Blending Traditional Knowledge of Farmers in Agriculture with Modern Scientific Technologies in Union Territory of Puducherry
摘要
Agriculture, the most important occupation for the people of Puducherry, is facing many challenges and constraints. Traditionally farmers have developed several practices to overcome these constraints. Application of tank silt, planting vetiver, kozhinji, bamboo, and application of crop residues as mulch is done regularly by the farmers to conserve the soil from erosion and degradation. In order to maintain the quality of soil, biodynamic preparations are added. The alkaline soils are put into cultivation by growing crops like daincha and sun hemp or by applying pirandai, neem, palmyra, pungam, tamarind fruit shells, etc. Pinching off the terminal shoots to facilitate a greater number of branches, stripping off the lateral branches to induce more lateral branches, and propping in banana are some intercultural operations done traditionally. Nutrient management is done efficiently by utilizing animal manures, green and green leaf manures, crop residues, tank silt, etc. Field pests are controlled by using plant products, botanical extracts, trap crops, ash, etc. The doable recommendation from the research activities carried out in the Puducherry region includes varietal selection, green manuring to reduce the salt effect and to realize the benefit of about 15%, application of neem-coated urea to prevent the volatilization loss of N in rice fields by 25–30%, application of 180 kg ha−1 of N in four equal splits for achieving 30–35% yield increase in aerobic rice, application of rock phosphate with FYM/compost/green manures/tank silt for increasing the available P to the extent of 30–40%, combined application of tank silt and organic manures over and above the 100% RDF for obtaining a higher yield of vegetables (25–30%), and sustaining the soil productivity. By precise application of fertilizer using the STCR-IPNS approach, an increase in net return by reducing the fertilizer dose to the extent of 25–30% N and 40–50% P and K in rice and vegetables can be obtained. On average, 20–30% yield losses due to pest and disease attacks in different crops can be reduced by combining ITKs and modern pest control strategies.