RESEARCH ACHIEVEMENTS: KHARIF 2013

AND

RESEARCH PRIORITIES: KHARIF 2014

CSK HP KRISHI VISHVAVIDYALAYA

PALAMPUR 2014

ACHIEVEMENTS DURING KHARIF 2013

AND

RESEARCH PROGRAMMES FOCUSING KHARIF 2014

Rainfall Pattern

The state normally receives 843.5 mm average rainfall during kharif (1 June to 30

September) season. During Kharif 2013, Kangra received 1940.6 mm, Sirmaur 1392.7

mm, Mandi 1236.9 mm, Una 1187.7 mm, Hamirpur 1090.5 mm, Bilaspur 837.4 mm,

Chamba 801.6mm, Solan 800.2 mm, 633.4 mm, Shimla 581.8 mm, Kinnaur 460.5 mm

and Lahaul & Spiti 122.2 mm rainfall. The state received 778.0 mm rainfall which was

normal (±19%) during the season. The onset of monsoon took place on 14th

June (11 days

early) than its normal onset of around 25th

June.

All the districts during the month of June witnessed excess rainfall (above normal

by 25-804%). Sowing of Kharif crops viz., maize, paddy, fodder crops and pulses could

be completed in time. Heavy rains due to cloud burst damaged apple, apricot and almond

crops in Kinnaur district. Heavy rain with high winds damaged mango and litchi in

Kangra district and the summer vegetables were affected in almost all the districts.

During July, Una received excess ( 20 %) rainfall whereas Hamirpur, Kangra,

Kullu and Mandi received normal rainfall. The remaining districts received either

deficient (- 20 to -59 %) or scanty rainfall (- 60 to -99 %). During August, Bilaspur,

Kangra, Kullu, Mandi, Shimla, Sirmaur and Una received either excess or normal rainfall

and remaining districts received deficient or scanty rainfall. During September, only

Kinnaur received normal rainfall and all other districts received either deficient or scanty

rainfall. The wind storms along with rains damaged standing crops viz., maize, paddy and

vegetables including tomato in Solan, Kullu, and Mandi, Kangra, Hamirpur and Chamba

districts. Heavy winds also caused premature dropping of apple in Shimla district.

Since June 1 to September 30, 2013, most of the districts experienced either

normal or excess rainfall whereas Chamba and Solan witnessed deficient and L&S scanty

rainfall. A total of 778.0 mm rainfall was received against the normal of 843.5 mm, the

corresponding value for 2012 was 705.4 mm (Table 1).

Monsoon withdrew from the state on 18th

September against its normal date of

21st September. However the rains interfered with harvesting of maize crop in some areas.

Continuous rains during first fortnight of October interfered with the harvesting and the

already harvested paddy crop was also affected in some pockets in Kangra district.

________________________________________________________________________

Lecture delivered by Dr. S.P. Sharma, Director of Research, CSK H.P. Krishi

Vishvavidyalaya, Palampur in the Agricultural Officers’ Workshop on Kharif crops held

at CSKHPKV, Palampur on April 29 ,2014

Table 1. Monthly rainfall during Kharif, 2013 in Himachal Pradesh as compared to

Kharif, 2012

Month June July August September Seasonal total

Actual (mm)

2013 241.1 221.9 246.1 68.9 778.0

2012 28.8 213.8 311.9 150.9 705.4

Normal (mm) 99.3 311.1 290.8 142.4 843.5

Departure (%) from normal

2013 143 -29 -15 -52 -8

2012 -71 -31 +7 +6 -16

RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: KHARIF-2013

Significant research accomplishments for different ongoing programmes of the

University during Kharif-2013 are given as under:

Crop Improvement

Varieties developed and released

During the period under report, the University has developed following three

varieties of different crops, which have been recommended by the H.P. State Seed Sub

Committee for general cultivation in different agro-climatic conditions of the State:

Crop Name of the Varieties

Paddy HPR 2612 (Palam Basmati 1) and HPR 2720 (Palam Lal Dhan:

Improved Begmi)

Soybean Palam Early Soya-1

Other Varietal Development Status

Maize:

Entries DMR-302, DMR 306, DMR 316, DMR 322, DMR330, DMR 212, DMR

215, DMR 224, DMR 229, DMR230, DMR 265, DMR 266, DMR 273 and DMR

285 were found promising.

During kharif, 2013, twenty maize hybrid supplied by various private companies

were evaluated along with two checks PMZ-4 (Modified single cross) of

Monsanto company and a single cross hybrid, Vivek 21 of VPKAS, Almora at

five different locations of CSKHPKV ( Palampur, Sunder Nagar, Kangra, Akrot

and Bajaura ) and on the basis of overall performance, none of the entries could

statistically out yield the hybrid best check, ‘PMZ 4’ (81.76 q/ha) however, entries

NMH 589 (88.85 q/ha), IJ-8533 (88.83 q/ha), IJ7519 (88.05 q/ha), 115-08-1

(87.70 q/ha), II-8017 (85.85 q/ha), P3303 (85.75 q/ha), IM8479 (84.69 q/ha),

KH2136 (83.92 q/ha ), PG2493 (83.82 q/ha ), IM7501 (83.66 q/ha) were

statistically at par with the best check PMZ-4. Whereas, the entries NMH 589

(88.85 q/ha), IJ-8533 (88.83 q/ha), IJ7519 (88.05 q/ha), 115-08-1 (87.70 q/ha), II-

8017 (85.85 q/ha), P3303 (85.75 q/ha), IM8479 (84.69 q/ha), KH2136 (83.92

q/ha), PG2493 (83.82 q/ha ), IM7501 (83.66 q/ha) PG2419 (82.76q / ha),

NMH007(81.56 q/ha), were statistically superior to single cross hybrid check

Vivek 21 (63.32q/ha) . While rest of the entries were at par with Vivek 21 check

(Table 2).In summation, the hybrids, NMH589 (88.85 q/ha) double cross, IJ-8533

(88.83 q/ha) and IM8479 (84.69 q/ha among three way crosses whereas, KH2136

(83.92 q/ha ) and NMH007 (81.56q/ha) among modified single cross and IJ7519

(88.05 q/ha) 115-08-1 (87.70 q/ha) and II-8017 (85.85 q/ha), P3303 (85.75 q/ha),

PG2493 (83.82 q/ha ), IM7501 (83.66 q/ha) PG2419 (82.76q/ha) among single

crosses can be considered for cultivation within Himachal Pradesh.

Table 2: Mean performance of maize hybrids for seed yield (q/ha) over locations in HP

during kharif 2013

Sr.

No.

Entry/Var. Company /

Organisation

Overall Mean % increase/ decrease over checks

PMZ 4 VIVEK 21

1 1 NMH589 Nezu Veedu Seed Ltd. 88.85 [1]

8.67 40.32

2 IJ7519 Monsanto 88.05 [3] 7.69

39.06

3 23 P3303 Pioneer 85.75 [6] 4.88

35.42

4 4 KH2136 Kanchan 83.92 [8] 2.64

32.53

5 5 IM8479 Monsanto 84.69 [7] 3.58

33.75

6 6 PG2440 Plantgene 69.72 [19] -14.72

10.11

7 7 PMZ-4© Monsanto 81.76 [12] -

29.12

8 8 II-8017 Monsanto 85.85 [5] 5.00

35.58

9 9 PG-2488 Plantgene 72.53 [17] -11.29

14.55

10 10 IJ-8533 Monsanto 88.83 [2] 8.64

40.29

11 11 115-08-1 Kanchan 87.70 [4] 7.27

38.50

12 12 IM8478 Monsanto 75.71 [15] -7.40

19.57

13 13 LG 31.81 Bisco biosciences 76.33 [14] -6.64

20.55

14 14 NMH007(BOND) Nezu Veedu Seed Ltd. 81.56 [13] -0.24

28.81

15 15 DKC9125 Monsanto 70.26 [18] -14.07

10.96

16 16 VIVEK-21© VPKAS, Almora 63.32 [20] -22.55

-

17 17 PG2419 Plantgene 82.76 [11] 1.22

30.70

18 18 IM7501 Monsanto 83.66 [10] 2.32

32.12

19 19 P3377 Pioneer 73.81 [16] -9.72

16.57

20 20 PG2493 Plantgene 83.82 [9] 2.52

32.38

CD (5%) 15.48

CV (%) 9.70

Overall Mean 80.44

Figures in parenthesis indicate the rank of the hybrid as compared to best check

Rice:

On the basis of yield performance and disease resistance, the private company

hybrids namely, Arize Shift and BS10008 were observed promising and can be

recommended for Zone-1 and Zone-II of HP. Arize Shift gave 87.78 and 77 q/ha,

whereas BS10008 gave 76.36 and 72.50 q/ha yield in zone-I and zone-II,

respectively.

Among pure line varieties HPR2344 (91.0 q/ha) was observed as potential variety.

Among hybrid varieties, highest yield was recorded for HRI 152 (94.6 q/ha)

followed by Suruchi (92.2 q/ha).

Oilseeds:

Soybean:

The genotype IVT-13-20 exhibited significantly higher yield (27.98 q/ha)

followed by IVT-13-4 (25.51 q/ha) and IVT-13-31 (23.04 q/ha) as compared to

the best check VLS-59 (18.6 q/ha).

Fodder Crops:

Evaluation of private company fodder hybrids revealed that Bajra hybrid PG-3545

gave 471 q/ha of green fodder and 81.1 q/ha of dry matter yield over locations.

Hybrid gave 9.6% crude protein content and 6.6 q/ha of crude protein yield and

can be recommended for cultivation in HP.

Setaria grass variety Palam Setaria-1 (S-18) has been notified for sub-tropical

grasslands and pastures of the State. The variety is superior for green forage and

dry matter yield as compared to checks. The variety gives 500-600 q/ha of green

forage yield in 2-3 cuttings and contains 10-12% crude protein on dry matter

basis. The variety has been found resistant to cold and drought.

Seed Production and Seed Technology

Nucleus and Breeder Seed Production

During Kharif, 2013, a total of 305 kg nucleus seed (56 kg stage I and 249 kg

stage II) of soybean was produced (Table 3).

Table 3: Nucleus seed of soybean produced (kg) by the Department of Seed Science

and Technology during Kharif 2013

Crop Variety Stage I Stage II

Soybean Hara Soya 10 64

Palam soya 20 55

Shivalik 12 80

Himso 1588 14 50

Total 56 249

A total of 16618.47 kg breeder seed of cereals, pulses, oil seeds, vegetables and

fodder crops was produced by the University during Kharif 2013 (Table 4).

Table 4: Breeder seed of cereals, pulses, oilseeds, vegetables and fodder crops

Produced (kg) during Kharif 2013.

Crop Variety/Hybrid Total Breeder

Seed produced

(kg)

Cereals

Maize Bajaura Makka, Early Composite, Girija, Bajaura

popcorn, HQPM 1

952.0

Paddy HPR 2143, HPR 1068, HPR 1156, RP 2421, Kasturi

Basmati, VL Dhan 221, Bhrigu Dhan, Pusa 1121,

Palam Lal Dhan 1, Palam Basmati 1, Hasan Serai

4960.0

Total 5912.0

Oilseeds

Soybean Hara Soya, Palam Soya, Himso 1588, Shivalik 2351.0

Til LTK 4 55.0

Total 2406.0

Pulses

Kulthi HPK 4, VLG 1 188.0

Cowpea C 475, C 519 76.0

Mash UG 218, Kullu 4, Palampur 93, Pant U 19, PDU1,

KU 19, Him Mash 1

2139.0

Rajmash Kanchan, Him 1 575.0

Total 2978.0

Vegetables

Chillies Surajmukhi 0.4

Brinjal Arka Keshav 0.07

Okra P 8 30.0

Total 30.47

Forage Crops

Maize African Tall 5292.0

Total 5292.0

Grand total 16618.47

Seed Technology Research

Standardization of seed vigour test in hybrid maize revealed that first count (after

4 days) and second count (after 7 days), seedling length (cm) and seedling dry

weight (g) were found to be the good indicators of field emergence in hybrid

maize.

Out of 10 rice varieties screened for dormancy, five varieties Kasturi, HPR-2612,

Brighu dhan, Sukara dhan 1 and Hassan Sarai showed dormancy after harvesting

and achieved germination above MSCS (above 70 %) after 61, 105, 105, 95 and

105 days of harvesting, respectively.

Genetic purity of twenty private sector maize hybrids was ascertained using SSR

markers and the fingerprinting library maintained.

Genetic purity of six rajmash varieties, viz., Baspa, Jwala, Kailash, Kanchan and

Trilok and one farmer’s variety (Bharmaur local) was established using thirty five

SSR markers. The library of their fingerprints has been developed and maintained

for future reference.

Crop Production

Under mid hill conditions, investigation undertaken (Bhadiarkhar farm) during

2010-11 to 2012-13 revealed superiority of Maize + asparagus bean – radish –

onion cropping sequence in terms of maize grain equivalent yield (37865

kg/ha/annum, 375.8% higher over maize-wheat sequence), net return (`

203842/ha/annum), benefit - cost ratio (1.32), productivity (103.8 kg/ha/day) and

profitability (` 558.3/ha/day). The other crop sequences were also superior and

increased maize grain equivalent yield significantly over maize - wheat. However,

none of the new cropping systems were as good as maize-wheat in terms of

energy output of the main product (Table 5).

Table 5. Yield (kg/ha) and energy output (106 K cal/ha/annum) under different crop

sequences (mean of 2010-11 to 2012-13)

Crop sequence Yield main product MGEY* Energy

output Kharif Intercrop Rabi

(I)

Rabi

(II)

C1 Maize-wheat 2169 - 4650 - 7958 23.8

C2 Maize (Green cob) + 3709 62 2745 12802 26522 7.0

French bean (Pole

type) - pea-Summer

squash

C3 Maize + soybean –

garlic 2233 315 5558 - 23828 17.4

C4 Maize (Green cob) –

Broccoli – potato 3684 - 4511 11448 24541 12.7

C5 Maize + asparagus

bean – radish –onion 2181 133 18979 14171 37865 16.7

C6 Maize (Green cob) +

rice bean/mash –

cauliflower – French

bean 3532 62 9018 3054 19523 5.6

C7 Maize (Green cob) +

rice bean/moong –

cauliflower –

buckwheat 4138 281 8619 2399 16545 6.2

C8 Maize (Green cob) +

asparagus bean –

broccoli – radish 3292 117 4706 12658 25652 5.9

LSD (P=0.05) 3002 2.2

*MGEY, maize gain equivalent yield.

In baby corn - Chinese sarson- onion cropping system, integrated nutrient

management comprising of 50% NPK (through inorganic) and 50% N (through

FYM) to each crop in the sequence resulted in highest baby corn equivalent yield

and sustainability index; nearly 3.5 times higher over the management of nutrients

completely through inorganic sources for the last eight years. The nutrient

management completely through organic sources was next to INM. In the

inorganic treatment, yield of crops was substantially low, however, addition of

lime gave some yield of onion too which suffered a lot.

Based upon twenty two years research findings, 50% NPK (fertilizers) + 50% N

(FYM) to rice followed by 100% NPK (fertilizers) to wheat in sequence had the

highest average rice and wheat yields, average total yield and sustainable yield

index. This was followed by 100% NPK (fertilizers) to both rice and wheat in

sequence.

Crops (Field 6500 sq m, horticultural 1750 sq m and Fodder 1000 sq m) + dairy is

being evaluated for the last two and half year. In the second year, the one ha IFS

model generated farm products worth total gross revenue of ` 244275/annum. The

model gave net returns of ` 67537/annum.

Intercropping of sorghum hybrid with 75% of recommended seed rate of cowpea

gave higher herbage yield and this treatment was at par with mixed cropping of

sorghum with 100% recommended seed rate of cowpea in terms of herbage yield.

Growing of Napier bajra hybrid under Eucalyptus plantation (198.59q/ha) could

give 66.6% of green herbage yield as compared to its plantation under open

conditions (298.01q/ha). Also nitrate content in the fodder increased with shade

and increasing levels of nitrogen application.

Soil Water and Nutrient Management

For maximum production and water use efficiency, capsicum should be irrigated

with drip at 3 day intervals with the irrigation quantity equal to 1.0 cumulative pan

evaporation of preceding three days. Soil test based recommended NPK dose

should be applied in 8 equal splits with an interval of 11 days each.

For maximum production, brinjal crop should be fertigated with recommended

doses of fertilizers at 15 day interval than weekly and bi-weekly fertigation

In a long term experiment on maize-wheat, fertilizer application as per STCR

concept proved superior to the conventional approach (General recommended

dose) in terms of yield of maize during kharif, 2013.

The STCR based fertilizer application (IPNS equation) involving use of 2.5 t and

5 t ha-1

of FYM and vermicompost for 40 q ha-1

t yield target of maize during

kharif 2013 was significantly superior as compared to soil test based and general

recommended doses. The conjoint use of organic and inorganic sources also

proved superior to sole application of inorganic sources of nutrients.

Application of fertilizers as per target yield concept, in general, gave higher yields

of soybean in comparison to farmers’ practice and general recommended dose in

front line demonstrations on farmers’ fields in Hamirpur district. Likewise,

application of fertilizers as per target yield concept resulted in higher yields of

toria in comparison to farmers’ practice and general recommended dose in front

line demonstrations on farmers’ field in Una and Bilaspur districts.

Crop Protection

Disease Management

Maize entries DMR 283, 122, PSC 788 and 791 showed combined resistant to

Erwinia stalk rot, maydis blight and banded leaf and sheath blight diseases.

Sprays of Tilt @ 0.1% were found effective against maydis leaf blight of maize

Two foliar sprays of Nativo 75 WG (trifloxystrobin 25 + Tebuconazole 50 @

0.8g/l gave excellent control of false smut of paddy.

Seed treatment with Raxil @ 1.0g/kg seed and foliar spray of Propiconazole

(0.1%) followed by seed treatment with Raxil @ 1.0g/kg seed and foliar spray of

Tebuconazole (0.1%) were highly effective in the management of foliar diseases

of urdbean.

Out of 50 soybean germplasm lines evaluated to identifying multiple disease

resistance sources; the lines JS 20-65, JS 20-87 and MAUS 26-1 were found

having multiple disease resistance against three diseases (frogeye leaf spot, pod

blight and brown spot).

Soybean line K103 was found free from frog eye leaf spot while AMS 243 and

AMS MB 5-18 were highly resistant. BAUS 40 and PS 1476 were found free

A view of fertigation experiment in

capsicum

from pod blight (Ct.) Fungicide Fosetyl Aluminium 80WP against was found very

effective for the management of damping off of tomato.

For the management of diseases of cowpea, seed treatment with tebuconozole +

NSKP followed by spray of propiconazole was found very effective & gave

maximum control of root rot, anthracnose and leaf blights with maximizing the

GFY.

For the management of zonate leaf spot of sorghum seed treatment with

carbendazim @ 2 g/kg and two foliar sprays of propiconazole @ 1ml/l provided

best management with 12.9 % disease severity with maximum green fodder yield

(304.9 q/ha) as compared to control i.e. 74.4 per cent disease severity with

234.4/ha green fodder yield.

Powdery mildew of cucumber, capsicum & tomato, Alternaria blight of tomato,

Cercospora blight of capsicum, Septoria leaf spot of tomato, Phytophthora blight

of tomato and Downey mildew & collar rot of cucumber were recorded as major

diseases of polyhouse.

Etiology of root rot of capsicum and leaf spot of tomato reported for the first time

from Himachal was studied and their cause i.e. Phytophthora sp. and Stemphylium

sp. respectively were identified.

Insect-Pest Management (IPM)

In rice, 55 entries were screened against leaf folder. CRMS 31 A/C B258R was reported

to be the promising line. In gram, 20 genotypes were tested against H.armigera. Least

pod damage was recorded in entry 5034.

In mash, lambda-cyhalothrin @ 0.0004% in two sprays has been found effective

against different insect-pests. Against blister beetles, Imidacloprid (ST) +

cypermethrin foliar spray, and against bean bug, triazophos resulted in maximum

reduction in their respective populations.

In rajmash, chlorpyriphos 10 G @ 2.0 kg ai./ha gave maximum control of

whitegrubs. In soybean, 37 entries were tested in IVT for resistance to major

insect-pests. The bean bug was recorded to be the major pest infesting all entries.

In cabbage, 4 modules were tested against insect-pests and diseases in Kullu valley.

Module M3 (A 2- spray schedule consisting of spraying with lambda-cyhalothrin @

0.004% (Bravo 5%) after 45 days of transplanting followed by the second spray with the

mixture of malathion (0.05%) and Dithane Z 78 @ 0.25% (Dithane 75 WP) after 15 days

of 1st spray) has been found to be the most effective in protecting the cabbage from

insect-pests and diseases. Against whitegrubs in cabbage, application of chlorpyriphos

50% + cypermethrin 5% @ 2.0 kg + 200 g ai./ha proved highly effective.

Studies undertaken at 3 sites on the integrated management of fruit borer and foliar

disease (Alternaria blight), and fruit rot diseases showed that module M3 was found to be

most effective and economical giving (Rs. 1,26,751/- net additional returns and Rs.

Rs.20.70 net returns per rupee invested. M3 consisted of use of pheromone traps (@12

traps /ha) just after transplanting the crop for monitoring the population of H. armigera

followed by 3 foliar sprays at 15 days interval initiating spraying after 40 days of

transplanting. First foliar spray was with the mixture of lambda- cyhalothrin 5EC @

0.004% and Dithane-Z 78 (Zineb) @ 0.25% followed by 2nd

spray with the mixture of

Helicide (Ha NPV) 100 LE @ 0.5ml/l + Indofil M-45 (0.25%))+ Gur (0.5%)+ Tween 80

(0.05%) and 3rd

spray with the mixture of lambda- cyhalothrin 5EC @ 0.8ml/l (0.004%)

and Amoximate (cymoxanil+ mancozeb)@ 0.25%. In potato, drenching with clothianidin

50 WPG @ 150 g a.i./ha in 2nd

week of June was found highly effective against grubs of

B. coriacea in Shimla hills. Among biopesticides, H. indica + B. bassiana @ 4 billion

ITS + 1012

spores proved superior as compared to other biopesticides.

Under NAIP project on biopesticides, intrinsic toxicity of biopesticides and insecticides

was tested against different insect-pests. Against P. xylostella, B. brassicae and

Tetranychus sp. A minimum LC50 value was recorded in case of Melia.

In polyhouses, 13 insecticides/ biopesticides were tested against Polyphhagotarsonemus

latus (yellow mite) in capsicum. Dicofol (0.045%) was found highly effective. Against

Myzus persicae, imidacloprid, thiamethoxam and acetamiprid were found superior.

During 2013, 183 samples from potato crop were analysed from six districts of Himachal

Pradesh for the occurrence of Globodera cysts. Cysts were recorded from 6 locations with

frequency of occurrence ranging from 41.13 to 100 % and with the mean population of

8.00 to 53.60 cysts/100 cc soil. Sweet pepper hybrid (Orebella) was found to be resistant

to M. incognita.

Against Varroa mite in A. mellifera colonies Datura formulation was found

highly effective at Nagrota. At Bajaura, Mahendru (plant material) also showed

promise against this mite.

Weed Management

For the control of mixed weed flora in blackgram, imazethapyr + pendimethalin

(Pre-mix) 1000g/ha(pre emergence) behaving statistically similar with

pendimethalin 1000 g/ha(pre emergence) and weed free (hand weeding at 20 and

40 DAS) resulted in significantly higher seed yield of black gram by effective

control of weeds. The residual effects of herbicide treatments on succeeding

mustard crop were non phytotoxic.

Pre-emergence weedicide Imazethapyre + Pendimethalin (Pre Mix) @ 1.0 kg/ha

in black gram resulted in maximum yield and minimum weeds infestation.

Increase in dominance of different weeds viz., Ageratum conyzoides,

Commelina benghalensis and Brachiaria ramosa was observed in maize crop, &

Stellaria media & Oxalis latifolia in vegetable crops during the period under

report.

Herbicide resistance / escapes in weeds of dominant cropping system was not

noticed in low and the mid hill conditions of Himachal Pradesh. All the weeds

were effectively controlled with the recommended herbicides.

For the control of mixed weed flora in direct seeded rice pendimethalin

1000g/ha(pre) fb Bispyribac 25g/ha (20DAS) fb manual weeding (45DAS) proved

superior most treatment as weeds in unweeded check reduced the grain yield of

direct seeded upland rice by 64.2% over the above said treatment .

In an integrated weed management studies in turmeric, application of metribuzin

0.7 kg/ha fb straw mulch 10 t/ha fb 1 hand weeding or pendimethalin 0.7 kg/ha fb

straw mulch 10t / ha fb 1 hand weeding or atrazine 0.75 kg / ha fb straw mulch 10t

/ ha fb 1 hand weeding behaving statistically similar resulted in significantly

higher rhizome yield by effective control of weeds.

For the control of mixed weed flora in blackgram, imazethapyr + pendimethalin

(Pre-mix) 900 g/ha(pre emergence)behaving statistically similar with

pendimethalin 1000 g/ha(pre emergence) and weed free (hand weeding at 20 and

40 DAS) resulted in significantly higher seed yield of black gram by effective

control of weeds. The residual effects of herbicide treatments on succeeding

mustard crop were non phytotoxic.

In long term experiment on weed management in rice-wheat cropping system

reveal that continuous/rotational use of herbicides for longer period did not

developed any resistance in weeds during both Kharif and rabi season

Biotechnology

Identification of a high yielding rice line with resistance to leaf and neck blast

resistance

A high yielding and blast resistant line RIL-4 was identified from the F10 RILs of

cross HPU2216 x Tetep. The line shows complete resistance to leaf and neck

blast. Based on its yield performance at farmer’s field and grain characteristics,

the line represents a potential substitute to blast susceptible variety RP2421.

Organic Agriculture

Under organic conditions in low hills maize + mash – wheat + gram and maize +

mash – gram produced maize equivalent yield of 78.07 and 77.39 q/ha and B:C

ratio of 1.39 and 1.64 respectively. Under mid hill conditions maize + soybean--

wheat + gram and maize +soybean-- gram produced maize equivalent yield of

95.50 and 87.82 q/ha/annum, and B.C. ratio of 2.06 & 2.09, respectively.

Inorganic production of paddy-wheat system produced 9.3 % higher yield over

organic production with B:C ratio of 1.43, however, B:C ratio was comparatively

higher under organic conditions i.e. 1.53.

Mash–garlic & soybean-garlic cropping systems were most remunerative with

B:C ratio of 4.84 and 4.72 respectively.

In mash-gram and mash-lentil cropping systems, organic source of nutrients

resulted in 58.5 and 36.4 percent higher mash equivalent yield over the inorganic

and integrated nutrient supply system, respectively.

In vegetable-vegetable cropping system okra+cowpea- cabbage+pea system with

wider spacing and split application of compost was the best and gave 218.09 q/ha

okra equivalent yield and B:C ratio of 1.45.

Farm Mechanization

1. Development and evaluation of seed drill suitable with light weight power

Weeder

A three row seeder was fabricated in the workshop to suit with power weeder/tiller

for increasing its versatility .The three furrow opener was made from 5 mm plate.

The weight of the machine was 22.5 kg without seed. The machine (Seeder) field

performance was carried out in field condition at the university farm. The

effective field capacity was observed to be 0.10 ha/h at a forward speed of 2.0

km/h with field efficiency of 69%. The labour requirement could be saved more

than 50 % with drill.

A seed cum ferti drill was fabricated with the overall dimension 570 X 720 X 670

mm and having weight 32 kg. The effective field capacity was observed to be 0.12

ha/h with field efficiency of 70 %.

As based on survey done, the most labor consuming and drudgery prone activities

in apple cultivation are harvesting and pruning. Ergonomically improved ladder of

bamboo and Iron with following specification were made and provided to apple

growers in Kullu district, which they were using it for apple harvesting and other

cultivation practices.

Specifications of Developed ladder

S. No. Parameters Ladder

Bamboo Iron Square

1. Weight, kg 16 21

2. Height, mm 3150 3000

3. Distance of steps, mm 450 360

4. Top Platform, mm 340X450X20THK 380X580

5. Cost, Rs. 1150 1850

Geo-informatics

Web based Applications of GIS and RS in HP Crop Diversification Project (HP-

CDP) and rural development have been developed under the projects

"Establishment of GIS and MIS and Monitoring System" and “Integrated

Geodatabase model for DRDA” respectively. The information generated is

available on the website in the following links

http://14.139.224.135/myapp/jix/JICA_files/Page365.html

and http://14.139.224.135/myapp/index_files/DRDAKgr.htm.

At state, district and sub-divisional level, one month advance forecast for SW

monsoon, 2013 was more consistent than two months advance forecast while the

forecast received for individual months is more accurate than the seasonal forecast

received for 2 to 3 months.

The local knowledge (ITKS) with respect to weather information and climate

resilient practices followed by farmers of Kangra, Chamba Una and Hamirpur

were documented.

One day Awareness Programmes on Climate, weather and farmers at Seven places

in different district were organised and Total 1189 farmers+ 61 official and civil

society members attended the programmes

The five days forecasts on different weather parameters viz. rainfall, temperature,

cloud cover, relative humidity and weekly cumulative rainfall for districts were

validated. The reliability of rainfall forecast for Chamba, Kangra, Hamirpur and

Una revealed 46.15 to 98.65% for all the districts. The total 102 AAS bulletins

were prepared in English and Hindi and published in university and

www.imd.gov.in and www.cropweatheoutlook.com of CRIDA (ICAR) websites.

In addition to this 8198 SMS were sent in Himachal Pradesh by IFFCO Kisan

Seva Limited sent five messages per day to 6219 registered farmers under the

services.

The field experiment on “Modelling and forecasting yield of wheat for Kangra

District of Himachal Pradesh was conducted during Rabi 2011-12 and 2012-13

revealed that early sown crop averaged over two years took 35, 25 and 24 more

days for maturity, heading and vegetative stages, respectively compared to with

sowing delayed up to December 20.

New Recommendations

Programme Area Variety/ Recommendation

Crop Improvement Inclusion of Rice Hybrid (Arize Swift ) of private company in

the package of practices.

On Going Research Projects

S. No. Particulars No. of Projects Budget outlay (Rs. in lakhs)

ICAR Funded Projects

1. AICRPs 36 1688.50

2. Adhoc Projects 9 973.3

DBT Funded Projects 6 259.62

DST Funded Projects 8 329.89

Mini Mission- I projects 23 288.6

UGC funded projects 6 63.27

Miscellaneous Adhoc Projects 42 739.18

RKVY Projects 10 1416.83

Total 140 5759.19