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A PROJECT REPORT ON

RURAL AGRICULTURUL WORK EXPERIENCE

Submitted to

HEMWATI NANDAN BAHUGUNA GARHWAL UNIVERSITY,

SRINAGAR (GARHWAL) UTTARAKHAND

In partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of degree of

BACHALORE OF SCIENCE IN AGRICULTURE

Submitted by:

SUDHIR DEBBARMA

B.Sc. Agriculture VIIIth Semester

Under the guidance of

DR. Rajan K. TRIPATHI

Lecturer of DCAST (Agriculture)

DOON (PG) COLLAGE OF AGRICULTURE SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

CAMP ROAD, SELAQUI, DEHRADUN, UTTARAKHAND

(2010-2014)

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I would like to express my heart felt gratitude and special thanks to my guide Dr. Rajan Kumar Tripathi for his constant support, encouragement and direction, also for his valuable suggestion are acknowledged without whose help it would not have been accomplished.

I wish to express my deep sense of gratitude to all the members in SARS especially Senior Agronomist Dr. Baharul Majumder, who has given the opportunity to do our project in SARS and for his inspiration. I like to thank our RAWE programme Incharge Dr.Roop Kishore Sharma. I also like to thanks Mrs. Soma Deb who guided us constantly to different units without whose help it would not have been a successful one.

I cordially like to thank our chairman Mr. D.S.Choudhary and our principal Dr.R R Dwivedi and my entire agriculture faculty for their support and help during the RAWE programme.

I wish to express my heartfelt thanks to all the Unit incharge who support me on my training programme as well as motivating us and helping us to do our work smoothly all through the programme. I would like to mention the venerable time given by the incharge of Mushroom Lab Mr. Mousami Sharma , who imparted me the training for Mushroom cultivation and guided us at every step of the work.

At last not the least, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my parents and other family members for their support, motivation and financial help all through the project work .I am deeply thankful to them for

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everything that they have done for me and nurturing me to be a good human being.

SUDHIR DEBBARMA

B.Sc. AGRICULTURE,

INTRODUCTION:

In this RAWE programme I have worked in the State Agriculture Research Station (SARS), Arundhuti Nagar. We have seen how the trials are being done in the field before release as a variety or a method in the Agronomy Unit.

And in Seed Processing Unit at Tripura seed processing plant, the seeds of different cereal grains are brought from different places and different states, and tested, certified and is distributed to farmers or send to the market.

In the Soil testing laboratory, we have done soil testing ourselves. The Lab usually do the soil analysis send by the farmers from different places of Tripura before taking up any crop, so that they can use the fertilizers according to the requirement.

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In Horticulture Research Centre, Tripura, under Agriculture Department of Tripura, we studied Mushroom Cultivation. Here we studied about the cultivation method of Oyster mushroom in Tripura, preparation of media, production of spawn and maintenance of hygiene during the cultivation period.

In processing and preservation industries were mainly on squash, ketchup, jam and jelly production.

After that in T-SAMETI (Tripura State Agricultural Management & Extension Training Institute) we got information about the agriculture department of Tripura & we get the chance to interact with some farmer cultivating watermelon & maize.

Contents available :

UNIT – I

ATTACHMENT WITH AGRICULTURE DEPARTMENT

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTUREAgartala, West Tripura

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1. S.A.R.S. (State Agriculture Research Station, Tripura), Arundhuti Nagar – 15 Days w.e.f. 5 March to 19 March 2014ᵀᴴ ᵀᴴ

2. H.R.C. (Horticulture Research Complex), Nagichhera – 15 days w.e.f. 20 March to 3 April 2014ᵀᴴ ᴿᴰ

3. T-SAMETI (Tripura State Agriculture Management & Extension Training Institute), Lembuchhera – 15 days w.e.f. 4 April to ᵀᴴ18 April 2014ᵀᴴ

UNIT - II

ATTACHMENT WITH STATE AGRICULTURE RESEARCH STATION

(SARS)

1. Introduction:

2. Functions in SARS

A. In Agronomy Unit

Methods of SRI:

a) Introduction

b) Objective

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c) Four novel practices

d) Nursery management

e) Seed rate & choice of varieties

f) Field preparation

g) Transplanting of seedlings

h) Wide spacing

i) Water management

j) Weeding

k) Nutrient schedule

l) Organic inputs

m) Harvesting

n) Why does SRI works

o) Is SRI sustainable

p) Table containing agronomic comparison of SRI data

q) Conclusion

B. Soil testing laboratory:

i. Estimation of K O :₂

Method of Lab Reagent Preparation for quick estimation.

Procedure methods for estimation.

Observation.

ii. Estimation of P O :₂ ₅

Method of Lab Reagent Preparation for quick estimation.

Procedure methods for estimation.

Observation.

iii. Estimation of Organic Carbon:

Method of Lab Reagent Preparation for quick estimation.

Procedure methods for estimation.

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Observation.

iv. Estimation of Organic nitrogen:

Method of Lab Reagent Preparation for quick estimation.

Procedure methods for estimation.

Observation.

v. Estimation of pH: Method of Lab Reagent Preparation for quick estimation. Procedure methods for estimation.

ObservationC. BIOFERTILIZER:

a) Introductionb) Definition c) Merits of Bio fertilizer d) Types of bio fertilizere) Methods of bio-fertilizer applicationf) Safety measures for application bio-fertilizers

Unit – III

OYESTER MUSHROOM CULTIVATION IN TRIPURA

(Horticulture Research Centre, Nagichhera, Agartala)

1. Introduction

2. Food value of Mushroom

3. Types of Mushroom

4. Objective

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5. Spawn

6. Media preparation

7. Steps of spawn production

8. Hygiene Maintenance

9. Life cycle of Mushroom

10. Mushroom cultivation

11. Chemical sterilization

12. Nutritive value of Pleurotus sp.

13. Composition of cultivated Mushroom and common vegetables

14. Disease & Pest

15. Recipes.

UNIT – IV

AGRO-BASED INDUSTRY

1. Seed processing plants & Industries:

Introduction

Advantages of seed processing

Objective of project

Seed processing unit

2. Fruit preservation & processing industries:

Introduction

Method of preservation

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Importance of post harvest management

UNIT – I

ATTACHMENT WITH AGRICULTURE DEPARTMENT

(DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE)(Agartala, West Tripura-799001)

(GOVERNMENT OF TRIPURA)

I wish to express my deep sense of gratitude to the Department of

Agriculture, Tripura for allowing us for a RAWE program in this Department.

The department has organised a 45 days program for us under this

Department of agriculture, Tripura. The Department of Agriculture, Tripura

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has prepared a schedule of Rural Agriculture Work Experience under Three

Centres. These centres are-

4. S.A.R.S. (State Agriculture Research Station, Tripura), Arundhuti Nagar – 15 Days w.e.f. 5 March to 19 March 2014ᵀᴴ ᵀᴴ

5. H.R.C. (Horticulture Research Complex), Nagichhera – 15 days w.e.f. 20 March to 3 April 2014ᵀᴴ ᴿᴰ

6. T-SAMETI (Tripura State Agriculture Management & Extension Training Institute), Lembuchhera – 15 days w.e.f. 4 April to ᵀᴴ18 April 2014ᵀᴴ

S.A.R.S. (State Agriculture Research Station, Tripura), Arundhuti Nagar:

SARS was established in the year 1969 with the initiation of the Agriculture Director. At the start of the research station only few units were functioning. The agronomy unit, soil testing lab, plant breeding unit etc. It is the only research station in Tripura. Here various trials are performed based on plant breeding, pest management, agronomic practices etc. Generally at present there are 11 units. They are:

1. Plant breeding unit2. Soil testing laboratory3. Agronomy unit4. Pest management unit5. State seed testing laboratory6. Chief seed certification unit7. Regional bio-fertilizer production centre8. Bio-control unit

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9. Pesticide testing laboratory/unit10. Processing plant unit11. Agro poly clinic/information unit

H.R.C. (Horticulture Research Complex), Nagichhera:

Horticulture Research Complex (HRC) was established in March, 1981 at Nagichhera, about 10 km. away from Agartala with major objectives like-

Introduction, acclimatization and evaluation of major plantation crops Establishment of germplasm bank for indigenous and exogenous horticultural

crops for future research and Production of elite planting materials.

Major activities at present in HRC: Production of hybrid TPS seeds – highest in the world – for catering the

requirements, within and outside the state for production of table potato.

Trials on performance of hybrid varieties of major vegetables and standardization of agro-techniques for cultivation of off-season and

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exotic vegetables for rendering necessary advice to the farmers in the state.

Collection, conservation and improvisation of Jhum vegetables and chillies.

Production of vegetable seeds through registered growers’ under certification arrangements.

Standardization of techniques for canopy management, rejuvenation, meadow orcharding and high density plantation of different fruit crops of the state for increasing profitability.

Production and supply of vegetatively propagated grafts/buds etc. of plantation crops to the growers.

Stanardization of techniques for profitable cultivation of spices in Tripura.

Standardization of techniques for profitable cultivation of exotic flowers in Tripura.

Training and capacity building of growers’ and extension agencies.

T-SAMETI (Tripura State Agriculture Management & Extension Training Institute), Lembuchhera

INTRODUCTION:

T-SAMETI – is a State level nodal training institute of Tripura, established under the scheme “Support to State Extension Programme for Extension Reform” in the year-2005 at UGTC (Up graded training centre) , Lembucherra, West district of Tripura which is 12 Km. away from the capital city-Agartala.

T-SAMETI is provided with two autonomous state body Viz.a. The General Council of SAMETI &b. The Executive Council of SAMETI

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For effective coordination and the development activities of agriculture and others line departments at the State level , there is a State level committee-Inter Departmental Working Group(IDWG) headed by the Commissioner & Secretary of Agriculture.

This SAMETI functions under the technical guidance of National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management.

In T-SAMETI, we got an experience on extension work. Here a schedule of 15 days program on-

o A discussion on extension work.o A field day on18th April.

1. Discussion on Extension Education:

Definition:Extension Education is an Applied Behavioural Science to bring about

desirable chance usually through various strategies & programmes of change & by applying the latest scientific & technological innovations.

Objectives of Extension Education:It has two dimensions-i. Fundamentals of objective: Development of the People.

ii. In India there are three main objectives of Agricultural Extension-a) Dissemination of useful & practical information.b) Practical application of useful knowledge (The word “Learn by doing”

was coined by John Dewey in 1966).c) To improve all aspects of the life of rural people.

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Learning & Teaching in Extension:

Learning is the process of bringing about more or less permanent changes in one’s behaviour as a result of experience through own activities. It is an active process on the part of learner.

Learning takes place only when learner reacts to what is seen, heard & felt.

Essential elements of effective learning:

a) Teaching materials and Plan.

b) Subject matter.

c) Physical facilities & environment.

d) Teacher or instructor.

e) Learner.

Teaching Steps:

1. Attention 2.Interest 3.Desire 4.Conviction 5. Action 6. Satisfaction.

EXTENSION TOOLS:

O Training: training is imparted for transfer of technical knowhow from subject matter specialist (SMS) to farmers through extension worker.

O Demonstration: Demonstration means showing by doing. The basic principle of demonstration is learning by doing & seeing.

O Exposure Visit: extension worker has to visit to the farmers for transfer of knowledge obtained at the training.

Teaching Materials & Plans

Subject matter

Teacher or Instructor Physical facilities & environment

Learner

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O Reward: it is the method to motivate the farmers by setting a reward value on application of new technologies & technical knowledge on the field.

1. A FIELD DAY ON 18 APRIL:ᵀᴴ

Field Day is a method of group contact in which extension workers meet with farmers, who share their experience of growing a new crop & discuss their problems of growing and the SMS suggests and discusses the salvation in front of media.

We got an opportunity to attend such a field day at Mandai, Agri-sub division,Tripura ; organised by T-SAMETI on 18ᵀᴴ April 2014 in the topic- Maize & Watermelon.

Here few farmers grew watermelon first time in their area and they were very successful. Every year they earned 40 to 50 thousand rupees per kani.

They also grown maize crop on 2ha. land, which is economically very successful. They were very happy with the income found by growing maize.

Realising the profit on growing watermelon and maize, the other farmers got on cultivating maize and watermelon.

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UNIT - II

ATTACHMENT WITH AGRICULTURE RESEARCH INSTITUTE

(S.A.R.S.)

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1. INTRODUCTION:

S.A.R.S. (STATE AGRICULTURE RESEARCH STATION), ARUNDHUTI NAGAR, AGARTALA, TRIPURA

Arundhati Nagar, Agartala, Tripura. SARS was established in the year 1969 with the initiation of the Agriculture Director. At the start of the research station only few units were functioning. The agronomy unit, soil testing lab, plant breeding unit etc. It is the only research station in Tripura. Here various trials are performed based on plant breeding, pest management, agronomic practices etc. Generally at present there are 11 units. They are:

1. Plant breeding unit2. Soil testing laboratory3. Agronomy unit4. Pest management unit5. State seed testing laboratory6. Chief seed certification unit7. Regional bio-fertilizer production centre8. Bio-control unit9. Pesticide testing laboratory/unit

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10.Processing plant unit11.Agro poly clinic/information unit

2. FUNCTIONS OF SARS :A. IN AGRONOMY UNIT:

METHOD OF SRI:

SRI, A method of raising rice that produces substantially higher yields with the planting of fewer seedlings and the use of fewer inputs than either traditional method or more modern method with more water, chemical fertilizer or agro chemicals. It involves using different practices for plant, soil, water and nutrient management.

SRI involves the use of certain management practices which together provide better growing conditions for rice plants, particularly in the root zone, than those for plants grown under traditional practices. SRI was developed in Madagascar in the early 1980.Father of SRI, Henri De Laulanie, a Jesuit priest, who spent over 30 years in that country and working with farmers. In 1990 Association Tefy Saina (ATS) was formed as a Malagasy NGO to promote SRI. Four years later, the Cornell International Institute for Food, Agriculture and Development (CIIFAD), began cooperating with Tefy Saina to introduce SRI around the Ranomafana National Park in eastern Madagascar, supported by the U.S. Agency for International Development. It has since been tested in China, India, Indonesia, Philippines, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh with positive results.

The results with SRI methods are remarkable. In Madagascar, on some of the poorest soil to be found and where yields of 2 tons/ha were the norm, farmers using SRI are now averaging over 8 tons/ha, with some getting 10 to 15 tons/ha. A farmers have even got over 20 tons/ha. In other parts of the country, over a five year period, hundreds of farmers averaged 8 to 9 tons/ha.

SRI methods have at least doubled the yield of any variety of rice that has been tried no external inputs are necessary for a farmer to benefit from SRI. The methods should work with any seeds that are now being used. However, we do need to have an open mind about new methods and a willingness to experiment. With SRI, plants are treated as the living organisms that they are, rather than as machines to be manipulated. The potential within plants is drawn out by giving them the best possible conditions for their growth.

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At first, the practices that constitute SRI seem somewhat counterintuitive. SRI challenges assumption and practices that have been in place for hundreds, even thousands of years. Most rice farmers plant fairly mature seedlings (20-30 days old) in clumps, fairly close together, with standing water maintained on the field for as much of the season as possible. These practices seem to reduce the risk of crop failure. It seems logical that more mature plants should survive. Better, that planting in clumps. Will ensure that some plants will survive transplanting that planting more seedlings should result in more yield and that planting in standing water means the plants will never lack water and weeds will have little opportunity to grow.

Fig 1: System of Rice Intensification (SRI)

1. OBJECTIVE :

Tripura has been striving hard to attain self sufficiency in food grains and food security adoption of modern seed - fertilizer irrigation technology. Popularly known as HYV technology has more than doubled the production of food grains during the last three decades. However, the yield growth of rice has levelled out. Yield response to modern inputs like chemical fertilizers and to water has declined soil and environmental, degradation is accelerating. Profitability of rice growing for farmers has declined due to increasing prices of inputs and relatively stable produces price for rice. As an alternative technology to attain a breakthrough and increase rice yields, hybrid seeds are being tried. But this technology is heavily dependent on high cost modern inputs and has the associated problems of soil and environmental degradation. Another alternative may be

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to explore the potential of biotechnology for evolving new higher yielding rice variety by overcoming the complex problem of disease and pest incidence increasing tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses, and also improving rice quality. But this technology will also be heavily dependent upon costly modern inputs while at the same time it is a debatable technology with apprehensions about possible health and environmental hazards.

The objectives / aims of the initiatives are as below.

Substantial and sustainable increase in rice yield and the release of surplus land for production of higher value crops.

Reduction in costs of production and rise in profitability of rice production. Reduced need for high cost modern inputs like fertilizer, irrigation water and

insecticides. Promotion of environment friendly sustainable agriculture.

2. FOUR 'NOVEL' PRACTICES IN PARTICULAR ARE KEY IN SRI THEY ARE:i. Seedlings are transplanted early

ii. Less seed rate.iii. Seedlings are planted singly iv. Wide spacing (25m x 25m)

SRI method can be followed both in Kharif & Rabi season.

3. NURSERY MANAGEMENT:Rice seed is sparsely sown in beds prepared by mixing soil, cow dung, rice hull/burned husk mixture forming 1.5 to 2 cm thick layer at the top of the nursery bed. The rate of

seedling should not exceed 20gm/m2. Immediately after sowing of the sprouted seeds the seed beds should be covered by the thin layer of the soil mixture prepared by mixing soil, cow dung, rice hull/burned husk. Nursery beds should be covered by paddy straw at least for 2days to keep the moist condition of the beds which needs removal from the bed after emergence of the seedling usually the seedlings get ready for transplanting within 8-10 days after sowing.

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FIG 2: NURSERY BED FIG 3:SOIL MIXTURE

5. SEED RATE AND CHOICE OF VARIETIES: The rate of seed is 5kg per hectare. In case of the finer grains the rate is lowered

down depending upon the grain type. All the paddy varieties i.e. traditional, HYV, hybrid can be adopted with SRI. At least 50% yield advantage over tradition method is observed in all the varieties in the farmers field.

6. FIELD PREPARATION:

The field should be ploughed 3-4 times before transplantation. At first ploughing bio-fertilizers / cow dung may be used. At 2nd ploughing the soil should be incorporated with chemical fertilizers in the recommended dose (N: P: K: 20: 10: 10kg/ha). Again during 3rd plough bio-fertilizer may be applied. Then the field should be well levelled

With punker. For easy transplanting the field should be carefully prepared with proper planting space. We can place sticks at appropriate intervals along the edge of the field, then stretch strings between them. The strings should be marked at the same intervals so that we can plant in a square pattern.

Water channels 25 cm wide should be made after 10-13 rows of seedlings. This is to drain out excess water when not needed and to bring the water to the field when needed.

7. TRANSPLANTING SEEDLINGS:

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Fig 4: Transplanting of seedlings Rice seedlings are transplanted early-when only the first two leaves have emerged from the initial tiller or stalk, usually when they are between 8 to 15 days old. The seedlings are carefully removed from the nursery bed with a trowel and keep them moist. Do not let them dry out. The seed sac should be kept attached to the infant root,

because it is an important energy source for the young seedling. Seedlings should be transplanted as soon as possible after being removed from the nursery within half an hour and preferably within 15 minutes. When placing seedlings in the field carefully lay the roots sideways in the soil with a horizontal motion, so that the root tip is not in advertently left pointing upward. Careful transplanting of seedlings when they are young reduces shock and increases the plant's ability to produce numerous tillers and roots during their vegetative growth stage.

SEEDLINGS ARE TRANSPLANTED SINGLY RATHER:

Then in clumps of two or three or more. This means that individual plants have room to spread and to send down roots. They do not compete as much with other rice plants for space, for light, or for nutrients in the soil. Root systems become altogether different when plants are set out singly

8. WIDE SPACING:

Rather than in tight rows, in SRI seedlings are planted in a square pattern with plenty of space between them in all directions usually at a spacing of 25cm x 25cm.

The general rule is that plants should have plenty of room to grow. Leaving wide. Spaces between each plant ensure that roots have adequate room to grow and the plant will be exposed to more sunlight, air and nutrients. The result is more root growth and more tillering. The square pattern also facilitates weeding.

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fig: spacing.

9. WATER MENAGEMENT:

With SRI, farmers use less than half of the water they would use if they kept their paddies constantly flooded. Soil is kept moist but not saturated during the vegetative growth period ensuring that more oxygen is available in the soil for the roots.

Occasionally the soil should be allowed to dry to the point of cracking. This will allow oxygen to enter the soil and will also induce the roots to grow and "SEARCH" for water. After all when the soil is flooded roots have no need to grow and spread and they lack enough oxygen to grow vigorously. Unflooded conditions, combined with mechanical weeding result in more air in the soil, and greater root growth means that the rest of the plant will have access to more nutrients. When the soil is saturated air pockets (parenchyma) form in the roots of submerged plants in order to transport oxygen. These air pockets take up to 30 - 40% of the root's cortex and probably impede the transport of nutrients from the roots to the rest of the plant. More water may be applied before weeding to make the process of weeding easier. Otherwise, water is best applied in the evening, and any water remaining on the surface is drained in the morning. This leaves the field open to both air and warmth during the day, flooded fields will reflect a good part of the solar radiation reaching them and absorb less of the warmth which helps plants grow. With SRI, un flooded conditions are only maintained during the period of vegetative growth. Later, after flowering 1-3 centimeters of water can be kept standing on the field considering possibility of acute moisture stress at grain filling stage as is done with traditional practices. The field is drained completely 25 days before harvesting.

10. WEEDING :

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Weeding is done by hand or with a simple mechanical tool. Farmers have been supplied with thousands of Japanese paddy weeder and they find it advantageous both in terms of reducing labour and of increase yield to use a mechanical hand weeder It has vertical rotating toothed wheels that churn up the soil as the weeder is pushed down and across the alleys formed by the square formation of planting. Weeding is labours intensive, it may take upto 25 days of labour to weed one hectare but the increase in yield and ultimately greater income to the farmer.

Fig 5: weeding

The first weeding should be done 10-12 days after transplanting and the second weeding within of 14 days. At least 2-3 weeding are recommended, but another 1or 2 weeding can significantly increase the yield, adding 1-2 tons/ha. Probably more important than removing weeds, this practice of churning the soil seems to improve soil structure and increase aeration of the soil.

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11. NUTRIENT SCHEDULE: In SRI, 70% of chemical fertilizer is replaced by organic fertilizer. Rice can be cultivated with or without chemical fertilizer. But the field trials and demonstrative experiments in the farmers field shows that SRI performs under organic source of fertilizer. FYM, bio-fertilizer, green manure, bay manure etc. are the organic fertilizers used in SRI practice. But the availability or organic fertilizer is a problem for farmers of Tripura. Considering this problem we have recommended the nutrient management schedule blending chemical and organic fertilizer nutrient schedule for Tripura condition:

N: P: K: 20: 10: 10 kg / ha as basal dose during kharif.

N: P: K: 20: 10: 10 kg / ha as basal dose during rabi

Biofertilizer:

Azospirilum @ 4 kg / ha

Azotobacter @ 4 kg / ha

Phosphate solubilizing bacteria @ 4 kg / ha

Fym : cow dung / FYM / Neem oil / compost etc @ 10-15 mt/ha.

Biofertilizers are applied either before or after chemical fertilizer as it does not . works together(12-15) days of interval during field preparation or after ransplanting.

12. ORGANIC INPUTS:

Initially SRI was developed with chemical fertilizer to increase field on the every poor soils of Madagascar. But subcidies were removed in the later 1980s and recommendations switched to use of compost and even better results were observed. The compost made from any biomass (e.g.-rice straw, plant trimmings and other plant materials) with some animal manure added is used. Banana leaves also add potassium, cuttings from leguminous shrubs add nitrogen and other plants such as Tithonia and afromomum angustifolium increase the phosphorus content. Compost adds nutrients to the soil slowly and can also contribute to a better soil structure. It seems fairly intuitive that some form of nutrient input is necessary on poor soils if chemical fertilizer is not added.

Applying organic manure during initial land preparation along with ¼ th of the recommended dose of chemical fertilizer increases the yield of following SRI)

TABLE 1: Showing response to organic manure

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Variety organic manure No. of panicle yield of paddy ton ha-1 per hill (ton ha-1)

NDR-359 5 42 6.75

Do Nil 38 6.25

13. HARVEST:

In SRI method, rice is harvested normally as in the case of conventional method. When the grains become golden yellow, they are harvested by sickles or by harvesting machine. 1-2 weeks before harvest the water should be removed from the field. The moisture content of the rice grains should be 20-25% during harvesting. 14. WHY DOES SRI WORK?

The concept of synergy appears to help explain why SRI works so well. Here synergy means that practices used in SRI interact in positive, reinforcing ways so that the whole is more than the total of its parts. Each of the management practices used in SRI makes a positive difference in the field, but the real potential of SRI is seen only when the practices are used together.

Rice plants under SRI have many more tillers, greater root development and more grains per panicle. In order to tiller, plants need to have enough root growth to support new growth above ground. But roots require certain conditions of soil, water, nutrient, temperature and space for growth. Roots also need energy from the photosynthesis that occurs in tillers and leaves above the ground. Thus, the roots and shoots depend on each other.

SRI fields look terrible for a month or more after transplanting because the plants are so thin and small and widely spaced. In the first month, the plant is preparing to tiller. During the second month, serious tillering begins. In the third month, the field seems to explode with rapid tiller growth. To understand why, we need to understand the concept of PHYLLOCHRONS, a concept that applies to members of the grass family including cereals like rice, wheat and barley.

It is the period of time between the emergence of one phytoner (a set of tiller, leaf and root which emerges from the base of the plant) and the emergence of the next. The length of phyllochrons is determined particularly by temperature but it is also affected by things like day length, humidity, soil quality, exposure to light and air and nutrient availability.

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If conditions are good, phyllochrons in rice are five to seven days long, though they may be shorter at higher temperatures. Under very good conditions, the vegetative growth phase of a rice plant may last as long s 12 phyllochrons before the plant begins initiating panicles and starts its reproductive phase. This is possible and when the rate of biological growth is speeded up, so that many growth intervals are completed before panicle initiations.

This is why it is best to transplant seedlings during the second and third phyllochrons, so as not to disrupt the rapid growth which begins in the fourth phyllochrons.

15. IS SRI SUSTAINABLE ? HOW CAN WE GET SUCH HIGH YIELDS ?

Little systematic evaluation has yet been done by plant or soil scientists. However, here are few proposed explanations:

I. BIOLOGICAL NITROGEN FIXATION (BNF)

Free living bacteria and others microbes around the roots of rice may fix nitrogen for the plants. The presence of such bacteria has been documented for sugar cane, which is in the grass family along with rice where nitrogen fertilizer had not been applied, microbial action fix 150 - 200 kg of nitrogen / ha for the cane. However, less nitrogen fixing occurs where chemical fertilizers have previously been applied. It is known that about 80% of the bacteria in and around rice roots have nitrogen fixing capability, but this potential will not be realized where inorganic 'N' has been applied or possibly in anaerobic, water logged soils.

ii. OTHER RESEARCH:

Suggest that plants can grow very well with extremely low concentrations of nutrients, as long as those nutrients are supplied evenly & consistently over time. We know that compost furnishes a low, steady supply of nutrients.

iii. PLANTS WITH EXTENSIVE:

Root growths have better access to whatever nutrients exist in the soil. Extensive root growth can result when the roots of young seedlings have lots of space and oxygen, and when the water and nutrient are scarce enough that roots need to "go looking" for them. Such extensive roots may be able to extract more balanced nutrients from the soil, including some scarce but necessary micro nutrients.

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FIG 6: YOUNG SEEDLINGS

TABLE 2: COMPARISON OF SRI TRIAL AND FARMERS PRACTICE

16. AGRONOMIC COMPARISONS: SRI TRIALS VS FARMERS PRATICE (RABI SEASON) 2001-05

2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 Average

SRI Practice

Tillers per hill 43 58 52 58 52.75

Effective tillers 28 39 32 37 34.00

Length of panicle (cm) 21 22 20 22 21.25

Weight of 1000 grains (g) 22 23 24 23 23.00

1cm filled grains 12 11 13 10 11.50

Yield (tons the) 6.12 6.95 7.89 8.10 -

Farmers practice

Tillers per hill 17 21 16 18 18.00

Effective tillers 09 12 08 07 9.00

Length of panicle (cm) 21 18 16 20 18.00

Weight of 1000 grain (g) 21 21 26 20 22.00

% unfilled grains 20 15 19 25 20.50

Yield (tons/ha) 4.07 4.31 4.82 4.49 -

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17. CONCLUSION :

The system of rice intensification SRI offers an interesting alternative to improve rice productivity. It is a system of practices that can bring about improvements in total factors of productivity of land, capital, and water and labour simultaneously.

At first SRI can take 50-100% more labour but over time it may even require less labour. Once techniques are mastered and confident is gained. Since yields can be two, three and even four times more than with current practices. The returns from both labour and land are much higher, justifying the greater investment of labour. Farmers are skeptical of SRI's benefit. It seems almost like magic at first, though there are good scientific reasons to explain each part of the process.

B. SOI TESTING LABORATORY :

Soil sample are brought by the farmers of different district for soil testing before cultivation of their crop. These soils are analysed for the content of the fertilizers and pH present in it. It is estimated for K₂O, P₂O₅, pH and organic carbon etc.

FOR K O ESTIMATION:₂

LAB REAGENT PREARATION FOR QUICK ESTIMATION:1. Morgan’s solution (5 litre):

500 gm sodium acetate + 150 cc glacial acetic acid(water 5 litre)

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2. Alcohol mixture:isopropyl alcohol + methyl alcohol in 1:1 ratio

3. Sodium cobalt nitrate solution:cobalt nitrate (50kg) + 300g sodium nitrate (first mix with little water in 1litre flask) + 25ml glacial acetic acid. Add 500ml of distilled water, shake it until fumes comes out & keep it for 24 hours. Next day add more water to make it upto 1litre.

PROCEDURE FOR ESTIMATION:

1. Take 5gm of soil2. Add 25ml of Morgan’s solution3. Shake & filter4. Take 2ml alcohol mixture in a test tube5. Add 5 drops of cobalt nitrate solution6. Add the filtrate up to 10 ml mark7. Shake and allow to stand for few minutes8. Compare the colour with colour chart.

COLOUR CHART OF K O:₂

o Transparent ⇨ lowo Non-transparent ⇨ high

OBSEVATION:

The sample of analysis is transparent in colour. It is therefore low in potassium content.

FOR P O ESTIMATION:₂ ₅

LAB REAGENT PREARATION FOR QUICK ESTIMATION:

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1. Bray No 1 solution (20litre capacity):ammonium fluorite 20.2g + 40.4ml of concentrated HCl volume it upto 20litre by adding distilled water.

2. Stainer’s chloride 5g + 12.5ml concentrated HCl, Fumes come out after mixing and heating.

3. Ammonium molybdate solution:ammonium molybdate 15g + 3.0 + 304ml concentrated HCL. Ammonium molybdate mix with distilled water first and volume it upto 1 litre in a measuring flask. Then pour 304 HCl in the flask, steer constanly.Dilution of stainer’s chloride solution1ml stainer’s chloride + 65ml of distilled water.

PROCEDURE FOR ESTIMATION:

1. Take 5gm of soil2. Add 40ml of bray’s solution3. Shake and filter4. Take 2ml filtrate in 25ml volumetric flask.5. Add 2ml ammonium molybdate solution to it.6. Add 1ml diluted stainer’s chloride solution to it.7. Compare the colour with colour chart

COLOUR CHART:

o Dark blue ⇨ higho Medium dark blue ⇨ mediumo Light blue ⇨ very low

OBSEVATION:

The soil sample in lab is colourless which indicates very low content of phosphorusin soil sample.

FOR CARBON ESTIMATION:

METHOD LAB REAGENT PREARATION FOR QUICK ESTIMATION:

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1. Potassium Dichromet Solution: K₂Cr₂O₇ 49gm mix with distilled H₂O and volumeit up to 1litre.

2. Pherus ammonium sulphate: 196.1gm pherus ammonium sulphate FeSO₄(NH₄)₂ , 6H₂O will dissolve in 800ml of water. Add20ml concentrated H₂SO₄. Then we have to cooling down.

3. Diphenyle amide indicator: 0.5gm diphenyle amide in 20ml of water & 100ml of H₂SO₄

4. Sulphuric Acid (H SO )₂ ₄5. Ortho phosphoric acid

PROCEDURE FOR ESTIMATION:

Organic Carbon :

a) Take 0.5gm of soil sample in 500ml of flaskb) Add 10ml of potassium dichromate and shake the flask.c) Then carefully add 20 ml of concentrated H₂SO₄ d) Mix it vigorously for 1 minute.e) Then we have to keep the flask in dark 30 minute for cool downf) After cooling we have to add 200ml of water. Again allow it to coolg) Allow ortho phosphoric acid and 1ml of diphenyle amide indicator,then

shake ith) Titrate it again pherus ammonium sulphatei) Similarly make a blank determination in the same manner, but without

soil.

CALCULATION:

Organic Carbon(%) ={10(B-T)/B} X {(0.003 X 100)/weight of soil in gram}

Where,B= Volume of FAS required for the titration of blank

T= Volume of FAS required for titration of sample

Organic Carbon (%)= {10(21.0-13.4)/21.0} X {(0.003 X 100)/0.5} =2.1714

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CHART:

OBSERVATION:

So, here the organic carbon percentage is high..

FOR NITROGEN ESTIMATION (THROUGH KZELDAHL DISTILATION PLANT):

REAGENTS:

1. Potassium per menganate(KMnO4): 50 ml.2. Sodium hydro oxide (NAOH) : 50ml.3. Boric Acid:25ml.

INDICATORS:

1. 200 ml Methyl Red Indicator + 100 g Bromo Cresol Green Indicator + 100 ml Ethanol.(Mix Indicator)

2. 0.02 N H2SO4 for Titration.

PROCEDURE:1. Attach the inlet pipe of the Kzeldahl Dislilation Plant with the

water-filter.2. Wash the machine properly with water flow.3. Add 5g-10g of Soil Sample in the big size test-tube of Kzeldahl

Dislilation Plant .4. Then add the Reagents (KMNO4,NAOH,Boric Acid) in the big size

test-tube.5. Take Boric Acid (25 ml) + add Mix Indicator in an another conical

flask drop by drop till straw colour appears.6. The Machine will automatically take required amount of NAOH

from the the flask of NAOH.7. Then put the Boric Acid flask in the machine and insert the inlet

pipe in the flask.

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8. The machine will add Nitrogen in the Boric Acid flask by itself.9. Then titrate the Boric acid flask in 0.02 N H2SO4.

Fig: Kzeldahl Distilation Plant.

CALCULATION:

Formula: Available

Nitrogen Kg/Ha =x x 125.4

(Where, x is the

volume of Titrant)

x= 1.7 (From

Titration)

So, Available Nitrogen (N) kg/ha=1.7 x 125.44=213.24

OBSEVATION:

From the above chart it can be said that the soil sample has Low amount of Nitrogen.

Low Medium High

Available Nitrogen by alkaline permanganate method in kg/ha

Below 280 280-560 Above 560

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pH ESTIMATION: LAB REAGENT PREARATION FOR QUICK ESTIMATION:

Chlorophenyl red indicator preparation for 250ml. : Chlorophenol 0.1gm + 2.4ml sodium hydroxide, then mix the volume it up to 250 ml. Preparation NaOH: mix 40gm NaOH in 1litre of distilled water. NaOH stock solution 1ml+9ml distilled water.

PROCEDURE FOR pH ESTIMATION:

1. Take 1gm soil in a test tube

2. Add a pinch of barium sulphate

3. Add water up to the mark of the tube

4. Add 5 drops of chlorophenol red indicator

5. Shake and allow to stand for few minutes

6. Take reading in PH meter (levi bon comparator)

pH COLOUR RANGE:

1. Light colour - 62. Deep violet - 6.5

OBSERVATION:

The soil sample for analysis is light colour. This indicates that the pH is 6. It is acidic in nature.

C. BIOFERTILIZER :

I. Introduction :One of the major concerns in today's world is the pollution and

contamination of soil. The use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides has caused

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tremendous harm to the environment. An answer to this is the bio-fertilizer, an environmentally friendly fertilizer now used in most countries. Bio-fertilizers are organisms that enrich the nutrient quality of soil. The main sources of bio-fertilizers are bacteria, fungi, and cynobacteria (blue-green algae). The most striking relationship that these have with plants is symbiosis, in which the partners derive benefits from each other.

Bio-fertilizers will help solve such problems as increased salinity of the soil and chemical run-offs from the agricultural fields. Thus, bio-fertilizers are important if we are to ensure a healthy future for the generations to come.

II. Definition :

Bio-fertilizers, more commonly known as microbial inoculants, are artificially multiplied cultures of certain soil organisms that can improve soil fertility and crop productivity. Although the beneficial effects of legumes in improving soil fertility was known since ancient times and their role in biological nitrogen fixation was discovered more than a century ago, commercial exploitation of such biological processes is of recent interest and practice.

III. Merits of Bio-fertilizer use:

o By using bio-fertilizer 15 to 20% use of chemical fertilizer can be reduced.o By improving physical structure of the soil, it can improve the fertility of

the soil particle. By increasing the porosity of the soil & for the presence of microbes the plant and animal materials are decomposed.

o By the increasing the root depth, the problems which arises due to lack of soil water are solved.

o The enzymes and vitamins secreted by the microbes increase the nutrient uptake ability of the soil.

o Bio-fertilizer are eco friendly.

IV. Types of bio fertilizer:

On the basis of nutrient fixing bio-fertilizers are divided into 3 types:

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a) Nitrogen fixing bio-fertilizer: these microbes fixes the aerobic nitrogen in to the soil, in that form, which plants easily can uptake. Examples of nitrogen fixing microbes are:

o s: These inoculants are known for their ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen in symbiotic association with plants forming nodules in roots (stem nodules in sesabaniamrostrata).RHZ are however limited by their specificity and only certain legumes are benefited from this symbiosis.

o Azatobactore: This has been found beneficial to a wide array of crops covering cereals, millets, vegetables, cotton and sugarcane. It is free living and non-symbiotic nitrogen fixing organism that also produces certain substances good for the growth of plants and antibodies that suppress many root pathogens.

o Azospirilum: This is also a nitrogen-fixing micro organism beneficial for non-leguminous plants. Like AZT, the benefits transcend nitrogen enrichment through production of growth promoting substances.

o blue green algae: BGA are photosynthetic nitrogen fixers and are free living. They are found in abundance in India i. They too add growth-promoting substances including vitamin B12, improve the soil’s aeration and water holding capacity and add to bio mass when decomposed after life cycle. Azolla is an aquatic fern found in small and shallow water bodies and in rice fields. It has symbiotic relation with BGA and can help rice or other crops through dual cropping or green manuring of soil.

b) Phosphate solubilising bio-fertilizer: these microbes converts the un soluble form of phosphate in to soluble form. These microbes can also convert the potassium and other nutrients in the soluble form to the plants.

c) Decomposer: these microbes decomposes the dead animal and plant materials and forms a good amount of humus in the soil. Some of these microbes are known as celulitic example trichoderma, and some are known as lignulitic, such as arthrobacteria.

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V. Methods of Bio-fertilizer application:

The Bio-fertilizers are used in 3 ways. These are:o As seed treatment: prepare a solution of 500gm of bio-fertilizer in 1lit

of water, and in that solution mix 10 to 12kg seeds by hand. when the seeds are covered with black coat of bio-fertilizer, then make the seed air dry & sow the seeds as early as possible.

o As root treatment: just before transplantation of the seedlings, the roots of the seedlings are treated with bio-fertilizer.gm of Azatobactor & 500gm biophos are mixed with 5litre of water. The roots of the seedlings for 1kani are dipped on that solution for 8 to 12hours.

o As soil treatment: before sowing, on well ploughed soil, bio-fertilizers are used.500gm of Azatobactor & 500gm biophos are well mixed with 50 kg soil. Then the mixing of soil is covered with a moist cloth. After 48 hours the mixed soil is broadcasted on 1kani of land. then a light plough is applied.

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o In case of fruit gardening: 4 kg (2kg of azatobactore & 2kg of biophos) bio-fertilizers are mixed with 100 kg compost and keep it for 48hours.then apply it in 1kani land with soil.

VI. Safety measures of application of Bio-fertilizers:

o Keep the bio-fertilizers in a cool & dry place.o Don’t use the fertilizers after expiry date.o Don’t mix any type of chemical fertilizers with the bio-fertilizers.o Before applying the bio-fertilizers, fungal treatment of the seeds are

necessary. After using the fungicide, double amount of bio-fertilizers should be used.

o In case of rhysobium, use it only for the selective crops, which are3 written on the packet.

o In case of seed treatment of bio-fertilizers, keep a distance from the direct sunlight

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Unit – III

MUSHROOM CULTIVATION (OYESTER) IN TRIPURA

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(Horticulture Research Centre, Nagichhera. Agartala)

(Govt. Of Tripura.)

1. INTRODUCTION : Mushrooms are a group of fleshy, macroscopic fungi or edible fungus. They are very unlike green plants because they lack chlorophyll and therefore depend on the performed food for their nutrition. Toadstool is poisonous mushroom that cannot be eaten. From the earliest times mushroom have been used for food and have always been considered a delicacy. Among the many novel sources of protein to bridge the protein gap, mushrooms offer themselves as potential sources. In the modern world today mushroom consumption is gaining popularity rapidly because of the growing consciousness of the food value of this unique item of food. Today the mushroom is no longer wrapped in the mystery and superstition of the days gone by and through long and fruitful work of scientists. Down the ages we are now in a position to cultivate mushroom artificially. As stated, mushroom is a good source of protein and amino acid. Its protein content varies between 19 to 40% on dry weight basis. Mushroom protein contains most of the essential amino acids. Mushrooms are an excellent source of folic acid which is given when treating various forms of anaemia.

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Mushroom is reported to be excellent source of riboflavin (B2) and nicotinic acid (niacin)

and a good source of pantothenic acid (vit-B complex). It also contains appreciable amount of thiamine and ascorbic acid. The presence of different mineral elements like calcium, iron, copper, phosphorus, increases the food value. The carbohydrate, content and fat content of edible mushroom is quite low. The absence of starch in mushroom makes it an ideal food for diabetic patients and for persons not wishing to put weight. In addition to its food value there is nothing to waste since the entire mushroom can be consumed.

2. FOOD VALUE OF MUSHROOM: Mushroom provides a rich addition to the diet in the form of protein,

carbohydrates, valuable salts and vitamins. As compare to food the nutritional value of mushroom lies between meat and vegetable. Investigation indicates that 100-200 gm of mushrooms (dry wt basis) are required to maintain nutritional balance in a normal human being weighing 70 kg.

Experiments prove that mushrooms are well suited to supplement diets which lack protein and rightly been called "VEGETABLE MEAT".

3. TYPES OF MUSHROOM : There are several types of Mushroom, they are :1. Button Mushroom (Agaricus sp)

2. Oyster Mushroom (Pleurotus sp)3. Paddy straw Mushroom (Volvariella sp)4. Dhingri Mushroom (Pleurotus sp)5. Milky Mushroom (Calocybe sp)6. Wood ear Mushroom (Auricularia sp)7. Sitakii Mushroom (Lentinulla sp)

With the success in artificial cultivation of various types of mushroom especially oyster (Pleurotus sp) and white milky mushroom (calocybe) indica demand for fresh mushroom more among general message of Tripura, many growers are growing mushroom in scattered way all over Tripura, collecting their spawn from State Govt. lab. So it becomes difficult for individual growers to collect spawn from far distance from their place of cultivation. Moreover, as fresh mushroom is highly perishable in nature, so its quick marketing and continuous supply in their locality or nearby market will be possible if cultivation is done in cluster (15-20) growers.

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Keeping these in view an integrated scheme has been prepared to establish a low cost spawn production unit in place of cultivation itself ensuring continuous availability of the spawn to the growers. 4. OBJECTIVE: As there is fairly good demand for fresh mushroom in various parts of the state, jobs hard to come by the unemployed youths and cultivators of the state may be encouraged to venture into entrepreneurship by way of mushroom cultivation as well as spawn production which may emerge as one of the best method of self employment in the state. To develop entrepreneurship on production of spawn and cultivation of mushroom in an integrated way, the schemes are as follows :-

a. Low cost small spawn production unit (10,000 spawn / annum b. Annual profit from cultivation of mushroom

5. SPAWN : The Propagating materials used by the mushroom growers for planting beds is called spawn. The spawn is equivalent to the vegetative seed of higher plant. Quality of spawn is basic for the successful mushroom cultivation.

6. MEDIA PREPARATION:PDA media preparation with sterilization

INGREDIENTS: Peel potato 200gm

Dextrose - 20 gmAgar Agar - 20 gmDistilled water 1lt

PREPARATION : At first reel the potato and cut it into small pieces, then boil it for 20-25 minutes in water and filter the potato boil water by a piece of cloth. Add dextrose and agar-agar in it. Stir it continuously and boil it for another 10-15 minutes. Then take the media in a beaker and then pour 10ml of PDA media in 20-25 cm long test tube. Steal it

with nonabsorbent cotton and sterilize it in autoclave at 15psi at a temperature of 1210 c for 15-20 minutes. In absence of autoclave, pressure cooker can also be used for sterilization. In pressure cooker it is done for 2 days. First day for 1hour and Second day again for 2 hours.

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After completion of sterilization bring it out and keep at a slanting position, so that the media inside gets condensed. These condensed media is used for the

inoculation of the mushroom mycelia. The inoculation is done from the culture with the help of lode. It is kept in BOD with required temperature From media, the culture is again inoculated to spawn for making mother spawn

7. STEPS OF SPAWN PRODUCTION:

Preparation of spawn:

i. Take healthy and clean cereal grains (rice grain)

ii. Boil grains in water for 30 minutes

iii. Remove excess water on sieve

iv. Dry grains in shade under the fan (12-16 hours)

v. Mix CaCO3 and CaSO4 at a ratio of 3:1

vi. Fill 200 gm treated grains in polypropylene bag (heat resistant)

vii. Plug the bags with the help of PP Neck or aluminium rings with non-

absorbent cotton.

viii. Sterilize the bags in autoclave at 15 psi/sq inch at a temperature of 1210c

for 1.30 to 2 hours.

ix. On next day shake the bags

x. Keep the bags on laminar flow under uv tube for 20 minutes. . xi. Inoculate the bags by pouring 20 gm mother spawn to each bag.

xii. Incubate the bags in incubation room

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xiii. Spawn is ready in 10-20 days.

Fig1:Packeting of spawn

8. HYGEING MAINTAINING OF SPAWN PRODUCTION:i. During spawn production hygiene is maintained in the incubation room by

potassium permanganate or by fumigation Formalin + potassium permanganate.

ii. 2% Formalin is used for sterilization of materials used for mushroom cultivation.

iii. Washing of feet with potassium permanganate before entering the cultivation room at door.

iv. If any infection is observed in the incubation room or cultivation, a gap should be maintained in the following year.

v. Clean the room with savlon or phenol

9. LIFE CYCLE OF MUSHROOM :

Mature Mushroom Cap Gills

Hyminium

Immature mushroom

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button stage immature basidium

(n+n) (karyogamy meiosis)

Mycellium with

button stage

Germination of basidiospore

(n)

Secondary Germ tube

mycellium

Primary mycellium

Clamydosphore

10. MUSHROOM CULTIVATION:

Generally in Tripura, Pleurotus spp is cultivated as it can be grown at 35 0c. Mushroom can be cultivated in two ways CULTIVATION TECHNIQUE OF OYSTER MUSHROOM IN TRANSPARENT POLYPROPYLENE BAG :

Materials Required :o Spawn = 1 noo Polypropylene bag = 1no

(size = 18 x 22cm)o Straw = 1kgo Jute sutli = 6"

The fresh well dried golden yellow coloured chopped (5cm) paddy straw soaked

in cool water for 24 hours and subsequently 2 hours in hot water (800c). After soaking in hot water allow excess water to run off. Place 15cm layer of presoaked straw inside bottom of the poly propylene bag and spread one part of spawn uniformly. Place another 10cm layer of presoaked straw above the spawn layer and spread another part of spawn, like this way place rest 3 layers straw and 2 part of spawn. Press the straw

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from upper side. Tie the month of P.P. bag by jute sutli or thread and make 3-4 holes into the P.P. bag. Keep the bag in the dark and shady room and sprinkle water (250ml/bag) on every alternative day if necessary. In about 15-20 days, the straw will be covered with white mycellial growth, then open the P.P bag completely. The first flush of pin heads appears in about 20-25 days of spawning. At this stage sprinkle water twice daily and harvest when the tiny pin heads grow into full sized mushroom 3 to 4 days later.A third harvest is also possible from the same bag if proper care and management practice are as followed.

An average yield totals to around 600-900gm from each bag.

FIG 2: OYSTER MUSHROOMCULTIVATION TECHNIQUE OF OYSTER MUSHROOM IN WOODEN CUDE

METHOD :Materials Required :

1. Wooden would (size 45 x 22cm x 15cm)2. Polythene sheet (1sq. meter)3. Nylon rope

4. Fresh golden yellow coloured paddy straw5. Press wooden board (42 x 20 cm)

Procedure: Select a protected shady place, chop straw into 1" long and dip in cold water for

12-24 hours.

Drain out excess water and dip in hot water (800c) for 2 hours and drain out excess water and let it cool.

Place the wooden mould on smooth, clean surface, put nylon rope criss cross inside the wood.

Place the nylon sheet over the nylon rope.

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Divide one bottle / Packet of spawn into 5 parts and six kg. wet straw into 6 parts. Now place one part of straw and broadcast one part of spawn over the straw layer and then place another layer of straw. Over the spawn layer inside the wooden mould and press with the press board to make it compact. Continue the placement of alternate layer of spawn and straw and press with the board. The final layer will be of straw.

Wrap the material with polythene sheet previously placed and tie with the nylon rope tightly.

Now take out the straw cube from the wooden mould thus prepared and place on a rake.

After 10-15 days when the straw is completely covered with white mycelial growth, remove nylon rope and the polythene sheet carefully and place the straw cude in a shady place but never under direct sun and water regularly so as to keep the straw cube always moist (avoid excess watering)

Depending upon the species of mushroom and ambient temperature, the first flush of pin head will appear from all sides of the cube in about 3-5 days after removing the polythene sheet

Sprinkle water 2-3 times a day (but care should be taken so that pin heads are not damaged.

With 2-3 days of appearance of pin heads the mushroom will be ready for harvest. After first harvest sprinkle water regularly to keep the straw cube just moist.

Second flush of rope appears in all out 10-12 days after 1st harvest. A third harvest is also possible if proper care and management practices are followed.

11. CHEMICAL STERILIZATION OF PADDY STRAW :Ingredients: i. 10 kg paddy straw ii. 100 lt. water iii. 12 ml formaliniv. 5-7-5 mg Bavistinei. 200 lit capacity water tank or any container (except iron)

METHOD :First take 10kg chopped (5cm) straw in the container. Pour 90 litre water in this

container. Rest 10 lit water has to be divided into two parts, in one part 5 litre water mixed with 125ml formalin & another part 5 litre water mixed with 5-7.5 gm Bavistine thoroughly. Pour both the water along with chemicals slowly above the presoaked straw. Cover the straw with clean polythene sheet for 12-16 hours. After 16 hours allow

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excess water to run off and dry the straw for half an hour in sunlight. Divide this soaked straw in 10 parts, every past will contain 1kg straw. Then cultivate mushroom by using each past, either in poly propylene bag or wooden cube.

12. NUTRITIVE VALUE OF PLEUROTUS SAJOR CAJU IS GIVEN ON DRY WEIGHT BASIS :

Ascorbic acid - 0.06%Fat - 2.26%Protein - 47.93%Reducing sugar - 0.285%Starch - 0.120%

Fig 3:Pleurotus sajor kajuTable 4:COMPOSITION OF CULTIVATION MUSHROOM AND SOME COMMON

VEGETABLES / 100G. Name calories moisture fat carbohydrate protein%

dry wt basisBeet root 42 87.6 0.1 96 (129)cabbage 24 92.4 0.2 5.3 18.4

cauliflower 25 91.7 0.2 4.9 28.8Green peas 98 74.3 0.4 17.7 26.1Mushroom 16 91.1 0.3 4.4 26.9

Potato 83 73.8 0.1 19.1 7.6

14.DISEASE AND PEST OF MUSHROOM: i) Aspergillus sp.

Symptoms : Powdery mass like charcoal ii) Penicillicum sp :

Symptoms : Green colour dustry

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iii) Rhizopus sp - Symptoms: Spider net like structure

iv) Coprinus sp - symptom : The stalk becomes longer than usual and the cap becomes Black.

MANAGEMENT:Discard the infected mushroom. It is because mushroom is a highly perishable, it has to be consumed very soon, therefore it is not wise to use the pesticides for controlling the diseases. Pest :1. Sciarids 2. Phorids3. Cecides

REMEDY : 1ml Endosulfan 35EC or Malathion 50EC 2 ml/It water should be sprayed. For Rodents zinc phosphate can be used.

15. RECIPIES :Mushroom is a nutriteous, delicious and tasty dish. A number of tasty dishes can

be prepared out of mushroom. We can use mushroom by preparing mushroom snacks, also by preparing different types of curry. Some of the mushroom snacks are --

1. Mushroom omllete 2. Mushroom pakora3. Mushroom chop4. Sauted Mushroom

Some other mushroom recipies like curry, soup are given below : 1. Mushroom gravy2. Mushroom and paneer3. Mushroom matar masala4. Palak Mushroom5. Mushroom polao6. Mushroom dry fish7. Mushroom porridge

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8. Mushroom soup.

Fig 4: Mature stage of oyster mushroom

UNIT – IV

AGRO-BASED INDUSTRY(Under H.R.C. Nagichhera, Agartala.Tripura.)

(Govt. Of Tripura)

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AGRO-BASED INDUSTRY:

As is known, Tripura's economy is predominantly agricultural. A large section of our tribal people still practice-shifting cultivation. Because of the influx in population and tremendous pressure on the plain land, there is massive unemployment in the agricultural sector. To overcome this, modern horticultural practices-under the Rehabilitation programme for providing productive employment to the marginal farmers and shifting cultivators-will be continued vigorously. Tripura grows one of the finest varieties of pineapple, jackfruit, orange, guava etc. Recently, the tribal population has taken up vegetable cultivation also. The food and fruit products have a very wide market, provided these are scientifically preserved and processed. With adequate training programme, with the active assistance of nutrition experts from the

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Government of India, food and fruit processing and ventures will be given all encouragement. The existing training centres will be strengthened and training facilities at new places will be created. In consultation with the Agriculture, Horticulture, Fisheries and Forest Departments, Special projects will be formulated for production of more foodstuff for canning purposes. Preservation of fruits, fish, bamboo shoots and other fruit products will be taken up under this programme.

1. Seed processing industry:

(a) Introduction: Seed has been an important agricultural commodity since the first crop plant was domesticated by pre-historic man. For thousand of years, man cleaned seed of his food crops by winnowing. This is still an important process, but it is no longer adequate to supply the kind of seed needed by farmer.

Seed processing is a vital part of the seed production needed to move the improved genetic materials of the plant breeder into commercial channels for feeding the rapidly expanding world population. The farmer must get the quality seed that is free from all undesired materials because farmer’s entire crop depends on it.

Seed can seldom be planted in the condition in which it comes from the growers. In fact, many seed lots contain weed or crop seed or inert material that make them unfit for sale without processing. Crop seed also frequently have stems, awns, clusters or other structures, which prevent from flowing through the drill freely.

Seed processing is that segment of the seed industry responsible for upgrading seed improving planting condition of seed, and applying chemical protect to the seed.

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UNDESIREABLE MATERIAL REMOVED DURING PROCESSING OF SEED:

1) Inert material

2) Noxious weed seed

3) Deteriorated seed

4) Damage seed

5) common weed seed

6) other crop seed

7) other variety seed

8) off size seed

An important factor to consider is the moisture content of the seed prior to processing. Seed with moisture content above 15% are subject to excessive damage in the processing line. In this case natural or artificial drying may be necessary. Physical characteristics used to separate seed include size, length, weight, shape, surface texture, colour, affinity for liquids and electrical conductivity.

Seed processing can broadly be divided into various steps As the seed is received into the processing plant, it goes either directly into the cleaning process or into storage to await processing. Drying may be necessary. As processing begins, the first phase (conditioning and pre-cleaning) consists of scalping, debearding, shelling or any other operation necessary to make the seed flow easily. The second phase (cleaning and grading) includes the removal of inert materials, weed seed, other crop seed, and broken seed that are larger or smaller than the crop seed and obtain the seed mass in the uniform size range of perforations of top and bottom screen.

After the desired purity is obtained, seed enters the final processing phase of separation based on specific characteristics like length, weight etc and treating and packaging. Processed seed is stored for later sale

(b) Advantages of seed processing:

Make possible more uniform planting rates by proper sizing

Improve seed marketing by improving seed quality

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Prevent spread of weed seed

Prevent crops from disease by applying chemical protectants

Reduces seed losses by drying

Facilitate uniform marketing by providing storage from harvest time until the seed is needed for planting.

(c) Objectives: The State Government has accorded high priority to the upliftment of rural economy through the development of agricultural sector. Seed being vital input to agriculture, continuous efforts are being made to ensure availability of quality seeds to farmers in order to sustain the agricultural development. In the present situation the demand of quality seeds is so high that any government agency alone cannot meet the demand of quality seeds, which would be required to fill by the private seed projects.

In view of above, the project has been formulated with the objective to produce quality seed of paddy through scientific methods and adopting appropriate processing through establishment of seed processing plant.

(d) Seed processing unit:

o Cleaning unito Grading unito Air separator unito Bagging unito Electronic balance/weighing/ stitching unit

2. Fruit processing & preservation industries:

(a) Introduction: Tripura fruit processing industry is one of the principal small scale industries. The climatic conditions and topographical factors are conducive to the growth of myriads of horticulturalcrops. Several sweet and succulent fruits grow aplenty in the trees and bushes of the orchards in Tripura. The state is famed for the production of pineapples, particularly the "Queen" and "Kew" varieties. Oranges, cashew nuts and litchis are also found in plenitude in the state. The fruits are fresh and juice and devoid of any toxic chemicals.

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In order to increase the state's revenue, fruit processing units are being set up. These units, quite naturally will augment the net production of fruits. Although the industry is not a very old one, it is rapidly burgeoning into one of the state's major small scale units. The Government of India's NERAMAC has set up a pineapple juice concentration plant at Nalkata in North Tripura District. The plant is said to have an estimated capacity of 5760 TPA. The Tripura State Government's venture, TSIC is also venturing into the fruit processing industry. In fact, TSIC has opened up a fruit canning plant that produces fresh pineapple juice and other pineapple plants with a net capacity of 400 TPA. The state has also embarked into the dry fruit industry and set up units to process cashew nuts and other dry fruit. In short, fruit processing is one of the major imminent industries in Tripura that has tremendous potential for growth and development.

Table1: Present estimated annual production level of major horticultural crops

Food processing :

Food processing is the set of methods and techniques used to transform raw ingredients into food or to transform food into other forms for consumption by humans or animals either in the home or by the food processing industry. Food processing typically takes clean, harvested crops or butchered animal products and uses these to produce attractive, marketable and often long shelf-life food products. Similar processes are used to produce animal feed

Food preservation:

Crop Production (MT)Pineapple 82,000 MTLitchi 3000 MTOrange 16,000 MTCashew 1,800 MTJackfruit 2,20,000 MTCoconut 1,250 MT

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Food preservation is the process of treating and handling food to stop or slow down spoilage (loss of quality, edibility or nutritional value) and thus allow for longer storage.

Preservation usually involves preventing the growth of bacteria, yeasts, fungi, and other micro-organisms (although some methods work by introducing benign bacteria, or fungi to the food), as well as retarding the oxidation of fats which cause rancidity. Food preservation can also include processes which inhibit visual deterioration that can occur during food preparation; such as the enzymatic browning reaction in apples after they are cut.

Many processes designed to preserve food will involve a number of food preservation methods. Preserving fruit, by turning it into jam, for example, involves boiling (to reduce the fruit’s moisture content and to kill bacteria, yeasts, etc), sugaring (to prevent their re-growth) and sealing within an airtight jar (to prevent recontamination). There are many traditional methods of preserving food that limit the energy inputs and reduce carbon footprint.

Maintaining or creating nutritional value, texture and flavor is an important aspect of food preservation, although, historically, some methods drastically altered the character of the food being preserved. In many cases these changes have now come to be seen as desirable qualities – cheese, yoghurt and pickled onions being common examples.

(b) Method of preservation:

Heating to kill or denature micro-organisms (e.g., boiling) Oxidation (e.g., use of sulfur dioxide) Ozonation(e.g., use of ozone [O3] or ozonated water to kill undesired

microbes) Toxic inhibition (e.g., smoking, use of carbon dioxide, vinegar, alcohol etc.) Dehydration (drying) Osmotic inhibition (e.g., use of syrups) Low temperature inactivation (e.g., freezing) Ultra high water pressure (e.g., Fresherized a type of “cold” pasteurization;

intense water pressure kills microbes which cause food deterioration and affect food safety)

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(c) Importance of post harvest management:

The importance of post harvest management are as follows:-

To protect the crops from spoilage after harvest. To add the values to the product for better economic return. To make the produce available during off season. Even distributions of food among the mankind.

CONCLUSION:

RAWE programme has been a very good experience for me. I have personally learned many new indigenous techniques from the farmers which they adopt from their own experience. In the Research Station we have seen how the trials are been done in different patterns. Trials are usually made after the order from RRD Hyderabad. At present the trials are done on SRI method.

It was a very exciting thing to know about SRI (System of Rice Intensification) where only a single

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seedling is planted and about 64 to 72 tillers develop from it. It was hard to believe for everyone although there were many reasons to explain it. The ultimate result was extremely very BIG.

Agro-based industry was another very interesting topic. Here the seeds are tested, certified. Different fruits and vegetable are processed and send to the market for commercial purpose.

Mushroom itself is a very cute thing, so it was very pleasant & interesting work. We had done the entire process /steps involved in mushroom cultivation right from media preparation, spawn production to ultimate cultivation of mushroom.

More over we got a chance to attend and experience a field day program organised BY T.SAMETI. there we got the chance to meet farmers and interact with them. Which was a very interesting thing.

So, this RAWE Programme was very much helpful. It improves our confidence, sharpens our skills and makes us aware of the problems in the agricultural field before we serve the people.

REFERRENCE :

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SRI method : From the manual on Principles and Practices

of SRI, provided by- State Agriculture Research Station, Tripura.

Soil testing : written information provided by- Specialist of

soil analysing unit, State Agriculture Research Station, Tripura.

Bio-fertilizer : From the manual on bio-fertilizer, provided

by- State Agriculture Research Station, Tripura.

more over, some information was taken from the website

www.orbitbiotech.com

Mushroom : A text book on mushroom cultivation. By-

J.N.Kapoor. & a website – www.agricultureinfo.com & www.wikihow.com &

some available notes of seniors.

Seed processing : from the book Seed Technology. By-

R.L.Aggarwal. & some Written information, provided by- State Agriculture

Research Station, Tripura.

Fruit processing & preservation : written information

provided by Dr. Subrata Ganguli, in fruit processing & preservation Unit.

Depertment of Agriculture.