Evaluation and Performance of Integrated Crop Management in Chilli in Rainfed Tracts of Prakasam District, Andhra Pradesh, India

Chilli is an important high value spice crop, its integrated crop management is an important area for the welfare andlivelihood security of farmers. Most of the farmers of Prakasam district of Andhra Pradesh are growing wide varieties and cultivars of chilli but so far the research findings on chilli integrated crop management were less aware. To know the yield potential of integrated crop management and its economic impact, evaluation on integrated crop management was conducted at Chandhaluru and Nallaguntla Guedm villages. The adopted package of practices was seed rate @1kg/ha, spacing 60x45cm, FYM 15t/ha, Urea, single super and muriate of potash256:150:80 kg/acre. There was wide variation between integrated crop management and farmers practice in fruit yield and economic returns. The results on yield and economic returns indicated that chilli integrated crop management was found superior to farmers practice. Integrated crop management could obtain 124 fruits per plant and yield of 47.00q/ha, thirps incidence (24.3%), whitefly incidence (9.67 %) and fruit rot infestation (6.0%). Whereas,in farmers practicefruits obtained were99per plant and yield of 43.00q/ha, thripsincidence (44.67 %),whiteflyincidence (28.33) and fruit rot(18 %) with a net income of Rs220000/- and B:C ratio 1: 1.88 compared to farmers practice with a net income of Rs113333/-with B:C ratio 1:1.36. The integrated crop management percent yield increased over farmers practices8.5 per cent. It was concluded that integrated crop management could help to improve the economy of the farmers.

Remote Sensing Related Tools and their Spectral Indices Applications for Crop Management in Precision Agriculture

World population increased rapidly has increased food demands for human and fulfill the food requirements with limited available resources of the planet is a big challenge for Agriculture. Farmers will need to increase the food production, either the increasing the agricultural land or enhancing crop productivity in agriculture by using different crop management practices and adopting new methods like precision farming. Concept of precision agriculture that involves integrating new technologies and field data to accomplish the right input at the right time in the right place. However, the agricultural sector is yet to adopt remote sensing technologies fully due to lack of knowledge on their sufficiency, appropriateness and techno-economic feasibilities. This study based on the research literature that focused on the application of remote sensing tools in precision agriculture on different aspect of crop management from field preparation to crop harvesting, with the objective of contributing to the scientific understanding on the potential for RS technologies to support decision-making within different production stages. Remote sensing tools and spectral vegetation index (normalized difference vegetation index & others) to support crop management and decisions making at different crop growth stages of crop production in precision agriculture, ranging from field preparation, weather, insect pest management, biotic & abiotic stress management and in-season crop health monitoring to harvest.

Diversity of parasitoid wasps in conventional and organic guarana (Paullinia cupana var. sorbilis) cultivation areas in the Brazilian Amazon

We surveyed parasitoid wasps (Hymenoptera) in two guarana plantations in the central Brazilian Amazon (one conventionally, and one organically managed), as well as in adjacent forest and edge areas between crop and forest. We evaluated differences between management systems in parasitoid diversity and abundance, and assessed the importance of the surrounding matrix as a source of parasitoid wasps for guarana cultivation. Parasitoid wasp richness, abundance and taxonomic composition (at family level) were compared between plantations, and among habitats within plantations. Wasps were sampled using Malaise and Moericke traps. A total of 25,951 parasitoid wasps (10,828 in the conventional, and 15,123 in the organic crop area) were collected, and were distributed in 11 superfamilies and 38 families. In the conventional management area, the greatest abundance and richness of parasitoids were recorded in the adjacent forest, while, in the organic management area, the greatest abundance and richness were recorded in the crop-forest edge. Parasitoid wasp family richness was not influenced by management system and habitat but varied significantly between trap types. Average wasp abundance varied significantly between management systems. The presence of adjacent forest in both cultivation areas likely contributed to a greater abundance and richness of parasitoid wasps, showing the importance of preserving forest areas near the plantations. (AU)

Influence of integrated crop management practices on yield, PAR interception, resource-use-efficiency and energetics in pigeonpea in North Indian Plains

Aim: The aim of the present study was to assess the influence of different integrated crop management (ICM) practices on productivity, resource-use efficiency and energetics of pigeonpea crop so as to overcome various production- and climatic-vulnerabilities in Indo-Gangetic Plains Region (IGPR). Methodology: A study was conducted during Kharif 2017 in pigeonpea under pigeonpea–wheat cropping system at IARI, New Delhi, India to assess the influence of nine different ICM modules [Conventional tillage (CT) based: 04 (ICM1–ICM4); Conservation agriculture (CA) based: 04 (ICM5–ICM8); Organic agriculture based: 01 (ICM9)] on productivity, PAR interception, resource-use-efficiency and energetics in pigeonpea in randomized block design replicated thrice. Results: Pigeonpea seed yield was significantly higher in ICM7 (1.92 t ha-1) – a CA-based ICM module which was followed by ICM5, ICM8 and ICM6. In general, the CA based ICM modules showed an edge over CT based ICM modules with reference to growth, yield and PAR interception. The resource-use-efficiency indices like total water-use-efficiency (TWUE), irrigation water-use-efficiency (IWUE), economic water-productivity (WPE), partial factor productivity of applied nutrients (NPK) also exhibited same trend as that of seed yield with highest TWUE (2.96 kg ha-mm–1) and WPE (104.5 INR ha-mm–1) in ICM7 module. The energy output was highest in ICM7 (2, 23, 664 MJ ha-1) followed by ICM5, ICM8 and ICM6. The trend of energy-use-efficiency was ICM4>ICM2>ICM1>ICM3>ICM5>ICM7>ICM6>ICM8>ICM9, respectively. Interpretation: Conservation agriculture (CA) based modules like ICM7 can be recommended to the farmers for enhancing the plant growth, PAR interception, crop productivity, resource-use efficiency and energetics in pigeonpea alone or on pigeonpea-wheat cropping system basis in semi-arid Indo-Gangetic plains region (IGPR).

Weeds associated with cotton crop and hosting whitefly / Plantas daninhas associadas à cultura do algodoeiro e hospedeiras de mosca-branca

The whitefly can be hosted by weeds and cause damage to cotton crops. The objective of this work was to identify which species of weeds among the floristic compositions occurring in the cotton crop are hosts of whiteflies (Bemisia tabaci biotype B). Bi-weekly evaluations were performed in a cotton area (FM 975 WS) in Sinop, Mato Grosso, Brazil, during the reproductive phase of the crop. An inventory square (0.25 m side) was randomly cast 15 times between the cotton rows. The weeds were cut close to the ground, conditioned and taken to the laboratory to identify the family and species, and to quantify the eggs and nymphs of whiteflies. Eleven families were detected, with the most frequent being Amaranthaceae (16.67%), Convolvulaceae (12.5%), Rubiaceae (12.5%) and Poaceae (12.5%). The most frequent species were Amaranthus spp. (13.79%) and Alternanthera tenella, Ipomea spp., Richardia brasiliensis and Eleusine indica, with 10.34% each. From the 15 collected species, the presence of whitefly eggs or nymphs was only not observed in Portulaca oleracea and E. indica. The highest incidence of B. tabaci occurred in Euphorbia heterophylla. The occurrence of these species should be monitored, so that the whitefly population does not interfere in the cotton fiber quality.(AU)

A mosca-branca pode hospedar-se em plantas daninhas e causar prejuízos ao algodoeiro. O objetivo deste trabalho foi identificar, entre a composição florística de plantas daninhas que ocorrem na cultura do algodoeiro, quais são hospedeiras da mosca-branca (Bemisia tabaci biótipo B). Em uma área de algodoeiro (FM 975 WS) em Sinop, Mato Grosso, Brasil, foram feitas avaliações quinzenais na fase reprodutiva da cultura. Um quadrado inventário (0,25 m de lado) foi lançado aleatoriamente 15 vezes nas entrelinhas do algodoeiro. As plantas daninhas foram cortadas rente ao solo, acondicionadas e levadas para o laboratório para identificação da família e da espécie, quantificação dos ovos e ninfas de mosca-branca. Foram detectadas 11 famílias, sendo as mais frequentes Amaranthaceae (16,67%), Convolvulaceae (12,5%), Rubiaceae (12,5%) e Poaceae (12,5%). As espécies mais frequentes foram Amaranthus spp. (13,79%) e Alternanthera tenella, Ipomea spp., Richardia brasiliensis e Eleusine indica, com 10,34% cada uma. Das 15 espécies coletadas, apenas em Portulaca oleracea e E. indica não foi constatada a presença de ovos ou ninfas de mosca-branca. A maior incidência de B. tabaci ocorreu em Euphorbia heterophylla. A ocorrência dessas espécies deve ser monitorada para que a população de mosca-branca não interfira na qualidade da fibra do algodoeiro.(AU)

Relações de interferência entre plantas daninhas e a cultura do grão-de-bico / Interference relationships between chick-peas crop and weeds

O grão-de-bico consumido no Brasil é quase que totalmente importado. Considerando que algumas regiões do Brasil apresentam condições favoráveis ao desenvolvimento e alta produtividade do grão-de-bico, este trabalho teve como objetivo estudar a interferência de seis plantas daninhas (Amaranthus viridis, Bidens pilosa, Raphanus raphanistrum, Cyperus rotundus, Digitaria nuda e Eleusine indica) sobre o desenvolvimento do grão-de-bico. Foram analisados o comprimento da parte aérea, número de folhas, área foliar, teor de clorofila e massa seca das folhas, caule e raíz do grão-de-bico. Observou-se que a convivência com a plantas daninhas afetaram o desenvolvimento da cultura competindo e interferindo no desenvolvimento vegetativo. Dentre as seis espécies estudadas, três (D. nuda, E. indica e A. viridis) mostraram-se mais agressivas evidenciando a necessidade de controle precoce quando no cultivo em áreas com histórico de alta densidade dessas plantas daninhas. Também foi possível verificar que a principal característica afetada pela interferência das plantas daninhas foi a área foliar do grão-de-bico, afetando significativamente o crescimento e desenvolvimento da cultura.

The grains of chickpea consumed in Brazil are almost entirely imported. Considering that chickpeas presents conditions to be cultivated in some regions of Brazil, this study aimed to study interference of six weed plants (Amaranthus viridis, Bidens pilosa, Raphanus raphanistrum, Cyperus rotundus, Digitaria nuda and Eleusine indica) on the vegetative development of chickpeas. Thus, we evaluated the shoot length, number of leaves, leaf area, chlorophyll content and dry weight of leaves, stem and root of chickpeas. We observed a significant interference on the chickpeas' development in coexistence with weeds. Among the weeds, D. nuda, E. indica and A. viridis were the most aggressive, highlighting the need for early control of weeds when in cultivation of chickpeas in areas with a history of high density of these weeds. The leaf area of chickpeas was the most affected trait by the coexistence with weeds, affecting the development of the crop.

Influência do espaçamento e da população de plantas de sorgo sacarino em diferentes épocas semeadura / Influence of spacing and plant population for sweet sorghum in different seeding seasons

O trabalho objetivou avaliar a interferência do espaçamento entrelinhas e população de plantas sobre a produção do sorgo sacarino em duas épocas de semeadura, safra e safrinha. Os experimentos foram conduzidos na Embrapa Milho e Sorgo, em Sete Lagoas (MG), em Latossolo Vermelho Distrófico, na safra 2011/2012. Para as duas épocas de semeadura, as parcelas foram compostas por cinco espaçamentos entrelinhas (50; 60; 70; e 80cm e linha dupla 100x50x50cm), e as subparcelas por quatro populações de plantas de sorgo sacarino (80.000, 100.000, 120.000 e 140.000 plantas ha-1). O delineamento utilizado foi em blocos ao acaso (DBC), com três repetições. Utilizou-se a variedade de sorgo sacarino BRS506. O experimento de safra foi implantado em novembro/2011 e de safrinha em março/2012. A época de semeadura no período de safra resultou em maior rendimento de matéria fresca de colmos, matéria fresca de biomassa total, massa de caldo e Brix do sorgo sacarino, independente do arranjo de plantas. O espaçamento de 50cm entrelinhas resultou em maior produção de biomassa total e massa de caldo ha-1, independente da época de semeadura. O espaçamento duplo resultou em valores similares ao espaçamento de 80cm, para as principais variáveis produtivas, independente da época de semeadura. As populações de plantas não influenciaram o rendimento de matéria fresca de colmos e massa de caldo, independente da época de semeadura.

The research aimed to evaluate the effect of row spacing and plant population on the production of sweet sorghum in sowing season and off-season crop. The experiments were conducted at Embrapa Maize and Sorghum, Sete Lagoas (MG) in an Oxisol in the 2011/2012 season. For two seasons of sowing, the plots were composed of five row spacings (50;60;70 and 80cm and double line 100x50cm), and sub-plots for four plant populations of sweet sorghum (80.000, 100.000, 120.000 and 140.000 plants ha-1). The experimental design was randomized blocks with three replications. It was used the variety of sweet sorghum BRS506. The experiment in the sowing season was implemented in November/2011 and the off-season in March/2012. The sowing season period resulted in higher fresh weight of total biomass, juice mass and Brix of sweet sorghum, regardless of plant arrangement. The row spacing of 50cm resulted in higher total biomass and juice mass ha-1, regardless of the period sowing. The double spacing resulted in values similar to the row spacing of 80cm for the main production variables, regardless of the period sowing. The plant population did not influence the yield of fresh mass of stems and juice mass, regardless of the period sowing.

Produção de biomassa e óleo essencial de alecrim (Rosmarinus officinalis L. ) em função da altura e intervalo entre cortes / Biomass production and essential oil of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L. ) in function of the height and interval between the cuts

O alecrim é planta exótica e o interesse no seu cultivo tem crescido ao longo dos anos, pois pode ser utilizado tanto para fins medicinais como aromáticos; no entanto, o conhecimento fitotécnico sobre a espécie é bastante limitado. Dessa forma, o trabalho objetivou avaliar a influência da altura de corte e do intervalo destes sobre a produção de biomassa e no rendimento do óleo essencial de alecrim. O experimento foi realizado no Instituto Agronômico, em Campinas - SP, no período de janeiro de 2006 a julho de 2007. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi em blocos ao acaso, com 8 tratamentos em esquema fatorial 2 x 4, sendo duas alturas de corte (20 e 40 cm) e quatro intervalos entre cortes (60, 80, 100, 120 dias) e três repetições. Foram avaliadas as características altura da planta, massa seca da parte aérea, rendimento e qualidade do óleo essencial. Observou-se que maiores intervalos entre cortes proporcionaram maior altura da planta e maior massa seca da parte aérea. O rendimento e a qualidade do óleo essencial não foram afetados ao longo do período experimental.

Rosemary is an exotic plant and the interest in its cultivation has been growing along the years, because it can be used for medicinal or aromatic ends, however the agricultural knowledge about the species is quite limited. The goal of this research was to evaluate the influence of the cutting height and of the interval of these cuts on the biomass production and on the yield of the rosemary essential oil. The experiment was conducted at the Agronomical Institute, in Campinas - SP, from January 2006 through July 2007. It was organized in a completely randomized design with 8 treatments in a 2 x 4 factorial system, with two cutting heights (20 and 40 cm) and four intervals between cuts (60, 80, 100, 120 days) and three replications. Characteristics such as plant height, dry mass of the aerial part, yield and quality of its essential oil were evaluated. It was observed that longer intervals among cuttings provided longer height of the plant and greater dried mass of the aerial part. The yield and the quality of the essential oil were not affected throughout the experimental period.

Aquecimento global: efeitos no crescimento, no desenvolvimento e na produtividade de batata / Global warming: effects on growth, development, and yield of potato

A concentração atmosférica dos gases do efeito estufa, principalmente o CO2, tem aumentado nas últimas décadas devido às atividades antrópicas. A concentração de CO2 aumentou de aproximadamente 280 partes por milhão por volume (ppmv) no período pré-industrial para a atual concentração de 380 ppmv. Há registros que, durante o século XX, houve um aumento da temperatura média da superfície global de 0,6±(0,2)°C, e projeções indicam um provável aumento de 1,1 a 6,4°C na temperatura média global até o final do século XXI, dependendo da região do planeta. O aumento da concentração de CO2 e da temperatura afeta diretamente processos fisiológicos, como fotossíntese e respiração das plantas, o que poderá alterar o desempenho das culturas, incluindo a batata. O objetivo desta revisão foi reunir informações da literatura sobre os possíveis efeitos do aumento na concentração de CO2 e da temperatura do ar no crescimento, no desenvolvimento e na produtividade da cultura de batata. O aumento do CO2, seguido de aumento na temperatura do ar, de maneira geral, resultará em menor crescimento, redução na duração do ciclo de desenvolvimento, menor produtividade e aumento da incidência de doenças da batata. Como estratégia para minimizar os efeitos de um possível aquecimento global sobre essa cultura, sugere-se que sejam desenvolvidas cultivares tolerantes a altas temperaturas, adaptadas as épocas de plantio em cada local, alteradas as práticas de manejo da cultura e até expandidas as áreas de cultivo para regiões mais frias.

The concentration of atmospheric greenhouse gases, mainly the CO2, has increased in the last decades due to anthropogenic activities. The atmospheric CO2 concentration has increased from about 280 parts per million per volume (ppmv) in the pre-industrial period to the currently 380ppmv concentration. There are reports that during the XX century global average temperature increased 0.6±(0.2)°C and projections indicate a possible 1.1 to 6.4°C increase in temperature by the end of the XXI century, depending upon each region. The increase in atmospheric CO2 concentration and air temperature directly affect plant physiological processes, such as photosynthesis and respiration, which may affect crops performance, including potato. The objective of this review was to assemble information from the literature on the possible effects of increasing atmospheric CO2 concentration and air temperature on growth, development and yield of potato. In general, the increase in CO2 concentration followed by an increase in air temperature will result in lower growth, reduction in the duration of the developmental cycle, lower yield and increase of potato diseases. A strategy to minimize the effects of a possible global warming on potato would be to develop cultivars that are tolerant to high temperatures, adapt planting time in each location, change management practices and even, expand growing areas to colder regions.