4. CROP AND NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT FOR SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENT
4.4 PROTECTED CULTIVATION TECHNOLOGIES .1 Vegetable Crobs
4.3.11 Performance of new wheat genotypes under restricted irrigation conditions
Five wheat genotypes, viz., DDW 47, DBW 110, HI 8627, MP 3288 and UAS 466 were evaluated at different irrigation schedules under limited irrigation conditions. Irrigation at CRI + boot leaf stage had significantly higher grain (3.63 t ha-1) and biological yields (8.49 t ha-1) over other irrigation scheduling.
Genotypes, MP 3288 recorded the maximum grain and biological yield (3.09 t ha-1 and 7.11 t ha-1, respectively) which was significantly at par with HI 8627 but significantly higher over rest of the genotypes.
4.4 PROTECTED CULTIVATION TECHNOLOGIES
while in cherry tomato hybrids H-126 and H-200 were found promising. Twenty three genotypes were characterized for quality parameters and No. 206, No.
57-1, No. 304, No. 123, No. 249 and No .207 were found suitable for processing. Genotypes 206 and Hybrid No.
42 & 71 were also evaluated at farmers field at Alwar (Rajasthan) and Palwal (Haryana).
4.4.1.4 Development of new Pak-choi lines Five lines/accessions of exotic leafy vegetable, Pak-choi were collected, purified and maintained.
The collection Pak-choi No.1 is found suitable for commercial cultivation. The per plant weight varied from 500-800 g. It becomes harvestable 55 days after transplanting. Pak-choi No. 1 was also evaluated at ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Imphal, Manipur.
Pachoi No. 1 (Pusa Pride) and field evaluation trial in N-E state
4.4.1.5 Off-season production technique for long melon (Kakari) in polyhouse
An experiment was conducted for off-season kakari production during September 2019 to December 2020 under polyhouse conditions. The variety Chandralekha was transplanted on the spacing 30x50 cm and applying optimum dose of NPK @ 25:17:26 kg/1000 m2 in polyhouse conditions. After and before transplanting recommended package of practices was followed along with daily hand pollination during morning hours (7-8 AM). The maximum number of fruits per plant observed was 4, with an average fruit weight of 442 g, length 83 cm and diameter 3.40 cm. The total harvested fruit yield was 2.25 kg/plant and 8.90 kg/m2 with good quality. The cost of cultivation was calculated as ` 276/m2. The net return was calculated as ` 316/m2. The B: C ratio of kakari production under polyhouse was 1:1.95.
4.4.1.6 Agro-techniques for off-season bitter gourd production under protected structures
A trial was conducted on off-season bitter gourd production during August 2019 to December 2020 under net-house and naturally ventilated polyhouse conditions. Recommended production technology and GAP protocol was employed along with fertigation scheduling. Daily hand pollination was undertaken during morning hours (8-9 AM). The new variety of bitter gourd (Pusa Rasdar)was grown and maximum fruit yield (13.75 kg)was recorded, with net return of
` 222 and B:C ratio 1:2.23 per m2 in the best combination of 2nd week of August planting with closer spacing 20x50 cm and optimum dose of NPK @ 25:17:26 kg/1000m2. These combinations were found economically suitable for growing bitter gourd under insect-proof net-house as compared to the naturally ventilated polyhouse.
Off-season bitter gourd (Pusa Rasdar) production under polyhouse
4.4.2 Flower crops
4.4.2.1 Studies on influence of long days (LD) PAR in chrysanthemum flower induction using smart LEDs
The experiment was conducted with chrysanthemum variety, Zembla self-rooted cuttings grown under long days (LD = 15h) using smart LEDs
@ 110 µmole sec-1 for 12 days, transplanted in a semi- climate controlled greenhouse under an additional photoperiod applied @ 4 h daily. An early (65 days) crop was obtained which yielded quality stems (107.5
cm long), flower diameter (9.7 cm across) and longer vase-life (13.5 days) at room temperature. The average leaf area calculated was maximum (258 cm2) along with a significantly high number of leaves (37) per stem as compared to the plants (26) grown with no additional light.
4.4.2.2 Screening of African marigold and chrysanthemum varieties for extending flowering season
Five IARI bred marigold varieties (Pusa Deep, Pusa Arpita, Pusa Narangi Gainda, Pusa Basanti Gainda and Pusa Bahar) and two hybrids (Astha and Tennis Ball). The flowering was early in September and first harvesting was done September 24 in Pusa Deep followed by Tennis Ball (12th Oct), Astha (15th Oct), Pusa Narangi Gainda (21st Nov), Pusa Basanti Gainda (10th Dec), Pusa Arpita (5th Jan) and Pusa Bahar (26th Jan).
However, the flower yield was recorded maximum (3.2 kg/m2) in Pusa Arpita followed by Aastha (2.7 kg/
m2). Pusa Basanti Gainda recorded with lowest flower yield (1.2 kg/m2) followed by Pusa Bahar (1.5 kg/m2).
Five each single (Thai Chen Queen, Yellow Star, White Star and Zembla) and spray (Autumn Glaze, Golden Ball, Novelty Pink, Viking Yellowand Moonlight) types chrysanthemum were evaluated. Among these, Zembla, Thai Chen Queen, Moonlight, Autumn Glaze and Novelty Pink could flower consecutively in the secondary flush of growth under long days as summer crop.
4.4.2.3 Evaluation of rose, variety Top Secret under low-cost polyhouse
Rose variety, Top Secret was planted in a low cost small size (220 m2) naturally ventilated polyhouse @ 12 plants/m2 and evaluated for the performance. It was observed that the plants took a long time (92 days) for establishment resulting from the heading back at 60 days of transplanting. It was noted that a maximum of average 7 shoots/ sprout were recorded with average stem length (72 cm) and the maximum being 112
An early chrysanthemum crop under the infuence of long days (LD) PAR using LEDs
cm. However, the bud size having 2.2 cm diameter remained maximum leading to the flower size of 7.8 cm across diameter.
Rose (top Secret) under low cost polyhouse
The climate profile is being studied which remained at par with ambient with a relative humidity ranging from 26 to 42% except in rainy days (>90% during July 5 to Sept 16). Whereas, the quality of flowering stems was recorded highest in terms of stem length (98 cm) and flower size (9.7 cm across diameter) during the months October-November in 2019.
4.4.3 Fertigation, greenhouse structure and design development.
4.4.3.1 Design and development of indigenous greenhouse aeroponics system for lettuce
An aeroponic system was developed assisted with a mist environment. The system was indigenously designed with a standard dimension of 2.5 m x 1.25 m x 1 m. The body of aeroponic system was made with ‘wood plastic compose’ (WPC) to avoid fungal and other infections. Styrofoam was used as covering material and to make the plant root zone opaque
thus maintaining the dark conditions for healthy root growth. Nine cone jet hollow ceramic spray nozzles were used for misting with a standard spacing of 50 cm apart. The nozzles used have the characteristic feature of ultra-low water usage of 27-30 LPH and produce 800 uniform misting angles for droplet size in the range of 40-50 micron at 4-6 bar operating pressure. Total 48 lettuce seedlings were planted at 20 cm x 30 cm spacing, plant to plant and row to row, respectively.
The produce was harvested from 35 days onwards till 60 days after transplanting.
4.4.3.2 Sensor controlled fertigation scheduling experiment on winter green leafy vegetables
Winter green leafy vegetables lettuce, pokchoi &
Chinese cabbage were grown with drip fertigation in open field during Nov 19to Feb 20. Conditional fertigation strategy was used to control the experiment with various sensors like tensiometer, EC and pH. 15 and 30 cm depth tensiometers were used for irrigation scheduling. Tensiometers readings varied from 12-280 centibars during the entire duration of experiment. 22 centibar tensiometer reading was found to be the ideal set point for start of irrigation for winter green leafy vegetables. Drip irrigation lateral pipe of 16 mm with inline dripper of 2 litres per hour discharge capacity was found to be the most suitable combination.
Fertigation Ec & pH varied from 1.6-2.4 dS/m and 6.7- 7.2 respectively during the entire duration.
Sensor controlled drip fertigation for winter season green vegetables
4.4.3.3 Drip-fertigation technology for growing sweet pepper inside polyhouse:
Study was conducted during 2017-18, 2018-19 and 2019-20 to investigate the effects of different combinations of irrigation and fertigation levels on the
growth of polyhouse sweet peppers, assessing yield and water use efficiency (WUE). Using the drip-fertigation technology, three alternative irrigation levels at 100, 80, and 60% ETc (V, V0.8 and V0.6) were combined with three fertigation levels at 100, 80 and 60% (F, F0.8 and F0.6), resulting in 9 combination treatments. The results show that different supplies of water and fertigation had a significant impact on the yield and WUE.
Average monthly evaporation in the polyhouse was 101.6 mm compared to 322.5 mm occurred in the open field condition which was 68.4% less as compared to outside of the polyhouse. The treatments of V0.80F0.80, V0.60F0.80 gave better yield maintaining the “source- sink” relationship of peppers. They increased the economic yield and WUE. Polyhouse sweet peppers produced in the semi-arid regions, the combination of V0.80F0.80 resulted in the highest economic yield of 12.85 kg m−2. In view of limited water resources in the area, we recommend the V0.60F0.80 combination treatment, since it could obtain the optimal economic yield and WUE were 9 and 4% less than the maximum, respectively.
4.4.3.4 Design of bamboo shade nethouse suitable for semi-arid regions
Bamboo shade net polyhouse is one the technique for off-season cultivation, better quality and increase in production of vegetables for small and marginal farmers and easily available in locally available resources. The design need to be made to overcome overheating in summer and overcooling in winter
when used in warm, arid regions. The climate inside the protected structure is governed by the soil inside, which constitutes the major thermal mass the
‘greenhouse’ effect itself, which can be controlled mainly by ventilation in most greenhouses; the crop’s transpiration, which has a dominant effect on temperature and vapor-pressure deficit. Shade net structure of (14 m x 30 m) was designed and erected using bamboo and cost of construction was estimated as ` 450 / m2.