Sikkim
Prog 3 Technology refinement and imparting training
Conducted six field level demonstration on improved production technology of Sikkim mandarin, protected cultivation of vegetables, improved production technology of vermicomposting and five trainings on improved orchard management of fruit crops.
Documentation, on-farm conservation of native and underutilized crops of Sikkim, promoting their cultivation by value addition, capacity building of farmers, in seed production and conservation of agro-biodiversity
FSAD-ICAR Collaborative Project under RKVY Collection and maintenance of germplasm
Table 7 The germplasm maintained at ICAR Sikkim Centre
Crop No. of Crop No. of
collec- collec-
tions tions
Food grains Vegetables
Rice 34 Chillies 37
Ragi 13 Pumpkin 19
Rayo saag 15 Cucumber 5
Yellow and 10 Soybean 2
brown sarson
Pulses Buckwheat 2
Black gram 55 Dolichus 7
French bean 48 Bottle gourd 5
Rajma 38 Bee 5
Rice bean 24 Radish 2
Evaluation of maize germplasm
Fourteen local maize germplasm were evaluated for cob characters and yield. The maximum seed yield/
m2 was recorded in Seti Makai -1 and Sehrung (0.80 kg) followed by Paheli Makai-3 (0.70 kg), Paheli Makai-4 (0.65 kg), Putali Makai and Baiguney Makai (0.60 kg). Rato Makai -1 (0.50 kg), Tempo Rinzing, Kali Makai-2 and Rato Makai-1 had yield of 0.40 kg each followed by Paheli Makai-2 and Seti Makai-2 (0.35kg) and SP-2 (0.30kg). Paheli Makai-2 had the largest cob diameter (6.32cm). It was observed that SP-2 recorded maximum No. of cobs/plant (1.8), No.
of rows/cob (14), and No. of kernels/row (592) while Seti Makai-1 and Putali Makai recorded 1.8 cobs/plant (Fig 11).
Multi locational evaluation of Rayo Saag germplasm
A total of 15 varieties of local Rayo saag were planted at two different locations which also varied in the altitude. The two sites chosen were ICAR Sikkim Centre Farm, Tadong which is located at an altitude of 1350 mtrs and KVK Saramsa farm whose altitude is around 1125 mtrs. Transplanting was done in October in KVK and ICAR farm. Various morphological parameters were collected from both the sites and then compared. It was found that Chinese Saag recorded the highest total no. of leaves, with 46 leaves in KVK farm and 38 in ICAR Farm. RS-8 (8.33) and RS-9 (8.00) recorded the lowest no. of leaves/plant in ICAR and KVK farm, respectively. RS-1, RS-7 and RS-20 had almost the same values in both the sites. RS-16 showed a remarkable decrease in its no. of leaves when planted in KVK farm which was located in the lower altitude. The length of leaf was also recorded from both the sites. It was noted that Chinese Saag even though it had the highest no of leaves/plant; it also had the smallest leaves among all the local varieties.
Its leaves had an average length of 17.51 cm and 17.96 cm in ICAR Farm and KVK farm, respectively. It was noted that change in the altitude did not have much effect on the length of the leaves as various varieties such as RS-4, RS-9, RS-19 and RS-21 had almost the same average leaf length in both the sites. RS-3 which was planted in the ICAR farm recorded the longest leaf (38.33 cm). The morphological parameter which showed the maximum difference in the data collected from the two sites was the total weight/plant. There was a marked decrease in the total weight of the plant in all the varieties which was grown in the KVK farm as compared to the ones grown in the ICAR farm. The difference could be seen when we compared the total weight/plant of RS-16 from both the sites. In ICAR farm it recorded 276.75 gm while in KVK farm it had a weight of 50.82 gm. From ICAR farm, RS-1 recorded the highest total weight/plant (279.45 gm), while the highest total weight/plant in KVK farm was of RS-9 (77.16 gm). RS-8 in both the sites had the minimum value with 135.18 gm and 30.38 gm which shows that this variety was not suitable for both the sites. Weight of single leaf was also evaluated. The Chinese Saag since it had the smallest leaves among all the local varieties also had the lowest weight of single leaf. It recorded 14.96 gm in ICAR Farm and 6.00 gm in KVK farm. It can be seen that there is a remarkable decrease in the values of the varieties planted in KVK farm.
Comparative studies indicated that RS-7 of ICAR farm Fig 11 Growth and yield attributes of maize
germplasm
had the highest weight of single leaf (43.44 gm). Apart from the Chinese Saag, RS-8 had lower weight in both the sites; it recorded 22.39 gm and 7.74 gm in ICAR and KVK farm, respectively. RS-4 with14.86 gm was the highest recorded weight of single leaf in KVK Farm. Almost all the varieties, upper and lower leaf colour was observed to be green and light green, respectively except RS-3 which had dark green with purple veins, RS-7 which had dark purple margin in the upper surface of the leaves and RS-8 which had purple colour in the upper surface of leaf with light purple colour in its lower surface. Serrated leaves with prominent leaf lamina were observed in all the varieties. RS-8 had pubescence in upper and lower surface of leaves whereas all the other varieties had smooth upper and lower leaf surface.
Evaluation of French bean
Among 22 IC and 18 EC collections of French bean, IC-199265 and IC-199246 had the highest values of pod length and diameter. IC- 199265 had pod length of 18.16 cm and its pod diameter was 11.26 mm. IC- 199246 had 14.44 cm and 11.67 mm as its pod length and diameter, respectively. EC-530910 had the shortest pod length (8.83 cm) whereas EC-530909 had the smallest pod diameter (8.66 mm). Highest plant height was recorded in EC-328394 (218.33 cm) followed by IC-199277 and IC-262840 with 216.66 cm each, on the other hand, IC-199268 had the shortest plant (61.67 cm). Apart from the aforementioned morphological parameters, other characters were also recorded which include weight of pod, yield etc. IC-202497 had the maximum no of seeds/pod (7.34) which was followed by IC-199265 (7.33). With 3.34, IC-199268 and IC- 265907 recorded the minimum no. of seeds/pod.
Weight of pod was also noted; IC-199265 had the highest weight/pod (10.2 gm) followed by IC-262840 which had 7.83 gm. With just 0.96 gm, IC- 278579 had the lowest weight of pod among the entire collections of French bean. Highly significant difference was observed among the germplasm line under evaluation for yield parameters. IC-265935 recorded the highest yield of 155.2 q/ha, IC-199277 recorded 106.62 q/ha which was followed by EC- 328394 (45.34 q/ha). IC-204751 had the lowest yield of 1.36 q/ha. White coloured flower was observed in IC-265907 whereas IC-199242 had purple colour flowers. The rest of the collections had flower colour ranging from Light purple pale type to white pale type.
Few collections also had white dwarf and cream pale type.
Evaluation of Rajma
Various morphological data were collected among the 34 available varieties of Rajma and a comparative evaluation was done. The various parameters taken into consideration included plant height, pod length, pod diameter, yield etc. It was observed that SKR-33 had the highest plant height among the evaluated varieties which was 236.66 cm. It also had the highest pod diameter (27.13 mm). SKR-50 had the second highest plant with 228.37 cm plant height. The shortest plant was recorded in SKR-15 which had the height of 38.00 cm. SKR-2 and SKR-23 followed the SKR-33 in pod diameter with 13.96 mm and 13.33 mm, respectively.
R6 recorded the smallest pod diameter with 7 mm.
Upon observing the pod length, it was found that SKR- 48 had the longest pod (18.8 cm) and the second longest pod of 16.9 cm was recorded for SKR-13. SKR-4 had the shortest pod (9.1cm). R-48 recorded the highest yield of 95.00 q/ha, following it with 67.60 q/ha was Kailash which recorded the second highest yield among the Rajma varieties. SKR-48 and SKR-13 had the lowest yield with 1.92 q/ha and 3.30 q/ha, respectively. Highest pod weight was found in R-15 (8.76 g) and Kanchan (8.1 g) whereas the lowest pod weight was recorded in Kailash (1.56 g). For the parameter, no. of seeds/pod, SKR-54 had the highest with 7.66; following it were R-19, R-6, R-48, R-29, SKR-48 with 7.33 each. Cream coloured flower was found in R-48 and Kanchan variety. R-19, R-28, R-26, SKR-67, SKR-5, SKR-18, SKR-21, R-15, SKR-54, SKR-59, SKR-13, SKR-44 and SKR-48 had white coloured flower whereas the remaining varieties had shades of purple and pink as its flower colour.
Evaluation of Rice bean
Nine collections/accessions of Rice bean was evaluated in which SKM RB-5 gave the highest yield of 41.76 q/ha, followed by SKM RB-14 (25.44 q/ha) and SKM RB-8 (19.78 q/ha) while the lowest yield was recorded in IC-176563 (3.42 q/ha), followed by Mizoram RB-1 (8.64 q/ha) and Manipur RB-1(9.69 q/
ha). Grey seed colour was observed for SKM RB-5, Manipur RB-1 and Mizoram RB-1 while the other collections showed only cream coloured seeds. Bold seeds were found in RC-18181 (11.00 g/100 seed) followed by IC-176563 (12.00 g/100 seed), SKM RB- 14 (14.20 g/100 seed) and SKM RB-8 (14.20 g/100 seed). Earliest flowering was found in IC-176563 (148 days to 50% flowering) whereas late flowering was observed in Mizoram RB-1(172 days to 50%
flowering).
Network project on management of soft rot of ginger
Ginger is one of the second most important spice crops of Sikkim. It is affected by many diseases. Among them, soft rot is a major disease causing heavy yield loss to the farmers. Survey and surveillance was conducted at different districts of the Sikkim state viz., Aho Yangtham, Sajong, Rey, Assam Lingzey, Pacheykhani, Sirwani, Ranka, Rumtek of East Sikkim, Ravangla and Soreng of West Sikkim, Dzongu, Heeygyathang, Pashingdong and Lingdong of North Sikkim and Namchi, Namthang, Karekbusty, Palitam, Lalshore, Lower Temi of South Sikkim. In 2009 survey, North Sikkim was free of disease infestation however, in 2010, the disease was seen in almost all the fields of the four districts. The disease incidence ranged from 10- 70%.
Disease diagnosis showed the prevalence of soft rot along with bacterial wilt and Fusarium yellow in the same field. The causal agent of soft rot Pythium spp. was isolated and sent for identification. The fungus has been confirmed as Pythium spp. The fungus produced coenocytic mycelium and sporangia. The bacteria Ralstonia solanacearum was also isolated and identified as the cause of bacterial wilt in ginger. A Trichoderma spp. was isolated from ginger field and identification is yet to be done upto species level.
Sustainable utilization of mountain fisheries resources
Representative water samples and data were collected periodically from various streams, rivers, natural lakes, Govt. fish tanks and farmer’s fish ponds and tanks situated at varying altitude about 702 to 14000 ft amsl. Fish samples were collected through fishing with the help of hired fisher man and also procured from the local market (Fig 12).
Meteorological parameters such as humidity and wind velocity, air and water temperature were recorded to identify agro climatic condition of the sampling site.
The torrential streams of Sikkim have shallow clear
cold water in the foothills. The frequency of fish species found in the river during sample collection by gill net fishing in the river tributaries was mostly Neolisocheilus hexagonolepsis, Schizophorax progastus, S. richardsonii, Garra gotyla, Gara annandalei and Balilius sp.
The average air temperature observed irrespective of altitude was 9.1 - 22.40 C and water temperature recorded for river and at farm tank /pond was 3.3 to 4.20 C. The pH of water from various streams and rivers during Apr to Jun and Jan to Feb was 7.7 to 8.5 where as in the month of Jul and Aug pH was about 7.29 to 8.02. Comparatively lower pH value was observed when precipitation and runoff water was more. The lowest DO level, 2.93 mg / l, was recorded in the hot spring. However, the level of DO varie from 4.3 to 5.8 mg / l during Jul and Aug and 5.0 to 11.9 mg / l in the month of Apr, Jun, Jan and Feb. The average DO level in river water was 7.4 ± 2.0 mg /l measured during the reporting period. In Himalayan water, its maximum concentration remains near 100 mg/L in normal conditions. However, the TDS observed was 29.0 ± 12.3 mg/l in river water and 17.3 ± 6.2 mg/l in natural lakes. In river water the average value for Ca ions was 4.3 ± 2.3 mg/L, Mg was 9.4 ± 4.6 mg/L and Cl was 5.3 ± 3.1 mg/L and hardness was 14.1 ± 5.1mg/
L. the water in natural lakes contained Ca 3.2 ± 0.8 mg/L, Mg 5.7 ± 0.9 mg /l and Cl 4.1 ± 1.1 mg/L, and the hardness recorded was 8.9 ± 1.1 mg/L.
The percent availability of different species varied from one stream to another depending upon altitude, water temperature, water current and depth of water.
The pH value was found environmentally suitable.
Higher DO level at some places may be due to discharge of organic matter or sewerage into the river.
Poultry Seed Project
In order to establish poultry seed unit and to promote poultry production in the region the project work at ICAR farm premises was initiated in a temporary shed on deep litter system. At present, the construction works in all the three units, layer shed, brooder shed and hatchery, has been completed.
Necessary implements for raising parent stock have been made available. Arrangements were made to procure incubators for hatching chicken eggs. Two number of Setter each with fifteen thousand (15,000) eggs loading capacity and one hatcher has been procured and installation has been completed.
Miscellaneous necessary equipments and implements have been procured and some of them are under process.
Fig 12 Collection of fish samples