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PREPARATORY CULTIVATION
SEED AND SOWING
MANURES
WEED MANAGEMENT
PEST AND DISEASE MANAGEMENT
STORAGE PEST CONTROL
SOIL AND WATER MANAGEMENT
- For soil improvement in 'theri' lands of Tuticorin district, 200 tonnes of tank silt are applied per acre followed by 50 tonnes per year for the next few years.
- About 10 kg. of neem cake is soaked in 10 lit. of cow urine along with ½ kg. of waste asafoetida and left over night. In the next day, it is sprayed for 1 ac. after dilution as liquid manure.
- Outer shells of tamarind fruits are applied in the field to control Cyperus rotundus.
- A mixture is made with 1 lit. of neem oil, 3kg. of fine sand and 3 kg. of cow dung and heaped in shade covering with a moist sack for 3 days. On the fourth day, the mixture is dissolved in 150 lit. of water and sprayed to control all sucking pests.
- About 10kg. of dried cow dung is ground into fine powder and mixed with ash (obtained from brick kiln) dusted in the early morning, to control pests and diseases.
- Garlic acts on a wide spectrum of organism in unrelated crop plants singly or in combination with neem products, chilli, asafetida etc. Besides garlic is effective against bacteria, fungi and nematodes.
- Calotropis leaf extract is applied at the place of termite attack to control them.
- Consolidation of lands gives better results even they are less fertile.
- Fields which are nearer to rivers will give lesser yield
- Better yield is obtained from the wetlands near water sluice of canals and the dry lands near foot hills.
- Laying stone bunds around the fields across the slope for preventing soil erosion and for conserving moisture.
- Planting vettiver (Vetiveria zizanoides) slips across the slope or around the fields to prevent soil erosion.
- To minimize soil erosion perennial vegetation is grown on the field bunds.
- New garden land and old wetland will yield better.
- Intensive care is required for wetland crops as compared to the garden land crops.
- Water logged dry lands are unsuitable for cultivation.
- Soil character decides the choice of crops for cultivation.
- Red soil is suitable for continuous cropping.
- Black soil has more water holding capacity than the red soil.
- Sandy soil is less suitable for the cultivation of many crops.
- Excessive application of farm yard manure (FYM) improves the soil texture.
- Tank silt is applied to increase the soil texture.
- Manures and fertilizers are applied based on soil character.
- If the weed growth is profuse after the rains, it indicates high soil fertility.
- However the low soil fertility is indicated by the growth of the weed Aduthinnapalai(Aristolochia bracteolata).
- Addition of red soil to black soil increases the fertility of the black soil and vice versa.
- Practicing sheep/cattle penning during summer season to improve the soil fertility.
- Practicing mixed cropping or inter cropping of legumes in rain fed areas to maintain the soil fertility.
- Cultivating Kolingi (Tephrosia purpurea) in between the fruit trees in sloppy lands to prevent soil erosion and to improve soil fertility.
- High moisture content in the soil is identified with the occurrence of 'Nuna' tree (Morinda tinctoria).
- For moisture conservation deep Ploughing is done during summer.
- Land is well ploughed and powdered to conserve more moisture.
- Application of tank silt (taken from black soil tanks) on the red soil fields to increase the water holding capacity of the red soil.
- Raising and Ploughing daincha (Sesbania sp.) and sun hemp (Crotalaria juncea) the field before flowering increase water holding capacity at the soil.
- lt is better to grow sorghum, finger millet and chilies if the water is saltish.
- Irrigation is given to any crop at a stage that while walking on the fields, our foot should not create any print on the soil, which is taken as the indication.
- Growing 'Poovarasu' (Thespesia populnea) tree near the wells reduces water loss through evaporation.
- Wetlands having 'Aarai' weeds (Mars/tea quadrifolia) and garden lands having 'Arugu'(jlfanodan dactylon) weeds give better yields.
- Red soils having 'Arugu1 (Cyanodan dactylon) weeds and black soils having nut grass(Cyperus rotandus) weeds are the best of their kind.
- Sowing densely the daincha (Sesbania sp.) green manure and ploughing in-situ at its ftowering to correct alkaline soils.
- Growing sun hemp (Crotalaria juncea) in alkaline soils and ploughing in-situ before flowering to rectify its alkalinity.
- Application of 'Pirandai' (Cissus quadrangularis) to reduce alkalinity.
- Neem leaves are applied to correct alkalinity.
- Application of shells of neem seed to reduce salinity in soils.
- Application of neem cake to correct salinity.
- Palmyia (Borassas flabelliter) leaves are cut into pieces and applied in large quantity to correct alkalinity.
- To correct alkaline soils, pungam (Pongamia pinnata) leaves, or outer shells of tamarind fruits are applied.
- Mixing and applying coir waste with compost to correct alkalinity.
- Application of sugarcane bagasse and sediment after extraction of country sugar to correct alkaline soils.
- Putting leaves and branches of Indian gooseberry (Phyllanthus distichus) in the wells reduce salinity in water.
PREPARATORY CULTIVATION
- Achieving fine tilth is better than applying manures.
- It is better to plough intensively than extensively.
- It is better to have deep ploughing rather than shallow ploughing for good crop growth.
- Plough four times for garden land and seven times for wetland.
- Summer Ploughing gives good crop in the ensuing season.
- Tying paddy straw around the sole of country plough to make a wider furrow while forming broad bed and deep furrows.
- Garden lands are ploughed deep to conserve more moisture.
SEED AND SOWING
- Yield of almost all the crops depends on seed quality.
- Even if it is a quality seed, it should be a dried one because well dried seeds will have higher longevity and keeping quality.
- Atis better to change the seeds at least once in two years.
- To maintain the seed viability and prevent it from outside damage, the outer shell is not separated.
- The seeds are generally stored along with the leaves of neem (Azadirachta indica), pungam(Pongamia pinnata), notchi (Vitex npgundo) and thulasi (Leucas aspera).
- Six weeks nursery period is enough for six months duration of the crop.
- Shallow sowing is followed in dry lands.
- Severing the broadcasted seeds in dry lands with soil.
- Dragging, over the fields, the thorny branches with weight over them for covering seeds the sown on dry lands.
- It is better to start planting from 'Sani moolai' (north east) of the field to get higher yields.
- It is better to perform sowing and planting operations during evening hours.
- Even if the seeds are of good quality, they must be sown in the right season only.
- Sowing in the right season is better even on a poor land.
- The best seasons for crop cultivation/sowing are the Tamil months viz.. 'Chittirai' (Apr.), Aadi (Jut.), Aavani (Aug.) and Thai (Jan.).
- Crops sown on eighteenth day (Aadipperukku) and new moon day of the Tamil month 'Aadi' (Jul.-Aug.) yield better.
- On new moon day or up to 48 hours before the new moon day, it is better to do sowing/planting crop and cutting a tree.
- During 'Keelnokku' days (i.e. when moon moves from north east to south east direction) it is better to do sowing/planting/ harvesting of crops that bear under ground, starting preparation of compost and application of compost to field, pruning and cutting of trees, planting tree , seedlings and ploughing the fields.
- During 'Melnokku' days (i.e. when moon moves from south east to north east direction) it is better to do budding and layering operations, sowing/planting and harvesting of crops that bear above the ground.
- Seeds sown 48 hours before full moon day germinate quicker and grow faster.
- It is better to avoid sowing on Ashtami (eighth) and Navami (ninth) days from full moon and new / moon days.
- Sowing is done on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
- The crop sown on new moon day escapes from pest and diseases.
- Higher yield of tamarind is considered as an indication for good agricultural season and higher yield of mango for poor season.
MANURES
- Organic manures always encourage good crop growth.
- Commonly used green leaf manures are Kolingi (Tephrosia purpurea), Calotropis (Calotropis gigantea), Nuna (Morinda tinctoria), Pungam (Pongamia pinnata), Neem (Azadirachta indica),Poovarasu (Thespesia populnea), and Adathoda (Adhathoda vasica).
- Green manure crops like daincha (Sesbania spp.), kolingi (Tephrosia purpurea) sun hemp(Crotalaria juncea) etc., are raised and ploughed insitu before their flowering.
- Red gram is also used as a green manure crop which improves the soil fertility.
- Applying water hyacinth plants either as a compost or as burnt ash to the fields for supplying potash.
- Sheep penning results in more crop yields.
- Goat manure gives benefits to crops grown in the same season.
- Goat manure is good for the first season and cattle manure and green manure for the second season.
- Poultry manure serves as a good source of crop nutrients.
- Cow urine is more nutritious than cow dung.
- Soil fertility can be better increased by the use of pig dung than by the cow, sheep or goat waste.
- It is better to apply cattle manure for garden land and dry land and leaf manure for wet land.
- Near the irrigation channel, a pit is dug in which, cow dung, foliage of Calotropis gigantea,neem cake powder and cow urine are applied, mixed well and allowed to decompose. Then it is allowed to mix with the irrigation water, to supply the nutrients, and to control pests and diseases. Tank silt is applied every year in dry lands for better yields. Termite hills serve as good manure.
- Adding sand from an ant hill to the field gives good yield.
- Foliar spray of manures given on full moon day yields better results.
WEED MANAGEMENT
- If weeding is not done, it will reduce three fourths of crop yield.
- Weeding is not required under dry land condition. If weeding is not done the weed growth is controlled naturally and it also helps to conserve moisture.
- Repeated ploughing will reduce weed population.
- Crop yield will be less in the fields having 'Arugu' (Cyanodon dactylon) weeds.
- To control "Arugu1 (Cyanodon dactylon) grass in ' black soils the field is kept fallow for 3 years.
- Cultivating rice once in three years in garden lands to control 'Arugu' (Cyanodon dactylon)weeds.
- 'Raising and ploughing the green manure crops tike daincha, (Sesbania sp.), kolingi(Tephrosia purpurea) in the field before their flowering to reduce weed population.
- Raising Calotropis gigantea as a green manure to check the growth of Aarai (Mars/teaquadrifolia) weed.
- Growing horse gram to control nut grass (Cyperus rotundus).
- Growing cowpea as a green manure to control nut grass.
- Allowing swine in the fields to eradicate nut grass.
- Frequently ploughing the fields by wooden plough made up of neem trees and frequent application of neem cake in the soil to control nut grass.
- Dissolving 1 kg. of salt and 100g. of sarvodaya soap in 10 lit. of water and spraying this solution to control all the weeds except nut grass.
- To control nut grass in the field 50kg. of neem cake is applied both at the time of ploughing and sowing.
- Dissolving 200 g. of salt in 1 lit. of water and spraying to eradicate congress weed (Parthenium hysterophorus).
- Continuous submergence of field for some time controls the weeds.
- Keeping the irrigation channels free from weeds,
PEST AND DISEASE MANAGEMENT
- Uninterrupted drizzling of rain leads to the occurrence of more number of pests and diseases.
- Winds blowing at the end of December bring lot of pests.
- Crops grown in alkaline soils are more prone to disease attack.
- Small lamps are placed on either side of the house entrance and light from the lamps acts asa light trap and the farmers are able to identify the pest outbreak.
- To prevent the attack of aphids and mite flies, sorghum or pearl millet is grown very closely in 4 rows around the fields to act as a shelter so that these pests can not enter the fields.
- Growing Thangarali' Ttecoma stands) and 'Sevvarali' (Nerium oleander) as border crops, which act as trap crops and control the insect liest.
- Thiruneeru' (Sacred ash) is dusted on the crops to reduce pest attack.
- Kitchen ash is applied to control aphids.
- To control the sucking pests, 5 kg. of tobacco powder is soaked in a mixture of 10 lit. of cow urine and 5 lit. of water for 5 days. Then it is filtered and diluted with 80 it of water and sprayed.
- Mixing cow urine, neem oil and tobacco decoction together and spraying on crops controls sucking pests.
- Leaves of Calotropis gigantea and Strychnos nux-vomica and neem cake are soaked in water in a mud pot and fixed in the field. Moths are attracted towards the smell, fall inside and die.
- Leaves of notchi ( Vitex negundo) and pungam (Pongamia pinnata) are also used to control moths.
- About 5 kg. of Calotropis leaves is soaked in a mixture of 10 lit. of cow urine and 5 lit. of water for 5 days. Then it is filtered and diluted with 80 li. of water and sprayed to control defoliation.
- Spraying sarvodaya soap solution to control mealy bugs.
- To control nematodes, pungam (Pongamia pinnata) or iluppai (Bassia latifolia) cakes are /applied.
- Cow dung, Cow urine, calotropis leaves and neem cake are put in a pit near the irrigation channel. After decomposing, it is mixed with irrigation water.
- Grinding the leaves of Calotropis gigantea with the fruits of Datura metal, soaking in water for 15 days, filtering and spraying to control all the pest.
- Two handsful each of leaves of thumb (Leucas aspera), kuppaimeni (Acalypha indica), thulasi(Ocimum canum). Datura metal, neem, nochi (V/tex negundo), 5 fruits of Datura mefa/and handful each of neem cake and lluppai (Bassia latifolia) cake are pounded together and soaked in water in earthen pot for 10 days. Then it is filtered, diluted (100ml./lit.) to which 100ml. of sarvodaya soap solution and 100 ml. of neem oil added and sprayed to control all insect pests.
- Leaves of Ocimum canum, seeds of Nerium oleander and fruits Datura metal are taken in equal quantities, powdered and soaked in cow urine for 10 days. Then it is filtered and diluted 100ml./lit.) to which 100 ml. of neem oil is /added and sprayed to control all insect pests.
- Neem oil and neem seed kernel extract are the general organic pesticides used to control many pests.
- During the night time on full moon day of Tamil month 'Karthigai' (Nov.-Dec.) 'Chokkapanai' (Community firing) is performed as a part of celebrations in a common place in the village by which the pests get attracted and killed. Ash from this fire is dusted on the crops to control ' sucking pests.
- Crop wastes are burnt and its ash is dusted on the fields to control diseases.
- If neem cakes are applied as basal fertilizer there will not be any incidence of diseases.
- One kg. of leaves of seemai karuvel (Prosopis juliflora) is pounded and diluted with water and sprayed to control yellow mosaic virus.
- Spraying cow urine to control many pests.
- A mixture of extracts of garlic and neem cake is sprayed to control aphids.
- Planting 'Pirandai' (Cisssus quadrangularis) vines around fields to protect against termites.
- Grow castor on the fields to control termites.
- Spread neem leaves over the nursery to control termite damage.
- Putting neem cake inside a gunny bag and placing it in the irrigation channel controls mites.
- Termites destroy the seedlings in nursery grown in dry land condition. To control these termites, apart from putting the neem leaves, sheep wool and human hairs are also put. Termites eating these hairs die.
- Pouring decoction of finger millet roots on the root zone of crops to control termites.
- Before planting tree seedlings, dried leaves and trashes are burnt in the pits to protect the seedlings against termite attack.
- Dusting ash in the pits before planting tree seedlings also helps to prevent termites.
- `Sprinkling 5% common salt solution to reduce termite attack on the trees.
- After the harvest of tobacco leaves, their stems and roots are ploughed in-situ to control the termites
- Tobacco soaked water is poured on the ant mounds to control them.
- Any spraying is to be done in the early morning.
- Take 30gm. of gounded nirium seed in 10 li. of water for 1 hour and mix with khadi soap and spary to control thrips, aphids, whiteflies and leaf eating caterpillars.
STORAGE PEST CONTROL
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Drying seeds and grains of all the crops on the new moon day before storing to avoid pest attack.
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Store seed materials in earthen pots which are kept on the 'Paran' directly above the furnace in kitchen. The smoke acts as a repellent.
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Grains, trees etc. harvested on full moon day are raqre prone to storage pest attack.
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Mixing the dried leaves of neem with seeds while storing them.
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Mixing the dried leaves of notchi (Vitex negundo) with seeds while storing them.
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Storing the seeds after mixing with pungam (Pongamia pinnata) leaves.
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Mixing 1 kg. of Vasambu (Acorus calamus) powder with 50kg. of grains for storage even for one year.
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While storing the seeds of food crops, they are filled in a container to its 3/4" height, covered with a rough cloth on which leaves of neem, pungam and notchi are placed to the remaining volume and finally covered with sand up to its mouth.
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Grains are filled in earthen pot to its 3/4" height and the remaining volume with dried cow dung. Then the cow dung is set on fire and mouth of the pot is tightly covered so that fire puts off and carbon monoxide formed inside kills the pests.
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Pulses and food grains are stored in gunny bags, which are previously wet with 10% salt solution and dried, in order to avoid storage pest attack.
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Generally seeds stored with their outer coat/shell escape from storage pests.
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