Sustainable Agriculture

 

How to cultivate oyster mushroom at home easily

शेतकरी मित्रांनो तूर हा भारतीय आहारामधील एक महत्त्वाचा घटक आहे. तुरीला काही भागात अरहर सुद्धा म्हणतात. तुरीला प्रामुख्याने डाळीच्या स्वरूपात खाल्ले जाते. तुरीमध्ये प्रामुख्याने लोह, आयोडीन आणि महत्त्वाचे अमिनो ॲसिड्स आढळतात. तुरीचे कुटार गुरांना खाद्य म्हणून वापरले जाते. हवामान आणि जमीन हवामान:  तुर मुुुख्यत्वे उष्ण आणि समशीतोष्ण हवामानात वाढते. शाखीय वाढीसाठी तुरीला उष्ण व दमट हवामान गरजेचे असते. जमीन: तुर हे पीक रेताळ जमिनीपासून ते चिकणमाती पर्यंत वाढवल्या जाऊ शकते. जमीन पाण्याचा उत्तम निचरा होणारी असावी. जमिनीची मशागत: तुरीची मूळे खोलवर जात असल्याने जमीन 15 सेंमी इतकी खोलवर नांगरून घ्यावी. नंतर 2 ते 3 वाखराच्या पळ्या द्याव्या. पेरणीची वेळ: खरीपातील कोरडवाहू तुरीची पेरणी जून महिण्याच्या शेवटच्या आठव्यापासून ते जुलै च्या पहिल्या पंधरवड्यात करावी. बागायती तुरीची लागवड जून च्या सुरुवातीला करावी. दोन तासांतील अंतर हे तुरीमध्ये 6 ते 9 फूट इतके ठेवावे तर दोन झाडांतील अंतर हे किमान 1 ते  कमाल 2 फूट इतके ठेवावे.  बीजप्रक्रिया: बियाणे पेरण्यापूर्वी कार्बेन्डाझिम किंवा थायरम 3 ग्राम प्रती किलो

 Dear farmers Rabi maize favourably responds to better crop management. Rabi yield is higher than Kharif. The average temperature during the growing season should not go below 12°C and there should be no frost. Sowing time - October to mid November Sowing method - Sowing on ridges Sowing direction - Southern side of the East - West ridge Seed rate/ha - 20 - 22 kg Spacing - 60×18 cm Sowing depth - 4-5 cm Plant population/ha - 90000 Seed treatment Soaking of seed over night in warm water (45°C at the time of soaking) Intercultural operation 1 or 2 intercultural operations i.e. hoeing and weeding should be performed. Fertilizer management 120:60:40 kg NPK dose per hectare is recommended. 30 kg N and full P and K are given at the time of sowing. 60 kg N at knee-height stage and remaining 30 kg N is given at flag leaf stage. Irrigation Six irrigations are given to the Rabi maize crop. Two irrigations upto flowering One at the time of flowering Two after flowering One at early grain filling

Dear farmers,                          Vermicomposting is a simple biotechnology process of composting, in which certain species of earthworms are used to enhance the process of waste conversion and produce a better end product. Vermicomposting is the process of recycling organic matter into nutrient rich compost using worms. It is carried out generally under aerobic condition. Vermicompost is a stable organic manure produced as vermicast by earthworm feeding on biological waste materials. It is an efficient recycling process of animal, agricultural and industrial wastes. Vermicompost is a mixture of worm cast, humus, live earthworms and their cocoons. The major constituents are essential micro and macro nutrients enzymes vitamins antibiotics humic acid and growth hormones.     Vermicompost is an important source of organic manure. It helps in recycling any organic waste into a useful organic fertilizer and use no chance of environmental pollution. It is an eco friendly, non toxic prod

Pearl millet is also known as bulrush millet, spikal millet, African millet or cattail millet. It is quick growing short duration crop. It is outstanding summer growing fodder crop for dry farming areas due to high tillering, drought tolerance, heat tolerance, high photosynthetic efficiency, versatile adaptation to soil types, high dry matter production. The crude protein content at flowering is as high as 15%. The herbage cut at early flowering stage contains 6.8 - 12.8% CP, 0.9 - 1.8% EF, 29 - 34% CF, 41 - 52% NFE, 0.29 - 0.69% Ca and 0.47 - 0.84% P. Climate and soil Climate Pearl millet requires warm and dry weather. High temperature is required for rapid growth especially at latter stages of growth. It can grow in areas receiving 250 to 800 mm rainfall . Due to extensive and deep root system, crop can with stand considerable moisture stress. Heavy rain, prolonged cloudiness, high humidity and colder conditions are detrimental to its growth. Soil It can grow on alluvial sandy soils

 Dear farmers,                            Sorghum is a major food grain crop in the world. It is a staple food for humans. It is also used as parched and popped grain. It serves as an important source of cattle feed and fodder. The grains are fed to cattle, poultry and swine. Sorghum grain contains 10-12% of protein, 3% fat and 70% carbohydrates. Growth stages 1. Seedling stage  Germination takes place in 4-5 days after sowing. The emergence of coleoptile indicates seedling stage. 2. Flag leaf stage 3-4 leaves with fully expanded leaf area (40-45 DAS). 3. Boot stage Ear head covered with sheath i.e. under flag leaf (45-60 DAS). 4. Soft dough Endosperm filled with watery fluid. It is called milky stage (70-85 DAS). 5. Hard dough Three fourth of grain weight accumulated, grain contents relatively solid. 6. Physiological maturity Maximum dry weight of grain and plant attained (85-95 DAS). Climatic requirements Sorghum requires warm climate, but can be grown under a wide range of climatic

  Seed is a fertilized, fully matured ovule consisting an embryo, endosperm and a seed coat and is usually meant for sexual reproduction.                       Every farmer have the right to get quality seeds and also certified seeds. Seed plays an important role in agriculture as every crop starts from seed and ends on seed. So, quality of seed that a farmer gets must be good enough. Good seed plays major role in enhancing quantity and quality of agricultural produce and thus improving economy of a country. Seed production                  Production of seeds follow a well-designed seed program. Purity of variety of the seed is clearly identified from its breeder seed and it is genetically pure. During seed production process, quality standards, like removal of off-types, diseased plants, weed plants and other crop plants are carried out. Seeds which have physical purity and good germination are chosen. Drying of seeds is done in a controlled condition. Scientifically seed production

Dear farmers,                           Whitefly is a major pest these days all over the world. It causes the damage to all major crops like cotton, sugarcane etc cash crop and variety of other different crops like  beans, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, cucumber, eggplant, peppers, , tomamelon, squash, tomato and watermelon. They also infest crop  such as alfalfa. The main hazard of whitefly is that it transmitts various viruses from plant to plant while feeding. Hence it is also called as vector.                    Whitefly is a sucking type pest on the crops. It sucks the nutrients from phloem of the susceptible plant leaves occasionally leading to the curling and drying of the leaves which altimately causes death of plant. Prevention of whitefly                Though whitefly is impossible to prevent from emerging in the field, following measures would definitely reduce it's population in the field. 1). During early vegetative growth phase of crop, avoid excessive use of urea.

 Pests Management  Fruit and shoot borer, jassids ,epilachna beetle and mites are the major pests. Fruit and shoot borer(Leucinodes orbonalis) The larvae bore into tender parts causing drooping of young shoots and rotting of fruits. Affected plant parts should be removed along with larvae and destroyed crushing or by immersing in insecticide solution. Jassids (Empoasca spp.) Adults and nymphs suck sap by feeding from under surface of leave resulting in typical yellowing and drying up of leaves. Jassid resistant varieties (e.g. Punjab Barsati and Pusa Kranti in India) should be used as per locality. Biologically jussids are controlled by Beauveria bassiana @ 7-10 g/lit water and spread on the foliage. Chemical control is done by  thiamethoxam,  Imidacloprid, diafenthiuron, acetamiprid which are effective after 7 days of application. Epilachna beetle Yellow coloured nymphs seen on under surface leaves feed on foliage resulting in skeletonization of leaves. Since nymph are seen in large n

 Dear farmers,                            Brinjal is a vegetable crop grown all over the world. A large number of cultivars differing in size, shape and colour of fruits are grown worldwide. Immature fruits are used in curries and a variety of dishes are prepared out of brinjal. Fruits are moderate sources of vitamins and minerals like phosphorous, calcium and iron and nutritive value varies from variety to variety. Climatic requirements Brinjal is warm season day neutral plant and is susceptible to severe frost. A long and warm growing season with a temperature range of 21-27°C is ideal for its production. Crop is  adversely affected by chilling temperature of winter in temperature at freezing point. Generally late cultivars can withstand low temperature than early ones. Plants grown luxuriantly and yield heavily during rainy season under warm humid climatic conditions. Soil requirements Brinjal is a hardy crop and is cultivated under a wide range of soils. Since a long duration  crop

Dear farmers,                           Tomato occupies a prime position in list of protective foods since it is a rich source of minerals like calcium (48 mg / 100g), sodium (12.9 mg), trace elements, copper (0.19 mg), vitamins like vitamin A (900 IU), vitamin C (27 mg), vitamin B complex (thiamine), essential amino acids and healthy organic acids like citric, formic and acetic acids. The attractive red colour of fruit is due to lycopene and yellow colour is due to carotenes. Peculiar flavour of tomato is due to presence of ethanol, acetaldehyde and a number of volatile flavour components found in fruit. Different forms of tomatine, a steroidal glycoalkaloid, are identified from various parts of plant. Tomato is a good appetizer and its soup is a good remedy for preventing constipation. Climate Tomato is a day neutral warm season crop, which cannot tolerate frost. Cool and dry weather is preferred by the crop and optimum temperature is 21-28°C during day and 15-20°C during night.    

Dear farmers,                         Niger (Guizotia abyssinica) is used for extraction of oil(75%). Niger oil is similar to safflower and sunflower oil in edible quality. The seed contains 35-40% oil. Oil is used for manufacturing paints and soft soaps, lighting and lubrication and for manufacturing cosmatics. It is a good substitute for sesame oil for pharmaceutical purposes. Niger plant is consumed by sheep and not by cattle. It is used for making silage. Niger cake is valuable feed for milch cattle. It is also used as manure also. Climate It is a temperate region crop and also grows in semi tropical environment. It is short day plant. It is mostly a rainfed crop. Optimum rainfall is 1000-1300 mm. Niger needs moderate temperature of 18-23°C. Above 30°C, growth and flowering are adversely affected and maturity is hastens. Below 10°C, seed emergence is restricted leading to inadequate plant stand. Soils Niger can grow on all types of soils from Sandy to deep clay loam. But thrive bes

Dear farmers,                          Soybean is cheapest, easiest and richest source of best quality proteins and fats with multipurpose uses as food and industrial product. It is therefore called as wonder crop. It is considered as highly nutritive crop containing 40% high quality protein and 20%  oil. Soybean protein is rich in amino acid and lycine (5%); which is deficient in most of the cereals. Climatic requirements for soybean cultivation Soybean is a warm season crop. Its cultivation is now extended to subtropics and temperate climates. It can grow well in areas receiving annual rainfall from 600 to 1000 mm. Soil temperature of 15.5°C or above favour rapid germination and vigorous seedling growth. The minimum temperature for effective growth is about 10°C. Lower temperature delays the flowering. Temperature of 26.5 to 30°C appears to be optimum for most of the varieties. Soybean is basically a short day plant. Day length is the key factor. They are sensitive to photoperiod. th

Dear farmers, Pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) is the most important crop worldwide. It is second important pulse crop after gram. India is on the first postion in pigeon pea cultivation. Ability of red gram to produce high economic yield under soil deficit makes it an important crop in rainfed and dryland agriculture. Requirements of crop(climate & soil) Climate Pigeonpea grows mainly in tropical and subtropical climate. During vegetative growth it prefers mostly moist and warm climate. However during flowering, ripening and pod setting, cool and bright sunny days are necessary. It is raised in the area having 20-30°C temperature during Kharif and 17-22°C during winter season cloudy weather and excessive rainfall at flowering damage the crop. It is highly susceptible even to light frost. It can tolerate moisture stress to a great extent because of deep root system. It grows successfully in the area receiving rainfall only 650 mm. Soil It grows well on wide range of soils from Sandy loam

Dear Farmers, chilli is major crop all over the world. It occurs in variety of different types of climatic conditions across the world. There are some threats (diseases) on chilli production causing damage to the crop or sometimes death. Fungal diseases of chilli and it's management 1) Die Back or anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum capsici  Symptoms 1) Flowers dropped and dried up. 2) Drying up starts from flower stock to the steam and subsequently causes dieback of branches and stem. 3) There is profuse shedding of flowers. 4) Fungus necrosis of tender twigs from the tip backwards. 5) Partially affected plant bear fruits which are few and of low quality. It also causes fruit rot disease in chillies. Disease Management 1) Use of disease free seeds is important in preventing the disease. 2) Seed treatment with Thiram or Captan 4g/kg is found to be effective in eliminating the seed borne inoculum. 3) Chilli cultivar BG-1 and perennial are found to be resistant against the disease 4