JANUARY 2023

Butterfly Pea Flower

Drones in Agriculture Millet Conservation

Organic Fig Cultivation Agri Tourism

CONTENT EDITOR IN CHIEF V R RAVI KUMAR

B.Sc (Agri), M.B.A. (IIM-B)

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Editorial

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Agri Word Power

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Agri News

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Agri Tourism in India

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Drones in Agriculture

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Nutrient Millets

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Millet Conservation

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Carom Seeds

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Green Lacewings

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Butterfly Pea Flower

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Clean Meath Animal Probiotc

28

Hidden Engineers

31

Organic Fig

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Elephant Foot Yam

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Email: [email protected] Website: www.agroinidamagazine.in PRINTED, PUBLISHED & OWNED BY V.R. RAVI KUMAR PERIODICAL REGISTERED WITH THE REGISTRAR OF NEWS PAPER OF INDIA UNDER NO.65760/97 VOL. XXXII ISSUE 1 JAN - 2023 All rights reserved. Material in this publication may not be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher. The publication is not responsible if errors have crept inadvertently or by over sight. Subject to Bengaluru Jurisdictions only.

Agro India

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JANUARY 2023

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Toll Free No: 18004250505

EDITORI L Dear Readers,

WISH YOU HAPPY NEW YEAR

In spite of the fact that there are more than 74 Agricultural universities which includes state agricultural universities, ICAR deemed universities, Central Agricultural universities which offer graduate, Post graduate and Doctoral programmes, present agricultural education system may have to be upgraded immediately to suit the dynamic nature of the sector. B.Sc (Agri) and related courses have excellent scope as far as employment opportunities are concerned not only in government sector but also in private sector companies pertaining to Banking, Agri inputs business, Agri business, Food processing, Retailing, S.C.M., etc. New Agricultural education should attract higher talents by making agriculture education more purposeful and remunerative for the students who pass out. It is well known that present Agricultural colleges are not able to supply required man power both qualitatively and quantitatively. Hence, present situation requires total revamping and revised policies to meet current challenges in this crucial sector. It is a matter of pride that India’s proposal of considering 2023 as “International year of Millets” was considered by Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) and by U.N.O. Accordingly, 2023 is celebrated to spread the message of improtance of millets in food security and nutritional value it offers to society. Further, the production and processing of Millets also would be highlighted during the year by bringing out new schemes for its research and development. Let us hope that new year 2023 would bring new fortunes for all farmers with good yields and profitable returns.

V.R. RAVI KUMAR Agro India

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JANUARY 2023

AGRI WORD POWER Allelopathy : the release by one plant of a chemical substance that restricts the germination or growth of another plant.

Blackcurrant

Blackcurrant a soft fruit (Ribes) grown for its small black berries, used also in making soft drinks. Cayenne pepper : a plant (Capsicum frutescens) producing a pungent red pepper from ground dried pods. Digging stick : one of the earliest agricultural implements, still used in areas where shifting cultivation is practised. The stick has a sharpened end, sometimes with a metal tip, and is used to dig holes to plant crops. Electric fence : thin wires supported by posts, the wires being able to carry an electric current. This type of fence is easily moved around the farm, and makes strip grazing on limited areas possible. Fasciation : an abnormal plant growth in which several stems become fused together.

Kerry Hill : a breed of small hill sheep originating in the Kerry hills of Powys in Wales. It has a soft white fleece and speckled face and legs. The ewes are crossed with Down rams for lamb production. Lantra : an organisation which works with employers in the agriculture and land industries to ensure that workers in those industries have the necessary skills and training. Maltase : an enzyme in the small intestine that converts maltose into glucose.

Grain pan : the part of a combine where the threshed grain collects and is shaken through to the bottom of the machine.

Nomadism : a habit of some animals that move from place to place without having a fixed range.

Heather : a plant (Calluna vulgaris) found on acid soils, common in upland areas. It is used by game birds such asgrouse for cover and food.

Onion couch : a grass weed (Arrhenatherum elatius) which grows to 2448 inches and develops long oat-like hairs like flower heads. Onion couch affects cereals.

Illuviation : the movement of particles and chemicals from the topsoil into the subsoil.

Peck : a measure of capacity of dry goods, equal to a quarter of a bushel or two gallons. Pecks are used as a measure of Grain.

Johne's disease : a serious infectious inflammation of the intestines, particularly in cattle. Affected animals rapidly become extremely thin. Agro India

Quick-freeze : to preserve food products by freezing them rapidly. Raceme : an inflorescence in which flowers are borne on individual 04

stalks on a main flower stem with the youngest flowers at the top of the main stalk. Sheet Erosion : erosion that takes place evenly over the whole area of a slope, caused by the runoff from saturated soil after heavy rainfall. Terrace cultivation : hill slopes cut to form terraced fields which rise in steps one above the other and are cultivated, often with the aid of irrigation. Uncastrated : referring to a male animal which has not been castrated. Vanilla : a tropical climbing plant (Vanilla planiolia) which produces long pods, used for flavouring in confectionery. Walnut : a hardwood tree of the genus Juglans, with edible nuts. The timber is used in furniture making. Yeast : a single-celled fungus that is used in the fermentation of alcohol and in making bread. Zebu : a humped cattle of the tropics; a domesticated Asiatic cattle breed with a pronounced shoulder hump and prominent dewlap. JANUARY 2023

AGRI NEWS

Agrochemical sector will grow 15-17% After a great 23% growth last fiscal year, the agrochemical sector will grow by 15-17% this fiscal year. This growth is mostly due to strong exports and stable domestic demand. According to Crisil, a rating agency, the revenue will grow by another 10-12% in the next fiscal year. This is because India will continue to benefit from the China+1 strategy of global players and the fact that key molecules will no longer be protected by patents. Even though input prices are still high, the higher operating leverage will help keep operating margins at 15-16% in the current and next fiscal years (16.6% in the last fiscal year). Capital spending will stay about the same as it has been, but the lengthening of the working capital cycle will lead to more borrowing. But players' credit profiles will stay 'Stable' if they make a lot of money. An analysis of 50 companies rated by Crisil Ratings shows the same thing. These 50 companies make up

bringing in about 53% of the total revenue.

nearly 90% of the ₹66,000-crore agrochemical sector. Export revenue is expected to grow by 1820% this fiscal year, as the US dollar has risen by about 9% so far and volume is growing as global players continue to reduce their dependence on China. Exports are likely to grow by 12-14% in the next fiscal year, as companies keep up their capital expenditures in anticipation of molecules worth $4 billion going off patent in the next two years. 'As a result, exports will continue to be the main source of income for the agro-chemical sector,

The domestic segment, on the other hand, will grow by 12-14% this fiscal year, thanks to a monsoon that was close to normal, higher realizations, and better farm sentiment. Crisil says that if the monsoon is normal and the government keeps working to raise farm incomes, the domestic segment will grow by 10-12% next fiscal. The prices of crude oil and yellow phosphorus, two of the most important raw materials, went up by 40-45% and 18-22%, respectively, in the second half of the last fiscal year. Even though prices have been getting lower recently, they will still hurt gross margins by 90-110% basis points if they stay high. But better cost absorption will lead to higher operating leverage, which will keep the overall operating margin at 15-16% this fiscal year, which is only slightly less than in fiscal 2022.

Arrivals of Byadgi Chilli decreased The effect of diseases on the chilli crop, especially the Byadgi type, is less than it was last year, however, arrivals have been hampered by late sowing in Karnataka, the country's third-largest chilli grower. Incidents of wilt illness have decreased compared to last year, however, incidents of western b l a c k th r i p s d i s e a s e h a v e increased due to cold weather conditions, resulting in pests proliferating exponentially. Major arrivals were 30% lower than last year when the intake of very low and medium kinds accounted for 50% of the total. This year, arrivals of such low quality are less than 10%. Also, the amount of medium- and highquality goods that came in was Agro India

plant the crop. Rains in October, on the other hand, impacted 2535% of the crop, pushing deliveries into the third and fourth weeks of December.

20% higher than the year before. Because the south-west monsoon arrived only in Karnataka on July 1, sowing was delayed by 1015 days this year. But the area where spice crops are grown is bigger, mostly because farmers are interested in Byadgi. Last year's record-high chilli prices influenced farmers' decisions to 05

According to the website, farmers are hoping for better prices, and the price correction will take some time to take effect. However, prices fell by 20-25% in December, with Byadgi being estimated at ₹38,000 per quintal. Heavy rains caused by the building of a cyclone in the Bay of Bengal delayed deliveries in Karnataka by 710 days in December. However, the weather was generally excellent for the crop last month, and crops are developing 'exceptionally well'. JANUARY 2023

AGRI NEWS

Rabi crop sowing increased by 4.4% this year Farmers in India had planted rabi crops on 620,62 lakh hectares, which is 4.4% more than the same time last year. This is according to data from the Union Farm Ministry. At this time last year, the total land area was 594,62 lakh hectares. All crops are getting more land to grow on, but wheat is getting the most. All rabi crops have grown by 25.99 lakh hectares, and wheat has grown from 302.61 lakh hectares to 312.26 lakh hectares. Even though rabi crops are still being planted, wheat has been planted on more land this year (312.26 acres) than usual (304.47) and on more land than was planted altogether last year (304.70 acres). The agriculture ministry said that the increase in wheat area is good news for India's food security and the world's wheat supply because of the war between Russia and Ukraine. This year, a record amount of wheat is also expected to be grown. From 85.35 lakh hectares in 202122 to 92.67 lakh hectares in 202223, mustard land grew by 7.32 lakh hectares. Only rapeseed and mustard made up 7.32 lakh hectares of the 8.20 lakh hectare increase in the area where oilseeds were grown.

The Ministry of Agriculture said that the Special Mustard Mission, which has been going on for the past two years, is the main reason why farmers are once again interested in growing mustard. The ministry said that some of the things that were done to increase agricultural production and productivity were to make sure that quality seeds were delivered on time, among other things. These things have helped to explain why the rabi crop area has grown so much this year. India to offer 2-3 million tonnes of wheat to flour millers, biscuit makers Two government sources said that India is going to offer 2 to 3 million tonnes of wheat to large buyers like flour millers and biscuit makers. This is part of an effort to bring down record-high prices, even though state reserves have

dropped to their lowest level in six years. As a result of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, exports went up, which drove up local wheat prices. In May, India, the world's second-largest producer of wheat, banned exports, but that hasn't stopped domestic prices from going up. Wheat purchases by the government have dropped by 53% this year, to 18.8 million tonnes, because prices on the open market rose above the price at which the government buys wheat from domestic farmers. The government buys rice and wheat from farmers at prices set by the government in order to run the world's largest food welfare programme. About 800 million people are eligible to get 5 kg of rice and wheat every month for 2 rupees ($0.02) and 3 rupees a kg. Sources say the plan is to free up 23 million tonnes of wheat to sell to bulk users. India's wheat reserves are going down, and the price of this staple food is going up. This is a big change from the past, when granaries were so full that the country could export a record 7.2 million tonnes of wheat in the fiscal year that ended in March 2022.

Agro India Invites Articles

Agro India invites articles on new technologies in agriculture and related subjects. Relevant statistical data, current trends, photographs may also be included. Company profiles and product profiles of Agri Business companies will be published free of cost to give wide publicity and reach your target customers. Mail to : [email protected] Agro India

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JANUARY 2023

AGRI NEWS

ICAR-IARI develop drought tolerant chickpea variety The government's research groups, ICAR and IARI, have come up with a chickpea variety called 'Pusa JG 16' that can handle drought and could help increase chickpea yields in central India.

a big problem and sometimes causes 50100% yield loss. Genome-assisted breeding techniques were used to create the Pusa JG 16 variety. This made it possible to transfer droughtresistant genes from ICC 4958 to the parent variety, JG 16.

According to a statement, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), along with the Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya (JNKVV) in Jabalpur, the Rajmata Vijayaraje Scindia Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya in Gwalior, and the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) in Patancher. The

“The Chickpea All India Coordinated Research Programme tested this variety on a national scale to ensure it could withstand drought. This variety is resistant to fusarium wilt and stunt diseases, has a short time to maturity (110 days), and can produce more than its parent, JG 16, even when it is stressed by drought (1.3 tonnes/hectares vs. 2 tonnes/hectares).

variety will increase productivity in the Central Zone's drought-prone areas, like Madhya Pradesh, the Bundelkhand area of Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Southern Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and Gujarat, where terminal drought is

Banana ecosystem start-up gets pre-seed funding

Greenikk, an agritech company based in Kerala, India, launched the first full-stack supply chain in the country. This chain connects banana growers, wholesalers, exporters, and B2B buyers on a single platform. It has now raised ₹5.04 crore in pre-seed funding from a number of institutional funders, angel investors, and serial entrepreneurs from India and other countries. Greenikk started in January 2020 and has built enablement centres in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka, where bananas are grown in large quantities. It helps banana farmers in many ways, like by giving them money, seeds, crop advice, crop insurance, agri-inputs, and connections to markets. This covers the whole process of making bananas and selling them inside and outside of the country. Fariq Naushad and Previn Jacob, co-founders of the start-up that was incubated at Indigram Labs in Delhi, Agro India

said that ₹3.34 crore will be in equity and the rest will be in debt. Lead investor 9 Unicorn Ventures, Kerala-based angel group Smart Spark Ventures, Manish Modi, who runs Mauritius-based Mastermind Capital Ventures and has invested in several agritech start-ups and sits on the investment committee of Venture Catalysts, Saurabh Agarwal and Mayank Tiwari, who started Reshamandi and have raised $40 million so far, and Arjun Pillai, who is on the board of Nasdaq-listed Zoom Info, 07

The Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (Birac) had already given a grant to the start-up. Other investors include 1.0 Ventures, a US-based angel group with a mix of founders and professionals who invest in earlystage technology start-ups; Amit Antony Alex, the former Country Director of Upaya Social Ventures; serial entrepreneur Shiv Shankar; and Aman Tekriwal, who has made a lot of investments in startups through Maxar VC. Other investors include the IIMAhmedabad accelerator Centre for Innovation Incubation and Entrepreneurship, Suresh Aravind, the former Worldwide VicePresident of Johnson & Johnson, and Sriram Seshadri, a serial entrepreneur from the US. The cofounders of Greenikk said that most of the money will be used to set up model enablement centres, gain traction, build a business model that can be scaled up, and hire people. JANUARY 2023

AGRI NEWS

Govt may bring back open market sale scheme The Indian government will decide if it wants to bring back the open market sale scheme (OMSS) for wheat from January to March or if it wants to release some wheat through the public distribution system by giving states their old quotas. Even though exports aren't allowed, wheat and atta (flour) prices keep going up. But either of these choices will depend on the bigger question of whether the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) will continue in the next quarter. Under PMGKAY, which was started when the Covid pandemic broke out, the Centre gives out free food grains to people who live below the poverty line.

of wheat bought dropped to 187.9 lt in the rabi marketing season of 2022-2023 (AprilMarch), the lowest amount in 15 years, the government stopped OMSS.

Since the current OMSS policy is only good until December 31, the Food Ministry probably won't look at 2023 until February, according to sources. But prices haven't gone down, even though more wheat was planted this rabi season, which should have made traders let go of wheat stocks they were holding on to. Sources say that because of this, the domestic wheat market needs some help.

It's difficult to predict the price of wheat because the government needs to determine whether selling the grain under OMMS for less than the economic cost or at a subsidized rate will benefit consumers. The source also said that flour millers have said they are willing to buy even at the e c o n o m i c c o s t o f ₹2,588.70/quintal because there is less of it.

In November, retail inflation for cereals (rice and wheat) was 12.96%, which was the second highest in the food basket after spices. Since January of this year, wheat prices have gone up by 13.4% and atta prices have gone up by 18%, according to the Consumer Affairs Ministry. The Centre announced the OMSS wheat policy in February. It set the reserve prices at ₹2,200/quintal until September 30 and ₹2,225/quintal from October to December. But when the amount

Before the festival season and assembly elections, the Centre announced in September that PMGKAY would continue from October to December. This would cost ₹44,762 crore and involve the free distribution of an estimated 119.62 lakh tonnes (lt) of foodgrains (21.01 lt wheat and 98.61 lt rice) to 79.75 crore National Food Security Act beneficiaries (NFSA). If the PMGKAY is extended for the rest of the current fiscal year, an additional 119.62 lt of grains will

Agro India

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be needed. This could bring the stock of wheat and rice down to 92 lt and 137 lt, respectively, on April 1, 2023, compared to the buffer norms of 75 lt and 136 lt, leaving little room for OMSS, according to sources. Sources say that if PMGKAY isn't extended, the government can use the same 21 lt under OMSS. But since the government cut the monthly allocation of wheat by more than 11 lt in May and gave the money to rice farmers instead, some states, like Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat, have asked for some of it back so they can meet the needs of the people who eat roti (flat bread). When making a decision about OMSS, the government will also have to think about what people want. Also, the NFSA allocation of wheat was cut by 37,000 tonnes in Gujarat, 6 lt in Uttar Pradesh, and over 2 lt in Madhya Pradesh. This meant that more rice was given out. If these NFSA allocations were brought back, the market for OMSS wheat could shrink even more. JANUARY 2023

A

Dr. Palak Mishra, Aaisha Hafiz Sharda School of Agricultural Sciences, Sharda University, Greater Noida (U.P.).

new face of tourism is what is known as "Agri-Tourism." An open-to-the-public farmbased business is known as an Agri-Tourism. These public, specialized Agri-tourism locations typically provide things to see, things to do, and produce or gifts to buy. "Travel that combines agricultural or rural settings with products of agricultural operations - all within a tourism experience" is how Agri-Tourism is defined.

fostering sustainable tourism and a variety of activities in rural areas that gives visitors a chance to learn about agricultural regions, agricultural occupations, local goods, traditional foods, and rural residents' daily lives, as well as cultural aspects and traditions. A d d i t i o n a l l y, t h i s a c t i v i t y introduces tourists to rural activities and nature, where they can engage, have fun, and enjoy a tour.

When a local farmer or other people in the community offers tours of their farm, so visitors can see how they grow, harvest, and process locally grown foods like coconuts, pineapples, sugar cane, corn, or any other agricultural produce they might not find in their hometown or city, that activity is known as Agri-Tourism. The f a r m e r s f r e q u e n t l y o ff e r e d homestays and educational opportunities. In Agri-Tourism, farmers give tours of their agricultural farms and give urban residents entertainment, education, and enjoyable experiences.

In India, on May 1, 2004, the AgriTourism Development Corporation in Baramati, Maharashtra, officially introduced the idea of Agri-Tourism.

Agri-Tourism is a method for Agro India

Who can Start Agri-Tourism Centers? ! Agrotourism can be started by any farmer who has at least two hectares of land, a farm house, access to water, and a desire to amuse visitors. ! Aside from the individual farmer, organisations like agricultural universities, agricultural colleges, non-governmental organisations, and agricultural co-operatives can start their own centres. 10

! With the assistance of local residents and farmers, Gram panchayats can launch these facilities in their service areas. Basic Requirements for AgriTourism Center ! Minimum 25 Guest Rooms for Project Feasibility. ! A farmhouse, which has the cosiness of the countryside and all the essential amenities. ! The area has abundant agricultural resources, including plants and water. ! A kitchen with the essential tools for preparing food. ! First aid kit and emergency medical care. ! The lake, swimming pool, or well for fishing and swimming ! Cattle shade, telephone facilities, bullock carts, etc. Basic Principles of AgriTourism Entrepreneurs should make sure their business adheres to the three following fundamental principles in order to promote and encourage agritourism. ! There should be something to see, such as animals, birds, farms, and natural surroundings, JANUARY 2023

but lack urban amenities. Nature invests in islands, fields, water, forests, mountains, and deserts. Because of the more homogenous community structure and the fact that welcoming visitors is a part of the culture rather than a professional endeavor, the area has the natural setting needed for this kind of tourism.

which is what agritourism does best. It is necessary to promote traditional culture through attire, celebrations, and rural games in order to spark interest in agritourism. ! In addition to sights to see, there should be some events in which guests can take part. Visitors can participate in and enjoy activities like farming, swimming, riding in a bullock cart, cooking, and playing rural games. ! In order to draw tourists, there should be something for them to buy, such as processed foods, clothing, farm fresh goods, and rural crafts, so they can keep a memory of their trip and come back. Impact of Agri-Tourism Social Impact: ! Training and development of skills for the delivery of economic services. ! Education: environmental education in primary schools. ! Tour companies offer clinics, doctors on-site, and nurses. ! Enhanced local communications and transportation infrastructure. ! Increased local organisational and managerial capacity for social capital building. Environmental Impacts: Agro India

! Environmental preservation and protection. ! Improved methods for resource management. ! A greater desire among various stakeholders to conserve at the landscape level. ! Biodiversity preservation. Economic impacts: ! Earnings from admission charges and direct payments for access rights. ! Monetary gain from related value-added services. ! Growth of a related economic sector. Three Important Factors Contributing to the Success of Agri-Tourism Farmer: Farmers are typically less educated, less exposed, and innocent. Any visitor is treated as a guest and without any consideration for profit by a farmer. For the villagers, serving guests is more enjoyable than painful. The farmer amuses the visitor while amusing himself concurrently. He is not like an exploitative businessman, which helps to promote a wholesome tourism environment. Village: Villages outside the city have access to natural resources 11

Agriculture: Rich agricultural resources, such as land, water, and plants, are distinctive from place to place, bringing variety and i n s p i r i n g c u r i o s i t y. T h e distinctiveness of each field contributes to its allure for tourists. The methods of cultivation and the products are very alluring to city dwellers. Rural people have a wealth of indigenous knowledge, which heightens the novelty and interest of the urban population. A wonderful situation is created when farming, a village, and agriculture are combined, especially for visitors from urban areas. Types of Agri-Tourism Direct-market Agri-Tourism: A roadside produce stand is one of the most common examples of this form. Farmers sell various products directly to consumers, including produce, organic goods, and canned goods, at markets and fairs and on the farm. The sales are typically made in conjunction with other agritourism services. Although farmers sell the same items that can be found in nearby grocery stores, their goods are more desirable because they can be purchased right from the farm. The products may even be marketed as all-natural and organic to appeal to some customers. Experience and Education AgriTourism: This type includes apple orchards, where apples can be picked by hand, bed and breakfast accommodations, farm tours, and packages designed to give city JANUARY 2023

dwellers first-hand experience with life on a working farm. The experience that visitors gain is always first-hand, regardless of whether they pay to pick their own produce, take advantage of their stay in a farmhouse, or attend wine tastings. Visitors who get a closeup look at the working farm are more likely to want to buy its organic goods. Event and Recreation AgriTourism: Although it still falls under agritourism, this activity typically involves using farmland for other commercially viable activities. On the property, celebrations like corn mazes, harvest festivals, country weddings, and spooky hayrides are held. To entice visitors to purchase organic goods produced on the farm, various recreational activities are also made available, including horseback riding, camping, and archery. Scope and Potential of AgriTourism in India : About 58% of Indians currently rely primarily on agriculture for their livelihood. In 2020, India's gross value added (GVA) at current prices included 17.8% from agriculture and related sectors. This opens up a huge potential for Indian agritourism. The main forces behind maximizing the potential for agritourism development in India are as follows: Supply-side drivers: Agriculture's expansion: The second-largest available supply of arable land is in India. India has all 15 of the world's major climates, with 20 Agri-climatic regions. Additionally, 46 of the world's 60 soil types are found in this nation. Crop diversity: India is the second-largest producer of wheat, rice, fruits and vegetables, sugarcane, cotton, and oilseeds. It is the largest producer of spices, Agro India

pulses, milk, tea, cashew, and jute.With a population of 535.8 million animals, India also has the most livestock in the world, accounting for 31% of all livestock in the world in 2019. Diverse physiographic condition: Wide-ranging coastline, river valleys, mountain valleys, plains, and islands are all part of India's diverse physiographic landscape. These offer a lot of room for the country's agritourism industry to develop. For instance, the Kuttanad Below Sea Level Farming System (KBSFS) for heritage agritourism, the Araku Valley coffee plantation, and the Kashmir valley for saffron cultivation. Drivers of Demand: ! Agritourism demand has increased as a result of a growing population and rising urban and rural income. ! Changes in lifestyle and rising spending on wholesome foods have also contributed to growth. ! Longer stays in rural areas are becoming necessary due to the increasing pollution in urban areas. 12

! The demand for environmentally friendly travel is also promoting agritourism. Policy support driver: ! Thrust on rural infrastructure: Government initiatives like PMGSY, Bharat Net, and others are being driven by policy to improve connectivity and access to rural areas far away. The support for agritourism prospects will be further boosted by a number of other programs that provide various basic amenities, such as the Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin), Jal Jeevan Mission, Health and Wellness Centres, etc. ! To fully utilize the potential of the tourism sector, campaigns like Swadesh Darshan, a themebased tourist circuit, were launched. Agritourism is one of the elements of rural tourism that is involved. ! The development of agritourism is mentioned in the government's recently released Draft National Strategy & Roadmap for Development of Rural Tourism in India. ! Several states, like Maharashtra, have policies JANUARY 2023

specifically devoted to developing agritourism.

Challenges OG Agri-Tourism in India ! Currently, the general public is not very knowledgeable about agritourism. Farmers lack the proper training for managing any business, including strong communication skills, a commercial mindset, and proper training. ! Another barrier to developing poor farmers is the lack of funds to build the essential infrastructure for agritourism. ! Numerous farmers live on small farms with poor-quality land and have limited or no access to irrigation or credit. They have to deal with ongoing flooding and drought. ! Because these effects have the potential to alter the community's overall character, residents frequently worry about potential noise, traffic, and trespassers. Suggested Strategies for the Agro India

Indian Agri-Tourism ! Correct Recognition of the Agritourism Sector. ! Agritourism policy is supported by the government. ! Farmer and farm owner education to help them become more entrepreneurial in their work practises. ! Appropriate Financing Method for its Improvement. ! Risk and Liability Management Programs. ! Product and Service Quality Improvement: Both the product's quality and the service's delivery must be raised to the required level. ! A model for developing publicprivate strategic partnerships must be developed. ! Appropriate Marketing and Promotional Support Must Be Offered. Conclusion : By combining elements of the tourism and agricultural sectors, AgriTourism presents a special opportunity to provide tourists, farmers, and communities with a range of economic, educational, 13

and social benefits. Agri-Tourism offers producers a second source of income and a means of reaching consumers directly. By increasing the quantity of visitors and the length of their stay in a particular location, it helps the tourism industry. Agri-Tourism has the potential to increase local tax revenues and open up new employment opportunities for localities. A d d i t i o n a l l y, A g r i - Tou r i s m provides educational opportunities for the general public, aids in the preservation of agricultural areas, and enables governments to establish corporate businesses. AgriTo u r i s m p r o v i d e s " r u r a l experiences" to tourists with the aim of giving local farmers and communities a source of income. The development of the industry would be more inclusive if community-based AgriTo u r i s m p r o d u c t s w e r e introduced and promoted. JANUARY 2023

Pros and Cons of

Drones in Agriculture

D

Harish Nayak G.H., G. Avinash Division of Forecasting and Agricultural Systems Modeling, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Statistics Research Institute, Library Avenue, New Delhi

rone technology is here to stay in agriculture. According to recent research, the global agricultural drone market will grow at a 35.9% CAGR and reach $5.7 billion by 2025. This emerging technology can help farmers save time and increase their efficiency. Drone use in agriculture is expected to increase as the industry matures, so it is important to understand how to use this technology wisely. Advantages of Using Drones in Agriculture Soil and field analysis: Agricultural drones can be used for soil and field analysis to aid in efficient field planning. They can be used to mount sensors to assess soil moisture content, terrain conditions, soil conditions, soil erosion, nutrient content, and soil fertility. Crop monitoring: Crop surveillance is the monitoring of crop progress from the time seeds are sown until harvest. This includes applying fertilizer at the appropriate time, inspecting for pests, and monitoring the impact of weather conditions. Crop surveillance is the only way for a farmer to ensure a timely harvest, particularly with seasonal crops. Any mistakes at this stage can lead to crop failure. Crop surveillance aids in the understanding and planning of the upcoming farming season. Drones can assist in effective crop surveillance by inspecting the field with infrared cameras, Agro India

and farmers can take active measures to improve the condition of plants in the field based on their real-time information. Plantation: Drones can assist farmers in planting trees and crops, which was previously done by hand. This technology will help to save not only labour but also fuel. Budget-friendly drones are expected to be used in the future instead of large tractors, which emit harmful gases and pollute the environment. Livestock management: Drones can be used to monitor and manage large livestock because their sensors have highresolution infrared cameras that can detect a sick animal and take appropriate action. As a result, the impact of drones on precision dairy farming will soon become the new normal. Crop spraying: Agri-drones can 14

spray chemicals because they have reservoirs that can be filled with fertilizers and pesticides for spraying on crops in much less time than traditional methods. Thus, drone technology has the potential to usher in a new era of precision agriculture. Check crop health: Farming is a large-scale activity that takes place across thousands of acres of land. Constant surveys are required to monitor the soil's health and the crop that has been planted. Manually, this could take days, and even then, human error is possible. Drones can accomplish the same task in a matter of hours. Drones can gather information about the soil and crop health using infrared mapping. Avoid overuse of chemicals: Drones have the potential to be especially effective in reducing pesticide, insecticide, and another chemical overuse. These JANUARY 2023

Water-saving: Agricultural drones use ultra-low volume (ULV) spraying technology, which saves more water than traditional spraying methods. Low cost and simple upkeep: Agri drones are durable, inexpensive, and require little maintenance. Some of the key features include a detachable container, a low-cost frame, and precise pesticide spraying.

chemicals do aid in crop protection. However, excessive use can be harmful. Drones can detect minute signs of pest attacks and provide precise data on the extent and scope of the attack. This can assist farmers in calculating the number of chemicals needed to protect crops rather than harm them. Prepare for weather glitches: Weather can be both a farmer's best friend and his worst enemy. Because these cannot be accurately predicted, preparing for any shift in patterns becomes extremely difficult. Drones can be used to predict weather patterns. Storm drones are already being used to improve forecasting. Farmers can use this information to be better prepared. Warning of storms or a lack of rain can be used to plan the crop to be planted that is best suited to the season, as well as how to care for planted crops later on. Monitor growth: Even when everything is going as planned, crops must be surveyed and monitored to ensure that the appropriate amount of yield is available at harvest. It is also important for future planning, Agro India

whether it is determining the best open market price or harvesting cyclical crops. Drones can provide accurate data on crop growth at every stage and report any variations before they become a crisis. Multispectral images can also provide precise information on subtle differences between healthy and unhealthy crops that the naked eye may miss. Stressed crops, for example, will reflect less nearinfrared light than healthy crops. The human eye cannot always detect this difference. But drones can provide this information in the early stages. Geofencing: Thermal cameras mounted on drones can easily detect animals or humans. As a result, drones can protect fields from external damage caused by animals, particularly at night. Benefits of Agri-Drones Security: Drone pilots are trained to operate the aircraft. As a result, there is no possibility of them being abused. High efficacy: Drones have no operational delays and can work twice as fast as humans. 15

Limitations of Agri-Drones Problems with connectivity: Online access is frequently unavailable in rural areas. In such cases, a farmer must invest in internet connectivity, which can become a recurring expense. Weather dependent: Drones rely heavily on favourable weather conditions. Drone flight is not recommended in rainy or windy conditions. Knowledge and ability: Using new technology is a refreshing change, but doing so on a daily basis necessitates the right set of skills and knowledge. A typical farmer may struggle to comprehend drone functions. He must either acquire the knowledge himself or rely on an experienced person. Conclusion : Over the previous two decades, the drone market has been steadily growing, and it has brought about a substantial change in a variety of fields, including agriculture, industry, and the military. The research on the use of drones in agriculture, as well as a list of the different types of drones and their technical specifications, are both available. The use of more drones in agriculture will improve agricultural chores, leading to the best crop quality in the near future. JANUARY 2023

International Year of

Nutrient Millets (IYM)

I

Anil Kulheri, Keshar Mal Choudhary Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Sri Karan Narendra Agriculture University, Jobner. Department of Agronomy, Sri Karan Narendra Agriculture University, Jobner.

ndia's proposal to observe the International Year of Nutritious Cereals in the year 2023 was approved by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in the year 2018 and the United Nations General Assembly has declared the year 2023 as the International Year of Nutritious Millets. It was adopted by a UN resolution and led by India and supported by more than 70 countries. Objective ! To spread awareness about the contribution of Nutri Cereals/Bajra/Coarse Cereals to food security and nutrition. ! Motivating stakeholders for sustainable production and quality improvement of nutritious cereals. ! Focus on increasing investment in research and development and extension services to achieve the above two objectives. Nutritious Cereals/Bajra/Coarse Cereals ! Nutrigrain is a collective term that refers to a number of small-seeded crops cultivated as food crops mainly on marginal lands in temperate, subtropical and tropical regions and arid regions. ! Some of the common millets available in India include Ragi (Finger Millet), Jowar (Sorghum), Sama (Small Millet), Bajra (Pearl Millet) and Variga (Proso Millet). ! Evidence of these grains was first found in the Indus Civilization and they were among the first plants cultivated for food. ! It is grown in about 131 countries and is the traditional food of about 600 million people in Asia and Africa. ! India is the largest producer of millet in the world. ! It accounts for 20% of global production and 80% of production Agro India

in Asia. Significance Nutritionally Rich: Due to high protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals like iron content, millets are less expensive and nutritionally better than wheat and rice. Millet calcium and it is also rich in magnesium. For example, ragi is known to have the highest calcium content among all cereals. Millets can provide nutritional security and act as a shield against nutritional deficiencies, especially among children and women. Its high iron content can combat the high prevalence of anemia among women of reproductive age and infants in India. Gluten Free Low Glycemic Index: Millets can help deal with lifestyle problems and health challenges like obesity and diabetes as it is gluten free (a type of protein that can sometimes be harmful to health) and has a low glycemic index (A relative ranking of carbohydrates in foods based on how they affect blood sugar levels). Much better in yield: Millet is insensitive to light (it does not require 16

light during a specific time of fruiting) and is not much affected by climate change. Millet can grow even in poor soil with little or no assistance. Millet is a low water consuming cereal and capable of production in areas of very low rainfall, drought conditions, non-irrigated conditions. Millet has a lower carbon and water footprint (rice plants require at least 3 times more water to grow than millet). I n i t i a t i v e s Ta k e n b y t h e Government ! Initiative for Nutritional Security through Intensive Millet Promotion (INSIMP) ! Increase in MSP: The Government of India has increased the MSP of millet, which will encourage farmers to produce millet. ! Apart from this, millet has also been included in the Public Distribution System by the Government of India to provide a stable market for millet produce. ! Input Support: Creation of value chain through Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) in the form of seed kits and input support by the Government of India to the farmers for the production of Bajra and market potential for Bajra. helping to develop. JANUARY 2023

Millet Conservation For the Future Generation

Tapas Chandra Roy, A Certified Farm Advisor on Millets Pujariput, Koraput, Odisha Strategies for Millet Conservation: Selective utilization of specific crops and varieties in these modern days has threatened the agrobiodiversity leading to the loss of many potential landraces and subsequently affecting the nutritional security of the people. The only way to conserve the millet landraces is to bring them into use and build a viable ecosystem around them. Odisha Millets Mission is taking the lead in the conservation of millets by involving farmers.

seed distribution, farmer-to-farmer seed exchange, and conducting Participatory varietal trials(PVT) involving farmers, especially women farmers. The promising potential landraces are collected from the locality or nearby places. The seeds are properly cleaned,

dried, and stored in the Community Seed Centres. On the arrival of the monsoon season, the seeds are distributed to the farmers in the community. The farmers are selected based on their interest to do seed multiplication. The farmers are

The strategies to conserve the millet landraces are by following the 4 C's: ! Conservation ! Cultivation ! Consumption ! Commercialization Conservation: The strategies for the conservation of millets involve seed collection, multiplication, Agro India

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JANUARY 2023

says it takes about one hour to process one kilogram of Little Millet. To improve the consumption of millets, Odisha Millets Mission has taken many initiatives.

! Supplied OUAT Ragi Threshers to WSHGs.

! Supplied Pulverizers for making millet flour.

! A double deck grader-cum! Visit of Principal Secretary to Govt. DA&FE, Odisha at 124 Finger Millet Genotypes trial at Kundra Block, Koraput

properly made aware of the millet seeds in the community gathering. A proper register is maintained for the seed distribution. Once the seeds are distributed, the best agronomic practices are followed to ensure better yield. After the harvesting of the crops, the seeds are stored in the Community seed center. The farmers are paid as per the price fixed in the village meeting. The journey continues to save the landraces of millets. The millet seed system for landraces is an innovative initiative of Odisha Millet Mission for conserving agro-biodiversity. The F a r m e r P r o d u c e r Organisations(FPOs) and Women Self Help Groups are taking part in bringing the landraces into the seed system. It has been marked that the performance of some landraces is even better than the released varieties. The farmers are getting better prices by selling their millet seeds in Odisha as well as in other states in India. Cultivation: One of the main reasons, farmers moving away from millet cultivation is not getting better yields and remunerative prices as compared to other crops. Before the launch of Odisha Millets Agro India

Mission, most of the farmers were simply broadcasting the millet seeds and were getting around 2-3 quintals per acre. Farmers considered millets as the lazy crop as they go to the millet field twice, once on the day of sowing seeds and the second time on the day of harvesting. From the year 2017-18, farmers started following the System of Millets Intensification (SMI), Line Transplanting/Line Sowing, where it was a marked significant increase in the yield of millets. Farmers reported getting yields of 8-12 quintals/acre. Happy moments were seen among the millet farmers when they received incentives for following the best agronomic practices. These initiatives of Odisha Millets Mission encouraged farmers to grow more millets in their fields. The best thing, which made farmers come back to grow millets is the assurance of the market. The farmers were able to sell their produce at the Minimum Support Price (MSP). Consumption: The involvement of drudgery in the processing of millets has reduced the consumption of millets. Making millet flour or dehusking the millet grains takes a lot of time when it is done manually. A tribal woman 18

!

!

!

aspirator has been supplied to the WSHGs. Capacity Building Training programs for WSHGs. Conducting of Millet Food Festival. Distribution of Ragi in the Public Distribution System (PDS). Including Millets in the Mid-day meals and ICDS Programmes.

Commercialization: The millet ecosystem cannot sustain for a long time until a business is created. In view of this, the WSHGs are trained in processing millets and making value-added products. On convergence, Odisha Millets Mission is associated with Mission Shakti Department. The value-added products are branded in the name of ''Millet Shakti”. The millet products are in much demand in the state as well as in other states. Now, the Women's Self-help Groups are making a good business out of millet products. Conclusion: To conserve the millets for future generations, there is a need to focus on the conservation, cultivation, c o n s u m p t i o n , a n d commercialization of millets. Millets are the future nextgeneration crop that will address the food, feed, fuel, health, malnutrition, and most important issue climate change. Keeping in view the importance of millets, it's time to conserve genetic resources and restore the genetic erosion of millets for sustainable agriculture. JANUARY 2023

Recent Advances in Production Technology of

Carom Seed

Heena M. S., Savita B and ArjunSulagatti ICAR-KrishiVigyan Kendra, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad

C

arom seed commonly known as Ajwain ( Tr a c h y s p e r m u m a m m i L.)or Bishop weeds belongs to family Apiaceae is a native of Egypt and is a popular seed spice crop in India. It is an annual herbaceous plant bearing small egg shaped grayish brown fruits. There are many popular regional names like omum In Tamil, oma kalu in Kannada and vamu in Te l u g u . T h e m a j o r A j w a i n producing countries are India, Persia, Iran, Egypt, Afghanistan, Pakistan and North Africa. In India its production is concentrated mainly in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal. it is grown in an area of 43000ha with the production of 33000MT (201920).The current productivity of ajwain is 738 kg/ha. The major importing countries for Indian ajwain are USA, Canada, UK, D u b a i , Ye m a n , M a l a s i y a , Indonesia. Singapore, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and UAE. Medicinal uses: Ajwain is much Agro India

used as a medicinal plant in Ayurvedic medicine for its antispasmodic, stimulant, tonic and carminative properties. The seeds are used to ease asthma and indigestion. It is also widely used to treat diarrhea and flatulence. In the West, thymol is used in medicines against cough and throat irritation. The thymol content makes ajwain a potent fungicide. According to Ayurveda, it is digestive, tasty, pungent, light and bitter. It is useful in flatulence, colic, diarrhea, indigestion, cholera, hysteria and a tonic dyspepsia. Climate: It is a cold loving crop and mainly grown during rabi season in India. In some pockets of the country, it is also sown as kharif crop. Moderately cool and dry climate favour good plant growth and development. Continuous moist and cloudy weather invites insect-pests and a number of diseases. It needs a temperature during its growth period and warm weather during seed development. 19

Soil: Ajwain is well adapted to a wide range of soils but grows well on well drained sandy loam soils. The heavy soils are ideally suited for minted cultivation of ajwain. Although the crop is tolerant to salinity but always gives higher yield with better quality of leaves in neutral soils having a pH range from 6.5 to 8.5. Lower to medium fertile soil may be preferred to avoid lodging loss by high fertility on neutral to slightly saline and alkaline soils. Cropping system: Ajwain crop can easily be grown as mixed or inter cropping with other tall growing plants. In order to maintain soil fertility and sustainability in production, it is wise to adopt efficient crop rotation ideally suitable for the region. The important crop rotations are as under: ! Green gram or Black gram in kharif season followed by Ajwain in rabi season ! Cluster-bean or Cowpea in kharif season followed by Ajwain in rabi season ! Green gram in kharif season JANUARY 2023

and give an average yield of 8 q/ha.

!

followed by Ajwain in rabi season Maize or Peral-millet in kharif season followed by Ajwain in rabi season

Varieties: Ajmer Ajwain 1 (AA-1): This variety has been developed at NRCSS, Ajmer. It is suitable for cultivation both under irrigated and rainfed situations. The average height of plant is 112 cm and it bears average number of 219 umbels/plant. It takes about 165 days to maturity. The variety possesses high yield potential( 14.26q/ha under irrigated condition and 5.8 q/ha under minted condition. Ajmer Ajwain 2 (AA-2): This variety has also been developed at NRCSS, Ajmer through selection from local germplasm for earliness and matures in 147 days. It is suitable for cultivation under both irrigated as well rainfed conditions. It gives an average yield of about 12.83 q/ha under irrigated condition and 5.2 q/ha under rainfed condition. It possesses resistance to powdery mildew. It contains 3% essential oil. Ajmer Ajwain 73 (AA-73): a new Agro India

variety of Ajwain, has been developed of ICAR-NRC on Seed Spies, Ajmer. It is medium maturing (165-170 days) and high yielding variety. It shows high tolerance to Root rot and Sclerotium rot. Gave 15-16 q/ha seed yield. Ajmer Ajwain 93: This variety has also been developed at NRCSS, Ajmer through selection from local germplasm for earliness and matures in 120-130 days. It is suitable for cultivation under both irrigated as well rainfed conditions. It gives an average yield of about 12 q/ha under irrigated condition and 5.2 q/ha under rainfed condition. Pratap Ajwain-1: has seed yield potential of 8-10 q/ha. It is suitable for dry land agriculture. It matures in 150-155 days. It contains 3.9% volatile oils. The seeds are bold and greenish in colour. It is moderately resistant to prevailing diseases like leaf blight and powdery mildew. Lam selection 1: The variety has been developed at Horticulture Research Station, Lam, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh. The plants are medium tall, mature in 135 days 20

Lam selection 2: The variety has been developed at Horticulture Research Station, Lam, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh. The plants are bushy type, produce 40-45 branches per plant and produce average yield of10q/ha. Sowing time: Time of sowing is important non monitory agro technique affecting yield as well as incidence of pest and diseases. Ajwain is a cold loving crop and is mainly grown during rabi season in India. In some pockets, it is also grown as kharif crop. As a rabi season crop, it is sown in the months of September and October in northern plains. whereas, for kharif season crop, it is sown from July to August. In southern part of India, particularly in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, Ajwain is usually sown in the middle of August and harvested around December and January. Seed rate: Rabi season: 2.5-3.0 kg seeds /Ha, and 4-5 kg /Ha for kharif crop. Seed treatment: The use of bioinoculant Azospirillum or Azotobactor as seed treatment before sowing has proved beneficial in getting higher yield. Seed should be treated with Trichoderma culture 10gm/kg seed for the control of seed and soil borne diseases. Sowing method: The seeds are sown by broadcasting method or drilled in rows 45 cm apart under irrigated conditions and 30 cm under rained production system. The seed germinates in about 1012 days. The plant to plant spacing should be maintained to 20-30 cm. Ajwain is generally sown by broadcasting method but to facilitate inter culture operations, line sowing is appropriate. The Ajwain seed is small in size thus depth of seed should be kept JANUARY 2023

kg/ha + one hand weeding at 45 DAS is good techniques for weed control in ajwain.

around 1.0 to 1.5 cm in the soil for getting good germination. It is better to maintain uniform spread of seed through mixing of seed with dry sand before sowing. Manures and Fertilizers: The manure and fertilizers should be applied based on soil testing report of fertility status. In general, for raising good irrigated crop of Ajwain, 10 tonnes of well decomposed F.Y.M. or compost may be applied and evenly spread in the field before ploughing. At the time of last ploughing 40 kg N, 50 kg P205 and 50 kg K2O /ha may be applied in soils. An additional dose of 40 kg nitrogen may be given in two equal splits one at 45 days after sowing and second before flowering, if soil is poor fertile. There is no need to apply any fertilizers in medium to high fertile soils. In the rain fed farming area of ajwain 10 ton of well decomposed FYM or compost may be mixed in soil once in 2-3 years. In addition to this 40 kg N, 20 kg P2O5 and 20 kg K2O /ha should be applied at the time of sowing.

irrigations are applied at interval of 15-25 days. Weed management: Initial growth of Ajwain crop is very slow; therefore, it is necessary to keep the field free from weeds. A total of 2-3 manual weedings and hoeings are required, the first weeding should be done after 30 days of sowing accompanied by thinning from rows after maintaining suggested intra row spacing. The subsequent weeding is done at 30 days intervals as per requirement. Weeds can also be controlled by a pre-emergence application of Oxadiargyl @0.075 kg/ha. Pendimethalin @ 1 kg /ha after sowing or [email protected]

Harvesting and yield: The crop matures in 130-180 days depending upon the variety and season. The harvesting is usually done from February to May. At maturity flowering ceases and seed begin to develop and become brown in umbels. The crop is harvested with sickles or manually and stacked for drying, keeping the bundles upside down and then threshed to separate the fruits by beating with sticks. An average yields of 4-6 q under rain fed and 12-15 kg/ha under irrigated conditions could be obtained. Cleaning, packaging and storage: Seeds are stored in gunny bags lined with polythene film. Vacuum gravity separator is used for cleaning ajwain seeds. The properly cleaned ajwain seeds are stored with an initial moisture level of 7-8% and at an equilibrium relative humidity of 40%. Ajwain seeds well packed are stored in ventilated dry and cool place under ordinary conditions till sowing of next season crop.

Irrigation: In irrigated production system about 5light irrigations are required. If initial moisture is less after sowing, a light irrigation is given after 4-5 days to facilitate germination and checking crust formation. Depending on climate and soil type subsequent Agro India

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JANUARY 2023

PREDATORY ACTION OF

GREEN LACEWINGS S. Pushpalatha, Assistant Professor, Department of Entomology, Faculty of Agriculture, Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar

N

atural enemies such as green lacewings (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) are important for sus-tainable agriculture because they provide us a free service in managing and controlling unwanted insect and mite (arthropod) pests in agricultural crops in fields and greenhouses. Green lacewings are preda-tors of many soft-bodied insects (e.g. aphids, thrips, mealybugs, soft scales, whiteflies, psyllids and small caterpillars) and mites (e.g. spider mites) and their eggs. They are called generalist predators because they feed on many different types of insect and/or mite prey. Green lacewings are considered as one of the most important predatory natural enemies of agricultural pests. Predatory nature of larvae and adults: Larvae of all species of green lacewing are preda-cious. They are called “aphidlions” because of their ability to attack and kill a large number of aphids and other soft-bodied arthropods in a short period of time. Adult green lacewings of the Genus Chrysoperla (e.g. Chrysoperla rufilabris) are not carnivorous. They feed on honeydew, flower nectar and pollen. In con-trast, adult green lacewings of the Genus Chrysopa (e.g. Chrysopa oculata and Chrysopa nigricornis) are pre-dacious, and feed on softbodied insects and mites in addition to honeydew, flower nectar and pollen. Eggs : Adult females lay their eggs as small batches on plant materials. They prefer to lay eggs Agro India

among aphid colonies. Lacewing larvae are cannibalistic and attack sibling eggs and larvae. To avoid the first hatched larva/larvae attacking unhatched eggs or young larvae, females lay each egg on a long stalk. Eggs are oval in shape and approximately 0.02 inch-es long. Newly laid eggs are green in color and turn brown when they are matured and ready to hatch. Once eggs are hatched, egg sacs become white and remain attached to their stalks. If you see white lacewing eggs, they are probably hatched eggs. Adults : Adult lacewings are green in color and have golden eyes. They have two pairs of green lacelike netted wings. The body of the adult is 1/23/4 inch long depending on the species. They 23

are not strong fliers and are commonly found near aphid colonies. Adults fly during night and are often attracted to nightlights. They can live approximately 30-40 days. New-ly emerged adults mate and lay eggs within 45 days. It takes approximately one month to complete the life cycle from newly laid eggs to emergence of adults. Pupa : Lacewing pupa develops inside a woven silken co-coon and undergoes a complete transformation similar to butterflies. A fully developed winged-adult emerges from the cocoon after it cuts a circu-lar hole on top of its cocoon. Herbs and flowering plants : Herbs and flowering plants attract JANUARY 2023

There are three larval stages in lacewing lifecycle. At end of first or second larval stage, each larva sheds the old skin and become the second or third larva, respectively. At the latter part of its development, the third stage larva weaves a round silken cocoon to pupate.

green lacewings to fruit and vegetable gardens, farms and orchards. Herbs such as cilantro, dill, parsley and fennel, and flowering plants such as cosmos, sunflower, golden marguerite, sweet alyssum and tansy are some of the plants that you can grow in your vegetable and fruit gardens to attract lacewings. Availability to purchase : Eggs, larvae and adults of Chrysoperla rufilabris are commercially available to purchase from beneficial insect rearing facilities ( e . g . B e n e f i c i a l Insectary[https://www.insectary.c om/]) in the United States. It is important to have herbs and flowering plants available as an alternative food source when releasing these beneficial insects in your garden.

Sensitivity to pesticides : Unfortunately, the use of broadspectrum contact and systemic insecticides can disrupt populations of lace-wings and other natural enemies in your garden. It is important to use integrated pest management (IPM) practices and keep insecticides as a last resort when controlling pests. Larvae : Lacewing larvae look like tiny alligators. They are vo-racious predators of soft-bodied insects. Each larva has a pair of large sickle-shaped mandibles. Larva us-es the mandibles to pierce the body of its prey and suck the body fluids. They are very active individuals and fast runners. The larvae can move more than 100 feet when searching for prey.

Appearance -- Adults are colored light or pale green and golden eyes. The wings are lacy -- large, clear, membranous with green veins and margins and are held over the length of the body, about ¾ inch long. Antennae are long and hair-like. They are attracted to and feed on aphid honeydew, laying eggs nearby or near other prey. The eggs are white and each is held at the end of a hair-like stalk attached to the leaf. Larvae, called aphid lions, are able to eat up to 600 aphids each). They look like tiny alligators and are creamy colored, mottled with brownish red markings; they are about ¼ inch long. They have well-developed legs and large pincers with which to suck out bodily fluids from prey. The larvae spin out a cocoon (pupa) on the underside of leaves. Pesticide Tolerance -- Lacewings may have tolerance for many insecticides. In the lab, tolerance developed to pyrethroids (Ambush, Pounce, etc.), organophosphates (Guthion, Imidan, Monitor, etc.) and carbaryl (Sevin).

GREEN LACEWING IS AN IMPORTANT PREDATOR

Agro India

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JANUARY 2023

Potential Health Benefits of

Butterfly Pea flower

Kshetrimayum Manishwari Devi Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Central Agricultural University, Imphal

I

t is a perennial herbaceous plant, with elliptic, obtuse leaves. It grows as a vine or creeper, doing well in moist, neutral soil. Its most striking feature is the color of its flowers, a vivid deep blue; solitary, with light yellow markings. They are about 4 cm (1+1⁄2 in) long by 3 cm (1+1⁄4 in) wide. Some varieties yield white flowers. The fruits are 57 cm (22+3⁄4 in) long, flat pods with six to ten seeds in each pod. They are edible when tender. It is grown as an ornamental plant and as a revegetation species (e.g., in coal mines in Australia), requiring little care when cultivated. As a legume, its roots form a symbiotic association with soil bacteria known as rhizobia, which transform atmospheric N2 into a plant-usable form (a process called nitrogen fixing), therefore, this plant is also used to improve soil quality through the decomposition of nitrogen rich plant material. Traditional Medicine : In traditional Ayurvedic medicine, it is ascribed with various qualities including memory enhancing, nootropic, antistress, anxiolytic, antidepressant, anticonvulsant, tranquilizing, and sedative properties. In Agro India

traditional Chinese medicine, the plant has been ascribed properties affecting female libido due to its similar appearance to the female reproductive organ. Using its extract have also shown its ability to reduce intensity of behavior caused by serotonin and acetylcholine. Its extracts possess a wide range of pharmacological activities including antimicrobial, antipyretic, antiinflammatory, analgesic, diuretic, local anesthetic, antidiabetic, insecticidal, blood platelet aggregationinhibiting and for use as a vascular smooth muscle relaxing property. This plant has a long use in traditional Ay u r v e d i c m e d i c i n e f o r several diseases and the scientific studies has reconfirmed those with 25

modern relevance. Textile Use: The flower can be used to dye natural fibers and is used by traditional societies in Asia to do so. Chemical Constituents: Chemical compounds isolated from C. ternatea include various triterpenoids, flavonol glycosides, anthocyanins and steroids. Cyclic peptides known as cliotides have been isolated from the heat-stable fraction of C. Ternatea extract. The blue colour of C. ternatea is a result of various anthocyanins, most importantly ternatins polyacylated derivatives of delphinidin 3,3', 5'-triglucoside (Da-T). Health benefits of Butterfly Pea Flowers. JANUARY 2023

Supports Skin and Hair Health : Cosmetic manufacturers boast about butterfly pea flowers' effectiveness in everything from skin care serums to hair mists and shampoos. According to a 2021 study, butterfly pea extract may increase your skin hydration by 70% one hour after topical application. A 2012 animal study found that butterfly pea extract may be more effective at promoting hair growth than minoxidil, which is a common product used to treat hair loss. Butterfly pea flower contains a rich array of antioxidants, which may also be beneficial for promoting hair and skin health. Still, more research is needed to fully understand how butterfly pea flower may Agro India

affect your hair and skin. May Promote Weight Loss : Some studies even suggest that butterfly pea flower may aid in efforts. One test-tube study suggests that butterfly pea flower extract may slow the formation of fat cells by regulating certain pathways involved in cell progression. Some older test-tube and animal studies have found that ternatins, which are found in butterfly pea flower, may also block the synthesis of fat cells in your body. Further research is necessary to evaluate how butterfly pea flower may impact your weight, especially when worked into your diet. Stabilizes Blood Sugar Levels : Studies indicate that butterfly pea flower may 26

reduce your risk of diabetes and related symptoms. For instance, one study in 15 men showed that drinking a beverage containing butterfly pea flower extract increased antioxidant levels and reduced blood sugar and insulin levels, despite the sugar levels in the drink. Moreover, an animal study found that administering butterfly pea flower extract to rats with diabetes significantly reduced their blood sugar levels compared with a control group.One study even reported that the antioxidant properties of butterfly pea flower may protect against cell damage and complications related to diabetes. However, additional studies are needed to determine how butterfly pea flower may impact your longterm blood sugar control. Health Benefits of Blue Tea Acts as a Paracetamol: Blue tea is believed to aid in bringing down a fever by dilating the blood vessels right beneath the skin. This would enable the air to cool the blood more easily. Stress Buster: A high dosage of blue pea flowers has had beneficial anxiolytic effects in humans and has helped the body deal with stress. Immunity booster and antiinflammatory: The blue flowers are rich in flavonoids, which are powerful antioxidants with antiinflammatory properties. They also help boost immunity. Asthma healer: Blue tea can JANUARY 2023

help give relief from cough, cold, and asthma, as it acts as an expectorant. In other words, helps clear the mucus from the airways, lungs, and trachea. Boosts memory: Blue tea has garnered a lot of interest across the world and this can be attributed to the memoryboosting properties it has. Studies have shown that the Blue Pea flowers assist memory and brain function as they help increase Acetylcholine (a Neurotransmitter). Reduces risk of cell damage: The rich color of blue tea indicates the high quantity of antioxidants in it. Antioxidants reduce the risk of cell damage, they are also known to slow down the effects of aging on skin and hair. Anti-diabetic: Butterfly pea flowers help inhibit glucose uptake from food and thus, help treat type II diabetes. The benefits of having blue tea are

not just internal in nature, they have a number of external benefits too, like for the skin and overall beauty. How to Use Butterfly Pea Flower? ! Butterfly pea flower is found in many cosmetic products, including hair mists, toners, shampoos, and face masks. ! You can also use the plant to brew an herbal tea, which is known for its earthy flavor and vibrant blue color. ! To make butterfly pea flower tea, also referred to as “blue tea,” simply add 1 teaspoon (4 grams) of dried flowers to 1 cup (240 mL) of hot water. ! Let the tea steep for 1015 minutes before straining out the dried flowers. Enjoy hot or served over ice. ! You can also add a bit of lemon juice, lime juice, or honey to ramp up the flavor. The acidity of citrus fruits can also turn the drink a deep purple hue, thanks to the ternatins the plant naturally contains.

Does Butterfly Pea Flower have Any Side Effects? Nutritionists generally consider butterfly pea flower safe when consumed in moderation. There are some anecdotal reports of side effects like nausea, stomach pain, and diarrhea following consumption of butterfly pea flower, but there is no research to support these effects. H o w e v e r, i f y o u h a v e underlying health conditions or are taking any medications, you should talk with your doctor before using butterfly pea flower or other herbal products. Conclusion : Blue butterfly pea tea contains nutritive and medicinal values. The tea produced from the flower of blue butterfly pea is positively accepted and has good market potential due to its health and wellness benefits.

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Clean Meat Animal Probiotic

Nisha M M and Ibomcha Ngangom Agferm Innovations Pvt Ltd, 28A, KIADB Industrial Area, Hoskote, Bangalore

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product to fight climate change by reducing methane and nitrous oxide emission from cattle and poultry farming and also to reduce foul smell of manure. Concept Note : Certain greenhouse gases (GHG)are far more potent than CO2 at heating the atmosphere. These GHGs are also major risk for global warming. Methane is second most abundant GHG which is 28 times powerful than CO2. More than 17% of GHG is contributed by methane. According to the Global Methane Assessment published in 2021, methane emissions from livestock are the largest sources of agricultural Agro India

emissions worldwide. 30% of total methane is released from agriculture activity of ruminant livestock. Nitrous oxide (N2O), an intermediate gas of denitrification, comprises 6% of GHG which is 300 times as potent as CO2. About 3/4 of those N2O emissions come from agriculture activities. Feeding high protein feeds and forage to poultry and livestock farming also leads to emission of N2O.This GHG emission could be reduced if we use Clean Meat Probiotic without hampering the normal activities of poultry and livestock farming. Development of Clean Probiotic: Our R & D focus was 28

on developing a product that can potentially contribute in reduction of emission of harmful gases and lower carbon footprint to the environment. Prima facia the objective was on the following two aspects. ! To reduce methane emission by ruminant livestock. ! To b r e a k d o w n n i t r a t e accumulated due to high protein feed. Isolation and screening of beneficial bacterial strain which can oxidize methane and metabolize nitrate was the sole target. Of the several microbial strains isolated AFMC1 was identified to be a potential JANUARY 2023

count was checked by MPN spread plate method. The CFU count is found to be more after treatment.

microbe that was able to oxidize methane. This as a probiotic was able to reduce methane produced inside the rumen of ruminant livestock. The undigested protein feed in poultry and livestock are responsible for Nitrous oxide emission. Nitrate reducing bacterial strain can degrade nitrate to nitrite then to nitrogen. Incorporation of such bacteria in probiotic could be enhanced conversion of nitrate to nitrogen which will reduces nitrous oxide escape into atmosphere. The following test confirmed to the ability of the isolated cultures for its efficacy as proof of concept to the developed CLEAN MEAT PROBIOTIC. Methane oxidation test: The methane oxidation test carried out confirms to the ability of the isolated microbial strain to utilise methane, while the test or the control culture did not show any symptoms of utilization of methane. This confirms to the significant ability of the CLEAN Agro India

MEAT PROBIOTIC in the reduction of methane emission. Nitrate reduction test: Significant red color change noticed in the Nitrate reduction test confirms to the ability of the culture to form nitrite. While no change in color indicates absence of nitrate formation. The product under test exhibited no color change after addition of zinc powder. This shows that no nitrate was present and confirms to the ability of the clean meat probiotic to convert all the undigested protein in to nitrogen gas. N-content before and after treatment: Estimation of Nitrogen content was tested by outsourcing to NABL accredited lab. Percentage of N content was found to be lesser after treatment. This confirms to the ability of the potential culture in consuming nitrogen and contributes to reduced nitrogen emission. CFU check before and after treatment: The routine CFU 29

Findings: ! It controls methane production by oxidizing it as its nutrient source. ! Reduction or elimination of foul smell of manure after treatment. ! Enhances composting process in shorter period of time. ! Decrease N-content after treatment shows breaking down of undigested proteins that can potentially benefit in higher feed conversion ratio. ! Eventually results in enhanced growth of poultry and livestock. Presumably Analysis: Microscopic observation shows Non starch polysaccharides (NSP) hydrolysed quicker after treatment with Clean Meat Probiotic. This indicates that the product under study also revealed certain property of NSP enzyme or enriched the growth of Ruminococcus sp. These anaerobic gut microbes are known for their ability to degrade cellulose. Synthetic NSP enzymes are introduced to poultry feed to degrade and convert complex polysaccharides into valuable nutrients. This assumes that Clean Meat Probiotic also can potentially act as NSP enzymes. However further research and findings are warranted. JANUARY 2023

Hidden Engineers of the plants the bacterial endophytes

Sowmya B, Ashwini A and Siddanna G Mattigatti Natural farming project, RHREC Kumbapur, Dharwad Department of floriculture and landscape architecture COH, Bagalkot Diploma in watershed management, Bijapur

Victor Gallipe

Anton De Bary

Charles Bacon

n incessant upsurge in the use of chemical fertilizers for high yielding varieties had led to several disastrous effects on agricultural land and environment. Use of agriculturally beneficial microorganisms has provided a plausible alternative to lower down the usage of chemical fertilizers to some extent. Plant associated microorganisms also play an important role in enhancing plant growth, productivity as well as stress amelioration for sustainable agriculture. Endophytic microbes, residing in

plant act as powerful tool in exerting their beneficial attributes with a higher consistency, particularly since they dwell in a close association relatively secure environment, largely protected from the externally induced abiotic or biotic stresses.

chemotactic movement due to the secretion of chemical substances by roots of plants i.e. flavanoids, organic acids, carbohydrates and amino acids. Endophytes can enter the plants through spaces between epidermal cells, wounded root by nematode, root hair, lateral root junctions and seeds. They can colonize in different parts of the plant like stem, roots, petioles, inflorescence, leaf segments, fruits, buds and seed. Endophytes population varies depends on host species, inoculums density,

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Endophytic bacteria are the bacteria that live inside the plants without causing apparent disease symptoms, they can improve plant growth under normal and challenging conditions. Colonization of endophytes by

Mode of entry of endophytes

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showed prominent results and is capable to be utilized as PGP in crop plants. The fixation of nitrogen in stem cuttings of sugarcane has been probably due to the activity of endophytes. Many sugarcane e n d o p h y t e s ( e g . G l u c o n a c e t o b a c t e r diazotrophicus) are adapted to high sucrose concentrations so young sugarcane plants are used in this experiment. Endophytic diazotrophic bacteria colonize in the vascular tissues or intercellular spaces of sugarcane organs. These endophytes exhibit growth promoting traits through mechanisms involved in nutrient solubilization, plant hormone production and pathogens antagonistic activity .

Colonization of endophytes

environmental condition and host developmental stage. History: Endophytes were first described by the German botanist Johann Heinrich Friedrich in 1809. In 1866, term endophyte was coined by Anton De Bary. Bechamp, French scientist thought that endophytes were plant parasitic fungi and named as “microzymas”. Victor gallippe discovered endophytic bacteria in 1887. Charles Bacon (1975) coined fungal endophyte. Plant growth promotion activities of endophytes: Endophytes can benefit host plants directly by improving plant nutrient uptake and by modulating growth and stress related phytohormones. Endophytic bacteria also modulate ethylene levels by ACC deaminase activity. These also helps in phytoremediation activities. Indirectly, endophytic bacteria can improve plant health by targeting pests and pathogens with Agro India

antibiotics, hydrolytic enzymes, nutrient limitation and by priming plant defences. In soil, phosphorous has been fixed in the organic and inorganic form. Endophytic microorganisms release phosphorous by solubilisation of unavailable organic and inorganic phosphate. Numerous mechanisms has been opted by endophytic organisms in order to perform phosphate solubilization such as lowering of pH, organic acid production, chelation and exchange reactions. Khan et al (2016) shown that endophytes are the microbial flora which are residing asymptomatically in all plants and enhance the plant growth. In this study various endophytic bacterial strains were isolated from the bark of Moringa peregrina and were evaluated for their potential in producing IAA, phosphate solubilization and ACC deaminase activity were tested on tomato plants. Among all tested strains the endophytic Bacillus subtilis LK14 32

Quorum sensing mechanism allows the microorganisms to resist the antibiotic treatment by forming biofilms. Quorum quenching is one of the mechanisms to control the development of drug resistance in microbes. Many bacterial endophytes have attracted considerable attention for their capacity to promote plant growth through direct mechanisms or by acting as biocontrol agents (indirect mechanism). Although the mechanisms of plant-growth promotion between rhizospheric and endophyte bacteria can be very similar, most of the research work has been done in rhizosphere bacteria, assuming that the mechanism is similar in endophytes. H o w e v e r, t h e r h i z o s p h e r e environment is quite different from that of internal plant tissues. Therefore, it is possible that in the future new mechanisms of plantgrowth promotion, unknown in rhizosphere bacteria, may be discovered in bacterial endophytes. JANUARY 2023

Sustainable Farming System and

Organic Fig Production Abhishek Pratap Singh, Alok Kumar, Vipin kumar, Agnivesh Yadav, Suraj Luthra Acharya Narendra Deva University of Agriculture & Technology, Kumarganj Ayodhya (U.P.).

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ig is among oldest fruits to be cultivated on earth. Fig has different name in different languages. In Urdu it is called “Anjeer”. Fig is a very important fruit of the world. It is said to be fruit of heaven. This is a very old plant on earth. The scientific name of fig is Ficus carica. Ficus is a genus and carica is a specie. Fig belongs to moraceae family. The origin of fig is Mediterranean region and western Asia. It is an umbrella type tree with spreading branches and 7-10 m in height. Leaf of fig are broad with grey colour branches. Fig bear twice in a year. Flowers are unisexual. 1st bearing on previous year growth and 2nd is on new emerging shoot. Fig is botanically multiple fruit. The hollow fleshy fruit of fig is known as syconium. Fruit contains numerous seeds. The colour of fruit is green when ripe changing into blue or brown and fruit become soften. Climatic and Soil Requirements : The fig is a subtropical fruit the optimum temperature for its good growth being 15.5 to 21oC. Buds of most cultivars requires some winter chilling. In mild tropical and subtropical areas, figs exhibit continuous growth without a distinct rest period. However, the tree usually has a semi- deciduous habit and enters into mild dormancy during October-January. Fruit qualities are also got influenced by climate. A dry climate with temperature especially at the time of fruit development and maturation produces the best quality figs. High temperature like 35 to 38oC will result in premature ripening of fruits. Similarly, very low temperature will result in splitting and poor-quality fruits. Fig can be grown on a wide range of soil type. But deep, clayloams are the best suited. Well Agro India

drained alluvial clay loams or medium black soils are also good for fig cultivation. The fig is one of the most drought tolerant crops. It can tolerate sulphate and chloride salts. Soils having a high lime content produce fruits of better quality suitable for drying. But even a small amount of sodium carbonate in soil is injurious to fig. Use : Figs can be eaten in both form fresh and dried. It can also be used in making jams and pickles. Fig is transport in dry or processed form. Once the fig is pick and do not transport in fresh form for distant market because fresh fig has very short shelf life. Different type of food products of fig is being use like fig paste, fig concentrate, fig powder, fig nuggets and sliced figs. Fig is being used in making fig jam. Flavour of fig is extracted and use in other product. 30 percent oil is contained by the fatty acids. Fig oil is edible and use as grease and lubricant. Humectants of figs make them a beneficial constituent in such wellbeing and loveliness goods as soap, conditioners and scent. Nutrition Value : After the fruit harvesting, leaves of fig are being 34

used for animal fodder. Calcium and fiber also found high quantity in fig. Experiments prove that dry figs are high in fiber, copper, manganese, magnesium, potassium, calcium and vitamin K according to human needs. Fig comprises small quantities of additional minerals. It is also use as antioxidants. Fig is a good source of flavonoids and polyphenols. Two figs produced a significant increase in plasma antioxidant capacity. Eight ounces of figs provide 30 percent of the recommended daily fiber. Figs have a reservoir of potassium and manganese. Fig fulfils 6% daily need of vitamin A, 9% of B1, 13% of B6, 10% of vitamin E and 13% of vitamin K. Kidney or gallbladder patients cannot use fig in high amount because it contains oxalates. The leaves of fig have less amount of insulin and triglycerides. Types and Cultivars The figs are classified into four types based on the nature of flowers and the methods of pollination. Common Fig: The flowers are pistillate, Fruits develop by parthenocarpy viz., without the JANUARY 2023

stimulation of pollination and fertilization. Kadota, Mission, Adriatic, Brown Turkey, Celeste and Conadria are some cultivars of this type. Poona is one of the most important commercially grown fig. Introduction and evaluation of exotic figs from California at IIHR Bangalore reveals that varieties like 'Deann', 'Conadria' and 'Excel' have superior fruit and plant characters. These new varieties when grown on 'Brown Turkey' root stock (through chip budding) hold great promise for exploiting marginal lands in arid and semiarid regions. Capri fig: This type has short styled pistillate and functional staminode flowers. Most caprifigs are not edible, but are grown because they harbour a small wasp viz., Blastophaqa psenes which is necessary for pollination and fruit set in other types like Smyrna fig by transferring the pollen grains from caprifig. Smyrna fig: It is commercially the most important one. However, the fruits develop only when the flowers are pollinated with pollen from the male flowers of the caprifig transmitted by the wasp. Calimyrna is the common cultivar of this type. Sanpedro fig: In this type, the first crop is completely parthenocarpy, but the second crop develops only if the flowers are pollinated. The common cultivars of this type are Sanpedro, King and Gentile. In India, common fig is mostly grown. Some of the cultivars grown are Black Itchier, Brown Turkey, Turkish White, Agro India

Kabul and Marseilles. Propagation and plantings: Rooting of hard wood cuttings is the common method of propagation in fig. Rooting was the best in cuttings from 3-year-old wood with 30-40 cm length and 1.5 cm dia. Cuttings from the base of the shoot and lower part of crown have to be used as they root better. Cuttings are taken during JanuaryFebruary at the time of pruning in North India whereas, the cuttings are taken during rainy season in South India. Fig can also be propagated by air layering, shield or patch budding and side grafting. Focus glomeration rootstock offers resistance to root knot nematode. Spacing: A spacing of 8×8 M2 is recommended depending upon the fertility status of the soil for maximum yield. Planting season varies from place to place viz., South India August September, Western India June July, North India January February. After cultivation to keep the trees more productive and to facilitate inter cultivation operations, the fig trees are trained to a desired height and shape. The fig tree bears tow crops in a year, the first crop on the wood of previous season and the second crop on new wood of current season. Pruning is necessary to induce growth of flower bearing wood. The time and amount of pruning are adjusted according to the growth habit and bearing capacity of the tree. 35

Manuring and irrigation: Fig respond well to manuring. A quantity of 20kg of FYM, 500-600g N and 350-400g P2 O5 per year per tree can be recommended. Since it is a drought tolerant crop is mostly grown as rainfed crop. However, irrigation helps to increase the yield. During summer, the crop can be irrigated once in 10-12 days. Frequent irrigation lading to excess soil moisture will cause splitting of fruits. It should be borne in mind that during fruit ripening, the plants should not be given any irrigation because it will result in insipid fruits viz., fruits with bland taste. Varieties: ! Excel: for fresh eating and canning, suitable for HDP. ! Conardia for drying and table purpose, suitable for HDP. ! Deanna for table purpose, large size fruit. ! Dinker (MAU, Parbhani)Improvement over Daulatabad. ! Brown Turky grown in India, used as rootstock. ! Poona main cultivar of Bombay green. ! TP-7(MAU, Prabhani) High TSS and big sized fruit. Pruning: Pruning and training are very important in maintaining the yield and quality of fruit. After planting side branches are removed to increase the apical growth. Heavy pruning is recommended in the fig cultivation. Dead and disease able part remove immediately. Diseases Rust: It is caused by Cerotolium fici Small, round brownish to black eruptive lesions occur on the leaves. The rust causes heavy defoliation of leaves. It can be controlled by dusting with sulphur. Fruit set, harvest and storage. Disorder: Common problem in ! Sunburn newly planted trees. ! Fruit Splitting or Cracking Nutritional deficiency, Coonardia and Deanna are, resistant.

JANUARY 2023

Elephant Foot Yam (Amorphophallus paeonifolius L.)

Cultivation for Higher Return in Changing Climatic Scenario R. S. Singh, Amalendu Kumar, Sunil Kumar, Amrendra Kumar, M. N. Ansari, A. K. Paswan, Asha Kumari Sinha Tirhut College of Agriculture, Dholi; RPCAU, Pusa (Bihar)

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lephant foot yam (Amorphophallus paeonifolius L.) is a wellknown tuber crop of the Araceae family, tubers/corms of which are used for making vegetables, pickles and many other valueadded food items. It has been used as staple food in many countries like-Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Java, Sumatra, Bangladesh, China, India and some other south-Asian countries. It is commercially cultivated due to its production potential and popularity as vegetable in various Indian cuisines. Among Indian states, it is mainly cultivated in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Bihar, West Bengal Gujrat, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, Jharkhand and north-eastern states. It is rich source of starch, fibre, protein, minerals and vitamins. 100 grams of elephant foot yam provides the following nutrients-Calories: 118 calories; Moisture: 66 grams; Carbohydrates: 25 grams; Fat: 1.5 grams; Protein: 9.81 gram; Dietary fiber: 5.7 grams; Potassium: 1208 mg; Calcium 20 mg; Iron: 1.8 mg; Magnesium: 82 mg; Sodium: 14.2 mg; Zinc: 2 mg; Copper: 0.3 mg. It has several health benefits also: ! Good for weight loss: Since elephant foot yam is exceptionally high in dietary fiber and low on calories, it is weightloss-friendly. ! Possesses anti-inflammatory Agro India

properties- methanol cxtract of the elephant foot yam has antiinflammatory properties. Therefore, it is useful in several medical conditions. For example. it helps relieve pain during inflammatory diseases like arthritis, ulcerative colitis, etc. ! Protects liver function. A chemical compound called “Quercetin” found in elephant foot yam is effective in protecting liver functions. ! Rich in antioxidants- Elephant foot yam is incredibly high in antioxidants. Thercfore, it protects against oxidative stress, which helps prevent cancer. These antioxidants also may help slow down the agıng process. ! Good for diabetes-Elephant foot yam has a low glycemiç index 36

which means it will not raise your blood sugar levels rapidly. Additionally, it is very low on carbs and has a significant amount of fiber, which may slow down the release of glucose into the blood. ! Hormonal balance-Elephant foot yam maintains the estrogen levels in the female to the optimum level. vii) Helps reduce blood pressure-Elephant yam is an excellent source of potassium. 100 grams of elephant foot yam provides 1208 mg of potassium, which is 30% of the recommended daily intake. Eating potassium-rich foods is one of the efficient ways to reduce blood pressure without medications. ! Improves gut health-Elephant foot yam helps ease constipation by improving digestion. It also helps treat serious JANUARY 2023

burning in the mouth and throat when eaten. Only one tuber is formed in this variety unlike other local varieties which have small tubers (cormel) from main tuber side. Tuber is curvy, thick in shape and its flesh is light orange in colour. This variety matures in 210 to 240 days and it has a bulking capacity to increase its weight by 5 to 6 times. Planting Time, Spacing and Seed Rate : Best planting time of elephant foot yam is in the month of March-April. However, it can be planted from the last week of February to the first week of June. gastrointestinal disorders like persistent diarhea and piles. Therefore, it helps maintain our digestive system healthy. Despite all the beneficial health benefits, elephant foot yam has a few anti-nutrients such as oxalate and tannin. Hence, it is advised to cook it thoroughly to remove these anti-nutrients. Soil and Climatic Requirement : Since elephant foot yam is a tropical tuber crop it requires warm and humid climate with mean annual temperature of 30-40 *C and well distributed annual rainfall of 1000-1500 mm. Although it can be grown on almost all types of soils but well drained loamy soil with high organic matter content having good fertility is best suited for this crop. It prefers soil reaction having pH value in the range of 6.5 8.5. Heavy clayey soil and fields having waterlogging problem

should be avoided. Land Preparation : Field should be ploughed to a depth of 25-30 cm by a soil turning plough to make it favourable for tuber bulking. Land should be well levelled, weed free with the provision of efficient drainage. The 'Gajendra' variety has been found to be the best among the varieties of elephant foot yam prevalent in India. This strain was developed by the Kovuur center which was recommended for commercial cultivation in Bihar in the year 1992. Its yield potential is 56 tonnes per hectare. Plants of this variety are 1-1.5m tall, stems are dark green in colour on which light white spots are found. Due to the very less amount of 'calcium oxalate' and another type of harmful chemical (alkaloid) in its tubers, there is no itching and

Seed Treatment and Planting Method : For commercial production, size of seed tubers/corms should be of 500g size whereas for seed production optimum seed size should be around 200-250g. Before planting, the seed tubers should be dipped in a cow dung solution mixed well with 2.0-2.5 grams of Mancozeb or Bavistin and 1.0 ml of Dimethoate (30% liquid). It has also been found that if the seed tuber is treated in a solution having mixed with 5.0 g of Trichoderma viridae per litre water or in a cow dung solution the chances of fungal diseases are reduced. After dipping the tubers in the solution for half an hour, it should be taken out of the solution and then dried for half an hour in shade. Thereafter, transplanting should be done. If the size of tuber is large viz., > 1.0, 2.0 or >2.0 kg etc. then the

Improved Varieties of Elephant Foot Yam Sl. No.

Varieties

1. 2.

Gajendra Shree Padma

3.

Tuber Yield (t/ha) 50-55 41-42 Shree Athira

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Varieties

4. 5.

NDA-9 Bidhan Kusum 40

Tuber Yield (t/ha) 35-40 40-45

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whole tuber should be cut into small pieces of about 500g size. Cutting should be done vertically with a sharp knife/cutter retaining some portion of the central/ main bud. It should also be treated in the same way as discussed above. While planting care should be taken to keep the bud portion of the seed tuber (whole or cut piece) upper side otherwise germination will take unnecessarily minimum 15 days more than the required germination time. Planting of tubers should be done at a soil depth of 4-6 inches. After planting seed tuber, it should be covered by the soil from all sides of the seed tuber in a pyramid shape. Planting whole tuber is always better than cut tuber because of early and evenly germination, better plant growth, realization of tuber yield and ultimately net return to the farmers. Planting Methods Broadly two methods of planting are followed: Plain/flat planting: In this method, full dose of farmyard manure or compost, 1/3rd dose of nitrogen and potash and full dose of phosphorus is well mixed in the soil at the time of last field ploughing. Thereafter, furrow to a depth of 20-30 cm is opened at a distance decided on the basis of seed size and treated seed tuber is placed at a pre-fixed (as per the size of tuber size) in the furrow vertically keeping the bud point of the tuber upward. Thereafter tubers are covered by soil making the furrow in a ridge shape.

polythene sheet must be done immediately after planting. Mulching controls the soil temperature favourable for seed germination and soil microorganisms.

potash is given and mixed well with the pit soil. Thereafter treated seed tuber is placed in the pit vertically keeping the bud point of the tuber upward and then tubers are covered by soil making it in a shape of pyramid up to a height of about 15 cm. Manures and Fertilizers : ! Compost or farmyard manure @ 15-25 tonnes per hectare is applied as a basal dose to get a good tuber yield of elephant foot yam along with 80.0 kg nitrogen, 60.0 kg phosphorus and 80.0100.0 kg potassium. ! Equal dose for second and third top dressing of nitrogen and potash for per plant are 3.0-4.0 g and 2.5-3.5 g, respectively and it should be applied on both sides of the plant by forking or pocketing method at 2.0-3.0 cm soil depth and 8.0-12.0 cm away from the plant. Mulching : If possible, mulching with dry leaf or straw or by

It also controls weed growth, minimises moisture loss and after its decomposition, it provides nutrients to plants of elephant foot yam. All these help in a better growth and development of plants that ultimately reflected in good tuber yield. During hot summer months number of irrigations are also reduced. Cost of cultivation is decreased to the tune of 5.0-10.0 % at one hand and there is 5.010.0 % increase in tuber yield on the other. Weeding : If mulching has not been done and there is weed problem in the field, weeding must be done at appropriate time. In general, three manual weedings at 30,60 and 90 days after planting should be done either by hand hoe, khurpi, small spade or by any other means. Weeds can also be controlled by the use of herbicides, combination of herbicides or by integrating manual and herbicides. Herbicide like pendimethalin @ 1.0 kg/ha as pre-emergence can be applied effectively within three days after planting when there is sufficient moisture in the filed. In case of problem of narrow leaf weeds, spraying of quizalofop-p-

Pit planting: In this method a pit of 30x30x30cm dimension is dug at pre-fixed row to row and plant to plant spacing of 75x75 cm (for 500g tuber size). In this pit, 1.0-1.5 kg farmyard manure or compost and a basal dose of 7.0-8.0g diammonium phosphate, 0.5-1.0 g urea and 2.5-3.5 g muriate of Agro India

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banana etc. In intercropping with elephant foot yam with other crops, care should be taken to apply manures and fertilizers to both the crops separately.

ethyl @ 50-75g is very effective as post-emergence application. If the weeds are of both narrow and broad leaf types, spraying of glyphosate @ 2.5 ml/litre water as post-emergence can be applied very effectively. Application of herbicides can be done once, twice or thrice depending on weed types and intensity of weed problem. Irrigation : Generally, 7-10 irrigations are required for elephant foot yam cultivation. Irrigation interval depends on soil structure and moisture availability of the field. However, 10-15 days interval is normally given for one irrigation. In general, irrigation is not required in rainy season and irrigation interval is widened in rabi months. Care should be taken not to allow water stagnation in the field and at the same time sufficient moisture in the field must be ensured. Intercropping in Elephant Foot Yam : Twice intercropping can be done in elephant foot yam. First one during the planting time and the second intercropping can be done when leaves start yellowing, drying and plants fall on the ground in the month of October. Since the germination of elephant foot yam Agro India

takes about 25-30 days and about one month for its canopy development and spread canopy. Earliar the planting (last week of February or mid-march) more will be the time gap for taking short duration suitable crops like- Green gram, black gram, cowpea (tender pods), cucumber, radish, lady's finger, maize (green cobs) etc. can be taken successfully as intercrops in between interrow spaces of elephant foot yam that will increase the net return of the farmers. Additionally, these intercrops with their synergistic effect on elephant foot yam either by nitrogen fixation in the soil or by mulching with their haulms/leaves/biomass accruing there upon several beneficial effects on soil and plants. In the month of October when leaves start yellowing, drying and plants falling on the ground, some short duration rabi crops likecarrot, vegetable peas, rapeseedmustard, radish, coriander (for green leaves) can also be taken for additional income to the farmers. Elephant foot yam as intercrops can also be taken profitably in the newly developing fruit orchard/garden (mango, litchi, guava etc.), plantation crops like rubber, coffee, coconut, arecanut, 39

Harvesting : It can be harvested by digging the tuber any time six months after planting and afterwards. Harvesting mainly depends on prevailing market price. In general, when there is heavy rain in the months of JulySeptember, standing vegetables in the fields get damaged, elephant foot yam is harvested from the month of August onwards when there is high demand in the market. Farmers are getting very good price for their freshly harvested elephant foot yam and for the same reason, fresh harvested elephant foot yam from Bihar is sent to other neighbouring states vegetable market of Jharkhand, Kolkata in West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi etc. for vegetable purpose. Harvesting for seed tuber is done in the month of February- March and are used for replanting. Harvesting of is usually done in the month of October-November. At the time of digging, care should be taken to avoid any injuries in the tuber by cut or any other means so that during transportation or during storage period further spoilage or quality reduction in tubers could be minimised. After digging the tubers, it is cleaned by removing the soil and roots from the tubers and then sorted according to the size of the tubers. Thereafter it is dried in shade for 2-4 days before storing them in well ventilated store room on bamboo/wooden racks. Yield : The avaerge yield of a wellmanaged good elephant foot yam crop is 45-55 tonnes per hectare and a farmers can earn a net profit of Rs. 3-4 lakhs excluding the income from intercrops. JANUARY 2023

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