UNIT-I

ATTACHMENT WITH KRISHI VIGYAN KENDRA (KVK), DHAKRANI, DEHRADUN.(GOVIND BALLABH PANT UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE AND TECHNOLOGY, UTTRAKHAND).

CONTENTS:

Chapters

Introduction

Cultivation Practices of cabbage

Low Tunnel Technology

Vermicompost

Introduction Advantage of Vermicomposting and Vermiculture Application of Vermicompost Methods of Vermicomposting Faulty signals Problems in Vermicomposting

Package and practices of Red lady 786: a new variety of papaya

Conclusion.

INTRODUCTION:-

The attachment to Krishi Vigya Kendra (KVK) of Govind Ballabh Pant University of agriculture and technology at Dehradun (Uttrakhand) was for a period of one month, i.e. April. This innovative agriculture science center enabled to learn new technologies, techniques, tools, implements and many more and offered chance to interact with the scientist, research associates, Subject matter Specialists (SMS), farm managers, field workers etc for getting more ideas and thoughts from different levels.

METHODOLOGY:-The methodology during attachment at KVK includes class-room program, field work, field visit, practical class etc. for better interaction with the scientist & research workers in following fields.a) CULTIVATION PRACTICES OF CABBAGEb) LOW TUNNEL TECHNOLOGYc) VERMICOMPOSTINGd) PACKAGE AND PRACTICES OF RED LADY 786: A NEW VARIETY OF PAPAYA

CULTIVATION PRACTICES OF CABBAGE

It is the most important nutritious Cole crop especially contains mineral and vitamins. Cabbage is a good source of beta-carotene, vitamin-c and fiber also. Its scientific name is Brassica Oleracea belongs to Brassicaceae. Nutritive Value: - Cabbage is rich in vitamin-k, vitamin-C and vitamin- A. It includes thiamine, riboflavin, and niacin. - It contain dose of Fe, Mg, K and Zn. - Cabbage is natural antioxidants, which helps suppress cancer and heart disease inducing free radicals. Soil: - Cabbage grows well on a wide range of soil from light sand to heavier clays. - The soil pH should be 6-6.5 for better growth.

Varieties: i). Buk Choy: It is a variety of Chinese cabbage. ii). Chinese cabbage: It is also called wombok cabbage. iii). Green cabbage: It is an all purpose vegetable. iv). Red cabbage: It is a distinctive purplish red leaves. v). Savoy cabbage: It has a tender, crinkled, pale green leaves. Climatic requirement: - Cool moist weather produces the best qualities heads. - It is a cool season crop. - Optimum temperature range from 15-20 C. Above 25 C growth stops. Nursery raising: i). Selection of well drained, fertile and sunny area. ii). Preparation of the bed at least once in a month. iii). Raise the bed up to a height of 18-20 cm. iv). Preparation of the bed to a fine tilt. v). Fumigate/Sterilize the soil with Captan 50 wp/ carvendazin/ bevistein. vi). Sow the seeds to a depth of 2.5 cm & over the seed with fine soil. Sowing time: There are four seasonal varieties of cabbage but thankfully they are all planted in same wayi). Summer cabbage - Sown: Feb - March.ii). Spring cabbage - Sown: July - Aug.iii). Autumn cabbage - Sown: March - May.iv). Winter cabbage - Sown: May June.

Seed rate: For early crop 500g/ha and for late crop 375g/ha. Manures: - 25 kg urea, 50 kg DAP, 25 MOP, as basal and decomposed. - FYM of 10 cartload/ sangam. - 25 kg urea as top dressing at 20-40 days after transplanting. Harvesting: The crop should harvest when they are firm as well developed along with a few leaves and stem.

Yield: 10 o 12 tons per acre.

LOW TUNNEL TECHNOLOGY

Vegetable production is significantly influenced by the season and weather conditions. The quantity produced and time of arrival in the market leads to considerable variation in the prices in the market. Upcoming of a vegetable crop a week earlier to the market can get handsome profit to the farmers. Some vegetable crops are sensitive and damaged by frost. They get killed by the frost. Under low tunnel technology plants are protected from frost during December to February. This technology is highly cost effective and relevant to growers who have marginal and small land holdings which may help them to produce early crop and get higher returns. This technology is usually adopted for growing cucumber, brinjal, capsicum & tomato. The general cultivation practices of these crops are summarized as under.

Table 01: GENERAL CULTIVATION PRACTICES FOR CROPS UNDER LOW TUNNEL TECHNOLOGY VarietySowing timeSeed rate g/acreTransplanting timeManures and FertilizersIrrigationsHarvesting

Cucumber

Punjab NaveenDecember1000-N:40kg; P:20kg; K:20kg10-12Harvest fruits when tender and green

Brinjal

Round fruited: Punjab Neelam Oblong fruited: BH- 2 Long fruited:Punjab Barsati, Punjab SadabharSmall fruited:Punjab Nangina

October300-400NovemberFYM:10 tonnes; N:50kg; P:25kg; K:12kg10-16Harvest tender and fully developed fruits

Capsicum

Mid-October200End-NovemberFYM:20-25 tonnes; N:50 kg; P:25kg; K:12kg10-12Harvest green shining and fully developed fruits

VERMICOMPOSTING

INTRODUCTION Vermicompost is organic manure (bio-fertilizer) produced as the Vermicast by earthworm feeding on biological waste material; plant residues. This compost is odor less, clean, organic material containing adequate quantities of N, P, K and several micronutrients essential for plant growth. Vermicompost is a preferred nutrient source for organic farming. It is eco-friendly, non-toxic, consumes low energy input for composting and is a recycled biological product. Earthworms are tabular creatures of somewhat lower evolutionary status than insects. However, these have many distinctly advanced features that add to their adaptabilities for life in soil. These are now being exploited by man for economic returns, as well for use in ecological management of soil fertility with organic waste recycling. Therefore, earthworms attain a high status in present day economic zoology with application in many and distantly related fields. Among lower group of animals, earthworms therefore are now drawing more attention than others and deserve study. Earthworms constitute a larger part of the biomass (living bodies) inhibiting soil. In some situations, these may constitute 80% of the biomass. Zoologically, these have segmented body. So are classified under phylum annilida and class oligochaeta. Later one is from Latin words oligos meaning few and chaete meaning hair like structure, setae present externally over bodies of earthworms. Grossly, earthworms are tubular wriggling creatures with worm like appearance. Hence for these, usages of word worm or Vermi (Latin) have come into popular usage. However, technically, earthworms considerably differ from other worms. Earthworms of world are classified into 10 families, comprising 240 genera and about 3320 species. However, many areas still remain to be studied. So discovery of new species cannot be overruled. So far, Indian earthworm fauna is reported to comprise 509 species referable to 67 genera. General, worms are divided into two groups:1. Microdrilli worms which are aquatic and represented by 280 species;2. Megadrilli worms which are terrestrial and are called earthwormsRole of earthworms in aspects related to recycling of decomposable wastes and to soils, viz. for Agriculture and Forestry, besides in many other aspects are very high. These are basically to life activities of earthworms in soils and their importance in utilization of earthworms for human welfare, viz. Vermiculture and Vermicomposting. These conform to truest definition of Biotechnology. Vermicompost thus is one of the oldest examples of Applied Zoology that is present days Biotechnology. Some historical details are being deal with under heading Vermiculture.ADVANTAGES OF VERMICOMPOSTING AND VERMICULTURE1. Huge amount of domestic, agriculture and rural industrial organic waste can be recycled for various usages. This also reduces pollution.2. Vermicompost substitution with fertilizers input will reduce economic input, viz., by substituting certain percent of chemical fertilizers with bio-fertilizers, i.e. the Vermicompost. Thus economic input would go down.3. Vermicompost can be produced nearest to the site of use. This has many advantages.4. Help in the generation of extra income.5. Improves the porosity, aeration and infiltration of the soil.6. Improve soil structure.7. Bring the soil pH to neutral status.8. Triggers the beneficial soil micro-organism and the naturally present earthworms in the soil.9. Improves the water holding capacity of the soil.10. It enhances germination, plant growth and crop yield.11. It improves root growth and structure.

TABLE 02: NUTRIENT CONTENT OF VERMICOMPOSTNutrientsIn Percent

Nitrogen1.5 3.0

Phosphorus1.2 1.8

Potash1.5 2.4

Calcium0.5 1.0

Magnesium0.2 0.3

Sulphur0.4 0.5

Iron0.8 1.5

Copper 22 36 ppm

Zinc500 1000 ppm

Manganese1000 2000 ppm

APPLICATION OF VERMICOMPOSTVermicompost can be applied to the field crops, horticultural crops, trees etc.1. Field crops 1.0 2.5 tons/hectare2. Garden pots50 grams/pot3. Trees100 200 grams/treeMETHODS OF VERMICOMPOSTING In general the following 3 methods of Vermicomposting are used.1. Vermicomposting of waste in fields pits:- It is preferable to go for optimum size ground pits of 5m X 15m X 0.5m (L x W x D)2. Vermicomposting of waste in ground heaps:- Dome shaped beds with organic waste are prepared and the optimum size of ground heap is 5m X 1m X 1m (L x W x H)3. Vermicomposting of waste in large structures: - Vermicomposting is taken up in large structures such as series of rectangular brick columns, cemented tanks, stone blocks etc. The dimension of structure may vary with area availability.Almost all types of biologically degradable and decomposable organic waste can be used in Vermiculture and Vermicomposting. Commonly used composting materials are listed below:1. Animal dung.2. Agricultural waste.3. Waste paper and cotton cloth etc.4. Forestry waste.5. City leaf litter.6. City refuge.7. Biogas slurry.8. Industrial waste.9. Rotten fish.10. Waste hay.Filling of Vermicomposting beds or pits: The following step should be followed in filling of composting beds or pits.1. Spread a layer of decomposed or biogas slurry 15 cm deep.2. Moistened the bed with water and leave it for 48 hours.3. Place earthworms uniformly @ 400 1000/sq. m. on top layer.4. Spread 20 cm layer of organic wastes, litter etc over the earthworm.5. Cover with gunny cloth and sprinkle water regularly to keep the bed wet. During summer months water are sprinkle twice a day.6. The whole materials are converted to humus, called Vermicompost in 65 70 days.7. Second bed can be followed next to the first using the earthworm from the first bed to repeat the process.1. Dry organic In general materials required for 10 sq. m. plot are:1. Dry Organic matter 200 300 kg2. Decomposed farmyard manure 300 400 kg3. Organic waste 700 800 kg4. Earthworm 4000 10000 number5. Water as required

CARE AND PRECAUTION: Following care and precaution should be considered where Vermiculture and Vermicomposting is practiced1. Moisture should be maintained between 30 40%.2. Temperature requirement for optimum result is 20 30oC.3. pH of substrate should be between 6.8 7.5.4. Cover of food substrate is required for reducing moisture loss and also save worms from extra movement (outside substrate) or from predator like ants. Moist gunny bag also help in conservation of moisture.

FAULTY SIGNAL:1. Fault Odour:i. Too wet watering should be stopped.ii. Too much feed feeding should be stopped for a week.iii. Acidity increase eggs shell should be covered and mixed with the substrate.2. Too much flies: The substrate should be covered properly with proper materials to protect flies from laying eggs in the substrate. SEPARATION TECHNIQUE OF EARTHWORM AND COCOON1. Heap the harvested Vermicompost for 6 12 hours under shade for separation of the worm.2. Make small balls of cow dung and kept inside the heap for 2 3 days.3. Remove the balls and earthworm and separate from the whole compost for reuse.4. Sieve gently the Vermicompost and pact it for further use or sale.5. Dry Vermicompost (if necessary) under shade to keep the moisture content below 20%.HARVESTING: Vermicompost is ready when the top layer appears somewhat dark brown granular as dry tea leaves have been spread over the layer. It takes 65 70 days to reach this stage. Watering are stopped 7 days prior to harvest so that the worms settle at the bottom layer. The collected Vermicompost are shaded dry for 12 hours and packed in small gunny bags for storage.

YIELD: In general a bed having dimension of 10m X 1m X 0.5m (L x W x D) will produce about 500 kgs. of Vermicompost every 3 months.

PROBLEMS IN VERMICOMPOSTINGOdour Putting overabundance of greens in the bin, which actually too much nitrogen combining with hydrogen and forms the ammonia. To neutralize the odours, add some sources of carbon like paper and dried leaves etc.PestBad odour can attract pest such as rodents and flies. Fix plastic nets around the bins.Environment Eisenia foetida worms can attack native worms in natural areas. Dont allow to go out natural places.ClimateRain and bright light drastically affect the worms.

PACKAGE AND PRACTICES OF RED LADY 786: A NEW VARIETY OF PAPAYA

Papaya is a most important fruit crop of tropical climate but it can be grown successfully in the sub-tropical regions of north India with suitable precautions. Earlier, it was grown as a filler plant in the orchards, but now it can be planted as a solid block under protected conditions. ----------------gvvhjhjbjkj---------CONSTRAINTS IN PRODUCTION: The major constraints in papaya production on commercial scale are: Dioecious nature of cultivars (male and female flowers on separate plants). Extremes of temperature, frost and water-logging. Susceptibility to viral diseases (leaf curl and mosaic).

During last three years, research conducted in the department of Fruit Science, Punjab Agricultural University, has shown that these problems can be managed to a large extent by growing papaya cv. Red Lady 786 under protected conditions. Red Lady 786 is an F1 hybrid from Taiwan which is self fruitful, red fleshed and bears within 10 months of planting.

TABLE 03: PACKAGE AND PRACTICES FOR CULTIVATION OF PAPAYA VARIETY RED LADY 786ParticularsDescription

Suitability of variety for the areaSuitable for growing under protected conditions, in kitchen gardens and backyard of houses.

Selection of field/land preparationWell-drained soil rich in organic matter is suitable for cultivation

Seed treatment to be undertakenTreat with 3g Captan per kg of seeds

Sowing timeFebruary-March and September-October

Seed rate/sowing method-line sowing with row to row and plant to plant distanceDig pits of 50cm50cm in size at a spacing of 6ft6ft and fill the pits with a mixture of equal quantity of soil and farm yard manure

Fertilizer dose with time of application1.25kg of fertilizer mixture (urea, SSP and MOP in the ratio 1:2:1.3) twice a year (February and August)

Weed control measuresManually

Disease and pest controlUnder protected conditions, no incidence was recorded

Irrigation dose and timingsAvoid heavy irrigation. The crop should be irrigated at 4-5 days interval in summers and 8-10 days interval in winters depending upon climate and soil conditions.

HarvestingHarvest with hands when colour of the fruit starts changing from green to yellowish green.

CONCLUSION:Attachment to Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Dhakrani, Govind Ballabh Pant University of agriculture and technology, (Uttarakhand), for our Rural Agriculture Work Experience (RAWE) Programme for the completion our course was a great experience. From this institute, we are being acquainted of new technologies such as Low Tunnel Technology and Cultivation of Red Lady 786 protected conditions; techniques, tools, implements and many more. Hear we also have a very important chance to interact with the scientist, research associates, Subject matter Specialists (SMS), farm managers, field works, etc of getting more ideas and thoughts from this different levels. Huge quantities of domestic, agriculture and rural industrial organic waste can be recycled for preparing Vermicompost. This also reduces pollution. Vermicompost substitution with fertilizers input will reduce economic input, viz., by substituting certain percent of chemical fertilizers with bio fertilizers, i. e. the Vermicompost.