UNIT-I

ATTACHMENT WITH KRISHI VIGYAN KENDRA (KVK), DHAKRANI, DEHRADUN.

(GOVIND BALLABH PANT UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE AND TECHNOLOGY,
UTTRAKHAND).






CONTENTS:

Chapters


Introduction

Cultivation Practices of cabbage

Low Tunnel Technology

Vermicompost

Introduction
Advantage of Vermicomposting and Vermiculture
Application of Vermicompost
Methods of Vermicomposting
Faulty signals
Problems in Vermicomposting

Package and practices of Red lady 786: a new variety of papaya

Conclusion.



INTRODUCTION:-

The attachment to Krishi Vigya Kendra (KVK) of Govind Ballabh Pant University of
agriculture and technology at Dehradun (Uttrakhand) was for a period of one month, i.e. April.
This innovative agriculture science center enabled to learn new technologies, techniques, tools,
implements and many more and offered chance to interact with the scientist, research associates,
Subject matter Specialists (SMS), farm managers, field workers etc for getting more ideas and
thoughts from different levels.

METHODOLOGY:-
The methodology during attachment at KVK includes class-room program, field work, field visit,
practical class etc. for better interaction with the scientist & research workers in following fields.
a) CULTIVATION PRACTICES OF CABBAGE
b) LOW TUNNEL TECHNOLOGY
c) VERMICOMPOSTING
d) PACKAGE AND PRACTICES OF RED LADY 786: A NEW VARIETY OF PAPAYA


CULTIVATION PRACTICES OF CABBAGE

It is the most important nutritious Cole crop especially contains mineral and vitamins.
Cabbage is a good source of beta-carotene, vitamin-c and fiber also. Its scientific name is
Brassica Oleracea belongs to Brassicaceae.
Nutritive Value:
- Cabbage is rich in vitamin-k, vitamin-C and vitamin- A. It includes thiamine,
riboflavin, and niacin.
- It contain dose of Fe, Mg, K and Zn.
- Cabbage is natural antioxidants, which helps suppress cancer and heart disease inducing
free radicals.
Soil:
- Cabbage grows well on a wide range of soil from light sand to heavier clays.
- The soil pH should be 6-6.5 for better growth.


Varieties:
i). Buk Choy: It is a variety of Chinese cabbage.
ii). Chinese cabbage: It is also called wombok cabbage.
iii). Green cabbage: It is an all purpose vegetable.
iv). Red cabbage: It is a distinctive purplish red leaves.
v). Savoy cabbage: It has a tender, crinkled, pale green leaves.
Climatic requirement:
- Cool moist weather produces the best qualities heads.
- It is a cool season crop.
- Optimum temperature range from 15-20 C. Above 25 C growth stops.
Nursery raising:
i). Selection of well drained, fertile and sunny area.
ii). Preparation of the bed at least once in a month.
iii). Raise the bed up to a height of 18-20 cm.
iv). Preparation of the bed to a fine tilt.
v). Fumigate/Sterilize the soil with Captan 50 wp/ carvendazin/ bevistein.
vi). Sow the seeds to a depth of 2.5 cm & over the seed with fine soil.
Sowing time:
There are four seasonal varieties of cabbage but thankfully they are all planted in same way
i). Summer cabbage - Sown: Feb - March.
ii). Spring cabbage - Sown: July - Aug.
iii). Autumn cabbage - Sown: March - May.
iv). Winter cabbage - Sown: May June.

Seed rate:
For early crop 500g/ha and for late crop 375g/ha.
Manures:
- 25 kg urea, 50 kg DAP, 25 MOP, as basal and decomposed.
- FYM of 10 cartload/ sangam.
- 25 kg urea as top dressing at 20-40 days after transplanting.
Harvesting:
The crop should harvest when they are firm as well developed along with a few leaves
and stem.

Yield:
10 o 12 tons per acre.













LOW TUNNEL TECHNOLOGY



Vegetable production is significantly influenced by the season and weather conditions.
The quantity produced and time of arrival in the market leads to considerable variation in the
prices in the market. Upcoming of a vegetable crop a week earlier to the market can get
handsome profit to the farmers. Some vegetable crops are sensitive and damaged by frost. They
get killed by the frost. Under low tunnel technology plants are protected from frost during
December to February.
This technology is highly cost effective and relevant to growers who have marginal and
small land holdings which may help them to produce early crop and get higher returns. This
technology is usually adopted for growing cucumber, brinjal, capsicum & tomato. The general
cultivation practices of these crops are summarized as under.





Table 01: GENERAL CULTIVATION PRACTICES FOR CROPS UNDER LOW
TUNNEL TECHNOLOGY
Variety Sowing
time
Seed rate
g/acre
Transplantin
g time
Manures and
Fertilizers
Irrigatio
ns
Harvesting
Cucumber
Punjab Naveen December 1000 - N:40kg;
P:20kg;
K:20kg
10-12 Harvest fruits when
tender and green
Brinjal
Round fruited: Punjab
Neelam
Oblong fruited:
BH- 2
Long fruited:
Punjab Barsati, Punjab
Sadabhar
Small fruited:
Punjab Nangina

October 300-400 November FYM:10
tonnes;
N:50kg;
P:25kg;
K:12kg
10-16 Harvest tender and
fully developed
fruits
Capsicum
Mid-
October
200 End-
November
FYM:20-25
tonnes; N:50
kg; P:25kg;
K:12kg
10-12 Harvest green
shining and fully
developed fruits










VERMICOMPOSTING



INTRODUCTION
Vermicompost is organic manure (bio-fertilizer) produced as the Vermicast by
earthworm feeding on biological waste material; plant residues. This compost is odor less,
clean, organic material containing adequate quantities of N, P, K and several micronutrients
essential for plant growth. Vermicompost is a preferred nutrient source for organic farming. It
is eco-friendly, non-toxic, consumes low energy input for composting and is a recycled
biological product. Earthworms are tabular creatures of somewhat lower evolutionary status
than insects. However, these have many distinctly advanced features that add to their
adaptabilities for life in soil. These are now being exploited by man for economic returns, as
well for use in ecological management of soil fertility with organic waste recycling. Therefore,
earthworms attain a high status in present day economic zoology with application in many
and distantly related fields. Among lower group of animals, earthworms therefore are now
drawing more attention than others and deserve study.
Earthworms constitute a larger part of the biomass (living bodies) inhibiting soil. In some
situations, these may constitute 80% of the biomass. Zoologically, these have segmented body.
So are classified under phylum annilida and class oligochaeta. Later one is from Latin
words oligos meaning few and chaete meaning hair like structure, setae present
externally over bodies of earthworms. Grossly, earthworms are tubular wriggling creatures
with worm like appearance. Hence for these, usages of word worm or Vermi (Latin) have
come into popular usage. However, technically, earthworms considerably differ from other
worms. Earthworms of world are
classified into 10 families, comprising
240 genera and about 3320 species.
However, many areas still remain to be
studied. So discovery of new species
cannot be overruled. So far, Indian
earthworm fauna is reported to comprise
509 species referable to 67 genera.
General, worms are divided into two
groups:
1. Microdrilli worms which are aquatic
and represented by 280 species;
2. Megadrilli worms which are
terrestrial and are called earthworms
Role of earthworms in aspects related to recycling of decomposable wastes and to soils, viz. for
Agriculture and Forestry, besides in many other aspects are very high. These are basically to
life activities of earthworms in soils and their importance in utilization of earthworms for
human welfare, viz. Vermiculture and Vermicomposting. These conform to truest definition of
Biotechnology. Vermicompost thus is one of the oldest examples of Applied Zoology that is
present days Biotechnology. Some historical details are being deal with under heading
Vermiculture.
ADVANTAGES OF VERMICOMPOSTING AND VERMICULTURE
1. Huge amount of domestic, agriculture and rural industrial organic waste can be recycled
for various usages. This also reduces pollution.
2. Vermicompost substitution with fertilizers input will reduce economic input, viz., by
substituting certain percent of chemical fertilizers with bio-fertilizers, i.e. the
Vermicompost. Thus economic input would go down.
3. Vermicompost can be produced nearest to the site of use. This has many
advantages.
4. Help in the generation of extra income.
5. Improves the porosity, aeration and infiltration of the soil.
6. Improve soil structure.
7. Bring the soil pH to neutral status.
8. Triggers the beneficial soil micro-organism and the naturally present earthworms
in the soil.
9. Improves the water holding capacity of the soil.
10. It enhances germination, plant growth and crop yield.
11. It improves root growth and structure.

TABLE 02: NUTRIENT CONTENT OF VERMICOMPOST
Nutrients In Percent
Nitrogen 1.5 3.0
Phosphorus 1.2 1.8
Potash 1.5 2.4
Calcium 0.5 1.0
Magnesium 0.2 0.3
Sulphur 0.4 0.5
Iron 0.8 1.5
Copper 22 36 ppm
Zinc 500 1000 ppm
Manganese 1000 2000 ppm

APPLICATION OF VERMICOMPOST
Vermicompost can be applied to the field crops, horticultural crops, trees etc.
1. Field crops 1.0 2.5 tons/hectare
2. Garden pots 50 grams/pot
3. Trees 100 200 grams/tree
METHODS OF VERMICOMPOSTING
In general the following 3 methods of Vermicomposting are used.
1. Vermicomposting of waste in fields pits:- It is preferable to go for optimum size
ground pits of 5m X 15m X 0.5m (L x W x D)
2. Vermicomposting of waste in ground heaps:- Dome shaped beds with organic
waste are prepared and the optimum size of ground heap is 5m X 1m X 1m (L x
W x H)
3. Vermicomposting of waste in large structures: - Vermicomposting is taken up
in large structures such as series of rectangular brick columns, cemented tanks,
stone blocks etc. The dimension of structure may vary with area availability.
Almost all types of biologically degradable and decomposable organic waste can be used in
Vermiculture and Vermicomposting. Commonly used composting materials are listed below:
1. Animal dung.
2. Agricultural waste.
3. Waste paper and cotton cloth etc.
4. Forestry waste.
5. City leaf litter.
6. City refuge.
7. Biogas slurry.
8. Industrial waste.
9. Rotten fish.
10. Waste hay.
Filling of Vermicomposting beds or
pits:
The following step should be
followed in filling of composting beds
or pits.
1. Spread a layer of
decomposed or biogas
slurry 15 cm deep.
2. Moistened the bed with
water and leave it for 48
hours.
3. Place earthworms uniformly @ 400 1000/sq. m. on top layer.
4. Spread 20 cm layer of organic wastes, litter etc over the earthworm.
5. Cover with gunny cloth and sprinkle water regularly to keep the bed wet. During
summer months water are sprinkle twice a day.
6. The whole materials are converted to humus, called Vermicompost in 65 70
days.
7. Second bed can be followed next to the first using the earthworm from the first
bed to repeat the process.

1. Dry organic
In general materials required for 10 sq. m. plot are:
1. Dry Organic matter 200 300 kg
2. Decomposed farmyard manure 300 400 kg
3. Organic waste 700 800 kg
4. Earthworm 4000 10000 number
5. Water as required

CARE AND PRECAUTION:
Following care and precaution should be considered where Vermiculture and
Vermicomposting is practiced
1. Moisture should be maintained between 30 40%.
2. Temperature requirement for optimum result is 20 30
o
C.
3. pH of substrate should be between 6.8 7.5.
4. Cover of food substrate is required for reducing moisture loss and also save worms
from extra movement (outside substrate) or from predator like ants. Moist gunny
bag also help in conservation of moisture.

FAULTY SIGNAL:
1. Fault Odour:
i. Too wet watering should be stopped.
ii. Too much feed feeding should be stopped for a week.
iii. Acidity increase eggs shell should be covered and mixed with the substrate.
2. Too much flies: The substrate should be covered properly with proper materials to
protect flies from laying eggs in the substrate.
SEPARATION TECHNIQUE OF EARTHWORM AND COCOON
1. Heap the harvested Vermicompost for 6 12 hours under shade for separation of
the worm.
2. Make small balls of cow dung and kept inside the heap for 2 3 days.
3. Remove the balls and earthworm and separate from the whole compost for reuse.
4. Sieve gently the Vermicompost and pact it for further use or sale.
5. Dry Vermicompost (if necessary) under shade to keep the moisture content below
20%.
HARVESTING:
Vermicompost is ready when the top layer appears somewhat dark brown
granular as dry tea leaves have been spread over the layer. It takes 65 70 days to
reach this stage. Watering are stopped 7 days prior to harvest so that the worms settle
at the bottom layer. The collected Vermicompost are shaded dry for 12 hours and
packed in small gunny bags for storage.

YIELD:
In general a bed having dimension of 10m X 1m X 0.5m (L x W x D) will produce
about 500 kgs. of Vermicompost every 3 months.

PROBLEMS IN VERMICOMPOSTING
Odour Putting overabundance of greens in the bin, which actually too
much nitrogen combining with hydrogen and forms the ammonia.
To neutralize the odours, add some sources of carbon like paper
and dried leaves etc.
Pest Bad odour can attract pest such as rodents and flies. Fix plastic nets
around the bins.
Environment Eisenia foetida worms can attack native worms in natural areas.
Dont allow to go out natural places.
Climate Rain and bright light drastically affect the worms.













PACKAGE AND PRACTICES OF RED LADY 786: A NEW VARIETY OF PAPAYA


Papaya is a most important fruit crop of tropical climate but it can be grown successfully in
the sub-tropical regions of north India with suitable precautions. Earlier, it was grown as a filler
plant in the orchards, but now it can be planted as a solid block under protected conditions. -----
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CONSTRAINTS IN PRODUCTION:
The major constraints in papaya production on commercial scale are:
Dioecious nature of cultivars (male and female flowers on separate plants).
Extremes of temperature, frost and water-logging.
Susceptibility to viral diseases (leaf curl and mosaic).

During last three years, research conducted in the department of Fruit Science, Punjab
Agricultural University, has shown that these problems can be managed to a large extent by
growing papaya cv. Red Lady 786 under protected conditions. Red Lady 786 is an F1 hybrid
from Taiwan which is self fruitful, red fleshed and bears within 10 months of planting.













TABLE 03: PACKAGE AND PRACTICES FOR CULTIVATION OF PAPAYA VARIETY RED LADY
786
Particulars Description
Suitability of variety for the area Suitable for growing under protected
conditions, in kitchen gardens and backyard of
houses.
Selection of field/land preparation Well-drained soil rich in organic matter is
suitable for cultivation
Seed treatment to be undertaken Treat with 3g Captan per kg of seeds
Sowing time February-March and September-October
Seed rate/sowing method-line sowing with
row to row and plant to plant distance
Dig pits of 50cm50cm in size at a spacing of
6ft6ft and fill the pits with a mixture of equal
quantity of soil and farm yard manure
Fertilizer dose with time of application 1.25kg of fertilizer mixture (urea, SSP and
MOP in the ratio 1:2:1.3) twice a year
(February and August)
Weed control measures Manually
Disease and pest control Under protected conditions, no incidence was
recorded
Irrigation dose and timings Avoid heavy irrigation. The crop should be
irrigated at 4-5 days interval in summers and
8-10 days interval in winters depending upon
climate and soil conditions.
Harvesting Harvest with hands when colour of the fruit
starts changing from green to yellowish green.

CONCLUSION:
Attachment to Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Dhakrani, Govind Ballabh Pant
University of agriculture and technology, (Uttarakhand), for our Rural Agriculture Work
Experience (RAWE) Programme for the completion our course was a great experience. From
this institute, we are being acquainted of new technologies such as Low Tunnel Technology
and Cultivation of Red Lady 786 protected conditions; techniques, tools, implements and
many more. Hear we also have a very important chance to interact with the scientist, research
associates, Subject matter Specialists (SMS), farm managers, field works, etc of getting more
ideas and thoughts from this different levels. Huge quantities of domestic, agriculture and rural
industrial organic waste can be recycled for preparing Vermicompost. This also reduces
pollution. Vermicompost substitution with fertilizers input will reduce economic input, viz., by
substituting certain percent of chemical fertilizers with bio fertilizers, i. e. the Vermicompost.