Seed Health Management for Better Productivity - Govind Ballabh ...

(Seed Health Management for Better Productivity)5. Sowing time6. Seed rate7. Method of sowing8. Nutrient management9. Weed management10. Intercropping11. Plant protection measuresLaser Land Leveling: It helps in water and area saving upto 20-30% and 5% respectively, increasein yield upto the extent of 15 to 20%. Uneven fields lead to poor germination and crop stands leadingsto lower yields and in yield excessive leaching of mobile nutrients (Gupta et. al., 2006)Zero/reduced Tillage: In this system seed is placed into the soil by a seed drill without prior landpreparation. Where combine harvesting is becoming popular, loose straw and residue creates aproblem. Farmers presently burn residue to overcome this problem of loose stubble whether theyuse zero-till or traditional system. Weed problem were lower under zero-tillage thus use ofherbicide is significantly lower. Early planting is the main reason for additional yields obtainedunder zero-tillage. It helps in water saving (20-30%) energy saving (50%), decreasing pollutionand increasing the yield.Reduced tillage can suppress pathogens because:-• Relatively high soil microbial activity can lead to competition effects that may affectpathogen activity and their survival and thus reduce harmful pathogen inoculum pressuresand suppress the severity of plant diseases.• Microbial antagonism in the root zone leading to the formation of disease suppressive soilscan be beneficial for farmers.• Creates conditions more favourable for the biological control of plant pathogens• There are predatory organisms that will keep pest species such as nematodes and fungi incheck; protozoa engulf fungi and bacteria, while predatory nematodes eat root-feedingnematodes.• Beneficial fungi provide a physical barrier to root-feeding pests by wrapping the roots in anetwork of threads (hyphae).• Other soil organisms secrete chemicals that ‘hide’ plant roots from their attackers.Improved Varieties: High yielding varieties recommended for specific area and conditions should bechosen. Front line demonstrations on farmers field, showed 10-41% increase in yield of various rabipulses (where our country has become a cronic importer) by adopting improved variety over control.Seed Treatment: It has been observed that seed treatment with fungicides minimize the incidenceof diseases like wilt, rot etc., and decrease plant mortality and increase the grain yield.Time of Sowing: Time of sowing is an important aspect to take advantage of residual soilmoisture under rainfed conditions. Sowing time varies widely from place to place depending uponcropping pattern followed.- 75 -