Informatics Publishing Limited

V. K. Ravichandran , T. N. Balasubramanian

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at Sugarcane Research Station (Tamil Nadu Agriculture University) Cuddalore during 1993-96 to find out the effect of bioinoculants, nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers on the growth and wood volume of Casuarina equisetifolia. The data collected from the study were used for the development of prediction equations for the non destructive estimation of various components of dry matter of Casuarina equiselifolia viz. bole weight, branch weight, foliage weight and root weight from the easily measurable data like tree height and DBH (Diameter at Breast Height). The results of the path coefficient analysis revealed that the DBH showed maximum predominant direct effect since it is the best predictor to decide the wood volume of Cusuarina equisetifolia.

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V. K. Ravichandran , T. N. Balasubramanian

Abstract

Casuarina equisetifolia is highly suitable for coastal wasteland afforestation. Planting of superior elite seedling plays an important role in successful afforestation. The tripartite association involving effective Frankia strain, efficient VAM and Casuarina seedling was established under pot culture condition. The results of the pot experiment revealed that 57 per cent increased drymatter accumulation per plant and enhanced nitrogen and phosphorus uptake of 205 and 177 per cent respectively due to dual inoculated seedling at 105 DAI was noticed over uninoculated control.

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K. Subrahmaniyan ¹, T. N. Balasubramanian ¹, P. Kalaiselvan ¹

Affiliations
1 Regional Research Station, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Vridhachalam - 606001, IN

Abstract

An anaIytical study was made to identify the efficient groundnut cropping zone for Tamil Nadu. For computing Relative Spread Index (RSI) and Relative Yield Index (RYI) components of analysis, data on groundnut area and its productivity for each district of Tamil Nadu were collected for ten years (1989-90 to 1998-99). The results indicated that among the different climatic zones in Tamil Nadu, North Eastern Zone, North Western Zone and Western Zone were efficient cropping zones with little year to year variation. The North Eastern Zone had a higher RSI (107.67) and RVI (187.92). Among the different districts of Tamil Nadu, Tiruvannamalai district had a higher RSI (292.80), while the RYI was highest under Chengalpattu district (130.60). Out of the eighteen erstwhile districts in Tamil Nadu, only one district (Chengalpattu) was under most efficient cropping zone (MECZ), while seven districts were categorized as efficient cropping zone with little variation, three districts came under efficient cropping zone with medium year to year variation, four districts were under efficient cropping zone with greater variation and three districts were categorized as not efficient cropping zone.

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S. Kokilavani ¹, V. Geethalakshmi ¹, T. N. Balasubramanian ¹

Affiliations
1 Agro Climate Research Centre, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore-641 003, IN

Abstract

Background/Objectives: WBCIS products proposed by three insurance providers were evaluated using historical weather data for kharif rice in Dharmapuri, Theni, Tirunelveli and Virudhunagar districts of Tamil Nadu. Rice is sensitive to moisture stress at reproductive stage as it consumes large amount of water during the major part of reproductive phase. Results/ Findings: Evaluation of the strike events revealed that all the study districts are highly vulnerable to deficit rainfall risk. The soil factor and the intensity of rainfall during critical stages of the crops must be considered for excess rainfall. Water holding capacity of the soil and the daily ET must be taken into account for consecutive dry days. Conclusion/Application: Hypothetical analysis showed that the product designed by AIC for Virudhunagar was reliable both in terms of threshold values and compensation rate per mm of rainfall under different phases of crop growing period. This could be supported through higher monetary returns benefited by the farmer at Virudhunagar district.

Keywords

Insurance Companies, Payout, Product Design, Rice, Strike Events

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R. Karthikeyan ¹, T. N. Balasubramanian ²

Affiliations
1 Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru College of Agriculture and Research Institute, Karaikal -609 603 (Pondicherry U.T.), IN
2 Department of Agricultural Meteorology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore - 641 003, IN

Abstract

Field experiments were conducted at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, during three seasons viz., Rabi 2000, Late Rabi 2001 and Kharif 2001 seasons. The treatments comprised of four times of sowing each at fortnight interval in main plots and four fertilizer management practices in subplots, adopting a split plot design. The test maize hybrid used for the study was COH 3. The observations on economics of maize production were recorded and computed after completion of each experiment. The results of the study revealed that Kharif 2001 season sowings recorded higher economic returns followed by Rabi 2000 and Late Rabi 2001 seasons.

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M. Kumaresan ¹, V. S. Shanmugasundaram ², T. N. Balasubramanian ²

Affiliations
1 C.T.R.I Research Station, Vedasandur - 624 710, IN
2 Department of Agronomy, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore - 641 003, IN

Abstract

Field experiments were conducted during 1997-98 to 1998-99 study the available phosphorus status and uptake of nutrients as influenced by phosphorus management practices in a maize-sunflower-cowpea fodder cropping system. The NPK uptake increased with increase in age of the crop. The nutrient uptake was higher with SSP+Microbial inoculants or SSP when applied alone, compared to the MRP applied plots, The soil available P status improved at all the stages of the crop in the cropping system. The highest available P was noticed with SSP+microbial inoculants and SSP when applied alone.

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P. Kalaiselvan ¹, K. Subrahmaniyan ¹, T. N. Balasubramanian ¹

Affiliations
1 Regional Research Station, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Vridhachalam - 606 001, IN

Abstract

Plant population is most critical for obtaining higher yield in sesame. Above or below the threshold level of plant population it would lead to intra species competition among plants for scarce resources which cause sub normal sesame seed yield. Hence, identiftcation of optimum population for each variety being tested become vital. Various reports indicate that the growth and yield attributes and yield of sesame were determined by plant densities. Adoption of suitable and optimum spacing would fulfil the objective of maximizing the yield of sesame.

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S. Sanbagavalli ¹, A. Rohini ², K. Ganesan ², T. N. Balasubramanian ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Agronomy, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore - 641003, IN
2 Department of Economics, Entomology and Meterology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore - 641003, IN

Abstract

An analytical study was done to identify the efficient cropping zones for important crops (rice, sorghum, blackgram, groundnut, cotton and sugarcane). Among the districts of Tamil Nadu, Tirunelveli and Kanyakumari were the most efficient cropping zones (MECZS) for rice. Similarly for groundnut, Chengalpet district was the MECZ. For sugarcane and blackgram no district was found to be the MECZ or efficient cropping zone (ECS). For cotton Coimbatore was the most potential area.

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P. Kalaiselvan ¹, K. Subrahmaniyan ¹, T. N. Balasubramanian ¹

Affiliations
1 Regional Research Station, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Vridhachalam - 606 001, IN

Abstract

Sesame is highly a fertilizer responsive crop especially to nitrogen. Even then farmers seldom apply inorganic fertilizers. Adequate application of nitrogenous fertilizers not only improves the crop yield but also maintains soil N status and thus sustain productivity. Various reports indicate that in sesame, application of N fertilizers results in significdnt increase in growth and yield parameters and seed yield. The response of sesame to N fertilizers varied from 20-150 kg ha^-1 under different micro farming situations. Each successive increase in N level upto 150 kg ha^-1 increased the various growth parametels viz., plant height, number of branches and drymatter production. Similarly yield components and yield were significantly increased upto 150 kg N/ha.

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M. Kumaresan ¹, V. S. Shanmugasundaram ², T. N. Balasubramanian ²

Affiliations
1 C.T.R.I.Research Station, Vedasandur - 624710, IN
2 Department of Agronomy, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore - 641003, IN

Abstract

Field experiment was conducted during 1997-98 and 1998-99 to study the effect of P sources and levels on the quality parameters of sunflower and cowpea fodder in a maize-sunflower cowpea fodder cropping system. The results revealed that, SSP at 75% recommended level of P₂O₅ and P application for maize and sunflower improved the quality parameters and seed yield of sunflower. SSP at 75% recommended level of P₂O₅ increased the crude protein content. MRP at 50% of the recommended level of P₂O₅ increased crude fibre content. Phosphorus when applied for all the crops in the system increased the crude protein content and fodder yield, and decreased the crude fibre content.

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M. Kumaresan ¹, V. S. Shanmugasundaram ², T. N. Balasubramanian ²

Affiliations
1 C.T.R.I.-Research Station, Vedasandur- 624 710, IN
2 Department of Agronomy, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore-641003, IN

Abstract

Field Experiment conducted on composting different organic wastes revealed that by composting the organic wastes with micro-organisms Pleurotus sajor-caju and Trichoderma viride reduced the C:N ratio and there by increasing the manurial value of the organic wastes.

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