PROJECT REPORT
ON
EXPERIMENTAL LEARNING PROGRAMME
(FRUIT SCIENCE – 2022)
AT
SHER-E-KASHMIR UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURAL
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY OF JAMMU
SUBMITTED BY
GOURAV SHARMA
SANJAY KUMAR
ANMOL DUBEY
CHAKAR_BANDHU
NISHANT SINGH
B.SC AGRICULTURE(HON’S) TAWI COLLEGE, PATHANKOT
SUBMITTED TO
HEAD, DIVISION OF FRUIT SCIENCE,
SKUAST-J
AND
DEAN OF TAWI COLLEGE, SHAHPURKANDI, PATHANKOT
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
It is with a sense of great pleasure, for us presenting this report of Experiential
Learning Programme 2022. We feel honoured to offer our sinceregratitude to
all those people who have helped in completing this programme.
We are extremely thankful to Prof. B. C. Sharma (DEAN, Faculty of
Agriculture, SKUAST-J) Dr. A. K. Mondal (Ex Dean) and for undertaking
such a programme in the course curriculum due to which We have got a
chance to gain a lot of practical based knowledge and experience which will
help us in the long run. Expressing our deep gratitude to Prof. Parshant
Bakshi (HEAD, Division of Fruit Science), Prof. Amit Jasrotia (Ex HEAD,
Division Fruit Science)
Prof. Mahital Jamwal (Associate Director research) and Dr. Arti Sharma,
(Associate Professor, Fruit Science and manager ELP Hi-Tech nursery) for
their purpose guidance during present training and for providing us theoretical
knowledge prior to Experiential Learning Programme. We are thankful to Dr.
Akash Sharma (Associate Professor, Fruit Science), Professor Gurudev Chand
(HOD, Division plant physiology), Professor Sachin Gupta (Associate
Professor Plant Pathology and Manager ELP Mushroom Production), Dr.
Devinder Sharma (Associate Professor Entomology and Manager ELP Bee
Keeping) for providing us hands on training on different aspects of
horticulture in their respective units.
We are also very thankful to Prof. Vikas Tandan, Head, ACHR and Dr.
Sheetal Dogra (In-charge Tissue culture laboratory ACHR)
We are also very thankful to Sh. Kewal Ji and Sh. Rampaul Ji (Gardeners
Division of Fruit Science) for helping us throughout our journey.
Dated:
Signature
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Agriculture Education I s an important tool and technique in ensuring gradual
increase in agricultural productivity, sustainability in production, environment and
ecological security, profitability, technical feasibility, job security and equity in
distribution.
In India, ICAR 5th deans committee (2016) recommended the Student Ready
Programme for imparting quality, practical and production-oriented education for
agriculture degree programmed. It is an appropriate model to create high quality
human resources for sustainable extension services.
The ELP (Experiential Learning Programme) is conducted every year in the
semester. Main objective of the programmed is to learn the 8th Entrepreneurship
Development skill among the students. This programmed helps a lot in enhancing
the required skill practical knowledge to become a successful entrepreneur.
This includes planning, budgeting and marketing of planting materials of
horticultural crops
It has been most important for us as it has generated interest among us to develop
entrepreneur skill to set up our own enterprises with providing employment
Opportunities for others.
This programmed make us practically acquaints with different methods of raising of
planting materials which
include raising of vegetables seedling, grafting in fruits: cutting and potting of
ornamental plants and flowers.
EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING PROGRAMME (ELPS)
What is ELP? Experiential learning programme is a programme with the specific
objective of learning by hands-on participation, by trying, making errors, and
gradually
narrowing
the
margin
between
failure
and
success.
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Scope of ELP (Hi-Tech Horticulture)
• Hi-tech Horticulture is now widely employed for the profitable commercial
production of horticultural products.
• Hi-tech Horticulture encompasses Micro-irrigation & Fertigation, Greenhouse
Cultivation, Organic Farming & Bio-fertilizer, High Density
• Planting, Plug Tray Nursery Raising Technology, Dwarfing root-stock, biological
interventions (Conventional & Non-conventional tools), Hybrids & improved
varieties, q2Mulching. Soil-polarization, Integrated Nutrient Management (INM)
and Good Agricultural Practices (GAP).
• It is well established in all advanced countries as an industry, but in India, it has
yet to find its right place. Hi-tech Horticulture also includes scientific and hi-tech
propagation and handling of fruits, vegetables, flowers, Ornamental plants,
medicinal and aromatic plants, etc. Odisha mostly depends on neighbouring states
for flower and planting materials of horticultural crops.
• Flowers worth Rs 5lakh are procured daily from states like West Bengal,
Karnataka, Maharashtra, etc. Planting materials are mostly procured from states
like West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, etc there is more scope for
student undergoing ELP to learn Hi-Tech Horticulture, develop skill for
production flowers/planting materials in business mode as there is a good market
in the state.
Students will not face problem in marketing of their produce and earn money which
will increase the shelf confidence in students.
Objectives of ELP ➢ Refinement of student's acquired knowledge and understanding on
commercial production of QPM through hi-tech horticulture...
➢ Capacity building for designing and development of ecologically sustainable.
➢ Economically profitable agri-business model(s) on hi-tech horticulture.
➢ Learning the art and science of production and managerial skills under
protected environment.
➢ Becoming a prospective entrepreneur for employment generation.
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Plant Propagation: (DAY 1 TO DAY 2)
It is a process of increasing the number of plants of a particular species or cultivar.
Types:
There are two primary forms of plant propagation:
• Sexual reproduction or propagation.
• Asexual propagation.
• In nature propagation of plants most often involves sexual reproduction or the
production of viable seeds.
• Over the years, horticulturists have also developed asexual propagation
methods that use vegetative plant parts.
Sexual Propagation/ Seed Propagation
• Sexual propagation uses seeds to produces new plants. Sexual propagation is
relatively easy & often requiring no specific equipment. It is nature’s way to
obtain many plants economically.
• A seed consists of three primary components:
➢ The embryo or undeveloped plant
➢ The endosperm (which stores food)
➢ Protective covering known as seed coat.
Seed Propagation
✓ In this we performed propagation by seeds Seed propagation is the method of plant
propagation (multiplying, reproducing, or breeding new plants) that is done through
the use of seeds. Plants that produce seeds are called spermatophytes.
✓ Seeds are made up of three separate parts, and when a seed matures in an optimal
environment, it will germinate and actively grow. Seed propagation occurs naturally,
but can be done intentionally by growers and farmers.
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✓ Seed propagation will remain necessary, at least to produce the genetic recombinants
that provide the and farmers. candidates for the next cycle of recurrent selection. For
many species, however, seed production will continue to be needed for mass
production of commercial stocks, either directly or as a platform for mass vegetative
multiplication. Pending, or failing, the development of mass vegetative
multiplication, incremental improvements can be expected in seed-orchard
technology, to improve yields and physical quality of seed and to avert unwanted
external pollination. Care may be needed, however, in the choice of environment for
seed production. In some spruces, in particular, the inherent growth rhythms and
climatic tolerances of seedlings have been found to be affected by climatic
conditions during a particular phase of seed production. Thus the choice of a
congenial climate for producing seed may compromise adaptation to the harsher
climates for which the seedlings are intended.
Asexual propagation/ Vegetative Propagtion
• Asexual plant propagation uses vegetative parts of the plant to make a clone
or an exact genetic copy, of the parent plant.
• This can have several advantages including, ability to replicate genetically the
parent plant.
• Also, certain plants produce seeds that are sterile or have poor viability which
makes sexual propagation difficult or impossible.
• Gardeners use several general methods to propagate plant asexually.
Methods of
Vegetative
propagation
Cutting
Layering
Division
Grafting
Budding
Tissue cultre
in a lab
Fig 1: Methods of Vegetative propagation
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CUTTING:
Parts of plants removed from a parent plant and rooted to from new plants are called
cuttings.
Cuttings can be classified according to the nature of the cutting material removed
(herbaceous, softwood, semi-hardwood or hardwood) or the part of the plant
removed to from the cutting.
The type or method of cutting:
Types of Cutting
Leaf Cutting
StemTip Cutting
Leaf & Bud
Cutting
Stem Cutting
Fig 2: Types of Cutting
LAYERING
The layering is a method of propagating new plants when seeding, cutting, grafting
& other methods are impractical or inflective.
Types of
Layering
Simple
layering
Compound
layering
Air layering
Fig 3: Types of Layering
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DIVISION:
Crown division or division is one of the best ways to propagate herbaceous perennial
plant.
GRAFTING (Budding)
The act of joining two plants together. The lower part of the graft is known as stock
which becomes the root system or part of the trunk.
The upper part of the graft is known as Scion.
BUDDING:
Budding is a method of grafting in which scion is a single bud rather than a piece of
stem or twig.
Types of
Budding
Tbudding
Patch
budding
Inverted
T-Budding
Ring
Budding
Chip
Budding
Forkert
Budding
Fig 4: Types of Budding
TISSUE CULTURE
Tissue culture or micropropagation is the art & science of propagation plants I vitro,
which within the glass in the case, a propagation tube. It functions on the principle
that plant cells are important.
Tissue culture technique allows thousands of new plants to be obtained from a single
plant, making the technology attractive to rapidly multiply new cultivars. Its
limitations include the need for specialized equipment & facilities along with a great
deal of highly skilled labour.
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The tissue culture process can be divided into four stages or steps:
o Culturing of explants
o Multiplication
o Organogenesis
o Acclimatization
CULTURING OF EXPLANTS:
The piece of tissue taken from a plant to be used in tissue culture propagation
is known as the explant. This often is the apical meristem, but it can be other plant
tissue. Explants should only be taken from healthy plants need to be surface
sterilized before use.
After sterilization the explant is placed on the surface of the sterilized medium in the
culture lab.
MULTIPLICATION:
Wounding plant tissue includes cellular division. In tissue culture, the cells of
the explant form an undifferentiated mass of cells known as callus.
This callus continues to grow in size during the multiplication stage.
ORGANOGENESIS:
With time, the callus begins to differentiate into distinct tissue that forms
organs. The callus will first develop a root system, a shoot system will form soon
after. At this a miniature plant can be seen growing in the culture tube with its root
in the culture medium.
ACCLIMATIZATION:
Once the new plantlet becomes large enough to handle, it can be removed
from the culture tube & planted in a growing medium. Newly transplanted plantlets
are placed in carefully controlled conditions of light, temperature & humidity for
several
weeks
as
they
adjust
to
their
new
environment
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PROPAGATION TECHNIQUES IN FRUIT CROPS
1. BUDDING (Day 3 to Day 6)
In 1st week we practiced various budding techniques. In this we learned the process
of connecting scion which is a bud and rootstock in a manner such that they unite
and grows successfully as one plant.
Plate 1: Budding technique
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PATCH BUDDING
We practiced this on guava branches by taking out a square or rectangle shape bud
from scion shoot and similar size incision is made on rootstock. The bud is place on
rootstock. Polythene tape is wrapped on bud leaving the sprouting portion exposed.
Plate 2: Performing patch budding
(B) RING BUDDING
In this the bud is taken off with a vertical slit in the bud wood from the scion shoot
such a bud can be applied in the middle without cutting the rootstock from above.
After fixing the bud to the rootstock we tied it with the polythene tape.
Plate 3: Performing ring budding in guava
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✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Procedure
In this the ring shaped bud is carefully taken from the scion branch.
The length of the bud should be 2-3 cm.
The ringed bark is removed by making a cut of the same length on the upper part of
the rootstock.
After that a ringed shaped bud is gently fitted to rootstock while applying the bud
there should not be any air, or any empty space in it.
The bud should stick to the rootstock.
This method does not require the bud to be tied with a polythene tape or stripe.
(C) INVERTED-T BUDDING
In this we made an inverted T shaped incision on a rootstock and long bud of boat
or shield shape is removed with the help of knife and after inserting a bud in incision
on the rootstock was tied with polythene tape covering the bud too.
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Plate 4: Performing Inverted Ton citrus
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Procedure
On the selected stock plant give horizontal cut at the bottom of the given vertical cut
representing invented T.
Select the required bud stick. Start a slicing cut 1.5 cm above the bud and continue
it downward and under the bud to about 2.5cm below the bud.
Give another horizontal cut about 1cm below the bud and remove the bud piece.
Insert the bud between the flaps of bark on the stock and push upwards till the
horizontal cutoff the shield matches the horizontal cut on the stock.
Wrap the bud piece and stock completely and tightly exposing only the bud properly.
T-BUDDING
In this method of budding we cut an incision on a rootstock and a long bud of shield
shape is removed with the help of knife and after inserting a bud in incision on the
rootstock was tied with polythene tape exposing or without covering the bud
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PROCEDURE
✓ A “T” shaped cut is made in the bark, near the base of the rootstock, and the bark is
peeled away from the underlying wood, creating a "pouch"
✓ Scion bud shields are cut starting from below inserted into the stock "pouch" from
top down the bud the bud to obtain a pointed end that can be easily
✓ Multiple buds can be cut from a single bud stick.
✓ Some grafters prefer to pull the rind (bark) of the scion bud shield away from the
underlying wood, and just use the rind, while other grafters leave the bud intact. This
shows one means of removing the wood.
✓ The bud shield is slid into the pouch After the graft union has formed (in the case of
the apple, the following spring) the portion of the stock above the bud is cut or
broken off to force the bud into growth
GRAFTING (DAY 7 TO DAY 9)
In this week we practiced various grafting techniques in grafting scion stick (shoot
containing more than one bud) and rootstock is connected in a manner such that they
may unite and subsequently grow and develop as a successful plant.
Plate 5: Grafting technique
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VENEER GRAFTING
We use this method for propagating mango. In this a shallow downward and inward
cut ensuring V shaped incision in lower portion of incision on rootstock was
prepared. Similar matching cut in slanting manner was prepared on lower portion of
scion. Both rootstock and scion were fastened together using polythene tape.
Plate 6: Performing veneer grafting in mango
✓
✓
✓
✓
Procedure
On the stock plant, at desired height, in the intermodal region, give a shallow inward
cut running to a length of about 2.5 to 5 cm.
At the base of the first cut make another short and inward cut intersecting the first
cut and remove a piece of wood and bark. On the scion, towards the base, give a
long (2.5 to 5 cm), slanting cut towards one side and another shot, inward and
downward cut on the opposite side.
The cuts given on stock and scion should of same dimensions, so that, the combined
layer can be matched as closely as possible.
Inert the scion on the rootstock such that a contact of cambium is established, at least
one side, and tie them firmly. After the union has healed, cut back the stock above
the graft union either on gradual steps or at all once.
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(a) TONGUE GRAFTING
In this method we split stub through the middle two to four cm deep with the help of
knife, this action prepares the tongue of the stock, now cut the scion in the sloping
shape. Insert the scion on the stock into the center the stock and scion are inserted
which interlock each other. After uniting both rootstock and scion are fastened using
polythene bags.
Plate 7: Performing tongue grafting in guava
Procedure
✓ The first cut is a long sloping diagonal as much as one to two inches long.
✓ The second cut begins about 1/3 of the way down from the top of the first cut. It
begins vertically, then the first cut is a long sloping diagonal as much as one to two
inches long gradually becomes nearly parallel to the first cut surface, to create the
"tongue.
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✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Identical (complementary) cuts are made in both stock and scion.
Preferably the scion should be the same diameter as the stock, but if it is smaller.
It is important the scion be placed over to one side of the stock, rather than
Centered, so that the vascular cambia like up.
Stock and scion should fit together without the overlap shown here, which indicates
that the second (tongue) cut was too long.
WEDGE GRAFTING
It this we created a V- wedge shaped incision o about 5 cm length on the stub of the
plant, shallow and downward matching incision is prepared on the lower part of
scion. The scion is inserted in the rootstock shallow and firmly. After uniting they
are fastened using polythene bags.
Plate 8: Performing wedge grafting on guava
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Procedure
Select, Cut the scion to make a wedge; selection, cutting and preparation of the scion
and wedge-shaped cut at the base of the scion so that it can be fixed in the rootstock.
Trim the top of the rootstock to match the diameter of the scion for grafting.
Make a split in the top of the rootstock;
Place the scion with the wedge-shaped cut into the rootstock, matching the cambium
layer on at least one side;
Wrap the graft union with grafting tape
Seal the top end of the scion with grafting tape if in a hot climate to prevent drying
out or to form humid chamber.
Grafted plant ready for plant
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LAYERING (DAY 10 TO DAY 14)
In this the plant produce adventitious root while it still remain attach to mother plant.
Air layering
It is also known as goatee layering. In this we firstly prepared a girdle by removing
the bark, the girdled portion of the shoot is scrapped using gunny baf or with rare
side of the blade. The girdled portion is then covered with the moist sphagnum moss
grass then it is wrapped using a polythene tape and both end of the tape are tied air
tightly.
Plate 9: Performing air layering on guava
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Procedure
Shrub or tree with medium sized branches that are suitable for layering is selected.
Choose a non-flowering healthy branch which is neither too young nor too old.
Cut off most of the old, mature leaves at the portion of the branch where layering is
to be done.
At an appropriate distance, remove the peel ring of bark (3-5 cm) circularly and
expose the inner tissue.
Apply rooting hormone to the wound by a painting brush.
Cover the moss by polythene paper & tie the polythene on either side by a thread;
this will hold the moss on the wound. The structure should took like a toffee covered
in a wrapper. This structure is called as Goatee.
Make incisions on Goatee by the blade for aeration.
After 2-3 weeks or 1-2month, depending on species, roots will be formed. Young
root tips will be visible from the Goatee.
Once roots are formed, detach the branch form the main plant along with the roots.
Transplant the layered branch is soil/pot/poly bag as a new sapling.
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ANNUAL MEETING OF AICRP ON HONEY BEES,
POLLINATORS (DAY 15 TO DAY 17)
The 2 days annual review meeting of AICRP on honey bees & pollinators was kicked
off at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Jammu
(SKUAST-J).
About 24 centers of AICRP on honey bees and pollinators of the country who are
participating in the mega event will make scientific deliberations on diverse aspects
on honey bees.
On first day Prof. J.P. Sharma, V.C SKUAST-J, was the Chief guest. In his address,
Prof. Sharma said that the annual honey production in Jammu & Kashmir is 90
metric tons & there is immense scope of increasing the production of honey. He also
emphasized to introduce diversification in apiculture. Prof. Sharma informed that a
honey testing laboratory is established in the University.
Dr. T.R. Sharma, DDG (Crop Science), ICAR New Delhi, in his address, stressed
that all the honey bee centers of the country should work in vision to rectify the
problem & bridge the gaps in scientific honey production technology. He impressed
upon the adaption of exotic honey bees in the local environment. In his address Dr.
S.C. Dubey, ADG (PP&BS) ICAR, New Delhi, said that the India is one of the
leading exporters of honey but the country is lacking in export of honey by-products.
He said the special emphasis should be given on the domestication of bumble bees
as the pollination by bumble bee results in higher fruit quality & quantity.
Dr. Balraj Singh project coordinator, ICAR AICRP said that honey bee production
& export was one of the priority areas of the Government of India & focus was on
producing self-employment to the youth.
Earlier, Dr. Pardeep Wali, Director Research presented the research activities of the
University. During the inaugural session, Dr. D.P. Abrol, Dr. V.B Belavadi, Dr. P.K.
Chhuneja, Dr. Stephen Deunashan & Dr. Harish Sharma who did pioneered work in
apiculture were felicitated.
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Vinod Kumar, a progressive beekeeper of J&K was also facilitated. Annual report
on honey bee & pollinators was also released during the programme.
Plate 10 : ATTENDING ANNUAL MEETING
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VISIT TO UDHEYWALA (DAY 18 TO DAY24)
Plate 11: Visit to udheywala
On our 18th day of ELP experimental learning programme we visited ACHR
Udheywala to see the Hi-tech Nursery we spent entire week there.
Day 1:
Plate 12: We prepared basin around guava.
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On first day we prepared basin around guava.
Preparing basins is necessary because it serves to keep water in the right place to
drip down to the tree’s roots.
➢ Basins are made according to canopy of plants.
➢ Water is provided at the edge of the basins.
➢ Soil near the tree is not disturbed.
Day 2:
We visited different components of Hi-tech Nursery at ACHR, Udheywala.
(1) Hi-tech Nursery of Udheywala
Plate 13: Hi-Tech Nursery Udheywala.
➢ The Hi-tech nursery was equipped with latest equipment’s devices and
automated systems.
➢ Hi-tech nursery is used to propagate plants around the year.
➢ The use of hi-tech nursery is also essential to mass multiply the plants through
tissue culture.
➢ Hi-tech nursery is well equipped with elaborate structure and has per use control
on temperature, light intensity and humidity.
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➢ The size and type of hi-tech nursery primarily depends upon the need of plant
propagators, Glass covered nurseries and expensive but have long life. However,
for short term benefits plastic covered nursery can also be made.
(2) Green house with bloomers:
Plate 14: Green house with bloomers.
➢
➢
➢
➢
➢
Green house with blommers controlled temperature.
Proper temperature is maintained with the help of heaters.
Seedlings are grown there.
In this green house we can grow 15 thousand seedlings at one time.
Floor is made up of concrete.
(3) Naturally ventilated Green House:
Plate 15: Visit to naturally ventilated Green House
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➢ The naturally ventilated green house was designed to meet the growing needs of
farmers around the world to produce higher quality crops.
➢ Passive ventilation uses openings which naturally draw air through the green
house.
➢ Naturally ventilated Green house provides a simple and in expensive solution far
sensible crops to hostile weather conditions.
Day 3:
❖ Growing media far plant growth.
In the Hi-tech Nursery we can use different types of media for growing plants.
We learned about use of Peat moss, Vermilite, Perlite, Shredded coconut husk
(cocopeat) or composted materials pluse started nutrients and a wetting agent.
Plate 16: Different types of media for growing plants.
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Day 4:
Plate 17: Transplanting of Litchi
Transplanting of Litchi:
❖ The most successful of the methods of litchi propagation is through air
layering. The method is also known as gootee.
The workers there already had done air layering so we had to cut rooted layers and
transplating planting them.
❖
❖
❖
❖
Don’t damage the root system during separation.
Remove polythene and plant them immediately.
Filled poly bags with soil and farm yard manure.
Give immediate irrigation.
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Plate 18: Litchi Transplated in Polybags
Day 5:
We visited Tissue Culture Lab
❖ Basic requirement facilities in tissue culture lab during our visit.
QUARANTINE AREA:
❖ This area is essential to prevent contamination coming from us- humans.
❖ It can be present only in the beginning of the lab or both in the beginning and
exit of a Lab.
WASHING AREA:
❖ We need this area to wash the explants or other plant materials.
❖ We also need this area to clean all our breakers, cylinders and flasks which
we will use for preparing media or measuring ingrediets.
❖ This area consists of large sinks and draining boards.
❖ This area also has access to distilled water with space for drying.
MEDIA PREPARATION AREA:
• We need this area for preparing culture media recipes and for storage of
chemicals and glassware.
This area also has hot place, pH meters, weighing balances and water baths.
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Equipment we need for media preparation which are:
• Magnetic stirrer.
• Analytical and top loading balances.
• pH meter.
• Refrigerator with freezes or a separate freezer for stock solution, plant
hormones and other chemicals.
• Water purification system along with the space to store the purified water.
• Equipment for sterilization of media, glassware and instruments (pressure
cooker or autoclave for small lab setup).
Transfer area:
• A separate room should be made and next to the media preparation area or
next to the area for the media dispensing unit.
• This area is away from dust and micro-organisms.
Culture/ grow room:
• After transferring explants and shouts to the media, we need to store them in
ideal conditions for efficient growth and development.
• We need to provide controlled temperature, humidity, air circulation, light
quality and duration of light.
Data collection are:
• We need this area to have efficient record keeping practices for different kind
of tissue culture experiments.
Day 6:
Filling Polybags
Plate 19: Transplanting Mango Seedling in polybags
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Plate 20: Aftercare transplanted mango in Polybags.
7 Days:
Removing weeds from polybags
Plate 21: Removing weeds from polybags
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Visited control room and observed following facilities: ▪ Irrigation and fertilizer equipment, ,Pipe connector fitting, flow control
devices, fustigation equipment, water emitters,automation equipment,
operation equipment, water lifting devices etc.
Plate 22: Irrigation and fertilizer equipments
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WEED MANAGEMENT
(DAYS 25-26)
We practiced various field practices like weed management; we prepared three
different types of seedbeds
We performed weeding activity in orchard and nursery so as to prevent yield losses
in crop.
To maintain purity and/or quality and market price of harvested fruits.
Prevent build-up of weed seeds in soil.
Prevent weeds that may attract insects or rodents (rats) or act as a host for diseases.
Prevent clogging of field irrigation channels to facilitate water flow.
Reduce time and cost of land preparation and weeding operations.
(a) Physical /mechanical method
In this method weed control is tried using tillage, hoeing, hand weeding, digging,
cheering, mowing, mulching.
We performed hoeing and hand weeding
HOEING:
Hoe is a widely used weeding tool for centuries. Small hoe is quite effective for
controlling weed in row, crop. It is very useful for annual and biennial weeds.
Plate 23: Hoeing in mango orchard
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HAND WEEDING:
Weeds are removed and collected from crop fields by hand. The collected weeds are
piled on bunds or in case of certain weeds, taken home to feed animals. Manual
weeding is a part of integrated weed management that involves the integrated use of
cultural, manual, mechanical and/or chemical control methods.
Plate 24: Hand weeding
Advantages of Hand weeding in nursery
It is nonchemical: ecologically method.
Good for resource-poor farmers where labor is available at low wages
PROCEDURE
1. Weeds need to be controlled from planting until the crop canopy closes.
2. Start hand weeding within two weeks of planting (or when weeds are large enough
to grasp).
3 Repeat the weeding once or twice more at 30-32 and 40-42 days after transplanting
(DAT) or 40-42 and 50-52 days after wowing (DAS)
4. Do not allow weeds to flower and set seeds in a crop field
5. Use good land leveling to reduce weeds.
Planting of seeds or seedlings growth takes places.
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The ideal seedbed is uniformly firm, has soil moisture near the surface, is free from
competing vegetation is well-packed underneath with small surface clods or a light
mulch of residue to prevent soil erosion.
Improve seed to soil contact, and allow for the proper seedling depth, germination
and emergence of the species to be seeded we prepared were:
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NURSERY MANAGEMENT (DAY 30 TO DAY 32)
We practiced in nursery, we performed budding and grafting in nursery, shifted
polybasic from nursery to field for hardening, Nursery is the managed site,
designed to produce seedlings, cuttings, layers, composite plantlets etc, growing
under favourable conditions until they ready you finale planting
• The development of seedlings in nursery not only reduces the crop life span but
also increases the uniformity of the crop compared to direct own crops.
• Seed cost of some fruit crops can be economized through nursery sowing. Nursery
production helps in maintaining effective plant standing shortest possible time
through gap fillings. Many role models were invited to talk about their success
stories in the field of agriculture, some role models were form agriculture
profession but some were non-agricultural bur everyone talked about their success
stories how they started from zero and reached to such heights just by knowing
little about agriculture and they even encouraged us to start with our own start ups
and helped to know that how we can have good return by investing in agriculture.
• Many role models were invited to talk about their success stories in the field of
agriculture, some role models were from agriculture profession but some were
non-agricultural but everyone talked about their success stories how they started
from zero and reached to such heights just by knowing little about agriculture and
they even encouraged us to start with our own start-ups and helped to know that
how we can have good return by investing in agriculture.
We practiced T budding and inverted T budding in nursery
Plate 25: Practicing T-budding and inverted T-budding in nursery.
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Shifted polybags from nursery to field for hardening.
We shifted polybags of mango plants from nursery to field for hardening of plants
for their better survival.
Plate 26: Shifting of polybag
Hardening, or "hardening off," is the process of allowing a plant to transition from a
protected indoor or greenhouse environment to the harsh outdoor conditions of
fluctuating spring temperatures, wind,
and full sun exposure A gradual introduction of these outdoor stresses will cause the
plant to accumulate carbohydrates, to
trigger more root development, to reduce the amount of freeze-prone water in the
plant, and to actually thicken its cell walls. Plant growth will change from soft and
supple to much firmer and harder.
•
Hardening Process
When temperatures are at least 45-50°, move plants outdoors to a shady,
protected spot. Initially place in the shaded, sheltered location for two to three
hours.
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•
Gradually increase the amount of sunlight the plants receive over the two-week
period. The last day or two, the plants can spend 24 hours outside.
•
Reduce the amount of water plants receive, but do not allow them to wilt.
•
Avoid placing seedlings outdoors on windy days.
•
Cold frames are excellent places to harden plants, but another spot that provides
protection, such as a porch, will work.
•
Pay attention to the weather forecast; if temperatures will fall below 45, be
prepared to bring the plants inside.
Keep in mind that the overall goal of hardening is to slow the growth of the
plants to allow them to adjust to a change in conditions. After proper hardening,
even warmth-loving vegetables, such as tomatoes, can withstand an unexpected
dip in spring temperature.
•
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WATER MANAGEMENT (DAY 33 TO DAY 34)
On this day we irrigated the plants manually present in field as well as in polybasic.
Manual irrigation is by far the most common form of irrigation as anyone physically
able to, can manually irrigate their crops.
Manual Irrigation is you moving water from plant to plant. This is very labor and
time intensive and is usually done with hose or bucket, 50 it 15 only suitable for
smaller areas These ways are also the least efficient as you have less control over
the water, and it is usually delivered in larger quantities that are not as good for the
plant and can increase run-off from your farm. However, this is financially the
cheapest way to irrigate your farm and it is currently the only easily available option
for many smallholders, especially in dry seasons.
Removal of straw after seedling
On this day we removed the straw or we can say that we removed mulch from citrus
seedlings after emergence of seedlings of citrus.
Removal of mulch or straw leads to direct exposure of sunlight and other climatic
condition on seedlings.
Consequences of this leads to survival of the fittest which may provide a better plant
with better quality and quantity of fruits.
Special production practice of horticultural crops
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PINCHING OF GUAVA (DAY 35 TO DAY 37)
On this day we practiced pinching of guava in guava orchard.
Pinching means removal of growing tip of shoots. These techniques allow you to
control the horizontal spread of the tree.
Guava flowers on new growth, so these cuts also induce the tree to produce more
flower and fruit. We practiced it manually we removed all shoot tip by our hands. It
was a time consuming work.
We performed pruning on guava plants in this we removed parts of plant to obtain
better and qualitative yield. We performed pruning when the plant become capable
of producing flowers and fruits
We performed pruning by thinning method, in this selective and complete removal
of part of the plant was done.
Plate 27: Pruning of grafted guava plant.
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When to Prune Guava Trees
Prune guavas 3 to 4 months after planting to train them to the desired shape, if you
are pruning yours to a tree shape, select a single trunk and 3 or 4 lateral (side)
branches.
Remove all other shoots. Pinch back the tips of the selected side branches when they
are 2 to 3 feet (1m.) long. This will encourage them to produce additional branches.
After this, prune your guava tree annually to maintain its symmetry and remove
excessive growth. Guava tree pruning should be performed in late winter or early
spring.
Diseased branches and suckers can be removed at any time of year. Commercial
growers also conduct severe “crop cycling’’ pruning to delay fruiting on individual
trees in the following season. This practise allows a plant to produce fruit a longer
period.
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VISIT TO BEE KEEPING UNIT (DAY 38 TO DAY 39)
On this day we visited bee keeping unit and learned all about bees and bee keeping
sir told us about behaviour of bees, different tools used in bee keeping and their
purposes, he also told us how a beginner can start apiculture, family of bees benefits
of bee keeping like;
Bee keeping requires less time, money and infrastructure investments
Honey and beeswax can be produced from an area of little agricultural value
The Honey bee does not compete for resources with any other agricultural enterprise.
Beekeeping has positive ecological consequences. Bees play an important role in the
pollination of many flowering plants, thus increasing the yield of certain crops such
as sunflower and various fruits.
Honey is a delicious and highly nutritious food. By the traditional method of honey
hunting many wild colonies of bees are destroyed. This can be prevented by raising
bee’s inboxes and producing honey at home.
Beekeeping can be initiated by individuals or groups
The market potential for honey and wax is high
Plate 28: Visited bee keeping unit
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In this we learned how a beginner in beekeeping starts apiculture
• A beekeeper should start his venture early in the season, which means he
should begin Honey Bee Farming at the correct time when honeybees will
get full nectar from the flowers. If began late the bees do not get flowers,
you will not get honey. So, the beginning of beekeeping early in the season
is the right thing.
• Apiculture can be started un any season but generally, honey bees are fond
of warm weather and that’s why spring season is considered to be the right
season to begin Apiculture as the flowering of plants also starts in his period.
• The beekeeper should inspect the Beehives once every 7-10 days. Don’t
make things complex in the beginning, keep it as simple as you can.
• In the end, watch the result and don’t expect a high yield of honey in first
year.
BEE FAMILY
Honeybees are social bees and lives in hives or colonies which consist of three
types of adult bees. One colony normally includes thousands of worker bees, a
single queen, and hundreds of drones.
• The worker bees are female, but they do not breed. They are responsible for
all other activities, such as taking care of the queen anther eggs, collecting
nectar, building comb, guarding the hive and honey, keeping the hive clean
and producing honey
• The queen bee is the only sexually developed female and her primary function
is to lay drones (unfertilized eggs) and workers (fertilized eggs) for the colony.
• The drones are the male bees in the colony. Their main function is to fertilize
the virgin queen by mating and die soon after successful mating.
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• For the survival of a colony, all three types of bees are extremely needed. For
beginner beekeeper, purchasing bees is the simplest and most secure approach
to begin an apiary. Here are some basic ways how we can get honeybees.
Production process
Honey bees can be raised in boxes at the farm or home.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Equipment requirements for bee keeping
Hive: It is a simple long bow covered with a number of slats on top The rough
measurements of the box should be around 100 cm of length, 45 cm of width
and 25 cm in height. The box should be 2 cm thick and the hive must be glued
and screwed together with entrance holes of 1 cm wide. The slats (top bars)
must be as long at the hive is wide in order to fit across and the thickness of
about 1.5 cm is sufficient to support a heavy honey comb. The width of 3.3
cm needs to be given to give the bees the natural spacing they need to easily
build one comb to each separate top bar.
Smoker: It is the second important piece of equipment. This can be made
from a small tin. We use the smoker to protect ourselves from bee stings and
to control the bees.
Cloth: to protect our eyes and nose from stings at the time of work near the
apiary.
Knife: It is used to loosen the top bars and to cut off the honey bars.
Feather To sweep the bees from the comb.
Queen Excluder
Match box
Plate 29: Session on bee keep
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Species of honey bees
Rock bee (Apes dorsa): They are good honey gathers with an average yield of 5080 kg per colony.
Little bee (Apes florae): They are poor honey yielders and yield about 200-900 g of
honey per colony.
Indian bee (Apes carina indicia): They yield an average honey yield of 6-8 kg per
colony per year.
European bee [Italian bee] (Apes milliner): The average production per colony is 2540 kg
Stingless bee (Trogon iridipennis): They have poorly developed stings and are
available in Kerala. They are efficient pollinators. They yield 300-400 g of honey
per year.
Establishment of hives
The apiary must be located in well-drained open area, preferably near orchards, with
profuse source of nectar, pollen and water.
Protection form sunlight is important in order to maintain an optimum temperature
in the hive.
Ant wells are fixed around the hive stand. The colonies must be directed towards
east, with slight changes in the directions of the bee box as a protection from rain
and sun.
Keep the colonies away from the reach of cattle, other animal, busy roads and
streetlights.
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Plate 30: Honeycomb and pollen patties
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✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Establishing a bee colony Honeycomb and Brooder chamber
To establish a bee colony, bees can be obtained by transferring a wild nesting colony
to a hive or attract a passing swarm of bees to occupy it.
Before putting a swarm or even a colony in a prepared hive, it would be beneficial
to make the hive smell familiar by rubbing old brown comb pieces or some bee wax.
If possible, the Queen bee can be captured from a natural swarm and placed under a
hive to attract the other bees.
Feed the hived swarm for a few weeks by diluting a half cup of white sugar in half
a cup of hot water as this will also help in building the comb along with the bars
rapidly.
Avoid over crowding
Management of colonies
Inspect the beehives at least once in a week during the honey-flow seasons preferably
during the morning hours.
Clean the hive in the following sequence, the roof, super/supers, brood chambers
and floorboard.
Observe the colonies regularly for the presence of healthy queen, brood
development, storage of honey and pollen, presence of queen cells, bee strength and
growth of drones.
Brood chamber
✓ Look for the infestation by any of the following bee enemies.
✓ Wax moth (Galleria mellonella): Remove all the larvae and silken webbings from
the combs, corners and crevices of bee box.
✓ Wax beetles (Platybolium sp.): Collect and destroy the adult beetles.
✓ Mites: Clean the frame and floorboard with cotton swabs moistened with freshly
made potassium permanganate solution. Repeat until no mites are seen on the
floorboard.
✓ Management during lean season
✓ Remove the supers and arrange the available healthy broods compactly in the brood
chamber.
✓ Provide division board, if necessary.
✓ Destroy queen cells and drone cells, if noted.
✓ Provide sugar syrup (1:1) @ 200 g sugar per colony per week for Indian bees.
✓ Feed all the colonies in the apiary at the same time to avoid robbing.
✓ Management during honey flow season
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✓ Keep the colony in sufficient strength before honey-flow season.
✓ Provide maximum space between the first super and the brood chamber and not
above the first super.
✓ Place queen excluder sheets in between brood and super chamber to confine the
queen to brood chamber.
✓ Examine the colony once in a week and frames full of honey should be removed to
the sides of the super. The frames, which are three-fourth filled with honey or pollen
and one-fourth with sealed brood should be taken out of brood chamber and in its
place empty combs or frames with foundation is added.
✓ The combs, which are completely sealed, or two-third capped may be taken out for
extraction of honey and returned to supers after honey extraction.
Plate 31: Bee keeping Harvesting of honey
Harvest the honey by smoking the bees off the parts which needs to be harvested
and cut the combs carefully.
Harvests are normally possible during and shortly after the two main flowering
seasons, namely October/November and February-June.
A ripe comb is light in color and filled with honey. More than half of the honey
cells on both the sides are sealed with wax
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VISIT TO MUSHROOM UNIT
(DAY 40 TO DAY 45)
We visited mushroom unit, bee keeping unit. We learned about these units how to
prepare mushroom, as a beginner.
From day 40 to day 45 we visited mushroom unit. Here we learned about the
whole procedure of growing mushrooms. It consist of
Mother culture preparation
Mother spawn is nothing but the mushroom fungus grown on a grain based
medium. Well-filled, disease-free wheat grains are used as substrate for growing
the spawn materials. The various steps involving in preparation of mother spawn
are listed below here under.
Plate 32: Visited Mushroom Unit
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Procedure
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Wash the wheat grains in water thoroughly to remove chaffy and damaged
grains.
Cook the grains in an autoclave/vessel for 30 minutes just to soften them.
Take out the cooked grains and spread evenly over a Hessian cloth on a
platform to remove the excess water,
Mix Calcium carbonate (CaCO3) thoroughly with the cooked, dried grains @
20 g/kg.
Fill the grains in polypropylene bags up to % the height (approximately 300330 g/bag), Insert a PVC ring. bold the edges of the bag down and plug the
mouth tightly with non-absorbent cotton wool.
Cover the cotton plug with a piece of waste paper and tie tightly around the
neck with a jute thread.
Arrange the bags inside an autoclave and sterilize on less than 20lbs. pressure
for 2hours.
Take out the bags after cooling and keep them inside the culture room and put
on the UV light After 20 minutes put off the UV light and start working in the
culture room. Cut the fungal culture into two equal halves using a inoculation
needle and transfer one half portion to a bag. Similarly, transfer another half
portion of the culture to another bag.
Incubate the inoculated bags in a clean room under room temperature for 10
days for further use to prepare bed spawn or commercial spawns.
Spawn production:
The method of preparation of commercial spawn was same as that of mother
spawn. The cooking, filling and sterilization were similar to that of mother spawn.
After sterilization, the bags are taken for inoculation
PROCEDURE:
✓ The sterilized bags are placed inside the culture room and put on the UV light.
✓ After 20 minutes put off the UV light and take in the well-grown mother spawn.
✓ Transfer spawn from the mother spawn to sterilized bags @ 10 g per bag.
✓ After Inoculation the spawn bags are kept in a clean room for fungal growth.
(This is first generation of bed spawn).
✓ Use the bed spawn after 10 days of inoculation for bed preparation.
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✓
Sub culture the first generation bed spawn as mother spawn to produce one
more generation, which is second generation bed spawn.
Plate 33: Spawn production
Compost making
Compost is the substrate in which the mushroom mycelium grows and on which it
produces fruiting bodies. It is the product of a fermentation process brought out by
a number of mesophilic and hemophilic microorganisms that decompose plant
residues and other organic and inorganic matters.
The quality of compost influences the yield of mushroom. Compost prepared out of
horse manure and wheat straw is ideal one. Since these materials are not easily
available, many substitutes are suggested and are in use.
There are two methods of composting long method and short method. The
distinction is based on the time taken for composting and the long method needs
three to four weeks, while the short method requires only 12-15 days, since the
composting process is hastened by pasteurization in the long method of composting
pasteurization is avoided, which will make the compost poor in quality and often
gives variable yields
Long Method
The composting is done on a cement floor. It can be done in the open or under a roof,
but sides are to keep open.
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Flow chart of Long Method Composting
Wetting of the ingredients
Wetting of the straw
Mixing straw + Ingredients (moisture 72-75%)
Pile formation
I turning
II turning
III turning (add Gympsum)
IV, V, VI and VII turning
Spawing if no Nh1
Break open the Pile
Pile formation if NH2
Treat with 1.5liters of formaldehyde + 50g Bavistin +40liters of water/ton of compsot
Again make a heap and cover with poly sheet for 48hrs
Remove the sheet, shake the compost and spawn
Fig 5: Long Method Composting
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Short-method
The short-term compost involves two phases of operation, Outdoor
composting and steams pasteurization. The commonly used formula is
give below:
Formula
Quantity
Chopped Wheat Straw
100g
Chicken manure
400kg
Barley
72kg
Urea
14.5kg
Gympsum
30kg
Compost Production by short method
Plate 34: Compost production by short-method
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Barley and chicken manure are added to wheat straw and stacked after
adding sufficient water to completely wet the same. The stack can be 3.3
X25X1m size. Turnings are given on the 2, 4, 6 and 8th days. The pH to
Stream or dry heat is introduced to establish an aerobic fermentation and
the temperature maintained between 52 60° C inside the compost. Usually
it is done in a room well insulated where the trays are properly kept and
after this all ventilators are closed and steam is introduced to raise the
temperature to 52-54" C for be into adjusted to filled 8.5 and the compost
four hr and afterwards fresh air is introduced and steam supply cut off
trays for pasteurization.
Cultivation of Mushroom
Spawning
The process of mixing spawn with compost is called spawning. The
different methods followed for spawning are given below:
(i) Spot Spawning: Lumps of spawn are planted in 5 cm. Deep holes made
in the compost at a distance of 20-25 cm. The holes are later covered with
compost.
(ii) Surface Spawning: The spawn is evenly spread in the top layer of the
compost and then mixed to a depth of 3-5 cm. The top portion is covered
with a thin layer of compost.
(iii) Layer Spawning: About 3-4 layers of spawn mixed with compost are
prepared which is again covered with a thin layer of compost like in
surface spawning. The spawn is mixed through the whole mass of
compost at the rate of 7.5 ml./kg. Compost or 500 to 750 g/ 100 kg
compost (0.5 to 0.75%).
Spawn Running After the spawning process is over, the compost is filled
in polythene bags (90x90 cm., 150 gauge thick having a capacity of 2025 kg. per bag)/ trays (mostly wooden trays 1x1/2 m. accommodating 20
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30 kg. compost)/shelves which are either covered with a newspaper sheet
or polythene. The fungal bodies grow out from the spawn and take about
two weeks (12-14 days) to colonies. The temperature maintained in
cropping room is 23 ± 20 C. Higher temperature is detrimental for growth
of the spawn and any temperature below than that specified for the
purpose would result in slower spawn run. The relative humidity should
be around 90% and a higher than normal CO2 concentration would be
beneficial.
Plate 35: Mycelium run after spawning
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Casing
The compost beds after complete spawn run should be covered with a
layer of soil (casing) about 3-4 cm, thick to induce fruiting. The casing
material should be having high porosity, water holding capacity and the
pH should range between 7-7.5. Peat moss which is considered to be the
best casing material is not available in India, as such the mixtures like
garden loam soil and sand (4:1); decomposed cow dung and loam soil
(1:1) and spent compost (2-3 years old), sand and lime are commonly
used. The casing soil before application should be either pasteurized (at
66-700 C for 7-8 hours), treated with formaldehyde (2%), and baiting (75
pap.) or steam sterilized. The treatment needs to be done at least 15 days
before the material is used for casing. After casing is done the temperature
of the room is again maintained at 23-280 C and relative humidity of 8590% for another 8-10 days. Low CO2 concentration is favourable for
reproductive growth at this stage.
Fruiting
Under favourable environmental conditions viz. temperature (initially 23
± 20 C for about a week and then 16 ± 20 C), moisture (2-3 light sprays
per day for moistening the casing layer), humidity (above 85%), proper
ventilation and CO2 concentration (0.08-0.15 %) the fruit body initials
which appear in the form of pin heads start growing and gradually develop
into button stage.
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Plate 36: Mushroom Fruiting
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EXPERIENCE GAINED DURING EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING
PROGRAMME (ELP)
ELP Programme is an exposure programme conducted to make the
agricultural student acquainted with the real field situation to test the
feasibility of knowledge gained during class room teaching and its
application in the ELP field.
The following aspects helped us a lot:
➢ This Experiential Learning Programme really helps us to know
about real practical field problem and Farm situation. The
knowledge and skill of both our and workers developed.
➢ The ELP programme helped us to know about new techniques and
create venture for self-employment.
➢ ELP offers an opportunity to gain Business experience.
➢ It introduces students to skill of propagating elite planting material
for mass propagation of phenotypic ally superior individuals by
adopting Hi-tech means and ways.
Dated:
Signature
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Sher-e-Kashmir
University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of
Jammu Faculty of Agriculture
CERTIFICATE
It is Certified that GOURAV SHARMA, NISHANT SINGH, CHAKAR
BANDHU, SANJAY KUMAR AND ANMOL DUBEY of
Tawi College, Shahpurkandi, Pathankot has submitted one copy of
Project report after successful completion of 45 days Experiential
Learning Programme in the Division of Fruit Science, Faculty of
Agriculture, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and
Technology of Jammu.
Head, Division of Fruit Science
Date:
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THANK YOU
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