Annual Report 2014-15. All India Coordinated Research Project for Dryland Agriculture.

Abstract

The All India Coordinated Research Project for Dryland Agriculture (AICRPDA) has a network of 22 centers representing arid, semi-arid, sub-humid, humid and per-humid climates with diverse bio-physical and socio-economic settings of the rainfed agro-ecologies of the country. The project has a mandate to generate location specific technologies through on-station research focusing on rainwater management, cropping systems, nutrient management, energy management, evaluation of improved varieties, alternate land use/farming systems in rainfed rice, maize, sorghum, pearlmillet, fingermillet, cotton, groundnut and soybean based production systems. The resultant technologies are subsequently assessed on farmers’ fields through 8 Operational Research Projects (ORPs). A total of 314 on-station experiments were conducted viz. rainwater management-62; cropping sytems-46; nutrient management-64; energy managment-32; evaluation of improved varities-70; weed managment-5; alternate land use systems-14; integrated arming systems-15 and resource characterization-6. In ORPs, 114 on-farm trials/demonstrations were conducted viz. rainwater management-16; cropping sytems-24; nutrient management-17; energy managment-13; evaluation of improved varieties-23; weed managment-5; alternate land use systems-3; integrated farming systems-4 and technology upscaling-14. The salient achievements are given below. A. Rainwater management In-situ moisture conservation • At Faizabad, in an experiment on enhancing water productivity in rice by optimizing bund height and date of sowing, maximum grain yield (2323 kg/ha) with total input energy of 7960 MJ/ha and maximum energy productivity of 0.322 kg/MJ and RWUE of 5.38 kg/ha-mm were recorded with 10 cm bund height. In case of sowing dates, sowing in first week of July (5th July) gave maximum rice grain yield (2233 kg/ha) with 7957 MJ/ha of total input energy and 71613 MJ/ha of output energy. • At Vijayapura, in a study to assess the effect of set furrow cultivation with crop residues on pigeonpea and groundnut, set furrow with residue incorporation (RI) + glyricidia recorded pigeonpea equivalent yield (PEY) of 1633 kg/ha with mean maximum NMR (Rs.59900/ha) and RWUE of 4.04 kg/ha-mm followed by set furrow with silt + residue incorporation + glyricidia (1556 kg/ha). • At Parbhani, in an experiment on evaluation of rainwater conservation practices for soybean + pigeonpea (4:2) intercropping system, opening of furrow in soybean + pigeonpea (4:2) was carried out after every four rows 30 DAS, recorded significantly higher yield (624 kg/ha) compared to no furrow opening (527 kg/ha). • At Kovilpatti, in a study on different tillage methods for improving water use efficiency in cotton-greengram rotation, rotovator ploughing + chisel ploughing recorded the highest grain yield of greengram (908 kg/ha), with higher net returns (Rs.17580/ha) and B:C ratio (1.54) which was 10% higher than the conventional tillage. Rotovator ploughing + chisel ploughing recorded the highest rainwater use efficiency of 2.36 kg/ha-mm inspite of 17.3% of rainwater being lost as runoff. • At SK Nagar, in a study on evaluation of hydrogel in castor, application of hydrogel @ 7.5 kg/ha gave significantly higher seed and stalk yield of castor (1377 and 991 kg/ha) which was 87.1 and 72.2% higher than control (736 kg/ha) with higher net returns (Rs.33451/ha), B:C ratio (3.19) and RWUE (2.21 kg/ha-mm). • At Bangaluru, in a study on rainwater management through different conservation techniques in the existing amla orchards (3200 m2 ), trench-cumcrescent bund gave higher yield (16949 kg/ha) and net returns (Rs.162290/ha) compared to other conservation techniques. 10 | AICRPDA Annual Report 2014-15 Ex-situ rainwater management • At Varanasi, supplemental irrigation from harvested rainwater at flowering stage in pea gave maximum seed yield of 1462 kg/ha, net returns of Rs.20090/ ha and B:C ratio of 2.2 as compared to no irrigation (1228 kg/ha, Rs.15540/ha and 2.03, respectively). • At Biswanath Chariali, in a study on efficiency of harvested rainwater on potato, three irrigations at 25, 60 and 80 days after planting from the harvested water in farm pond + vermicompost @ 2 t/ha gave higher tuber yield (23.39 t/ha) with net returns of Rs.109370/ha compared to other treatments. • At Akola, in a study on supplemental irrigation from harvested rainwater to soybean, two protective sprinkler irrigations from stored farm pond water at critical stages gave higher seed yield of soybean (1021 kg/ha) followed by one protective irrigation. The water use efficiency (1.79 kg/ha-mm) and B: C ratio (2.20) was also higher with two protective irrigations over one and no protective irrigation. • At Parbhani, in a study on catchment-storagecommand relationship in soybean, one protective irrigation given from harvested rainwater at branching gave higher seed yield (965 kg/ha) with 64.57% increase in yield over no irrigation (586 kg/ ha). B. Cropping systems Intercropping systems • At Rakh Dhiansar the highest maize equivalent yield (MEY) was obtained with paired rows of maize with 2 rows of cowpea with the MEY and LER of 2340 kg/ha and 1.26, respectively with the highest B:C ratio of 1.53. It was followed by two rows of maize + 3 rows of cowpea with MEY of 2150 kg/ha and B:C ratio of 1.34 compared to all other systems. • At Vijayapur, in an assessment of different crops for contingency planning during Punarvasu (06-22 July) in shallow black soils, growing of pigeonpea + groundnut (2:4) gave significantly higher pearlmillet equivalent yield (6400 kg/ha) with NMR of Rs.77395/ha and RWUE of 15.4 kg/ha-mm as compared to other crops and cropping systems. During Pushya nakshatra (22 July–03 August), intercropping of pearlmillet + pigeonpea (2:1) gave significantly higher pearlmillet equivalent yield (5904 kg/ha) with net returns of Rs.71966/ha and RWUE of 16.8 kg/ha-mm as compared to other crops and cropping systems. • At Biswanath Chariali, in an evaluation of sesame based intercropping systems, sesame + greengram (2:2) with application of 30:20:20 kg NPK/ha recorded maximum sesame equivalent yield of 1300 kg/ha, net returns of Rs.47758/ha and RWUE of 3.22 kg/ha-mm compared to other intercropping systems. • At Parbhani, in a study on different intercropping systems, cotton + soybean (1:1) system gave maximum seed cotton equivalent yield (1658 kg/ ha), net returns (Rs.32644/ha) and B:C ratio (1.97) compared to other intercropping systems. • At Bangalore, in a study on the performance of intercrops in nipped castor, castor + fingermillet (1:2) recorded significantly higher castor equivalent yield (2135 kg/ha) with higher net returns of Rs.60377/ ha, B:C ratio of 3.41 and RWUE of 2.73 kg/ha-mm. Double cropping systems • At Biswanath Chariali, in an evaluation of maize based double cropping systems, maximum maize equivalent yield (MEY) of 10300 kg/ha was obtained with maize-potato system with NMR of Rs.123865/ ha followed by maize-rajmah system with MEY of 9944 kg/ha and NMR of Rs.119220/ha as compared to other cropping systems. Similarly, in an evaluation of relay cropping of rabi pulses (pea, lentil and lathyrus) with kharif rice under rainfed medium lowland situation with different seed rates, lathyrus relayed with 150% recommended seed rate (RSR) and 15 days before harvesting of rice gave maximum seed yield (425 kg/ha) and stover yield (982 kg/ha). C. Nutrient management Permanent manurial trials • At Bangalore, INM in fingermillet–groundnut cropping system indicated that application of 10 t/ AICRPDA Annual Report 2014-15 | 11 ha FYM + rec. NPK + bio-fertilizers recorded higher groundnut pod yield (1024 kg/ha) with higher net returns (Rs.23674/ha), B:C ratio (1.82) and RWUE (1.42 kg/ha-mm) compared to other treatments. However, the soil organic C (0.52%), available N (216 kg/ha), P2 O5 (108 kg/ha) and K2 O (126 kg/ha) were highest in the plots under 10 t/ha FYM + 100% NP + 150% K + biofertilizers. • At Anantapur, higher groundnut mean pod yield (937 kg/ha) was recorded with application of 50% RDF + FYM @ 4 t/ha. The soil organic C was also higher (0.55%) in the plots under 50% RDF + FYM @ 4 t/ha. Higher soil available phosphorous (107 kg/ha) and lower bulk density (1.42 Mg/m3 ) was recorded with application of 100% RDF + ZnSO4 @ 50 kg/ha (once in 3 years). • At Biswanath Chariali, ahu rice gave maximum grain yield (1783 kg/ha) with higher straw yield (5146 kg/ha), RWUE (1.79 kg/ha-mm) and B:C ratio (2.28) with application of 75% RDF (inorganic) + vermicompost @ 5 t/ha over all other treatments. Similarly during rabi, in toria the higher seed yield (1163 kg/ha), RWUE (20.58 kg/ha-mm), net returns (Rs. 21263/ha) and B:C ratio (3.36) were recorded with 75% RDF (inorganic) + vermicompost @5 t/ha. Integrated nutrient management • At Rakh Dhiansar, significantly higher pearlmillet grain yield (2586 kg/ha) was obtained with application of 100% NPK through fertilizer which was at par with application of 75% N through inorganic + 25% N through vermicompost (2437 kg/ha). The maximum B:C ratio, net returns and RWUE of 2.92, Rs.29492/ha and 3.92, respectively were obtained with application of 100% NPK through fertilizers. • At Akola, significantly highest seed yield (542.5 kg/ ha) of soybean was recorded with the application of 50% N through glyricidia + 50% N through inorganics + biofertilizers + 25 kg K2 O/ha compared to other treatments. The highest net returns of Rs.20083/ha was obtained with the application of 50% N through green leaf manure + 50% N through inorganics + biofertilizers + 25 kg K2 O/ha. Highest SYI (0.33) was observed with the application of 50% N through glyricidia + 50% N through inorganics + biofertilizers + 25 kg K2 O/ha compared to other treatments. • At Agra, in a study on INM in pearlmillet, the highest grain yield of 3103 kg/ha, net returns of Rs.27337/ ha, B:C ratio of 2.48 and RWUE of 13.41 kg/hamm were recorded with application of 50% RDN through FYM + 50% N through inorganic fertilizer compared to other treatments. • At Bangalore, in a n experiment on INM in fingermillet-groundnut cropping system, application of 10 t/ha FYM + rec. NPK + biofertilizers recorded higher groundnut pod yield (1024 kg/ha) with net returns (Rs.23674/ha), B:C ratio (1.82) and RWUE (1.42 kg/ha-mm) followed by ex-situ green manure (7.5 t/ha) + 75% N & P + 100% K + biofertilizers (995 kg/ha) as compared to recommended NPK (701 kg/ha). Application of 10 t/ha FYM + rec. NPK + biofertilizers gave higher haulm yield (2267 kg/ha) compared to other treatments. Foliar spray • At Arjia, spray of ZnSO4 @ 0.5% + NPK (soluble) @ 2% before tasseling and at grain filling stage, gave significantly higher maize grain yield (2510 kg/ha), net returns (Rs.30507/ha) and B:C ratio (2.85) compared to other treatments. • At Vijayapur, in a study on foliar spray of nutrients for rabi sorghum, application of RDF + KNO3 (1% spray) sprays at 45 & 75 DAS gave maximum grain yield of 1821 kg/ha, while the control gave lowest yield of 611 kg/ha. However, spraying of thiourea @ 250 g/ha at 45 DAS resulted in production of higher stover yield (3511 kg/ha). • At Kovilpatti, in an experiment on foliar nutrition in cotton in Vertisols, RDF (60:30:30 kg NPK/ ha) + foliar spray of 1.25% cotton plus at square formation and flowering stages recorded significantly higher seed kapas yield (1723 kg/ha), with higher net returns (Rs.28237/ha), B:C ratio (1.88) and RWUE (5.72 kg/ha-mm) compared to other treatments. • At Parbhani, in a study on fertilizer management and foliar spray, application of RDF (120:60:60 kg NPK/ 12 | AICRPDA Annual Report 2014-15 ha) + foliar spray of KNO3 @ 1 & 2% (35 & 65 DAS) gave maximum seed cotton yield (1237 kg/ha), net returns (Rs.12705/ha), B:C ratio (1.33) and RWUE (4.38 kg/ha-mm) compared to other treatments. • At SK Nagar, in a study on the effect of foliar application of nutrients on maize, spray of ZnSO4 @ 0.5% + FeSO4 @ 0.5% gave significantly higher grain and stalk yield (1394 and 3815 kg/ha), respectively with higher net returns (Rs.18626/ha), B:C ratio (3.44) and RWUE (2.07 kg/ha-mm) compared to other treatments. D. Energy management • At Indore, in an experiment on effect of tillage on resource conservation in soybean, low tillage + 4 t/ha of straw + hand weeding resulted in highest seed yield (1408 kg/ha) with higher NMR (Rs.27634/ha), B:C ratio (2.89) and RWUE (1.67 kg/ha-mm) compared to other treatments. • At Biswanath Chariali, in a trial on tillage and nutrient management in groundnut, two harrowings + one pulverization by power tiller gave higher pod yield of groundnut (2863 kg/ha) and B:C ratio (2.24) followed by minimum tillage + rotavator with pod yield of 2164 kg/ha and B:C ratio of 1.69 as compared to other treatments. The maximum field efficiency (28.50 hr/ha) was recorded by conventional tillage (three to four ploughing followed by laddering) and maximum energy use efficiency (2.5) was recorded with minimum tillage (one harrowing). • At Agra, in a study on the effect of tillage and sowing implements on pearlmillet, MB plough was found superior with highest grain yield of 2829 kg/ha, net returns of Rs.22391/ha, B:C ratio of 2.20 and RWUE of 12.51 kg/ha-mm over other implements. Among different sowing implements, raised bed planter and ridger seeder gave similar but significantly higher yield (2783-2862 kg/ha) compared to other implements. The highest energy use efficiency and energy productivity of 13.13 and 0.258 kg/MJ was obtained with MB plough followed by disc plough (12.66 and 0.256 kg/MJ). • At SK Nagar, in a study on different tillage practices in clusterbean, the highest seed yield of clusterbean (468 kg/ha) with higher net returns (Rs.15534/ ha), B:C ratio (4.09) and RWUE (0.75 kg/ha-mm) was recorded with treatment roto till drill. It was at par with strip till drill (420.6 kg/ha) and raised bed planter (406.9 kg /ha) but significantly superior to zero till drill (381.3 kg/ha) and control. E. Evaluation of improved varieties • In a sorghum varietal trial at Chianki, among 20 entries, CSH-14 performed better with grain yield of 2818 kg/ha and RWUE of 7.0 kg/ha-mm while CSV-20 (check) recorded grain yield of 2237 kg/ha with RWUE of 5.5 kg/ha-mm. • At Ballowal Saunkhri, among the five cultivars of cowpea tested for dual purpose, highest seed (1313 kg/ha) as well as fodder yield (301 q/ha) was recorded by UPC 9202 followed by CL 367 for seed and IT 38956-1 for fodder. The highest net returns of Rs.41062/ha with a B:C ratio of 2.87 was obtained with UPC-9202. • At Biswanath Chariali, evaluation of medium duration high yielding rice varieties indicated that TTB-404 was found better among 13 varieties with grain yield of 4225 kg/ha, net returns of Rs.50704/ ha, B:C ratio of 5.48 and RWUE of 3.24 kg/ha-mm. • In a groundnut varietal trial at Rajkot, genotype JSP-51 gave maximum pod yield (1250 kg/ha) and net returns (Rs.32216/ha), while higher haulm yield (5608 kg/ha) was recorded by Somnath (C) genotype, followed by JSP-55 (5139 kg/ha) and JSP-58 (5104 kg/ha) compared to other genotypes. F. Alternate land use systems • At Rakh Dhiansar, in a study on different agri-hortipastoral systems, mixed fodder grown in the alleys of Leucaena trees under silvi-agri-pastoral system during kharif was most remunerative system as compared to all other systems which recorded the highest net returns of Rs.21580/ha with a B:C ratio of 2.58. However, in case of fodder treatments under various systems, pure mixed fodder, in the alleys of Leucaena AICRPDA Annual Report 2014-15 | 13 and aonla trees recorded the yield of 31418, 27828 and 25951 kg/ha under agri-pastoral, silvi-agripastoral and agri-horti-pastoral systems, respectively. • At Solapur, neem + Acacia nilotica + Cenchrus ciliaris + stylo system recorded highest neem height (335 cm), wood yield (85.54 cubic ft/ha), Acacia nilotica wood yield (184.64 cubic ft/ha), stylo grass yield (6.37 t/ha) with highest net returns (Rs.173996/ha) and B:C ratio (9.65). The next best treatment was neem + bakan (Limbara) + Cenchrus ciliaris + stylo treatment which recorded highest neem wood yield (54.10 cubic ft/ha), intercrop tree species wood yield (138.40 cubic ft/ha), stylo grass yield (5.38 t/ha) with highest net returns (Rs.118904/ha) and B:C ratio (6.91). • At Parbhani, in drumstick based agri-horti system, the yield of intercrops in drumstick was greengram (1361 kg/ha), blackgram (1349 kg/ha), soybean (1430 kg/ha) and sunhemp (1421 kg/ha). The drumstick sole (3 m x 3 m) recorded the higher yield of 1837 kg/ha followed by drumstick + soybean (1:6) (1430 kg/ha). G. Integrated farming system • At Biswanath Chariali, the economic analysis of various components under the homestead farming showed that coconut, among the plantation crops, gave the highest net returns of Rs.57800 and B:C ratio of 5.0, while among the livestock components, fishery gave the highest net returns of Rs.2200245 and B:C ratio of 5.0. The lowest B:C ratio of 1.2 was found in case of local breed of cattle. • In an experiment on integrated farming system at Rajkot, higher net returns of Rs.112272/ha were recorded with integrated farming system (field crops including cotton, pigeonpea, sorghum, maize and cowpea with one milch cow) compared to farmer’s practice of cotton cultivation. The employment generation under IFS module was 365 man-days/ha/ yr compared to 165 man-days/ha/yr under farmer’s practice of cotton cultivation. • In a study on integrated farming system for bunded midland (Mal) and lowland (Gabhar) situations at Jagdalpur, fish rearing in farm ponds in midlands gave additional income of Rs. 12673 with pond area of 2250 m3 while in lowlands Rs. 9534 was obtained with pond area of 1650 m3 . • At Varanasi, integrated animal based systems (rice + two buffalo + fish) gave highest netreturns(Rs.65850/ ha) and B:C ratio (1.65) with rice equivalent yield of 7300 kg/ha while agri-horti-system (aonla + greengram) recorded net returns of Rs.59000/ha and B:C ratio of 4.7 with rice equivalent yield of 3560 kg/ha. • At Kovilpatti, in a study on integrated farming system, involving sorghum + cowpea (0.4 ha), maize + greengram (0.1 ha), cotton + blackgram (0.6 ha) + clusterbean (0.1 ha) + fodder crops (0.4 ha) + goat unit (10 + 1) and one milch animal, the mean system productivity and mean system income in IFS were 12870 kg/ha and Rs.116098/ha whereas in conventional system the values were 1071 and 10445 kg/ha. The mean employment generation was 174 and 410 man days/year due to cropping alone and IFS, respectively. Operational Research Project (ORP) a. Rainwater management • AtArjia,inanon-farmdemonstrationofsupplemental / protective irrigation in maize + blackgram and groundnut + sesame systems, protective irrigation gave higher maize equivalent yield (1450 kg/ha) in maize + blackgram (2:2) intercropping system as compared to control (780 kg/ha). It also gave higher groundnut pod equivalent yield (1150 kg/ha) in groundnut + sesame (6:2) intercropping system as compared to control (660 kg/ha). Groundnut + sesame (6:2) intercropping system gave higher net return (Rs.28708/ha) and B:C ratio (3.13) as compared to maize + blackgram (2:2) intercropping system. • At Solapur, in an assessment of in-situ moisture conservation measures on the yield of rabi sorghum, opening of ridges and furrows gave higher grain yield of 1040 kg/ha, stover yield of 2660 kg/ha and B:C ratio of 1.98 as compared to farmers’ practice (863 kg/ha). 14 | AICRPDA Annual Report 2014-15 b. Cropping systems • At Arjia, in on-farm assessment of suitability of sorghum + greengram (2:1) intercropping system, maximum grain yield of sorghum (1367 kg/ha) and greengram (65 kg/ha), net returns of Rs. 18485/ha and B:C ratio of 2.53 were attained with sorghum + greengram (2:1) intercropping compared to mixed cropping of sorghum and greengram which gave a sorghum yield of 1183 kg/ha, greengram yield of 48 kg/ha, net returns of Rs.13870/ha and B:C ratio of 2.18. • At Hisar, in a demonstration on strip intercropping systems, pearlmillet + mungbean (8:4) intercropping system recorded higher pearlmillet equivalent yield (2421 kg/ha) as compared to sole pearlmillet (940 kg/ha). Strip cropping of mungbean reduced the potential yield of pearlmillet to the extent of 18.7% whereas pearlmillet equivalent yield was 25.6% higher compared to sole pearlmillet. • At Solapur, in demonstrations on double cropping systems, blackgram-sorghum sequence was found superior with a maximum B:C ratio of 2.30 from a yield of 1290 kg/ha of grain and 3190 kg/ha of stover of rabi sorghum. The lowest B:C ratio of 2.15 was attained under kharif fallow-rabi sorghum sequence with a sorghum grain yield of 1020 kg/ha and stover yield of 2633 kg/ha in the rabi season. c. Nutrient management Integrated nutrient management • At Arjia, fertilizer dose based on site specific nutrient managemnet (SSNM) gave the highest sorghum yield (1513 kg/ha), net returns (Rs.14948/ha) and B:C ratio (2.25) closely followed by recommended dose of NP (net returns of Rs.10898/ha, B:C ratio of 1.92 from a yield of 1273 kg/ha) as compared to farmers’ practices (1030 kg/ha). • At Ballowal Saunkhri, in an on-farm assessment of nutrient management in maize, maximum maize grain yield of 3601 kg/ha was recorded with application of N through combination of 75% inorganic + 25% organic source, which was 3, 8 and 10% higher over application of N through combination of 50% inorganic + 50% organic (3508 kg/ha), 100% inorganic source (3321 kg/ha), and 100% organic source (3261), respectively, with maximum net returns of Rs.27792/ha and B:C ratio of 1.91. • At Bangalore, in an assessment of nutrient management in fingermillet + pigeonpea system, application fo 50% N through organic source + 50% N & 100% PK through inorganic + 12.5 kg ZnSO4 + 10 kg borax/ha recorded maximum fingermillet grain equivalent yield (2446 kg/ha) with higher RWUE (5.79 kg/ha-mm), net returns (Rs.38068/ha) and B:C ratio (2.49) followed by RDF alone compared to farmers’ practice of fingermillet + akkadi (1280 kg/ha, 3.21 kg/ha-mm, Rs.10228/ha and 1.67, respectively). Foliar spray • At Anantapur, foliar spray of 2% ZnSO4 ; 1% MgSO4 ; 0.15% boron and 1% 19:19:19 at flowering and 20 days after flowering of cotton reduced the reddening of leaves by 51% and resulted in yield improvement by 11%. The micronutrient spray gave highest seed cotton yield (908 kg/ha), net returns (Rs.7605/ha), RWUE (2.49 kg/ha-mm) and B:C ratio of 1.7. • At Solapur, application of 1% potassium sulphate at 30 and 45 days after sowing gave higher chickpea (cv.Vijay) yield of 760 kg/ha as compared to farmer’s practice (550 kg/ha), with highest net returns and B:C ratio of Rs.14300/ha and 2.05. d. Energy management • At Ananatpur, in an assessment of Ananta Aqua planter for groundnut sowing, Ananta Aqua planter gave highest pod and haulm yield (451 and 1201 kg/ ha) with the B:C ratio of 1.12 and RWUE of 2.2 kg/ ha-mm compared to farmers’ practice. • At Ballowal Saunkhri, one ploughing with rotavator and one ploughing with cultivator just before sowing gave wheat grain yield of 3165 kg/ha, which was 19% higher as compared to 4 ploughings with cultivator (2 cross ploughings just after harvesting of kharif crop and 1 before sowing). The net returns of Rs.36768/ ha and B:C ratio of 2.56 was obtained with rotavator as compared to the net returns of Rs.27948/ha and B:C ratio of 2.18 in case of cultivator. AICRPDA Annual Report 2014-15 | 15 • At Solapur, two bowl ferti-seed drill was found superior with maximum sorghum grain yield (910 kg/ha) and stover yield (2260 kg/ha), with a B:C ratio of 2.40 in four years (2011 to 2014). The yield increased by 17% as compared to farmer’s method (local seed drill). e. Evaluation of improved varieties • At Anantapur, among the four improved groundnut varieties evaluated at four locations, K9 (501 kg/ha) was found superior followed by Dharani (499 kg/ha) and K-6 (491 kg/ha) compared to local variety (365 kg/ha). • At Ballowal Saunkhri, in an evaluation of maize cultivars, PMH 1 hybrid gave maximum yield of 4008 kg/ha, net returns of Rs.42701/ha and B:C ratio of 2.38 followed by PMH 2 with grain yield of 3844 kg/ha, net returns of Rs.40392/ha and B:C ratio of 2.31. • At Hisar, in an on-farm demonstration of improved clusterbean varieties, HG 563 recorded marginally higher yield (550 kg/ha), net returns (Rs.9886/ha) and B:C ratio (1.54) as compared to HG 365 (524 kg/ha), net returns of Rs. 8553/ha and B:C ratio of 1.47. f. Integrated farming system • At Anantapur, in an on-farm assessment of integrated farming system (IFS)involving groundnut cultivation and rearing oframlands(5), theIFS moduleimproved system productivity (32320 kg/ha) compared to groundnut cultivation alone (16135 kg/ha). National Innovations on Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA) The technology demonstration component (TDC) of NICRA, both on-station and on-farm, is being implemented at 23 AICRPDA centres including IGFRI, Jhansi since 2011. During 2014-15, the emphasis was on real time contingency crop plan implementation and preparedness to cope with weather aberrations with interventions such as rainwater harvesting (in-situ and ex-situ) and efficient use, drought tolerant cropping systems, resilient crop management practices, and efficient energy management. The risk resilient interventions were demonstrated in 3611 farmers’ fields covering 898 ha in 33 villages in 24 districts across 15 states. The demonstratin of real time contingency measures during delayed onst of monsoon (introduction of short duration varieties etc.) and to mitigate seasonal drought (crop/soil management practices including supplemental irrigation with harvested rainwater, foliar sprays etc) impacted yield enhancement by up to 22%, and RWUE by up to 5 kg/ha-mm. Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP) The TSP program is being implemented by 7 network centers of AICRP-Dryland Agriculture (AICRPDA) in 22 villages in Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Assam, Chhattisgarh and Gujarat covering 8 districts since 2011. The major interventions in TSP villages is being focused on improved rainfed technologies in thematic areas of rainwater management, drought tolerance, improved management practices, cropping systems, integrated nutrient management practices including foliar spray, farm mechanization with improved machinery and most important the need based trainings and capacity building programs both for tribal men and women. The physical assets created in the villages included rainwater harvesting structures, improved implements, improved breeds etc. The livelihood of the beneficiaries were improved through enhancing productivity of rainfed crops by up to 20%, profitability by up to 25% and livelihood interventions such as dairy, piggery, poultry, mushroom cultivation, vermicompost units etc. Monitoring and Evaluation During the period the technical, physical and financial targets were monitored and evaluated across AICRPDA network centers. Dr. Ch. Srinivasa Rao, Project Coordinator (AICRPDA), Dr. G. Ravindra Chary, Project Coordinator I/C (AICRPDA), and Dr. K.A. Gopinath, Senior Scientist (Agronomy) from Project Co-ordination Unit, AICRPDA visited centers and assessed the ongoing technical programme 2014-15, infrastructure facilities, administrative and budgetary aspects. The proceedings of each visit were brought out during the visits itself for improving /any necessary action by Project Coordinator, AICRPDA or Director, CRIDA or by the SAU authorities. 16 | AICRPDA Annual Report 2014-15 The rainfed agriculture research being carried out under AICRPDA network was reviewed during a two-day brainstorming session jointly organized by AICRPDACRIDA and National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS)-Hyderabad Chapter during 9-10 May, 2014 at NASC, New Delhi. Further, technical, physical and financial targets were also reviewed during the XXIV biennial workshop held at AICRPDA Centre, Indore during 26-29 December, 2014. Linkages and Collaboration The PC Unit, AICRPDA and the Network Centers have been continuously striving to develop collaboration/ linkages with respective State Agricultural Universities, ICAR Institutes, State line Departments, KVKs, NGOs, farmers and other stakeholders to prioritized dryland research, for upscaling doable rainfed technologies and capacity building of primary and secondary stakeholders. The network centers also established linkages with various organizations to upscale doable rainfed technologies in convergence with ongoing state and national programmes likeIWMP,MGNREGA,RKVY,NFSM,NHM,NLMetc. The centers have been playing key role in dissemination of improved dryland practices, agro-advisories, contingency plans etc through print and electronic media. Publications Overall, 316 publications were contributed by AICRPDA team comprising of 77 research papers, 120 papers in conferences, 55 books/bulletins/reports and 64 popular articles during the year. The scientist gave 29 Radio talks, 23 Television talks and 55 lectures delivered during 2014-15. HRD, impacts and upscaling of rainfed technologies The centers are regularly engaged in HRD and capacity building activities for enhancing the knowledge base/skill development of primary and secondary stakeholders. The programs/activities include pre and in-seasonal trainings, field days, exposure visits etc. The impact analysis of rainfed technologies is being done in ORP adopted villages by Anantapur and Bangalore centres for assessing the strengths and limitations of these technologies. The performance and limitations of the rainfed technologies emanated from the centers and the scope for upscaling of these technologies were reviewed during one day District Level Stakeholder Consultation Workshops at AICRPDA Centres, Anantapur on 12th September, 2014, Faizabad on 15th October, 2014, Bangalore on 21st October, 2014, and at Parbhani on 13th January, 2015. Budget The total budget allocated for 22 network centers of AICRPDA for the period 2014-15 was Rs.1485.24 lakhs and Rs. 213.37 lakhs was allocated for 8 Operational Research Project centers.