Pradesh Agricultural Research Articles

Energy scenario of Madhya Pradesh (India) agriculture and its future requirements

The adoption of high yielding varieties, expansion of irrigation facilities, mechanization, and fertilizer-diesel-electricity combination have pushed the demand for commercial energy to a new height. The energy requirements for crop production for the year 1990–1991 were estimated, and the area under different crops was projected for the year 2000–2001 and 2005–2006. The total energy needs in 1990–1991 were estimated at 0.14 EJ(1 EJ = 10 18 J) and will be 0.26 EJ in 2000–2001 and 0.55 EJ in 2005–2006, resulting in an increase of 85% in 2000–2001 over the energy needs for the year 1990–1991. For irrigated crops, the main source of energy was fertilizers followed by electricity and diesel. However, for rain fed crops, the maximum energy was consumed in the form of seeds. In physical terms, for the year 1990–1991, there was a need of 2333 million units of electricity (1 unit = 1 kWh), 134 million litres of diesel, 0.460 million tons of nitrogenous fertilizers and 0.003 million tons of pesticide chemical. There would be an increase in the requirement of seeds for paddy, soyabean, maize, wheat, gram and mustard, whereas the requirement of seeds for sorghum, cotton, tuar and sugarcane will decrease with respect to their needs for the year 1990–1991 [2].

Seed Dormany of Rice Varieties Released By Andhra Pradesh Agricultural University (APAU)

Seed Dormany of Rice Varieties Released By Andhra Pradesh Agricultural University (APAU)

Implementation of World Bank aided national agricultural research project in India: A case study

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) had added a new dimension to agricultural research in India by launching in 1979 the National Agricultural Research Project (NARP) with World Bank assistance to strengthen the research capabilities of the State Agricultural Universities (SAUs) to conduct need-based, location-specific and production-oriented research. This paper examines the operational aspects of two such NARP sub-projects undertaken by the Haryana Agricultural University at its Regional Research Station, Bawal and the Andhra Pradesh Agricultural University at its Regional Research Station, Tirupathi during the first phase of the project from 1979 to 1983. Different farming situations with specific production constraints identified in the agro-climatic zones served by the two stations on aspects relevant to the first phase of the project were well considered by the two sub-projects. The prioritisation of experiments was in accordance with the importance of the problems of the zones. Most of the ideas for experimentation emanated from the Zonal Workshops in both the sub-projects. Since the first phase of NARP does not cover horticultural and vegetable crops and animals, the experiments were controlled by the scientists of the main campus which led to some administrative problems. Both the sub-projects made an attempt to follow the multidisciplinary approach to problem-solving under the NARP, but shortage of manpower and physical facilities led to the premature termination of some experiments during the project period. However, the research achievements during the project period were substantial. The sub-projects established excellent linkages with extension agencies as emphasised in NARP and the mechanism for the transfer of technology functioned smoothly. Delay in positioning of staff, frequent staff transfers and lengthy administrative procedures in executing the civil works greatly hampered the progress of the sub-projects.

Growth Rates and Cropping Pattern Changes in Himanchal Pradesh's Agriculture

Not Available.

Effect of irrigation, plant density and fertilisers on yield and NPK uptake by groundnut

Three levels of irrigation, three plant densities and three fertiliser schedules were tested in 33 factorial confounded design with two replications in winter on sandy loam soils of Tirupati campus of Andhra Pradesh Agricultural University. Pod yield did not vary due to the plant densities and the fertiliser schedules when the crop was sown in optimum time during 1980. When the sowings were delayed, as in 1979, 444000 plants per ha and 60 kg N ha−1, 40 kg P ha−1 and 100 kg K ha−1 was optimum. Scheduling irrigation at 25 or 50% DASM (depletion of available soil moisture) was optimum for the groundnut crop. There was no difference in the uptake of NPK due to irrigations at 25 and 50% DASM in both the years. Low plant density was as effective as high plant density for efficient use of fertilisers. Uptake of NPK by the crop was relatively high at higher fertiliser levels. However, this higher uptake did not contribute to high pod yield, probably due to utilisation of absorbed nutrients for rank vegetative growth.

Effect of fertilizers, irrigation and plant density on groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L)

Experiments were conducted on sandy clay loam soils of Tirupati Campus of Andhra Pradesh Agricultural University for two summer seasons of 1979 and 1980 to study the effect of fertilizers, irrigation and plant density on Spanish groundnut. Three fertilizer schedules (30 kg N, 20 kg P, 50 kg K; 60 kg N, 40 kg P, 10 kg K and 90 kg N, 60 kg P, 150 kg K ha−1), three schedules of irrigation (irrigation at 25, 50 and 75% depletion of available soil moisture) and three plant densitites (1,000,000; 666,000; and 444,000 plants per ha) were tested in 33 factorial confounded design with two replications.

EFFECT OF GROWTH REGULATORS ON YIELD AND YIELD ATTRIBUTES OF TMV 2 GROUNDNUT UNDER IRRIGATED CONDITIONS

Experiments conducted during rabi 1977 and kharif 1978 at the Tirupati compus of the Andhra Pradesh Agricultural University indicated that growth regulators signifi- cantly increased yield attributes and pod yield of groundnut while haulm yield, decre- ased in both the seasons. Both yield attributes and pod yield were maximum while halum yield was minimum with SADH 1000 ppm ciosely followed by MH 50 ppm in both the seasons. A plant density of 0.50 million plants/ha (20 x 10 cm) and foliar spray of SADH 1000 ppm or MH 50 ppm at 30 and 50 days after sowing were equally effective for the improvement of pod yield of TMV 2 groundnut on sandy loam soils. There were no interactions between growth regulators and plant densities in both the seasons.

Uptake of NPK and yield of rainfed groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

Experiments were conducted on sandy loam soils of Tirupati campus of Andhra Pradesh Agricultural University for two rainy seaons of 1980 and 1981 to study the effect of split application of NPK fertilizers on Spanish bunch groundnut. The fertilizer doses were 40 N, 20 P and 40 K kg ha−1 in 1980 and 30 N, 10 P and 25 K kg ha−1 in 1981.

Frequency and depth of irrigation for groundnut

Studies on frequency and depth of irrigation for groundnut ( Arachis hypogaea) for two summer seasons at Tirupati campus of Andhra Pradesh Agricultural University, India showed that, keeping the total quantity of applied irrigation water almost the same, high frequency irrigation gave the highest yield. For each irrigation frequency, highest yields were obtained when the depth of water applied was equal to that lost in evapotranspiration. Low irrigation frequency and low depth of irrigation resulted in lower yields. Increase in yield with increase in frequency and depth of water was due to optimum available moisture and nutrients in the root zone throughout the crop period. The results from the trial indicated that on sandy loam soils of poor water retentive capacity, high yields can be obtained with frequent irrigations with the depth of water applied equal to that lost in evapotranspiration.

Supervisory Functions and Techniques in Practice in the Andhra Pradesh Agricultural Extension Service

Supervisory Functions and Techniques in Practice in the Andhra Pradesh Agricultural Extension Service

The oilseed industry of India--potential for food use of proteins.

AbstractIndia is one of the major oilseed‐producing areas in the world with approximately 11% of its tillable land, 37 million acres, devoted to the various oilseed crops. Peanut is the principal oilseed, but enough sesame, rape and mustard, flax and castor are grown that they are classified as major oilseeds in Indian statistics. Cottonseed and rice bran are gaining in importance as vegetable oil sources and a host of native seeds such as neem, mohwa, kusum and sal are being promoted as sources of inedible fats for soap manufacture. There is a very real potential for soybeans in the Indian economy. Under AID contract, teams from the University of Illinois have been exploring the possibilities of growing soybeans at the Uttar Pradesh Agricultural University at Pantnager and the Jawaharal Nehru University at Jabalpur. Several United States varieties, particularly Bragg, grow well, and yields as high as the 60 to 70 bushels per acre range have been achieved in thekharif or rainy season (planting in late June, harvesting in October‐November), and yields of approximately 60 bushels per acre have been obtained from early soybeans such as Ford planted as a second crop on irrigated land in therabi or Spring season (planting in mid‐February, harvesting in May–June). Oilseed processing ranges from the primitive ghani, a bullock‐driven mortar and pestle, to relatively modern prepress‐solvent extraction plants. Extraction plant size is small by American standards, ranging from 50 tons to about 100 or perhaps 150 tons per day. Limited quantities of the oilseed cakes and meals are used domestically for animal feeding, the bulk being shipped to European markets. With 550 million people there is urgent need for food protein in India, and oilseed proteins offer potential for supplementing traditional dishes. Corn soya milk (CSM) has had fair to excellent acceptance in various localities, and much ingenuity has been shown in adapting CSM to native cuisine. Now, an Indian counterpart, Balahar, is being formulated using peanut flour as the major protein source. This requires costly hand picking of peanuts to reduce the level of aflatoxin in the peanut flour to 120 ppb (equivalent to the FAO guideline of 30 ppb in the resultant Balahar). There is only limited potential for oilseed protein supplementation of bread and chapaties. A number of regional foods offer local opportunities for supplementation by oilseed flours and grits; and dal, which is used by both the rice‐eating peoples of South and East India and the bread‐eating people of North India could consume from one million to four million tons of oilseed meals per year (10% to 25% supplementation) with little or no change in consistency or flavor.