TECHNOLOGY PACKAGE FOR HIGHER PRODUCTIVITY AND ...This technology package bulletin is a result of research work carried out at ICAR Research Complex for Goa for over a decade in this

~aRA.""'1V~'v 25Years'VQ

SilverJubilee

P}Jut/icatioJl

TECHNOLOGY PACKAGE FOR HIGHERPRODUCTIVITY AND PROFITABILITY

OFGOA LOCAL COWPEA

~aRA.""10~'v 25Years'VQ

SilverJubilee

pjJuMcauon

TECHNOLOGY PACKAGEFOR HIGHER PRODUCTIVITY AND

PROFITABILITYOF

GOA LOCAL COWPEA

B.L.MANJUNATHR.RAMESH

R. MARUTHADURAIH. R. PRABHU DESAI

N.P.SINGH

~3r.J.qICAR

ICAR Research Complex for Goa(Indian Council of Agricultural Research)

Old Goa . 403 402, Goa, India.

Published byDr. N. P. SinghDirectorICAR Research Complex for GoaOld Goa - 403 402, Goa, India.

FaxPhoneE-mailWebsite

91-832-228564991-832-2284678,[email protected]://www.icargoa.res.in

Copyright © 2013, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)All Rights Reserved. For reproduction of this document or any part thereof, permissionofIndian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi must be obtained.

Authored by: B.L.Manjunath, R.Ramesh, R. Maruthadurai, H. R. Prabhu Desai &N.P.Singh

B.L.Manjunath, R.Ramesh, R. Maruthadurai, H. R. Prabhu Desai &N.P.Singh(2013). Technology Package for Higher Productivity and Profitability of GoaLocal Cowpea. Technical Bulletin No. 31, ICAR Research Complex for Goa(Indian Council of Agricultural Research), Old Goa-403402, Goa, India.

'lWil 'PClifT~ 31J1lUR 3W BTW Pcrl:fT1T l:(Ci

~~~Werc:-~~. ~ 'll'H -IITIT . ~ ~ 110112

INDIAN COUNCIL OFAGRICULTURAL RESEARCHKRISHI ANUSANOHAN SHAVAN-11. PUSA. NEW DELHI 110 112Ph. 91-11-25848364 (D), 24121571 (R)Fax 91-11-25848366E-mail: [email protected] .. [email protected]. ~ Cf.>O'lR: R1Cf'<tlI

3q" ~"ri (gr • >f • Sf)

Dr. Alok K. SikkaDeputy Dir.ector General (NRM) FOREWORD

Among the pulses, cowpea holds an important position in the country. Knownas vegetable meat owing to its high protein content (25%), cowpea is used for humanconsumption, as concentrate feed for cattle, fodder and green manure crop. It performswell in many cropping situations owing to its ability to tolerate moderate droughts andthe capacity to fix atmospheric nitrogen, thereby improving the soils. Cowpea can becultivated both as pure crop and as mixed crop in association with cereals, other pulsesand oilseeds. The protein in cowpea seed is rich in the amino acids such as lysine andtryptophan compared to other legumes; hence, cowpea seed is valued as a nutritionalsupplement to cereals and as a protein source.

In Goa and adjoining areas, cowpea is the traditionally grown major pulse cropespecially in the rice fallows under residual moisture situations. Goan cowpea (locallycalled Alsando) is a bold-seeded type producing high biomass and fleshy pods. It is fairlytolerant to drought situations and is suitable for the residual moisture situations in ricefallows. It is learnt that this local cowpea is preferred in many of the culinary preparationsowing to its bold size, better cooking quality and unique taste and premium price in themarket.

Goa region is known to have wide variability both for phenotypic and genotypic traitsof cowpea. I am happy to note that ICAR Research Complex for Goa made efforts tocollect germplasm exhibiting wide variations to select a high yielding type with betterseed size and also publishing a Research Bulletin entitled "TECHNOLOGY PACKAGEFOR IMPROVED PRODUCTIVITY AND PROFITABILITY Of LOCAL COWPEA" toshowcase the cowpea research carried out at the Institute.

I trust that this compilation will help in developing high production packages and forformulating future research and extension strategies relevant to the farming community.I am sure that this bulletin will serve as a reference material to all those involved in theproduction of cowpea and will go a long way in improving the pulses production andlivelihood security for small and marginal farmers of the region.

My best wishes on the occasion.

PREFACECowpea is one of the major pulse crops of the West coast region. The crop

is widely grown in rice fallows under residual soil moisture withoutmuch management. The Goa local cowpea known for its unique taste

and boldness attracting premium price in the market, need to be promoted soas to harness better returns for the farmer. Although, the crop is grown over theperiods, there is no standard package available for this unique crop cultivar.

Keeping this in view, ICAR Research Complex for Goa, right from 2002has undertaken systematic survey in major cowpea growing areas of Goa soas to identify a superior accession with desirable attributes for large scalecultivation. Research efforts at various levels have given a renewed directionto this crop to improve production and productivity.

This technology package bulletin is a result of research work carriedout at ICAR Research Complex for Goa for over a decade in this direction.The research efforts and the achievements have resulted in identifying 2-3profitable accessions and standardisation of production package of localcowpea for the benefit of growers, developmental agencies and the planners.

While bringing out this bench mark publication, we sincerely acknowledgethe invaluable contributions rendered by various visionaries, researchworkers and scientists and Indian Council of Agricultural Research, NewDelhi for encouraging the research on this aspect.

Our sincere thanks are toDr.VS.Korikan thima th, the former Director, ICARResearch Complex for Goa for his inspiration and constant encouragement.Indebted thanks are due to various scientists ofthe Institute viz.Dr. A.RDesai,Dr. M.Thangam, Smt. Sunetra Talaulikar for their immense contributions.

The conduct of various on-farm trials and frontline demonstrations on thecrop over the years was possible with the co-operation of progressive farmersof Goa who deserves high appreciation.

B.L.MANJUNATHRRAMESH

R MARUTHADURAIH. R PRABHU DESAI

N.P.SINGH

III. Cultural Practices1. Time of sowing 52. Land preparation 53. Seeds and sowing 54. Inter-eultivation 55. Water management 66. Manures and fertilizers 6

IV. Integrated management of pests and diseases1. Management of aphids 72. Seedling diseases 103. Foliar diseases 11

I. IntroductionCowpea is a major pulse crop in

the West coast region and is grownextensively as a rice fallow cropunder residual moisture situations.Although, the crop comes up easilywithout much management, theproductivity levels of the crop ingeneral are very low.

Goa cowpea (locallycalled Alsando)is a bold seeded type with a vinygrowth producing higher biomass.

It produces lengthy bold and fleshypods. It is fairly tolerant to droughtsituations and suits for residualmoisture situation in rice fallows.Goa local cowpea is preferred inmany of the culinary preparationsowing to its bold size with softtexture, better cooking quality,exquisite taste realizing high valuefrom the produce.

Every 100 g cowpea contains25-28g vegetable protein, 50-60gcarbohydrates and 4g minerals andother trace elements required forhealthy diet. Cowpea fixes 45-150kgatmospheric nitrogen per ha by virtueof the biological nitrogen fixationthrough root nodules.

The crop also helps in smothering

weeds (20-45%) when grown asintercrop in widely spaced crops. Itdemands no irrigation and improvessoil biotic life at the same timeenriching the soil fertility.

ClimateThe crop requires warm and humid

climate with temperature between29-35°C. In Goa, "Alsando" serves asa dual purpose pulse being cultivatedboth in kharif (June-Sept) mostlyfor green leafy vegetable purpose inlateritic uplands (Morod) and also asan intercrop in horticultural cropswhile the major area is during rabi(December- March) as a rice fallowcrop under residual soil moisturesituations. Delay in sowing beyondJanuary during rabi season, leadsto delayed seedling emergence andseedling vigour. exposing the crop tomoisture stress.

SoilGoa cowpea comes up well under

sandy, sandy loam and alluvial soils.However, it can also be grown inlateritic soil with good water holdingcapacity. Soils with satisfactoryorganic carbon (>0.6 %) give goodresponse to it's cultivation.

II. VarietiesOne of the mam reasons for the

low productivity of cowpea is lack ofa suitable high yielding variety of thecrop. Sporadic attempts to introducefew high yielding types of smallseeded cowpea were although made,yet these varieties could not becomepopular among the farmers owingto local preferences for bold graintypes. This is because Local Cowpea(Alsando) is a delicacy in the regionowing to its unique taste and boldsized seeds.

ICAR Research Complex for Goa

with its research efforts in collection,cataloguing, evaluation and selectionfor specific traits over a period oflast one decade, has identified threeselections oflocal cowpeawith specificadvantages.

Alsondo-l:It is a determinate type of local

cowpea selection with bold pods andhigh yield. It grows to height of 55cm with 3-4 primary branches undernormal conditions. It responds wellto a spacing of 45 cm and facilitateto accommodate more plants per

<1Alsondo-1, a high yielding determinate type local cowpea with short duration

unit area. Under ideal conditionsthe selection produces 12-13 longpods having a length of 24-25 cmwith 15-16 seeds per pod. The testweight of the selection is around 20-21g/100 seeds. The harvest index ofthe selection is quite high (0.54). Theselection has a potential seed yield of1290 kg/ha and a haulm yield upto 3t/ha. It takes about 47 days to flowerand matures in 90 days.

Goa Nadora (Nadora Bardez-4):It is an indeterminate type of local

cowpea selection with bold pods andhigh yield. It grows profuse withdense foliage (upto 44 trifoliate leaves/plant) with 2-3 primary branchesunder ideal conditions. The selectiontakes 63-65 days for flowering witha total crop duration of 100 days. Itproduces pods in clusters with 6 to 10pods/plant having a length of 18 to22cm. Normally each pod will have10 to 14 seeds with a test weight of 24g for 100 seeds. The selection has apotential seed yield of 1630 kg/ha anda haulm yield of 3.31 t/ha.

Dhulape Utorda-3Cowpea-3) :

It is also an indeterminate typeof local cowpea selection with boldpods and high yield. Under idealconditions, it grows to a height ofabout a feet with profuse dense foliage(upto 40 trifoliate leaves/plant) withvine growth upto one metre having4-5 primary branches. The selection

takes 68-70 days for flowering withtotal crop duration of 100-105 days.Each plant produces 14-20 smoothgreenish white pods in clustersmeasuring 23- 25cm.

Each pod will have 13 to 17light brownish seeds having a testweight of 25 g for 100 seeds. Theselection has a potential seed yieldupto 2000 kg/ha and a haulm yieldof 4.30 t/ha.

1. Time of sowing:The time of sowing assumes

great importance since the crop istaken on residual moisture of. thesoil. The optimum sowing timeshould be decided based on theavailable soil moisture after plankingwhich is done mainly to conserve soilmoisture. Early sowing coupled withenhanced seed rate and adequateseed treatment leads to uniformgermination and optimum plantstand which is the key to higher perunit productivity. November secondfortnight to December first fortnightis ideal under Goa conditions, in lighttextured (sandy) soils under ricefallows.

2. Land preparation:Prepare the land by ploughing

at right moisture situation with aMB plough or stir the soil using arotavator and level the surface byplanking to conserve the moisture.Take care to uproot the weeds fullyand allow them to dry out.

3. Seeds and sowing:Maintenance of optimum plant

popula tion in field is a key tobumper harvest. Use only a local

cowpea selection having higher yieldpotential which is more economical.About 35-40 kg seed is required toplant one ha. Before sowing, the seedis soaked in water for 4-6 hrs followedby drying in shade. Treat the seedwith Trichoderma @10g/kg andwith phosphate solubilising bacteria(PSB) culture @10-15g/kgseed beforesowing. Further, treat this seed with375-500 g ofRhizobium before sowingspecially in newly cultivated areas soas to ensure the benefit of biologicalnitrogen fixation.

Sowing is done by opening furrowswith a cultivator or plough withrequired spacing (45em forAlsondo-1Selection and 60 em for Goa Nadoraand Goa Cowpea-3) in straight lines.Treated seeds are then sown at 15-20 em distance in the furrows andimmediately covered with soil and thefield is planked to reduce moistureloss. It is better to sow in plough-soleso as to place the seed in the moistzone at a depth of 5 em.

4. Inter-cultivation:Time of weeding is as important

as weeding itself. Hoeing andweed management contributesfor substantial increase in yield.The critical period of weed-cropcompetition is the initial period of 25-

45 days after sowing. The field is keptweed free by moving rotary weederbetween the lines once at 20-25 daysof sowing and again after 15-20 daysso as to keep the field weed free.

5.Water management:The requirement of water for

cowpea is minimum. Normally thecrop is taken purely on availablesoil residual misture during rabiseason. However, it is observed thatone irrigation during flowering stageenhanced the pod yield by 20-30%.

6.Manures and Fertilizers:After the population maintenance,

the primary reason for low yields isnutrient management. The fertilizerrequirement has to be decided basedon soil test report after the harvestof paddy. In general, application of10-25 kg N, 50-60 kg P205 and 25 -30kg K20 gives better response withincreased yield.

In Goa, due to high rainfall andpresence of iron and aluminium insoils, the phosphorous gets fixed intothe soil and is not available for plantfor active root uptake. Therefore, it isadvisable to apply phosphorous in the

form of rock phosphate (Uniphos) orDAPand potash in the form ofMuriateof Potash. Apply Rock Phosphate @250 kg / ha during sowing preferablyin the planting lines to ensure betterfertilizer use efficiency.

By application oforganics, efficientand effective nutrient cycle will bedeveloped which also enhances theactivity of Rhizobium and phosphatesolubilisig bacteria (PSB). Use ofPSB@10kg/ha)either as seed treatment orsoil application along with farm yardmanure will facilitate phosphorousrelease and uptake by the plants.

In order to provide micronutrientneeds of the crop, ZnS0

4@25kg and

2kg molybdenum is recommended/ha which will depend on the soil testvalues for these micronutrients.

Foliar fertiliza tion maybe practicedwith 2% DAP (200g dissolved in 10litres of water) at flowering (40- 45DAS and second spraying at podinitiation stage (70-75 DAS) whichconsiderably increases the final podyield and the test weight ofharvestedproduce due to enhancement in theaccumulation of photosynthates inreproductive parts. The yield increasemay range from 20 to 35% .

IV. Integrated management ofpests and diseases

Each phase of cowpea attracts anumber of insect pests and diseases.The major insect pests are Aphid,Aphis craccivora, Gram pod borerHelicoverpa armigera, Spotted podborer Maruca testulalis, Leaf hopperEmpoasca kerri, Pod bugs Riptortuspedestris and Whitefly Bemisiatabaci. Among these, aphid is a majoreconomic pest of cowpea in Goa. Theimportant diseases are root rot anddamping off- Pythium, Rhizoctoniaand Macrophomina, cowpea mosaicand Fusarium wilt Fusariumoxysporum.

1. Management of AphidsCowpea aphid, Aphis craccivora

is a cosmopolitan species with aworldwide distribution; abundantin subtropical and tropical regions,and in the Mediterranean. It is oneof the commonest aphid speciesfound in the Goa region and causesconsiderable yield loss to farmers.Other aphids like Aphis gossypi andMyzus persicae also attack cowpeacrop during rainy season.

Host plantsCowpea aphid Aphis craCClVora

IS mainly found on plants in theLeguminosae. It is a major economicpest of cowpea and groundnut,particularly in the tropics and asignificant pest of mungbean (Vignaradiata), pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan),chickpea (Cicer arietinum), field andgreen beans (Vicia spp. and Phaseolusspp.), lupins (Lupinus angustifolius),lentil (Lens esculenta) and lucerne(Medicago sativa). It is also a minorpest on a range of other leguminouscrops and also some non-leguminouscrops, such as cotton and citrus. Croplosses caused by Aphis craccivoraare due to direct feeding damage andto indirect damage, chiefly via thetransmission of plant viruses.

Symptoms of damageBoth adults and nymphs feedmostly on growing tips, youngfoliage and pods of mature plantsby sucking the sap.Under heavy infestation, the plantbecomes chlorotic and leaves curl.The infested plants becomestunted, leading to leaf distortion,premature defoliation and deathof seedlings.While feeding, this aphidproduces a considerable amountof honeydew upon which sootymould grows. The black sooty

mould reduces the photosynthesisof plants.An indirect and generally moreharmful effect, even of smallpopulations, is the transmissionof cowpea aphid-borne mosaicVIrus.

Identification and MonitoringThe adults are black and shiny, upto2 mm long and some are winged.Nymphs are covered with waxy

.. ~, ...." .

coating that makes them greyand dull.Nymphs and adults colonise onyoung stem, leaves, flowers andpods.Visit regularly and observe for theinsect at borders in early stages.

Life cycleThe insect passes through fournymphal instars before reachingadulthood.

Under conditions of abundantgood quality food and favourableclimate, parthenogenetic apterousadult females are successivelyproduced.Alate adults are producedwhenever crowding occurs andfood is in short supply as wellas during dramatic temperaturechanges.The growth, development,fecundity and longevity of Aphiseraeeivora vary with weatherconditions, soil fertility, soilmoisture and host plant.

Management cultural controlGrow different crops or growthem in rotation every croppingseason. This practice providesfood, shelter and it increases thenumber of natural enemies thatprey on aphids.When transplanting, use aphid-free seedlings only, because oftenthey are the source of infestation.Avoid using heavy doses of highlysoluble nitrogen fertilizers.Control and kill ants.Clean cultivation.

Physical and mechanical controlSpray a steady stream of wateron the host plant to knock-off

aphids. Once on the ground, thefallen aphids are prey to groundpredators and they have difficultyreturning to the plant.Use yellow sticky traps. Aphidsare attracted to yellow color.Handpicking and destructionof various insect stages and theaffected plant parts.

Biological controlParasites and predators especiallyCoccinellidsreduce the populationof aphids considerably.Release of Menoehilussexmaeulata @ 1250 I ha.Conserve bio-agents like flowerbugs (Anthocorids), lady birdbeetles (Coccinellids), prayingmantids, hover flies (Syrphids),green lace wing (Chrysopids), longhorned grass hoppers and spiders.

Chemical controlYoung crop may be applied withchlorpyriphos @ 2 ml I litre ofwater or dimethoate 30 EC @ 650ml/ha in 600 litre ofwater.If the terminal buds are infested inthe young crop, spray dimethoate@ llitl ha at 30 days after sowing.Apply NSKE 5% (neem seedkernel extract) to control theaphids.2. Seedling diseases.

2. Seedling diseasesPre and post emergence seedling

mortality is oneofthe important diseasesobservedin cowpeafield. It is caused byPythium aphanidermatum, Rhizoctoniasolani and many other soilfungi.Symptoms

Seeds may rot before emergencefrom the soil and the young seedlingsmay die. In case of post emergencedamping off, reddish brown lesionsappear on collar region of hypocotylfollowed by rapid death of youngplants.

The lesion is limited to collarregIOns only in case of Rhizoctonia.

solani infection. However, in case ofPythium aphanidermatum, the lesionmoves upwards and watery lesioncause collapse of seedlings.

ManagementDrain the field of excessive water.Seed treatment with Trichodermaviride @lOg/kg or Pseudomonasfluorescens @ 10g/ kg of seed orcarbendazim or thiram 2g/kg ofseed.Spot drenching with carbendazimIg/lit Pseudomonas fluorescens/ Trichoderma viride 2.5 kg/hawith 50 kg FYM.Use pathogen free certified seeds.

Disease

Cercospora leafspot: Cercosporacanescens

Septoria leafspot: SeptoriauLgnae

Brown rust:Uromycesappendiculatus

Symptoms

Rough, circular, cherryred to dark red spots onthe upper leaf surface.The centre becomessilvery grey when sporesare produced. In severecases, defoliation occurs.

Small, pinhead SIze,reddish brown, circular,water soaked scatteredspots on both thesurface of leaves. Thespots rapidly enlarge toirregular lesions. Spotslater turn light brownwith dark brown margins.

Minute, almost white,slightly raised pustuleson the leaves. Plantswith heavy rust infectionappear to have browntinge. Stunting andlight green plants areobserved.

Management

Destroy diseased debris.Use pathogen free seedsfrom healthy plants.Seed treatment withcarbendazim or thiram@2g/kg of seeds. Spraymancozeb (0.2%) orcarbendazim (0.2%) atfortnight interval.

Spray mancozeb (0.2%)or carbendazim (0.2%) atfortnight interval.

Spray mancozeb (0.2%)or oxycarboxin (0.1%) atfortnight interval.

Symptoms:Brown sunken lesions with dark

red margins develop on the stems.Many lesions rapidly merge to girdlestems, branches, peduncles and peti-ole. Elongated lesions appear on theleaf veins and tannish red spots withyellow halo on the leaf surface. Le-sions similar to those found on thestem also occur on pods. Severely af-fected pods are curled and do not con-tain normal size seeds.

ManagementCrop rotation with non-host crops for2-3 years.Seed treatment with carbendazim orthiram @2g/kgof seeds.Spraying of mancozeb (0.2%) or car-bendazim (0.2%)at fortnight interval

Charcoal rot/ root rotMacrophomina phaseolina

SymptomsThe seedlings remam stunted

and some of them develop rot inthe hypocotyls region and extenddownwards. Roots also exhibit rottingand seedlings get dried.

In mature cowpea plants, greyishblack sunken lesions appear on thelower stem and roots accumulate smallblack sclerotia. Sometimes stem girdlewhich may break longitudinally.

ManagementCrop rotation with non-host crops

for 2-3 years.Seed treatment with carbendazim

or thiram @2g/kgof seeds.Seed treatment with Trichoderma

or other biocontrol agents @10g/kg of seeds and soil applicationof biocontrol agents along withorganIc manure.

Viral diseases-Cowpea mosaicdiseases

Several VIruses cause disease incowpea. These viruses producea mosaic pattern (intermixing ofgreen and yellow patches) on leaves.

They may be found singularly or incombination with others.

They cause irregular light anddark green mosaic patterns on theleaves. Someviruses cause thickened,malformed and distorted leaves.

The mosaic patterns are bestobserved on the younger foliage.Plants may be stunted and failto produce normal pods. If thedisease attacks plants at the earlygrowth stage, no pods shouldbe expected. The most common virusdisease is cowpea aphid-borne mosaicpotyvirus. It is transmitted by aphids.

List of common viruses infectingcowpea are given below:

Virus Characteristic symptoms Vector

Cowpea mosaic virus Mosaic

Cowpea severe mosaic virus Mosaic Beetles

Cowpea yellow mosaic virus Mosaic, leaf distortion, blistering, Beetlesdwarfing and death of plants

Cowpea aphid borne mosaic Mosaic, mottling, green vein banding AphidsVIrus

Cowpea golden mosaic Chlorosis, leaf distortion, blistering whitefly

Cowpea severe mosaic virus

ManagementPlant resistant varieties wherever

availableUse disease- free healthy seedsCrop rotation with non-legumes

for 4-5 seasonsRemove the infected plants, weeds

and alternate hosts at the firstinstance.

Management of vectors throughinsecticide spray.

Spray anyone of the systemicinsecticide like Chlorpyriphos @0.1%to control the vector.

Spray Metasystox @ 1 litre/hectaredissolved in 1000 litres of water tocheck the whitefly

Cowpea yellow mosaic virus

V. Harvesting and threshing:The crop matures in 100-110 days

from the date of sowing. The podsare picked up as and when theyshow signs of maturity giving browndiscoloration and gradual drying.Normally, three to four pickings aremade.

The pods are then sun dried forthree to four days till they becomebrittle. The grain is separated bytrampling the pods under feet or byuse of wooden sticks.

Dry the seeds to reducethe moisture level below10-12 per cent.

VI. StorageProperly dried local cowpea is

rela tively more toleran t to theinfestation of pulse beetle thansmall seeded cowpea varietieslike C-152. The harvested grain isstored in airtight plastic containerswhich are not opened till the nextseason to maintain the moisturelevel and to ward off incidence ofinsect pests which is a major storedgrain problem encountered by thegrowers.

Various methods of seed storageare used to protect the grain (pulse)from insect damage. Some of thecommon practices followed areuse of neem leaves, use of castor/mustard oil, or finally crushedTriphal or even Boric acid powder@3-4g/kg is used in storage toprotect from stored grain pests likeBruchids, etc.

Use of insecticide carbaryl @2.5g/kg is more effective in inhibitingthe pulse beetle attack withoutaffecting the germination of theseeds.

YieldCowpea seed -1000 to 1500 kg / ha.Haulm yield - 2.5 to 3.0 t/ha.

VII. Results of On Farm Trials andFront Line Demonstrations

The results of on farm trials andfront line demonstrations takenup at Pilar, Goa Velha, Chodan,Taleigao in Goa suggest that"Alsando selection-I" with improvedmanagement practices can bringabout increased productivity rangingbetween 250 kg to 400kg/ha over andabove the farmer's yield bringing inadditional income between eight tofourteen thousand rupees.

The mean yield under on farmtrial was found to be superior overthe recommended practice (8.90q/ha) as well the traditional farmerspractice (7.89q/ha) correspondingto an yield increase of 20.7% and37.8%, respectively. The on farmtrial resulted in a benefit cost ratioof 1:2.87 in the alternate practice asagainst 1:1:96 and 1:1.79 recordedin the recommended practice andfarmers practice, respectively.

The details of cost of cultivation/ha and the other economic details arepresented in table below:

S1. Particulars Unit cost Total cost/haNo (Rs.) (Rs.)

1 Land preparation- Hiring tractor @ Rs. 3501 2500one ploughing and hourone harrowing.

2 Seeds and 40kg @ Rs. 80lkg 3200planting

3 Manures and 500g Rhizobium 750fertilizers 25 kg Nincluding their 50 kg P

Z0

52400

application 25 kg KzO

3 Intercultivation Hoeing once -8 mandays 1600including weeding Weeding

-30mandays 45004 Plant protection Once with chlorpyriphos 800

including @ 2mlllitre of waterspraying cost

5 Harvesting 20 women days 3000

6 Threshing, drying 15women days 2250and packing

Total cost (Rs/ha) 21,000Returns:Cowpea seed 1200kg/ha @ Rs. 80lkgHaulm yield-2.50 t/ha @ Rs. 2000/tGross Returns (Rs.lha)Cost of cultivation (Rs./ha)Net Returns (Rs./ha)

= 96,000= 5,000= 1,01,000= -21, 000= 80,000

•~3J;11lICAR

II ,\\lle ~\Ik'J (,. <!f~,;

•Agr.~sedrchwith d 1jlImdR fOllch