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Background
Paddy is one of the major crops being cultivated in Kanyakumari District. It occupies more than 17000 ha. in two seasons of the year. The soil cultivated with paddy is acidic in 50 to 60% of the cultivable area. Therefore, due to low pH and continuous submergence, the mobilization and reduction of ferric iron to ferrous iron causes nutritional imbalance and disorder in paddy crop. This has resulted in yield reduction due to less productive and ill-filled grains.
Interventions
Process
Trainings and demonstrations were conducted on reclamation of soil acidity using low cost amendment and application of the deficient nutrient and zinc. Apart from this FLD programmes were also conducted at Perumselvavilai, Andarkulam, Veeranamangalam, Thuvarankadu and Thalakudi villages.
Details of Technology
The cheaper and high neutralizing powder amendment for acid soil, dolomite (500 kg/ha) was applied at the time of last ploughing. The zinc sulphate (25kg/ha) was applied basally.
Experimentation
The dolomite application for paddy in acid soil was demonstrated as FLD since 2008-09 in different villages to prove its efficiency in reclamation of soil acidity and as a source of Ca and Mg, which are deficient in these soils. The yield and the number of productive tillers/plant were recorded.
Impact
Horizontal Spread
Apart from the FLD, the technology was transferred to the farmers through trainings, field visits, diagnostic visit, seminars, etc. The farmers interest groups of paddy in Thovalai and Agastheeswaram of the district which has major area were well trained in this technology. The extension functionaries of the district understood the viability of the technology demonstrated. The farmers demanded to supply dolomite on subsidy from the Government officials. They started purchasing the dolomite and showed enthusiasm in application to their fields. The technology has spread to 2000 to 3000 hectares in the district.
Economic gain
The application of dolomite increased the yield of paddy. The paddy yield increased from 5.0 to 7.3 t/ha due to the application of dolomite (Table). The percent yield increase ranged from 10.5 to 32.2. The dolomite applications resulted in additional income of Rs. 7000 to 12500 per hectare.
| Sl.No. |
Year |
Gross yield(t/ha) |
BCR |
Yield (%) Increase |
| Without dolomite |
With dolomite |
Without dolomite |
With dolomite |
| 1 |
2007 –08 |
4.19 |
5.00 |
1.82 |
2.07 |
19.3 |
| 2 |
2009 –10 |
7.53 |
8.32 |
2.11 |
2.51 |
10.5 |
| 3 |
2010 – 11 |
5.61 |
7.24 |
2.05 |
2.59 |
29.1 |
| 4 |
2011 – 12 |
5.72 |
7.56 |
2.06 |
2.64 |
32.2 |
| 5 |
2012 – 13 |
6.10 |
7.21 |
2.14 |
2.48 |
18.2 |
| 6. |
2013 –14 |
5.90 |
7.30 |
2.01 |
2.40 |
23.7 |
Because of this high return for the management of soil acidity by dolomite application, the farmers started practicing regularly with the additional cost of Rs. 1500 to 2000/ha. The technology spreads very fast.
Employment generation
Employment generation is created in terms of dolomite incorporate @ one man day / acre. Additional employment can be generated in processing of produce @ one man day/acre. |
