Whitefly control

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.

2). Destroy ratoon plants as well as weed hosts growing near the irrigation channel and fallow lands.

3). Monitor whitefly on alternate hosts such as vegetables, ornamentals, weeds and plantation crops starting from pre-sowing.

4). Maintain field sanitation by keeping fields, bunds, and the vicinity free of weeds before and after sowing of cotton.

5). Install yellow sticky traps 20/ha during July to August.

6). Vacuum suction pumps can be used during August coinciding with high whitefly population.

7). Avoid using synthetic pyrethroids or organophosphate or any other insecticide mixture. These insecticides are known to cause and aggravate resurgence of whitefly when used indiscriminately.

Chemical control

Following are some recommended insecticide spray.

Diafenthiuron 50% WP, Buprofezin 25% SC, Spiromesifen 22.9% SC, Pyriproxyfen 10% EC, Flonicamid 50% WG, Clothianidian 50% WDG after mid August. These insecticides are effective on whitefly and are relatively safer to its natural enemies.

Biological control of whitefly

Variety of insects are found to be effective biological control agents against whitefly. They are discussed as below.

1) Six spotted lady bird beetle Cheilomenes sixmaculata

Six spotted lady bird beetle general predator of cotton whitefly. The predator helps to reduce pest's population naturally.

2). Predatory spiders

Spiders kill large number of insects for feeding. Spiders also kill whitefly

Recommended biopesticide 

Beauveria bassiana (fungus) is the recommended biopesticide against whitefly (Foliar application).

Pest and diseases management in brinjal

 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 numbers on a single leaf plucking infested leaves along with nymph is an effective way control of pest. 

               Five sprays of cipermethrin @ 30 g a.i./ha or ethofenprox @ 75 g a.i/ha at 15 days interval starting from 30 DAT is effective for control of jassid and fruit and shoot borer. Four sprays of 

carbaryl (800 g a.i/ha) at days interval starting from 30 DAT is also equally effective for controlling pest.

Mites

Red spider mites and other mites seen on under surface of leaf suck sap and cause characteristic yellowing. Spray of neem oil garlic solution in initial stage of attack is effective for control of mites. Under severe infestation spray Kelthane (0.03%) or metasystox (0.03%).

Diseases Management

Diseases like Bacterial wilt, Fusarium wilt, phomopsis blight, little leaf, mosaic and damping off are the major diseases in brinjal

Bacterial wilt (Ralstonia solanacearum)

Disease results in sudden wilting and drying up of plants. Plants are more affected during flowering and early fruiting stages. Grow resistant varieties like Swetha, Haritha, Arka Nidhi, Arka Neelkant, Pant Samrat, Utkal Tarini, Utkal Madhuri and F1 hybrid Neelima in wilt prone areas in tropical and subtropical areas of Asia and for other countries use suitable bacterial wilt resistant varieties developed by local agricultural authorities.

Fungal wilt

Fungi like Fusarium and Verticillium cause wilting of plants. Lower leaves turn yellow and progress slowly leading to browning and complete death of plants. Pythium and Phytophthora also cause collar rot and wilting of. plants Crop rotation burning with dry leaves prior to planting and drenching the soil with copper oxychloride are effective for control of wilt.

Phomopsis blight

This is a major disease particularly when crop is raised for seed production. Soft and water soaked brown lesions of fruits which turn black and mummified in appearance are the common symptoms. Leaves and stem may also develop dark brown spots. Seed treatment with Bavistin (l g a.i./kg) and seedling dip in Bavistin (0.05%) for 30 minutes before transplanting, followed by two sprays of Bavistin are recommended for control of disease.

Little leaf

Diseased plants produce small sized leaves and result in bushy and stunted growth and will not produce fruits.

Mosaic

Uproot and destroy mosaic and little leaf affected plants as soon as symptoms are noticed. Avoiding ratooning and raising seedlings in seed beds treated with Phorate (1.25 kg a.i./ha), treating seedlings with systemic insecticides for eight hours followed by application of Phorate(1.25 kg a.i./ha) at 21 DAT control both little leaf and mosaic.

Damping off

This is a major nursery disease. Affected seedlings topple over and die in patches. For reducing disease incidence sow seeds as loose/ thin as possible on raised beds. Adequate drainage are drenching nursery bed with  Bavistin(0.1 %) control disease effectively.

Tomato Cultivation

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.

        Night temperature is more critical than day temperature. High temperature results in exerted stigma, dryness of stigma, burning of anther tip, poor pollen dehiscence, low pollen 

viability and slow pollen tube growth leading to low pollination and fruit set. Incidence of viral 

diseases also will be more at high temperature. Optimum temperature for colour development 

of fruit is 21-24°C. Development of colouring pigment, lycopene will be hampered above 27°C. 

Seed germination and pollen germination are adversely effected below 10°C.

Sowing time and seed rate

Time

In mild climatic conditions, where there is no danger of frost, three crops can be raised in a year. In the hills, seeds are usually sown in March-April. In plains is grown during June to November.

Seed rate

Open pollinated variety: 400-500 g / ha.

Indeterminate F2 hybrid: 125-175 g / ha.

Seeds sown in an area of 4-5 cents (200-240 m²) will be sufficient to plant one hectare. Four to five weeks old seedlings are used. Hardening of seedling is essential for their establishment in main field and is done by withholding irrigation for one week before transplanting, adding NaC1 (400 ppm) to irrigation water or by spray of cycocel (200 ppm) and Zinc Sulphate (0.25%) + 25 ppm proline at time of transplanting.

Land preparation

Seedlings are transplanted on raised beds or on sides of ridges. Field is ploughed 4-5 times and raised beds of 80-90 cm width or ridges and furrows are prepared. Spacing depends on the growth habit (determinate, indeterminate or semi determinate) of variety and various spacing followed are 60 x 30-45 cm, 75 x 60 cm and 75 x 75 cm. Usually closer spacing results in early and higher yield, but it may effect size of fruits.

Nutrient management

Manure and fertilizer recommendation for tomato depends on the growth habit and 

productivity of variety and it varies from state to state. In most of states, in addition to 15-20 

tonnes of FYM, 100-125 kg, N, 50-60 kg P2O5 and 50-60 kg K2O are recommended for one 

hectare. Recommendation for F1 hybrid is 250:250:250 kg NPK/ha.

FYM should be incorporated in soil at the time of final ploughing. 1/3 N, Full P and K 

may be applied as basal dose either just before transplanting or 5-10 days after transplanting. 

Remaining 2/3 N is applied 20 and 45 days there after. In boron and zinc deficient soils, additional dose of 10 kg borax and 5 kg Zinc Sulphate, as basal dose, are also recommended for correcting fruit cracking and to increase yield and fruit quality.

Irrigation

Furrow irrigation is the most common method in tomato and the crop require adequate moisture throughout growth period. Frequency of irrigation depends on the climatic and soil 

conditions. During summer, crop should be irrigated at 3-4 days interval. Water stress at 

flowering stage will adversely effect fruiting and productivity. A long spell of drought followed by 

heavy irrigation leads to cracking of fruits. Similarly a dry spell after regular irrigation causes blossom end rot. Drip irrigation and sprinkler irrigation are becoming more common in areas of water shortage.

Inter-cultivation

Field should be kept weed free by frequent weeding, hoeing and earthing up. Application of pendimethalin (1.0 kg a.i. / ha) as pre emergence spray along with one hand weeding at 45 DT is ideal for tomato variety Pusa Ruby. Oxyfluorfen (0.25 kg a.i. / ha) Goal (0.25 kg a.i./ha) and Basalin (1.0 kg a.i. / ha) were also ideal as pre emergence application. Post emergence spray of Sencor (0.5 kg a.i./ha) was also effective at the All India Coordinated trials. Mulching with straw or plastic is also effective for weed control and for regulating soil temperature.

Training and pruning

All indeterminate varieties are trained with wires, strings or stacks to prevent lodging and 

loss of fruits by coming in contact with soil. It is done by providing individual stack or by erecting 2-2.5 m long poles on either side of ridges for stretching G1 wire. Branches of plants are supported on poles or strings with twine. Pruning is also generally followed in indeterminate varieties to improve size, shape and quality of fruits. It is removal of unwanted shoots to enhance vigor of plants.

Plant growth regulators

Plant growth regulators are beneficial for early yield, increased fruit set at extreme 

temperatures and to impart resistance to viral diseases. However, their effect is not seen 

consistent and varied with genotype, climate, location etc. Some of the growth regulators found useful in tomato production are :

Purpose       Growth regulator  Mode and time of

                                                              application

                                                         

High yield    GA1 (5-25 ppm)       Seed treatment

                        PCPA (10-20ppm)

                        DNOA (25-50ppm) 

                        GA (10 ppm)                Foliar spray

                        NAA (1000 ppm)

                        PCPA (50 ppm)

                        24 D (5 ppm)

 

                        Cytocyme (0.25%)

Increased     NAA (0.1 ppm)          Seedling soaking

fruit set.                                                   for 24 hours

Increased     IAA (50 ppm)

fruit set

In summer    Borax (1.0%)

For increasing  PCPA 50-100 ppm   Foliar spray at 

fruit set at low                                      flower cluster

temperature

Ripening of    Ethrel 1000 ppm       Whole plant 

fruits                                                 spray at initiation

                                                               of ripening.

Harvesting

Crop starts yielding by 70 days after planting. Usually fruits are harvested with hand by 

a gentle twist so that the stalk is retained on plant. Intervals of harvests depend on season and it is twice in a week during summer and weekly during winter and rainy days. Harvesting 

maturity depends on the purpose whether for fresh market, processing, long distance transport 

etc. Following maturity standards are recognized in tomato:

1) Mature green: Fruits fully grown, fruit colour changes from green to yellowish and cavity 

filled with seeds surrounded by gelly like substance. Harvested for long distance 

market.

2) Turning or breaker stage: Fruits firm, 1/4th portion of fruit changes to pink in colour, but 

the shoulder still yellowish green. Harvested for long distance market.

3) Pink stage: 3/4th of whole fruit surface turns pink colour. Harvested for local market.

4) Light red: Entire fruit surface is red or pink but the flesh is firm. Harvested for local 

market.

5) Red ripe or hand ripe: Fully ripened and coloured. Flesh becomes soft. Harvested for 

processing and for seed extraction.

Yield

Open pollinated varieties : 20-25 t/ha.

F1 hybrids : 50 t/ha.

Storage and marketing

Fruits after harvesting are graded and packed in bamboo baskets or wooden boxes. Since tomato is a climatic fruit, good care should be taken to remove bruised, cracked and damaged fruits before packing in baskets. Though tomato can be stored at low temperature, commercially it is not stored in cold storages in the country due to practical reasons. Fruits can be stored for-two weeks and four weeks at 10-13°C when harvested at red stage and green stage respectively. Pre-cooling of fruits before storage and transportation enhances storage life.

Processing tomatoes

Use of tomato for processing is increasing day by day and a variety of products like puree, paste, syrup, juice, ketchup etc are made. Varieties for processing should have following qualities.

1) Deep red colour which retains even after processing.

2) Low pH – The acidity of fruits affect-heating time required for sterilization of processed product. Longer time is required if pH is high and hence a pH below 4-5 is required for processing.

3) High TSS – Fruits with high TSS yield more finished products / tonne of raw fruits and hence minimum TSS should be 4.5°B.

4) High viscosity and consistency.

5) Firm and easy peeling.

6) Pericarp thickness-should be more than0.5 cm.

7) Crack resistance.

8) Fruits size should be above 50 g and oblong in shape.

Physiological disorders

Fruit cracking

Fruit cracking is caused both by genetic and environmental factors. Following four types 

of cracking are noticed tomato.

1) Radial Cracking: Usually seen at ripe stage and crack radiate from pedicel end to stylar 

end.

2) Concentric cracking: Seen around shoulder of fruit even at green stage.

3) Cuticular: Seen on outer skin of fruit.

4) Burst: Burst occurs at certain points on shoulder of fruit.

                Radial and concentric cracking are more common of which, former is more damaging. A long spell of drought followed by sudden heavy irrigation may cause cracking. Wide variation in 

day and night temperatures and high humidity  also cause fruit cracking.

                Many crack resistant varieties like Crack Proof, Ohio 832, Sioux, Manulucie, Anagha etc. were developed at various research organizations. Fruits of crack resistant varieties have thick pericarp or cuticle and fruit skin with high elasticity and less acidity. Pectin content in resistant varieties ranges from 0.8 to 1.6% compared to 0.54% in susceptible ones. High pectin concentration makes fruit less rigid and more pliable.

Water soaked spots of one cm or more appear at point of attachment of petals and effected portion becomes sunken, leathery and dark coloured. This is mainly due to reduced soil moisture supply and high rate of respiration at the time of fruit development. Deficiency of calcium also causes this disorder. Balanced irrigation, cultural practices to conserve soil moisture and spraying of 0.5% calcium chloride at fruit development stage are recommended for control of blossom end rot.

Sun scald

Due to extreme heat, tissues on exposed fruit develop a blistered appearance leading to sunken areas, which have a light or grey colour on green fruit and yellow colour on red fruit. In varieties with heavy foliage, fruits are shaded and incidence of sun scald is less.

Niger cultivation

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 best on clayey loams or sandy clays. The gram prefers light textured soil but we'll drained heavy soils also used for niger cultivation. It produces reasonable yield on water logged soils and relative Lee with low fertility status. The crop grows well in soils having PH 5.2 to 7.3.

Land preparation

Being a small sided crop fine seed bead is required for sowing. Good tilth for sowing is obtained by one ploughing and two harrowings.

Seed rate and spacing 

Seed rate depends on method of sowing. Generally 8 kg seed per hectare is required for broadcasting. Line sowing recommended spacing is 30 cm between the rows and 10 cm between the plants. However, it is sown at 30×15, 20×15 and 20×20 cm spacing at different parts of the country. The optimum plant population varies from 2.5 to 3.0 lakh plants per ha.

Seed treatment

Seeds should be treated with Thiram or Captan @ 3 g/kg of seed to protect the crop from seed and soil borne diseases.

Sowing method

Crop is either sown by broadcasting or in furrow behind country plough or using seed drill. The seeds are smaller in size and therefore mixed with sand or soil by working blade harrow. The sowing depth should not be more than 1-3 cm.

Nutrient management

The crop is mostly grown on marginal and submarginal lands without manure or fertilizer application. For getting higher yields 20:20:0 kg NP per hectare should be applied. Half dose of nitrogen along with entire dose of phosphorus should be given as basal dose at sowing time. The remaining half dose of nitrogen should be top dressed about 30 DAS.

Water management

Niger is invariably grown in rainy season. Moisture stress during seedling stage effects growth of crop than other stages. Irrigation is to be scheduled according to the soil and climatic conditions. Irrigation at seedling stage is essential. Thereafter irrigation may be given according to need of the crop.

Weed management

Niger grows rapidly once the seedlings are established two weedings and hoeings are sufficient to control weeds. First at the time of thinning (15DAS) and second before top dressing of nitrogen (before bud initiation).

            At some places like Orissa in India dodder has become a problematic parasitic weed. The weed emerges along with the germinating seeds of niger. Application of Propyzamide as post-emergence @ 1.5 -2.0 kg/ha after 20-25 DAS control dodder to 90%. Pre-emergence application of Pronamide @ 2 kg ai/ha so control the weed effectively.

Harvesting and threshing

Niger measures in about 80-145 days. The harvesting is done when the leaves driup and the head turns blackish. Then dried in sun for about a week by stacking on the threshing floor. Threshing is done manually or by trealing under the feet of bullock.

Yield

Pure crop of niger yields 4.0-5.0 quintal seed/ha. As an inter crop the yield is 1.50-3.00 quintal/ha.

Cropping systems

Niger is grown as a sole crop or sown as mixed crop with various pulses and grain crops.

Inter cropping

Niger+ fingermillet (6:3)

Niger+ groundnut (3:3/6:3)

Niger+ Soybean (3:3/6:3)

Niger+ black gram (2:2)

Niger+ pigeonpea (3:2)

Niger+ sorghum (2:2)

Niger+ sunflower (4:2)

Sequence cropping

Finger millet-Niger

Horse gram- Niger

Rice-Niger

Little millet-Niger

Soybean cultivation

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. this critical photoperiod for bud initiation is around 14 hours.

Soil requirements for soybean cultivation

Soybean papers natural soil having pH between 6.5 and 7.5. It grows on variety of soils ranging from light to black cotton. Well drained and fertile loam soils are best waterlogged soils, inhibit germination of seeds. Acidic soils liming has to be done to raise the pH to 7.0. Water logging is harmful to crop.

Land preparation for soybean cultivation

Soybean requires fine seed bed with least clods. One deep plough with mould board plough followed by two harrowings are enough to obtain good seed bed. For better seedling establishment there should be sufficient moisture at the time of sowing.

Seed rate and spacing for soybean cultivation

Seed rate depends upon size of seed, test weight, spacing and method of sowing. Optimum seed rate for soybean with 80% germination is 75 kg/ha. An optimum plant population of 4,44,444 plants/ha must be maintained for higher yield. For late planting and for spring crop, seed rate should be 100-200 kg/ha.

Seed treatment for soybean cultivation

The seed should be treated with Thiram @4.5 g/ka of seed or with a mixture of Thiram + Bavistin 1:1 @ 3 g/kg of seed to reduce fungal attack.

       For efficient biological nitrogen fixation the seed is also treated with Rhizobium japonicum @ 25g/kg of seed. Moist the seed with water and mix the culture uniformly in shade just before sowing. Always fresh culture should be used. In case of virgin field the rate of culture should be 5 to 10 times then the normal dose.

Method of sowing for soybean cultivation

Sowing is done by drilling the seeds in the soil with the help of seed drill or behind the plough. The depth of sowing should not be more than 2-3 cm in heavy and 4-5 cm in light soil. If seed is sown deeper or if there is crust formation just after sowing, the germination is delayed and crop stand is poor. Planting should be done after sowing to cover the seed and provide better soil contact.

Nutrient management for soybean cultivation

The nutrient requirement of the crop vary with climate, yield potential, cropping system and management practices. Soyabean crop yielding 10 q/ha removes about 80 N, 13 P2O5, 40 K2O, 15 Ca, 12 mg and 2 S kg/ha. For obtaining good yield of soybean 15-20 tonnes of FYM or compost should be added before the last harrowing. Being a legume soybean is able to meet its nitrogen requirement from atmosphere through Rhizobium. Application of 30 kg N as a starter dose is sufficient to fulfill nitrogen requirement of the crop in the initial stage in soils which are poor in organic matter.

                 Phosphorus requirement of crop is relatively higher than other crops. The demand of phosphorus is more during pod formation to seed development. The crop should be fertilized with 70-80 kg P2O5 per hectare. Phosphorus application stimulates nodulation and bacteria becomes more mobile.

                 Potassium requirement of the crop is also more than other crops. The rate of potassium uptake is peak during vegetative growth and slows down when the pod begins to form. 50-60 kg K2O/ha should be applied.

                 All the fertilizers should be applied at the time of sowing fertiliser should be placed 5-7 cm away from the seed at a depth of 5-7 cm.

                 In zn and sulphur deficient soils, application of ZnSO4 @ 20 kg and sulphur @ 10kg/ha is necessary. Zinc deficiency can also be corrected with spraying 5 kg zinc+ 2.5 kg lime in 1000 L of water. 

Water management for soybean cultivation

Being a deep tap rooted crop it can draw moisture from about 1.8 m soil depth. Flowering and pod development are the most critical stages for moisture stress. Moisture stress at these stages results in flower and pod dropping scheduling irrigation at 50% DASM or at IW/CPE ratio of 0.6 is optimum. Generally kharif crop does not require any irrigation. However if there is long dry spell at above stages irrigation may be given. Spring crop needs about 5-6 irrigations.

Weed management for soybean cultivation

Soybean crop is sensitive to weed competition particularly in early growth stages. The most common weeds infesting the crop are grassy weeds (Echinochloa colonum, Sorghum halepense, Cyprus rotundus, Cynodon dactylon, etc). and broad leaf (Celosia argentia, Phylanthus nirun, Digitaria sp, etc.). If the weeds are not properly controlled there is reduction in the in  the yield to the extent of 40-45%. The most critical period for crop weed interference is initial 15 to 45 days. Weeds emerge after this period are suppressed by smothering action of crop. Hoeings and weedings one at 20-22 DAS and other at 40-45 DAS keeps the weed under control

Cropping system

Intercropping

Intercropping with soybean which is more for production stability than yield advantage under rainfed condition. Soybean is ideal remunerative inter crop.

1. Soyabean+ Maize (2:1,2:1)

2. Soyabean+ Finger millet (2:2)

3. Soyabean+ Groundnut (1:4,1:6)

4. Soyabean+ Pearl millet (2:4,2:6)

5. Soyabean+ Pigeonpea (2:2,4:2)

6. Soyabean+ Cotton (1:3,2:1)

7. Soyabean+ Sorghum (1:2,2:2)

          Paired row technique is the simplest way of accommodating optimum plant population of both the component crops. Case of maize+soyabean system paired rows of maize (30/90 cm) and soybean in 2:2 and paired maize (45/90 cm) and soybean in 2:2 appears ideal.

Sequence cropping

Sequence cropping on stored soil moisture is possible in deep black cotton soil.

1. Soybean-Wheat

2. Soybean-Safflower

3. Soybean-Chickpea

Yield in soybean cultivation

A good crop of soybean yields 20 to 25 quintal grains per hectare.