Krishi Jagran Agriculture World September 2016

Volume II | Issue 9 | September| 2016 `70

ISSN 2455-8184

AGRICULTURE

W RLD The Pulse

Global Agriculture

Need for a National Crop Protection Policy

Echoing Sustainable Environment and Agriculture krishi.jagran

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AGRICULTURE WORLD The Pulse

Volume 2 Issue 9 September 2016 Total Page- 44

Global Agriculture

CONTENTS IN THIS ISSUE

Editor-in-Chief MC Dominic Directors Shiny Emanuel MG Vasan

Pappu Rai Mohit Furkan Qureshi Shahzeb Ahmed Kanchan Singh Karishma Lehri Aayesha Khan Pawan Kumar

Sr. Executive Editors Dr. KT Chandy RK Teotia Ajith Kumar V R

Head Pre-Press Alka Gupta

Technical Editor Dr. B C Biswas

Sr. Graphic Designer Yogesh Kumar

Assistant Editor Ruby Jain

Accounts Udit Mittal K. B Indra

Social Media Head Aniket Sinha Sr. Correspondents Imran Khan Snigdha Choudhury

O ce Assistant Devender Kumar Jagdish Jana Prem Kumar Rajiv

Correspondents Manish Chauhan Sameer Tiwari Deepshikha Jyoti Sharma Vipin Mishra Dhanya M.H.

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Marketing Head Sanjay Kumar GM - Marketing Farha Khan Sr. Manager Marketing Mukundan Nair K J Saranya Sara Khan Saurabh Kumar Marketing Manager Megha Sharma Afsana Malik Sr. Executive Marketing Chunki Bhutia Poonam Bishwakarma Rinki Pundir Laxmi Pandey Soniya Mahajan Shifali Mahajan Preeti Chauhan Hema Sharma Rajni Kumari Meena Pandey Vanita Singh Meenu Koli Laxmi Koli Priyanka Rinky Vishwakarma Circulation Head Nishant K Taak Circulation Manager Rahul Singh Abdus Samad Sr. Executive Circulation Prashant Sharma Anku Yadav

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Hybrid Seed Production In Cotton...................................................................8 Need for a National Crop Protection Policy...................................................12

Agricultural Literacy..............................................24

Honey Bees Under Grave Threat............................27

Interview..............................................................34

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Agriculture World is published by Krishi Jagran Media Group.

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News..................................................................36

EDITORIAL

T

he role of hybrid seeds in Cotton production is well acknowledged by farmers in India who are perhaps totally ignorant of the hybrid seed production techniques. S. Shiva and B. S. Beniwal outlined the basic

procedures in hybrid cotton seed production in a simple way in their article on " Hybrid Seed Production in Cotton."

It is a national crime to expect the illiterate farmers to control the pests of his crops himself. Do you expect a common man to treat his own children when they are sick? Asking this most pertinent question by Dr. K.T. Chandy in his article " Need for National Crop Protection Policy" puts forward his arguments for a national crop protection policy in India which should hold the agriculture department responsible for crop protection.

India is a land of people with too much of traditional beliefs. This is more true in Agriculture related occupations than many other sections.

Most Indian farmers operate under the sway of seasonal variations. Against this background Rajju Shroff highlighted the need for agriculture literacy in his article.

The silent service done to the humanity by the ubiquitous and humming honey bees is never recognized enough anywhere in the world. Extensive use of Pesticides exterminates them in large numbers is a silent truth which is still to be highlighted. That role was partially accomplished by the authors P. Bhandari and Nayana E.D. M C Dominic Editor�in�Chief dominic@krishijagran.com

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Hybrid Seed Production In Cotton

HYBRID SEED PRODUCTION IN COTTON Commercial, hybrids have the greatest potential for crops in which the hybrid seed production is economically feasible. Hybrids have contributed to increase productivity and better quality of cotton in India.

Cotton is an important fibre crop and it has largest area under hybrids. India has low productivity as compare to other countries like USA and China. There is a need to give more emphasis on production of high yielding hybrid.

Based on method of seed production, cotton hybrids are of two types viz. conventional hybrids and male sterility based hybrids. Majority of cotton hybrids is developed by conventional method, i.e. by hand emasculation and pollination.

INTRODUCTION Cotton is an important fibre crop and it plays an important role in the national economy both in the rural and urban sectors, contributing 65% of the raw material for the textile industry. To make the productivity of Indian cotton comparable to other countries like USA and China, there is a need to give more emphasis on production of high yielding hybrid.

Commercial, hybrid have the greatest potential for crops in which the hybrids seed production is economically feasible. The most common type of commercial hybrids is a single cross between two unrelated lines (A x B). Single

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cross usually provide the greatest opportunity for expression of hybrid vigour and have higher yields than other types of hybrids e.g., double cross, three way cross hybrids. There are four biological requirements for successful hybrid seed programme viz. presence of hybrid vigour, elimination of fertile pollen in the female plant, fertility restoration system in pollinator (In CGMS system) and effective pollination of the seed parent.

Hybrid vigour has been recognized as a widespread phenomenon in crop plants. Its potential was recognized first in maize for increasing yield.

Procedures were developed for

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harnessing the vigour by producing commercial hybrids. At present hybrid seed production is taken up by public and private seed organizations like National and State Seed Corporations, Central State Farms Corporation, ITC, Mahyco, Pioneer etc.In northern India, hybrid seed production has been neglected mainly due to unfavorable climatic conditions and on administrative grounds. The seed for this zone is being produced in southern states e.g. Andhra Pradesh. Gujarat, Maharashtra TamilNadu and Karnataka, But the technological advances in hybrid seed production has indicated the possibility of successful seed

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Hybrid Seed Production In Cotton

production of hybrid in northern India.

Hybrid cottons have made India first in the world in various ways viz. (1) development of first commercial hybrid (2) development and release of first interspecific hybrid, (3) development of first male sterility based hybrid (4) development of first diploid hybrid (5) development of first GMS in G. arboretum (6) development of first GMS base diploid hybrid (7) largest area under hybrids and (8) largest production of long and extra-long staple cotton.

Hybrid Seed Production Thus, hybrids have contributed to increase productivity and better quality of cotton in India. Based on method of seed production, cotton hybrids are of two types viz. conventional hybrids and male sterility based hybrids. Majority of cotton hybrids is developed by conventional method, i.e. by hand emasculation and pollination. Very few hybrids have been developed with male sterility. In cotton, both genetic and cytoplasmic genetic male sterility systems are available.

Hybrid seed production methods are discussed below: Conventional Method In this method, hybrid seed production is carried out by hand emasculation and pollination.

Breeder/ foundation seed of male and female parents is used for the production of hybrid seed. This ensures genetic purity in seed production. The female and male

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parents are planted in the same field in separate plots in 4:1 or 5:1 ratio.

The sowing of parental material is done in such a way that there should be nicking in the flowering time of both the parents. Nicking in flowering can be achieved by staggered planting of parents. The off type plants are rouged out before initiation of crossing program.

Crossing work is started after one week of flowering initiation.

Flower buds, which are likely to open the next day, are chosen for emasculation. Anthers of selected buds are removed gently with the help of nail and covered with tissue paper bag of red colour to prevent natural outcrossing. The best time for emasculation is 3 to 6pm.

Emasculated buds are pollinated the next day with the pollen of male parent. The best time for pollination is 8 to 11 a.m. for south and central zone and 9 a.m. to 12.00 noon for north zone because stigma receptivity is maximum during this period. Generally, 4-5 buds are pollinated by one flower of male parent. After pollination, the red tissue paper bags are replaced by white tissue paper bags for identification. A label of thread is also tied on the pedicel for identification. In cotton, fertilization occurs after 12-30 hours of pollination. Hence, the cross-buds should remain covered for 3-4 days after pollination. The straw tube used for cold drink is also used for covering the stigma of emasculated buds before and after pollination.

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Following are some important aspects for manual hybrids seed production in cotton.  Selection of right type of bud, removal of calyx, corolla and androecium whorl by thumb nail method, protecting by isolation, pollination at right time, chanced pollination prevention by removal of uncrossed flowers, identification of emasculated bud and crossed boll etc. are important steps for high purity and high setting percentage.  Administrative, financial and managerial systems for crossed seed production in handling labour force, field inspection, harvest/picking, ginning and seed processing besides grow out test for genetic purity are crucial factors for success in the enterprise.  Hybrid seed production in Asiatic cotton hybrids is very cumbersome, costly and low yielding because of which progress is very tardy and low. Seed setting in Diploid is 25 per cent and in tetraploid is about 40-45 per cent.

Male Sterility Method This method is used for hybrid seed production of only those hybrids that have been developed using male sterility. Use of male sterility reduces the cost of emasculation. Pollination has to be done manually.There are two type of male sterility systems are used in cotton, viz. genetic male sterility and cytoplasmic genetic male sterility. The very first genetic male sterile line of G. arboretum (GMS1-DS-5) has been developed and used by CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar. This GMS is controlled by single recessive gene.

1. Genetic Male Sterility In cotton, Gregg male sterility source is used. The male sterility is transferred to the female parent through backcross technique. The male sterility is governed by two recessive genes (ms5, ms6).

Heterozygous male sterile genotypes, which segregate at one locus only is identified. Cross-of this male sterile genotype with krishijagran.com

fertile line will always produce male sterile and male fertile plants in 1:1 ratio. Fertile plants are identified only when flowering starts. These are removed. The male sterile plants are pollinated with the pollen of male parent to get hybrid seed. In case of male sterile parent, 3-4 seeds should be sown per hill, because 50 per cent of the population (male fertile) has to be removed when flowering starts.

2. Cytoplasmic Genetic Male Sterility In cotton, Gossypium harkenssii

cytoplasm is used as a source of cytoplasmic genetic male sterility.

The male sterility is transferred to the female parent and restorer gene to the male parent by backcross technique. The male sterile and restorer lines are planted in the same field but in separate plots in 4:1 or 5:1 ratio. The crop is grown at wider spacing under irrigated conditions to get continuous flush of flowers for seed production.

Crossing is started after one week of flower initiation. The male sterile parent (female) is pollinated with the pollen of restorer (male)

parent. After pollination, flowers are covered with tissue paper bags to avoid natural outcrossing with other plants.

Reasons for unsuccessful of hybrid cotton in north zone:  High cost of hybrid seed  Unsuitability for double cropping system  Cold weather during boll opening  High temperature during sowing time  High yield potential of varieties

Factor (I) (ii) (iii) (a)

Foundation

Land requirement Field inspection Isolation distance (minimum) in Mtrs.

From field other varieties of same species

(b)

From field of other varieties of different species (c) Between blocks of the parental lines of same hybrid (iv) Off types (maximum) in % Pollen shedding plants in seed parent

Certified

Free of volunteer plants 3

Free of volunteer plants 4

50

30

5

5

-

5

0.10 0.05

0.50 0.10

(b)Seed standards Factor Pure seeds (Minimum) Inter Matter (Maximum) Other Crop Seeds (Maximum) Weed Seeds (Maximum) Genetic Purity (%) Germination (Minimum) in % Moisture (maximum) in % a) Ordinary container b) Vapour Proof Container Isolation distance (Mtrs.)

Off types (%)

Foundation seed 98% 2% 5/Kg 5/Kg 99 65

Certified seed 98% 2% 10/Kg 10/Kg 98 65

Hybrid seed certified 98% 2% 10/Kg 10/Kg 90 75

10 6 50 0.10

10 6 30 0.20

10 6 0.50

Sukhdeep Singh Sivia and Baldeep Singh Beniwal CCS Haryana Agriculture University, Hisar-125004, India.

E Mail: sukhdeepsinghsivia@gmail.com

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Hybrid Seed Production In Cotton

Table: Seed certification standard of cotton (a)Field standard

Crop Protection Policy

Need for a National Crop Protection Policy The responsibility to control crop pests should be vested on the agriculture department just like the treatment of human and animal disease control is vested on the health and veterinary departments. It is a national crime to expect the illiterate farmer to control the pests of his crops himself.

Do you expect a common man to treat his own children when they are sick?

There should be a National Pest Control Policy and a Board to take the responsibility of controlling all the crop pests and diseases.

This is a national policy to be promulgated and implemented urgently.

The purpose of this article is to enforce this idea into the minds of planners and policy makers of this country.

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Crop Protection Policy

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Crop Protection Policy

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Crop Protection Policy

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Crop Protection Policy

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Crop Protection Policy

Dr. K.T. Chandy Senior Execu ve Editor Krishi Jagran krishijagran.com

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Agricultural Literacy

Agricultural Literacy

R

ecently, the Reserve Bank of India's governor Raghuram Rajan stressed the need for increasing “financial literacy” among Indians and proposed its inclusion in the school curriculum.

Yes, financial literacy is important at the micro and macro level. But, as important as the financial literacy is agricultural literacy for Indians.

What is agricultural literacy?

Agricultural literacy is a contemporary phrase used to describe awareness about agriculture with students and public at large. The people – both young and old- need to understand the value of agriculture in their daily life.

Agriculture encompasses, in addition to biology, economics, technology, politics, sociology, international relations and trade and environment (Moore 1987).

Agricultural literacy is expected to bestow a person with a basic understanding of all these.

Necessity of Agricultural Literacy for Indians Every literate Indian would know and frequently lament that India ranks second in the world Sector Services Industry Agriculture

World GDP 49669 23857 4771

population. But how many literate Indians do know that India now ranks second in agricultural production, too?

How many literate Indians do know that agriculture is the largest private sector enterprise in India? Our agriculture engages over 260 million farmers and farm labourers producing an output of $367 billion(2014).

As per the 2011 Census, the share of female workers in the rural areas was 30% whereas in the urban areas it was only 15%. In other words, Indian agricultural sector provides more employment to women without reservation and government intervention!

Between 2000 and 2015, the Indian population increased by 25%. However, India's agricultural production increased by 350% during this period.

How many literate Indians know this?

India's global share and rank is pretty dismal in both services and the industrial sectors. But our country ranks very high in agriculture. How many literate Indians are aware of this? The table below carries the latest data on this.

India's GDP 1185 495 367

India's Share 2% 2% 8%

India's rank 11 12 2

Value:$billion Source: IMF data downloaded from www.statisticstimes.com

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mixed crop-livestock production system is the most dominant farming method. This model of inclusive agriculture achieves manifold biological, ecological, environmental social bene its and highly sustainable.

India's crop diversity is the highest in the world. India grows and uses a variety of crops under each category. For example, the list of iber crops grown in India includes: Cotton, Jute, Mesta, Coir (coconut), Banana, Bamboo, Sunhemp, Flax, Agave, Pineapple, Palmyra leaves etc. Cotton originated in Harappan (Indus valley) in India in 2300-1750 BC. India had a lourishing export trade in cotton in the 6th century BC. Cotton made its appearance in Europe from India through UK only in the 13th century AD. India is now the largest producer/exporter of cotton. How many literate Indians, including students do know this glorious history of cotton and India's leadership? The literate Indians know about cotton only as a crop allegedly causing maximum number of farmers' suicides in India -a sinister stigmatization propagated by activists in the mass media.

From history, let us come to the present. India received de icient monsoon rains over the last two years. Many states have been hit by drought.

More than 34 crore people in 246 districts are facing effects of drought. There is acute shortage

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Agricultural Literacy

India's global rank in overall merchandize exports is a poor 19 whereas in agricultural exports, it is as high as 6. This empirically demonstrates the global competitiveness of India's agricultural goods. How many literate Indians do realize this?

How many literate Indians do know that I n d i a' s fo re i g n exc h a n g e e a r n i n g s f ro m international trade of agricultural products are higher than from services/ industrial trade?

Over 70% of the food grains produced globally are used as animal feed. But India is very different.

Food grains form our staple food. The average consumption of meat in the world is 42 kgs/person/year whereas it is a mere 4 kgs/person/year. The top three foods in terms of value and volume consumed in India are : Vegetables > Milk > Rice. India's food economy is, therefore, very different from the rest of the world.

India's agricultural production systems are very different too. India's small farms( Av. size 1.16 ha) are multifunctional producing a variety of agricultural, horticultural and livestock products.

The aggregate agricultural output/ha/year in India is higher than countries like USA that practice large-scale, industrialized and capitalintensive farming.

Indian agriculture is inclusive agriculture as

Agricultural Literacy

of water. But, do we face acute shortage of food supplies? The food grains procurement (mainly rice and wheat) by the central government is a record high in 2016. (Well one may immediately think of high prices prevailing for pulses. I don't think drought alone played a major role in the shortfall of pulses). The latest news is that the sale of white goods such as refrigerators and air conditioners in rural areas has registered 100% growth this summer. Our agriculture is diverse and much more resilient than generally recognized.

Let us repeat the core question: How many literate Indians do know all these facts and hold our agriculture in high esteem? Very few indeed.

The chronic, one sided, biased and unchallenged propaganda against Indian agriculture is doing great harm to our country. It has become socially fashionable to look down upon and belittle our agriculture. What an irony!

Dr. R. Kelly Garrett Asst. Professor of

Communication at Ohio State University, USA cautions that when people are presented with facts that contradict their false beliefs/biases , they might stick to their false beliefs/biases more tightly out of ego. Nevertheless, eorts to correct the false beliefs should be taken.

Mass communication of more nuanced facts about Indian agriculture would certainly begin the era of informed public opinion. Here comes the need and relevance of agricultural literacy.

Rajju Shroff Chairman UPL Limited shroffrd@uniphos.com

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O

ver the past decade, there has been an alarming decline in honey bee populations around the world, with many colonies dying and disappearing mysteriously. In order to attain high production there has been indiscriminate use of pesticides since decade, certain pesticides has been revealed as highly toxic to bees and other pollinators, and their use can have lethal and sub-lethal effects on developing bee population. As an addition, pest resistance, pest resurgence and development of insect's bio types and plant pathogenic species lead to discovery of new pesticide molecules and some of them has been recognized as extremely persistent and accumulate in the environment and agro eco-systems which is the shared eco- systems for beneficial insects and micro –organisms along with co–existing pollinations mainly include Honey bees as major pollinator for open pollinating crops.

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There are about 20,000 species of “bees” in the world. Some species are Apismellifera linnaeus, Apiscerana fabricius, Apisflorea fabricius, Apisdorsata fabricius, Apislaboriosa smith, Apiskoschevnikovi buttel-reepen, Apisandreniformis smith, Apisnulensis tingek, Apisnigrocincta smith etc.

The characteristics of the major honey bee species are depicted in table 1.

The European honey bee (Apismellifera) is the most widely managed crop pollinator in the world.

Native bees like Apisceranaindica, apisdorsata, Trigonairidipennisare also important crop pollinators, they provide a free pollination for vegetable and fruits crops.

Bees are one of a myriad of other animals, including birds, bats, beetles,and butterflies, called pollinators. Pollinators transfer pollen from one flower to another, fertilizing the plant so it can grow AGRICULTURE WORLD | SEPTEMBER 2016

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Bees : Under Pesticide Threat

HONEY BEES UNDER GRAVE THREAT

Table No.1 Species

Nest building

Comb

Worker size

Body color

Distribution

A.mellifa

cavity

multiple

medium

various

Europe and Africa

A. cerana

cavity

multiple

medium

various

Asia

A. florea

open

single

small

various

Persian gulf countries, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Southeast and Southwestern Asia, China, Indonesia, Borneo, and Philippines

A. dorsata

open

single

large

various

A. laborisa

open

single

large

various

India, Bangladesh, Southeast Asia, Southwestern China, Nepal, Malaysia, Indonesia, Borneo and Philippines.

Himalayan mountains,

Bees : Under Pesticide Threat

1300 to 4100 m altitude.

A. koschevnik

cavity

A.andreniformis open

multiple

medium

red

single

small

various

Northern Borneo Southeast Asia, southern China, Malaysia, Borneo.

A.nulensis

cavity

multiple

medium

and produce food. Pollinators support the reproduction of nearly 85% of the word's flowering plant and 35% of the global crop production (Are neonicotinoieds killing bees- Jennfer 2012).

Our intense agricultural practices have greatly affected the pollination by using increased use of pesticides, so that reduction in the number of wild colonies. Increased values of both bees and the crops they pollinate have all added to the importance of protecting bees from pesticides.

ROLE OF BEE POLLINATION IN CROP PRODUCTIVITY Honey bees play a critical role in agricultural production. One in every three bites of food we eat depends on a crop pollinated by honey bees, and about 90% of all flowering plants require pollinators to reproduce and survive (Pollinators & Pesticides).In agriculture, nearly a third of pollination is accomplished by honeybees are Cucumbers, almonds, carrots, melons, apricots, cherries, pears, apples, prunes, plums, cantaloupe, onions, avocados, kiwi, blueberries, cranberries and more depend on honeybee pollination. Honey bees may be more effective pollinators due to their colony size (up to 60,000 honey bee workers), especially their foragial legs and body having plumose hair to pick up pollen

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various

Mountains of Borneo

grains, bees will fly two to three miles from their hive to find sources of food (nectar and pollen). Bees are the most effective pollinators of crops and natural flora and are reported to pollinate over 70 percent. It is estimated that honey bees are worth $14.6 billion to the agricultural industry (Morse and Calderone, 2000).

Use of beekeeping is, therefore, the most

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Table No.2 Impact of honeybee (Apiscerana) pollination on fruit productivity Crop

Apple Peach Plum Citrus Strawberry

Increase In Fruit Set (%) 10 22 13 24 112

Increase In Fruit Weight (%) 33 44 39 35 48

Increase In Fruit Size (Length, Diameter) (%) 15, 10 29, 23 11, 14 9, 35 Mishappen fruits decreased by 50 percent

Table No.3 Impact of honeybee (Apiscerana) pollination on vegetable seed production Crop

Bees : Under Pesticide Threat

Cabbage Cauliflower Radish Broad Leaf Mustard

Increase In Pod Setting (%) 28 24 23 11

Increase In Seed Setting (%) 35 34 24 14

promising method of horticultural crop pollination in the north eastern region. Research has shown that pollination by honey bees increases fruit set, enhances fruit quality and reduces fruit drop in apple (Dutta and Verma, 1987), peach, plum, citrus, kiwi (Gupta et al., 2000) and strawberry (Partap, 2000; Partap et al., 2000, Partap and Partap, 2002). Bee pollination did not only increase the fruit set but also reduced fruit drop in apple, peach, plum and citrus (Dutta and Verma, 1987; Partap, 2000; Partap et al., 2000). Reports have also indicated an increase in fruit juice and sugar content in citrus fruits (Partap, 2000).

In strawberry, bee pollination reportedly reduces the percentage of mishappen fruits (Partap, 2000). It has been estimated that the benefit of using honeybees for enhancing crop yields through cross-pollination is much higher than their role as producers of honey and beeswax. References: Verma and Dutta, 1987, Partap et al., 2000 Various estimates have been made to prove the economic value of honeybees in agriculture in developed countries (Table 2). Experiments on effect of bee pollination on various crops were conducted by Central Bee Research and Training Institute and various Agricultural Universities under All India Coordinated Project on Honeybee Research and Training (ICAR). The impact on vegetable seed production due to honey bees is given in the Table 3.

The experiment have showed that honeybee pollination enhanced seed production and quality of seed in various vegetable crops such as cabbage, cauliflower, radish, broad leaf mustard and lettuce (Partap and Verma, 1992, 1994).

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Increase In Seed Weight (%) 40 37 34 17

Dependence of some crops on insects for pollination of Oil seeds, Fruits and Vegetables seeds: Sunflower 100 %, Grape Fruit 80 %, Pumpkin 90 %, Safflower 100 %, Lemon 20 %, Water Melon 70 %, Rape seed 100 %, Vegetable seed 100 %,Niger 100% ,Strawberry 40 %.

Four indigenous species of honey bees are recognized from India, these are Apiscerana, A. dorsata, A. florae and A. andreniformes. The Indian hive bee Apiscerana and rock bee Apisdorsata are the most abundant and predominant pollinators in the region for cross pollinated crops including vegetables which constitute 46 and 42%, respectively of the total pollinators population. Other insect visitors are little bee Apis florae (Bumble bee) Bombushaemorrhoidalis and B. tunicatus(Carpenter bee), Xylocopaaestuans(Alkali bee) Nomiacuruipes(Leaf cutter bee), Megachileumbripennis (Sweet bee), Halictusalbescens (Drone flies) Ishcodon (Scutellarisand Episyrphusbalteatus). Promoting use of beekeeping for pollination of horticultural crops will be of benefit to both the beekeeper who will receive money for the pollination services of his honeybees and harvest honey and to the farmer whose income will be increased through boosting crop productivity as a result of pollination services of bees.

EFFECT OF PESTICIDES ON BEES Bess are poisoned by insecticides when they absorb toxin through exoskeleton, drink tainted nectar and when insecticidal dusts become trapped in their pollen collecting hairs. These poisonings may occur directly in the field when pesticides are applied.

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memories (Protecting Honey Bees from Chemical Pesticides).

HOW BEES CAN BE PROTECTED FROM PESTICIDE POISONING Read the pesticide label. Pesticides and formulations which pose a special hazard to bees are required to include a notification on the label. Choose an insecticide of low toxicity to bees that will provide the needed pest control.Dust and wettable powder formulations tend to be more hazardous to bees than granules and emulsifiable concentrates. Whenever possible, do not treat crops in bloom.

If treatments are needed during bloom, such as for silking sweet corn, choose a short-residual material.

Make applications during the evening, when fresh pollen is enclosed within corn anthers and protected from insecticide contamination. Apply pesticides when bees are not actively foraging.

Honey bees are active primarily during the morning and early afternoon. Many pesticides can be effectively applied in the late afternoon or evening with relative safety to bees. Evening treatments may also help control the moths (adult stage) of many crop pests that are active and laying their eggs at night. Minimize spray drift onto adjacent crops or other plants in bloom. (protecting honey bees from pesticide poisoning).

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques should be used to minimize pesticide use and risk to bees. By promoting beneficial insects to prey on pests, disrupting pest's habitat and using least-toxic products when necessary, IPM methods can provide effective, cost-effect pest control while reducing risks to pollinators.

Precautions during Pesticide Application and Pesticide Applicator · Insecticides should not be applied during blooming period of main crop and cover crops or adjacent crops, if any.

Ground application should preferred in comparison with aerial application as causes less drift of the pesticides. · Application of certain chemicals only in late evening, night, or early morning while bees are not actively foraging (generally between 6 p.m. and 7 a.m. in the north and 8:30 p.m. to 4 a.m. in the south) because evening applications are generally less hazardous to bees

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Bees : Under Pesticide Threat

However mortality can occur hours after the application where toxic residues still persist.

Poisoning may also disproportionably affects smaller bee species. in addition to directly killing adult bees, insecticides may be carried back to the nest in contaminated pollen or nectar and fed to developing brood where these brood food or vegetation is contaminated larval mortality may occur. some insecticides have detrimental sub-lethal effects. these can include disorientation disruption of movement, reduced reproduction and paralysis (Organic approved pesticide).

The neonicotinioids are a relatively new class of insecticides that impact the central nervous system of insects. They act either as contact insecticides or applied to plants, they are translocated throughout the plant tissue, making all parts of the plant toxic to pests that ingest them(Imidacloprid, Clothianidin, acetamiprid, thiamethoxam, References (E. C R E S S W E L L , V I N C E N T G A RY, M I C H E L LAMBIN,J.INVERTEBR PATHEL, KEVIN A FORD, JOHN T, AMBROSE, R. MICHAEL ROE) etc.

For example: "Clothianidin is highly toxic to honey bees on an acute basis (LD50>0.0439 mg/bee). It has the potential for toxic chronic exposure to honey bees, as well as other non-target pollinators through the translocation of Clothianidin residues in nectar and pollen. In honey bees, the affects of this toxic chronic exposure may include lethal and/or sub-lethal effects in the larvae and reproductive effects on the queen".

[EPA Fact Sheet on Clothianidin]. Documented sublethal affects of neonicotinoids include physiological affects that impact enzyme activity leading to impairment of olfaction memory. Behavioral affects are reported on motor activity that impact navigation and orientation and feeding behavior. Additional research has found that Imidacloprid impairs the memory and brain metabolism of bees, particularly the area of the brain that is used for making new

Bees : Under Pesticide Threat

than early morning applications. However with increasing temperatures bees starts foraging earlier or continue later than usual (5:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.) shift time accordingly. · Insecticides should not be applied when temperatures are expected to be unusually low or on nights when fog/dews occur as pesticide residues will remain toxic to bees for a much longer time under such conditions. · Spraying equipment should be washed properly and should not be kept in or near unused dusts as sometimes bees collect fine dust material when pollen is not readily available and this may lead to pesticide poisoning by carrying pesticide dusts back to the colony. · As insecticides in dusts formulation are more hazardous than EC (liquid formulation) and Granular formulations of the same insecticide therefore may be selected as preferable formulation to cause less hazards to the honey bees. · If possible ,before application of hazardous pesticides the beekeeper may be intimated and advised to remove colonies from the area or keep the bees confined and safe during the application period · Among weedicides arsenicals and DNOSBP are highly toxic therefore may be avoided or substituted with safer molecules.

PESTICIDES WHICH ARE RELATIVE HAZARDS SPECIFIC TO HONEY BEES. Highly toxic to Honey Bees: Acephate, Aldicarb, Avermectin, Bendiocarb, Carbaryl, Carbosulfan, Chlorpyrifos, Deltamethrin Moderately toxic to honey bees: Chlordane, Demeton, Disulfoton, Dimecron, Dimethoate, Fenitrothion, Fensulfothion, Fenthion,

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Fevalerate, Lindane, Malathion, Methiocarb, Methomyl, Parathion Propoxur, Resmethrin, TeppPhorate, Thiodicarb Relatively Nontoxic To Honey Bees Alachlor, Amitraz, Atrazine, Bacillus thuringiensis, Bordeaux mixture Bromocil, Butylate, Cacodylic Acid, Captafol, Carboxin, Chlorfenvinphos, Chloramben, Chlorothalonil, Copper oxychloride sulfate Copper sulfate, Dialifo, Dibromochloropropane, Dicamba, Diflubenzuron, Dinitrocyclohexylphenol, Dinocap, Dioxathion, DiquatEthionFolpet, Glyphosate, Mancozeb, Metalaxyl, Methoprene are protecting honey bees from pesticide poisoning.

CONCLUSION Honey bees are the small and hard-working insects actually make it possible for many of our favorite foods to reach your table. From apples to almonds to the pumpkin in our pies, we have bees to thank. Other than pollination activity, there are many value-added products that can be produced from the honey bees, are honey, wax, pollen, royal jelly etc.

Therefore the present required step is to save our best pollinator with indiscriminate use thereby impact of pesticides.

P.Bhandari and Nayana, E. D. Institute of Pesticide Formulation Technology, Gurgaon Email: dr_pbhandari@rediffmail.com krishijagran.com

Interview

Solar Pump Maintenance

Essential Need of Farmers: Sandip Ghosh

L

ife in those brick walls and concrete houses comes to halt when the sun goes down. It becomes challenging for the children to concentrate under the dim glow of candle light and for anyone to carry out any activities in the gloomy atmosphere. However, this picture can slightly be flipped if Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision to run at least one light bulb by 2019 with the help of solar is successfully fulfilled.

Jakson, a company established in 1947 has been instrumental in promoting the use of solar energy on daily basis and also forayed in retail solar projects as well as in solar ower generation. Quite recently, their project of electrifying an entire village, first to be completely powered by solar energy in Baripatha village, 25 km southeast of Bhubaneswar in Orissa won them an 'Outstanding Solar Project' award in the Intersolar Europe 2016 Award. Here is an interview with the company's Executive Vice President Sandip Ghosh by the Krishi Jagran team: What services are you providing for solar energy use in India?

We have four departments in Solar Energy- first,

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AGRICULTURE WORLD | SEPTEMBER 2016

we have our own solar plant, second- we have EPC for the big plants and rooftops, the third-solar product systems and the fourth is what we do for ONM. So, in solar product and system, we provide lot of rural as well as EPC sectors.

In which sub-sector is your company mainly focusing on - commercial or rural?

In rural sector, we have products for homelighting system, batteries, solar pump and LED lights.

For Commercial basis, we have the big mega-watt plants and rooftops. So, our area of expertise is concerned in both the sectors equally.

Which major states are you dealing for in the rural sector for solar energy?

Our presence today practically is all over India, but major states focused are UP, Bihar, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Orissa. Our presence is also in Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and all the other states.

What are your CSR activities in the rural sector?

In two and a half days, we have been successful in electrifying the Baripatha village where street lights krishijagran.com

What is the message to farmers who are not really acquainted with the idea of solar energy use?

It is a very important thing for farmers to understand that government can help them in getting the electricity up to certain extent. The electricity through fossil fuels like coal, petroleum, etc is quite expensive. If a farmer expects that he will not pay for that, then government cannot keep on paying for them. The message is, in order to get continuous power supply to their homes, farmers should pay for the same. It is expensive to produce and it is expensive to mine. Whatever government subsidy comes for the home lighting system and street lights, they should try to maintain it. To get uninterrupted power supplies for Agricultural operations, solar energy is the best option. The most important thing is the maintenance of the solar pump and to replace the inefficient existent pump.

Green Signal for GM Mustard

'Luna Experience' for Grapes : a Bayer Launch

News

and schools have been given AC power supply through our power cuts. Individual homes has been given the lithium based battery system which is normal tube-light. This project helped us to bag the 'Outstanding Solar Project' category in the Intersolar Europe 2016 Award. Jakson is the first and only Indian company to win this prestigious award.

How are your products more efficient than others?

The rural India is very price sensitive. We see that a lot of materials are being imported from China that is highly unreliable. We make all the products in India in our company; we have our own module plant, electronics factory and have a huge network of service through our dealers and distributors. This is a 'Make in India' effort. Also, we invest in a lot of money on Research and Development, so our accuracy rate is quite significant.

T

he Environment Ministry placed a report in public domain on the controversial Genetically Modified Mustard saying it does 'not pose any risk of causing any adverse effects on human and animal health and safety'.

The GM crops has been in the news for all the wrong reason flooding controversy gates and being one of the most politically sensitive topic as many activists and farmer groups strongly opposed it on the grounds of those crops causing huge adverse impacts on human and animal health.

“The document prepared by the subcommittee has been placed on the website for comments by stakeholders and general public for a period of 30 days. The comments received will be reviewed by the sub-committee and GEAC prior to taking appropriate decision," said the environment ministry in its note.

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Snigdha Choudhury Sameer Tiwari, Deepshikha Krishi Jagran

B

ayer India's Crop Science Division has ushered in a new revolution for the grape value chain with its new fungicide product: Luna Experience.

The product will help grape growers increase the marketability of their produce due to its 'extended grape health' benefit, a company statement issued here.

Extended Grape Health refers to the superior protection provided by Luna against crop quality related diseases like Powdery Mildew as well as latent diseases. Latent infections remain in a dormant stage in the berry and start showing disease symptoms only after harvest, thus affecting the shelf-life.

Speaking about the new product offering, Peter Mueller, Head of South Asia, Bayer Crop Science Division, said, “Luna Experience will fulfill the need of Indian farmers for a revolutionary, new molecule for Powdery Mildew Management in grapes. With Luna, grape growers can achieve excellent harvest quality, while minimizing post-harvest losses. Moreover, Luna will also benefit grape exporters as it will maintain the health and freshness of grapes for a longer time by protecting against latent diseases. Ultimately, endconsumers will benefit from a large variety of high-quality fresh produce.” krishijagran.com

Subsidy to Promote Solar Energy Use: MNRE

T

he future of India lies in villages. This saying subtly yet significantly describes the classic image of a man holding a plough breaking sweat in the fields, farmers who plays a crucial role in feeding the lives of many.

However, there have been many developments in the technology of agriculture sector; it still lags behind in comparison to other sectors.

The picture of the large-scale usage of solar power in the agriculture sector is still hazy as the cost of using solar power is over the odds than the user,” he said. electricity.

The use of solar energy in India especially in So how much does the the rural areas is yet to be a cost (per unit) of solar energy compare with the The constraint is the support favoured concept. So how does India fair globally in cost of electricity? “It is from the state government, using solar energy? “In difficult to compare, in they have to top up the solar pumps, India is the case of rural sector if you take the cost of electricity additional subsidy so that the number one in the world,” declared the MNRE in grid connected, it is initial cost will be reduced director. roughly upto Rs 4. In case for the user. of agriculture sector, you can't compare it with grid connected power because PUMP NUMBERS of decentralizing nature, small plants as the Rajsthan production cost will be more compared to grid Andhra Pradesh connected although it is a reliable power,” said Odisha G. Prasad, Director, Ministry of New and Uttar Pradesh Renewable Energy to Krishi Jagran.

Tamil Nadu Solar energy is most useful in the farm sector Chattisgarh mainly for irrigation and other allied activities.

Gujarat Hence, if a farmer chose to draw an exception and Madhya Pradesh use solar power for farming, the government will provide 30 per cent subsidy. “The government Karnataka provides subsidy of 30 per cent to farmers of the Bihar project cost that will vary on the basis of hp “Currently we have 82,582 solar pumps and (Horse Power),” said Prasad. have set a target of one lakh by the end of the year.

Since its initial cost of installation is higher, the government provides incentive of “30 per The government is playing a major role for the cent initial subsidy which is front-end subsidy promotion of solar pumps and in the year 201415, the central govt specially allocated 400 crores and the user has to pay 70 per cent”. for this pumping programme in the rural areas.

However, there are some constraints that the This project also ensures drinking water in the farm sector faces, “The central policy is clear we remote areas,” he added. give 30 % whether they use in rural or urban area.

The constraint is the support from the state government, they have to top up the additional Snigdha Choudhury subsidy so that the initial cost will be reduced for Krishi Jagran

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NEWS

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AGRICULTURE WORLD | SEPTEMBER 2016

krishijagran.com

News

Autonomous Tractor By CNHi CNH Industrial gave the public a glimpse of what the future of agriculture could look like at the 2016 Farm Progress Show in Boone, Iowa, USA. The Company held a public preview of its concept autonomous tractor technology, which is being displayed in two distinct tractor versions. The versions include an entirely cab-less concept Case IH Magnum and a New Holland T8 NHDrive™ concept tractor, which maintains its cab to deliver operating flexibility.

CNH Industrial's Innovation Group has proactively developed concept autonomous technology to help farmers and agribusinesses sustainably boost production and productivity through the ability to make the most of ideal soil and weather conditions, as well as available labor.

Auto-steering and telematics are already available on today's tractors and autonomous technology takes this a significant stage further. Based on the existing Case IH Magnum and New Holland T8 high-horsepower conventional tractors, and using GPS in conjunction with the most accurate satellite correction signals for ultraprecise guidance and immediate recording and transmission of field data, the CNH Industrial autonomous tractor concept has been designed to allow completely remote deployment, monitoring and control of the machines.

CNH Industrial's concept autonomous tractor technology is the next step in the Company's innovation roadmap and holds significant promise for the sustainable and productive future of farming.

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