Agronomy Technologies Developed

Tamil Nadu Agricultural University > Directorate of Crop Management > Agronomy Technologies Developed

Technologies

Research

  • To provide leadership in crop and cropping system based agronomic research for sustainable crop production.
  • To prioritize demand driven and resource based research programme with focus on emerging market opportunities.
  • To develop contingent crop plan / alternate cropping pattern / diversified farm activities and to undertake problem solving agronomic research.
  • To develop cost effective agro-techniques for higher benefits.
  • To support the farm agro advisory services for efficient transfer of technology.

Research Partners

  • ICAR, IFFCO, CRIDA, M/s. Monsanto India Limited, New Delhi , M/s. Bayer Crop Science Limited, Thane , TN-IAMP, World Bank , M/s. Mahamaya Life sciences Private Ltd., Gurgaon

Technologies Developed

Yield maximization strategies

  • Technology package comprising tillage, seed management, nutrient management, water and weed management have been developed for 25 field crops which include rice, millets, pulses, oilseeds, cotton, sugarcane, coconut and biofuel crops.
  • Crop specific technologies viz., System of Rice Intensification for rice (SRI), combined nutrient spray for pulses and oilseeds have proven greater benefits in the field.

System of Rice Intensification (SRI)

  • SRI is a synergistic management technique involving four components of rice farming such as planting, irrigation, weed and nutrient management strategies.
  • In order to minimize the difficulties in SRI, modified mat nursery technique, mechanized planter and weeder also developed.

SRI

  • Perfect land levelling
  • Less seed rate (5 kg/ha)
  • Mat nursery
  • 14 days old seedling (one seedling per hilll)
  • Shallow planting
  • Cono Weeding / rotary weeding two to three times
  • Water saving (30-40%)
  • Additional yield of 1000-1500 kg/ha

Aerobic Rice

  • PMK 3 proved to be the best variety for aerobic rice cultivation. This variety recorded a grain yield of 4.5 t/ha with irrigation water requirement of 526 mm. Plant population of 50 hills m2 (20 x 10 cm) is optimum to get higher grain yield. Nitrogen 150 kg/ha is optimum to obtain higher grain yield. Pendimethalin at 0.75 kg/ha + one HW (45 DAS) is proved to be better for weed control. Aerobic rice seeder, aerobic rice cum green manure seeder have been developed.

Integrated farming system

  • Integrated farming system models have been developed for wetland, irrigated upland and rainfed situations for effective utilization of farm resources and for sustained income generation

Wetland ecosystem – 1 ha

  • Cropping (0.75 ha) + Fodder Crop (0.12 ha) + Fishery (1000 nos.) + Mushroom (5 kg/day) + Goat (20 female + 1 male) + Vermicompost (4t production Capacity)

Irrigated upland ecosystem – 1 ha

  • Cropping (0.70 ha) + milch cows (3 female + 2 male) + Goat (10 female+ 1 male) + Vegetables (0.06 ha) + Fodder Crop (0.20 ha) + Vermicompost (6t production capacity)

Rainfed ecosystem – 1 ha

  • Cropping (0.75 ha) + Silvipasture (0.20 ha) + Farm pond (0.04 ha) + Buffalo (2 Nos.) + Goat (10+1) + Bio-compost (8t production capacity)
  • Integrated farming system’s cafeteria approach have many options matching with farmers’ preference, resource availability and affordability.

Cropping system

  • Evaluation of different cropping system for irrigated uplands of western zone of Tamil Nadu was carried out and among the different cropping system evaluated, cotton + green gram – maize – sunflower registered the highest production efficiency followed by beetroot – green gram – maize + cowpea over the existing system and these two systems also recorded higher economic efficiencies over the existing system.

Organic farming

  • Different Organic Farming Packages for chillies – bengal gram – baby corn cropping sequence were evaluated and the results showed that, application of 100 % N as FYM + bio compost + neem cake.
  • In the Network Project on Organic Farming, performance of different organic farming practices in terms of yield, pest and diseases and returns in various crops and cropping system was evaluated. In cropping system management, maize – cotton- green manure was superior in terms of yield, economics and nutrient uptake under organic farming. The integration of cultural, biological and botanical method in rice – black gram – green manure cropping system resulted in less incidence of pest and disease and more buildup of natural enemies.

Weed management

Transplanted rice

  • Pre-emergence application of butachlor 0.75 kg/ha + bensulfuron methyl 50 g/ha on 3 DAT + HW on 45 DAT recorded higher WCE, yield and economic returns in transplanted rice.
  • Pre emergence butachlor 1 kg/ha on 3 DAT + finger type single row or double row rotary weeders weeding on 45 DAT resulted in higher grain yield and net profit. If pre-emergence herbicide is to be avoided then finger type single/ double row rotary weeders weeding 20 and 40 DAT.

Wet seeded rice

  • Pre-emergence pretilachlor S 0.45 kg/ha on 3 DAS + two row rotary weeder weeding on 45 DAS in wet seeded rice resulted higher grain yield, net monetary return and B:C ratio.

Drum seeded rice 

  • Combination of drum seeded rice intercropped with green manure dhaincha along with pre-emergence herbicide application of Pretilachlor (30.7% EC) @ 0.45 kg/ha + safener on 5 DAS was the best weed control method on the basis of better weed control, crop yield and economic indices in drum seeded rice.

Aerobic rice

  • Higher crop yield and B:C ratio were obtained with PE pendimethalin 1 kg/ha on 3 DAS + single tyne sweep weeder weeding on 45 DAS.

Irrigated maize            

  • Pre emergence atrazine 0.5 kg/ha 3 DAS + HW on 45 DAS or twin wheel hoe weeder weeding twice on 25 and 45 DAS offered better weed control, resulted in higher grain yield and economics in irrigated maize.

Irrigated kharif groundnut

  • Pre-emergence pendimethalin 0.75 kg/ha on 3 DAS + hand weeding and earthing up + layby application of pendimethalin 0.75 kg/ha on 40 DAS for higher yield and economic returns.

Irrigated rabi groundnut

  • Pre-emergence pendimethalin 1.0 kg/ha + Hand weeding on 45 DAS for higher pod yield and economic returns.

Irrigated sunflower

  • HW twice on 25 and 45 DAS or manually operated weeder weeding on 25 DAS + HW on 45 DAS recorded higher seed yield of sunflower in irrigated organically grown sunflower.

Winter irrigated cotton

  • Early post emergence application of Trifloxysulfuron at 10 g/ha with and without adjuvant reduced the broad leaved density conspicuously and registered highest seed cotton yield.

Transplanted rice-rice cropping system

  • Integration of weed control by butachlor 0.75 kg/ha on 3 DAT + 2,4-DEE 0.40 kg/ha on 15 DAT followed by pretilachlor 0.75 kg/ha on 3 DAT + 2,4-DEE 0.40 kg/ha on 15 DAT with 75% inorganic + 25% organic nitrogen recorded maximum yield in transplanted rice-rice cropping system.

Maize – sunflower cropping system

  • Conventional tillage combined with hand weeding on 20 and 40 DAS recorded in higher WCE seed yield and higher net returns in sunflower-maize cropping system

Problem Weeds

Management of Cynodon dactylon in mulberry

  • Hand weeding and intercropping with cowpea reduce weed density and dry weight of Cynodon dactylon with high leaf yield of mulberry, net return and benefit cost ratio.

Management of Solanum elaegnifolium

  • Post-emergence application of glyphosate @ 10 ml + 2,4-D @ 6 g + soap solution 2 ml per litre of water was found to reduce the infestation of Solanum elaegnifolium distinctly.

Management of Cyperus rotundus and Portulaca quadrifida in banana

  • Directed application of glyphosate 41% SL (Roundup) @ 15 ml / lit of water for Cyperus rotundus and post emergence application of Metribuzin 70% WP (Sencor) @ 3 g/litre of water Portulaca quadrifia control with high yield and economic returns .

Management of Parthenium hysterophorus in non crop situation

  • Overall reduction of the parthenium density was more prominent with post emergence spraying of metribuzin @ 3 g/litre followed by glyphosate @ 15 ml/litre. Among competitive plants, Cassia sericea was found to be effective in many sites.

Management of water hyacinth

  • Post emergence spraying of glyphosate @ 10 ml + ammonium sulphate @ 20 g + surfactant @ 1ml/litre of water for the control of Eichhornia crassipes in large water bodies

Parasitic Weeds

Management of Cuscuta chinensis in greens

  • Green yield and economic returns could be obtained with hand removal of Cuscuta chinensis and other weeds in greens (Amaranthus spp.) followed by post-emergence application of paraquat @ 0.80 kg/ha on 20 DAS.

Management of Cuscuta chinensis in lucerne

  • Pre-emergence application of pendiemthalin @ 1.0 kg/ha or hand removal of Cuscuta chinenesis for better control and high green fodder yield of lucerne could be obtained.

Management of Orobanche ramosa in tobacco

  • Plant hole application of neem cake @ 200 or 100 kg/ha or drenching of CuSO4 5% provided partial control of Orabanche infestation in tobacco.

Management of Striga asiatica in planted sugarcane

  • Pre-emergence application of atrazine @ 1.0 kg/ha on 3rd DAP + hand weeding on 45 DAP with an earthing up on 60 DAP combined with post-emergence spraying of 2,4-D Na salt @ 5 g/l (0.5%) + urea @ 20 g/l (2%) on 90 DAP could be recommended for effective control of Striga asiatica in sugarcane and for higher productivity and profitability of cane cultivation under red sandy loam soils

Research achievements

  1. Yield maximization strategies

Technology packages comprising of tillage, seed management, nutrient management, water and weed management have been developed for 25 field crops which include rice, millets, pulses, oilseeds and cotton.

  1. Sustainable resource management for climate smart IFS

Integrated farming system adopted in 1.0 ha irrigated dry lands by involving crop + dairy + goat + poultry + horticulture + kitchen garden + boundary planting + vermicompost as components under Western Zone of Tamil Nadu recorded higher net income and generated more employment

  • Crop component contributed more towards the net income and major share followed by goat unit
  • Additional nutrients were generated by recycling livestock wastes and crop residues through vermicompost technology.
  • It enhances the soil fertility and also reduced the cost of inputs.
  1. Identification of cropping system models for different farming situation under changing climate scenario
  • Maize – chillies – radish recorded highest net returns and B:C ratio followed by Beet root – cotton – maize
  • The highest maize equivalent yield was recorded with BN hybrid + Desmanthus cropping system followed by maize – chillies – radish
  • Maize – chillies – radish and beet root – cotton- maize were identified for commercial cropping system in the experiment
  1. Carbon crediting and GHG emission in IFS model
  • In Integrated farming system, livestock contributed more to the GHG emission.
  • Among cropping, forage crops and tree crops can be recommended to build up underground carbon rather than above ground biomass.   
  1. Weed management

Maintenance of Parthenium Free Campus

In lieu of Parthenium Awareness, the Heads of research stations, Deans of Colleges and Programme Coordinators of KVKs of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University were requested to organize Parthenium Awareness Campaign involving different stakeholders like farmers, school/college students/NSS volunteers of Institutions, general public and residents of colonies.

During Parthenium Awareness Campaign they were organized exhibitions, demonstrations on its ill effect in human and animal health, biological management and utilization of Parthenium compost for the crop production etc., the leaflets containing these message were distributed to the stakeholders. Apart from the above activities, AICRP Weed Management team were sensitized about the Parthenium and its ill effect to the public, farmers and school/college students during survey, OFT and FLD visits. As a constant endeavour, it is observed that most of the TNAU campuses, the infestation of Parthenium were minimized drastically.

Rice

  • Nutrient response trials on selected AVT 2 rice cultures under high and low input management.

All the culture and varieties showed increase in grain yield with graded dose of 150% NPK. Among the culture evaluated, IET 25785 recorded higher yield attributes and grain yield (5662 kg/ha) at 150% NPK levels.

  • Nutrient response trials on selected AVT 2 rice cultures under high and low input management.

All the culture and varieties showed increase in grain yield with graded dose of 150% NPK, it was on par with 100% NPK. Among the culture evaluated, IET 26375 bio-fortified culture performed better under drought condition and recorded the grain yield of 4996 kg/ha.

  • Nutrient and weed management for higher productivity in different rice establishment methods (conventional transplanting, mechanized transplanting, SRI)

Among the different rice establishment methods, SRI method recorded higher growth and yield attributes followed by machine transplanting method. When compared to different nutrient levels, LCC based N application recorded higher grain yield and B:C ratio. In combination, SRI method of cultivation with LCC based N application recorded higher grain yield of 6187 kg/ha.

  • Enhancing the productivity of direct seeded rice with iron coating under different rice ecologies

In direct seeding, broadcasting of iron coated seed in 1-2 mm water level condition performed better under 1st week of sowing in September and recorded higher grain yield of 4766 kg/ha when compared to IInd, IIIrd and IVth week of sowing in September.

Maize

  • Among the late maturity maize genotypes, G1 and G4 were found to be the promising genotypes under 50 x 20 cm spacing with 100% RDF
  • Among the medium maturity maize genotypes, G1 and G2 were found to be the promising genotypes under 50 x 20 cm spacing with 100% RDF.
  • Among the sweet corn genotypes, G6 and G5 were found to be the promising genotypes under 60 x 25 cm spacing with 100% RDF.
  • Ecological Intensification (EI) practice resulted in higher grain yield (859 kg/ha), net return (Rs. 25,786/ha) and BC ratio (1.87) in greengram.
  • Application of 100% RDF (250:75:75 Kg NPK/ha) recorded higher grain yield (7244 kg/ha), net return (Rs.72132/ha) and B:C ratio (2.48) in maize.

Sorghum

  • Response of grain sorghum genotypes to different fertilizer levels

Application of 100 % RDF registered higher yield and all the genotypes responded to increasing levels of fertilizer application. Among the genotypes tested, SPV 2437 performed better than the checks, with respect to yield parameters and yield.

  • Influence of Soil moisture stress on later cuts of multi-cut forage sorghum

The variety CSV 33 MF , a multicut forage sorghum was better in producing higher fodder yield and number of tillers under stress conditions.

  • Mechanization in kharif grain sorghum

Adoption of mechanized operations of sowing, weeding and harvesting for grain sorghum will be a better option to help the farmers for getting high yield and economic returnswith respect to labour saving and time.

Pearl millet

  • Application of crop residue mulch @ 5.0 t/ha + hydrogel @ 7.5 kg/ha was found to be a effective crop management practice to conserve the soil moisture and thereby enhancing the pearl millet productivity under rainfed condition.
  • Integrated weed management practices comprising of pre-emergence application of atrazine @ 400 g/ha fb one HW at 3-4 weeks after sowing significantly registered the higher weed control efficiency, better growth parameters, yield attributes, grain yield in pearl millet and thereby maximum benefit: cost ratio.
  • Integrated nutrient management practices, comprising of 100 per cent recommended dose of nitrogen (80 kg N ha-1) through vermicompost and biomix (Azospirillum +PSB +Mycorrhizae recorded higher plant height, productive tillers, yield parameters, grain and dry fodder yield under rainfed condition.

Pigeonpea

  • In Pigeonpea, tank mix application of insecticide like Indoxacarb 15.8% EC and TNAU pulse wonder at flowering and Rynaxipyr 18.5% EC at 15 days later recorded higher pigeonpea grain yield, net returns and benefit cost ratio.
  • Under drip irrigation system, higher grain yield and benefit cost ratio was obtained with irrigation at 100% CPE and plant spacing of 120 x 60 cm.
  • Under rainfed condition, application of Pusahydrogel with FYM @ 5t /ha or with vermicompost @2.5 t/ha recorded higher grain yield. However, application of pusa hydrogel alone or seed hardening with CaCl2 registered higher Benefit cost ratio of 2.47.
  • Foliar application of all 19 @ 0.5%, MAP @ 1%, FeSo4 @ 0.5%, ZnSo4 @ 0.5% and pulse magic @ 1% increases the yield of pigeonpea to the tune of 12- 44 per cent as compared to with foliar spray. Among the different nutrients, foliar spray of 19:19:19 @ 0.5% recorded 43 per cent higher yield than without foliar nutrition.

Sunflower

Altering crop geometry to suit mechanized weeding in sunflower

Pre emergence application of Pendimethalin @ 1 kg/ha + power weeding at 30 DAS with an altered spacing of 75 x 25 cm recorded significantly higher yield (1950 kg/ha) and BCR (1.75).

Cotton

  • To study the performance of promising Hirsutum x Barbedense hybrids of cotton for spacing and fertilizer levels

Genotypes RHB 1008 responded for spacing and fertilizer levels.

  • Evaluation of compact culture under HDPS with different nutrient levels

The spacing, 90 x 10 cm produced significantly higher seed cotton yield (1733 kg/ha) compared to other lower spacings. With respect to nutrient level, application of 120:60:60 NPK kg/ha produced higher seed cotton yield of 1637 kg/ ha .

  • Labour saving techniques in Cotton cultivation

Result revealed that the treatment combination including application of herbicides (PE and POE) along with intercultural operation using tractor drawn implements and drip fertigation recorded a yield of 2680 kg /ha which was comparable with mechanized land shaping (2569 kg/ha) and manual operation (2491 kg/ha).

Forage crops

  • Optimizing the area of green fodder production for balanced nutrition to livestock
  • Based on the two years experimental results and on farm trial results, it was concluded that cultivation of 13.6 cents of green fodder (Cumbu Napier hybrid grass: 8.4 cents and Desmanthus: 5.2 cents) are needed for a milch animal with a milk yield of 10 litre/day/animal.
  • In addition, cultivation of 2.3 cents of green fodder (Cumbu Napier hybrid grass: 1.2 cents and Desmanthus: 1.1 cent) are needed for a goat with average body weight of 40 kg.
  • Suitability of single budded setts in Cumbu Napier hybrid grass

Horizontal planting of manually prepared single budded setts with sett treatment recorded the highest green fodder yield, dry matter yield and crude protein yield and it was on par with vertical planting of two budded setts (existing practice). Hence, it was found to be a viable option for reducing the sett requirement and cost of cultivation.