CROP PRODUCTION

Major programmes of the division are Standardization of agro techniques of new varieties and for non- traditional areas for tropical tuber crops, Soil nutrient dynamics under cassava in long term fertilizer experiment, Site specific nutrient management, precision farming and development of nutrient decision support system for tropical tuber crops, Standardization of organic farming technology for tropical tuber crops with emphasis on soil quality studies, Physiological studies of tuber crops with special emphasis on climate change, Resource management for rice based cropping systems involving short duration varieties of tropical tuber crops and legumes, Identification of nutrient use efficient genotypes (edible/industrial purpose) as a low input management strategy for tropical tuber crops, Fertigation studies in tropical tuber crops, Soil conservation studies for cassava growing hilly tracts of India, Studies on carbon sequestration potential of tropical tuber crops, Production and distribution of quality planting materials of tropical tuber crops, Analysis of soil, plant, water and manurial samples on payment basis and Consultancies on production technologies of tuber crops

EFFORTS

Agrotechniques and soil fertility management practices to maximize production of all the major tropical tuber crops were developed. Agronomic requirements for obtaining higher production, such as ideal planting time, optimum size of planting material, plant population, irrigation requirement, scheduling of irrigation and intercultural operations as well as proper storage techniques were standardised in cassava, sweet potato, yams and aroids. For the better establishment and thereby shortening the crop duration a nursery technique, with healthy stems planted closely at 5 cm so as to accommodate 400 setts per m2, was developed for cassava in nontraditional areas. A simple farmer oriented technology aimed at rapid multiplication of cassava using 2 node cuttings, yams using 30g minisetts, elephant foot yam using 100g corm pieces or cormels and taro using 10 g cormels were developed and large quantities of planting materials are being produced and distributed to farmers.

Rationalized dose of FYM and NPK for realizing high yields in all the major tuber crops were worked out. Low input technology for cassava consisting of raising varieties adapted to low input management; green manuring in situ with cowpea; use of indigenous rock phosphate as phosphatic fertilizer; and application of biofertilizers (VAMF, Phosphobacterium and Azospirillum) can substantially reduce the cost of production.