National Agricultural Technology Research Articles

Design and development of data mart for animal resources

Planners, researchers, development agencies and farmers require information on animal resources for further studies and evolving realistic strategies for improvement and rearing of livestock and poultry. Data is also required for keeping watch on prices and movement of animal products, animal feed and establishment of services such as veterinary hospitals, artificial insemination (AI) centers, meat and dairy industries, etc. Further, there is a need to study animal resources in relation to other aspects of agriculture, such as soils, vegetation, agro-meteorology, socio-economic, land use, water resources for overall development of agricultural production system. Indian Agricultural Statistics Research Institute (IASRI), New Delhi has designed and implemented a Central Data Warehouse (CDW) under a National Agricultural Technology Project (NATP) Mission Mode sub-project entitled “Integrated National Agricultural Resources Information System (INARIS)”. In this CDW, 13 different data marts related to various subjects in agriculture were designed, implemented and integrated. In this article, attempt was made to discuss concepts and problems of dimensional modeling of the animal data mart in relation to available source data on livestock resources in the country. Alternative solutions to specific problems were also discussed along with the solution implemented for modeling of this data mart. The complete process of building On-line Analytical Processing (OLAP) system for research managers including inbuilt technique of data quality and consistency checks to be implemented is being described with special reference to animal resource management. This article will provide guidelines for design and development of similar complex data marts in agricultural sector, particularly in the field of livestock management.

Towards collection of wild relatives of crop plants in India

A total of 373 species of wild relatives of crop plants representing 120 genera and 48 families were collected from different phytogeographical regions of India during a mission mode sub-project on Sustainable Management of Plant Biodiversity under National Agricultural Technology Project during 1999–2005. Significant diversity representing endemic/rare/endangered species has been discussed in this paper. The information on phytogeographical distribution, life form, economic types and assessment of threat has also been included. Thrust areas for future target collections and conservation have been discussed to serve as reference for management of genetic resources.

Productivity and economic of on-farm rainfed rabi crops in rice based croping system under different moisture conservation practies

On-farm field experiments were carried out in midland rainfed rice based cropping system during rabi seasons of 1999-00 and 2000-01 at village Khatti, district Mahasamund (C.G.) under National Agricultural Technology Project, RRPS-3 to explore the possibility of rabi crops (Safflower, Gram, Lentil, Lathyrus and Greengram) using moisture conservation practices (no mulch, soil and stubble mulch and rice straw mulch) in rainfed rice area. Among the crops, safflower produced significantly higher gram equivalent yield (13.50 q ha') and net profit (Rs. 10142 ha) than that of gram during 1999-00, while it was at par during 2000-01. Among the mulches, application of rice straw mulch recorded significantly higher grain yield (6.49 q ha¹) and net return (Rs. 10142 ha) and it was on par with that of soil and stubble mulch. Regarding interaction effect safflower with rice straw mulch gave significantly higher grain yield (12.29 q ha¹), which was at par with that of soil stubble mulch.

우리 나라 식물병 발생예찰의 현황과 전망

우리 나라 식물병 예찰사업은 1947년 수원의 중앙농업기술원 기초연구과에서 수도 도열병균과 깨씨무늬병균의 분생포자 비산상황을 조사함으로써 비롯되었다. 국내 식물병 발생예찰은 국가에서 운용하는 200개 기본예찰포(벼 150, 원예작물 50)와 1,403개의 관찰포(벼 1,050, 원예작물 353)에서 얻어진 정보를 중심으로 운용되고 있다. 기본예찰포 및 관찰포에서의 식물병 발생예찰 대상작물 및 병해수는 30작물 104 병해에 이른다. 기본예찰소 및 관찰포의 병해 발생상황 조사는 시·군 농업기술센터 소속의 2명의 예찰전담지도사에 의하여 수행되고 있으며 조사된 자료는 인터넷을 통하여 즉시 농촌진홍청으로 전송되어 분석되며, 12명으로 구성된 예찰회의에 회부된다. 예찰회의는 농림부, 농촌진흥청, 관련시험연구기관, 농협, 유관대학, 기상청, 방송보도 기관 관계자들이 참여하며, 예찰회의 결과 병해의 발생정도에 따라 3가지의 예찰정보를 격주로 발표하는데, 이 정보는 언론보도기관 등 총245개 기관에 통보되어 농업기술센터를 비롯한 지역행정기관, 농협, 농업인들이 방제에 임하고 있다. 향후 식물병 예찰의 성공여부는 우수한 예찰 전문요원의 확보, 지속적인 교육을 통한 예찰능력의 향상, 우수한 예찰기기 확보 및 활용 등이 전제되어야 할 것으로 생각된다. 우리 나라 식물병 발생예찰은 벼 도열병을 중심으로 발전해 왔다고 해도 과언이 아닐 정도로 많은 연구가 이루어져 상당한 예찰정보가 누적되어 있으나, 다른 병해에 대한 예찰연구는 초보적인 수준에 머물고 있다. 또한 대부분의 연구가 단편적인 연구에 치중되어 지속적인 연구가 이루워지지 못하고 있다. 식물병의 예찰이 실용성이 없이는 그 가치를 상실함이 자명하므로 앞으로는 지속적인 연구를 통하여 시간적, 공간적 측면에서 예찰의 실용성을 높이는데 많은 노력을 기울여야 한다. 또한 예찰의 의의가 경제적인 이득에 직결되므로, 향후 예찰연구는 예찰정보를 기반으로 한, 방제의사 결정이나 합리적인 살균제 살포계획과 연계되어 추진되어야 할 것으로 생각된다. Disease forecasting in Korea was first studied in the Department of Fundamental Research, in the Central Agricultural Technology Institute in Suwon in 1947, where the dispersal of air-borne conidia of blast and brown spot pathogens in rice was examined. Disease forecasting system in Korea is operated based on information obtained from 200 main forecasting plots scattered around country (rice 150, economic crops 50) and 1,403 supplementary observational plots (rice 1,050, others 353) maintained by Korean government. Total number of target crops and diseases in both forecasting plots amount to 30 crops and 104 diseases. Disease development in the forecasting plots is examined by two extension agents specialized in disease forecasting, working in the national Agricul-tural Technology Service Center(ATSC) founded in each city and prefecture. The data obtained by the extension agents are transferred to a central organization, Rural Development Administration (RDA) through an internet-web system for analysis in a nation-wide forecasting program, and forwarded far the Central Forecasting Council consisted of 12 members from administration, university, research institution, meteorology station, and mass media to discuss present situation of disease development and subsequent progress. The council issues a forecasting information message, as a result of analysis, that is announced in public via mass media to 245 agencies including ATSC, who informs to local administration, the related agencies and farmers for implementation of disease control activity. However, in future successful performance of plant disease forecasting system is thought to be securing of excellent extension agents specialized in disease forecasting, elevation of their forecasting ability through continuous trainings, and furnishing of prominent forecasting equipments. Researches in plant disease forecasting in Korea have been concentrated on rice blast, where much information is available, but are substan-tially limited in other diseases. Most of the forecasting researches failed to achieve the continuity of researches on specialized topic, ignoring steady improvement towards practical use. Since disease forecasting loses its value without practicality, more efforts are needed to improve the practicality of the forecasting method in both spatial and temporal aspects. Since significance of disease forecasting is directly related to economic profit, further fore-casting researches should be planned and propelled in relation to fungicide spray scheduling or decision-making of control activities.

Effect of crop-establishment methods and nitrogen levels on productivity and profitability of maize (Zea mays) in semi-arid region of Afghanistan

A field experiment was carried out at the Afghanistan National Agricultural Sciences and Technology University (ANASTU), Kandahar, during the rainy (kharif) season (AprilAugust) of 2015, to study the yield and profitability responses of maize (Zea mays L.) to different crop-establishment methods and nitrogen (N) levels in semi-arid re- gion of Afghanistan. The treatments consisted of 3 crop-establishment methods, viz. broadcast, line sowing and ridge sowing, allotted to main plots and 4 N levels, viz. 0, 120, 160, 200 kg N/ha, in subplots. The experiment was conducted in a three-time replicated split plot. The results revealed that crop-establishment methods did not influ- enced yield attributes like number of cobs/plant, cob length, cob girth, rows/cob, grains/row significantly; however numerically higher magnitude of these yield attributes was observed under ridge planting. Moreover, ridge plant- ing recorded significantly higher number of grains/cob (390.1) and 1,000-grain weight (272.6 g), which finally re- sulted in significantly higher grain yield (6.30 t/ha). Owing to higher yield, Net returns and benefit: cost ratio were also higher with ridge planting. Among the N levels, an application of 200 kg N/ha resulted in the maximum values of all yield attributes, which led to significantly higher grain yield (5.77 t/ha) and benefit: cost ratio (2.43) compared to all other N-levels.

Effect of crop establishment methods and phosphorus levels on productivity and profitability of black eyed bean (Vigna unguiculata) in semi-arid region of Afghanistan

A field experiment was carried out at the research farm of the Afghanistan National Agricultural Sciences and Technology University, Kandahar, Afghanistan during the rainy (kharif) season (AprilAugust) of 2017, to study the influence of crop establishment methods and phosphorus levels on yield and profitability responses of black eyed bean (Vigna unguiculata L.). Treatments were evaluated in split plot design consisting of 3 crop-establish- ment methods (broadcast, line sown and raised bed planting method) in main plots and 4 phosphorus levels (0, 20, 40 and 60 kg P O /ha), in sub-plots replicated thrice. Raised bed planting method recorded significantly higher 2 5 pods/plant (15.1), dry matter accumulation/plant at harvest (67.4 g), pod length (15.2 cm), total seeds/plant (103.9), seeds/pod (8.99), weight of seeds/plant (6.81 g) and 1,000seeds weight (228.6 g), which resulted in sig- nificantly higher seed yield (2.06 t/ha). Owing to the higher yields recorded with raised bed planting method, the net returns (AFN 92,979/ha) and benefit: cost ratio (1.67) were also higher with this particular treatment. Among the phosphorus levels, application of 60 kg P O /ha, resulted in better yield attributes, which led to significantly 2 5 higher seed yield (2.18 t/ha) and benefit: cost ratio (1.78) compared to other phosphorus levels.

Influence of phosphorus fertilization on input-cost relationship and crop efficiencies of soybean (Glycine max) in Kandahar, Afghanistan

A field experiment was conducted during the spring season of 2017, at the Afghanistan National Agricultural Science and Technology University, Kandahar, Afghanistan, to evaluate the effects of phosphorus fertilization on yield parameters, input-cost relationships and use-efficiency in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]. Six phosphorus fertilization treatments, viz. control (no P), 15 kg P O /ha, 30 kg P O /ha, 45 kg P O /ha, 60 kg P O /ha and 75 kg 2 5 2 5 2 5 2 5 P O /ha, were applied in 4 replicates. The highest seed yield (2.47 t/ha) was recorded with the application of 75 kg 2 5 P O /ha, the increase being ~34.3% over the control (no phosphorus). Similarly, cost of cultivation increased with 2 5 increasing rate of phosphorus (P), 75 kg P O /ha was the costliest treatment among the treatments. Application of 2 5 75 kg P O /ha resulted in the highest gross (163.9 103 /ha) and net returns (84.90 103 /ha) followed by 60 kg 2 5 P O /ha, however, the maximum benefit: cost ratio was recorded with 60 kg P O /ha. Further, the highest produc- 2 5 2 5 tion (19.5 kg grain/ha/day) and monetary (763.8 /ha/day) efficiencies were recorded with the 75 kg P O /ha. Simi- 2 5 larly, application of 30 kg P O /ha showed the highest agronomic efficiency (15.4 kg grain increased/kg P O ap- 2 5 2 5 plied/ha). Overall, P fertilization had positive effect on nodulation which in turn reflected in yield and also influ- enced production efficiencies.

Linking research, extension and education: why is the problem so persistent and pervasive?

Weak linkages among research, education and extension (REE) institutions result in systematic “bottlenecks” in national agricultural technology systems and limit their effectiveness to contribute to development (ISNAR, 1989; Roling, 1990; Kaimowitz, 1990). The advantages of strong linkages are well known. Evidence shows that integrating research, education and extension can improve the overall performance of agricultural technology systems (Engel, 1990; Ortiz, 1990). As Moris (1991) states, “It would be difficult to over-emphasise the enormous tactical importance of having smooth interorganizational linkages for achieving sustained agricultural development”. If this is the case, why then is the “problem of weak linkages” so persistent and pervasive. This paper discusses some of the problems and opportunities related to integrating and linking research, extension and education institutions, and to incorporating the active participation of farmers in technology innovation. First, the paper first gives general background to the linkages problem and discusses recent shifts in REE orientation. It then successively addresses issues of policy and structure, pluralistic approaches, and integrated REE. Finally, the paper addresses the implications of the discussion and makes some general suggestions for approaches that might be useful in attacking the “linkages problem”.