Effect of technological interventions on cumin yield at farmers’ field

Abstract

Cumin is one of the important major seed spice crops, considered to be a remunerative cash crop mainly grown in the western part of the country particularly in Rajasthan and Gujarat occupying about 507850 hectares area with annual production of about 314220 tonnes. Front line demonstrations on cumin consisting two important varieties (GC-4 and RZ-209) with the scientific interventions viz., line sowing, seed treatment (Bavistin @ 2.5 g kg-1 seed andTrichoderma viride @ 4 g kg-1 seed, to protect from soil born fungi) and application of recommended doses of nutrients (40 kg ha1 each N and P) for balanced nutrition with appropriate plant protection schedule (two sprays of malathion @ 0.2%, two sprays of dithane M-45 @ 0.2% and one spray of karathane @ 0.1%) were carried out at four farmers’ fields in villages viz., Sindhion Ki Dhani, Baldon Ki Dhani, Rampura and Bagawas in Pali district of Rajasthan duringRabi season of 2012-13. Study revealed that overall 39.82 % yield was increased over farmers’ traditional practice under the FLD of improved variety with the technological interventions with the yield of 625 kg ha-1. The overall average extension gap 177.50 kg ha-1 of with technology gap (375 kg ha-1) and technology index (37.50) was recorded. The overall average additional returns of Rs. 23075 ha-1 was obtained under the demonstration fields with the maximum additional returns of Rs. 26000 ha-1 obtained in F4 field due to higher grain yield. Both the varieties with recommended package of practices can be recommended in western Rajasthan for successful cultivation of cumin for fulfilling the demand of domestic and export markets.