Statistical evaluation and optimization of fertilizer requirement of upland rice (Oryza sativa) genotypes at varying levels of crop seasonal rainfall under moist subhumid alfisols.

Not AvailableA study was conducted during rainy season (kharif 2003-05) at Phulbani using experimental data on the response of rice (Oryza sativa L.) varieties to varying fertilizer levels under moist sub-humid Alfisols. Statistical models were developed for yield prediction and fertilizer optimization at varying crop seasonal rainfall. Eight genotypes, viz 'Vandana', 'ZHU-11-26', 'RR-361-1', 'Jaldi-6', 'RR-166-645', 'RR-348-6', 'Heera' and 'Saria' genotypes were tested with an application of 60-30-30, 40-20-20, 20-10-10 kg N-P(2)O(5)-K(2)O/ha and a control. The genotypes attained a mean yield of 1651 kg/ha with 13% variation in 3 seasons. 'Vandana' was superior in control and 20-10-10 kg/ha, compared with the 'RR-348-6' in 40-20-20 kg/ha and 'RR-166-645' in 60-30-30 NPK kg/ha. Rank correlation between ranks assigned to mean and variation of genotypes shows that the performance of a genotype was significantly correlated with its variation with a maximum correlation of 0.79 in control and a minimum of 0.43 in 60-30-30 kg/ha. Regression models of yield through rainfall, applied fertilizer and their interaction indicated a significant predictability ranging from 0.92 for 'Vandana', 'ZHU-11-26' and 'Jaldi-6' to 0.97 for 'RR-361-1', 'RR-166-645' and 'Saria'. Rainfall had a significant positive influence on yield of all genotypes while quadratic variables of N, P and K had a significant negative influence on 'Vandana' and 'Saria'. Optimum NPK doses for attaining maximum yield were minimum for 'Saria' and maximum for 'ZHU-11-26'. For economic yield they were minimum for 'Saria' while N was maximum for 'Vandana' and K was maximum for 'ZHU-11-26'. P was maximum for 'RR-166-645' at 750 and 1000 mm and 'ZHU-11-26' at 1250 mm of rainfall. Optimum N ranged from 35 to 77 kg/ha while, P and K ranged from 16 to 67 kg/ha for maximum yield at a crop seasonal rainfall of 750 to 1250 mm. The optimum doses for economic yield ranged from 32 to 69 kg/ha for N, 15 to 56 kg/ha. for P and 16 to 62 kg/ha for K in the study.Not Availabl

Effect of climate on productivity of pigeonpea and cotton in Andhra Pradesh – A panel data regression.

Not AvailableThis paper was attempted to examine the effect of temperature and rainfall on the productivity of two important crops-pigeonpea and cotton in Andhra Pradesh following panel data regression approach. Using the district level time series data, the yield of each of these two crops was regressed on maximum temperature during kharif, rainfall quantity and number of rainy days for the period 1990-2002, in a one-way and two-way fixed effect models of panel regression using Least Squares Dummy Variable Method. Comparison of district specific effects revealed statistically significant differences between districts in case of pigeonpea. The response coefficients for rainfall and number of rainy days were found significant at 5 per cent level. A positive impact on yield of pigeonpea at the rate of 1.9 kg/ha was observed for a 10 mm rise in rainfall. The number of rainy days was found to have a significant negative relationship with yield. In case of cotton, half of the major cotton growing districts differed significantly in mean yield levels. A significant reduction in yield at a rate of 13 kg/ha for every 10C rise in the maximum temperature was observed. The yield of cotton was found to increase by 0.7 kg/ha for every 10 mm increase in the rainfallNot Availabl

Mechanization of Conservation Agriculture

Not AvailableConservation Agriculture refers to a range of soil management practices that minimize effects on composition, structure and natural biodiversity and reduce erosion and degradation. Such practices include direct sowing / no-tillage, reduced tillage / minimum tillage, surfaceincorporation of crop residues and establishment of cover crops in both annual and perennial crops. As such the soil is protected from rainfall erosion and water runoff; the soil aggregates, organic matter and fertility level naturally increase and soil compaction is reduced. Furthermore, less contamination of surface water occurs, water retention and storage is enhanced, which allows recharging of aquifers.Not Availabl

Knowledge-based entry point and innovative up scaling strategy for watershed development projects

Not AvailableIntroducing watershed development program to the community has always been recognized as an important activity. This is done through what are called 'entry point activities' (EPA) in the parlance of watershed literature. It involves building the rapport with the community, strengthening and sustaining it through out the program and beyond. Knowledge-based EPAs are found more e to build rapport with the community by ensuring tangible economic bene for the community.Not Availabl

Indigenous Technical Knowledge (ITK) on Soil & Water Conservation in Rainfed Areas

Not AvailableSoil and water are the basic resources and these must be conserved as carefully as possible. The pressure of increasing population neutralizes all efforts to raise the standard of living, while loss of fertility in the soil itself nullifies the value of any improvements made. This calls for more systematic resource conservation efforts. It is well known to every farmer that it is the top soil layer, which sustains agricultural production. Once this layer is lost or eroded, nothing can be done to replace it within a short period of time. Climate and hydrology, soil topography, soil surface conditions and their interactions are major factors affecting erosion-sedimentation processes. The semi–arid regions with few intense rainfall events and poor soil cover condition produce more sediment per unit area. But the man’s intervention has disturbed the natural equilibrium and intensive and extensive agriculture has become a dominant factor in accelerating land degradation. The ever-increasing population pressure has brought intensive cultivation of land to the forefront through irrigated agriculture. No doubt these practices have resulted in a great increase in productivity, but they have resulted in large-scale water logging. Cultivable wastelands are increasing in the agricultural fields due to improper land management. The obvious remedy for this is to follow soil and moisture conservation practices along with integrated nutrient supply system for improvement of soil fertility as well as crop productivity on sustained basis. Soil conservation in any form is the only known way to protect the productive lands. In a predominantly agricultural country like India, where droughts and floods cause chronic food scarcity, adequate soil conservation programme, not only increases crop yield, it also prevents further deterioration of land. Methods to control surface runoff and soil associated erosion have been practiced in India from times immemorialNot Availabl

Effect of organic manures on agronomic and economic performance of garden pea (Pisum sativum) and on soil properties

Not AvailableA field experiment was conducted during 2005-07 at Almora, Uttarakhand to evaluate the effect of different organic manures (farmyard manure, poultry manure and vermicompost) and biofertilizers [Rhizobium leguminosarum + phosphorus-solubilizing bacteria (Pseudomonas sp.)] on yield of organically, grown garden pea [Pisum sativum subsp. hortense (Neilr.) Asch & Graebn] and on soil properties. Pod yields for all the treatments were significantly higher than the control. In both the years, application of farmyard manure 10 tonnes/ha + poultry manure and vermicompost each 1.5 tonnes/ha + biofertilizers gave the highest pod yields (7.02 and 7.52 tonnes/ha) and it was significantly superior to other treatments except farmyard manure 20 tonnes/ha + biofertilizers and application of farmyard manure 10 tonnes/ha + recommended NPK (20:26:33 kg/ha) through fertilizers. Application of farmyard manure 20 tonnes/ha + biofertilizers resulted in the lowest soil bulk density (1.19 Mg/m3) compared to other treatments. The soil pH increased in all the treatments compared to control. Similarly, soil organic C was significantly higher in all the treatments (1.21–1.30%)Not Availabl

Evaluation of polymerase chain reaction for the detection of Vibrio cholerae in contaminants

Not AvailableA total of 245 samples (35 each of water, fish, crab, shrimp, meat, milk and clinical stool samples) collected from various sources were subjected to Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and cultural methods for the presence of Vibrio cholerae. Eighty samples (19 water,16 fish, 20 crab, 6 shrimp, 4 meat, 3 milk, and 12 clinical stool samples) were positive by PCR targeting ompW gene, whereas only 59 samples (12 water, 13 fish, 16 crab, 5 shrimp, 3 meat, 2 milk and 8 clinical stool samples) were positive by cultural methods. Enrichment with Alkaline Peptone Water (APW) gave good results compared to Salt Polymixin Broth (SPB) with polymyxin B by both PCR and cultural methods. The minimum detection level with pure V.cholerae culture was 2.5cfu/ml with Alkaline Peptone Water broth after 8 hrs of incubation. The results of this study suggest that PCR could be an excellent tool for detection of Vibrio cholerae in aquatic, livestock foods and stool samples.Not Availabl

Adoption, impact and discontinuance of integrated pest management technologies for pigeonpea in South India.

Not AvailableThe adoption and impact of integrated pest management (IPM) were examined for pigeon pea cultivation in Andhra Pradesh, India. Summer ploughing and spraying of Neem Seed Kernel Extract (NSKE) were the most regularly adopted components of IPM for pigeon pea. A logistic regression analysis showed that age, education, participation in community-based organizations, ability to recognize the insect pests, and farm size influenced the decision to adopt IPM significantly. There were variations in the extent of IPM adoption among farmers. The adoption of IPM led to reduced use of insecticides and increased net returns. Furthermore, the use of new-generation insecticides led to a discontinuation of IPM practices.Not Availabl

Horticulture Based Land Use Options for Resource Conservation, Market Needs and Mitigation of Climate Change

Not AvailableHorticulture includes fruits, vegetables, root and tuber crops, mushrooms, floriculture, medicinal and aromatic plants, cashewnut, plantation crops including coconut and oil palm has established its credibility in the irrigated regions for improving productivity of land, generating employment, improving economic condition of the farmers and entrepreneurs, enhancing exports and providing nutritional security to the millions. However nearly two-third of horticultural commodities are raised from dry, arid and semiarid regions. A great of scope still exist in the development of dryland horticulture in India. The Horticultural crops cover about 6.8% of the total area contributing 18% of grass agriculture output. Today India is the second largest producer of fruits (48mt) and vegetable (68 mt). Our share in the in world production is about 8% in fruits and 12% in vegetables. India produces 52% of world mangoes, 18% of the world bananas and 12% of the world onion. India is number one producer of mango and banana globally. We have achieved phenomenal growth rates in the production of apples, oranges, grapes, guava ,pomegranate etc. Even corporate sector is very much attracted towards fruit growing.Not Availabl

Alternate land use options for resource conservation, emerging market needs and mitigation of climate change in SAT regions

Not AvailableOver the past two decades climate change has evolved from a debate about whether the planet is really warming to an increased focus on how to mitigate and adapt to its impacts. After an extensive review of the available literature on evidence of climate change, the Working Group I to the Fourth Assessment Report of the IPCC, 2007 concluded that ìthe warming of the climate system is unequivocal, as is now evident from observations of increases in global average air and ocean temperatures, widespread melting of snow and ice, and rising global average temperatureî. ìThe scientific evidence is now overwhelming; climate change presents very serious global risks, and it demands an urgent global responseî (Stern 2007). The developing countries mostly rely on agriculture for rural livelihoods and development. Nevertheless, agricultural systems in developing countries are adversely affected by land pressure and climate change, both of which threaten food production. Reduced productivity due to land degradation exacerbates the food deficit, despite the relative success of intensive agricultural systems that are promoted in many regions of the world. The various environmental impacts of agricultural intensification and food production, with negative impacts on soil and biodiversity, result in adverse feedbacks on climate, food security and on-farm income at local scale (Krausmann et al. 2013). Prior to the Green Revolution, the majority of subsistence farming anywhere in the world involved mixed species, usually including tree products (Mbow et al. 2014). Pressures towards higher production drove modern agriculture into monocultures. But in the background, subsistence agroforestry systems have also continued. As research has increasingly recognised 1 Agroforestry ó A Sustainable Solution to Address Climate Change Challenges AR Uthappa, SB Chavan, AK Handa, Ram Ne an, AK Handa, Ram Newaj, Dhir aj, Dhiraj Kumar KB Sridhar and OP Chaturvedi KB Sridhar and OP Chaturvedi KB Sridhar and OP Chaturvedi ICAR- Central Agroforestry Research Institute, Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh 2 Agroforestry for Increased Production and Livelihood Security the need to encompass ecosystems services other than food production, agroforestry has returned to the limelight. Recognizing the ability of agroforestry systems to address multiple problems and deliver multiple benefits, the IPCC Third Assessment Report on Climate Change states that ìAgroforestry can both sequester carbon and produce a range of economic, environmental, and socioeconomic benefits. For example, trees in agroforestry farms improve soil fertility through control of erosion, maintenance of soil organic matter and physical properties, increased N, extraction of nutrients from deep soil horizons, and promotion of more closed nutrient cyclingî (IPCC 2001). Agroforestry could be a win-win solution to the seemingly difficult choice between reforestation and agricultural land use, because it increases the storage of carbon as well as enhance agricultural productivity. This paper will discuss various adaptation and mitigation strategies to tackle climate change through agroforestry.Not Availabl