Tips to promote soya bean cultivation
By R.S. Jolly and Satwinder K. Dhillon
Nutritionally rich soyabean marks a new chapter in India’s agricultural and edible oil economy. Presently, soyabean ranks third in oilseed production and availability of edible oil which is next only to peanut and rapeseed mustard. Although an ideal crop of temperate regions, soyabean has a wide adaptability to varying climatic conditions. A well-distributed rainfall of 50-75 cm is considered congenial for proper crop growth and development. Madhya Pradesh has emerged as a major soyabean growing state.

Trees and plants for your surroundings
By P.P.S. Gill
TREE plantation is not a mere ritual performed during monsoon. The reason for mass plantation during the season is the availability of water and a suitable climate for young saplings to grow roots, feel protected and get nurtured, nourished in a proper manner.

Making wasteland greener
By Ramesh K. Dhiman

The blatant degradation of ecology and the resultant pollution, a potential danger to human life and other organisms, has assumed throbbing dimensions. It has sounded a virtual clarion call for a microscopic minority of serious environmentalists and eco-friendly fraternity across the world.

The devising of different ways and means at various levels to counter the menace has proved to be a mere wild goose chase as nothing worthwhile has been achieved so far. Perhaps, the efforts on the part of the government and the arm-chair environmentalists to do a precious little have either been half-hearted or lacked the needed impetus and seriousness.

In order to check further degradation of ecology and environment caused due to the wanton plundering of green cover, over-grazing, and soil erosion, the Department of Wasteland Management was set up in 1980. Two of its subsidiaries are going the whole hog in tandem with the parent department and are poised to make a history, if all goes well.

The department has mounted a massive blitz against the wastelands in Himachal Pradesh and elsewhere. It is fiercely engaged in surveying and “spotting” the wasteland pockets including the khuds and the other areas unfit for cultivation, spreading over miles and miles; manage them properly and, thus, turning them into sprawling green reserves. The ambitious plan will open up new vistas of progress and prosperity. On the one hand, it is aimed at minimising the galloping pace of degradation of ecology and environmental balances and, on the other, generating a huge corpus of employment opportunities. The project will give a fillip to the beleaguered village economy.

The wasteland management project was launched with much fanfare in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh in 1991-92, closely followed by Pragpur block, in 1994-95. “The project evoked a feeble feedback from the public at the outset due to some unfounded apprehensions. But, we did not give in. We continued our efforts heart and soul and also speeded up the awareness campaign, which finally blossomed into a success. Through interaction with a cross-section of people and, of course, a lot of motivation, we were able to prevail upon them. The outcome of our efforts has been really wonderful. The feedback the ambitious project evoked from the public was, indeed, a morale-boosting experience to carry out the crusade more vigorously than ever,” an official at the project said. “The wastelands that lay untamed for several decades now, bears the stamp of a dazzling green canopy of lush green vegetation and thick foliage all around, undulating in its pristine elegance.”

Furnishing details of the integrated programme launched under the scheme, the official disclosed that during 1995-1996, 70 hectares of wasteland was identified and brought under the innovative scheme, with rows upon rows of sapling planted on it. During 1996-1997, 50 hectares of wasteland was earmarked for the purpose. The work relating to the planting of saplings, on the land earmarked for the purpose, too, was completed within a time frame.

In Pragpur block 3,875 hectares of barren land was brought under the scheme in a phased manner. During 1995-96, the project achieved a hat-trick, with a record plantation of 90,200 saplings on the wasteland pockets. The official further asserted that the Nakki, Badhal Thore and Chanaur Khuds falling in Pragpur block have been identified under the scheme on an experimental basis. On a successful completion of the trial, the area of operation would be enhanced.

Identifying the potential areas and keeping other factors like the location of land, fertility and salinity of soil and, of course, climatic conditions conducive to plantation, saplings of khair, shisham, blackberry, teak, poplar, mulberry and eucalyptus were planted, which proved to be an innovative experience. Encouraged by the results, more saplings of parellesonia, kanjar-papri, acacia, jackfruit and other local varieties of plants were planted, which, too, proved rewarding.

Tips to promote soya bean cultivation
By R.S. Jolly and Satwinder K. Dhillon

Nutritionally rich soyabean marks a new chapter in India’s agricultural and edible oil economy. Presently, soyabean ranks third in oilseed production and availability of edible oil which is next only to peanut and rapeseed mustard. Although an ideal crop of temperate regions, soyabean has a wide adaptability to varying climatic conditions. A well-distributed rainfall of 50-75 cm is considered congenial for proper crop growth and development. Madhya Pradesh has emerged as a major soyabean growing state.

Soyabean as a new crop was introduced in Punjab during 1970-71. The constraint analysis studies have identified the technological gaps like yellow mosaic susceptible varieties having poor germination, long duration, non-uniform maturity and above all low yield potential and lack of an appropriate production technology which discouraged its cultivation. The absence of adequate marketing infrastructure and unremunerative support price is singularly an important limiting factor owing to which this “wonder” crop could not occupy its right place in Punjab agriculture. In addition, the extension staff and soyabean growers were not fully conversant with the available crop management practices.

Recently, concerted efforts aimed at conducting location and need-based research have led to significant achievements by way of development of high-yielding mosaic resistant varieties (SL-295 and PK-416) coupled with matching crop production techniques. New techniques would certainly help harnessing of yield potential of soyabean, provided a special mission like approach to revitalise the technology generation, assessment and dissemination of methodology is adopted in Punjab. Unfortunately these research advances still remain inoperative due to non-transfer of technology in an effective way. To promote soyabean cultivation in the state it is, therefore, essential to impart latest technical knowhow to extension staff and soyabean growers through large scale field demonstrations using whole technology package, organising special training courses, radio and TV talks and publication of articles relating to soyabean cultivation.

Based on popular belief —seeing is believing — field demonstrations on soyabean are being conducted in Punjab since, 1990. Recently, the growing awareness among farmers about soyabean cultivation is clear indicative of impact of these demonstrations which has emerged as key convincing factor.

The results of demonstrations have amply shown that good yields of eight to 10 quintals per acre could be realised from soyabean with the adoption of recommended technology. The hints broadly enumerated below will ultimately result in an increased productivity.

— Using good quality seed of improved varieties (SL-295 and PK-416).

— Sowing of the crop on well-drained and levelled loamy soils in sufficient soil moisture conditions.

— Placing inoculated seed @ 35 kg per acre at a depth of 2.5 to 5.0 cm.

— Ensuring sowings during the first fortnight of June.

— Three-four irrigations depending upon soil type and rainfall.

— Timely weed management by applying stomp 30 EC @ 600 ml per acre within two DAS plus one hoeing.

— Adopting suitable plant protection measures against white fly, Bihar hairy caterpillar and grey weevil.

Causes of low yields

The resultant low yields in some of the field demonstrations could mainly be ascribed to:

— Inadequate awareness among extension staff and growers about soyabean technology.

— Sowings on marginal lands.

— Erratic nodulation due to use of uninoculated seed.

— Sub-optimal plant stand owing to delayed sowings coinciding with rainy season, use of less and improper seed placement.

— Improper post-sowing crop management.

Notwithstanding diagnostic analyses and suggested remedies of low productivity, the results of most of good field demonstrations would help establish the confidence of farmers to take to the soyabean cultivation on commercial scale. Soyabean beyond any doubt has a potential to become an important agro-industrial crop of the state. To achieve this goal an effective linkage. Between producers, marketing, processing and allied agencies is however, essential.

Trees and plants for your surroundings
By P.P.S. Gill

TREE plantation is not a mere ritual performed during monsoon. The reason for mass plantation during the season is the availability of water and a suitable climate for young saplings to grow roots, feel protected and get nurtured, nourished in a proper manner.

Though the importance of tree plantation and the usefulness of spreading the green cover is well known, in Indian culture trees have acquired a kind of halo around them, for these find mention in folklore and epics and are associated with saints, holy men and even religion.

If the Ramayana the mention of “kachnar” as a “royal tree”, in the Gita “pipal” is considered to be a an incarnation of God among tree species. Talk of Mahatma Buddha, both ashoka as well as banyan trees are closely associated with his birth and enlightenment. Guru Nanak Dev has described a tree as a “saviour” of the creation by saying “O God, you are an infinite tree and I am a bird under thine protection.”

A tree provides countless favours to man right from cradle to pyre. It is the tree which matters. Even Guru Hargobind Sahib has copiously described the virtues of trees and other species which give man food, shelter, clothing. Those who throw stones at trees are also rewarded with fruit and flowers.

It is in this context that a former Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Mr P.L. Kaler, has addressed a three-page communication to the divisional commissioners, deputy commissioners, commissioners of various municipal corporations and presidents of municipal committees, besides heads of public sector undertakings like the PSEB, urging them to opt for “greening and beautification” of Punjab, right away.

After retirement, Mr Kaler is running a consultancy service at SAS Nagar. He has endorsed lists and technical details of trees along with his communication to be planted for different purposes. Plantation is the only way to meet head-on the challenges posed by industrialisation, urbanisation and mechanisation. This has increased susceptibility to pollution, besides causing rise in temperature and disappearance of vegetation cover.

Mr Kaler says that in the next 40 years the global temperature is expected to rise by 4°C, melting more ice and rising water level in the seas. Punjab too will be affected where the night temperature has already risen by 1.5°C and may rise further, hindering horticulture and agriculture.

The species recommended by Mr Kaler include shrubs, climbers, hedges, fruit, timber, medicinal plants shady flowering trees, etc.

Shady and ornamental: Chakrassia, putranjiva, tun, alstonia, kadam, queen flower, pongamia, millitia, ovalifolia, pinkcassia, gulmohar, amaltas and camphoor.

Timber trees: Shisham, teak, tun, burmehneem, gamhar, jamoea, hollocak and champ.

Cash crop trees: Poplar, eucalyptus, kadam and acasia mangium.

Forest fruit plants: Jamun, mango, jackfruit, mahua and bael.

Medical plants: Harar, bahera, amla, arjan, sukhchain, sohajana, neem, khair, kachnar, sandalwood, harshndgar and amaltas

Medicinal small plants: Tulsi, haizbo, sarpgandha and aloe

Short-sized trees near electric wires: Gulchine, harshingar, barringtonia, bottle brush and yellow kaner

Background trees along boundary walls: Ashoka, silver oak, casurina, champ, chir and taxodium

Fruit trees: Mango, phalsa, anar, guava, kinnow and galgal;

Scented species: Rat ki rani, pre-champa, din ka raja, rose climber, chameli and lemon grass

Climbers: Rangoon creeper, golden shower, clerodention and Ipomea rose

Hedge plants: Habiscus, duranta, clerodendron, Mehndi and dodonea

For waterlodged (low-lying areas): Arjan pongamia glabera, vilows kigelia pinnata and kaner.

Dairy farming:

— Separate the pregnant animals from the rest of the herd 15 days before the expected date of calving. Keep a close watch at the time of calving and provide the necessary help, if needed.

— It is calving season and observe the animal daily for normal calving in case animal does not calve but shows the symptoms, get it examined.

— In case the placenta does not come out within 12-16 hours take veterinarian’s help.

— Immediately after birth of a calf, remove mucous membranes from the nose and mouth. Dry the calf with a cloth and put dry bedding. Feed 3-4 kg of colostrum to the calf within one to two hours of its birth.

— Cut the naval with the sterilised scissors and apply tincture of iodine on the naval cord of the calf till it dries off to avoid naval ill.

— Take hygienic steps to check maggot wounds. Keep the surroundings clear and preferably apply fly repelling ointment on the wound i.e. Himax or Lorexane or Ectosep.

— Do not completely milk the animal to avoid milk fever.

— Deworm the calf with any of the dowormer on 15th day and thereafter at 15 days’ interval two times.

— Disbud the calf within 7-10 days of birth with the hot iron. Apply antiseptic cream to heal the wounds and control ticks.

— Feed mineral mixture regularly to avoid mineral deficiency diseases. Be careful that no mouldy food or fodder is fed to animals. Avoid storage of feed beyond 15 days.

— Feed wheat dalia 1 kg after boiling and mixing with half kg of gur, twice daily for the first three-four days to the mother. Feed mineral mixture before and after calving to serve the animals from milk fever.

Poultry production:

— Damp litter and high temperature are good media for the growth of protozoa which causes coccidiosis in the chickens so try to decrease them.

— Place the nests inside the sheds, one-two weeks prior to the start of egg production.

— Keep sufficient cold water available for the birds in the sheds.

— The lights may be kept on during the cooler parts of the nights viz. late evening and early morning so that the birds can compensate the feed consumption of hot period of the day.

— Any operation such as debeaking and vaccination may be done up to 14-16 weeks of age. The prices of eggs start rising from this month so there should be the minimum of disturbance after the laying start.

— Broiler chicks should be vaccinated with F1 vaccine for Ranikhet disease during the first week of its age. —Progressive Farming, PAU