Evaluation of promising maize based cropping system for raised bed
Permanent raised bed carved out in marshy land by cut and fill methods were used for identification of promising cropping sequences. Twelve cropping sequences were tested in RBD with three replications. It was observed that maize based cropping sequences significantly improved system productivity as compared to maize-fallow (the most common practice of the region). Maximum maize equivalent yield (MEY) of 34.44 t/ha was recorded with maize-frenchbean-radish followed by maize- greengram-radish (21.65 t/ha). It was observed that adoption of vegetable (pea, frenchbean) in the cropping sequence markedly increased the MEY as compared to non-vegetable based cropping sequences under study.
increasing trend in all the treatments over initial status.
Quality parameters
Various quality parameters of tomato grown under organic farming were determined at the ripening stage. TSS (%), Av. juice volume (ml), total sugars & reducing sugars (%), lycopene (mg/
100g) content were recorded maximum under FYM treatment which were closely followed by vermicompost and integrated management practices (Table 3). On the other hand, acidity (%) and ascorbic acid (mg/100g) were found slightly more in local compost and control treatments (Table 3).
Management of soil fertility using organic inputs in important vegetable based multiple cropping systems
Three organic sources of nutrients viz. FYM, vermicompost and integrated management (50%
through FYM + 50% through vermicompost was tested on three vegetable based cropping systems viz. CS1: maize+soybean (2:2)-French bean- tomato, CS2: maize+soybean (2:2)-radish-potato
& CS3: maize+soybean (2:2)-French bean-carrot.
An increase in yield of vegetables was recorded with the application of organic nutrient. Maximum
yield of all the vegetables was recorded in FYM application followed by integrated management practices (Table 4). Improvement in nutrient supplying capacity of soil and soil health was observed as the nutrient status of soils under different nutrient management practices was improved (Table 5)
Table 4. Yield (t/ha) of crops under different organic management practices
Crops FYM Vermicompost Integrated Control
Maize 3.96 3.66 3.87 1.88
Soybean 1.79 1.59 1.40 1.10
Tomato 11.68 11.25 11.41 3.67
Potato 12.61 12.96 11.33 7.56
French bean 11.82 10.30 10.88 5.22
Radish 44.37 45.23 43.52 41.71
Quality parameters
At ripening stage, TSS (%), Av. juice volume (ml), total sugars and reducing sugars (%), lycopene (mg/100g) content of tomato recorded maximum under FYM treatment followed by vermicompost and integrated management practices (Table 6). maximum percentage of acidity was recorded in control treatment.
Table 3. Quality parameters of tomato fruit at maximum ripening stage under various organic management practices
Treatment Av.wt Volm Sp. Av. Av. TSS Acidity Ascorbic Av. RS TS Lyco-
(g) (ml) gravity length Diam. (%) (%) acid juice (%) pene
g/ml (mm) (mm) (mg/100g) (ml) (%) (mg/100g)
FYM 51.9 56 0.926 40.46 46.9 4.2 0.640 28.6 90.3 2.84 3.56 18.82
V.Comp 56.9 64 0.889 45.38 47.5 4.0 0.646 28.6 84.0 2.64 3.48 19.04 Integrated 51.5 60 0.858 44.49 46.2 4.2 0.640 26.3 88.0 2.40 3.55 19.35 L.Comp 45.7 52 0.878 41.71 43.8 4.0 0.768 28.3 78.0 2.37 3.06 14.92 Control 42.7 52 0.821 40.25 43.0 4.0 0.770 31.4 76.0 1.92 3.00 7.95
Table 5. Changes in soil properties due to application of organic nutrient sources
Treatment pH OC (%) AvN (kg/ha) AvP (kg/ha) AvK (kg/ha) SMBC
(µg/g dry soil)
FYM 5.43 2.90 270.40 29.43 199.73 206.69
Vermicompost 4.99 2.45 255.80 29.39 181.40 204.29
Integrated 5.36 2.76 270.36 28.46 199.70 199.43
Control 4.91 2.19 200.39 28.04 166.8 142.40
Initial 4.80 1.80 255.61 9.19 232.10
Studies on comparative efficiency of organic, chemical and integrated nutrient management practices on soil health and crop productivity under various cropping systems
In this experiment crops were grown under raised and sunken bed method of cultivation. Four rice-vegetable cropping sequences in the raised beds and four rice-rice cropping sequences were taken up in the sunken beds, along with 100%
organic, 100% inorganic, integrated and natural management practices. Organic manures and rock phosphate were applied to compensate the N and P equivalent for respective crops as per the treatments. Organic block was protected from all possible contaminations by providing peripheral drainage, bio-fencing, isolation distance etc. No synthetic chemicals including pesticides, growth hormones etc were used for organic block. The third year results revealed that maximum yield of upland rice and vegetables were recorded in integrated management practices followed by 100% organic treatment followed by inorganic management practices (Table 7). Lowland rice varieties also registered higher yield in integrated management practices followed by organic management practice (Table 8).
Table 7. Yield (t/ha) of vegetables as affected by various nutrient management practices
Crops Organic Inorganic Integrated Natural
Tomato 23.56 18.05 23.61 5.57
Potato 10.93 10.62 12.15 4.64
French bean 6.95 5.90 7.21 3.44
Carrot 6.21 5.9 6.39 3.62
Table 8.Yield of lowland rice varieties as affected by various nutrient management practices
Rice varieties Organic Inorganic Integrated Natural
IR-64 37.4 31.3 42.37 21.37
Sahsarang-1 37.07 30.0 27.17 23.17
Vivek Dhan-82 36.86 30.6 31.80 16.33
Krisna Hamsa 32.63 33.06 45.26 21.53
Soil samples were collected after harvest of tomato and analysed for pH, OC, available N, P&
K content. An improvement in the fertility status of soils under various management practices was observed over the initial status (Table 9).
Table 6. Quality parameters of tomato fruit at maximum ripening stage under various nutrient management practices
Treatment Av.wt Volm Sp. Av. Av. TSS Acidity Ascorbic Av. RS TS Lyco-
(g) (ml) gravity length Diam. (%) (%) acid juice (%) pene
g/ml (mm) (mm) (mg/100g) (ml) (%) (mg/100g)
FYM 48.8 56 0.871 44.08 44.23 5.0 0.640 28.6 80.0 2.56 3.75 19.35
V.Comp 43.08 56 0.769 39.69 40.24 4.8 0.512 28.6 71.0 2.43 3.59 14.67 Integrated 43.40 52 0.835 42.79 43.73 4.6 0.596 28.6 93.0 2.43 3.57 17.63 Control 40.51 51 0.794 40.73 42.79 4.6 0.896 25.7 65.0 1.76 3.00 13.60
Table9. Changes in soil properties due to application of various nutrient sources under raised &
sunken bed situation
Treatment pH OC (%) AvN (kg/ha) AvP (kg/ha) AvK (kg/ha) SMBC
(µg/g dry soil) raised sunken raised sunken raised sunken raised sunken raised sunken raised sunken Control 5.11 5.30 3.21 2.99 199.9 199.46 6.99 7.44 235.6 236.19 108.14 81.76 100% organic 4.93 5.65 3.61 3.03 246.4 236.18 10.01 9.39 288.9 275.93 135.08 99.67 100% inorganic 4.59 5.59 3.44 2.91 231.6 229.24 10.00 10.45 271.1 269.09 103.94 98.29 Integrated 5.35 5.73 3.51 3.03 242.4 191.01 12.34 13.31 283.5 281.95 145.55 125.76 Initial 5.1 5.1 2.46 2.01 150.5 142.17 2.96 1.90 245.1 244.61
Quality parameters
Some of the quality parameters i.e., TSS (%), Av. Juice volume (ml), total sugars and reducing sugars (%), lycopene (mg/100g) content of tomato was determined and the maximum values for these parameters was recorded in 100% organic treatment that was closely followed by integrated management practices (Table 10).
Organic farming on rainfed dry terrace An organic farming model involving cereals (rice, maize), pulses (soybean, black gram), oilseeds (mustard, groundnut), fruits (lemon, peach, papaya, guava), vegetables (bhindi, french bean), spices (ginger and turmeric) along with provision for nutrient recycling (vermicomposting, green manuring, mulching) and soil and moisture conservation (terracing, growing hedge row species, fodder grasses on terrace risers, mulching etc) were developed under terraced condition.
Vegetative barriers, leguminous hedge row etc.
were included for fencing as well as soil and moisture conservation. The pruned biomass from
these leguminous hedgerow species were regularly recycled in crop field either as mulch or incorporated into the soil as a source of nutrients.
Most of these leguminous species were found very rich in nutrient content. Some of the abundantly growing weeds like Eupatorium, Ambrosia etc.
were also used as source of nutrient supply, as most of them were found rich in essential nutrients (Table 11). These biomasses were also used for mulching as a measure for managing weeds in maize.
Table11. Nutrient content (%) of some important green leaf manures used
Species N P K Moisture
content
Pigeonpea 3.19 0.05 1.93 78.56
Tephrosia candida 3.11 0.061 1.24 73.28 Crotolaria tetragona 3.50 0.327 2.38 85.25 Flemingia macrophylla 5.88 0.150 0.79 70.67 Indigofera tinctoria 3.67 0.100 1.95 85.92
Glycine max 3.29 0.232 2.02 85.59
Eupatorium adhenophorum 2.38 0.067 2.84 84.22 Ambrosia artimisifolia 3.19 0.224 4.38 82.15
Table 10. Quality parameters of tomato fruit at maximum ripening stage under various nutrient management practices
Treatment Av.wt Volm Sp. Av. Av. TSS Acidity Ascorbic Av. RS TS Lyco-
(g) (ml) gravity length Diam. (%) (%) acid juice (%) pene
g/ml (mm) (mm) (mg/100g) (ml) (%) (mg/100g)
100% org 51.6 45.0 1.15 43.9 46.8 5.0 0.64 31.46 72.0 2.33 3.58 20.21 100% inorg 50.1 47.5 1.05 43.4 45.0 4.8 0.67 31.32 73.0 1.56 3.00 19.53 Integrated 51.0 54.0 0.944 43.8 46.6 4.4 0.64 28.6 77.0 1.77 3.49 19.35 Natural 48.0 60.5 0.793 42.6 45.0 4.4 0.77 28.6 64.0 1.45 3.00 12.46
Fig. Ginger, Turmeric, soybean along with hedge row species on terrace risers under organic farming
DISEASES
Compatibility studies
Trichoderma viride (Meghalaya isolate), T.
harzianum (Assam isolate), Aspergillus terrus (Assam isolate) and Trichothecium roseum (Meghalaya isolate) were used in this study. These four biocontrol agents were paired with B. bassiana (Meghalaya isolate) using dual culture technique.
T. harzianum , T. viride, T. roseum and A. terrus were found compatible with B. bassiana since no mycoparasitism or inhibition zone was observed between them. The results indicated potential of using a combination of different fungal bio-control agents in disease management and insect pest management.
BIO-ORGANICS
Bioorganics for rice Direct seeded rice
During the third year of trial, 12 most promising formulations for upland rice were tested both at Barapani and Central Upland Rice Research Station at Hazaribagh. At Hazaribagh the formulations RCHE 686L, RCHE 538L, RCHE 317L and RCHE C-12L gave significantly higher grain yield and the seed priming with these formulations outperformed the current method of direct seed sowing in Chotanagpur plateau. At Barapani, Rice variety Shahsarang- 1 was tested both in field and pot culture with these dozen formulations. The seed treatment with formulations helps in early sprouting of seed and establishment of rice plant.
The most promising formulations were RF 37, RCHE 686L, RCHE C-12L, RF 115, RCHE 724L and RF 84 resulted in grain yield of 2.93 t/ha 2.90 t/ha 2.88 t/ha/2.74 t/ha/ 2.70 t/ha and 2.62 t/ha (control plot 2.38 t/ha)
Transplanted rice
Fourteen different formulations were tested in transplanted rice both at Barapani and DRR, Hyderabad. Eight formulations, viz., RF 37, RF 58, RF 84, RCHE584L, RF 115, RCHE 686L,
RCHE C-12L, RCHE 724L were found to be very promising in increasing grain yield at Hyderabad.
The percent increase in grain yield range from 24%
to 47 %. At Barapani, nine formulations yield (RCHE C-12L, RF 37, RCHE 686L, RCHE584L, RF 115, RCHE 724L, RF 84, RCHE317L and RCHE737L) gave significantly higher. The grain yield was 5.36 t/ha 5.19 t/ha, 4.98 t/ha, 4.96 t/ha 4.89 t/ha, 4.82 t/ha, 4.79 t/ha, 4.72 t/ha and 4.58 t/
ha respectively (Control plot recording 4.02 t/ha).
Formulation RCHE 686 L and RF 37 treated plot attained physiological maturity 8 days ahead as compare to control plot.
Bioorganics for maize
During the third year of field trial, eight herbal formulations were tested in maize crop, the formulations RCHE 620 L, RCHE 53L, RCHE 326L, MF129 and MF 98 resulted in yield advantage of 24.5%, 22.1%, 19.4%, 23% and18.2%
respectively more over control (3.56 t/ha). The formulation RCHE 620L and RCHE 441L had tendency to have double cobs in a plant. The plant matured one week ahead in MF129 and MF 98 formulations.
Bioorganic for groundnut
During the third year of trial 12 different bioorganics selected for field trial. The plant biomass, leaf number and root volume were significantly higher in case of RCHE641FL, RCHE 490 and RCHE 538L. The chlorophyll content was 10% or more in case of RCHE 22L and 538L.
However, the root nodules were highest in GF3 formulation (42% more over control). The pod yield 3.52 t/ha and 3.38 t/ha were recorded with RCHE538L and RCHE 641FL (control 2.71 t/ha).
Groundnut treated with formulation with RCHE 22L had more rat damage than any other plot.
Bioorganic for soybean
During the third year of trial, 10 different formulations were selected for field trial. The seeds treated with formulations RCHE 538L and 681L germinated three days ahead of control plot. The leaf number and plant biomass were 52% and 54%
higher in case of RCHE 397L and SF 4 formulations respectively. However, the highest root volume and root nodules (51% and 60% over
control) were recorded in case of RCHE 538L. Six different formulations i.e., SF4, RCHE397L, RCHE 538L, GF3, RCHE 681L and RCHE 726L recorded significantly higher yield. The yield advantage were 29.5, 28.1, 27.8, 26.1, 24.2 and 22 percent more over control (21.4 q ha-)
Bioorganic for wheat
During the third year of trial, eight different formulations were tested in wheat crop both at Barapani and RARS Shillongani, Nagaon Assam.
At RARS, the experiments were carried out totally in residual moisture and the soil moisture was only 14% at 6 cm depth. Consequently the yield was quite low in control plot (without botanicals).
However, wheat seed treated with botanical particularly with RCHE 572L and RCHE 694L had profound effect in improving the grain yield (Table1). At Barapani the standing crop was damaged by the goat grazing therefore the data was not generated for the 2007 year.
Bioorganics for black gram
During the second year of trial, seven promising botanicals were tested. Early flowering and pod formation were recorded with RCHE 726 and RCHE 596L formulations. The pod yield of 1.18 t/
ha, 1.11 t/ha and 1.05 t/ha recorded with RCHE 726L, RCHE 596L and RCHE 538L formulation (control .76 t/ha).
Bioorganic for mustard
Eight formulations were tested in both at Barapani and RARS Shillongani, Nagaon, Assam.
However at RARS, Nagaon Assam, there was excessive damage of crop by insect infestation and data was inconclusive. At Barapani seed treatment with formulation RCHE 583 SF with yield advantage of 26.3% over control. The other promising formulations were RCHE 377L, WHF8, RCHE 620L, RCHE 681L and RCHE 683L (24.4, 23.5, 22, 21 4 and 20.2% more over control) Bioorganic for potato
During the second year of trial, 10 different botanicals were tested in case of potato. Tuber yield was significantly higher in RCHE 687L, RCHE 694L GF3 and RCHE 79L (21.1, 19.5, 19.3, and 16.2% more over control (20.3 t/ha). The potato tuber treated with GF3 and TF2 were significantly resistant to late blight of potato.
Bioorganic for French bean
In French bean, local bush type (Meghalaya local1) was treated with eight formulations. Seed was treated for 4 hrs before planting. Five formulations (RCHE 596L, RCHE 538L GF3, SF6 and RF37) gave the green pod yield of 36%, 31.9%, 28.5%, 28.1% and 25.7% more over control.
Bioorganic for ginger
In ginger, seven formulations i.e., GF1, GF2 GF3, RCHE 46L, RCHF 22, RCHE 539L, and C-12L were tested under field condition against soft rot of ginger. GF1 formulation was found to be very effective in checking the infestation of soft rot of ginger and 95% of crop was free from the disease whereas, in control plot the disease affected 34%
Treatment Days to Pl. Ht. No. of grains 1000Seed Grain yield % increase Biomass germinate (cm) /earhead wt. (g) (kg/plot)* over control yield(kg/plot)*
572L 6 69.3 20.1 45.8 1.38 142.1 2.27
681L 4 70.2 17.9 47.6 0.85 49.1 2.60
442L 4 67.1 23.9 44.0 0.94 64.9 2.87
695L 5 67.4 24.8 45.8 0.78 36.8 1.87
724L 4 74.0 23.8 49.3 1.00 75.4 2.60
694L 6 69.2 16.9 43.6 1.05 84.2 2.77
WHF8 4 65.1 20.8 42.5 0.95 66.6 2.83
RSF3 4 67.6 26.7 43.4 0.63 10.5 2.07
Control 10 67.0 16.2 45.9 0.57 - 1.80
*Plot size= 7.92m2
Table 1. Effect of bioorganics on wheat
of plants. Also GF1 application increased the crop yield by 34.5% more over control.
Bioorganic for turmeric
In turmeric, five formulations were tested under field condition i.e., GF1, GF2,RCHE 46L, RCHF 22 and RCHE and C-12L. The formulations, GF2, RCHF 22 were found promising in increasing turmeric rhizome yield and it was higher by 44%
and 36% over control (4.6 t/ha)