COMMERCIALIZED TECHNOLOGIES/

READY FOR COMMERCIALIZATION TECHNOLOGIES

NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

Indian Council of Agricultural Research

New Delhi
 Printed: January 2014

Technical Co-ordinators : Dr A.K. Sikka

Deputy Director General (NRM)
Dr Rajbir Singh
Dr P.P. Biswas
Dr Adlul Islam
Dr B. Mohan Kumar
Project Director (DKMA) : Dr Rameshwar Singh
Incharge (English Ediotiral Unit) : Dr Aruna T Kumar
Editor : Dr Sudhir Pradhan
Chief Production Officer : Dr V.K. Bharti
Assistant Chief Technical Officer : Shri Ashok Shastri

ISBN : 978-81-7164-155-0

Price: 350

Disclaimer
The cost mentioned for each technology in the publication is only indicative
and suggestive as the technologies were developed in different base years
and locations.

Published by Dr Rameshwar Singh, Proeject Director, DIrectorate of Knowledge Management

in Agriculture, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Krishi Anusandhan Bhawan-I, Pusa,
New Delhi 110 012; Laser typeset at M/s Dot & Design, D-35, 1st Floor, Ranjeet Nagar
Comm. Complex, New Delhi 110 008 and printed at M/s Royal Offset Printers, A-89/1,
Naraina Industrial Area, Phase-I, New Delhi 110 028.
'kjn iokj Ñf"k ,oa [kk| izlaLdj.k m|ksx ea=h
SHARAD PAWAR Hkkjr ljdkj
MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE &
FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MESSAGE

I NDIAN agriculture has overcome several challenges in the past

and achieved phenomenal success ensuring self-sufficiency
in food production. The technologies generated within the
National Agricultural Research System (NARS) have
significantly contributed to the transformation of Indian
agriculture and ushering Rainbow Revolution representing
Green, White, Golden, Brown and Blue revolutions defining
outstanding technology-led performance in foodgrain, milk,
oilseeds and pulses, horticulture and fisheries sectors. Agriculture along with other
primary sectors is a major source of strength for the Indian economy. However,
burgeoning population, increasing demand for food, feed and fodder, decreasing
land availability, natural resource degradation, decreasing factor productivity, climate
change, slow growth in farm income and new global trade regulations have put
new challenges threatening food, nutritional and livelihood security.
Technological interventions by the NARS have led to spectacular
accomplishments relating to input use efficiency, climate resilience, mechanization
and secondary agriculture leading to economic transformation. These coupled with
the application of information and communication technologies will play a critical
role in our future endeavours to accelerate agricultural growth in the country. I am
glad that the Subject Matter Divisions of Indian Council of Agricultural Research
(ICAR) have synthesized and compiled practical and useful technologies in this
series of publications on Agricultural Technologies in a user-friendly mode. I am
sure this information will be useful to farming community, extension agencies,
entrepreneurs and agro-industries in their efforts to make Indian agriculture
economically viable and ecologically secure.

Krishi Bhavan
New Delhi 110 001
(Sharad Pawar)

iii
 FOREWORD

A GRICULTURE is the corner-stone of Indian economy. About 70% of India’s

1.27 billion population live in rural areas with small and marginal land
holdings. India with a geographical area of over 328 million hectares is endowed
with diversity of climate, soils and vegetation. This rich resource endowment is,
however, threatened with ever increasing population, vagaries of nature and climate
change. The National Agricultural Research System (NARS) comprising the
Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), 55 State Agricultural Universities,
five Deemed Universities, four Central Universities with agriculture faculty, one
Central Agricultural University and 637 Krishi Vigyan Kendras have attained
excellence in several frontier areas of agricultural sciences and technology
contributing significantly towards the spectacular growth of Indian agriculture
during past 60 years.
Initiatives by NARS in the country have led to notable accomplishments
resulting in the socio- economic transformation of farmers. The agriculture
sector is, however, witnessing radical changes and challenges both at national
and global level. The emerging challenges and opportunities necessitate wider
and faster adoption of the improved technologies by all the stakeholders right
from production to consumption in a food chain. In an effort to achieve this,
the divisions of crop science, horticulture, animal science, natural resources
management, fisheries and agricultural engineering in the ICAR have compiled
the technologies already commercialised and the technologies ready for
commercialisation. This series of publications, brings out the salient features of
the technologies with details on potential users and contact details of the
developers for ready and easy access. It will be our endeavour to periodically
update this Technology Series. I hope that this publication would be useful to
the farming community, extension agencies, entrepreneurs and industry. I greatly
appreciate the efforts put in by my colleagues in the Council, research institutes
and State Agricultural Universities (SAUs) in bringing out this compilation.

(S. Ayyappan)
Secretary,
Department of Agricultural Research and Education &
January 2014 Director General,
New Delhi 110 001 Indian Council of Agricultural Research

v
 PREFACE

S OIL, water and vegetation are vital natural resources supporting life on earth.
Sustainable management of these resources is critical to meet the rising demands
of food, fibre, fuel, feed, fodder and industrial raw materials. However, decelerating
factor productivity, rising input costs, depleting water resources, land degradation,
indiscriminate use of external inputs and the changing climate are major challenges
in this respect. Efficient management of natural resources through eco-friendly,
resource efficient agro-technologies, therefore, assumes critical importance.
The Natural Resource Management (NRM) related technologies developed by
the National Agricultural Research System (NARS) have been compiled in the
form of a compendium titled Agricultural Technologies - Natural Resource
Management. The publication has different sections such as Soil and Nutrient
Management, Crop Management/Farming System, Soil and Water Conservation,
Weed Management, Management of Saline/alkali and Acidic Soils, Agroforestry
System and Miscellaneous technologies. Each technology has been briefly described
indicating its salient features, performance results, cost (tentative and indicative),
impact and benefits and contact details. I am confident that this publication will
serve as a valuable ready reckoner of NRM technologies and will be useful to the
stakeholders including extension personnel and entrepreneurs. The technologies
presented have the potential for upscaling and may facilitate convergence with
schemes/programmes such as MGNREGA, RKVY, NHM, MMA.
I sincerely acknowledge the support of scientists of research institutes and SAUs
for contributing relevant technologies for this publication. I appreciate the efforts
put in by Dr B. Mohan Kumar, Assistant Director General (Agronomy and
Agroforestry) and Drs Rajbir Singh, P P Biswas and Adlul Islam, Principal Scientists
of NRM Division in compilation of this valuable document.

Alok K. Sikka
Deputy Director General (NRM)
ICAR, New Delhi

vii
 CONTENTS

Message iii
Foreword v
Preface vii

SOIL AND NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT

On-line soil fertility maps of different states and fertilizer 1
recommendation system for targeted yields of crops
PUSA soil-test fertilizer recommendation (STFR) Meter 2
Iron (Fe) enrichment in rice, maize and pulses 3
Techniques for correcting zinc (Zn) deficiency 4
Balanced fertilization through by sulphur application 5
Ameliorating deficiency of Manganese (Mn) in field crops 7
Bio-enriched compost 8
Technology for preparation of enriched compost 9
Phosphate solubilizers (Trichoderma sp. and Penicillium sp.) 10
Vermicomposting technology for recycling of organic wastes 11
Microbial based bio-nutrient package for rice 12
Compost inoculant 14
Liquid inoculants technology of biofertilizer organisms 15
Bacterial inoculant for quality seedling production of apple 16
Bacterial inoculant for rejuvenation of white root rot infested 17
apple orchard
Kit for assessing soil organic-carbon 18
Kit for assessing compostability of farm waste 19

CROP MANAGEMENT/FARMING SYSTEM

Integration of reduced tillage and BBF land configuration for 20
better productivity of rainfed cotton
Income maximization through participatory INM for 21
soybean-wheat system
Modified System of Rice Intensification (SRI) 22
Integrated System of Rice Intensification (SRI) 23
Technology of Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) 24
Redgram as contingency crop for delayed onset of 25
monsoon in black cotton soils
Withhold phosphorus application for paddy in P rich vertisols 25

ix
Intercropping of foxtail millet and redgram (5:1) 26
Intercropping of autumn sugarcane and potato 27
In-situ green manuring for sustainable productivity in Western Ghat 28
Bio-intensive complementary cropping systems for 29
higher productivity and profitability
Integrated farming system model for western plain zone of Uttar Pradesh 30
Nutrient management for organic maize-potato-onion system 31
Package of practices for organic production of crops in cropping system 32
Conservation agriculture for improving productivity and 35
profitability of wheat in rice-wheat cropping system
Broad Bed and Furrow (BBF) land management with 36
maize+pigeonpea in maize-chick pea cropping systems in Vertisols
Mechanical harvest borne residue management 37
Makhana (Euryale ferox) cultivation in cropping system mode 38
Integration of makhana (Euryale ferox) with fish and water 39
chestnut (Trapa bispinosha) for higher productivity
Integrated farming system (IFS) model for irrigated 40
midland/uplands (one acre model)
Multi-tier horticulture land use model for rainfed upland 41
ecosystem of eastern hills and plateau region

SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION

Bench terracing for soil and water conservation measures in the Nilgiris 42
Bio-fencing technology for the Vertisols of semi-arid region 43
Conservation ditching for efficient resource conservation and 45
enhanced productivity of semi arid vertisols
Contour furrows for medium deep black soils of 47
south-eastern Rajasthan
Improved tillage and mulching practices for resource 49
conservation in red soils
Jhola Kundi: a low cost water harvesting technique suitable 50
for Eastern Ghat high lands
Improved agri-horticultural system in North-Western Himalayas 51
Recharge filter: a cost effective technology for 52
augmenting groundwater
Stabilization of bench terrace risers 53
Improved design of mechanical spurs for control of torrents in 54
the lower Himalayas
Technology for rehabilitation of mine wastelands in arid regions 56

x
WEED MANAGEMENT
Chemical weed control in wheat 57
Herbicidal control of grassy weeds in direct-seeded rice 58
Weed management in pulses 59
Chemical weed control in soybean 60
Soil solarization technique for weed control in vegetables 61
and high-value crops
Weed management in zero-till wheat 62
Integrated weed management of tiger grass 64
CRIDA precision planter-cum-herbicide applicator 65
Mass multiplication techniques of Zygogramma bicolorta for 66
biological control of Parthenium

WATER MANAGEMENT
Design and development of rubber dams for watersheds 67
Farm pond technology for water harvesting 68
Crop diversification with in-situ rainwater conservation for 69
drought mitigation
Rainwater conservation for rice-fish integrated system 70
Raised and sunken-bed technology 71
Sub-surface water harvesting structure for coastal areas 72
Micro-level water resource development through tanks-cum-well system 73
Pond-based farming system for deep waterlogged areas 74
Farm pond-based agricultural diversification model for 75
multiple use in rainfed areas
Multiple use of water with trench-cum-raised bed system 76
in waterlogged areas
Low cost rainwater harvesting structure (Doba) for 77
fruit orchard establishment in uplands
Broad Bed and Furrow system for waterlogged areas 78
Three-tier system of farming in coastal valley lands 79
Paddy-cum-fish system for coastal waterlogged areas 80
Buch as alternate crop for water-logged area 81
Software for evaluation of water delivery system in 82
canal commands of irrigation project
Equation for determination of acid injection rate and constant 83
for acid treatment through drip irrigation system

xi
Tensiometer-based irrigation scheduling to rice 84
Soil moisture indicator 85
Pusa Hydrogel, a novel superabsorbent hydrogel and its use in agriculture 86

MANAGEMENT OF SALINE/ALKALI AND ACIDIC SOILS

Reclamation and management of alkali soils 87
Sub-surface drainage technology for saline soil reclamation 88
Collector well technology for coastal sands 89
(Improved Doruvu Technology)
Sub-surface drainage system for reclamation of waterlogged 90
saline soils in coastal region
Soil sodicity kit 92
Zinc, Iron, Boron and Sulphur doses for rice-wheat cropping 94
system in calcareous soils
Furrow application of lime for amelioration of acid soils 95
Amelioration of acidic soils through headgerow intercropping 96

AGROFORESTRY SYSTEM
Bench grafting in Aonla 97
Eucalyptus-based agri-silviculture system 98
Vegetative propagation of Pongamia pinnata through stem cuttings 99
Vegetative propagation of neem through air-layering for 100
quick evaluation of germplasm
Agri-silvi model of poplar and sugarcane 101
Agri-horticulture system: peach grown under wheat-soybean 102
cropping system
Superior subabul (Leucaena leucocephala) variety (K-636) for 103
pulp wood industry
Sunken bed technology for nursery production 104

MISCELLANEOUS TECHNOLOGIES
Gum inducer technology for production of gum-Arabic 105
from Acacia senegal
Neem pellets for the control of termites 106
Bio-formulations for managing soil-borne plant pathogens 107
Bio-Phos – a native phosphorus mobilizing organism 108
Biodegradable plastics from poly-hydroxy butyrate 109
production by eco-friendly Rhizobia
Integrated rodent pest management using environment 110
friendly plant-based products
xii
 Soil and Nutrient Management

On-line soil fertility maps of different states and fertilizer

recommendation system for targeted yields of crops

Salient features
The soil fertility data on N, P and K index
values at district level for the states of Andhra
Pradesh, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, West
Bengal, Haryana, Odisha, Himachal Pradesh,
Karnataka, Punjab, Tamil Nadu and Bihar have
been developed in MS-Access. From the
attribute database, the different thematic
layers have been reclassified to generate various
thematic maps on N, P and K index values
(IVs). The calculated soil-test values were
incorporated into the developed fertility maps to prescribe nutrients for targeted yields.
This application software was developed to recommend fertilizer doses for the targeted yield
at the district level. This system has the facility to input actual soil test values at the farmers’
fields to obtain optimum doses of fertilizers. The application is a user-friendly tool. It will
aid to the farmer in improving the efficiency (appropriate dose) of fertilizer use to achieve a
specific crop yield. The system is explained with the example of Tamil Nadu. The system
works as a ready reckonner to give prescription in the form of fertilizer available (eg. Urea,
SSP, MOP etc).
Performance results
This decision support system provides real use of fertility maps to the users. It can be
used up to field level, if the farmer has the knowledge of his field fertility status and the yield
target. It can be further narrowed down to block/village level depending on the availability
of information. The experiments conducted at different locations in the states suggest that a
considerable amount of fertilizer can be saved, if the fertilizers are prescribed using soil-test
values.
Cost of technology
Technology available in public domain (www.iiss.nic.in)
Impact and benefits
• Ensure site specific balanced fertilizers
• Facilitate distribution of fertilizer in the country
• Monitoring soil fertility status

Contact
Director
Indian Institute of Soil Science
Nabi Bagh, Berasia Road, Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh) 462 038
Tel: 0755- 2730946; Fax: 0755- 2733310
E mail: [email protected]
1

Agricultural Technologies: Natural Resource Management

 PUSA soil-test fertilizer recommendation (STFR) meter

Salient features
Pusa STFR Meter is a low cost, user friendly digital
embedded system instrument which is programmed
according to type of soil, type of crop and yield based on
ICAR research data base. The unique features of this
instrument are:
• It can quantitatively estimate as many as five important
soil parameters viz.,pH, Electrical conductivity, organic
carbon, phosphorus, potassium (sulphur, zinc and
boron in pipeline).
• It gives quantitative values, thus is more accurate than
other soil-test kits available in the market, which are
based on visual colour comparison.
• It is portable, and can be operated both by electricity and battery.
• It is user-friendly and easy to operate with minimum training.
• Unlike other soil test kits, it gives fertilizer recommendations for selected crops using the
in-built program.
Performance results
Tested and validated over one year with different soils with minimum 80 % accuracy.
Cost of technology
Maximum 30,000 with complete package of soil-testing.
Impact and benefits
In view of the ever-expanding multi-nutrient deficiencies in soils, site specific nutrient
management, which is considered as Fertilizer Best Management Practice, needs to be promoted
to improve soil health and crop productivity. Inadequate and unreliable soil-testing facilities,
poor awareness of farmers about balanced plant nutrition and lack of appropriate policy are
the major constraints in adoption of Fertilizer Best Management Practices. It is realized that
the soil-testing service has not made the desired impact and farmers have not yet been able to
adopt it in large numbers. On the other hand, on-station and on-farm experiments conducted
under diverse agro-ecologies across the country established the significance of soil-test based
balanced fertilizer use in improving crop yields and nutrient use efficiency. Compared with
farmers’ fertilizer practice, 20-25% yield gain could be easily obtained with the adoption of
soil-test based recommendations, although much greater advantages are also reported
depending on soil conditions and crops/cropping systems. The Pusa STFR Meter would
increase farmers’ access to soil testing, and thus help them to achieve higher yields owing to
soil test based fertilizer application.

Contact
Director
Indian Agricultural Research Institute
New Delhi 110 012
Tel: 011-25843375, 25842367; Fax: 011-25846420
E mail: [email protected]
2

Natural Resource Management: Technologies Ready for Commercialization

 Iron (Fe) enrichment in rice, maize and pulses

Salient features
• About 15% Indian soils are deficient in Fe and it is
the most common nutritional disorder in human
beings affecting at least half of the India’s population.
• The fertilization strategies physiological
interventions have been developed to enrich the
grains with Fe.
• In rice and maize, two sprays of ferrous sulphate @
0.5% solution at the time of pre- and post-anthesis are
sufficient along with basal application of ferrous sulphate
@ 50 kg ha-1 at planting. In Fe rich soils, only two
foliar sprays are enough to enrich the grains with Fe.
• In pulse crops (chick pea and pigeon pea), 25%
defoliation or nipping at bud before flowering along
with one spray either at flowering or pod formation
stage has proved to be effective in enhancing grain
Fe concentration.

Performance results
• One foliar spray along with 25% defoliation is best strategy for enhancing Fe content in
chick pea (17-25%) while nipping is the best strategy to enhance Fe content in pigeon pea
grain (24-32.8%).
• Fe concentration in grains of rice and maize can be increased by 9-23% with the application
of ferrous sulphate @ 50 kg ha-1 along with two foliar sprays at pre- and post- anthesis.

Cost of technology
• Cost of Fe enrichment varies with crop, the soil types, amount of fertilizer used and method of
fertilizer application.
• Manual nipping and defoliation enhances the cost but new machinery may be useful in
minimizing labour cost on such intervention. On an average, cost of Fe enrichment varies
between 1,500 and 3,500/ha.
• Output also varies with crop response to fertilization. On average, output range between
7,000 and 20,000/ha.

Impact and benefits

This strategy is considered as a relatively low cost, highly efficient and safer than diet
supplementation approaches in prevention of nutritional deficiencies to combat dietary mineral
inadequacies in rural areas. Fe bio-fortified products appear to be better sources of potentially
bioavailable Fe in comparison with the non-fortified analogues.

Contact
Project Coordinator (Micronutrient)
Indian Institute of Soil Science
Nabi Bagh, Berasia Road, Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh) 462 038
Tel: 0755- 2730946; Fax: 0755- 2733310
E mail: [email protected]
3

Agricultural Technologies: Natural Resource Management

 Techniques for correcting zinc (Zn) deficiency

Salient features
• Wide spread Zn deficiency in soils of India (45%) not only
causes loss in crops yield but also overlaps with malnutrition
in animal and human. It is further hampered by low use
efficiency of Zn carriers/ fertilizers (seldom exceeds 5%).
• Zinc, which is associated with many metallo-enzymes in plant
can be supplemented in crops through different sources viz.
zinc sulphate hepta hydrate (ZnSO 4.7H 2O), Zn chelates,
Zincated urea/ super phosphate, Zinc oxide, Zinc phosphate
and Zn enriched organic manures. Among these sources,
ZnSO4 is cheapest, easily available and most effective source
of Zn in crops.
• Zinc can be supplemented to different crops at different time
through any of the following methods (as suitable to the crop).
Seed Coating: zinc oxide/ Teprosyn-Zn/ zinc phosphate slurry
Root dipping: zinc oxide/ zinc phosphate
Basal application : zinc sulphate @ 5.0 kg Zn ha-1
sufficient for 2-3 crop cycles (rate varied with crops and soils)
or 4-5t FYM+2.5 kg Zn ha-1
or Top dressing : zinc sulphate (if not applied as basal)
Foliar application : 0.5 to 2.0% zinc sulphate (supplement to basal application)

Performance results
• Use of Zn in balanced fertilization improved yield of different crops to a tune of 10-35%
depending upon soil types, severity of deficiency, crops etc.
• Application of Zn alone contributes about 25 million tonne of total food grain production.
It sustained the productivity over the years.
• The National Food Security Mission has adopted the Zn in fertilization package and provides
a subsidy of 500 ha-1 for Zn fertilizer to each crop.

Cost of technology
Cost of Zn application varies with amount of Zn fertilizer used and labour required. On an
average, cost of Zn fertilizer use varies between 500 and 2,000 ha-1. Output also varied with crop
response to fertilization. On average, output range between 1,000 and 20,000ha-1.

Impact and benefits

Application of zinc enchances crop yield and profit by 10-35% and can has the potential to
contribute 25 million tonnes of food grain production. Besides, the package has become a part of
National Food Security Mission (NFSM).

Contact
Project Coordinator (Micronutrient)
Indian Institute of Soil Science
Nabi Bagh, Berasia Road, Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh) 462 038
Tel: 0755- 2730946; Fax: 0755- 2733310
E mail: [email protected]

Natural Resource Management: Technologies Ready for Commercialization

 Balanced fertilization through sulphur application

Salient features
• About 40% of Indian soils are
deficient in S which causes great
economic loss in several crops
especially, oilseeds and pulses.
• Inclusion of sulphur in balanced
NPK fertilization schedule in S
deficient soil is based on large
number of experiments conducted
at farmers’ fields at varying S
status with different sources, rates
and methods of application.
• Sulphur uptake by crops ranged
from 5 kg to more than 50 kg S
ha-1 year-1 depending on type of
crop, available S at the crops’ disposal, availability of other nutrients, growth
conditions and cropping intensity.
• Among different sources, single super phosphate, gypsum, phospho-gypsum,
ammonium sulphate, bentonite S pastilles were better for rectification of S
deficiency. Pyrite, a good source of S should be applied in moist soil through
surface broadcast before one month of planting to meet S requirement of the
crops.
• Basal application of S sources is beneficial, however, it can be used at 25-30
days crop growth stages in case of oilseeds.
• The recommendations/technology options developed for correction of
S deficiency for different crops/ cropping systems are:
• Rice-wheat cropping system : 30 kg S ha-1 in each crop
45 kg S ha-1 to rice
• Other cereal based cropping system(s) : 30- 45 kg S ha-1
• Pulse-based cropping system(s) : 35-45 kg S ha-1
• Oilseeds-based cropping system(s) : 45-60 kg S ha-1
• Sugarcane : 80 kg ha-1
• Green gram/Black gram/Lentil : 30 kg S ha-1

Agricultural Technologies: Natural Resource Management

Performance results
• More than 40 crops responded to S application in S deficient soils in more than
140 districts of the country.
• The yield advantage due to S application over NPK recorded from 10 to 30%
in cereals, 15-40% in pulses and 15-45% in oilseeds. The additional net profit
obtained with S application varied from 5,000 to 39,000 per hectare.
• Long-term experiments showed sustainable yield trend with NPKS fertilization
schedule and utilization efficiency of NPK increased with inclusion of S in
fertilization schedule.

Cost of technology
Cost of S fertilization varies from 700 to 1,500 ha-1.

Impact and benefits

The technology has the scope of improving yield (10-40%) of various crops
and enhancing oil content in oil seed crops. It has vast scope of application in more
than 140 districts of the country.

Contact
Project Coordinator (Micronutrient)
Indian Institute of Soil Science
Nabi Bagh, Berasia Road, Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh) 462 038
Tel: 0755- 2730946; Fax: 0755- 2733310
E mail: [email protected]

Natural Resource Management: Technologies Ready for Commercialization

 Ameliorating deficiency of Manganese (Mn) in field crops

Salient features
• Manganese deficiency is increasing in rice-
wheat systems grown in Indo-gangetic plains
having highly permeable coarse textured
alkaline soils with low organic matter.
• The principle of any micronutrient
including Mn recommendations for
different crops and cropping systems is
based on its available status in soil, requirements to meet the crops/cropping
system and fixation in soil complex and other losses.
• Durum wheat genotypes are more susceptible to Mn deficiency than aestivum wheat.
• Manganese (Mn) can be supplied through the sulphate salt of Mn i.e. MnSO4
either through soil or foliar.
• Three to four foliar spray of 0.5-1.0% MnSO4 solution is more efficient and
economical for enhancing wheat yield in sandy soils.
• Foliar spray of MnSO4 solution one before and two after first irrigation is
effective in mitigating Mn deficiency in crops in Mn-deficient soils.
Performance results
• Different crops and cropping systems, especially wheat performed tremendously
with application of Mn in deficient soils.
• Application of Mn enhances the farmers profit by 10-35% depending upon
crop type and crop response to Mn fertilization.
• Replenishment of Mn improves the fertility and soil health, and also increases
the utilization of other macronutrients, reducing leaching losses and thus helpful
in saving environment.
Cost of technology
Cost of Mn application varies with amount of fertilizer used and labour required.
Foliar spray enhances labour cost. On average, cost of micronutrient fertilizer use
varied between 700 and 2,000 ha-1. Output also varies with crop response to
fertilization. On average, output ranges between 2,500 and 15,000 ha-1.
Impact and benefits
Application of Mn enhances the farmer profit and improve the soil health.

Contact
Project Coordinator (Micronutrient)
Indian Institute of Soil Science
Nabi Bagh, Berasia Road, Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh) 462 038
Tel: 0755- 2730946; Fax: 0755- 2733310
E mail: [email protected]
7

Agricultural Technologies: Natural Resource Management

 Bio-enriched compost

Salient features Bi-enriched Compost

Normal farm compost could be converted into
a superior bio-enriched compost by amending with
1% P as rock phosphate along with inoculating
Azospirillum/Azotobacter and Phosphate
Solubilizing Bacteria (PSB) (108-109 cfu/g) each
and subsequently curing for about 20 to 25 days
in shade at 25% moisture level. To maintain the
moisture, curing materials should be covered
with a polythene sheet/gunny bags. Quality
improvement of the final product results because
of the change of following characteristics over normal farm compost:-
• Stabilization of C:N ratio around 10.0 to12:1
• pH stabilizes around neutral (7 to 7.5)
• CEC of final product increases above 25%
• Microbial carbon increases more than 100 times.
• Viable population of Azospirillum/ Azotobacter and PSB increases 300-400 times and
six times, respectively.

Performance results
• Use of bio-enriched compost @ 1 tonne/ha could minimize the recommended
nitrogenous and phosphatic fertilizer to 50% without any yield loss of crops grown in
rice- toria and rice- wheat sequence.
• Biofertilizers with increased dose of compost @ 2 tonne/ha, more specifically enriched
compost could reduce recommended N, P fertilizer up to 75% in subsequent year due
to cumulative effects of INM package.

Cost of technology
Preparation of Bio-enriched compost involves modest additional cost of the price of
low grade Rock Phosphate and biofertilizer over that of normal compost. Every tonne of
Bio-enriched compost requires around 170 kg rock phosphate and 10 kg of Azospirillum/
Azotobacter and Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria (PSB) biofertilizer. Considering the cost
of Rock Phosphate 3/ kg and biofertilizer 75/ kg, additional cost for each tonne of
Bio-enriched compost preparation is about 2,000/ only.

Impact and benefits

Incorporation of enriched compost with subsequent reduction of fertilizers (N, P)
showed improved soil health. Huge amount of foreign exchange can be saved for importing
chemical fertilzers.
Contact
Principal Investigator (PI), AINP on Soil Biodiversity-Biofertilizers (ICAR)
Department of Soil Science, AAU, Jorhat (Asom) 785 013
Tel.: 0376-2340814; E mail: [email protected]
Project Coordinator (Biofertilizers), Indian Institute of Soil Science
Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh) 462 038; Tel: 0755-2736846; Fax: 0755-2733310
E mail: [email protected]
8

Natural Resource Management: Technologies Ready for Commercialization

 Technology for preparation of enriched compost

Salient features
• A new technology has been developed to
prepare enriched compost using low-grade rock
phosphate, waste mica and crop residues.
• For this purpose, a trench or pit is filled layer-
wise (5-6 layers).
• Biodegradable organic materials like crop
residues, farm wastes, animal feed wastes and
tree leaves are spread on the floor of the trench
(about 20-cm thick layer).
• A layer of rock phosphate (RP), followed by waste mica is then spread over biodegradable
organic material.
• Cattle-dung is made into slurry by adding water, and this is sprinkled over RP and waste-
mica layer.
• Layering is repeated till whole compostable materials are added.
• Moisture content is maintained throughout the composting period at 60% of water-
holding capacity.
• Periodic turning (monthly interval) is done to provide aeration.
• Composting is continued for 4 months.
• For the preparation of 1 t enriched compost, 1 t biomass (crop residues/ biodegradable
wastes, 200 kg low-grade rock phosphate (18-20% P2O5), 200 kg waste mica (9-10%
K2O), and 100 kg fresh cattle dung are required.

Performance results
• The enriched compost contains 1.4-1.5% total N, 5.0–6.0% total P2O5 and 2.5-3.0%
K2O, respectively. Therefore, addition of one tonne (1,000 kg) of enriched compost
will substitute about 14-15 kg of N, 50-60 kg of P2O5 and 25-30 kg of K2O, respectively.

Cost of technology
2,00,000

Impact and benefits

Enriched compost would reduce dependence on costly phosphorus and potassium
fertilizers. Hence, it will reduce cost of cultivation in one hand and increase income of the
farmers on the other. Large quantities of crop residues may be recycled back to the field after
converting them into quality manure. Substantial amounts of rock phosphate and waste
mica may be recycled in agriculture as a source of phosphorus and potassium and thus lead
to the utilization of indigenous mineral resources. Huge amount of foreign exchange can be
saved partly or wholly on import of costly P and K fertilizers.

Contact
Director
Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi 110 012
Tel: 011-25843375, 25842367; Fax: 011-25846420
E mail: [email protected]
9

Agricultural Technologies: Natural Resource Management

 Phosphate solubilizers
(Trichoderma sp. and Penicillium sp.)

Salient features
• Phosphorus is considered to be one of the major
nutrient elements limiting agricultural production in
acidic soils. Phosphate solubilizing fungi (PSF) play
an important role in supplementing phosphorus from
insoluble phosphate source to the plants.
• Easy multiplication of PSF for application in phosphate
deficient soils. It also increases plant growth, induces
resistance and control soil borne phytopathogens like
Fusarium, Rhizoctonia, Sclerotium and Sclerotinia.
• The Trichoderma and Penicillium based formulations,
respectively, have 50-67 and 40-45% phosphate
solubilising potential on inorganic insoluble source of
phosphate like ferric phosphate and tricalcium
phosphate.

Performance results
The technology is cost effective and easy to apply in the acidic soils.

Cost of technology
400.0 per ha (or) 100 per kg.

Impact and benefits

Adoption of technology leads to enhanced (i) phosphorus availability, (ii) growth
promotion and (iii) biological disease management in acidic soils.

Contact
Director
ICAR Research Complex for Eastern Region
ICAR Parisar, P.O.: Bihar Veterinary College, Patna (Bihar) 800 014
Tel: 0612-2223962; Fax:+91-612-2223956
E mail: [email protected]

10

Natural Resource Management: Technologies Ready for Commercialization

 Vermicomposting technology for recycling of organic wastes

Salient features
Vermicomposting is a very effective method of converting wastes into useful manure
with the help of earthworms. For vermicomposting, open permanent pits of 102 ft × 32 ft × 22 ft
dimensions are made under the shade of a tree at an elevated place, about 2 feet above the
ground to avoid entry of rainwater into the pits. Brick walls are constructed above the floor
of the pits leaving 5-6 gaps in the pit wall of 10 cm dia to facilitate aeration. These holes are
blocked with nylon screen (100 mesh) to prevent escape of earthworms from the pits. 3-4
cm thick layer of partially decomposed dung (about 2-month-old) is spread on the bottom
of the pits. A layer of litter/residue and dung in the ratio of 1:1 (w/w) is then added. A
second layer of dung is then applied followed by another layer of litter/crop residue in the
same ratio up to a height of 2 feet. Two species of epigeic earthworms viz., Eisenia foetida and
Perionyx excavatus are inoculated in the pits or heaps. Watering by sprinkler is done intermittently.
Moisture content is maintained at 60-70% throughout the composting period. Jute bags
(gunny bags) are spread uniformly on the surface to facilitate maintenance of suitable moisture
regime and temperature. The material is allowed to decompose for 15-20 days to stabilize the
temperature after the initial thermophilic stage. Earthworms were then inoculated in the pit
@ 10 adult earthworms per kg of waste material and a total of 5,000 worms were added to
each pit or heap. The materials were allowed to decompose for 110 days. The forest litter
decomposes faster (75 to 85 days) than farm residues (110-115 days). In the heap method
the waste materials and partially decomposed dung (1:1 w/w) are made out into heaps of 10
feet length × 3 feet width × 2 feet high and during inoculation, channels are made by hand
and earthworm @ 1 kg per quintal of waste are inoculated and then watering is done by
sprinkling. Pieces of jute cloth are used as covering material.

Performance results
Under organic farming systems, combined application of cattle dung manure (2 t/ha) +
Vermicompost (1.5 tonne/ha) and poultry manure (1.5 tonne/ha) + biofertilizer @5kg/ha
sustained the productivity of soybean, chick pea and mustard and isabgol crops as well as
biological health of soil.

Cost of technology
About 3 tonnes of vermicompost can be produced from 10 beds of 10 ft × 3 ft × 2 ft
each. The cost of earthworms is 400-500 per kg. A 50-kg bag of vermicompost can be sold
for 150 ( 3,000/tonne). Basically, vermicompost is used like any other manure: 5,000
kg/ha in cropping and 1-10 kg/ tree in plantations, depending on the size of tree.

Impact and benefits

This technology is better in terms of faster decomposition of the waste over conventional
method. Secondly the nutrient composition of the vermicompost is superior over
conventional compost.

Contact
Director
Indian Institute of Soil Science
Nabi Bagh, Berasia Road, Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh) 462 038
Tel: 0755-2730946; Fax: 0755- 2733310
E mail:[email protected]
11

Agricultural Technologies: Natural Resource Management