutritional status and otherconditions of the subsoil are equallyimportant for the growth of fruit trees,land for garden plantation should besampled to a depth of 2 meter startingfrom top to 15 cm and then each 30 cmlayer.

Soil samples can be taken by using eithera soil auger or digging a 2 meter deep pit.

2. Collect samples separately for each layer,that is, for top 0-15 cm layer, 15 to 30 cmlayer, 30-60, 60-90, 90-120, 120-150, 150-200 cm depth. If you find hard pan or alayer of concretions, note its depth andthickness and collect a separate samplefrom this layer.

3. In addition, take a sample of the crust onthe surface itself separately.

4. Carefully label each sample separatelyindicating the depth of layer from whichsample has been collected.

5. Pack samples separately in clean clothbags and send them for testing.

II. Sampling From Established orchardfor Fertiliser Use

Where to sample :

- Take the soil samples under area betweenthe tree trunk and the drip line. This is thearea where the fertilizers have been appliedor are to be applied.

- The time to take soil or media samples isdetermined by the information desired.

- Samples for determining fertilizer needs ofannuals should be taken sufficiently inadvance of planting to allow time foranalysis and return of the results from thelaboratory.

- Divide the basin area in four quarters.Collect sample, at least one and preferablytwo or more in each quarter of the areaunder the tree selected, and make acomposite sample for analysis.

31

Nutrients Deficiency Symptoms inHorticulture Crops

G. DevIMPHOS Consultant in India

129 D, Kitchlu Nagar, Ludhiana - 141001, Punjab

The appearance of plant has long been a clueto its nourishment or lack of it. When a plant badlyneeds a certain plant food, it shows starvation signscalled deficiency symptoms or hunger signs. Thesesymptoms are nutrient specific and show differentpatterns in crops for different essential nutrients.

It is helpful to keep in mind that somenutrients are more mobile while others arerelatively “immobile” in the plant.

When there is a deficiency of a “mobile”nutrient, the symptoms usually occur in the loweror older leaves of the plant. This is because the“mobile” nutrients move out of the older leaves tothe younger part of the plant. Typically, the “mobile”nutrients are nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium andmagnesium.

In general, the symptoms caused bydeficiencies of an “immobile’ nutrient will occur onthe upper or younger leaves. The older leaves willremain green and free of symptoms because theseimmobile nutrients do not move or translocate fromthem. Typically, the “immobile” nutrients are sulphur,calcium, iron, zinc, copper, boron, manganese andmolybdenum.

Deficiency symptoms

Nitrogen (N) Plants are light green and growthis stunted. The lower leaves may be affected first,but other leaves follow, with later yellowing anddrying up or firing and final shedding of the lowerleaves.

In tree crops, the leaves are often small, pale incolor and may appear on an part or all of the plant.

Phosphorus (P). Plants are often small andgrowth is stunted, but in many crops the leaves are

darker green than norma. The leaves and sometimesthe stems may developed root systems. The stalksare weak and lodging is common.

Seed and fruit are small and shriveled. Plantspossess low resistance to disease. In the case oflegumes, the first signs of potassium deficiency areoften small white spots or yellowish dots aroundthe outer edges of the leaves. Later the edges turnyellow and die.

Magnesium (Mg). Magnesium deficiencysymptoms appear first on lower (older) leaves. Itappears first as a light, yellowish, faddeddiscoloration with the veins remaining green. Incrops such as corn the leaves are yellowish or verylight striped while veins remain green. In somecrops, as the deficiency progresses, a reddish-purplish color develops with green veins.

The pattern is distinct and characteristic andcan usually be identified after some, experience inobservation. It is more likely to occur in acid sails.

Calcium (Ca). Calcium deficiencies are notoften seen in the field because secondary effects,associated with high acidity limit growth first.

Leaves may be cup-shaped and crinkled, andthe terminal buds deteriorate with some breakdownof petioles.

Fruits may break down at the blossom end.Calcium deficiency is known to be associated with“blossom-end rot” in tomatoes and other crops.

Iron (Fe). Iron deficiency shows up as a verylight pale leaf color with veins remaining green,usually first appearing on younger leaves; but severedeficiency may result in the entire plant showingsuch symptoms.

32

It can easily be mistaken for manganese andalso occurs on high pH soils. The interveinalchlorosis in iron is often whiter than manganese.

Zinc (Zn). Symptoms appear first on theyounger leaves and other plant parts. Some cropsare much more likely to show the symptoms, andthey have been defined on these. In corn, thedeficiency is called “white bud” because the youngbud may turn white or light yellow while the leavesshow bleached bands, or a striping.

Other symptoms include rosette of pecans;“little leaf’ of fruit trees; brown spots with yellowingleaf tissues in legumes; and small, pointed, yellowmottled leaves in citrus.

Copper (Cu). Organic soils are most likely tobe copper deficient, since copper is fixed inunavailable forms in these soils.

Common symptoms of copper deficiencyinclude die-back in citrus and blasting of onions andvegetable crops. When vegetable crops show copperhunger, the leaves lose turgor and develop a bluish-green shade before becoming chlorotic and curling.Also the plants may fail to flower, and there is oftenexcessive leaf shedding.

Manganese (Mn). Symptoms first appear inyounger leaves, with yellowing between the veinsand sometimes brownish-black specks.

The deficiency is sometimes confused withmagnesium; however, it usually appears first on thenewer (upper) leaves while magnesium occurs onolder or all leaves. Best way to distinguish is to checksoil properties. Manganese deficiency is more likelyif the soil pH is higher and is soils higher in organicmatter during cool spring months when soils arewaterlogged. Liming history is important.

Boron (B). Boron deficiency generally stuntsplant growth - the growing point and the lowerleaves first.

In many crops the symptoms of borondeficiency are well defined and quite specific, suchas crooked and cracked stem in celery, corky core inapples.

Molybdenum (Mo). Molybdenum deficiencysymptoms show up as general yellowing andstunting of plant. In fact, this deficiency can causenitrogen deficiency in legumes because the soilbacteria on legumes must have molybdenum to helpnitrogen from the air.

A soil test helps because molybdenum becomesmore available as the soil pH increases. So limingmay often correct the deficiency. This is not an easydeficiency to identify just from visual symptomswithout a soil or plant test and a history of treatment.

Key for recognizing nutrient deficiencysymptoms in crops :

(i) Translocated nutrients: Colour change inlower leaves

(ii) Nutrients not translocated : Colour changein upper leaves terminal bud dies.

Calcium Emergence of primary leavesdelayed, terminal-budsdeteriorate. Leaf tips may bestuck together.

Boron Leaves near growing pointyellowed, growth budsappear as white or lightbrown dead tissue.

Terminal bud remain alive

Sulphur Leaves, including veins, turnpale green to yellow, youngleaves first.

Zinc Pronounced interveinalchlorosis on citrus andbronzing of leaves. On corn,broad white to yellow bandsappear on the leaves on eachside of the midrib. Plantsstunted, shortenedinternodes. New growth maydie.

Iron Chlorosis first appears inyoung leaves at the tips of the

33

shoots, the leaf colourchanges uniformly to yellow.With the uniformly to yellow,with the exception of theveins, brown spot or deadtissue appears when severelydeficient.

Manganese Leaves yellowish-graiy orreddish gray with greenveins, marginal andinterveinal chlorosis, thechlorotic leaves retain theirnormal shape.

Copper Young leaves uniformly paleyellow, may wilt and witherwithout chlorosis. Clusteredgrowth in cereal crops,grainless heads.

Chloride Wilting of upper leaves, thenchlorosis.

Molybdenum Young leaves wilt and diealong margins. Chlorosis ofolder leaves due to inabilityto properly utilize nitrogen.

Deficiency symptoms always indicate severestarvation and therefore the crop may have sufferedbefore the deficiency symptoms appear. Many crops

start losing yields and quality well before deficiencysigns start showing. This yield limiting condition iscalled “Hidden Hunger” which refers to a situationin which a crop needs more of a given nutrient andyet has not shown any deficiency symptom. Thenutrient content is above the deficiency symptomzone but still considerably below that needed foroptimum crop production. In this case, significantresponses can be obtained with application ofnutrients even though no recognizable symptomshave appeared. To overcome such conditions, it isalways recommended to confirm deficiency problemwith other diagnostic techniques.

Facts about visual symptoms:

- Deficiency symptoms are specific.

- Symptoms disappear with application ofthe deficient nutrient only.

- Symptoms should be confirmed with oneof the other methods.

Learn to identify nutrientdeficiency symptoms, but

- Some symptoms are clear, others are not.- They are not always clearly defined.

- Indicates severe starvation.

- Crops start losing yield well beforedeficiency symptoms appear.

34

Fertilizer Use and Environment QualityG. Dev

IMPHOS Consultant in India129 D, Kitchlu Nagar, Ludhiana - 141001, Punjab

Sixteen nutrient elements are essential for plantgrowth; and they are:

Non-mineral Elements - C, H, O;

Macro Mineral Elements - N, P, K;

Secondary Elements - Ca, Mg, S and

Micronutrients - B, CI, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Zn.

All the essential nutrients required for food,feed and fiber production are involved with thequality of our environment. Collectively, theyenhance both the productive potential andenvironmental integrity of farm enterprises whenused in adequate and balanced amounts.

Plant nutrients promote a more vigorous,healthy and productive crops; one which developsgreater root systems, more above-ground residue,quicker ground cover, greater water use efficiencyand higher resistance to crop stresses produced bydrought, pests, cold temperatures and date ofplanting.

Although the essential plant nutrients play avital role in providing adequate food supplies andprotecting our environment, some pose anenvironmental risk with improper management. Thetwo nutrients most often associated withmismanagement and non point sourceenvironmental concerns are N and P. This isespecially so because of low use efficiency which is30-50% for N and 10-30% for applied P.

Nitrogen: Nitrogen is subject to plant removal,leaching, volatilisation and denitrification. Forenvironment concern, the forms of N involvedthrough different processes are:

Leaching ......................................... as NO3

Folatilisation .................................. as NH3 and

Denitrification ............................... as gaseousforms of N like NO, N20, N2.

Most of the concern about N in theenvironment is due ‘to the potential movement ofunused or excess nitrate-N through the soil profileinto groundwater (leaching). Because of its negativecharge, nitrate N is not attracted to the various soilfractions. Rather, it is free to each as water movesthrough the soil profile.

All N sources (commercial, legumes, cropresidues, animal manures and soil organic matter)are readily converted to nitrate form in soils. Thus,all are subject to leaching into ground water unlessutilised by a growing crop or retained in theammonium-N. form, through managementpractices.

Fertiliser nitrogen undergoes soiltransformations dependent upon several factors,including moisture, temperature, soil pH, soilaeration, etc. The overall result is no net gain or lossof N in nature. The process is known as the “nitrogencycle”.

Phosphorus : has been associated withenvironmental effects primarily througheutrofication of lakes, bays and non-flowing waterbodies. Eutrophication is the response of a waterbody to over-enrichment by nutrients. Thatenrichment may be natural or man made.Eutrophication symptoms are algal blooms, heavygrowth of aquatic plants, algal mats anddeoxygenation (exclusive of oxygen).

The fact is that P is extremely immobile in soils.It is held (adsorbed) very strongly by surfaces of ironwere erosion and sediment loss are stopped, P losesare minimised. It has been estimated that 30% of soilloss from erosion occurs in 10% of the crop land.More cultivation creates more risk for erosion andincreases nutrient losses.

Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium andSulphur : Potassium (K) in water has no detrimental

35

health or environmental effects. Potassium isessential for human and animal health. Normalhuman dietary intake is from 2,000 to 6,000milligrams of K per day, far above the content ofwater supplies, Potassium plays a vital positiveenvironmental role because adequate supplies areessential for efficient utilisation of N and P, helpingto keep these nutrients from water losses.

Calcium (Ca), Magnesium (Mg) and Sulphur(S) are not considered to be of environmentalconcern from agricultural sources. They are essentialplant nutrients and must often are supplied byliming and fertilisation, based on soil and planttesting. As with other essential nutrients in shortsupply, they can decrease N and P use efficiency.

Micro-nutrients: Micro-nutrients are essentialfor crop growth and to human health. Applicationsof micro-nutrients, based on soil tests or plantanalysis, have a positive environmental impactthrough their effects on improved crop yields andmore efficient use of other nutrients. Importance ofmicronutrients is increasing as crop yields increaseand as sustained agricultural production requiresthat they be replaced in the soil.

There is often confusion over chloride (CI), oneof the essential micro-nutrients. It has been confusedwith chlorine, which is a poisonous gas and neverfound free in nature. Chloride occurs in nature assodium chloride (NaCI), potassium chloride (KCI)and salts of other metals. Chloride has not beenassociated with environmental or health problems.Potassium chloride (muriate of potash) is animportant K fertiliser. It contains about 47 per centCI. Sodium chloride (common table salt) is over60% CI.

Practices that Ensure EnvironmentalSafety for Nitrogen

Leaching Losses: To avoid leaching loss,applied N must be either utilised by crop or retainedin the soil. Another approach is that there should beregulated nitrification. Remember that N from allsources (including commercial fertilisers, legumes,crop residues, animal manures, sewage sludge andsoil organic matter) is readily converted to nitrateform in the soil. When fertiliser N is applied at rates

that do not exceed the economic optimum, its directcontribution to nitrate leaching is small.

Nitrogen stabilsers block the conversion of NH4

to NO3 and thus keeping the more stable NH4 formin the soil. Nitrification inhibitors retard theconversion of ammonium N to nitrate N. When usedwith appropriate rates of commercial N fertiliser oranimal manure, they can increase N uptake by thecrop. The inhibitors hold N in the crop rooting zoneso it is available for crop uptake even under wet soilconditions that move nitrates deeper into the soiland out of the reach of crop roots. Research shows,that corn, wheat, cotton, grain, sorghum and manyother crops use ammonium readily and tend to takeup more total N when ammonium is available alongwith nitre. In addition to the environmental benefit,nitrification inhibitors increase yield potential andthe efficient use of N applications an economicbenefit.

The practices that reduce the potential for NO3

leaching are:

- Use of NH4 - N fertilisers- Incorporation of fertilisers- Use of nitrification inhibitors

Denitrification Losses: The practices to reducedenitrification are:

- Avoid use of NO3 sources

- Use nitrification inhibitors

- Use slow release N sources or coated Nmaterials

- In rice, apply N in soil reduced zone

When erosion is stopped, P losses areminimised. Therefore, approach has to be to controlerosion and thereby P losses to environment will beminimised. Therefore, always follow practices thatincrease residue in soil. This will run-off and soilerosion and thereby P losses.

A more rapid crop canopy closure results frombetter plant nutrition. It reduces the erosive energyof raindrops, improves moisture use efficiency, andreduces weed pressure. Phosphorus available atearly growth stages is especially important for earlycanopy development.

36

Vigorous growth of plants both above andbelow ground helps to hold soil in place, improveswater infiltration and water use efficiency andincreases yields.

The soil erosion losses in India re estimated as6000 m.t. per year resulting in nutrient loss of 5.37 -8.4 m.t. and 30-40 m.t. of food-grain loss. In this, soilloss per unit area is 16.3 t/ha/year againstpermissible limit of 5-12.5 t/ha/year.

Fertiliser Use vis-a-vis Soil DegradationFor environmental safety and conservation of

natural resources, the concern for soil degradationis relevant. The grouping of soil degradation inrelation to fertiliser use can be:

(1) soil erosion

(2) changes in chemical properties of soilsincluding development of salinity andalkalinity

(3) changes in physical properties of soils and

(4) changes in biological properties of the soil.

For residual effect on soil reaction, fertilisers can be:

- acidic

- alkaline or

- neutral and therefore

The long term use of a particular fertiliser canaffect soil reaction. However, the changes in soil

reaction can be counteracted. Residual acidity dueto fertilisers can be ameliorated by liming andalkalinity by using various amendments.

Fertiliser use improves soil fertility, which isvital to overall productivity. Fertilisers promote cropgrowth, thereby providing quick soil cover. Thebenefits from rapid crop canopy include reducederosive energy of raindrops and thus less erosion.Fertiliser use also increases root growth, which inturn improves organic matter status of the soil.Increase in organic matter benefits the soil in manyways. It improves physical conditions, increaseswater -holding capacity, regulates plant nutrients,improves soil filth and decreases erosion losses.High crop yields that produce more residues have apositive effects in reducing water runoff and soilerosion by wind and water.

In India, the current fertiliser nutrients use is86.7 kg/ha of cropped area. At this level of fertiliseruse, there is hardly any risk of soil degradation.However, we must continue to monitor the effect ofincreasing levels of fertiliser use on differentcomponents of soil degradation and devisemeasures to rectify the ill effects.

Additional Issue- Contamination of soil with heavy metals from

fertilisers

37

Recent Trends in NutritionalManagements in Horticultural Crops

S. C. KoturDivision of Soil Science & Agricultural Chemistry

Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bangalore - 560 089

With population pressure building up, lifeexpectancy and standard of living improving everyday, the need for intensification of agro-horti-systems is ever increasing. Increasing land undercultivation has limited scope now. Cropdiversification to grow horticultural crops at the costof field/grain crops is another development.Harnessing marginal / degraded lands by adoptinghorti-silvi-pastoral systems in another potential areathat holds promise. Whatever be the approach, thefarmers have to increase the agricultural productionmore and more by using higher and higher inputsof fertilizers, pesticides and other agrochemicals.They have to grow improved varieties of crops anduse more of fuel-consuming farm machinery. Theseare certain threats to soil health and that ofatmosphere and ground waters which can bebroadly termed as the agro ecosystem. In the longerrun, the sustainability of farming practice becomesweaker and weaker. Emergence of more and morenutrient deficiencies by crops with time is a pointerto this problem. Some of the recent trends innutritional management in this back drop arediscussed here.

Integrated Plant Nutrition Supply(IPNS) System :

To develop intensive multiple croppingsystems using the minimum input of fertilizer andfarm fuel to reduce the hazards of modernagriculture is the essence of IPNS (also calledIntegrated Nutrient Management, INM). It aims atminimizing the use of chemical fertilizers andsupplementing plant nutrient needs from othersources.

Components of IPNS :

1. Soil Fertility Management :

This is of paramount importance as an

imbalance in nutrient management adverselyaffects soil fertility. To keep a balance betweenthe nutrients removed from the system in termsof fruits/prunings and those returned throughmanures and fertilizers, the crop/animalresidues should be recycled to the maximumextent. In addition, there is need to applycopious amounts of FYM/vermicompost/compost. Green manuring and green leafmanuring is most effective to restore anddevelop soil fertility. When practisedscrupulously, the dependence on inorganicfertilizer inputs can be minimized.

2. Use of Biofertilizers:

There are several bioagents which enrich thesoil. Blue green algae, Azolla, Azotobacter,Azospirillum are important for augmenting Nsupply. Rhizobium symbiotically fixesatmospheric N. Phosphorous solubilizingbacteria facilitate releasing P from fixed/less-soluble forms. Mycorrhiza acts in associationwith plant roots symbiotically and are knownto aid in P and Zn nutrition of plants.

3. Agronomic Manipulation:

A holistic management of agronomic practicesis necessary to minimize input use efficiency.

(i) Maintenance of optimum plant population ofcrop plants: In-situ grafting of scions in thecase of fruit plants and raising seedlingsin trays containing cups under protectedconditions instead of raising the plantsin conventional nurseries ensures bettercrop stand, uniformity and good vigour.

(ii) A[[rp[roate time and method of fertilizerapplication : This refinement in fertilizeruse is to essentially improve fertilizerutilization and in some cases, can reduce

38

fertilizer inputs. For instance, placementof superphosphate at 5 cm depth belowseed/plant rows led to a saving of P-input by 40% in brinjal and 20% in onionand tomato among large number ofvegetables tested. In the case of N,increasing the number of splitapplications to ‘Arka Vikas’ tomato, from2 to 3 and postponing the N applicationby 10 days after transplanting reduced25% of N-input with no loss in yield.

(iii) Source of plant nutrients: Due tocompulsions of fertilizer pricing policy,farmers find attractive to use DAP inplace of straight fertilizers and ignore Kfertilization. This practice should beavoided to overcome P-build up andrelated Zn-deficiency and otherimbalances.

(iv) Crop and its variety: There is a considerablerange of nutrient efficiency amongvarieties of the same crop. While someare highly responsive to nutrient inputsunder high-input intensive while othersare sustainable under marginal or low-input intensive production systems. Salt/alkali tolerant crop varieties are alsoavailable to harness problematic soils.

(v) Time of seeding/planting: Appropriate timeof planting ensure better crop stand,vigour and thereby improve nutrient useefficiency.

(vi) Water management: Since soil moisture isthe main vehicle of nutrient dynamicsand absorption by roots, improvedirrigation with drip irrigation should beadopted. In many crops, fertilizationpractices have been standardized whichenhance nutrient use substantially andsave on fertilizer inputs compared toapplication of solid fertilizers.

(vii) Weed control: Needless to say weedscompete with crops for both water andnutrients adversely. These can beeffectively controlled by weedicides orplastic mulches.

The gains of such agronomic manipulationare manifold.

(i) Gains of natural resources by reduced useof chemical fertilizers and saving of gas,naphta, phosphate rock, elemental s,deposits and thermal/electrical energy;

(ii) Economic gains by way of reducedinvestment on chemical fertilizer whichincreases the scope of diverting themoney saved to the purchase of bothseed, farm machinery and animalresources;

(iii) Environmental gain due to reducedgaseous losses of NH3, oxides of N andelemental N and leaching of NO3 leadingto lower pollution of ground water; andabove all.

(iv) Social gains in terms of more jobs forproduction of biofertilizers and morerural labour employment for makingcompost, its transportation andapplication.

When adopted successfully, IPNS can leadsurely to a ecofriendly sustainable agriculture in ourcountry.

Organic farming :

With increasing awareness of the hazards ofunscrupulous fertilizer and pesticide practices,organic farming concept and practice has emerged.By a total avoidance of all inorganic farm inputs,the protagonists of organic farming promise to buildthe soil, protect water quality, save energy, reducehealth risk, protect farm workers from hazard ofchemicals, support a true economy and promote bio-diversity. While a wholesale conversion to organicfarming is an impossibility, use of adequate amountsof fertilizers and pesticides is indispensable toproduce sufficient food needs and support theeconomies of majority of farmers.

Organic farming avoids or largely excludes theuse of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, growthregulators, livestock feed additives and genetically

39

modified (GM) crops. It solely depends on the useof crop residues, animal manures, green manures,off-farm organic wastes, crop rotation incorporatinglegumes and biological pest control to maintain soilproductivity.

The practice of organic farming involvesconversion of the present farms to organic farmsover a period of 3 years and get the entire productionprocess certified by a Government recognizedagency. In view of a definite demand for organicallygrown foods, some special areas like North-easternIndia for certain fruit and spices crops organicfarming is possible. However, the following mythsattached to this concept need to be investigated andanswered.

Myth No. 1 Organic food tastes better and isof superior quality.

Myth No. 2 Organic food is more nutritiousand safer

Myth No. 3 Organic farming is ecofriendly

Myth No. 4 Organic farming improves soilfertility and chemical fertilizersdeteriorate it.

Myth No. 5 Organic farming sustains higheryields.

Myth No. 6 Enough organics are available toreplace chemical fertilizers.

While it may be disastrous to adopt organicfarming in toto it will be appropriate to boost thepractice of (a) composing technology, (b) recyclingof on-farm and off-farm organic residues, (c) biogastechnology meet the fuel needs of rural sector and(d) green leaf manuring by harvesting green matterfrom agroforestry/social forestry/forest areas.

40

Fruit Period of maturity Recommended cultivar

Mango

Early May, 20-30 Bombay Green, Rani Pasand, Zarda, Zardalu

Mid-early May, 30-June, 10 Himsagar, Gopal Bhog, Kishan Bhog

Mid June, 10-30 Langra, Dashehari, Safed Maldah

Mid-late June, 20-July, 5 Mahmood Bahar, Mallika

Late June, 25-July, 20 Amrapali, Chausa, Fazli

Very late July, 20-August 10 Katki

Litchi

Early May, 10-22 Shahi, Ajhauli, Green

Mid May, 20-25 Rose Scented, Early Bedana, CHES-2

Mid-early May, 25-June, 10 Swarn Roopa, China, Late Bedana

Late June, 5-10 Poorvi

Aonla October-December Narendra Aonla-7, Kanchan

Jack Fruit May-August Khajva, CHES-1, CHES-2

Fruit Based Multi-tier Cropping Systems forSustainable Production in Uplands

R. V. Singh & S. KumarHorticulture and Agro Forestry Research Programme

(ICAR Research Complex for Eastern Region)Plandu, Ranchi - 834010

The fruit crops viz. Mango, Litchi, Aonla andJackfruit are planted at wider spacings since theygrow tall and spread wider during the course of theirdevelopment. The space available between twoplants can profitably be used for growing filler fruitplants having comparatively low gestation period,lesser canopy size and small life span, like guava,custard apple, citrus, papaya etc. Further, the spacebetween two rows of fruit plants can effectively beutilized for growing vegetables, pulses, cereals, oilseeds and flowers. The adaptation of such multi-tier cropping system in rain fed uplands could besustainable during initial stage of orchard. Later onshade tolerant crops like turmeric, ginger and yamscan be included for cultivation in order to get moreincome per unit of area.

Base fruit and their cultivars

The base fruit crops and their cultivarsrecommended for growing in the Eastern Plateauregion are given below:

Filler fruit crops and their cultivars:

The fruits having smaller canopy size andshorter life span can be used as filler plants inbetween the plants of base crop. These fruits startyielding earlier compared to base fruit crops. Thecultivars of filler fruit crops suitable for region aregiven below

Fruit Recommended cultivars

Guava Sardar, Allahabad SafedaArka Mriduula

Custard apple Balanagar, Arka Sahan

Papaya Pusa Dwarf, Pusa Nanha

Lime Kagzi

Lemon Assam lemon

Apart from the above, forestry and medicinalplants can also be included as filler plants.

41

Fertilization (kg/ha) Recommended cultivarCrop Sowing/ Planting

planting distance N P2O5 K2Otime (cm)

Cowpea June-July 40x15 60 50 50 Arka Garima, Pusa BarsatiBirsa Sweta

French bean June-July 40x15 50 40 40 Swarn Lata, Birsa Priya(pole-type)

French bean August- 40x10 80 50 50 Pant Anupama, Swarn Priya(pole type)

French bean August- 40x10 80 50 50 Pant Anupama, Swarn Priya(bush type) September Arka Komal, Contender

Okra June-July 40x20 120 80 60 Arka Anamika, Arka Abhay,Parbhani Kranti

Elephant foot May 75x75 125 50 120 Gajendra, Santragachiyam

Sweet potato May-June 60x20 75 50 75 Gauri, Sankar, Pusa SafedSree Bhadra

Turmeric May-June 40x20 80 60 60 Suguna Sudarshana, Suvarna,Rajendra, Soniya

Ginger May-June 40x20 80 60 60 Suprabha, Suruchi, Surbhi,China, Naida

Merigold June-July 50x30 25 25 20 Yellow Drop, Golden DropDouble Lemon

Gerbera June 30x20 50 40 40 Thalasa, Tara, Sunset

Paddy June 30, in 70 40 20 Birsa Gora - 102, Birsa Dhan -105,rows Vandana, Kalinga

Finger June 20x15 40 30 20 Birsa Madua-1, Birsa Madua-2millet

Niger August 30x5 20 20 20 Birsa Niger -1, Utakmond

Black gram July 20x10 20 40 20 T-9, Pant U-19, Birsa Urad-1

Pigeon Pea June-July 60x25 40 40 20 Birsa Arhar - 1, Lakshmi, T-21

Intercrops and their cultivars:

Vegetables, pulses, cereals, oil seeds and flowers can also be cultivated in the available space in an orchard.Recommended cultivars of these intercrops suitable for the region along with their production techniques aregiven below.

Land preparation and transplanting :

Base fruit trees require wider plant spacing asthey grow tall and attain a large canopy. Hence,planting distance of 10x10 m is recommended. Fillercrop trees require comparatively, less spacing (5x5m)as they develop into smaller canopy. Accordingly,100 plants of base fruit and 300 plants of filler fruitcrops can be accommodated in one hectare area. Thefiller crop trees start fruiting from the second yearitself, hence, support is provided for managementof the orchard during initial stage.

For planting of base and filler fruit treespits of 90 cm3 and 60cm3 size, respectively aredug during the period from April-May.With the onset of monsoon pits are filled bymixing 15 -20 kg F.Y.M., 1 kg Karanj orNeem cake, and 60g NPK mixture along with 15 -20 g Furadan - 3 G, in the upper half soil of the pitand filling it in the lower part of the pit. After one ortwo rains when the soil gets settled, planting of fruitsis done.

42

Intercropping:

Intercrops like vegetables, flowers, pulses, oilseeds or cereals are sown / transplanted betweentwo rows of filler or base fruit crop. Hence, duringthe initial years of orchard establishment more areais available for intercropping. Filler crop plants areremoved once the full development of base fruit croptakes place. With the increasing of shade in theorchard, intercrops tolerant to shade like turmericand ginger can be introduced. Field experimen-tations done at HARP, Ranchi have shownpromising results in this direction.

Pruning and maintenance of fruit trees:

The transplanting works should be completedat the earliest possible with the onset of monsoon.This facilitates better root development of fruitplants, thus increasing the percentage of survival.Gaps if any may be filled with new plants as andwhen required. Weeding and hoeing operationsshould be done from time to time for properdevelopment of the plants. The orchard must beprovided with proper drainage system so as to takeout the excess rain water. Young plants may beprotected from cold by providing dry grass/polythene cover upto 3-4 years of planting. In orderto provide proper frame to the tree, pruning is veryimportant. All the branches emerging upto theheight of 80 cm from the ground level are removedfor formation of the main rank and after 3-4 branchesare left to give rise to secondary branches. In case ofguava the height of main trunk is kept at 30-40 cmfrom the ground level.

Manure and fertilizer application:

For better growth and development of fruitplants, it is necessary to provide them with propernutrition. During the initial 2-3 years each base fruitplant should be provided with 30 kg well rotten farmyard manure along with 2.0 kg karanj/neem cake,200g urea, 150g S.S.P. and 150 g M.O.P. per year. Withthe increasing age the dose may be increased by 10kg farm yard manure, 1.5 kg karanj/neem cake, 150g urea, 100g S.S.P., and 50g M.O.P. per plant per year.

Accordingly, a 15 year old fully developed fruit treewill be given about 80-100 kg farm yard manure inaddition to 2.0 kg karanj/neem cake, 2.0 kg urea,1.5 kg S.S.P. and 0.8 kg M.O.P. per year.

For filler crop plants under 3 years age a doseof 1.5-2.0 kg karanj/neem cake, 150g urea, 150g S.S.P.and 150g M.O.P. in addition to 25-30 kg farm yardmanure per plant per year will be needed whichcould be increased to 30-40 kg farm yard manure,3.0 kg karanj/neem cake 1.0 kg urea 0.8 kg S.S.P.and 0.4 kg M.O.P. per tree per year for a fullydeveloped tree. Half the dose of fertilizer along withfull quantity of manure and cake may be applied tothe trees in June. The remaining quantity offertilizers can be applied in the orchard in Septemberfollowed by a light irrigation if there is no adequatemoisture in the soil. Application of agricultural limeat the rate of 3-4 kg per tree once in 3 years has beenfound beneficial in acid soils of this region. Zincdeficiency in fruits can be corrected by applicationof 150-200 g of Zinc Sulphate per tree in the monthof September along with fertilizers applied.

Irrigation and mulching:

During the initial stages of orchard, plantsrequire regular irrigations. Irrigating the plants at15-20 days interval in winter and 8-10 days intervalin summer season will be optimum. Mulching theplants after rainy season has been found helpful inconserving moisture in the soil. A fruiting tree oflitchi does not require irrigation from the month ofDecember till fruit set. Mango needs irrigationduring the time of fruit development. Therefore,irrigation in the orchard should be done as per therequirement.

Flowering and fruiting :

Base fruit trees should be allowed for fruitingonly after 3-4 years, whereas yield from filler fruitplants can be taken from the second year onwards.Spray of insecticides at the time of flowering ininsect pollinated fruits is harmful, therefore, caremust be taken while using the insecticides, in theorchard.

43

Managing Acid Soil for Higher Production ofHorticultural Crops

A. K. SarkarBirsa Agricultural University, Ranchi

Soil related constraints in Jharkhand agriculture

1. Soil acidity in about 4.0 lakh hectares

2. Low organic matter content of soils.

3. Secondary & micronutrient deficiencies in intensively cropped & vegetable growing areas.

4. Soil erosion of varying intensity in about 30% areas of cultivated soils.

5. Not much awareness on soil testing & soil test based nutrient use of crops.

6. Poor soil biological environment.

7. Increased mining of nutrients from agricultural soils.

8. Negative plant nutrient balance in soils under agriculture

EXTENT OF DEFICIENCY OF PLANT NUTRIENTS IN SOILS OFJHARKHAND

District/sub % Soils Deficientregion

Potassium Sulphur Boron Molybdenum

Ranchi 30.2 61.8 36 84

Singhbhum 48.5 55.0 36 58

Palamau 5.0 27.5 46 38

Dumka 29.0 48.7 ND ND

Gumla ND 57.0 ND ND

Lohardaga ND 53.0 ND ND

ND : Non-delineated areas

NUTRIENT DEFICIENCY IDENTIFIED IN CROPS AND CROPPING SYSTEMS IN JHARKHAND

System/Area Nutrient deficiency problems

1. Intensively vegetable growing areas Boron, calcium, sulphur & molybdenum

2. Rice-fallow Phosphorus, potassium

3. Soyabean-wheat, groundnut-wheat, rice pea Phosphorus, sulphur, calcium

4. Groundnut + pigeonea Phosphorus, calcium, boron

5. Rice - vegetables Potassium

6. Maize-wheat Nitrogen, phosphorus

44

AGRICULTURALLY IMPORTANT DISTRICTS HAVING ACID SOILS (PH <5.5)

State Area (Lakh ha) Districts having Acid Soilsunder cultivation

(Soil pH <5.5)

Assam 15.39 Dibrugarh, Sibsagar, Lakhimpur, BongaigaonNagaon, Kamrup, Darrang, Goalpara, Cachar, Jorhat,Golaghat, Tinsukia, Sonitpur etc.

NEH Region 13.00 States of Arunachal, Manipur, Meghalaya, NagalandTripura, Mizoram, Sikkim

West Bengal 15.00 Bankura, Medinapur, Purulia, Birbhum, West DinajpurJalpaiguri, Murshidabad, Burdwan, Cooch behar, Malda

Orissa 16.00 Cuttack, Kendrapara, Jagarsinghpur, Jajpur, Dhenkanal, Anugul,Koraput, Nawarangpur, Khurda, Nayagarh, Puri, Mayurbhanj

Jharkhand 4.00 Dumka, Jamtara, East Singhbhum, Ranchi, Gumla, GarhwaHimachal Pradesh 0.75 Kangra, Kullu, Mandi, Simla, SolanKerala 32.00 Trivandram, Alleppey, Eranakulam, Thrissur, Palghat, Cannonory

Maharashtra 0.20 Ratnagiri, Thane

Chemistry & Management of Acid SoilsAcid Soils

1. Soils having low pH.2. Base unsaturated soils

Managing Acid Soils1. Addition of amendments.2. Manipulation of agricultural practices.3. Growing acid tolerant plant species & varieties.

Lime Requirement4 factors govern this:

i) Required change in pHii) Buffer capacity of soiliii) Chemical composition of liming materialiv) Fineness of liming material

A fine textured acid soil requires much largerquantity of lime than does a sandy soil or loamy soilwith the same pH value.

Acid forming factors

1. Acid granite rocks as parent material.2. Leaching of bases due to high rainfall.3. Nitrogenous fertilizer AS

Liming materials Industrialwastes

Carbonate forms - marl, oyster , Steel mill slagshells, basic slag Blast furnacelime stone slagCalcite CaCO3 Lime sludge

from papermills

Dolomite -CaMg (CO3)2

Oxide- Burned lime/quick limeCaOCaCO3 + Heat ------> CaO + CO2

SOIL SAMPLING FOR FERTILITY EVALUATION HORTICULTURAL CROPS :

S. N. Crops Depths at which samples Place of sampling to be taken (cm)

1. Fruit crops 0.0 - 45.0 Midway between trunk and drip-circle

2. Vegetable crops 0.0 - 22.5 Middle of rows in standing crops3. Flower crops 0.0 - 22.5 Middle of rows in standing crops4. Medicinal and Herbs : Middle of rows in standing crops

Aromatic crops 0.0 - 22.5Trees : Midway between trunk and drip circle

0.0 - 45.05. Plantation crops 0.0 - 45.0 Midway between trunk and drip circle

(Coconut, arecanut)

45

Ideal pH for vegetable crops

Cabbage - 5.5 to 6.6

Tomato - 6.0 to 7.0

Brinjal - 5.5 to 6.0

Onion - 5.8 to 6.5

Potato - 5.5 to 7.5

Cauliflower - 6.0 to 6.5

Pea - 6.0 to 7.5

Parwal - Neutral soil

Capsicum - 5.4 to 6.8

Nutrients needing more attention

Cole crops - Potassium,

Boron, Calcium

Bulb crops - Potassium, Sulphur,

Magnesium

Leafy vegetables - N & P

Fruit vegetables - B, S

Leguminous vegetables- Ca, P

Cucurbits - NPK

Root crops - K, Mg, S

Tuber crops - K, Mg, s

Okra - K,P

INM packages

Cabbage : 25 t FYM/ha

150 kg N + 125 kg P2O5 + 100 kgK2O/ha

Lime: 2 to 4 q/ha in line sowing

Tomato : 25 t FYM/ha

250 kg neem cake

120 kg N +80 kg P2O5 + 50 kgK2O/ha

Lime : 2 to 4 q/ha in line sowing.

Lime pelleting for Acid Soil

The soil where the pH is less than 6.0, seedpelleting is beneficial. The quantity of lime foreffective and economic use is required for smallseeds 40 - 50 g/kg and for medium and big size 30 -40 g/kg seed.

Pelleting has to be done after seeds has beentreated with inoculant and when the seeds are wetthe pelleting materials are dusted in such a way sothat each seed gets a layer of lime.

Proposed Technology package forAcid Soil Management

Land Situation

Rainfed uplands/Rainfed medium land/irrigated upland or medium land with pH<5.50.

Lime application rate

2 to 4 q ha-1 SMP method of determination oflime requirement of soils should be adopted bySTLS.

Source of Lime

Calcite, dolomite, Basic slag or any other sourceavailable locally in finely ground form.

Method of lime application

Application of lime in furrows to be done alongwith basal dose of fertilizers (part of N + full doseof P and K) before sowing of seeds

Fertilizer schedule

Balanced dose of NPK to be used. In irrigatedarea, full recommended dose of NPK for crops andin rainfed areas 50 to 75% of the recommended NPKfertilizers.

Crops & Crop sequence

Liming should be done for each crop. In linesown crop, the dose of lime or any soil ameliorantmay be 2 to 4 q ha-1 depending on soil textureand pH.

Heavy textured soils and soils with highorganic matter content will have higher limerequirement.

46

Organic Farming in Horticulture :Issues and Strategies

P. DeyHorticulture and Agro-forestry Research Programme

(ICAR Research Complex for Eastern Region), Plandu,P. O. - Rajaulatu, Ranchi - 834 010 (Jharkhand)

Development in horticulture is changing fastin the context of globalization as well as with a focuson enhancing productivity of crops and income inthe hand of small and resource poor farmers.Moreover, production and protection technologieshave to be socially responsible. According to WHOestimate, one million poisoning and 20,000 deathsglobally occur due to pesticides every year, out ofwhich half of the poisoning and three quarter of thedeaths occur in the developing world. Keeping inview the ecological concerns regarding residualtoxicity due to indiscriminate and excessive use ofchemical fertilizers, pesticides and their harmfuleffects on soil microflora and biodiversity, there isurgent need for paradigm shift in farming system andorganic farming has been sought to be the answer.

The knowledge of organic farming is inherentin the ancient agricultural systems of India andelsewhere. Organic farming curtails heavily the off-farm synthetic inorganic inputs and relies mainlyupon the low cost on-farm biological inputs. Organicfarming can be defined as an integrated, sustainable,ecofriendly and socially just farming systems whichinclude management of nutrients through use of bio-fertilizer, vermicompost, manures etc.; managementof pest and diseases by biological, cultural, physical,mechanical means; adoption of appropriatecropping system including agroforestry;management of livestock including apiculture;water management; and some socio-economicintervention.

Indian initiative

To promote organic farming for export,Government of India has constituted a NationalSteering Committee under the Secretary Commercewith representation from Ministries of Agriculture,Environment, Food Processing Industry, Science and

Technology and Rural Development. NSC releasedthe National Programme for Organic Production inApril 2000 covering National Standards based onIFOAM, EU Standards and Codex Standards. NSCalso approved accreditation policy and proceduresand designated APEDA, Spices Board, Tea Boardand Coffee Board as accreditation agencies.

Potentials of organic farming

As per the estimates of ITC, Geneva, the worldmarket of organic food products in 1997 recordedretail sales of 10,500 million US$. More than 130countries in the world which include 30 countriesin Africa, 30 in Asia, 20 in Central America andCaribbean, 10 in Latin America, 5 in Australasia andPacific, most of European countries besides USA andCanada produce certified organic food products.Organically produced horticultural products in thedeveloping countries include fresh and processedfruits and vegetables, dry fruits, nuts, coffee, tea,cocoa, spices and herbs. In India, non-certifiedorganic farms producing fruits and vegetables existsall over the country. According to APEDA reports,certified organic farms all over the country producemango, banana, pineapple, cashew nut, sapota,litchi, custard apple, walnut, melons and vegetablesin more than 2500 acres of land. Keeping in viewthe vast potential, there is immense possibility ofarea expansion in favour of organic farming.

Constraints in adoption of organicfarming

� Lack of awareness among the farmers about theadvantages of organic farming

� Long gestation period for conversion ofconventional farms into organic farms

� Lack of organized domestic market fororganically produced horticultural commodities

47

� Non-availability of market information/intelligence and lack of marketing support to thesmall farmers engaged in organic farming

� Non-availability of incentives throughcompetitive pricing of organic foods

� Lack of proper quality control of biological inputslike biofertilisers and biopesticides.

� Lack of proper legislation, inspection andcertification for horticulture produce of organicfarming

� Lack of infrastructural facilities act as road blockin harnessing the potential of organic farming invirgin, tribal and forest lands

Components of organic farming: Differentcomponents of organic farming have been presentedin Figure 1 and each component has been discussedbelow.

Nutrient management

It involves nutrient management throughtapping of all biological resources likegreenmanures, manures, compost, biofertilisers,vermicompost, crop residues. Importantbiofertilisers and nitrogen fixers like Rhizobium,Azotobacter, Azospirilium, phosphate solubilisers likePseudomonas, Bacillus and vesicular arbuscularmycorrhiza (VAM). Seed treatment with biofertiliserhas opened up great promise in providing plantnutrients in an economic way. Use of biofertilisersin vegetable crops recorded saving of 20 to 72 kgN/ha besides increasing the yield to the tune of 3 to18%. Bioconversion of available farm resourcesusing efficient strains of earthworm likeEisenia foetida and Eudrilus eugeniae for productionof vermicompost should essentially form apart of organic farming. Vermicompost is a nonhazardous, ecofriendly and supplies plant nutrients in a balanced manner. Agro-industrybased byproduct/waste materials like coir pith,press mud, sago industry waste, cotton waste is alsoavailable in large quantities for bioconversion. Someof the notorious and proliferous weeds like waterhyacinth, ipomoea, perthenium etc. can also becomposed using earthworms and microbes andutilized as organic manures for horticultureproduction.

Pest managementOrganic farming principally advocates bio-

intensive pest management along with physical,cultural and mechanical method of pestmanagement. This method of controlling pest makeuse of target specific, economically viable andecologically sound bio-pesticides involvingparasites, predators and microorganisms,pheromone trap, botanicals, cropping systemapproach of pest and disease avoidance. Some ofthe biopesticides developed for commercialproduction are Trichoderma, Trichogramma,Chrysoperla, Cryptolaemus, and Nuclear PolyhedrosisVirus (NPV). Biological seed treatment through useof fungal (Trichoderma and Glicladium) and bacterial(Pseudomonas and Bacillus) biopesticides has openedup great possibility of managing diseases. Suchtreatments provide economical and relativelynonpolluting delivery system. Botanicals like neem(Azadirachta indica) seed karnel extract should formthe first step in any pest control exercise in organicfarming. Introduction of specific crops in the systemalso helps to check the pest attack on the main crop.Two such successful systems for examples are: (1)growing of one line of marigold after 20 lines oftomato which helps to save tomato from the attackof fruit borer caused by Helicoverpa; (2) planting oftwo lines of mustard after 16 lines of cauliflower orcabbage helps to save the vegetables from the attackof diamond back moth. For effective pest control,trap crop should be sown in the nursery 15 daysearlier to main vegetable crop. In first case colour ofthe flower attracts fruit borer of tomato whilediamond back moth is attracted to mustard becauseof glucosinoid present in mustard.

Water management

Since organic farming advocates the use ofmicroorganism and other biological sources, watermanagement is vital for harnessing synergies ofbiological sources with plant requirement. Limitedavailability of irrigation water coupled with thegrowing concern for ground water depletionwarrants for its most efficient utilization. Mainobjectives of efficient water management are (i) highwater use efficiency (ii) good quality of crop and(iii) sustenance of soil resource. Water managementthrough community based watershed approach

48

including rainwater harvesting and in-situ moistureconservation is an important component of organicfarming. Mulching effectively recycle organicwastes, minimize evaporative loss of water, checksweed infestation, reduces surface run off anderosion, maintain favorable moisture andtemperature regimes in soil and improves bio-physico-chemical environment of soil leading tobetter crop yield and quality.

Cropping systemCropping system involving legume grown

either in sequence or as intercrop/companion cropraised for green-manuring/fodder/grain alongwith main horticultural crop proves an excellentopportunity to restore and sustain the fertility/

productivity of soils. Avoidance of pest anddisease is possible to a large extent throughcropping system approach including trap/banker/ecofeast crops, which either divert orcheck the pest by enhancing the population ofnatural enemy (predator, parasites or insectpathogens). Agri-horticulture/Hortisilvi-pastoral system with the integration ofhorticultural/perennial woody trees withcrops/pastures is most suitable technology forincreasing total productivity of food, feed andfuel and thereby reducing the risk of farming.It also helps in more efficient utilization ofsunlight, moisture and plant nutrients than isgenerally possible either by agriculture alone orforestry exclusively.

Water management

� Rain water harvesting

� In-situ moistureconservation

Pest management

� Biological� Botanical� Cultural� Mechanical� Physical

Nutrient management

� Biofertiliser� Vermicompost� Manure� Greenmanure� Non-edible oilcake� Agro-industry

byproduct/waste� Biogas spent slurry

Socio-economic intervention

� Formation of SHGs� Community based watershed

approach� Establishment of community

biogas plant

Cropping system

� Inclusion of legume

� Introduction of agroforestry

� Use of trap/banker/ecofeast crop

Livestock management

� Animal / poultry rearing

� Apiculture

Organic farming

▲▲

▲▲▲

Fig 1. Components of organic farming

49

Live stock management

Live stock management should form anintegral part of organic farming and animal/poultrymanures thus available should be diverted to thenutrient supply chain. Apiculture as a part oforganic farming not only provides additionalincome in the hands of farmers but also increasesthe population of natural pollinator for higherproductivity of crops.

Socio-economic intervention

Community based approach ofimplementation of organic farming system shouldbe the essence of organic farming. Communitybased watershed management is the nucleus of anyfarming system and organic farming is no exception.A superior method of utilizing livestock excreta isthrough establishment of community based biogasplants. Apart from solving fuel crisis for the farmingcommunity, the biogas-spent slurry can be used fornutrient management. Self-Help Groups of thefarmers at village level should be organized foreffective implementation of organic farming system.

Conclusion

Farmers have yet another tool and dimensionto produce horticultural crops through adoption oforganic farming system. Organizing Self HelpGroups of the farmers at village level andstrengthening of R&D linkage through interface ofKrishi Vigyan Kendras and Self Help Groups in aparticipatory mode can foster dissemination andadoption of organic farming technology. Integrationof pragmatic biodynamic organic practices prevalentin rural areas can further accelerate the adoptionprocess. To make it a success, community basedapproach of inspection and certification of organicfood and local marketing through rural women’sleadership is warranted. Besides, reliable organizedmarket with competitive pricing of organicallyproduced horticultural products coupled withinsurance option to cover the risk associated withorganic farming is a must. The new tools availablefor accessing bank credit such as financing Self HelpGroups, kisan credit cards, contract farming, pledgeloans, venture capital financing should be madeavailable to the organic farming practitioners.

50

Development of Horticulture Based FarmingSystem in Jharkhand

Sabyasachi RathEastern Ghat High Land Zone (OUAT)

POB-10, Sunabeda-763002, Koraput, Orissa

The economic status of any state is determinedfrom the consumption of horticultural produce bythe inhabitants. The nature as such provides ourfruits and vegetable need from the forest. Thepopulation of Jharkhand is dominated by the tribals.As they live in the vicinity of the forest, they haveaccess to the seasonal fruits and vegetables. But theurban dwellers are dependent upon horticulturalproducts from the farms. As such there is a deficitup to 250g / day in food grains per head in the stateso there must be deficit in intake of horticulturalproduct by the people of Jharkhand. It is thereforeimperative to increase the production and theproductivity of the horticultural crops in the state.There is a scope to cover 21 lakh hectare underhorticultural crops.

The land distribution pattern is such that97.69% of the state is village area, where as only2.30% area is urban. In total 23.11 area is under forestcover. So during the consideration for horticulture

development is made we must take it for grantedto have the development in the village area. But atthe same time to produce high value horticulturalcrops attention must be given to the urban area.

The climatic condition and the preference oflocal inhabitants is favorable for taking uphorticulture as a mean for secured livelihood. It isnot an option but a compulsion for the majority ofthe population.

BARE FACT - Horticultural Compulsion

● 33% of total area under agriculture

● % of area irrigated to Net Area sown -7.6%

● Irrigation potential as per sourcesavailable - 17%

● 83% of agril. area remains rainfed (27%of total area)

Landuse in Jharkhand(Total area - 79.7 lakh ha)

Agriculture

Non-agril

Barren & Uncultiv

Cult. Waste

Perm Pasture

Forest

Fallow

51

● 15% of total area remains either fallow or waste

● 42% of total area can be exploited underdryland Horticulture

The system of farming in Jharkhand is rainfedforest based farming system and is a tree linkedlivelihood because of the tribal dominatedpopulation. The major tribes namely Oraon, Munda,Santhal are having agriculture as their main stay. Theland is sloppy mostly upland that to rainfed, so theyhave no other alternative than to go for drylandhorticulture. It is a nature’s gift to them as blessingsin disguise. The whole state is suitable forhorticulture based land use system. Drylandhorticultural system is quite remunerative and ifproperly practiced can provide livelihood supportto a five member family from one hectare land.

Horticultural Suitability

● Rainfall - 1340 mm

● Higher solar radiation per unit area

● Well drained slopes

● Tree linked livelihood (Tribals)

● Favorable bio-climate and altitude

● Wider species option (subtropical &tropical)

● Past history of cultivation

Before the formation of Jharkhand, Ranchi usedto send fresh vegetables to W.B. Orissa and UttarPradesh and is continuing to do so. Because of theexisting opportunities horticulture should be theremunerative enterprise. Horticulture will increasethe per capital income of the farmer andentrepreneur.

Horticultural Opportunities

● Well distributed road and rail network

● Air transport facility

● Good market (Mines townships)

● Skilled Human resources

● Resource Institutions

Horticulture can be taken up in 21.07 lakh ha.Dry land horticulture is an avenue for consideration

It can be achieved in several ways such asincreasing the area, increasing the productivity ofthe crops in existing area, bringing about change inthe cultivation practice i.e. converting to hi-techhorticulture, providing assured market for theproduce by minimizing the number of middlemen,so that the farmers will get their proper share.

Greening of Gray Areas

● Rainfed sloppy upland

● Culturable wasteland

● Watersheds

● Medium and low land otherwise engaged

● Farm bunds

● Roadside avenues

● Mining fills

● Jhoom affected land

● School, temple, church, panchayat samiti,other institutional & industrial areapremises

● River banks

● Private land, common property, Govt. landwill be included in the area expansionprocess

At the time of taking up such a project in amassive way a missionary spirit is needed. Thereforeall the related activities should be converged and asingle line approach is to be ascertained. There areseveral schemes operating in the state for povertyalleviation objectives through the Government andnon government agencies. Special projects underGovernment of India, World Bank support are beingoperated in the state. DRDA, ITDA, ATMA and otherprojects can also back this activity of greening thegray areas. Food for work can also expedite the

2015

1050

Erosionprone

ProblematicSoil

Cult Waste Fallow

Potential Area for Horticulture(Non Agril.)

52

process. The industrial house will cooperate incovering their barren land with horticultural crops.The academic institutions besides the AgriculturalUniversity will provide impetus to the project as oneof their most important activity. The banks mustsupport the project and extend financial backup tothe stake holders.

The project will come to existence with thefollowing process which has been given below forstep by step activity.

Process:

● Need assessment

● Prioritization

● Organizing groups in the community formind set

● Selection of individuals (Resource Rich)

● Forming groups of small holders andResource poor farmers

● Provision for backward and forwardlinkages starting from selection of crop toprocessing & marketing of produce.

● Provision for input supply includingtechnical input

● Provision for incentives to Entrepreneurs

● Outsourcing of existing farms and estates

● Strengthening infrastructure forsustainability

● Regular monitoring, constraint analysisand reviews

The project must satisfy the followingconsiderations before operating. If all the points rankhigh, then it is expected that the project will besuccessful and will become sustainable.

Sustainable Horticulture Development inJharkhand

● Technical feasibility

● Social acceptability

● Economic viability

● Technology transferability

● Inter disciplinary approachability

● Stake holders minimal dependability

● Infrastructure supportability

● Training cost affordability

● Administrative manageability

● Political back-ability

● Gender sensitivity

● Environmental sustainability

Under the circumstances Horticulture basedfarming system is only available alternative.Farming system as a concept takes in to account thecomponent of soil, water, crops, livestock, labour andother resources with the farm families at the centermanaging agricultural and non-farm avocations.The farm family functions with in the limitations ofits capability and resources, the sociocultural settingand the interaction of these components withphysical, biological, socio-economic factors.

Horticulture Based Farming SystemsJharkhand

Agro

Agro-Pastoral

Agro-Silvi - Pastoral

Agro - Sericulture/Ericulture/lac-culture

Plantation - (spices & condiments)

Herbal plantation & processing

Nursery (production of qualityplanting materials)

Agro - Apiculture

Aquaculture (fish, singara)

Aqua - Dairy / Goatery

Aqua - Poultry/ Duckery

Agro - Mushroom

Agro - SSI (Preserved Value addedproducts)

Arboriculture - Floriculture - EcoTourism

In these systems the fruit crops are raised withother crops covering the land surface to restrict thesoil and water erosion. Besides fruit crops likemango, guava, litchi, cashewnut, jackfruit, the othercrops namely pulses like arhar, cowpea, beans,dangarrani, oilseeds like ground nut, niger, gingelyetc; vegetables like tomato, chili, okra, capsicum, colecrops, cucurbits, the flowers like roses, marigold,gladioli, tuberose, jasmine, crossandra etc are raised

➮

HORTI

53

in the kharif season in various horticulture basedfarming systems. For achieving higher productionand productivity it is required to resort to modernmethod of cultivation using proper package ofpractices in traditionally grown crops and at thesame time the newly introduced crops likevanilla, spices, medicinal and aromatic plants to thesystem. The livelihood development it alsoaims at improving the socio-economic condition ofthe farm families. The subsidiary occupations suchas rearing of mushroom, apiculture, garlandmaking from flowers produced, making jam, jelly,pickles, squashes & dehydrated products whilepreserving the fruit and vegetables for earningadditional bucks.

The agro-climatic condition of Jharkhand issuitable for growing off season vegetables. There isalso scope for developing horticulture for export.Roses, Gerbera, Carnation, Gladioli, and cacti canbe raised under protected condition for internal andexport market.

Any form of social or economic developmentis like life itself, ultimately dependent on thebiosphere, a complex “whole” which sustains amultitude of living species in a variety of media. Itis held in balance by interwoven and often

interdependent ecosystems whose stability ismaintained by flows of energy (derived from thesun), the recycling of nutrients and the interactionof animate organisms and inanimate matter.

Sustainability means every generation shouldinherit a similar natural environment. ThereforeSustainable Development may be defined as thedevelopment process that meets the needs of thepresent without compromising the ability of thefuture generations to meet their own needs.Sustainable Horticultural Development may be theoutcome of following practices like: OrganicMethods of farming, Ability of the horti system toovercome stress, Resource management to satisfyhuman need without degrading the quality ofenvironment, preserving soil quality and theecological integrity of the system and achievementof growth in horticultural production whilemaintaining natural capital intact. Farming SystemResearch Approach is one of the alternativesavailable to address the issues relating to NaturalResource Management and SustainableDevelopment. Our experience in working for thepast four years in Jharkhand indicate thatHorticulture based landuse system can bealternative to the existing system, at the outset, forsustainable horticulture development in the state.

54

Integrated Management of Soil Borne DiseasesShivendra Kumar

Horticulture & Agro-Forestry Research Programme(ICAR Research Complex for Eastern Region)

Plandu, Ranchi - 834010

Introduction

Plant Pathogens in soil borne diseases alwaysexhibit complex dynamics due to the involvementof soil and the micro organism inhabiting it andtherefore demands special treatments in itsmanagement. The activity of micro organism in soilis affected by many factors such as temperature,moisure level, and composition of microflora,aggressiveness of organisms in determining thepresence or absence of an organism in a particularsoil. Population of antagonists automatically resultsin the reduction of other microorganism. Nutrientsinfluence the multiplication of organism and theabsence of essential metabolites can resultincomplete eradication. In addition there are otherfactors like the production of enzymes, toxin andcertain bio-products of organism. Insect andrematodes are other biotic agents present in the soil.All these factors individually or collectivelydetermine the soil microflora and disease intensityand complicate pathosystem which is notencountered in air borne diseases. Thus the need toconsider soil borne disease management separatelyis essential.

Integrated diseases management

Integrated Disease Management (IDM) relieson simultaneous manipulation of a number ofavailable strategies of reducing a plant disease withleast damage to environment. The losses caused byplant diseases are reduced when informationregarding the crop, its pathogen, the environmentalconditions, ecosystem relationship etc. is used indeveloping a disease management strategy.

The strategies of integrated diseasemanagement comprises of the cultivation ofresistant/tolerant cultivates, adoption of agronomicpractices resulting in less diseases, preserving andpromoting the activities of natural antagonists and

use of chemical pesticides wherever necessary toreduce pathogen population to non-damaginglevels. Components of IDM are discussed hereunderwith special reference to work done at Horticulture& Agro Forestry Research Programme, Ranchi.

1. CULTURAL PRACTICES

Cultural practices such as sanitation, croprotation, green manuring, soil amendments, deepploughing, time and depth of sowing have helpedto increase productivity of a crop. In crops wherefungicide usage is not profitable due to low returns,these practices are the only available alternatives toreduce diseases. In addition efficacy of resistantcultivars, application of fungicides and biologicalagents can further be improved to a more lastingand economic by modifying the cultural practices.

a) Sanitation : Sanitation is the process thateliminates, reduces or completely excludesthe primary inoculum that initiates thedisease, thereby delaying the epidemics.Plant and field sanitation (disinfestations,eradication, roughing, pruning anddefoliation) are essential for themanagement of plant diseases. Sanitationis a standard practice in reducingincidence of late blight of potato and earlyblight of tomato. Quick decomposition offallen infected leaves of apple by sprayingurea, and destruction of canker affectedcitrus twigs are the normal practices.

b) Crop rotation : Crop rotation is therepeated sowing of same crop in cycle,intercepted with other crops periodically.This is one of the most important and longestablished practices for management ofsoil borne diseases caused by specializedpathogens. Continuous cultivation of sameor related crops lead to perpetuation and

55

building up of the soil borne pathogens.In a properly planned rotation any crop isintercepted with non-host crops. Rotationmodifies the soil environment to make itunfavourable for the survival and growthof pathogen. Pathogens surviving invegetative phase can be eradicated in lesstime but those producing resting structurerequires longer rotation. Rotation withnon-host crop is very effective in managingdisease like black rot of crucifers, commonblight of cassava, halo blight of beans,bacterial blight of soyabean, soft rotof vegetables and common scab of potatoetc.

At HARP, Ranchi crop rotation with okra-maize - radish, ragi-French bean okra,maize-carrot-cucumber significantlyreduced the primary inoculum of Ralstoniasolanacearum in soil indicating either maizeor ragi should be included in the croprotation for management of wilt diseaseof tomato.

c) Soil amendments : Any substance addedinto the soil to improve its structure andtexture is called an amendment. Green ordry crops residues, oil cakes, saw dust andtypes of meals are used as soilamendments. There exert their influenceby changing aeration, porosity,temperature and water holding capacityof the soil which results in rapid rootextension, balanced availability ofnutrients and better plant vigour. All thesechanges indirectly reduce the prevalentdiseases. Their effect includes germinationof pathogen propagules followed bystarvation, microbial lyses and increase ingeneral fungibactriostatis.

At HARP, Ranchi soil amendment withkaranj cake @ 10 a/ha or lime 25 a/haapplied 15 days earlier to transplantingwas standardized for management ofbacterial wilt disease of tomato. Inthese treatments evidence for strongbactriostatis was recorded.

d) Soil solarisation : Soil solarisation aims tocontrol diseases by eradicating or reducingthe inoculum existing in soil prior toplanting. It involves the use of heat as alethal agent by capturing solar energy withtraps like polythene soil mulches. Inaddition to high temperature there areeffects like changes in the physicalstructure & chemical composition of soil,moisture level, gas composition and shiftin microbial population.

At the time of solar heating the soil is keptwet to increase thermal sensitivity ofresting structures and improve heatconduction. It is carried out during theperiod of high temperature and intensesolar radiation. Solar heating becomesmore effective when combined withapplication of Trichoderma harzianum.

At HARP, Ranchi solarisation of nurserybeds for 6 weeks during summer resultedinto significant suppression of damping ofpathogens and healthy and vigorousseedling were produced in rainy season incase of tomato and brinjal. The technologyhas been extended to the farmers’s field.

e) Tillage and land preparation : Soilcultivation before sowing helps inreducing pathogen population by eitherburial of inoculum deep into the soil or itsdrying in top exposed layers. Deepploughing of crop residue which harbourthe pathogen is more effective in reducingsource of infection. These practices werefound useful in delaying the epidemics ofHelmnthosporium maydis on maize, root rotand wilt of garden peas caused by Pythiumultimum and Fusarium solani f.sp. pisidi.Planting in the soil raised above thesurrounding area and staking whichkeeps the foliage and fruits of tomatocontributes significantly in managingthe buckeye rot at Horticulture & AgroForestry Research Programme, Ranchi.Staking reduced unmarketable fruityield by 16.6%

56

f) Weed control: Both host and non - hostweeds favour disease development byinfluencing the factors resulting inmore inoculum. This includes shadingthe soil and serving as organicsubstract or food base for infection ofthe host crop. These also change thecrop micro-climate and affect soilmicroflora. Heterotylenchus dihystra thespiral nematode implicated inenhancement of wilt disease in guavahas been recorded to survive on severalweed hosts in orchards in easternIndia.

g) Plant density: Density of plants in aparticular area directly affects themicroclimate and thus influence spread ofthe disease. Wider spacing of plants wasfound to reduce incidence of Fusariumoxysporum f.sp. ciceri on gram. However,in the wilt disease of guava, caused ofF.oxysporum f.sp. psidi, pathogen did notexhibit significant differences in the rateof causing the wilt but higher plantdensity was preferred at this station inorder to have higher number of treessurviving in the long run.

2. BIOLOGICAL CONTROL

Soil is full of different types of microfloraincluding plant pathogens but there is never totalmortality of plants. It is due to the influence of fewfactors which are responsible for keeping thebiological balance in the soil. Beneficialmicroorganism present in the rhizosphere restrict thegrowth of soil borne pathogens because of variousreasons, which include production of antifugalsubstances by them, their action as mycoparasite andsiderophore production through secretion ofdifferent types of enzymes. Biological control of soilborne pathogens with antagonistic fungi andbacteria has been under intensive investigation forlast two decades in India. This method has gainedconsiderable attention and appears to be promisingas a viable supplement or alternative to chemicalcontrol. Host plant resistance and cultural practicescontribute to it. But, at present Biological Control

Agents (BCA) accounts for about one percent of theWorld market as crop protectant due to its innatedifficulties in registration and marketing, thoughanalysists foresee a quantum jump to as high as 50percent of the total market.

Antagonist microorganism that can be grownin the rhizosphere, are ideal bio control agents, asthe rhizosphere provides the frontline defense forroots against the attack of pathogens. Soil micro floraconsists of resident or introduced antagonists.Resident microorganism is the microorganism whichis natural inhabitant of soil, the rhizosphere or othersites occupied by the pathogen. They are eithermanaged or fostered by various cultural practicesto increase their population level.

Several microorganism including fungi likeTrichoderma spp, bacteria and actinomycetes act asantagonist against many pathogens. Trichodermaand related genus produce chitinase enzymeextracellularly, which is responsible for lyses ofpathogenic fungi. Other fungi like Gliocladiumvirens are good antagonists. Aspergillus nigerAN 27 has been demonstrated to be good antagonistto Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. psidi at Horticulture& Agro Forestry Research Programme, Plandu,Ranchi.

Exogenous application of biopesticide KalisenaSL (Aspergillus niger str A N 27) in wilt sick alfisolsof Chotanagpur caused significant reduction ofpropagules of native saprophytic and pathogenicFusarium SPP. within 24 months. The rhizospherepopulation (cfu/g soil) of A. niger str. A N 27increased from 1956 to 5340 (in T1, the lower dose )and from 6480 to 10325 (in T2 the higher dose)whereas the population of Fusarium spp. declinedfrom 2366 to 1825 (T1) and from 2512 to 950 (T2). Theantagonistic or suppressive ability of A. Niger is ofconsiderable importance. The result significantlycorrelated between, the days taken to wilt vs. rateof growth of Fusarium sp., rate of growth ofFusarium sp vs. disease progression rate, days takento wilt vs. disease progression rate and the negativegrowth of Fusarium vs. growth of Aspergillus niger.Application of this information in the managementof wilt disease of guava appears to hold highpromise.

57

Mycorrhiza, another group of organismrepresenting symbiotic fungal association with plantroot which normally help the plant in uptake ofrelatively immobile nutrient such as Phosphorus andzinc are not knows to help in reducing soil bornediseases. These fungi provide protection to root byvarious methods like utilizing surpluscarbohydrates, protecting rhizosphere micro-organism. Studies conducted at Horticulture & Agro Forestry Research Programme, Plandu,Ranchi suggested that root system havingmycorrhizal associations are less susceptible toattack by soil borne pathogen than the non-mycorrhizal system.

3. CHEMICAL CONTROL

In spite of all disadvantages associated withthe use of chemicals, these continue to be a part ofpackage of practices in all crops for increasing theirproductivity, though their use against soil bornediseases are still limited.

The choice and frequency of application ofchemical in soil depends upon factors like propertiesof the chemical compound and nature and ecologyof target organism. Various application methods likesoil drenching, broadcasting, furrow system andseed treatment are in use. Benomy, one of the widelyused benzimidazole has been found effective againstdiseases like Fusarium wilt of carnation, wiltofstrawberry, cotton and tomato, etc. A relatedcompound carbendazim is equally effective againstserious soil borne diseases. However, chemicalfungicides have not been effective in managementof wilt disease of guava.

4. HOST RESISTANCE

Growing resistant plant is one of the mostpractical, effective and economical approach tosuppress the plant diseases. These not only reducethe crops losses but lessen the expenditure incurredin disease control as well as reduce pollution hazard.For certain specific diseases like root rot and wilt,this is the only method of control available so far.

The major problems encountered are existence ofvariability amongst pathogen, breaking down ofresistance, and incomplete knowledge of inheritanceof resistance.

Resistance in any crop can last longer andprove most effective if it is supplemented withchemical and cultural methods. Presently in manycrops and soil borne pathogen comminutions,regular attempts are being made to identify sourcesof resistance. Bacterial wilt resistance in tomato andbrinjal has been conferred at our research station andhigh yielding resistant varieties have been evolved.These include Swarna Naveen, Swarna Lalima, ArkaAbha and Arka Alok in tomato, Swarna Mani,Swarna Shree, Swarna Pratibha and Swarna Shyamliin brinjal. These varieties have made impressiveheadway in the farmers’s fields in Jharkhand, Bihar,W.B., Orissa, M.P., Chattisgarh etc.

Conclusion

The integrated management of soil bornedisease management differs in different types ofcrops i.e., perennial or annual. In perennial fruit treesemphasis is given in the early stage in nursery or infield to get disease free start. Seed beds are solarisedand root stock resistant to soil borne pathogens areselected. The strategy for annual crops likevegetables, flowers and cereals etc. is different.

Use of healthy and treated seeds along withthe sanitation is the first step to reduce the inoculum.Crop rotation is the next important component ofIDM. Time, depth of sowing and other culturalmethods which contribute towards theimprovement of seedlings and crops should beclearly worked out. Solarisation can becomestandard practice in raising vegetable and flowernurseries. Use of resistant cultivars whereveravailable supported with other measures whichargument the production and suppress the pathogenare profitable. A continuous search of these factorsby using modern techniques of biotechnology is alsoessential since we are working in a dynamic situationof host, pathogen and environment interaction.

58

Integrated Pest Management in Vegetable CropsDevendra Prasad

Department of EntomologyBirsa Agricultural University, Ranchi - 834 001

● Insect pests and diseases are major constraintsto achieve higher productivity. About 26 per centlosses occur due to pest and diseases aloneestimated at Rs. 29,000 crores (Puri, 1997)

● As a result, higher doses and more toxic mixtureswere used to achieve the desired kill of the pests.

● The indiscriminate and injudicious use ofpesticides has eroded the ecological sustainabilityand has resulted

● Problems of residue

● Development of insecticide resistance

● Induction of secondary pest problems

● Resurgence of target species

● Killing of non target insects (natural enemies,pollinators and saprophytes)

● Contamination of the environment

● Only a small amount of the pesticides (<1%)applied to a crop, reaches the target pests andthe remaining (<99%) enters differentcomponents of the environment to contaminatedsoil, water, air, food, forage and othercommodities.

● Nearly 100 per cent of human population hasbeen found to contain some residues of pesticideslike DDT and HCH.

● The major source of human exposure topesticides is food, but drinking water, inhalingair and dermal contact with pesticides may alsoleave residues in humans.

● Monitoring surveys in different parts of Indiaindicated that all type of food products viz.,cereals, pulses, vegetables, fruits, animal

products, vegetable oils, milk and milk products,spices and honey were found to be contaminatedwith pesticides.

● In many cases, the residues were above the legalmaximum residue limits (MRLs)

● Twenty percent of the market samples of nonfatty food commodities were found to haveresidues above MRL of 0.05 mg/kg.

● In India, even human breast milk samples werefound to be contaminated with high levels ofresidues of DDT, HCH and aldrin.

● In case of vegetables, a number of samples werefound to contain residues of some commonlyused organophosphorus, trizophos etc. above theprescribed MRLs (Dhaliwa et. a., 2000).

● Pesticides in tea, coffee and vanaspati haveaffected our export of these commodities.

● There is also a market for export of cotton fabricsand garments devoid of pesticide residues inJapan, Europe and America.

● More than 500 insect pests become resistant toone or more insecticides. Pests like DBM, grampod borer, tobacco caterpillar (Spodopetera litura)have developed cross resistance and multipleresistance to many insecticides (Puri, 1997)

● Diamond back moth - Developed resistance toseveral classes of insecticide in India

● Mzyus persicae (Sulzer) - minor pest upto 1950shas become serious pest of brinjal, crucifers,potato, tomato, chilli, pepper and cole crops inTN, AP and Karnataka.

● Resurgence of M. persicae in chillies and brinjaldue to application of cypermethrin, anddeltamethrin. These insecticides also cause

59

resurgence in mite Polyphagotarsonemus latus(Banks) (Srinivasan and Krishnamoorty, 1993).

● Outbreak of Tomato fruit borer, Helicoverpaarmigera due to indiscriminate use of insecticides.

● H. arimegra, Plutella xylostella (Linn.) andThysanoplusia orichalcea (Fab) become major pestsof off-season vegetable crops.

● Increasing incidence of H. armigera alongwithSpodoptera litura (Fab.) recorded on many othervegetables in different parts of the country.

● Cotton whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gen.) - Severeform on tomato and other vegetables.

● Cotton aphid, Aphis gossipy Glover - serious oncucurbitaceous and malvaceous vegetables.

● Recently American leaf miner, Liriomyza trifolii(Burgess) was observed on tomato crop inKarnataka.

● Beanfly, Ophiomyia phaseoli (Tyron) - seriouson peas and French beans in Southern India.

● A number of pod borers - more serious onleguminous vegetables Adisura atkinsoni Mooreon field beans and Lampides boeticus (Linn.) onpeas.

● Besides Jassid, Amrasca biguttula (Ishida) andfruit borer, Earias spp. and stemfly,Melanagromyza hubisci Spencer - serious damageon okra in Karnataka.

● It was only after this wide spread failure ofchemical control measures during the lateeighties, search for alternatives of toxic chemicalpesticides for the control of the pests populationgot some momentum (Sehgal, 1997).

● The approaches aimed at achieving this objectivewere collectively termed as Integrated PestManagement (IPM).

● IPM refers to an ecological approach in pestmanagement in which all available necessarytechniques are consolidated in a unified program,so that pest populations can be managed in such

a manner that economic damage is avoided andadverse side effects are minimized (NAS, 1969).

● According to Bakhetiya (1988), IPM is thedevelopment of a set of management tactics orpractices that maintain pest populations at alevel, which does not cause significant economiclosses.

● Pesticide intervention has to be minimal or a lastresort and other measures are given dueconsideration.

● IPM is the main tool, which aims at preventiveas well as curative measures.

● In short, IPM is a way of farming starting fromland preparation to harvest.

● IPM is the approaches initiating from landpreparation to storage (Prasad 2004)

Mechanical control

● Collection and destruction of fallen infested fruitsis effective against fruit flies and fruit borers.

● Handpicking is useful for the management ofhairy caterpillars, gram pod borer, leaf rollers,tobacco caterpillar, cabbage butterfly, mustardsawfly, epilachna beetle etc.

● Overhead irrigation reduced the pest populationof cauliflower.

● Installation of bird perches

Physical methods of control

● Clean the seeds properly.

● Sun drying to vegetable seeds on pucca floorbefore storage.

● After drying, the seeds should be mixed withdried Neem leaves @ 2 kg/100kg seed and keptin airtight container.

Cultural control

● Deep summer ploughing.

● Destruction of crop residues.

60

● Application of Neem cake/Karanj cake 15-20days before sowing.

● Application of FYM and lime 15 days beforesowing.

Selection of tolerant/resistant/leastsusceptible varieties.

● Tomato - The entries/varieties tolerant to fruitborer (H.armigera) are Ac-95, No. 128, 133, 135,Heinz 1370, Sabour prabha, H-67, H-68,Angurlata, Punjab Chhuhara, Parkar, Bonus.

● Okra - The entries/varieties tolerant of leafhopper are:- Varsha Uphar, Selection-2, AE-22,Early long green, AE-27, IC-75, Siswal Local-2.Shoot and fruit borer - AE 57, PMS-8, Parkin’slong green.

● Okra entries tolerant to Earis spp. are:- Narnaulspecia, Perkin’s Long green, Versha Uphar,Rashmi Sagar, Siswal Local-2.

● Brinjal: Less susceptible genotypes to leaf hooper(Amrasca biguttula biguttula Ishida) are Manjarigota, H-4, Pusa purple Round. Shoot and fruitborer: Pant Samrat, Pusa Purple cluster.

● Bitter gourd: Karela collection 1, Faizabad-1(Tolerant to fruit fly).

● Bottle gourd: NB-29

● Chilli : Aphid and Jassid - Pusa Jwala

● Seed treatment: with minimal dose ofinsecticides.

● Imidacloprid 70WS @ 5ml1/kg seed againstleafhopper.

● Chlorphyriphos 20EC @ 5-10m1/kg seed againsttermites.

Intercropping

● Cauliflower harboured significantly lowernumber of DBM larvae when it was intercroppedwith corriander (Prasad and Premchand, 1978).

● Pieris rapae on cabbage were significantly reducedwhen it was surrounded by companionate plants

like onion, dwarf marigold (York and Guin,1981).

● Snap beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) was less damagedby larvae of Epilachna Varivestris Muls. Whendwarf marigold were planted round the plot ofsnapbeans.

● Lower incidence of insect pests on cauliflowerwas recorded in intercropping system withmarigold or coriander (Sathi, 1997).

● Significantly lower incidence of insect pests viz.,jassid, aphid, whitefly, epilachna beetle, Biharhairy caterpillar and shoot and fruit bore wasrecorded on brinjal intercropped with marigold(Prasad, U.K. 1997).

● Tomato intercropped with cabbage has beenreported to inhibit or reduce egg laying by DBM.A planting pattern of one row cabbage and onerow of tomato (cabbage planted 30 days laterthan tomato), afforded maximum reduction ofDBM moth and leafwebber larvae on cabbage(Srinivasan, 1994)

● There are number of examples from LatinAmerica, where intercropping has helped toprevent outbreaks of several insect pests.

Trap cropping

● Row of maize at a distance of 8-10 meter shouldbe grown in the field of cucurbitaceous plants.During the night, the fuit fly adults rest on themaize plants which can be killed by sprayinginsecticides.

● Trap crop serve as pest nursery for the target pest.

● Some highly mobile natural enemies may beattracted to and aggregate on the trap crop justas on their host or prey.

● Okra can be used as a trap crop around cotton toprotect from jassid, American bollworms andspotted bollworms.

● Marigold and Nicotiana rustica L. grown as trapcrops are also preferred hosts of H. armigera.

● Planting of castor as trap crop diverts the

61

population of Spodoptera litura (Fab.) from cotton(Dhawan, 1999).

● Successful management of fruit borer (H.armigera) on tomato through trap cropping atIIHR, Bangalore.

● African tall marigold (cv Golden Age) nurseryis raised 15 days earlier to tomato and 40 dayold marigold and 25 day old tomato seedling aresimultaneously planted in the field. One row ofmarigold is alternated after every 16 tomatorows. Fruit borer moths lay eggs predominantlyon the buds and flowers of marigold.

● It has been observed that marigold has an addedattraction potential for the serpentine leafminer,Liriomyza trifolii (Burgess)

● About 10% fruit infestation in trap croppingsystem may be protected by NPV spraying (250LE/ha).

● Growing paired rows of bold seeded mustard asa trap crop at the beginning and after every 25cabbage rows. Among the paired rows, the firstis sown 15 days prior to cabbage planting whilethe second is sown 25 days after planting thisattracts up to 80-93% DBM for colonization.Besides it attracts almost entire population of C.binotalis, H. undalis and bugs.

● Indian mustard sprayed with Bacillusthermogenesis products at 750g a.i./ha forcontrolling severe attack of DBM and shoot borer,H. undalis and NPV sprays at 250-375 LE/haagainst S. Litura (Arora et al., 2000).

Use of barrier

Mango mealy bug can be effectively managedby applying polythene band (30cm) on trunk orbranches with application of grease on the lower endto fill space between trunk. This band should beapplied before hatching of eggs in December.

● For the management of aphids/viruses onchilli, raising of seedlings in insect proofcages.

● Use of maize as a barrier crops in the fieldand spraying with effective insecticideswhen vectors are first seen.

Crop rotation:- Generally, crop rotation is the mosteffective against pests that have a narrow host rangeand dispersal capacity.

Nutrient management :- Application of potash andsometimes phosphorus also, either singly or incombination with nitrogen results in lower incidenceof many insect pests.

● High levels of nitrogen fertilizerssignificantly increase the incidence of mostof the insect pests.

Water management: Flooding of fields has beenrecommended for reducing the attack of cutworms,armyworms, termites, white grubs etc.

Management of fruit fly

● Field sanitation: all infested fruits, whether onthe tree or fallen on the ground, should becollected and buried deep into the soil.

● Ploughing of the soil: Pupation andoverwintering of fruit fly takes place in the soil.Ploughing during winter months in the orchard,expose the pupae against sunlight and predators.

● Bait sprays: 20ml malathion 50WP +200g gur in2 litre water kept in flat container.

Or Applying the bait sprays containing 20mlmalathion 50EC and 200 g sugar/gur in 20 litrewater. Repeated at weekly interval in severeinfestation

Male Annihilation Technique

● Cotton wicks soaked in soya powder +2g gur or2 ml vegetable juice +1.0ml methy1 eugenol+1.0ml malathion were suspended in Steiner typetraps. The baited traps kept suspended on trees,bamboo or stick at about 1.5 m high under theshade. The impregnated cotton wicks werechanged at fortnightly intervals and the numberof flies annihilated.

● Soil application of neem cake 50gm perplant at flowering is effective.

● Foliar spray of fenthion 0.05% with 5%jaggary at fruit formation/ripening is veryeffective.

62

Biological control● Indigenous NEs proved effective

● Predators: Scymnus epius West. againstmealy bugs Scymnus sp. against mealybugs

● Parasitoid Cephaleta brunniventrisMots against, scale insect,

Anicetus ceylonesis Howard against scaleinsect and

Anagyrus dactylopii (Howard against grapemealy bug.

● Cabbage: Indigenous parasitoid Apantelesplutellae (Kurdy) against DBM moth oncabbage in Gujarat and Karnataka.

● Hill region of TN-70% parasitism of DBMmoth

● Tomato: Release of egg parasitoidTrichogramma brasiliense (Ashmead) @ 4000

adults ha-1 week-1 for 6 weeks suppressedthe attack of fruit borer on tomato

Neem based insecticides

Repelin, Neemark, Weligro, Neemrich,Neem oil 50% (3ml/lit.), NSKE.

● Karangin

Bipopesticides

Halt, Biolep, Biobit

HanPV, Spodoptera NPV

Compatible Larvae/MRL

i. HaNPV at 300 LE/ha +endosulfan 500/ha 2.4

ii. Endosulfan 1 L/ha 6.13

iii. Untreated control 10.0

63

Government of JharkhandDepartment of Agriculture & Cane Development

Directorate of Horticulture

Thrust Areas

● Area expansion under horticulture crops.

● Strengthening of planting material and seedproduction system.

● Development of backward linkages.

● Development of forward linkages.

Proposed Organisation of Horticulture Sector inJharkhand

Development of AEZ

● Cool chains.

● Refrigerated cargo vehicles.

● Auction yard.

● Agri-business co-operative centre

● Agro processing centre

Rejuvenating the infrastructure

● Block nurseries.

● Pregency orchards.

Organized marketing sector

Post harvest technologyValue addition

Increase in Production

➝➝

➝

Increase in Increase in

Productivity area coverage

Technological Inputsthrough technology transfer

Availability of plantingmaterial & seed material

Human ResourceDevelopment Land

→→

Micro irrigation

● Micro irrigation and fertigation.

● Technology transfer.

● Research and Development

● Hi-tech horticulture

64

State HorticulturalConfederation

FederationDistrict level

SClusters15-30 SHGBlack level

➝➝

Price determinationDistributionMarketing

TrainingIntelligence

➝

Quality ControlProcessingR&D

➝

Co-ordinationMarketing ➝

➝

➝

➝ProcessingRaw materials

PackagingInputs

➝

NHB

➝

15-30producers

villages level

ProductionGrading

➝ ➝

ProcurementTransport➝

➝

SHGSHG SHG

SHG

Technology Transfer

● Basic technology.

● Commercial horticulture

● Hi-tech horticulture

Creating infrastructure

● Hi-tech nurseries.

● Propagation villages.

● Temporary nurseries.

● Micro irrigation

Marketing

Seed Company

Federation

Self Help Groups

Technical assistanceFinancial management

Financial assistanceFacilitating marketing

Vegetables Seed Production

➝➝

➝

➝

ProcessingPackagingStorage

ICARKVKs

BrandingCertificationBuying back

➝➝ ➝

➝

➝ Government

Strengthening the Backward LinkagesNational Fruit & Vegetable Federation

NHB

Fruits and Vegetable FederationState level

Farmers Association

Village

Post havest managementand marketing facilities

➝

Fruits and Vegetable UnionsDistrict level

➝

Post harvest managementand marketing facilities

procurement Centres invillage hats

Farmers Association Farmers Association

➝ ➝ ➝

Village Village

➝

➝

➝

NHB

State Horticultural FederationPrice determinationDistributionMarketing ➝

➝➝

Quality Control

R & DProcessingBoard of

DirectorsBoard ofManagement

District Producer’s Union

➝

➝

➝ProcessingPackagingRaw materials

➝ MarketingTransportationInputs

Co-operative SocietiesVillage level

➝

➝ProductionGrading

ProcurementTransportation

➝

➝

65

Research and Development

● SAU

● ICAR

● MST

● DBT

● OTHERS

National Horticulture TechnologyMission

● Mini mission - I

● Mini mission - II

● Mini mission - III

● Mini mission - IV

The Final GoalArea expansion

High quality produce & productsHigh productivity

Produce & Product channelisation

Emergence of Horticultureas

Driving factorin

State Economy

66

9

8

7

6

54

32

10

10

Feedback (Course Subject)

12

10

8

6

4

2

0

Flo

ricul

ture

& P

rote

cted

Cul

tivat

ion

Spi

ces

culti

vatio

n

See

d P

rodu

ctio

n/P

lant

ing

Mat

eria

l/Pro

cess

ing

Fru

it P

roce

ssin

g &

Exp

ort

Pos

sibi

litie

s

Prio

ritie

s of

Hor

ticul

ture

Fru

it ba

sed

syst

ems

in R

ainf

edA

rea

Org

anic

Far

min

g

Med

icin

al &

Aro

mat

ic P

lant

s

Nut

rient

Def

icie

ncy

Sym

ptom

s

IPN

S

Inte

grat

ed P

est M

anag

emen

tin

Veg

etab

les

Cro

ps

Inte

grat

ed D

isea

se M

anag

emen

tin

Veg

etab

le C

rops

Rec

omm

enda

tion

on H

ortic

ultu

refo

r Jh

arkh

and

Dr. Rajesh Kumar

Dr. S. Rath

Dr. G. Dev

Dr. D. Kumar

Dr. D. K. Saxena

Dr. A. K. Sarkar

Dr. S. Kumar

Dr. S. C. Kotur

Dr. B. M. Choudhary

Dr. D. Prasad

Feedback (Course Faculty)

67

10

8

6

4

2

0Conference

HallAudio

VisualsBoarding Lodging Fooding Overall

Agril. Dept.

33% Agril. Dept.

BAU

10% BAU

Plant Protection Dept.

9% Plant Protection Dept.

Hort. Dept.

16% Hort. Dept.

KVK/ZRS

7% KVK/ZRS

Farmers

6% Farmers

Soil Cons. Dept.

10% Soil Cons. Dept.

ICAR/NHB

9% ICAR/NHB

PARTICIPATION PROFILE

Feedback (Facilities Provided)

68

LIST OF PARTICIPANTS

S. No. Name Designation & Address

1. Sri Rajendra Kishore Dy. Director (Horticulture)Govt. of Jharkhand.

2. Sri Pius Kujur DHO, Palamau

3. Sri. Entan Ekka DHO, Ranchi

4. Sri Biram Hembram DHO, Golpaharari, E. SinghbhumJamshedpur

5. Sri Shiv Pujan Ram DHO, Lohardagga

6. Sri. Kamal Kumar Kujur DHO, W. Singhbhum

7. Sri Dayal Prasad DAO cum DHO, Saraikela - Kharsuian

8. Sri Umesh Tirkey DAO, Godda

9. Sri Gamaliel Hansda DAO cum DHO, Dumka

10. Sri Ratan Kr. Bhagat DAO cum DHO, Sahibganj

11. Sri Gopal Thakur DAO cum DHO, Deoghar

12. Sri Laxman Oraon SAO cum DAO cum DHO, Simdega

13. Sri Yogeshwar Pd. Singh Agriculture Inspector (PLA)SAO office, CKP, W. Singhbhum

14. Sri P. J. Tirkey DAO, Lohardagga

15. Sri Sanjay Kumar Singh Sub Divisional Agril. Officer, Jamshedpur

16. Sri Satyendra Narayan Singh DAO, Kodarma

17. Sri Brij Lal Prasad DAO, Giridih

18. Sri Surendra Singh DAO, Jamtara

19. Sri Santosh Lakra Sub Divisional Agriculture Officer, Ranchi

20. Sri Arun Kumar Gupta SAO cum DAO, Bokaro

21. Sri B.P. Mandal DAO, Gumla

22. Sri M. S. A. M. Shiva DAO cum PD, (ATMA), W. Singhbhum

23. Sri Pranay Menos Ecka DAO, Hazaribagh

24. Sri Ram Oraon Asst. Agril. Officer, DAO Office, Ranchi

25. Sri Kaila Gari DAO, Dhanbad

26. Sri Amresh Kumar Jha SAO cum DAO, Chatra

27. Sri Daniel Ekka DAO, Pakur

28. Sri Bimal Baxla Principal, ETC cum OSD (Planning), Ranchi

29. Sri Chandra Mohan Puran Asst. Director (Quality Control), Ranchi

30. Sri Amersh Kr. Jha SAO cum DAO, Chatra

31. Sri Shashi Shekhar Prasad Singh DSCO cum Dy. Director (Soil Conservation),Gumla

32. Sri Brajeshwar Dubey DSCO, Chaibasa

33. Sri Ram Narayan Prasad DSCO, Deoghar

34. Sri Ajeshwar Pd. Singh DSCO, Jamshedpur

35. Dr. Indra Deo Paswan DSCO, Jamshedpur

36. Sri Sunil Kumar DSCO, Garhwa

37. Sri Brajeshwar Dubey DSCO, Chaibasa

69

S. No. Name Designation & Address

38. Sri Vikash Kumar Jr. Plant Protection Officer, Ranchi

39. Sri Munendara Das Jr. Plant Protection Officer, Palamau

40. Sri Christ Hermon Bara Jr. Plant Protection Officer, Hazaribagh

41. Dr. S. Chattopadhyay Sr. Asst. Professor,Faculty of Forestry, BAU, Ranchi

42. Sri Shubhranshu Sengupta Jr. Scientist-cum-Asst. Prof.,Dept. of Horticulture, RAC, BAU, Ranchi

43. Dr. Sanyat Mishra Asst. Professor-cum-Jr. Scientist,Department of Horticulture, BAU, Ranchi

44. Miss Punam Horo Jr. Scientist-cum-Asst. Prof.,Dept. of Horticulture, BAU, Ranchi

45. Dr. R. N. Rai Asst. Prof. (Hort), BAU, Ranchi

46. Sri. Mukesh Kumar Trg. Asst., KVK, Lohardagga

47. Dr. Naresh Pd. Yadav Jr. Scientist-cum-Asst. Professor (PBG), BAU, Ranchi

48. Ms. Arti Beena Ekka Trg. Asst. (Horticulture), DOEE, BAU, Ranchi

49. Ms. Lily Maxima Kispotta Trg. Asst., KVK, Chianki, Palamau

50. Sri Hari Singh Asst. Director, NHB, Krishi Bhawan, Ranchi

51. Dr. Pradip Dey Sr. Scientist, HARP, Palandu, Ranchi

52. Dr. Ranvir Singh Sr. Scientist (Hort), HARP, Plandu, Ranchi

53. Sri Roshanlal Raut R.A., Deptt. of Hort., JNKVV, Jabalpur, MP

54. Sri Anil Kumar R.A. (NATP-RRPS-8), KVK, Ambikapur

55. Sri V. K. Verma Enterprenour (Hort.), Ranchi

56. Sri Chandra Prakesh Munda Progressive Farmer (Hort.), Chaibasa

57. Sri Sundhanyamay Mandal BTT Member, ATMA, Chaibasa

58. Dr. K. D. Singh Ex. Associate Director, Z.R.S., Chianki, BAU

59. Dr. Vijay Kumar Scientist (Hort.), KVK, Ambikapur, Chhatisgarh

60. Dr. Rajesh Prasad Singh R.A., HARP, Plandu, Ranchi

61. Dr. Subash Chandra Swain R.A. (HORT), RRTS, OUAT, Semiliguda, Orissa

70

S. No. Name Designation & Address

1. Sri. V. Jayaram Director (Agriculture), Govt. of Jharkhand

2. Dr. D. K. Saxena Director (Horticulture), Govt. of Jharkhand

3. Dr. A. K. Sarkar Director, SAMETI, Jharkhand

4. Dr. R. L. Mishra Project Coordinator (Floriculture)

IARI, New Delhi

5. Dr. S. Kumar Principal Scientist & Head, HARP, Plandu, Ranchi

6. Dr. G. Dev Ex. Professor, PAU, Ludhiana & Consultant

IMPHOS (India), Ludhiana (Punjab)

7. Dr. Sabyasachi Rath ADR, RRTTS (OUAT), Semiliguda, Koraput, (Orissa)

8. Dr. S. C. Kotur Principal Scientist, IIHR, Bangalore (Karnataka)

9. Dr. B. M. Choudhary Chairman (Horticulture), BAU, Ranchi

10. Dr. D. Kumar Head, Coffee Res. Institute, Zimbabwe

11. Dr. Rajesh Kumar NRC for Litchi (ICAR), Muzaffarpur, Bihar

12. Dr. Ranvir Singh Sr. Scientist, HARP, Plandu, Ranchi

13. Dr. B. N. Mohanty Manager (Horticulture), TATA Steel, Jamshedpur

14. Dr. Devendra Prasad Chairman (Entomology) BAU, Ranchi

COURSE FACULTY

FOREWORD

H orticulture sector is one of the important sub sectors ofagriculture, having ample scope for expansion in the State

of Jharkhand. The total area occupied by various plantation andhorticulture crops in the State is about 2.57 lakh ha, with anestimated total production of 37.8 lakh tonnes. Considering theagro climatic suitability and future prospects, Government ofJharkhand, has programmed to implement various schemes forthe promotion of this sector. Improved cultivation technologiesneed to be adopted and popularized for improving theproductivity. Plastic covered cultivation techniques need to bepromoted since possibility of bringing additional area undercultivation is remote. Improvement in seed/planting materials,post harvest management, developing marketing infrastructurewill give a boost to horticultural crops in the State.

The State has planned to set up of Agri-Export Zone (AEZ) forhorticultural crops. This will help to achieve desired exportorientation. The workshop was a major step towards the abovedirection. Aim was to orient the district level officers of agriculture,horticulture & soil conservation departments towards latesttechnologies available in different fruit & vegetable crops.

The workshop proceedings will help in taking stock oftechnological advancements in horticulture sector & devisestrategies to meet future needs. I am sure that all functionarieswho are involved in the development of Horticulture in the statewill make full use of this proceeding. The task of preparing thismanuscript would not have been possible without the untiringand meticulous help extended by SAMETI. I convey myappreciation to Director, SAMETI for this compilation.

(A. K. Sarkar)

Sri A. K. Sarkar, I.A.S.

Secretary

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE & CANE DEVELOPMENTGOVT. OF JHARKHAND

Nepal House, Doranda, Ranchi - 834001

GOVT. OF JHARKHAND

i

CONTENTSForeword .............................................................. i

Recommendations from the Workshop ............................................................. 1

Priorities of Horticulture Development in Jharkhand S. Kumar, Vishal Nath & Bikash Das .........2

Greenhouse Cultivation of Cut Flowers R. L. Mishra & Vinod Kumar .....................8

Prospects of Fruit Processing and Export in Jharkhand Rajesh Kumar ....................................... 14

Production Technology of Some ImportantMedicinal Plants B. M. Chowdhary ..................................20

Production Technology of Some Important AromaticPlants B. M. Chowdhary & Arti Beena Ekka ......24

Integrated Plant Nutrient Supply (IPNS) :Importance and Impediments G. Dev ..................................................27

Method for Collection of Representative SoilSample for Horticulture Crops G. Dev ..................................................30

Nutrients Deficiency Symptoms in Horticulture Crops G. Dev ..................................................31

Fertilizer Use and Environment Quality G. Dev ..................................................34

Recent Trends in Nutritional Managements inHorticultural Crops S.C. Kotur ............................................. 37

Fruit Based Multi-tier Cropping Systems forSustainable Production in Uplands R. V. Singh & S. Kumar .......................... 40

Managing Acid Soil for Higher Production ofHorticultural Crops A. K. Sarkar ..........................................43

Organic Farming in Horticulture : Issues and Strategies P. Dey ................................................... 46

Development of Horticulture Based FarmingSystem in Jharkhand S. Rath ..................................................50

Integrated Management of Soil Borne Diseases S. Kumar .............................................. 54

Integrated Pest Management in Vegetable Crops Devendra Prasad .................................. 58

Proposed Organisation of Horticulture Sectorin Jharkhand ............................................................ 63

Feedback (Course Faculty & Course Subject) ........................................................... 66

Feedback (Facilities Provided) and Partcipation Profile ........................................................... 67

List of Participants ........................................................... 68

Course Faculty ........................................................... 70

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

OF

HORTICULTURAL CROPS

(Proceedings of State Level Workshop held fromSeptember 27th - October 1st, 2004)

Organized by

Dept. of Agriculture & Cane Development, Govt. of Jharkhand

SAMETI, Jharkhand,

HARP (ICAR–RCER), Plandu, Ranchi &

Dept. of Horticulture, BAU, Ranchi

October 2004

STATE AGRICULTURAL MANAGEMENT & EXTENSION TRAINING INSTITUTE

(SAMETI, JHARKHAND)KRISHI BHAWAN CAMPUS, KANKE ROAD, RANCHI - 834008

GOVT. OF JHARKHAND

ITD (NATP) Proceeding of Horticulture Workshop - 2004

All Right Reserved : SAMETI, Jharkhand &Dept. of Agriculture & Cane Development, Govt. of Jharkhand

Edited & Compiled By : Dr. A. K. Sarkar, Director, SAMETI

Published By : SAMETI, Jharkhand & Dept. of Agriculture& Cane Development, Govt. of Jharkhand

Ph. : 0651-2232745, Fax: 2232746

Video Conferencing : 0651 - 2233941

E-Mail : sametijharkhand@rediffmail.com

URL : www.sameti.org