ACHARYA N.G. RANGA AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY
NORTHERN TELANGANA ZONE
PACKAGES OF PRACTICES FOR KHARIF
1
THE FARMING SITUATIONS (FS) IN NORTHERN TELANGANA ZONE
FS 1
:
Red loamy sands - Rainfed
FS 2
:
Red loamy sands - Well Irrigated
FS 3
:
Red sandy loams - Rainfed
FS 4
:
Red sandy loams - Canal Irrigated
FS 5
:
Red sandy loams - Well Irrigated
FS 6
:
Red sandy loams - Tank Irrigated
FS 7
:
Red sandy loams - Tank supported by wells
FS 8
:
Deep red soils - Rainfed
FS 9
:
Laterite soils - Rainfed
FS 10
:
Shallow to medium deep black soils - Rainfed
FS 11
:
Shallow to medium deep black soils - Canal Irrigated
FS 12
:
Shallow to medium deep black soils - Well Irrigated
FS 13
:
Shallow to medium deep black soils - Tank Irrigated
FS 14
:
Deep black soils - Rainfed
FS 15
:
Problem soils
2
3
RICE
Farming situations
: FS 4, FS 5, FS 6, FS 7, FS 11, FS 12 and FS 13
1.
: Long duration varieties:
Early sowings
th
(May last week to 20 June
Swarna, Samba Mashuri, Phalguna, Vajram, Orugallu,
& in Khammam upto the
Pelala Vadlu (RDR 8702) and Chaitanya
end of June)
2.
: Medium and short duration varieties:
Normal sowings
st
th
(21 June to 10 July & in
Jagitial samba (JGL 3844), Manair sona (JGL 3828)
Khammam upto 20th July)
Polasa Prabha, Vijetha, Bhadrakali, Kavya, Shiva,
Keshava, Varsha, Indur Samba, MTU 1010, Jagtial
Sannalu, Tellahamsa, Pothana, Erramallelu, Warangal
samba (WGL 14), Warangal Sannalu (WGL 32100)
and IR 64, Divya, Swarna, Sambha Mahsuri
Pre-release cultures:
JGL 11470 and JGL 3855
3.
Late sowings
Upto 30th July
: Short duration varieties:
Jagtiyala Sannalu, Jagtial Samba, Pothana, Erramallelu,
Keshava, Indur Samba, Surekha, Bhadrakali and Divya
4.
For precarious sources
(Tank fed)
: Erramallelu, Pothana, Varsha, Keshava, Varalu and
Indur Samba
5.
For rainfed upland
: Varalu, Rudrama and Metta Sannalu
6.
BPH prone areas
: Vijetha (MTU 1001), Cotton Dora Sannalu (MTU
1010)
I. Nursery management:
1. For every 5.0 cents of nursery (200 m2) area, 2.0 kg N, 1.0 kg P2O5 and 2.0 kg K2O are to
be applied in the last puddling. Another 1.0 kg N is to be applied 12 days after sowing.
2. Wherever Zinc deficiency is observed 0.5 kg Zinc Sulphate per one cent (40 m2) of
nursery field is to be applied in last puddling.
3. Spray 5-10 g ferrous sulphate (or) ferrous ammonium sulphate with 0.5 to 1.0 g of citric
acid per litre of water to correct iron deficiency in the nursery crop.
4. Sow the seed @ 5 kg for every one cent (40 m2). 50 kg seed is required for planting one
ha of main field.
5. To protect nursery from insect pests, spray monocrotophos 1.6 ml/l or carbofuran 3 G @
800 g/5 cents or cartap hydrochloride 4 G @ 600 g/ 5 cents 5-7 days before pulling and
planting.
4
II. Main field:
Maures and fertilizers:
1. Apply 10 t of FYM/ha during land preparation
2. Apply 100 kg N, 50 kg P2O5, 40 kg K2O and 50 kg zinc sulphate ha-1.
3. Apply nitrogen in 3 equal splits i.e. at planting, active tillering and panicle initiation
stages.
4. Apply entire phosphorous, potash and zinc sulphate (without mixing with phosphorous
fertilizer) in the last puddling. In light soils, half of potash can be applied as basal and
half at panicle initiation stage along with N.
5. For late planted conditions apply nitrogen in two splits only (65% basal and 35% at 20
days after planting).
6. If zinc deficiency is observed, spraying of 0.2% zinc sulphate solution thrice at 5 days
interval advocated.
7.
Land preparation and planting :
Planting should be completed by August.
1. Ploughing followed by puddling ten days before transplanting and by following perfect
leveling.
2. Normally 33 hills/ sq.mt. (20 x 15 cm) is optimum plant density for heavy and fertile
soils.
3. In light and sub marginal soils a spacing 15 x 15 cm (44 hills/sq.mt.) may be adopted.
4. In delayed conditions, adopt 44 hills/sq.mt.
5. 25 – 30 days aged seedlings should be used for planting. Planting should be completed
before 3rd week of July.
6. Shallow planting with 2-3 seedlings per hill is desirable.
7. In order to reduce the weed growth and for better water management, good leveling of
the main field has to be followed.
Manures and fertilizers:
1. Apply 10 t of FYM/ha during land preparation.
2. Apply 100 kg N, 50 Kg P2O5, 40 kg K2O and 50 kg zinc sulphate/ha.
3. Apply nitrogen in 3 splits i.e. 1/3rd at planting and remaining in 2 equal splits at 25 and 50
DAP to coincide with active tillering and panicle initiation stages.
4. Apply entire phosphorous, potash and zinc sulphate (without mixing with phosphorous
fertilizer) in the last puddling. In light soils, half of potash can be applied as basal and
half at panicle initiation stage along with N.
5. For late planted conditions apply nitrogen in two splits only (65% basal and 35% at 20
days after planting).
6. If zinc deficiency is observed, spraying of 0.2% zinc sulphate solution thrice 50 days
interval advocated
Weed control:
 Weed growth should be checked during first four weeks after transplanting (two hand
weeding at 20 and 40 days after transplanting).
 Application of Butachlor @ 1.25 /acre (or) Pretilachlor @ 600 ml (or) Anilophos @ 500
ml /acre by mixing 25 kg of sand when monocot and sedges dominates at 3-5 DAT in thin
film of water to control grasses and sedges effectively.
 If Echinocloa is a problem apply Benthiocarb @ 1.25 l/acre.
5


To control broad-leaved weeds, apply 2,4 –DEE granules @ 8-10 kg/acre at 3-5 DAT.
Apply Anilophos @ 400 ml (or) Butachlor @ 800 ml + 2,4 DEE @ 4-5 kg per acre to
control grasses, sedges and broad-leaved weeds.
 Application of oxadiargyl @ 35 g/acre by mixing in 500 ml of water and mix with 25 kg
sand was also recommended.
 Spray 2,4 D Sodium salt (Fernoxone 80% WP) at 2.5 g /l of water at 20 DAT to control
broad-leaved weed if any with 200 litre of spray fluid per acre.
Water management:
 Avoid moisture stress at tillering, panicle initiation, flowering and grain filling stages
 A thin film of water (2-3 cm) should be maintained at the time of weedicide application
and should not be drained upto one week
 Maintain water level at 5 cm depth during first seven days after planting and there after
up to completion of tillering at 2-3 cm depth
 Maintain water level at 5 cm depth from panicle initiation to grain maturity
 Drain the water before fertilizer application
 Drain the field one week before harvest
 Drain the field and aerate whenever Sulphide injury occurs
Plant protection:
a) Pests:
Cultural practices recommended to reduce the build up of insect pests:
Summer ploughing is recommended to reduce carry over pest population.
Grow gallmidge resistant rice varieties particularly during kharif season.
Early sowing will enable to escape the gallmidge and stemborer attack.
Apply recommended dose of nitrogen fertilizer at appropriate time.
Harvest the crop close to the ground to prevent carry over of stemborer to the next crop
through stubbles.
Clipping of tips at planting prevents carry over of the pests from nursery to main field.
Alternative wetting and drying.
Formation of alleyways.
Regularly monitor the crop and observe economic threshold levels as shown below.
Stemborer
5% Dead hearts
Gallmidge
5% Silver shoots
BPH
10 insects/hill
Leaf folder/whorl maggot
3 damaged leaves/hill
Climbing cutworm
1 larva/hill
Adopt need based application of insecticides based on economic threshold levels.
Pest control in nursery
1) Nursery
Gallmidge, stemborer, Jassids, Hispa, Swarming Caterpillar and thrips:
 To control these pests, carbofuran 3G @ 42 kg/ha, spray monocrotophos 36 SL @ 1.6 ml (or)
chlorpyriphos 20 EC @ 2.5 ml (or) Prophenophos@2.0ml/ L (or) quinalphos 25 EC @ 2.0
ml/litre of water at 10 days interval starting from ten days after germination or apply
carbofuran 3G @ 42 kg/ha seven days before pulling up of the nursery.
6
1) Main Field
A. Tillering stage:
Stemborer, Thrips and Hispa:
 Spray monocrotophos @ 36 SL 1.6 ml or chlorpyriphos 20 EC @ 2.5 ml or phosphamidon 40
SL@ 2.0 ml/litre of water or Cartaphydrochloride 50 SP @ 2g/L.
Gallmidge:
 Apply phorate 10G @ 12.5 kg/ha or carbofuran 3 G @ 25 kg/ha at 15 DAT in 1– 2
inches of standing water.
Leaf folder:
 Spray profenophos @ 2.0 ml or chlorpyriphos @ 2.5 ml or monocrotophos 36 SL @
1.6 ml/litre of water or Cartaphydrochloride 50 SP@ 2g/L.
Hispa:

Spray profenophos @ 2.0 ml or chlorpyriphos @ 2.5 ml or monocrotophos @1.6 ml/litre of
water
Leaf mite:
 Dicofol @ 5.0 ml or wettable sulphur @ 3 g or profenophos @ 2.0 ml/l of water.
B. Panicle initiation to booting stage
BPH/WBPH:
 Spray acephate @ 1.5 g or monocrotophos @ 2.2 ml or ethofenprox @ 2.0 ml or
fenobucarb @ 2.0 ml or imidacloprid @ 0.25 ml or thiamethoxam @ 0.2 g per litre of
water.
 Spray fluid (200 litres/acre) should be directed towards the base of the plant.
 Avoid spraying of combination of insecticides and synthetic pyrethroids.
 If second spray is warranted alternate the previous chemical preferably belonging to
another group.
Stemborer:
 Cartap hydrochloride 50 SP 2.0 g or acephate 1.5 g or profenophos 2.0 ml /litre of
water (or) apply cartaphydrochloride 4G @ 8 kg/acre when the adult moths/egg
masses @ one/ sq.m are noticed in the field.
Leaf folder:

Spray cartaphydrochloride 2.0 g or acephate 1.5 g or profenophos 2.0 ml /litre of water.
Panicle mite:
 Spray profenophos 2.0 ml or dicofol 5.0 ml/litre of water
C. Post flowering
BPH/WBPH:
 The insecticides as recommended at boot stage should be used.
Cutworm:
 Irrigate the field and spray in the evening hours with any of the following
combinations, dichlorvos @ 1.0 ml + endosulfan @ 2.0 ml (or) dichlorovos 1.0 ml +
chlorpyriphos 2.5 ml/litre of water.
RODENT CONTROL:
For endemic areas:


Destruction of rodent harborage and observe rat moment.
Reducing the number and size of field bunds
7





Complete the sowing and planting uniformly in one area.
From puddling to one month after planting, setup local traps @ 20 /acre.
Installation of permanent bait stations from planting to flowering stage
@ 5 /ha
Four at corners of the field one meter inside the cropped area from the field bund and
one at the centre, Bromadiolone bait @ 30 g per bait station should be replenished
twice in a week.
During crop period baiting with bromadiolone 0.005% in baits prior to primordial
initiation stage of the crop.
From primordial initiation to crop harvest smoking of burrows with “ burrow
fumigator “ developed by APRRI, Maruteru.
Action Plan with Bromadiolone 0.005%
Day 1 : Identify live burrows and simultaneously place 15 gm freshly prepared
bromadiolone loose bait in packets inside the burrow.
Day 2 : Repeat bromadiolone loose baiting in the active /live burrows.
.
Note: Control schedules should be exempted on community basis to check cross
infestation through migration.
Unit requirement of Bromadiolone:
> For 1st baiting to 50 burrows/ha @ 15 grams loose bait /burrow – 15 gm
Bromadiolone required/ha
> For 2nd baiting to 10 burrows/ha @ 15 g loose bait per burrow (20 % of 50
burrows) – 3 g bromadiolone required /ha.
b) Diseases:
Stage
Blast
-
Nursery
Pre-tillering to
mid-tillering
Panicle
initiation to
booting
Flowering and
after
Threshold level
Endemic areas
Light
2 - 5 % disease
severity
2 - 5 % leaf area
damaged
5 % leaf area
damaged or 1 2 % neck
infection
Control measure
Use tolerant varieties like IR 64, WGL 47970, NLR
34449, MTU 1001, MTU 1010, NLR 28600, NLR
28523, RGL 9608, MTU 9991, MTU 9992. Dry seed
treatment with carbendazim 50 WP @ 3.0 g/kg seed or
wet seed treatment with carbendazim solution @ 1.0 g/l
of water per kg seed for 24 hours before sowing.
Spray carbendazim @ 1.0 g/l or ediphenphos @ 1.0 ml/l
Apply ediphenphos @ 1.0 ml/l or carbendazim @ 1.0 g/l
Delay top dressing of N fertilizers
Spray ediphenphos @ 1.0 ml/l or carbendazim @ 1.0 g/l
Spray ediphenphos @ 1.0 ml/l or carbendazim @ 1.0 g/l
or tricyclozole 75 % WP @ 0.6 g/l. Repeat spray by
changing chemical if required.
8
Stage
Sheath blight
Pre-tillering to
mid tillering
Threshold level
5% or more
affected tillers
per m2
Panicle
5% or more
initiation to
affected tillers
booting
per m2
Bacterial leaf blight
Pre-tillering to 2-5% disease
mid tillering
severity
Panicle
Light to
initiation to
moderate
booting
Sheath rot/ Brown spot
Flowering and Light
after
False smut
Flowering and
after
Tungro
Nursery
Pre-tillering to
mid-tillering
Control measure
Spray hexaconazole @ 2.0 ml/l or propiconazole @ 1.0
ml/l or validamycin @ 2 ml/l
Reduce or delay top dressing of nitrogenous fertilizers &
apply in 2 - 3 split doses.
Spray hexaconazole @ 2.0 ml/l or propiconazole @ 1.0
ml/l or validamycin @ 2 ml/l
Reduce nitrogen application and apply N in more split
doses
Skip top dressing of nitrogen fertilizer
Apply mancozeb @ 2.5 g/l or carbendazim @ 1.0 g/l
during early morning or afternoon hours. Spraying
should be avoided during the period of flowering
-
Apply copper oxychloride @ 2.5 g/l around flowering
stage
Light
Apply carbofuran 3G @ 160 g/1cent nursery.
Remove and destroy infected seedlings before
transplanting
Remove and destroy infected plants and apply additional
nitrogen for early recovery
Apply carbofuran granules @ 25 kg/ha or spray
monocrotophos @ 2 ml/l to control insect vector
One affected
hill per m2
Stem rot:
 Use disease free seed.
 Burn straw and stubbles in affected area.
 In endemic areas, spray validamycin or hexaconazole @ 2.0 ml/l or benomyl @ 1.0 g/l or
carbendazim @ 1 g/l twice at 15 days interval after maximum tillering stage.
 Timely control of BPH and stemborer reduces incidence of diseases.
 Summer ploughing helps in reducing the inoculum.
 Avoid stagnation of water in field.
Blast, sheath blight etc:
 Use disease free seed.
 Adopt dry seed treatment with carbendazim @ 1 g/kg seed or wet seed treatment with
carbendazim solution @ 1 g/kg/l of water.
 Adopt clean cultivation.
 Crop should be kept weed free.
 N fertilizer should be applied in more splits doses.
9
HARVESTING and STORAGE:






Harvesting should be done when at least 80% of the grains are matured. If the crop is
harvested without proper maturity it leads to loss of viability of grains.
The harvested material should be dried in the field for 2-3 days.
the grain should be free from inert material after threshing and winnowing.
The winnowed grains should be dried under sun until the moisture content reaches
less than 13%.
Both over drying and under drying will lead to breakage of the grain during
processing.
High moister content during storage leads to loss of viability due to increased grain
respiration and attack of storage insects and pests.
PUDDLE SEEDED RICE
Farming situations
: Well and tankfed areas FS-2, FS-5, FS-12 and FS-13 under late
receipt of water in the season
Varieties
: Short duration (120 days) Jagtial Sannalu, Erramallelu, Pothana,
Indur Samba, Varalu
Sowing time
: July / August
Seed rate
: 50-75 kg/ha
Fertilizers
: 90 kg N in 3 splits at 10 DAS, 40 DAS, 65-70 DAS,
60
kg P2O5 and 40 kg K2O and 50 kg ZnSO4 per hectare as basal at
sowing
Weed control
: Application Butachlor @ 1.25 l/ha or pretilachlor @ 600 ml or
anilophos 500 ml/ha by mixing 25 kg of sand at 3-5 DAT in thin
water to control grasses and sedges effectively.
Water management
: Saturation to submergence i.e., 2-5 cm water level throughout the
crop growth.
Plant protection
: Same as transplanted rice
10
MAIZE
Farming situations
Varieties
Sowing time
Soils
Seed rate
Spacing
Sowing method
: FS 3, FS 4, FS 5 and FS 6
: Hybrids: DHM 103, DHM 105, DHM 111, DHM 113, DHM 115, DHM
117 and suitable private hybrids; Composites: Ashwini, Harsha and Varun;
Sweet corn: Madhuri, Priya, Win Sweet Corn and Sugar 75; Popcorn:
Amber Popcorn and Pearl popcorn; Baby corn: Him 129 and DHM 115;
Quality protein: Amber Shakti, HQPM 1.
: FS 3, FS 4 and FS 6 - End of June
FS 5 - Middle of June to middle of July
Sowing can be extended upto 1st week of August in case of delayed
monsoon for short duration hybrids.
: Red loams, deep and medium black soils with good drainage are preferable.
The optimum pH range is between 5.5 to 7.5. Maize does not come up well
in waterlogged conditions and saline alkaline soils.
: Normal hybrids: 18 kg; Sweet corn: 10 kg; Baby corn: 25 kg/ha.
75 x 20 cm or 60 x 25 cm will give plant population of about 66,000/ha.
: Dibble 2 seeds on the ridge at 1/3 distance from top in 2-3 cm depth.
Sowing on ridges facilitates irrigation and drainage. Thin out excess
seedlings after 10 days.
: Incorporate 10 t FYM/ha in last ploughing
Manures and fertilizers
Fertilizers
FS 3 (Rainfed)
FS 4, FS 5 and FS 6 (Irrigated)
i)
At sowing
N
30 kg/ha
30 kg/ha
P2O5
40 kg/ha
60 kg/ha
K2O
20 kg/ha
30 kg/ha
ZnSO4
50 kg/ha
50 kg/ha
ii) Top dressing N
At knee high stage
30 kg/ha
60 kg/ha
At pre-flowering stage
30 kg/ha
30 kg/ha
(flag leaf emergence)
Intercultiva- : After applying second dose of nitrogen, use cultivator for opening the soil and ridger
for earthing up.
tion
Weed control : Pre-emergence spray of atrazine @ 2.0 kg/ha mixed in 500-600 liters of water. After
30-35 days, crop may be intercultivated and later earthed up. In case of maize
intercropped with pulses spray pendimethalin @ 3.0 l/ha in 500-600 l of water as preemergence herbicide.
: Irrigation at 12-14 days interval during vegetative stage and 8-10 days interval at
Irrigation
flowering stage. Irrigations from pre-tasseling to completion of silking are very
essential. Good drainage is essential in the initial stages of crop growth, as water
logged conditions impede the growth.
: The stemborer infests the crop during kharif season. The borers cause dead hearts in
Pests
early stage of crop. The pest incidence is recognized by the presence of shoot holes in
the leaf blades as well as exit holes on the stem. For controlling stemborer spray
endosulfan @ 2.0 ml/l or apply carbofuran 3 G granules in leaf whorls @ 6.0 to 7.5
kg/ha at 10-12 days age as prophylactic measure. The pest incidence is recognized by
the presence of paralled holes in the leaf blades as well as exit holes on the stem. To
control Helicoverpa which attacks tassels and green cobs, spray endosulfan @ 2 ml/l.
: For leaf blight, late wilt and charcoal rot, appearing before flowering, spray mancozeb
Diseases
@ 2.5 g/l 2-3 times at weekly interval starting from knee high stage. For banded leaf
and sheath blight symptoms are noticed stripping of the affected bottom 2-3 leaves
along with their sheath and spray propiconazole @ 1 ml/l at 40 DAS in endemic areas.
: Harvest cobs when grain moisture reaches 20-25%. Dry the cobs for week days and
Harvesting
thresh by sheller or by manual. After shelling dry grain for 2-3 days till moisture
reaches 10% and store well.
11
SORGHUM
Farming situations
Soils
Land preparation
Varieties/Hybrids
: FS 10 and FS 14
: Deep clay loams or sandy loams with a pH of 5.5 to 8.5 and with
adequate water holding capacity.
: Preparatory cultivation should be done by ploughing the land
twice followed by harrowing until the soil is brought to good tilth
with a soft soil surface and free of clods. This ensures good crop
stand in the field.
: Varieties: PSV-1, Palem-2, CAS-13, CSV-15, Moti
Hybrids: CSH-13, CSH-16, CSH-18, CSH-21
Intercropping: Sorghum + redgram in 2:1 ratio.
Time of sowing:
Kharif: Onset of monsoon to middle of July.
Seeds and sowings:
Seed rate
:
Spacing
:
Plant population
:
8 kg/ha
45 x 12 cm
1,30,000 - 1,50,000
Seed treatment: Thiram or captan @ 3 g/kg seed.
Manuring: Ten tonnes of FYM or compost, 60 kg N, 40 kg P2O5 and 30 kg K2O are
recommended per hectare. Apply the entire P2O5, K2O and half N as basal and half N as top
dressing at 25 - 35 DAS.
Weed management: Two manual weedings along with one or two intercultures with danti.
Pre-emergence spraying of atrazine @ 1.0 - 2.0 kg/ha or pendimethalin @ 3.0 - 3.5 l/ha keeps
the crop free from weeds for about 20-25 days.
Intercultivation: Intercultivation with danthi or guntaka has to be done at 20-25 days after
sowing for removal of weeds and moisture conservation. Hand weeding may be done to
remove weeds in the rows.
Striga control:
Cultivation of striga resistant cultivars and adapting crop rotation with cotton, sunflower and
groundnut.
Pre-emergence spraying of atrazine 2.0 kg/ha.
Striga can be destroyed by spraying 5% ammonium sulphate or 20% urea solution on striga
plants.
12
Pests and Diseases:
Insect pests
Pests
Shoot fly
Atherigona
soccata
Shoot bug
Aphids
Rhopalosiphum
maidis
Stem borer Chilo
partellus
Ear head bug
Chalocoris
angustatus
Midge Contarenia
sorghicola
Army worm
Mites
Diseases
Grain smut
Sphacelotheca
sorghi
Sugary disease
Sphacelia sorghi
Charcoal rot
Macrophomina
phaseolina
Grain mold
(complex of fungi)
Leaf blight, rust
and anthracnose
Damage
Control
Causes dead hearts
Nymphs and adults suck sap,
resulting in death of plants
Nymphs and adults suck sap
from leaves, stem and panicles
Causes short holes in leaves
and tunneling
Nymphs and adults suck sap
from developing grain resulting
in shriveled grain
Larvae feed on developing
ovaries and grain/oozing of red
fluid
Individual grains will
replaced by smut sort
be
Secretion of creamy sticky
liquid (Honey dew from
infected
florets)
under
favourable conditions followed
by sclerotial development
The
pathogen
grows
extensively, colonies roots and
stocks when drought / moisture
stress conditions and high soil
temperature prevail at the time
of grain filling stage resulting
in lodging and poor yields
Infected grains are covered
with pink/ black mold
Blightening of leaves and
drying
Deep summer ploughing to expose larval and pupal
stages present in the stubbles.
Sowings with onset of monsoon.
In the late sown crop use high seed rate of 10-12
kg/ha and thin out the affected and extra plants at 4
weeks after sowing.
Seed treatment with Imidacloprid @ 14 ml/kg of
seed/Furadan 50 SP @ 100 g/kg seed / Carbofuran 50
WP @ 100 g/kg seed.
In heavy infested areas soil application of carbofuran
3G at 20 kg/ha in seed furrows.
Minimize damage by spraying Endosulfan @ 2 ml/l
at 7 and 14 days after emergence.
Application of endosulfan 4 G or carbofuran 3 G @ 8
kg/ha in whorls or spraying endosulfan 1 ml/l.
Spray methyl demeton or dimethoate @ 1.0-1.5 ml/l
of water on lower surface of leaves or dust with
malathion 10 D @ 20 kg/ha.
Deep ploughing to expose larval and pupal stages
present in the stubbles.
Sowings with onset of monsoon.
Removal and destruction of dead hearts.
Inter cropping with non cereal crop.
Whorl application of Carbofuran 3 G / Endosulfan 4
G /Malathion 10 D @ 7.5 kg/ha at 25 and 35 days
after emergence.
Dust ear heads after emergence with 5% carbaryl @
20 kg/ha. If necessary the dusting can be repeated
after one week.
Spray endosulfan @ 2.0 ml/l or dusting with carbaryl
5 % @ 20 kg/ha. This can be repeated if necessary
after one week.
Monocrotophos @ 1.6 or phosphomidon @ 1 ml/l.
Spray dicofol 18.5 EC or rogol 35 EC @ 1.0 ml/l.
Can be prevented by seed treatment with
a) Sulphur @ 3-5 g/kg seed
b) Thiram or captan @ 2-3 g/kg seed
a) Spray benlate @ 1.0 g/l or mancozeb @ 2.0 g/l
at 5% flowering 2-3 times at weekly intervals.
b) Mechanical removal of sclerotia from seeds by
washing in 3% salt water followed by rinsing
thrice in plain water before sowing.
a) Intercropping sorghum with pigeonpea reduces
the charcoal rot incidence.
b) Irrigation at head emergence prevents the spread
of the disease.
Spray Propiconazole (Tilt) @ 0.5 ml/l twice at 50%
flowering and 10-15 days later.
Spray twice with mancozeb @ 2.5 g/l at 40 and 60
DAS.
13
PEARL MILLET
Farming situations: FS 1, FS 2, FS 4 and FS 5
Varieties/Hybrids
: Open pollinated varieties (Composites & synthetics): ICMV
221, ICTP 8203 and Raj 171
Hybrids: HHB 67, RHB 121 and any other popular private
hybrid from reputed companies
Season time: June to middle of July.
Soils: Light to medium heavy soils with adequate drainage.
Seed rate: 5 kg/ha.
Seed treatment: Remove the ergot sclerotial bodies by floating the seed in salt solution.
After thorough drying treat the seed with thiram @ 3.0 g/kg.
Spacing: 45 X 10 cm
Sowing: Seed can be sown with a seed drill. Alternatively, nursery can be raised and 15 days
old healthy seedlings can be planted in the main field. But, direct sowing is better than
transplanting.
Manures and fertilizers: Apply 10 t FYM/ha at the time of land preparation. Apply 30-3020 kg N-P2O5-K2O/ha and 50 kg ZnSO4/ha at sowing and 30 kg N/ha at 25-30 DAS.
Intercultivation and other management practices: One to two intercultivations will keep
the field free from weeds upto 30 DAS. Pre-emergence application of atrazine @ 1.0 – 2.0
kg/ha or post-emergence (15-20 DAS) application of 2, 4-D @ 1.0 kg a.i./ha controls the
weeds effectively.
Moisture conservation: Mulching with groundnut shells @ 5.0 tonnes/ha is found to give
high grain and fodder yields due to moisture conservation. Sowing in ridge and furrow
method is effective in conserving moisture.
Intercropping: Bajra and redgram in 2:1 ratio gives highest monetary returns.
Pests:
White ants and root grubs: Apply phorate 10 G @ 30 kg/ha at the time of last ploughing to
control these pests.
Shoot fly: Two dustings of Malathion 5% @ 24 kg/ha or two sprayings of Endosulfan @ 2
ml/l after germination.
Grey weevil and other leaf feeding and ear head pests: Dust Methyl parathion 2 % or
Fenvalerate 0.4% or Quinolphos 1.5% @ 24 kg/ha.
Diseases:
Downy mildew: Treat seed with metalaxyl @ 2.0 g/kg and then spray metalaxyl @ 1.0 ml/l
one month after sowing.
Ergot: Spray captan @ 2.0 g/l or topsin @ 1.0 g/l. Repeat spraying twice at 6-8 days interval
depending upon the severity of the disease.
14
GREENGRAM
Farming situations: FS 1, FS 3, FS 8 and FS 10
Varieties: MGG 295, MGG 347, MGG 348, WGG 2, WGG 37, LGG 407, LGG 410, LGG
450, LGG 460, ML 267, TM 96-2, PUSA 105 and PDM 54.
Sowing time: June 15th – July 15th
Soils: All types of soils with good drainage facilities. Saline soils are not suitable.
Land preparation: Land should be prepared to fine tilth with 2 ploughings followed by a
harrowing.
Seed rate: 15 - 16 Kg/ha.
Seed treatment: Seed treatment with carbosulfan @ 30 g / Imidacloprid 5 ml/
Thiomethoxam 5 g + captan/thiram/mancozeb/ carbendazim @ 2.5 g/kg seed protects the
crop from all pests and diseases upto 30 days.
Spacing: 30 X 10 cm.
Manures and fertilizers: Apply 5 t/ha FYM and 20 kg N + 50 kg P2O5. Treat the seed with
good quality Rhizobium inoculants.
Intercultivation and other management practices: Pre-sowing incorporation of
fluchloralin @ 2.5 l/ha or pre-emergence application of pendimethalin or alachlor @ 2.0 l/ha
will check the weed growth for the first 20-25 days. Keep fields weed free by giving 2-3
hoeings within 25-30 DAS. This also helps to conserve moisture.
Pest management:
Stem fly: Seed treatment with carbosulfan. Spray acephate @ 1.0 g/l or dimethoate @ 2.0 ml
or monocrotophos @ 1.6 ml/l twice at weekly intervals from 15 days after sowing if seed
treatment is not followed.
Flea beetles: Spray endosulfan or quinalphos @ 2.0 ml/l if seed treatment is not followed.
Thrips, whiteflies, jassids, aphids: Seed treatment as above. Spray monocrotophos @ 1.6
ml/l or acephate @ 1.5 g/l or chlorpyriphos @ 2.5 ml/l soon after pest appearance.
IPM for podborers like blue butterflies, spotted borers, tobacco caterpillar, gram
caterpillar:
a. Cultural:
Deep summer ploughing to expose pupae
Removal of alternate / collateral hosts
Early sowing to escape severe broods
Raise trap crops like castor for oviposition and larval development and destroy the
caterpillars on these plants.
b. Mechanical:
Monitor with pheromone traps @ 10/ha.
Remove egg masses / skeletonized leaves along with larvae and destroy them.
Dig trenches around the field
Pick and destroy the grown up larvae
15
c. Biological:
Spray NPV @ 500 LE/ha
Spray BT @ 1 kg/ha
Erect bird perches @ 50/ha
d. Plant products:
 Spray neem based bio-pesticides like NSKE 5% (or) neem oil 5%.
e. Chemicals:
 Follow need based application of insecticides
 Spray acephate (1.0 g/l), chlorpyriphos (2.5 ml/l), quinalphos (2.5 ml/l), endosulfan
(2.0 ml/l) etc.
 If incidence is severe, spray spinosad @ 0.25 ml (or) novaluran @ 1 ml/l.
 For control of Spodoptera prepare poison baiting pellets with rice bran 25 kg +
jaggery 3.5 kg + Methomil 800 ml per ha along with sufficient quantity of water and
spread in the field during evening hours.
Disease management:
Collar rot: Seed treatment with thiram or captan @ 2.5 g/kg seed.
Anthracnose, Cercospora leaf spot: Seed treatment with thiram or captan @ 2.5 g/kg seed.
Spray carbendazim @ 1.0 g/l or mancozeb @ 2.5 g/l twice at 10 days interval.
Powdery mildew: Spray carbendazim @ 1.0 g/l or thiophanate methyl @ 1.0 g/l twice at 10
days interval soon after noticing the disease.
Angular black leaf spot: Grow resistant varieties like LGG 407, LGG 450, WGG 2 and
MGG 295. Spray carbendazim @ 1.0 g/l twice at 10 days interval.
Bacterial leaf spot: Soak the seed in paushamycin suspension 0.1 g/l per 1 kg seed for 30
minutes. Spray twice with mancozeb + plantomycin @ 1.0 g + COC @ 4.0 g per 10 l of
water at 12 days interval.
Yellow mosaic virus:
a) Grow tolerant varieties like WGG 37, LGG 407, LGG 460, LGG 45, PDM 54 & ML 257.
b) Control thrips and whiteflies to check further spread.
c) Rogue 2 - 5 % YMV infected plants in the initial stage of crop.
Leaf curl virus: Grow tolerant varieties like MGG 295, LGG 460 and LGG 407. Seed
treatment with carbosulfan @ 30 g/kg seed.
Post harvest technology: Store properly dried seed in nylon bags (or) polythene bags (or)
compactly knitted gunny bags.
GREENGRAM BEFORE KHARIF PADDY:
Any of the above recommended varieties can be successfully taken up with the onset
of monsoon before kharif paddy by broadcasting @ 25-30 kg seed/ha. After first picking,
incorporate as green manure if rains occur in time for paddy transplantation.
16
BLACKGRAM
Farming situations: FS 8, FS 10 and FS14
Varieties: WBG 26, T 9, LBG 20, LBG 623, LBG 752, PBG 1, Pant U 30, MBG 207 and
TAU 1
Yellow mosaic virus resistant varieties: LBG 752, T9 and Pant U 31.
Soils: Medium to deep black soils with good moisture retentive capacity. Avoid cultivation
of blackgram in light soils and in areas of uncertain rainfall, as it is sensitive to moisture
stress.
Land preparation: Land should be prepared to fine tilth with 2 ploughings followed by a
harrowing.
Seed rate: 18-20 kg/ha
Seed treatment: Treat seed with carbosulfan @ 30 g / Imidacloprid 5 ml/ Thiomethoxam 5 g
+ captan/thiram/mancozeb/ carbendazim @ 2.5 g/kg seed.
Spacing: 30 X 10 cm
Sowing time: June 15th – July 15th
Manures and fertilizers: Apply 5 t/ha of FYM at the time of land preparation. Apply 20 kg
N + 50 kg P2O5 /ha at sowing. Treat the seed with Rhizobium culture.
Intercultivation and other management practices: One or two hoeings keep the field weed
free upto 30 DAS. Pre-sowing incorporation of 2.5 l/ha of fluchloralin or pre-emergence
application of pendimethalin or alachlor @ 2.0 l/ha will control the weeds effectively.
Pest management: To control stem fly, flea beetles, sucking pests and pod borers follow the
measures given in greengram
Disease management:
Collar rot: Seed treatment with thiram or captan @ 2.5 g/kg seed
Anthracnose, Cercospora and Alternaria leaf spots: Spray twice carbendazim @ 1.0 g or
thiophanate methyl @ 1.0 g or mancozeb @ 2.5 g/l of water at 15 days interval.
Powdery mildew: Spray twice carbendazim @ 1.0 g/l or thiophanate methyl @ 1.0 g/l at 10 days
interval soon after the appearance of the disease.
Rust: Spray twice karathane @ 1.0 ml + mancozeb @ 3.0 g/l or thiophanete methyl @ 2.5 g/l at
weekly intervals at 50-55 DAS.
Leaf curl virus: Seed treatment with carbosulfan @ 30.0 g/kg.
17
Corynospora leaf spot: Spray twice with copper oxychloride @ 3.0 g/l or mancozeb @ 3.0 g/l at 10
days interval.
Yellow mosaic virus:
a) Grow tolerant varieties like LBG 752, Pant U 31 and T 9.
b) Control white flies and thrips to prevent further spread.
c) Remove YMV affected plants in early crop period.
d) Sow the crop at a time on community basis in an area.
e) Seed treatment with carbosulfan @ 30.0 g/kg.
Recommendations:
Grow greengram preceeding kharif paddy in late transplanted (August-September) areas such as tail
end areas of Nizamsagar, Sriramsagar, medium and minor irrigation schemes including tanks.
Greengram in this situation can be sown from May end to June end.
Grow greengram or blackgram as intercrop in pigeonpea (1:7 to 1:4) cotton (1:3) and castor (1:4).
Greengram is recommended for red soils and blackgram for black soils. Greengram is preferred
over blackgram during kharif due to the problem of pre-harvest sprouting and ease of harvesting
of greengram.
Select YMV and leaf curl virus resistant greengram and blackgram varieties as these diseases have
become major constraints during kharif.
Invariably follow seed dressing with carbosulfan (30.0 g/kg) against vectors of YMV and leaf curl
viral diseases.
Early sowings are better for getting good yields in greengram and blackgram (June sowings).
Follow pulse based cropping systems as alternative to commercial crops such as cotton, chilli and
tobacco.
Black soils:
Red soils:
Pigeonpea + greengram/blackgram/soybean (1:7)
Greengram / blackgram / soybean - chickpea
Pigeonpea + mungbean (1:3 to 1:5)
Castor + mungbean (1:3 to 1:5)
18
REDGRAM
Farming situations: FS 1, FS 8, FS 10 and FS 14
Varieties
Medium duration: LRG 41, LRG 30, LRG 38, MRG 66, ICPL 332, ICPL 85063, ICPL 87119,
ICPL 8863, WRG 27, PRG 100, MRG 1004, WRG 53 and PRG 158
Pre-release cultures tolerant to Helicoverpa pod borer: LRG 38 and WRG 27
Short duration: ICPL 84031 (Durga), ICPL 85010 and CORG 9701.
Soils: All types of soils with good drainage facilities. Saline soils are not suitable
Land preparation: Land should be prepared to fine tilth by ploughing 2 to 3 times followed by a
harrowing.
Seed rate:
Medium duration: 5-10 kg/ha
Short duration: (suitable intercropping in black soils): 15-18 kg/ha
Spacing: 240 x 10 cm to 150 x 10 cm to facilitate intercropping in black soils
a. Medium duration varieties: 180 x 10 cm or 150 x 12 cm
b. Short duration varieties: 90 x 20 cm (black soils); 60 x 20 cm (light soils)
Sowing: Onset of monsoon to 15th June - August.
Manures and fertilizers: Apply 5 t/ha of FYM at the time of land preparation and
apply 20
kg N +50 kg P2O5/ha as basal dose. Treat the seed with Rhizobium cultures.
Intercultivation and other management practices: Pre-sowing incorporation of fluchloralin @
2.5 l/ha or pre-emergence application of alachlor @ 2 l/ha will control weeds effectively. One or
two hoeings to keep the crop free from weeds upto 60 DAS.
Integrated pest management of Helicoverpa:
a. Cultural
Adopt deep summer ploughing
Avoid monocropping and follow crop rotation
Adopt wider row spacing (more than 2 m)
Use recommended dose of fertilizers
Cultivate tolerant/recouping varieties: LRG 30, LRG 38, LRG 41, ICPL 332, ICPL 84060.
Grow intercrops (Kharif): Sorghum, soybean, gingelly, greengram, dry paddy, blackgram and
pearl millet.
Grow intercrops (Rabi): Coriander, cowpea, greengram, blackgram & groundnut
Grow single variety on large scale
Cultivate short duration varieties in Telangana to escape from Helicoverpa.
b. Mechanical:
Monitor with pheromone traps @ 10/ha
Dislodge the larvae by shaking the plants and destroy them.
c. Biological:
Release Trichogramma twice at weekly intervals @ 65,000/ha
Keep bird perches @ 50/ha
Spray NPV and B.T (NPV @ 500 LE/ha or BT @ 1 kg/ha)
d. Plant products:
Use neem oil @ 5.0 ml/1 or repelin @ 10.0 ml/1 or NSKE @ 50 g/l.
e. Synthetic pesticides:
Follow need based application.
Avoid cocktail mixtures
Aim the sprayings at early instars
19
Spray endosulfan (or) quinalphos @ 2.0 ml/l or chlorpyriphos @ 2.5 ml/l or acephate @ 1.0 g/l
alternately during flowering and pod formation stages.
Ensure thorough coverage (900 – 1000 l/ha) by using hydraulic/pneumatic hand compression
sprayers.
Discourage synthetic pyrethroids
Avoid sub lethal dosages
Adopt community approach
f. Maruca pod borer:
Spray a combination of chlorpyriphos @2.5 ml/l + DDVP (Nuvan) @ 1 ml/l of water.
g. Pod fly:
Spray monocrotophos @ 1.6 m1/l or acephate @ 1.0 g/l of water at 50% flowering to seed
development stages on need basis.
Disease management
a. Sterility mosaic virus:
Grow resistant varieties, ICPL 87119, ICPL 85063, BSMR 853, BSMR 736
Control the vector i.e., mites by spraying wettable sulphur @ 3.0 g/l or dicofol @ 2.0-3.0 ml/l
of water.
b. Fusarium wilt:
Grow resistant varieties ICPL 87119 and ICPL 8863.
Intercropping with sorghum reduces the wilt incidence.
Treat the soil with Trichoderma viride @ 5 kg/ha + 125 kg dung consecutively for 2-3 years.
Treat the seed with Trichoderma viride @ 4.0 g/kg before sowing.
c. Macrophomina wilt:
 Grow resistant variety MRG 66 and MRG 1004.
 Seed treatment and soil application of Trichoderma viride as recommended in fusarium
wilt.
Post harvest Technology:
 Properly dried produce can be stored in compactly knitted gunny bags, nylon bags,
polythene lined gunny bags upto a period of 180 days.
Recommendations
1. Grow short duration (120 days) pigeonpea varieties such as Durga as sole crop or intercrop in
greengram/blackgram/maize in light soils as alternative to sorghum, sesamum, and
groundnut. Sow early before July end.
2. Grow medium duration pigeonpea only as intercrop in groundnut, sorghum, maize, bajra,
greengram, blackgram and soybean (1:7-1:2) to reduce Helicoverpa pod borer damage.
Increase proportion of pigeonpea in groundnut (1:7).
3. Grow wilt and wilt + sterility mosaic resistant varieties such as ICPL 8863, ICPL 222, PRG
100 and ICPL 87119 in disease endemic areas. Select PRG 100 and ICPL 8863 for light
soils.
4. Control pod borer through IPM. Use pod borer tolerant line LRG 41. Follow intercropping
and plant shaking. Erect bird perches and pheromone traps and use botanical (neem-based)
and bio-pesticides (NPT, Bt).
5. Grow pigeonpea on paddy field bunds in single paddy crop areas.
6. Conserve soil moisture by intercultivation at the end of rainy season.
20
SOYBEAN
Farming situations
Varieties
:
:
Soils / areas
Land preparation
Seed rate
Seed treatment
:
:
:
:
Spacing
:
Sowing
Manures and fertilizers
:
:
Intercultivation and other
management practices
Irrigation
:
Pest management
a) Stem fly
b) Leaf folder / webber
& Spodoptera exigua
c) Gram caterpillar
d) Pod borers and
Spodoptera
e) Whitefly
f) Jassids
g) Thrips
h) Stem girdler
Disease Management
a) Cercospora leaf spot
b) Alternaria blight
c) Rust
d) Mosaic
e) YMV
f) Bacterial leaf spot &
leaf pustule
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
FS 9, FS 10 and FS 14
JS 335, PK 471, PK 472, PK 1029, LSB 1, MACS 450, MACS 58, MACS
124, MACS 201 and JS 80-21.
Medium clay soils, light soils under irrigation
Plough the field twice followed by harrowing to achieve fine tilth
50-65 kg/ha
Seed treatment with captan or thiram @ 3.0 g/kg and carbosulfan @ 30
g/kg followed by Rhizobium japonicum culture before sowing.
Red soils
30 X 7.5 - 10.0 cm
Black soils
45 X 5.0 cm
June-July.
Apply 5 t/ha of FYM at the time of land preparation. Apply 30 N + 60
P2O5 + 40 K2O + 20 S kg/ha, if inoculated with Rhizobium or 60-90 N+ 60
P2O5 + 40 K2O + 20 S kg/ha, if not inoculated as basal dose. Sulphur can
be supplied by using SSP as P source. Use of `S’ containing fertilizers and
FYM should be encouraged.
Keep the crop free from weeds upto 45 DAS by 1-2 hoeings. Use
pendimethalin @ 3.3 l/ha as pre-emergence to check weed growth.
Under I.D. conditions irrigate at critical stages i.e., at flowering and pod
filling stages.
Spray monocrotophos @ 1.6 ml/l or acephate @ 1.0 g/l of water.
Spray Methyl parathion @ 1.0 ml/l or quinalphos @ 2.0 ml/l or acephate
@ 1.0 g/l of water
Spray quinalphos @ 2.0 ml/l or chlorpyriphos @ 2.5 ml/l of water
Collection and destruction of egg masses and skeletonized leaves. Need
based spray with quinalphos @ 2.0 ml/l or chlorpyriphos @ 2.5 ml/l of
water.
Spray triazophos @ 1.5 ml/l or neem oil formulations @ 5.0 ml/l.
Spray monocrotophos @ 1.6 ml/l of water
Spray acephate @ 1.5 g/l of water
Spray acephate @ 1.5 g/l of water
Spray carbendazim @ 1.0 g/l of water
Treat the seed with captan or thiram @ 3.0 g/kg.
Spray mancozeb @ 3.0 g/l of water
Spray acephate @ 1.0 g/l of water to check vector
Spray triazophos @ 1.5 ml/l or dimethoate @ 2.0 ml/l of water
Spray chlormycitin 100 PPM
Harvestings and post harvest technology: The crop is harvested when majority of leaves become golden
yellow and ready to fall and the lowest pods are yellowish and dry. Seed is to be dried properly to a
moisture levels of 11-12 per cent before storage.
Recommendations
1. Select varieties such as JS 335, MACS 450, and PK 1029 tolerant to leaf curl virus (bud necrosis)
disease.
2. Grow soybean varieties PK 1029, MACS 450, JS 335 as intercrop in pigeonpea (90-100 days) (1:7 or
2:6) and cotton (1:2) in black soils.
3. Grow short duration soybean variety LSB 1 (65-70 days) as intercrop in cotton (1:2) in light soils and
low rainfall zones.
21
GROUNDNUT
Farming situations: FS 1, FS 2, FS 3, FS 5 and FS 8.
1. INTRODUCTION:
Groundnut is an important oilseed crop grown in India. Globally India ranks first in area
and second in production. India, accounts for 31 % of the total groundnut area in the world
(24.6 m. ha) and 22 % of the total production (35.7 mt.) . In Andhra Pradesh it is mainly
cultivated in Rayalaseema districts viz., Anantapur, Cuddapah, Kurnool and Chittoor districts
followed by Telangana and coastal districts. In Andhra Pradesh it is cultivated in an area of
around 17.66 lakh ha in kharif with a production of about 9.73 lakh tonnes and a productivity
of 551 kg/ha ( 2008-09)
In kharif, this crop is mainly grown as rainfed crop. This can be cultivated in rice
fallows after harvesting kharif rice. Well drained loose and friable sandy loams and red soils
are preferable. Deep black and clay soils are not suitable for groundnut cultivation.
Varietal recommendations:
Suitability
a) For Scarce
Rainfall areas
b) For excess rainfall
conditions
c) For assured
rainfall areas with
supplementary
irrigations
d) Varieties having
tolerance to leaf
spot
e) Nematode
infected areas
f) For delayed
Monsoons
g) Varieties having
drought tolerance
h) For rice fallow
conditions
i) Coastal sands
Varieties
Duration(days )
Kadiri-9* Kadiri Harithandhra+ Greeshma*
Vemana ,Kadiri-5, Kadiri-6, Tirupati-4, Narayani,
Abhaya, ICGV- 91114
Tirupati-3, Kadiri-7Bold*, Kadiri-8Bold*,
Vemana, Kadiri-5,Abhaya, Kadiri-9
Kadiri-7 Bold, Kadiri-8Bold
Vemana, Kadiri-5, kadiri-6 Kadiri-9 Kadiri
Harithandra
Greeshma Tirupati-4, Narayani,
Abhaya, ICGV- 91114
Kadiri-9 Kadiri Harithandra Greeshma Vemana,
Kadiri-5,Abhaya, JCG 88
105- 110 days
Tirupati-3
Kalahasti , Prasuna
Kadiri-4, Kadiri-5, Greeshma,
125-130 days
100 - 105 days
90-100 days
125 – 130 days
105 – 110 days
125 – 130 days
105 – 110 days
105 – 110 days
Kadiri-9, Greeshma, Vemana, Kadiri-5, Abhaya, 105 – 110 days
ICGV- 91114
Kadiri-4, Kadiri-5, Kadiri-6, Greeshma, Kadiri 95-100 days
Harithandra TAG-24
Vemana, Kadiri-4, Kadiri-6, Tirupati-4, Greeshma 105 – 110 days
TAG-24 & Narayani
(Released in +2008 *2009)
3. LAND PREPARATION:
 Prepare the land till fine tilth is attained.
 It facilitates root growth, peg penetration and pod development.
 Weeds and clods are to be avoided.
22
4. SEED RATE: Depends on variety and season
Varieties
Vemana, Narayani, Kadiri-6, Tirupati-3,
Tirupati – 4, ICGS 44, Kalahasti, JL-24
Kadiri-7Bold, Kadiri-8Bold, Kadiri-4, Kadiri-5,
TAG-24, JCG-88,
TMV-2, Abhaya , Kadiri-9
ICGV 91114, Kadiri Harithandra, Greeshma
Kharif
150 kg. Kernel/ha
125 kg. Kernel/ha
5. SPACING: Varieties
Spanish Bunch
Vemana,kadiri-5,kadiri-6, Tirupati-4, Narayani, ICGV-91114,
JL-24, TMV-2, Kadiri Harithandra, Greeshma, Kadiri-9, JCG 88
Virginia Bunch
ICGS-11, 44, Tirupati-3, Kadiri-7Bold, Kadiri-8Bold.
Kharif
30 x 10 cm.
30 x 15 cm
6. SEED TREATMENT:
 Seed should be treated with Imidachloprid @ 2 ml / kg seed followed by
Mancozeb @ 3 gm / kg seed.
 If the seed is dormant, soak it in 0.05 % Ethrel solution for 12 hours followed
by shade drying.
 Trichoderma viride seed treatment @ 4 g/kg seed rot prone areas
 Rhizobium inoculation is necessary for groundnut in non-traditional areas.
7. SOWING TIME:
North Telangana
- First week of June to last week of July.
Under rainfed conditions delayed sowing reduces yields due to
increased pest and disease problems.
8. FERTILIZER RECOMMENDATIONS:
 Application of farm yard manure/ compost @ 10 tonnes /ha once in 2 – 3
seasons
 NPK recommendations should be on soil test basis
 Apply 20N + 40 P2O5 + 50 K2O kg/ha as basal . Phosphorus should be applied
through single super phosphate.
 Apply Gypsum @ 500 kg /ha at flowering stage by placement.
 Wherever Zinc deficiency is observed, apply Zinc sulphate 50 kg/ha. once in 3
seasons.
 Wherever Iron deficiency is noticed on crop, spray 0.5 % ferrous sulphate along
with 0. 1 % citric acid two times with one week intervel .
 In Nagarjunasagar ayacut, where groundnut is grown, application of 60 kg P2O5
is necessary.
 Seed treatment with Rhizobium and soil application of Phosphorous
Solubulising Bacteria will reduce the chemical fertilizers requirement.
23
9. WEED MANAGEMENT:
 Crop must be weed free up to 45 days after sowing.
 Intercultivation at 20 and 40 DAS followed by one hand weeding.
 The crop should not be disturbed by weeding or inter cultivation after 45 DAS.
 Preplanting application of Fluchloralin @ 2.5 to 3 l./ ha.
 Pre-emergence application of Butachlor /Metalachlore/ Pendimethalin @ 2.5 to
3 l./ ha. or Oxyflourfen 1.5 to 2.0 l./ha followed by one intercultivation and one
hand weeding will effectively control the weeds.
 Wherever, pre-emergence herbicides could not apply, weeds can be controlled
by post-emergence herbicides by spraying Imazethaphyr @ 750 ml/ha or
Quizalofop ethyl @ 1.0 l/ha at 20 DAS.
 In heavy soils higher dose of chemical should be used. .
10. IRRIGATION MANAGEMENT:
 Groundnut crop requires on average 400 to 450 mm depth of water.
 Good crop of groundnut requires 8 to 9 irrigations at 10 day interval starting
from 25 DAS.
 After the crop is established, it is necessary to with held irrigation for about 25
days to create stress which helps in synchronization of flowering.
 The last irrigation is to be at 90 days after sowing.
 24-30 % irrigation water can be saved due to sprinklers with water productivity
of 5.13 kg/ha/mm.
Soil moisture conservation practices should be followed in rainfed crop viz.,
 Apply 5 tonnes of groundnut shells per acre at 15-20 DAS as mulch to reduce
evaporation losses of soil moisture.
 To reduce transpiration losses from crop canopy, spray calcium sulphate
solution (50 g/l ).
 Spray urea solution (20 g/l) during dry spell period in order to make recover the
crop from stress.
Drought management during mid season

Spray 2% urea (20 gr/lt of water) at 15th day of dry spell followed by a second
spray on 10th day if the dry spell persists. This will protect the crop partially
from moisture stress and help to increase yields. Urea spraying can be done
even upto 85 DAS. Urea can be mixed with several compatible pesticides,
fungicides and herbicides.
Critical stages for water requirement: Flowering, peg penetration and pod development,
24
11. CROP MANAGEMENT:
A. Pest management:
1. Red hairy caterpillar:
Identification:
 Young larvae feed gregariously on the undersurface of leaves.
 Grown up larvae feed individually by devouring leaves, flowers and growing points.
 When the pest is severe only the bare stem points remain resulting in heavy yield loss.
 Early instar larvae are ash brown in color, but when fully grown assume reddish color
with hairs on the body.
Problem areas: Srikakulam, Visakhapatnam, Kadapa, Kurnool, Anantapur and Chittoor
districts.
Remedies:

Pre-monsoon deep ploughing (two/three times) will expose the hibernating pupae to
sunlight and predatory birds.

Removal and destruction of alternate wild hosts which harbour the hairy caterpillars.

Use trap crops around main crop Eg. Cowpea.

Monitor the emergence of adult moths through light trap.

Organize bonfires on community basis from 7.30 PM to 11.0 PM to attract the newly
emerging moths for 3 or 4 succeeding days when good showers are received.

Collect and destroy egg masses and early instars larvae.

Dust Quinolphos or Carbaryl @ 25 kg /ha to control early instars of the caterpillar.

To control grown up larvae, spray Dimethoate @ 2.0 ml or Monocrotophos1.6 ml/l of
water.

Trap and kill the migrating larvae in deep cut straight trenches by dusting Methyl
parathion 2% in the trench around the field.
2. Root grub:
Identification:
 Young grubs feed on rootlets and nodules.
 Old grubs devour the entire taproot.
 Affected plants wither and die. Such plants when pulled from the soil, the devoured
taproot can be clearly seen.
 Damage usually occurs in patches.
 Pest usually occurs in August and September months.
Distribution: In localized parts of A.P.
Remedies:
 Pre-monsoon deep ploughing (two/three times) will expose the hibernating pupae to
sunlight and predatory birds
 Apply 10 G Phorate granules @ 1.5 kg a.i. /ha at the time of sowing.
 Seed treatment with chlorpyriphos @ 6 ml /kg in root grub problem fields or
Imidachloprid 2ml/kg seed.
25
3. Leaf miner:
Identification:
 Small blister like mines appear initially on the upper surface of the leaf.
 At severe stages entire leaflet becomes brown and it rolls, shrivels and dries up.
 Severely infected crop may die and give burnt appearance in the field when we
see from distance.
Problem areas: Presently it is a major pest in all parts of the state.
Remedies:
 Rotation of groundnut with non-leguminous crops should be followed to reduce the pest
incidence.
 Rotation of groundnut with soybean should be avoided.
 Collection and destruction of moths by setting light traps early in the season.
 Keeping pheromone traps in the field.
 Spraying of Quinolphos 2.0 ml or Monocrotophos 1.6 ml/l of water should be followed.
4. Tobacco caterpillar (Spodoptera litura)
Identification
o Larvae long, Stout, pale green (or) brown with black spots on the body
o During daytime it hides in cracks and crevices.
o Eggs are small and in masses, covered with yellow anal hairs
o In initial stages larvae congregate and scrapes and skeletonises on the leaves.
o Leaves become white papery.
o In severe cases it defoliates.
o Grown up larvae disburses and make irregular holes
Problem Areas
All groundnut areas (Anantapur, Cuddapah, Chittoor, Karimnagar).
Severe in the months of September, October and November.
Remedies
 Monitor the pest from September last week onwards by Pheromone traps @ 10
per ha.
 Collection and destruction of eggs masses and damaged leaves along with
gregarious larvae.
 For early stages spray neem oil 5ml or Chlorpyriphos 2.5 ml or Monocrotophos
1.6 ml per liter of water.
 Arrange bird perches @ 25 per ha.
 Spray N.P.V 500 LE/ha. from third instar larvae
 Make deep plough furrow around the field and dust with methyl parathion or
Endosulfan dust to control migratory caterpillars
 For late instar (3rd onwards) larvae spray Thiodicarb 1.0 g or Novaluron 1.0 ml or
Chlorfenpyr 2.0 ml/l. of water
 Use poison bait to attract and to control late instar larvae per hectare
Rice bran
12.5 kg
Jaggery
1.25 kg
Carbaryl
1.25 kg (or)
Monocrotophos 1.25 litres (or)
Methomyl
0.75 kg
Water
10-12 litres
26
Mix the above and make small pellets and apply them in one hectare, during evening
hours near base of plants.
5. Sucking pests (Jassids, Aphids and Thrips):
Identification:
 Jassid infestation results in yellowing of the leaves.
 Thrips infestation results in curling of leaves and stunting of the crop.
 Aphid infestation results in chlorotic plants and curling of leaves.
 Aphids and thrips transmit Rosette and Bud necrosis diseases of groundnut.
Distribution: Present in all groundnut growing areas.
Remedies: Spraying of Monocrotophos 1.6 ml or dimethoate 2.0 ml or Imidacloprid 0.4 ml
per liter of water
6. Storage Pests:
 Groundnut bruchid which occurs in storage.
 Spray 5% Malathion on pod and gunny bags.
 Fumigation with aluminium phosphide tablets 3-5 tablets /tonne of groundnut
pods.
 Mixing neem oil 5 ml/kg of pods protect from bruchid.
B.DISEASE MANAGEMENT:
1. Tikka leaf spot
Identification:
In case of early leaf spot, the lesions are sub circular and 1-10 mm diameter and dark
brown on the upper surface of the leaf
In case of late leaf spot, the lesions on the leaf are small, more nearly circular and darker
than those of early leaf spot.
Both the lesions may also appear on the stem, petiole and pegs
Problem areas: Both the leaf spots are commonly present in all groundnut-growing areas,
but, the incidence as relatively more in North coastal and heavy rainfall areas.
Remedies:
Removal of infected plant debris
Crop rotation should be followed
Seed treatment with mancozeb @ 3 g/kg of seed
Growing tolerant varieties viz., Vemana, Kadiri Harithandra, JCG-88, Abhaya and Kadiri
7 bold
Spraying of mancozeb 1000 g + Carbendazim 500 g /ha or Hexaconazole @ 1000 ml or
Chlorothalonil @ 1000 g or Tebuconazole @ 500 ml/ha in 500 liter of water at
fortnightly intervals from first disease appearance.
27
2. Rust:
Identification:
Orange coloured pustules appear on the lower surface of the leaflets
In severe cases, lesions also appear on other plant parts expect flowers
Problem areas: Occurs in all groundnut-growing areas
Remedies:
 Removal of infected free areas
 Collect seed from disease free areas
 Seed treatment with 3 g of mancozeb/kg of seed
 Spraying of mancozeb 1000 g or Chlorothalonil 1000 g or Tridemorph 1000 g /ha in
500 liter of water at 15 days interval starting from disease appearance.
3. Collar rot:
Identification:
 Rapid desiccation of the affected plant
 Affected tissue is covered with black mass of spores
 In mature plants, lesions develop on the stem just below the soil surface and then
spread upward along the branches.
 In mature plants, symptoms generally do not appear until the wilting of the entire
plant is apparent
Problem areas: More prevalent in light sandy soils
Remedies:
 Select healthy seed
 Seed treatment with mancozeb 3 g/kg or Captan 2 g/kg of seed
 Deep sowing of seed should be avoided
 Deep ploughing of fields and destruction of plant debris
 Crop rotation with chickpea reduces the disease
4. Stem rot:
Identification:
 Appears generally after 70 days of sowing
 Yellowing and wilting of branches just above the soil
 White mycelium of the fungus develops around the affected stem above the soil level
 Infection of pegs and pods occurs in severe cases and seeds turn to bluish colour\
Problem areas: Occurs in areas where the soils are heavy
Remedies:
 Deep ploughing in summer
 Selection of healthy seed
 Seed treatment with mancozeb @ 3 g/kg of seed
 Soil application before sowing with Trichoderma viride developed by mixing 225 kg
farm yard manure +25 kg neem cake + 5 kg Trichoderma viride/ha and allow to grow
for 15 days under shade
 Gypsum application @ 500 kg/ ha
 Timely management of foliar diseases leads to reduction of incidence of stem rot
28
4. Peanut Stem Necrosis Disease (PSND)
Identification:
 Necrotic lesions on terminal leaf lets, death of top growing bud on main stem
followed by necrosis of all top buds on primaries. Complete stem necrosis and oftentotal necrosis of entire plant in early infection
 Infected plants become stunted and showed auxiliary shoot proliferation with small
sized and chlorotic leaflets
 Necrotic spots on pods. Testa are not discolored or mottled
Problem Areas: Anantapur, Mahaboobnagar, Kurnool and Chittoor districts of A.P.
Remedies:
 Seed treatment with Imidachloprid @ 2 ml/Kg of seed
 Weds such as Parthenium hysterophorus, Tridax procumbence, Ageratum
conyzoides, Cleome viscose, Commelina benghalensis, Vernonia cineraria,
Achyranthus aspera, Acanthospermum hispidum. Acalypha sp. should be removed
before flowering in and around the field
 Barrier crops namely bajra, maize and sorghum should be planted in 4-8 rows around
the groundnut field. These will prevent thrips and wind borne weed pollen carrying
virus
 Grow inter crop with bajra/ sorghum/ maize in the ratio of 7:1 or 11:1
 Spraying of monocrotophos @ 800 ml or Dimethoate @ 1000 ml or Imidachloprid @
200 ml/ha in 500 liters of water at 25-30 days after sowing
5. Peanut bud necrosis disease:
Identification:
 Initial symptoms appear on young leaflets as chlorotic spots and develope in to
chlorotic or necrotic ring spots
 Terminal bud necrosis on main stem followed by death of top buds on all primaries
 Stunting growth with reduced size of leaflets and petioles
 Leaflets produced on auxiliary shoot showed reduction in size, distortion of lamina
and mosaic
Remedies:
 Use of tolerent varieties viz., R-8808, ICGS-11, 44
 Intercropping with bajra (7:1)
 Spraying of monocrotophos @ 800 ml or Dimethoate @ 1000 ml or Imidachloprid @
200 ml/ha in 500 liters of water at 25-30 days after sowing
 Maintenance of recommended plant population
12. HARVESTING:




Should be done at right stage of maturity
At the time of 70-80% leaves and stems turn yellow
When the inner side of the shell turn black
When sufficient moisture is available in the root zone
29
13. STORAGE:



Seed should not contain more than 9% moisture for storage
Prefer poly ethylene/gunny bags for storage
Spray Malathion 5 ml / liter of water once in 2-3 weeks on storage bags against storage
pests.
14. TIPS FOR INCREASING PRODUCTION













Deep summer ploughing
Adoption of quality seed of HYVs
Use small seed with out shrivelling of improved varieties
Seed treatment
Adoption of recommended seed rate
Adoption of Ferti-cum- seed drill to ensure right placement of seed and fertilizer
Ensure optimum population
Adopt recommended fertilizer dose
Apply Gypsum and SSP to provide calcium and Sulphur
Avoid inter cultivation/weeding after 45 DAS, but earthing up should be done.
Adopt IPM Package
Practice crop rotation and intercropping
Use mechanization for sowing, inter cultivation, harvesting and stripping to reduce
cost of cultivation
15. Tips for export promotion as per the provisions of WTO:
 Ensure clean cultivation for reducing aflatoxin levels to less than 30 PPB
 Grow resistant varieties for Asperigillus flavus
 Select bold seeded types for value addition and export promotion
 Adopt suitable varieties to suit specific end uses such as groundnut butter, groundnut
milk, groundnut biscuits etc.
16. Cropping system:
 Crop rotation with redgram, castor, pearl millet and sorghum is essential to avoid pest and
disease buildup and also to maintain soil fertilility.
 Groundnut + redgram and groundnut + castor in 7:1 ratio are the most remunerative
intercropping systems.
 Groundnut + pearl millet in 6:2 ratio can also be grown.
 Growing greengram / horsegram after kharif groundnut is profitable.
30
SUNFLOWER
Farming Situations: FS 1, FS 2, FS 3, FS 5 and FS 8
Soils: Sandy loams, black, alluvial soils are suitable but performs better in fertile well drained
neutral soils.
Varieties and hybrids:
Varieties: Morden (early maturing, 70-80 days) and Co1
Hybrids : APSH 11, MSFH 1, MSFH 8, MSFH 17, KBSH 1, KBSH 11, DRSF 108, DRSH 1
and NDSH 1.
Sowing time: Red soils-July-August; Heavy soils-August-September
Seed rate (kg/ha) Rainfed
i) Varieties
8-10
ii) Hybrids
5-6
Irrigated
6-8
4-5
Spacing and plant population:
Soils
Spacing
a) Light soils
45 x 20 cm
b) Medium soils
45 x 30 cm
c) Heavy soils
60 x 30 cm
Population/ha
1,11,111
74,074
55,555
Adopt a spacing of 60 X 30 cm for hybrids and long duration varieties
Seed treatment: Treat the seed with thiram/captan @ 2.0 to 3.0 g/kg to minimise seed born
diseases. For downy mildew, seed treatment with apron (35 SD) @ 6.0 g/kg seed is
recommended.
Manures and fertilizers:
Apply 5 - 6 t/ha of FYM at the time of land preparation.
a) For scanty rainfall areas - 60 N + 40 P2O5 + 30 K2O kg/ha.
Basal - 30 N + 40 P2O5 + 30 K2O kg/ha
Top dress with 30 kg N/ha at 30 days after sowing.
b) For assured rainfall areas - 80 N + 90 P2O5 + 30 K2O kg/ha.
Basal - 40 N + 90 P2O5 + 30 K2O kg/ha
Top dress twice with 20 kg N/ha each at 25-30 and 45-55 DAS.
c) Irrigated areas:
i) Hybrids: 80 N + 90 P2O5 + 30 K2O kg/ha.
Basal: 30 N + 90 P2O5 + 30 K2O kg/ha.
Top dress 50 kg N/ha in two splits, half at 25 to 30 DAS and the remaining half at bud
opening stage i.e., 55 DAS. The same should be followed for hybrid seed production.
31
ii) Varieties: 60 N + 60 P2O5 + 30 K2O kg/ha.
Basal: 20 N + 60 P2O5 and 30 K2O kg/ha
Top dress 40 kg of N/ha in two equal splits, at 25 DAS and at 50 DAS.
Use single super phosphate as source of phosphorus, as it supplies sulphur, which
increases the oil content.
Thinning: Thin excess plants 10-15 days after emergence keeping one plant per hill.
Intercultivation and other management practices: Two hoeings followed by hand weeding
at 15 and 35 DAS will keep the crop weed free. Excess water need to be drained out by
making ridges and furrows.
Chemical weed control:
Pre-sowing incorporation of fluchloralin @ 2.5 l/ha pre-emergence application of
pendimethalin @ 3.0 l/ha or metalachlor @ 2.0 l/ha in 600 liters of water after sowing and
before the emergence of crop.
Hand pollination: Where bee activity is low, gentle hand pollination on alternate days
between 8-11 AM is essential.
Irrigation:
a) No. of irrigations
Light soils
3 to 4
Medium soils
2 to 3
Heavy soils
1 to 2
b) Critical stages for irrigation:
Critical
stage
i) Bud initiation
ii) Flower opening
iii) Seed filling
Short duration
(60 - 65 days)
25 - 30 DAS
35 - 50 DAS
55 - 60 DAS
Long duration
(95 - 105 days)
35-45 DAS
50-60 DAS
70-80 DAS
Any moisture stress at critical stages of crop growth will have an adverse effect on
seed set, filling and consequently yield and hence should be avoided.
Drought management in rainfed crop:
Apply farm yard manure.
Practice contour cultivation
Create dead furrows.
Follow early weeding and intercultivation
If water is available give one irrigation at flower formation stage.
32
Plant protection:
Insects:
Sucking pests: Spray dimethoate/ methyl dematon @ 2ml or monocrotophos @ 1.6 ml/l for
jassids. For white fly, spray trizophos @ 2.5 ml or monocrotohos @ 1.5 ml or Acephate @ 1
g/l. To control mites which transmit necrosis, spray imidachloprid @ 0.4 ml or
monocrotophos @ 1.6 ml/l.
Spodoptera:
Deep summer ploughin
Collection and destruction of egg masses and larve.
In early stages spray Neem oil (5 ml/l) or monocrotophos (2.0 ml/l) or chloripyriphos (2.5
ml/l).
Poison baits (5 kg rice bran + 500 g jaggery + 500ml monocrotophos / 500 g
Bihary hairy caterpillar:
Spray neem oil (5ml) / chloripyriphos (2 ml)/ methyl parathion (1 ml) per L.
Helicoverpa: Spray HNPV (200LE) or Chloripyriophos /endosulphon / quinalphos (2 ml) or
monocrotohos (1.6 ml) or cypermethrin/deltamethrin/fenvalrate/methyl parathion (1 ml)/1.
Diseases:
Alternaria/rust:
Use tolerant varieties like BSH-I.
Treat the seed with Thiram or Capton @ 3 g/kg.
Spray Mancozeb or zeneb 2g/l 35 DAS and immediately after appearance of symptoms.
Removal and destruction of affected plants.
Head Rot: Spray matalaxy (4 g) + 3g wettable Sulphur/l twice with 10days interval.
Downy mildew:
Remove infected spikes and destroy.
Spray metalaxy MZ (2g) or Copper oxy chloride (3g/l)
Parrots: Bird scaring with reflecting ribbons.
Harvesting and storage:
Harvest when back side of the head turns in Lemon yellow colour, Thresh after drying for 2-3
days and store the seed with 9-10% moisture.
33
SESAMUM
Farming situations: FS 1, FS 2, FS 8, FS 10 and FS 14.
Varieties:
Rajeshwari: It is a white seeded improved variety, matures in 85-90 days with a yield
potential of 500 kg/ha under rainfed conditions. Oil content is 50 percent.
Swetha-Thil (JS 96): It is a white seeded variety. Matures in 85 days with a yield potential of
600 kg/ha when sown under rainfed condition. Oil content is 52 per cent.
Hima (JCS 9426): Recently released shiny white seeded high yielding variety. It matures in
80 days in kharif and 75 days in rabi / summer. It has a yield potential of 700 kg/ha with
oil content of 49 per cent.
Gouri: It is a dark brown seeded variety, matures in 85 days with a yield potential of 500
kg/ha. Oil content is 49 percent.
Madhavi: It is a dark brown seeded variety maturing in 75 days with a yield potential of 400
kg/ha. Oil content is 49 percent.
YLM 11 and YLM 17: Both are dark brown seeded varieties with a yield potential of 400
kg/ha. Matures in 85 days with oil content of 50 percent.
Chandana: Brown seeded variety suitable for all seasons and all agro climatic zones.
Matures in 80 days with a yield potential of 650 kg/ha.
Sowing time:
With the onset of monsoon: Gouri, Madhavi, YLM 11, YLM 17 and Chandana
Second fortnight of July to the first fortnight of August: Rajeshwari, Swetha Thil and
Hima
Preparatory cultivation: The field must be prepared very well for good germination and
growth. To attain fine tilth 3-4 ploughings are necessary followed by harrowing and leveling.
Seed rate and sowing: A seed rate of 4-5 kg/ha is recommended for pure crop. The seeds
being very small, mixing with sand or organic manure in the ratio of 1:5 to facilitate uniform
sowing. Sowing has to be done at shallow depth (2-3 cm) in rows maintaining a distance of
30 cm between the rows 10 cm between plants.
Seed treatment: To control seed born diseases like Phytophthora blight and stem rot, treat
the seed with thiram or captan @ 3.0 g/kg.
Manures and fertilizers: Apply FYM @ 10 t/ha in last ploughing. Of the recommended 40
N, 60 P2O5 and 40 K2O kg/ha, apply ½ N and total quantity of P & K fertilizers as basal and
the second ½ of N dose at the time of flowering. It is recommended to apply phosphatic
fertilizer in the form of single super phosphate for getting better oil content.
Intercultivation and other management practices: Weeding at early stages of crop growth
is essential. First weeding cum thinning should be done at 15 DAS followed by second
weeding at 15-20 days after first weeding.
Chemical weed control: Apply alachlor @ 2.0 l/ha metalachlor @ 2.0 l/ha or pendimethalin
@ 2.0 l/ha as pre-emergence.
Irrigation: The Kharif crop is rainfed but it can be protected with irrigation at critical stages
of growth, such as seedling, flowering and capsule formation if necessary.
34
Plant protection:
Pesticide
recommended
Leaf roller Larvae feed on the tender leaves and take Endosulfan
and
pod shelter inside the web. Later on they bore into
borer
capsules and damage developing seeds.
Gallfly
Larvae eat the floral parts and no seed set in Monocrotophos
capsules resulting in galls
Sucking
Leaf hopers, thrips and aphids suck sap from Dimethoate
pests
leaves. In severe cases leaves become dry
Insect pests
Nature of damage
Disease
Phytophthora
blight
(Phytophthora
sesame)
Symptoms
Small water soaked irregular brown spots
appear on the leaves which get dried up and
wither away.
Capsules of heavily infested plants do not
produce any seed.
Root/stem rot Root and collar region of the stem show
(Macrophomina brown discolouration. Gradually the whole
phaseolina)
plant becomes brown coloured and small
pin sized black bodies are seen on stem,
branches, capsules and seeds.
Dosage
2.0 ml/l
2.0 ml/l
2.0 ml/l
Control measures
Spray copper oxychloride @
3.0 g/l
1. Avoid
continuous
cropping of sesame in the
same field.
2. Avoid
water
stress
condition
during
flowering
1. Seed treatment
with
thiram @ 3.0 g/kg.
2. Use resistant varieties.
3. Spray mancozeb @ 2.0
g/l or carbendazim @ 1.0
g/l of water
Spray wettable sulphur @
3.0 g/l of water
Leaf
spots
(Alternaria
sesame)
or
(Cercospora
sesame)
These leaf spots can appear at any stage of
the crop. These leaf spots accentuate under
rainy conditions. In heavy infections,
defoliation may occur.
Powdery
mildew
(Oidium spp)
The disease appears around the middle of
August when the crop is 45-60 days old.
Under moist and cool conditions, the
disease develops fast covering all leaves
with mycelium. Severely affected leaves
drop-off and the plant is defoliated before
maturity resulting in poor yields.
It is caused by mycoplasma and is Destroy affected plants by
transmitted by jassids.
The disease
burning.
becomes apparent at the time of flowering. Spray monocrotophos @ 1.6
The reproductive organs transform into
ml/l of water to control
green leaf like structures followed by
the vector.
abundant vein clearing in different flower
parts.
Phyllody
Harvesting and storage: Harvest when 75% pods yellow in a spike. Thresh after drying for
5-6 days and store the seed with 8% moisture.
35
CASTOR
Farming situations: FS 1, FS 2, FS 3, FS 5, FS 8, FS 9 and FS 10
Situation
Varieties
Rainfed conditions
Kranti, Kiran
Jyothi, Haritha
Wilt affected areas
Jwala, Jyothi, Haritha
Late sown conditions
Kranti, Kiran
Sowing time:
Seed rate
Situation
Heavy soils, irrigated
Light soils irrigated
Hybrids
GCH 4, DCH 177
DCH 32
GCH 4, DCH 519
15th June to end of July
:
Seed rate (kg/ac)*
2.0
3.0
Spacing (cm)*
90 x 90 cm
90 x 60 cm
Seed treatment: Treat the seed with captan or thiram or carbendazim @ 3.0 g/kg.
Manures and fertilizers: Improper fertilizer and soil moisture management leads to more
male flowers and lower yields.
Basal
: 2 t FYM/ha; 12-16-12 kg N-P2O5-K2O/ha
Top dressing : 6 kg N at 30-35 DAS; N at 60-65 DAS . For hybrids additional dose of 6 kg N
as at 90-95 DAS can be given.
Intercultivation and other management practices: Thinning should be done 15-20 DAS
and harrowing at 20 and 40 DAS. Keep only one seedling/hill - Complete the weeding early.
Adopt frequent intercultivation with blade harrow to conserve soil moisture. If water is
available, give one irrigation at flowering stage.
Pest management:
Red hairy caterpillar:
 Deep summer ploughing.
 Destroy egg masses/young larvae found on grasses and bunds particularly near lights.
 Arrange bon-fires between 7-10 p.m. one day after the receipt of soaking monsoon rain.
Repeat for 2-3 times after each rain.
 Grow trap crop (cucumber) on field bunds.
 Form deep furrow and apply dust formulations.
 Control first and second instar larvae using monocrotophos (1.6 ml/l), quinalphos (3.0
ml/l) and endosulfan (2.0 ml/l).
 In extreme cases, use fenvalerate (2.0 ml/1).
Jassids:
 Use neem oil (3.0 ml/l) or NSKE (5%) as a repellant.
36
Semilooper:
 If there are 4-5 larvae per plant, hand picking is best.
 In early stages, spray neem oil (3.0 ml/l), NSKE (5%) twice with an interval of 10-15
days.
 Look for egg parasite. Black coloured eggs indicate the presence of egg parasite –
Trichograma.
 Postpone insecticidal spray if atleast one larval parasite per plant is observed.
 Keep bird perches 10-15/ha to attract birds.
 As a last resort spray insecticides like endosulfan (2.0 ml/l) or monocrotophos (1.6 ml/l)
or carbaryl (3.0 g/l) on 2nd or 3rd instars larvae.
Tobacco caterpillar:
 Deep summer ploughing
 Monitor pest build up with pheromone traps (10/ha)
 Collect and destroy the leaves with egg masses/first instar larvae.
 Spray NPV @ 500 LE/ha during evening hours.
 Spray 5.0 ml/l neem oil or NSKE (5%) or chlorpyriphos 2.5 ml/l or monocrotophos 1.6
ml/l in early stages of the pest.
Capsule borer:
 Collect and destroy damaged and fallen capsules
 Spray monocrotophos 1.6 ml/l or acephate 1.0 g/l of water
Disease management:
Fusarium wilt:
 Provide good drainage.
 Use tolerant varieties like 48-1, GCH 4, Jyothi.
 Treat the seed with thiram or carbendazim @ 3.0 g/kg.
Macrophomina wilt:
 Avoid crop rotation with jowar
 Use tolerant varieties like 48-1, GCH 4, Jyothi.
 Seed treatment with thiram or carbendazim is essential.
Botrytis grey rot:
 Occurs if there is continuous rain for a week or more with high humidity during capsule
formation.
 As soon as cyclone warning is given in Radio/TV, spray carbendazim @ 1.0 g/l before
the onset of rain.
 After cessation of rains, remove infected spikes and destroy them and again spray
carbendazim @ 1.0 g/l or any copper fungicide @ 3.0 g/l to arrest disease progress.
 Apply 15-20 kg N and 10 kg K2O/ha to the standing crop to improve subsequent spikes.
Harvesting and storage:
Harvest when 80% capasules turn yellow in a spike, thresh after drying and store the
seed with 9-10% moisture.
37
COTTON
Farming situations: FS 10, FS 11, FS 12 and FS 14
Varieties: MCU 5, LRA 5166, LK 861, Kanchana, L 389, L 603, L 604 and NA 1325
(Narasimha).
Desi: Aravinda, Veena
Hybrids: H 6, JKHY 1, H 8, LAHH 4, LAHH 5, NHH 44, Savitha, DCH 32, NCH 145
(Bunny) and NSP HH 5.
Sowing time: Red soils: June-July
Black soils: July-August (Coastal); June-July (Telantana)
Soils: Deep black soils and red loamy soils with irrigation. Cotton comes up well in neutral
non-calcareous soils. Can be grown as rainfed crop in clay loams under medium rainfall of
800-1000 mm.
Land preparation: For rainfed crop deep ploughing once in 3 to 4 years with disc or MB
plough facilitates deep infiltration of water and charging of soil profile with large quantities
of water. The land has to be ploughed 2 to 3 times and work with harrow to bring the soil to
fine tilth. Seeds are dibbled at the intersecting points of lines made with markers. For
irrigated crop, ridge and furrows are to be formed at recommended spacing after deep
ploughing.
Seed rate: Varieties: 8.0 kg/ha
Desi: 10-12 kg/ha
Hybrids: 2.5 kg/ha
Seed treatment: Delint the seed with 80-100 ml concentrated sulphuric acid/kg of seed.
Treat the seed with imidacloprid @ 5 g/kg or thiomehoxam @ 4 g/kg or carbosulfan @ 40
g/kg seed to control sucking pests followed by paushamycin or plantomycin 100 mg +
carboxin @ 1 g/l of water and soaked for 6-8 hours and then shade dried to control seed
borne diseases.
Spacing:
Varieties: 105 X 60 cm
Desi: 45 X 15 cm / 60 X 22 cm
Hybrids: 120 X 60 cm
Intercropping: Intercropping of cotton with blackgram, greengram, soybean in 1:2 ratio will
be useful.
Nutrient management:
Varieties: Apply FYM @ 10 t/ha in the final ploughing. Apply 90 N + 45 P2O5 + 45 K2O
kg/ha. Entire P as basal N and K in three splits 30, 60 and 90 DAS by pocketing method.
Hybrids: Apply FYM @ 10 t/ha in the final ploughing. Apply 120 N, 60 P2O5, 60 K2O
kg/ha. Entire P as basal and N and K in three splits 30, 60, 90 DAS by pocketing method.
38
 Band placement of fertilizers at 5 cm depth is recommended for efficient utilization.
 Use of organic manures and growing of green manure crops like sunnhemp is
recommended.
 Foliar application of borax or boric acid @ 1.5 g/l is recommended at 60 and 75 days
after sowing to correct boron deficiency.
 Soil application of 50 kg ZnSO4/ha is recommended to prevent zinc deficiency. Foliar
spray of ZnSO4 @ 2.0 g/l at 50 and 70 DAS is recommended for correction of zinc
deficiency.
 Foliar spray of MgSO4 @ 10 g/l during the period of low temperature is recommended
for correction of Mg deficiency.
 If the crop is waterlogged for a week or more, when it is 30-40 days age, immediately
spray urea or KNO3 @ 10 g/l for rejuvenation.
Chemical weed control: Pre-emergence application of pendimethalin @ 3.0 l/ha or alachlor
@ 2.0 l/ha.
Intercultivation and other management practices: Rainfed crop must be kept weed free by
harrowing 2-3 times within the first 30-60 days of crop growth. In case of irrigated cotton
crop, earthing up should be done with the help of a plough or blade harrow after fertilizer
application and irrigation. Topping (i.e., Nipping the terminal bud) should be done after
emergence of 15 to 16 sympodial branches at the age of 90-100 days.
Irrigation: Three to four irrigations are necessary at critical stages of crop growth depending
upon soil moisture. The field should not be over flooded.
Important points:
Gap filling to be done on 10th day with some hybrid / variety wherever seed has not
germinated to maintain optimum plant population.
Thinning has to be done within 3 weeks, retaining two plants per hill / varieties and one plant
per hill / hybrids.
Micronutrient deficiencies if any should be corrected at the earliest.
While applying fertilizers there should be sufficient moisture in soil.
Plant protection: In Andhra Pradesh five sucking pests viz., jassids, thrips, aphids, whitefly
and red spider mite and four bollworms viz., spotted, Heliothis, Spodoptera and pink
bollworm are regular in occurrence.
39
Threshold level for major pests:
Insect
Age of crop Threshold level
(days)
Aphids
1-50
15-20%
Jassids
Thrips
Spotted
bollworm
American
bollworm
Whitefly
1-50
1-50
35-110
65-110
35-110
Nature of treatment
Avoid persistant insecticide. Foliar
application of systemic insecticide at
sparse level of predators.
nymph/
- do random
50-100
adult/50
terminal leaves
10 thrips/leaf
- do 10%
attacked Mechanical + contact insecticides
productive parts
10% attacked flowers
- do with larvae
8-10 adults/20 nymphs Grow resistant variety. Use plant
per leaf
products and contact insecticides.
Recommended insecticides for different pests on cotton:
Insect
Insecticide
Formulations
Jassids, Aphids,
Methyl demeton
25 EC
Thrips
Dimethoate
30 EC
Phosphamidon
100 EC
Whitefly
Methyl demeton
25 EC
Phosalone
35 EC
Triazophos
50 EC
Neem oil + Teepol
Spotted/pink/
Endosulfan
35 EC
Spodoptera and
Chlorpyriphos
20 EC
American bollworms Quinalphos
25 EC
Fenvalerate
20 EC
Cypermethrin
10 EC
Mites
Dicofol
18 EC
WS
50 WP
Qty. of insecticide per ha.
0.5-0.7 l
0.5-0.75 l
0.1-0.25 l
0.5-0.75 l
2.5-3.0 l
0.25-0.4 l
3.0-3.5 l + 0.5 l
2.0-3.0 l
2.0-3.0 l
2.0-3.0 l
0.4-0.51
0.8-1.01
1.5-2.0 l
3 g/l
Integrated pest management:
1. Grow cotton as a rotation crop rather than continuously as mono crop year after year.
2. Adopt deep ploughing during summer.
3. Balanced nutrition and integrated use of organic and chemical fertilizers.
4. Follow intercropping with cowpea, greengram, soybean and cluster bean. This is
effective in increasing natural enemies.
5. Grow fodder maize/jowar in one or two rows around cotton as barrier crop for sucking
pests.
6. Grow castor as guard crop @ 125 plants/ha in between cotton rows. Collect and destroy
egg masses and damaged leaves along with larvae.
7. Grow marigold as trap crop (for Heliothis larvae) @ 250 plants/ha and periodically
collect and destroy larvae in the flower buds and flowers.
40
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
Stem application with monocrotophos + water 1:4 / imidacloprid + water 1:20 ratio at
20, 40 and 60 DAS was effective against aphids, jassids etc in initial stage of crop
growth.
Make one feet deep channel around cotton field and dust folidol/lindane powder to
check Spodoptera migration.
Install pheromone traps @ 10/ha to monitor and estimate the intensity of pests.
Adopt plant protection measures with in 3 - 4 days after observation of 10 Heliothis and
20 Spodoptera moths/day in pheromone traps.
take up topping of cotton plants 90-100 days after sowing.
Control eggs and first instar larvae by spraying 5% NSKE.
Spray of Heliothis NPV or SPV solution @ 500 LE/ha + 1 kg jaggery + 100 ml sandovit
+ 50 g robin blue powder during October and November months (cool weather period).
Apply bactericides @ 1.0 kg or 1.0 l/ha.
Erect bird perches @ 50/ha.
Pick out and destroy the infested bolls to reduce/supress the pink bollworm intensity.
Spray endosulfan @ 2.0 ml or quinalphos @ 2.5 ml or chlorpyriphos @ 3.0 ml or
acephate @ 1.5 g or triazophos @ 2.0 ml or thiodicarb @ 1.5 g or propenophos @ 2.0
ml/l depending on insect/pest damage.
Spray indoxacarb @ 1.0 ml/l if overlapping populations of Heliothis are observed.
Collect and destroy 3rd instar larvae.
Mix sesame oil with endosulfan in 1:2 ratio or with chlorpyriphos in 1:4 ratio to increase
their effectiveness.
Management strategy for pink bollworm: The incidence of pink bollworm is increasing
year after year. This is reducing the yield and quality of fiber and causing severe losses in
major cotton growing areas of Northern Telangana Zone.
Life cycle:
1. Female lays small, flattish and white eggs on tender parts of the plant, terminal bunds,
squares and young bolls. Single female can lay about 125 eggs. Incubation period ranges
from 3-7 days.
2. Larvae are minute and whitish in colour with small dark head. Grown up larvae are pink
in colour. Larval period lasts for 8-41 days through three instars depending upon weather
conditions.
3. Pupation takes place on shredded leaves, inside flowers and lint. Pupal period lasts for 620 days.
4. Nine generations per year are possible. Female adults can live upto 56 days while male
adults live upto 20 days.
Nature of damage:
1. First brood develops mainly on bunds and flowers. Larvae feed upon developing anthers
and style and occasionally on the ovary. The attacked small bunds shed while larger buds
develop with poor quality of kapas.
2. The lint in one or several locules of the boll is spoiled and eaten away.
3. Seeds are completely or partially destroyed and results in pre-mature ripening of bolls,
which do not open.
4. As a result of the above, the oil content in seeds and spinning quality of the lint are
adversely affected.
41
Management strategies: Since the eggs are mostly protected by calyx and the newly
hatched larvae born into the bolls immediately, it is difficult to manage this pest with
insecticides. Therefore, hygienic methods are more important than chemical control.
However, the following integrated methods are suggested to control this insect.
1. Grow early maturing varieties so that the cotton bolls mature before the heavy population
of pink bollworm builds up.
2. Avoid staggered sowings in an area and take up timely sowings.
3. Use acid delinted seed only.
4. Adopt efficient and timely agronomic practices such as use of organic manures and
recommended doses of N fertilizers only.
5. Keep the crop free from weeds.
6. Monitor regularly for pest build up with field scouting and pheromone traps.
7. Destroy pink bollworm larvae in rosette flowers and also through periodical removal of
dropped squares, dried flowers and pre-mature bolls, to suppress pest population in the
initial stage.
8. Avoid rationing and summer cotton.
9. Allow cattle, sheep and goats to graze upon immature green bolls and attacked bolls after
final pinking to prevent carry-over of the pest to the next season.
10. Remove and destroy cotton stubbles promptly to prevent carry over of the pest to next
season.
11. Restrict the movement of cotton seed from other areas / states.
12. Use insecticides on need basis.
 Fumigation of the seed with methyl bromide @ 0.4 kg/1000 cu.ft. or phostoxin 50
tablets/1000 cu.ft. for 24 hours.
 Spray persistent insecticides like quinalphos / chlorpyriphos @ 2.5 ml/l at 15 days
interval on the crop.
13. Finally, advise even the ginning mills to burn the stained kapas regularly.
Management of Mealy Bug
Mealy bug is a sap sucking insect of Family Pseudococcidae, Order Hemiptera. Three
species of mealy bug viz., Phenococcus sp., Ferrisia sp. and Macronellicoccus sp occur on
cotton crop.
Carryover of pest: The carryover of mealy bug is mainly through the weeds in cotton fields,
water channels and wastelands. This pest is not carried through soil. Cotton mealy bug being
polyphagus, migrates to number of plants after the uprooting of cotton stalks. Besides, this
pest can also survive on a number of perennial trees during off-season.
Mode of spread: The mealy bugs are not active fliers. They move from plant to plant and
row to row. The damage of the mealy bug is usually limited to a few rows / plants in a field.
 Mealy bug spread naturally by wind, birds and animals
 More commonly by people moving from infested area to non infested area.
 Improper disposal of uprotted weeds helps in migration of mealy bugs from weeds to
cotton fields.
42
Management
1. Uproot and destroy the alernate weed hosts of mealy bugs like Parthenium sp., Abutilon
sp., and Euphorbia sp. on fields bunds and wastelands in and around cotton fields.
2. Uproot and destroy the severely affected cotton plants
3. Stem application with monocrotophos or methyl parathion (1:4) during early stages of the
crop growth
4. If necessary, spray monocrotophos @ 3 ml/l or methyl parathion @ 3 ml/l or triazophos
@ 3ml/l or profenphos @ 3 ml/l water for control of the pest.
Disease management:
a) Black arm:
 Seed treatment with 80-100 ml concentrated sulphuric acid.
 Use of resistant varieties like L 389.
 Removal and destruction of infected seedlings.
 Seed soaking in antibiotics (Agrimycin 100 mg/l) solution along with vitavax @ 1.0 g/l
for 6-8 hours will eliminate seed borne diseases.
 Spray plastomycin @ 0.01 g/l + copper oxychloride @ 3.0 g/l thrice at fortnightly
intervals.
b) Root-rot: Seed treatment with carbendazim @ 2.0 g/kg seed. Drench the soil around base
of affected plants with copper oxychloride @ 3.0 g/l.
c) Leaf spots: Spray mancozeb @ 2.5 g or copper oxychloride @ 3.0 g/l for 4-5 times at 10
days interval.
d) Grey mildew: Spray wettable sulphur @ 3.0 g/l, carbendazim @ 1.0 g/l for 2-3 times at 7
days interval.
e) Rust: Spray tridemorph (calixim) @ 1 ml/l WS @ 3 g/l @ 10 days interval for 2-3 times.
f) Boll rots: Spray paushamycin @ 1.0 g/l + copper oxychloride @ 30 g/10 l of water for 2-3
times at 15 days interval.
Harvesting and post harvest technology:
Kapas from fully opened bolls should be collected during cooler periods of the day.
Kapas picked should be free from debris like dried leaves, dried bracts etc., kapas from the
first and last pickings should not be mixed with middle pickings, which are of better quality.
Kapas damaged by bollworms should be picked separately. The cleaned kapas is to be
graded and stored in heaps or in gunny bags in dry and well ventilated godowns.
43
DESI COTTON (G. arboreum)
Farming situations: FS 10, FS 11, FS 12 and FS 14
Varieties: Saraswathi, Raghavendra, Aravinda and Veena.
Preparatory cultivation: Deep ploughing once in three years and regular ploughings and
harrowing two times every year is essential. Marking of rows should be taken up at a distance
of 45 cm between the rows.
Seeds and sowing: Seed rate - 10 kg/ha Spacing - 60 X 15 or 45 X 45 cm
To ensure optimum plant population gap filling should be taken up within ten days
after germination. Sowing should not be delayed beyond 30th June.
Intercultivation: The plot must be kept weed free by giving one or two hand weedings. Preemergence spraying of weedicide alachlor @ 5 ml/l will help in controlling weeds.
Fertilizers: A fertilizer dose of 60:40:30 kg NPK should be applied per hectare. The entire
dose of phosphorous should be given as basal application. Nitrogen and potash fertilizers may
be applied as top dressing in 2 split doses at an interval of 30 days depending upon the
moisture conditions of the field.
Plant protection: Though desi cottons are tolerant to pests and diseases, it still attracts some
of the pests and diseases. However, plant protection is necessary only when the infestation
crosses ETL, which is generally a rare phenomenon.
Plant protection:
Semilooper: Spray monocrotophos @ 1.6 ml/l or endosulfan @ 2.0 ml/l.
Aphids, jassids, thrips & mites: Apply phorate 10 G granules @ 10 kg/ha at 10 days after
germination. This is to be applied 5 cm away from the seedling by removing 1-2 cm layer of
soil. Alternately, spray dimethoate @ 2.0 ml/l or methyl demeton @ 2.0 ml/l or
phosphamidon @ 1.0 ml/l. If the intensity of pest attack is more spray may be alternated with
the above chemicals.
Bollworms: (a) Spotted bollworm; (b) American bollworm; (c) Pink bollworm.
The following insecticides may be used for the control of bollworms.
Endosulfan @ 2.0 ml/l or quinalphos @ 3.0 ml/l, or chlorpyriphos @ 2.5 ml/l or dimethoate
@ 2.0 ml/l
Since the boll worms attack the crop from square initiation stage to boll development
stage (i.e., from 45 to 120 days). Sufficient spray fluid of about 600 liters may be prepared
for spraying depending on the crop canopy to ensure proper drenching.
Diseases:
Bacterial blight: Depending on the severity of disease spray 3-4 times with paushamycin
(100 mg) or plantomycin (100 mg) + copper oxychloride (3.0 g/l) at an interval of 15 days.
Grey Mildew: Spray wettable sulphur @ 3.0 g/l at least twice in 10-15 days interval.
Cultural practices:
a) Collect and destroy fallen squares, flowers and bolls.
b) Collect skeletonized leaves with larvae and destroy
c) Reduce the dose of nitrogen if the pest attack is severe.
Harvesting: Clean picking from well opened bolls, free from dried leaf bits, bracts etc.,
fetches better price. The produce is to be picked periodically as and when bolls burst and
stored.
44
TURMERIC
Farming situations: FS 2, FS 4 and FS 5
Soils: The crop can be grown on a variety of soils ranging from red loams to clay loams.
Crop can not withstand water logging or alkalinity. Rich loamy soils with good drainage and
irrigation facilities are ideal for this crop.
Varieties:
Long duration: Armoor and Duggirala (Resistant to leaf blotch)
Short duration: Suguna and Sudarshana (Resistant to leaf spot and rhizome rot)
Land preparation: The land is prepared to fine tilth by ploughing 2-3 times followed by
harrowing.
Seed rate: 2,500 kg of rhizomes per hectare. Soak the rhizomes in mancozeb (3.0 g/l)
solution for 30 minutes and shade dried before sowing.
Planting time: Optimum time for planting is June-July. Rhizomes yield will be drastically
reduced if plantings are taken up after 15th July.
Planting: 30 x 15 cm spacing. In heavy soils, adopt ridge and furrow system. Plant the
rhizomes at 15-30 cm spacing behind the plough by making ridges at 60 to 45 cm apart. In
loamy soils dibble the rhizomes in plough furrows at 30 x 15 cm spacing.
Intercropping: Turmeric + maize in 2:1 ratio is recommended
Manures and fertilizers: Turmeric is a heavy feeder hence a basal dose of 25 tonnes
FYM/ha is recommended in last ploughing. 300 kg N, 120 kg P2O5 and 180 kg K2O/ha is
required for two rows of turmeric and one row of maize intercrop, whereas for pure crop
(turmeric) 180 kg N, 60 kg P2O5 and 120 kg K2O kg/ha is required. Following schedule can
be adopted for fertilizer application:
¼ N, entire P and ½ K
¼N
¼N
¼ N and ½ K
Basal
40 days after planting
70 days after planting
120 days after planting
Weed management: Apply atrazine @ 1.0 - 1.5 kg/ha or alachlor 2.5 l/ha two-three days
after planting under optimum moisture condition.
Pests:
Rhizome fly
- Select healthy rhizomes for planting
- Provide proper drainage
- Grow resistant varieties like Suguna and Sudarshana
Scales: Seed treatment with quinalphos (2.0 ml/l) helps in controlling this pest.
45
Diseases:
Leaf spot: The disease develops after the harvest of maize crop in the month of October i.e.,
100-120 days after sowing and spreads in humid weather. Spray mancozeb @ 2.5 g/l or
carbendazim @ 1.0 g/l at 10-12 days interval for 4-5 times.
Leaf blotch: The disease appears on leaves as small rectangular or irregular brown spots on
either side of the leaves and the spots turn to dark brown. Spray for 3-4 time with mancozeb
@ 2.5 g/l at 10-25 days interval.
Rhizome rot: Occurs in isolated patches in the field. Plants are stunted and stand out
conspicuously in the affected portion of the field with damaged roots and rhizomes.
 Grow resistant cultures like Suguna and Sudarshana
 Select disease free material for planting
 Treat the seed rhizomes with mancozeb @ 3.0 g/l solution for 30 minutes prior to
storage and also at the time of planting
 When disease is noticed in the field, drench the soil around the plant with either
cheshtnut compound (0.3%) or mancozeb @ 3.0 g/l or carbendazim @ 1.0 g/l of
water
Harvesting: Complete drying of leaves and pseudostem indicates the crop maturity. Leaves
should be cut close to the ground and the fields are to be irrigated two days before harvest.
Underground rhizomes can be dug out with pickaxes. The finger and mother rhizomes
should be separated after cleaning of adhered soil and roots.
Curing:
Traditional method: Boil the rhizomes in iron trough till frothing occurs, until the emission
of characteristic turmeric odour and fingers become soft. Subsequently, allow the material to
sun dry for 10-15 days on hard and smooth drying floor till the rhizomes produce metallic
sound when broken with hand.
Improved method: The cleaned fingers/mother rhizomes are taken in a perforated trough of
size 90 x 55 x 40 cm made of GI or MS sheet. The trough is kept in the curing pan. Clean
water is poured into trough up to the surface of rhizomes just enough to soak them and gunny
bag is covered on the rhizomes. Boiling is stopped when froth comes out giving out a typical
odour. The boiling lasts for about 45-60 minutes the rhizomes are soft to finger pressure.
The cooked fingers are taken out of the pan by lifting the trough and draining the solution in
the pan. The drained solution in the pan can be used for boiling other lots of turmeric along
with the fresh water. The cooked rhizomes are dried in the sun by spreading in 5-7 cm thick
layers on drying floor. During nighttime the material should be heaped or covered. It may
take 10-15 days for the rhizomes to dry thoroughly.
Polishing: The dried turmeric has rough dull outer surface with scales and root bits.
Smoothening and polishing the outer surface by rubbing the rhizomes on a hard surface by
manual or trampling the rhizomes wrapped in gunny bags under feet can improve the
appearance. The improved method is by using hand operated barrel or power operated
drums.
For preservation of seed rhizomes store the material in heaps under the shade of the
tree or in well-ventilated shade and covered with turmeric leaves.
46
CHILLIES
Farming situations: FS 5, FS 10 and FS12
Varieties:
1. For rainfed conditions
: G3, LCA 235, Sindhur and LCA 206.
2. For irrigated conditions : G4, LCA 235, LCA 305, Sindhur, LCA 206, Jwala, G 3
and LCA 334
3. For both green and dry
: G4, Sindhur, LCA 305, LCA 235 and LCA 206.
4. Virus tolerant
: G4, LCA 235, LCA 305, LCA 334 and Selection-1.
5. Early maturing
: Sindhur, LCA 235 and LCA 305
Soils : Black soils, Chalka soils, sandy loams and Red loams.
Nursery management:
 Prepare raised nursery beds of 1.0 meter width and of convenient length. Provide
drainage channel of 30 cm between nursery beds.
 Apply well rotten FYM along with fipronil granules @ 80 g/40 m2 and drench the nursery
beds with captan @ 2.0 g/l or copper oxychloride @ 3.0 g/l of water.
 Treat the seed with thiram or mancozeb @ 3.0 g/kg of seed.
 Sow seeds uniformly using 650 g per bed of 40 m2 in 6.0 cm apart and 0.5 cm depth.
 Cover the beds with compost before mulching with dry straw.
 On germination (5-7 days) drench the beds with captan or copper oxychloride.
 Spray monocrotophos (1.6 ml/l) on 20th day.
 During the last week in the nursery, the seedlings may be hardened by slightly with
holding water.
 Transplant 40-45 days old seedlings with 5 - 6 true leaves preferably on a cloudy day
during the last fortnight of August or first fortnight of September. Transplant 2-3
seedlings per hill.
 De-top the seedlings one week prior to transplantation if the seedlings are more than 6
weeks age.
Main field preparation: Chilli requires fine tillage. Hence, 3-4 ploughings followed by 2
harrowings are necessary.
Seed rate:
Seed:
Nursery
: 1.63 kg/ha
Direct sowing : 6.25 kg/ha
Seed treatment: Imidacloprid @ 8 g/kg seed followed by captan @ 3.0 g/kg or carbendazim
@ 1.5 g/kg.
Sowing:
Kharif : July to August for direct sowing
July – Nursery
September – Transplanting
Planting: 6 weeks old seedlings are ideal for transplanting depending upon the growth of the
plants, which again depends on soil fertility.
47
Spacing:
Rainfed
Irrigated
:
:
60 cm X 15 cm 1 seedling/hill
75 cm X 30 cm or
60 cm X 60 cm 2 seedlings/hill
Under irrigated conditions, planting on ridges is preferably.
Manures and fertilizers:
Chilli has long growing season and thus needs judicious management in the application of
manures and fertilizers.
Apply 25 t/ha of FYM every year to improve soil physical conditions.
Rainfed
:
80 kg N, 40 kg P2O5,50 kg K2O/ha.
Basal dose: 40 kg N, 40 kg P2O5, 25 kg K2O/ha.
Top dressing: 40 kg N + 25 kg K2O/ha (2 months after sowing)
Irrigated
:
200 kg N, 60 kg P2O5, 80 kg K2O/ha
Basal dose: 75 kg N, 60 kg P2O5, 30 kg K2O/ha
Top dressing: Three split doses of each 75 kg N + 30 kg K2O/ha should be applied at 3
weeks interval commencing from one month after planting
Weed management: Apply of alachlor @ 2.5 l/ha as pre-emergence will give good weed
control upto 45 days. For inter cultivation use blasé harrow or tyned harrow.
Irrigation: Chilli cannot withstand heavy moisture. The number of irrigations and interval
between irrigations depends upon soil and climatic conditions. The flowering and fruiting
stages are critical stages for water requirements.
Pest management:
Thrips: Spray acephate @ 1.5 g/l or fipronil @ 2.0 ml/l or spinosad @ 0.25 ml/l or
chlorfenpyl @ 2.0 ml/l or difenthurion @ 1.5 g/l or monocrotophos @ 1.5 ml/l or phosalone
@ 3.0 ml/l or carbaryl @3.0 g/l of water.
Mites: Spray dicofol @ 5.0 ml/l or wettable sulphur @ 3.0 g/l or micronised sulphur @ 2.5
g/l of water.
Aphids: Spray monocrotophos @ 1.5 ml/l or acephate @ 1.0 g/l or methyl demeton @ 2.0
ml/l of water.
Pod borers: Spray thiodicarb @ 1.0 g/l or spinosad @ 0.25 ml/l or acephate @ 1.0 g/l or
chlorpyriphos @ 2.5 ml/l or quinalphos @ 2.0 ml/l of water.
Disease management:
Damping off: Treat the seed with captan @ 2.5 g/kg. Drench the seed bed with 1% bordeaux
mixture or copper oxychloride @ 3.0 g/l of water, 2-3 times at weekly intervals starting from
13th day of sowing.
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Choanephora blight: This disease causes damage to the crop during rainy season. It occurs
in nursery as well as in main field. Brown water soaked lesions occur on the middle of the
stem and gradually the lesions become black and coalesce leading to rotting of tissue. This
damage spread to upward and downward direction and leads to drying. To control it spray
1.0 g streptocyclin mixed with 30 g of copper oxychloride in 30 liters of water twice at
weekly interval.
Bacterial leaf spot: Spray streptocyclin @ 1 g + 30 g copper oxychloride per 30 liter of
water 3-4 times.
Cercospora leaf spot: Spray carbendazim @ 1.0 g/l or mancozeb @ 3.0 g/l of water 2-3
times at one week interval.
Dieback or fruit rot: Seed treatment with captan @ 2.5 g/kg seed. Spray captan 1.5 g/l or
mancozeb 2.5 g/l or COC @ 3.0 g/l or propiconazole @ 1 ml/l or difenconazole @ 0.5 ml/l or
copper hydroxide @ 2.5 g/l of water for 3-4 times.
Powdery mildew: Spray karathane @ 1.0 ml/l or wettable sulphur @ 3.0 g/l of water.
Virus complex:
Treat the seed with Imidacloprid @ 8 g/ kg to protect from thrips and PBNV.
Control vector by applying carbofuran 3 G granules @ 30 kg/ha or fipronil granules @ 20
kg/ha twice at 15 and 45 days after transplanting.
Select virus resistant varieties like LCA 334, G 4, LCA 235 and LCA 305.
Sow barrier crops like jowar, maize or sunflower.
Destroy alternate hosts for weeds on field bunds.
Harvesting: Chillies are harvested at two purposes one for green vegetables another for dry
chillies.
Post-harvest handling of chillies: Chillies are harvested at very high moisture content i.e.,
70-80 percent. Hence, it is very essential to reduce the moisture content to about 10 per cent
for safe storage.
Drying of chilli: Chillies are usually sun-dried on mud floor, which usually takes 10-15 days
for drying. Excessive delay in drying results in growth of micro flora and subsequent loss of
quality or total spoilage. Dried chillies can be kept for months together in dry place well
protected for insect pests.
Tips for quality improvement of chilli
 Timely harvests improves quality of chilli
 Delayed harvests develop wrinkles on pods due to over ripening
 Heap the ripe pods over night to get uniform ripening
 Avoid insecticide sprays before picking to prevent pesticide residues
 Dry the produce till the moisture reaches 10-11% level
 Optimum drying of the harvested chilli on polythene sheets or cement floors to prevent
aflatoxins.
 Keep the produce free from dust and other foreign material while drying to prevent
contamination. Keep the dogs, cats and poultry away from the drying floor
 Sort out the damaged and white spotted fruits to market the graded quality produce
 Cold storage retains color and quality of produce and fetch remunerative price
 Do not use any chemical for improvement of color like Sudan R – I as they are
hazardous (toxic) and are prohibited for use.
 Do not write with ink on chilli gunnies to prevent contamination of toxic chemical
Rhodomince B, which will be absorbed by the dried and packed chillies.
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MICRO IRRIGATION SYSTEM
Micro irrigation is the term used to describe the method of irrigation, which is
characterized by the following features.
Water is applied at low rate
Water is applied over a period of time.
Water is applied at frequent intervals
Water is applied directly into the plant’s root zone
ADVANTAGES OF MICRO IRRIGATION SYSTEM:
Saving of irrigation water
Increase the crop yield
Reduced power use
Efficient fertilizer and chemical application
Reduced Labour costs
Better control of root zone environment
Suitable for difficult land terrain
Improved disease control
Suitable for marginal/waste land
Maintains soil health
Suitable for inferior quality water
CLASSIFICATION OF MICRO IRRIGATION SYSTEM (MIS):
In general, micro irrigation system is classified into four groups depending upon
emitter characteristics, functioning of emitter, construction and mechanism of emitters
Drip irrigation system
Inline drip system (line source tubing)
Micro jet/sprayer system
Micro/mini sprinkler system
COMPONENTS OF MIS: A micro irrigation system delivers water to the crop using a net
work of mainlines, sub-mains, and lateral lines with emission points spaced along their
lengths. Each emitter or orifice supplies a small, precisely controlled, uniform application of
water, nutrients and other required growth substances directly in to the root zone of the plant.
Water and nutrients enter the soil from the emitters, moving, into the root zone of the
plant through the combined forces of gravity and capillarity. In this way the plant’s
withdrawals of moisture and nutrients are replenished almost immediately, ensuring that the
plant never suffer from water stress, thus enhancing, quality, its ability to achieve optimum
growth and high yield.
Micro irrigation encompasses irrigation systems using different types of emitters,
drippers, jets, foggers, mini-sprinklers and micro-sprinklers as the emitting devices, besides
inline tubing where the dripper is placed inside the poly tube at specific intervals.
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The following figure shows the schematic layout of basic components of MIS (Fig. 1).
Fig. 1-Schematic layout of Micro Irrigation System (MIS)
DESIGN PRINCIPLES AND CONSIDERATIONS:
The prime objectives to be borne in mind while designing MIS are as follows:
To maintain higher system and irrigation efficiency by means of higher emission uniformity.
To maintain optimum moisture level in soil for optimization of crop yield.
To keep both initial investment and annual cost at minimum level.
To design a suitable system which will last and perform well.
To design a manageable system which can be easily operated and maintained.
To satisfy and fulfill the requirements of crops and farmers.
Design inputs: As we are aiming at a precise quantity and uniform application of water for
each and every plant, collection of data as detailed below is a prerequisite for designing an
efficient MIS.
Engineering survey : Measurement of field, ground slope, contours.
Water source
: Assessment of water source and availability of water.
Agricultural details : Crop, spacing, type, variety, age, water requirement, physiology.
Climatological data : Temperature, humidity, rainfall, evaporation etc.
Soil & water analysis : Collection of soil and water samples and analyzing.
Considering the above parameters, an appropriate MIS has to be designed as per steps
given below:
System capacity
Selection of emitting devices or drippers or tubings.
Selection and design of laterals or tubes.
Selection and design of sub mains.
Selection and design of mainlines
Selection and design of filtration system.
Selection and design of pump unit.
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SERVICE & MAINTANANCE OF MIS: To keep the MIS in working condition the
following important parts of the system are to be cleaned and serviced regularly.
Cleaning of sand/gravel filter: Water, which is coming from well or canal to filter contains
algae and dust particles and these settled down in the sand filter. These algae and dust
particles should be cleaned from the filter once in a week time otherwise the system will not
work properly. The following methods are to be adopted to clean the sand filter.
Back-wash method
Manual method
Chemical method
Back-wash method: In this method, first
open the back wash valve, close the inflow
and out flow valve and open the by-pass
valve. Then the water flows in reverse
direction and whatever dust particle and
algae in top of the sand filter will flush out
through backwash valve. After few minutes
of operation clean water coming through
backwash valve, open the inlet valve and
close the by-pass valve and there by open
the out flow valve and close the back-wash
valve (Fig. 2).
Fig. 2-Back-wash method
Manual method: In this method, open the
cap of the sand filters before starting the
system and remove all dust, algae and
other dirty particles manually and close
the cap
(Fig. 3).
Fig. 3-Manual method
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Chemical method: In this method, the
complete system is cleaned with acid.
Here, hydrochloric acid or chlorine is
sent in to the filter with the help of
ventury assembly. With this method the
complete system is cleaned and flushed
out (Fig. 4).
Fig. 4-Chemical method
Fig. 5-Cleaning of screen filter
Cleaning of screen filter: The water from
sand filter flows through screen filter. In
the screen filter small sand particles and
dust layers are settled down out side the
filter element. To remove these particles
open the screen filter cap, remove the
filter element and clean the side filter and
filter element with water. Alternately,
open the screen filter, flush out the valve
for few minutes and close the valve when
clean water is observed (Fig. 5).
Cleaning of sub mains and laterals: To
clean open the sub main, flush out the
valves and close the valves when the
clean water is coming out. To clean the
sub mains and lateral lines, open the end
caps of all sub mains and lateral lines and
flush out the lines until clean water is
passed out and then close all end caps of
sub mains and lateral lines (Fig. 6)
Fig. 6-Cleaning of sub mains and
laterals
Cleaning of Drippers: If the water is not dropping through drippers, open the dripper and
clean the inside diaphragm. If the diaphragm is damaged replace with new one.
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