Thursday, 15 May 2014

IMPACT OF ORGANIC INPUTS ON IMPORTANT VEGETABLE CROPS OF NAGALAND

This is a credit seminar presented by me on 15th may 2014 as a part of my M.Sc credit program in Horticulture in SASRD, Nagaland University. This can be used for reference by by junior students or other interested students for the study of oganic inputs and organic farming researches carried out in Nagaland on vegetables.



CREDIT SEMINAR (HOR-591)
ON
IMPACT OF ORGANIC INPUTS ON IMPORTANT VEGETABLE CROPS OF NAGALAND

                                     

                                     
Submitted by:
SUBI TABA
ROLL NO : M-582/12
M.Sc. (Ag.) (Horticulture) 2nd year
Registration. No. 8067 (2012-13)

Supervisor :Prof. V.B Singh
Department of Horticulture, SASRD.
Nagaland University.

DEPARTMENT OF HORTICULTURE
SCHOOL OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
NAGALAND UNIVERSITY
MEDZIPHEMA CAMPUS-797106, NAGALAND


CONTENTS


         Sl. No.                                                                                                                
1.     INTRODUCTON                                                                                         
2.     REVIEW OF LITERATURE                                                                       
3.     IMPACT OF ORGANIC INPUTS ON IMPORTANT VEGETABLE
CROPS OF NAGALAND                                                                           
                               i.            Cabbage
                            ii.            Tomato
                          iii.            Onion
                          iv.            Chilli
                             v.            Cauliflower
                          vi.            Naga King Chilli
                        vii.            Capsicum     
4.     SCOPE AND IMPORTANCE OF ORGANIC INPUT USE IN NAGALAND       
5.     NEED OF GOVERNMENT SUPPORT                                                                 
6.    CONCLUSION                                                                                                       
7.     REFERENCES                                                                                                        


1.     INTRODUCTION

Nagaland is strategically located where all types of agro-climatic conditions suitable for cultivation of tropical, sub-tropical and temperate vegetables are available. Although, the geography of the land does not provide a good scope for cultivation of cereal crops on economical scale except in some flat lands and valleys, it provides an added advantage for the development of horticulture crops especially vegetables. So far, the people of the State have not been able to tap the available natural resources and potentialities and therefore, an attempt to improve the state’s economy lies in the systemic planning to harness manpower resources to tap the available natural resources and potentialities properly. The total vegetable production of the state in the year 2010-11 was 330391 MTs from a total area of 43325 ha. The important vegetable crops grown in Nagaland are cabbage, tomato, onion, garden pea, cauliflower, brinjal, beans, cucumber. The important leafy vegetables include lai (Brassica juncea), lafa (Malvaverticillata), palak (Spinaceaoleracea). In addition to these a wide variety of indigenous leafyvegetables are also available. These are amaranth (Amaranthusspp), puroi sag (VasellarubraandB.alba), sorrel (Rumexrasicarius), etc. Other indigenous leafy vegetables used occasionally arejilmilsag (Chenopodium album) and Kalmou sag (Ipomeareptans). Amaranthusviridis, A. lividus, A.retroflexusandA. spinosusare important leafy types grown in North East India (Sarma, 2001).Traditionally Nagas have adopted a system agricultural practices without the use of external inputs, as such Nagaland is one of the lowest consumer of chemical fertilizers in the country @ 1.5 kg/ha which is negligible by any standard. The nutrient requirements of crops in traditional agricultural system of the Nagas, depends only on a natural resources (biomass). Therefore farming practices in Nagaland is organic by default and is yet to be an organic by design,” according to the Annual Administrative Report of Agriculture department presented in the state assembly session (2008). The report added that the demands for organic commodities are growing day by day.

The organic inputs used in organic and integrated farming are:
        i.            Farm Yard Manure (FYM)
      ii.            Compost
    iii.            Biogas slurry
    iv.            Animal wastes
      v.            Crop residue management
    vi.            Forest bye products
  vii.            Concentrated oil cakes
viii.            Sewage and sludges
    ix.            City garbage
      x.            Coir pith
    xi.            Vermicompost
  xii.            Green manuring crops
xiii.            Biofertilizers (Rhizobium, Azotobacter, Azospirillum, BGA, PSM, VAM)

Table.1. Nutrient status of some organic inputs
S. No

Category
Source

Nutrient content (%)
N
P2O5
K2O
1.
Animal wastes
Cattle dung
0.3-0.4
0.10-0.15
0.15-0.20


Cattle urine
0.80
0.01-0.12
0.50-0.70


Sheep & goat dung
0.65
0.05
0.03


Night soil
1.2-1.5
0.8
0.5


Leather waste
0.65
0.05
0.3


Hair and wool waste
12.3
0.1
0.3
2.
FYM/ Compost
Farm Yard Manure
0.5-1.0
0.15-0.20
0.50-0.60


Poultry manure
2.87
2.90
2.35


Town compost
1.5-2.0
1.0
1.5


Rural compost
0.5-1.0
0.2
0.50
3.
Oil cakes
Castor
5.5-5.8
1.8
1.00


Cotton seed
3.9
1.8
1.60


Karanja
3.9-4.0
0.9-1.0
1.30


Neem
5.2
1.0
1.40


Niger
4.8
1.8
1.30


Rape seed
5.1
1.8
1.30


Linseed
5.5
1.4
1.20


Sunflower
4.8
1.4
1.20
4.
Animal meals
Blood
10-12
1.2
1.00


Fish meal
4-10
3-9
1.80



The organic inputs widely used in the production of vegetables in Nagaland are FYM (Farm Yard Manure), poultry manure, pig manure, vermicompost, garden soil, green manures, biofertilizers like Rhizobium, Azotobacter, Azospirillum and Phosphotica. Organic farming helps in maintaining environment health, reduces human and animal health hazards and helps in keeping agricultural production at a higher level and makes it sustainable. It ensures optimum utilization of natural resources for short-term benefit and helps in conserving them for future generation and also reduces risk of crop failure. Further it also improves the soil physical properties such as granulation, and good tilth, good aeration, easy root penetration and improves water-holding capacity besides retention of soil nutrients and promotes favourable chemical reactions.
Organic farming is a holistic, low-input agricultural production system working with, rather than against, natural systems. The soil is the heart of an organic system, feeding plants via intricate relationships with micro flora and fauna. Microbial activity within the soil processes organic matter to provide a range of minerals and nutrients. These are used by crops to achieve healthy, vigorous growth. Biodiversity within the system and optimum crop health, work together to minimise the incidence of pest and disease attack. The nutrient cycle is completed by returning organic matter back to the soil that has been removed through production and harvest of the crop. The building and maintenance of soil structure and the provision of essential nutrients and minerals, including N, P and K, is therefore achieved using a number of fundamental processes including planting legumes, effective crop rotations, incorporating green manures, appropriate application and incorporation of composts and composted farm yard manure (FYM). Nutrition plays an important role in the growth and development of all the vegetable crops because it is known to exhibit food supply for the physiological requirements of the crops. Organic inputs like biofertilizers release growth promoting substance including auxins and vitamins, which improve germination of seed and of seedlings. They also help in improving biological activities of desirable microorganisms in the soil and improve plant growth, yield and quality of produce. The microorganisms like Azotobacter areconsidered important not only for their nitrogen fixing efficiency but also for their ability to produce antibacterial and antifungal compounds and growth regulators. Likewise, phosphate solubilizing microbes like Phosphotica are found to be effective in improving phosphorus efficiency (Kumar and Srivastava, 2006). Organic farming is a form of agricultural system which avoids or largely excludes the use of synthetic inputs such as fertilizers, pesticides, hormones, feed additives etc. and to the maximum extent feasible relies upon crop rotations, crop residues, animal manures, off-farm organic waste, mineral grade rock additives and biological system of nutrient mobilization and plant protection. The role of organic agriculture whether in farming, processing, distribution or consumption is to sustain and enhance the health of ecosystem and organism from the smallest in the soil to human beings (Amrutraya, 2011).
After green revolution, production of vegetables has increased to a great extent due to use of chemical fertilizers but their indiscriminate use has led the soil sickness, ecological hazards and depletion of non-renewable sources of energy. Moreover in the developing countries like India, the escalating prices of fertilizers are hitting small and marginal farmers. To overcome the problems of ecological imbalance and increased cost of cultivation due to continuous use of chemical fertilizers, the latest trend of growing vegetables by using organic inputs is considered to be ecologically and economically viable.
                                     

2.      REVIEW OF LITERATURE

Only few researches have been carried out in Nagaland using organic inputs alone, most of the researches have been done on the commonly grown vegetables in the state by the research students of the premier institution for agricultural sciences in the state, School of Agricultural Sciences and Rural Development (SASRD), Medziphema campus, Nagaland University.
In a research carried out by Vimeraet al. in 2008it was observed that the use of FYM in corporation with biofertilizers had significant positive effect on growth characters, number of branches, leaves as well as the yield attributes like number of fruit per plant, fresh weight of fruit, fruit length, fruit diameter of Naga King Chilli. Higher vegetative growth might have helped the synthesis of greater amount of food material which were later translocated into developing fruits resulting in increased fruit length and fruit diameter. This might be due to favourable effect of organic manures in INM in supplying essential nutrient in balanced ratio and improving physical, chemical and biological properties of soil which helps in better nutrient absorption and utilization by plants and result higher value of yield and quality characters.The biofertilizers that was used were Azotobacter and Phosphotica.
Traditionally in Nagaland king chillies are grown in burned soil with wood ash. King chilli responds very well to added nutrients in the soil. Use of organic manures help in mitigating multiple nutrient deficiencies and reduces the soluble and exchangeable aluminium temporarily by forming complex with organic manures and provides favourable environment for plant growth in addition improvement in physical, chemical and biological properties of the soil (Patiram, 1996).
Marinus etal.carried out a research on evaluation of botanicals and biocontrol agents against Colletotrichumcapsici on King chilli in Medziphema campus which found out that bioagents like Trichoderma viride and Pseudomonas fluorescens were very effective inhibiting mycelial growth of the pathogen. Among the plant extracts Allium sativum (10%) and Azadirachta indica (10%) demonstrated the highest inhibition of mycelial growth of C. capsici. Field evaluation of effective plant extracts and antagonistic organisms and fungicides revealed that spraying with T. viride (2%) caused the maximum disease reduction (62.04%) followed by P. fluorescens (60.42%). However, the plant extracts and antagonistic organisms only ranked next to fungicide (Bavistin 0.1%) with 82.21% disease reduction. 
Sentiyanglaet al. (2010) studied the integrated effect of chemical fertilizers, organic manures and biofertilizers on growth, yield and quality of radish. Results revealed that significant growth of radish was found with the application of 50% NPK + 50% FYM + Biofertilizer. Sentiyanglaet al. (2010) studied on the effect of INM for quality production of radish and reported maximum TSS (4.330Brix), vitamin C (24.93 mg/ 100g) and nutrient uptake with 50% NPK + 50% FYM + Biofertilizers.
Merentolaet al. (2012) reported that treatment comprising of 50% NPK + 50% FYM + biofertilizer recorded maximum values of yield attributing characters in cabbage viz. head diameter (13.36 cm), head size (169.63 cm2), head compactness (96.91), gross head weight (1392.61 g) and net head weight (1141.87 g). It also recorded maximum yield per plot (18.27 kg) and yield per hectare (563.79 q). They also reported highest ascorbic acid content (116.97 mg/ 100g) in cabbage with the treatment of 50% NPK + 50% FYM + biofertilizer.
A field experiment was conducted during the period of September 2012 to July 2013 at Horticulture Research Farm of School of Agricultural Sciences and Rural Development, Medziphema, Nagaland by Kavita Bade to evaluate the effect of organic manures and bio-fertilizers on the growth, yield and quality of chilli cv. PusaJwala.  Treatments comprised : T1(Control), T2 (FYM @ 40 tha-1), T3 (Pig manure @ 30 tha-1), T4 (Poultry manure @ 20tha-1), T5(Vermicompost @ 10tha-1 ), T6 (FYM+ Azotobacter), T7 (Pig manure + Azotobacter), T8(Poultry manure + Azotobacter), T9(Vermicompost + Azotobacter), T10(FYM+Azotobacter+ Phosphotika), T11 (Pig manure + Azotobacter + Phosphotika), T12(Poultry manure + Azotobacter +Phosphotika), T13 ( Vermicompost + Azotobacter+ Phosphotika). Among the various thirteen treatments, the combination of poultry manure + Azotobacter + Phosphotika stimulated better response. The growth, yield, ascorbic acid, TSS and NPK uptake by chilli plants were influenced by the application of organic manures and bio-fertilizers in combination. The maximum dry yield of 10.93q ha-1,  ascorbic acid content of  300.00 mg, TSS (12 0 Brix) and 312.50kg ha-1, 20.15 kg ha-1 and 264.00 kg ha-1 of NPK uptake and the highest profit were recorded in the treatment combination of  Poultry manure + Azotobacter + Phosphotika. Thus, combine use of organic manures and bio-fertilizers proved better in improving the growth, yield and quality than using organic alone.



3.     IMPACT OF ORGANIC INPUTS ON IMPORTANT  VEGETABLE CROPS OF NAGALAND

CABBAGE

The climatic condition of the foothills of Nagaland is very conducive for commercial cultivation of cabbage. Cabbage is grown as a major crop during the winter and as minor crop during the summer in mid and higher hills. Inspite of favourable agro climatic conditions the production of cabbage in Nagaland is not sufficient to meet domestic requirement and therefore, huge quantity is being imported from outside the state (Kedino, 2008).
Zangoet al. (2009) studied the effect of organic manures and biofertilizers on growth, yield and quality of cabbage and result showed that higher plant height and stalk length were obtained with FYM at 60 t ha-1. It was also reported that the treatment of FYM at 60 t ha-1 gave higher vitamin C content (143.19 mg/ 100g) of cabbage. Among the various level of bio-fertilizer inoculation, Azotobacter @ 10 kg ha-1 resulted in maximum plant height in cabbage.
Merentolaet al. (2012) reported that treatment comprising of 50% NPK + 50% FYM + biofertilizer recorded maximum values of yield attributing characters in cabbage viz. head diameter (13.36 cm), head size (169.63 cm2), head compactness (96.91), gross head weight (1392.61 g) and net head weight (1141.87 g). It also recorded maximum yield per plot (18.27 kg) and yield per hectare (563.79 q).Merentolaet al. (2012) reported highest ascorbic acid content (116.97 mg/ 100g) in cabbage with the treatment of 50% NPK + 50% FYM + biofertilizer.
A research work was carried out by me on the “Influence of organic manures and biofertilizers on growth, yield and quality of cabbage” was carried out in the experimental farm of the School of Agricultural Sciences and Rural Development, Medziphema, Nagaland University, during the period of October, 2012 to January, 2013. Growth characters with respect to plant height (20.03cm) and plant spread (32.86 cm) was recorded maximum with the application of  T5 (Vermicompost 10 t ha-1) whereas maximum stalk length (6.88 cm) and minimum number of non- wrapper leaves (10.50) which is desirable was observed in T7 (Pig manure + Azotobacter).
Similarly, the effect of treatment combinations on yield and yield attributing characters were observed and found superior over control. The result of the findings indicate that T10 (FYM

+ Azotobacter+ Phosphotica) recorded maximum result in all yield attributing characters such as head diameter (12.78 cm), head size (164.99 cm2), gross head weight (1273.80g) and net head weight (911.46 g). Maximum yield per plot (10.93 kg), as well as projected yield per hectare (337.57 q) was recorded highest in the treatment T10 (FYM + Azotobacter+ Phosphotica).    
It is observed that maximum head compactness (79.45) was recorded in T10 (FYM + Azotobacter+ Phosphotica). Maximum phosphorus content (0.32 %) was reported in T6 (FYM + Azotobacter), maximum potassium content (0.92%) was reported in T10 (FYM + Azotobacter + Phosphotica) and the maximum shelf life (15 days) was recorded in T2 (FYM 50 t ha-1).   
The maximum available nitrogen after harvest (403.10 kg ha-1) was found in T4 (Poultry Manure 25 t ha-1). Also the application of T4 (Poultry Manure 25 t ha-1) recorded maximum available P2O5 (20.70 kg ha-1) after harvest and available K2O (203.81 kg ha-1) after harvest. Maximum organic carbon (2.18%) and soil pH (4.87) after harvest were also recorded with the application of T10 (FYM + Azotobacter + Phosphotica). The economics of different treatments were calculated and highest profit (Rs. 613,540) and highest cost benefit ratio of 1:9.96 was obtained from T10 (FYM + Azotobacter+ Phosphotica). 
From this conclusion, we can draw that if organic farming is carried out with incorporation of vermicompost and FYM + Azotobacter+ Phosphotica, it gives one of the best growth and yield attributes in Cabbage in the Nagaland foothills conditions.


Table 2. Effect of manures and biofertilizers on growth, yield and quality parameters of Cabbage hybrid cv. Green Gold by KedinoZango (2009)

Treatments
Plant height (cm)
Stalk length (cm)
No. of non-wrapper leaves
Plant spread (cm)
Head diameter (cm)
Head size (cm2)
Head compactness
Head yield per plot (kg)
Head  yield per hectare (q)
Vitamin C (mg/100g)
Shelf life (days)
Net income (Rs/ha)
Control
21.75
4.60
12.60
29.50
8.07
79.76
62.69
8.75
269.81
134.45
12.00
90,905
FYM @ 60t/ha
29.45
7.77
7.10
45.73
12.91
237.39
135.65
15.16
467.62
143.19
15.33
159810
Pigmanure @ 40t/ha
26.13
6.45
9.10
37.10
11.01
164.90
88.96
11.80
363.93
141.29
14.30
107965
Vermicompost @ 10t/ha
28.30
6.97
8.00
39.39
11.15
194.05
113.64
13.56
418.35
142.38
14.50
65175
Poultry manure @ 25t/ha
24.42
5.60
8.60
36.72
9.62
141.68
76.97
10.78
332.77
140.70
14.00
97385
50% FYM +Biofertilizers
26.87
7.10
8.30
43.20
10.70
161.05
96.74
12.29
378.13
140.50
14.00
129865
50% Pigmanure + Biofertilizers
24.50
5.60
9.20
32.25
8.65
107.32
66.47
9.19
283.29
139.06
13.66
82445
50% Vermicompost + Biofertilizers
25.50
6.60
9.50
34.50
9.13
102.15
74.96
9.74
300.57
139.87
14.00
56085
50% Poultry manure + biofertilizers
22.60
4.80
9.60
32.30
8.45
97.41
62.98
8.88
274.13
138.50
13.33
80365

                                                                                              
TOMATO

Yepthoet al. (2012) conducted a pot experiment to study the effect of  integrated nutrient management on growth, yield and quality of  tomato under poly-house condition and revealed that integrated application of 50% NPK + 50% Poultry manure + Biofertilizers recorded significantly higher plant height (164.33 cm), number of branches per plant (12.26) and number of leaves per plant (58.19). Yepthoet al. (2012) recorded highest yield (77.541 ha-1) and  also the highest net return of Rs 3,49,887 with integrated application of 50% NPK + 50% Poultry manure + Biofertilizers in tomato.Yepthoet al. (2012) also reported that integrated application of 50% NPK + 50% poultry manure + Biofertilizers in tomato resulted in maximum TSS (6.670Brix) and vitamin C content (79.70 mg/ 100g) over other treatments. It is concluded that poultry manure @ 20 t ha-1 along with Azotobacter application resulted in maximum plant growth, bulb yield and better nutrient uptake. 
Chumyaniet al. (2012) conducted a field experiment to study the effect of integrated nutrient management on growth, yield and quality of tomato cv. Punjab Chhuhara under foothill condition of Nagaland. Results revealed that application of different levels of fertilizers, organic manures and biofertilizers either alone or in combination significantly increased the growth, yield and quality of tomato as compared to control. The maximum fruit yield (486.89 q ha-1) was recorded with 50% NPK + 50% FYM + biofertilizers. The same treatment also produced the highest net return of Rs. 1,84,477 with cost-benefit ratio of 1:3.1.Chumyaniet al. (2012) also conducted an experiment on integrated nutrient management and found that 50% NPK + 50% FYM + Biofertilizers recorded maximum vitamin C and TSS in tomato.


ONION
Onion (Allium cepaL.) is a highly nutrient-responsivecrop. Conventional methods of fertilization have undoubtedlyhelped in improving both bulb yield andquality. But lately, routine management practices in India appearto be incapable of maintaining yields over the long-term.The steady depletion of native soil fertility and the occurrenceof multiple nutrient deficiencies in onion fields has led to theidentification of nutrient management as a key factor limitingsustainable onion production (Sharma et al., 2003). Integratednutrient management (INM) offers an effective strategy (Dimriand Singh, 2005; Santhiet al., 2005
               
Ethel Ngullieet al. (2009) carried out an investigation entitled “Effect of organic manures and biofertilizer on the growth and yield of onion cv. Agrifound Dark Red” in the experimental farm of the School of Agricultural Sciences and Rural Development, Medziphema, Nagaland, during the period of October 2005- February 2006.  Eight treatments (control, FYM @ 30 MT/ha, pig manure @ 20 MT/ha, vermicompost @ 5 MT/ha Azotobacter, FYM @ 30 MT/ha + Azotobacter, Pig manure @ 20 MT/ha + Azotobacterand vermicompost @ 5 MT/ha + Azotobacter) were taken in the experiment. It was observed that various treatment have significant effect on growth attributes.  Growth characteristics namely, height of plant (45.16 cm), number of leaves (13.66 cm), neck thickness (3.46 cm) per plant was observed maximum in Vermicompost + Azotobacterand the days taken to maturity (125.00), was recorded minimum with treatment 30 MT farmyard manure per hectare.Maximum bolting (0.63%) in onion was recorded with the combined application of FYM + Azotobacter while maximum doubling (0.40%) was with the treatment pig manure + Azotobacter.
Table 3.Effect of organic manures and biofertilizer on the growth and yield of onion cv. Agrifound Dark Red carried out by Ethel Ngullieet al. (2009)

Height of plant (cm) 75DAP
Number of leaves per plant
Neck thickness (cm)
Days taken for maturity
Bulb diameter (cm)
Weight of bulb
Markettable yield (kg)
Dry matter content (%)
TSS (ºBrix)
Control
30.14
10.30
2.13
126.66
3.00
19.93
0.468
7.66
12.20
FYM @ 30MT/ha
45.16
13.66
3.46
125.00
5.99
40.00
1.369
9.00
14.26
Pig manure @ 20 MT/ha
41.72
11.25
3.21
129.00
5.51
34.90
1.032
9.33
13.43
Vermicompost @ 5MT/ha
38.06
11.00
2.91
127.00
4.76
28.30
0.749
6.50
11.63
Azotobacter
36.62
10.93
2.80
128.50
4.37
24.50
0.659
10.00
12.50
FYM + Azotobacter
41.76
12.16
3.26
128.00
5.57
36.00
1.178
11.33
13.06
Pig manure + Azotobacter
40.43
11.25
3.13
127.66
5.42
31.00
0.952
8.66
12.76
Vermicompost + Azotobacter
39.61
11.23
3.12
127.00
4.73
30.20
0.922
8.50
12.26
1
                                                                     


CHILLI
A field experiment was conducted by Kavita Bade Kailash during the period of September 2012 to July 2013 at Horticulture Research Farm of School of Agricultural Sciences and Rural Development, Medziphema, Nagaland to evaluate the effect of organic manures and bio-fertilizers on the growth, yield and quality of chilli cv. PusaJwala.  Treatments comprised : T1(Control), T2 (FYM @ 40 tha-1), T3 (Pig manure @ 30 tha-1), T4 (Poultry manure @ 20tha-1), T5(Vermicompost @ 10tha-1 ), T6 (FYM+ Azotobacter), T7 (Pig manure + Azotobacter), T8(Poultry manure + Azotobacter), T9(Vermicompost + Azotobacter), T10(FYM+Azotobacter+ Phosphotika), T11 (Pig manure + Azotobacter + Phosphotika), T12(Poultry manure + Azotobacter +Phosphotika), T13 ( Vermicompost + Azotobacter+ Phosphotika). Among the various thirteen treatments, the combination of poultry manure + Azotobacter + Phosphotika stimulated better response. The growth, yield, ascorbic acid, TSS and NPK uptake by chilli plants were influenced by the application of organic manures and bio-fertilizers in combination. The maximum dry yield of 10.93q ha-1,  ascorbic acid content of  300.00 mg, TSS (12 0 Brix) and 312.50kg ha-1, 20.15 kg ha-1 and 264.00 kg ha-1 of NPK uptake and the highest profit were recorded in the treatment combination of  Poultry manure + Azotobacter + Phosphotika. Thus, combine use of organic manures and bio-fertilizers proved better in improving the growth, yield and quality than using organic alone.
                                  

CAULIFLOWER

Tekasangla (2012) carried out research on the ‘Effect of integrated nutrient management on growth, yield and quality ofcauliflower (Brassica oleraceae var. botrytis L.)’ in the experimental farm of the School of Agricultural Sciences and Rural Development, Medziphema, Nagaland University, during the period of October, 2011 to January, 2012. From the investigation the following results were being found.
Integrated application on 50% NPK + 50% FYM + Biofertilizers (Azospirillum and Phosphotika) in cauliflower is considered the best treatment in terms of plant growth, higher yield and comparative curd quality. From this conclusion, we can draw that chemical fertilizers can be substituted to 50% or even more by natural resources without any compromise on yield and quality parameters of cauliflower when applied in an integrated mode with manures and biofertilizers.
Integrated use of chemical fertilizers with organic manure and biofertilizers is also recommended over their lone application which increased the available nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, organic carbon and pH after crop harvest, thereby maintain the soil fertility.
Highest net return (profit) can be obtained with the integrated nutrient application of 50% NPK + 50% FYM + Biofertilizers under the foot-hill condition of Nagaland.

Table 4.Effect of integrated nutrient management on growth, yield and quality of cauliflower (Brassica oleraceae var. botrytis L.) by Tekasangla (2012)
                      Treatments
Curd     diamer
(cm)
Curd
 size
(cm2)
Gross
curd
weight
(g)
Net        curd weight
(g)
Yield per     plot (kg)
Projected yield per
hectare (t)
Curd
compactness
Vitamin C
 (mg/100 g)
Net income
Cost benefit ratio

Pig manure (20 t ha-1)
10.39
78.08
608.00
202.00
2.42
7.48
21.17
11.60
73100
1:0.96
Vermicompost (10 t ha-1)
10.70
80.20
580.00
221.33
2.65
8.19
20.93
10.90
1300
1:0.01
100% NPK (120:60:60 kg ha-1)
11.93
94.00
702.67
276.67
3.30
10.20
22.78
20.01
137000
1:2.04
50% NPK + 50% FYM
10.90
83.77
680.67
230.00
2.72
8.39
22.30
14.98
85550
1:1.18
50% NPK + 50% Pig manure
11.10
84.53
672.00
236.00
2.83
8.73
22.05
14.02
102850
1:1.43
50% NPK + 50% Vermicompost
11.40
83.63
640.00
244.67
2.94
9.06
22.05
13.89
66450
1:0.57
50% NPK + 50% FYM + Biofertilizer
12.73
108.13
866.67
351.33
4.21
13.00
24.45
25.15
187750
1:2.59
50% NPK + 50% Pig manure + Biofertilizers
12.23
101.35
752.00
284.67
3.42
10.55
23.55
22.43
139200
1;1.94
50% NPK + 50% Vermicompost + Biofertilizers
10.80
79.67
729.33
238.67
2.86
8.82
23.05
21.12
61600
1:0.54



NAGA KING CHILLI                                
Naga King chilli is one of the most important vegetable crop of Nagaland which is highly used in food purposes and has a high economic value in the market. King Chilli(Capsicum chinenseJackquin) belongs to family Solanaceae. It is also called Naga Raja Mircha, Naga Jolokia is important crop in the Naga kitchen and considered the hottest chilli in the world (855000 SHU) (Mathueet al., 2000). 
The major constraint to chilli production in Nagaland is fruit rot disease caused by Colletotrichumcapsici and in the country losses varying from 10-60% have been reported. (Patilet al., 1993; Pandey and Pandey, 2003). Under the prevailing warm and humid climatic conditions of Nagaland, fruit rot disease of chilli, especially on King chilli has been found a major limiting factor towards optimum production. Although chemicals are available for the management of fruit rot, a continuous inappropriate use of chemical is known to cause undesirable effects such as residual toxicity, development of resistance, environmental pollution, health hazards. Using of plant extracts having toxic properties against phytopathogen is now being explored largely due to their easy decomposition, non environmental pollution, non-residual toxicity and non-phytotoxic properties (Dixit et al., 1979). Bioagents of late have been known to induce systemic resistance against several plant diseases (Ramamoorthyet al., 2001; Radajacommareet al., 2002). Based on the effectiveness of antagonists organism and plant  extracts, the antagonists T. viride (2%), P. flourescens (2%), Bacillus subtilis (2%), T. harzianum (2%), plant extrcts of Allium indica (10%), A. sativum (10%), D. hemiltonii (10%), Ocimum sanctum (10%) were tested for management of fruit rot in the field. Among the biological agents T.viride (2%) and P. fluorescens (2%) resulted in the minimum fruit rot incidence. Although Bavistin was observed to be the most effective treatment, there are numerous reports of negative effects of chemical on farmers’ income and health and toxic contamination to the environment, particularly in developing countries (Voorips et al., 2004). There is a need to incorporate alternative control component that are effective in controlling the disease and combined use of plant extracts and bioagents should be used for better protection of King chili.
Vimera (2009) carried out an investigation on the effect of integrated nutrient management on growth, yield and quality of king chilli (Capsicum chinense) and reported that the integrated application of 50% NPK + 50% FYM + Biofertilizers (Azotobacter + Phosphotica) in king chilli is considered the best treatment in terms of plant growth, higher yield, comparative fruit quality, soil fertility status after harvest and net return (profit) under the foot hill conditions of Nagaland. From his conclusion we can draw that the use of chemical fertilizers can be reduced to 50% or even more without any compromise on yield and quality parameters of king chilli when applied in an integrated mode with manures and biofertilizers. Also that the integrated use of chemical fertilizers with organic manure and biofertilizers is therefore recommended over their lone application for optimum plant growth, yield, productivity, quality and profitability in king chilli cultivation which is also in aligned with sustainable use of soil.
Table 5. Effect of integrated nutrient management on growth, yield and quality of king chilli (Capsicum chinense) by Vimera (2009)

Treatments
                  
Plant height(145 DAT)
Number of branches/plant
Number of leaves
No. of fruits
Fruit weight (g)
Fruit length (cm)
Yield/plant (g)
Yield /ha (q ha-1)
Vitamin c(mg/100g)
SHU%
Control
67.89
65.67
163.33
78.70
5.72
4.81
447.92
44.83
25.00
2.54
FYM (20t/h)
82.33
67.00
313.33
89.34
6.94
5.22
617.97
61.78
58.33
2.69
Pigmanure (15t/ha)
82.17
73.00
277.33
86.91
6.91
5.39
600.59
60.17
41.67
2.72
Vermicompost (5t/ha)
81.50
70.00
195.00
85.73
6.54
6.06
560.64
56.17
41.67
3.10
100% NPK (90:60:60)
79.67
76.33
381.00
105.88
6.99
6.26
738.06
73.89
33.33
3.14
50% NPK + 50% FYM
87.17
82.33
411.00
134.07
7.31
6.54
980.12
98.05
66.67
3.84
50% NPK + 50% pigmanure
88.33
87.00
428.00
128.85
7.30
6.92
939.71
87.39
75.00
4.01
50% NPK + 50%vermicompost
87.80
83.00
401.33
117.76
7.31
6.87
861.04
86.17
75.00
4.14
50% NPK + 50% FYM + 50%biofertilizers
106.00
105.33
466.33
147.20
7.81
7.07
1149.84
110.56
116.67
4.27
50% NPK + 50%pigmanure +  biofertilizes
97.00
101.67
448.00
142.20
7.62
6.92
1065.47
106.56
108.33
5.30
50% NPK + 50% vermicompost + biofertiizers
95.82
93.33
419.67
142.00
7.50
6,63
1035.22
103.56
83.33
4.06
Burned soil +wood ash +20t FYM
89.20
89.33
408.33
135.84
7.56
7.02
1047.63
104.78
83.33
4.16


CAPSICUM

Santosh (2012) studied the different sources of manuring on growth, yield and quality of capsicum cv. California Wonder under lowcost poly-house condition in Medziphema campus and reported that the growth characters and yield in capsicum showed the best with the integrated application of 50% FYM and 50% NPK biofertilizers. Similarly the quality parameters like TSS content (9.55 ºBrix) and ascorbic acid content (126.31 mg/100g) was recorded best with application of 50% FYM and 50% NPK biofertilizers. Also, the economies of different treatments were calculated and highest profit (Rs 7,93,858) and highest cost benefit ratio of 1: 8.16 was obtained from the integrated application of 50% FYM and 50% NPK biofertilizers. So from the investigation done by Santosh (2012), it was reported that application of 50% FYM + 50% NPK + Biofertilizers had beneficial effect on the growth, yield, quality and net income (profit) in capsicum cultivation under low cost poly house condition. 
Table.6 Effect of different sources of manuring on growth, yield and quality of capsicum cv. California Wonder
Treatments
Plant height (cm) 90 DAT
Number of leaves
Leaf area (cm2)
No of fruits plant-1
Yield hectare-1 (kg)
TSS (ºBrix)
Vitamin C (mg 100g-1)
Net income (Rs ha-1)
Cost Benefir ratio
 Control
31.14
18.03
26.47
4.11
78.89
7.10
86.04
148200
1:1.67
100% NPK
41.13
30.82
39.30
9.60
224.81
7.60
97.21
578506
1:6.03
FYM
38.39
30.53
37.26
7.25
108.88
7.43
95.18
228140
1:2.32
Pig manure 15t
36.52
30.09
34.64
6.82
94.44
7.39
92.73
185820
1:1.90
Vermicompost 10t
40.17
31.32
42.68
7.83
134.44
7.73
108.15
214820
1:1.14
50% FYM + 50% NPK
46.76
33.81
46.57
8.92
184.07
7.91
114.20
454998
1:4.68
50% Pig manure + 50% NPK
44.64
32.34
44.26
8.74
166.30
7.81
111.04
402188
1:4.16
50% Vermicompost + 50% NPK
48.41
33.40
48.47
9.40
193.33
8.06
117.00
437778
1:3.o8
50% FYM + 50% NPK+Biofertilizers
54.46
38.89
54.60
10.48
297.04
9.55
126.31
793858
1:8.16
50% Pig Manure + 50%NPK +Biofertilizers
49.24
34.65
50.77
9.87
247.41
8.43
120.88
645468
1:6.67
50% Vermicompost + 50% NPK+ Biofertilizers
52.36
35.31
50.95
10.32
290.00
8.77
123.23
727738
1:5.11
                                                                                                                    
4.    SCOPE AND IMPORTANCE OF ORGANIC INPUT USE IN NAGALAND

Nagaland has many natural advantages to promote organic farming because traditionally, the Nagas have practiced a system of agricultural practices without the use of external inputs. The nutrients requirement of crops, in the traditional agricultural system of the Nagas, depends only on the natural resources (biomass). The average cycle of jhum cultivation is between 8-10 years. The availability of plant nutrients in the soil due to re-generation of biomass during the jhum cycle is sufficient to sustain crop productions economically without the use of Chemical and synthetic inputs. Concentration of crops of the same species, in a particulars area, for a prolonged period is avoided which minimizes the insect or pest occurrence. This reduces the need for chemicals and pesticides. Over 70% of the total cultivate area in the State is under shifting cultivation where no chemical, synthetic or plastic inputs are utilized in the cultivation process. In Nagaland the use of synthetic inputs is assessed at only 1.5 kgs per hectare in terms of NPK. This is negligible by any standard.
The policy to adopt Organic Cultivation in Nagaland aims to produce healthy food materials of high nutritive value, preserve and maintain environment and ecosystem,encourage and enhance biological system within the farming system involving micro organisms, soil, flora and fauna, plants and animals. To promote the healthy use and proper care of water and the water resources and life sustained therein to keep and build good soil structure and fertility and promote the conservation of soil and waste.

The State Organic Policy encompasses objectivesto minimize all forms of pollution that may result from nonorganicagricultural practices, non agricultural and industrial waste, maintain genetic diversity of the agricultural system and its surroundings, including protection of plants, livestock and wildlife habitats, improve the quality of human life through healthy food, enhance the incomes of the people and promote the economy of the state people through the increased value of goods organically cultivated, promote other ancillary economic activities such as production and manufacture of bio-fertilisers, manure, bio-agents and other inputs that will create industries and add to employment and livelihood of the people. To promote and develop through research the immensepotentials inherent in the bio diversity of Nagaland that will lead to improving the quality of Organic cultivation.ICCOA(International Competence Centre for Organic Agriculture) is implementing projects in six districts of Nagaland to develop a cluster of 250 ha in Nagaland with organic farming, certification and market linkages.


5. NEED OF GOVERNMENT SUPPORT


Nagaland is one of the foremost organically cultivated states in India, most farmland in the state has never seen inorganic inputs, most of the farmers are intimately connected to age-old organic farming practices with the use of diverse organic inputs which is considered to be good for the soil.
An interview with one of the organic farmer of Nagaland, Asen, from Peren districtwho is a grower of the world’s hottest chilli (King Chilli) said that he has always been into organic farming and he is waiting for his formal certification. He said he gets advice from the experts in the horticulture industry in Nagaland and from ICCOA on how to speed up produce and how to use traditional techniques in sync with modern technology and machinery. But the moment there is no significant support from the government to farmers. Apart from this he is also working on creating awareness about organic farming to other farming communities.
The state already have an organic board which shall be assisted in its function by a Working Group constituted comprising of the concerned technical Departments of the State. There shall be an Organic Board Office to be manned by and consisting of offices drawn from the various Departments. In the long term a full-fledged Organic Board office shall be set up. The organic Board should maintain funds as to achieve the goals as set out in the policy for organic cultivation. This shall consists of the funds received from the Central Government and other agencies, allocation from the State plan and any other sources as the Board may so obtain. It may also raise loans from the State Government. The Central Government or from any other sources may be approved by the State Government of Nagaland for the development of organic cultivation in the State. Funding support to implement the various policy initiatives enunciated shall be provided from the programme funds of the various related departments of the State which shall include subsidies of the State and institutional finance from financing agencies and private investors.           
The State Government shall facilitate Marketing process of the surplus organic products through the APMC and also with the assistance further agencies such as APFDA, SFAC, NABARD. Involvement of private enterprises will be accorded with the highest priority. The state government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bangalore based International Competence Centre for Organic Agriculture (ICCOA) to promote organic agriculture and its trade in the state.

6.     CONCLUSION

The health of man, animal, plant and soil is one indivisible whole, the health of the soil depends on maintaining its biological balance and starting with a truly fertile soil, the crops grown on it, the livestock fed on those crops and the humans fed on both have a standard of health and power of resisting disease and infection greatly in advance of anything ordinarily found in this country. (Lady Eve Balfour, The Living soil, 1943)
Health problems, quality consciousness and degradation of natural resources on the environment have thrown new challenges. Due to these burning problems, organic farming is gaining importance towards achieving sustainability in crop production. Use of organic manures is inherent in Indian farming system. However, after the advent of chemical fertilizers, the importance of organic manuring has received least attention among the farming community, leading to increased toxicity in soil and farm produce.
Therefore, soil organic matter content has to be built up by recycling the organic wastes so that the production level is sustained at a desired level. Organics also provide balanced nutrition in addition to enhancing water holding capacity and improving physical, chemical and biological properties of soil which assist in better uptake of nutrients. The role of organic manure to enhance the growth characters is well known and they also have a positive relationship with growth in crops. Farmyard manure (FYM) being a bulky organic material, releases the soil compaction and improves the aeration in addition to the supply of essential plant nutrients and organic matter, thereby increasing the soil biological activities. FYM also provide room for the better microbial establishment along with accumulation of excess humus content (Haywarthet al., 1966). Organic manures are more efficient than inorganic fertilizers (Sharma, 1991). The better efficiency of organic manures in combination with inorganic fertilizers might be due to the fact that the organic manures would have provided the micronutrients such as iron, magnesium, manganese etc. at an optimum level.
           
7.                 REFERENCES

Anonymous, (2013).National Horticulture Database.

Chumyani.,Kanaujia, S. P., Singh, V. B. and Singh, A.K. (2012). Effect of integrated nutrient management on growth, yield and quality of tomato (Lycopersiconesculentum Mill). Journal of Soils and Crops22 (1): 65-71.
Merentola, Kanaujia. S. P. and Singh, V. B. (2012). Effect of integrated nutrient management on growth, yield and quality of cabbage (Brassica oleraceae var. Capitata).Journal of Soils and Crops22 (2): 233-239.
Nath, P. (1976). Vegetable for the tropical region.ICAR, Low Priced Book Series No. 2. ICAR, New Delhi.
Sentiyangla, Kanaujia, S. P., Singh, V. B. and Singh, A. K. (2010).INM for quality production of radish (Raphussativus L) in acid Alfisol.Journals of Soils and Crops20 (1): 1-9.
Useful organic products for agriculture.http#www.morungexpress. (4/1/2008)
Vimera, K., Kanaujia, S. P., Singh, V. B. and Singh, P. K. (2012).Integrated nutrient management for quality production of king chilli (Capsicum chinenseJackquin) in an acid alfisol.Journal of the Indian Society of Soil Science60 (1):1-5.
Yeptho, V., Kanaujia, S. P., Singh, V. B. and Sharma, A. (2012).Effect of integrated nutrient management on growth, yield and quality of tomato under poly-house condition. Journals of Soils and Crops 22 (2): 246-252.
Zango, K., Kanuajia, S.P., Singh, V.B. and Singh.P.K.(2009).Effect of organic manures and biofertilizers on growth, yield and quality of cabbage (Brassica oleraceae var. capitata) under Foothill Condition of Nagaland.Environment and Ecology 27 (3): 1127-1129.

Voorrips, R.E., Finkers, R., Sanjaya, L., Groenwold, R., (2004). QTL mapping of anthracnose (Colletotrichum spp.) resistance in a cross between Capsicum annum and C. chinense.Theoretical and Applied Genetics.109(6): 1275-1282


No comments:

Post a Comment