AICRP on Forage Crops and Utilization

Raj Bajra-1 (RBB-1)

1. Released at state level in 2015 for whole Rajasthan.
2. 500 q/ha green fodder yield.
3. Crude protein : 9.33 %
4. Green fodder yield productivity per day: 7.17 q/ha.
5. Seed yield: Approx. 15 q/ha.
6. Good resistance to all insect pests and diseases

Raj Bajra -6 (RBB-6)
Accepted for State release in 2019 for dual purpose aspect due to its high  seed yield potential and high dry fodder yield.
Crude protein: 9.17 %
Average dry matter: 121.87 q/ha
Average seed yield:13.25 q/ha
Good resistance to all insect pests and diseases.

Bikaneri Dhaman (RCCB-2)

1. Released at state level in 2015 for whole Rajasthan.
2. Approx. 130 q/ha green fodder yield from one cutting.
3. Crude protein : 9.00 %
4. Good resistance to all insect pests and diseases.
5. Perennial in nature and can be established by seed or rooted slips.
6. Six cuttings can be taken in one year with irrigation.

Jaisalmeri Sewan (RLSB-11-50)

1. Released at central level in 2016 for North-West zone of India.
2. Approx. 170 q/ha green fodder yield.
3. Crude protein : 6.59 %
4. Good resistance to all insect pests and diseases.
5. Perennial in nature and can be established by seed or rooted slips.
6. Four cuttings can be taken in one year with irrigation.

Krishna (RRB-07-1)

1. Released at central level in 2016 for North-West zone of India.
2. Approx. 350 q/ha green fodder yield under annual condition in North-West zone of India.
3. Under perennial condition (three years), it gives approx. 1800 q/ha green fodder yield on all India basis.
4. Crude protein : 20.57 %
5. Good resistance to all insect pests and diseases.

Sorghum

Foliar spray of ferrous sulphate (0.5%) applied on regrowth of foliage after first cutting i.e. first at 15 days of cutting and 10 days thereafter corrected yellowing of leaves and significantly increased green fodder yield of sorghum.

Multicut perennial sorghum var. COFS-29 was found superior in green fodder yield, dry matter yield and economics under planting geometry of 30 & 45cm row spacing at cutting interval between 60 and 75 days. (2015-16).

Napier – Bajra hybrid

NB Hybrid – Lucerne cropping gave higher green fodder, dry matter yield and net returns compared to growing seasonal fodder crops ,during 3^rd year re-sowing of lucerne is required between  the space of NBH for continued fodder production for 3^rd year and so on.(2015-16).
Higher green fodder yield, dry matter yield and net return from Napier Bajra Hybrid can be achieved by irrigating the crop  at 1.0 IW/CPE and with application of Straw mulch  @7.5 t/ha

Pearl millet

• For obtaining higher green fodder yield during kharif season, pearl millet should be grown in combination with guar in 2:2 or 1:1 row proportion or with cowpea in 2:2 row proportion.
• For sustainable forage production, Pearl millet – Oat – Cowpea should be followed.
• For getting higher green fodder yield of pearl millet, nitrogen should be applied @ 120 kg/ha in three split doses I.e. 1/3 basal + 1/3 top dresses at 20 day after sowing (DAS) + 1/3 at 35 DAS.   

Oats

• Two sprays of thiourea (0.05 %) at tillering and flowering improve seed production.
• For higher economic returns, oat crop should be left for seed production after one cut for greed fodder at 75 days after sowing.
• Fodder crop of oat should be fertilized with 120 kg N/ha in three split doses (1/3 as basal, 1/3 at 35 days after sowing and 1/3 after first cutting.
• October 10 to November 30 is the optimum period for sowing of fodder oat. Under good management, three cuts can be taken. The first cut should be taken at 75 DAS.

Lucerne

• For lucerne, October 30 is optimum date of sowing. After first cut at 55-60 DAS, cuttings should be taken at three weeks interval.
• For getting higher yield for long time with good quality fodder a combination of lucerne @ 20 kg seed ha^-1  + oat @30 kg seed ha^-1 was found best (2017-18).
• For management of Cuscuta (Amarbel) and all seasonal weeds in lucerne crop application of pre-emergence pendimethalin at 1.0 kg a.i./ha as sand  mixed  or pre planting  incorporation of Imazethapyr at 75 g/ha in 500 liters of water found effective

Grasses

1. Foliar application of thiourea (0.05 %) at flowering improves seed production of Lasiurus sindicus.
2. Nitrogen should be applied @ 20 kg/ha for getting higher seed production of Lasiurus sindicus.
3. Registration of Germplasm: IC number from National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resource, New Delhi were obtained for 35 germplasm accessions of Cenebrus ciliaris pasture grass. These accessions are being maintained. The IC numbers obtained are IC 551555 to 551589.

1. 350 lines of Lasiurus sindicus are being maintained and evaluated at the centre.
2. 150 lines of Cenchrus setigerus are being maintained and evaluated at the centre.
3. 90 lines of Cenchrus ciliaris are being maintained and evaluated at the centre.

AINP on Arid legumes

Mothbean

RMO-225 (Maru Vardan):
This short duration variety (64-67days) gives 6-7.5 q/ha seed yield and has good resistance against yellow mosaic virus. It was released in 1999 for all moth-growing areas of the country by Central Variety Release Committee

RMO-435:
This short duration variety matures in 67-70 days giving 6-8 q/ha yield and also has fodder value. It was released in 2001 for all moth-growing areas of the country by Central Variety Release Committee.

RMO-257:
This early maturing variety (65 days) is high yielding for grain as well as fodder purpose. Its flowers are in clusters with small petiole and plants are spreading type. It was identified and released in 2002 in Rajasthan state for all moth-growing areas.

RMO-423: This variety was released and notified in 2002 in Rajasthan state for all moth-growing areas. The variety is suitable for both seed and fodder purpose. It matures in 67-70 days. This is resistant to yellow mosaic virus and insect pests.

RMB 25 (RMo 2004): This variety has been identified in the meeting of State Varietal Evaluation Committee in 2004. It gives higher seed yield (28.6%) as well as fodder yield (15.4%) than RMO-225 and RMO-257, respectively. The variety has field resistance to yellow mosaic virus and also has high protein content.

RMO-2251 (Marudhar):This variety has been released during 2016 for release in Rajasthan. It is a short duration (63-67 days) and has good resistance against sucking pests like jassid and white fly.

• Fluchloralin @ 1.0 kg/ha as pre-planting incorporation for effective weed control in mothbean.
• Seed soaking in 500 ppm thiourea with two foliar sprays of thiourea (500ppm) at vegetative and flowering stages was found effective for obtaining higher seed yield of mothbean
• RMO – 225, RMO – 435, RMO – 423 and RMO-2251 varieties of mothbean have been recommended for cultivation in the zone.
• In mothbean the control of Jassids, Thrips and whiteflies through dusting of fenvelrate 0.4% was found superior.
• Maximum yield of mothbean was achieved with three sprays of monocrotophos (0.04 per cent) against losses due to major insect pests.
• Mustard/groundnut/sesamum oil @ 8 ml per kg proved most effective whereas upper sand layer placement @ 4 cm thickness proved most effective in controlling losses due to bruchids during storage in mothbean.
• Intercropping of early maturing mothbean varieties with pearl millet in 3:1 ratio is more remunerative
• Planting of mothbean in western Rajasthan should be done next day of the effective rainfall (30-40 mm) in second fortnight of July month.
• Moth bean performed significantly better with the row spacing of 30 cm and fertility level 20 kg N and 40 kg P₂O₅ over row spacing of 45cm and fertility level of 10 kg N and 20 kg P₂O
• For organic production of moth bean, foliar spray of cow urine (10 %) + neem leaf extract (5 %) was most effective in managing YMV of moth bean.
• For raising organic moth, application of 100 % FYM equivalent to 100 % RDF (20 Kg N/ha) + PP through neem based products/other organic products was found most effective. It was closely followed by application of FYM equivalent to 50 % RDF (10 Kg N/ha) + 50 % of RDF (10 Kg N/ha) through decomposed crop residue/organic waste + bio-fertilizer + PP through neem based products/other organic extracts.
• Under organic intensive approach for raising moth bean, application of 100 % of RDF (20 Kg N/ha) through  FYM + bio-fertilizer + PP (BCA) + gypsum + green manure/crop residue + cakes + need based chemical through foliage application only gave higher seed yield and economic returns in moth bean .
• Moth been sown on the residue of 10ton compost/ha. +50% RDF applied in previous barley crop gave highest moth bean equivalent yield and net returns under barley –moth bean crop sequence
• harzianum + P. fluorescens seed treatment (4 + 4 gm./kg seed) + soil application of T. harzianum + P. fluorescens (1.25 + 1.25 kg) in 50 kg FYM each/ha.) is effective for management of root rot of mothbean.
• Streptocycline 500 ppm (seed soaking)+ Streptocycline 250 ppm + Copper oxy chloride (0.2%) first spray at disease appearance and second at 15 days interval is effective against management of bacterial leaf blight in cluster bean.
• Seed treatments with a combination of harzianum + P. fluorescens seed treatment (4+4 g/kg seed) along with soil application of T.  harzianum + P. fluorescens (1.25 +1.25 kg in 50 kg FYM for each/ha) for effective management of root rot and increase grain yield in Clusterbean.
• Seed treatment of moth bean with fipronil 5 SC @ 4ml/kg seed before sowing is found effective and economical against sucking pests.
• To protect the cluster bean against sucking pests, treat the seed .with fipronil 5 SC @ 4ml/kg seed before sowing.
• Seed treatment of moth bean with imidacloprid 600 Fs @ 5ml/kg seed before sowing followed by foliar spray of thiamethoxam 25 WG @ 0.3 g/lit is found effective and economical against sucking pests.

Mungbean

1. Fluchloralin weedicide should be used @ 0.75 kg/ha (a.i.) for weed control in mungbean crop. The amount should be dissolved in 500 liters of water and the solution should be used as pre planting in corporation in soil. One to two weeding and hoeing operations by wheel hoe (wherever available)   should be done in the crop sown in row after first irrigation
2. Application of 40 kg sulphur through gypsum was found beneficial in obtaining higher yield and quality of mungbean.

AICRP on Arid Zone Fruits

1. Evaluation of date pal germplasm

No. of cultivars: 34
Spacing: 6 m x 6 m

Recommendation
In western Rajasthan condition, Medjool variety is superior for chhuhara making and Halawy variety is better for fresh dates (at doka stage) followed by Barhee and Khuneize

2. Integrated nutrient management in arid zone fruits (date palm) Supplementations of integrated nutrients T₁₀ viz., NPK @ 750 g+ 125g P + 125g K with 50 g S and Biofertilizer (125 g Azotobacter + 50 g PSB ) along with 40 kg FYM  per plant gave maximum yield and fruit quality in date palm crop under hot arid zone of Rajasthan conditions.
3.  Foliar application of micronutrients in arid zone fruits (Date palm)Foliar spray of micronutrients T₈ viz., FeSO₄ 0.5 % + thio urea 0.1 % per plant gave maximum yield and fruit quality in date palm crop under hot arid zone of Rajasthan conditions.
4. Thinning of datepalm bunches after fruit set (1/3 rd portion from the center) help in early ripening and also improves physico-chemical characteristics of fruit of Halawy variety.
5. Pre harvest application of ethrel @ 1000 ppm at colour break stage in Medjool variety hastens ripening of fruit and also increases size and weight of fruit.
6. Mulching of tree basin from the trunk to canopy area of the tree by black polythene sheet or 10 cm thick layer of locally available weed `Bui` (Aervo Persica) help in better soil moisture retention suppresses weed growth and better soil moisture retention and improves fruit quality.
7. Application of 1500 g nitrogen per palm per year with 500 g each phosphorus and potash as basal doses to cultivar Halawy gives optimum yield and growth of fruit. 60 percent nitrogen should be applied before one month flowering and rest 40 per cent at fruit set.
8. Fruit bunch and leaves ratio should be 1:6 as it gives optimum fruit quality and yield of Medjool variety.
9. At the time of transplanting off shoot (suckers) of datepalm mustbetreated with carbendazim 0.1% + Chlophyriphos 0.1% Indole Butyric acid 1000 ppm with alternate day irrigation up to 30  days is effective for better survival and establishment of date suckers.
10. Survival of datepalm suckers is better in spring season (February to March) plantation as compared to rainy season (September to October) plantation at Bikaner.
11. For Integrated management of fruit rots two sprays of carbendazim 0.1% + date leaf cover at the interval of 15 days was effective to control the fruit rots to 64.66 per cent and minimize yield loss (33.23%) as compared to control.
12. Two sprays of copper oxychloride (0.4%) at interval of 20 days were found effective in minimizing the Graphiola leaf spot disease by 65.96 per cent over untreated check.
13. Two sprays of carbendazim +Mancozeb (0.2%) at the interval of 15 days found effective to control Alternaria leaf spot disease and to increase the yield.
14. For control of insect parlatoria blenchardii (scale insect) spray of Acetamiprid (0.3 ml/lt. water has been found effective.
15. For management of lesser datemoth (Batrachadra sp.) two sprays of endosulphan (0.07%) starting from fruit setting and repeated at 15 days after first spray has been found effective to control the lesser date moth and to increase the yield of fruits.16.For control of scale insect (Parlatoria blenchardil) release of predatory beetle Chylocorus nigritus @ 10 beetles per palm is quite effective
16. On an overage, 50 kg of doka fruit per year per tree can be harvested up to the age of 10 years and thereafter 75-100 kg per tree per year.
17. For preparation of dry dates (Chhyhara) full doka fruits (cvs. Medjool) should be washed and dipped in boiling water for 5-10 minutes and dried either in air circulating oven at 48⁰ – 52⁰ C for 70-95 hours or through sun drying from 80-120 hours if the weather is dry.

Visit of Shree Arjun Ram Meghwal and Shree Griraj Raj Singh at datepalm centre on 27-01-2018

Visit of Director Research, SKRAU, Bikaner

Organized two Winter School sponsored by ICAR, New Delhi

Valedictory function of winter school (27.11.2019)

AICRP on SAS&USW

Water Quality Survey and Characterization

Water quality maps of Jaipur, Bikaner, Churu, Sri Ganganagar, Sikar, Jaislmar, Nagaur, Jodhpur and Pali  districts have been  prepared and  suggested appropriate measures for better utilization of soils and underground waters of these areas.

Drip Irrigation for Saline Water Irrigation for field crops in Parts of Rajasthan (Bikaner centre)

Technology:  The Bikaner centre provided a design of drip with lateral spacing of 60 cm and emitter spacing 30 cm. This design is applicable for field crops like groundnut, wheat, isabgol, pearl-millet crops.

Benefits:

• Saline irrigation water with salinity up to 4 dS/m can be used for ground nut, pearl-millet, isabgol without yield reduction and 8 dS/m of irrigation water can be used for wheat without yield reduction with 100% recommended dose of fertilizers.
• Less irrigation water is used.
• Crop faces low water and salinity stress.
• Benefit Cost ratio for different wheat varieties at different irrigation water salinities with drip system are given below as an examples.

• Thus, combination of drip irrigation and wheat variety (Raj 3077) has proved effective in ensuring higher benefit cost ratio (>2) and higher water productivity (>= 0.75 kg/m³) for wheat crop. This approach may ensure long-term sustainability of crop production in arid climatic condition. This is also true for other crops.
• The benefit cost ratios for different crops grown with saline water through drip are provided in Table below.

Benefit Cost ratio for saline water irrigation through drip

The data in Table indicated that B/C ratio for all four field crops remained above 1 in case of saline water irrigation through drip. Thus, saline water irrigation through drip is economically feasible option in arid regions.

Impact

Total 2 Lakh ha area is under drip in Rajastan. Out of it, 32,000 ha area is in saline ground water areas of Sriganganagar, Barmer, Bikaner, Churu and Jaisalmer. Thus drip is saving irrigation water, reducing salt load to root zone and preventing yield loss.

Economics of Ber cultivation/production with saline water using drip irrigation

Technology

Drip system to irrigate ber plantation (at 8m x 8m spacing) with saline irrigation water (ECiw 8 dS/m). Intercropping in interspaces between two rows of ber plants by rainfed crops like cluster bean, moth bean etc. for first four years.

Benefits

• Intercropping till 4 years gave some benefits to farmers.
• Net returns from the ber plantation became positive 5^th year onwards upto life of plantation of 25 years (Table 1).
• Intercropping till 4 years gave some benefits to farmers.
• Net returns from the ber plantation became positive 5^th year onwards upto life of plantation of 25 years (Table 1).

Impact

• Farmers who have ground water of high salinity, which is economically unsuitable for cultivation of most of the crops, are coming forward for cultivation of ber using drip irrigation. Some of the farmers have planted the crop and installed drip system. Centre is providing all technical information to farmers as and when required.
• Potential areas, for this technology, are arid districts of Rajasthan.

Foliar sprays of FeSO₄ and Citric acid for iron deficiency in parts of Rajasthan (Bikaner)

Technology

Sprays of 2% FeSO4 + 0.1 % Citric acid at 30 and 40 days after sowing are recommended for higher yields of groundnut, moth bean and cluster bean.

Benefits

• Increase in yield under different crops was observed 20 to 34% (Cluster bean around 25%, Mustard 30 to 34%, Ground nut 20 to 25%).

Impact

• The technology of the AICRP centre is recommended by SKRAU, Bikaner and around 2 Lakh ha area under different crops is benefitted because of the technology to recover iron deficiency.

Gypsum bed for reclamation of alkali water

Technology

Addition of Gypsum for neutralization of alkalinity of irrigation water and soil increased the yield of crops.

Benefits

• Addition of gypsum for neutralization of alkalinity of water increased around 21% yield of Pearl millet.
• Gypsum application reduced the alkalinity of soil and also was help full in prevention of the formation of alkali soil with the use of high RSC water. The RSC of irrigation water should be less than 4 me/L for maximum yield of crops.
• RSC of water can be neutralized by gypsum application @ 200 kg/ha for water with RSC equal to 2 me/L.
• RSC neutralization of each irrigation along with FYM @ 10 t/ha in soil resulted best.

Impact

This technology of AICRP on SAS & USW, Bikaner center is using by many farmers having problem of alkali water in Sikar, Nagaur, Pali and Jaipur districts of Rajasthan.

Subsurface drainage technology

Technology

Installation of subsurface drainage laterals to control the soil salinity and water logging for sustainability of irrigated agriculture in the area.

Benefits

• By installation of subsurface drainage laterals reducing the soil salinity.
• The water table in the studied area was below 1.8 m from ground level.
• In the installed observation wells, which are of 1.5 m depth, the water level was not present.
• Due to installation of SSB there is notice a remarkable decrease in the fallow area both in Kharif and Rabi season. The fallow land decreased to 11.50 ha from 39.94 ha in Rabi and from 42.32 ha to 26.43 ha in Kharif.

Impact

• Area under mustard increased to about 300% in year 2005-06 as compared to year 1997-98.
• The increase in cropping intensity specially in Rabi season clearly indicate the cultivators faith in SSD. The cropping intensity in rabi increased to 84% from 46.3% and in Kharif it was 64% as compared to 43.57%.
• Soil salinity decreased
• Increase in crop productivity

Drip Irrigation for saline water for cultivation of vegetable crops in parts of Rajasthan

Technology

AICRP on SAS & USW, Bikaner centre introduce drip technology for cultivation of vegetable crop under saline irrigation water with mulching

Benefits

• The drip irrigation alone as well as with the plastic mulching can give better harvest (34.44, 47.36, 67.24, 20.94% higher yield of bottle gourd, tomato, okra and onion, respectively) with irrigation water salinity around EC 3 dS/m in light textured soil as compared to traditional (flood) method of cultivation with canal water.
• The salts are leached away from the active root zone of plant providing better growing conditions for vegetables under drip system.

Impact

Area under drip irrigation for cultivation of vegetable crops using saline water has increased with a faster rate in arid part of Rajasthan

Precision Farming Development Centre

Technology / Variety release /Generated and Most Promising Technologies

Name of Crop: Fennel	Recommendation for Farmers:
	Farmer could get additional income of Rs. 44000/ha in drip irrigation with mulch as compared to conventional method of cultivation
Cumin	Additional income of Rs. 37000/ha could be obtained by applying irrigation at 0.80Etc with drip irrigation if fertilizers as per schedule are applied through fertigation
Brinjal	A farmer could get net additional income of Rs.57,000/ha by using drip + mulch and following the irrigation & fertigation schedule
Garlic	A farmer can get a profit of about Rs.55, 930/ha compared to surface irrigation method.
Cabbage (Drip irrigation)	Net additional income of Rs. 12400/- per crop /ha over conventional method
Tomato	Tomato cultivation under drip with plastic mulching could fetch additional net income of Rs. 82000/- per crop/ha as compare to conventional method. However if only drip is used this reduces to Rs. 47000/-
Cucumber	To get higher yields and for efficient utilization of fertilizers, 100 per cent of the recommended doses of fertilizer may be applied through drip in split doses as per recommended fertigation schedule.
Cucumber (Shade net house)	From the obtained results it may be inferred that shade net house is better than open field condition for cultivation of cucumber in arid / semiarid hot regions of Rajasthan
Capsicum	The farmers of Rajasthan are suggested to grow capsicum under shade net house. The var. Indra is found suitable for arid zone of Rajasthan under shade net house which gives yield of about 361.26 q/ha with net return of Rs. 33148/- per 1000sqm and B: C of 2.35
Kinnow and Sweet orange	•The growers of Rajasthan are suggested to use drip irrigation system in Kinnow& Sweet Orange that will enhances yield of by 75 % and 90 % respectively over conventional method of irrigation at 100% volume of water (35.05lit/day/plant).
	• If growers integrate plastic mulch with drip irrigation system the additional yield of 19% and 33% respectively for Kinnow& Sweet Orange can be obtained over conventional method of irrigation. B: C Ratio : 4.00 for Kinnow B: C Ratio : 4.71 sweet orange
Groundnut	In the tube well irrigated area where water salinity is around 4 dS/m, groundnut could be cultivated successfully using drip system with about 20% reduction in yield as compare to good quality of water.
Bottle Guard (Low tunnel)	Flowering and fruiting under low tunnel and mulch was earlier by 15-20 days as compared to the crop in open field. It is best suited for early crop of cucurbits which will fetch higher economic returns to the farmer.

Technology Developed by centre

Concept of kund Bagavani Yojana which was adopted in distt. Churu under DPIP
Technique for providing water below soil surface through drip so as to avoid evaporation losses.
The drip loop system (ring method) promoted by the centre for uniform distribution of water through drip irrigation system is being adopted by many of the farmers

RKVY Project

“Role of wool waste as a source of nutrients for crop production and soil improvement in Torripsamments

Achievements

1. Wool waste  in conjunction with FYM  is feasible for the production of vegetables (Onion and bottle gourd)  for sustainable  crop production system & also reduce the fertilizer dose through increasing the fertilizer use efficiency (FUE)
2. Use of wool waste in conjunction with FYM  after decomposition  improved  the soil properties( Physical, Chemical and biological )
3. Developed suitable method of composting  of wool waste

Other Crops

Wheat

Post emergence application of metsulfuron methyl @ 4.0 g/ha at 30 to 35 days after sowing is recommended for effective control of weeds in wheat crop. Hoeing and weeding by “cycle wheel hoe” (Wherever available) is also beneficial where crop is sown in lines.
Fertilizer prescription equations based on soil test crop response for targeted yield of wheat were developed.
When two sources (saline and good quality) of water are available then for optimum yield of wheat two types of water should be mixed in such a proportion that the E.C. of mixed water does not exceed 3.75 dS/m.

For controlling broad leaf weeds in standing wheat crop post emergence application of carfentrazon (SG) @ 20g/ha in 500 liter of water spraying in between the rows found effective.
In wheat crop total depth of irrigation be kept as 42 cm, if canal water through sprinkler is used for irrigation. No increase in yield was observed above this depth.
If ECiw of irrigation water is around 3.0 dS/m, the total depth of irrigation water should be 38.0 cm. For ECiw of 4.5 dS/m the total depth of water should be kept as 35 cm for maximizing crop yield. Crop yield decreased drastically beyond this depth.

Barley

1. Under balanced fertilization management system. soil test crop response equations for N, P and K along with organic manures were developed  for obtaining targeted yields of barley
2. Highest seed yield was observed under application of  compost  @ 10 ton/ha. +50%RDF .It was also observed that highest barley equivalent yield (q/ha.) was recorded under this same treatment. Similarly the gross and net return were  also highest in this  treatment.

Chickpea

In chickpea crop pre-plant incorporation of fluchloralin @ 0.75 kg/ha in 500 liter of water followed by one hand weeding 30 days after sowing  recommended for Emamectin benjoate 0.4 kg/I found most effective for the control of pod borer in gram crop or alternatively Indoxacarb 200 ml/h can be taken for the control of pod borer in gram crop. In gram application of 40 kg sulphur per hectare through gypsum was found effective

Mustard

1. Mustard can tolerate sodic waster up to RSC of 4 m. e. therefore, gypsum equivalent to RSC of water more than 4 e. should be added to soil before the sowing of crop.  For each milli equivalent (m.e.) of RSC neutralization about 90 kg of gypsum per irrigation per hector is required.
2. For controlling Orobanche in mustard crop, application of 200 kg/ha neem cake in furrows at the time of sowing and  pre-emergence spray of pendamethalin at 0.5 kg a.i./ha in 500 litre of water followed by one hand weeding at 60 DAS  found effective and it reduced the Orobanche infestation and  gave higher yield.
3. On the basis of experimentations on mustard crop with varying levels of nitrogen,    phosphorus and potassium with organics fertilizer adjustment equations were developed using Ramamoorthy’s inductive approach. The above fertilizer adjustment equations were verified on ATC and farmers’ fields   with varying yield targets, all the yield targets could be achieved

Fenugreek

1. To obtain maximum yield of fenugreek water may be applied @ 0.6 V through drip along with the use of 25 micron black plastic mulch. The average seasonal water requirement of fenugreek crop under drip & mulch has been worked out to be 282 mm under arid conditions. In without mulch drip irrigated fields water may be applied @ 1.0 V i.e. 430 mm to obtain higher yields of fenugreek.
2. Fenugreek should be sown during first fortnight of November in the mean temperature range of 23-24 °C in the agro climatic zone 1c when crop accumulates about 1800-1900 day ⁰C heat unit with the application of 40 kg P₂O₅ ha^-1

Fennel

In fennel crop pre plant incorporation of trifluralin at  0.75 kg ai/ha in 500 liters of water + one hand weed at 60 days after sowing  was found economically viable for managing  almost all the seasonal weeds

To obtain maximum yield of fennel water may be applied @ 0.6V through drip along with the use of 25 micron black plastic mulch.  The average seasonal water requirement of fennel crop under drip and mulch has been work out to be 343 mm under arid conditions. In without mulch drip irrigated fields water may be applied @ 1.0 V i.e. 536mm to obtain higher yields of fennel.

Isabgol

Application of isoproturon at 0.5 kg a.i./ha as pre-emergence in isabgol effectively controlled the season weeds.

Cropping System

• For controlling seasonal weeds in wheat – bajra cropping system, post emergence application of metsulfuron methyl @ 4 g/ha in 500 litre water at 30 – 35 DAS in wheat and post emergence application of 2,4 D @ 0.5 kg/ha in 500 litre water at 20 – 26 DAS in barja found suitable.
• Fodder crop sequence pearlmillet – guar – oat-cowpea recommended for higher fodder production
• Mothbean sown on the residue of 10 t compost/ha + 50% RDF (90 kg N + 40 Kg P₂O₅) applied in previous barley crop gave highest mothbean equivalent yield and net returns under barley-mothben crop sequence.
• Pearlmillet – guar crop sequence has been found to be better than pearlmillet –pearlmillet crop sequence and gives more pearlmillet equivalent yield and profit.
• Application of 10 t FYM per ha in both the season gave the highest net return. In case FYM is not available sufficiently, it should be applied at least in kharif season. It has been proved beneficial in Pearl millet – Oat – Cowpea sequence.
• In pearl millet-mustard crop sequence, pearl millet crop fertilized with recommended dose of nitrogen and phosphorus and raised after mustard crop fertilized with 20 kg K₂O/ha gave higher grain and straw yield.
• In moth bean –wheat cropping system, for the control of weeds in moth bean, pre-plant incorporation of fluchloralin @ 0.75 kg a.i./ha and in wheat, post-emergence application of metsulphuron methyl @ 4 g/ha was found effective and economically viable with no adverse effect on crops of the sequence.
• Under food cum fodder crop sequence of pearl millet (food crop) + cow pea (fodder crop) -barley (food crop) application of 10 kg Zn through ZnSO₄ applied every year in addition to recommended dose of NPK gave higher green fodder yield of cow pea and grain yield of pearl millet and barley. The treatment has been found economically viable also.
• In pearl millet -mustard crop sequence, application of recommended dose of fertilizer (90:40:0) + 20 kg K₂O/ha + 200 kg gypsum/ha + 10 kg ZnSO₄/ha in mustard found effective over application of only recommended dose of fertilizers only.
• In areas where fodder sorghum is grown, crop sequence of Sorghum (fodder) + Moth (grain) – Barley (grain) + Lucerne (fodder) may be followed. Use of FYM to meet 25% of nitrogen requirement of main crops along with bio-fertilizer (Rhizobium, Azotobactor and PSB) found beneficial with 50 % saving of chemical fertilizers.

Mixed Cropping

For higher forage production, pearl millet should be grown in combination with guar either in 1:1 or 2:2 row combinations and with cowpea in 2:2 row combinations.

Kausal Vikash Traning organized at ARS, Bikaner

Seed Production at ARS Farm

Nucleus and breeder seed production of ground nut, moth, cluster bean, barley and gram is being undertaken as per indent. Nursery has been established for production of seedling of ber, lasoda, beal and other fruit plants.

Revenue (Rs.  in Lac.) generated from seed production during last five year

Extension Activities

Technologies developed are made available to the farmers through scientists-farmers interaction and through extension agencies. On campus and off campus training programme are arranged for farmers and farm women. Field days and field visit are conducted to impart the technical know how to the farmers. Field demonstrations on important technologies are also conducted to disseminate latest technologies. The station is maintaining linkages with the line department viz. department of Agriculture, GoR, ICAR institutes, located in the zone (CIAH, CAZRI), KVK, Bikaner for transfer of technology and to gather feed back on farmers problems for new research initiates.

Zonal Director Research

Office E-mail Address : adrb@rabikaner.org
Office Phone No. : 0151-2250570