OCTOBER- 2001-(10)
COTTON SEED PRODUCTION UNDER
SEED VILLAGE CONCEPT
Use of Internal Resources
Use of internal resources in Agriculture will enable for higher returns. But we depend largely on external input that too on seed component which causes on availability in time.
To avoid dependency one external sources for seed, the village level self seed production programme shall be concentrated. This will enable not only to meet the see d required of the particular village but also provide seeds to the neighbouring villages also.
Keeranam Seed Village
The farmers of Keeranam village near Coimbatore set as an excellent example in cotton seed production under seed village concept. On enquiry with Thiru Murugesan and Thiru Rangaraj of Keeranam village, they informed that about 15 farmers have taken up certified cotton seed production in an area of about 21 acres during last year under LRA 5166 cotton and produced 8925 kg. Of certified seeds.
Feedback
On detailed enquiry with three farmers they have shred their experiences with us. Year before last year, they ere all in search of quality seeds for sowing but the Agricultural Officer of the State Agriculture Department guided them to contact officials of the Department of Seed Certification who will explain them about self seed production and its benefits. Accordingly they came forward for certified seed production . They organized seed farms by using foundation seeds obtained from Tucas, a Cooperative organization situated at Thudiyalur and from private producers.
Certification
The seed farms were registered with the Department of Seed Certification. Field inspections were carried out at the appropriate stages of crop growth by the seed certification officers and the seed production techniques were explained in detail. Particularly more attention was given in identification and removal of off types in the seed fields. Adequate care was also taken in harvest and post harvest operations to handle the seed lots without admixture.
The seed kapas were inspected by the SCO and moved to Seed processing units for ginning and processing. During processing ill filled and damaged seeds were removed. Based on the results from the Seed Testing Laboratory on seed standards, the seed lots were certified.
Benefit
Thiru Rangasamy of Keeranam village further explained on the cost benefit aspects in seed production. He said that from an area of 3 acres in his field, harvested 26 quintals of seed kapas and from this 1236 kg of quality seeds were certified finally. The self seed production helped himto procure required seeds for raising cotton crop in the next season. After fulfilling the self requirement and the requirement of neighbours, he sold 1186kg. of certified seeds at the rate of Rs.35/kg.
Cost Benefit
The total revenue was Rs.43260. He incurred an amount of Rs.30000 as cultivation expenses. Hence he got Rs.13260 for 3 acres as profit from the seed alone. Besides, this the lint was sold at Rs.2000 per quintal and as a result he reaped a net profit of Rs.35260/-
Horizontal Spared of Technology
On enquiry of the other farmers, he explained that 15 farmers who raised the seed crop in 21 acres have obtained on an average of 880 kg. of kapas per acre and from this about 400-425 kg.of certified seeds were produced per acre. Hence the per acre profit works out to Rs.12000/- Besides the direct profit, they also gained rich experience in seed production.
Trainings
These farmers also participated in a training programme organised by the Department of Seed Certification on 11.9.2000 and shared their experiences. They have planned for seed production in the coming years also.
From the 8925 kgs.of seeds produced in the village an area of 2231 acres could be raised. This facilitate production of pure cotton and will in turn fetch higher returns to the farmers.
G.Perumalsamy,SCO,Coimbatore-1
FOR SEED PRODUCERS
Dormancy in Paddy Seeds-a study
Though seed is a living material, its potentiality to give raise a crop could not be expressed immediately after the harvest due to internal biochemistry eventhough favourable conditions are provided. Thus the seed need a resting period before it is sown for raising the crop. Use of seeds before the said period will also result in poor germination.
A study was undertaken in the STL at Thanjavur to find out the germination behaviour of different paddy varieties.
SOURCE
The study was conducted from the paddy varieties collected from Soil and Water Management Institute, Kattuthottam of Thanjavur district. I.W.Ponni, TRT 1, CO 43, ADT 38, ADT 39, ADT 44 and CR 1009 varieties were taken up for the study. The seeds were collected immediately after harvest with a moisture level ranging from 13.4 to 13.8% . All the seed samples were dried to bring down the moisture level to 13%.
METHODOLOGY
400 seeds were taken and placed at 100 seeds on replication in 4 replications. The germination study was conducted under controlled conditions by maintaining the temperature at 25 degree C and RH at 90% Adequate light was also provided.
MEDIA FOR GERMINATION
Sand media was utilised for the study. Observations were taken from the first day onwards upto 14th day. Adequate moisture was also maintained throughout the study.
OBSERVATIONS
The samples were studied for its germination. The number of days taken in each variety to bring 80% germination was arrived at.
ASD 19 I.W.Ponni Try 1 CO 43 ADT 38 ADT 39 ADT 44 CR 1009 RESULTS
All the varieties under observations showed a particular period of dormancy. The number of days varies from variety to variety. The medium duration variety I.W.Ponni took 18 days to get 80% germination. ASD 19 took 29 days, TRY 1 and CO 43 took 26 days, ADT 39 took 36 days and ADT 38 days. The long duration variety ADT 44 took 34 days and CR 1009 took 38 days to get 80% of germination.
UTILITY OF RESULTS
- Based on the dormancy, the processing operations can be planned.
- Can avoid seed sampling before the dormancy period
- In case of need for germination test before the dormancy period the STL may be requested for special treatments to break the dormancy.
- Certification can be planned according.
D.Sivaraman,STO,Thanjavur.
LET US KNOW ABOUT VARIETIES
PADDY TRY-2
- High yielding
- short duration, suitable for saline and alkaline soils.
- Long slender grains
- tolerant to blast disease
- higher recovery in hulling
- Parents -IET 6238 x IR 36
- Duration - 115-120 days
- Season -Kuruvai (June-July) & Navarai (December-January)
- Yield - 5362 kg/ha
- Suitable districts: All parts of Tamilnadu especially suited for saline and alkaline soils.
THE FARMERS CAN BECOME SEED PRODUCERS
Seed is the basic input for Agricultural production. Availability of good quality seed in time and at reasonable price forms the basis in successful crop production. For the present status only 16% of the total seed requirement is alone meet with certified and quality seeds. The fate of the raising 84% farmers stands as or question mark. Under these circumstances, the Govt.canot provide adequate seeds for the entire farming community. The farmers should incucate the practice of producing seeds for their requirement instead of depending on external resources for seed. This is feasible if some efforts are taken.
Any farmer could obtain foundation seeds from the nearby Agrl.Extn.Centre or Research station. The crop raised shall be registered with the department of Seed Certification within 35 days after sowing by remitting a fee of Rs.25 per sowing report. The field inspections varies from crop to crop.
The seed Certirfication Officer will inspect the seed farms at appropriate stages and will guide in identification and removal of off types and objectionable weed plants. During the final field inspection the Seed Certification Officer will also estimate the seed yield.
The fieldrun produce should be dried properly to bring down the moisture level to the standared levels. Adequate care should be taken not to expose the seeds to hot sun light. The dried produce canbe be moved to the approved Seed Processing Unit the processing work will be taken up under the supervision of the S.C.O. and after seed sampling and testing the certification will be offered by attaching certification tag in the seed containers and sealed. If the farmers taken up seed production -
- Genetically pure seed can be obtained
- self requirement is fulfiled
- can share the seeds to neighbouring farms
- Import cost on seed is minimised
- chance to adopt the techniques directly.
We have all the potential to produce seeds for our requirement. We shall avoid dependancy for seeds with external resources and make ourself self sufficient. The Department of seed Certification is prepared to extend all support including training for seed production
M.V.Krishnarajan, SCO(Try),O/o DSC,Coimbatore
Trainings
Orientation training was conducted from 3.9.2001 to 13.9.2001 to the newly joined officials of the Dept. of Seed Certification. 50 Officials participated in this training programme.
COMPUTER TIT BIT
Self test facility is available in the Computer. If the printer do not work in self test,call upon Service Engineer to rectify the defects. The general problems encountered in printer are communication failure, error in port connections, improper power connections, end in ribbon movement, toner and ink catridge problems. These shall be periodically watched and corrected for efficient running of the printer.
Published by Directorate of Seed Certification, Coimbatore- 13.
Visit us @ www.seedtamilnadu.com ,
e mail- dsctn@rediffmail.com