Alternate Crop Establishment Methods for Water-Saving and High Rice Productivity in North Coastal Andhra Pradesh

Abstract

A field study was carried for two consecutive kharif and rabi seasons of 2013-14 and 2014-15 on farmer’s fields across 15 locations each year during kharif and 9 locations each year - during rabi in Srikakulam district, Andhra Pradesh. We tested five crop establishment methods viz., dry direct sowing using fertilizer-cum seed drill under irrigated conditions, drum seeding, systems of rice intensification (SRI), mechanized transplanting using rice 8 row yanmar transplanter, and manual transplanting. Study findings revealed that transplanting with rice planter emerged as high yielding method of establishment where the grain yield was higher by 9.21% over manual transplanting. Dry direct sowing was found to be highly profitable method of rice establishment by recording higher net returns Rs. 12596/ha compared to manual planting. Dry direct sowing and SRI proved as water productive rice establishment methods which took lesser water by 22.45% and 18.78% compared to manual transplanting during kharif. Whereas during rabi, drum seeding proved as profitable and water saving method of crop establishment in rice.

What is the State of Groundnut Production in India? Uncovering the Productivity and TFP Dynamics of the Major Oilseeds: Evidence from Andhra Pradesh, India

“…A third study, led by (Jelliffe et al 2009), examined the productivity of smallholder groundnut farmers in Northeastern Mozambique, using data from 2016. The study employed a Cobb-Douglas True Fixed Effects stochastic production frontier model, and discovered that the mean TFP index and technical efficiency of the farmers were low, with room for improvement in terms of productivity [7][8][9][10][11]. Furthermore, it is also important to note that the oilseeds sector plays a significant role in the rural economy of the state, providing employment and livelihood opportunities for the farmers.…”

Effects of eggshell and seashell powder as natural dietary calcium supplements on growth, molting frequency, and carapace calcium composition of juvenile red claw crayfish, Cherax quadricarinatus

“…The composition of eggshells is approximately 98.2% calcium carbonate, 0.9% magnesium, and 0.9% phosphorous (phosphate) ( Shwetha et al, 2018 ) and according to Nys & Gautron (2007) , eggshell is made up of calcium carbonate (95%) and a minor amount of organic matrix (5%). Rao et al (2016) stated that seashells are excreted from animal mantle which is made up of mostly calcium carbonate. Seashell consists of 95% calcium carbonate and the remainder are organic matter and other compounds ( Hamester, Balzer & Becker, 2012 ).…”