Irradiation and organic grain protectants for enhancing strorability of rice seeds

Abstract

A field experiment on “Millets for crop diversification in summer rice fallows under minimum tillage” was conducted at Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Vellayani during 2022 to 2024. The main objectives were to standardize the establishment method of small millets under minimum tillage in summer rice fallows and to evaluate their production potential and economics. The field experiment was conducted during summer season, 2023-24 at IFSRS, Karamana. The field experiment was laid out in split-split plot design with 12 treatment combinations and three replications. The main plot treatments were tillage methods (M1- minimum tillage and M2- conventional tillage), sub plot treatments were crops (C1 – little millet, C2 – foxtail millet and C3- proso millet) and the sub-sub plot treatments were establishment methods (P1: solid row planting and P2: broadcasting). The varieties used for the study for little millet, foxtail millet and proso millet were ATL 1, DHFT-109-3 and TNAU 202, respectively. FYM was applied to all plots @ 5 t ha-1 and crops were fertilized with NPK @ 40:20:20 kg ha-1(IIMR, 2022). The growth attributes of millets were recorded at 15 DAS, 30 DAS, 45 DAS, 60 DAS and at harvest. The results revealed that growth attributes were significantly influenced by treatments. Between the tillage methods, the highest plant height, number of tillers m-2, root weight and dry matter production per plant were observed in conventional tillage (M2). Among the crops, little millet recorded the highest plant height, root weight and dry matter production per plant. The proso millet recorded the highest number of tillers m-2. Between the establishment methods, broadcasting was found to be significantly superior to solid row planting. The results revealed that the yield attributes and yield of millets viz; productive tillers (223.28 no m-2), earhead length (26.76 cm), grain yield (2112 kg ha-1), stover yield (5060 kg ha-1) and harvest index (0.30) were significantly influenced by conventional tillage method. Between the establishment methods, the highest number of productive tillers (222.00 m-2), earhead length (25.21cm), grain yield (2028 kg ha-1) and stover yield (4987 kg ha-1) were recorded in broadcasting method. Proso millet took least days to 50 per cent flowering (35.42 days) and recorded the highest number of productive tillers m-2 (310.92). The longest earheads (38.78 cm) and stover yield (6434 kg ha-1) were recorded in little millet. Foxtail millet recorded 101

the highest earhead weight (3.75 g) and grain yield (2239 kg ha-1), respectively. Grain yield was 38 per cent more compared to little millet (1626 kg ha-1). The grain yield of proso millet was 27 per cent more than that of little millet. The predominant weed flora of the experimental field were grassy weeds followed by broad leaf weeds and sedges. The tillage and establishment methods had significant influence on weed density and weed dry weight. Between the tillage methods, the lowest weed density and weed dry weight were recorded in conventional tillage. Between the establishment methods, the lowest weed density and weed dry weight were observed in solid row planting. The proso millet showed the highest weed density at 15 DAS and the highest weed dry weight at 45 DAS. The nutrient removal (N, P and K) by weeds were the highest in minimum tillage and broadcasting method. The highest N, P and K uptake by crop at harvest was in conventional tillage method followed by broadcasting method. The highest N, P and K uptake (175.56, 30.68 and 118.82 kg ha-1, respectively) was recordedby little millet. The lowest bulk density (1.42 Mg m-3) was observed in conventional tillage method. The results revealed that the highest organic carbon (2.09 %) was recorded in minimum tillage. The highest available N and P were recorded in minimum tillage and solid row planting. Among the crops foxtail millet recorded the highest available N and also had higher available P and it was on par with proso millet. Proso millet had the highest available K, and it was on par with foxtail millet. The analysed data revealed that tillage method, crop and establishment method had significant influence on net income and BCR. The conventional tillage method recorded the highest net income of ₹ 40789 ha-1 with a BCR of 1.75. Among the crops, foxtail millet recorded the highest net income of ₹ 46987 ha-1 with a BCR of 1.87. Broadcasting method recorded the highest net income of ₹ 38248 ha-1 with a BCR 1.72. From the study it could be concluded that, broadcasting is the most effective establishment method for small millets under minimum tillage. However, conventional tillage with broadcasting method could be adopted as a viable cost-effective method for foxtail millet, proso millet and little millet for enhanced productivity and profitability in summer rice fallows.