Indigenous Technologies in Plant Protection · beguiles majority of farmers to opt for it. Time and again, all over the world the negative impact of chemical pesticide use has been

Indigenous Technologies in Plant Protection• • • • • Sumitra Arora J.P. Sharma S. Chakravorty Nishi Sharma Pratibha Joshi

NCIPM ICAR-National Research Centre for Integrated Pest Management

LBS Building, Pusa Campus, New Delhi - 110 012

Indigenous Technologies in Plant Protection

Sumitra Arora, J.P. Sharma, S. Chakravorty, Nishi Sharma and Pratibha Joshi

ICAR-National Research Centre for Integrated Pest ManagementLBS Building, Pusa Campus, New Delhi - 110 012

NCIPM

Citation : Sumitra Arora, J.P. Sharma, S. Chakravorty, Nishi Sharma and Pratibha Joshi

Indigenous Technologies in Plant Protection, 2016, p 248 ICAR – National Research Centre for Integrated Pest Management, New Delhi (India)

Compiled and Edited by : Sumitra Arora, J.P. Sharma, S. Chakravorty, Nishi Sharma and Pratibha Joshi

Year of Publication : May, 2016

Published by : ICAR – National Research Centre for Integrated Pest Management, New Delhi (India) E-mail : [email protected] website : www.ncipm.org.in

Leser Typeset & Printed by : National Printers, B-56, Naraina Industrial Area, Phase II, New Delhi-110028. Tel. : 011-42138030, 9811220790

ForewordIndigenous technical knowledge (ITK), developed over time, is based on human cultural

experiences on mass scale in a given locality. The farmers, over centuries, have innovated to produce food in difficult environments that has enriched the knowledge systems, inter-woven with the agricultural practices, governed by both natural and physical micro-environments. The development of this rarely documented corpus of knowledge is based on necessities, continuous improvements through informal experimentation, curiosity and observation of ethnic groups to counteract the immediate situational problems. Nonetheless, a lack of validation of such informal knowledge systems has resulted in the gap in bridging traditional farming with modern day tech-intensive agricultural practices including plant protection, nutrient and water management, etc.

Since, well documented information on ITK is often not available, the knowledge transfer from one generation to next generation generally suffers. It is however well known that the traditional agriculture is mostly organic and low-input system and it is our responsibility to further experiment, validate and promote farming practices with lower or no chemical inputs in order to maintain the soil and eco-system health.

I am happy that the editors have made an attempt to collate documentary evidences of traditional knowledge system for its possible integration into good agricultural practices with special reference to plant protection for environmental sustainability. I congratulate the editors and the authors for the effort. I do hope that the seminar proceedings compiled in the form of a book will be useful as a reference resource.

(T. Mohapatra)12th May, 2016 New Delhi

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TRILOCHAN MOHAPATRA, Ph.D.FNA, FNASc, FNAAS

SECRETARY & DIRECTOR GENERAL

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GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH & EDUCATION

AND INDIAN COUNCIL OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH

MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFAREKRISHI BHAVAN, NEW DELHI 110 001

Tel.: 23382629; 23386711 Fax: 91-11-23384773E-mail: [email protected]

PrefaceThe present scenario of Indian agriculture is confronted with a number of challenges including

instability of productivity, and depletion of natural resources for sustainable agriculture. Pest management, one of the nagging issues, is normally controlled with chemicals. It is also a fact that chemical means are harmful to environment, human health, and detrimental to survival of other participating living organisms in the food web. Though it is imperative to keep the chemical control to the barest minimum, the visible outcome it presents and apparent ease of adoption beguiles majority of farmers to opt for it. Time and again, all over the world the negative impact of chemical pesticide use has been reported, with little subsequent follow up action. However, with passing time and accumulating evidences, these issues have evoked growing interest in the study of indigenous knowledge systems (ITK) that are based upon the local resources. Traditional wisdom offers solution to many of the problems posed by the pests. Over generations the wisdom has been passed down by personal training and instructions, or whispered to next generation in the form of songs, stories, couplets, festivals, rituals, etc. ITK offer us prophylactic and curative measures, those could be arranged from locally available material, for managing the crop pests. Indigenous knowledge come from thousands of years of adaptive evolution in which vagaries of climate, the availability of land, water, the basic need of people and their animals for food, shelter and health have been amalgamated in a system. In this context, blending of indigenous knowledge with modern scientific technologies is the need of the day to support sustainable development of agriculture and allied sector in our country.

The ITK needs to be documented as such information may get lost, if not passed on, or protected and practiced by the local people. Also the information is very precious for the researchers, planners and development officials for utilizing in insect pest management. Validation of ITK is a logical step to qualify and quantity effectiveness of the practices. Suitable modifications of the local practices, through research and development may help to develop appropriate and acceptable technologies that are more suited to our contemporary farming situations.

The indigenous Technical Knowledge (ITK) system has been developed by the people based on their experiences and continuous improvement through informal experimentation over centuries. These ITK are interwoven and assimilated in the cultural life of the people.The integration of Rural People's Knowledge with research and extension system is advocated, as neither of them is capable of solving many micro level problems in a cost-effective way.

Sensing the gravity of the problem, a National seminar on “Contextual Relevance of ITK in Plant Protection” was held during 28-29 October, 2015, in collaboration with ICAR-IARI, at Pusa Campus, New Delhi; wherein various indigenous technologies were presented in different

areas of crop protection from different parts of the country. This book is the proceedings of the said seminar. The event was organized with financial support received from different Government agencies and Institutions, like ICAR, NABARD, DBT and DST.

We are extremely grateful to these Institutions for granting funds in various capacities for holding this National Seminar; and for bringing out proceedings of the seminar in the form of this book publication. Our thanks are due to DG, ICAR; Directors, ICAR-NCIPM and ICAR-IARI; and all the contributors of the book.

Editors

Contents

ForewordPreface

Section - I History, need and scope of indigenous practices in plant protection

1. History, Need, and Scope of Indigenous Practices in Plant Protection ........................ 1 S L Choudhary and Y L Nene

2. Role of Indigenous Traditional Knowledge in Soil and Water Conservation : A review ....................................................................................................................... 5 Hardeep Singh Sheoran, V K Phogat and Anil Kumar Rohila

3. Indigenous Technical Knowledge in Agriculture ......................................................... 15 P K Yadav, M Husain, P Kumar, R Singh and R N Padaria

4. Indigenous technical knowledge known to the farmers of Solapur district ................ 21 P A Gonjari, L R Tambade and S P Javalage

5. Prospect of Rice Pest Management in Eastern India through ITK – A Tribal Farming System Approach ......................................................................................................... 27 Mayabini Jena and T K Dangar

6. Use of Indigenous Biocultural Knowledge as Folk Measures for Plant Protection in Manipur ........................................................................................................................ 31 N Prakash, N Ajitkumar Singh, S K Sharma, M A Ansari, S S Roy, Arati Ningombam and S V Ngachan

7. Documentation of ITK Practices and Formulations Used in Organic Farming as IPM in Nashik District of Maharashtra ................................................................................ 37 Raosaheb B Patil

8. ITKs on the Edge of Tomorrow: Practices for Rice Cultivation and its Pest Control Techniques in Jharkhand .............................................................................................. 47 R P Singh Ratan, Niva Bara, Valeria Lakra, S Chakravorty, B K Singh, Nishi Sharma and Pratibha Joshi

Section - II Role of indigenous practices in plant protection and their environmental impact

9. Scientifically Validated ITKs in Plant Protection ......................................................... 65 Sumitra Arora


10. Comparative Low Cost Mass Production of Bio-agents .............................................. 71 Abhishek Singh and Sumit Kumar Pandey

11. Effectiveness of Non-edible Oils on Insect Vector and Disease Incidence in Potato Crop - ITK Technique .................................................................................................. 75 Anuj Bhatnagar

12. Antifeedant Activity of Root Extracts of Kalmegh, Andrographis paniculata Against Spodoptera litura ......................................................................................................... 83 Berin Pathrose, Chitra Srivastava and Suresh Walia

13. Validation and Popularization of Fish Extract for the Management of Gundhi bug, Leptocorisa acuta ......................................................................................................... 89 Berin Pathrose, Sunil V G and Habeeburrahman P V

14. Studies on Effect of Garbage Enzyme for Management of Fungal and Bacterial Diseases in Vegetable crops with Special Reference to Tomato .................................. 93 Lakhe M P and Dahatonde N B

15. Indigenous Traditional Practices Vis-à-Vis Pollinators Conservation ......................... 99 R K Thakur, P K Chakrabarty, Surabhi Gupta and Neha Paliwal

16. Integrated Management of Root-knot Nematode by using ITK and Bioagents in Bhendi .......................................................................................................................... 107 Ravindra, H, Sehgal M, Narasimhamurthy, H B, Nagarajappa Adivappar, Jayalakshmi, K and Saritha A G

17. Intensification of Autumn Sugarcane with Onion to Minimize the Infestation of Borers and Enhanced Productivity ............................................................................... 115 Surendar Kumar, Gajendera Pal and S P Singh

18. Scientific Rationality and Evaluative Validation of Indigenous Practices Against Leaf Spot Disease of Groundnut and Micro-Climatic Modification Against early Blight Disease in Tomato ........................................................................................................ 121 Prashant P Jambhulkar

19. Role of Traditional Knowledge (TK) in Pest Management in Paddy Crop in India .... 129 Tulsi Bhardwaj, J P Sharma and Premlata Singh

20. Documentation and Validation of Indigenous Technology with Regard to Crop Protection of Boro Paddy under Terai Region of West Bengal .................................... 137 Nripendra Laskar, Prabhat Kumar Pal, Gobinda Roy and Roshna Gazmer

Contents

Section - III Role of farmers, organization and entrepreneurs in indigenous practices in plant protection

21. Adoption of ITKs in Paddy Cultivation in Tuticorin District of Tamil Nadu and Measures to Improve its Adoption .............................................................................. 149 G Alagukannan, M Ashokkumar and R Kumaravel

22. ITKs : Gender Friendly Options for Pest Management in Coastal Odisha .................. 157 S K Srivastava

23. Popular ITK in Hills : A Case of Uttarakhand ............................................................. 173 Pratibha Joshi, J P Sharma, Nishi Sharma, B K Singh, J P S Dabas, Sarbasis Chakravorty, Nafees Ahmad, G S Mahra and Kushagra Joshi

24. Environmentally Safe Pest and Disease Management Practices in Brinjal Cultivation ..... 179 Gayathri Subbiah and P Kumaravel

25. ITK of Farmers about Pest Management in Rice-based Farming System in Jharkhand .. 183 Niva Bara and R P Singh Ratan

26. Role of Extension in Dissemination of Indigenous Technical Knowledge (ITK) ....... 189 Shruti, Subhashree Sahu, Hema Baliwada and J P Sharma

27. Innovative Approach for the Management of Pest and Diseases in Ginger ................. 195 Nagarajappa Adivappar, Ravindra, H, Suresh Ekabote, Vishwanatha Shetty, Y and Narasimhamurthy, H B

28. Scientific Rationality and Adoption ITK in Plant Protection followed by Tribal Farmers in Tamil Nadu ................................................................................................. 199 P Venkatesan and M Sundaramari

29. Role of Institutions in up Scaling and Out Scaling of Location Specific ITKs ........... 211 Hema Baliwada, J P Sharma and Reshma Gills

Section - IV Constraints and limitations in adopting indigenous practices in plant protection

30. Empowering Farmers for Validation and Promotion of ITK ....................................... 223 R N Padaria

31. Farmer’s Perception Regarding ITKs in Plant Protection and Health Risks Associated with Pesticides ........................................................................................... 229 Sudhakar S Kelageri, Cherukuri Sreenivasa Rao, Vemuri Shashi Bhushan and Pothula Narayana Reddy

32. Panchagavya: Experience of Ernakulam KVK ............................................................ 233 Dipti N V, Shinoj Subramannian, Shoji Joy Edison, F and Pushparaj Anjelo

Section - IHistory, need and scope of indigenous practices in plant protection

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References to plant protection are found in Vedas (Atharvaveda c.1000 BC), Kautilya’s Artha-sastra (c.300 BC), Buddhist literature (c.200 BC), Krishi Parashar (c.400 BC), Sangam literature of Tamils (c. 1000 AD), Agnipuran (c.400 AD), Brhat Samhita of Varahamira (c.600 AD), Kashyapiyakrisukti (c. 800-900 AD), Surapala’sVrikshayurveda (c.1000AD), Someshwara Deva’s Manasollasa (c, 1100 AD), Lokopakara by Chavundaraya (c.1108 AD), Sarangadhara’s Upavanavinoda (c.1300 AD), Viswavallabh of Chakrapani Mishra (c.1577AD), and some documents of the medieval and pre-modern period. But Surapal (c.1000 AD) has given plant protection in a very systemic manner right from seed treatment to the storage of grains. Therefore, this period may be considered as the starting point of systematic plant protection in Indian agricultural history and all practices prescribed are most suitable for organic sustainable agriculture.

Key Words : ITK, Vedas, history

Ailments described by Surapala

Diseases of all kinds of trees are stated to be of two types: internal and external. It is unfortunate that all textbooks on plant pathology give credit to the French botanist, Tournefort (1705 AD), for classifying diseases as internal and external. This was more than 700 years after Surapala had already done such classification. For the ‘internal disorder’ of plants he borrowed the tridosha principle of Ayurveda, classified “internal causes as the imbalance of humors, vata, kapha and pitta; and external ones are caused by insects, cold weather, etc. (for details please read the chapter Plant Protection in “A Textbook on Ancient History of Indian Agriculture by R C Saxena, S L choudhary and Y L Nene, 2009).

In this lecture, only a few of the recommendations are being discussed that will prove as significant inputs to present day agriculture. Most of these prescriptions are based on utilizing

Indigenous Technologies in Plant Protection, 2016Sumitra Arora, J.P. Sharma, S. Chakravorty, Nishi Sharma and Pratibha Joshi (eds.), pp. 1-4

ICAR – National Research Centre for Integrated Pest Management, New Delhi (India)E-mail : [email protected]; website : www.ncipm.org.in

History, Need, and Scope of Indigenous Practices in Plant Protection

S L Choudhary and Y L NeneAsian Agri-History Foundation

CHAPTER 1

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animal products such as flesh and bones, urine and dung, milk, curd and ghee, horns and herbs etc. Their properties and proportion in which they are to be used for an effective product has been discussed. These products are mostly liquid ferments to be either to be drenched in soil or to be sprinkled on aerial plant parts besides solid or colloidal (paste) preparations.

Kautilya’s Arthashastra (c. 300 BC) describes practical guidelines to farmers on the use of seeds for cultivation to be effective towards bumper productivity indices:– The seeds of grains are to be exposed to mist and heat for 7 nights. Seeds of kosi (black and green grams) are treated similarly for 3-5 nights. The seed (sets) of sugarcane and the like are plastered at the cut ends with the mixture of

honey, lard, ghee, and cow dung.

Surapala’s Kunapajala for nourishment and protection

The use of kunapajala has been one of the ancient, traditional farm practices in India which has applications even today, perhaps more significant for our farm-lands in the present conditions of environmental pollution, soil degradation and residual effects of various harmful chemical substances. The latter have been employed in various modernized agricultural lands over the past five decades.

In ancient days, those involved in cultivation practices did not take any specific measure of the various ingredients used to prepare kunapajala. However, it is perceived from Surapala’s Vrikshayurveda text that the materials used were mixed and fermented before application to soil and crops for nourishment and plant protection would be explained (Nene, 2012).

In our ancient literatures use of various herbal plants, sesame, mustard, Bidanga or vidinga (Embelia ribes), neem, mahuwa (Madhuca longifolia), milk, hairs, nails and horns, etc. have been mentioned for disease and pest management. Here, we would like to explain that Vrikshayurvedacharyas learnt an excellent medicinal concoction from Ayurveda called Panchamula, and found it effective in restoring plant health. The plant species used in preparing Panchamula and their relevant properties are presented in Table 1.

Table : 1

Plant Species (Latin and Hindi Name) PropertiesAegle marmelos (bael) Antifungal, nematicidal, insect antifeedantClerodendrum phlomidis (agnimantha, arani) Antifungal, antiviral, antibacterial, insect AntifeedantGmelina arborea (gambhari) AntiviralOroxylum indicum (sonapatha) AntimicrobialStereospermum suaveolens (padhal) Antifungal, antibacterial,

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Today we know the families of each of the five species of Panchamula belongs to different families. Hence, we can evaluate other species that belong to respective families.

Some other preparations

Herbal Kunapajala

This is prepared from plants, which are either considered unwanted or called weeds in modern agriculture and are destroyed under weed management programs. Some of them have anti-microbial properties also. The materials required for preparation and method of its preparation would be explained.

Besides this method of some other preparations like dhanyagaya, indasafari, cow dung water to protect the crops from drought, a broad spectrum pesticide, fermented Panchagavya for plant protections would also be presented.

Other Approaches

• Cultivating the plant Bhallataka (Semecarpus anacardium) around fields/orchards helps in warding off termites.

• It has also been suggested to treat growing plants by coating with sesame (Sesamum indicum) oil cake and Bidanga (Embelia ribes) so that insects could be kept away from attacking them.

• A mixture of milk water + kunapajala + smoking with ghee (due to which acrolein is produced) has been used as a sprinkling agent for plant protection.

• Treatment of trees with a mixture of milk water and kunapajala, prior to flowering, has been recommended.

• To fruit bearing trees, for example mango, application of 15 liters of kunapajala at the base (just above roots) twice a year (e.g. July and December) has been reported to be beneficial for fruit production as well as to protect the tree from pathogen or pest attack.

• Similarly, various alterations in composition of plant protection organic preparations have been reported for pomegranate and orange, brinjal and cucurbits amongst vegetables and special attention to paddy (rice) called rabbing (i.e. practice of burning refuse material to parch the nursery soil before the onset of monsoon), etc.

• The use of herbals as spray has also been mentioned that functioned as insecticides. For example, powdered preparations from bark of some trees e.g. Amaltas (Casia fistula), Arishtha (Sapindus emarginatus), Karanj (Pongamia pinnata), Satavana (Alstonia scholaris), Neem (Azadirachta indica), Bidanga (Embelia ribes), Sowa (Anethum sowa), Vasa (Adhatoda vasica) etc. having antimicrobial property were used.

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• The control the post harvest diseases of fruits some components have been extracted from some weed plants like, Satyanashi (Argemone mexicana), fruits of bitter temru (Doiosforus cordifolia), seeds of brhati (Solanum indicum), seeds of custard apple (Annona squamosa) etc. (Bagri et al., 2004), and hairs (Dixit et al., 2010).

Rabbing (Parching) for paddy nurseries

Rabbing paddy nursery soil controls most seedlings and adult paddy plant diseases and pests in the field. This is a practice of burning refuse to parch the soil kept for raising nurseries before the advent of monsoon. The steps taken were

(i) elevated land for nursery, bunded to prevent surface washing;

(ii) 2-2.5 kg of broken cattle dung cakes,

(iii) a layer of leaves or chopped loppings (preferably of Terminalia tomentosa) to provide intense heat,

(iv) a layer of dry grass, and

(v) a layer of finely divided straw or husk (preferably of rice) to close openings between the stems of the coarse grass and prevent the earth (final layer) falling through. To prolong burning the fire was started on the lee side.

The system of rabbing is commonly practiced in Thane district of Maharashtra and was first documented in 1787 (Nene, 2005). The ash provides nutrients and the weeds are reduced. Paddy seedlings grow vigorously. Farmers also find the nuisance of weeds, pests, and disease greatly reduced in the transplanted crop from rabbed nurseries. It is claimed that yields double if the practice of rabbing is followed. It is intriguing why most rice researches in the last 60 years have out rightly dismissed this ancient farmers’ practice of rabbing on the grounds of ‘wasting’ compostable organic matter. This argument does not hold ground because the organic matter thus burnt for rabbing is so little and the benefits are likely to exceed the loss of burnt organic matter.

It is noteworthy that rabbing nursery soil was reported from Karimnagar (Andhra Pradesh), Dang (Gujarat), Shimla (Himachal Pradesh), and Sindhudurg (Maharashtra) [ICAR 2003].

Conclusion

The technologies developed by our ancestral sages and farmers are of great importance in the present scenario where extensive use of chemicals are polluting our soil and environment and causing human hazards. We can sustain our agriculture and soil by adopting these technologies.

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Indigenous Traditional Knowledge (ITK) is an integral part of the culture and history of a local community. It is evolved through many years of regular experimentation on the day-to-day life and available resources surrounded by the community. It is the basis for local-level decision in agriculture, health care, food production, education, natural resource management and a host of their activities in rural communities. It provides useful clue for planning projects for conservation of sustainable uses of natural resources, indigenous health practices etc. Soil and water are the basic resources and these must be conserved as carefully as possible along with plant protection measures for achieving the target of sustainable agriculture. Awareness is growing about the use of indigenous knowledge in development initiatives that could bring long-term benefits, richly complementing and enhancing the contributions of modern inventions.The pressure of increasing population neutralizes all efforts to raise the standard of living, while loss of fertility in the soil itself nullifies the value of any improvement made. This calls for more systematic resource conservation efforts. Fortunately, we have many indigenous techniques for conserving natural resources such as soil and water along with traditional plant protection measures and to sustain our agricultural production. Therefore there is a need to enmesh these practices for promoting sustainable development of agriculture.

Key Words: Soil, Water, Conservation, Food production and ITK’s.

India in terms of Indigenous Traditional Knowledge (ITK) is one of the richest country because of its geographical diversities and cultural ethos. All communities residing in this country have some traditional knowledge’s associated with them. Indigenous Traditional Knowledge (ITK) is an integral part of the culture and history of a local community. It is evolved through many years of regular experimentation on the day-to-day life and available resources surrounding by the community. It is the basis for local-level decision in agriculture, health care, food production, education, natural resource management and a host of their activities in rural



Role of Indigenous Traditional Knowledge in Soil and Water Conservation : A review

Hardeep Singh Sheoran, V K Phogat and Anil Kumar RohilaCCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, Haryana

CHAPTER 2

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communities. Indigenous Traditional Knowledge is defined by people in different ways, but all have the common focus. It is the local knowledge, which has been institutionalized, built upon and passed from one generation to the next (Osunade, 1992; Warren, 1992). According to Mishra (1989), it is built from and based on thousands of years of experience. However, Ngwasiri (1995) expresses that the term ‘indigenous knowledge’ has no universally accepted definition. The work carried out by Munyakho (1994) and Sindiga (1995) buttress the fact that indigenous knowledge exists in all spheres of life such as education, engineering, health, politics and agriculture. Knowledge systems are sets of actors, networks or organisations which are expected to work synergically to support knowledge processes that improve the correspondence between knowledge and environment, and/or the control; provided through technology use, in a given domain of human activity. (Roling and Seegers, 1991). In the past half century, modern knowledge has provided new technologies in agriculture that has caused a main evolution in production process, and these technologies has caused many problems in the environment.

If we talk about the natural resources we say that soil and water are the basic resources and these must be conserved as carefully as possible. Soil and water resources of the India are highly threatened by over cropping, overgrazing and over reliance on fuel wood. These have resulted in significant soil losses and deforestation. Soil erosion is the most significant ecological restriction to sustainable agricultural production, mainly under subsistence agricultural production system like Central Ethiopian highlands (Gete and Huni, 2001). Indigenous Traditional knowledge (IK) is gaining increasing attention and its importance in sustainable development is well-recognized (Kolawole, 2001; Samal et al., 2010). At various regions of world, efforts have been made by scientists and indigenous people to build bridges between modern science and indigenous knowledge, among others, to improve ecological management of a particular region (Reijntjes, 2004).

So far, very little attention has been given and little information has been generated regarding role of Indigenous Traditional knowledge in Soil and Water Conservation, essantial for integrating indigenous or local knowledge towards achieving the target of sustainable agriculture. Thus, the significance of the review paper is apparent to clearly understand the potential role of Indigenous Traditional knowledge as related to the management in soil and water conservation.

Soil and water conservation

Conservation is defined as the management of a resource in such a way as to assure that it will continue to provide maximum benefit to human over the long run.

Soil conservation is the prevention of soil from erosion or reduced fertility caused by overuse, acidification, salinization or other chemical soil contamination. Slash-and-burn and other unsustainable methods of subsistence farming are practiced in some lesser developed areas. A sequel to the deforestation is typically large scale erosion, loss of soil nutrients and sometimes

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total desertification. Techniques for improved soil conservation include crop rotation, cover crops,conservation tillage and planted windbreaks which have pronounced effection both erosion and fertility.

Water conservation encompasses the policies, strategies and activities to manage fresh water as a sustainable resource, to protect the water environment, and to meet current and future human demand. Population, household size and growth and affluence all affect how much water is used. Factors such as climate change will increase pressures on natural water resources especially in manufacturing and agricultural irrigation.

Plant protection is the science and practice of managing invertebrate pests and vertebrate pests, plant diseases, weeds and other pest organisms that damage agricultural crops and forestry. Agricultural crops include field crops (maize, wheat, rice, etc.), vegetable crops (potatoes, cabbages, etc.) and fruit and horticultural crops. It encompasses:

• Pesticide-based approaches such as herbicides, insecticides and fungicides• Biological pest control approaches such as cover crops, trap crops and beetle banks• Barrier-based approaches such as agrotextiles and bird netting• Animal psychology-based approaches such as bird scarers• Biotechnology-based approaches such as plant breeding and genetic modification.

Conceptual framework of Indigenous Traditional knowledge in Plant Protection

Fig. 1 : Conceptual framework showing the relationship between various factors

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Indigenous Traditional knowledge in Insect management

Apart from nutrient management, several organic management practices are followed to control insects, diseases and weeds like application of common salt to control broad leaf weed (Tabin and Singh 2008), use of dhatura (Datura stramonium) stems and leaves to control stem borer infestation in paddy (Das et al., 2002), use of dead frog or crab to control bug in paddy (Das et al., 2002), use of ash in terraced fields to prevent paddy from dying of unknown etiology after transplanting (Das et al., 2002), etc. Non Pesticide Management (NPM) describes various pest-control techniques which do not rely on pesticides (Ramanjaneyulu et al., 2004). It may be defined as an ‘ecological approach to pest management using knowledge and skill-based practices to prevent insects from reaching damaging stages and damaging proportions by making best use of local resources, natural processes and community action’ (Ramanjaneyulu et al., 2008). Talukdar et al. (2012) described the methods of controlling pests through Indigenous Traditional knowledge.Some of insect control measures include:

Description of identified ITKs in Insect Control Rational behind the use of ITKs

Bark of ‘Sojina’ (Moringa oleifera; Drumstick) is removed from the trunk and branches, crushed and spread in the crop field.

Checks the infestation of stem borer because drumstick has high pesticidal properties.

Vines of ‘Sonborial’ or sida hemp (Sida rhombifolia) are cut into pieces and incorporated into the muddy paddy field.

Acts as repellant to insects like stem borer and rice hispa due to its bitter taste.

Chopped tobacco (Nicotiana spp.) leaves as well as other parts are soaked in water overnight and the tobacco mixed water so obtained is sprayed over the standing crop.

Since tobacco mixed water is alkaline/poisonous in nature, this controls theattacks of hispa.

Broadcasting goat’s excreta on the standing crop of paddy.

It controls hispa because pests fly away due to disagreeable odor of goat excreta.

Spraying boiled neem leaves and ground seed solution on the standing crop.

It acts as antifeedant to many pests like leaf folder, stem borer etc. due to its bitter taste. Further, the bad odor of the solution acts as repellant which drives away the pests from the field.

Erecting the long and complex leaves of Chi-tamol or Momaitamol (Caryota urens) in the paddy field at different places.

Birds resting on the erected leaves actsas predators against many insectsincluding rice hispa.

Burning of tyres in and around the rice field. It acts as a repellent to Gandhi bug due to disagreeable odor emitted on burning of tyres

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Burning of firewood, straw etc in and around rice field at night.

Burning of firewood, straw etc in and around rice field at night.

Bamboo sticks and highly branched top of bans (Bambusa indica: Bamboo) are erected in the nursery as well as in the main field.

Birds perch on the branches and sticks and act as predators of insects present in the crop (stem borer and leaf hopper).

Two ends of long rope, dipped in kerosene oil, is held by two men and blown over the rice crop and available standing water is drained out.

The smear of kerosene oil on the leaves makes the insects like hispa and case worm to fall down from the crop on standing water and then drained out from the field.

Chopped Kola kachu (Colocasia esculenta, Black colocasia) and fresh cow dung are distributed in water in the field.

An anaerobic or poisonous condition is developed in rice microclimate, which kills the caseworm (Nymphula depunctalis) floating on the water surface.

Leaves of ‘Bihlongini’ (Polygonum hydropiper) or ‘Bihdhekia’ (Sphaerostiphnos unitus; wild fern) are incorporated into the soil of the growing crop.

Highly pungent leaves of wild fern act as repellant to the insects like stem borer.

Indigenous Traditional knowledge for controlling PathogensThe methods of controlling pests and diseases were indigenous in nature since farming

did not include the use of chemical pesticides or fertilizers (Talukdar et al., 2012). A new yeast bioagent Sporidiobolus pararoseus (KFY-1) was isolated from Kinnow fruit surface (Sharma et al., 2008b). This bioagent was found effective in controlling pre- and post-harvest rotting of Kinnow fruits (Sharma et al., 2008a; Gaur, 2009). Studies were conducted (2003-04 to 2005-06) for controlling citrus canker of Kinnow and foliar spray of talc based P. fluorescens @ 0.2 per cent during the month of February and August, twice in each month at 15 days interval was recommended for ecofriendly management of canker disease in Kinnow (Gaur and Sharma, 2010).

Some of disease control measures include:

Description of identified ITKs in Disease Control Rational behind the use of ITKsSpraying fresh cow dung suspension (1 kg raw cow dung in 10-12 L of water).

Cow dung suspension controls Bacterial Leave Blight (BLB) to some extent. Furtherthe crop is protected from cat the as because the cattle do not like to graze on cow dung treated crop.

Application of suspension of neem leaves and grinded seed mixed with soap and/or surf (detergent powder) and raw turmeric

The suspension so prepared produces disagreeable odor and reduces the chances of diseases (fungal and bacterial) occurrence and thus acts as a precautionary measure.

Dusting of wood ashes on the standing crop. Ashes check the spreading of infection of brown spot disease.

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Indigenous Traditional knowledge in Soil and Water Conservation

Expensive mechanized conservation methods, high labor requirements to carry out maintenance for which farmers do not have enough time, and top-down approaches resulted in the poor adoption of soil and water conservation technologies (Reij, 1991). On the other hand, indigenous methods for conserving soil and moisture are cost-effective (Sanghi and Kerr, 1991). Trees planted above and below crop fields decrease the intensity of soil erosion in Claveria, Philippines (Fujisaka, 1986). Farmers in the Indo-Gangetic plain break the soil crust by hoeing or plowing to renew gaseous exchange and to create soil mulch, thereby preventing wilting of crops (Randhawa, 1983). In case of Auroville, Pondicherry, India, new crops are planted before the harvesting of the standing crop (Jhunjunwala and Deshingkar, 1984). Farmers in eastern Uttar Pradesh state of India reclaim alkaline soils by applying large quantities of farmyard manure and water (Balasubramanian, 1987). The occurrence of Manjanathi, Indian mulberry trees (Morinda tinctoria) indicates high moisture content in the soil according to Tamil Nadu farmers (Selevanayagam, 1986).

Most farmers believed in rain drops impact on bare and steep gradient soils as the main causes for soil loss from their farm (Forch, 2003).Traditional practices in agriculture have relied on soil and water conservation techniques as in other Mediterranean and semi-arid areas (Altieri and Toledo, 2005). The landscape physiognomy has been modeled using agricultural terraces and water transport and storage infrastructures, called acequias and aljibes (Blondel et al., 2010). These strategies avoid rainfall limitations using snowmelt and have a positive effect on (1) biodiversity maintenance through broad leaf vegetation species, such as chestnuts (Castanea sativa), which have a great ecological value and genetic diversity; (2) microclimatic regulation; and (3) hydrological regulation (Pulido-Bosch and Ben Sbih, 1995). Broad leaf species create humid spots favoring ecosystems diversity and creating habitats for other species. When acequias have been lined or buried, the vegetation maintained through water infiltration had disappeared (Pulido-Bosch and Ben Sbih, 1995). These irrigation systems are governed by water users associations, whose functioning in Spain has been historically documented (Ostrom, 1990). Rout and Mohanty (2002) have reported that farmers of Koraput raise kharif potato along the slope to check soil erosion; and border cropping of niger for getting pure seed and as a security to main crop. In jute-fallow-rice rotation system of coastal Odisha, after harvesting of jute, farmers usually keep plants on their fields for about a week to allow partial drying and shedding off all leaves on the ground. At the time of land preparation and puddling fallen leaves are incorporated into the soil and the field is kept as such for a week before transplanting rice seedlings. Decomposed jute leaves contribute at least 10-20 kg of N per hectare depending upon the yield of jute crop (Muthuraman et al., 2009). Behura Sashikala et al. (2002) have reported that Kewda (Pandanus fascicularis L.) is widespread in the coastal regions of India and found to suit the best for wasteland utilization and development of rural economy in the state as it is commercially viable. It performes well

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on marginal, waste and saline land of coastal regions under rainfed situations. Past and current cultural agricultural practices continue to reduce the natural protection provided by vegetation cover subjecting land to severe soil erosion losses (Khisa et al., 2002).

Constraints associated with Indigenous Knowledge1. The transfer and use of information is constraint and error-prone since it has to be passed

orally and held in the heads of practitioner.2. While non-availability of material input was reported as a major problem in the adoption of

indigenous farm practices by a majority of small and medium farmers, non-availability of labor was a major problem to big farmers.

3. These practices, their intricacies and rationale are known to uneducated, aged people in villages. These practices are commonly found in remote villages and tribal tracts.

4. Scientists by and large have scant respect for the utility of such practices and scientific elite methods such as publication, seminar etc. are needed to create the awareness.

5. Travelling to remote places, staying there, documenting the details and publication require funds.

6. While the documentation can be conveniently made in local language, later translation into English and other regional languages is needed.

Steps taken by Government of India in order to ensure a unique platform for grassroots technological innovations and indigenous traditional knowledge1. Scouting and documentation of innovations: This requires extensive fieldwork, travel in

rural and urban areas, search for “odd balls” — the experimenters – and local community and knowledge experts in the society.

2. Knowledge dissemination: The entire effort of scouting and documentation leads to the development of a database of innovations and traditional knowledge aimed at building the electronic National Register. The process involves using various information technology and database applications for horizontal networking amongst innovators and traditional knowledge experts as well as other stakeholders.

3. Value addition and R&D: Most of the innovators and/or traditional knowledge experts need optimization in design and/or product formulation through blending with modern science and technology inputs. Market prospects for many innovations will be very low without proper value addition. Efficiency gains can be made by creating technology networks.

4. Business development and micro venture.5. Learning : Cross regional, peer-to-peer learning exchanges aimed at enhancing local capacity

to identify and apply indigenous/traditional knowledge and practices.

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Scope of Indigenous Traditional knowledge

1. New biological and ecological insight for Plant Protection2. Resource management3. Protected areas and conservation education4. Development planning5. Environment assessment

Along with soil and water related problems, incidences of insect-pest and diseases are going to be major problems in coming time, despite the efforts farmers have made in adopting some of the plant protection measures along with soil and water conservation technologies. Integrating plant protection measures in conjugation with soil conservation measures of the local people with the currently working farming systems can improve the indigenous knowledge system and thereby improving the relationship between indigenous knowledge systems with some modern/scientific/knowledge rather than totally forgetting the indigenous knowledge of the farmers. Subsequently, building upon indigenous knowledge systems will boast farmers’ self-reliance and feeling of empowerment as determinants of their own course towards an improved livelihood and sustainable land use. Indigenous knowledge is not yet fully utilized in the development processes. Conventional approaches imply that development processes always require technology transfer from locations that are perceived as more advanced. This has often led to overlooking the potential in local experiences and practices.

RefrencesAltieri, M.A., and V.M. Toledo. 2005. Natural resource management among small-scale farmers in semi-

arid lands: Building on traditional knowledge and agroecology. Annals of Arid Zone. 44: 365–385.

Balasubramanian, A. 1987. Microclimate and its Utilization in Farming. ILEIA Newsletter 3 (3): 9-12.

Behura, N.C., Dixit, L. and Parida, G.S. 2002. Efficacy of vaira (Heterofragma roxburghii) root extract in control of ticks in cattle. Abstracts of International Seminar on Traditional Knowledge-Health and Environment. Held at OUAT, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India from 23 to 24 February. pp.126.

Blondel, J., Aronson, J.,Bodiou, J.Y. and Boeuf, G. 2010. The Mediterranean Region Biological Diversity in Space and Time. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Das P., Das, S.K., Arya, H.P.S., Singh, R.P., Mishra, A., Bujarbaruah, K.M., Reddy, G.S., Verma, L.R., Rani, M.G., Gupta, H.S., Satpaty, C. and Kavia, Z.D. 2002. Crops and cropping system (Chapter 6), pp 49-108. In: Inventory of Indigenous Technical Knowledge in Agriculture. Mission mode project on collection, documentation and validation of Indigenous Technical Knowledge Document-2, Published by Director DIPA ICAR, Krishi Anusandhan Bhavan, Pusa, New Delhi.

Forch, W. 2003. Case Study: The Agricultural System of the Konso in South Western Ethiopia FWU Water Resources Publications 2003:1.

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Fujisaka, S. 1986. Participation by Farmers, Researchers, and Extension Workers in Soil Conservation.IIED Gatekeeper Series No. 16. London: International Institute of Environment and Development.

Gaur, R.B. 2009. Studies on physiological and pathological induced fruit dropping, post-harvest fruitdecay and biochemical changes in kinnow fruits (Citrus deliciosa Ten.) in relation to pre- harvest spray scheduling. Final report of the Project submitted underNational Horticulture Mission, Govt. of Rajsthan, Jaipur. pp. 1-73.

Gaur, R.B. and Sharma, R.N. 2010. Prevalence of canker in Kinnow (Citrus deliciosa Ten.) and its management. Indian Phytopathology. 63: 345-347.

Gete Z., and Hurni, H. 2001. Implications of Land Use and Land Cover Dynamics for Mountain Resource Degradation in the Northwestern Ethiopian Highlands: Journal of Mountain Research and Development, 22,184-191.

Jhunjunwala, A. and Deshingkar, P. 1984. Organic Farming Method in Wardha as cited in Gupta, Anil, JyotiCapoor and Rekha Shah. 1990. Inventory of Peasant Innovations for Sustainable Development: An Annotated bibliography. Ahmedabad, India: Center for Management in Agriculture: Indian Institute of Management.

Khisa P., Gachene, C.K., Karanja, N.K. and Mureithi, J.G. 2002. The effect of post harvest crop cover on soil erosion in a maize-legume based cropping system in Gatanga, Kenya. Journal of Agriculture in the Tropics and Subtropics. 103: 17-28.

Kolawole, O.D. 2001.Local Knowledge Utilization and Sustainable Development in 21st Century, Indigenous Knowledge and Development Monitor. 9-3 (4), Nov 2001.

Mishra, K.N. 1989. Growing Up With Indigenous Knowledge in North India, CIKARD News, 2(2): 2-3.

Mohapatra, B. 2013.Strategy for incorporation of indigenous knowledge in research and extension network. Indigenous agricultural practices farmers€ recent innovations and low cost technologies of odisha PP: 44-46.

Munyakho, D. 1994. Taking Rural Traditions into Account. African Farmer. 13, New york.

Muthuraman, P., Meera, S.N., Latha, P.C., Nirmala, B., Mangal S. and Viraktamath, B.C. 2009. Indigenous Technical Knowledge in Rice Cultivation Tchnical Bulletin Number ƒ 44, Directorate of Rice Research (ICAR), Hyderabad, India. 49pp.

Ngwasiri, D.N. 1995. Knowledge is of Two Kinds. SPORE, CTA Bulletin.

Ostrom, E. 1990.Governing the Commons: The Evolution of Institutions for Collective Action. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Osunade, M.A.A. 1992. Identification of Crop Soils by Small Farmers of South-Western Nigeria.Environmental Management, 35.

Pulido-Bosch, A., and Ben Sbih, Y. 1995.Centuries of artificial recharge on the southern edge of the Sierra Nevada (Granada, Spain). Environmental Geology. 26: 57–63.

Ramanjaneyulu, G.V., Chari, M.S., Raghunath, T.A.V.S., Hussain, Z. and Kuruganti, K. 2008. Non pesticidal management: Learning from field experiences. Chapter-19. pp. 157-178. In: Venkateswarlu

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B, Ballolli SS and Ramakrishna YS. Organic farming in Rainfed agriculture: Opportunities and constraints, Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture, Hyderabad, pp. 185.

Ramanjaneyulu, G.V., Kuruganti, K., Hussain, Z. and Madhav, V. 2004. No pesticides, no pests. Centre for Sustainable Agriculture, Secunderabad, India.

Randhawa, M.S. 1983. A History of Agriculture in India. New Delhi, India: Indian Council of Agricultural Research.

Reij, C. 1991. Indigenous Soil and Water Conservation in Africa.IIED Gatekeeper Series No.27. London: International Institute of Environment and Development.

Reijntjes, C. 2004.Bridging local knowledge and global science, COMPAS Magazine, pp 41-43, Sept, 2004.

Roling, N. and Seegers, T. 1991.Fitting AKIS to the Technology. In: Campilan, D.M. Sustainable Agriculture - A Knowledge Systems View Paper presented at the International Symposium on Indigenous Knowledge and Development, September 20-26, IIRR, Silang Cavite, Philippines.

Rout, S.K. and Mohanty, B.K. 2002.Traditional Wisdom of tribal farmers on agromanagement practices. Abstracts of International Seminar on Traditional Knowledge-Health and Environment. Held at OUAT, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India from 23 to 24 February. pp.74.

Samal,P.K, Dhyaani, P.P, Dollo, M. 2010.Indigenous medicinal practices of Bhotia tribal community in Indian Central Himalaya, Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge. 9(1), pp 140-144.

Sanghi, N.K. and J. Kerr. 1991. The Logic of Recommended and Indigenous Soil and Moisture Conservation Practices. Paper presented at the Workshop on Farmers’ Practices and Soil and Water Conservation Programmes held at ICRISAT, Patencheru, India, June 19-21, 1991.

Selevanayagam, M. 1986. Techno-Cultural Profile of Dryland Fanning.Unpublished M.Sc.(Ag) Thesis. Coimbatore, India: Tamil Nadu Agricultural University.

Sharma, R.N., Maharshi, R.P. and Gaur, R.B. 2008a. Biocontrol of core rot in kinnow fruits withbioagents including an unrecorded genus of yeast (Sporidiobolus pararoseus). Journal of Mycology and Plant Pathology. 38: 211-215.

Sindiga, I. 1995. Indigenous Knowledge and Gender – Differentiated Health Care Programmes in Kenya. IKDM, 3, Issue 1.

Tabin, D. and Singh, M.K. 2008. Effect of common salt and 2, 4-D Na salt application on weed growth and yield of upland direct seeded paddy. Oryza. 45: 296-299.

Talukdar, R.K., Barman, S. and Hussain, A. 2012. Documentation and perceived rationale of Indigenous Technical Knowledge (ITK) utilized in Boro rice cultivation by farmers of Kamrup District of Assam. J. Acad. Indus. Res. Vol. 1(7), pp: 412-418.

Warren, D.M. 1992. A Preliminary Analysis of Indigenous soil Classification and Management Systems in Four Ecozones of Nigeria. NISER, Nigeria.

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Indigenous technical knowledge (ITK) is the local knowledge that is unique to a given culture or society. The ITK contrasts with the international knowledge system generated by universities, research institutions and private firms. It is the basis for local level decision making in agriculture, healthcare, food preparation, education, natural resource management and a host of other activities in rural communities (Warren, 1991). Indigenous knowledge is the information base for a society communication and decision making, indigenous information system are dynamic and are continually influenced by internal creativity and experimentation as well as by contact with external system. These are unique, traditional and local knowledge existing within and developed around the specific conditions of men and women indigenous to a particular geographic area (Grenier, 1998). The ITK could be characterized in the following way.

• Locally bound, indigenous to a specific area• Culture and context specific• Non-formal knowledge• Orally transmitted and generally not documented• Dynamic and adaptive • Holistic in nature• Closely related to survival and subsistence for many people worldwide

Characteristics of ITK• It is based on experience and local knowledge acquired from observation over time. It is

therefore, often argued that it may be most useful for local scale decision making.• It shows an understanding of the complex relationships between the individual components

and the dynamic ecosystems within which they act.



Indigenous Technical Knowledge in Agriculture

P K Yadav, M Husain, P Kumar, R Singh and R N Padaria Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi

CHAPTER 3

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• ITK often describes the symbiotic relationship and provides the basis for life sustaining decisions about how to relate to the environment.

• Sustainability, cultural survival and ITK are related through social organization, human interaction, institutional arrangements, values and moral codes of conduct.

• This is reflected in the belief of many indigenous people that they were put on the earth to care of the land, if they destroy it then themselves are destroyed.

Sources of ITK

The following are the major sources of ITK.

• Farmers, community members, especially elders, are the best sources of ITK. But, since ITK is unevenly distributed in communities, it is important to find out who knows what in order to tap the right sources. Otherwise, data will not truly reflect ITK in the community. For example, asking men about garden plants when women are in charge of home gardens might lead you to conclude that villagers know little about gardening.

• Folklore, songs, poetry and theatre can reveal a great deal about people’s values, history and practices. These are often not written down and need to be recorded.

• Although ITK is mostly transmitted by word of mouth, some indigenous forms or record keeping exists. These community records include writings, painting and carvings.

• People working with communities such as extensionists can be valuable sources of ITK. Other resource persons are local school headmaster, co-operative society officials, village milk operative members, and village Panchayat Sarpanch.

• Secondary sources include published and unpublished documents, databases, videos, photos, museums and exhibits.


Various common ITKs are presented below according to their applications.

Crop Protection

• Application of cow dung cake/wood ash as top dressing provides pest resistance and better germination.

• Intercropping of brinjal with chilly (20-25 brinjal plants/3-4 chilly plants) and dusting of wood ash checks insect pests of brinjal.

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• Spray of boiled leaves of neem (4-5 kg in 10 L water) for 2-3 times in a season safeguards the crops from major pests especially Helicoverpa at larval stage.

• Spray of cow urine and pure desi ghee controls Helicoverpa at larval stage in cotton crop during bud formation. The spray formulation is prepared by taking 20 mL cow urine, 30 mL desi ghee and 12 L of water.

• 2-3 sprays of cow urine (50 mL) + cowdung (20 g) + wood ash (40 g) in 15 L of water during bud formation check aphids and jassids in cotton.

• Storage of harvested jowar is done by digging a pit underground and keeping the produce with dry neem leaves. The pit is then made air tight with mud and left for drying in Sun. This storage can be safely done for two years and the produce remains free from pests.

• Spray of castor seed oil and then making it air-tight help safe storage of wheat in a small go-down/room.

• Rodents in the fields can be checked by inserting 10-12 inches long fresh pieces of stem of Parsara tree into the holes. The taste and smell of the inserted tree pieces repel the rodents.

• Use of cow dung and kerosene control termites in sugarcane and rainfed situation.

• Use of light trap in field at night controls insects.

Soil Preparation

• Summer cultivation controls pests by destroying the habitat of pests. It also helps in better absorption and retention of water in the ensuing rainy season.

• Deep plowing improves water availability by destroying hard pan beneath soil surface and allowing downward and upward movement of water in soil profile.

Seed Materials

• Local varieties, though low yielder, are highly adoptable in the local environment and resistant to pest.

• Hot water treatment kills pathogens and insects on seed surface.

• Salt water treatment separates healthy seed.

• Treatment with cow dung slurry in cotton helps in nutrient supply and initial growth.

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Time of Sowing

• In a rainfed situation dry sowing prior to rainfall helps in uniform and early germination of seeds of crops such as jowar and bajra.

• Soaking of seeds in water for 24 hours helps in good germination.

• During rabi season, the feel of the temperature from the handle of the plough gives a reasonable good indication of proper sowing time for oil seeds and pulses.

Irrigation

• Initial deep cultivation helps in percolation of water and nutrients in to deeper soil layers and their upward movement when needed by the plants.

• Inter-cultivation in widely spaced crops sown in rows helps the moisture conservation and aeration for efficient use of soil moisture.

• Straw-mulch is useful to preserve the moisture in rainfed situation for its efficient utilization.

• Village ponds, bauries and wells are excellent reservoirs of rain water for irrigating agricultural fields.

Fertilizer use

The following are the good practices for nutrient supplementation in agriculture:

• FYM, cow dung, oil-cakes, poultry and piggery manures.

• Recycling of organic waste.

• Dry leaves from the forest area.

• Straw-mulch.

• Inclusion of legume in cropping system.

Weed control

• Adopting cropping system with change of crops controls weeds.

• Hand weeding and inter-cultivation check growing flush of weeds.

• Use of straw-mulch or soil mulch helps in controlling weeds.

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• Hot water cultivation and deep plowing control perennial weed like motha, ruse and kateli.

Harvesting and Threshing

• Maturity of grains of cereals and legumes can be found out by putting few grains into the mouth for sensing the hardness.

• Bending of heads is the indication of initiation of maturity in most grains crops.

• Bone drying of stem and leaves is an indication of final maturity, if it is not due to diseases and the pest damage.

• After harvesting, the crop may be left lying in the field for 2-3 days before final staking or threshing.

Storage of Grain Crops

• Complete drying of the threshing grains for 2-3 days in sun before packing or putting into storage.

• Mixing of dried neem leaves in the produce for storage in the bins and also use of dried neem leaves at the bottom and side walls of the bins keeps the produce free of pests.

• Fortification of fodders with urea, grain concentrates and molasses for preparation of fodder blocks is good for animal nutrition.

Conclusion

The agricultural development process should interacts and cognizance of the ITKs. When designing and implementing agricultural development programmes, three scenarios can emerge. The development strategy relies entirely or substantially on indigenous technical knowledge, overrides on indigenous technical knowledge or incorporates indigenous technical knowledge. Amalgamation of ITK and modern scientific knowledge would be most promising for adaptation to climate change. Efforts should be made to document and validate such knowledge, which is useful for sustainable, climate resilient agriculture.

References

Ahuja U, Thakrar R and Ahuja SC. 2005. Agriculture in traditional wisdom of Haryana. Asian Agri-Histroy 9: 129- 146.

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Das P et al. 2003. Inventory of indigenous Technical Knowledge, Volumes: 1- 4, Mission Mode Project on Collection, Documentation and Validation of Indigenous Technical Knowledge. Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi.

Granier L 1998. working with indigenous knowledge: A guide fopr researchers. IRDC, Canada.

Gupta A, and Patel K 1997. A survey of Grassroots Innovations, part XIN Honey Bee 8 (2) 13-15.

Narayanasami P 2006. Traditional Knowledge of Tribals in Crop Protection. Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge. 5: 64-70.

Warren DM 1991. Using Indigenous Knowledge for Agricultural Development. World Bank Discussion paper. 127.

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Indigenous Technical Knowledge (ITK) is the actual knowledge of a given population that reflects the experiences based on tradition and includes more recent experiences with modern technologies. ITK is not only economic but also locally feasible. ITK covers a wide range of subjects which are plant Protection, crop production, live stock rearing, natural resource management and other related topics. There are several sources of ITK such as farmers, community members, folklore, published and unpublished documents by extension workers, database videos and exhibits. The Krishi Vigyan Kendra is using different tools of participatory rural appraisal (PRA) survey technique for collection of ITK’s, the different characteristics of ITK such as minimum risk factor, optimum utility of local resources, environmentally healthy, fits to local farming system and easily available and understandable.

Scientist of Krishi Vigyan Kendra must try to learn to systematize and incorporate the farmers knowledge into practice before this wealth of practical knowledge is lost forever. Hence Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Solapur gives special attention to document the ITKs related to plant protection for solving the problems of farmers by using local resources with conservation of environment. Farmers expressed that by to the use of various plant extracts and organic material they managed different pest and diseases of plants and could also improve the quality of fruits by minimizing the cost. Now a day’s hi-tech vegetable growers realized the importance of ITKs and started use of this traditional wisdom in their field. Vegetable and fruit growers also fine tuning this traditional technique according to their knowledge, experience, perception and obtained results to their users.

Key words: Indigenous technical knowledge, Participatory Rural Appraisal

Every society has knowledge stock generated within socio-cultural system in order to solve problems unique to it. Indigenous Technical Knowledge (ITK) is the knowledge that people in a



Indigenous technical knowledge known to the farmers of Solapur district

P A Gonjari, L R Tambade and S P JavalageAgricultural Technology Application Research Institute, Zone V, Hyderabad

CHAPTER 4

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given community have developed over the period and continues to develop it. Such indigenous knowledge is not only economic but also locally feasible. It is based on experience, often tested over long period of use, adapted to local culture and environment, dynamic and changing, and lay emphasis on minimizing risk rather than maximizing profits. ITK covers a wide range of subjects i.e. crop production, livestock rearing, natural resource management, food preservation, health care, plant protection and many other topics. The subject of plant protection is one of the major important issues from the farmer’s perspective. Hence the KVK, Solapur were engaged in the collection/documented of such traditional wisdom, which often are tested over a long period of use and adapted to local culture and environment.

Indigenous knowledge so developed is based on necessities, experimentation, curiosity and observation of ethnic groups to mitigate the immediate situational problems. Location and culture specific cost effective locally manageable and sustainable judicious application of plant and animal product, either in raw or simple processed forms, are important components of indigenous knowledge system (Tarat et al., 2002, Chhetry and Belbahri, 2009).

The use of non-chemical methods for pest control and crop protection is already gaining importance in several countries including India. The integrated pest management strategies developed and promoted by the Governments is now based on the use of plants extracts. If an effort is made towards production of Indigenous Technical Knowledge (ITK) based products on cottage scale it can be an economically viable option for sustainable development of eco-friendly pesticides/insecticides.

Solapur district of Maharashtra state lies between 170 10 to 180 32 North latitude and between 740 42 to 760 15 East longitude. District falls into two distinct agro-climatic zones. It receives a annual average rainfall of 545.4 mm./year in 40-45 days.

The information of Indigenous Technical Knowledge (ITK) based technologies were collected through PRA surveys. After getting the information of about ITKs, KVK scientist had made frequent visits and thorough discussion with local resource person. The information was documented in the prescribed formats. KVK focal villages were selected for the period of three years for implementation of KVK mandatory activities. The collected information was updated from time to time. The documentation includes collection of information evolved to mitigate the problem of pest and diseases under local situation.

I. Dashparni Arc (Ten plant parts extract)

Introduction: It is a ten plant leaves extract mixed and fermented with cow urine and cow dung. Vegetable and grape growers in Solapur district are using the extract of leaves of various different plants for the spraying on the crop to control major pest and diseases. The ten different plants are as follows:

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Sl. No. Local Name Botanical Name

1. Mahananda Ipomoea carnea

2. Dhatura Datura stramonium Linn.

3. Gulvel Tinospora cordifolia

4. Nirgundi Vitex negunda Linn.

5. Sitaphal Annona squamosa Linn.

6. Neem Azadiracta indica

7. Castor Ricinus communis Linn.

8. Kanher Nerium oleander Linn.

9. Tantani Lantana camara

10. Papaya Carica papaya Linn.

Procedure of Darshparni arc preparation

Collect 2 kg tender green leaves of the above ten plants. Crush the leaves and mixed it into 5 liter of cow urine, 5 kg cow dung in 100 liters of water. The above material kept in covered tank up to 21 days for fermentation. After 21 days, use it as a stock solution after sieving. Use this fermented solution @ 5 ml./liter of water for better results. That arc can be used up to six months from the date of its preparation.

Dashparni arc could be used for spraying at 10 days interval. Majority sucking pest are very well managed along with the greenness of leaves, healthiness of plant and majority of diseases and pest can be very well managed. It is the observation of the common farmer. This local technology is spreading very fast due to its good result. The exporters also preferred the produce of organically cultivated grape orchards. Farmers expressed that due to the use of “Dashparni arc” the fruit quality is improved and it reduced the cost of plant protection measures.

Farmers experiences

The vegetable and Grape growers were using this practice for keeping the crops free from the sucking pest like thrips, jassids and white flies. Also it helps in making plant healthy by vigorous growth. Now a day capsicum growers are using this Dashparni arc in refined form with addition of turmeric powder, ginger and other material.

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II. PEV: Pest free grain storage structure

Before 1980’s, the sorghum growers of South Solapur tehsil were using the underground round shape pit for the storage of grains locally called it as a ‘Pev’. The diameter of this Pev was around 8 to 10 ft. with the depth of 20 -25 ft. This pit was covered inside with the dry fodder of sorghum. The capacity of such structure was up to 10 tonnes (100 gunny bags).

The opening of this pit was again covered with dry fodder of sorghum and was covered with large stones. These stones, kept at the opening of the structure, again was covered with soil so as to make an elevation to avoid water leakage inside. When the farmers want to take grains from the structure, first they have to test the level of oxygen by keeping the lamp inside a bucket. If the lamp gets off then it is the indicator of shortage of oxygen which leads to wait for some time. The grains kept in the Pev remains free from any pest, because of absence of oxygen inside. During heavy rains in low lying area, there are slight chances of moisture seepage inside the stored grains. Now a days these structures were very rarely used as farmers sell their produce in the market immediately or store in gunny bags in the house.

Table 1 : Indigenous Technology Knowledge Known to the Farmers of Solapur District

Sr. No.

ITK used/Practiced Time of Application

Purpose Effect (Farmers Experience)

1. Turmeric (Curcuma longa) powder 100 gm + indigenous cow urine 1.5 liter + Water 100 liter

Cloudy weather

To manage powdery mildew of vegetables and fruit crops

70-80% vegetable and fruit crops are free from powdery mildew attack

2. Indigenous cow dung 5 kg + Indigenous cow urine 1.5 liter + Water 100 liter

Fifteen days interval from sprouting to harvesting

To manage mealy bugs on custard apple and other crops

80-90% crops are observed to be mealy bug free.

3. Neem (Azadiracta) leaves 5 kg + 100 kg grains (cereals/pulses)

Grain storage stage

Pest free grains storage

Grains are free from pest at least for a year.

4. Allium sativum (garlic) 4 kg + Kerosene 0.5 liter + onion (Allium cepa) crush 2 kg + green chilli crush 2 kg + tobacco 1 kg + Water 6 liter stain it and add Asfoetida (Hing). (consider the above solution as stock solution ) Dose:15 ml/liter water

First spray can be taken 30 days after transplanting (DAT). Remai-ning two sprays can be taken 45 and 60 DAT

For managing of shoot and fruit borer pest of brinjal.

This spray can be taken as preventive major in brinjal crop.

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5. Indigenous cow urine 15-20 liter + Indigenous cow dung 1.5-2 kg + 10 kg NSKE + water 200 liter (Procedure: Mix all ingredients properly and keep in shade covering with gunny bags for 48 hours, stain the mixture, consider this water as a stock solution. Dose: 6 to 10 liter solution in 200 liters of water for on acre area.

All stages of crop

To manage sucking pest viz. aphids, jassids, thrips and white flies and first instar larva.

If the prevention sprays are taken then crop remains free from sucking pest, but IInd, IIIrd

and IVth instars larve not killed.

6. Wood and cow dung ash. Mix in grains during storage of pulses

To manage store grain pest viz. Pulse beetle.

Stored pulses remains free from pulse beetle.

7. Indigenous cow urine 15-20 liter + crushed Azadiracta indica (Neem) 2 kg leaves with branches 2 kg + crushed 1.5-2 kg Pongamia pinnata Linn. (Karanj) leaves + crushed 1.5-2 kg leaves of Annona (Sitafal) + Crushed 1.5-2 kg leaves of Recinus communis Linn (castor) + crushed 2 kg leaves of Datura stramonium Linn. (Procedure: Mix all ingredients thoroughly and boil it 4 times, cool it for next 25 hours, cover it with gunny bags. This stock solution can be used for next six months. Dose: 5 liter for 200 liter water.

Pod formation stage

To manage pod borer in chick pea and pigeon pea.

All instars of larvae can be managed

8. Indigenous cow urine 15-20 liter + crushed leaves of Azadiracta indica (Neem) 1.5-2 kg + Nicotiana spp 500 gm + crushed green chilli 500 gm + garlic pest 250 gms. (Procedure: Mix all ingredients properly and boil it for 4 times and cool it stain the solution. Dose: 6 to 10 liter in 200 liter of water to spray on 1 acre area.

Flowering and pod formation stage

To manage pod borer (Helicoverpa armigera) in chick pea and pigeon pea.

To control all instars of larvae.

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Conclusion

The documentation of ITKs showed the time richness of the traditional knowledge for plant protection. ITKs collected by KVK are cheaper, locally available, cost effective and easily accepted by the farmers. Though the ITKs practiced by the farmers are effective, but need to be validated scientifically along with identification of active ingredients in the material used. The use of ITK will help to reducing the load of insecticides on the ecosystem. The ITKs will be useful for Researcher, Planner and extention personnels.

ReferencesChamanlal and L. R. Verma 2006. use of certain bio-products for insect pest control, Indian Journal of

Traditional knowledge. Vol. V(1), Jan., 2006, pp:79-82.

Chhetry, G.K.N. and Belbahri, L. 2009. Indigenous pest and disease management practices in traditional farming systems in north east India, A review J. Plan Breeding crop Sci. 1(3):28-38.

Talukdar R. K. and S. Barman 2012. Documentation and perceived rationale of Indigenous Technical Knowledge (ITK) utilized in Boro rice cultivation by farmers of Kamrup district of Assam, J. Acad. Res. Vol. I (7), pp. 412-418.

K.S. SomaShekhar and B.S. Lalitha. 2015. Indigenous Technological Knowledge in Agriculture in different zones of Karnataka for environment sustainability, International Journal of basic and applied Biology. Vol. 2(4), Jan-March, 2015, pp.202-204.

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India, being a country with most ancient civilization in its history, occupies an unique position in the world for possessing a treasure house of Indigenous Technical Knowledge (ITK). Rice, the major cereal crop of the country, nurishes more than 60 per cent of the population and accomodates several ITKs for rice pest management encompassing the skills, experiences and insights of rural and tribal India. The vast tribal areas, spreading in the forest and hilly territories of the country, have virgin farming lands that are unexploited by modern agricultural technologies of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Hence, it provides us with the most nutritious and chemical-free agricultural products to which the modern world is renaming as ‘Organic products’. However, inspite of being the torch bearer of such wisdom, they do not have enough food security due to their lack of awareness in crop related problems and efficient technique for exploiting natural resources in increasing rice production.

Indigenous Tehnical Knowledge are proven technologies of several generations which ensure safety to the environment. The rural and tribal people of eastern India are very rich in different ITKs which they use in their day-to-day life. Their knowledge on plant-based ITKs for pest management is gaining importance for producing pesticide free quality rice and gradually opening a new vista for safe and successful pest management system. More than 20 plant based ITKs have been identified from eastern India, involving plants such as neem, karanja, water pepper, wild sugarcane, kochila, parasi, mahua, sal, tobacco, garlic, harida, begunia etc.

Neem as a pesticide, has also been evolved from the existing ITKs which has now gained world-wide attention. Besides neem, several plant based ITKs have been validated scientifically for their effectiveness against different insect pests of rice. The effective plants found are – Neem (Azadirachta indica), Karanja (Pongamia pinnata), Water pepper (Polygonum hydropiper), Parasi (Cleistanthus collinus), Wild sugarcane (Saccharum spontaneum) and Kochila



Prospect of Rice Pest Management in Eastern India through ITK – A Tribal Farming System Approach

Mayabini Jena and T K DangarICAR-National Rice Research Institute, Cuttack

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(Strychnos nux-vomica). More plants have already been indentified and are under the progress of validation.

Development of easy handling and application methods can help in popularizing botanical based ITKs. Research work carried out at the Central Rice Research Institute, Cuttack, revealed the farmer’s friendly approach for effective use of many botanicals. But the efficacy depends upon the life stages of insects which differ in their response. The effectiveness also differs with the time of occurrence of the pest and the ecosystem in which it occurs. Weather conditions have some effect on increasing or lowering the efficacy. So, before using botanical-based ITKs for pest management in rice, one should have adequate knowledge on the biology of different insect pests and their mode of infestation.

Use of botanical-based ITK is an important component in the integrated pest management (IPM) system of rice. Chemical pesticides, though comparatively more effective, are highly polluting to environment and injurious to human health. Therefore, they are opted as the last resort in the Integrated pest management system only when other control measures fail. Botanicals are natural pesticides and they are found compatible in the IPM programme of different crops. As per the severity of insect pests in different rice ecosystems, use of these ITKs can be planned for successful management of both diseases and pests.

Case studies on ITK

Case Studies were carried out on validation of botanical based ITKs for rice pest management under DST project, SEED division (TSP) during the years 2007-2011. The ITKs were included in biointensive IPM Package as a holistic approach and were validated in tribal area of bunded upland and low land. The ITKs found effective, were further validated against rice pests in favourable rainfed shallow lowland and coastal unfavourable low land of Odisha and their efficacy was ascertained.

Implementation in Tribal area

Eastern India possesses vast tribal areas towards hill ranges with mostly bunded upland rice situation and lowlying areas towards sea coast and river. Field experimentation in the tribal area of Nilgiri block, Baleswar district, Odisha revealed that suitable modification in their botanical (ITK) application with proper dose and timing significantly reduced the pest load with increase in rice yield.

Since this area is rich in Neem, Karanja, Kochila, Parasi, wild sugarcane, water pepper, Mahua (Madhuca indica), Haritaki (Terminalia chebula) and many other botanical resources of the Ajodhya reserved forest that encircles the area, the tribal women (Santhals) of the locality collect Neem and Karanja seeds and extract oil as part of their traditional business. The male

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Prospect of Rice Pest Management in Eastern India through ITK–A Tribal Farming System Approach

farmers follow the ITKs of broadcasting Karanja and Neem cakes, Parasi leaves, Parasi branch, Haritaki fruit, 2-3 years-old Mahua flowers in their rice field for the control of insects. Implementing ITKs such as fixing shoot of wild sugarcane for case worm, preparing and using Kochila seed compost for stem borers, foliar spray of Neem and Karanja oil for surface dwellers of rice such as BPH, WBPH, leaf folder, case worm etc., preparation of bio-compost of available seeds and leaves of above botanicals with cowdung or soil has increased their option for pest management and has increased the grain yield in naveen variety towards 3rd year of botanical application in bunded upland areas against ruling variety Swarna.

Effect of botanical based ITKs on earthworm population as well as beneficial soil microbes was studied and found to be compatible. Particularly, the effect of C. collinus leaf, Karanja and Neem cake on plant growth was encouraging.

The IPM package in tribal area included ITK-based botanical application with proper variety selection according to the rice ecosystem and judicious use of fertilizer including bio-compost based on above botanicals and farm yard manure. No cost was involved for botanicals procurement and when the farmer contributed self-labour which is a common phenomenon in tribal area.

Validation in unfavourable lowland

The coastal unfavourable lowland ecology does not provide any feasible option to rice farmers to use pesticides due to the increasing water level in wet season rice. The important pests like yellow stem borer, caseworm and algal pest, Chara sp. are of common occurrence. Trials conducted at low lying rice ecology of Erasama block of Jagatsinghpur district revealed that bio-intensive IPM package including pheromone trap fixation, Parasi leaf application, wild sugarcane shoot fixation and need-based application of neem oil for any surface dweller of rice could provide successful management opportunity of rice pests in this ecology. The yield increase was about 2.9 to 3.0 times than untreated plots.

Validation in irrigated ecosystem IPM

Trials conducted in irrigated areas of Pipili block of Puri district, Odisha which receives maximum chemical pesticide treatment. Farmers’ Practice included about 2 granular application and 3-4 foliar spray of insecticide without proper monitoring of the pest. The IPM package included fixation of pheromone trap @ 20 traps/ha, ITK-based botanicals such as application of coarse seed powder of Neem/Karanja/Kochila at 50 DAT and at PI stage and need based application of Neem oil as foliar spray for the control of sucking and leaf eating pests. The treatments kept the pest population below the ETL level with an yield advantage of 14.56 per cent. Pest incidences became gradually lower towards the 3rd year of botanical

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treatments revealing its long term effect in large scale application with reduction of at least 3 insecticide application.

ITK-based botanicals in organic rice cultivation – an opportunity

Indigenous technical knowledge not only provides safe pest management tools to rice farming, but also opens up new opportunities for organic rice cultivation. It plays an important role in scented rice IPM which are grown both in non-organic and organic condition. It involves low or no cost for small or marginal farmers. But it is necessary to bring about suitable modifications of the traditional knowledges for better efficacy. Large scale planting of such ITK-based plants is to be encouraged to ensure their easy availability to rice farmers.

Precautionary measures for popularizing the use of botanical-based ITKs

Appropriate time of application as well as exact dose of botanical-based ITKs play an important role in controlling particular insect pest. The application of perfect formulations are equally important to get better results. Areas already having the source of botanicals make the botanical based IPM system more viable and convenient to adopt. So, these areas can be identified for back-up and demonstration to farmers. Preparation of botanical formulations with farmer’s participation can make the application easier and effective. Community approach for botanical based pest management system will be able to provide a safe and cost effective management strategy to rice farmers. Large scale plantation of botanicals through farmer’s participation can change the pest management strategy from chemical to botanical pesticides.

Conclusion

Botanical-based ITKs are still in use in many parts of our country. These are regarded as the valuable wealth of India and many ITKs have been documented and validated during the last decade with utmost sincereity. In the present scenario of increasing pollution and health hazards by chemical pesticides, the existing botanical-based ITKs can form a powerful tool to combat the complex insect pest situation of rice without damaging the environment and human health. The past experiences with present efforts combined with suitable modification will certainly enable the researchers as well as farmers to revive the valuable indigenous technologies existing in our country so that selective, diverse, economic and environmentally acceptable plant products can be used for successful management of insect pests in rice.

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Indigenous Knowledge (ITK) is the unique, traditional, local knowledge existing among and developed around the specific conditions of society indigenous to a particular geographic area. North East (NE) region of India is blessed with strong cultural, social and tradition knowledge base which is the most invaluable resource of this region. The use of the abundant biological resources found in the region depends upon the many ethnic tribes inhabiting it (Prakash et al., 2014). Through ages of living in the lap of nature, the local inhabitants have gathered a vast treasure trove of knowledge on the use of flora and fauna to meet the requirements and necessity of daily life. Unconventional food source and the practice of traditional medicine using plants are quite common in the entire north east region (Mao et al., 2009). Food cultivation system and practices in the north east region are different and have many unique features like the jhum farming or shifting cultivation. It has its own advantages, disadvantages and complexities which distinguishes it from agriculture in the mainland region of the country. Hence, agriculture in the north east region of India is said to be complex, diverse and risk prone (Vision 2030, ICAR-RC- NEH Region). To overcome such challenges, farmers have developed and devised many strategies and methods to grow food and ensure food security. Farmers of NE India in general and Manipur in particular have long been practicing a plethora of ITK practices which has been transferred from generation to generation. Today, population growth is occurring at a rate that cannot be sustained with the earlier system of food production. Urbanization is fast catching up in the region and the younger generation aspire to live urbanized life, different from that lived by their ancestors. There is a strong urgency to document and validate ITK before it gets lost with time. If precious traditional knowledge garnered over the ages is lost in such a way, then it would be a huge loss for mankind.



Use of Indigenous Biocultural Knowledge as Folk Measures for Plant Protection in Manipur

N Prakash, N Ajitkumar Singh, S K Sharma, M A Ansari, S S Roy, Arati Ningombam and S V Ngachan1

ICAR-Research Complex for NEH Region, Manipur Centre, Lamphelpat, Imphal 1ICAR-Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam, Meghlaya

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In last few years we have recorded and validated a few ITKs in context to plant protection practiced by the farmers of Manipur (tribals in hills and valley). Artemisia parviflora, a plant species commonly grown in Manipur is being used by the people of Tangkhul community in Ukhrul district of Manipur to protect the crops from insect pests in field and storage. Dried branches/leaves of A. parviflora mixed with potato tuber seeds, which effectively controls the storage insect pests and post-harvest pathogens. The leaves of A. nilagrica are also used by the valley farmers among the Meiteis to protect against storage pests by mixing with the grains. Its fresh leaves/branches/whole plant is put in and around the paddy field to reduce the insect pest incidence.

Clerodendrum serratum is also another plant which finds similar use among the farmers of the state. Parts of the plant or entire plant is uprooted and planted on the field bunds as bird perches around the paddy fields. This provides a firm support where birds can perch and prey upon caterpillars and adults insects thereby encouraging natural control of insect pest. C. viscosum twigs were also placed randomly in the infested fields to protect against rice gundhi bug (Bhattacharjee and Ray, 2010). Farmers of the valley release ducks into paddy fields or rear them in the vicinity of rice fields during vegetative stage. Ducks feed on the insects found among the rice plants and also feed on rice case worms floating on the water hidden in their cases. Such kind of pest management act by enhancing the natural biological control already existing in the ecosystem. Nishinda plant twigs (Vitex negundo L.) are also placed in rice fields to protect against rice hispa (Dicladispa armigera).

Rice gundhi bug is one of the major pests of rice infesting the plant during the milky stage of grain filling.Utongthangmei (Hollow bamboo torch) are placed in the four corners of rice fields and rags are burnt to control gundhi bug. Farmers place rotten crabs to manage the gundhi bug in paddy fields, which effectively reduce the incidence of this insect. The smell of the rotten crab acts as attractants to the bugs and it is used to lure them to the trap. This ITK has been further validated and refined at ICAR-Research Complex for North East Hill Region, Umiam and is now in recommended package of practices. Farmers in Manipur broadcast the ash on the vegetable crops which are severely affected by powdery mildew, this is found to effectively reduce the disease and losses. Spraying of ash early in the morning when plants are still wet with dew, is also done to manage aphids and other sucking pests. The ash sticks on the dew covered plant and becomes wet, it changes the pH of the plant surface slightly, which in turn affects the microclimate of the insect pest and makes it inhospitable for them. Spraying ash on vegetable crops, which are severely affected by powdery mildew, is also done which is found to effectively reduce the disease and losses caused by it.

Before the use of chemical pesticides for seed treatment in Manipur, farmers use to treat their seeds for cultivation purpose with kerosene or sesame oil and stored them in glass bottles keeping the lids screwed tight to prevent entry of insects. Farmers in valley area of Manipur burn the

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dried leaves of Goniothalamus sesquipedalis and Plectranthus ternifolius to make smoke in grain storage house which controls store grains pests and diseases. The smoke derived from burning the dried leaves act as fumigants which kills the storage pests. Bhattacharjee and Ray, 2010 reported the use of certain plant leaves for protection against storage pests particularly rice weevil, Sitophilus oryzae. The rice weevil is an important storage pest infesting rice grain in the region. The leaves of bay leaf (Cinnamomum tamala), Heigri (Dillenia indica) and Neem (Azadirachta indica) are kept over stored rice grains to protect against this pest. Rice moth, Corcyra cephalonica, is another pest of rice causing huge damage and people keep the leaves of Polygonum hydropiper over the rice grains in storage to prevent infestation with this pest (Bhattacharjee and Ray, 2010).

Tree bean is an important tree legume in Manipur and also has immense potential for use in jhum improvement. The pods of the tree are eaten as highly valued vegetables and it is a remunerative crop to the farmers too. Over a decade ago, tree bean was observed to be dying and production was seriously affected. No known factor could be pin-pointed to be causing the death of the trees (Firake et al., 2013). To manage pest and diseases in tree bean, farmers grow tree bean along with bamboo plants.

Growing bamboo with tree bean to protect from pests and diseases

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To control the rat menace in fields, farmers make baits of flour or maida (200 g) with cement (500 g) and put it near the burrows. Few hours after consuming these baits, rats die due to the choking of digestive system. The hill farmers of the state practice shifting cultivation or jhum farming as in other parts of the north east region. It is a traditional method of cultivation and have very deep root in the life and culture of the people. Earlier shifting cultivation was practiced was with a jhum cycle of 12-15 years. This ensured sustainability of cultivation. However, recent pressure of growing population on land resource has resulted in a reduced jhum cycle of 2-5 years with consequent effect of comprising sustainability. This problem of low productivity and sustainability in jhum cultivation is fairly recent in origin and has its roots in increasing pressure on cultivated land to feed the growing population. Another problem that jhum farming faces and is endemic to the region is bamboo flowering associated with famine caused by outbreak of rat population.

Bamboo is a dominant species of plant in the North East Region. It is found growing luxuriantly in the hills and valley of Manipur. It is a perennial flowering plant belonging to the grass family. About 29 species of bamboo are found in the region. Most of these species flower and die once in every 50 years causing an outbreak of rat population and greatly impacts shifting cultivation. Rongmei, 2013 reported causal relationship among bamboo flowering, rat swarm and failing of crop in shifting cultivation. The gregarious bamboo flowering and consequent falling of bamboo seeds provided abundant food for the rats which led to faster body growth, high breeding, buildup of high rat population, migration to the nearby jhum field crops and heavy damages (Kamal,2011). It leads to distruction of crops by rats culminating in famine and social unrest in the region.

Rongmei, 2013 conducted an in depth study of the phenomena of bamboo flowering associated with outbreak of rat population and traditional pest management practices adopted by the jhum farmers of Tamenglong district since ages. In the past the bamboo flowering and rat infestation cycle used to last for about three years, until the rats run out of food and their populations return to normal. But this time the cycle is much longer than before. In Tamenglong district, bamboo flowering started from 2005 and lasted up to 2007 and rat flood and infestation on jhuming field started from 2006 and lasted till 2012 which is of double duration than before. Tamenglong district is one of the hill districts of Manipur where shifting cultivation is practiced by the farmers since time immemorial.

The elders of the villages, intensively following shifting cultivation, who had previous experience with the phenomena more than once in their lifetime has emphasized the role of traditional knowledge to combat the menace. They used different methods of preventing excessive damage by rats. These methods involve the adoption of certain cultural strategies to be followed after bamboo flowering in jhum fields. One method is the cutting of bamboo area for jhuming. During the flowering of bamboo, only bamboo areas are targeted for jhum and other

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forest area are left to regain fertility and to recover forest. This method prevents the bamboo from flowering and reduced rat reproduction which will enhance the chance to produced crop from their field.

Next is the selection of jhum field. Normally site selection is left to individual farmers however, during the time of bamboo flowering, this individual choice is prohibited by the village’s elders as scattered field is more vulnerable to rat attack and other animals. Field is selected for the whole village or nearby villages in one particular place as a compact block. This facilitates the concentration of crop protection measures and efforts in a compact unit. Under this system, the whole region or village will protect the field especially in the night time on rotation basis without considering individual interest and using traditional traps and sounding instruments made from bamboo to scare the animals. By this method, at least the central part of the field will be protected even if the periphery is attacked by rats and other animals.

Another traditional method of pest management in jhum fields is the pruning shifting cultivation. In this method, big trees are not cut down entirely but their branches are cut and small plants and herbs are cleared. Such trees allow the natural soil fertility and forest to be regained within a short span of time. However, the real purpose of sparing the trees is to provide a landing spot and perch for birds of prey such as eagles, owls etc. which prey on the rats. These pruned trees provide a good place for searching of their prey. Timely and single date for sowing of seeds is another traditional cultural method that is taken up to reduce the damage caused by outbreak of rat population in jhum areas. Different sowing dates of individual farmers lead to different maturing stages of crops. This provides a lengthier period of availability of food source for the rats. A single sowing time narrows the time of crop maturity and reduces the damage of food crops. Likewise, a single variety of crop is also planted during bamboo flowering for uniform maturity of crop. Usually varieties which are short duration are selected during bamboo flowering. The village elders choose a sowing time and single variety of crop for the entire village.

To control the devastation and destruction of associated rat menace with bamboo flowering, when modern technology finds it difficult to manage on its own, traditional knowledge provides a solution to reduce the damage caused. Such traditional knowledge has stood the test of time and still holds true today.

The food cultivation system in the entire North east region is by default organic. Farmers especially in the hills of Manipur usually do not prefer the use of chemical pesticides to manage insect pest and diseases in their fields. However, certain areas in the valley have been relying on chemical pesticides to protect against losses caused by pests.Pesticide and Documentation Unit, Directorate of Plant Protection Quarantine and Storage, Faridabad report that only 30.36 mt of technical grade pesticides are consumed by Manipur (latest statistics, 2010). Since the pesticide

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usage is low in Manipur, we along with the KVK extension functionaries are disseminating refined/validated forms of these ITKs in the state which has become a great success.

Manipur has a great potential for organic agriculture like other North East states. The Government of India has given great thrust and encouragement to make the North East states an Organic Hub following the footsteps of Sikkim. The use of chemical pesticides being completely banned in organic cultivation, there is great scope for the use of plant protection measures based on traditional knowledge. Usually these measures either involve used of plants or plant parts to repel or kill insects, or cultural methods like timing of sowing seeds or planting certain varieties or plants together. Farmers are already aware of it and using it in their daily lives to manage pests in their own fields. These strategies of plant protection can be validated and incorporated into any integrated pest management module seamlessly. The science of present day and the knowledge of the past can be woven together to give a better and efficient management of pest and diseases.

ReferencesBhattacharjee PP and Ray DC 2010. Pest management beliefs and practices of Manipuri ricefarmers in

Barak valley of Assam. Indian J Trad Know. 9:673-676

Firake D. M, Venkatesh A, Firake P. D, Behere G. T & Thakur N. S. A. 2013 Parkia roxburghii: an underutilized but multipurpose tree species for reclamation of jhum land. Current Science. 104 (12):1598-1599

Kamal N Q 2011. Ecological Determinants of Bamboo Flowering and Rodent Population Outbreaks in Chittagong Hill Tract, Raghupur. pp 1-5

Mao A A, Hynniewta T M and Sanjappa M. 2009. Plant wealth of North East India with reference to ethnobotany. Indian J Trad Know. 8 (1): 96-103.

Prakash N, Ansari M A, Punitha P and Sharma P K. 2014. Indigenous traditional knowledge and usage of folk bio-medicines among Rongmei tribe of Tamenglong district of Manipur, India. Afr J Tradit Complement Altern Med. 11: 239-247.

Rongmei L 2013. Traditional Methods of Pest Management in Shifting Cultivation after Bamboo Flowering in North-East India: Experience of Tamenglong District of Manipur. International J Human and Soc Sc Invent. 2(3) : 1-3 http://www.ijhssi.org/

Vision 2030, ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umroi Road, Umiam, Meghalaya.

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Nashik district is a horticulture bowl of Maharashtra. Round the year fruits, vegetables and flower are growing for the increase in demand by the district and adjoining cities like Mumbai, Pune as well as other states. The farmers, being well educated and with awareness about ill effects of pesticides and the scope for the export market in district, started using alternatives for the pest management. The KVK Nashik has already started the movement of organic farming and documentation of the Indigenous Technological Knowledge (ITK) for plant protection since 1996-97. Various ITK practices are being practiced by the farmers to reduce the cost of production and pesticide free product as demanded by the consumers.

Some of the ITK practices and formulations are used solely or in combination of one or more plant parts for the pest management. Farmers are getting good results from the formulations like the use of Dashparni Arka, Jiwamruit, Amruit Pani, cowdung slurry, tobacco extract, Mirchi Arka etc. Some commonly practiced ITK formulations for plant protection in Nashik district used by farmers groups, are documented and presented for the discussion in the present paper. The groups and farmers are also recognized by the KVK and other agencies for their consistence efforts in organic production in the district.

Key words: Organic formulations, IPM, ITK

Agriculture is an inevitable part of the today’s modern Indian society. Agricultural development is also a continuous and ever changing process of technological development and adoption by the farmers. It has been noticed that the speed of switch over and transformation of the technological adoption is very fast as compared to the previous decades. It might be due to the education and information and communication technology available at grass root level in the



Documentation of ITK Practices and Formulations Used in Organic Farming as IPM in Nashik District of Maharashtra

Raosaheb B. PatilKVK, YCMOU, Nashik

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country. Today’s agriculture is very precise and technologically perfect. In spite of the various technological developments for the enhancing production and productivity of corps, there are some issues which are playing vital role in quality production.

Besides the increase in production and productivity, some critical issues also emerging in the modern agriculture regarding the plant protection measures, may be because of growing concern over safe and non-judicious use of agrochemicals. This leads to rethinking about the use of agrochemicals for plant protection and initiation of movement to grow the crops in its natural habitat and with low cost technologies practiced by the peoples from the ancient time, which are proven and tested for longer period than the present modern practices. These techniques and wisdom of managing local resources with the ecological balance with least harmful effect on human and other animals are remarkable. This is also recognized worldwide and need to be documented as the Indigenous Technological Knowledge (ITK) from every corner of the society.

The modern chemical based plant protection practices are responsible for various ecological and human health hazards. The use of traditional practices and methods are very relevant for the local resource management and these technologies proven for the micro situation for over the years. This also enables farmers to save the cost and teaches the society how not to depend on the external costly and hazardous inputs. These techniques are also called as Low cost external input agriculture (LISA).

Background-Nashik District

Nashik district is having unique cultural, geographical and agro-climatological situations. Western part of the district is having the predominant tribal population with Hindu-Konkana community. This is traditional area with high rainfall mountain and hilly tract of the Sahyadri ranges from where main two rivers are emerging. One is Godawari, called as Dakhsin Ganga at Trymbakeshwara. This also lead to construction of a number of dams. Due to lack of irrigation facility and ingrained habits of traditional society, the farmers grow only seasonal crops like paddy, Ragi, niger, etc. Middle part is having plain zone and assured rainfall with some irrigation facilities with variety of cropping pattern. The eastern part is with very low rainfall with hilly tract called semi-arid having major dry land agriculture crops.

Tribal population- a rich source of traditional knowledge

The tribal population gives us many simple techniques which leads to the local resource management and recycling the natural resources by a number of techniques. These are also relevant to the modern practices, when we analyzed these techniques for to know their scientific base. While observing, interacting with the tribal peoples about various Indigenous Technological

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Knowledge, and critically analyzing and examining their views, we were really surprised to know their simple ways and means to protect the seed, planting material, plants, crops, etc. with eco- friendly way.

Documentation of ITK

Some Traditional practices documented from the Nashik and adjoining districts are given below:

1. Seed Storage Practices: Seed is the important component in agriculture. Seed preservation for the next season as well as to maintain genetic characters and seed quality, traditional practices are being used by the tribal and other farmers. These practices are also help to prevent pest and disease attacks and preserve the seed for longer period.

1.1 Natural Seed Preservation: Seed of cereals and pulses are preserved in natural state. Seed without threshing from ear-heads and pods are kept as it is in the hanging upward down position, preferably in dry areas like middle of the house and near or in the kitchen. We noticed that the matured, well bold seeded, compact panicle with healthy characters are being selected, well dried in bright sunlight and then kept for the next season. Seed from jowar, bajra, maize, ragi, Some hill millets are preserved. The pulsed like ground nut, French bean, cowpea, pigeon pea are also preserved. Some matured and dried vegetables like bottle gourd, sponge gourd, ridge gourd, are also kept as it is for the next season for seed purpose.

1.2 Natural Bulb Storage: Some bulb and tuber crops are also kept for seed purpose. Bulbs of onion and garlic are selected form the field with desired characteristics and healthy appearance separated from the harvested lot, and then they are dried for some days and then tied with the dried leaves in shade to bamboo. This practice is very common in the tribal and in the plain area. It has been observed that through this practice there is no incidence of insect and diseases as no plant part is open as an injury.

2.0 Traditional Physical methods of seed storage

2.1 Peti or Petara: In local language Peti means traditionally available box of wood or a plastic bag of fertilizer. It is used to store the seed to prevent from insects and rats. Petara means the structure prepared specially form the mature leaves from the teak plants, healthy mature leaves form the healthy plants are selected and medium sized structure is prepared to store seeds, seed is kept in the structure with first covered with dried leaves, then it is totally covered with fresh cow dung. This looks like a big football, which is kept in hanging position to avoid the rat attack.

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2.2 Doodhi for seed storage (Hollow local bottle gourd): Fruit of the local bottle gourd are traditionally called Doodhi Bhopla in Marathi language. The local variety of the bottle gourd has a typical shape of bottle which is more swallow at lower side and with narrow neck to the upper side. This fruit, when mature and dried, becomes very hard and could be used for storing the seed for longer period. The dried fruit is cut to the neck region and inner seed part is removed with sharp knife and well dried in sunlight. Then this structure is used to store seeds, which is then sealed with the mixture of cow dung and clay. This is kept in hanging position.

2.3 Horse Gram husk to store seed: Horse gram seed is stored with the husk of the horse gram itself to avoid the insect attack. After threshing of horse gram pods, the grinded part of pods are gathered and stalks are removed, then it is used to store the seed of horse gram itself.

2.4 Finger millet husk for grain storage: Finger millet is a common hill millet in the tribal area. Farm women use husk of finger millet as it is fine and smooth in texture. It is used in storage of all type of grains as well as pulse seed, preferably in the earthen pots, locally called Madka. This prevents the grains from the storage grain pests.

2.5 Ash for seed storage: Normally wood or cow dung ash is used to store all type of seeds, preferably in the waste Madka. Ash is supposed and proven to protect seed from effect of moisture that results in suffocation of the stored grain pests as well as fungal infection. Papaya seeds are also treated with ash to clean sticky layer on seed easily and seed is sun-dried before storage. Colocacia corms are also stored in ash for longer duration.

2.6 Plants in grain storage: Paddy, being a major staple food grain for the tribal peoples, is stored for log period. Paddy is also infested by a number of stored grain pests and diseases. To avoid these serious problems, farmer in the tribal area use traditional bins made from the local plant material like Nirgundi (Vitex negundo). The Nirgundi plant has insecticidal properties like Neem tree. The thin and uniform branches of Nirgundi plants are selected to construct the storage bins of various sizes which also layered with cow dung to prevent aeration through weaving. The plant material itself has a bitter test and act as insect repellant, this helps to prevent stored grain pest infestation for longer period. Some farmers are using semi dried leaves of Nirgundi with paddy and with pulse seeds.

Neem (Azardiracta indica) is also known for its insecticidal properties since long. Farmers are also using semi-dried leaves of Neem for stored grains and pulses.

2.7 Oils for seed treatment: Seed treatment with the Neem oil, Karanj (Pongamia glabra), castor, niger, or any edible oil is used to treat seed of cereals and specially pulses to protect from the stored grain pests like pulse beetles of pigeon pea, black gram, green gram etc. Seed is first sun-dried and allowed to cool at room temperature and using the oil to smear seeds properly and put the seeds for storage for longer period.

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2.8 Use of chili fumes for storage structures: The storage structures and rooms are major source for the stored grain pests. To get rid of the initial inoculum load, farmers use partially burnt cow dung cakes and put chili powder to make fumes in the room before storage of grains. Then the room is kept air tight for two days and then used for the store the grains.

3.0 ITK for Crop protection: Besides the seed storage practices and structure, there are several examples of with the traditional ITK practices used for the crop protection, which are found effective and proved as scientific alternative for the plant protection.

3.1 Use of ash for paddy seedlings: Some farmers are using ash from kitchen to spinkle on the paddy seedlings to prevent the attack of sucking pests during the delay in rains. It has been observed that the pest like jassids which attack the paddy seedlings are prevented from building up population due to use of ash.

3.2 Ankola oil for Mango stone germination: Oil of Ankola (Alangium salviifolium) plant was applied to the stone of wild mango to enhance germination percentage. When dried selected wild mango stones are selected for sowing, first the stone is smeared with Ankola oil, sun-dried, then this practice is repeated for the same stone for 6-7 times. This practice is effective and supposed to germinate the treated stones within 48 hours after sowing.

3.3 Buttermilk for papaya virus and paddy pest control: In the western part of Nashik district paddy is the major crop. This crop is also affected by various insects and diseases. Some farmers are using the well fermented buttermilk to overcome the pest problems. They are also found effective against some leaf diseases and in reducing the population of sucking pests. Buttermilk is already having the bacterial population like Lactobacillus sp. which may help to reduce the growth of some fungal and bacterial disease as well as the insect population. Buttermilk is also found effective to reduce the papaya virus infection. Some farmers are using butter milk @ 500 ml in 10 liters of water in backpack sprayer.

3.4 Use of Ketki (Agave Americana A. tequilana) leaves and bulbs for insect control: Farmers from the tribal area using Agave leaves and bulbs, for this they collect mature leaves and full grown bulbs and crush them partially and to control rice pests, put this into the channel where the water is entering into the field. This is supposed to reduce the pest problem to the considerable extent.

3.5 Use of Kala Kuda plant leaves (Wrightia tinctoria Br.) for paddy and Ragi pests: The small tree Kala Kuda plant is having green leaves but which is having bitter taste. This plant is useful for the preparation of Ayurveda medicines. Farmers from the tribal area bundle up matured twigs and beat them with hard stick to loosen the bark. These small bundles are

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then kept in the water streams so as to was the plant extract slowly in the water to spread in the total paddy field. This practice is supposed to control many insect pests of the standing crop.

Similarly, sometimes Ragi crop is also affected by the insects, but farmers are not using any chemical to control the Ragi pests. The mature twigs are put in bundles and two or more farmers carry in both hands and move in the field by swinging the twigs around and in the field which is supposed to clear the field from the insect populations due to odors of Kala Kuda plant.

3.6 Australian Babul (Acacia auriculiformis) for paddy insect management: Many sucking and larval pest are managed by the Australian babul. Farmers using whole mature green or semi dried pods with seeds and soak them in water overnight or for 24 hrs. Then the suspension is filtered with cloth and for spray in paddy field. Sometime the Neem leaves are also used mixed to manage various pests in paddy.

3.7 Cow urine to manage paddy pests: Fresh cow urine @ 500-700 ml mixed with 10 liter of backpack spray and used to spray once or twice in a week. It effectively reduced the insect and disease incidence in paddy field.

3.8 Protection of nursery through local material: In the hilly tract of the district, farmers are also cultivating rain-fed vegetable crops like tomato, cabbage, cauliflower, bottle gourd, bitter gourd etc. Farmers are growing vegetable nursery of improved varieties in traditional way. They sow the seed mostly on flat beds. Similarly, to protect them from the heavy and continuous rains or some time bright sunlight due to gap in rainfall, farmers in the area use local available material like old Sari or plastic sheets, plastic sacks. This helps to prevent damage due to erratic rains, high wind and sunlight at nursery stage.

3.9 Yellow cloth for the sucking pests in cotton: Cotton crop has large area in the Yeola and Malegaon tehsils of the district. Also Jalgaon and Aurangabad are major cotton growing districts. Farmers from the Chalisgaon area use yellow cloth to reduce the sucking pests. They join waste yellow plastic bags with sting and apply castor oil on the both sides of these bags. A series of 4-5 bags held by two persons is moved into cotton field. This also is effective to reduce the sucking pest in all cotton fields.

4. Some ITK Formulations for crop growth and protection: Many farmers are advised to use various formulations under the organic farming movement in Maharashtra. Modern print and communication media also play important role in sharing the information and views. Farmers Shri Sadu Shelke, and Shri Sanjay Pawar, Shri Wani from Chopda are also sharing the various formulations on Whats app groups sharing information.

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Farmers from Nashik and adjoining area are regularly using different ingredients alone or in combination to manage various crop pests. Some farmers shared their practices with our KVK.

4.1 Cow dung slurry: Some farmers are using fresh cow dung 20 kg+ cow urine 10L + jiaggery 1 kg + chickpea flour and 1-2 kg of soil from root zone of well grown tree. Ferment this for eight days and use this as 200L solution to spray one acre of soil or any crop.

4.2 Amrut Pani (Amrut water): Some farmers are using Amrut pani by mixing Desi Ghee 250 gm+ honey 500 gm+ fresh cow dung 10 kg. Mix all in 200L of water and release it through the drip system for one acre every month.

4.3 Nimashtra: For 0.4 ha, take 200L water + 20L Gomutra (cow urine of local breed) + 2 kg cow dung+ 10 kg Neem (Azardiracta indica) crushed leaves with twigs (or Neem powder), mix all ingredients properly and keep it for 48 hrs, in shade covered with waste gunny bag. Filter the mixture on use as it is for spray or one may store it in shade and can use it for six months.

Application: Effective to control sucking pests like white flies, aphids, jassids, etc., but not effective for full grown larvae.

4.4 Brahmastra: Take 20L Gomutra (cow urine of local breed)+ 2 kg crushed Neem (Azardiracta indica) leaves with twigs+ 2 kg Karanj (Pongamia glabra) + 2 kg crushed leaves of Sitafal (custard apple) + 2 kg crushed leaves of Dhatura (Dhatura alba) + 2 kg crushed leaves of castor plant. Mix it properly, and then boil it for about 15 minutes (4 boiling). Allow it to cool for 48 hr and filter it and store it. It can be stored for six months.

Application: Used to manage full grown larvae, take 6L of this stored mixture in 200L of water.

4.5 Agni astra : To manage Helicoverpa take 20L of cow urine + 2 kg. Neem leaves with twigs+ 500 gm tobacco + 500 gm crushed spicy green chilli + 250 gm local garlic cloves crushed. Mix this and boil for 15 minutes, allow it to cool for 48 hrs. Stir twice a day. Filter with cloth it can be stored in shade for 3 months.

Application: Add 6-10L of mixture in 200L of water for spray to manage Helicoverpa larvae.

4.6 Dahsparniarka: Take 200L water add 20L of Gomutra (cow urine of local breed)+ 2 kg fresh Shen (Gobar or cow dung+200 gm Haldi (turmeric powder)+ 500 gm Adrak Chatani (crushed ginger), mix it in pot and cover with gunny bag for overnight.

Then add 10 gm Hing (Asphoetida) + 1 kg Tambakhu (tobacco leaves) + 1 kg Hari Mirch (crushed green spicy chili ) and stir it properly, keep it for overnight. On the third day add

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2 kg Neem Chatni (crushed leaves and twig ) + 2 kg Karanj leaves+ 2 kg Sitafal (crushed leaves of custard apple) + 2 kg Dhatura leaves + 2 kg Erandi (castor leaves) + 2 kg Bel leaves and flowers + 2 kg Tulsi + 2 kg Zendu plant (Leaves, stem, flowers, roots of marygold plant) + 2 kg of Nirgundi leaves (Vitex negundo) + 2 kg Tantani (Lantana camara leaves and twigs) + 2 kg Papai (Papaya leaves) + 2 kg Mango leaves (Mangifera indica) + 2 kg pieces of Gulwel (Gaduchi/Tinospra cordifolia) twigs + 2 kg leaves Rui (Calotropis procera) + 2 kg Kanheri leaves (Nerium sp.) + 2 kg Bawachi/Basil leaves (Ocimum basilicum) + 2 kg Tarota leaves (Casia auriculata) + 2 kg Aaghada leaves (Acaranthus aspera) + 2 kg Shewaga (drumstick/Moringa oleifera leaves) 2 kg Kambarmodi (Tridax procumbens) leaves + 2 kg Jaswanda (Hibiscus leaves) + 2 kg Dalimba (Pomegranate-Punica granatum leaves) + 2 kg Harali (Cynodon dactylon).

Mix all initial five plants and select another five from remaining list of plants in all total at least 10 plants for Dashparna. Allow it to ferment for 40 days but stir at least once in a day. Put mask on mouth while stirring mixture. Filter mixture after 40 days and store in shade for six months.

Application: For all type of insect management use 6-10L of this mixture in 200L of water for spray.

4.7 Preventive spray for insects: Take 5 kg dried cow dung. Crush it to powder form, put it in thin cloth tie it with sting to a stick and put it in 200 L of water. Keep it for 48 hr, squeeze it for 3-4 times and use this for spray on plants.

4.8 Tonic for the plants: (a) Take 2L of water add 200g Sunth (dried ginger powder) mix it and boil it to bring down to 1L allow it to cool. In another pot take 2L milk, boil it slowly and allow it to cool. Add both in 200L water allow it to mix for two hr. Filter it and use for spray. (b) Take 2L of coconut water and mix it in 200L of water used directly for spray.

4.9 Saptadhanya Ankur Ark (Extract of sprouted seven grains): Take 100g each of Til (sesamum) + Urad (urd bean) + Chowali (cowpea) + Matki (kideny bean) + local Harbhara/Chana (chick pea) + wheat. First soak Til for one night and add other all grains with equal amount of water allow them to soak for two days. Remove water and keep it aside. Take all soaked grains put in one fine cloth and allow them to sprout for two days. Take all sprouted grains and crush in water already kept aside and filter it and add it to 200L of water. Also add 10L of Gomutra and spray on crops.

Time of application of the Tonic: flowering, grain filing, bud and dough stage of grains. Use this 5 days before harvesting for leafy vegetables.

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4.10 Neem Malam (Neem ointment): Take 50L water; add 20L Gomutra + 20 kg cow dung + 10 kg Neem leaves and twigs. Mix all ingredients, properly keep it for 48 hr and stir this at least twice a day. Use this on trunk of plants for 3-6 times in a year. One can use mixture of only Gomutra and cow dung also as an ointment.

4.11 Weed Management: Use of Rajgira (Amaranthus) for Lawhala (Cyeprus rotundus) weed- Sow the treated seed of Rajgira by broadcasting. For one acre of land take 1 kg seed of Rajgira add 20 kg sieved sand and broadcast in the affected land. Irrigate by flooding the field. Rajgira will germinate within 8-10 days. Give 3-4 irrigations at 8-10 day’s. This will grow for about 2 feet, harvest it for vegetable or use it as green manure. The roots of amaranths will kill the Lawhala plants and the field gets almost freed form this weeds.

5. Modern ITK practices

5.1 Cell phone battery power operated weedicide spray-A farmers Innovation: In Nashik district, vegetable and fruit cultivations like grapes, pomegranate is practiced during rainy season and sometime round the year in some pockets. Due to annual irrigations facility weed problem is serious. It requires heavy dose of weedicide and manpower to manage the weed problem. Considering this situation and problem of manpower during peak period for grapes a practicing farmer Mr. Ashok Patole from Wadner Bhairav village has developed very low cost and low volume sprayer with a series of modification and sold it to more than 2000 farmers in and around the district. He has also applied for the patent to the Government of India through the state government. His innovation is appreciated by many platforms and Television channels and he has also given recognitions to his work to reduce the cost and labor by this device.

5.2 Human power operated wheel mounted backpack sprayer: A local artisan prepared gear operated single wheel mechanized power supply. The wheel is fitted on a frame to rest backpack sprayer and a leaver is fitted to give motion to the piston while moving in the field. This unit is supported with more than one nozzle to increase the efficiency of the sprayer pump and increase the area of spray covering in field condition. This sprayer can be used by a single person who also reduced the load on his shoulders to give continuous power to backpack sprayer. This unit helps to eases the spray operation.

5.3 Motorcycle power operated sprayer: Spraying operation in time and on the larger fields as well as shortage of labour lead to generate innovative ideas. Some educated and literate farmers are using innovative ideas to overcome these local problems with the available resources. One of the farmers is using motorcycle for day to day work. He also

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modified the existing sprayer unit to be fitted on the back side of motorcycle and transmitted power to the sprayer unit and this unit is used to spray cotton crop.

ReferencesArora, Sumitra, Ashok K Kanojia, Ashok Kumar, Navin Mogha, and Vikrant Sahu, 2014. Biopesticide

Formulation to Control Tomato Lepidopteran Pest Menace. Special article published in Asian Agri-History. Vol. 18, No. 3, 2014 (283–293).

Gunjal, Surya and Raosaheb Patil, 1999. Indigenous Agrotechnology in Maharashtra, Book published by, SAS, YCMOU, Nashik, (1-43).

Majhi, Sullip kumar, 2008. Indigenous technical knowledge for control of pest and livestock disorders. Indian Journal of Traditional knowledge. Vol.7(3) July 2008, (463-465).

Talukdar, R.K., S. Barman and A. Hussain, 2012. Documentation and perceived rationale of Indigenous Technical Knowledge (ITK)utilized in Boro rice cultivation by farmers of Kamrup District of Assam. Dept. of Extension Education, FA, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat-785013, Article published in J. Acad. Indus. Res. Vol. 1(7), ISSN: 2278-5213, December 2012, (412-418).

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Indigenous knowledge is local knowledge that is unique to a given culture or society. It is the base of agriculture, health care, food preparation, education, environment conservation, and a host of other activities. It refers to unique, traditional, local knowledge, existing within and developed around specific conditions of women and men indigenous to a particular geographic area (Gremier, Louise 1998). Much of such knowledge is passed down from generation to generation, usually by word of mouth. India has been nurturing a traditional civilization over a period of 5,000 years. India’s ancient scriptures, teachings of sages as well as innumerable sayings and proverbs are profound store-house of ideas, concept and practices that are designed to address the process of building harmonious relationship among man, animal and nature. The literatures on indigenous technical knowledge (ITK) experiences gathered momentum through generations and are being developed and standardized through experimentation and practices. The enhancement of the quality of life of the Indians who, in great majority live in and depend on agricultural production systems would be almost impossible if this rich tradition of ITK is kept inside away from them (Berkes and Folke, 1994).

The term indigenous technical knowledge ITK is the information base for a society, which facilitates communication and decision making. Indigenous information systems are dynamic and are constantly influenced by internal creativity and experimentation as well as by contact with external systems (Flavier et al., 1995). Many definitions have been proposed for indigenous technical knowledge (ITK) systems, but all of them are incomplete, because the concept is relatively new and still evolving.Literature in related fields uses various terms interchangeably to designate the concept of “traditional knowledge (TK)”, “traditional ecological knowledge (TEK)”, “traditional ecological knowledge and management systems (TEKMS)”, “local knowledge (LK)”:



ITKs on the Edge of Tomorrow: Practices for Rice Cultivation and its Pest Control Techniques in Jharkhand

R P Singh Ratan1, Niva Bara1, Valeria Lakra1, S Chakravorty2, B K Singh2, Nishi Sharma2 and Pratibha Joshi2

1Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi, Jharkhand 2ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi

CHAPTER 8

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“indigenous knowledge (IK)”, indigenous technical knowledge (ITK)”, “community knowledge”, “rural peoples’ knowledge” and “farmers’ knowledge (FK)”. While certain distinctions can be made, these terms often refer to the same thing. Among these, Indigenous Farming knowledge (IFK) is the actual knowledge of a given agrarian population that reflects the experiences of agriculture and associated practices based on traditions and incorporates more recent experiences with modern technologies. Local people, including farmers, landless labourers, women, rural artisans and cattle rearers are the custodian of rich indigenous knowledge systems – systems of knowledge, practice and belief developed over long time periods and passed down by cultural processes through the generations (Berkes, 2008).

Jharkhand state is spread over 7,97165 hectare geographical area. Within this, the area suitable for agriculture is about 2,852,160 hectare. The gross cropped area is about 2,419,200 hectare, the upland area is of about 1,229,200 hectare and the lowlands aout 1,065,940 hectare (Dey and Sarkar, 2011). The state of Jharkhand abounds with natural wealth both in form of minerals and forest resources at one hand and human resources in form of indigenous wisdom of how to harness nature for social benefit on the other hand. Tribals constitute about 28% of total population of the state. It is a homeland of 30 tribes including 8 primitive ones. With predominantly farming based livelihood and rural social set up, the interaction with the nature by those tribes are primitive in method. The major constraint for agriculture is that, more than 80 per cent (about 2,287,460 ha) of the arable lands are rainfed. The state is dominated by Alfisols.In a broad sense, the soils of Jharkhand state have been classified into two broad groups as per revenue class and productivity, namely, Tanr mitti (Upland soils) and Don mitti (Lowland soils). The Tanr mitti is further divided into Tanr I (Bariland), Tanr II (Typical upland) and Tanr III (Gravel, stony and morram land). The Don mitti is divided into Don I (Garha), Don II (Tarkha) and Don III (Chatar) as per hydrology. The major landscape types occurring in each geological formation include: Archean Granite and Gneiss landscapes (Deoghar, Dumka, Giridih, Hazaribagh, Ranchi, Lohardaga and Gumla districts); Dharwar landscape (Giridih, gumla, Singhbhum and Palamu districts); and Gondwana landscapes (Dhanbad and parts of Hazaribagh and Palamu districts). These landscapes contain hilly terrains, wavy plains, plateaus and valleys. Hilly areas are mostly under forest cover, thus almost untapped for agricultural use, mostly due to the steep slope of land, shallow rooting depth, erosion prone soil and meager water availability (Dey and Sarkar, 2011). Most of the soils of Jharkhand have slopes and uneven topography with low water holding capacity and presence of large amount of stones. The majority of plateau soils are planted with paddy, maize, minor millets, pulses and oilseed (niger) in block rotation, and only paddy cultivation occurs in terraced/valley lands (Dey and Sarkar, 2011).The annual normal rainfall in Jharkhand is 1,400 mm. The total utilization of surface and ground waters achieved in the state is 47,760 lakh cu. m. and 13,280 lakh cu. m., respectively. Despite good amount of rainfall reveived in Jharkhand, most of the fields are monocropped, usually with upland rice with low productivity (less than one tonne) and the farming could be called as ‘1t agriculture’ (one ton agriculture).

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The huge volume of unutilized surface and ground water reserve (1,90,130 lakh cu. m. and 36,640 lakh cu. m., respectively) creates a scenario of ‘scarcity amidst plenty’ (Dey and Sarkar, 2011). This has created vicious cycle of selling a portion of rice and keeping another portion for household consumption. The money earned from the sale of portion is used for purchase of goat, chicken etc. Subsequent depletion of home rice reserve and inevitable sale of goat and chicken, force the famished family to migrate to nearby towns in search of livelihood.

The indigenous knowledge about various agrarian activities like seed selection and treatment, crop husbandry, pest management etc., generated by trial and error method, have been passed down the generation as word of mouth or ritualized testimonies, many of which are very humane in nature and harmonize with the natural cycles of resources and food web. The indigenous farmers, with no substantial institutional knowledge- and material input for sustaining food security for the communities they were involved with, had to try and innovate agrarian practices, the legacy of which is still vibrant among present generations. Right from selection and improvement of crop cultivars to crop husbandry standardized for each edaphic and agro-climatic situation to framing crop calendar and intervention schedule, based on celestial and nature’s cues; tribal communities are vast un-tapped repositories of knowledge, hardly documented in durable form and therefore prone to be lost in oblivion. It is a matter of great concern when all over the world the mood of consumer as well as policy makers are turning in favour of nominal chemical input in food production viz. organic and natural farming.

A growing body of evidence indicates that one of the main reasons why “conventional” development approaches have failed is that they have tended to ignore the indigenous knowledge systems (Morin-Labatut and Akhtar, 1992; Salas, 1994 and Warren, 1991). This has led many people to argue that in order to ensure a more socially and ecologically sound approach to development, it is necessary to understand, respect, value and utilize the indigenous knowledge systems (Berkes and Folke, 1994; Hecht and Pscy, 1989). It is extremely difficult to acquire indigenous knowledge which is regarded as secret or confidential. Moreover, since indigenous knowledge is not documented but stored in peoples’ minds, it bears a high risk of loss in oblivion. Maundu (1995) stated that, indigenous knowledge is diminishing at an alarming rate with the ageing of those in the indigenous population with strong links to the past.

Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) approves to respect, preserve and maintain innovations and practices of indigenous and local communities embedded in the traditional lifestyles, which are meant to conserve the biological diversity and their use for the society with an aim to promote their wider application with the approval and involvement of the source people of such knowledge and practices and equitable sharing of the benefits arising from their utilization.The IPCC warned about the dramatic rise of global temperature which has obvious effect on agricultural production. Indigenous communities have knowledge and expertise to cope with climate change, minimizing crop failure through increased use of drought-tolerant local

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varieties, water harvesting and carbon sequestration, extensive planting, mixed cropping, agro-forestry practices, opportunistic weeding, wild plant gathering and a series of other traditional farming system and food production techniques.

Such practices require re-evaluation and should be treated as key sources of information on adaptive capacity centered on the selective, experimental and resilient capabilities of farmers in dealing with climate change (Dey and Sarkar, 2011). Rio Declaration on Environment and Development states that, indigenous people and their communities and other local communities have a vital role to plan in environmental management and development because of their particular knowledge and traditional practices (Anonymous, 1992).

Because the situation of indigenous and tribal peoples is often not reflected in statistics or is hidden by national averages, there is a concern that, efforts to achieve the Millennium Development Goals could in some cases have a negative impact on indigenous and tribal peoples, while national indictors apparently improve.

It is a matter of assurance and relief, that, with change of time and demand of sensible world populace, a turn of tide is beckoning towards a knowledge paradigm, neglected though, with a sense of repentance. Such a treasure trove of wisdom, created over millennia without the help of modern equipment, reagents, and skilled researchers with a hoard of knowledge - needs exploration, documentation, validation and incorporation in modern system of agricultural technologies. Institutionalized efforts with government and non-governments skill input are being focused to document the indigenous knowledge with the help of modern techniques. Researches are going on to decipher the hidden message behind the numerous rural proverbs and couplets sung in social congregations and efforts are on to record languages and their grammar to preserve their legible form for further interpretation of the knowledge passed by ‘word-to-mouth’ tradition.

There is a vast wealth of Indigenous Farming Knowledge available from small scale farmers, especially the tribal ones who are highly dependent on local lands and resources for their survival needs. Tribal populations of Jharkhand primarily belong to Ho, Santhal, Munda, Oraon and Lohra. Small farmers of Jharkhand, tribal or non-tribals, has to deal with the agrarian problems with the skillful use of local resources based on the collective wisdom, contemporary or age-old and the right balance of both has to be done for meet the requirement of present day. The reasons behind such dependence may be unavailability of quality inputs of improved agricultural practices, non-penetration of supply channels of such inputs due to difficult terrains, less uptake of modern techniques due to low level of literacy and aversion to accept the new technologies.

There are several pest management methods documented in Jharkhand by several workers.Control of insect-pest in crops through crop rotation, companion crop, non-crop flora including

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weeds and plants recognized in pest management is practiced by tribal farmers in plateau land of Jharkhand. These tribals practice crop rotation as per their traditional wisdom in un-bunded upland, bunded-upland, medium land and low land situation to improve the fertility of soil and reduce incidence of insect-pest and diseases. In un-bunded upland, different crops are rotated every year, while in bunded upland, medium land and low land different rice varieties are rotated after 2 to 3 years. 77 per cent of tribals reported for practicing mixed cropping since ages as a form of crop insurance against frequent occurrence of drought. It also reduces the incidence of pest and diseases.

An account of some of the ITKs practiced in Jharkhand, which have been reported by various workers, are given below:

Farmers in Jharkhand prefer to use traditional rice varieties to minimize risk.Traditional varieties are disease and pest resistant and also suitable to existing micro farming situations. These varieties give at least some yield even in stress situations and no risk is involved. The practice is followed in many villages in Singhbhum district of Jharkhand. Success has been reported in more than 80 per cent of the cases. Cost benefit ratio is 1:5, approximately (Singh, 2000). Farmers of Khijuria village of Dumka district of Jharkhand make use of deep lowlands for cultivation of suitable variety. In this practice, wet seeding is done after water recession, because farmers do not wait for complete drying of fields. Due to this practice 100 per cent water logged lands are utilized. This is in practice for last several years by farmers having this type of land (Singh, 2003). In upland, direct seeding of rice is done through broadcasting method, usually after onset of monsoon (15th June). This practice influences the cropping system of the land; and if irrigation facility is available, farmer utilizes this for rabi crops, after harvesting the rice (gora). This is age old practice followed by 70 per cent farmers in the Khijuria village of Dumka district, Jharkhand. Farmers of Hatma village of Ranchi district use this practice also for controlling the insect/pest attack and damping off in the nursery. Paddy straw is burnt in the nursery plots after the first ploughing. Due to burning of straw the soil becomes sterilized and free from insects/pests. Ash acts as potash source.

Jatropa leaves are used as mulch before one week of transplanting as manure in paddy crop to protect the crop from insect-pests. Home made preparations for seed treatment from cowdung, cow urine and slacked lime or cowdung, egg, common salt water and foliar spray liquid from neem leaves, green chilli, garlic, tobacco waste and cattle urine are used by almost 28 per cent farmers. A substitute of chemical fertilizer like DAP from cowdung, jaggery and chickpea flour (besan) is also used.

Khaira disease is caused by mineral deficiency. About 2-3 kg of lime and one bucket of cow dung are mixed in 200 liters of water. This solution is sprayed on the affected paddy crop. One spray controls the disease by 50 per cent. Farmers use this indigenous practice to control the disease.

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Several pest management practices are used by Jharkhand farmers using mechanical methods, physical methods, attractants, and repellants from local fauna or innovated materials. Sindwar/Sinduar (Vitex negundo) plant is widely available at local level. Known as Nirgundi in Tamil and Nishinda in Bengali, this shrub has been reported to be used as per indigenous knowledge technique in many arid parts of India. Herbal pesticide is prepared by farmers of Uttar Pradesh and Haryana by mixing cow urine, nirgundi (Vitex negundo) leaves and hing (asfoetida). This mixture in appropriate proportion is considered effective bio-pesticide for rice pests. It contains certain ingredients having insecticidal as well as insect repellent properties, which makes it useful for control of insects pests of paddy crop. About 30 –40 leaves of nirgundi (Vitex negundo) are boiled in 10 liter water till it condensed to one liter. About 10 gram of asfoetida is then mixed in it. These ingredients are mixed in about 5 liters of cow urine. The mixture is then filtered and sprayed as biopesticide over affected crops. This spray is for all sowing seasons i.e., early sowing; normal or late sowing seasons of rice crop (Rajender Rajan, 2003). Farmers of Narkuda village of Ranga Reddy district, Andhra Pradesh expose paddy crop to the smoke of burnt leaves of custard apple and Vitex negundo for better control of insects and rats. This is practiced by the farm families of the village for the last 20 years. Leaves of these plants are put in a pot and burnt near rat burrows. By this practice, rats are killed and insects fly away from plants. About 5 kg dry leaves are required to give smoke in 1 acre land (Sankharyya, 2004). Leaf powder of Vitex negundo is mixed with paddy to control common storage pests. This is practiced in Tamil Nadu (Ganeshamurthy, S., 2000).

In another practice, sindwar leaves are boiled in water and the solution is cooled. It is sprayed on the crop (1 kg leaves per 5 liters water for 0.06 acre) with the help of broom to control caseworm (Nymphula depunctalis). By this practice 60 per cent case worm is controlled. This is in practice for last 25 years by maximum number of farmers in the village (Veeresh Kumar, 2003). A traditional practice of planting of Sinduar, on the boundary of un-bunded upland and on the bunds of bunded upland is quite commonplace in the area. Farmers grow this plant as live hedge and to control insect and pest in rice and wheat. About 42 per cent of tribals also use Parsa/Karla, Cleistanthus collinus leaves to control case worm, Nymphula depunctalis in rice as well as stem borer and gundhi bug of the crop.

Gallfly (Pachydiplosis oryzae) is very harmful to rice crop. It regularly damages in endemic areas and the losses may go upto 50 per cent in case of severe attack. Farmers in Jharkhand use parso/persu (Cleistanthus collinus) leaves for controlling gallfly. In this practice, fresh leaves of persu are colleted and spread in the infested field with out processing. About 10 kg leaves are required for 1000 sq. m. area and controls 70-80 per cent of the insects (Prasad, R.S., 2003).

Application of 76-150 kg parso/persu (Cleistanthus collinus) leaves by broadcasting once in the rice field at 3 days after transplanting controls yellow stem borer during kharif. This is practiced in Jharkhand (Secretary Aralkocha, 2003).

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Farmers in Buribara village of west Singhbhum district in Jharkhand use custard apple (Annona squamosa) for pest control in paddy crop. This fruit tree is omnipresent in Jharkhand and Bihar and liked for its excellent fruit. Leaves and seeds of custard apple contain chemicals having insecticidal properties, which are utilized in traditional knowledge systems, as a home remedy for controlling ecto-parasites like lice. Insect-pests of paddy crop are controlled by broadcasting leaves or seeds of custard apple.The smell of leaves act as repellent. Also, the toxins present in the leaves could have adverse effect on the insect pests. Leaves are used raw, whereas seeds are processed and used as powder. This is an age-old practice and followed by every farmer (Vishwajit Doraibru, 2003).

Gundhi bug, an important pest of rice crop causes varying level of damage to yield. Sucking on milk-stage rice grains, the pest, if attack in higher population level, can cause severe damage to the crop. Farmers of Bara sigdi village of East Singhbhum district face a problem of gundhi bug during milky stage in paddy crop. This problem is controlled by placing Neem (Azadirachta indica) or kujri flowers in small bundles in 5-6 places. Bugs are repelled by using this and about 98 per cent farmers practice it in the village (Salge Marande, 2003). Farmer’s burn discarded rubber tyre in the field by holding it in their hands. Gundhi bug (Leptocorisa spp.) is attracted towards it. This method is effective in protecting rice crop from gundhi bug. This is an old practice, adopted by farmers of Tamar block of Ranchi district in Jharkhand. Majority farmers of Ranchi district of Jharkhand use branches of bhelwa tree to protect rice crop from lahi and gundhi bugs. They collect branches from bhelwa tree and plant them in rice field. This practice keeps insects away from rice crop because of the repellent character of bhelwa (Rasmi Kandula, 2003).

People of Fumdapokher village of West Singbhum district of Jharkhand use this practice for protecting rice crop from gundhi bug. In this practice, a dead snake is hung by the side of rice field. Great risk is involved in trapping and killing the snake. Fresh leaves of Parsa (Cleistanthus collinus) and Sali (Boswellia serrata) are spread on the insect infested field of about 5 kg leaves per 100 sq.m. About 70-80 per cent of the insect pests are reported to be controlled with this practice by the farmers of Jhrkhand (Sawaiyan, 2003).

Banki or rice caseworm (Nymphula depunctalis) infestation in paddy is common near Ranchi area of Jharkhand, which cuts paddy leaves, make pipe like encasings and feeds inside. In case of severe attack, 90 per cent of yield losses are experienced. To control the pest, Sandhana is mixed with water. The water is then sprayed or sprinkled on the affected paddy plant. The benefit claimed by this method is more than 50 per cent (Jha, 2003). Farmers use kerosene oil soaked chord to control caseworm in rice. About 70-80 per cent pest control is observed with this practice. It is practiced for the last several years by maximum number of farmers in Tamar block of Ranchi district, Jharkahand (Kispota et al., 2003).

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Rice hispa, which scrapes the green from the leaves, can cause severe damage over large swathe of land and is a sporadic pest of rice. It damages rice crop severely during early stage of cropping. To control rice hispa, people of Kunchi village of Dhanbad district (Jharkhand) use basi mar (stale or fermented rice gruel) spraying on the plot. The mar sticks on the plant surface and have a strong sour smell. Alternatively, farmers fill up their plots with water in early morning. They shake the crop with silver oak or maize stick. Later the stick is fixed in the middle of the plot.Then water is allowed to drain from this field. They continue this practice for 2 to 3 days. All the farmers of the village are reported to be using this age old practice (Mahto et al., 2003).

Farmers know that standing water in fields helps in controlling termites. In paddy fields if there is no standing water, the termite attack is prevalent and drying up of paddy crop is the visible symptom. Where cowdung manure is used extensively when there is water shortage, the termite infestation is common. Flooding helps in reducing the population of termites by disrupting their life cycle. The success rate of this practice is 98 per cent and it is an age old practice followed by 65 per cent of the farmers in the Bara Sigdi village of East Singhbhum district (Vibhisan, 2003).

Termite and insect/pests of root zone in paddy are controlled by fruits and leaves of ashan. These are broadcasted in paddy fields infested with termites and other soil-borne insects. Fruits and leaves of ashan are bitter, acrid and toxic to insect pests, which help in checking their population. This is in old practice, highly successful and adopted by maximum number of farmers (Sideshwar Jer, 2003).

Tribal farmers of Bihar destroy major rice pests by applying the extract of the kachoo plant (Arbhi in Hindi) (Colocasia esculenta) and Bihlangani (Polygonum glabram) into the water inlets to field. The tribal rice farmers use the smoke of mahua (Madhuca longifolia) oil cake to control ‘paddy blight’ (Sinha, 1988).

For grain storage, indigenous storage structures are still widely used besides metal or plastic container.Tatho is made of bamboo sticks and cow dung is applied to seal hole. It can be used as sheet or sometimes rolled into a structure. Paddy or rice can be stored in it. Sometimes as a sheet, it can be used for drying (Singh, 2004). Mora - a grain storage structure is used by the farmers of Jharkhand to store rice for longer time, which protects grain from moisture, rodents and storage insect pests. The capacities vary from 0.1 to 2.0 tons.

In neighbouring Orissa, to control termite in the field, some farmers cut approximately 5 kg each of Calotropis and Kheemp (Leptadenia pyrotechnica) twigs into small pieces and put them in an earthen pot. Then add 1 kg salt and 10 L water/cow/human urine. The pot is kept in a pit for 15-20 days. The suspension is filtered through cotton cloth and filtrate is applied as an insecticide @ 10 L/ha in irrigation channel.

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As a part of a search and validation of live examples of ITKs in Jharkhand, an effort was made to identify the prevailing indigenous varieties of rice as well as varieties at the edge of extinction along with their attributes, insect and pest scenario in Jharkhand associated with rice cultivation and the efficacy of an ITK i.e. control of caseworm (Nymphula depunctalis) in rice by leaves of Parsa and Sali.The study was conducted in randomly selected district of Ranchi, East Singhbhum and West Singhbhum. Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA), tools and techniques including focused group interview etc.were conducted. West Singhbhum district was purposively selected for experimental study as damage caused by case worm was reported to be 60 per cent there. Secondary data were also collected as per the requirement. Field study was conducted following the PRA methodology with 15 respondents. The parameters/factors included were efficacy in controlling pests, cost effectiveness, availability of material and yield. The ITK was compared on the above parameters with the recommended chemical control measure and another ITK i.e. use of puru leaves. A field experiment was conducted in Village Khaspokharia, Block Tantnagar, West Singhbhum (Jharkhand). The experimental design followed was RBD in 15 replications with four treatments, viz., T1 – Control, T2 – Application of Parsa leaves @ 100 kg/ha T3-Application of Sali leaves @ 100 kg/ha and T4-Application of chlorpyriphos @ 1.0 litre/ha. Parsa and Sali leaves were spread after 5 days of transplanting. Observations were taken on number of total and damaged leaves/m2.

Attributes of selected traditional rice varieties of rice as perceived by the respondents

Tribal people used to cultivate many indigenous rice varieties of rice for consumption as well as socio-cultural and religious purposes. But now a days due to invasive technological changes as well as changes in socio-cultural values many indigenous varieties are at the edge of extinction. Table 1 gives a brief account of existing indigenous rice varieties as well as varieties at the edge of extinction in the study village. It also indicates the attributes of selected traditional varieties of rice as perceived by the farmers.

Table 1: Attributes of selected traditional varieties of rice as perceived by the respondents

Sl. No.

Local Name Maturity period (days)

Average yield (q/ha)

Type of seed Other characteristics, If any

1. Jemeta 90-100 20 Medium long and bold

Medium hight and moderately resistant to blight

2. Chrikota 90-100 18 Medium long and slender

Plants are narrow and light green foliage

3. Kosombaba 100-110 20 Medium bold and light brownish

Kernels are short and plants are medium in height

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4. Satia 60-70 15 Medium-thin Drought resistant, early maturing, suitable for uplands

5. Ashu 100-110 20 Medium long and light radish

Plants are medium and have good tillering ability

6. Gorababa 80-90 18 Medium long and white

Drought resistant and suitable for uplands

7. Hamalkata 150-160 25 Long and slender Plants are medium with good tillering ability

8. Hendibojna 150-160 25 Medium, coarse and brownish

Plants are long and moderately resistant to rice gall midge

9. Safabojna 150-160 25 Medium coarseand white

Plants are long and dark green foliage

10. Dedimalchi 150-160 20 Short and bold It possesses a good degree of resistance to water logging

11. Kashikul 150-160 25 Long slender and white

Plants are long with good tillering ability and resistance 10 water logging

The current scenario of insect pest and disease

In rice ecosystem tribal people of Jharkhand were found to be using a lot indigenous practices to control Gundhi bug (Leptocorisa spp.), caseworm (Nymphula depunctalis) and many other insect pest and diseases, Rice hispa a common pest in paddy that infests the crop during the vegetable stage is controlled by (Cleistanthus collinus) leaves, Mahua (Madhuca Latifolia) by product, Kendu (Diopyros melanoxylon) fruit and basi mar (stale rice gruel).The data furnished by the State Department of Agriculture revealed that inspite of high incidence of pests and diseases afflicting these major crops, the application of plant protection measures continue to be a low priority. The magnitude of the pest and disease problems do not match with the efforts required to be launched to reduce these crop losses. Most other crops of economic importance to the State (Particularly rice, maize, fruit crops) do not receive the required priority. This situation warrants appropriate course correction to save these major crops from the onslaught of major pests and diseases.

To grasp the magnitude of the problem prevailing in the State, the data furnished by these officials/scientists, have been computed to highlight the prevalence of insect pests and diseases (ranked in order of their severity with resultant crop losses). The overall picture thus emerging out is given in Table 2.

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Table 2: Prevailing Insect Pest and Disease Scenario of Jharkhand State

Crop Insect pest Ranking

Insect Pests

Rice Yellow stem borer (Scirpophaga incertulus) Case worm (Nymphula depunctalis) Gall midge (Orseolia oryzae) brown plant hopper (Nilaparvata lugens) Hispa (Dicladispa armigera) Gundhi bug (Leptocorisa spp.)

1 2 3 5 4 6

Diseases

Rice Blast (Magnaporthe grisea) Brown spot (Drechlslera oryzae) Glume discoloration (Sarocladium oryaze, Pyricularia oryzae, Helminthosporium oryzae)

1 2 3

Assessment of ITK through PRA

Out of several ITKs documented for control of rice caseworm, two ITKs, namely, use of Parsa leaves (Cleistanthus collinus) and puru leave (Puccinellia rupestris) were selected in their validation.

The data on field study have been presented in Table 3. Results indicate that the performance of parsa and puru leaves was at par with each other and superior to use of Sali leaves on all the parameters studied. The leaves of parsa and puru were found to be effective. These two materials are available in the area and farmers could get them free of cost. However, use of chemical insecticide was superior in controlling the insect and getting higher yield, but it was costly and not easily available.

Table 3: Matrix scoring for assessment of performance of parsa, puru and Sali leaves in control of rice caseworm

N=15Parameter Treatment

Parsa leaves Puru leaves Sali Leaves Chemical insecticideInsect control 6.40 ± 0.31 6.00 ± 0.21 3.60 ± 0.31 7.30 ± 0.21Cost effectiveness 8.90 ± 0.26 8.70 ± 0.22 6.00 ± 0.36 2.90 ± 0.23Availability 8.80 ± 0.22 8.30 ± 0.26 6.20 ± 0.32 3.00 ± 0.23Yield 5.70 ± 0.26 6.20 ± 0.25 4.20 ± 0.25 6.90 ± 0.23

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Assessment of ITK through experiment

Any practice, considered valid and fruitful, will have a scientific basis for its successful results. Farmers are not able to explain the scientific rationale behind indigenous practices; therefore, scientists are responsible for testing and verifying those practices and finding out their rationality. Hiranand and Kumar (1980) concluded in a study that it becomes necessary for scientists to investigate the rationality of each of the technical beliefs held by farmers so that they can clearly accept or reject a technical belief. Padaria and Singh (1990) identified traditional dry farming practices being followed in Ranchi district of Bihar and assessed by scientists on a five point rating scale. Among identified practices, the practices that scored a mean score of above four were considered as more rational. Many of the traditional practices are still in vogue and meet the standards of scientific rationality to a great extent. Kalaivani (1992) in her study on beliefs connected with garden land farming studied the rationality of indigenous beliefs rated by scientists. Ramaraju (1993) reported many indigenous practices that scientists considered rational. Prasad et al., (1996) in their study on “Rationale of indigenous post harvest practices in Ranchi district’ concluded that scientists favored the continuation of 9 of the 11 indigenous post harvest practices followed by a sample of 200 farmers. Ganesamoorthi (2000) in his study on indigenous post harvest practices observed that scientists rated more than 80 per cent of the indigenous post harvest practices as rational. Similar studies on the rationality of IK were also reported by Rambabu (1997), Somasundaram (1995) and Pulmate and Babu (1993). Hence, testing rationality has been one of the means to validate ITK.

In West Singhbhum of Jharkhand an experiment was conducted by a multidisplinary team of scientists to study the efficacy of an ITK on Caseworm, a very common pest in the area of Khaspokharia village of West Singhbhum district in Jharkhand. Fresh leaves of Parsa (Cleistanthus collinus) and Sali (Boswellia serrata) are spread on the insect-infested field @ 5 kg leaves per 100 m2. Majority of insects (about 70-80%) are controlled with this practice.

Parsa (Cleistanthus collinus) is a small deciduous tree distributed from the Deccan peninsula, north wards up to Ganges. It thrives well on dry rocky ground. Sali (Boswellia serrata) is a moderate or large branching tree with a bole, 12-15 feet in height and 3-5 feet in girth, generally found in dry hilly areas. It is common in most parts of Bihar, Orissa, Rajputana, Central Provinces, Central India, the Deccan, eastern state and north Gujarat.

Data presented in Table 4 indicate that percentage of caseworm infested leaves in control plot was 80.11 at 30 DAT, which remained more or less same (79.42%) at 60 DAT. In case of use of parsa leaves the per cent infestation was 73.51 and 25.35 at 30 DAT and 60 DAT, respectively. Chlorpyriphos application reduced the infestation from 72.90 per cent at 30 DAT to 23.56 per cent at 60 DAT. Application of Sali leaves (T3) recorded 76.81 per cent and 28.78 per cent infestation of leaves at 30 DAT and 60 DAT, respectively. While the treatment effect was not significant at 30

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DAT, incidence of caseworm-damaged leaves reduced substantially over the control at 60 DAT. Use of parsa or Sali leaves produced similar effect as that of use of chlorphyriphos.

Table 4: Effect of application of parsa, puru and Sali leaves on the number of casworm infested leaves in rice crop

Treatment No. of total and damaged leaves/m2

30 DAT 60 DAT

Total leaves

Damaged leaves

% of damaged

leaves

Total leaves

Damaged leaves

% of damaged

leaves

T1- Control 155 124 80.11 170 135 79.42

T2- Application of parsa leaves @100 kg/ha

155 114 73.51 169 43 25.35

T3- Application of Sali leaves @ 100 kg/ha

163 125 76.81 163 47 28.78

T4- Application of chlorpyriphos @ 1.0 litre/ha

155 113 72.90 168 38 23.56

CD (P=0.05) NS 4.37

DAT – Days after transplanting

On the basis of results obtained, it may be concluded that the ITK is effective in controlling rice caseworm at par with the efficacy of chlorpyriphos.

Many examples of such effective ITKs in Agriculture or Indigenous Farming Knowledge are yet to be documented for the posterity and it is the duty of privately funded or Government Institutions to archive those informations. Above is an example of the most essential part of the process of incorporation of those information in today’s agriculture i.e. validation. The experience of farmers and indigenous people gained by them through first hand experience were passed down the generation. It is obvious that, the successor farmers have been using them in toto without much cross check, which is quite possible in societies and communities bound by strict social norms. Also, the change in climate may render some of such knowledge, especially those related to celestial cycle, less effective. The erosion of effectivity of the rain schedule prediction of Yavatmal tribals, related to celestial formation or Tithi is one such example.

The tendency to believe and follow customs blindly is rampant in indigenous societies and that allows seepage of superstitions, blind faith, addition and deletion of vital component of

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such technologies due to ignorance and lethargy, when the innovator in person is not present to guide. This malady is commonplace in all societies where validation of age old wisdom vis à vis changed time and necessity is somewhat considered as taboo or in some cases blasphemous. Scientists and field workers must work hand in hand to retrieve, document, archive and validate the technologies before incorporation of them in modern agricultural practices.

ReferencesAnonymous, Rio Declaration on Environment and Development, Report of the United Nations Conference

on Environment and Development held at Rio de Janeiro on 3-14 June, 1992, (United nations A/CONF), 151/26, 1, 1992.

Berkes F. 2008 Sacred Ecology, Second edition, (Routledge, New York).

Berkes, F. and C. Folke.1994. Linging Social and Ecological Systems for resilience and sustainability. Paper presentedat the workshop on property rights and the performanceof natural resource systems. Stockholms: The Badger International Institute of Ecological Economics, the Royal Swedish Academy of Science.

Dey, P. and Sarkar, A. K. (2011) Revisiting indigenous farming knowledge of Jharkhand (India) for conservation of natural resources and combating climate change. Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge. 10(1) : 71-79

Ganeshamurthy, S. (2000) Cited in Indigenous Technical Knowledge in Rice Cultivation Muthuraman, P and Meera, S. N. (eds.) Directorate of Rice Research, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad.

Jha, R. K. (2003) Cited in Indigenous Technical Knowledge in Rice Cultivation Muthuraman, P and Meera, S. N. (eds.) Directorate of Rice Research, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad.

Joshi C.P. and Sing B.B. (2006). Indigenous Agricultural Knowledge in Kamaon hills of Uttranchal, Indian J. Tradit Knowledge. 5(1) 19-24.

Kispota, L.,Singh, S and Prasad, R. S. (2003) Cited in Indigenous Technical Knowledge in Rice Cultivation Muthuraman, P and Meera, S. N. (eds.) Directorate of Rice Research, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad.

Kudada, N. Singh, R.P. Ratan (2003) Control of caseworm (Nymphula depunctalis) in rice by leaves of parsa and Sali. Validation of Indigenous technical knowledge in Agriculture. Mission Unit Division of Agricultural Extension Indian Council of Agricultural Research pp 69-71.

Mahto, A., Basudev Lal,Mahato, I., ,Mahato, B. and Bharajo, J. (2003) Cited in Indigenous Technical Knowledge in Rice Cultivation Muthuraman, P and Meera, S. N. (eds.) Directorate of Rice Research, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad.

Maundu, P. 1995. Methodology for Collecting and Sharing Indigenous Knowledge: A Case Study. Indigenous Knowledge and Development Monitor. 3(2): 25-27.

Morin-Labatut, G.M. and S. Akhtar. 1992. Traditional Environmental Knowledge: A resource to manage and share. Development Journal of the Society of International Development. 4: 24-29.

Padaria, R.N. and Sing, R.P. (1990). Risk adjustment and traditional wisdom in dryland farming . Indian Journal of Extension Education, (3 &4), Vol. XXVI, July-December 1990:1-7.

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Prasad, R. S. (2003) Cited in Indigenous Technical Knowledge in Rice Cultivation Muthuraman, P and Meera, S. N. (eds.) Directorate of Rice Research, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad.

Prasad, R.S. (1995). Scientific rationale and farmers’ Perception of Indigenous Agricultural Technologies in Ranchi district. Unpublished M.Sc. Thesis, BAU., Ranchi.

Rajender Rajan (2003) Cited in Indigenous Technical Knowledge in Rice Cultivation Muthuraman, P and Meera, S. N. (eds.) Directorate of Rice Research, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad

Rasmi Kandula (2003) Cited in Indigenous Technical Knowledge in Rice Cultivation Muthuraman, P and Meera, S. N. (eds.) Directorate of Rice Research, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad.

Rizwana and Lyaqat (2011). Traditional Knowledge use in Paddy Cultivation in Raipur district, Chhattisgarh, Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge. Vol. 10(2) PP- 384-385.

Salas, M.A. 1994. The Technicians only believe in Science and cannot read the sky. In: Scoones and J. Thompson (eds) Beyond Farmer First: Rural People’s Knowledge, Agricultural Research and Extension Practice (pp 57-69).London: IT Publications.

Salge Marande (2003) Cited in Indigenous Technical Knowledge in Rice Cultivation Muthuraman, P and Meera, S. N. (eds.) Directorate of Rice Research, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad.

Sankharyya (2004) Cited in Indigenous Technical Knowledge in Rice Cultivation Muthuraman, P and Meera, S. N. (eds.) Directorate of Rice Research, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad.

Sarma. R, Arunachalam A, Adhikari D and Majumdar, M. (2006). Indigenous Technical Knowlddge and resource Utilization of Lisus in the South eastern part of Namdapa National Park, Arunachal Pradesh. Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge. 5 (1), 51-56.

Sawaiyan, S.K. (2003) Cited in Indigenous Technical Knowledge in Rice Cultivation Muthuraman, P and Meera, S. N. (eds.) Directorate of Rice Research, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad.

Secretary Aralkocha (2003) Cited in Indigenous Technical Knowledge in Rice Cultivation Muthuraman, P and Meera, S. N. (eds.) Directorate of Rice Research, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad.

Shaik N., Meera, P. and Muthuraman (2011). Indigenous Technical Knowledge in Rice Farming (Offline CD). Rice Knowledge Management Portal, Directorate of Rice Research, Hyderabad.

Sideshwar Jer ( 2003) Cited in Indigenous Technical Knowledge in Rice Cultivation Muthuraman, P and Meera, S. N. (eds.) Directorate of Rice Research, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad.

Singh, R.P. Ratan and Bara, N. (2005) Indigenous Technical Knowledge in Jharkhand, Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi.

Singh, Ranjay K.(2000) Cited in Indigenous Technical Knowledge in Rice Cultivation Muthuraman, P and Meera, S. N. (eds.) Directorate of Rice Research, Rajendranagar Hyderabad

Singh, S. (2004) Cited in Indigenous Technical Knowledge in Rice Cultivation Muthuraman, P and Meera, S. N. (eds.) Directorate of Rice Research, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad.

Singh, Seemavati (2003) Cited in Indigenous Technical Knowledge in Rice Cultivation Muthuraman, P and Meera, S. N. (eds.) Directorate of Rice Research, Rajendranagar Hyderabad

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Sinha, R. K. (1988) Cited in Indigenous Technical Knowledge in Rice Cultivation Muthuraman, P and Meera, S. N. (eds.) Directorate of Rice Research, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad.

Veeresh Kumar (2003) Cited in Indigenous Technical Knowledge in Rice Cultivation Muthuraman, P and Meera, S. N. (eds.), Directorate of Rice Research, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad.

Vibhisan (2003) Cited in Indigenous Technical Knowledge in Rice Cultivation Muthuraman, P and Meera, S. N. (eds.) Directorate of Rice Research, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad.

Vishwajit Doraibru (2003) Cited in Indigenous Technical Knowledge in Rice Cultivation Muthuraman, P and Meera, S. N. (eds.) Directorate of Rice Research, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad.

Warren, D.M. 1991 Using Indigenous Knowledge in Agricultural Development, World Bank Discussion paper No.12, Washington D.C. The World Bank.

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Section - IIRole of indigenous practices in plant protection and their environmental impact

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One of the Indigenous technology, in the form of a bio-pesticide formulation, practiced by a farmer was validated under laboratory as well as field conditions for tomato crop. The bio-pesticide formulation (BPF) was actually a decoction of various herbs in cow urine. One per cent of this formulation was observed to give promising results for inhibiting important plant pathogenic fungi, such as, Rhizoctonia bataticola, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and Pythium aphanidermatum in the range of 50-85 per cent. The 2.5 per cent of this product was observed to inhibit the growth in the range of 65-100 per cent under laboratory conditions. Under field experimental trials, the formulation was observed to give substantial yield of tomato crop in comparison to organic treatment and check plots, besides managing crop pests. Under another activity, 16 extracts of four plants, practiced by farmers indigenously for pest management since years, were screened for lepidopteran and sucking insects; and important plant pathogens. The antifeedant activity of crude extract of Polyanthia proved better than reported antifeedancy of Neem, an aza compound. The column fraction of this crude extract, 35 per cent ethyl acetate in hexane, was observed with highly promising insecticidal and antifeedant activity against insect pests. The scientifically validated ITKs could be incorporated in plant protection recommendations, so as to reduce environmental load of chemical pesticides to safeguard it.

Keywords: bio-pesticide formulation, Plant Protection, ITK

Green revolution has no doubt led to increased world food supplies, but at the same time it has caused several ecological, environmental and socioeconomic problems. Food plants of the world are damaged by more than 10,000 species of insects, 30,000 species of weeds, 100,000 diseases (caused by fungi, viruses, bacteria and other microorganisms) and 1000 species of nematodes (Hall, 1995; Dhaliwal et al., 2007). However, less than 10 per cent of the total identified pest species are generally considered as major pests. The severity of pest problems has



Scientifically Validated ITKs in Plant Protection

Sumitra Arora, Principal ScientistICAR-National Research Centre for Integrated Pest Management, New Delhi

CHAPTER 9

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been changing with the developments in agricultural technology and modifications of farming practices (Dhaliwal et al., 2010).

In order to meet the needs of a growing population, agricultural production and protection technology have to play a crucial role. The agrochemicals have become essential inputs in increasing agricultural production by preventing crop losses before and after harvesting to keep pace with the ever increasing demand for food, feed and fiber. But indiscriminate use of pesticides has led to various complications in environment including their impact on human health by creating toxicity, not only to non-target organisms at fields but also many other components of environment.

Through one of the research projects at centre related with, exploration and documentation of ITKs under rice cropping system, various ITKs were collected, as primary source data, used in plant protection, from farmers. One of ITKs, came across during exploration, was indigenously prepared biopesticide formulation used by a farmer, as promising technology; which needed to be standardized and validated scientifically under lab and field conditions. The research work was initiated with its laboratory validation. It was basically an indigenously prepared decoction of herbs in cow urine. The ingredients used for this biopesticide formulation were Phyllanthus emblica, Curcuma zedooria, Allum, Allium ceppa, Allium sativum, Calotropis, Tomato extract, Ferula, Azadirachta indica, in cow urine as medium. The ratio and proportion of ingredients of this biopesticide formulation (BPF) was standardized as per their availability and economics involved, and methodology, thereof. It was prepared with the help of that farmer in Utttar Pradesh, who was given authorship in patent publication. The ITK was validated under field conditions also for tomato crop.

Some farmers of different regions were practicing extracts of few plants as their indigenous practices for pest management. Through one of the funded project by National Innovation Foundation (NIF), these plants were extracted and screened for their bioactivity.

The bio-pesticide formulation (BPF)

The BPF was bio-assayed under in vitro conditions, against a few pathogens namely, Rhizoctonia bataticola, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and Pythium aphanidermatum. It was found to inhibit these pathogens at 1 per cent level. One per cent of this formulation controlled more than 70 per cent of Rhizoctonia bataticola, around 50 per cent of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and more than 85 per cent of Pythium aphanidermatum. The growth of Pythium was inhibited by more than 83 per cent. The 2.5 per cent of this product was observed to inhibit the growth of Rhizoctonia bataticola, R. solani and Fusarium oxysporum pathogenic fungi in the range of 65-100 per cent under laboratory conditions (Fig. 1).

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Observing promising results, it was tested for tomato crop, under experimental field trials at IARI, consecutively for two years; during 2006–07 and 2007–08,with no fertilizer treatment (Fig. 2).

(A) R. bataticola (B) P. aphenidermatum (C) S. sclerotiorum

Fig. 1 : Inhibition of fungi with crude BPF

Untreated

Organic Tomato Field treated with 5% and 10% BPF

Fig. 2 : Effective visibility of the indigenous biopesticide formulation (BPF) with Zero inputs

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The organic extracts of this formulation had also been prepared using extraction methods and different organic solvents; and were tested for their efficacy against important pathogenic fungi and some important insect pest also. The ethyl acetate extract of BPF was observed to be more potent for inhibiting fungal growth than that of hexane extract. 100 ppm (0.1 %) ethyl acetate extract inhibited growth of Alternaria alternata (78%), Sclerotinia rolfsii (88%), Phytophthora infestans (55%); and R. bataticola and F. oxysporum (80-90% with 1000 ppm).

Screening of ITK based plants for bioactive botanicals for plant protection studies

Based on the performance at validation of ITK work, ICAR offered a research project on “Screening of plant extracts against insect pests and fungal pathogens of crops” during 2009. The project was funded by National Innovative Foundation (NIF), part of DST. The farmers in different regions were practicing these plant extracts in plant protection, for more than 10 years; and submitted the details to NIF for scientific validation. The screening of these 16 plant extracts was conducted against lepidopteron insect, Spodoptera litura; sucking pest, mustard aphid; and various plant pathogenic fungi, namely Pythium aphanidermatum, Rhizoctonia bataticola, R. solani, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, S. rolfsi, Fusarium oxysporum and Alternaria alternata.

The BPF formulation was observed to give substantial yield of tomato crop in comparison to organic treatment and check plots, besides managing crop pests (Arora et al., 2012a). The formulation was also found to contain essential macro (NPK) and micro-nutrients, as per nutrient analysis report from Division of Soil Science, IARI. The product was filed for a patent during 2009, and same has been published during January, 2011 (Kanojia et al., 2009). The study was conducted to evaluate indigenous knowledge as an alternate component of pest management so as to have pesticide residue free tomato, resulting in reduction of synthetic chemical pesticide load on environment. The economics and environmental impact of BPF was compared with chemical pesticides on tomato crop, and was observed to be quite low (Arora et al., 2012b).

The BPF product does not require any waiting period for harvesting the crop, nor it leaves any toxic residues on crop, leaving hazard free environment. The vegetable crop produce can be consumed without any fear of contamination. Besides the above facts, the cost of producing this product is extremely low so was socially acceptable too. Moreover it is based on indigenous knowledge of farmers, the wisdom received through our ancestors. A patent got published out of this research work besides other publications.

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The antifeedant activity of crude extract of Polyalthia proved better than reported antifeedancy of Neem, an aza compound. Because of promising insecticidal, antifeedancy and antifungal activity, the crude extract of Polyalthia longifolia plant was column fractioned and each fraction was also bio-assayed. A 35 per cent ethyl acetate in hexane was observed with highly promising insecticidal and antifeedant activity against insect pests (Arora et al., 2016). The same had also been observed with promising antifungal activity (Arora et al., 2015).

An escape from rich indigenous knowledge systems may not be spared, nor it will be wise to treat them as outdated and unscientific, just because being practiced by the resource poor and under privileged farmers belonging to the under-developed regions. Since the ITKs are a basket of sustainable technological options rather than fixed packages so these may be promoted to strengthen the ongoing pest management programs in the country.This is an effort to create an environment of respect for local people engaged in practicing indigenous knowledge using sound and thorough knowledge of local inhabitants with locally and easily available resources and home-made preparation. This would reduce the social distance by interacting frequently from greater involvement and further improvement protecting the agricultural environment. The bioactive fraction of Polyalthia plant extract could be formulated and applied for field crops for pest management. The BPF could also prove to be an alternative for synthetic chemical pesticides.

Reference

Arora Sumitra, Navin Mogha, Tulsi Bhardwaj, Chitra Srivastava. 2016. Antifeedant and Insecticidal Activity of Plant Extracts against Spodoptera litura (Fab.) and Lipaphis erysimi. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, India Section B: Biological Sciences. (DOI: 10.1007/s40011-015-0697-4).

Arora Sumitra, Navin Mogha, Tulsi Bhardwaj, Vikrant Sahu, SC Dubey. 2015. A biorational approach for management of key plant pathogens. Ind. J. Agric. Sci. 85 (6): 759–63, June 2015/Article.

Arora Sumitra, Ashok K. Kanojia, Ashok Kumar, Vikrant Sahu and Navin Mogha. 2012a. Bio-pesticide Formulation to control Tomato lepidopteran pest menace. Current Science.102 (7): 1051-57, 10 April 2012.

Arora Sumitra, Ashok K. Kanojia, H R Sardana and Susheel Kumar Sarkar. 2012b. Impact of novel biopesticide formulation on tomato crop: Economics and environmental effects. Ind. J. Agric. Sci. 82 (12): 1075–8.

Kanojia, A.K., Sumitra, Arora., Ranbir, Singh., An indigenous bio-pesticide enhances tomato yield. ICAR News, 2008, 14, 6.

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Kanojia, A.K., Sumitra, Arora., Mahajeet, Singh., A biopesticide formulation for controlling insect pests and fungal pathogens and process for preparation thereof, 2009, Indian Patent House, No. 1507/DEL/2009 dated 23/07/09.

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The mass production of bio-agents on a low cost price are become popular by the use of some domestic items which are easily available around a society. By the use of molasses instead of high cost price dextrose, use of rectangular whisky bottles instead of high cost price conical flask and domestic pressure cooker instead of high cost price autoclave, the process of mass production of bio-agents such as Trichoderma viridae, T. harzianum, Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium anisopliae are running successfully. The quality, nature and potential of these bio-agents were found to be same as standard production technique.

Keywords: Bio agents, Integraded Pest and Disease Managemnet, ITK

In the current era of agriculture, the plant protection paradigm has been shifted towards integrated pest and disease management (IPDM) approach which gained popularity and acceptance to a considerable extent among the agricultural community including researchers. Since injudicious agrochemical usage is responsible for wide range of side effects (Roy S., 2011). Plant disease management through biological agents has come into practice and progressively gaining popularity. Trichoderma is widely used as bio-control agent against several root pathogenic fungi throughout the world (Chet et al., (1979) Elad et al. (1980), Sivan et al. 1984). Trichoderma have Antifungal metabolites which is grouped by Ghisalberti and Sivasithamparam, 1991.Trichoderma spp. are known to produce mycolytic enzymes such as β-1, 3, glucanase, β-1, 4 endo-glucanase,chitinase and protease. These enzymes play an important role in the degradation of chitin which is the structural component of the target pathogens and herbivore insects and consequent myco-parasitism (Harman et al., 1993). Baker and Dickman (1993) found high enzyme activity in susceptible pathogen.

Entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) such as biological control agents can be used as a component of integrated pest management (IPM) of many insect pests. Under natural conditions, these



Comparative Low Cost Mass Production of Bio-agents

Abhishek Singh1 and Sumit Kumar Pandey2

1Scientific Assistant, Directorate of Plant Protection, Quarantine and Storage, Faridabad 2Ph. D. Scholar, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi

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pathogens are frequent and often cause natural mortalities of insect populations. There is a high potential for the use of Hypho-mycetes such as Metarhizium or Beauveria for biological control because such fungi can be cost– effectively mass-produced locally, and many strains are already commercially available. For example, Beauveria bassiana has been mass produced on different solid substrates, including sugarcane wastes (Somasekhar et al., 1998), silkworm pupal powder (Chavan et al., 1998), agar medium (Sergio et al., 2003) and steamed rice (Feng et al., 1994, 2004). Species in the same genus (B. bassiana and B. brongniartii) are produced by more than 14 companies, and Metarhizium (M. anisopliae and M. anisopliae var. acridium) by more than 10 (including some companies in Africa), aimed at controlling various insect pests including termites, cockroaches, black vine weevil, whiteflies, aphids, corn borers, colons and other insects (Strasser et al., 2000; Khetan, 2001; Wraight et al., 2001).

Mass production of bio-agents at village, taluka level by NGO or community or individually claim to require cheapest and easily available resources. In this paper have discussed about comparatively low cost price mass production of bio-agents.

The procedure was same for all three bio-agents. 100 ml molasses (Gur) was taken into 500 ml rectangular whisky bottles and the were plugged with non-absorbent cotton (Fig 1.1), number of bottles were 10 or this could be changed accordingly. 5 gm yeast was mixed in each molasses containing bottle and were sterilized into domestic pressure cooker for 45 minutes, allowing about 4 whistles. Then after it cooled down, each bottle containing sterilized molasses

Fig. 1.1 Fig. 1.2

Fig. 1.3 Fig. 1.4

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Comparative Low Cost Mass Production of Bio-agents

were inoculated (Fig 1.3) with pure culture of Trichoderma viridae or Beauveria bassiana or Metarhizium anisopliae and were kept at room temperature 25 – 270C for 15 days. After 15 days molasses were fully covered with the thick growth of bio-agents. The growth of each bottles were mixed into 200 gm talcum powder and were kept in shaded dry place for 10 days for reducing their moisture content. 5 gm Carboxy Methyl Cellulose was added per 2 kg of talcum powder during packing.

The mycelial growth were found to best on molasses, whisky bottle also contain more surface area in comparison to standard scientific flask. Molasses, whisky bottles, pressure cooker were easily available on low cost price so the process makes mass production possible to such bio-agent in powder form. These bio-agents got excellent response with farmers against their respective pests.

ReferencesBaker, R. and Dickman, M.B. 1993. Bio-control with fungi. In: soil Microbiology application in

Agriculturaland environmental management (Edn F.B. Melting Jr.) pp 275-306. Marcel Bekker Inc. New York.

Chavan, S., Chinnaswamy, K. P. and Changalarayappa 1998. Silkworm pupal powder as ingredient of culture media of Beauveria bassiana (Bals) Vuill. Insect Environment, 4 (1), 21.

Chet, I., Harman, G.E. and Baker, R. 1979. Trichodrma hamatum, its hyphal interactions with Rhizoctonia solaniand Phythium spp. Microbiol. E. Col., 7:29-38.

Elad, Y., Katan, J. and Chet, I. 1980. Physical, biological and chemical control integrated for soil borne diseasesof potato. Phytopathology, 70:418-522. http://dx.doi.org/10.1094/Phyto-70-418

Feng, M.G., Poprawski, T.J. and Khachatourians, G.G. 1994. Production, formulation and application of the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana for insect control: current status. Biological Control Science and Technology. 4, 3-34.

Feng, M.G., Poprawski, T.J. and Khachatourians, G.G. 1994. Production, formulation and application of the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana for insect control: current status. Biological Control Science and Technology. 4, 531-544.

Ghisalberti, E.L. and Sivasithamparam K. 1991. Antifungal antibiotics produced by Trichoderma spp. Soil biology and Biochemistry, 23:1011-1020. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0038-0717(91)90036-J

Harman, G.E., X. Jin, T.E. stasz, G. Peruzzaoil, A.C. Leopoid and A.G. Taylor. 1991. Production of conidialbiomass of Trichoderma harzianum for biological control. Biological control, 1:23-38. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/1049-9644(91)90097-J

Khetan, S.K. (2001) Microbial Pest Control, 1st edition. Marcel Dekker.

Roy S., Mukhopadhyay A. and Gurusubramanian A. 2011. Resistance to insecticides in field collected population of teamosquito bug (Helopeltis theivora Waterhouse) from theDooars (North Bengal, India) tea cultivations. J. Entomol. Res. Soc. 13(2): 37-44.

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Sergio, O., Pablo, S, and Martin, A. 2003. Native and Introduced Host Plants of Anastrepha fraterculus and Ceratitis capitata (Diptera; Tephritidae) in Northwestern Argentina. Journal of Economic Entomology. 96 (4), 1108 – 1118.

Sivan, A., Elad, Y. and Chet, I. 1984. Biologivcal control effects of a new isolate of Trichoderma harzianum and Phythium aphanidermatum. Phytopathology, 74:498-501. http://dx.doi.org/10.1094/Phyto-74-498

Somasekhar, N., Mehta, U.K. and Hari, K. 1998. Evaluation of sugarcane by- products for mass multiplication of nematode antagonistic fungi. In: Nematology: challenges and opportunities in 21st Century

Strasser, H., Vey, A. and Butt, T.M. 2000 Are there any risks in using entomopathogenic fungi for pest control, with particular reference to the bioactive metabolites of Metarhizium, Tolypocladium and Beauveria species? Biocontrol Science and Technology. 10, 717-735.

Wraight, S.P., Jackson, M. A. and De Kock, S.L. 2001. Production, stabilization and formulation of biocontrol agents. In: Butt, T.M., Jackson, C. and Magan, N., (eds). Fungi as Biocontrol Agents, Progress, Problems and Potential. CABI Publishing, New York. 253-288.

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Field trials were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of bioactive non-edible oils against whitefly, Bemicia tabaci on potato crop at the Central Potato Research Institute Campus, Modipuram during 2013 and 2014 using potato c.v. Kufri Pukhraj. The population of whitefly remained low under protected treatments of non-edible oils. Minimum incidence of whitefly was observed in the Neem oil treated crop from 2.33 to 5.0/10 plants during second week of October to first week of December with disease incidence of 22.1 per cent followed by Karanj oil treated crop (3.33 to 6.66) with disease incidence of 24.4 per cent. The data of whitefly incidence showed significant differences among the treatments. The population of whitefly varied (1.0-3.0/10 plants) in imidacloprid treated plots as compared to control plots (8.67-13.33/10 plants) with disease incidence of 30 per cnet. However, mean total tuber yield did not differed significantly among the treatments. Highest mean tuber yield (22 t/ha) was recorded when crop was protected by Neem oil followed by eucalyptus oil (20 t/ha) under non-edible oil protected treatments. Neem oil was found to be most effective with maximum 24.2 per cent increase in yield over control and yielded highest among all the treatments with maximum C: B ratio of 1:2.07. Two years studies revealed that non-edible oils were effective, but frequent spraying (5-6 sprays) is required to protect early potato crop. This ITK technique could be incorporated in IPM programme against whitefly in potato crop.

More than 150 species of forest and road side trees in India produce oil seeds. The oil of these seeds is not used for cooking purpose. This oil is commonly known as “non-edible oils”, these oils are highly odoriferous and colored and therefore generally unfit for use without processing. However, these oils contain valuable active principals and chemical compounds which are useful as medicines and pesticides (Bhatnagar and Sharma, 1997). Among these oils, seed trees, Neem (Azadirachta indica A.Juss); china berry (Melia azaderach L.); Custard apple



Effectiveness of Non-edible Oils on Insect Vector and Disease Incidence in Potato Crop - ITK Technique

Anuj BhatnagarCentral Potato Research Institute Campus, Modipuram, Meerut – 250110 (UP)

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(Annona squamosa); Mahua (Madhuc longifolia Koen); Karanj (Pongamia pinnata Pierre) and castor (Ricinus communis L.) are wide spread in India and are sources of considerable quantities of non-edible oils. Important bioactive botanicals are classified into 7 families namely Meliaceae, Rutaceae, Asteraceae, Annonaceae, Malvaceae, Labiatae and Canellaceae. Anti ovipositional activity of Jyoti oil (Jatropha cureas L.), Neem oil (A. indica) and Mahua oil (M. longifolia) reported against C. maculates (Jadhav and Jadhav, 1984). Many workers conducted trials and reported antifeedant, repellent and insecticidal activity of non-edible oils against insect pests of economic importance (Bhatnagar and Sharma, 1995, 1997, Bhatnagar, 2007)

Potato is grown in many parts of North-central and North-western parts of India as early cash crop fetching higher remunerative price in the market. More than 100 insects have been associated with crop and damaging leaf, stem, roots and tubers of potato crop viz. sucking pests-whitefly, leafhopper, aphids and tuber damaging pests-cutworms, potato tuber moth and whitegrub. In general, these pests caused 20-25 per cent reduction in yield in potato (Saxena and Misra, 1983). Among the various insect pests, aphid (Myzus persicae Sulzer), leafhopper (Empoasca fabae Harris) and whitefly (Bemisia tabaci Gennadius) have significant influence on potato crop (Bhatnagar, 2007).

The most important among the above insects is whitefly, Bemisia tabaci. Whitefly is an important insect vector of potato crop in North-central India. Which transmit potato apical leaf curl virus in potato crop (Lakra, 2003). This insect can cause 20-60 per cent yield losses in potato crop depending upon climatic conditions. With the increasing temperature due to global climate change, the incidence of whitefly is expected to increase on crop. Several conventional and synthetic insecticides have been tried against whitefly on various crops in the past (Thakur et al., 1991, Singh and Gupta, 1993). However, these chemicals are expensive and their indiscriminative use is hazardous to human health and the environment. The yield losses by whitefly are due to sap sucking as well as vectoring disease like apical leaf curl disease; this disease has assumed significant status in all parts of potato growing areas of North-western India. The problem has been further aggravated due to the development of resistance against conventional pesticides being used by the farmers. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop and evaluate new bio-active products which are locally available, effective against whitefly, non-toxic to humans and other beneficial organism, biodegradable, less prone to the development of resistance and are also less expensive.

A field trial was conducted to the evaluate efficacy of non-edible oils against whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) in potato crop under field condition at Central Potato Research Institute Campus, Modipurum, Meerut (U.P.) during 2013 and 2014. Trial was laid out in a randomized block design with plot size of 3 m x 2 m. Potato cultivar Kufri Pukhraj was planted in the 2nd week

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of September in the respective years during early crop season with seven treatments, replicated thrice. The non-edible oil treatment included Neem oil, castor oil, eucalyptus oil, Karanj oil and Mahua oil while imidacloprid 17.5 SL as a check along with untreated control. Non-edible oils of 100 per cent concentration were used at the rate of 2 ml/liter of water as spray solution. Teepol was mixed in spray solution to increase the solubility of oils in water. The recommended insecticide- imidacloprid 17.5 SL was used as 5 ml/10 of water as spray solution. For spraying the crop, Knapsack sprayer was used and crop was sprayed in the evening to preserve natural enemies. In total seven sprays of oils; 3 in October, 3 in November, and the last one in December were given to provide protection to potato crop, while insecticide spray was given only three times from 35 days old crop at 15 days interval. All the agronomic package of practices recommended for the region were followed in raising a good crop.

The observations on the population buildup of whitefly were recorded on 10 randomly selected plants including upper, middle and lower leaves of each plant at 24hrs, 48hrs, 72 hrs and further 7 days interval regularly from 35 days after planting till the physiological maturity of the crop. The insect specimens were preserved in a mixture of 10 parts of (60%) ethyl alcohol + one part of glycerin + one part of acetic acid for species identification.

The yield data were recorded from net plot after removing halum in the last week of December. The plant growth parameters like yield and other yield attributing characters like marketable tuber yield along with per cent over size, seed size and small size tubers were recorded at the time of harvest. The per cent germination and disease were also recorded during crop growth. For benefit cost analysis record of costs incurred on each treatment and that of control were maintained. Similarly, the price of the harvested produce of each treatment and that of control were calculated at market rate. Benefit-Cost analysis was expressed in terms of Benefit Cost ratio by using the following formula.

Net return (Rs. ha -1)BC = —————————————— Cost of treatment (Rs. ha-1)

The mean incidence of whitefly was converted using square root transformation. The data was subjected to statistical analysis.

The maximum incidence of whitefly on potato crop occurs during October and November then subsequently it declined in the later months. Higher incidence of whitefly was observed on early-planted crop (Fig.-1). Among the non-edible oil treatments, the minimum incidence of whitefly was recorded in Neem oil treated plots with mean incidence 1.0 – 2.47/10 plants

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from second week of October to first week of December during crop growth followed by eucalyptus oil (1.25-3.13/10 plant), Karanj oil (1.64-2.80/10 plant), castor oil (1.80-2.83/10 plant) and Mahua oil (2.20-3.19/10 plant) The maximum population of white fly (2.26-3.28/plant) was observed in untreated plots. In general, the differences were non-significant as far as non-edible oil protected preference is concerned. Lakra, 2003 reported that sharp decrease in temperature after mid November decreased whitefly population drastically. Incidence of whitefly population did not differ significantly in relation to plant protection treatment on potato crop. However, the incidence of whitefly differs significantly after 48 hrs, 7 days 15 day and 55 days after treatment.

Figure 1

Figure 2

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Table 1 : Tuber yield, attributing characters, disease incidence and economic of non-edible oils protected potato crop under field condition

Treatments Ger-mina-tion (%)

Over size Tu-bers (%)

Seed Size Tu-bers (%)

Small Size Tu-bers (%)

Total Tuber yield (t/ha)

% In-crease

in tuber yield over con-trol

In-crease

in tuber yield over con-trol (t)

Cost* of

potato (Rs.)

Cost of treat-

ment** (Rs.)

Net profit (Rs.)

Cost: Ben-efit

ratio

T1-Neem oil (2ml/l)

83.37 8.31 41.33 50.27 22.0 24.2 4.3 30100 14480 15620 1:2.07

T2-Castor oil (2ml/l)

70.30 8.76 38.63 52.63 19.7 11.3 2.0 14000 9500 4500 1:1.47

T3-Eucalyptus oil (2ml/l)

73.27 10.20 42.77 46.97 20.0 13.0 2.3 16100 11745 4335 1:1.37

T4-Karanj oil (2ml/l)

88.10 6.02 36.40 57.40 18.9 6.77 1.2 8400 7542 858 1:1.11

T5-Mahua oil (2ml/l)

91.07 8.13 36.57 55.30 19.3 9.03 1.6 11200 8580 2620 1:1.30

T6-Imidacloprid- 17.5 SL (4ml/10l)

92.53 8.53 37.67 53.73 24.9 40.6 7.2 50400 15835 34565 1:3.18

T7-Control (water spray)

88.23 9.67 23.60 64.77 17.7 - - - - - -

SEM + 1 2.72 1.73 5.09 4.55 1.77 - - - - - -

CD (p=0.05) 8.48 NS NS NS NS - - - - - -

*Mean tuber rate-800/q, **Cost of plant product +spraying cost + labour, Seven sprays of plant product on 14.10., 20.10., 28.10., 06.11, 18.11, 24.11 and 02.12. and three sprays of insecticide in T6.

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The incidence of whitefly population was resulted from residue population from early potato crop, natural host and weeds in the vicinity of the crop. However, the populations of whitefly remained low under protected condition i.e. crop was protected by seven sprays schedule of Neem oil. The maximum mean incidence of whitefly was recorded in unsprayed crop followed by Mahua oil, castor oil, Karanj oil, eucalyptus oil and Neem oil under protected condition. Subsequently, the population of whitefly declined quickly due to change of environmental condition i.e. decrease of temperature, decline of R.H. and maturity of potato cultivar. Low temperature and frequent rains in the months of November and December also influenced the buildup of whitefly population on potato crop. Uthama Swamy (2001) observed that high temperature boosted growth and development of whitefly which confirmed the present finding i.e. decrease in temperature and increased relative humidity from 1st week of November did not favor the buildup of whitefly.

Tuber yield, attributing characters, disease incidence and economic of non-edible oils

Numbers of tubers i.e. oversize, seed size and small size did not differed statistically among the seven treatments. However, per cent germination and disease incidence showed significant differences among the treatments (Fig-2, Table-1). The maximum disease incidence (40%) was recorded in unsprayed treatment followed by castor oil (38.3%). However, minimum disease incidence (27.7%) was recorded in imidacloprid treated plots followed by Neem oil (31.67%) and Karanj oil (33.0%) (Fig. 2).

Highest mean tuber weight (22 t/ha) was recorded when crop was protected by Neem oil followed by eucalyptus oil (20 t/ha), castor oil (19.7 t/ha), Mahua oil (19.3 t/ha) and Karanj oil (18.9 t/ha) under non-edible oil protected treatments (Table 1). Similarly, maximum increase in tuber yield (7.2 t/ha) was recorded in imidacloprid treatment followed by Neem oil (4.3 t/ha) with maximum per cent increase in tuber yields 40.6 and 24.2, respectively. Mean total tuber yield differed significantly among different treatments. Table data revealed that all the protected treatments exhibited increase total tuber yields under protected by non-edible oils.

By working out B:C ratio it is evident that Neem oil ranked first indicating the maximum return Rs. 2.07 per rupee invested followed by castor oil with 1:1.47, eucalyptus oil 1:1.37, B:C ratio, respectively. Neem oil was found to be most effective and yielded highest among all treatments with maximum B:C ratio 1: 2.07. Frequent spraying of Neem formulation from the emergence of potato crop to 50 days old was effectively reduced the thrips population, per cent disease intensity and significantly increased tuber yield (Bhatnagar,

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2012). The present study is in the agreement of Bhatnagar, 2012. Therefore, Neem oil may be incorporated in IPM programme of whitefly as farmers of this region can apply or incorporate Neem oil along with insecticide judiciously on potato crop as per the economic threshold levels of whitefly.

References

Bhatnagar, A. and Sharma, V.K .1995. Relative efficacy and residual toxicity margosa (Azadirachta indica) and Indian beech (Pongamia pinnata) oils against maize stem borer, Chilo partellus (Swinhoe) of maize (Zea mays). Indian Journal of agricultural sciences. 65 (9):691-93

Bhatnagar,A. and Sharma, V.K.,1997, Effects of Neem leaf and Custard apple seed extracts on maize stem borer, Chilo partellus (Swinhoe) Plant Protection Bulletin. 49 (1-4):33-40

Bhatnagar, A. 2007. Incidence and succession of thrips, leafhoppers and whitefly in combination of planting dates and potato varieties. Annals of Plants Protection Sciences. 15 (1): 101-105.

Bhatnagar, A. 2009. Efficacy and economics of insecticides, neem product and biopersticide against thrips (Thrips palmi Karny) on potato (Solamum tuberosum) crop. Annals of Plant Protection Sciences. 15 (1):101-105.

Bhatnagar, A. 2012. Effects of neem formulation against thrips (Thrips palmi Karny): a vector of tospo virus in early potato crop. Annals of Entomology. 30(1):1-4.

Jadhav, F.B. and Jadhav, L.D. (1984). Use of some vegetable oils, plant extracts and synthetic products as protectants from pulse beetle, C. maculatus in stored grain. J. Food Sci. Tech. 21(2): 110-113

Lakra, B. S. 2003. Effect of date of planting on whitefly population, leaf curls incidence and yield of potato cultivars. J. Indian Potato Assoc. 30: 115-116.

Malik, K., Chandel, R. S., Singh, B. P. and Chandla, V. K. 2005. Studies on potato apical leaf curl virus disease and its whitefly vector Bemisia tabaci. In: Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of Indian Society of Plant Pathologists and Centenary Symposium on Plant Pathology (7-8 April), Central Potato Research Institute, Shimla, pp 17.

Saxena, A. P. and Misra, S. S. 1983. Pests of potato crop in high attitude and their control. Proceedings of workshop on ‘High Altitude, Entomology and wild life. Ecol. Zool. Surv.,India, pp-165-180.

Singh, R. and Gupta, G. P. 1993.Effect of insecticidal schedules on intermittent population of jassid and whitefly and yield of cotton. Pesticide Res. J. 16: 432-433.

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Thakur, B. S., Dhaanorkar, B. K. and Puri, S. N. 1991.Bioefficacy of some insecticides against whitefly infesting cotton. J. Maharashtra Agril. Univ. 16: 432-433.

Uthama Swamy 2001. Insect pests of potato and their management. IPM in India. Annual Review of Entomology. 24(1): 25-29.

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Insect plant chemical interactions in nature are usually very subtle. Most plant defensive chemicals discourage insect herbivory, either by deterring feeding and oviposition or by impairing larval growth, rather than by killing insects outright. Antifeedants are generally considered to play an important role in food-plant selection by herbivorous insects, which avoid plants containing these compounds (Schoonhoven et al., 1998). One application of our understanding of plant defensive chemistry is the identification of putative deterrent substances that could be isolated in sufficient quantities or synthesized for use of as crop protectants (Isman, 2002). Terrestrial plants produce a diverse array of secondary metabolites and some of these are important in the defense of plants against herbivores (Schoonhoven, 1982). Being compounds of natural origin, no problems with persistence in the environment are anticipated (Gebbinck et al., 2002). Global concern with the health and environmental impacts of synthetic pesticides, from both consumers and government agencies, has led to heightened restrictions and limitations on the use these products. Thus, products based on plant extracts and purified substances of plant origin can be an alternative to the conventional pesticides (Isman, 2001).

Keywords: Andrographis, Spodoptera, Antifeedancy

Kalmegh, Andrographis paniculata (Family: Acanthaceae), is a well known medicinal herb used for the treatment of various infections (Chopra et al., 1996). It is reported to have a multitude of medicinal properties like antibacterial, immunostimulatory, antipyretic, antidiarrhoeal, anti-inflammatory, antimalarial, antivenom and antihepatotoxic activities (WHO monographs on selected medicinal plants). Chemical investigations carried out with A. paniculata has led to the identification of several diterpenoids like andrographolide, neoandrographolide and 14-deoxy



Antifeedant Activity of Root Extracts of Kalmegh, Andrographis paniculata Against Spodoptera litura

Berin Pathrose1, Chitra Srivastava2 and Suresh Walia3

1ICAR KVK Malappuram, Kerala Agricultural University 2Division of Entomology, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi 3Division of Agricultural Chemicals, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi

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andrographolide from the aerial parts of the plant (Cava et al., 1962; Chan et al., 1971 and Weiming and Xiaotian, 1982) while flavonoids are the major secondary metabolites present in its roots (Jalal et al., 1979; Gupta et al., 1983; Kuroyanagi et al., 1987 and Reddy et al., 2003). Its multifarious medicinal properties have been thoroughly investigated but very few reports are available on its bioactivity against insect pests (Hermawan et al., 1993; Tripathi et al., 1999). Most of these studies have been carried out with the extracts from aerial parts of Kalmegh. Hence the current study evaluated the antifeedant activity of extracts from roots of A. paniculata against tobacco caterpillar, Spodoptera litura.

A. paniculata was procured from a farmers field at Govindapuram, Palakkad district, Kerala and was identified by scientists at the Aromatic and Medicinal Plants Research Station, Odakkali, Kerala under Kerala Agricultural University. Plants were uprooted just before flowering and shoots and roots separated. Roots were thoroughly washed under running water to remove soil particles, dried under shade and ground well. Powdered plant material was further used for extraction.

Dried, powdered roots (212 g) of plant material was steeped in hexane. The solvent was filtered after 24 hours through a Whatman No. 1 filter paper and was concentrated in vacuo under reduced temperature in a rotary evaporator (Hiedolph, Germany). This was repeated thrice to obtain crude hexane extract (3.2 g).The plant material after extraction with hexane was re-extracted with methanol as before. Methanol was evaporated to get crude methanol extract (15.66 g).

Larvae of S. litura collected from the fields of Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi, reared in the laboratory, were used in the current study.The nucleus culture of S. litura was maintained at 25±1oC, 60±5% relative humidity and 16:8 hour photo: scotophase on artificial diet.

The antifeedant activity of the extracts through choice and no-choice test methods, after 24 and 48 hours in each test, was done against 7 day old (3rd instar) larvae of S. litura on castor leaves. Stock solutions of the test compounds were prepared in the carrier solvents. Further dilution was done in emulsified water by maintaining emulsifier (Tween – 80) level at 0.5 per cent to yield various concentrations. Castor leaf discs (4 cm diameter) were punched out from the washed and dried castor leaves. Leaf discs were dipped thoroughly in each of the concentration and air dried. Moist filter paper discs were placed in glass Petri plates (9 cm diameter) on which a single treated leaf disc was kept (for no-choice method). In choice method, in each Petri dish, along with a treated leaf disc, one untreated leaf disc of same size was kept. Single pre-starved (3-4 hours), 7-day old larvae of S. litura was released into each Petri plate. Ten replicates were kept for each concentration. Leaf discs treated with solvent emulsified water served

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as control. The unfed area in each treatment was measured using a Licor-3100 leaf area meter after 24 hours. Similarly, another set of experiment was kept and leaf area was measured after 48 hours.

Table 1: Antifeedant activity of Kalmegh root extracts at different concentrations against 7-day old Spodoptera litura larvae by no-choice method

Concentration (%)

Per cent antifeedance (24 hours) Per cent antifeedance (48 hours)

Hexane extract Methanol extract Hexane extract Methanol extract

0.007 1.68a 12.71a 15.24b 1.20b

0.01 0.65a 15.84a 30.24ab 1.45b

0.03 5.55a 25.08a 46.90ab 6.34ab

0.05 7.38a 44.64a 47.85ab 19.13ab

0.07 34.41a 48.10a 53.94ab 26.85ab

0.1 35.67a 51.66a 61.30a 57.77a

Figures in any column followed by same letter are not significantly different at p<0.05 by Tukey’s test

Table 2: Antifeedant activity of Kalmegh root extracts at different concentrations against 7-day old Spodoptera litura larvae by choice method

Concentration (%)

Per cent antifeedance (24 hours) Per cent antifeedance (48 hours)

Hexane extract Methanol extract Hexane extract Methanol extract

0.007 0.51a 0.16a 1.36c 1.95c

0.01 0.09a 0.31a 22.04bc 17.61bc

0.03 0.88a 6.24a 25.76bc 34.18ab

0.05 1.20a 11.44a 28.00bc 44.52a

0.07 19.34a 22.67a 39.76ab 45.16a

0.1 12.19a 27.55a 50.53a 47.50a

Figures in any column followed by same letter are not significantly different at p<0.05 by Tukey’s test

In the case of no-choice method, per cent antifeedancy was calculated for each concentration using the formula of Singh and Pant (1980) and for choice method deterrence activity was calculated by the formula given by Isman et al., (1990).

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All the data were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA), in a completely randomized design and the means were separated using Tukey’s test. Tests were carried out at 5 per cent level of significance. The analyses were carried out using SPSS 13.0 software package.

By no-choice method, crude hexane extract from roots of A. paniculata showed no significant antifeedant activity at the concentrations tested ranging from 0.007 per cent to 0.1 per cent (Table 1), but there was a dose dependant increase in per cent antifeedancy. As the period of treatment was doubled to 48 hours, there was significant antifeedant activity (61.30%) at the highest dose of 0.1 per cent. The per cent antifeedance was 53.94 per cent at 0.07 per cent concentration.

Results showed that, after 24 hours of treatment, crude methanol extract from roots of A. paniculata showed better antifeedant activity than its hexane extract. After 48 hours of observation there was significant antifeedant activity at 0.1 per cent concentration.

With no-choice bioassay, both the hexane and methanol extracts showed similar antifeedant activity at all the doses evaluated after 24 and 48 hours, though the activity was significant at higher doses after 48 hours of observation.

When choice bioassay was carried out, the hexane and methanol extracts from roots of A. paniculata did not show any significant activity at various treatment doses, when observations were taken after 24 hours (table 2).

When the observation period was extended to 48 hours, antifeedant activity significantly enhanced to 50.53 per cent at maximum dose (0.1 %) with hexane extract. Antifeedant activity was significantly superior at the higher doses of 0.03 per cent, 0.05 per cent, 0.07 per cent and 0.1 per cent with methanol extract after 48 hours.

Like in no-choice bioassay, in choice bioassay too, there was no significant difference between the activity of hexane and methanol extracts during both the observation periods.

Both the extracts showed dose dependant antifeedant activity at various hours of exposure. There are a few reports about the chemistry of root extracts of A. paniculata (Jalal et al., 1979; Gupta et al., 1983; Kuroyanagi et al., 1987; Reddy et al., 2003) and all these studies reported the presence of flavonoids in the roots of A. paniculata. But there are no reports yet on the bioactivity of these extracts against insect pests. This is the first report to establishing the antifeedant activity in the crude extracts from roots of this plant. Joymati and Dhanchang, 1997; reported A. paniculata aqueous root extracts to inhibit egg hatching and causes mortality of root knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita when compared to two other plant extracts.

Xu and Wang, 2011 isolated and identified 28 compounds, of which 20 were flavonoids and 3 were diterpenoids. The diterpenoids identified includes andrographolide which is the

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major constituent in aerial parts of A. paniculata. Andrographolide has proven antifeedant activity against Spilarctia obliqua (Tripathi et al., 1999) and 4th instar nymphs and adults of Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata (Govindachari et al., 1999). As flavonoids are the major constituents of A. paniculata roots, they may be the major factor contributing antifeedant activity and this can be ascertained only through detailed studies.

References

Cava MP, Chan WR, Haynes LJ and Johnson LF. 1962. The structure of andrographolide. Tetrahedron. 18: 397-403.

Chan WR Taylor DR Willis CR Bodden RL and Fehlhaber HW. 1971. The structure and stereochemistry of neoandrographolide, a diterpene glucoside from Andrographis paniculata Nees. Tetrahedron. 27: 5081-5091.

Chopra RN Nayar SL and Chopra IC. 1996. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants. National Institute of Science Communication, New Delhi, p 18.

Gebbinck EAK Jansen BJM and de Groot A.2002. Insect antifeedant activity of clerodane diterpenes and related model compounds. Phytochemistry. 61: 737-770.

Govindachari TR Suresh G Gopalakrishnan G Wesley SD and Singh NDP. 1999. Antifeedant activity of some diterpenoids. Fitoterapia. 70(3): 269-274.

Gupta KK Taneja SC Dhar KL and Atal CK. 1983. Flavonoids of Andrographis paniculata. Phytochemistry. 22(1): 314-345.

Hermawan W Tsukuda R Fujisaki K Kobayashi A and Nakasuji F. 1993. Influence of crude extracts from tropical medicinal plant, Andrographis paniculata (Acanthaceae), on suppression of feeding by the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (Lepoidoptera: Yponomeutidae) and oviposition by the Azuki bean weevil Callosobruchus chinensis (Coleoptera: Bruchidae). Applied Entomology and Zoology. 28(2): 251-254.

Isman MB Koul O Luczynski A and Kaminski J. 1990. Insecticidal and antifeedant bioactivities of neem oil and their relationship to azadirachtin content. Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry. 38(6): 1406-1411.

Isman MB. 2001. Biopesticides based on phytochemicals. In “Phytochemical Biopesticides”, O Koul and GS Dhaliwal (Eds), Harwood Academic Publishers, Amsterdam, p 1-12.

Isman MB. 2002. Insect antifeedants. Pesticide Outlook. 13(4): 152-157.

Jalal MAF Overton KH and Rycroft DS. 1979. Formation of three new flavones by differentiating callus cultures of Andrographis paniculata. Phytochemistry. 18: 149-151.

Joymati L and Dhanchang C. 1997. Evaluation of aqueous extracts of some medicinal plants against Meloidogyne incognita. Current Nematology. 8(1,2): 11-15.

Kuroyanagi M Sato M Ueno A and Nishi K. 1987. Flavonoids from Andrographis paniculata. Chemical and Pharmaceutical Bulletin. 35(11): 4429-4435.

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Reddy MK Reddy MVB Gunasekar D Murthy MM Caux C and Bodo B. 2003. A flavone and an unusual 23-carbon terpenoid from Andrographis paniculata. Phytochemistry 62: 1271-1275.

Schoonhoven LM Jermy T and van Loon JJA. 1998. Insect-Plant Biology, from Physiology to Evolution. Chapman and Hall, London.

Schoonhoven LM. 1982. Biological aspects of antifeedants. Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata 31: 57-69.

Singh RP and Pant NC. 1980. Lycorine – a resistance factor in the plant sub-family Amarylloidiodeae (Amarylliadeae) against desert locust. Experientia 36: 552.

Tripathi AK Prajapathi V Jain DC and Saxena S. 1999. Antifeedant, oviposition-deterrent and growth-inhibitory activity of Andrographis paniculata against Spilarctia obliqua. Insect Science and its Application 19(2/3): 211-216.

Weiming C and Xiaotian L. 1982. Deoxyandrographolide 19â-D-glucoside from the leaves of Andrographis paniculata. Planta Medica 15: 245-246.

Xu C and Wang Z.T. 2011.Chemical constituents from roots of Andrographis paniculata. Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica. 46(3): 317–321.

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Farmers of Malappuram District, Kerala, traditionally use various ITKs for the management of various insect pests in different crops. One such ITK was the use of fish extract for the management of Gundhi Bug, L. acuta in rice. Once this ITK was documented by KVK Malappuram, in order to validate this, we have carried out trials in 2011-12 at KVK farm and in two farmer’s fields during the second crop season. Fish extract was prepared by keeping fish (sardine) mixed with jaggery in 1:1 ratio (w/w) for 21 days. After 21 days the mixture was filtered using a muslin cloth and the filtered solution was used for the trials. Sardine is commonly used by farmers as it is the cheapest fish available locally. A kilogramme each of sardine and jaggery yields about 1.5 litres of fish extract and it will cost around Rs. 250. 20 ml of the extract was diluted with a litre of water and sprayed on the crop (at milky stage) using a high volume sprayer in the evening hours. No. of bugs in a square meter of area was counted before the spray and 24 hours after the spray. The use of fish extract helped to reduce the no. of bugs/m2 from 10.8 before spray to 1.2 after the spray. Once the ITK was validated KVK started popularizing the ITK through trainings and Farmer Fields Schools. Inorder to ensure easy availability of fish extract KVK initiated the production and sales of fish extract. The sales of fish extract at KVK rose from 21.4 litres in 2011-12 to 840 litres in2014-15. The adoption of ITK increased from 10.7 ha in 2011-12 to 420 ha in 2014-15.

Keywords: ITK, fish extract, gundhi bug

Rice gundhi bug (Leptocorisa spp.) is a major pest of rice seen in almost all rice growing tracts of Asia (Dale, 1994). Though the pest was considered as minor before 1975, it has become a major threat to rice cultivation in the past two decades (Krishnaiah and Varma, 2012). The pest is reported to cause around 30 per cent yield loss in rice (Sharma et al., 2011). The major strategy adopted for the management of gundhi bug is the use of insecticides (Singh et al., 2009).



Validation and Popularization of Fish Extract for the Management of Gundhi bug, Leptocorisa acuta

Berin Pathrose, Sunil V G and Habeeburrahman P VICAR KVK Malappuram, Kerala Agricultural University

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Indira Devi, 2007 has reported that agricultural labourers engaged in spraying of pesticides in the Kuttanad rice tract of Kerala incur a health cost of Rs. 38/day. Due to the adverse effect of pesticides to environment and other non-target organisms the importance of ecofriendly pest management strategies are increasing day by day. Traditionally farmers are using a large number of indigenous technologies (ITKs) which helps them to reduce the cost of cultivation as well as to maintain the farming practices more sustainable and eco friendly (Muthuraman and Meera, 2011). Farmers of Malappuram district, Kerala are traditionally using a mixture of fish (sardine) and jaggery for the management of Gundhi. This paper describes the experiments carried out to validate the ITK and the steps taken to popularise this.

Fresh fish (Sardine) and jaggery procured from local market were used for the preparation of fish extract. Fish was cut into pieces, jaggery was powdered and equal quatities (w/w) of both were mixed and kept in a closed jar for 21 days. After 21 days the liquid part of the mixture was filtered using a muslin cloth and used for the trials. Trials were carried out during the second crop season (August – December) of 2010-11 at 2 locations of Malappuram district, Kerala. One location was KVK farm (1 acre) and the second one was a farmers field in Triprangode, Malappuram (10 acres). The variety grown was Jyothi in the KVK farm and Uma in the farmers field. The trials were repeated again in second crop season of 2012-13 in another farmers field where the variety grown was Jyothi (1 acre). 20 ml of extract was diluted in a litre of water and sprayed using a high volume sprayer. For an acre of area the spray volume was 150 litres. The sprays were carried out at 50 per cent flowering in the evenings. Observations on the no. of bugs in a square meter area was counted before the sprays and 24 hours after the spray. From an acre of area observations were taken from 10 spots.

Table 1 : Population of gundhi bug per sq. m. before and after the spray of fish extract at various locations

Location No. of bugs/m2 Per cent reductionBefore spray After spray

KVK farm 8.1 0.7 91.4Triprangode 11.9 1.7 85.7Tavanur 12.3 1.3 89.4

Table 2 : Sales and adoption of fish extract at KVK in various years

Year 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15Sales (litres) 21.4 127.2 129.6 840Adoption (Acres) 7.13 42.4 43.2 280

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Validation and Popularization of Fish Extract for the Management of Gundhi bug, Leptocorisa acuta

One kg each of fish and jaggery yielded 1.5 litres of fish extract. For an acre of area 3 litres of fish extract is required. The cost for preparing 3 litres of fish extract is Rs. 160/-. Malathion is recommended for the management of rice bugs by Kerala Agricultural University (Kerala Agricultural University, 2011) and the cost of malathion for an acre of area comes to Rs. 165/-. Hence there is not much difference in the cost of fish extract and the recommended insecticide for managing rice bug. Mean no. of rice bugs from the 3 locations were 8.1/m2, 11.9/m2 and 12.3/m2 before the treatment at KVK farm, Triprangode and Tavanur, respectively (Table 1). After 24 hours of treatment, the no. of rice bugs decreased to 0.7/m2, 1.7/m2 and 1.3/m2 at KVK farm, Triprangode and Tavanur, respectively. The per cent decrease in the no. of rice bugs per square meter at KVK farm, Triprangode and Tavanur were 91.36 per cent, 85.71 per cent and 89.43 per cent, respectively.

Several ITKs are used in various parts of our country for the management of rice bugs. In Assam cycle tyres are burnt in paddy fields to repel rice bugs. The burnt smell from tyres repel the bugs from fields (Deka et al., 2006). In Jharkhand farmers hang dead snakes in fields to repel bugs while in Tripura dried fish soaked in water for 1-2 days and sprayed on rice to reduce the incidence of rice bugs (Muthuraman and Meera, 2011). A fatty acid rich fraction from Hydnocarpus laurifolia was found to have insecticidal activity against L. acuta by Sini et al., 2005. Sardine is a fish having high lipid content varying from 2-16 per cent. As the fish extract may contain high quantities of fatty acids, the reduction in population of gundhi bugs due to the presence of fatty acids or may be due to the repellent action of odour from the extract.

Once the ITK was found to be effective in managing rice bug, it was popularised through various extension programmes of KVK like Farmer Field Schools (FFS) and trainings. In addition to the extension programmes of KVK, collaborative activities with Department of Agriculture through ATMA (Agricultural Technology Management Agency), Malappuram helped to spread the ITK to various parts of the district.

In order to ensure better adoption of this ITK, KVK strated the production and sale of fish extract from 2011-12 onwards. The sale of fish extract increased from 21.4 litres in 2011-12 to 840 litres in 2014-15. Correspondingly the area covered increased from 7.13 acres to 280 acres (Table 2).

ReferencesDale D. 1994. Insect pests of rice plant –Their biology and ecology. In: Heinrichs, E.A. Ed. Biology and

Management of rice insects. Wiley eastern limited, New Delhi pp. 363 – 513.

Deka M.K., Bhuyan M. and Hazarika L.K. 2006. Traditional pest management practices of Assam. Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge. 5(1): 75-78.

Indira Devi P. 2007. Pesticide use in the rice bowl of Kerala: Health costs and policy options. Sandee Working Paper No. 20-07.

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Jahn G.C., Domingo I., Almazan M.L.P. and Pacia J. 2004. Effect of rice bug Leptocorisa oratorius (Hemiptera: Alydidae) on rice yield, grain quality and seed viability. Journal of Economic Entomology. 97(6): 1923-1927.

Kerala Agricultural University. 2011. Package of Practices Recommendations: Crops. 14th edition. Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur – 360 p.

Krishnaiah K. and Varma N.R.G. 2012.Changing Insect Pest Scenario in the Rice Ecosystem – A National Perspective. Directorate of Rice Research, Hyderabad.

Misra H.P. 1999. Control of gundhi bug in upland rice. Indian Journal of Entomology. 61(2): 169-172.

Muthuraman P. and Meera S.N. 2011. Indigenous technology knowledge in rice cultivation. Directorate of Rice Research, Hyderabad.

Sharma M.K., Atsedewoin A. and Fanta S. 2011. Forewarning models of the insects of paddy crop. International Journal of Biodiversity and Conservation. 3(8): 367-375.

Singh S. B., Singh M and Dhingra M. R. 2009. Effectiveness of insecticides against rice gundhi bug. Annals of Plant Protection Sciences.17(2): 468-469.

Sini H., Mohanan P. V. and Devi K. S. 2005. Studies on the insecticidal activity, cytogenecity and metabolism of fatty acid rich fraction of Hydnocarpus laurifolia. Toxicological and Environmental Chemistry. 87(1): 91-98.

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This study was conducted to explore the feasibility of using Garbage Enzyme to manage the crop diseases . The garbage enzyme was prepared from fruits dregs, molasses and water and capable of having reinforcing and cleaning function to work with nature. The garbage enzyme is prepared by fermentation initially by closed containers. The ingredients used were Fruit dregs of papaya, apples, banana, and vegetables like tomato, brinjal, cabbage and cauliflowers, in 10 parts of water: 3 parts of fruit vegetable dregs : 1 Part Sugar/Jaggary were the constituents and it is kept for 3 months in closed containers, which were opened every day for first month to release the gases produced. In this study, garbage enzyme is used at different concentrations and with different biological, chemical fungicides and bactericides in Tomato. From the results, the treatments included 5 per cent garbage enzyme was found significantly effective for control of fungal and bacterial diseases in vegetable crops when it is applied along with chemical fungicide, bactericide and Pseudomonas and effective micro-organisms solution EM. The pooled data shows that per cent diseases control was 86 in treated plot as compare to 46 per cent in control plot. The yield was also increased by 24 per cent over control, The cost of Spraying were reduced considerably. The quality of fruit were improved, helped to fetch good market rate and was found cost effective.

Key Words: Garbage Enzyme, Fungi, Bacteria, Fungicide, fermentation, fruit and vegetable drags

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum (L.) Karst) is one of the important crops in vegetable crop. It is grown on large area in Mahrashtra but the low yield is main problem. There are many factor responsible for low yield but diseases are one of the major causes. There are a number of diseases of tomato caused by fungi and bacteria, viruses, nematodes, etc. The fungal diseases like Alternaria stem canker, CO: Alternaria alternata f.sp. lycopersici; Anthracnose, CO: Colletotrichum dematium, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides; Black mold rot, CO: Alternaria alternata; Buckeye



Studies on Effect of Garbage Enzyme for Management of Fungal and Bacterial Diseases in Vegetable crops with Special Reference to Tomato

Lakhe M P and Dahatonde N B Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Dahigaon, Ahmednagar, Maharastra

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fruit and root rot, CO: Phytophthora capsici, Phytophthora drechsleri; Cercospora leaf mold, CO: Cercospora fuligena; Early blight, CO: Alternaria solani; Fusarium wilt, CO: Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici; Late blight, CO: Phytophthora infestans; Powdery mildew, CO: Oidiopsis sicula; Pythium damping-off and fruit rot, CO: Pythium aphanidermatum; Bacterial spot, CO: Xanthomonas campestris pv. Vesicatoria; out of which Early blight is caused by Alternaria solani, Late blight caused by Phytophthora infestans, Powdery mildew caused Oidiopsis sicula and Bacterial Leaf spot caused by Xanthomonas campestris are causing considerable losses to the crop. The management of these diseases is being done by application of chemical fungicides. A number of fungicides are also available in the market. But there is an increasing demand of chemical residue free food from health conscious peoples. In addition to this, there is hazards and pollution of natural resources by application of these fungicides. By using chemical synthetic fungicides there is possibility of developing resistance in the diseases causing organisms i.e. Fungi, bacteria,etc. also the increasing costs of the synthetic chemical is becoming one of the threat in production system. There is a need of cost effective, and Natural plant product and their analogues as a bio pesticides for management of diseases in Tomato. There are number of examples of antimicrobial properties of different plant extracts. Abdulaziz, A.A. and Younes, M.R. (2010) et al. showed that the spices, plants, hearbs and other plant materials possess anti-fungal and bacterial properties. There are number of reports are available for using indigenous plant extracts for the protection of plants from different diseases.

The present investigation on use of Garbage enzyme (Fruit/vegetable dreg Extract) for management of fungal and bacterial diseases is carried out on farmers field under the jurisdiction of Krishi Vigyan Kendra Dahigaon . This study aimed to reduce cost of chemical pesticide, increase use of natural product, extend shelf life of the produce, produce chemical residue free product and also to manage garbage in the local mandie .

Preparation of Garbage EnzymeCollection of Garbage from Vegetable and fruit Mandies

The Vegetable and Fruit waste from mandis , farm waste and kitchen waste were collected and brought to factory.

Ingredients: Water, fruit and vegetables dregs, sugar (brown sugar, jaggery, or molasses). Ingredient Ratio Example sugar, vegetable/fruit dregs, water

Processing : making of garbage enzyme:Step 1. 10 parts water (fill up 60% of container)Step 2. 1 part sugar (=10% water content)Step 3. 3 parts kitchen waste/fruit dregs (fill up to 80% full)Step 4. Close tight and keep for 3 months (open daily to release gases for first month) Add

10 kg of sugar/Jaggery+ 35 kg of fruit Vegetable skins Dregs+ 100L of water and

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Studies on Effect of Garbage Enzyme for Management of Fungal and Bacterial Diseases in Vegetable crops with Special Reference to Tomatot

mix well in a 200L plastic barrel and cap tightly. Keep in a cool dry place at room temperature, under the tree or in shed. Release the gases formed once a day for the first month. Make sure it is re-capped tightly each time after the gas release. For the 2nd and 3rd months, only release gases if necessary. Sometimes, there is a white layer on the surface of the enzyme solution during fermentation. Should worms appear in your enzyme solution, don’t panic. Add in a handful of sugar, mix well and cap the barrel tightly. They will disappear overnight!

Application of Garbage Enzyme

The trial was conducted on 15 Farmers field from the Nagapur Village of Newasa Tehsil of Ahmednagar District in Maharashtra for three years 2011,2012, 2013. From each farmers field, 1 acre area was selected for trial and it was equally divided in to 4 parts under 4 treatments. Application of fungicides were followed by Garbage Enzyme 5 per cent at 12 days interval. four sprays were applied in each treatment from the occurrence of disease blight and powdery mildew. The observations were taken after 5th day of each spray.

TreatmentsT1 : Control- Copper oxychloride @ 0.25%T2 : Mancozeb @ 0.25%, 1 - Garbage enzyme 5%T3 : Tebuconazole @ 0. 10% - Garbage enzyme 5%T4 : Garbage Enzyme 5%

Data were collected on following Parameters1. Initial and final diseases Incidence of Control and treatments2. Percent diseases Incidence3. Percent diseases control4. Yield 5. B:C ratio

Table 1 : Per cent leaves affected before application

Treatments Early late blight Powdery mildew Bacterial Leaf spot T1 : Control - Copper oxychloride @ 0.25%

31.5 26.8 22.2

T2 : Mancozeb @ 0.25 % 1 - Garbage enzyme 5%

30.3 27.2 23.0

T3 : Tebuconazole @ 0. 10% - Garbage enzyme 5%

32.8 27.0 24.0

T4 : Garbage Enzyme 5% 30.5 26.5 21.8

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Table 2 : Per cent leaves affected observed 8th day after application

Treatments Early late blight Powdery mildew Bacterial Leaf spot

T1 : Control - Copper oxychloride @ 0.25%

17.0 14.0 13.0

T2 : Mancozeb @ 0.25% 1 - Garbage enzyme 5%

06.0 08.0 09.0


4.5 04.0 03.0

T4 : Garbage Enzyme 5% 20.5 14.9 14.2

Table 3 : Difference in per cent diseases Incidence


T1 : Control- Copper oxychloride @ 0.25%

14.5 12.8 09.2


24.3 19.2 14.0


28.3 23.0 21.0

T4 : Garbage Enzyme 5% 10.0 11.6 07.6

Table 4 : Per cent Disease Control



46.03 47.76 41.44


80.19 70.58 60.86


86.28 85.18 87.50

T4 : Garbage Enzyme 5% 32.78 43.77 34.86

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Studies on Effect of Garbage Enzyme for Management of Fungal and Bacterial Diseases in Vegetable crops with Special Reference to Tomatot

Table 5 : Yield in (Qt/ha) Average for three Years ( 2011, 2012, 2013)



280.25 280.25 0


280.25 330.6 17.96


280.25 347.5 23.99

T4 : Garbage Enzyme 5% 280.25 315.9 12.72

Table 6 : Economic Analysis

Average Cost of

Treatment (Rs)

Average cost of Control

(Rs)

Gross Return of Treatment

(Rs)

Gross Returns of

Control (Rs)

Net Returns of Treatment

(Rs)

Net Returns of

Control (Rs)

B:C Ratio

197270 195270 251875 242612 54605 47342 1.28

The experiment were conducted to determine the effects of garbage enzyme for control of diseases on vegetable crops. This experiment were conducted consecutively for three years i.e. 2011, 2012 and 2013 in late Rabi season. From the morphological and symptomatic observations diseases were characterized and incidence were calculated depending on the area of leaf affected by particular diseases and number of leaves affected by particular diseases.

Table 1 and 2 shows that the disease incidence before treatment and disease incidence after treatment. Observations were taken on 8th day after sparying. In treatment T2, (Mancozeb @ 0.25 per cent 1 - Garbage enzyme 5%) and T3 (Tebuconazole @ 0. 10% - Garbage enzyme 5%) garbage enzyme were used in sequence of fungicide spray for spraying, the application interval was 5 days after fungicide spray. In treatment 4 (Garbage Enzyme 5%) there was only spray of Garbage enzyme. Treatment 1 (Copper oxy chloride @ 0.25%) was considerd as control as it was farmer’s routine practice. Table no 3 shows that there is higher difference in per cent diseases incidence in treatment 3(Tebuconazole @ 0. 10% - Garbage enzyme 5%) and 2 (Mancozeb @ 0.25% 1 - Garbage enzyme 5%) as compare to treatment 1 (Copper oxychloride @ 0.25%) and 4 (Garbage Enzyme 5%).

Table no 4 shows that there is significant difference in per cent disease control, Treatment T3 (Tebuconazole @ 0. 10% - Garbage enzyme 5%) shows 86.28 per cent of early blight,

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85.18 per cent of Powdery mildew and 87.50 per cent of Bacterial leaf spot over Control treatment T1 (Copper oxychloride @ 0.25%) shows 46.03 per cent, of early blight, 47.76 per cent of powdery mildew, and 41.44 per cent of Bacterial leaf spot. Further Table 5 and 6 show that there is significant increase in yield in treatment T3 (Tebuconazole @ 0. 10% - Garbage enzyme 5%) 347. 5 qt/ha as compare to control, Treatment 1 (Copper oxychloride @ 0.25%) was 280.25 qt/ha which was 23.99 per cent more over control. Table no 6 showed that the net benefit of Rs. 54605 in treatment T3 (Tebuconazole @ Rs. 0. 10% - Garbage enzyme 5%) Rs. 47342 as compared to Treatment 1 (Copper oxychloride @ 0.25%). The Benefit cost ratio is also higher and is about 2.

From the data on parameters the disease i.e. early blight, powdery mildew, bacterial leaf spots can be controlled by using Garbage enzyme which may be prepared from vegetable, fruit, leaf dregs acqueous extracts of 5 per cent in sequence with Tebuconazole 0.1 per cent to reduce diseases incidence and increase yield of tomato.

RefreancesAbdulaziz, A.A. and Younes, M.R. 2010. Effect of some plant extracts against Rhizoctonia solani on pea,

Journal of Plant Protection Research. 50(3)239-243

Afroz, M: Ashrafuzzamani, M: Ahmed, M.E. and Azim, M.R. 2008. Integrated Management of Major fungal diseases of Tomato, International Journal of Sustainable Crop Production. 3(2): 54-59

Ebele, MI. 2010. Evaluation of Some acqueous plant extracts used in the control of Pawpaw (Carica papaya L.) fruit rot fungi, Journal of Applied Bio-sciences. 31:2419-2424 http://www.instructables.com/id/Garbage-Enzyme-Multipurpose-Uses-amp-Safer-and/

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Present paper is aimed at to recognize and document the traditional knowledge and practices followed in the field of pollinators conservation indigenously. It aims at to recognize the role of indigenous practices followed by rural, tribal people in the conservation of the pollinators in Indian context. India and the neighbouring East Asian region is considered as a centre of origin and evolution of honey bee species. India, owing to its diverse agro climatic conditions, offers diversified melliferous resources for sustenance of beekeeping. Traditionally honeybees are reared in various types of indigenous structures viz. wall hives, log hives, mud hives and underground bee hives. The design, dimensions and the material used for construction depend upon the availability and suitability of resources in a particular region. The manuscript includes traditional rearing techniques of stingless bees and Indian bees particularly method of colony and swarm capture, colony management, harvesting and processing of honey and indigenous methods of pest management. It is estimated that more than 1,300 types of plants are grown around the world for food; plants producing beverages, medicines, condiments, spices and even fabric are pollinated by animals, mostly insects. Indirectly, pollinators ultimately play a pivotal role in the production of diverse food commodities. Indigenous traditional knowledge in the field of pollinator conservation and apiculture as a whole along with implementation of IPM-Pollinator concept can boost and sustain varied agro-ecosystems. The approach can definitely conserve pollinators, expand base of apiculture industry and will increase crop productivity along with sustenance of rural economy.

“When a knowledgeable old person dies, a whole library disappears.”- African Proverb

Indigenous Traditional Knowledge (ITK) is an integral part of the culture and history of a local community. It is evolved through many years of regular experimentation on the day to



Indigenous Traditional Practices Vis-à-Vis Pollinators Conservation

R K Thakur, P K Chakrabarty, Surabhi Gupta and Neha PaliwalAICRP, Honey bees and pollinators, IARI, New Delhi

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day life and available resources surrounded by the community. It is the unique, traditional, local knowledge existing within and developed around specific condition of men and women indigenous to a particular geographical area. Beekeeping is one of the most indigenous or traditional practices in India. India and the neighbouring East Asian region are considered to be the centre of origin and evolution of honey bee species.Indigenous beekeeping with Apis cerana is part of the natural heritage of mountain communities. Apis cerana is gentle in temperament, industrious and well adopted to the ecological conditions of South and Southeast Asia. Rearing of the Apis cerana forms an integral part of the social and cultural heritage of rural and tribal communities in the country. In different parts of country several types of hives such as hollowed logs, wall fixes and boxes of various dimensions, designs depending upon local prevailing conditions of that area. Beekeeping is an important tool for sustainable agriculture and conserving the biodiversity. The indigenous technologies require scientific assessments and there is huge scope for their refinement through techno-scientific inputs.

1. Indigenous methods of colony capture1.1 Swarm catches

Bee swarms are closely observed and followed by the beekeepers, they throw soil, dust, water or beat drum on their way in order to distract them, which afterwards settle to a suitable place. Queen bee is captured when it come out to walk around the settled swarm. the caught queen is kept in indigenously made queen cage which is atube like structure made from bamboo strips and covered with a net on top. Queen is released in the hive, protected with the queen cage.

In Himachal area there are many indigenous method of baiting hive top capture swarms. Most common method is capturing swarm by hand, other method is catching the swarm using special type of basket meant for swarm catching. Throwing ash or water in the air to disturb the path of the swarm. Some people don’t allow anyone to disturb the path and bees are given the freedom to swarm to settle down in any log hive or basket in the forest. They carry swarm basket to their home and shift the colony from basket to wall hive in their home.

1.2 Catching established bee colony

Beekeepers catch the established bee colony from tree trunk, bamboo grooves and road culverts,which is shifted from a natural place in their own hive only at dusk. Hostile bees were tamed by using smoke, then the combs are cut by using local knife, frame of the bee hive is attached by the fiber of the banana which is easily available in the forest. After the frame is fixed rope is removed by the bees biting it away.

1.2 The capture of scout beeThe function of scout bee in the colony is to find the suitable place where the bees can settle

before they swarm. Scout bee is identified by the farmers by the change of sound produced by

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scout bee while it finds a new habitable place. The caught scout bee is released inside the vacant hive, which takes initially around 2-3 minutes to ascertain its suitability, which is afterwards followed by some other scouts for confirmation. Eventually whole colony shifts to the new hive.

2 Types of bee hive

In different parts of the country various types of hives such as hollowed logs, wall recesses and boxes of various dimensions and designs are in use even today for beekeeping with Apis cerana.These traditional bee hives reflect the remnants of ancient bee knowledge and are the relics of honey collection techniquesbeing practiced through the centuries. These indigeneous hives, though evolved under different beekeeping traditions and socio-economic conditions, show remarkable similarities in shape and design.

2.1 Indigenous underground bee hive

Underground cave hives: In hilly regions there exist a peculiar way of harnessing Apis cerana bees i.e. the underground cave hives. First, a hole is dug in the earthern slope which is then covered with a wooden board having a small opening for the bees to enter. This is generally used for catching swarms of wild bees. A piece of old comb is kept near the entrance to attract such swarms.

Underground bee hives: Such type of bee hives of A. cerana were observed in the Mima village of Kohima district in Nagaland, since time immemorial. This unique indigenous method of beekeeping known as Mima’s style. This hive is constructed by diggings pit of 1.5x1x1.5 (l,b,h in feets) . Walls of the hives are constructed by using stone slabs and the roof consists of a frame made up of either pieces of wood or bamboo. It is then covered with a polythene sheet to avoid infiltration of water during rainy season. Attacks by wax moth and wasp are rare but red ant attack is very common. Honey can be harvested 4 times a year.

2.2 Log hive

The log hives are prepared by making a deep hollow in the tree trunk with the help of chisels, machete, sometimes cutting is even initiated by the insects. Both open sides are

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then closed by wooden disc, which serves the purpose of lid, further a small hole is made in log hive which serves as an entrance gate. Usually it is hung by wire from the roof or pole or wall in a shaded place. Honey harvesting is quite tough from a log hive. Lid from one side is removed and combs are taken out one by one for harvesting honey.

2.3 Wall hive

The wall hive is the cavity left in the wall when the house is under construction; it is located about an height of 150 cm from the floor. It has an entrance hole of about 2 cm diameters towards the outside, on the inside it is covered usually with wood, slate, stone and plastered with mud (Verma and Attri, 2008). Wood used for wall hive is of Bann, Kail, Toon, Robinia and Devdar. In Kashmir region mud walls contain rows of horizontal hives of mud, clay wicker or wood, with a flight entrance to the outside with water pots embedded in the same wall.

2.3.1 Advantages and disadvantages of wall hives

Apis cerana colonies abscond/migrate less frequently from the fixed wall hives. This is possibly due to the fact that wall hives in the hills are generally more than six to eight feet above the ground. They are not easily accessible and are therefore not subjected to disturbance. Besides, less absconding apart, other advantages include accommodating larger colonies in smaller space of wall cavities, ample insulation during the winter season and minimum interference from animals.

However, the traditionally used wall hive have several disadvantages like increased chances of queen loss, robbing, glueing of frames and difficult to handle. They also lack proper ventilation.

2.4 Earthen pots

The earthen clay pots are plastered with the walls using clay and other materials on the already inhabited colony of the bees. Conventionally, it takes around six months to collect a colony from its natural existence. The easiest way is to place a clay pot covering its natural entrance. A hole is made in the pot for the passage of the bees. The pot is fixed using clay. Later, they extend the habitat to the pot. Normally no additional expense or attention is needed after placing the pots. One has to ensure shade, or protection from too much heat. The clay pots keeps the hives cool. Earthen hives are common in Kerala and Nagaland for the domestication of stingless bees and dwarf bees.

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2.5 Cement bee hives in Imphal valley of Manipur

During the rainy season, wooden hives get damaged quickly. Traditional bee hives face attacks from hornets also. The cement bee hive solves these problems. The heavy weight of the cement hive saves it from theft. They are better adapted to vagaries of weather like rain and sunlight. Unlike wood, cement also provides protection from termites, bush fires, worms and pests.

2.6 Fixed Mud hives in Kullu region

The low cost mud hive has been named as a fixed beehive because it is fixed at one place and cannot be shifted from one place to other like ISI wooden beehives. However, the frames of this hive are movable and can be shifted from one fixed hive to another as well as from fixed hives to ISI wooden hives. This hive has the qualities of both modern as well as the traditional hives. It is made up of easily available local material including clay, cow dung, stones, grass, straw and wooden sticks. This technology is cost effective as it is two times less than the wooden hive. This hive performs extremely well under Kullu valley conditions in terms of maintenance of temperature, brood rearing, swarming, and safety from diseases and natural enemies and has increased pollination levels and yields also, as the bees reared their brood about three times faster in this hive as compared to ISI wooden hives.

In winter, the temperature in this low cost beehive is 2-3oC higher, while in summer it is 6-8oC lower as compared to wooden ISI hives. The bees rarely abscond in this hive, while absconding is a major problem in ISI wooden hives. It is well suited to formative Apis cerana honey bees which help in conserving mountain ecosystem by enhancing agricultural productivity as they are natural pollinators for a wide range of fruits and crops.

3 Traditional methods of honey harvest

Traditional beekeepers use smoke to remove the bees from hives. Bee free combs are then cut by small knife. Honey is extracted from the combs by hand or thin net and sometime crushed between two timber strips. Extracted honey is filtered through fine cloth or net. It takes about two to three days for honey to settle. Wax settles on the lower side which can be removed afterwards. Quality of honey is poor as it contains pollen and other impurities.

In Himachal area beekeepers use dry cow dung as a smoker to harvest the comb. The combs are cut using a sickle or knife. The combs are cut from one side in case of wall hive sand alternative side in case log hives. The combs are squeezed and heated till the wax melt. The collected honey is filtered through the cloth and packed in jar or bottles.

This method of honey harvesting has several disadvantages as honey extracted is not pure as it contains brood extracts, parts of the bodies of bees, hive debris and dirt. A lot of bees are killed

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in this process and again bees have to waste lot of their energy in making a new comb since the old one is destroyed while squeezing honey out of it.

4 Indigenous methods of pest management

Farmers recognize diseased bees by keen observation of the activities of the bees like absconding bees, inactive bees, and ferocious bees. Brood diseases are recognized when bees throw out dried larvae with a sour smell out of the hives. Black combs are also considered as the sign of disease. Bees enemies like ants, wasps, birds, lizads , spiders, phorid flies, wax moth, varroa mite etc are well recognized. farmers use broom to kill wasps. Beekeepers also reduce the size of the opening to check the entry of the wasps. Entry of ants is checked by spreading ash, or turmeric powder in their way. In Uttarakhand region farmers also sprinkle cow urine in over the hive to ward off the pest (Tiwari et al. 2013).

4.1 Wax moth

AICRP (honey bees and pollinators) SASRD developed an indigenous method for the management of wax moth. A. cerana beekeepers followed some preventive measures, viz. closing of the internal crevices of bee hives by stingless bee cerumen and outer crevices by a mixture of cow dung and mud. The entrance gate was kept smaller to prevent the entry and egg lay of female wax moth. These preventive measures proved to be very viable to reduce the wax moth infestation.

4.2 Wasp

Wasp is one of the serious pest of the honey bees. Highest wasp attack is observed during the rainy season. Locally the farmers apply cow dung around the entrance gate which served as a deterrent against the wasp. They also manually spray cow dung paste around the entrance area to reduce their attack.

4.3 Lizard and tree frog

AICRP (honey bees and pollinators) SASRD developed an indigenous method to prevent attack ofthe lizard on the bee colony. The polythene sheet is placed on the platform upto an area of 9 inches covering from all sides. Beehive is then placed on this polysheet. Lizard is unable to reach the bee hive due to the slippery surface of the bee hive.

5 Knowledge about bee forage

In hilly terrain of Himachal Pradesh and Jammu Kashmir, rural folk are aware of unique melliferous resources like Plectranthus species and wild cherry (Prunus pudum) providing abundant nectar to indigenous honeybee, Apis cerana. Hence these wild species are protected by the villagers as they get autmn honey from them.

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6 Meliponiculture as indigenous traditional activity

Meliponoculture is the science of keeping and managing stingless bees. In some parts to Kerala and Nagaland meliponiculture is practiced as backyard bee keeping mainly for honey production where stingless bees are kept either in bamboo nodes or mud pots or box hives. Stingless bees are also kept both in traditional log hives and box hives by Naga tribals in Nagaland. Meliponiculture can be started by hiving feral colonies either from wall cavities or tree cavities.The nest is dissected out by removing the stones or by splitting the branch. The various nest components are transferred into the hive.The queen is searched and found out in the brood nest region and transferred into the box hive by using a camel hair brush smeared with honey. Resin smeared entrance easily lures all the dislocated workers back into the box hive. Later the hive has to be shifted to meliponiary after dusk. Strong colonies dwelling inside the wall cavities can be lured into box hives or pot hives by providing extra space outside the nest through a process called education. If enough additional space is not available for the feral colony inside the cavity to expand the nest, the colony moves into the hive affixed to the nest. This method takes much time to establish a new colony (Thakur and Singh, 2015). New colonies can be easily produced by splitting populous colonies by horizontal splitting method. Two chamber hives having an equal sized bottom and top are suited for splitting. A populous colony which has grown well and occupied both the chambers are ready for division. To the bottom chamber an empty lid is given and for the top chamber an empty bottom is given. The queenless split kept in the original site and the queenright split is shifted to a new location 15 m away from the original site (Thakur 2011). A new queen will emerge and start egg laying after mating in the queenless split. Appearance of advancing front in the queenless split is an indication of successful splitting.

7 Ethnic Use of Honey

It is most commonly used as topical antibacterial agents curing various type of ulcers, diabetic ulcers, wounds resulting from injury, surgery and burns. Other health benefits include curing acne, infections, colds burns, bladder infections, tooth ache, reduce cholesterol, recede arthritis pain, strengthening immune system, clear sinuses and help in fertility.

7.1 Ethnic use of stingless honey

• Stingless bees’ honey is used as an ethnic medicine for cough, cholera, diarrhoea, rheumatism

• It is known to cure sinusitis Traditional Treatment of Wounds by Stingless Bee Honey and Pollen

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• Honey application inside anus to cure haemerrhoids • Application of Honey quickly heals wounds and burns • Some tribes believe stingless honey cures ulcer • It enhances the immune power and blood profile

7.2 Nutritional value of honey

• Honey is a good source of quick and sustainable energy • Honey nutrition fact is that it is antioxidants and is free of fat and cholesterol • Honey contains other nutritive materials viz. protein, vitamins, amino acids, minerals

etc.

7.3 Ethnic Medicinal Value of Pollen and Cerumen

• In the forests tribal use soft and pliable cerumen entrance gate against bites of snakes, spiders and other poisonous insects

• Hardened cerumen when burnt, keep snakes away • Pollen is used as a medicine against ringworm • Pollen mixed with honey is used for stomach pain • Pollen is used as a medicine against foot and mouth disease of cow.

ReferencesSavitri Verma and Attri P K. 2008. Indigenous beekeeping for sustainable development in Himachal

Himalya, Indian journal of traditional knowledge. 7(2) pp 221-225

Tiwar P, Tiwari J K, Singh Dinesh and Singh Dhanbir. 2013. Traditional beekeeping with the Indian honey bee (Apis cerana F.) in District Chamoli, Uttarakhand, India. International Journal of rural studies. 20(2), pp 1-6

Thakur Raj Kumar. 2011. Domestication and Utilization of Bumble bees as Pollinators. In compendium of training on Production and Seed production of Temperate Vegetables under centre of advance faculty training in Horticulture (Vegetables) (Eds Bhard waj et al.) organized by Dept. of Vegetable Science, UHF, Nauni PP. 239-247.

Thakur R.K., Singh Akhilesh. 2015. Meliponiculture for sustainable rural development of northeastern India:Scientific program abstracts: proceedings of the 44th APIMONDIA International Apicultural Congress, September 15 (Tue)- 19 (Sat), 2015 Daejeon Convention Center: Eds. Prof. Dr. Hyung Wook KWON, Prof. Dr. Chuleui JUNG, Daejeon Korea, 2015. p 321.

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Bhendi is one of the important vegetable crops grown in tropical and subtropical areas of India. The crop is suffering from so many biotic and abiotic stresses. Among them, root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita is reported to be most widely causing reasonable damage to vegetable crops like tomato, bhendi, brinjal etc. Yield losses to the extent of 90 per cent in bhendi by root-knot nematode infestation have been reported from India. Using nematicides will pose many problems like environmental pollution, phytotoxicity, polluting ground water, health hazardness to field workers, their non-availability and exorbitant prices. As no one single method is effective, it was thought to develop a method of integrated management using indigenous technological knowledge like using organic amendment in the form of Acacia compost and formulation of bioagents like Pochonia chlamydosporia and Paecilomyces lilacinus. Field experiment revealed that Acacia compost alone was significantly superior compared to other treatments, in enhancing the shoot length (63.67 cm), root length (23.63 cm) and reducing the root weight (10.93 gm) followed by Acacia + Paeciliomyces lilacinus + Pochonia chlamydosporia with the shoot length of 60.53 cm, root length of 18.67 cm and root weight of 12.67 gm respectively. As regards to yield, integrated treatments yielded higher than individual treatments. Acacia + Pochonia chlamydosporia and the combination of Acacia with consortium of Paeciliomyces lilacinus + Pochonia chlamydosporia were significantly superior and on par in increasing the yield of 10.03 kg and 9.91 kg per plot respectively. Carbofuran enhanced the yield in comparison with bioagents alone. With regard to root-knot index, combination treatments were on par in comparison with bioagents alone. Soil treatment of Acacia + Pochonia chlamydosporia reduced the root-knot index significantly to 1.50 followed by Acacia+Paeciliomyces lilacinus+Pochonia chlamydosporia (1.85).

Key words: Acacia compost, Root-knot nematode, Bhendi, Bioagents, Integrated management



Integrated Management of Root-knot Nematode by using ITK and Bioagents in Bhendi

Ravindra, H1, Sehgal M2, Narasimhamurthy, H B1, Nagarajappa Adivappar1, Jayalakshmi, K1 and Saritha, A G1

1Zonal Agriculturaland Horticultural Research Station, UAHS, Navile, Shivamogga, Karnataka, India 2ICAR-National Centre for Integrated Pest Management, IARI, New Delhi

CHAPTER 16

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Bhendi (Abelmoschus esculentus L .) is one of the important vegetable crops grown in tropical and subtropical areas of India. It is cultivated in India with an average productivity of 8.5 tons per ha. The crop suffers from many pests, disease problems resulting in low yield. Losses to the extent of 90% in bhendi by root-knot nematode infestation have been reported from India (Bhatti and Jain, 1977).

Nematode control is far more complex than any other kind of pathogens because nematodes mainly attack underground parts of plants (Sikora and Fernandez, 2005). Using nematicides will pose many problems like environmental pollution, phytotoxicity, contamination of ground water, health hazardness to field workers, their non-availability and exorbitant prices. In addition, they are relatively unaffordable to many small-scale farmers (Johnson and Feldmesser, 1987). As no one single method is effective, it was thought to develop a method of integrated management using indigenous technological knowledge like organic amendment in the form of Acacia compost and formulation of bioagents viz., Pochonia chlamydosporia and Paecilomyces lilacinus.

Control of plant parasitic nematodes through bioagents and organic amendments has some advantages like selective toxicity to target pests, safety to non-target organisms and environmentally safe. Biological agents and organic soil amendments have been used successfully as effective alternative methods for controlling root-knot nematodes (Oka, 2010). Paecilomyces lilacinus, Trichoderma spp. and Pochonia chlamydosporia (Van Damme et al., 2005) Pseudomonas fluorescens are known to reduce root-knot nematode infestations by parasiting the eggs (Goswami and Singh, 2004) and producing nematicidal substances. However, biological control alone is often inadequate and/or insufficient to maintain nematode populations below their economic threshold under normal agricultural conditions. Therefore, it must be integrated with other management means (Hildalgo-Diaz and Kerry, 2008). Enhancement or application of bio-control agents within an integrated pest management protocol must be promoted and investigated in more details. An increase in nematicidal efficacy of microorganisms appears possible when such bio-control agents are integrated with either organic amendments or nematicides into an integrated control package (Ashraf and Khan, 2010). Organic amendments like Neem formulations (Nazir et al., 2007) and poultry manure (Chindo and Khan, 2008) have been reported to control root- knot nematodes. A very recent work of Nighat et al., 2010 have identified the nematicidal effect of different extracts of Acacia nilotica leaves and seeds. In this context, an experiment was laid out to test the efficacy of Acacia compost in suppressing the root-knot nematode disease in bhendi and also to check whether Acacia compost will act as supporting base for the multiplication of bio-agents such as Pochonia chlamydosporia and Paeciliomyces lilacinus.

The experiment was conducted in a randamized block design with three replications in root-knot nematodes sick field at Zonal Agricultural Research Station, Navile, Shivamogga during

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the year 2013. The treatments viz., Paeciliomyces lilacinus 2×106cfu (250 g/m2), Pochonia chlamydosporia 2×106cfu (250 g/m2), Acacia compost (1.0 kg/m2) + Paeciliomyces lilacinus 2×106cfu (250 g/m2), Acacia compost (1.0 kg/m2) + Pochonia chlamydosporia 2×106cfu (250 g/m2), Acacia compost (1.0 kg/ m2) + Paeciliomyces lilacinus 2×106cfu (250 g/m2) + Pochonia chlamydosporia 2×106cfu (250 g/m2), Carbofuran3G (0.3a.i/m2) and untreated control (Check). The plot size was 3.5 m × 3.5 m and the cultivar was Arka Anamika. The observations on plant growth parameters like shoot length, root length, root weight and yield and RKI (0-5) scale, intial and final root-knot nematode population were recorded. The data obtained were analyzed statistically. All the treatments were efficient in managing the root-knot nematodes in comparison with the untreated check.

Growth parameters

Acacia compost alone was highly significant compared to other treatments in enhancing the 63.67 cm shoot length and 23.63 cm root length and reducing the root weight of 10.93 gm. Another significant treatment was the combination of Acacia compost with consortium of Paeciliomyces lilacinus + Pochonia chlamydosporia with the shoot length of 60.53 cm, root length of 18.67 cm and 12.67 gm of root weight (Table 1).

Table 1 : Effect bioagents with acacia compost on growth parameters and yield of bhendi

Sl. No.

Treatment Shoot length (cm)

Root length (cm)

Root weight (g)

Yield (kg/plot)

1 Paeciliomyces lilacinus 57.53 14.40 16.40 8.51 (15.80)*2 Pochonia chlamydosporia 58.93 15.40 19.27 8.37 (16.00)3 Acacia compost 63.67 23.63 10.93 10.03 (20.07)4 Acacia + Paeciliomyces lilacinus 54.40 16.40 16.67 9.66 (17.00)5 Acacia + Pochonia chlamydosporia 60.25 17.30 12.50 9.70 (18.30)6 Acacia + Paeciliomyces lilacinus +

Pochonia chlamydosporia60.53 18.67 12.67 9.91 (19.00)

7 Carbofuran 55.00 17.27 17.13 8.67 (16.50)8 Untreated check 41.00 13.17 23.03 7.53 (12.00)

SEm± 2.02 1.24 1.09 0.48CD(0.05) 6.23 3.84 3.35 1.50CV(%) 6.27 12.70 11.38 9.44

*Figures in parenthesis are yield in tons/ha

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YieldAll the treatments were significantly superior over the untreated check while combination

treatments yielded higher than individual treatments. Acacia compost alone and Acacia with consortium of Paeciliomyces lilacinus + Pochonia chlamydosporia were significantly superior and at par in increasing the yield of 10.03 kg and 9.91 kg per plot respectively. Carbofuran enhanced the yield when compared with bioagents (Table 1 and Fig.1).

Root-knot index

All the treatments were significantly efficient in reducing the root-knot index over the untreated check (Table 2 and Fig.1). Combination of acacia with consortium of bioagent

Fig. 1 : Effect of integrated management with bioagents and acacia compost on yield and RKI

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treatments were on par in comparison with bioagents alone. Soil treatment of Acacia compost alone reduced the root-knot index significantly to 1.50 followed by combination of Acacia with consortium of Paeciliomyces lilacinus + Pochonia chlamydosporia (1.85 RKI).

Table 2 : Effect of bioagents with acacia compost on root-knot index and population in bhendi

Treatment RKI Root-knot nematode population/100 ml

Initial Final

Paeciliomyces lilacinus 2.50 300 165

Pochonia chlamydosporia 2.30 365 207

Acacia compost 1.50 250 140

Acacia + Paeciliomyces lilacinus 2.00 258 150

Acacia + Pochonia chlamydosporia, 2.00 265 160

Acacia + Paeciliomyces lilacinus + Pochonia chlamydosporia 1.85 286 120

Carbofuran 3.00 420 257

Untreated check 4.47 375 220

SEm± 0.28

CD(0.05) 0.87

CV(%) 13.70

The results are in conformity with the findings of Ravindra et al., (2014) who reported the efficacy of Acacia compost in enhancing the growth parameters with drastic reduction in root-knot index. However, the treatment combinations of Acacia compost with different bioagents performed well with highest growth shoot, root length, root weight, yield and lowest root-knot indices. Integrated management using a formulation of the fungi like Pochonia chlamydosporia which was reported to be a very effective bio-control agent against root-knot nematodes (Rao et

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al., 2003). It is evident from the experiment that application of bioagents with organic amendments are effective than bioagents alone. The study revealed that Acacia compost and the combination of Acacia with consortium of P. lilacinus + P. chlamydospora were most efficient in controling root-knot nematode. Similar findings were reported by Akhtar (1993) on the utilization of plant origin waste materials for the control of plant parasitic nematodes who studied nematicidal properties of several waste materials of plant origin in soil infested with plant parasitic nematodes. On contrast, it was observed that though P. lilacinus and P. chlamydospora were resulted in highest root knot index, while; with the acacia compost which resulted in reduced root-knot index and was found to be second best treatment indicating the efficacy of nematicidal properties of acacia compost.

The results are in tandem with the findings of many authors who have already observed that the extract from the funicles of Acacia auriculiformis A. Cunn. and it’s pure compounds, acaciasides (A and B), are highly effective in reducing mulberry diseases like root-knot, fungus, virus, bacteria and tukra, leaving no residual toxicity in the leaves to affect the growing silkworm larvae (Datta and Datta, 2007;). Though, carbofuran reduced gallings but, it was not that efficient over the other treatments indicating its limited control of nematodes. Thus, this study has demonstrated the potentiality of Acacia compost for the management of root-knot nematodes in bhendi singly and in integration with bioagents. Very clearly it verifies Acacia compost as the most competent organic amendment in managing the root-knot nematodes in bhendi. Further, Acacia compost has emerged as efficient organic amendment which can be used along with bioagents in nematode management in future. However, studies on nematicidal properties of Acacia compost need to be further elucidated. On the other hand, throughout the studies, it has been observed that P. lilacinus and P. chlamydosporia individually were less effective both in enhancing the growth parameters and reducing the root-knot indices, however, in integration with Acacia compost, they were effective. Further, elucidation in this regard is suggested.

ReferencesAkhtar M., 1997. Current options in integrated management of plant-parasitic nematodes. Integrated

Pest Management Reviews, 2: 187-197.

Akhtar, M., 1993. Utilization of Plant – Origin Waste Materials for the control of plant parasitic Nematodes. Bio resource Technology.,21(3): 720-726.

Ashraf M. S. and Khan T. A., 2010. Integrated approach for the management of Meloidogyne javanica on eggplant using oil cakes and biocontrol agents. Archives of Phytopathol. and Pl. Protect., 43: 609-614.

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Bhatti, D. S., and Jain, R. K, 1977. Estimation of loss in okra, tomato and brinjal yield due to Meloidogyne incognita. Indian journal of nematology. 7: 37-41

Chindo, P. S. and Khan F. A., 2008. Control of root knot nematodes, Meloidogyne spp., on tomato, Lycopersicon esculentum Mill., with poultry manure. Trop. Pest Manage. 36(4):332- 335.

Datta SC. Datta, Nag, R., 2007. Intercropping amaranth with mulberry for managing rootknot nematodes and improving sericulture. Sericologia. 47:297-302.

Ravindra H., Sehgal M., Pawan A. S., Archana B. S., Shruti S. A. and Narasimhamurty H. B., 2014. Eco-friendly management of root-knot nematodes using acacia compost and bioagents in brinjal. Pakistan J. of Nematol.,32(1): 33-38.

Hildalgo-Diaz I. and Kerry B. R., 2008. Integration of biological control with other methods of nematode management. Pp. 29-49. In: Integrated Management and Biocontrol of Vegetable and Grain Crops: Nematodes (Integrated Management of Plant Pests and Diseases - Vol. 2) (Ciancio A. and Mukerji K.G., eds). Springer, Dordrecht, The Netherlands.

Jaffee, B. A., 2004. Do organic amendments enhance the nematode trapping fungi Dactylella haptotyla and Arthrobotrys oligospora Journal of Nematology. 36: 267 - 275.

Johnson, A.W. and Feldmesser, J., 1987. Nematicides—A historical review. In: J. A.Veech and D.W. Dickson, eds.Vistas on nematology. Society of Nematologists. pp. 448-544.

Lopez-Llorca L.V., Bordallo, J.J., Salinas, J., Monfort, M. L., 2002. Use of light and scanning electron micorscopy to examine colonisation of barley rhizosphere by the nematophagous fungus Verticillium chlamydosporium. Microbiology. 33:61-67.

Nazir, J., Gowen, S. R., Inam-ul-Haq M. and Anwar S. A., 2007. Protective and curative effect of neem (Azadirachta indica) formulations on the development of root-knot nematode Meloidogyne javanica in roots of tomato plants. Crop Prot. 26(4):530–534.

Nighat, S., Musarrat,, A., Muhammad, S. and Yousaf, A. 2010. Nematicidal effect of Acacia nilotica and Gymnema sylvestris against second stage juveniles of Meloidogyneincognita. J. Entomol. Nematol. 3(2): 25-29.

Oka Y., 2010. Mechanisms of nematode suppression by organic soil amendments - A review. Applied Soil Ecolo., 44: 101-115.

Roa, M. S., Dhananjay Naik and Shylaja M., 2003. Managament of Meloidogyneincognita on eggplant using a formulation of Pochonia chlamydosporia Zare et al. (Verticillium chlamydosporium). Pest Management in horticultural Ecosystems. 9: 71-76.

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Van Damme V, Hoedekie A. and Viaene, N., 2005. Long-term efficacy of Pochonia chlamydosporia for management of Meloidogyne javanica in glasshouse crops. Nematology. 7(10): 727-736.

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An on-farm trial was conducted during the 2008-09 to 2011-12 in Baghpat district of western Uttar Pradesh to assess the economic viability and controlling measure of sugarcane borers. The experiment comprised of three treatments with four replications. Farmers practice like sugarcane-wheat sequence considered as one of the treatment i.e. T-1. Intercropping of mustard with sugarcane and onion/garlic with sugarcane were other treatments to be compared with farmer’s practices. They were T-2 and T-3, respectively. The result revealed that net return of onion with sugarcane was much higher as compare to farmers practice (Rs. 101466.00 per hectare extra monitory gain). It was also noticed that infestation of borers was very low in sugarcane with onion in comparison to T-1 and T-2. Result have clearly indicated that intercropping of onion with autumn planted sugarcane is economically viable and it is able to control borers effectively down to 72-85 per cent as well as wild animal like blue bull, wild pig and porcupine. It was similarly effective for all type of borers as root borer early shoot borer and top borer. It was also observed after harvest, that the sugarcane planted with onion has significantly higher organic carbon content in soil compared to harvested field of sugarcane planted with mustard and after wheat.

Key words: Sustainability, productivity, crop intensification, system based productivity, autumn planting.

Diversification in agriculture is a continuous process since the advance of agriculture to manage soil health, water and other natural resources (Patnayak 1989 and Gangwar et al., 1999). It also need the enhance productivity and employment generation. In India the technocrats and planner are of the view that agriculture must diversify into more commercial sense with the objective of producing the higher quantum of quality food at sustainable level to enhance profitability with maintaining the soil health with match to existing marketing opportunities. Western Uttar Pradesh is an agriculturally advance region of the India and geographically



Intensification of Autumn Sugarcane with Onion to Minimize the Infestation of Borers and Enhanced Productivity

Surendar Kumar, Gajendera Pal and S P SinghKVK, Baghpat, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut

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very well placed in national capital region (NCR). Presently sugarcane is one of the most important cash crop of the region and among a number of sugarcane-based cropping systems practiced by the farmers, sugarcane-wheat is the predominant one. Farmers, who are practicing this system, wants to replace it because harvesting time of wheat overlaps with the sowing time of sugarcane resulting in low productivity of sugarcane in terms of monitory gain and also yield decreases down to 30-40 per cent with the delaying of sugarcane planting. This situation puts a big question mark on the sustainability of the system, but farmers do not want to leave sugarcane cultivation because of advantages of this crop, like regular availability of fodder for animal for more than six months (November to May), strong marketing network (Sugar mills chain), low risk venture as a cash crop. In this condition farmers want part diversification/intensification with cultivation of sugarcane. Keeping this in view, an on-farm trial was laid down to assess the economic viability and feasibility of cropping systems which can replace the sugarcane-wheat system without decreasing the productivity of the whole system as well as net return.

A multi location trial with three treatments and four replication were conducted in the village falling in Baghpat district of western Uttar Pradesh. Farmers practice was considered as one of the treatment that was T-1 (sugarcane-wheat). Two other treatments were selected and tested, sugarcane with mustard and sugarcane with onion as T-2 and T-3, respectively. Experiment was conducted during 2008-09 to 2010-11 on farmer’s field in Mukari, Badgaon, Ratanpuri and Basi villages. The economic viability of the system was assess through certain parameter as productivity of main crop of system (sugarcane), cost of cultivation, gross return, net return, C:B ratio and net return of the system/day/hectare. All above parameters were calculated on the basis of system and not on the basis of a particular crop. Effect of the system on soil health especially on organic carbon content in soil was also calculated through quantification of pre-sowing and post-harvest organic content data. Infestation of borers in sugarcane and effect of system on level of carbon content in soil of field were also quantified. Data related to borers affected plants were quantified on the basis of per hundred square meters for each treatment.

The trials were conducted for three years (2008-09 to 2011-12) at the four selected villages those were falling under same micro situation. The soil has been classified as loam to loosely aggregated with sandy loam structer.The organic carbon, phosphorus and potash of the surface layer (0-20 cm) was 0.39 to 0.41 per cent, 29-32 kg/ha and 218-252 kg/ha, respectively. The soil had no salinity or drainage problem.

The sugarcane crops were sown in the months of October, January and May for treatment T-2, T-3 and T-1, respectively.The crops were sown in moist field condition at their recommended spacing and basal dose of fertilizer. However 30:30:40 kg additional doze was applied in treatment

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T-3 i.e. sugarcane with onion. The experiment was established under complete randomized block design (CRB) with three treatments and four replications. The line to line distance of sugarcane was 75 cm in all the treatments, the intercropping geometry was two line of onion and one line of mustard between two row of sugarcane was fixed for T-3 and T-2, respectively. Under farmers practices wheat crop was sown in month of November as conventional mode of wheat cultivation, after harvesting wheat, sugarcane was planted in month of May with the same crop geometry.

Results of the study interpreted by assessing the economic viability, soil health status and quantification of borer affected plants. The comparison between crop sequences and intercropping were made by quantifying the output in terms of monetary gain, that was based on current market price of produce.The current market rates were used for computing the economic viability and cost of cultivation also. The economic efficiency of the systems was calculated by developing the net return of the system by growing period. This mechanism was used by Yadav et al. (2000) to assess the economic viability of various cropping pattern. Significant increase was noticed in net return in onion + sugarcane treatment as compared to wheat + sugarcane and mustard + sugarcane, respectively. However, the cost of cultivation of farmers practice and onion + sugarcane was also at par (Rs.1,02,666 and Rs.1,08,333) but gross return and net return of T-3 was much higher (Rs.2,45,666 and Rs.1,37,333) respectively as compared to farmers practices, that was Rs.1,38,533 and Rs.35,867. Analytical view of all these recorded data showed that, yield of sugarcane as a single crop was also higher with onion as compare to wheat + sugarcane and mustard + sugarcane. It is evident from the data that successive increase in cost benefit ratio with onion+ sugarcane as compare to farmer’s practices i.e. is Rs.0.92 extra monitory gain after investment of a rupee, intercropping of onion with sugarcane was also suggested by Yadav et al. (2000) with autumn planting sugarcane. Tomar and Tiwari (1990) also observed that intercropping pattern of cultivation helps in increasing in overall productivity of system and input use efficiency. Keeping it in view, the present study was carried out to assess the economic output of intercropping. Gangwar et al. (1999) also reported that intensification of highly remunerative crop in existing cropping pattern helps to increase in productivity, profitability and land use efficiency. Thus, over all result revealed that the highest net return of Rs.1,37,333 was gained by intercropping of onion with sugarcane. Subsequently, duration of each system was also quantified by calculating net return/day/ha and it was found that, that was much higher as compared to T-1 and T-2.The duration of system is another parameter, which was used to assess the economic viability of all the cropping system that was quantified on the basic net return Rs/day/ha. The same pattern was applied by Tomar et al. (1990).

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Table 1 : Economics of sugarcane based cropping system

Years

2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 Average

Performance parameter

T1 T2 T3 T1 T2 T3 T1 T2 T3 T1 T2 T3

Yield of sugarcane

495 620 750 525 625 725 450 600 680 490 615 718

Cost of cultivation of system

98000 90000 105000 102000 92000 108000 108000 92000 112000 102666 91333 108333

Gross return of system

135000 168000 255000 142000 175000 243000 138600 176000 239600 138533 173000 245666

Net return of system

37000 78000 150000 40000 83000 135000 30600 84000 127600 35867 81667 137333

C:B ratio of system

1:1.37 1:1.86 1:2.42 1:1.90 1:1.90 1:2.25 1:1.28 1:1.91 1:1.23 1:1.34 1:1.09 1:2.26

Table 2 : Economics of sugarcane based cropping system Rs/day/ha

Treatment Duration of system (Days)

Net return of the system Rs/ha

Net return of system Rs/day/ha

T-1 335 35867 107.06

T-2 468 81667 168.38

T-3 365 137333 376.25

Result regarding status of organic carbon content furnished in table No.3, indicated that intercropping of onion with sugarcane have significant positive effect on soil fertility status. After harvest of sugarcane planted with onion the field soil was observed with significantly higher organic carbon content as compared to harvested field of sugarcane planted with mustard and after wheat. The increase of organic carbon content was mainly due to addition of organic matter which is result of decomposing of onion plant residues incorporated in respective field. Similar finding was observed by Patnayak et al. (1989)

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Table 3 : Status of organic content

Organic carbon content%2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 Average

Treat-ments

Pre- sowing

Post harvest

In-crease

Pre- sowing

Post harvest

In-crease

Pre- sowing

Post harvest

In-crease

Pre- sowing

Post harvest

In-crease

T-1 0.390 0.392 0.002 0.410 0.410 0.000 0.370 0.371 0.001 0.390 0.391 0.001T-2 0.390 0.388 0.002 0.410 0.407 0.003 0.370 0.362 0.008 0.390 0.385 0.005T-3 0.390 0.410 0.02 0.410 0.425 0.015 0.370 0.386 0.016 0.390 0.407 0.017

Sugarcane cultivating with onion is a useful technology to control and minimize the borers attack as root borer, early shoot borer, top borer, it is highly effective to control early shoot borer whose population was down to 70-90 per cent. In case of root borer and top borer it was similarly effective. Same findings were recorded by Kumar et al. (2011) which also highlighted that onion cultivation with sugarcane effectively control wild animals like wild pigs and blue bulls. Thus, it can be conclude that intercropping of onion with sugarcane acts as a natural control of borers which is very common and one of the most serious problem of sugarcane and may be the cause of decrease in yield down-to 10-15 per cent (about 60-80 q/ha).

Table 4 : Infestation of borers in sugarcane

Years2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 Average

Root Early Shoot

Top Total Root Early Shoot



Top Aver-age

T1 04 13 12 29 02 11 05 18 03 11 07 21 3.00 11.66 8.00 26.66T2 02 03 04 09 08 10 06 24 04 04 09 17 4.66 5.66 6.33 16.66T3 02 01 00 03 00 01 02 03 00 02 02 04 0.66 1.33 1.66 3.33

Farmers are very much convinced by performance of technology and they are adopting this technology very fast with sugarcane crop.Technology is further disseminating on large scale among sugarcane growers every year. An interesting finding was noticed that, farmers perceived this technology as a natural control of sugarcane from wild animal like blue bull, porcupine and wild pig which are very much damaging the sugarcane crop.

ReferencesGangwar B. Katyal, V and patel M.M. 1999. Productivity, profitability and crop sequence in arid eco-

system. Journal of farming system research and development. 5 (1&2) 1-9

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Kumar, Surendar and Prajapati, C.R. 2011. Comparative impact of different extension methods in different Baghpat. Paper presented in international conference an innovative appearance for agricultural knowledge management

Patnayak S., Panda D.and Das R.N. 1989. Long term fertilizer with wet land rice. Fertilizer News 34 (4):47-52

Tomar, S.S. and Tiwari, A.S. 1990; Production, potential and economic of different crop sequence, Indian Journal of Agronomy. 35 (1&2) 30-50

Yadav, S.K., Kumar Pawan and Kumar Manoj; Possible alternative cropping system for farmers of semi arid zone of Huriona, Journal of farming system research and development. 16 (1&2) 36-42.

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In the process of technology development, knowledge of indigenous practices and livelihoods is an indispensable resource (Haverkort and Zeeuw, 1992). Indigenous knowledge may not be as absolute as scientific knowledge, it is often concrete and always dynamic. It relies strongly on intuition, directly perceivable evidence, and an accumulation of historical experiences (Rajasekaran, 1993). Understanding farmers’ problems and Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKSs) allows a framework for raising technical, scientific questions in research and it also provides the basis for evolving technologies that are not imposed as alien ‘packages’ that contradict existing practices.

The use of plant extracts with antifungal activity offers an economical, safe and easily available alternative method for the management of tikka, Cercospora arachidicola and late leaf spots (LLS), Phaeoisariopsis personata in groundnuts (Kishor et al., 2001). Keeping this in background, the application of various plant extracts and bioagents against leaf spot diseases in groundnut were evaluated. As we are aware of the fact that, farmers since old times phases are using botanicals or plant extracts of garlic, Calotropis, ginger, Bougainvillea, Lantana, custard apple, neem, etc. against fungal diseases of crops. But it was not well documented with standard results. Similarly, marigold is being planted by farmers for aesthetic purpose and from the point of view of repelling insects and reducing soil borne diseases. We are evaluating significance of marigold and plastic mulching for the reduction of early blight of tomato. Early blight causes severe losses to the farmers as it spreads through rhizosphere in the form of conidiospores. Thus, we followed a strategy to prevent the movement of conidiopspores by marigold intercropping and plastic mulching. Both act as barrier to the movement of conidia and also modify microclimate of crop canopy which reduce the proliferation of Alternaria solani spores. Marigold intercropping and plastic mulching increase relative humidity in the rhizosphere and crop canopy which suppress A. solani conidial



Scientific Rationality and Evaluative Validation of Indigenous Practices Against Leaf Spot Disease of Groundnut and Micro-Climatic Modification Against early Blight Disease in Tomato

Prashant P. JambhulkarAgricultural Research Station, Borwat farm (MPUAT, Udaipur), Banswara (Raj.)

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spore development. Thus by modifying microclimate of tomato crop disease can be managed. We have evaluated statistically the spore count with the prevailing atmospheric conditions to assess the impact of microclimatic modification on spore population of A. solani. Thus by doing scientific evaluation we tried to assess the indigenous technical knowledge to validate it at field level.

The experiment was conducted for three years (2012-2014). There were nine treatments with three replications and total plots were 27 (3x3m2) covering net area of 243 m2 and gross area of 341 m2. The treatment plots were randomly distributed. Selected garlic clove, Lantana leaf, Bougainvillea leaf, Calotropis leaf, onion bulbs for making crude extract and the extracts were filtered through muslin cloth and made to 10 per cent solution for sprays. Other treatments include sprays with T. harzianum formulation and Neem seed kernel extract. Soil treatments were done respectively by neem cake (500 kg/ha) and groundnut cake (500 kg/ha). Seeds were treated with 10 per cent concentration of different extracts and T. harzianum formulation and sown in fields. Two sprays were done at rapid embryo development stage and rapid flowering stages. If required, third spray can be done at pod formation stage. Observations were recorded for appearance of disease and plant growth promoting parameters. Per cent disease intensity was observed and calculated by standard PDI Scale and formula. At the end of the harvest, yield of each plot was recorded separately.

Another experiment comprised of four treatments: tomato alone (T), tomato intercropped with marigold (T+M), Tomato along with plastic mulch (T+P), Tomato + Plastic mulch + Marigold intercropping (T+P+M). Marigold was used as a physical barrier to the conidial dispersal and it also creates allelopathy against pathogen. Disease severity was recorded using the 0-5 scale given by Mayee and Datar (1986). Conidia of A. solani were trapped on microscope slide (7.5 × 2.0 cm2) coated with petroleum jelly fixed on glass slides mounted on specially made iron stand having five glass slides erected in each experimental plot. The traps were replaced every week and the number of trapped conidia was counted using Olympus stereomicroscope. Canopy air temperature and relative humidity (RH) on every day basis were recorded with hand hold Digital Hygrometer (288 CTH-HTC™) from each plot and wind speed was recorded with iMetos™ automatic weather station installed less than 5 meters away from experimental plot. This device recorded temperature, relative humidity and wind speed data every hour throughout the period of study. ANCOVA is based on the assumptions was calculated based on the relationship between dependent variables. Validation was confirmed when linear relationships were found between the number of conidia caught and degree of infection of trap plants. The behaviour of Auto correlation function(ACF) and Partial Auto correlation function (PACF) to identify ARMA model that best describes the resulting stationary time-series was done. All statistical analyses were performed using SAS software, version 9.2 (SAS Inc.,Cary, NC, USA).

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Scientific Rationality and Evaluative Validation of Indigenous Practices

Table 1 : Effect of plant extract and bioagents against leaf spot diseases in groundnut

Treatments Tikka leaf spot Late leaf spot No. of pods/plant

Shell-ing %

Pod yield q/ha

B:C

Pooled PDI

% ROC

Pooled PDI

% ROC

T1-ST and two sprays with Garlic extract (10%)

23.5 (29.0)

52.2 5.3 (13.3)

68.6 32.7 62.0 25.9 1.9

T2-ST and two sprays with Lantana leaf extract (10%)

27.9 (31.9)

43.3 10.0 (18.4)

40.8 30.4 63.6 22.9 1.8

T3-ST and two spray with Trichoderma

28.5 (32.3)

42.1 5.9 (14.0)

65.1 29.85 64.2 24.5 1.8

T4-ST and two sprays with Bougainvellia leaf extract (10%)

38.9 (38.6)

20.9 12.7 (20.8)

24.8 29.35 65.1 21.9 1.7

T5-ST& two sprays with bulb extract of onion (10%)

38.0 (38.1)

22.8 9.3 (17.7)

45.0 27.6 62.7 22.6 1.6

T6-Soil Treatment with neem cake + two sprays with NSKE

32.5 (34.8)

33.9 11.4 (19.7)

32.5 24.55 63.5 23.1 1.5

T7-ST and two sprays with Calotropis leaf extract (10%)

37.5 (37.7)

23.8 12.9 (21.0)

23.7 25.15 59.1 18.5 1.4

T8-Soil treatment with groundnut cake and two sprays with NSKE

40.3 (39.4)

18.1 11.0 (19.3)

34.9 24.35 58.3 19.8 1.2

T9-Control 49.2 (44.6)

- 16.9 (24.3)

- 22.45 51.2 17.1 1.8

CV CD (0.05)

12.4 2.58

15.8 2.66

13.2 1.53

10.4 2.01

11.8 1.61

*figures in parentheses are arcsine transformed values

Tikka of groundnut diseases caused by Cercospora arachidicola appeared in early part of the season. And late leaf spot caused by Phaeoisariopsis personata occurs in the later part of the season. We have recorded the intensity of disease by calculating per cent necrotic area of leaf and

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score them with 1-9 scale for calculating Per cent Disease Index (PDI). We observed that seed treatment followed by two sprays with garlic clove extract (10%) were very effective in reducing disease intensity of both tikka and late leaf spot diseases. Disease intensity of only 23.5 per cent was reported as compared with to control (49.2%) and thereby reported 52.2 per cent tikka diseases reduction over control. Similarly garlic clove extract reduced late leaf spot disease by 68.6 per cent as compared with control. There was significant effect of various treatments with plant extract and bioagents on the plant growth promoting parameters such as number of pods per plant, pod yield per plant and shelling percentage. Treatment with garlic extract, lantana leaf extract and T.harzianum significantly improve plant health and thereby playing important role in reducing leaf spot diseases. Maximum pooled pod yield was reported by treatment with 25.9 q/ha.

In tomato – marigold intercrop treatment (T+M), per cent disease index (PDI) was lowered by 16.1 per cent in 2011-12 and 15.7 per cent in 2012-13 experiment than tomato alone. Disease severity in tomato–plastic mulching treatment (T+P) reduced by 29.5 per cent in 2012 and 31.5 per cent in 2013 experiment than in tomato alone. Tomato-marigold intercropping–plastic mulching treatment (T+M+P) showed significant reduction in disease intensity of 38.9 per cent in 2011-12 and 35.4 per cent in 2012-13 as compared to tomato alone (Table 1). Significant weekly variation in conidial distribution was observed (Fig. 1). Maximum concentration observed in May 2013 (167 spores) followed by May 2012 (155 spores) and April 2013 (146 spores) where as low concentrations occurred in January, February and March months during both the years of study. The maximum conidial concentration was observed during period of high mean temperature, low mean RH and high wind speed. In the four treatments (T+M, T+P, T+M+P and T) the conidial density of A. solani in the air near the tomato canopies increased with time after tomato transplanting during two growing seasons, 2011-12 and 2012-13. However in both seasons the rate of increase in conidial density was significantly (P<0.05) diminished by intercropping or by mulching, particularly by the T+P and T+P+M treatments compared to T+M and control (T) alone (Fig. 1). At the end of evaluation period (13 Weeks after transplanting), the reductions in conidial density due to intercropping and mulching were 11.7-19.3 per cent for T+M association, 49.0-50.3 per cent for T+P association and 58.3-68.7 per cent for the T+M+P association in 2012 and 2013. Association of tomato, plastic mulching and marigold intercropping (T+P+M) together was found best in maintaining lower RH in canopy as it arrests maximum humidity below plastic mulch. Table presents results of two way ANCOVA, comparing the effect of the microclimatic parameters and month of the year on the number of conidial spores of A. solani dispersed from tomato crop. It can be seen from the ANCOVA table 3 that the month of observation is significant at 1 per cent for all four cases. Minimum temperature is significant at 1 per cent, relative humidity is significant at 5 per cent but the other two parameters maximum temperature and wind speed are non significant at 5 per cent. It can also be seen from the mean scatter plot of analysis of variance (Fig 2 a-d) that the spore count was increased in April and May month. So, weather conditions in these two months were favourable for the spore dispersal.

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Table 2 : Per cent Disease Incidence caused by A. solani in tomato plant

Treatments 2011-12 2012-13PDI Observed

efficiency %

Expected efficiency

#%

PDI Observed efficiency

%

Expected efficiency

%T 41.7*

(40.2)a0 44.0

(41.4)a0

T+M 35.0 (36.1)b

16.1 37.1 (37.1)b

15.7

T+P 29.4 (32.5)c

29.5 30.2 (32.8)c

31.4

T+M+P 25.5 (29.9)d

38.9 40.4 28.4 (31.7)c

35.4 42.1

CV 4.27 - - 6.43 - -SF - - 0.96 - - 0.84

*Mean values followed by the same letter in a column are not statistically different (Student’s t-test)# Bliss independence formula(Two mechanisms) Em1,m2=Em1+Em2 – (Em1 x Em2)SF(Synergy factor) = E (obs)/E(exp)

Table 3 : ANCOVA for weather parameters

Source of variation Degree of freedom MS FMonth of the year 4 981.14 7.17 *MinT 1 1992.38 14.57 * CV 14.89Month of the year 4 5374.86 30.32 *MaxT 1 614.06 3.46CV 16.96Month of the year 4 4841.88 29.67 *RH 1 1094.15 6.71 **CV 16.27Month of the year 4 10867.78 61.65 *WS 1 648.38 3.68CV 16.91

* - significant at 1%, ** - significant at 5%

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Fig. 2: (a) Mean scatter plot of ANCOVA for maximum temperature, (b) Mean scatter plot of ANCOVA for minimum temperature, (c) Mean scatter plot of ANCOVA for

relative humidity, (d) Mean scatter plot of ANCOVA for wind speed

Fig. 1 : Air conidial density of A. solani in field of tomato crop

(a)

(c)

(b)

(d)

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In our study which was conducted in tropical climatic conditions, it was found that the most conidia appear in the atmosphere when minimum temperature was 20-25°C, maximum temperature was near 40°C and mean temperature was 29-35°C. Some authors (Marchisio and Airaudi, 2001; Stennett and Beggs, 2004) have suggested that temperature and relative humidity play a major role in the dispersion of Alternaria. We observed that temperature was positively correlated and relative humidity was negatively correlated with the spore population. A negative correlation was also observed with rainfall and humidity by Sabariego et al. (2000).

The two well practiced indigenous technologies for disease management were scientifically assessed and validated for implementation in farmers fields. The garlic clove extract 10 per cent was applied as seed treatment and spray against leaf spot diseases effectively managed the disease and improve plant growth promoting parameters and thereby fetch higher pod yield. Another technique of marigold intercropping and plastic mulching hinder conidial movement of Alternaria solani and reduced disease intensity by altering microclimate of crop canopy. This was confirmed by statistical assessment of weather parameters with the spore count data of the crop canopy.

References

Haverkort, B. and H de Zeeuw. 1992. Development of Technologies towards Sustainable Agriculture; Institutional Implications. pp.231-242. In W.M. Rivera and D.J. Gustafson (Eds.), Agricultural Extension: Worldwide Institutional Evolution and Forces for Change. New York: Elsevier Science Publishing Company.

Marchisio, V. F. and Airaudi, D. 2001. Temporal trends of the airborne fungi and their functional relations with the environment in a suburban site. Mycologia, 93: 831–840.

Mayee, C. D. and Datar, V. V. 1986. Phytopathometry Technical Bulletin-1. Marathwad Agricultural University, Parabhani, P.25.

Rajasekaran, B. 1993. A framework for incorporating indigenous knowledge system into agricultural research and extension organisations for sustainable agricultural development in India. Retrospective Theses and Dissertations. Paper 10180.Iowa State University.

Sabariego, S., Díaz C. and Alba, F. 2000. The effect of meteorological factors on the daily variation of airborne fungal spores in Granada (sorthern Spain). Int. J. Biometeorol., 44: 1–5.

SAS(Statistical analysis system)Institute 2002:SAS/STAT®92 User’s guide for personal computers. Version 9.2 edition SAS Institute, Inc; Cary, NC,USA.

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Stennett, P. J. and Beggs, P. J. 2004. Alternaria spores in the atmosphere of Sydney, Australia, and relationship with meteorological factors. Int. J. Biometeorol. 49:98–105.

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Traditional knowledge (TK), indigenous knowledge (IK), and local knowledge generally refer to knowledge systems embedded in the cultural traditions of regional, indigenous, or local communities. The traditional knowledge transferred orally through generations is not recorded or documented most of the time. Besides the written document, the scientific proof of the traditions used by ancestors is also yet to be validated and proved. Although evidences of effectiveness of these practices are lacking, still results of adoption of these practices are well known among community. In the era of global warming and climatic endangered conditions where entire ecosystem is in danger and struggling for existence, there is a need to shift on some eco-friendly means of plant protection. Hence the treasure of traditional knowledge needs to be recognized, identified, validated and disseminated among the plant protection agencies and agri-stakeholders. In this article an attempt is made to summarize the indigenous practices applied in pest management in paddy by our ancestors in differents states of India.

Key Words: Traditional knowledge (TK), Indigenous Knowledge (IK), Plant Protection

Traditional knowledge (TK), indigenous knowledge (IK), and local knowledge generally refer to knowledge systems embedded in the cultural traditions of regional, indigenous or local communities. However Indigenous Knowledge (IK) can be broadly defined as the knowledge that an indigenous (local) community accumulates over generations of living in a particular environment. This definition encompasses all forms of knowledge – technologies, know-how skills, practices and beliefs – that enable the community to achieve stable livelihoods in their environment. A number of terms are used interchangeably to refer to the concept of IK, including Traditional Knowledge (TK), Indigenous Technical Knowledge (ITK), Local Knowledge (LK) and Indigenous Knowledge System (IKS). Generally, traditional knowledge has been orally passed for generations from person to person(1). Some forms of traditional knowledge



Role of Traditional Knowledge (TK) in Pest Management in Paddy Crop in India

Tulsi Bhardwaj, J P Sharma and Premlata SinghIndian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi

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are expressed through stories, legends, folklore, rituals, songs, and even laws. Other forms of traditional knowledge are expressed through different means(1). So the written document on the topic is lacking, hence government of India has taken an initiative to launch the Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL) which is an Indian digital knowledge repository of the traditional knowledge, especially about medicinal plants and formulations used in Indian system of medicine. This knowledge is based on thousands of years’ experience and cannot be left out of the formula for environmental management(3).

Role of traditional practices in plant protection

Traditional Knowledge plays an important role in protection of crops as well however in absence of any proof of scientific evidence of these practical traditions which farmers learnt from their ancestors from generations to generations, they could not find a suitable place among scientific community of the world. However, the role of these practices in pest management cannot be ignored. In spite of scientific validation, these practices had a considerable role in pest management in past when chemical pesticides were not been invented. In the present context when synthetic pesticide application has become a hazard to ecosystem, this traditional knowledge may be a supportive component of plant protection and thus reduce some burden of synthetic pesticide application from the surface of the Earth and farmers’ pocket as well. Thus it is quite an inevitable fact that these indigenous practices should get their appropriate place among scientific facts. For this purpose it is required to identify these practices and to validate them scientifically(2). Here the authors took the opportunity to initiate this cause of identifying some traditional practices which were applied for pest management and sustainable agriculture development for paddy since ages.

Indigenous technical knowledge (ITKs) of paddy practiced among different states of India

The indigenous practices are specific to regions and tribes as well. Hence the different practices among different states of India are summarized as follows.

Indigenous technical knowledge of Meghalaya

The Technical Knowledge is applied in selection of seeds. The farmers select the bold grains for seed purpose. Fields having healthy crop growth are selected for seed procurement. Second selection is done in the threshing floor. While threshing manually, the bold seeds that are easily shattered by the first two beatings are considered. This process is effective in separating out the partially filled and diseased grains. The seeds selected by this process possess more vigor.

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Indigenous technical knowledge (ITKs) of Assam

To get rid of general pests confronted in rice field, farmers of Assam follow ITK practices like to reduce the initial inoculums of general pests and disease, a few farmers used to burn the straw and stubbles before initiating ploughing of field operation. However, this burning operation is not common, but it is based on the disease pressure experienced of the preceding years by a farmer of specific locality.

Indigenous technical knowledge (ITKs) of Maharashtra and Karnataka

This method was followed by many farmers in the state of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu etc. In Karnataka, a few farmers from Bidar, Gadag, Mysore, Chitradurga and other districts are following this method of cultivation. The method was called as “zero budget cultivation” as natural farming consisting of four chakras which are referred as ratha chakras. They are as follows.

Bijamrita (seed treatment: - Beej Sanskar), Jiwamrita (microbial culture), Achchadana (Mulching) and Waaphasa (soil aeration). In the preparation of Bijamrita and Jiwamrita, desi cows’ urine and dung are the major components, apart from using a local soil from the surface boundary of the farm (serves as a inoculants for native micro organisms).

Agnihotra – Homa Farming: Agnihotra is a scientific process of purification of the atmosphere with the agency of cosmic element - fire. It is ordained by Vedas, the ancient treasure of scientific knowledge belonging to the entire humanity. Agnihotra creates pure nutritional and medicinal atmosphere and prevents growth of pathogenic bacteria. The subtle vibrations emanating from agnihotra fill the surrounding atmosphere with vibrations of love, peace and purity. Agnihotra is an excellent method of practicing natural and ecological farming. Its purifying effect makes plants happy, healthy and disease-resistant. Regular performance of agnihotra helps rebalance the disturbed ecological cycles. Agnihotra purifies the water reservoirs. It has also been experienced that the agnihotra-ash has very good medicinal properties and can be used as nutrition to plants.

Common Indigenous Technical Knowledge (ITKs) of India

1. Sowing of sorghum, red gram and beans on bund of terraces. Advantage: Efficient utilization of space and smothering the weeds on bunds.

2. Mixed cropping of rice + sorghum in drought prone areas. Advantage: As insurance of crop to get the produce from at least one crop depending on

rainfall.

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3. Inter-cultivation and ‘Hodta’ (planking) operations in dry and wet conditions in paddy fields.

Storage and post-harvest management practices in rice

1. Paddy grain is stored with fresh leaves of neem (Azadirachta indica) to control insect attacks in Tamil Nadu.

2. Some farmers mix cinnamon leaves and wood ash with paddy and store the grain in bags. This practice is prevalent in Tamil Nadu.

3. Cleaning of threshed paddy is done by using a winnowing basket ‘kula’ (soop in Hindi). This is practiced in West Bengal.

Indigenous rice disease management in Uttar Pradesh

For controlling bacterial leaf blight (BLB) in rice, farmers make a slurry of 20 kg cow dung in 200 liters of water and filter it through a gunny bag. They further dilute the filtrate with 50 liters of water and allow it to stand. The filtered water is then decanted, strained and sprayed on healthy plants to check the spread of disease in Uttar Pradesh.

Indigenous method of rodent management in rice

In rice fields, nearer to the bunds big mud pots are immersed to half of its height. Half of the mud pots are filled with water and chaffy paddy is put into it. The chaffy paddy mixed with water emit a type of smell like the grain storage structure. Attracted by this smell, the rats jump into the pot but can’t come out of it as it is half empty. Farmers then catch the rats and kill them. This practice is prevalent in Kerala.

Indigenous Insect Pest Management in rice

Clipping off the tip of rice seedlings before transplanting is practiced all over the state of Assam. It is an alternative for chemical pesticides application to ease transplantation, to facilitate uniform growth and to remove insect egg masses and other major insect pests present on the leaf tips. This has been practiced since long time by all farmers without any modification.

Indigenous weed control methods in rice

Before sowing, farmers sieve rice seeds in order to separate the seed of weeds. Since most othe weed seeds are smaller than rice seeds, they are filtered out in sieves. This is prevalent in Arunachal Pradesh. Treatment of paddy seeds in diluted biogas slurry for 12 hours increases resistance of seedlings to pests and diseases. This is practiced in Tamil Nadu.

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Indigenous methods of rice soil fertility management

Farmers of village Khurai, Nandeibum, Leikai, Imphal, East Manipur practice mixed farming by rearing cattle, piggery and poultry in addition to raising the crops. Since this area has rice based agro ecosystem, rice husk is mixed with excreta of poultry birds, cattle, pigs and house ash. Afterwards this mixture is spread over the paddy field. Yield of paddy is increased up to 25-30 per cent after application of this mixture.

Indigenous main field preparation

1. The planting and laddering after 30-40 days of sowing paddy is practiced to have positive effect on tillering of the crop.

2. Rough leveling of the surface of paddy fields is done by moving soil with the wooden plate with 1.8 m width and 40 cm height.

Indigenous cultural practice

1. The practice of alternate wetting and drying of soil is followed in Tamil Nadu at it results in a good rice crop.

2. Completing transplanting by August second week is practiced by the farmers of Telengana region of Andhra Pradesh in order to get good harvest.

Indigenous nursery management

1. The place with higher elevation in the field is selected for raising paddy nursery.

Indigenous seed treatment in rice

1. Vasambu (Acorus calamus) powder and cow urine are mixed in the water that has been boiled and cooled overnight and the seeds are soaked in this suspension. The floating seeds are removed. The remaining seeds are used for sowing. This serves the dual purpose of seed selection and treatment of seed borne disease. This is practiced in Tamil Nadu.

2. Higher seed rate is adopted by the farmers of Tamil Nadu as dense planting of paddy gives higher yield.

General Indigenous Plant Protection Practices in paddy

Even though the indigenous practices are restricted to a particular region, there are many traditional practices which are practiced all over India since ages. These are summarized in table 1.

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Table 1 : Indigenous Plant Protection Practices in paddy.

S. No. Indigenous Plant Protection Practices

i. Summer ploughing

ii. Clipping rice seedling tips to eliminate stem borer eggs

iii. Using rope to dislodge caseworms

iv. Alternate wetting and drying to control BPH

v. Flooding rice fields to reduce thrips and caseworm population

vi. Dragging of Prosopis juliflora branches on the paddy field along the rows to control the leaf folder

vii. Collection and burning of stubbles

viii. Dusting of ash to control the termites

ix. Placing bird perches in the main field of the birds to predate

x. Burning of discarded cycle tyre in windward side to repel mealy bugs

xi. Spread of Vitex negundo (Nochi) leaves over the gunny bags

xii. Coating cow dung slurry on the floor of storage room for protection against pests and diseases

xiii. Trimming and plastering of field bunds

xiv. Shaking of paddy seedlings to reduce the caseworm population

xv. Sun drying the paddy grains

xvi. Digging trenches to control armyworms

xvii. Use of Ipomea camea (Ipomea) leaves along with the stored paddy seeds

xviii. Storing of paddy grains (100 kg) in a mud pot Kulumail/Kudhir

xix. Storing of paddy grains in a wooden structure ‘Kothi’

xx. Storage room fumigation with neem leaves to control storage pests

xxi. Keeping Pongamia glabra (Pungam) leaves in between the gunny bags to control storage pests

xxii. Required number of hand weeding for direct sown/transplanted crop to control weed growth

xxiii. Tying of thin polythene sheets to scare away the birds

xxiv. Tying of waste audio tapes to scare away the birds

cont...

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xxv. Beating drums to scare away the birds

xxvi. Keeping effigies wearing white dress made up of straw in the centre of the field to scare away the birds

xxvii. Displaying crow’s carcass for scaring birds

xxviii. Tying of palmyrah leaves to a long stick to scare away the birds

xxix. Tying of white thread in lines around the nursery to scare away the birds

xxx. Crackers are used to drive away the birds in the nursery

xxxi. Stones kept in leather pouch (catapult or sling) discharged suddenly from the string to scare away the birds

xxxii. Digging the field burrows manually to kill the rats

xxxiii. Keeping a mud pot containing burning paddy straw near the rat hole

xxxiv. Placing ‘Owl staries’ on the main field at different places to control rats

xxxv. Use of Tanjore traps

xxxvi. Growing of Acacia arabica (Karuvelam) as fence

Traditional rice varieties

Besides the indigenous practices, many paddy varieties are also strictly cultivated in particular region by specific tribes and these varieties are linked with the people’s cultures and traditional knowledge. Some of these are mentioned in Table 2.

Table 2 : Rice Indigenous Varieties, their properties and Region

S. No. Name of Indigenous Variety

Property Region of Cultivation

1. Kumeru Drought resistant rice variety The hilly areas of Karnataka during rainy season

2. Chare Drought resistant variety and gives long straw that can be used as cattle feed or put to some other alternative use

Karnataka

3. Kayame Resistant to both drought and alkalinity, and it gives tasty boiled rice

Karnataka

cont...

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4. Kalame Alkalinity hardy variety and it has medicinal properties.

Coastal areas

5. Moradda Red, tasty, big size rice variety that is resistant to both drought and alkalinity

Cultivated during three seasons in Karnataka.

6. Jholaga Salinity resistant rice variety and gives long straw.

Coastal regions of Karnataka

7. Boro Grows faster and is a hardy rice variety which is drought resistant

Dry areas of Bihar

8. Orkaima, Pokkali and Kuttadan

Salt resistant paddy varieties Kerala

9. Hetada Vee Resistant paddy varieties Sri Lanka10. Boga Kolony Rainfed crop where water availability is

low and is resistant to insect and pests, cultivated by Aadi tribes

Pasighat block in Arunachal Pradesh

Pests infest crops and reduce yields, reducing overall agricultural production and food security. To deal with such pests most farmers use chemical pesticides which can impact health, pollute water supplies through runoff, and, if pesticides are misused or overused, can actually kill plants. Finding new methods to get rid of pests without requiring chemical inputs has increasingly become a priority for many farmers. In this indigenous knowledge bank can play an important role. Implementing these methods can save crops from destructive pests without the use of harmful pesticides.

ReferencesGadgil, Madhav; Berkes, Fikret; Folke, Carl (1993) Indigenous knowledge for biodiversity conservation

Ambio, 22 (2/3). pp. 151-156. ISSN 0044-7447.

Youyong Zhu1, Yunyue Wang1, Hairu Chen1 and Bao-Rong Lu (2003)Conserving Traditional Rice Varieties through Traditional Management for Crop Diversity, Bio Science. Volume 53, Issue 2 , Pp. 158-162.

http://www.wipo.int/edocs/pubdocs/en/tk/920/wipo_pub_920.pdf

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A good number of indigenous technologies are still in use among the farmers of Ranjbangshi community, the largest ethnic group of people of Northern part of West Bengal, particularly Cooch Behar and Jalpaiguri districts. The region is under terai agro-ecological zone situated at the foothills of Himalayas. Most of the farmers in different remote areas of this region usually rely upon indigenous techniques to protect their crop from pest menace. The study aims at exploring and documentation of some of the indigenous practices followed by the farmers for the management of insect pests of Boro paddy (winter-sown paddy), which is presently a good venture in the northern part of West Bengal that encompasses considerable acreage. A number of indigenous technologies have been documented from different corners of the region. Many of them may be accommodated in the present day IPM of Boro paddy. ITK based crop protection module have also been evaluated where inspiring results were observed.

Keywords: North Bengal, Indigenous Technical Knowledge (ITK), Ranjbangshi community, IPM, sustainability, Boro paddy.

Indigenous Technical Knowledge (ITK) is the product of centurys’ trial and error, natural selection and keen observation. It is influenced by internal creativity and experimentation and contact with external systems (Flavier, 1995). In ITK no systematic record is to be described what they are, how they do and how they can change their operations, boundaries and applications. It is a dynamic system, ever changing, adapting and adjusting to the local situations and has close links with the culture, cultivation and religious practices of the communities (Pushpangadan et al., 2002). It is held in different brains, languages and skills in as many groups, cultures and environments (Atte, 1989). Indigenous knowledge functions within the given socio-economic and spatial boundaries of the society and plays an active part in the culture of the population



Documentation and Validation of Indigenous Technology with Regard to Crop Protection of Boro Paddy under Terai Region of West Bengal

Nripendra Laskar, Prabhat Kumar Pal, Gobinda Roy and Roshna GazmerUttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya Pundibari, Cooch Behar, West Bengal-736165

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concerned, being preserved, communicated, and used by its members to serve some purpose in relation to productive activity within the society (Bell, 1979).

The Ranjbangshi community is one of the ethnic communities belonging to Scheduled caste category dominating Northern part of West Bengal, particularly Cooch Behar and Jalpaiguri districts, which are unique in both demographic and environmental point of view. The region comes under terai (foot-hill) agro-ecological zone situated at the foothills of the Himalayas. Like other parts of India, rice is the staple food of the people of this region and has been cultivated here from time immemorial. Presently in the changing agricultural scenario, Boro rice is also getting importance and area of Boro cultivation is increasing day by day. Among all other limitations of Boro rice cultivation, insect pest is one of the most important one. To cope up with the pest menace of Boro paddy, indiscriminate use of hazardous pesticide has become the prevailing practice. However, only a few decades ago, farmers of this region usually relied upon indigenous techniques to protect their crop from pest menace. Fortunately, in some remote areas, considerable numbers of farmers are still using ITKs for managing different pests on Boro paddy, which are available, low cost and non-toxic tools of pest management.

Documentation of ITKs has been done by some workers in the world as well as in India. However, no investigation has so far been done to explore the traditional knowledge of Ranjbangshi community of West Bengal particularly the traditional knowledge with regard to crop protection in Boro paddy. Therefore, the present study has been carried out with a view to document ITKs with special reference crop protection of Boro paddy.

Documentation of indigenous technology

The area chosen for the study consists of different administrative blocks of Cooch Behar district namely Cooch Behar I and II, Dinhata I and II, Mathabhanga I and II, Tufangunj-I and Mekhligunj-I and another district of West Bengal - Jalpaiguri, consisting of blocks namely, Dhupguri, Moynaguri, Sadar, Falakata, Alipurduar-I, Alipurduar-II, Rajgunj and Nagrakata. Survey was conducted in the villages of these locations during 2012-2014. The total number of respondents contacted was 100. Documentation of ITKs was undertaken through personal interaction with the farmers including field visit. Data were collected with the help of semi-structured interview schedule, key informants, observation and focused group discussion. The key informants were interviewed and surveyed with questionnaire.

The schedule included the following information:

a. Name and address of the respondent. b. Area of Boro cultivation. c. Varieties cultivated.

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d. Pest problem status. e. Whether ITKs used. f. Description of the ITK. g. Purpose of using ITKs. h. Compatibility of respective ITKs with internal resources and socio-cultural aspects. i. Details of benefit of the ITK.

Table 1 : Survey location

District Block No. of farmers interacted

No. of farmers practice ITK in Boro

paddy

Cooch Behar Cooch Behar I 6 5

Cooch Behar II 5 5

Dinhata-I 7 3

Dinhata-II 6 4

Mathabhanga-I 8 2

Mathabhanga-II 6 4

Tufanganj-I 7 5

Mekhligunj-I 5 5

Jalpaiguri Dhupguri 8 4

Moynaguri 7 6

Sadar 6 6

Falakata 5 4

Alipurduar-I 7 5

Alipurduar-II 5 5

Rajgunj 6 4

Nagarkata 6 3

Total 100 70

Observation: 70 per cent of surveyed farmers are using ITK (any one or in combination)

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Field trial on the evaluation of ITK module in pest management of Boro Paddy

During exhaustive survey on indigenous technical knowledge in agriculture with special reference in crop protection, a number of indigenous techniques (IT) have been documented which have been found to be utilized by the farming communities on Boro paddy to protect their crop from insect-pest infestation. As per farmers perception, the technologies are effective in managing pest problem of Boro paddy. Considering importance of the same, a few number of crop protection modules have been formulated and evaluated under field condition. The experiments were conducted in the Instructional Farm of Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Pundibari, Cooch Behar, West Bengal during the Boro season of 2013-14 and 2014-15.

Treatment details of the experiment was as follows:

T1: ITK-based module-1 Application of ash in seed bed before sowing. Putting fermented (semi-rotten) Polygonum sp. leaf (in bunches) on irrigation channel

(started just after 1st top dressing and continued till last irrigation).

T2: ITK-based module-2

T1 + Placement of fish-tail branches (fresh, green) in the field from tillering stage till

reproductive stage.

T3: ITK-based module-3

T2 + Burning of used cycle tyre in the evening at the maximum tillering stage at every 3 - 4

days interval. Use of bird perches from vegetative stage upto panicle initiation.

T4: Recommended chemical pest management practice

T5: Control (No plant protection measures)

Plot size: 10 m x 10 m. Replication: 4 All other recommended agronomic practices were adopted for successful raising of the

crop.

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Results and Discussion

After exhaustive survey in different administrative blocks of two districts under northern tract of West Bengal it was found that veteran members of the farming community were well aware about the ITKs. About 70 per cent farmers found to practice ITK in protecting their crop from pest menace. A good number of ITKs with special reference to crop protection of Boro paddy have been documented. A single technology was found from a number of farmers. The following ITKs have been documented :

1. Application of ash in seed bed

Ash was applied at wet seedbed before sowing seed. Soil in the seedbed becomes porous leading to good root development and healthy seedlings. Less root damage occurred at the time of seedling uprooting that helped in early establishment of seedlings in main field. The tillers/hills became strong, healthy and attain the ability to tolerate or resist any kind of stress or injuries that ultimately reflected in good yield. Ashes were available in the household of farm families. It involved no extra cost and the technology was easy to apply.

2. Use of fish tail palm (Local name- Chao gua) branch in field

Branches along with leaves of fish tail palm, Caryota sp. were placed in rice field when the crop was at tillering and/or maximum tillering stage. The population of sucking pests became less and crops remained in a healthy condition. Leaf folder, Cnaphalocrosis medinalis (Guenn.) population also remain under control.

Fish tail palm is available in every nook and corner of villages of Northern West Bengal. It is easy to collect and use in the field. This has been practiced in the Rajbangshi community of Northern part of West Bengal and practised both in Boro rice. A number of volatile chemicals released from the leaves of fish tail palm may be responsible to repel the pests that results in un-infested healthy crop.

3. Application of fermented Polygonum (Local name- Shuti) leaf on irrigation channel

The tender leaves of Polygonum sp. (in Bengali, bishkatali) were cut and kept in gunny bag or plastic bag under shade for 4-5 days. The leaves became fermented during this period. This fermented leaves of Polygonum sp. were then kept on the irrigation channel of Boro rice field. Irrigation water was spread all around the Boro rice field containing the extracts/exudates of these fermented leaves. The technology is applicable only during Boro rice because Polygonum is available only during this season under north Bengal condition.

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Farmers believe that the practice lessen the infestation of yellow stem borer infestation on paddy plant resulting minimum number of ‘dead heart’ and/or ‘white ear head’. Fermented exudates of Polygonum have the ability to repel the pest or it may be like that it has also pesticidal property which is reflected in low pest infestation.

4. Erection of bamboo branches/top or other sticks in paddy field

Bamboo branches or sticks or top were erected in field at vegetative stage of the crop. This attracted birds to rest on it and indirectly they were encouraged to predate upon the pests of paddy like the adults of yellow stem borer, leaf folder and the larvae of swarming caterpillar. Sap of raw bamboo shoot also contains hydrocyanic acid that possess antiseptic as well as larvicidal properties (Anonymous, 1948). Pest population thus, remained under control and the crop became healthy and resulted into good yield. However, after panicle emergence, the bamboo structures were withdrawn because, at that time the birds would have started feeding on the grains of panicle. In modern concept of IPM also, use of bird perch is advocated. This is a low cost technology and the used bamboo sticks or branches may again be reused for any other household activities.

5. Burning used bi-cycle tyre in the evening hour

The used Bicycle tyres were burned near the paddy field preferably in the evening hour. 2 - 3 tyres per bigha area of land were usually burned at a time. The farmers use this technology, Weekly or biweekly, in their field. The insects were attracted and got killed in the fire. The burning of Bicycle tyre acts as light trap. Adults of a good number of nocturnal insect-pests are attracted and killed by using this technology. Infestation of yellow stem borer, leaf folder, hoppers etc. gets lessened after application of this technology.

6. Application of kerosene oil in irrigation channel

In this method, a pin hole was made at the bottom of the kerosene oil bottle filled in a one litre plastic bottle and the bottle was placed over the irrigation channel of the field. Kerosene oil droplets continuously dripped on the running water of irrigation channel and got spread all over the field making a thin film of oil over the water level. This method is used in vegetative to panicle emergence stages of the crop.

This technology helped in reducing stem borer infestation in Boro paddy and in fields applied with this technology, negligible amount of dead heart and white ear head have been observed thereby warranting no need of application of chemical insecticides. Also, kerosene oil itself act as an insecticide. Caseworm, infestation and spread also remained under control.

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7. Spraying of Naphthalene

During vegetative stage of paddy particularly at tillering stage, about 10 gm. of naphthalene ball was powdered and mixed with 15 litre of water uniformly and then was sprayed over the rice vegetation. The crop remains uninfested by the insect-pests. It is likely that the off-flavor of naphthalene has deterrent effect on insect pests and thereby protects the crop.

8. Use of lemon (Local name - Jambura) leaf dust

Leaves of locally available plants of the family Rutacae like, Jambura, Lemon etc. were dried, crushed in flakes or powder form and was mixed with crushed mustard cake before being broadcasted over the rice field at panicle emergence or milking stage of the crop to prevent gundhi bug attack. Farmers of Cooch Behar and Jalpaiguri districts have found that, gundhi bug is more attracted to this mixture than the milk of grain and they search for that flavour instead of attacking rice panicle. Within a couple of days or so, rice grains were filled and do not remain susceptible to gundhi bug attack. In this way gundhi bug infestation on rice could be avoided. In addition to that, mustard cake also acts as good organic manure.

9. Use of snail flesh after panicle emergence

Snails were collected from the field and flesh thereof is recovered from their shell. About 200-250 gm of such flesh (freshly recovered) was then tied with a piece of cloth and are hanged at about 3-4 locations per bigha of a paddy field. In farmers’ practice, sometimes a small amount of Furadan 3G granules are thoroughly mixed with this flesh.

The technology has been practiced during flowering and milking stage of the crop. This technology is applied both in Boro as well as kharif rice. The gundhi bugs are much more attracted by the flesh of snails than the rice panicle and the pest population thus is diverted from panicle to fleshes. In the mean time the panicle becomes mature.

Rice is the dominant field crop of Northern part of West Bengal cultivated by the farming communities from time immemorial. Therefore it is very much natural that ITKs are utilised by the farmers to protect their crop for better production and profit maximisation (Bose et al., 1997). Doses and timings of application of ITK found to vary from farmer to farmer which may be due lack of documentation of the technologies. Slow activity of the technology may be the reason for less popularity of these technologies. Such technologies are also available in different parts of the India. Several authors have already documented some of the technologies from different corners of the country (Deka et al., 2006, Chaman Lal et al., 2006 and Mayabini, 2002).

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Table 2 : Pest infestation and yield of Boro Paddy(two successive years pooled data of 2013-14 and 2014-15)

Module YSB (per m2) Leaf folder (No. of

folded leaf per m2)

Gall Midge (No. of infested tiller/m2)

Gundhi Bug (No. per m2)

Yield (t/ha)

Benefit cost ratio

Adult Egg mass

T1 0.39 0.24 0.96 0.17 0.32 5.95 1.32T2 0.94 0.36 0.53 0.09 0.38 4.61 1.49T3 0.37 0.48 0.67 0.20 0.19 5.15 1.42T4 0.18 0.12 0.11 0.09 0.03 6.67 1.35T5 (Control) 1.02 1.17 2.09 0.98 2.01 4.29 1.12CD at 5% 0.1923 0.1827 0.2871 0.1029 0.1827 1.3927 0.172

Table 3 : Bio Agents populations on Boro Paddy (Population per m2) (two successive years pooled data of 2013-14 and 2014-15)

Module Dragon fly Damsel fly Ground beetle Spider Frog T1 0.24 0.17 4.10 0.17 0.14T2 0.41 0.31 2.93 0.14 0.15T3 0.37 0.25 4.98 0.28 0.20T4 0.21 0.12 2.10 0.17 0.14T5 (Control) 0.39 0.28 4.82 0.06 0.02CD 0.1902 0.1241 1.0298 0.0187 0.0377

From two years field trial it has been found that the ITK based trials showed better results as compared to control plots. Different insect pest population viz. yellow stem borer, leaf folder, gall midge, gundhi bug etc were recorded and results are given in table-2. Relatively lower pest population have been recorded in ITK modules and sometimes the differences from control plots were statistically significant. However, lowest pest infestation was recorded in chemical pest management module.

ITK based pest management module resulted in lower yield as compared to recommended chemical based pest management practices but higher than the control. Bio-agent population such as dragon fly, damsel fly, ground beetle, spider, frog etc. observed in ITK based module appeared much more than the chemical based module. Moreover, the former also resulted in higher benefit:cost ratio than the later because the ITKs are low cost technology and sometimes no cost is incurred at all. The control plot showed higher pest population and lower yield.

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Conclusion

It is likely that much more technologies are hidden among the farming communities of Northern West Bengal. That should be documented systematically and bases of their efficacy to be detected. Where it is possible, the technologies may be refined to suit with the present day agriculture particularly in the age of high yielding and hybrid varieties. After refinement they may be integrated with modern IPM strategies so as to bring sustainability in agriculture as well as to lower down the cost of production and high remuneration from agriculture.

From the above observation it also appeared that the ITK based pest management modules of crop protection in Boro paddy are more remunerative and also are environment friendly in managing pests in Boro paddy ecosystem under terai agro-ecological region of West Bengal. These ITK based modules of pest management may be very much helpful for our resource poor marginal farmers and that may also lead to sustainable agriculture for a better future.

Fig. 1 : Fermented Polygonum used in the irrigation channel of Boro paddy

Fig. 2 : Branches of Fish tail palm used by the farmers in paddy feild

Fig. 3 : Burning of used Bi-cycle tyre near the paddy field

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Acknowledgement

The authors are thankful to NABARD (National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development, India) for financial help and also the Dean, Faculty of Agriculture, Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Cooch Behar, West Bengal, for providing the facilities to conduct this work.

ReferencesAnonymous, 1948. The Wealth of India, Raw materials, Vol-I (Council of Scientific and Industrial

Research, New Delhi), 254.

Atte, O. D. 1989. Indigenous local knowledge as a key to local level development: possibilities, constraints and planning issues in the Continent of Africa. Paper presented at the seminar on reviving local self- reliance. Challenges for Rural / Regional Development in eastern and southern Africa. Arusha, Feb, 21-24.

Bell, M. 1979. The exploitation of indigenous knowledge or the indigenous exploitation of knowledge Whose use of what for what?. IDS Bulletin, 10:44-50.

Bose, K., Blancy, K., Ghani, O., Hossain, A. F. M. E., Mridha, N. N. and Sharma, P. N. 1997. Draft Compilation of Indigenous Technology Knowledge for Upland Watershed Management in Bangladesh. FAO Publication Field documents 14, , 1-62.

Chaman Lal and Verma, L. R. 2006. Use of certain bioproducts for insect-pest control, Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge, 5(1), 79-82.

Deka, M. K., Bhuyan, M. and Hazarika, L. K. 2006. Traditional pest management practices of Assam, Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge, 5(1), 75-78.

Flavier, J. M. 1995. The regional programme for the promotion of indigenous knowledge in Asia, 479–487.

Mayabini, J. 2002. Efficacy of the plant Polygonum hydropiper against brown plant hopper of rice. International Seminar on Traditional Knowledge, Health and Environment, held during 23–24 February 2002, at Bhubaneswar, Abs, p 41.

Pushpangadan, P. S. Rajasekharan and George V, 2002. Indigenous Knowledge and benefit sharing, A TBGRI experiment in IK strategies for Kerala. NSE Publication, Thiruvananthapuram.

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Section - IIIRole of farmers, organization and entrepreneurs in indigenous practices in plant protection

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Indigenous technical knowledge (ITK) is the accumulated skill of the particular community and they are unique and in harmony with the nature. Rice is the stable food of India and it is the major crop in Tuticorin District of Tamil Nadu. An attempt has been made to explore the ITKs adopted in two blocks viz., Srivaigundam and Udankudi through Rapid Rural Appraisal, Personal interviews and also to work out the grand adoption percentage of ITKs in paddy cultivation. The data were collected from 120 respondents belongs to eight villages using proportionate random sampling method. The study reveals that there were 45 ITKs categorized under six cultivation practices and among them the highest adoption percentage was arrived for hand weeding (100%), trimming of field bunds (100%), summer ploughing (88%), shaking of seedling before transplanting (88%) and sheep penning (80%). The grand adoption percentage of ITKs in paddy was only 36 per cent and there is an ample scope to promote ITKs as a measure of sustainable agriculture by merging with other practices aiming at higher yield and income without harming environment.

Key words : Indigenous technical knowledge, adoption percentage, effectiveness score, grand adoption percentage and sustainable agriculture

Indian agriculture is predominantly pro-nature and it was characterized by the cultivation practices aiming at sustainable productivity even though the production level was subsistence. Earlier day’s man knows very well about the nature and they were the rich repository of knowledge to reap more from agriculture in harmony with the nature. Those knowledge are unique to a given culture or society. It is the basis for local level decision making in agriculture, health care, food preparation, natural resource management and a host of other activities in rural



Adoption of ITKs in Paddy Cultivation in Tuticorin District of Tamil Nadu and Measures to Improve its Adoption

G Alagukannan1, M Ashokkumar2 and R Kumaravel3

Programme Coordinator, ICAR-KVK, Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu, Subject Matter Specialist (PP), ICAR – KVK, Tuticorin Horticultural Officer, Ayothiapattinam, Salem Dt.

CHAPTER 21

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communities (Warren, 1991). Rice is a staple food crop of India occupying 43 million ha of land representing various agro ecosystems. Since rice is cultivated throughout the country by small farmers including tribals to most progressive famers, there are lot of traditional technologies evolved over a period of time. Rice is cultivated in an area of around 20000 ha in Tuticorin district under low land system of cultivation utilizing Thamirabharani river water. Srivaigundam, Tiruchendur, Udankudi are the potential blocks for cultivation of paddy crop. In these areas the agriculture is still in the hands of elders with the rich traditional knowledge of crop rising. Hence, the study has been formulated to with the objectives. To scout the ITKs prevailing in paddy cultivation, to ascertain the extent of adoption of ITKs and its effectiveness, to analyse the reason for adoption or non-adoption of particular practice and to recommend the measures to improve the adoption of ITKs

The study was taken up in two blocks viz., Srivaigundam and Udankudi as these blocks are having more area under Paddy. In each block four paddy growing villages were selected at random and they were Manakarai, Perunkulam, Siruthandanallur, Arumuganeri in Srivaigunda block and Kulasai, Veppankadu, Meignanapuram and Lakhsmipuram of Udankudi block. Rapid Rural Appraisal, personal interviews with elders (aged more than 55) and field visits were the methodologies used to collect the Indigenous Technical Knowledge existed and /or prevailing among the paddy growing farmers in these villages. After documenting the ITKs, a carefully designed questionnaire was used to collect the data among the farmers in different villages. A sample of 120 farmers was selected by proportionate random sampling method. The data was collected by personal interviews (Talukdar et al., 2012). The variable “extent of adoption of ITKs” refers to number of respondents adopted the indigenous technical practice out of the total of respondents and expressed in percentage. The effectiveness of the indigenous practice against the intended purpose was also gathered from the respondents and scored as 0-1.99 (less effective), 2-3.99 (moderately effective) and 4-5 (highly effective). The formula for working out cultivation practice wise adoption percentage and Grand adoption percentage of ITKs was also developed and it has been worked out in the present study using the following function.

GAP = ∑i / ∑j x 100

Where GAP is Grand Adoption percentage ∑i is cumulative total of number of respondents adopting ITK∑j is the product of total number of respondents in the study and total number of practices

Documentation of ITKs

There were 45 number of ITKs identified and documented under six different sub heads of cultural operations in paddy cultivation. About 26, 8, 5, 3, 2 and 1 ITKs were documented for

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plant protection, seed handing, storage of grains, soil fertility management, main field preparation and intercultural operations respectively. Cultivation practices wise ITKs, purpose or aim of ITK as perceived by the respondents, the number and frequency of respondents using the ITKs and its effectiveness based on respondents opinion has been presented in Table 1. The practices documented as ITKs are mostly utilizing the locally available resources and plant parts that are of no or less cost and they are environment friendly (Talukdar et al., 2012).

Adoption of ITKs

The respondents are giving prime importance especially for sheep penning (80 % adoption). While main field preparation, all the respondents reported to do trimming and plastering of field bunds to utilize the area effectively apart from controlling weeds. Likewise, all the respondents (100%) are practicing two hand weeding and trampling in between the rows and plants to arrest the weed growth. Almost 88 per cent of the respondents are practicing summer ploughing to control the weeds and pests. About 88 per cent of respondents revealed that shaking of paddy seedlings resulted in reduction of caseworm population and similarly clipping of rice seedlings tip before transplanting was also reported by 72 per cent of the respondents.

Farmers are also learnt to contain the pest population by allowing ducks in the paddy fields immediately after harvest. Application of neem oil and neem cake to control the pests are adopted by 36 and 40 per cent of the respondents only as the cost of neem cake is high. The adoption percentage of measures taken to drive away the birds are also less because the damage caused the birds are not cause economic loss as paddy is cultivated in an extensive scale continuously upto 300-500 acres per village.

Effectiveness Score

Out of the 45 practices explored and adopted by the respondents, 9 (20%) were found to be highly effective, 27 (60%) moderately effective and 9 (20%) were less effective as per the respondents response. Sheep penning to enhance soil fertility (4.2), strengthening of bunds (4.2), hand weeding (4.50), digging trenches in between the fields (4.12), pouring of kerosene directly on standing water to drive away the hispa, foliar spray of neem oil (4.1) to control stem borer, application of neem cake at last plough (4.36) to contain nematode, beating drums (4.6) to scare away the birds, allowing ducks to feed in the harvested field (4.20) are highly effective the intended purpose. This is in conformity with the earlier findings of Majumder et al., (2013).

Operation wise adoption of ITKs

Table 2 reveals that, out of six broad areas of operation, intercultural operation consisting of only one practice (hand weeding twice) registered 100 per cent adoption and it was followed

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by main field preparation (88%). The highest adoption percentage could be due to the reason that practices like trimming of field bunds, strengthening with stubbles, hand weeding forms the basic cultural operations in paddy cultivation. The practices included under plant protection are our primary interest as these practices could reduce the consumption of chemicals to a greater extent and thereby sustainable agriculture is ensured. But plant protection practices recorded the average adoption percentage of only 31 and it might be due to the fondness of farmers’ attitude towards the use of chemicals. This is in concomitant with the findings of Sasikantan and Santha Govind (2005). Gross adoption percentage of ITKs in paddy cultivation in Tuticorin District of Tamilnadu was only 36 per cent and thereby there is an ample scope to utilize the potential benefits of ITKs by creating awareness among the farmers.

From the preceding discussion, it could be concluded that there sizeable numbers of ITKs are in practice by the farmer. Proper identification, documentation of ITKs apart from creating awareness among the farmers is the need of this hour. Indigenous practices are thus excellent alternatives to the costly pesticides provided they must be amalgamated with the other integrated cultivation practices. The results of this study will be helpful to the scientist and extension workers to formulate the package of practices for paddy cultivation which is low cost, location specific and eco-friendly.

Table 1 : ITK practices in rice cultivation, its effectiveness and distribution of farmers using ITK in Tuticorin district of Tamilnadu

S. No.

Practices Aim / purpose Frequency of adopter

farmers

Effective-ness score

Seed selection, storage and treatment

1 Farmers use their own seeds To ensure the quality 74 (62)# 2.20(M)@

2 To store the seeds they use only new gunny bags

To avoid any pest or disease

42 (35) 1.20(L)

3 About 50g of camphor is placed in the middle of the bag

To control storage pests 36 (30) 2.35(M)

4 Once in a three months, the seeds are dried under sun for 3-4 hours especially on the day of new moon


5 Use of neem leaf and Pungam leaf in seed storage bags

To repel the storage pests

40 (33) 2.80(M)

cont...

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6 Seeds are soaked in water and tied in a cloth. Warm water sprinkled over the cloth and germination assessed after 3 days

To test germination percentage

36 (30) 3.50(M)

7 Seed treatment with Pudhina (Mint) and vasambu (Acorus) solution for 24 hours

To control diseases 12 (10) 1.5(L)

8 Soaking the paddy seeds in diluted cow’s urine before sowing

To improve the seed germination percentage and early vigour of the seedlings

32 (27) 2.75(M)

Soil fertility management

1 Sheep penning before main field preparation

To improve the soil fertility

96 (80) 4.20(H)

2 Incorporation of Calotropis leaves at the time of last puddling

To improve the soil fertility and also to control pets

41 (34) 3.10(M)

3 Daincha (Sesbania) sees are sown in paddy main fields and ploughed in-situ.

To improve the soil fertility

60 (50) 3.65(M)

Main field preparation

1 Trimming and plastering of field bunds To eliminate the host weeds for pest and diseases

120 (100) 3.10(M)

2 Bunds are strengthened with weeds and stubbles collected from the fields, bunds are plastered with mud.

To prevent rat holes and their damage

92 (77) 4.20(H)

Intercultural operations

1 Two manual weeding and trampling the interspace

To control weeds 120 (100) 4.50(H)

Plant protection

1 Summer ploughing of the main field To control weeds and pests in soil

106 (88) 2.85(M)

2 Raising of Black gram on bunds of rice field

To minimize the green leaf hopper damage

24 (20) 3.10(M)

cont...

154


3 Shaking of paddy seedlings before transplanting

to reduce the caseworm population

105 (88) 3.23(M)

4 Clipping of rice seedlings tips before transplanting

To eliminate stem borer eggs

86 (72) 3.75(M)

5 Two ends of long rope dipped in kerosene oil is held by two persons and blown over the rice crop and available standing water is drained out

to minimize hispa and caseworm damage

28 (23) 1.85(L)

6 Alternate wetting and drying of field To control brown plant hopper

15 (13) 2.10(M)

7 The waste grains (ill filled grains) after winnowing is mixed with kerosene and applied to the field

To control era head bug 32 (27) 3.50(M)

8 Digging trenches in between the fields To control movement of army worms

46 (38) 4.12(H)

9 Broadcasting goats’ droppings on the standing crop of paddy

To repel hispa due to unpleasant odour of goat excreta

35 (29) 3.75(M)

10 Pouring of kerosene oil directly on standing water in paddy field

To drive away the hispa flies

22 (15) 4.15(H)

11 Frogs are killed and hung from bamboo sticks erected in the crop fields in different places

The gundhi bugs crowd over the dead frog rather damaging soft grains

4 (3) 2.05(M)

12 Burning of tyres around the rice field To repel gundhi bugs and other pests

8 (7) 2.32(M)

13 Placing bird perches in the field to allow birds to sit and predate on the pests

To control all kind of larvae

16 (13) 1.75(L)

14 Foliar spray of neem oil (30ml per lit of water)

To control most pests especially stem borer and thrips

43 (36) 4.10(H)

15 Dusting Chula ash or Prosopis kiln ash in the early morning

to control stem borer and ear head bug

18 (15) 3.15(M)

16 Applying neem cake before last plough To control root rot and nematode problem

48 (40) 4.36(H)

cont...

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17 A mixture of 5 kg common salt and 15 kg of sand is applied for one acre crop

To control brown spot disease

30 (25) 1.85(L)

18 Spraying the leaf extract of Adathoda vasica

To control rice tungro 4(3) 2.75(M)

19 Tying of waste audio tapes around the fields

To scare away the birds 8 (7) 1.50(L)

20 Beating drums at grain maturation stage To scare away the birds 14 (12) 4.60(H)

21 Keeping effigies wearing white dress made up of straw in the centre of field

To scare away the birds 35 (29) 2.60(M)

22 Placing crow’s carcass tied in a stick To scare away the birds 28 (23) 2.1(M)

23 A piece of red or black cloth is tied to a long pole and placed in the centre of the field

To frighten birds 48 (40) 2.3(M)

24 Allowing ducks to feed in the harvested paddy fields

To control pests and to enrich the soil with duck droppings

96 (80) 4.20(H)

25 Keeping a mud pot containing burning paddy straw or stubbles above the rat holes and making airtight by plastering

To kill the rats 36 (30) 3.80(M)

26 Placing of ‘T’ shaped sticks in the field for owl to sit

To control rats 23 (19) 2.30(M)

Grain Storage1 Measuring paddy grains with round

bamboo structures plastered with cow dung and mud

To repel the storage pests

8 (7) 1.50(L)

2 Storing of grains on a mud pot of more than 6 feet height

To control storage pests 13 (11) 1.52(L)

3 Mixing of paddy grains with leaves of Pongamia or notchi or neem before storage


4 Keeping neem leaves or pungam leaves in between gunny bags


5 White wash of wall near storage place To control storage pests 24 (20) 1.20(L)

# figures in the parenthesis indicates the percentage of adoption.@ High/Medium/Low effectiveness score.

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Table 2 : Operation wise adoption of ITKs in paddy cultivation on Tuticorin District, Tamilnadu

S. No.

Operation No. of practices in each

operation

Cumulative no. of

respondents adopting

ITKs

No. of practices x Total no. of respondents

Average adoption %

1 Seed handling 8 294 960 31

2 Soil fertility management 3 197 360 55

3 Main field preparation 2 212 240 88

4 Intercultural operation 4 120 120 100

5 Plant protection 26 958 3120 31

6 Storage 5 160 600 27

Grand total 45 1941 5400 36

ReferencesMajumder, D., S.N. Deka, D.Pujari and P.K. Das. Traditional Knowledge adopted by the farmers

for management of rice pests in North bank plain zone of Assam. Indian journal of Traditional Knowledge. 12 (4): 725-729. 2013

Sastikannan, A. and Santhagovind. Adoption of indigenous plant protection practices by paddy farmers. Karnataka J. Agric. Sci. 18(1): 196-199. 2005

Talukdar, R.K., S. Barman and A. Hussain. Documentation and perceived rationale of ITK utilized in Boro rice cultivation by farmers of Kamrup district of Assam. J. Acad. Indus. Res. 1(7): 412-417. 2012

Warren, D.M. Indigenous Agricultural Knowledge Systems and Development. Agriculture and Human Values. 8 (1-2). 1991

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State of Odisha stretches from 170 47’N to 220 33’N latitude and 81021’ E to 870 30’ E longitude, represents the combination of ancient and recent agriculture. The coastal agro eco-system of Odisha is of recent origin and represents the advanced phase of agriculture. Condition of high temperature and high relative humidity of Odisha is always found favourable for the growth and multiplication of insects which results considerable amount of loss. High levels pesticide poisoning among resource poor farmers, especially women, are often reported to be linked to low levels of literacy and education. The knowledge that women of the Coastal Odisha have regarding ecology, biodiversity, and land use and pest management is embedded in their belief system, their culture and religion. In the context of global change, scientific validation of traditional knowledge has assumed greater significance to ensure the availability of pesticide free quality food. Following common characteristics of traditional knowledge can be considered common and important.

1. Focus on risk reduction.

2. Year round vegetative cover of soil.

3. System diversity: Farm system based on several cropping system, cropping system based on a mixture of crops and crops with varietal and other genetic variability.

4. Trophic complexity approaching natural system. Multiple interactions between plants, weeds, pathogens and insects.

5. High net energy yields because energy inputs are relatively low, and

6. Low levels of inputs and high degree of self-sufficiency.



ITKs : Gender Friendly Options for Pest Management in Coastal Odisha

S K SrivastavaICAR-Central Institute for Women in Agriculture, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India

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People have started realizing the present state of continuous ill health that is due to the increasing quantity of poison accumulating in their bones and tissues.Our body cells are made up of genes. All our cells are genetically engineered to work well in a chemical free environment. If they work well, then, there are no health issues. More over in the modern living, changes in our living and eating habits, happen faster than our genes can adapt. The food we take contains toxins and pollutants due to fertilizers, pesticides, food processing and polluted atmosphere. Further the toxins we intake, undergo bio-magnifications within our body leading to dangerous level of toxicity in the cells and cell walls of our body.The whole food chain is contaminated, for wild life and human alike. Human being has been realizing increasingly to cope with the changing situation. One must keep him healthy and should take steps to prevent problems when he is well. The best way to maintain healthy cells for a healthy life is through quality food production with the maximum use of Indigenous Traditional Knowledge. Promotion of Paramparagat Krishi has been identified a major thrust area in agriculture.

In most developing countries, poor rural women are the victims of the increasing costs of pesticides and fertilizers, and increasing hazards to human health. Decision-making in crop protection is one of the most important gender issues at global scenario. As primary providers of nutrition to the young children, women are the major decision-makers in ensuring nutrition to the next generation. During first World conference on women in Nairobi (1985), it was recognized that the themes of “women and development” and the “environment” are interlinked and must be incorporated into policy planning. Planners are now recognizing the value of learning from women’s local knowledge to protect and sustain the environment.

Compared to men, women are usually less informed about safe pesticide practices and the dangerous side effects of pesticide use. High levels of pesticide poisoning among resource poor farmers, especially women, are often reported to be linked to low levels of literacy and education. In many cases, the husband is responsible for buying pesticide from the cooperative, market, or storekeeper, and no information is passed between the husband and wife about safe use with the result, for example, that women reuse pesticide containers for storing or transporting their crops even some times oils and water. Often loose pesticide, products are not labelled, but even if they are, many women cannot read the information. Although educating people in proper pesticide management is extremely important, education alone will not prevent poisoning. To benefit women, pest control mechanisms must be tailored with the incorporation of ITKs.

Globalisation of trade and starting of various schemes like Make in India, Start up India, Skill India, Stand up India etc. has definitely opened up economic and income security opportunities for women in various fields. Once women are awakened and given the needed orientation of literacy and skill development, the rural women will move for accepting the challenges of their decisive role and participation. With them the family, the household and the whole village will

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move and ultimately the Nation will move to bring desired progress to achieve the status of developed India.Promotion and efficient utilization of ITKs can promote self-reliance by farmer participatory approach, contribute to poverty alleviation by focusing on women farmers and protect environment and health by reducing agrochemical inputs and conserving biodiversity on our unique blue green planet earth.

Technological knowledge of plant protection technologies of farmwomen of Odisha

An intensive survey was carried out in twenty villages of Khurda, Puri, Cuttack and Jagatsinghpur districts of Odisha to find out the technological gap in crop protection technology (Table 1) and various ITKs used by the farm women in Coastal Odisha (Table 2). Farmwomen are having good knowledge of seed storage of vegetables but there was a vast gap in the knowledge of seed treatment and bio-pesticides, which varied from 78.4 to 95.2 per cent. Overall technological gap among farmwomen in plant protection technology was found 52.6 per cent in Odisha.

Table 1 : Estimation of technological gap in the knowledge of plant protection technology of farmwomen of Odisha

S. No.

Different aspects of plant protection technology

Maximum score

Average score

obtained

Difference in score

Technological gap in

knowledge (%)

Rank

1. Seed Treatment 12.5 2.7 9.8 78.4 II

2. Nursery Protection 12.5 8.8 3.7 29.6 VI

3. Spray Solution preparation

12.5 8.3 4.2 33.6 V

4. Pesticidal Hazards 12.5 9.3 3.2 25.6 VII

5. Waiting Period 12.5 4.9 7.6 60.8 IV

6. Bio Pesticide 12.5 0.6 11.9 95.2 I

7. Botanical Pesticide 12.5 3.2 9.3 74.4 III

8. Seed Storage 12.5 9.6 2.9 23.2 VIII

100 47.4 52.6 52.6

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Table 2 : List of ITKs collected from Coastal Orissa

S. No.

Name of the ITKs Crop Pest

1. Application of Kochilla (Strychnos nuxvomica) + cow dung compost

Brinjal Fruit and shoot borer

2. Inter cropping of cabbage+ tomato (1:1) Cabbage Diamond back moth

3. Inter cropping of okra and chilli with marigold and chilli with Ramdana (Amaranthus)

Okra and chilli Mosaic and root knot nematode

4. Spraying of neem seed kernel extract @ 4% or neem soap @ 10 gm/litre of water

Cabbage Leaf webber aphid and diamond back moth

5. Spraying of neem oil 0.03% @ 2.5 lit./ha Vegetables Fruit borer insect

6. Root dipping of seedling for 4 to 6 hours in 1 gm asafetida + 10 gm turmeric powder + 20 litre of water

Brinjal and Tomato

Fungal diseases of Vegetables

7. Spraying of Karada (Cleistanthus collinus) plant leaf and bark extract

Brinjal Fruit and shoot borer

8. Spraying of 1 kg bael leaf with 10 litre of water or cow dung slurry 1 kg in 10 litre of water

Vegetables Bacterial blight

9. Broadcasting of 4-5 kg sugar/acre. Ants are attracted to sugar particles and thereafter they feed on the larval form of the pest

Vegetables Larval form of the pest

10. Release of poultry birds early in the morning Tomato and French bean

Fruit borer

11. Application of Kochilla leaf (Strychnos nuxvomica) + Karanj leaf + Neem leaf + cow dung in the form of compost

Vegetables Different insect pests

12. Putting of old fishing net in the periphery of vegetable field

All Vegetables Non insect pest- Poultry folks

13. Planting of Marigold, locally called Kusum, in the periphery of vegetable field or intercrop with okra and brinjal

Vegetables Different insect pests

14. Keeping the seed after sun drying in earthen pots sealed with mud and cow dung

Vegetables seed

Storage pest

cont...

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15. Dry powder of Karanj+ Neem with water solution Brinjal and Cabbage

Different pests of brinjal and cabbage

16. Mixing of cement with the seed of vegetables and keeping in polythenes/glass bottles/tin containers

Vegetables seed

Storage pest

17. Keeping dry sand in container and thereafter vegetable seeds followed by tighting the lid of the container

Vegetables seed

Storage pest

18. Soaking of neem seed powder overnight and their extract application

Cabbage diamond back moth

19. 2-3 soil application of Neem and Pongamia cake @ 250 kg/ha

Brinjal Shoot and fruit borer.

20. Spraying of Neem soap and Pongamia soap @ 1 percent

Tomato Cabbage

Tomato fruit borerand diamond back moth

21. Plucking of infested leaf of insect from vegetable crops and spraying of Holy water of Lord Shiva Temple which contains curd, milk, ghee, honey and Basil leaves

Vegetables Different insect pests in vegetables

22. Mixing of Ash with the seed of vegetables and keeping in Polythenes/Glass bottles/Tin containers

Vegetables seed

Storage pest

23. Putting Bitter Guard (Karela) seed in cow dung and Paste it on the wall inside the house

Vegetables seed

Storage pest

24. Neem seed kernel suspension percent Vegetables Field insect pests

25. Tobacco leaf decoction @ 5 kg / ha prepared from tobacco dust

Vegetables Sucking pests and borers

26. Spraying of jaggary (4 kg of jaggary dissolved in 8 liters of water acts as the stock solution , which is made to 80 liter will be sufficient for one acre) solution to attract the ant for feeding on pests.

Brinjal and Tomato

Eggs and neonate larvae

27. Spraying of cattle urine + dung extract (cattle urine 12.5 liter + dung 12.5 kg+ water 12.5 liter+375 gm limes, after fermentation of four days, stock solution thus obtained is made to 80 liter will be sufficient for one acre) preferably after 3.30 P.M

Tomato Helicoverpa moths

cont...

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28. Spraying of green chilli + garlic extract @ 7.5 kg chilli extracted in water (4 kg chilli should be drenched in 8 litres of water for overnight) + 1.25 kg garlic extracted in kerosene (750 gm pounded garlic made to soak in 200 ml of kerosene for overnight) + 100 gm dissolved detergent, for one hectare

Tomato Repel Helicoverpa to lay eggs

29. Spraying of Jatropha curcas (Baigava, Ratanjyothi)leaf extract

Vegetables Sucking pests

30. Spraying of Kochilla (Strychnos nuxvomica) seed powder

Brinjal and tomato

Shoot and fruit borer and Heliothis

31. Spraying of cow milk with water Kitchen garden

Sucking and borer pest

32. Application of Mahua, Madhuca longifolia (Koen), cake in seed beds

Vegetables Nursery pests

33. Water-hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes Solms) leaves extract is sprayed on crops

Brinjal and tomato

Luxurious growth and control of insect

34. Spraying of Panchgavya Brinjal and tomato

Luxurious growth and control of insect

35. Ash dusting Brinjal and bean

Fruit and shoot borer and aphids

36. Application of neem cake through irrigation channel by putting in gunny bag

Paddy and green gram

Termite

37. Application of pudina (Mentha arvensis) leaf powder around the field of plot at the time of sowing

Amaranthus Ant

38. Broadcasting of broken piece of rice locally known as khuddi with the seeds of amaranth at the time of sowing

Amaranthus Ant

39. Spray of NSKE solution Pumpkin, amaranth, okra and tomato

Red pumpkin beetle, leaf minor and fruit borer

cont...

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40. Storage of pulses with Capsicum annuum powder;Vitex negundo (Begunia) and Azadirachta indica leaf powder

Rice, moong, urd, pigeon pea

Storage pests and bruchids

41. Mixing of house hold Chulha ash Moong, urd bruchids

42. Mixing of Mustard Oil Moong, urd bruchids

43. Mixing of Polang seed Rice, moong, urd

Storage pests and bruchids

44. Storage over sand on floor Onion Rotting

45. Hanging in open air inside the house Onion and garlic

Rotting

46. Storage in Dhaan Gada Paddy Rodents and rain

47. Storage of Paddy outside of house in Khani Paddy Rodents and for quality rice

48. Equal quantity of fruit powder of Neelgiri + whole Begunia leaf + whole dry chilly + Cow dung ash

Paddy Storage pest

49. Storage in Pudug a structure made from paddy nada Pulses and rice Insects, rodents and moisture

50. Very early planting with short duration varieties and alternate wetting and drying the fields

Rice Gall midge

51. Preference of resistant varieties like Shakti, Surekha,Phalguna and Kakatiya

Rice Gall midge

52. Poison baits with warfarin in puffed rice mixed with fried onions and fish

Rice Field crab

53. Spreading of raw cow dung @ 300 kg /ha in standing water in lowland areas. This disturbs movement of crabs and also produces unbearableodour to them, which causes crabs to go out of the field

Rice Field crab

54. Tribals use water pepper (Polygonum hydropiper) mixed with liquid soap locally known as Gotkinamaru (cattle-tick-killer), Kalatadi or Galpudi.

Rice Brown plant hopper

55. Incorporation of leaves of Calotropis gigantea into the soil

Rice Brown plant hopper

cont...

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56. Spreading of chopped pieces of colocasia (Colocasia esculenta) and chopped peels of citrus (Citrus grandis) in the rice fields. This makes water bittersome and acts as repellent

Rice Caseworm larvae

57. Pressing of 5 - 6 bundles (10 -12 plant/ bundle) of kalothia (Tephrosia purpurea) into the mud. Plants get decomposed in the mud and repell the pest

Rice Leaf Folder

58. Installation of branches or twigs (4-5) of fishtail palm in the paddy field.These fishtail palm branches harbour the predatory birds and control the paddy leaf folder within 8 - 10 days

Rice Leaf Folder

59. Planting of Wild sugarcane Saccharum spontaneum twigs of 4 - 5 feet height and 4 - 5 cm diameter after 15 days of transplanting. These erected branches harbour predatory spiders, which are active at the time of occurrence of leaf folder, there by suppressing the incidence of pest

Rice Leaf Folder

60. Young bamboo (Bambusa arundinacea) shoots or sprouts (250g) are collected and soaked overnight in 1 litre water. In the next morning, the water is decanted and sprayed on the infected field of 1 acre

Rice Leaf Folder

61. Brooms are prepared out of dried twigs of wild ber (Zizyphus spp). The broom is stuck on the crop,at tillering stage, affected with rice hispa. As a result the grubs of hispa are injured resulting in disturbance in the movement and they fall down onthe standing water. The grubs are removed from the field by draining the water

Rice Rice hispa

62. Cashew (Anacardium occidentale) nutshell oil acts as larvicide and biopesticide. It is sprayed 2 - 3times at the time of incidence

Rice Stem borer

63. 500 ml neem oil is mixed with 4 kg soil and some fresh cow dung. It is dried in shade for two days. There after it is dissolved in 50 litres water. About 200 g soap is dissolved in it and sprayed on the crop

Rice Stem borer

cont...

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64. Putting of bamboo sticks and or branches for birds sitting in the field in nursery and at tillering stage help pest reduction as bird catch the larvae and eat it away

Rice Stem borer

65. Generation of smoke in the fields by burning herbs windward. Farmers also draw ropes saturated with resin and kerosene over the fields. Some scented aquatic plants like Ceratophyllum demersum Linn. C. submersum Linn., Lycopodium corinatum Desb., Limnophila spp. and Hydrilla verticilata are also found useful to trap the gundhi bugs

Rice Gundhi bugs

66. Hanging a snail or fish in a cloth attached to a stick erected in the field at about 25 places per acre. Due to rotten smell of snail, bugs leaves the field

Rice Gundhi bugs

67. Farmers put dead frogs or crabs in a bamboo stick equivalent to the length of the paddy, at milking stage. Each dead frog/crab by and large can attract around 20 bugs

Rice Gundhi bugs

68. Scaring away birds by putting the dark coloured pseudostem of Colocassia (Colocasia esculenta) in the shape of snake head in the field

Rice Sparrows

69. Farmers fill broad-mouthed earthen pots with slurry made of cow dung upon which a little rice is spread to attract rats. When the rats try to eat rice, they instantly fall into the cow dung mixed water and die

- Rat

70. The leaves and small twigs of kochila (Strychnos nuxvomica) are applied before land preparation, andsubsequently incorporated into the soil to control weeds. Secretions of kochila twigs suppress 50-60% weeds inside the soil.

- Weeds

71. Spraying of fresh cow dung extract Paddy Bacterial leaf blight

72. About 1 kg tulsi leaves is boiled in 2 litres water thoroughly. The solution @ 2 ml / l of water is stained and sprayed on the affected rice crop twice at 15 days interval

Paddy Blast disease of rice

cont...

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73. About 1 kg bael (Aegle marmelos) leaf is crushed and immersed in 10 litres of lukewarm water for 2 hours. Then the leaves are taken out and the solution is sprayed over the rice crop once daily


74. Cowdung slurry is prepared by mixing 1 kg cowdung with 10 litre water. The slurry is mixed with crushed karada (Xylia xylocarpa) leaves. The solution is sprayed at weekly interval


75. In a bag of 100 kg paddy, 200g crystals of common salt are added after filling 50 kg and remaining 50 kg of grain is filled.

Paddy Moth and weevil during storage

76. Farmwomen use Jari akha for rice storage with the use of a mixture of begonia (Vitex negundo), pudina (Mentha sativa), bhusunga patra, curry leaves Murraya koenigii), garlic and turmeric (Curcuma aromatica) powder

Paddy Weevil

77. Covering grains with a layer of dried paddy husk of 5.0 – 7.5 cm

Paddy Weevil andgrain moth.

78. About 5 kg of crystal salt, 20 -30 red chilies and 5 -10 handfuls of dried neem leaves are thoroughly mixed with rice before bagging. Later the bags are also covered with dried neem branches. It minimizes the insect attack and improves the keeping quality of seed

Paddy Weevil andgrain moth.

The need to induct export orientation as a motive in our agricultural system prompts us to attach adequate importance to residue free agricultural production for increased income security. Today pesticides are entering in food chain due to faulty use of agrochemicals in food, fodder and vegetable production. Almost six decades of agrochemical use have left us with a tragic legacy therefore, we have started to think for second green revolution in which ITKs may play a pivotal role. Economic growth rates alone cannot mitigate agrarian distress in India. It is important to examine the social science dimensions particularly with reference to gender and social equity and ethics very carefully, while designing agricultural research and development programmes. Only such integration can help us to impart a pro-nature, pro-poor and pro-women orientation to technology development and dissemination. We need to reorient our agricultural research and development programmes with emphasis on blending of ITKs with biological, mechanical and

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physical methods of pest management along with new molecules of agrochemicals which are safer and efficient to enhance farm profitability and improve overall economic empowerment in the rural areas.

The abundant human capital of rural women has enormous potential to put India’s economic development on a high growth trajectory. Women constitute half of the country population and make up one–third of the labour force. Women are knowledgeable about their environment and are the buffer stock of ITKs. The voices of rural women would tell us all these things and more, giving us stories of hope, struggle and achievement, and more importantly blessing us with their wisdom. If we are really looking for solutions to world hunger, we should start by listening to them. Women’s full potential in agriculture must be realized if the goal of the reduction in the number of hungry people in the world is to be achieved. Rio declaration Agenda 21, chapter 14, deals with promoting sustainable agriculture and rural development (UN, 1992). The Agenda explicitly mentions women as a specific target group for interventions. Once women are awakened and given the rights, needed orientation of literacy and skill development in plant protection, the rural women will move for accepting the challenges of their decisive role and participation. With them the family, the household and the whole village will move and ultimately the Nation will move to bring desired progress and prosperity in the rural areas.

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Uttarakhand (dev bhoomi) State of Rishi evam Krishi is known for its culture and heritage of traditional practices. In North West Himalayan Region (NWHR) people practice integrated systems of farming like forestry, horticulture, livestock and off-farm activities. The Uttarakhand is the source of biological diversity in relation to topography, elevation, geographic phenomena, habitat, cultural, demographic, socio-economic and ethnic diversity and people practicing integrated systems of farming like forestry, horticulture, livestock and off-farm activities (Chopra and Pasi, 2002). The ecology of the Himalayan hills is unique, and tradition and culture have an extensive and pervasive influence on the life of the people. The cultivation of several types of crops viz. cereals, millets, pulses, vegetables, oilseeds, spices and fruit, plants are the specific feature of this region (Maikhuri et al., 2001). The farmers in the hills of Uttaranchal are mostly marginal farmers; practicing low external-input-based production system. Agriculture, horticulture, live stock, forestry combined with animal husbandry provides opportunities for optimum utilization of the resources available in the system. It may be a blessing in disguise, the ill effects of synthetic chemical based agriculture are very limited here, the soil has not been polluted and the environment is clean and green with abundant biodiversity. If efforts are not made at this juncture, this sustainable system may follow the same path of high external input agriculture (Maikhuri et al., 1996).

Application of extensive use of inputs in agriculture, in terms of chemical fertilizer and pesticides curtailed the sustainability of agriculture production system. But the ITKs are time tested knowledge belongs to farming community evolved as constant interaction with nature. It includes concepts, belief, and perception and usually found in various folk forms (Jardhari, 2007; Kareem, 2008). In Uttarakhand, agriculture is not only a means of survival but also a way of life. The application of high input technologies in intensive agriculture has undoubtedly increased agricultural production, but, now realizing the plateau in the growth, there is serious concern



Popular ITK in Hills : A Case of Uttarakhand

Pratibha Joshi, J P Sharma, Nishi Sharma, B K Singh, J P S Dabas, Sarbasis Chakravorty, Nafees Ahmad, G S Mahra and Kushagra Joshi1

ICAR-Indian Agriculture Research Institute, New Delhi 1ICAR-Vivekanand Parvatiya Krishi Anusandhan Sansthan, Almora, Uttrakhand

CHAPTER 23

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over their adverse effects on environment quality. Sustainable agriculture aims at achieving permanence through utilization of renewable resources. Indigenous knowledge is the knowledge acquired by the local people through their past experience, evolved over the time under the influence of traditional knowledge, external factors and agents; and individual innova tions spirited by Indigenous technical knowledge, contributing in sustainable development of agriculture by locally available cost effective and eco-friendly mechanism, which are locally manageable and acceptable. ITK envisages the villagers to diagnose the particular disorder or disease in field crops, vegetables and livestock, as well as its management through their capabilities as proved by their ancestors. These technique are largely based on the farmer’s assumption, reliable evidences, economic viability, farming community consent, traditional sound knowledge, and positive result. Villagers in hilly areas are more sensitive to adopt ITK practices as they are located far away from recent agricultural as well as social developments. They easily follow the traditional knowledge that they have learnt from their older generations.

In the present agriculture scenario, insecticides, fungicides, herbicides, etc. are being used in large quantities in field crops, vegetables, and orchards. Due to the imbalanced and excessive use of chemicals on large scale, fields are becoming barren and infertile leading to decline in productivity. On the other hand, in the indigenous technique there is no or little use of chemicals because of the farmer’s ecofriendly attitude; it is less expensive, has subsidiary benefits, resulted in less insect pest and disease incidence in crops, and leads to long-term sustainability of soil and crop productivity (Sundamari and Rangnathan, 2003). Therefore, realizing the importance of ITK, the popular ITK practices prevalent in Kumaon and Garhwal region of Uttarakhand in NWHR have been documented and an attempt was made for identifying available indigenous technical knowledge of IPM and potential in Uttarakhand Hills. The study conducted in Uttrakhand state and participatory rural appraisal was done for identification of ITKs. Hill farmers are sensitive to adopt ITK practices as they are away from modernization of agriculture and keen to learn and adopt economically viable as well as culturally sound practices.

This activity was executed through PRA (Participatory Rural Appraisal, observations and scientific validation with reference to economic viability), several meetings, group discussions, interaction with villagers (including elderly persons) and also exploring such knowledge by traveling in remote/interior areas (Dubey et al., 1993). Some of the most popular ITK practices are discussed here. Some of the ITKs to control diseases in vegetable crop, use of ash, cow urine, weeds as Utrica dioca, Corallocarpus epigeous and adoption of trap cropping - predominantly used in hilly areas are narrated below:

Seed treatment as ITK

In Uttarakhand seed treatment has been followed for pulse crop and wheat. The seed had been treated with the mixture of ash of cow dung and cow urine. Farmers believe that this helped in enhancing productivity and minimizing damage to the seed by the pests.

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Land preparation and method of sowing

Land preparation has been done with the local implements like farmers use an implement, locally called Dilar followed by other traditionally and locally preferred implements as Danela, Patela and rake etc. The village Purohit announce some dates for starting ploughing of the land. Among these dates, farmers start ploughing according to the condition of rain fall and other factors like maintenance of plough, etc.

For sowing of paddy crops farmers plough the field two times. While for traditional and coarse cereal crops like Mandua (finger millet) single ploughing is done, for wheat, mustard, chilly, Gahat (a pulse crop), Bhatt (black seeded soybean), etc. single ploughings are common.

For sowing of most of the crop broadcasting of seed is carried out. Potato is sown in rows, drawn with the help of Desi plough. The seed is broadcasted in the field then it is ploughed. In rain-fed areas, paddy crop is sown with the same method. In areas where irrigation facility is available, transplanted paddy is grown. However, direct sown paddy is more popular due to unavailability of irrigation facilities. Chilly crop is also transplanted in few areas.

Use of weed as a measure of plant protection

Farmers use Bicchu grass (Utrica dioca), soaked in 10-12 L cow urine and fermented upto 24 hours and spray it into various vegetable crops specially capsicum, onion, cucurbits and tomato as organic fungicide.

Bicchu grass (Utrica dioca) Rambans (Verbascum sp.)

Control of insect pests in vegetable crops

Another fermented organic solution as 5 L Khusaini or mirchiya weed (Corallocarpus epigeous) in 12 L of water is used to control insect such as aphids, fruit and stem borer and fruit fly of vegetable crops. The morphological characters of the plant are similar to makoya or makoye or black nightshade (Solanum nigrum) having chili-shaped violet colored flowers.

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Khusaini or mirchiya weed (Corallocarpus epigeous)

This solution is sprayed over an area of 1 nali (1 nali= 200 m2) in June–July in vegetable crops especially capsicum and cucurbits to control insect pests; for example, aphids on capsicum, fruit and stem borer in brinjal (eggplant), and fruit fly on cucurbits.

Aphid control in oilseed crops

In case of aphid attack on mustard crop, cow urine is sprayed over the infested plants. Ash obtained from firewood is also broadcasted for the control of aphid problem in mustard. Another treatment is 5 kg Rambans (Verbascum sp.) fermented in 10-12 L water, sprayed to control aphids in oilseed crops. The suspension is sprayed on the crop @ 50 ml per nali in mid February to control aphids.

Weed control in transplanted rice

Pine is an integralpart of the folklore and mythology of indigenous cultures in Uttarakhand. Dense pine forest are found in Panar, Chitai, Badachhinna, Rayagar and Berinag areas in Almora, Nainital and Pithoragarh districts of Kumaun region of Uttarakhand. Dry leaves of pine (Pinus kesiya) are spread in mid June in the fields where rice is to be transplanted. The pine leaves are burnt before transplanting, i.e., in the first week of July. This practice controls the germinating or prevailing weeds in the field. Farmers use this practice as a preventive measure for weed control in rice (Pandey et al., 2006). Another advantage of this technique is that the stalks of wheat left during harvesting are also burnt, which otherwise create difficulties during transplanting and other cultural activities.

White grub (Holotrichia spp.) management

White grub has been found causing damage to crops in the hilly areas especially in rain fed regions. The damage is maximum during Kharif season. Farmers reported that, earlier the problem of white grub was not every serious but now it has become the major pest for all the

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crops. The damage has been done by the grub, which remains in soil and feed on the roots of crop plants. Crops like potato, radish, etc have to face maximum damage.

To control white grub, farmers use table salt. One kilogram of table salt is broadcasted in one Nali (1 nali= 200 m2) area of land. The other method is to leave the field fallow for one season, which breaks the life cycle of the pest. Farmers found that use of Pirul (dried leaves of Pinus spp. called as Pine or Chir by local people) in farmyard manure and use of non-decomposed manure in the crop fields increases the problem of white grub, so these practices should be avoided. Farmers know that, only well rotten manure should be used in the fields. The use of raw manure serves as food for the grubs and aggravates the problem.

White grub (Holotrichia spp.) Management

Other control methods of white grub (kurmula) in crops

During field preparation, farmers broadcast the mixture of salt and Dichlorovos or Nuvan in the field for white grub control. Since white grub is one of the major problems during kharif (rainy) season, therefore, this practice is used for various rainfed crops such as upland spring or jethi rice, finger millet, black soybean, horse gram, etc. About 2–3 kg of green tender leaves of bakain (Melia azaderach) or rambas (Verbascum sp.) are crushed and mixed in 5–10 L of water and used as stock solution. The solution is sprayed on vegetable crops at 50–100 ml per nali by dissolving in 8–10 L of water. Some farmers also spray ritha (Sapindus emarginatus) powder suspension to control white grubs (Vivekanandan,1994).

Enrichment of the soil of transplanted rice through biofertilizer

Farmers bring the locally available algae from the farm pond or stagnated water in low-lying fields and spread them in the transplanted rice field @ 2–4 kg per nali (1 nali= 200 m2), 1–2 weeks after transplanting. The biofertilizer (algae) nourishes the plant’s growth and help in root and tiller development resulting in higher yield.

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The farmers have been practicing agriculture by following indigenous methods known to them. This pool of knowledge is of great significance in conserving the environment and maintaining the sustainability of the agricultural production system. The problem with this production system is that, it is unable to meet the present requirement of the farmers in terms of production. ITK is derived from local culture, traditions and long-term human interaction with the environment by farmer driven management approach. Indigenous technical knowledge (ITK) is the information base for a society which facilitates communication and decision-making. The rural people have intimate knowledge of many aspects of their surroundings and adopt them based on needs to solve local problems in managing agricultural and related activities. The new generation is losing interest in farming due to various reasons. Some of them are high input cost, low knowledge input for modern agriculture etc. The need of the hour is to identify the location specific indigenous practices and modify them by conducting location specific field trials. Modern practices should be blended with the indigenous practices, so that the production can be enhanced without hampering the sustainability of the system.

ReferencesChandra A, Kandari LS, Payal KC, Maikhuri RK, Rao KS, Saxena kg 2010. Conservation and Sustainable

Management of Traditional Ecosystems in Garhwal Himalaya, India, New York Science Journal. 3(2):71-77

Chopra R, Pasi S, 2002. Where are the empty thalis in Uttarakhand? District level food insecurity analysis of Uttarakhand. PSI. Dehradun, India.

Dubey VK, Naraina GS, and Gupta SL. 1993.Methodologies for tapping and documenting indigenous technologies. Presented at National Seminar on Indigenous Technologies for Sustainable Agriculture, New Delhi, India, March 23–25, 1993.

Jardhari V. 2007. Barahnaja. In :Samriddh shali parmparik krishi vigyan (InHindi). Academy of Development Sciences,Raigarh, Maharashtra, India. pp. 6–24.

Kareem MA. 2008. Indigenous technical knowledge. In: Sustainable Agricultural Development (PGDAEM-Study material).MANAGE, Hyderabad, India. pp. 45–59.

Maikhuri RK, Rao KS, Saxena KG. 1996. Traditional crop diversity for sustainable development of Central Himalayan Agroecosystems. International Journal of Sustainable Development and World Ecology. 3:8–31.

Maikhuri RK, Rao KS, Semwal RL, 2001. Changing scenario of Himalayan agroecosytem: Loss of agrobiodiversity, an indicator of environmental change in central Himalaya, India. The Environmentalist. 20:23-39.

NARP 1989. Status report of NARP I and II. Hill campus G.B.P.U.A.T. Ranichauri, 1989.Nautiyal S, Maikhuri RK, Rao KS, Semwal RL, Saxena kg 2003. Agroecosystem function around a

Himalayan Biosphere Reserve. Journal of Environmental Systems. 29:71–100.Sundamari M and Rangnathan TT, 2003. Indigenous Agricultural Practices for Sustainable Farming.

Agrobios (India), Jodhpur, India. 168 pp.Vivekanandan P. 1994. Indigenous pest control methods. Presented at Conference on Indigenous Science

Technology, Bharathidasan University, Thiruchirapalli, India, 24–26 February 1994.

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Brinjal is one of the important horticultural crops grown in various parts of Kancheepuram district. The crop is affected by varied number of pests and diseases. Though the farmers apply chemicals to control and eradicate the pests and pathogens, the awareness of ill effects of pesticides in the environment makes them to go organic. The present paper brings out the success story of a farmer, Mr. Subbu who practices organic farming. The farmer grows Brinjal by selecting the variety suitable for season and area. The land is ploughed well and Farm Yard Manure (FYM) at the rate of 5t/acre is applied to enhance the activity of the beneficial organisms. The seed is sown after treating with biogent Trichoderma viride @ 4 gm/ kg of seed. Castor is grown as trap crop and its seed is sown 7 days before transplanting the brinjal seedlings. Pulses like Black gram and Green gram are also grown along the borders. The seedlings (30 days old) are transplanted in the main field by forming ridges and furrows with 5 ft spacing between furrows. The planting is done in a paired row system so as to provide better spacing for sunlight and air circulation which helps in the control of pest and disease infestation. At 15 DAT Neem oil (5%) spray is applied to control sucking pests. Panchakavya spray (3%) is also done to boost the immunity to the plant to provide resistance to diseases. The spray is repeated every 15 days to repel the pests. To monitor the borers, pheromone traps (6 nos. /acre) are installed. To control sucking pests, light trap (1 no. /acre) and yellow sticky traps (6 nos. /acre) are used. After first weeding, Jeevamirtham is applied. During flowering stage, Fish ensilage (Meen amilam) is given @ 250 ml/tank to prevent flower shedding and also to repel pests. Amirthakaraisal is given during irrigation which helps to increase the antagonistic microbes in the soil. Vermicompost and Neem cake is applied to each plant in the opposite direction to enhance the soil fertility and control the nematode and soil borne pests and pathogens, respectively at 45 DAT and 60 DAT. In case of severe borer infestation, ginger-garlic paste extract is sprayed and repeated at an interval of once in 10 day’s interval. Based on the soil moisture, irrigation is given. About 7-8t/acre of yield was obtained thereby



Environmentally Safe Pest and Disease Management Practices in Brinjal Cultivation

Gayathri Subbiah and P KumaravelKrishi Vigyan Kendra, Kattupakkam, Kancheepuram District Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University

CHAPTER 24

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reducing the amount of Rs.12, 000/- spent on the usage of chemicals. In addition, the produce have better keeping quality and market value than the others grown with chemicals.

Brinjal is cultivated in an area of 214 ha with production of 3638 mt in Kancheepuram district. The crop is cultivated throughout the year. It fetches about Rs. 80-100/ kg during festive occasions. The vegetable is preferred during all the season and it is relished by all.

Mr. Durai Subbu, aged 73 years of Jameen Endatur in Maduranthagam block of Kancheepuram district does vegetable cultivation in 2 acres of land. He practices organic farming by preparing all the organic inputs by himself and applies the same for vegetable cultivation. He manages the attack of pest and diseases by adopting the indigenous methods of controlling the infestation and further spread of diseases

The farmer employs the traditional methods of cultivation starting from land preparation to harvest. The land is ploughed well and Farm Yard Manure (FYM) @ 5 tonne / acre is applied to enhance the activity of the beneficial organisms. Quality seeds are selected and treated with Trichoderma viride @ 4 gm/ kg of seeds. Nursery is raised by sowing the seeds in lines at 10 cm apart, covered with sand. Castor is grown as trap crop for flying insects and is sown 7 days before transplanting. Pulse crops, black gram and green gram are also sown in borders to arrest pest population.

The seedlings (30 days old) are transplanted in the main field by forming ridges and furrows with 5 ft spacing between furrows. The planting is done in a paired row system to provide better spacing for sunlight and air circulation, which helps in the control of pest and disease infestation. Azospirillum, Pseudomonas and Trichoderma are mixed well with composted farm manure and allowed for 15 days and then handful of these is applied to each transplanted brinjal seedlings.

First spray of Neem oil (5%) is given 15 Days after Transplanting (DAT) to control sucking pests. Panchakavya spray (20 litres of this can be prepared by mixing cow dung 5 kg, cow urine 3L, cow milk 2L, curd 2L, cow deshi ghee 1/2 kg, sugarcane juice 3L or ½ kg jaggery dissolved in 3L of water, tender coconut water 3L, banana paste of 12 fruits. Mix cow dung and ghee in a container and ferment it for 3 days with intermittent stirring. Add rest of the ingredients on the fourth day and ferment them for 15 days with stirring twice daily. The formulation will be ready in 18 days. For foliar spray, 3L panchakavya is diluted with 100L water) is carried out to boost the immunity to the plant to provide resistance to diseases. The spray is repeated every 15 days to repel the pests. To monitor the borers pheromone traps (6 nos. /acre) are installed. To control sucking pests, light trap (1 no. /acre) and yellow sticky traps (6 nos. /acre) are used. After first weeding, Jeevamirtham (Cow dung 10 kg, cow urine 10L, jaggery 2 kg, any sprouted pulse like black gram or green gram or Bengal gram or horse gram flour (2 kg) and farm soil 1 kg is mixed

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Environmentally Safe Pest and Disease Management Practices in Brinjal Cultivation

Farmer in his organic manure production unit

Shoot borer affected plant

Pheromone traps used for monitoring borers

Hadda beetle affected leaves

Mr. Durai Subbu explaining about organic bio-products to the delegates during Organic farming seminar conducted at KVK, Kancheepuram

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in 200L water and allowed to ferment for 5 to 7 days. The solution stirred regularly three times a day) is applied along with irrigation.

During flowering stage, fish ensilage (Meen amilam) is prepared by mixing equal ratios of fish waste and jaggery in a plastic barrel and kept for 21 days for fermentation with stirring is given @ 250 ml/tank to prevent flower shedding and also to repel pests. Amirthakaraisal (For 200 litres of water, cow dung 20 kg, cow urine 20 litres and jaggery 2 kg is added and mixed well. After 24 hrs of preparation, this can be used) is given during irrigation which helps to increase the antagonistic microbes in the soil. Vermicompost and Neem cake is applied to each plant in the opposite direction to enhance the soil fertility, control nematode and soil borne pests and pathogens at 45 DAT and 60 DAT. In case of severe borer infestation, ginger – garlic paste extract is sprayed and repeated at an interval of once in 10 days. Based on the soil moisture, irrigation is given. About 7-8 tonne/acre of yield was obtained thereby reducing the amount of Rs.12, 000/- spent on the usage of chemicals. In addition, the produce had better keeping quality and market value than the others grown with chemicals.

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Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is the most important staple food crop in India including Jharkhand. Almost 90 per cent area under rice in the state of Jharkhand comes under rainfed conditions. Out of 20 species of insect pests, prevailing in the rice agro-ecosystem, only 6-9 species are of major economic significance in the state (Prasad et al., 2014). Besides these pests, goats, rats, wild boars, pigs, deer, parrots, and sparrows are also considered as destroyers of crops.

Indigenous knowledge is unique to a culture, region and group and is inherited over generations and evolved continuously in dealing with the situation and problems. As the oral tradition is carrier of local knowledge, it is very essential to document these ITKs for technology generation, environmental conservation and sustainable development. Such information is necessary for devising effective IPM – modules for sustainable production of rice in different ecologies of state. In the above background, the study was undertaken with the objective to study the indigenous knowledge (ITK) associated with rice cultivation.

The study was undertaken through random selection of farmers from five districts of Jharkhand i.e. Ranchi, Simdega, East Singhbhum, West Singhbhum, and Hazaribag The important sources of ITKs were farm women, innovative farmers, elderly and key informants. Focussed group discussion and case study were used for data collection.

Indigenous Technical Knowledge in Rice Cultivation

Altogether 20 ITKs about Pest Management were documented under the study. The details of ITKs with their rationale as perceived by the respondents are given in Table 1.



ITK of Farmers about Pest Management in Rice-based Farming System in Jharkhand

Niva Bara and R P Singh RatanBirsa Agricultural University, Ranchi

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Table 1 : Indigenous Technical Knowledge about Pest Management in Rice Cultivation

S. No.

Details of the ITK Location Rational of farmers

1. Control of rice hispa(Dicladispa armigera ) by parasi leaves (cleistanthus collinus )During vegetative phase, farmers observe symptoms of whitening of paddy leaves. To control it, fresh leaves of parasi trees are broadcast in paddy fields with standing water. Parasi leaves are used to control the pests of paddy, particularly rice hispa.

Bara Sigdi village East Singhbhum Jharkhand

Parasi leaf has strong bitter taste, which is toxic to the insects, thus it works as repelling agent.

2. Control of insect-pests in paddy by leaves and seeds of custard appleFarmers use custard apple (Annona squamosa) for pest control in paddy crop. Insect-pests of paddy crop are controlled by broadcasting leaves or seeds of custard apple because its smell acts as repellent, and toxic in nature. Leaves are used raw whereas seeds are processed and used as powder.

Buribara village West Singhbhum Jharkhand

Leaves and seeds of custard apple contain chemicals having insecticidal properties.

3. Pest management in paddy by sindwar leaves (Vitex negundo)When rice shoot borer, paddy gallfly, rice-root aphid and mealy bugs attack the paddy fields, the plants turn yellow, shoots becomes dry and plant growth is stunted. When visible symptoms are observed at the initial stage, leaves of sindwar (Vitex negundo) are broadcast in the fields.

Buribara village West Singhbhum Jharkhand

Sindwar has repellency and toxic properties.

4. Control of rice hispa by mahua (Madhuca indica) by-productRice hispa is a common pest that infests the crop during the vegetative stage. Symptoms of white patches appear. Application of baska (mahua by-product), obtained in the process of making alcohol from mahua helps in controlling rice hispa as well as increasing the fertility of soil. Baska, being toxic and having pungent smell, controls its spread.

Angardia village West Singhbhum Jharkhand

Baska, being toxic and having pungent smell, controls its spread.

5. Use of neem leaves for control of banki (Vanda roxburghii) in paddyNeem has insecticidal property. Banki of paddy is common in Ranchi district. Leaves of neem are spread in the field to control banki.

Okhargara Village

Kanke block Ranchi

Jharkhand

Neem has repellency and toxic properties which minimizes the menace of banki

cont...

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6. Control of gundhi bug (Leptocorisa acuta) by burning discarded rubber tyresFarmers burn discarded rubber tyres in the field by holding it in their hands. Gundhi (Leptocorisa acuta) bug are attracted towards it.

Tamar block Ranchi

Jharkhand

The smell of burning discarded rubber is effective in protecting rice crop from gundhi bugs

7. Control of rice caseworm (Nymphula depunctalis)In this practice, farmers use kerosene oil-soaked chord to control caseworm in rice.

Tamar block Ranchi

Jharkhand

Kerosene oil repels caseworm

8. Protection of rice crop from gundhi bug by bhelwa (Semecarpus anocardium)branchesFarmers use branches of bhelwa tree to protect rice crop from gundhi bug. They collect branches from bhelwa tree and put these in rice fields. This practice keeps insects away from rice crop.

Ranchi District

Jharkhand

It is toxic and acts as insect repellent.

9. Control of paddy caseworm (Nymphula depunctalis) with sindwar leaves (Vitex negundo)In this practice, sindwar leaves are boiled in water and the solution is cooled. It is sprayed on the crop (1 kg leaves per 5 litre water for 0.06 acre) with the help of broom to control caseworm (Nymphula depunctalis). By this practice 60% caseworm is controlled. This is in practice for last 25 years by majority of the farmers in the villages of Khunti block in Ranchi district.

Khunti block Ranchi

Jharkhand

Sindwar leaves are locally available, which act as intoxicant on the insects.

10. Control of rice caseworm in paddy using bamboo shoot (bambusa) extractTender bamboo shoots, locally known as karil, are immersed in water for 2-3 days. One kg karil is soaked in 4 litres of water. After 2-3 days, the extracted solution is sprayed in paddy fields affected with rice case-worm. About 50 litres of extracted solution is required for spraying 1 acre paddy field. The insects are controlled within 6-7 days of the application. After removal of the extracted solution the bamboo shoot is used for preparation of pickles, curries etc.

Bharajo Hazaribag Jharkhand

Its smell repels the insects.

11. Control of gundhi bug (Leptocorisa acuta) in paddy by neem flowerFarmers face the problem of gundhi bug during milking stage in paddy crop. This problem is controlled by tying neem (Azadirachta indica) flowers in small bundles at 5-6 places, bugs are repelled by using these practices.

Bara Sigdi East

Singhbhum Jharkhand

It supplies plant nutrients and also controls gundhi bug

cont...

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12. Control of rice hispa by fruits of keond (kendultendu) treeIncidence of rice hispa is a common problem at vegetative stage of the crop. It is controlled by applying crushed fruits of keond (kendultendu) tree in paddy fields.

Bara Sigdi East

Singhbhum Jharkhand

Bitter taste of the leaves and unripe fruits become toxic for insects.

13. Use of bamboo suckers (bambusa) in control of pests in riceInsect-pest in rice crop is controlled by using bamboo suckers or stems. In this age-old practice, suckers or young stems of bamboo are cut to small pieces and kept in a pot with water for 3 days to decay and release of bad smell.

Chiru West Singhbhum Jharkhand


14 Control of gundhi bug (Leptocorisa acuta) by dead snakeIn this practice, dead snake is hanged by the side of the rice field. Great risk is involved in trapping or killing the snake.

Gumdapokher West

Singhbhum Jharkhand

It attracts insects.

15. Control of caseworm (Nymphula depunctalis) by pasu and sali leavesFresh leaves of pasu (Cleistanthus collinus) and sali (Boswellia serrata) are spread in the insect-infested field. Majority of insects are controlled with this practice.

Khaspokharia West

Singhbhum Jharkhand


16. Control of banki (Vanda roxburghii) of paddy by sandhna (Tender bamboo)To control the pest, sandhna is mixed with water. The water is then sprayed or sprinkled on the affected paddy plant.

Chandwe Kanke block

Ranchi Jharkhand


17. Control of gall fly (Pachydiplosis oryzae) in rice through parso/persu leavesFarmers use parso/persu (Cleistanthus collinus) leaves for controlling gall fly. In this practice, fresh leaves of parsu/persu are collected and spread in the infested field without processing.

Tamar block Ranchi

Jharkhand


18. Control of termite in paddy fieldFarmers know that standing water in fields helps in controlling termites. In paddy fields if there is no standing water, the termite attack is prevalent and drying up of paddy crop is the visible symptom. If cowdung manure is used extensively and there is water shortage, the termite infestation is common.

Bara Sigdi East

Singhbhum Jharkhand

Flooding helps in reducing the population of termites by disrupting their life-cycle.

cont...

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19. Control of termite and other insect pests in paddy by fruits and leaves of asan (Terminalia tomentosa)Termite and isects/pests of root zone in paddy are controlled by fruits and leaves of asan. These are broadcasted in the paddy fields infested with termites and other soil-borne insects.

Bara Sigdi East

Singhbhum Jharkhand

Fruits and leaves of ashan are bitter and toxic to insects/pests, which helps in checking their population.

20. Control of pests and diseases in paddyRice crop is protected from different pests and diseases by putting the branches of cashew nut (Anacardium oxidentale) in the standing crop.

West Singhbhum Jharkhand

This practice helps repel the pests of paddy.

Pest scenarios in rice cultivation in Jharkhand

Changing weather conditions are playing significant role in transforming minor pests into major ones and as such, even pest of negligible status are now turning its status into the dreaded pest for the crop. The results of the studies revealed that leaf folder (Cnaphalocrocis medinalis Guen.) was considered as pest of negligible importance up to 1970s. Afterwards, it gradually transformed its status as considerable importance to major and severe pest of rice in the state. Case worm (Nymphula depunctalis Gn.) was also the pest of minor importance almost up to 1970s. But afterwards, it became serious pest for low land situations particularly in late planting conditions during wet seasons when there was continuous raining up to somewhat longer periods. Before 1950s, rice gall midge (Orseolia oryzae W-M.) happened to be a pest of academic interest only in the territory. Gradually it occupied the status of major pest of rice particularly in the transplanted conditions during the wet season. As such, certain areas like Simdega, Lohardaga, Gumla, Khunti, Bundu, Tamar, Angara, Adaki and Bishnugarh etc. became highly endemic for gall midge incidence. Gall midge (bio type-3) problem: Four-five districts viz. Simdega, Gumla, Lohardaga, Khunti and certain part of Ranchi are considered as gall midge endemic area of the state.

ConclusionThe conclusions drawn from the findings evoke far reaching implications for the research

and extension systems in order to generate and disseminate appropriate farm technologies. Such indigenous practices need to be tested and examined in laboratories in order to explore their potentiality. This will be helpful to the agricultural researches in generation of need-based, location-specific, low-cost and eco-friendly technologies by modifying the recommended technologies, so as to make them more readily acceptable to the farmers

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ReferenceJoshi CP and Singh BB. 2006. Indigenous agriculture knowledge in Kumaon hills of Uttaranchal, Indian

J. Tradit Knowle. 5(10 (2006) 19-24.

Kudada, N. Singh, R.P. Ratan 2003. Control of caseworm (Nymphula depunctalis) in rice by leaves of parsa and Sali. Validation of Indigenous technical knowledge in Agriculture. Mission Unit Division of Agricultural Extension Indian Council of Agricultural Research pp 69-71.

Majhi SK 2008. Indigenous technical knowledge for control of insect and livestock disorders, Indian J. Tradit Knowle. 7 (3) 2008 463-465.

Prasad, R. 2014. Changing Trends of Pests Scenarios of Rice in the Changing Agro-climatic Conditions of Jharkhand unpublished article for BAU, Ranchi

Rizwana and Lyaqat 2011. Traditional Knowledge use in Paddy Cultivation in Raipur district, Chhattisgarh, Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge. Vol. 10(2) PP- 384-385.

Singh, R.P. Ratan and Bara, N. 2005. Indigenous Technical Knowledge in Jharkhand, Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi

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Indigenous knowledge is local knowledge that is unique to a given culture or society (Warren, 1991). Indigenous knowledge is the systematic body of knowledge acquired by local people through the accumulation of experiences, informal experiments, and intimate understanding of the environment in a given culture (Rajasekaran, 1993). According to Haverkort (1993), indigenous knowledge is the actual knowledge of a given population that reflects the experiences based on traditions and includes more recent experiences with modern technologies.

Indigenous knowledge is not yet fully utilized in the development process. Conventional approaches imply that development processes always require technology transfers from locations that are perceived as more advanced. This has led often to overlooking the potential in local experiences and practices. Moreover, indigenous knowledge systems are at risk of becoming extinct because of rapidly changing natural environments and fast paced economic, political, and cultural changes on a global scale. Here comes the role of extension to promote and disseminate this vast wealth of local knowledge and realise its true potential.

Indigenous knowledge is relevant on three levels for the development process.

• Local community- It is, obviously, most important for the local community in which the bearers of such knowledge live and produce.

• Development agents- Community Based Organisations, NGOs, Government bodies and Private sector agencies need to recognize and critically validate it against the intended objectives, value and appreciate it before incorporating it in their approaches in their interaction with the local communities.



Role of Extension in Dissemination of Indigenous Technical Knowledge (ITK)

Shruti, Subhashree Sahu, Hema Baliwada and J P SharmaICAR-Indian Agriculture Research Institue, New Delhi

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• World- Lastly, indigenous knowledge forms part of the global knowledge. It has a high value and relevance. Indigenous knowledge can be preserved, transferred and adapted elsewhere, as the situations demand.

Role of extension in disseminating ITK

Indigenous Technologies that are identified, developed, modified, and evaluated should be disseminated using following mechanisms:

1. Facilitating informal farmer-to-farmer communication

Informal farmer-to-farmer communication forms the major source of technology dissemination in the same village and neighbouring villages where technologies are developed. Informal indigenous communication systems in agricultural communities work incredibly well for the spread of farmer-selected rice and cotton varieties in India (Antholt, 1992). Extension has to play the role of a facilitator to promote informal communication by organizing field days where on-farm research and validation of farmer experiments were conducted.Using informal communication channels i.e. farmer-to-farmer extension strategies would increase the rate of dissemination and utilization of technologies that are built on indigenous knowledge.

2. Screening technological options

Once the technological options are disseminated to extension personnel, it is their responsibility to screen those options by considering the following factors:

a. SMSs should select those technological options that fit into agro-ecological environments of their division; and

b. SMSs should work with village-level extension workers in understanding the socio-cultural factors that have a negative impact on adoption of selected technological options.

3. Documenting and disseminating ITK

After screening, the technological options should be disseminated to village extension workers. The adaptability of technological options should be discussed with village extension workers. IK systems are at the risk of becoming extinct. So, sincere efforts should

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be made to document and preserve them, so as to ensure their world wide availability and utilization. They should develop and distribute the training materials on the methodologies for recording IK systems.

4. Using indigenous communication channels

Village extension workers should be encouraged to use indigenous communication channels for disseminating the technological options. They should be encouraged to use delivery points other than farms such as market days, village temple days, meetings of village level societies and cooperative marketing points.

The following guidelines are necessary for the village extension workers while disseminating the technologies:

1. Decisions to choose a particular technology from the set of technological options should be left to the farmers;

2. If the farmers are not choosing an option from the technologies, the extension worker should encourage the adoption of the farmers’ own practices since there may be some rationale behind it; and

3. The extension workers should provide relevant information to the farmers who decide to choose a technology from the technological options provided to them.

5. Evaluation

Evaluating technologies is the last but essential stage of the technology dissemination process. Evaluation should be conducted by middle-level extension personnel. The results should be used to give feedback from farmers regarding the characteristics of the introduced technologiesto the research system to refine the technologies and not use merely for writing reports. The following factors should be taken into consideration during the process of evaluation:

1. Productivity (both land and labour)

2. Profitability

3. Compatibility of technologies with the farming system

4. Compatibility with socio-cultural environment

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5. Risk reduction

6. Need for external resources

7. Need for institutional support (extension, credit)

8. Ease of testing by farmers

9. Labour intensity

10. Sustainability of agricultural system

6. Attempts to establishnational indigenous knowledge resource centres which are inevitable for strengthening the capacities of agricultural research and extension systems. The resource persons in the national indigenous knowledge systems resource centre will provide training on the methodologies for recording indigenous knowledge systems. The concept of establishing national resource centres was developed by Professor Michael Warren. It will act as a two-way conduit between the indigenous knowledge-based informal research and development systems and formal research.

7. Extension workers should try to bring a desirable change in the attitude and behaviour of researchers and fellow extension scientists, which would stimulate the process of incorporating indigenous knowledge systems into agricultural research and extension.

8. Extension workers should validate the farmers’ experiments, which would create an environment of respecting local people, thus leading to their increased participation and empowerment.Validating farmer experiments is an extension process in which SMSs encourage farmers to replicate their own experiments in their own environment in order to:

• Understand experiments in the socio-cultural and agro-ecological environment.

• Determine the impact of the experiments on productivity, profitability, and sustainability of the agricultural system.

9. Facilitate the active participation of rural people in the conservation, utilization, and dissemination of their specialized knowledge through in situ knowledge banks, involvement in research and development activities, farmer-to-farmer training, and farmer consultancies.

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10. Spreading awareness and acknowledging the local classification systems- The extension workers should be aware of local classification systems of farmers regarding soils, crops, livestock, and other natural resources. A case study conducted by ICRISAT in Shirapur, a South Indian village, showed that the indigenous soil categories of farmers were more accurate than the formal system in stratifying the soils into groups for analysis and provided improved bases for indexing variations in land quality (Dvorak, 1988).

11. Avoiding the ‘Technical messages’ syndrome- Farmers are mainly seen as the recipients of technical messages but not the originators of either technical knowledge or improved practice. The top-down approach should be avoided and extension workers should conduct participatory on-station research and on-farm farmer-oriented research.

Various ITKs in agriculture, animal husbandry, fisheries and other and based activities have been inuse since the human civilization by the farmers, animal owners and other practitioners. Inspite of advancement in scientific knowledge in agriculture, ITK-based practices still remain in use by the vast majority of the farming community particularly in resource poor farming situations, without the knowledge of its scientific rationality. In this context, blending of indigenous knowledge with modern scientific technologies is the need of the day to support sustainable development of agriculture and allied sector in our country.

References

Antholt, C. 1992. Agricultural Extension in the 21st century: Lessons from South Asia. Pp.203-216, In W.M. Rivera and D.J. Gustafon (Eds.), Agricultural Extension worldwide institutional evolution and forces for change. New York: Elsevier Science Publishing Company.

Dvorak, K.A. 1988. Indigenous Soil Classification in Semi-arid Tropical India. A Progress Report. Patencheru, India: International Crops Research Institute for Semi-arid Tropics (ICRISAT).

Haverkort, B. 1993. Agricultural Development with a Focus on Local Resources: ILEIA’s View on Indigenous Knowledge. In D.M. Warren, D. Brokensha, and L.J. Slikkerveer, (eds.), Indigenous Knowledge Systems: The Cultural Dimensions of Development. London: Kegan Paul International.

Rajasekaran, B. 1993. A Framework for Incorporating Indigenous knowledge System into Agricultural Research and Extension Organizations for Sustainable Agricultural Development in India. Ph.D. Dissertation, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.

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Warren, D.M. 1991. Using Indigenous Knowledge in Agricultural Development. World Bank Discussion Paper No. 127. Washington, D.C. : The World Bank.

qqq

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Ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) is one of the important spice crops of India and it is grown in an area of 1.36 lakh ha with the production of 6.83 lakh tonnes. In Karnataka, the area under ginger is increasing enormously year by year. However, the pest and diseases have become major threat and cause economic loss up to 80 per cent. The plant population per hectare play vital role in crop management viz., weeds, pests, diseases and yield. Normally, ginger is grown in three row system of planting with the recommended spacing of 30cm x 30cm. By following recommended spacing, farmers are finding difficult to manage pest (shoot borer) diseases (bacterial and fungal rots) and also using chemicals indiscriminately for their management. Nowadays, the innovative farmers are following double row system of planting with the recommended spacing of 30 cm x 30cm to combat pest and diseases. Even though the productivity (15 ton/ha) is less compared to three row system of planting, the eco-friendly management of pest and diseases can be achieved with reduced cost of plant protection measures. This double row system of planting in ginger is an innovative indigenous technical knowledge (ITK) followed by the farmers for sustainable ginger production.

Key Words: Double row system, Ginger, Pest-diseases

Ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) (Family: Zingiberaceae) is an herbaceous perennial, the rhizomes of which are used as a spice. India is a leading producer of ginger in the world. India produced 6.83 lakh tonnes of the spice from an area of 1.36 lakh hectares. Ginger is cultivated in most of the states in India. However, states namely Karnataka, Orissa, Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh and Gujarat together contribute 65 per cent to the country’s total production



Innovative Approach for the Management of Pest and Diseases in Ginger

Nagarajappa Adivappar, Ravindra, H, Suresh Ekabote, Vishwanatha Shetty, Y and Narasimhamurthy, H BUAHS, Karnataka

CHAPTER 27

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(Jayashree, et al., 2014). In Karnataka, the area under ginger is increasing enormously year by year but the pest and diseases have become major threat and cause economic loss up to 80 per cent. The plant population per hectare play vital role in crop management viz., weeds, pests, diseases and yield. Innovative farmers are practicing different indigenous methods for management of pest and diseases. Rahaman, et al. (2009) reported traditional practices of ginger cultivation in North-East India by the marginal and tribal farmers who mostly rely on ITKs on pest and disease management. Among different methods, system of planting is also used to reduce pest and diseases in ginger in Karnataka. Biotic factors which influence ginger production include: weeds, insects, snails and fungi. It has been reported that uncontrolled weed growth and diseases in ginger plots may reduce rhizome yield by to 76% (Njoku et al., 1995).

While conducting extension activities for improved production technologies of ginger to farming community, information on innovative approaches followed by the farmers to manage pest and diseases were documented. Particularly, in this study, how the system of planting is helpful in managing the pest and diseases were studied by conducting roving survey and interacting with ginger growing farmers in training programmes during 2013-14 and 2014-15 in Shivamogga district.

The varieties of ginger grown in Shivamogga district are IISR Varada, Rio-de Janeiro, Himachal, Thalaguppa Local and Mahima. Farmers are practicing two methods of planting viz., ‘flat bed’ which is followed in light soils and ‘broad ridge’ method which is followed in medium to heavy soils. The majority of the soils in the study area are medium to heavy soils. In broad ridge method, two systems of planting viz., two and three rows systems of planting are practiced with recommended spacing of 30cm x 30cm (Anon., 2014). In two row system, bed size was 60cm (w) x 20-30 cm (h) and in three row system, the bed size was 90cm (w) x 20-30cm (h) of convenient length. The seed material used for planting was 1.5 t/ha and 2.0 t/ha in two and three rows system of planting respectively. The result of the survey presented in Table.1 revealed that the incidence of soft rot either incited due to Pythium or Ralstonia and Phyllosticta leaf spot is lower in two row system of planting (23% and 3%) compared to three row system of planting (67% and 12%) respectively. Dohroo et al. (2012) also reported 40 per cent yield loss due to soft rot in ginger in normal method of planting. The lower extent of shoot borer incidence was observed in two row system of planting (12%) compared to three row system of planting (25%). This is due to change in microclimate i.e., Low dense canopy air and low light penetration in three row system of planting which is favorable for growth and development of both pest and diseases.

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Innovative Approach for the Management of Pest and Diseases in Ginger

Table 1 : Comparison of pest and diseases in two and three rows system of planting

Disease/Pest Causal organism Per cent incidenceThree row system Two row system

Soft rot Pythium sp. Ralstonia solanacearum

67 23

Phyllostictaleaf spot Phyllosticta zingiberi 12 3Shoot borer Conogethus punctiferalis 25 12

Table 2 : Comparison of bed size planting material, yield and cost benefit ration in two and three rows system of planting

Particulars Three row system Two row systemBed size 90cm (w) x 20-30cm (h) 60cm (w) x 20-30 cm (h)Quantity of planting material 1.5 t/ha 2.0t/haYield 16.20t/ha 15.00 t/haC: B ratio 1:2.10 1:2.21

The lower productivity (15 t/ha) and higher costbenefit ratio (1:2.21) was recorded in two row system of plating compared to three row system of planting in which higher productivity (16.20 t/ha) and lower costbenefit ratio (1:2.10) was recorded (Table.2). This is because of reduced cost of plant protection measures due to less pest and diseases incidence in two row system of planting.

The productivity in two row system of planting is less compared to three row system of planting. The eco-friendly management of pest and diseases can be achieved with reduced cost of plant protection measures. This double row system of planting in ginger is an innovative indigenous technical knowledge (ITK) followed by the farmers for sustainable ginger production.

Thanks to innovative ginger growers of Shivamogga district in Karnataka for providing valuable technical inputs for preparation of this manuscript.

ReferencesAnonymous, 2014, Ginger. In bulletin on Integrated Horticulture published by University of Horticultural

Sciences, Bagalkot, Karnataka, India. P.177.

Dohroo, N. P., Sandeep Kansal and Neha Ahluwalia, 2012, Status of soft rot of ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe), Department of Vegetable Science Dr.Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry Nauni, Solan, India. pp. 1-22.

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Jayashree, E., Kandiannan, K., Prasath, D., Rashid Pervez, Sasikumar, B, Senthil Kumar, C.M, Srinivasan, V, Suseela Bhai, R. and Thankamani, C.K, 2014, Ginger Extension pamphlet, ICAR-Indian Institute of Spices Research, Kozhikode. pp.1-10.

Njoku, B.O., Mbanaso, E.N.O. and Asumugha, G.N., 1995, Ginger Production by conventional and tissue culture techniques. The National Root Crop Research Institute, Umudike-Umuahia and Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations. Dolf Madi Publishers, Owerri.

Rahaman, H., Karuppaiyan, R., Kishore, K. and Denzongpa, R., 2009, Traditional practices of ginger cultivation in North-East India, Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge, 8 (1): 23-28.

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Indigenous Tribal Agricultural Practices (ITAPs) have facilitated intensive farming for a long period of time without significant deterioration of land or decline in crop production. The tribes of the Kolli hills of Namakkal district in Tamil Nadu possessed rich tradition, heritage and experience in agriculture. Their rich wisdom in ITAPs in Plant Protection can effectively be utilized for sustainable agricultural development of tribal areas by appropriately blending the ITAPs with recommended production technological package. Hence, there is an immense need to collect, document, rationalize and refine those ITAPs in Plant Protection before they become totally obsolete. In this context a study was done for collecting, classifying, documenting, analyzing the rationality, and studying the adoption of the selected ITAPs in Plant Protection aspects. About 41 ITAPs on Insect Pest Management, in different clusters of villages of Kolli hills were documented. For assessing the rationality, the selected ITAPs were sent to 50 Plant Protection scientists. Having identified and selected the list of ITAPs with their rationality scores, further analysis was undertaken to test verify their extent of adoption.

Out of 41 ITAPs in Insect Pest Management, 29 ITAPs were rational and 12 ITAPs were found to be irrational as rated by the scientists. Overall extent of adoption of ITAPs was found to be more than 50 per cent as they were practiced for quite long time. The rational and effective ITAPs should be blended into the technology package for transfer of technology, so that the agricultural development will be sustainable. This paper discusses about the practice wise rationality and adoption of ITAPs on Insect Pest Management by tribal farmers.

Keywords: Crop Protection, Insect Pest Management, Indigenous Tribal Agricultural Practices, Tribal farmers, Rationality, Adoption



Scientific Rationality and Adoption ITK in Plant Protection followed by Tribal Farmers in Tamil Nadu

P Venkatesan1 and M Sundaramari2

1ICAR-National Academy of Agricultural Research Management, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad. 2Gandhigram Rural Institute, Gandhigram, Dindigul.

CHAPTER 28

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Tamil Nadu State in India is a treasure land of indigenous tribal technical knowledge in agriculture and allied activities. The Malayali tribal groups in Tamil Nadu, mostly found in Kolli Hills, have rich cultural and agricultural heritage which is situated in the Namakkal district of Tamil Nadu, South India, spread over an area of 441 sq.km at the tail end of the Eastern Ghats in the state of Tamil Nadu. The tribes in Kolli Hills were more traditional in nature having faith in the practices of the local communities. They managed their livelihood through agriculture and maintained a traditional life style through their indigenous knowledge system. The contribution of indigenous communities to the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity goes far beyond their role as natural resource managers, their skills and techniques provide valuable information to the global community and a useful model for biodiversity policies. As on-site communities with extensive knowledge of local environments, indigenous and local communities are most directly involved with conservation and sustainable use, their rigid social structure with lesser social mobility had kept them away from scientific and technological progress.

The on-going practice of using such knowledge by ethnic communities established the belief that traditional knowledge used was fruitful for the people. Hence, studying the Indigenous Tribal Agricultural Practices (ITAPs) of tribes in Kolli Hills will be helpful for proposing an action paradigm for preservation and diffusion of desirable insect pest management for the benefit of the tribal farming community. Keeping this in view, a study on scientific rationality and adoption of Indigenous Tribal Agricultural Practices on Insect Pest Management was carried out. This paper discusses about the indigenous Insect Pest Management practices adopted by tribal farmers in Kolli hills of Tamil Nadu.

Kolli Hills is situated in the Namakkal district of Tamil Nadu, South India (780 17’ 05” E to

780 27’45” E and 11

0 55’ 05” N to 11

0 21’10” N) are a low ranging hills of Eastern Ghats spread

over an area of 441 sq.km. Kolli Hill has an area of 282. 92 sq.km. It stretches 29 kms from north to south and 19 km from east to west. The Mean annual temperature ranges from 14oC to 28oC.The area receives an average of 1440 mm of annual rainfall distributed fairly over the two seasons. The elevation ranges between 1000 and 1350 meters MSL. The soils are deep to very deep, non- calcareous and developed from weathered genesis.

Each village of the settlement is called ‘oor’. A group of ten to fifteen ‘oor’ constitutes a ‘nadu’, clusters of villages. For this study seven clusters of villages were selected from the total 14 clusters of villages (Nadu), in Kolli hills of Namakkal district. Seven cluster villages viz., Ariyur Nadu, Bail Nadu, Gudini Nadu, Gundur Nadu, Selur Nadu, Thinnanur Nadu and Valappur Nadu were selected based on the geographical area covered in agriculture under the farming systems. In each of the selected villages, 20 aged and experienced farmers were contacted through informal interview method for collecting indigenous practices associated with Insect Pest Management there. Thus, a total of 140 farmers were contacted.

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Indigenous Tribal Agricultural Practices were also collected from secondary sources viz., M.S.Swaminathan Research Foundation, State Department of Agriculture and previous studies, apart from the above mentioned farmers. Thus, a total of 41 Indigenous Tribal Agricultural Practices on Insect Pest Management were collected.

The collected Indigenous Tribal Agricultural Practices on Insect Pest Management were then classified systematically based on the four cropping systems and eight technological dimensions.

Rational means explainable with scientific reasons or established facts, based on long time experience; irrational means something/practice that cannot be scientifically explained or supported with long time experience (Sastikannan, 2002). In this study, rationality refers to the degree to which Indigenous Tribal Agricultural Practices can be explained or supported with scientific reasons, or established based on long time experience. Similarly, irrationality refers to the degree to which Indigenous Tribal Agricultural Practices cannot be explained or supported with scientific reasons, or cannot be established based on long time experience. Testing the rationality of the indigenous knowledge items is essential, as it has been envisaged to test the adoption of such knowledge by the farmers.

For assessing the rationality, the selected 41 indigenous plant protection practices were referred to the 50 Plant Protection scientists, by rating them on a four point continuum ranging from 4 to 1.

The rationality of indigenous technologies was assessed by using the scoring procedure adopted by Sakeer Husain (2010) as presented below in Table 1.

Table 1 : Scoring procedure to assess the rationality of indigenous technologies

S. No. Responses Scores1. 2. 3. 4.

Rational based on scientific evidence Rational based on experience Irrational based on experience Irrational based on scientific evidence

4 3 2 1

To find out the rationality of an Indigenous Tribal Agricultural Practices (ITAPs) in Insect Pest Management, the total score given by all the scientists to individual ITAP was calculated and based on the mean score, the indigenous technologies were classified into two categories viz., rational and irrational. If an ITAP scored a mean score of 2.5 and above, it was considered as a “rational” and The ITAPs with a mean score of less than 2.5 were considered as “irrational”.

Having identified and selected the list of ITAPs with their rationality scores, further analysis was undertaken to test verify their extent of adoption. Thirty farmers were selected

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using proportionate random sampling from the above clusters of villages, proportionate to the area.The selected ITAPs were narrated to thirty respondents one by one, each time enquiring whether they had adopted the practice, in the previous years. If the answer was ‘Yes’, a score of one was assigned and if the answer was ‘No’, zero score was given. The scores obtained for all the practices were summed up for each respondent and adoption score was arrived at. Then the adoption quotient for each individual was worked out by using the following formula as used by Sundaramari et al.(2003).

Number of Indigenous Tribal Agricultural Practices adopted Adoption = ————————————————————————————— x 100 Quotient Number of Indigenous Tribal Agricultural Practices applicable

Practice wise rationality and adoption of ITAPs on Insect Pest Management

Insect Pest Management had 41 selected ITAPs. Thirty tribal farmers of Kolli hills were contacted to assess their extent of adoption. The details on the extent of adoption of individual ITAPs on Insect Pest Management along with their rationality have been presented in the Table 2.

There are 41 ITAPs related to Insect Pest Management, of which 29 (70.73%) were rational and 12 (29.27%) were irrational.

It could be seen from the Table.2 that 15 ITAPs were (6,24,25,28,30,31,32,33,34,35,36,37,38,39 and 40) adopted by more than 75 per cent of the farmers and except ITAP 6, all the ITAPs were rational.

There were 13 ITAPs (2,4,5,7,10,11,17,18,20,22,23,29 and 41) adopted by 50-75 per cent of the respondent and out of which 5 ITAPs (11,17,22,23 and 41) were irrational.

About 7 ITAPs (1,3,9,12,14,16 and 21) were adopted by only 25-50 per cent of the respondents, of which 3 ITAPs (3,12 and 21) were rational and 4 ITAPs (1,9,14 and 16) were reported to be irrational.

Insect pest management in paddy

Application of Calotropis gigantea in the nursery was followed by 73.33 per cent of the farmer’s respondents to prevent thrips attack in the nursery. Melia azadirachta kernel (6 kg) powder mixed with water (200 lit) and allowed to stand whole night undisturbed, filtered and sprayed next morning and was adopted by 46.67 per cent of the respondents to control brown plant hopper and green leaf hopper. About 73.33 per cent of the farmers used neem leaves along with small stems and applied in the field, to prevent the attack of pests and diseases in rice fields. The leaves of Calotropis gigantea were pressed and incorporated into the soil in the available

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inter space in the main field (70.00 %) to control brown plant hopper. About 76.67 per cent of the farmers planted Calotropis at 12 feet interval on all sides of paddy fields to control the invasion of hopper. Notchi (Vitex negundo) leaf extract is sprayed by 63.33 per cent of the respondents to control rice tungro virus. 70.00 per cent of the farmers spreaded Datura leaves and stems in the paddy field in water stagnate condition and circulated to control the stem-borer attack. Only 23.33 per cent of the respondents mixed neem oil with water @ 30 ml/ l and sprayed to control stem borer in rice field. To control leaf folder and stem borer in paddy 30.00 per cent of the farmers mixed 5 lit of kerosene with soap solution and sprayed in 1 ha. To control sucking pest in rice 66.67 per cent of the farmers dusted ash on the standing crop of paddy and 50.00 per cent of the farmers adopted a practice of mixing fish (3 kg), neem leaf (5 kg) extract (or) table salt solution spray.

To control leaf folder in paddy 36.37 per cent of respondents adopted spray of Notchi (Vitex negundo) leaf extract with buttermilk spray, 43.33 per cent of the respondents adopted spraying of Adhatoda vasica leaf extract with cow dung and only 13.33 per cent of the farmers adopted the practice of spraying fermented Agave americana leaf along with 2 to 3 drops of lime juice mixed with water. About 66.67 per cent of the respondents sprayed with a filtered solution of Melia azadirachta kernel (6 kg per acre) powder mixed with water (200:1) kept overnight undisturbed and 23.33 per cent of the farmers prepared a paste by grinding ten kg of neem leaf with one litre of water, boiled for half an hour and left for overnight and sprayed in the next morning by mixing with 200 litres of water to control leaf folder.

Lemon grass oil along with Ocimum leaf extract, butter milk and cow urine were mixed with water and sprayed to control sap feeder by 26.67 per cent of the respondents.

Insect pest management in millets

Dusting of ash over the Little millet (Panicum miliare), Italian millet (Setaria italica) or Finger millet (Eleucine coracana) crops at the rate of 15-20 kg/acre was followed by 83.33 per cent of the farmers to control the sucking pest damage which was with the scientific rationale of 2.60 R. Since moisture content of 14 per cent or less is opting for storing and reduces the risk of damage by storage pest, sun drying is done to dry grains of Little millet (Panicum miliare), usually on a new moon day by 73.33 per cent of the farmer respondents.

About 80 per cent of farmers used neem (Azadirachta indica L.) leaves and Thumbai (Leucas aspera L.) leaves for the storage of finger millet as the strong odour of these leaves keeps away the storage pests like lesser grain borers (Rhyzopertha dominica), saw toothed beetle (Oryzaephilus surinamensis) and flat grain beetle (Cryptolestes minutus).

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Insect pest management in red gram

Growing Castor on the bunds of the Red gram (Cajanus cajan) field was followed by 90 per cent of farmers with the rationality score of 3.39 R, as castor crop attracts the pod borer and prevent the main crop from damage.

Ocimum canum Sims. have Linalool, which is a strong insecticide with fumigant action. Hence it prevents the seeds from pod borer damage, thus 83.33 per cent of the farmer respondents dry the red gram (Cajanus cajan) seeds and store them in gunny bags after placing dried leaves of ‘Naithulasi’ (Ocimum canum Sims.) inside the bags.

Spreading of Neem leaves over the red gram (Cajanus cajan) seeds, were followed by 90 per cent of the tribal farmers, as it have repellent action on the storage pests.

A layer of neem seed oil is smeared on the seeds of Cajanus cajan, so that larvae does not enter inside it. Thus the damage is avoided.

About 83.33 per cent of the farmers mixed 200 gm of salt per kg of red gram (Cajanus cajan) grains manually. These treated grains are then stored in jute gunny bag sand the bags are stitched. Due to this practice, insects are kept away from the stored grains, as salt has abrasive action on insect skin prevents its movement inside the storage containers. It helps in storing the seeds for a short-term durationof 6-8 months.

Storage pest, pulse beetle is being controlled by dusting turmeric powder or dusting the powdered Vitex negundo L. leaves. This practice was adopted by 83.33 per cent of the respondents.

Usage of dried chillies pod in the red gram containers was adopted by 83.33 per cent of the respondents, since they knew that bruchids (beetle) attack may be avoided by this practice.

Mixing 2½ kg. of red earth slurry with 50 kg. of red gram seeds and drying them before storage was with scientific rationale of 3.34 R, since the seeds coated with red earth acts as pest repellent.

Insect pest management in vegetables and root crops

To control the shedding of flowers and pre mature fall of pods in field bean (Lablab purpureus), 80 per cent of the farmers used a mixture of extracts of notchi (Vitex negundo L.) leaves and neem cake and sprayed.

The farmers used Latex of (Mango + Calotropis + Jatropha) + hot water to control of aphids and white fly in tapioca (Manihot esculenta), but was found irrational with the scoring of 2.29R.

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The above finding is online with the research support from that of Dhaliwal et al. (2010), Majumder et al. (2013), Mehta et al. (2012), Mohammed et al. (2008), Purusottam et al. (2009) and Subba (2009).

Table 2 : Rationality and adoption of ITAPs on insect pest management (n=30)

S. No.

ITAPs on insect pest management Rationality score

Adoption %

Scientific rationale

Paddy

1. Soaking the paddy seeds in diluted cow’s urine before sowing.

1.95 IR

33.33 Reduces the incidence of leaf spot and rice blast.

2. Neem leaves along with small stems are applied as green leaf manure in the field.

3.02 R

73.33 Neem has manurial and pesticidal value.

3. The top portion of seedling is clipped before transplanting.

3.65 R

43.33 To prevent the seedling getting uprooted by strong winds and also helps to remove stem borer and hispa eggs, if present.

4. Application of Calotropis gigantea (L.) Dry and in the nursery.

2.80 R

73.33 Prevent thrips attack in the nursery.

5. The leaves of Calotropis gigantea (L.) Dry and are pressed and incorporated into the soil in the available inter space.

2.60 R

70.00 Controls brown plant hopper in the main field.

6. Growing or planting Calotropis gigantea (L.) Dry and at 12 feet interval on all sides of paddy fields.

2.34 IR

76.67 Controls the invasion of hoppers in paddy field.

7. Datura metel L. leaves and stems are spread in the field, then blocked through bunds and then the decomposed leaves and stems are circulated throughout the field.

2.80 R

70.00 The smell as well as the bitterness of Datura leaves is the reason to distract the stem-borer pest from approaching the area.

8. Neem oil is mixed with water @ 30ml/L and sprayed.

3.73 R

23.33 Controls stem borer in rice

cont...

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9. Spraying 5 L of kerosene mixed with soap solution in 1 ha of paddy field.

1.88 IR

30.00 Kerosenated soap water suffocates and kills the larvae of leaf folder and stem borer.

10. To control earhead bug in paddy, powder of neem seed kennel is applied to the crop 2-3 times after transplanting.

3.21 R

66.67 Neem seed kernel powder controls the pests like brown plant hopper and leaf hopper.

11. Dusting of ash on the standing crop of paddy.

2.37 IR

66.67 Sucking pest such as brown plant hopper in rice is controlled.

12. Notchi (Vitex negundo L.) leaf extract and buttermilk spray

2.78 R

36.67 It is being used to control leaf folder.

13. Adhatoda vasica Nees.leaf extract and cow dung spray.

2.60 R

43.33 Used for the control of leaf folder.

14. A mixture of 5 kg of common salt and 15 kg. of sand is applied for 1 acre.

1.63 IR

40.00 This practice helps to control brown spot disease.

15. Agave americana L. leaf with 2 -3 drops of lime juice (fermented for 4-5 days) is mixed with water and sprayed.

2.10 IR

13.33 This is done for the control of leaf folder in rice.

16. Lemon grass oil and Ocimum sanctum L. leaf extract with butter milk and cow urine are mixed with water and sprayed.

2.46IR 26.67 This method controls sap feeders.

17. Fish (3 kg) with Neem leaf (5 kg) extract (or) Table salt solution spray 4% /ac are used to control all pests in rice.

2.41 IR

50.00 Common salt creates abrasion on the skin of insect pests and neem leaf extract helps to control the sucking pests.

18. Melia azadirachta L. kernel (6 kg per acre) powder is mixed with water (200:1). This solution is kept overnight undisturbed. It is filtered and sprayed on the next morning.

3.43 R

66.67 Melia azadirachta L. kernel solution spray controls the pests like brown plant hopper and leaf hopper of the rice crop.

cont...

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19. A paste neem leaf is boiled for half an hour and left for overnight and sprayed in the next morning by mixing with 200 liters of water.

2.73 R

23.33 This controls leaf folder in rice crop.

20. Turmeric powder is mixed with paddy and then stored.

3.43 R

66.67 Turmeric powder controls weevils and stored grains.

21. Vitex negundo L. leaf extract spray (or) Vitex leaves + neem leaf extract spray.

3.51 R

33.33

22. Paddy seeds are stored in a floor coated with cow dung slurry to avoid insect attack.

2.37 IR

50.00 This practice avoids insect attack in paddy grains.

23. Vessel filled with water is kept inside the store room to attract the insects and to reduce damage.

2.07 IR

63.33 This practice would attract and kill the rice moth (Corcyra cephalonica).

24. The leaves of notchi (Vitex negundo L.), neem (Azadirachta indica L.) and pungam (Pongamia pinnata L.) are used along with the seeds of paddy to ward off storage pests.

3.60 R

83.33 Notchi, neem and pungam do haverepellent action on storage pests.

25. Leaves of Cipadessa baccifera (Roth) are spread over the paddy seeds in the storage structure.

3.00 R

100.00 Repellent action over the storage pests.

26. 20-30 red chillies in one quintal of rice bag prevents the attack of stored grain pests.

2.95 R

46.67 The pungent odour of red chillies acts as a repellent.

27. Pepper powder is used for the control of Storage pest in paddy.

2.34 IR

43.33 Pepper smell drives away any storage pest.

Millets

28. Dusting of ash over the Little millet (Panicum miliare), Italian millet (Setaria italica) or Finger millet (Eleucine coracana) crops at the rate of 15-20 kg/acre.

2.60 R

83.33 Sucking pests are effectively controlled.

cont...

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29. Sun drying is done to dry grains of Little millet (Panicum miliare), usually on a new moon day.

2.61 R

73.33 Moisture content of 14 % or less is opting for storing and reduces the risk of damage by storage pest.

30. Farmers useneem (Azadirachta indica L.) leaves and Thumbai (Leucas aspera L.) leaves for the storage of Finger millet.

3.07 R

80.00 The strong odour of these leaves keeps away the storage pests like lesser grain borers (Rhyzopertha dominica), saw toothed beetle (Oryzaephilus surinamensis) and flat grain beetle (Cryptolestes minutus).

Red gram

31. Castor is grown on the bunds of the Red gram (Cajanus cajan) field.

3.24 R

90.00 As castor attracts the pod borer and prevent the main crop from damage.

32. Drying the red gram (Cajanus cajan) seeds and storing them in gunny bags after placing dried leaves of ‘Naithulasi’ (Ocimum canum Sims.) inside the bags prevents pod borer attack.

2.95 R

83.33 Ocimum canum Sims. have Linalool, which is a strong insecticide with fumigant action. Hence it prevents the seeds from pod borer damage.

33. Neem leaves are spread over the red gram (Cajanus cajan) seeds,which repels the insects.

3.39 R

90.00 Neem does haverepellent action on storage pests.

34. A layer of neem seed oil is smeared on the seeds of Cajanus cajan.

3.39 R

90.00 Larva does not enter inside it. Thus the damage is avoided.

35. About 200 gm of salt is mixed for a kg of redgram (Cajanus cajan) grains manually. The setreated grains are then stored in jute/gunny bags and the bags are stitched. Due to this practice, insects are kept away from thestored grains.

2.85 R

83.33 As salt has abrasive action on insect skin prevents its movement inside the storage containers. It helps in storing the seeds for a short-term duration of 6-8 months.

cont...

209


36. Dusting turmeric powder or dusting the powdered Vitex negundo L. leaves.

3.05 R

83.33 Storage pest, pulse beetle is being controlled by this method.

37. Putting the pods of dried chillies in the red gram containers

2.95 R

83.33 Controls bruchid (beetle) attack.

38. Mixing the dried leaves of nochi (Vitex negundo L.) or neem with red gram seeds before storage.

3.56 R

90.00 Notchi and neem do haverepellent action on storage pests.

39. Mixing 2½ kg. of red earth slurry with 50 kg. of red gram seeds and drying them before storage.

3.34 R

76.67 Seeds coated with red earth acts as pest repellent.

Vegetable and root crop

40. A mixture of extracts of nochi (Vitex negundo L.) leaves and neem cake is sprayed.

2.98 R

80.00 To control the shedding of flowers and pre mature fall of pods in field bean (Lablab purpureus).

41. Latex of (Mango + Calotropis + Jatropha) + hot water .

2.29 IR

73.33 This practice is used for the control of aphids and white fly in tapioca (Manihot esculenta .

It could be concluded that adoption of ITAPs on Insect Pest Management was found to be higher as a majority of 28 out of 41 ITAPs were adopted by more than 50 per cent of the farmers. The tribes of the Kolli hills possessed rich tradition, heritage and experience in Insect Pest Management of agricultural and horticultural crops. Their rich wisdom in ITAPs in Insect Pest Management can be effectively utilized for sustainable agricultural development of tribal areas. It could also be concluded that the farmers have experiential wisdom which they use to conserve and select location specific indigenous varieties of hill banana for obtaining sustainable yield. Such stabilizing qualities of traditional practices must be supported and complemented by agro-ecological practices that enhance the soil, water and germplasm conservation potential of traditional technologies.

Acknowledgement

Authors are highly thankful to the farmers of the study villages for having shared their valuable knowledge and expertise on the indigenous Insect Pest Management Practices.

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ReferencesDhaliwal R K and Gurdeep Singh. 2010.Traditional food grain storage practices of Punjab, Indian Journal

of Traditional Knowledge, 9 (3):526-530.

Majumder D, S N Deka, D Pujari and P K Das. 2013.Traditional Knowledge adopted by the farmers for management of rice pests in North bank plain zone of Assam, Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge,12(4):725-729.

Mehta.P S, K S Negi, R S Rathi and S N Ojha.2012. Indigenous method of seed conservation and protection in Uttarakhand Himalaya.Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge,11 (2):279-282.

Mohammad Amiri and Mohammad Hosein Emadi. 2008. Traditional knowledge of Iranian farmers on biological pest management.Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge, 7(4):676-678.

Purusottam Mohapatra, Ponnurasan N and NarayanasamyP.2009.Tribal pest control practices of Tamil Nadu for sustainable agriculture. Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge,8(2):218-224.

Sakeer Husain A .2010.Knowledge, adoption and perceived effectiveness of Indigenous Horticultural Practices in Kerala, Ph.D. thesis, GRI (DU),Gandhigram, Dindigul, Tamil Nadu,.

Sastikannan A.2002.A study on knowledge and adoption of indigenous plant protection practices in Madurai district, M.Sc. (Ag.) Thesis, Annamalai University, Annamalainagar, Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu,.

Subba J R.2009. Indigenous knowledge on bio- resource management for livelihood of the people of Sikkim. Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge, 8(1):56-64.

Sundaramari M and Ranganathan T T. 2003. In: Indigenous Agricultural Practices for Sustainable Farming, Agrobios (India) Publishers, Jodhpur.

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Indigenous Technical Knowledge (ITKs) are treasure troves of ancient wisdom, beliefs and traditional knowledge passed on from generation to generation for preservation, effective utilization and conservation of natural resources, soil, plant and other organisms. It is a well known fact that India has a charitable and glorious heritage of past, both in richness and variety in performing agricultural and allied practices. ITKs are based on experience, often tested over a long period of use, adapted to local culture and environment, dynamic and changing, and lay emphasis on minimizing the risks rather than maximizing the profits.It has the element of use of natural products to solve the problems pertaining to agriculture and allied activities. But, despite these, the ITK at the farmer’s level receive less recognition by the organizations. Also the propriety rights on ITK have often been ignored. It is so, because of the key actors are not working closely with each other.Hence, there is an urgent need to have institutional reforms especially for better coordination, convergence and efficiency in action in recognizing and encouraging the scientific talents behind such grass root level ITKs and widely sharing benefits accrued from such ITKs across the country. The objective of this paper is mainly to get thorough understanding of the role of institutions in promotion and commercialization of ITKs and suggesting effective strategies in up scaling and out scaling of ITKs.

Key words: Indigenous Technical Knowledge, Role of Institutions, up scaling and out scaling of ITKs

Indian farmers, over centuries, have learnt to grow food and to survive in difficult environments, where the rich tradition of Indigenous Technical Knowledge (ITK) has been interwoven with the agricultural practices followed by them. Local or indigenous knowledge refers



Role of Institutions in up Scaling and Out Scaling of Location Specific ITKs

Hema Baliwada, J P Sharma and Reshma GillsIndian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi

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tothe cumulative and complex bodies of knowledge, know-how, practices and representations that are maintained and developed by local communities, who have long histories of interaction with the natural environment (UNESCO, 2012). It is the basis for decision-making of communities in food security, human and animal health, education and natural resource management (Behera, 2012). ITK is a complex set of technologies developed and sustained by indigenous or local people which is ‘crucial for the survival of society’ (Dei, 2000). It is mainly passed down generations through folklore,myths, customs, folk songs, proverbs, puppetry andother traditional methods (Swathi et al., 2009). It is the information base for a society, which facilitates communication and decision-making. Indigenous information systems are dynamic, and are continually influenced by internal creativity and experimentation as well as by contact with external systems. There are different classes of ITK in agriculture i.e. climatology, local soil and taxonomy, soil fertility, primitive cultivars, intercropping, agronomic practices, irrigation and water management, plant protection, post harvest technology and methods. As the indigenous practices are inexpensive, easily accessible, locally appropriate and tested in actual farm situation, they are, more rapidly accepted by other farmers than the results of formal research imposed on them. The enhancement of the quality of life of the Indians who in great majority live in and depend on agricultural production systems would be impossible by keeping this rich tradition of ITK aside.

Although the ITK has always been happening at local level but quite slowly and has seldom been recognized by communities itself and the scientist also.Although some IK is lost naturally as practices get customized or are left unused for long time periods, the current rate of loss can be ascribed to modernization and cultural homogenization, the current educational systems that believe macro-level problems can only be addressed through the global knowledge pool, and the slow growth of institution supporting grassroots innovations. The ITKdeveloped by farmers have not received the appropriate recognition, which they deserve. Also, their numerous success stories have even not been noticed and documented. Also the propriety rights on ITK have often been ignored.

Recognizing traditional knowledge and innovation as protectable property would be an important concern in present day scenario. The process of up scaling and out scaling of traditional acquaintance converts knowledge into social good and economic wealth. It encourages the engagement of talent with in the local or traditional society to improve the quality of life. India always has had a strong tradition of knowledge collections. Our knowledge system offer tremendous scope for research involving land-to-lab investigation, lab-to-land transfer of technology, people’s wisdom to fact based knowledge and creation of many medicines beneficial

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to human and animal health. Mounting the scalability of traditional knowledge necessitates a strong linkage between the invaluable knowledge bank prevalent in our society and the formal education system. There are many ITK in isolated pockets having wide range of implications and need to be refined by research system for further replication to other areas.It is important that the vast repository of indigenous knowledge is protected, documented and preserved in active collaboration with prominent practitioners of traditional knowledge.It is therefore, essential to develop a platform for farmer-scientist interface to recognize the importance of ITK and identify ways to upscale them. The indigenous practices at farmer’s level could be speeded up by giving opportunity to bring in their ideas and skills. The capacities and potential contributions of the farmers must be valued. In order to use our valuable community based knowledge potentials for the greater good, the nodal governmental agencies, non-governmental organizations and voluntary organizations must play an enabling role.

Role of institutions

Recognizing the ITK of farmers creates fertile ground for their collaboration with other actors in the system and to blend with scientific knowledge for creating a wild world area for the development and flourish of that identified knowledge. Institutions can play major role in identification, collection, documentation and preservation, validation, up scaling and out scaling of the ITKs, and giving the acknowledgement to the knowledge generated local system or person.

Identification of IKSs being used by the farmers

Farmers are with vast collection of knowledge, practices and traditional way of doing things. Identification of the ITKs and practices is the basic step in the up scaling and out scaling of the location specific ITKs. Famers and old people in the village are with good knowledge about the various herbs and plants and its parts which are suitable for curing of many human and animal diseases and controlling of plant pests and pathogens. Many of the medicines identified for the human and animal diseases are rooted from the knowledge of the villagers regarding use of plants and its parts. Survey methods, case studies, focus group discussion with the farmers, agro-ecosystem analysis, linguistic and historic analysis of concepts, vocabulary and key words, conducting documentation workshops, critical incident analysis and old repository or books are the sources for collecting the ITKs by the extension persons. Grass root level organizations, KVKs and field level extension workers with bottom level contacts are able to collect the ITKs from the farmers.

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Validating the ITKs Identified from the farmers

Most important and simplest form of validation of the ITKs is compare the result of the identified ITKs integrated with the technologies and with the results of the non use of the technologies. On station testing and on farm trails can be used to determine the validity of identified technologies alone and integrated with the modern technologies. Validation should be in accordance with the value system and beliefs of the villagers or farmers which sometimes form the basis of that ITK use in particular situation or location. During the process of interactive ITK validation and technology development, scientists at the research station should conduct research by building on recorded IK systems.During the validation it is necessary to understand the rationale behind farmer knowledge and practice system. Beside this recording of the all observations and identifying farmers’ evaluation criteria are essential for proper validation of ITKs. Hence, using academically well-trained and “research minded” extension personnel to validate farmer indigenous knowledge is imperative.

Documentation of validated ITKs

Documentation helps in the wider spared of the identified and validated indigenous knowledge from the farmers. Documentation also helps to the researchers to refer many of the knowledge for future uses. The contribution of community as well as individual is very vital for maintaining the traditional knowledge and skill generation after generation and these must be recognized in a formal way(Anil Gupta, 2009). Category wise documentation and collection of ITKs with due acknowledgement to the persons or locality where it developed are important for the future reference.

Up scaling and out scaling of the ITKs

An important thing relating to TK is the need to add value to this knowledge by converting it into economically profitable investments or enterprises to use in an effective way by people in all over the world. For this integration of the ITKs with the modern knowledge and multiplication trails to test the upgradation are the two important components. Many of the local communities or tribal groups or persons, however, do not have the capacity for adding value to identified ITKs. Institutional support is needed for locating, sustaining, and scaling up these ITKs, and to enhance the technical competence and self reliance of these identified knowledge.

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There are many institutions recognizing the Indigenous Knowledge of farmers like ICAR,National Innovation Foundation, PPV and FRA (Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmer’s Rights) etc.

Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)

ICAR launched a nationwide Mission Mode project on collection, documentation and validation of indigenous technical knowledge under National Agricultural Technology Project (NATP). Information on ITK will be collected from the primary sources through the voluntary disclosure. The major task is to collect and compile the practices on ITK from the available literature, books, journals, theses etc. and publish into documents. ICAR is maintaining CD of Inventory of Indigenous Technical Knowledge (ITK) in Agriculture.

It is a major initiative undertaken by ICAR to document and validate the ITKs practiced by the farmers in the country. Through this initiative, a total of 4880 ITKs in 28 thematic areas were collected, validated and published in seven volumes. Further the seven ITK e books and a resource book for training on ITK was also published.The inventory of all ITK documents have been classified under different subject matter areas viz. rain water management, soil and water erosion, tillage and interculture management, crops and cropping systems, pest and disease management, soil fertility management, farm implements, post-harvest technology, grain/seed storage, horticultural crops, veterinary science and animal husbandry, fisheries, ethno-botany and agro-biodiversity, weather forecasting, food product development, agro-animal based yarns/natural dyes, and low cost housing materials.

Further the Intellectual Property and Technology Management Unit (IP&TM) in ICAR oversees all matters related to intellectual properties and technology transfer/commercialization. ICAR recognizes that a systematic management of its technology products and services while bringing commercial ethos in their transfer and realization at the user end would result in much-needed dividends for the nation. Therefore, the Council is slowly and steadily but comprehensively moving towards intellectual property management and technology transfer in an organized manner.

Zonal Technology Management and Business Planning Development Units (ZTM and BPD) unit provides a platform for protecting, showcasing, transferring and commercializing the ICAR institutes innovations. These units strive to be a strong link between the research community and the outside world. It promotes Agribusiness Ventures through technology development and commercialization of technologies. It is involved in patent search, patent filing and grant facilitation, patent protection and commercialization. Entrepreneurs are the primary beneficiary

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of ZTM and BPDs. It aims to leverage the best of resources together to offer a tailored service to entrepreneurs. It helps to realize the true potential of an entrepreneur’s idea, by supporting it with market driven approach starting from conceptualization, validation, pilot testing, soft launch and commercial operation. Extended support is also given through up scaling and revenue planning and management.

ZTM and BPDs engage farmers, farmer producer companies, SHGs, women and youth organization, to start their entrepreneurial journey in agriculture and allied fields. If some ITKs have a beneficial impact on the farmers or farming community or help increase the revenue of farmers or farmer producer companies, ZTM and BPDs provide support in protection and commercialization of IPR in Agriculture.

National Innovation Foundation (NIF)

Building upon the Honey Bee Network philosophy, NIF, started functioning in March 2000 as India’s national initiative to strengthen the grassroots technological innovations and outstanding traditional knowledge. Its mission is to help India become a creative and knowledge based society by expanding policy and institutional space for grassroots technological innovators.With major contribution from the Honey Bee Network, NIF has been able to build up a database of more than 2,11,600 technological ideas, innovations and traditional knowledge practices from over 575 districts of the country and recognized more than 775 grassroots innovators. It has also set up a Fabrication Laboratory (Fab Lab) with the help of MIT, Boston, for product development and development facilities for the initial validation of herbal technologies. Pro bono arrangement with patent firms has helped NIF to file over 725 patents on behalf of the innovators and outstanding traditional knowledge holders. Micro Venture Innovation Fund (MVIF) at NIF with the support of SIDBI has provided risk capital of over Rs 384 lakh to 193 projects, which are at different stages of incubation. The Grassroots to Global (G2G) model that NIF is propagating is all set to change the way the world looks at the creativity of innovations and traditional knowledge at grassroots.

Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Authority (PPV&FRA)

In order to provide for the establishment of an effective system for protection of plant varieties, the rights of farmers and plant breeders and to encourage the development of new varieties of plants Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Act, 2001 has been enacted in India. It recognizes and protects the rights of the farmers in respect of their contribution made at any time in conserving, improving and making available plant genetic resources for the development of the

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new plant varieties. Moreover to accelerate agricultural development, it is necessary to protect plants breeders’ rights to stimulate investment for research and development for the development of new plant varieties.Such protection is likely to facilitate the growth of the seed industry which will ensure the availability of high quality seeds and planting material to the farmers. India having ratified the Agreement on Trade Related Aspects of the Intellectual Property Rights has to make provision for giving effect to Agreement.

National Research Development Corporation (NRDC)

NRDC was established in 1953 by the Government of India, with the primary objective to promote, develop and commercialize the technologies / know-how / inventions / patents / processes emanating from various national R&D institutions / Universities and is presently working under the administrative control of the Dept. of Scientific and Industrial Research, Ministry of Science and Technology. During the past six decade of its existence and in pursuance of its corporate goals, NRDC has forged strong links with the scientific and industrial community in India and abroad and developed a wide network of research institutions, academia and industry and made formal arrangements with them for the commercialization of know-how developed in their laboratories and is now recognized as a large repository of wide range of technologies spread over almost all areas of industries, viz. Agriculture and Agro-processing, Chemicals including Pesticides, Drugs and Pharmaceuticals, Bio Technology, Metallurgy, Electronics and Instrumentation, Building Materials, Mechanical, Electrical and Electronics etc. It has licensed the indigenous technology to more than 4800 entrepreneurs and helped to establish a large number of small and medium scale industries.

Technology Information, Forecasting and Assessment Council (TIFAC)

TIFAC is an autonomous organization set up in 1988 under the Department of Science and Technology to look ahead in technologies, assess the technology trajectories, and support technology innovation by network actions in select technology areas of national importance. TIFAC continues to strive for technology development of the country by leveraging technology innovation through sustained and concerted programmes in close association with academia and industry.The main objectives of TIFAC include generation of Technology Forecasting/Technology Assessment/ Techno Market Survey documents, developing on-line nationally accessible information system, promotion of technologies and evolving suitable mechanism for testing of technology and enabling technology transfer as well as commercialization.TIFAC embarked upon the “Umbrella Scheme on Technology Vision 2020 Projects in Mission Mode” in the year

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2000 in which agriculture was taken up as one of the important sectors for commercialization of technologies.

Way forward

ITKs are evolving under specific agro-climatic and socio-economic conditions and such traditional knowledge should be widely preserved and sustained.It is highly essential to document traditional knowledge anddisseminate them further by various organizations. Involvement of Research Institutions is quite critical to understand and blend thetraditional knowledge with scientific refinements for their large scale adoptionand popularization.

It is not wise, or right, to save pages from the book of life while recklessly discarding pages from the book of culture, especially when these contain vital lessons for us all. ITK which is treasure of our agriculture, without this agriculture cannot sustain and will not fulfill the requirement of future. A model is proposed for effective documentation and scaling up of ITKs.

Proposed model

Establishment of “National ITK Cell” by ICAR forms the starting point at the apex level to take the whole stock of ITK as a nodal agency for single window delivery system. The specific functions of this center should be under one window.

• It should be connected to ATARI (Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute) which should coordinate in documentation of ITKs from all zones through district level ATMAs and KVKs.

• Maintain a “centralized ITK Knowledge Management Unit” with all ITKS across different sectors of India

• “Validation cell” including experts from different disciplines

• “Consultancy cell” for providing advisory services to farmers

• “HR cell” for capacity building of personnel

• “Project cell” for formulating projects and establishing referral labs

• Financial cell for commercialization

• “Dissemination cell” for up scaling and out scaling of ITKs

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References

Behera, P.C. 2012. Situating Indigenous Knowledge: Policy and Practice of Education in India. Paper for the ‘Regional Seminars on Philosophy of Education’, Jaipur: Aug 30-3.

Das, P., Das, S. K., Arya, H. P.S., Singh, R. P., Mishra, A., Bujarbaruah, K. M., Bujarbaruah, G., Subba Reddy, L. R.,Verma, M., Rani, G., Gupta, H. S., Satapathy, C. and Kavia, Z. D. 2003. Inventory of ITK in agriculture. NATP Mission mode project on collection, documentation and 110 validation of Indigenous technical knowledge. Agricultural Research, Document 2, p. 2.

ICSU. 2002. Science and Traditional Knowledge: Report from the ICSU Study Group on Science and Traditional Knowledge. International Council for Science.

Rajput, O. P. 2005. ITK-a low cost technology in farming system, In: Singh, A. K., Gangwar, B. and Sharma, S.K. (Eds.), Alternative farming systems: Enhanced income and employment generation options for small and marginal farmers). Farming System Research and Development Association, PDCSR, Meerut, UP, p. 184-189.

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Saha, R. and Nath, D. 2013. Indigenous technical knowledge of fish farmers at Dhalai Distict of Tripura, India, Indian J. Traditional Knowl. 12(1): 80-84.

Sundaramari, M. 2001. Adoption and perceived effectiveness of indigenous agricultural practices in different farming systems. Ph. D. Thesis, Gandhigram Rural Institute, Gandhigram, India, pp 247.

Swathi L. and DineshBabu, P. S. 2009. Indigenous technical knowledge and ancient proverbs of the coastal fisher folk of Kerala and their implications. Indian J. Traditional Knowl. 8(2): 296 297.

UNESCO. 2012. Report on Local and Indigenous Knowledge Systems (LINKS). Available at http://portal.unesco.org/geography/en/ev.phpURL_ID=14033&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html

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Section - IVConstraints and limitations in adopting indigenous practices in plant protection

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Indigenous knowledge system has been key to survival strategies for civilizations across the globe. Rural communities used local resources for meeting the demands of food, feed, fuel and fiber. The local wisdom and skill did play a crucial role in decision-making and efficient farm management by the farmers but in the process of modernization they began to lose their significance. However, attainment of plateau in productivity as well as unsustainability and deleterious consequences of frontier technologies have necessitated rigorous search for appropriate, sustainable, eco-friendly and resource conserving technologies. In this endeavor, indigenous technical knowledge with sound sustainability and ecological principles, time tested merits and proven rationality has become an important subject of deliberation and investigation among the researchers and academicians in the recent past. The time-tested principles and practices of indigenous technical knowledge (ITK) have amply demonstrated that much of the problems related to natural resource management and ecology degrading agricultural practices could be effectively managed by their utilization either in their present form or improvisation and even blending with modern technology.

Sojourn for documentation and scientific analysis of indigenous technical knowledge in Indian agricultural research perspective began with study of traditional veterinary medicines used by nomads in Himalayan ranges during mid sixties. Later studies conducted on documentation of traditional knowledge and technologies, testing of their scientific rationality, their validation and comparative analysis with modern technologies were galore. However, all these studies and projects in this area remained focused upon the indigenous technology per se, while the critical issues related to revival and rejuvenation of indigenous technical knowledge base like experimentation and adaptation capability of farmers, their capacity building for understanding and laying hands upon experimentation and grassroots innovations, augmentation of participatory research process, etc are yet to get adequate attention in technology development and dissemination system.



Empowering Farmers for Validation and Promotion of ITK

R N PadariaDivision of Agricultural Extension, IARI, New Delhi

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To provide continuity to grassroots experimentation and evolution of indigenous technologies it is imperative to transfer science among the farmers and also develop their experimentation capabilities. Endeavour in this direction was made through farmer participatory validation of indigenous technologies (management of khaira disease management in rice with lime and cow dung, and management of termites in sugarcane with lime and salt) under NATP Mission mode project of ICAR on documentation and validation of indigenous technology.

Participatory on-farm validation trials

Farmers’ criteria of assessment, simple statistical design for comparison (e.g. With and Without design), farmers’ stage and degree of involvement and related imperatives, joint conduction, monitoring and evaluation of experimental validation trials and drawing of inferences and conclusion were the key areas of emphasis in the participatory validation trials. The intricacies and process of farmers’ empowerment for grassroots experimentation were understood.

Case-I: Management of gundhi bug insect pest in rice using extracts of garlic and tobacco leaves

The participatory validation of indigenous technical knowledge of using extracts of garlic (1 kg) and tobacco leaves (200 gm) along with 200 gm of washing powder dissolved in 200 litres of water for management of gundhi bug insect pest in rice was conducted. Matrix of various criteria related to use and comparative performance of technological options for management of Gundhi bug pest i.e. ITK, chemical measures and spray of neem extract was administered to twenty key informants individually as well as in groups of farmers of Bareilly region. For every criterion, the technology options were ranked with scoring of 0 to 10. The mean value of ranking by farmers revealed their perception that the ITK (application of extracts of garlic and tobacco leaves and extracts of leaves of neem) efficiently managed the pest and saved the loss in yield. However, they stated unavailability of the required materials (neem and garlic) for large area application, high cost and labour intensiveness as well as the cumbersome process of extracts preparation as the limiting factors with the use of stated ITK.

The farmer participatory experimental trials for validation of the ITK were laid out with different treatments. The results showed effective management of rice pests by the ITK. As against 13.55 qt./ha and 28.35 qt./ha from control plots at Dohna and Manda villages respectively, the yield harvested from plots with ITK treatments were 19.90 qt./ha and 31.66 qt./ha.

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Case-2: Validation of termites management in sugarcane with application of lime and salt

According to the disclosure of the ITK, farmers in Bareilly and Shahjahanpur districts of Uttar Pradesh followed soil application of 2.5 kg lime and 5 kg salt to control termites in sugarcane.

There are certain reports indicating use of lime (Calcium carbonate) alongwith other substances against termites in sugarcane. That the thin films of gelatin solutions containing 10 per cent Calcium carbonate or 5 per cent Copper sulphate or Sodium silicate containing 12 per cent calcium carbonate (lime) + 10 per cent Zinc oxide coated on wooden stakes prevented termite attack for 2, 4, 5 years, has been reported in Pakistan.

Termites cause severe damage to sugarcane crop particularly at sowing stage where they destroy 40-60 per cent of eye-buds of the cane setts resulting in poor germination and poor crop stand. A loss of 2.5 per cent in tonnage and 4.47 per cent in sugar output has been estimated. In infested plant, the outer leaves begin to dry up first. Severely damaged plants can be easily pulled out. They attack eye-buds, setts, shoots and the cane stalks during pre-monsoon months.

Four on -farm validation trials one at Dabhora and three at Manda village of Bareilly district were laid out with pre-sowing treatments of Lime(39 kg/ha) and Salt(78 kg/ha) , Salt alone (78 kg/ha), and Phorate (10 kg/ha) as chemical control measure. At Hareli village of Shahjehanpur district trial was laid out with treatments in standing crop.

Just before placing the setts in the trench, soil applications of treatments were made. Based upon germination percentage of setts the infestation percentage was worked out. Those setts, which failed to germinate, were dug out in all cases of the treatments. It was observed that in case of control plot, termites damaged about 34 per cent of setts. The termite infestation was found to be 14.6,12.8 and 11.5 per cents in plots with treatments of ITK, Salt alone and Phorate, respectively.

Apparently, the findings showed that termite infestation was managed by application of salt along with lime as well as alone to some extent though not at par with Phorate. However, mode of action of lime and salt in controlling the termites needs closer examination and investigation to draw conclusion about effectiveness of lime and salt towards termite management in soil.

Trial was also laid out with treatment in standing crop at Hareli village. The standing crop was yellow in colour with germination gap in range of 30-40 per cent. Examination of germinated

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as well as ungerminated cane setts in the trial plot revealed around 90 per cent infestation of termite. Even the germinated setts had infestation of termite. Per cane sett population range of termite was found to be 10-20. The soil of the trial plot was sandy loam. The standing crop was treated with lime and salt, salt alone and phorate as per the dosage mentioned above. After treatments, termite incidence percentages of 61.3, 64.6, 44.2 were observed in plots treated with lime and salt, salt alone and phorate, respectively.

The findings guide that population of termites around the setts reduced with use of ITK. However, the reduction in population of termites could not be attributed to lime and salt only as the irrigation too affected the mobility pattern of termites in the soil.

In the second condition of ITK application in standing crop, though termite infestation was observed in the setts, restoration of health and vigor of the crop was observed. Termite infested plots had crop with pale yellow colour, sickly and poor growth. But with application of lime and salt in standing crop, improvement in crop health with pale yellow plants regaining greenness and vigour was observed. Due to this fact, farmers go in for application of lime and salt. They believed that lime and salt not only helped in checking termite but also acted as nutrient for the crop. Application of salt in paddy to enhance plant vigour is getting common in the area.

Farmers’ perception about use of salt in cultivation of sugarcane: Criteria based ranking by farmers showed preference of chemical control for efficacy. However, practice of applying salt alone for termite management was ranked higher for criteria of cost-effectiveness, ease of use and yield. Farmers reported that incidence of termite is more in light soil. Soil application of lime and salt in trenches before placing the cane setts kills the termites and thus setts are saved from their damage. Users have conviction that soil being light, the salt is leached with irrigation and thus the side- effect of salt to soil is minimized. They also reasoned that lime was helpful for their soil. It helped in managing termites in sugarcane as well as khaira disease in rice. Salt was found to be a magic input. They stressed that it not only helped in management of termites in sugarcane but also improved the health of sugarcane and paddy crops. When they found these crops becoming yellow, salt was broadcast after irrigation. They claimed that its impact was quick. Plants turned dark green and remained healthy. Users perceived that salt performed better than urea. Also, lime and salt were cheaply and readily available. They also stressed that yield was higher with use of salt in sugarcane and rice, however, in sugarcane sweetness become poor. Salt was mostly used in uplands and light soil as well as leased- in lands. Educated farmers shared that salt application was popular with small and marginal farmers as well as sharecroppers. They expressed concern about fertility of soil in their area with continuous use of salt by uneducated farmers.

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Perception held by users and non-users about the beneficial and harmful impact of lime and salt was elicited through a Likert scale with 3- point continuum of Agree, Somewhat agree and Donot agee with respective weightage of 3, 2 and 1. It was observed that the both categories of the farmers highlighted the benefit of using salt but at the same time were also aware about the adverse impact on soil as well as impairment of quality of cane juice due to application of salt. However, users reasoned that as salt is leached down in light soil, the adverse impact was low. The sharecroppers used salt more frequently than the landowners. Mean perception scores above 2.5 for both the users and non-users believed that salt was effective in management of termite as well as in enhancing the crop vigour and productivity.

Though role of common salt as plant nutrient and its role similar to potassium have been reported, in-depth investigation needs to be undertaken to understand the infestation behaviour of termites in situation of lime and salt treatment. Also, a closer examination is required to study the mode of action of lime and salt in soil in managing the termite as well as in physiological change and improvement of crop health.

It was drawn from the study that the recommended practices were better with respect to the corresponding two ITKs. The message learnt was to discourage ecology damaging and natural resource degrading technologies like soil application of salt for temporary gains. Before adopting any technology farmers must evaluate it in total farming perspective and sustainability dimensions.

Implications

The participatory trials were found effective in promoting participatory learning among farmers about technology testing and related experimental designs, comparative analysis and logical conclusion. Often farmers tend to attribute crop performance to one obvious factor overlooking the interrelatedness of other factors, which are less observable and discernible as in case of application of salt for termite management. Participation in on-farm validation trials helped them to understand the cause and effect relationship and motivated them to take up experimentation with sound methodology. Dialogue and working with scientists enhanced the confidence of farmers in taking up further steps to validate other technologies and own practices with scientific rationality. Further a sense of pride was restored in farmers of the area about folk science and folk wisdom. They were motivated to value traditional wisdom and to revive indigenous technological knowledge with proper documentation and validation as well as experimentations at local level.

Farmers should be educated to document available ITKs in their area and prepare a community register. The documentation endeavours need to be strengthened to learn about

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scientific rationale, to accelerate technological change, to increase awareness among the younger generation and develop appreciation for the traditional systems, to revive and restore pride among the farmers and other practitioners themselves, and to effectively manage IPR and Bio-piracy related issues as well as equitable benefit sharing.

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In Telangana vegetables like tomato, chilli, cabbage, cauliflower, bhendi, brinjal and carrot are grown prominently in open fields where as gherkins, cucumber, capsicum, cabbage, cauliflower and tomato for export purpose find their place in green houses. Major limiting factor for vegetable production is attack of pest and diseases leading to heavy losses. Although indigenous technical knowledge (ITK) plays an important role in management of insect pests and diseases without imparting problem of contamination of environment and food products, farmers prefer to use synthetic pesticides. In this context study of perception of farmers regarding ITKs will help in selection of indigenous techniques for validation followed by popularisation among farming community. Considerable number of farmers do not follow the specified precautions properly hence their awareness towards pesticide usage, handling and ill effects of pesticides play an important role in reducing perceived health hazards of pesticidal exposure. In this context study has been conducted in 2014 which included surveying of major vegetable producing districts like Ranga Reddy, Medak, Warangal, Guntur and Karimnagar.

Adoption of ITK practices by farmers

Farmers knew very few ITKs and these known ITKs were very rarely practiced because of less efficacy and delay in managing pests (figure 1 and figure 2). Majority of these practices have been followed by organic growers. Most of farmers followed deep summer ploughing, applied neem products and tobacco decoction for reducing aphid and pod borer population. Few farmers followed Intercropping with antagonistic plants in vegetables like chilli, tomato, okra with Chrysanthemum coronarium and Tagetes erecta or Tagetes patula as border to manage nematode problems. Only 5.27 per cent of polyhouse 12.00 per cent of open field farmers sprayed ash to



Farmer’s Perception Regarding ITKs in Plant Protection and Health Risks Associated with Pesticides

Sudhakar S Kelageri1, Cherukuri Sreenivasa Rao1, Vemuri Shashi Bhushan1 and Pothula Narayana Reddy2

1All India Network Project on Pesticide Residues, PJTS Agricultural University, Hyderabad 2Department of Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture, Rajendranagar, PJTSAU, Hyderabad

CHAPTER 31

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deter aphids and pod borers.Very few farmers followed crop rotation and natural control. Farmers know that neem based products are good in managing pest and disease, majority of farmers used neem cake, neem oil and other neem based extracts. Validation of neem based products followed by science based training in preparation and application of these practices will enhance the ITKs in vegetable growers of this region.

Fig. 1 : Adoption of ITKs by polyhouse farmers

Fig. 2 : Adoption of ITKs by open field farmers

General awareness of vegetable farmers in using pesticides

About one third (35.71%) of poly house and one sixth (16.67%) of open field respondents were aware of recommended pesticides against different pests.Scientific categorisation based on toxicity was rarely understood which indicates that very few farmers look at the colour code

Fig. 3 : General awareness of farmers in using pesticides (% of respondents)

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Farmer’s Perception Regarding ITKs in Plant Protection and Health Risks Associated with Pesticides

triangle on the pesticide bottle, very few farmers followed safe methods while storing or mixing or spraying pesticides. Both poly house and open field farmers preferred to contact pesticide dealers (100%), followed by scientists and agricultural officers for pesticide recommendations,Ecological impacts of pesticidal sprays can be assessed by spraying pattern and disposal patterns of empty containers. Disposal of empty pesticides bottles was not carried out in a satisfactory way, as majority of the farmers simply throw bottles in trash. About 35.71 per cent of poly house and 65 per cent of open field farmers had perception that high pesticide dose will give higher yields (figure 3). Despite low level of consumption, the externalities due to pesticide-use have been reported high in most of the developing countries. It may be attributed to the level of awareness, handling and use-pattern of pesticides.

Health risk consciousness of vegetable farmers

Majority of farmers observed pesticide effect on health of spray men during spray.Most common health problems observed during spray includes bad odour, cough, skin irritation and head ache (figure 4). Majority of the farmers, experienced bad effects due to pesticide exposure due to improper protective coverings, eating or smoking during pesticide application and not having proper bath after pesticide application.

Fig. 4 : Most common health problem observed during spray

Awareness of farmers towards GAPs with special reference to pesticides

Most of the farmers were unaware of ban of monocrotophos in vegetables; this might be due to insufficient extension activities. Most of the poly house farmers applied pesticides at weekly interval this shows that farmer is giving some time for pesticide to act upon pests and also he is not spraying until again pest population builds up. In contrast most of the open field farmers preferred to spray pesticides at 4 days interval, most often it may lead pesticide resistance.Very

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few farmers were aware that pesticide residues are found in vegetables and only 7.14 per cent of poly house and 8.33 per cent of open field farmers knew that pesticide residues in food enter into body and accumulate (figure 5). Only 7.14 per cent of poly house and 1.67 per cent of open field farmers were aware that for each pesticide, pre-harvest interval is recommended.Common waiting period of one week (78.57%) was followed by most poly house farmers (78.57%) and 21.43 per cent follows by 4 days PHI. Whereas in case of open fields, most farmers (93.33%) follow 2 days PHI, and very few farmers harvest crop with 7 days PHI.Usually, very few farmers had knowledge on pesticide recommendations as per Act and GAPs of ICAR and SAUs, and are fully depend on neighbour farmer, local dealer or press / media reports, and in most cases pesticide dealer, except in case of progressive farmers and also vegetable farmers for export purposes, who follow GAPs to avoid the pesticide residues.

The study has highlighted the need for proper validation of ITKs and targeted trainings to farmers in using ITKs in plant protection, scientific management of pesticides and undertaking of massive awareness creation programmes regarding GAPs to achieve food safety at farm level.

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Fig. 5 : Awareness of farmers towards GAPs with special reference to pesticides (% of respondents)

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Organic farming is widely accepted as a method of producing healthy food. Cattle based agriculture is an integral part of organic farming and cow is an inseparable part of the farming community. Panchagavya, a unique organic formulation is a combination of five products of cow viz., dung, urine, milk, curd and ghee. KVK (Ernakulam) started popularizing Panchagavya in 2010 through method demonstrations. Six number of method demonstrations conducted during 2010 at various places in Ernakulam district covered 720 farmers.During 2011, 350 farmers trained on panchagavya preparation through 9 method demonstrations held at different locations in the district. While reviewing the progress after 2 years, it was realized that out of the 1070 farmers trained, hardly 25 numbers only initiated panchagavya preparation and applying to crops.

The reasons were lack of availability of raw materials and lack of patience. Consequent to this, KVK has stopped Panchagavya production training programmes and started manufacturing and supplying the product in convenience packing of 200 ml bottles. However bulging and cracking of bottles due to gas formation was a constraint. Subsequently bottles of higher thickness coupled with gas venting arrangement was tested and found working well.

During 2012, 215 litres of panchagavya was sold to 350 farmers. During subsequent year, 500 farmers purchased 279 litres from KVK. Due to increased consumer preference and lack of facility at KVK for large scale production, a satellite Panchagavya production centre was commenced in a farmer’s field at Vengoor, Ernakulam wherein the farmer under the supervision of KVK produce panchagavya and supply to KVK. The quality of panchagavya was improved upon by using gavyas of only wild grazed cows available in that area as the place borders forest land. These cows are reared without any external feed. 800 litres of panchagavya thus produced was supplied to 3000 farmers till September 2015. Anticipated production and supply for next half of the current year is 1500 litres.



Panchagavya: Experience of Ernakulam KVK

Dipti N V, Shinoj Subramannian, Shoji Joy Edison, F and Pushparaj AnjeloICAR-Krishi Vigyan Kendra (Ernakulam), ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute Kerala

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Feedback from partner farmers of Ernakulam KVK who regularly use Panchagavya indicate that its use results in sturdy growth and more lateral shoots. Vegetable crops form a waxy layer over the leaves and this reduce incidence of pest attack. Panchagavya observed to enhance fruit setting that results enhanced yield upto 30 per cent. Panchagavya application imparts shiny appearance to vegetables and enhances taste and storage life. Panchagavya applied ornamental plants yielded flowers with bright colour. Farmers report that panchagavya application can prevent drought induced flower drop and this opens up scope of using Panchagavya to induce drought resistance in crops. Panchagavya treated vegetable seeds resulted more germination percentage. Seedlings treated with Panchagavya are observed to increase survival percentage.

KVK recommends using 3 per cent solution of Panchagavya (30 ml in 1 litre) during morning or evening hours as foliar spray at 15 days interval. Panchagavya 3 per cent solution is also recommended for seed soaking for an interval of 30 minutes prior to planting to increase germination percentage and also to reduce time of germination. Seedling soaking for 20 minutes in 3 per cent panchagavya is recommended prior to transplanting for better root setting.

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The increasing attention that indigenous knowledge is receiving by researchers and policy makers has not yet led to a unanimous perception of the concept of indigenous technical knowledge (ITK). ITK is the locally available indigenous technical knowledge (ITK) is the information based on long time experiences which facilitates proper timely communication and accurate decision-making. The village people have good knowledge of many aspects of their area and can adopt them based on needs to solve regional problems in good agricultural practice and related activities. ITK helps the farmers to properly diagnose the particular disease in their field crops, vegetables, and orchards as well as its economically viable and socially accepted management through their resources as proved by their ancestors. This is mainly largely based on their assumption, reliable evidences, economic viability, social consent, traditional sound experience and knowledge, and proven result. Farmers in India are more sensitive to adopt ITK practices as they are far away modernise Agricultural researches as well as social and economic issues. They easily follow this traditionally available knowledge that they have learnt from their families. A number of ITK practices are also frequently used by the villagers of Indian farmers. Some very popular ones used in plant protection strategies are discussed.

In the present agriculture practices huge amount of insecticides, fungicides, nematicides, herbicides, etc. are being used in field crops, vegetables, and orchards. Due to the excessive use of these chemicals on wide area fields are losing their fertility level and infertile leading to decline in production and productivity. On the other hand, these indigenous techniques there is no or little use of hazardous chemicals because of the farmer’s attitude; less expensive, has subsidiary benefits, results in less insect pest and disease incidence in crops, and leads to long-term sustainability of soil and crop productivity (Sundamari and Rangnathan, 2003). Therefore, realizing the importance the ITK in majority of Indian villages ITK had popularity.



Role of ITK In Plant Protection

Mukesh SehgalNational Research Centre For Integrated Pest Management LBS Building Pusa Campus, New Delhi-1110012, India

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PoPulaR ITK PRacTIceS

Breaking of clods during plowing

After harvest of the rice crop, especially transplanted rice, the soil becomes very hard. Under this situation when plowing is done, many big clods appear on the soil surface. Farmers use an implement, locally called dilar to break the clods for subsequent easy plowing and sowing. The dilar is beaten on the clod for breaking into small pieces (Pandey et al., 2006). The implement is easily available in the villages or local market and costs ‘ 30–

Breaking of hard pan of soil and weed control in upland crops when rainfall occurs after sowing of French bean, soybean, or other crops, the soil becomes hard after drying and hinders seed germination. To overcome this problem farmers use a small forked implement known as rake, which is attached to a wooden stick for easy handling (Fig. 1b).The rake is gently moved in the field to loosen the soil surface. This practice not only breaks the hard pan but also the prevailing weeds are uprooted. It also facilitates easy germination of crop seeds and destroys the capillaries through which evaporation takes place, resulting in moisture availability for longer duration (Pandey et al., 2006).

Weed control and moisture conservationIn hilly areas, crops like upland spring or jethi rice, finger millet, black soybean, horse gram,

etc. are raised on conserved moisture. After monsoon rains the crop seedling emerge very fast; however, a number of weeds also emerge in the field, which affect the growth and yield of the crop. To overcome the problem, instead of manual weeding or use of chemicals, farmers plow the field in July–August with an implement called danala (Fig. 1c). It breaks the soil crust favoring moisture conservation and uprooting of many weeds.

Weed control in transplanted riceDry leaves of pine (Pinus kesiya) are spread in mid June in the field where rice has to be

transplanted. The pine leaves are burnt before transplanting, i.e., in the first week of July (Fig. 2). This practice controls the germinating or prevailing weeds in the field. Farmers use this practice as a preventive measure for weed control in rice (Pandey et al., 2006). Another advantage of this technique is that the stalks of wheat left during harvesting are also burnt which otherwise create difficulties during transplanting and other cultural activities.

enhancing vegetative growth of transplanted riceIn hilly areas, farmers give equal importance both to rice grain and straw. The upper 8–10

cm tips of rice leaves are cut one month after transplanting. This practice helps in increasing the vegetative growth of the plant; also farmers use the cut leaves as nutritious fodder. Another advantage is control of stem borer. By cutting the leaf tips, unknowingly farmers are also

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Panchagavya: Experience of Ernakulam KVK

controlling the stem borer population because in the early stage of the crop the insect lays eggs on the tips of leaves.

enrichment of transplanted rice through biofertilizer

Farmers bring the locally available algae from the farm pond or stagnated water in low-lying fields and spread in the transplanted rice at 2–4 kg per nali (1 nali = 200 m2 ), 1–2 weeks after transplanting. The biofertilizer (algae) nourishes the plants resulting in higher yield.

Nourishment and forced maturity of garlic

In hilly areas, as the temperature increases from February onwards, vegetative growth of garlic also increases. Farmers believe that increased vegetative growth of the plant reduces the size of bulb. Therefore, they tie the garlic leaves on the top (Fig. 3). This technique is practiced in March to check the vegetative growth of the plants and favor increased growth of bulbs and to some extent forced maturity because immediately after harvest of this crop, the next crop has to be taken.

control of diseases in vegetable crops

About 4–8 kg of widely available bicchu booti (Urtica dioica) (Fig. 4a) is soaked in 8–10 L cow urine for 24 hours. The herb is then taken out and the solution is sprayed on vegetable crops. The solution is used as an organic fungicide against many fungal diseases of vegetables mainly tomato, capsicum, onion, radish, cucurbits, etc. Some common diseases that are controlled by this practice are anthracnose in capsicum, late blight and fruit rot in tomato, and alternaria blight in cucurbits. The following precaution should be taken while cutting the herb: one should not touch the grass as it causes painful itching for 2–4 hours.

control of insect pests in vegetable crops

A weed, locally known as mirchiya (Corallocarpus epigeos) and which grows abundantly in marshy land, is used for the purpose. The morphological characters of the plant are similar to makoya (Solanum nigrum) having chili-shaped violet colored flowers. About 2–3 kg of the weed leaves are crushed and mixed in 15 L of water. This solution is sprayed over an area of 1 nali in June–July in vegetable crops especially capsicum and cucurbits to control insect pests; for example, aphids on capsicum, fruit and stem borer in brinjal (eggplant), and fruit fl y on cucurbits.

control of aphids in oilseed crops

Aphids are the major pests of oilseed crops, causing heavy yield loss. Therefore, to minimize the problem farmers crush 2–4 kg leaves of herb rambas (Verbascum sp.) (Fig. 4b) and mix in 15 L of water. The solution is sprayed on the crop at 50 ml per nali in mid February to control aphids. Control of white grub (kurmula) in grain crops During field preparation, farmers broadcast the mixture of salt and Dichlorovas or Nuvan in the field for white grub control (Fig. 5). Since white

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grub is one of the major problems during kharif (rainy) season, therefore, this practice is used for various rainfed crops such as upland spring or jethi rice, finger millet, black soybean, horse gram, etc.

control of white grub (kurmula) in vegetables

About 2–3 kg of green tender leaves of bakain (Melia azedarach) or rambas (Verbascum sp.) are crushed and mixed in 5–10 L of water and used as stock solution. The solution is sprayed on vegetable crops at 50–100 ml per nali by dissolving in 8–10 L of water. Some farmers also spray ritha (Sapindus emarginatus) powder solution to control white grubs (Vivekanandan, 1994).

control of rodents in rice crop

Generally 5–8 plants of dhatura (Datura stramonium) are planted on the border of one nali rice fi eld. Before maturity of the rice crop, dhatura plants mature and the seed is shattered in the border area. When rats go towards the field, they eat the dhatura seeds. As the seeds are bitter, the rats are afraid to enter the rice field again. In some areas, green leaves and flowers of the ornamental plant pili-kaner (Thevetia peruviana) is also kept near the mouth of rat holes to protect the crop from their attack.

Protection of maize cobs from birds and monkeys

Birds, monkeys and other wild animals damage the cobs of maize resulting in heavy yield loss. To minimize the problem, farmers cover the cobs with polythene or cloth, etc. after seed setting (Fig. 6). This technique protects the crop from birds and animals.

Protection of grains from storage insect pests

Grains of cereals, pulses, oilseeds, etc. are treated with cow urine and are dried in shade overnight. These grains are stored in bins (metal or clay) along with dry leaves of walnut (Juglans regia), timur (Zanthoxylum armatum), and bakain (Melia azedarach) and sealed with the paste of cow dung and soil mixture to protect from storage pests (Mehta et al., 2012).

Drying of wheat in the field

Sometimes rainfall occurs during harvesting period resulting in wetness of soil surface and there is no dry space in the surroundings. But farmers are bound to harvest the wheat crop; otherwise some other farmers leave their cattle for grazing which destroys the crop. Under these circumstances, farmers cut the wheat ears, make small bundles, and place them on the stem of the crop (Fig. 7). The ears dry very soon by this practice and then are kept at a safer place.

Storage of rice straw

Rice stalks are the major source of fodder during winter. Hence most farmers in hilly areas prefer tall rice varieties. After manual threshing, small bundles of the rice stalks are prepared. The

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bundles are placed in a conical heap-like structure called lutta on mid-height of a pine tree by a trained villager (Fig. 8) (Singh et al., 2010). In the lean months, i.e., winter, when there is acute shortage of fodder, the rice stalk bundles are taken out, chopped, and fed to cattle.

IN SoMe of The coMMoN ITK uSed By dIffeReNT faRMeRS IN dIffeReNT STaTe aRe aS folloWS

Indigenous Technical Knowledge of Meghalaya

Selection of Seed

The farmers select the bold grains for seed purpose. Fields having healthy crop growth are selected for selecting seeds. Second selection done in the threshing floor. While threshing manually. The bold seeds that are easily shattered by the first two beatings are considered. This Process is effective in separting out the partially filled and diseased grains. The seeds selected by this process posses more vigour.

Indigenous Technical Knowledge of assam

1. To get rid of general pests confronted in rice field, farmers of Assam follow share the following ITK practices:-

2. To reduce the initial inoculums of general pests and disease, a few farmers used to burn the straw and stubbles before initiate ploughing of field operation. However, this burning operation is not column, but is based on the disease pressure experienced of the preceding years by a farmer of specific locality.

Indigenous Technical Knowledge of Maharashtra

These traditional cultivars are cultivated in specific geographical area of the state, the transplanting and dibbing are the popular methods for cultivation, the use of fertilizers is very low. The are under traditional varities is meagre but specific features like fine, scent and nutritional value. These cultivare are cultivated for the local market home comsumptions and religious occasions.

INdIgeNouS TechNIcal KNoWledge of KaRNaTaKa

Sowing of sorghum, red gram Beans on bund of Terraces

Advantages: Efficient utilization of space and something the weeds on bunds Mixed cropping of Rice + Sorghum in drought prone areas. Advantages: As insurance crop to get the produce from either of one crop depending on rainfall Inter-cultivation and ‘Hodta’ (Planking) operations in dry and wet conditions in paddy fields

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Storage and Post Harvest Technology in Rice

1. Paddy grian is stored with fresh leaves of Margosa (Azadirachta Indica) to control insect attacks in Tamil Nadu. Reported by Pereira and Sugathadasea(2003)

2. Some farmers mix cinnamon leaves and wood ash with paddy and store the grain in bags. This pactice is prevalent in Tamil Nadu. Reported by Pereira and Sugathadasea(2003)

3. Cleaning of threshed paddy is done by using a winnowing basket ‘kula’. This is practiced in West Bengal. Reported by Anwarul-Haque et.al(2003)

Indigenous Rice disease Management

1. For controlling bacterial leaf bright (BLB) in rice, farmers makes a slurry of 20 kg cow dung in 200 litres of water and filter ti though a gunny bag. The further dilute the filtrate with 50 litres of water and allow it to stand. The filtered water is then decanted, strained and sprayed on healthy plants to check the spread of disease in Uttar Pradesh.

Indigenous method of Rodent Management in Rice

1. In rice field, nearer to the bunds big mud pots are immersed to half to its height. Half to the mud pots are filled with water and chaffy paddy is put into ti. The chaffy paddy mixed with the water emits a type of smell like the grain storage structure. Attracted by this smell, the rats jump into the pot can’t come out of it as it is half empty. Farmers then catch the rats and kill them. This practice is prevalent in Kerala.

Indigenous Insect Pest Management in Rice

1. Clipping off the tip of rice seedlings before transplanting is practiced all over the state of Assam, to ease transplantation; to facilitate uniform growth and to remove insect egg masses and other major insect pests present on the leaf tip is an alternative for chemical pesticides application. This has been practiced since long time by all farmers without any modification. Reported by J.K. Choudhary.

Indigenous Weed control Methods in Rice

1. Before sowing, farmers sieve rice seeds in order to separate the seed of weeds. Since most of the weed seeds are smaller than rice seeds, they are filtered out in sieves. This is prevalent in Arunachal Pradesh. Reported by Ranjay K. Singh (2003)

2. Treatment to paddy seeds in diluted biogas slurry for 12 hours increase resistance of seedlings to pests and disease. This is practiced in Tamil Nadu. Reported by lyyappan (1997)

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Indigenous Methods of Rice Soil fertility Management

Farmers of village Khurai, Nandeibum, Leikai, Imphal, East Manipur do mixed farming by rearing cattle, piggery and poultry in addition to raising the crops. Since this area has rice based agro ecosystem, rice husk is mixed with excreta of poultry birds, cattle, pigs and house ash. Afterwards this mixture is spread over the paddy field. Yield of paddy is increased up to 25-30% after application of this mixture. Reported by Ranjay k. Singh (2003)

Indigenous Main field Preparation

1. This planting and laddering after 30-40 days of sowing paddy is practiced to have positive effect on tillering of the crop. Reported by A.K. Gupta (1998)

2. Rough levelling of the surface of paddy fields is done by moving soil with the wooden plate with 1.8 m with and 40 cm height. Reported by Harikosi (1991)

3. A banana trunk about 3.5 m long is suspended with a rope that is tied around hip of the farmer and is pulled to level the surface of paddy fields. Reported by Shimda (1991)

Indigenous cultural Practice

1. The practice of alternate wetting and drying of soil is followed in Tamil Nadu at it results in a good rice crop. Reported by P.S.K Jeyaraj (2003)

2. Completing transplanting by August second week is practiced by the farmers of Telengana region of Andhra Pradesh in order to get good harvest Reported by Chittrai selvan and V.K. R aman (1990)

Indigenous Nursery Management

1. The place with higher elevation in the field is selected for raising paddy nursery. Reported by Rambabu (1991)

Indigenous Seed Treatment in Rice

1. Vasambu (Acotus calamus) powder and cow urine are mixed in the water that has been boiled and cooled over night and the seeds are soaked in the solution. The floating seeds are removed. The remaining seeds are used for sowing. This serves the dual purpose of seed selection and treatment of seed borne disease. This is practiced in Tamil Nadu. Reported by R.Nagarajan (2003)

2. Higher seed rate is adopted by the farmers of Tamil Nadu as dense planting of paddy gives higher yield. Reported by Aravanan (2003)

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Indigenous Rice Varieties

1. Aadi tribes of pasighat block in Arunachal Pradesh grow a local paddy variety Boga Kolony in the uplands as rain fed crop, where water availability is low. The plant height is 205 feed and the colour of grains is which yellow. This is sown mixed with pear millet and maize. The field is ploughed by using L shaped blade. Dibbling method is used for sowing the seeds but nowadays few people are using desi plough. After germination, farmwomen do the weeding. This variety is resistant to insect and pests.

Indigenous Season / Beliefs

1. July-August (Adi) is the apt season for Samba varieties of rice. Reported by Somasundaranm (1997)

2. “Arudhar Karthe” (June-July) is the suitable season for sowing mettudanyam (paddy variety) which is an early maturing short duration variety. Reported by K. Lakshmana (2002) Mrugasir Karthe’(June) is suitable season for sowing late maturing (long duration) varieties of paddy. Reported by k. Lakshmana (2002)

ReferenceDubey VK, Naraina GS, and Gupta SL. 1993. Methodologies for tapping and documenting indigenous

technologies. Presented at National Seminar on Indigenous Technologies for Sustainable Agriculture, New Delhi, India, March 23–25, 1993.

Jardhari V. 2007. Barahnaja. In : Samriddhshaliparmparikkrishivigyan (In Hindi). Academy of Development Sciences, Raigarh, Maharashtra, India. pp. 6–24. Kareem MA. 2008. Indigenous technical knowledge. In: Sustainable Agricultural Development (PGDAEM-Study material). MANAGE, Hyderabad, India. pp. 45–59.

Mehta PS, Negi KS, Rathi RS, and Ojha SN. 2012. Indigenous methods of seed conservation and protection in Uttarkashi and Himalaya. Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge 11(2):279–282.

Pandey PC, Joshi Nirmala, and Pokharia Dev Singh. 2006. Kumaon Himalaya ke Paramparagatpraudyogiki – LokVidha (In Hindi). Nilambar Joshi Smriti Sansthan, Almora, Uttarakhand, India. Singh DK, Rawerkar KP, and Vineeta. 2010. Uttarakhand ke parvityaanchalme prachlitsthaniyataknikigyan. In: Jaivik Fasalotpadan Takniki (In Hindi). Directorate of Experiment Station, GB Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, Uttarakhand, India. pp. 96–101.

Sundamari M and Rangnathan TT. 2003. Indigenous Agricultural Practices for Sustainable Farming. Agrobios (India), Jodhpur, India. 168 pp.

Vivekanandan P. 1994. Indigenous pest control methods. Presented at Conference on Indigenous Science Technology, Bharathidasan University, Trichirapalli, India, 24–26 February 1994.

www.rkmp.co.in/extension-domain/national/indigenous-technical-knowledge-itks

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AAbhishek Singh ...............................................71Anil Kumar Rohila ............................................5Anuj Bhatnagar ...............................................75Arati Ningombam ...........................................31

BB K Singh ................................................47, 173Berin Pathrose ...........................................83, 89

CCherukuri Sreenivasa Rao .............................229Chitra Srivastava ............................................83

DDahatonde N B. ...............................................93Dipti N V .......................................................233

GG Alagukannan ..............................................149G S Mahra ....................................................173Gajendera Pal ................................................115Gayathri Subbiah ..........................................179Gobinda Roy .................................................137

HHabeeburrahman P V ......................................89Hardeep Singh Sheoran .....................................5Hema Baliwada .....................................189, 211

AUTHOR INDEX

JJ P Sharma .............................129, 173, 189, 211J P S Dabas ....................................................173Jayalakshmi K ...............................................107

KKushagra Joshi ..............................................173

LL R Tambade ...................................................21Lakhe M P ......................................................93

MM Ashokkumar..............................................149M Husain .........................................................15M Sundaramari ..............................................199M A Ansari ......................................................31Mayabini Jena .................................................27

NN Ajitkumar Singh ..........................................31N Prakash ........................................................31Nafees Ahmad ...............................................173Nagarajappa Adivappar .........................107, 195Narasimhamurthy H B ..........................107, 195Neha Paliwal ...................................................99Nishi Sharma ...........................................47, 173Niva Bara ................................................47, 183Nripendra Laskar ..........................................137


PP Kumar ..........................................................15P Kumaravel ..................................................179P Venkatesan .................................................199P A Gonjari ......................................................21P K Chakrabarty ..............................................99P K Yadav ........................................................15Pothula Narayana Reddy ...............................229Prabhat Kumar Pal ........................................137Prashant P. Jambhulkar .................................121Pratibha Joshi ..........................................47, 173Premlata Singh ..............................................129Pushparaj Anjelo ...........................................233

RR Kumaravel .................................................149R Singh............................................................15R K Thakur......................................................99R N Padaria .............................................15, 223R P Singh Ratan ......................................47, 183Raosaheb B Patil .............................................37Ravindra H ...........................................107, 195Reshma Gills .................................................211Roshna Gazmer .............................................137

SS Chakravorty .................................................47S K Sharma .....................................................31S K Srivastava ...............................................157S L Choudhary ..................................................1S P Javalage ....................................................21S P Singh .......................................................115

S S Roy ...........................................................31S V Ngachan ...................................................31Sarbasis Chakravorty ....................................173Saritha A G ....................................................107Sehgal M .......................................................107Shinoj Subramannian ....................................233Shoji Joy Edison, F........................................233Shruti .............................................................189Subhashree Sahu ...........................................189Sudhakar S Kelageri .....................................229Sumit Kumar Pandey ......................................71Sumitra Arora ..................................................65Sunil V G. .......................................................89Surabhi Gupta .................................................99Surendar Kumar ............................................115Suresh Ekabote ..............................................195Suresh Walia ...................................................83

TT K Dangar......................................................27Tulsi Bhardwaj ..............................................129

VV K Phogat .......................................................5Valeria Lakra ...................................................47Vemuri Shashi Bhushan ................................229Vishwanatha Shetty Y ...................................195

YY L Nene ...........................................................1

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Indigenous Technologies in Plant Protection · beguiles majority of farmers to opt for it. Time and again, all over the world the negative impact of chemical pesticide use has been