Sustainable/Natural Farming Practices Technical … Technical Protocol...Sustainable/Natural Farming...

Sustainable/Natural Farming Practices

Technical Protocol Documentation

MKSP

Deepak Foundation, Gujarat, Vadodara

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Contents

Sr. No. Heading/Sub- heading Page No.1 Introduction 22 Crops planned under MKSP 23 Sustainable/Natural farming practices planned 24 Intercropping 35 Soil and Plant Nutrient Management 65.1 Bulk Organic Manure 65.2 Jeevamrutha 95.3 Amrith Pani 95.4 Liquid Biofertilizers 105.5 Panchagavya 106 Plant protection measures 136.1 Cultural Control 136.2 Mechanical Control 156.3 Chemical control 156.4 Biological control 207 Kitchen Garden 228 Grain storage 23

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1. Introduction

The sustainable/natural farming system primarily aims at raising crops in such a way, as to keepthe farming ecosystem in good health by using on-farm agronomic, biological and mechanicalmethods in exclusion of all synthetic off-farm inputs; The sustainable/natural farming systemavoids the use of synthetic agricultural inputs (synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, hormones etc).

The key characteristics of sustainable/natural farming include:

Protecting the long term fertility of soil by maintaining soil organic matter levels andencouraging soil biological activity (via. crop diversity, crop rotation, residuemanagement, organic manures and biological inputs), and careful mechanicalintervention

Weed, disease and pest control relying on cultural (crop rotations, natural predators, cropdiversity), mechanical, biological and limited/minimal non-synthetic chemicalinterventions

2. Crops planned under MKSP

Following season specific crops are planned to be cultivated under sustainable/natural farminginitiatives by MKSP project beneficiaries:

Kharif Rabi SummerAgricultureCrops

Cotton, Maize,pigeon pea,Soybean

Gram Green Gram

Horticulture Brinjal, tomato, chilly, okra, bottle gourd, bitter gourd,cucumber, spinach, coriander, cow pea, cluster beans,french beans

3. Sustainable/Natural farming practices planned

Following major sustainable/natural farming practices are planned under NKSP:

Inter cropping for better resource utilization Soil and Plant Nutrient Management using natural ingredients and living organisms

(Manure, compost, Jeevamrutha, Amrith pani, Liquid biofertilizers, Panchgavya) Plant protection measures following non pesticide management practices

a. Cultural Practices: Summer ploughing, crop rotation, trap crop,b. Mechanical Control: Hand picking, yellow and white plates, perches, bonfire, etcc. Chemical control (Traditional household remedies which have no toxic effect):

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– Seed treatment with cow urine and Beejamrutha– Soil and foliar application of Cow dung Urine solution; neem seed, leaf

and neem cake; Agnastram; Bramhastram, etc.d. Biological control: Use of beneficial insects and biofertilizers like Trichodermaviridae and Pseudomonas fluorescence

Kitchen garden

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4. Intercropping

Intercropping is the practice of growing two or more crops in proximity. The most common goalof intercropping is to produce a greater yield on a given piece of land by making use of resourcesthat would otherwise not be utilized by a single crop. The intercropping strategies are: planting adeep-rooted crop with a shallow-rooted crop, or planting a tall crop with a shorter crop thatrequires partial shade. Intercropping also uses the practice of sowing a fast growing crop with aslow growing crop, so that the fast growing crop is harvested before the slow growing crop startsto mature.

In inter cropping system, companion crops are grown generally to avoid diseases & pestattacking the main crop. Also inter cropping suppress weeds or provide nutrients. This helps inreducing the man power and extra costs incurred on pesticides or insecticides.

4.1 Types of intercropping planned under MKSP:

Types of intercropping planned under MKSP project are- row intercropping and strip intercropping.

Row intercropping (It involves the component crops arranged in alternate rows):

Strip inter cropping, where multiple rows, or a strip, of one crop are alternated with multiplerows of another crop:

4.2 Planned crop combination under inter cropping system:

Crop-1: Crop-2:Maize pigeon peaMaize soybeanCotton pigeon peaCotton soybeanCotton Maize

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4.3 Maintaining plant density in intercropping in agriculture crops:

Individual plant should not be planted at same density as usual in sole crops. The best way tofind out what should be the plant density are, is to experiment with different seeding rates. In anintercrop system with two crops on same field, experiment with three small plots with each cropat different percentage of normally recommended seed/plant rate : 1/3+2/3, ½+1/2, 2/3+1/3.Based on the result of the experiment, make adjustment for future planting

4.4 Requirements, for successful intercropping:

For successful intercropping, there are certain important requirements, as follows:

Competition for light should be minimum among the component crops. Complementary should exist between the component crops. The differences in maturity of component crops should be at least 30 days.

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5. Soil and Plant Nutrient Management

Topics covered:– Bulky organic manures– Jeevamrutha– Amrith pani– Liquid biofertilizers– Panchgavya

5.1 Bulk Organic Manure

Manures are plant and animal wastes that are used as sources of plant nutrients. Major sources ofmanures will be:

a. Cattle shed wastes-dung, urine and slurry from biogas plantsb. Fruit and vegetable processing wastes and crop wastesc. Green leaf manure

Farmyard manure (FYM), compost and green-manure are planned to be promoted as bulkyorganic manures under MKSP.

5.1.1 Farmyard manure

Farmyard manure refers to the decomposed mixture of dung and urine of farm animals alongwith litter and left over material from roughages or fodder fed to the cattle.

Method of preparation:

Trenches of size 6 m to 7.5 m length, 1.5 m to 2.0 m width and 1.0 m deep are dug. Urine soakedrefuse along with dung is collected and placed in the trench. A section of the trench from one endshould be taken up for filling with daily collection. When the section is filled up to a height of 45cm to 60 cm above the ground level, the top of the heap is made into a dome and plastered withcow dung earth slurry. The process is continued and when the first trench is completely filled,second trench is prepared. The farmyard manure pit should be constructed in a shade place toavoid nitrogen loss. Normally to allow the fresh air to get inside, the compost heap should beturned upside down, once in fifteen days. Throughout the production period 60% moistureshould be maintained, through weekly watering, for microbial action. The manure becomesready for use in about four to five months after plastering.

Direction of Use:

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Partially rotten farmyard manure has to be applied three to four weeks before sowing while wellrotten manure can be applied immediately before sowing. Generally 10 to 20 t/ha is applied, butmore than 20 t/ha is applied to vegetables. Leaving manure in small heaps scattered in the fieldfor a very long period leads to loss of nutrients. These losses can be reduced by spreading themanure and incorporating by ploughing immediately after application.

5.1.2 Compost

Composting is the natural process of 'rotting' or decomposition of organic matter bymicroorganisms under controlled conditions. Raw organic materials such as crop residues,animal wastes, food garbage are to be used for composting. Compost is a rich source of organicmatter. In addition to being a source of plant nutrient, it improves the physico-chemical andbiological properties of the soil. As a result of these improvements, the soil:

becomes more resistant to stresses such as drought, diseases and toxicity; helps the crop in improved uptake of plant nutrients; and possesses an active nutrient cycling capacity because of vigorous microbial activity.

5.1.2.1 Farm compost

The compost made from farm waste like trash, straw and weeds called as farm compost.


Farm compost is made by placing farm wastes in trenches of suitable size, say, 4.5 m to 5.0 mlong, 1.5m to 2.0 m wide and 1.0 m to 2.0 m deep. Farm waste is placed in the trenches layer bylayer. Each layer is well moistened by sprinkling cow dung slurry or water. For one ton cropresidues40 kg fresh cow dung is required. This 40 kg fresh cow dung is mixed with100litres ofwater and it should be thoroughly poured over the waste material. Cow dung slurry acts asnitrogen source as well as source of microbial inoculum. Trenches are filled up to a height of 0.5m above the ground. Sufficient quantity of oxygen should be available inside the compost heap.Normally to allow the fresh air to get inside, the compost heap should be turned upside down,once in fifteen days. Throughout the composting period 60% moisture should be maintained,through weekly watering, for microbial action. On any situation, compost material should not beallowed to dry. If the material becomes dry, all the microorganisms present in the crop residueswill die and the compost process gets affected. The compost pit should be constructed in a shadeplace to avoid nitrogen loss.

Direction of Use:

The compost gets ready for application within five to six months. For one hectare of land 5 tonsof enriched biocompost is recommended. It can be used as basal application in the field beforetaking up planting work. Spread the manure and incorporate by ploughing immediately afterapplication.

5.1.2.2 Vermicompost

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Vermicompost technology has promising potential to meet the organic manure requirement inboth irrigated and rainfed areas. Cow dung, water, cow urine, agricultural waste materials areingredients of vermicompost.


Prepare a pit or select an area above the ground of about 6 ft length X 3 ft breadth X 2 ½ ft depth(height). Bedding to be comprised of polyethylene sheets surrounded by bricks/stone pieces. Thebed to be filled with a thin layer (10-15 cm)of broken bricks/stone pieces, sawdust/husk/trash/dry leafs, sand and soil. Following this, cow urine socked cow dung andagro/kitch wastes in the ratio of 1:1 to 1:3 to be mixed and filled the pit up to 3 ft height. Thefeed mix is allowed to predecompose for about 3-4 weeks. The bed is then inoculated withearthworms (1-1.5 kg) when the raw materials turn to black. The bedding should be in a shadeplace and maintain the moisture of the tank feed (40% moisture should be maintained by dailywater sprinkling). One kilogram of worms numbering about 600 to 1000 can convert 25 to 45 kg.of wet waste per week. The total decomposition may take about 75 – 100 days depending onvarious factors. About 600 kg of compost can be obtained from each cycle. A few days beforethe harvest watering of the tank are discontinued to allow migration of worms towards thebottom of the bed. The compost is then transferred outside without disturbing the bed. Thecompost is to be sieved through a 3 mm mesh sun-dried before use. Vermicompost can bestored for one year without loss of its quality, if the moisture is maintained at 40% level. Whilesieving the unhatched cocoons can also be retrieved. The excess worms can be retrieved and putin new tanks or sold

One quintal vermicompost to be mixed with 1 kg Azospirillum or Azotobacter, 1 kg. phosphatesolubilizing microorganisms (PSM) and 1 kg Trichoderma. Every week sprinkle the materialwith water and turn the entire material upside down to maintain moisture and aeration.Continue this process upto 3 weeks to complete the process.

Direction of Use:

Application of 2-5 quintals enriched vermicompost per acre as soil application before sowingdirectly to the soil is found to be beneficial in supplementing the necessary nutrients required bythe crop as well as in combating pests and diseases from seedling stage itself.

5.1.3 Green leaf manure

Addition of leaves, stem and other parts of the plant to the soil when they are still green toimprove the fertility of the soil is called green leaf manure.

Ex-situ green leaf manuring method is planned to be followed under MKSP; i.e. getting thegreen leaves, stem and branches from the trees grown outside like neem, mahua, wild indigo,calotropis, avise(Sesbania grandiflora), subabul, glyricidia, cassia semia, jackfruit, pongamia,niger etc and incorporating the same within the soil just 15 days before sowing or transplantationof the crop in the field. Benefits of green leaf manure are:

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The green leaf manure rots and provides more nitrogen to the plants ultimately savingorganic urea application.

Addition of various types of green leaves to the soil controls pests and diseases. Two to three tons of green leaf manure can be added to one acre of land

5.2 Jeevamrutha

Jeevamrutha is a plant growth promoting substance containing beneficial micro organisms thatprovides all the necessary nutritional requirement for growth and yield of a crop.Microorganisms are well activated in the soil by the addition of Jeevamrutha.

Ingredients of Jeevamrutha (for 20 liters solution):

Drum, 17.5 litres water, 1 litre cow urine, ¼ kg jaggery, ¼ kg gram flour, 1 kg cow dung, smallquantity of fertile soil from undisturbed area.

The microorganisms that supply nitrogen like Azotobacter, Acetobacter, Azospirillum andphosphorus solubilizing bacteria Pseudomonas and potash solubilizing bacteria like Bacillussilicus are present in the dung that is used to prepare Jeevamrutha. Similarly urine has diseaseresistant organisms.


Add 17.5 litres water into a drum. To this, add 1 kg cow dung, ¼ kg jaggery, ¼ kg gram flour,little soil and 1 litre cow urine. Mix all the ingredients and stir properly. Cover the mouth of thedrum with a cloth and keep it in shade. Stir the mixture thrice a day (morning afternoon & night)for 4 consecutive days. So prepared Jeevamruta should be used from 4th day onwards within 7days of preparation.

Direction of use:

50-200 litres of Jeevamrutha is required for one acre land; it can be applied along withIrrigation or through drinching.

Jeevamrutha has to be applied once in 15 days Compulsorily during vegetative stage,flowering stage and grain filling stage (@ 250 ml/plant)

5.3 Amrith Pani

Amrith Pani is a foliar spray that provides nitrogen to the growing plants through the leaves.This spray also acts as insect repellant.

Ingredients of Amrith Pani : 1 litre cow urine of indigenous breed 1 kg cow dung of indigenous breed 250 gms jaggery 10 litres water

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1 Drum or plastic bucket.


Clean the drum well and fill it with required quantity of water. Mix indigenous cow dung withwater to prepare cowdung solution. Add cow’s urine and powedered jaggery. Mix thoroughly theentire ingredients in a drum and keep it closed for one day for curing. 12-13 litres of solution isobtained by this method.

Direction of use:

Dilute one litre of the solution in 10 litres of water and use as a foliar spray or 20-30 litres ofAmritpani is applied through irrigation for one acre of land..

5.4 Liquid Biofertilizers

Biofertilizers are defined as preparations containing living cells or latent cells of efficient strainsof microorganisms that help crop plants’ uptake of nutrients by their interactions in therhizosphere when applied through seed or soil. Use of biofertilizers is one of the importantcomponents of integrated nutrient management, as they are cost effective and renewable sourceof plant nutrients to supplement the chemical fertilizers for sustainable agriculture.

Biofertilizers are such as Rhizobium, Azospirillum and Phosphobacteria provide nitrogen andphosphorous nutrients to crop plants through nitrogen fixation and phosphorous solubilizationprocesses. These Biofertilizers will be effectively utilized for soil application.

5.5 Panchagavya

Panchagavya is the single organic input that acts as a growth-promoter and immunitybooster. It consists of five products from the cow dung, urine, milk, curd and ghee. Whensuitably mixed and used, these have miraculous effects.

Ingredients:

Cowdung slurry (from gober gas plant) 4 kgs Indigenous cow dung 1 kg Cow urine 3 ltrs. Indigenous cow milk 2 ltrs. Sour Curds 2 ltrs. Ghee from cow 1 kg. Sugar cane Juice 3 ltrs or Jaggery 1 kg. Tender Coconut water 3 ltrs. Over ripe banana 12 Toddy (Neera if available ) 2 ltrs

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20 litres of panchagavya can be prepared from the above mentioned products.


All the above items can be added to a wide mouthed mud pot, concrete tank or plastic cans in theorder specified above. The container should be kept open but in the shade. The content is to bestirred twice a day, both in the morning and evening. The panchagavya stock solution will beready after the 7th day. The products of local breeds of cow are said to have more potency thanexotic breeds.

Alternative method:

In places were gobar gas slurry is not available, the following method can be used. Add 7 kgs. offresh cow dung to 5 litres of cow urine and 5 litres of water and keep in a suitable container inthe shade. The container should be kept open for aeration and to allow the gas produced duringthe fermentation process to escape. Mix thoroughly and stir the solution twice daily for 15 days.On the 16th day, add the rest of the ingredients and continue stirring twice daily. On the 22ndday the panchagavya will be ready for use. If sugarcane juice is not available, add 500 grams ofjaggery dissolved in 3 litres of water. Likewise if toddy is not available, add 100 grams of yeastpowder and 100 grams of jaggery to 10 litres of warm water. After 30 minutes, add this solutionto replace toddy in Panchagavya. When stirred twice daily, the Panchagavya solution can be keptfor 6 months without any deterioration in its quality. Whenever the solution becomes thick due toevaporation of water over a long period, suitable quantity of water can be added to keep it in aliquid state.

Direction of Use:

Flow system: The solution of Panchagavya can be mixed with irrigation water at 50 litres perhectare either through drip irrigation or flow irrigation

Spray system: Generally panchagavya is recommended for all the crops as foliar spray. Threelitres of Panchagavya to every 100 litres of water is ideal for all crops.

Frequency of application of Panchagavya:

Pre flowering phase → Once in 15 days, two sprays depending upon duration of cropsFlowering and podsetting stage

→ Once in 10 days, two sprays

Fruit/Pod maturationstage

→ Once during pod maturation

Panchagavya for seed/seedling treatment:

3% solution of Panchagavya can be used to soak the seeds or dip the seedlings before planting.Soaking for 20 minutes is sufficient.

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Panchagavya for seed storage :

3% of Panchagavya solution can be used to dip the seeds before drying and storing them.

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6. Plant protection measures (Non pesticide management practices)

6.1 Cultural Practices/Control

It includes crop production practices, that make crop environment less susceptible to pests, suchas:

Deep summer plowing to destroy the pupae of cotton bollworms, army worms and otherpests whose pupae are in the soil.

Planting "trap crops" (e.g., sorghum, marigold, castor, and green gum) around the edge ofthe field/ in between the rows of main crop to attract pest insects away from the crop. Thetrap crops are checked daily. Parts of the plants with insect eggs are removed and burned.

Methods like destruction of the hiding places of pests, removal of weeds, destruction ofold crop debris, crop rotation, correct row and plant spacing, avoid water logging, timingout the excess plant population are also include in this.

6.1.1 Crop Rotation:

There are five fundamental reasons why crop rotation should be followed: 1-Not all plants havethe same nutritive needs, 2- Soil structure improves, 3- Add to soil nutrients, 4-Pest buildup isavoided, and 5-Helps against the buildup of weeds.

Growing different crops like monocotyledons followed by dicotyledons on a same piece of landis termed as crop rotation. If preceding crops are legume or non-legume grown as intercrops ormixed crops, the succeeding crop may be legume or non legume or both. Highly fertilized cropsshould be followed by non-fertilised crop. Leaf shedding crop should be followed by non-leafshedding or less exhaustive crops. Perennial or long duration crops should be followed byseasonal /restorative crops. Deep rooted crops should be succeeded by shallow rooted crops.Dicot crops should be followed by monocot crops.

The proposed crop rotations patterns under MKSP are mentioned below:

Cotton/Maize→

Gram/Green gram←

Legume crop (cluster beans, cow pea, beans etc)↓

↑Leafy vegetables → Tomato/Brinjal/Chilly/

Cabbage/Cauli flower/Cucurbit

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6.1.2Trap cropping

Trap cropping is the planting of a trap crop to protect the main cash crop from a certain pest orseveral pests. The trap crop can be from the same or different family group, than that of the maincrop, as long as it is more attractive to the pest. There are two types of planting the trap crops;perimeter trap cropping and row intercropping. Perimeter trap cropping (border trap cropping) isthe planting of trap crop completely surrounding the main cash crop. It prevents a pest attack thatcomes from all sides of the field. It works best on pests that are found near the borderline of thefarm. Row intercropping is the planting of the trap crop in alternating rows within the main crop.

6.1.2.1 Advantages of trap cropping

Lessens the use of pesticide Lowers the pesticide cost Preserves the indigenous natural enemies Improves the crop's quality Helps conserve the soil and the environment

Main crop Trap Crop Method of planting Pest controlledCotton Castor plant Border crop Heliotis sp.Cotton Chick pea Block trap crop at

20 plants/ sq mHeliotis sp.

Cotton Maize Row intercrop, planted inevery 20 rows of cotton orevery 10-15 m

Heliotis sp.

Cotton Cowpea Row intercrop in every5 rows of cotton

Heliotis sp.

Cotton Sunflower Row intercrop in every5 rows of cotton

Heliotis sp.

Cotton Okra Border crop beetleMaize Beans and other

legumesRow intercrop Leafhopper

Leaf beetlesStalk borerFall armywormHeliotis sp.

Solanaceous(tomato etc)Crucifers(cabbage, cauliflower etc)Legumes,Cucurbits

Marigold Row/strip intercrop Nematodes

Cabbage mustard andradish

Planted in every 15 rows ofcabbage

Cabbage webwormFlea hopper

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Mustard aphidFlea beetleRoot maggot

Cabbage Tomato Intercrop (Tomato is planted2 weeks ahead at the plots'borders)

Diamondback moth

6.1.2.2 Tips for successful trap croppingImmediately control the pests that are found in the trap crop. Prune or remove the trap crops oncethe pest population is high, otherwise they will serve as the breeding ground and the pests willattack the rest of your farm.

6.2 Mechanical Control

Mechanical control practices involve:

Manual removal of leaves that are heavily infested with pest insects. Putting yellow and white wooden disks in the fields. The yellow disks, which attract

sucking insects (e.g., mites and thrips), and white disks which attracts white flies, arecovered with sticky grease to trap the insects. Lighting small bonfires on moonless nightsto attract and kill moths before they can lay eggs in the field.

Placing perches for insectivorous birds in the fields.

Bird Perches can be fabricated from simple sticks or more elaborate structures but all serve thesame purpose of providing insectivorous birds with a safe resting perch from which they canoperate in safety to catch insects on the wing. Some proponents suggest as many as 25 T-shapedperches per ha and spreading cooked rice mixed with turmeric powder to attract and retain thebirds. Perches are not necessary for crops such as brinjal which have a substantial structure onwhich birds can perch or tomato where farmers have created a support structure for thecrop. Bird perches to be removed from the field post following stage in case of gain and pulsecrops as barding could feed on the grains.

6.3 Chemical control :

6.3.1 Seed treatment

6.3.1.1 BeejamruthaBeejamrutha is a very good plant based pesticide to control seed borne diseases .Smearing theseeds with Beejamrutha before sowing controls many diseases that attack the plant right from itsseedling stage.

Ingredients: 10 litres indigenous cow urine

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10 kgs indigenous cow dung 1 kg jaggery 100 gms lime solution mixed with 50 gms turmeric powder. 20-25 kg capacity plastic drum

Method of Preparation:

Mix 10 litres of cow urine, 10 kgs. of cow dung and 1 kg. powdered jaggery in a clean drum.Add 100 gms of lime solution and 50 gms. of turmeric powder into the drum. Stir the entirecontent in the drum properly until a paste is formed.

Direction of Use:

This paste is applied to the seeds 30 minutes before sowing and dried under shade (400 grams ofbeejamrutha is applied to seeds required for one acre land). This helps to avoid seed bornediseases and other diseases that attack the crop during its growingstage.

6.3. 1.2 Cow urineCow urine that is locally available is used to prevent plant diseases, as growth promoteras well as seed treatment.

Ingredients:Cow urine, water, plastic drum / earthern pot / any container

Method of Preparation and Direction of Use:

Dilute 1 litre cow urine in 10 litres of water in as plastic drum or earthern pot. Add the seeds intothis solution and allow it to stand for 30 minutes. Dry these under shade and use them forsowing.

1 litre cow urine is added to 10 litres of water and sprayed to the crops as foliar application tocontrols pests, and simultaneously provide required nutrients especially nitrogen. Cow urinetreatment helps to increase the yield of crops.

6.3.2 Soil and foliar application

Pesticides are used to keep the pest population below economically damaging levels when thepests cannot be controlled by other means. It is applied ONLY when the pest's damagingcapacity is nearing to the threshold.

Traditional household remedies which have no toxic effect can be used safely. Herbal pesticidesare very useful in sustainable agriculture practices to control pests and diseases. The spraying ofherbal pesticides not only controls the pests and diseases but also provides good nutrients to theplants. Similar form of herbal pesticide should not be used more than twice or thrice for the samecrop as the pests gain resistance.

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6.3.2.1 Use of Neem seed, leaf and neem cake

Neem seeds are ground into a powder that is soaked overnight in water and sprayed onto thecrop. To be effective, it is necessary to spray it at least every ten days. Neem does not directlykill insects on the crop. It acts as a repellent, protecting the crop from damage. The insects starveand die within a few days. Neem also suppresses the hatching of pest insects from their eggs.Neem has the advantage of not killing predatory insects that provide natural control of pestinsects.

6.3.2.1.1 Preparing of neem seed kernel extract/suspension (NSKE 5%):

Soak neem seed kernels (5 kg) in a minimum of water overnight Grind the neem seed kernels and keep the paste in a bag and soak for 2 hr. Fill container

with water (10 litre) and place bag of neem seed kernel paste in the container for 30 min,stirring periodically.

Squeeze the bag thoroughly, remove and filter the resulting white suspension ands addsoap flakes (100 g) to the suspension.

Dilute the suspension for use in a sprayer to spray (10 times, e.g. 500 ml in 5 litres) thecrop

Notes

Collect only ripe fruit and separate the seed from the fruit before storing in gunny bags in a coolshaded, dry location. Do not store in airtight plastic bags; store the seeds in gunny bags. Don’tstore the seeds more than one year . Don’t dry under sun light. Large quantities of neem kernelsshould be treated with either china clay or sulphur (1 : 10 ratio).

Neem extracts should be sprayed at the flowering stage of a crop to prevent egg laying anddisrupt young larvae feeding on foliage.

6.3.2.1.2 Neem oil: Generally Neem oil is available in the market that can be used in pest control 5% solution of Neem oil is affective in pest control ( 5ml of Neem oil in 1lt water; 100lts

of such solution can be used for one acre) As Neem oil is insoluble in water, made 100gr surf solution and add to this solution. This

will act as spreading agent. Depending on pest intensity spray 100-150lts of solution per acre Sucking pests, fruit borers and leaf folders can be controlled with this solution.

6.3.2.1.3 Neemastram (use against pests that suck the plant.)

Ingardients:

Dung- 2 kgs Urine – 10 lits Tender neem leaves- 10 kgs

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Water- 200 lit

Method of preparation and application:

Grind 10 kgs of tender neem leaves and add in to 200 lits of water. Later add 10 lit of urine and 2kgs of dung. Mix it thoroughly and keep for 48 hrs. Filter it and use for 20, 45, 60 days for allcrops.

6.3.2.1.4 Neem cake:

Neem cake kills pest insects in the soil while serving as an organic fertilizer high innitrogen.

Neem powder or Neem cake can be obtained after extracting Neem oil. 1-2qtls of Neemcake can be applied in 1acre

It is affective against soil born pests It can be applied at the time of ploughing It can be applied before sowing the seeds in nurseries Soil born nematodes and root grubs can be controlled by neem cake

Neem leaves can be used to protect stored grain from damage due to insect such as weevils

6.3.2.2 Green chillies – Neem – Garlic – Tobbacco decoction:

(Agnastram; to be used against stem and fruit borers, leaf eating caterpillar, pod borer andsucking pests)

Presence of alkoloids makes this decoction effective in pest controll This decoction is affective againest helicoverpa,spodoptera and redhairy cater pillar

Required materials:

• Urine- 10-15 lit• Tobacco- 1 kg• Green chilli- 2 kgs• Neem leaves- 5 kgs• Garlic– 0.5 kg

Method of preparation and application:

In urine adding of tobacco, garlic, chilli, neem leaves grinded materials. Heat this mixture andkeep for cooling 48 hours.

2-3 lits Agnastram is added in 100 lits of water before spraying Spray 150 ml. of this formulation per pump. About 6-8 pumps per acre are required to

control the infestation. Spray after 10-12 days if infestation is still there. This solution should be used within 3 days of preparation.

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6.3.2.3 Bramhastram(Use it to control aphid, white fly and other sucking pests, worms, caterpillars)

Required materials:

Urine- 10-15 lit

Neem and any four leafs out of Custard apple, Castor, Pongamia, Lantana, Papaya, Datura,Guava, Bitter gourd, Parthenium.


In urine add grinded leaves. Heat it and and keep for 48 hrs cooling

Direction of Use:

Spray 150 ml. of this formulation per pump. About 6-8 pumps per acre are required to controlthe infestation. Spray after 10-12 days if infestation is still there. For best result, use thisformulation within 6 months of preparation.

6.3.2.4 Pesticide for Aphids and other sucking pests:

Ingredients: Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum), Aloe(Aloe Vera), Buttermilk

Method of preparation :Take 1 kg tobacco snuff (Nicotiana tabacum) and 2 kg. Aloe (Aloe Vera). Wash both plantsproperly and chop it finely and boil with 6 litre water at moderate and constant heat till it remainshalf. Mix 4 liter supernatant of buttermilk.

Direction of Use :Spray 150 ml. of this formulation per pump. About 6-8 pumps per acre are required to controlthe infestation. Spray after 10-12 days if infestation is still there. For best result, use thisformulation within 6 months of preparation.

6.3.3.2.5 Cow dung Urine solution Large number of microbes present in the cow dung and urine which are useful for

controlling many fungal diseases Nutrients present in the solution are useful for effective plant growth This can be applied for two to three times in a cropping period

Required material:

Cow dung – 5Kgs Cow urine – 5lts Lime – 150grs

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Method of Preparation and application:

Store 5Kg cow dung, 5lts of cow urine and 5lts of water in a tub Cover the tub and allow the solution for fermentation for 4days Stir the solution with a stick every day After 4days filter the solution and add 150grs of lime to it Add 100lts of water to the solution to spray it in 1 acre

Precautions:

As this solution is thick use a mesh or gunny bag to filter the solution(first time) After that add water and filter through a thin cloth Can store the solution for 1 or 2 days (farmers experience)

Note:

This solution will improve the resistance power of the crops Spraying of this solution will improve the drought resistant capacity

6.4 Biological control:

6.4.1 BiofertilizersBiofertilizers like Trichoderma viridae and Pseudomonas fluorescence are soil borneOrganisms known to combat against diseases effectively. Application of these microorganism toseeds or soil not only controls the disease but also acts as plant growth promoting substances.

Method of preparation :Mix 1 kg Trichoderma and 1 kg. Pseudomonas to 100 kg. already prepared farm yard manure orvermicompost on a cement floor 15 to 20 days before application to the soil by covering withgunny bags. Every week sprinkle the material with water and turn the entire material upsidedown to maintain moisture and aeration. Keep covering the entire material with gunny sacs.Continue this process upto 3 weeks

Direction of Use :1-2 quintals per acre of this manure can be applied to the soil. Controls plant diseases andprovides good nutrition to the seedlings for healthy growth of a plant.

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6.4.2 Beneficial Insects

Beneficial insects are insects which prey on harmful insects or their larvae.

Brachonids,Chalcids and Ichneumon WaspsThese small beneficial insects destroy leaf-eating caterpillars; canattract them by planting carrots, celery, parsley, caraway and QueenAnne's lace, all members of the Umbelliferae family. These plants areeasy to grow, and some should be left to flower. It's the flower thatattracts the insects.LadybugsThese common insects consume aphids, mites, whiteflies and scale.They can be attracted by planting members of the daisy family(Compositae), tansy or yarrow.LacewingsLacewings are avid consumers of aphids, and their larva eat aphids andother varieties of other insect pests. They are attracted to "composite"flowers, such as yarrow, goldenrod, black-eyed susan's and asters.Lacewings can also be purchased online at the sources listed below,and released directly into your garden.Hover-fliesHover-flies are avid consumers of aphids, and the larva of hover-flieseat aphids and other insect pests. Like the Lacewings, they are attractedto "composite" flowers, such as yarrow, goldenrod, black-eyed susan'sand asters.Praying MantisThese large insects have an appetite for most garden pests.

4.4.2.1 Pieces of beneficial insects

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Pady bug (Harmonia) Pady bug (Harmonia)

Pirate bug Ptaying mantis

Tachinid flies Tachinid flies

Tachinid flies Wasps

Wasps Wasps

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Ichneumon wasps Hover flies

Hover flies Ground beetle

Ground beetle Ground beetle

Dicyphus Dicyphus

Damsel bug Chalcids

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Brachonids Aphidoletes

Aphidius Aphidius

Miridbug Miridbug

Miridbug Miridbug

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Miridbug Miridbug

Hong horned grasshoper Hong horned grasshoper

Hong horned grasshoper Hong horned grasshoper

lace wing (carysopid) lace wing (larva)

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lace wing (egg) lace wing

Earwig Earwig

Dragon Flies Dragon Flies

Damselflies Damselflies

Crickets Crickets

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Crickets Carabid beetle

Carabid beetle Carabid beetle

Carabid beetle Carabid beetle

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Beneficial Predators

AphidiusAphidoletesBeneficial mitesDamsel Bugs (Nabidae)DicyphusGround BeetlesHoverfliesLacewingsLadybugsPirate BugsTachinid fliesWasps (parasitic)

Prey

AphidsAphidsThrips, spidermite, fungus gnatsEggs of many pest insectsWhiteflies, aphids, thrips, spider mitesSlugs, small caterpillars and grubsAphids, mealybugs and othersScale, aphids, mites, softbodied insectsAphids, mitesThrips, aphids, mites, scales, whitefliesCaterpillars, beetle and fly larvaeWhiteflies, moth, beetle and fly larvae

7. Kitchen Garden

Kitch gardens will be grown in about 1 guntha farm land. For a family of six people, where eachmember consumes 50 gm leaf vegetables, 100 gm fruit vegetables and 50 gm fruits a day, asurface of 1 guntha would be sufficient.

Kitch garden is a simple way of raising these nutritive rich crops can be produced for householdconsumption. Following types of vegetables are planned to be grown in kitchen garden underMKSP:

1. Leafy Vegetables- grown for their green leaves, such as spinach (palak), amaranth, coriander,Fenugreek ( methi) and cabbage.

2. Fruit Vegetables- grown for their fleshy fruits, such as tomatoes, okra, brinjal and chilly.

3. Seed Vegetables, such as cluster beans, cow pea, french beans, pigeon peas

4. Root vegetables- grown for their fleshy roots or lower stems, such as carrots, onion, garlic etc.

5. Miscellaneous vegetables- such as cucurbit species (bottle gourds, bitter gourd etc.)cauliflower etc.

At a time 4-6 varieties of crops will be grown in kitchen garden, in separate plots. Crop rotationwill be followed in every season (kharif, rabi and summer). If preceding crops are legume ornon-legume grown as intercrops or mixed crops, the succeeding crop may be legume or nonlegume or both. Highly fertilized crops should be followed by non-fertilised crop. Leaf sheddingcrop should be followed by non-leaf shedding or less exhaustive crops. Perennial or longduration crops should be followed by seasonal /restorative crops. Deep rooted crops should besucceeded by shallow rooted crops. Dicot crops should be followed by monocot crops.

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Perennial plats like- drumstick, papaya, lemon, pomegranate and curry tree (for kadi patta) willbe grown on border of the kitch garden.

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8. Grain storage

Food grains kept in airtight sealed structure remain insect free. Grains with moisture content lessthan 10% are not suitable for multiplication and survival of most of the insects. Few seedconservation practices to be promoted arehighlighted below :

8.1 Mixing of leaves

Select leaves having pesticidal property like neem, Vitex nigundo, etc and dry them under shade.Mix these leaves with seeds fill in the bags. Tie the bags tightly and store in dark.

8.2 Sand mixture method

Take a 5 kg capacity mud pot. Any variety of seeds to be stored are collected, cleaned and driedunder sun and shade. Into this pot, add a thick layer of sand at the base and spread the seeds to bestored over this sand. Again add sand over the seeds. Continue the same process of filling sandseed mixture layer by layer till it reaches upto the brim of the pot. See that the upper layer isagain a thick layer of sand. Close the container with a lid and air tight it with cow dung paste. Bydoing so, can store the seeds for more than a year

9. Annexure

9.1

a) Crop wise pestCrop Pest/DiseaseCotton Bollworms, whiteflies,

jassids,thrips,mites,wilts and leaf spotsPluses Bollworms or cutworms, wiltsTomato, chilly Heliothis, mitesBrinjal, Okra Fruit borer, mites

b) Pest wise cropPest CropLepidoptaran, Heliothis Sp Cotton, tomatoBorers Pluses, vegetablesSpodoptera sp, Heliothis sp, prudenia,caterpillars, white flies, thrips, aphids

Vegetables

Helicoverpa, Spodoptera, borers, hairy catterpillars, semiloopers, mealy bugs, BPH

Cotton, cereals

Nematodes All cropsHelicoverpa, armigera Cotton, pluses, cabbage, chilly

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9.2 Pest/Disease Pieces

Aphids (Sucking Pest) Aphids (Sucking Pest)

Jasid (Sucking Pest) Jasid (Sucking Pest)

Thrips Thrips

Termites Termites

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Boolworm Boolworm

Heliothis Heliothis Heliothis

Pod borer Pod borer Pod borer

Semi Looper Semi Looper Semi Looper Semi Looper

White Flies White Flies White Flies White Flies

9.3 Medicinal plants for insect control

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Annona squamosa Calatropis procera Calatropis procera

Clerodendrum Datura metel Datura metel

Ipomoea Lantena Camara Lantena Camara

Leucas aspera Vitex negundo Pongamia pinnata

jatropha curcas Adathoda vasica Azadirachta indica

9.4 Crop Specific Cultivation Practices

9.4.1 Agriculture crops

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9.4.1.1 Cotton

Seed rate and sowing

About 25 kg/ha of seeds at 75x15 cm spacing ensures a final plant population of 85-90 thousandplants/ha. 1 to 2 rows of pigeon pea or 3-5 rows of maize or soyabean can be planed after every8-10 rows of cotton, in inter cropping system This crop could be ploughed down and buried insoil just before its flowering. The water requirement is slow during first 60-70 days after sowingand highest during flowering and boll development.

Farm yard manuring (FYM)

FYM @ 15 t/ha must be added before preparatory tillage and mixed thoroughly. FYM should bewell decomposed and should be preferably treated with composting organisms such asTrichoderma viride. The rate may gradually be brought down 5-10 t/ha, once the farm yieldstabilises over a few years.

Vermicompost

Vermicompost @ 1-2 t/ha should be added supplementing FYM on the furrow lines on whichsowing is done.

Other fertilizer

Jeevamruta, amtirpani, panvhagavya and liquid bio fertilizers should be applied every month, tillcompletion of flowering stage

9.4.1.2 Maize

Maize can be grown round the year in all seasons. Seed rate sould be 20kg per hectare forgrain production purpose. Row to row spacing should be 60 cm and plant to plant spacingshould be 20 cm (83,333 plant population per hectare). For winter maize it is advisable tokeep soil moist



Vermicompost


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Other fertilizer


9.4.1.3 Soyabean

Soybean can be grown in rainy, spring and summer seasons. The crop can be grown as inter cropwith maize, pigeon pea and cotton. In India, soyabean is mainly rainy season crop. Generally 75-80 kg seed/ha is recommended for in kharif and 100kg/ha is recommend for spring. Row spacingshould be 30-45cm and plant to plant spacing should be 5 cm. The seed planting depth should be2.5 to 4 cm. Two manual weedings, 20-25 and 40-45 days after sowing are sufficient for controlof weeds. During summer, the crop can be grown with 5-6 round of irrigation; avoid overflodding.



Vermicompost


Other fertilizer


9.4.1.1 Pigeon pea

The plant thrives in regions of heavry rainfall and under irrigation, provided there is no standingwater on the ground. Long duration (5-7 months or more) pigeon pea is invariably grown asmixed/intercrop with course cereals, oilseeds, short duration pulses and upland rice. Shortduration (about 3-4 months) pigeon pea is often grown as sole crop in rotation with wheat andmaize. Sometimes it is intercropped with green gram, black gram, maize (early) etc.

Seed rate for short duration pigeon pea is 15-18 kg/ha and for long duration it is 10-12 kg/ha.The row to row and plant to plant spacing for short duration short duration pigeon pea and prerabi crops are 50cm X 15cm and 30cm X 10 cm, where as for medium and long durationvarieties, 60cmX20cm and 75cmX 25cm respectively. Weeding at 30-45 days after sowingprovides effective control of weeds. Short duration varieties are harvested in the middle or end ofNovember, where as medium and long duration varieties are harvested by January to March.

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Planting of castor and tall sorghum or maize varieties on borders conserves natural enemies.Marigold can also be planted on border; After heavy oviposition, the flowers may be plucked anddisposed off.



Vermicompost


Other fertilizer


9.4.1.2 Black gram

Seed rate for black gram is 15-20 kg/ha for kharif and 25-30 kg/ha for spring or rabi. Row to rowdistance is 30-35 cm for kharif and 25cm for rabi or spring



Vermicompost


Other fertilizer


9.4.1.3 Green gram

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The recommended seed rate is 25-30 kg/ha for spring or summer and and 15-20kg/ha forkharif and rabi. The row to row distance for spring or summer is 25 cm and for kharif andrabi is 30-45cm. Weeding at 30-45 days after sowing provides effective control of weeds.



Vermicompost


Other fertilizer


9.4.2 Horticulture Crops

The most important Fruit vegetables are: Tomatoes, Brinjal or egg plant chillies(Hotpeppers) and Okra.

9.4.2.1 Tomato

Tomato is warm season crop, and can be grown almost all the year round in milder climate.Select medium to heavy well drained soil . For May-June, August-September and December-January planting sow seed in nursery on raised beds 4-6 weeks prior to planting. About

500-600 g seeds/ha are required. Seedling should be transplanted in the field at 60 X 45 or75 X 60 cm when they are 10-12 cm tall. Apply 25 tonnes of farm yard manure per hectareand throughly mix at the time of field preparation. Apply other fertilizer in 30 days interval,starting from transplantation till 1-1.5 months of cropping. Providing staking or support ofBamboo sticks to the individual plants or adopt trollies system for training to mato plants.Interculture operations like hoeing weeding irrigation and plant protection measures shouldbe carried out as and when necessary avoid moisture stress during flowering and fruitingstages. Pick tomato at pink stage at an interval 3-5 days.

9.4.2.2 Brinjal(Solanum melongenal)

The planting is done thrice a year I,e, May-Jane, August-September and December-January.Brinjal requires more warm season. For commercial production of Brinjal well drained fertilesoil is necessary. Seedlings are grown at the raised nursery beds. About 400-500 g seedswill be required for planting one hectare area. In a well prepared field 20 to 30 tonnes ofwell decomposed manure is mixed per hectare and 4-6 week old seedlings are planted at 75X 60 cm or 75 X 75 cm distance. Apply fertilizer in 30 days interval, starting from

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transplantation till 1-1.5 months of cropping. Interculture i.e. hoeing, weeding irrigation andplant protection operations are carried out as and when required. The fruits are harvestedwhen they are tender and attractive.

9.4.2.3 Chilli

Chilli can be grown successfully in both cold and warm climatic conditions. Chillies grow on awide range of soils but for higher yields light loam soil is the best. For rainy season plantingseeds are sown in nursery in April-May and for summers planting in January –February.Raised nursery beds of 2m X 1m size with 20 cm are prepared. For planting 1 hectare area1.5 to 2.o kg seed is required for raising the seedlings.

When seedlings become 4-5 weeks old (10-15 cm heights) These should be transplanted inwell prepared mixed with 9-10 tonnes/ha farm yard manure at 60 X 45 cm spacing. Applyother fertilizers in 30 days interval, starting from transplantation till 1-1.5 months ofcropping.

Interculture including weeding, hoeing irrigation and plant protection should be done as andwhen required. For vegetables purpose fruits are harvested at green and mature stages, formaking powder the fruits are harvested when they are fully ripened.

9.4.2.4 Okra

It is a warm season crop and thrives best during warm humid seasons, although it growsfairly well in the hot summers.

Okra can be grown in a wide range of soils – sandy loams to clay loams, provided they arewell drained and supplied with enough organic matter. Main Okra growing season isKharif(rainy season) June-July. However, it can be grown in September and October andJanuary- February (summer season) where assured irrigation facilities are available.

It requires about 8 to 10 kg/ha of seeds during Kharif and September-October and 18 to 22kg/ha for the summer season planting. During Kharif season where growth is vigorous,seeds are sown at 60 X 30 cm distance, while in summer the vegetative growth is relativelyless and seeds are planted at 45 to 30 cm distance. Seed is sown by dibbling method.

Apply 25 tonnes of farm yard manure per hectare and throughly mix at the time of fieldpreparation. Apply other fertilizers in 30 days interval, starting from transplantation till 1-1.5 months of cropping.

Fields be kept free from weeds, either by hoeing or hand weeding. In summer regularirrigation is given at an interval of 4-8 days depending upon the type of soil; crop growthand climatic conditions. During rainy season, generally no irrigation is given except wherethere is a long dry spell.

Fruit become ready for first picking after 45 days of sowing. Only tender green fruits beharvested at every 2 or 3 days of interval.

Plant Protection-Okra crop is generally attacked by Jassids, aphids, fruit borer, miles andfruit fly insects and diseases like powdery mildew and fusarium wilt. Interculture includingweeding, hoeing irrigation and plant protection should be done as and when required.

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9.4.2.4 Cabbage:

Soil

It is commonly cultivated in cool moist climate. It is grown as a winter crop in plains. It is grownin varied types of soils ranging from sandy loam to clay. It requires a pH ranging from 5.5 to 6.5for higher production.

Season of sowingAugust - November

Bring the soil to a fine tilth. Pits should be taken up at a spacing of 40 cm either way in hills.Ridges and furrows are formed at 45 cm apart in plains.

Transplant 40 -45 days old seedlings at a spacing of 45 cm.

Spacing

Hills : 40 x 40 cmPlains : 45 x 30 cm

Seed rate : 650 g/ha

Application of well decomposed farm yard manure @ 50 t/ha at the time of land preparation Application of vermicompost @ 5 t/ha at the time of land preparation Application of neem cake @ 1250 kg/ha at the time of land preparation

Application of biofertilizers, Azospirillum and Phsophobacteria @ 25 kg each/ha at the time of landpreparation

Growth regulators

Foliar spraying of panchagavya @ 3 per cent at 10 days interval from 1st month afterplanting

9.4.2.5 French Beans

Soil

Well-drained loamy soil with pH range of 5.5-6.0 is required. It prefers cool climate.

SeasonPlains : October- November

Seed rate and spacing

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Hills : 80 kg/ha (2 seeds/hill) 30 x 15 cmPlains : 50 kg/ha (2 seeds/hill) 45 x 30 cm

Preparation of field

Hills: Dig the soil thoroughly and incorporate FYM. Form beds of convenient size.Plains: After two ploughings form ridges and furrows.

Irrigation

Irrigation should be given immediately after sowing, third day and thereafter once a week.

Application of well decomposed farm yard manure @ 50 t/ha at the time of land preparation Application of biodynamic compost @ 5 t/ha at the time of land preparation Application of vermicompost @ 5 t/ha at the time of land preparation Application of neem cake @ 1250 kg/ha at the time of land preparation Application of biofertilizers, Azospirillum, Phosphobacteria and Rhizobium @ 25 kg each/haat the time of land preparation

After cultivationWeeding should be done at 20 - 25 days and 40 - 45 days after sowing. The cropshould be earthed up after each weeding.

9.4.2.7 cluster beans (guar)

Sowing time: june-july and feb-mar

Seed rate: 12-15 kg/ha for rainy season crop and 20-25 kg for summer season crop. Keep aspacing of 45-60cm from row to row for rainy season crop and 30 cm during summerseason. The plant to plant distance may be kept at 10-15cm. Sowing may be done by seeddrill. Adequate moisture in soil is required before sowing. 15-20 kg of FYM may beincorporated in the soil at the time of land preparation. The plant is sensitive to waterlogging. The summer crop needs irrigation after every 8-12 days depending on soil andweather condition. Effective weed management in the first 25-30 days of crop period isessential. At least 2 weeding and hoeing are needed to check the weeds.

The harvesting starts from 45-50 days in the early cultivars which may continue up to 100days in flushes.

9.4.2.8 cowpea (chauli)

Sowing time: june-july and feb-mar

Seed rate: 12-15 kg/ha for rainy season crop and 20-25 kg for summer season crop. Keep aspacing of 45-60cm from row to row for rainy season crop and 30 cm during summerseason. The plant to plant distance may be kept at 10-15cm. Sowing may be done by seeddrill. Adequate moisture in soil is required before sowing. 15-20 kg of FYM may beincorporated in the soil at the time of land preparation. The plant is sensitive to waterlogging. The summer crop needs irrigation after every 8-12 days depending on soil and

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weather condition. Effective weed management in the first 25-30 days of crop period isessential. At least 2 weeding and hoeing are needed to check the weeds.

The harvesting starts from 45-50 days in the early cultivars which may continue up to 100days in flushes. In all, 3-4 pickings are done in bush type and 5-6 pickings in pole type.

9.4.2.9 Indian beans (papdi)

Distance between two pits should be 1.5 meter Sowing is done in rainy season at a depth of2-2.5 cm. After germination, 1-2 plants are kept per hill. For climbing type 10-12 kg seed isenough for one hectare crop, where as for busy type 20-30 kg/ha seed is required. Theplants need 5-6 tonnes of farmyard manure as basal dose. In summer, the plants should bewatred at weekly intervals in winters at 15 days interval, and in rainy season as and whenrequired. In climbing type, pods are harvested in 9-10 pickings at 7 day interval but indwarf types only 2-3 pickings are obtained. The average yield of green pods varies form 50-80 q/ha.

9.4.2.6 Bottle gourd

Generally brownish and whitish brown seeds germinate well. Bottle gourd seeds germinatepoorly for about 2-3 months. Therefore, seed from summer crop should not be sown for therainy season crop. Water soaked seeds for 24-48 hr germinate quickly. About 3-4 kg seed isenough for 1 hectare. The row to row distance may be kept at 2-2.5 m and seed to seed 1—1.5 m. Add FYM @ 30 tonnes/ha at the time of field preparation.

For rainy season crop, the seeds are sown in the first week of june before onset of the rains.For feb-mar sown crops, first irrigation is given 2-3 days after sowing.

Bottle gourd may be harvested 55-75 days after sowing. The harvested fruits should besprinkled with water after every 4-5 hours or put in cold storage during pre-market period.

Open pollinated varieties yield 20-25 tonnes/ha, while the yiled of hybrid is generally morethan 30 tonnes/ha.

9.4.2.7 Bitter gourd

June-july and dec-jan are sowing time in south India. For direct sowing, 4-4.5 kg seed isenough per hectare. Keep a spacing of 1.5-2 m from row to row and 1 m form hill to hill.The seed are socked in water for 24hrs and kept in moist gunny bags for 2-3 days for rapidgermination. In direct sowing, 4-5 seeds should be sown in each pit. After germination, 2-3seedlings are retained in each pit. For planting, 15 days old seedings are directy planted @2 seedlings.

Water the crop immediately after sowing or planting, on thitd days and then once in weekdepending on soil moisture.

Apply FYM @ 20-25 tonnes/ha at the time of field preparation. The fruits are ready forpicking 60-70 days after sowing. Its yield potential is 100-150 q/ha.

9.4.2.8 Ridge gourd

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June-July is sowing time for kharif crop, while feb-mar for summer crop. Add FYM @10/tones/ha. Long raised beds of 50-60 cm are formed. The seeds should be sown on eachedge of the beds. In each hills 3-4 seeds are sown. Retain only 2 healthy seedlings2.5mX1.0 m apart. 4 kg seed is enough for one hectare. The plant should be irrigated oncein a week.

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