Innovative Farming

BIODIVERSITY AND BIOCONTROL PROSPECTS IN MULBERRY GARDENS OF WEST BENGAL WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO NEW PREDATOR SCYMNUS LATIFOLIUS. SP. NOV ON MEALYBUGS INFESTING MULBERRY

Lalitha, N. — 2021-09-10

Mulberry, the sole food plant of silkworm, Bombyx mori (Linnaeus) is invaded by various polyphagous pests, causing economic loss in sericulture. Native predators in the plant ecosystem play a vital role in checking the pest infestation. In the present study, population dynamics, phenology of the arthropod predators of Paracoccus marginatus Williams and Granara de Willink and Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Green) infesting mulberry in four sericulture practicing districts (Murshidabad, Nadia, Birbhum and Malda) of West Bengal was studied. A diverse assemblage of alternate hosts and arthropod natural enemies were found associated with mealybugs infesting mulberry in the Indo gangetic plains of West Bengal. About 53 plant species acted as alternate hosts in the adjoining plots of mulberry gardens and profoundly influenced the population dynamics of mealybug pests and its associated predators and allowed migration rapidly from alternate hosts to mulberry as soon as the new flushes appeared after pruning. Sixteen predator species, were found consistently associated with mealybugs during the study. They are Brumoides suturalis (F), Coccinella septempunctata L., Jauravia pallidula Motschulsky, Menochilus sexmaculatus (F), Nephus regularis Sicard, Nephus sp. nr. roepkei de Fluiter., Nephus bipunctatus Kugelann, Scymnus bourdilloni Kapur, Scymnus coccivora Ayyar, Scymnus nubilus Mulsant, Scymnus pallidicollis Mulsant, Scymnus pyrocheilus Mulsant, Spalgis epius (Westwood), Mallada desjardinsi (Navas) and one anthocorid bug. Apart from these arthropods, one new species of Scymnus Kugelann, Scymnus (Pullus) latifolius Poorani sp. nov, was collected and reported for the first time. The predatory potential of the new predator was studied and amenability of the predator for mass multiplication in laboratory conditions opened avenues for its use as a potential biocontrol agent for checking mealybug pests in various agroecosystems.

IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE IN PROSPECTS OF ERI SILKWORM SEED PRODUCTION IN ASSAM- A REVIEW

Lalitha, N. — 2021-09-10

Eri silkworm rearing is legacy and age-old tradition, besides a source of livelihood for farmers in the North Eastern India. The eri silkworm Samia ricini (Donovan) is a multivoltine, domesticated insect that can be reared indoors on diverse host plants. Recently, government sponsored schemes have boosted expansion of eri silkworm rearing in many non-traditional eri rearing states besides North East India. Assam, being the home tract of Eri silkworm offers optimum climatic conditions for seed cocoon rearing and production of disease free layings. However, the impending climate change due to global warming poses one of the biggest threat to Ericulture. Temperature shifts in the summer and winter season with altered rainfall patterns influences the host plant maintenance and eri silkworm rearing extensively. A wide range of adverse impacts are experienced in eri silkworm seed production sector due to increasing temperature, heat stress and other changes in weather parameters. The present review paper addresses the issues and prospects of eri silkworm seed production in Assam with respect to the impending climate change and suggests the possibilities to explore avenues to mitigate the global warming effects.

MOISTURE WETTING PATTERNS IN SURFACE AND SUBSURFACE DRIP IRRIGATION SYSTEMS

Thiyagarajan, G. — 2021-09-10

Soil moisture patterns from emitters are important for the design and management of drip irrigation systems. The soil moisture distribution pattern around an emitter depends on depth of lateral placement, emitter spacing, duration and frequency of water application, soil physical and hydraulic properties. This experiment was carried out at Agricultural Research Station, Bhavanisagar. Soil moisture measurements were carried out using soil moisture meter after irrigation at different horizontal and vertical distance (0, 15, 30 and 45 cm). The results indicated that the soil moisture distribution within the soil profile under subsurface drip was to great extent affected by the distance between drippers and variations in discharge. It was also found that, soil moisture distribution varied with variation of lateral location from the soil surface. Soil moisture movement was found to be higher at lower depth of laterals placed at 15 and 30 cm depth.The gradual increment in the moisture content around the dripper was found at the surface layer and vertical layer with increasing the measuring time up to 2 hr at 15 and 30 cm lateral depth. The measurements of soil water content at 2hr indicated that the lower soil layer was the one with higher moisture content at 30 cm depth of placement of lateral irrespective of discharge. Dripper spacing of 30 cm with dripper discharge of 2LPH at 30 cm depth of placement of lateral was found to be higher in soil moisture content of more than 27.2 per cent than of that under 15 cm.

A REVIEW ON RECIRCULATING AQUACULTURE SYSTEMS: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR SUSTAINABLE AQUACULTURE

Nilav Aich — 2021-09-10

Aquaculture is one of the fastest growing industry and grows at a pace of 1.1% rate per year. In recent times, current global climatic condition does not allow horizontal expansion of this industry anymore. To further increase the aquaculture production, requirement of a robust technology is evident. Recirculatory Aquaculture System (RAS) allows increasing the fish production by many folds using limited resources. Water conservation, biosecurity and high production are key features of this technology. The major challenges seem to be affecting this industry includes poor management, lack of knowledge about the technology, high investment and occurrence of diseases and pathogens. Several researches are being carried out to improve technical aspect in recirculating loop, efficient use of system by-products and finding an alternative source of energy. Recent advancement in RAS such as denitrification reactors, sludge thickening technologies and ozone treatments results in minimal use of water, waste discharge and energy use. With greater knowledge about the system and understanding the interaction between its components, this technology has the potential to bring revolution in aquaculture sector.

REVIEW ON CLUPISOMA GARUA (HAMILTON, 1822), AN INHABITANT SPECIES IN INLAND OPEN WATERS OF INDIA

Dibakar Bhakta — 2021-09-10

Clupisoma garua (Hamilton, 1822) commonly known as ‘garuabachcha’ under the order Siluriformes and family Schilbeidae, a potamodromous species, demersal habitat and found both fresh as well as brackish water. The species is mainly distributed in Asian countries like Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Nepal and found mainly large freshwater bodies. The species are categorized as Least Concern (LC) by IUCN but kept as Vulnerable (Vu) category by the CAMP and CAFF reports. It is anomini-carnivore species and feeds on insects, molluscs, crustaceans and small fishes in wild conditions. The species have both food and ornamental values and the medium-size individual also treated as game fish in India. Through the species is said to be widely distributed but threatened in some localities like southern West Bengal, due to overfishing andanthropogenic activities.In the present review, we have tried to give detail information of ‘garuabachcha’, which will be useful to know the species, its potential importance and suitable conservation measures may carry out accordingly.

ENHANCING GROUNDNUT PRODUCTIVITY THROUGH INTEGRATED NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT AND LIMING - A REVIEW

D. Dey — 2021-09-10

Majority of soils Tripura are strongly acidic having a pH range of 5.1-5.5. Groundnut, an oilseed crop, can grow well in coarse-textured soils which facilitate the better growth and development of groundnut pods. The low soil pH is associated with a number of soil chemical and biological properties that manifest themselves as the components of the acid soil syndrome. There are some specific problems which are associated with acid soils e.g., aluminum, iron and manganese toxicity; molybdenum deficiency; failures in legume nodulation; increase in plant disease, and calcium and magnesium deficiency. These conditions may adversely affect groundnut growth. Liming is an important proposition to combat soil acidity, however, everywhere this approach does not prove economical and most of the time it is out of the reach of resource poor farmers. Thus, judicious application of lime and integrated nutrient management (combinations of bio-fertilizer, greeen manuring, organic manure and chemical fertilizer) can be practiced to formulate an integrated programme for acid soil management which will be eco-friendly and economically feasible tool to conquer productivity barrier and to attain sustainable groundnut production in acid soils of Tripura.

REVIEW ON PRESENT STATUS, ISSUES AND MANAGEMENT OF INDIAN MARINE FISHERIES

Suman Takar — 2021-09-10

Marine fisheries is recognized as a sunrise sector and the prospects of foreign exchange earnings and employability is attracting more and more people into active fishing and allied sectors.. Fisheries resources are nutritional security, besides livelihood support and gainful employment. All over the world, more than 30 million fishers and fish farmers and their families gain their livelihoods from fisheries. Globally, fish provide about 16 per cent of the animal protein consumed by humans, and are a valuable source of minerals and essential fatty acids. Marine fisheries are very important sectors of India. It provides employment to millions of people and contributes to food security of the country. With a coastline of 8,118 km, an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of 2.02 million sq km, and with extensive resources, fisheries play a vital role. This article represents initial reviews on the status, challenges, distribution, research and sustainable management of marine fisheries in India.

A STUDY ON MEDIA PREFERENCES OF ORGANIC FARMERS OF HILLY AREAS OF J&K

Banarsi Lal — 2021-09-10

Electronisation and mechanization in communication systems have provided an opportunity to access the information rapidly, accurately and repeatedly. To reach the unreach modern electronic gadgets and systems have been introduced to cope-up the requirements. Information has an immense value in our society. Its large scale dissemination through highly preferred communication media constitutes one of the most striking developments of present era. Organic farming has an important scope in hilly rural areas of J&K. In order to increase the organic crops production in hilly areas, it is necessary that the organic farmers of hilly areas should adopt the scientific organic farming technologies. In order to know the media preferences of organic farmers residing in hilly areas, the present study was conducted in hilly district Reasi of Jammu and Kashmir which was selected purposively. A sample of 150 trained organic farmers was selected purposively. A list of different sources of organic farming information was prepared and farmers were asked to indicate their preferences on a three point scale. It was found that Extension Personnel of KVK and Extension Personnel of State Deptt. of Agri. were highly preferred by the organic farmers.

TAXONOMIC DOCUMENTATION OF COLEOPTERAN PHOTOTACTIC INSECT FAUNA OF RICE COLLECTED IN LIGHT TRAP AT JABALPUR DISTRICT OF MADHYA PRADESH, INDIA

Anil Kurmi — 2021-09-10

The present research work was carried out at two distinct locations (Research Field and Farmer’s Field). The Research Field, Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya and Farmer’s Field Village – Jatwa, Panagar Block of district Jabalpur Madhya Pradeshduring two cropping season of rice i.e. Kharif of 2015 and 2016. Light trap was used for the taxonomic documentation Coleopteran phototactic insect fauna. Total 34 species of order Coleoptera belongs to 8 families were collected from rice ecosystem. Family Carabidae was the dominating family among the all 8 families. 34 species were collected at Farmer’s Field while 29 species at Research Field.

ASSESSMENT OF PERCEIVED KNOWLEDGE OF BT. COTTON GROWERS ABOUT INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT TECHNOLOGY

Jadav N. B. — 2021-09-10

Gujarat is the second largest cotton producing state of India. In Gujarat state Saurashtra region is also has major area under cotton crop. However, it is interesting to note that cotton, which occupies only five per cent of the total cultivable land consume more than 55 per cent of the pesticides used. Present study was carried out to know the knowledge level of Bt. cotton growers about integrated pest management practices in Rajkot district of Saurashtra region with one-fifty Bt. cotton growers. Finally, fifty-two statements were produced towards cotton growers for measuring his knowledge about IPM practices. Majority (66.00 per cent) of Bt. cotton growers were from medium knowledge followed by high level of knowledge about integrated pest management practices in Bt. Cotton. In case of association between knowledge level of Bt. cotton growers and their personal, socio economic characteristic, out of seven socio-economic characteristics, age was negative and significant associated with the knowledge of Bt. cotton growers. While size of land holding was non-significant related with knowledge, remaining all characteristics like, education, annual income, cotton yield index, training received, extension participation and scientific orientation were positive and significant association with the knowledge of Bt. cotton growers. Therefore, due weightage given to the above positive and significant related characteristic of cotton growers to achieve higher knowledge about IPM practices and better management of pest resulting higher income of cotton growers.