NIGER (Guizotia abyssinica)

CROP IMPROVEMENT
I. SEASON AND VARIETIES
Season                                                  :      
1. Adipattam                                         :       June - July   
2. Purattasipattam                               :       Sept.-Oct.
Areas of adoption                                :       Hosur and Denkanikotta taluks of Dharmapuri district and hilly regions of Shevroy, Kolli hills, Jawad hills and Thalavadi hills

II. DESCRIPTION OF VARIETIES
Variety                                              :       Paiyur 1
Parentage                                          :       Mass selection from composite II
Duration (days)                                   :       80
Yield (kg/ha)                                       :       260
Oil content (%)                                   :       44.6
Plant height (cm)                                :       80-85
Branches                                           :       Profuse
Seed                                                  :       Bold
Colour of seed                                    :       Brown
50% flowering (days)                         :       50

PREPARATION OF THE FIELD

1. FIELD PREPARATION

a) Plough with tractor 2-3 times with a mould board plough or 5 times with a country plough.
b) Break the clods in between the ploughings and bring the soil to a fine tilth.

2. APPLICATION OF FYM

a) Spread 12.5 t of FYM or compost or composted coir pith per ha evenly and incorporate in the soil. b) If the manure is not applied before commencement of ploughing, spread the manure evenly before the last ploughing and incorporate in the soil.
NOTE: Do not leave the organic manure exposed to sunlight as nutrients will be lost.
 
3. APPLICATION OF FERTILIZERS

Apply N at 20 kg/ha basally.

4. SEED RATE

Adopt a seed rate of  5 kg/ha.

5. SPACING

      Adopt a spacing of 30 cm between rows and 10 cm between plants.

6. SELECTION OF GOOD QUALITY SEEDS

      Select mature good quality seeds, free from pest damage and fungal attack.

7. PRE-TREATMENT OF SEEDS WITH FUNGICIDES

      a) Treat with Carbendazim or Thiram at 4 g/kg of seed in a polythene bag and ensure a uniform coating of the fungicide over the seed. b) Treat the seeds 24 hours prior to sowing.
NOTE: Seed treatment will protect the young seedlings from root rot disease in the early stage.

8. SOWING

      a. Sow the seeds in line at a depth of 2 to 3 cm and cover with soil. b. Sow using gorru or country plough.

9. THINNING OUT SEEDLINGS

Thin out the seedlings to a spacing of 10 cm between plants on the 15th day of sowing.

10. WEED MANAGEMENT

      Hoe and weed on 20th and 35th day of sowing.

11. HARVESTING