Kerala

New Varieties of Crops suited for Kerala RICE Varsha Duration 115-120 days (Kharif). 105-110 days (Rabi and Summer) Yield Grain – 3787 kg/ha Straw – 6835 kg/ha Characters Photoperiod insensitive, non-lodging, mid early variety resistant to WBPH and moderately resistant to blue beetles. Low susceptibility to blast and sheath blight under field conditions. Kernel red. long bolo and non-glutinous. Recommended for double crop wet lands of Palakkad and Thrissur. Dhanu Duration 159 days. Yield Grain – 3750 kg/ha Straw – 7188 Kg/ha Characters Photosensitive, Semitall, late maturing variety suitable for second crop season in Onattukara region. Withstand flood and drought conditions. Tolerant to stemborer, moderately tolerant to sheath blight, brown leaf spot, Red Kernel, Resistant to shattering. Chingam Duration 98 days. Yield Grain 3910 kg/ha Characters Non-photosensitive, Semitall, non lodging, early variety suitable for dry sowing in Onattukara region for Virippu season. Moderately tolerant to shealth blight and brown leaf spot. Tolerant to stemborer. Kernel red. Kunjukunju Varna Duration 110-115 days. Yield High Yield Potential Characters Photoperiod insensitive, early maturing, red rice variety. moderately tolerant to major pests like gall fly,leaf folder, whorlmaggot and stemborer. Moderately resistant to blast and moderately susceptible to shealth blight. Non-lodging, non-shattering and responsive to fertilizer. Suitable for double cropped areas of Palakkad, Thrissur and Ernakulam. Kunjukunju Priya Duration 105-110 days Yield High Yield Potential Characters Early maturing red rice. Non-lodging, non-shattering and fertilizer responsive. Moderately resistant to blast. Moderately susceptible to shealth blight. Moderately tolerant to major pests like gall fly, leaf folder, whorl maggot and stem borer. Suitable for double cropped areas of Palakkad, Thrissur and Ernakulam. Gouri Duration 115-120 days. Yield High Yield Potential Characters Medium tillering, dwarf, non-lodging medium duration variety moderately resistant to major diseases and pests. Kernel medium bold and red. Recommended for Kuttanad and Kole regions of Kerala. …

FERTILIZER RECOMMENDATION FOR MAJOR CROPS   N P K PADDY (kg/ha) Upland(Modan) PTB 28,29 and 30 High-yielding short duration varieties 40 60 20 30 30 30 Wet land (All regions) High-yielding short duration varieties High-yielding medium duration varieties Local varieties H4 Mashuri 70 90 40 70 50 35 45 20 45 25 35 45 20 45 25 COCONUT (Adult palm)kg/palm/annum. General recommendation (a) Average management (b) Good Management (c) For reclaimed clayey soils (as in Kuttanad) 0.34 0.50 0.25 0.17 0.32 0.35 0.68 1.20 0.90 Hybrid and high yielding palm (a) For irrigated areas (b) Rainfed 1.00 0.50 0.50 0.32 2.00 1.20         RUBBER From 1st year to 4th year :-10:10:4:1.5 NPK Mg mixture at the following rates: 3rd Month 225g / plant 9th Month 450g / plant 15th Month 450g / plant 21st Month 550g / plant 27th Month 550g / plant 33rd Month 450g / plant 39th Month 450g / plant From 5th year till tapping begins 12:12:12 NPK Mixture @ 125 kg /ha during April – May and September – October (Where mulching was practiced during initial years) 15:10:6 NPK Mixture @ 200 kg /ha during April – May and September – October (Where mulching was not practiced during initial years) Mature Rubber under tapping 10:10:10 NPK Mixture @ 300 kg /ha or 900 g / plant March -April or 15:15:15 NPK Mixture @ 200 kg /ha or 17:17:17 NPK Mixture @ 175 kg /ha or 19:19:19 NPK Mixture @ 160 kg /ha   N P K  TAPIOCA (kg per hectare) H.97, H.226 75 75 75       H.165, H.1687, H.2304 100 100 100       M4 and Local 50 50 50 SWEET POTATO (kg/ha ) 75 50 75 SESAMUM (kg/ha ) 30 15 30 GROUNDNUT (kg/ha ) 10 75 75 BANANA (g/plant)       Nendran (irrigated ) 190 115 …

Area- 38,863 Sq.Km Percentage of Area to the area of Indian Union- 1.18 Length of Costal Line- 580 KM Highest Peak- Anamudi (2694 meters) West flowing rivers- 41 Nos. East flowing rivers- 3 Nos. Districts- 14 Nos. Taluks- 75 Nos. Revenue Villages- 1535 Nos. Grama Panchayats- 941 Nos. Corporations- 6 Nos. Municipalities- 86 Nos. M.L.A.s Elected- 140+ 1 Anglo Indian Nominee. Rajya Sabha- 9 Nos. Community Development Blocks- 152 Nos. Average Annual Rainfall- 2900 mm. Percapita land- 0.12 ha. Percapita production of food grain- 21.6 kg. No. of Padasekharams- 7359 No. of Kurumulaku Samrakshana Samithies- 1409 No. of Haritha Sanghams- 1581

Problem Soils and Management Acidity, salinity, water logging and poor physical properties are the major problems that exist in the state. 1. Kuttanad arid soils Very strong soils (with pH less than 3.0) that are seen in Kuttanad areas are kept submerged in water for major part of the year as they lie below sea level: So, this area faces problems of floods and water stagnation. Toxicities of iron, aluminium, manganese are observed and the availability of calcium, magnesium, potassium is low. The organic matter rich soils of Kuttanad faces drainage problem apart form acidity. Occurrence of heavy rainfall damages the bunds while flooding results in severe crop damage. Management Research on soil acidity and plant growth, water management studied has to be intensified and proper agro-techniques for this area have to be framed. Apart from this, as rice is the major crop that is taken up for cultivation, certain precautions certainly helps to increase the productivity. Rice season starts by September-October and ends by January-February. Seeds should be sown only after dewatering the area. The soil should not be allowed to dry up after the seeds are sown. Formation of deep cracks and hand pans can be eliminated by submerging the field. 2. Kole soils Kole soils are also water-logged in nature like Kuttanad soils covering 11,000 ha in Trichur and Malappuram. The soils are shallow, acid saline due to intrusion of water, the characteristic feature that makes these soils to differ from Kuttanad acid soils. The soil is hard and brittle, poor in fertility.  Management Intrusion of seawater is to be prevented and heavy doses of manures and fertilizers are to be applied. By proper soil and water management suitable cropping system is to be adopted. 3. Coastal sandy soils . Poor fertility, high water table, improper drainage …

Based on the physical features Kerala is classified as given below High Ranges (above 750m MSL) The mountainous land (elevation: 750 m to 2500 m above MSL) along the Western Ghats with jutting rocks and loamy soils constitutes the High Ranges. The two districts of Wayanad and Idukki and the eastern parts of the other districts bordering the Western Ghats come under this class. Most of the reserve forests of the state are in this tract. The important peaks in the Western Ghats are Anamudi (2690 m), Mukunti (2550m) and Nilgiris (2470m). The Palakkad gap with a width of 32 km is the largest pass in the Western Ghats. In addition, there are a few other passes in the Ghats such as Aramboli, kumali, kambam, Thevaram,Bodinaikannuur, karkken, periya and Perambadi. Plantations of tea, coffee, rubber and cardamom dominate the High Range region. High land (75-750m above MSL) This hilly tract on the western side of Western Ghats, comprising about 43 per cent of the land and supporting 14 per cent of the population, is covered with forests and small streams. Plantations of tea, coffee, cardamom and rubber are common. The soils are generally forest loams, which show wide variation in depth with a very high percentage of organic matter. A large percentage of the population of hill tribes lives in this region. Midland (7.5-75m above MSL) The midland plains comprising about 42 per cent of the land mass have an undulating terrain intersected by numerous rivers, small hills and valley and 59 per cent of the state’s population live in this tract. The soil is mainly laterite and supports an intense diversity of seasonal, annual and perennial crops like rice, sugarcane, tapioca banana, ginger, coconut, arecanut, pepper, cashew, rubber etc. Lowland (Up to 7.5m above MSL) The lowland bordering the …

Soil conservation is an effort made by man to prevent soil erosion in order to retain the fertility of soil. It may not be possible to stop soil erosion entirely. Any erosion such as gullies already formed should be tackled by construction of dams or obstructions. Ploughing and tilling of land should be done along contour levels so that the furrows run across the slope of land. Bunds should be constructed according to contours. Trees reduce the force of straight winds and obstruct blowing away of dust particles. Plants, grass and shrubs reduce the speed of flowing water. Therefore, such vegetable cover should not be removed indiscriminately, where it dose not exist, steps should be taken to plant it. Natural vegetation cover prevents soil erosion in three ways : (i) The roots of plants bind together the particles of soil; (ii) Plants check the force of wind so that it cannot blow away the soil particles; and (iii) Plants lessen the force of rain as it reaches the ground. Measures for Soil Conservation (i) Planting cover crops such as grasses, on uncultivated land. Trees should be Planted along hill slopes. (ii) Adoption of correct farming techniques such as contour ploughing and strip Cropping,. Strip cropping is the practice of planting alternate rows of close growing plants such as beans and peas, with open growing crops such as corn. This practice prevents wind erosion. (iii) Terracing, the practice of cutting steps in hillside, to create level land for Cultivation. (iv) Construction of check dams on steep slopes which prevent gully erosion and Spread gullies. (v) Creation of wind breaks by planting lines of trees, hedges or fences which Obstruct the path of wind thereby reducing its speed and hence reducing soil erosion. (vi) Controlling grazing of pastures. (vii) Suspending cultivation for one season and more, so …

Soil erosion – is the process of detachment and displacement of soil particles from land surface. Agencies involved – water, wind, sea waves and animals. 2 broad categories – (i) The Natural erosion or the geologic erosion or the normal erosion; (ii) Accelerated erosion or soil erosion – By soil erosion we mean accelerated soil erosion only. Reasons (1) Destruction of forests, (2) unscientific cultivation practices, (3) Heavy grazing in pasture and grass lands. Harmful effects – (1) Convert the fertile lands to barren and unproductive, (2) causes frequent floods and diversion of course of flow of rivers through fertile river banks due to deposition of soil in river basins, (3) silting of dams due to deposition of sand and silt. Types of Erosion – (1) Rainwater erosion includes – splash erosion, sheet erosion, hill erosion and gully erosion – out of these Gully erosion is the most serve for. (2) Land slides erosion – Earthquakes, heavy rainfall, etc., are the major factors – Heavy destruction of forests also (takes places is sloppy and mountainous areas). (3) Stream Bank Erosion – due to torrential rains in hilly areas causes flooding of rivers and streams causing large scale erosion throughout the stream banks. (4) Sea shore erosion – due to turbulent waves in the sea during heavy rains and winds. (5) Wind erosion – in low rainfall areas – due to strong winds – soil particles are deposited on fertile soils of far of places. Causes expansion of deserts to fertile areas. Winds cause movement of soil particle in 3 ways – (i) Saltation, (ii) Suspension, (iii) surface creep. Saltation – soil particles having a size of between 0.1 to 0.5 mm diameters are directly hit by wind which lead to a bouncing action of the particles- this bouncing action is …

Soil Testing Facilities in Kerala There are 14 soil-testing labs in Kerala, i.e., one for each district. A central soil testing labs is functioning at Parottukonam, Nalanchira to supervise, coordinate and control the activities of the different soil testing labs in the state. There are 9 mobile soil-testing labs with a testing capacity of 50 samples per day one each in 9 districts (except districts of Ernakulam, Pathanamthitta, Idukki, Wayanad and Kasargodu). Soil Test Crop Response correlation Studies Interpreted S.T. Data – best basis for fertiliser recommendation. But the response of the crop depends on other factor like plant population, crop variety, soil moisture, etc.- many methods were suggested to improve ST interpretations. The all India Coordinated Project for investigation on ST – crop response – started in 1967. The studies have indicated significant regression equation for different soil types for predicting crop response and for preparing suitable fertiliser schedules based on ST data. The purpose of ST crop response studies is securing and selecting the best ST method and the calibration of ST values for fertiliser recommendation – the studies enable to know the type of response curve operating in a set of soil-crop-agro-climaric condition, e.g., of each curves – linear, mitscherlich-bray, sigmoid, etc – curves are useful to determine fertiliser does to obtain economic yield – different approaches – critical level approach, percentage yield approach, targeted yield/prescription method . Soil Test Summaries and Soil Fertility Map Soil test data can be summarized to provide information on overall fertiliser requirements for specific areas and on the kinds of fertiliser materials and mixture most suitable for those areas. Helpful for planners and administrators in determining policies of fertilizer production, distribution and consumption – useful for researchers also – can be prepared soil wise, village wise, block wise or district wise. …