Residue management and conservation tillage in rice-based system
In the present study, four tillage and residue management practices viz., conventional tillage (residue removal), zero tillage for all the crops (residue Fig 1 Medicinal plant training in the village and a local
healer displaying his herbal medicine
Fig 2 Director of the institute interacting with the trainees
retention), zero tillage for rabi crops (residue retention) and reduced tillage (residue incorporation) in main plot along with two mulching treatments viz., no mulch and mulching with straw in rabi crops in sub-plots were evaluated in lowland rice (Figs 1-4). Zero tillage with residue retention produced the highest grain yield (4563 kg/ha) while, conventional tillage with residue removal recorded the lowest grain yield (4093 kg/ha).
The grain yield obtained under reduced tillage with residue incorporation was also higher than conventional tillage with residue removal (Table 1)
Table 1 Growth, yield attributes and yields of rice as influenced by various tillage practices
Treatment Chlorophyll Grain Straw Harvest index yield yield index
(kg/ ha) (kg/ ha)
Conventional 40.3 4093 6240 39.6
tillage (Residue removal)
Zero tillage for all 39.6 4563 6578 41.0 crops (Residue
retention)
Zero tillage for 39.4 4188 6033 41.0 rabi crops (Residue
retention)
Reduced tillage 39.5 4388 6776 39.3
(Residue incorporation)
Conservation agriculture in rice for enhancing resource use efficiency and crop diversification
An experiment was conducted with four main plot tillage treatments (conventional (kharif)-conventional (rabi), Furrow and Raised Bed (FRB) in kharif – FRB in rabi, conventional (kharif)- FRB (rabi) and
conventional (kharif)-zero tillage (rabi), along with two sub-plots treatments (straw mulch and no mulch), to conserve natural resources, recycle residues and promote crop diversification for improving productivity and income (Figs 5-8). Results (Table 2) revealed the highest grain yield under conventional - zero tillage system followed by conventional – conventional and conventional- zero tillage. The straw yield was highest under conventional – zero tillage system.
Fig 1 Conventional tillage, residue removal
Fig 2 Zero tillage for all crops, residue retention
Fig 3 Zero tillage for rabi crops, residue retention
Fig 4 Reduced tillage residue, incorporation
Table 2 Yield attributes and yield as influenced by various tillage practices
Treatment Chlorophyll Grain Straw Harvest index yield yield index
(kg/ ha) (kg/ ha)
Conventional - 37.5 4250 6244 40.5
Conventional
FRB – FRB 37.2 3850 5382 41.7
Conventional - 32.9 4125 6378 39.0
FRB
Conventional – 31.1 4750 7144 40.3
Zero Tillage
CD (P=0.05) - 310 465 NS
Effect of in situ residue management on carry over soil moisture and crop growth under hill agriculture
An experiment was conducted to develop simple low cost technique of in-situ moisture conservation for raising second crop during winter season.
Treatments consisting of conventional tillage, zero tillage in the main plot and residue management –
control, Maize stalk cover (MSC), MSC + Ambrosia sp. @ 5t/ha, MSC + Ambrosia sp. @ 10 t/ha, MSC + Ambrosia sp. @ 5t/ha + Poultry manure, and MSC + FYM @ 10t/ha in sub plots were evaluated in maize- mustard cropping sequence (Fig 9). The grain yield of maize under zero tillage and conventional tilllage was statistically at par. However, there was significant
Fig 5 Conventional - FRB Fig 6 FRB - FRB
Fig 7 Conventional – Conventional Fig 8 Conventional – Zero tillage
Fig 9 Crop performance under different residue management practices
effect of in-situ moisture conservation practices on performance of maize. The interaction effect between tillage and moisture conservation practices was significant. The highest grain yield of maize was recorded with MSC + Poultry manure + Ambrossia @ 5t/ha under conventional tillage followed by MSC + FYM 10t/ha under conventional tillage. The highest water use efficiency (WUE) followed the trend similar to that of grain yield (Table 3).
Evaluation of resources conserving option on productivity and water use efficiency (WUE) of maize - toria cropping system under terrace condition
The experiment was conducted to find out water use efficient maize-based cropping system for terrace situation. Treatments comprised of (A) conventional tillage and zero tillage in main plot and (B) intercropping/residue management - maize (residue
removal ), maize (residue retention), maize + soybean paired row (residue removal), maize + soybean paired row (residue retention), maize + groundnut paired row (residue removal), maize + ground nut paired row (residue retention), maize + in-situ green manure (residue removal ), maize + in-situ green manure (residue retention) in sub plots (Fig 10). Results revealed that the maize + groundnut paired row (residue retention) recorded maximum MEY followed by maize + groundnut paired row (residue removal).
The maximum WUE (42.9 kg/ha-mm) was recorded under maize + groundnut paired row intercropping along with residue removal under zero tillage (Table 4). The data on seasonal soil profile moisture has been presented in (Fig 11). In general, the soil moisture status was marginally higher under residue retention compared to residue removal. Soil moisture did not show any trend up to 60 DAS, but thereafter, decreased gradually up to 90 DAS.
Table 3 Seed yield and water-use efficiency of maize under different tillage and residue management treatments
Treat. Tillage Treatments (T)
Zero tillage Conventional tillage Mean Zero tillage Conventional tillage Mean Seed yield (kg/ha) Water-use efficiency (kg/ha-mm)
M1 3744 3638 3691 25.9 25.2 25.6
M2 3916 4139 4028 27.1 28.7 27.9
M3 4761 4333 4547 33.0 30.0 31.5
M4 4971 5028 4999 34.4 34.8 34.6
M5 4927 5344 5136 34.1 37.0 35.6
M6 4894 5250 5072 33.9 36.3 35.1
Table 4 Maize equivalent yield and water-use efficiency as influenced by tillage and intercropping / residue management
Treat. Tillage Treatments (T)
Zero tillage Conventional tillage Mean Zero tillage Conventional tillage Mean Seed yield (kg/ha) Water-use efficiency (kg/ha-mm)
M1 5147 4800 4974 30.9 33.1 32.0
M2 4513 4700 4607 28.8 27.8 28.5
M3 5149 5721 5435 36.8 33.2 35.0
M4 5439 5667 5553 36.5 35.0 35.8
M5 6260 6666 6463 42.9 40.3 41.6
M6 6493 6467 6480 41.6 41.8 41.7
M7 4853 4533 4693 29.2 31.2 30.2
M8 4880 4533 4707 29.2 31.4 30.3
Conservation measures through broad leaved vegetables and maize intercropping in terrace situation
Field experiments were conducted to evaluate three broad leaved vegetables viz., pumpkin, ash gourd and cucumber as intercrop in maize and compared with sole maize during kharif season. Results revealed that among the broad leaved intercrops, pumpkin as intercrop reduced grain yield of maize by 20%
followed by cucumber by 13%. Maize intercropped with ash gourd was found as the best system for the terrace conditions of mid altitude of Meghalaya as this system recorded maximum soil moisture (Fig 12) and grain yield of maize (Table 5).
Fig 12 Moisture content (%) in 0-45 cm under various intercrops
Efficient water management in strawberry through micro irrigation
An experiment was conducted to find out the efficient utilization of water through micro irrigation with and without mulching. Results revealed that the soil moisture content at 0-45 cm depth was generally higher under plastic mulch over straw mulch (Fig 13).
Among the irrigation levels, highest soil moisture content was recorded under irrigation at 1.2 PET followed by 1.0 and 0.8 PET. In general, the yield attributes and berry yield was recorded higher under polythene mulch than straw mulch. The berry yield was recorded highest under 1.0 PET closely followed by 1.2 PET indicating the need for providing adequate
Maize + Soybean Maize + Groundnut Maize + In-situ green manure
Fig10 Maize crop under different tillage and residue management practices
Fig 11 Profile moisture regime in residue management treatments under conventional and zero tillage during
growth of maize crop
Table 5 Performance of maize as influenced by intercropping with broad leaved vegetables
Treatment Chlorophyll Index Grains /cob 1000 grain Grain yield Straw yield Harvest Index wt. (g) (t/ ha) (t/ ha)
Maize + Pumpkin 27.6 379.3 290.5 3.45 5.04 39.4
Maize + Ash gourd 27.7 388.3 296.4 3.93 5.84 40.2
Maize + Cucumber 28.4 389.3 305.4 3.77 5.51 40.6
Maize sole 29.6 410.0 308.2 4.33 6.35 40.5
water to the crop. Excess water over 1.0 PET is a waste especially under mulching (Table 6), the berry yield was also found to be best under 1.0 PET (Table 7).
Scaling-up of water productivity in agriculture for livelihood
The pilot project “Scaling up of water productivity in agriculture for livelihood through teaching cum demonstration” has been implemented at ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam under Water Management division since 2007. Ever since the programme started, it has achieved good results in imparting trainings and demonstrations on various aspects of water management. It has also involved in up-scaling knowledge and upgrading skills of the trainers and farmers from the entire NEH Region. The farmers’ and trainers’ training were organized on various aspects of water management and multiple use of water as mentioned below:
y Community based rain water harvesting
y Water resource management for increasing agricultural productivity and improving livelihood of the farming community
y Water harvesting and its multiple use
y Efficient use of water resources under integrated farming system for improving livelihood of farming community
y Scaling of water productivity through soil health improvement.
y Soil and water conservation in different land forms y Conservation and efficient management of water y Integrated water management with special reference
to rain water harvesting Fig 13 Moisture content (%) in 0-45 cm under differ-
ent types of mulch in strawberry
Table 6 Effect of irrigation levels and mulching on performance of strawberry
Treatment No. of berry/plant Berry wt. (g) Berry yield (t/ha)
Irrigation Plastic Straw Mean Plastic Straw Mean Plastic Straw Mean
levels (PET) mulch mulch mulch mulch mulch mulch
0.8 17.0 15.3 16.2 165.7 156.3 160.6 5.71 5.24 5.48
1.0 20.1 16.8 18.5 192.7 184.5 188.1 6.13 6.01 6.07
1.2 23.4 17.0 20.2 211.2 195.7 203.1 6.03 6.02 6.03
Mean 20.2 16.4 - 189.3 178.3 - 5.96 5.76 -
Table 7 Effect of irrigation levels and mulching on quality of strawberry
Treatment Specific gravity Acidity (%) Total sugar (%)
Irrigation Plastic Straw Mean Plastic Straw Mean Plastic Straw Mean
levels (PET) mulch mulch mulch mulch mulch mulch
0.8 19.8 20.8 20.27 0.128 0.128 0.128 6.06 5.0 5.53
1.0 22.6 22.5 22.54 0.141 0.141 0.141 5.41 4.65 5.03
1.2 20.3 19.8 20.03 0.125 0.135 0.130 5.41 4.55 4.98
Mean 20.9 21.0 - 0.131 0.134 - 5.63 4.73 -
Fig 14 Overview of experimental plots
y Rain water management and system of rice intensification (SRI)
y Multiple uses of water for diversified cropping system, animal husbandry and fisheries
During the year 2010-2011, a total of 18 farmers training (50 farmers and 7 days duration for each training) and 4 trainers’ training (25 trainers and 14 days each) programme was successfully conducted.
These training programmes, both for farmers and trainers, were conducted in different states of North Eastern Region i.e. Meghalaya, Manipur, Tripura, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh. Out of 18 farmers training, 10 trainings were conducted at three different districts of Meghalaya, 4 trainings at Manipur, 2 at Tripura and 2 at Arunachal Pradesh. For trainers training programme, 2 trainings were conducted at ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam, Meghalaya, one training at ICAR Research Complex, Manipur Centre, and one at ICAR Research Complex, Sikkim Centre. Pictorial view of some of the farmers and trainers training programme conducted at different centres are presented below (Figs 1 to 14):
Farmers training programme
Fig 1 “Integrated Farming System for Livelihood Security” at Mawkyrdep, Ri-Bhoi District, Meghalaya
from 19th – 25th October, 2010
Fig 2 “Natural Resource Management Under Moisture Stress and Climate Change Scenario” at KVK Churachandpur from 10th – 17th August, 2010
Fig 3 “Community Based Rain Water Harvesting” at ICAR-RC, Manipur Centre, Lamphelpat, Imphal from
25th to 31st October, 2010
Fig 4 “Scaling-up of Water Productivity through Soil Health improvement” at Wahlang village, East Khasi
Hills, Meghalaya from 14th – 20th Feb, 2011
Fig 5 “In-situ water management techniques in hill agriculture” at KVK, ICAR, Tura from 22nd -28th
March, 2011
Farmers’ field visit
A number of farmers’ field visit (Fig 10) were arranged as a part of the training programme in order to make the farmers aware of the different new technologies available at ICAR, KVKs.
Demonstration at farmers’ field
During each training programme, technologies on low cost rain harvesting structure (Jalkund), in-situ residue management for moisture conservation and mulching, roof water harvesting etc. were taught to the farmers for water conservation. The farmers however after being trained in the training, were very much interested with the different technologies and were ready to adopt and practice in their own field/
farm.
The following photos show the technologies adopted and practiced by the farmers of different villages (Figs 11-14)
Fig 6 “Rain water harvesting and its efficient use for Agriculture” at ICAR RC, AP Centre, Basar from 25th
- 31st March, 2011
Fig 8 “Integrated Watershed Management Approach for Livelihood Improvement” at ICAR-RC, Manipur Centre, Lamphelpat, from. 18th January- 2nd February,
2011
Fig 9 “Technology Interventions for Resource Conservation and Mechanization in Hill Agriculture”
at ICAR Research Complex, Umiam, Meghalaya from 8th -21st February, 2011
Trainers training programme
Fig 7 “Integrated water management with special reference to rain water harvesting” at Tripura
Fig 10 Farmers visiting experimental fields on water
Fig 11 Excavation of Jalkund in progress
Fig 12 Monitoring the Jalkund after the excavation
Climate change impact and adaptation strategies in hill agriculture of Northeast India
The analysis of 29 years (1982-2010) annual rainfall data of Umiam revealed that the year 1998 was the most dry year (1808 mm) followed by 2006 (1828.7 mm) whereas, the year 1988 (3321 mm) was the wettest year. Abnormalities in rainfall distribution with comparatively lesser rainfall in July (planting season) and higher in Oct and Nov (harvesting) was also observed. The number of rainy days analysed for 29 years as per IMD (with rainfall more than 2.5 mm per day) was recorded the highest in the year 1997 with 146 days and lowest in the year 2008 with 106 days.
A close look at the long term (1983-2010) monthly rainfall distribution pattern (Fig 1) revealed that June and July are the wettest month and the period between May to October is the water surplus period compared to evapo-transpiration. January and February are the
driest months and period between December to April are the water deficit periods considering rainfall and evapo-transpiration.
From the graph, it is evident that at Umiam, Meghalaya (Fig 2) the maximum temperature is increasing linearly over the years whereas, the minimum temperature showed a gradual decreasing trend. Thus there is a widening gap between maximum and minimum temperature.
Following are the salient achievements under the project during reporting period-
y About 100 ITK’s in relation to weather prediction, resource conservation, forecasting pest and disease problems including productivity were collected and compiled.
y Long term climate data of different ICAR NEH Centers were compiled and trend analysis carried out for temperature, rainfall, evaporation etc.
y In-situ residue management to carry over soil moisture in maize-toria cropping system through the retention of maize stalk cover and mulching with locally available weed Ambrosia species to form a double mulch and growing toria with residual moisture was found most effective practice for soil Fig 13 Farmers’ participation during lining of
Silpaulin
Fig 14 Jalkund filled with rain water Mawkhap village
Fig 1 Monthly water flux of Umiam, Meghalaya
Fig 2 Long term annual variation of temperature at Umiam, Meghalaya
moisture conservation that significantly increased soil moisture content, water use efficiency and increased productivity by more than 3 times compared to no residue management.
y Short duration rice varieties viz., Vivek dhan 82 and IET 20957 was identified for late planting (upto mid August) to overcome early season drought problem.
Crops like rice, maize and cabbage were grown under ambient and elevated temperature (1.5 ± 0.250C) and growth and yield parameters were recorded. Rice, maize, cabbage and cauliflower produced marginally higher yield under elevated temperature. However, the ascorbic acid content in cabbage was lower under elevated temperature. In general, the incidence of pest and disease problem in rice was higher under elevated temperature.