ICAR Rabi season Agro Advisory for West Bengal

Boro Paddy

• Rice varieties like IET-4786 (Satabdi), Lalat, WGL-20471 (Lal minikit), IR-36, CR-126-42-1, IET-1444, IET-2233, IET-4094 (Khitish) etc. can be grown successfully during boro season.
• Rice cultivars like Rajendra Bhagwati, Kanak, Dudheswar etc. can be grown in lowlands with moderate salinity.
• Timely seed sowing in the nursery (1st to 15th December) and timely transplanting (15th to 30th January) with 40-45 days old seedlings is necessary for better crop growth and yield.
• Apply 54.25 kg neem coated urea + 312.5 kg SSP + 63 Kg MOP ha-1 as basal. Then add 108.5 kg neem coated urea ha-1 at maximum tillering stage (1st top-dressing) and another 54.25 kg neem coated urea + 20 kg MOP at panicle initiation stage (2nd top-dressing).
• Before sowing, treat rice seeds with mancozeb + carbendazim 2 g or Trichoderma viridae 10 g by dissolving in 10-12 ml water per kg seed; make paste of fungicide solution and rub on the seed.
• In irrigated situation high yielding short duration paddy variety like Satabdi, WGL 20471, Rajendra Bhagabati, Shreya etc. can be grown to obtain maximum yield
• In saline affected soil Mohan (CSR-4), CSR-36, 43 and 46, Gosaba-5 & 6 can be grown to get maximum yield and net return
• To reduce soil salinity and to improve soil health apply 7-8 t/ha decomposed cowdung/FYM or 1.5-2.0 t/ha vermicompost during land preparation or practice green manuring
• Transplanting should be done by following skip row method to avoid BPH pest load
• Apply soil test based balanced fertilizers. For judicious use of nitrogenous fertilizer, follow Leaf Colour Chart (LCC).
• For better yield, apply 15-20 kg of zinc sulphate monohydrate (33%) per hectare during puddling

Maize (Rabi)

• Different varieties like, P 3396, Deccan 103, Deccan 105, P 3546, P 3522, Rajkumar, All-Rounder, 900 M Gold. PAC-740 etc. may be used.
• Optimum plant population (7 plants sq mt-1) should be maintained following planting geometry of 60 cm × 30 cm.
• Follow ridge and furrow method of sowing as it is better than conventional method (flat sowing), particularly in medium lands with moderate salinity.
• Apply 5-ton FYM per ha at 10 days prior to sowing. Further, apply 174 kg urea, 375 kg SSP, 120 kg MOP and 25 kg ZnSO₄ (Zinc Sulphate) ha-1 as basal. Top-dressing of urea in two splits viz. 130 kg at knee-high stage and 130 kg at pre-tasselling stage should be done.

Lentil

• Sowing of lentil should be completed between 1st and 30th November for sole cropping.
• Lentil can be cultivated as relay crop and seeds are to be broadcasted at least 7-10 days before harvest of kharif paddy. Suitable varieties like WBL-77 (Moitree), L-4717 (Pusa Ageti), KLS-09-3, PL-8, IPL316 etc. should be sown @ 30 kg seed ha-1
• For sole cropping, apply only 250 kg of SSP and 35 kg of MOP at the time of final land preparation (basal).
• If required, a light irrigation can be given during pre-flowering stage. 
• Two foliar sprays of boron @ 0.2% (before and after flowering) can be effective.
• Sprays either DAP or urea @ 2% during flowering stage is effective in maintaining plant vigour.

Rapeseed-Mustard

• Sowing of mustard should be completed within 3rd week of October to second week of November.
• Varieties like Binoy, Varuna, Pusa Bold, Kranti, Bhagirathi, PM2-3, PM-99-125, PM-5, PM-28, PM-30, YSH-0401, NRCHB-101, TBM-204 etc. are suitable.
• For utera / paira cropping, seeds of mustard (cv. B-9, TBM 143 etc.) can be sown at least 10-12 days prior to harvesting of preceding kharif paddy.
• Treat the seeds with Carbendazim (Bavistin) 50 WP (2 g kg-1 seed) at least 4 hours before sowing. Organic seed treatment with Trichoderma viridae @ 5 g kg-1 seed can be effective.
• Crop under line sowing method should be maintained with proper planting geometry (20-25 cm × 10 cm).
• Apply 3-ton FYM ha-1 at 10 days prior to sowing. Further, apply 43.5 kg urea, 250 kg SSP, 67 Kg MOP ha-1 as basal. Then topdress urea in two splits viz. 87 kg at branching stage and 43.5 kg at flowering stage.
• Apply at least two irrigations at branching and flowering stages.
• In sulphur-deficient soil, apply 45 kg sulphur ha-1.

Summer Greengram:

• Short duration yellow mosaic virus resistant greengram variety like IPM-02-14 or IPM-205-7 may be grown to obtain maximum yield and return
• Seed should be inoculated with Rhizobium, PSB & KSB @ 1.5 kg /haeachbefore sowing to get more yield as well reduce the use of chemical fertilizers
• Two-time spray with micro nutrient (Mo) @ 0.5 g/lit of water during flowering stage at 15 days interval

Sunflower

• The variety LFSH-171, KBSH-53 & 78 of sunflower may be grown during rabi-summer season with 3-4 irrigation. 
• During field preparation, the organic manure like decomposed cowdung/FYM @ 7-8 t/ha or 2.0 t/ha vermicompost should be used to improve soil health and crop productivity
• Chemical fertilizers @ 90:90:40 kg NPK/ha is to be used
• Two-time spray with micro nutrient (B) @ 2 g/lit. of water during square formation and flowering stage should be used for better seed set and maximum yield

Cotton

• Hirsutum cotton may be grown during rabi–summer season in non-saline as well as saline soil of Sundarbans in rice- fallow by providing 2-3 irrigations
• The seed should be treated with fungicide and germinated seeds should be sown directly in a field after land preparation with a spacing of 45cm X 30 cm
• The sowing of cotton is to be done within 15th of Dec. to 15th of Jan.
• Chemical fertilizers @ 80:40:30 kg NPK/ha is to be used
• One-time thinning operation followed by earthing up is to be done within 30-40 DAS
• Use Indoxacarb 14.5% SC @ 360 ml/ha or Rynaxypyr 18.5 % SC @ 150 ml/ha two times at 15 days interval to control spotted boll worm and Helicoverpa during boll development stage
• After harvesting the seed cotton, proper sun drying should be done before bagging

Lathyrus

• Area under pulse may be increased by growing of lathyrus as paira crop
• The sowing of lathyrusshould be done in the month of Nov. in moist soil when the rice is in flowering stage. 45-50 kg/ha seed is required for sowing.
• Ratan, B-1, Pusa-24, Prateek, Maha Teora etc. varieties may be grown for better yield
• Two to three times spray with 2% urea are to be done during growth and flowering stage for better yield
• Use Indoxacarb 14.5% SC @ 360 ml/ha or Rynaxypyr 18.5 % SC @ 150 ml/ha two times at 15 days interval to control pod borer

Horticultural Crops

Vegetables

• For the coming rabi season, the better vegetable crop choice would be tomato, chilli, bitter gourd, French bean and Dolichos bean for the land embankment system. For upland situation, cabbage, cauliflower, knolkhol, brinjal, beet, carrot and radish are suggested.
• For the YAAS affected saline lands, the salt tolerant crops like bitter gourd, ash gourd, beet, tomato, palak, cabbage, cauliflower, knolkhol and dolichos bean would be best choice.
• Dolichos bean may be a good choice, as it has long cropping period. The crop must be sown by May-June and it needs harvesting and marketing of produce from October onward upto February-March.
• In each case seed priming using Chlormequat Chloride (Cycocel) @ 50 ppm for 8 hrs or 1% solution of KNO3 (prepare a solution of soluble fertilizer 13:0:45 @ 10g/lt) for 1-2 hour is advised for better germination, seedling vigour and developing crop resistance against biotic and abiotic stresses.
• To increase net return, input cost must be minimized. Use of homemade manure (organic manure), neem pesticide and bio-fungicide (Trichoderma) will not only minimize cost of cultivation, but also will help to have better crop stand and better production.
• To get healthy crop with more self-defense against pests and diseases, use as much organic manure as possible (minimum 1q /cottah). Minimize dependence on inorganic fertilizers.
• Before land preparation, apply lime @ 2 kg/cottah, which will minimize soil borne disease problem maintain soil pH and enrich soil Ca content.
• For healthy seedling growth of each vegetable, spray soluble fertilizer 12:61:0 @ 3g/lt upon 12-15 days old seedlings. Repeat after 7 days.
• Use the same fertilizer solution (12:61:0 @ 3g/lt) at the root zone, immediately after transplanting of seedlings of tomato, chilli, cole vegetables etc. Repeat the same at 2 – 3 days interval.
• For better nutrient management of vegetable crops, use soluble fertilizers like 19:19:19 or 20:20:20 @ 3 to 5g/lt as much as possible at 7 – 10 days interval.
• For better growth and yield in vegetable crops, micronutrient plays a vital role. For better micronutrient management, apply Mixed Micronutrient (Grade 5) @ 1.5 to 2 g/lt as spray at 15 to 20 days interval.
• To increase plant defence against biotic and abiotic stresses, use soluble fertilizer 13:0:45 @ 3 to 5 g/lt starting from flowering to fruiting stage, regularly at 15 to 20 days interval.
• To increase female flower count as well as yield in cucurbit vegetables (like bitter gourd, cucumber), spray Ethrel (or ethepon 39.5% SL) @ 0.4 ml/lt twice at 2 and 4 true leaf stage.
• To improve fruit setting and to minimize flower or immature fruit drop in tomato, chilli, brinjal, Dolichos bean, cowpea, cucurbits spray soluble B (Boron 20%) @ 1.5g/lt and NAA 4.5% W/W (Planofix) @ 0.2 ml/lt, alternately at 10-12 days interval.

Mango, Guava & Litchi

• Fruit drops in all the three crops can be managed by spray of NAA 4.5% W/W (Planofix) @ 0.3 ml/lt at 10-12 days interval.
• For better fruit development, spray n-triacontanol (Miraculan) @ 0.5 ml/lt at 15 days interval.
• Keep sufficient moisture in the orchard basin. Mulching with straw or grass may be practiced for better soil moisture conservation.
• Apply one third dose of recommended fertilizers and manures beneath the tree canopy area, during October and again in February.
• In litchi, to prevent fruit cracking, maintain sufficient moisture during hot summer of May. Regular watering is compulsory. Mulching with straw or grass around the tree basin is helpful for better soil moisture conservation. Fresh water spray upon the fruits and leaves during daytime in hot & dry periods may also be helpful.
• In guava, individual fruit wrapping is a must to avoid fruit fly attack, as well as to get good appearance of the fruits. Wrapping should be done with transparent polythene packets with a paper piece inside it to protect the fruit from direct sunlight.
• Manures and fertilizers should be applied as per recommendation. For better fruit colour and quality, apply amonium sulphate instead of urea as nitrogenous fertilizer.
• For better fruit growth, soluble fertilizers like 19:19:19 or 20:20:20 @ 3 to 5g/lt and any Mixed Micronutrient (Grade 5) @ 1.5 to 2 g/lt may be applied at 10-12 days interval.

Betelvine

• To protect the plant from cold injury, use plastic sheet protection towards north & west sides of the boroz.
• Use 75% shade net as roofing. This will protect fog penetration and there by minimize ‘Hemchiti’
• Avoid applying urea or other nitrogen fertilizer indiscriminately which may make the plant more susceptible to winter injury. 
• Use as much organic manure as possible.
• Spray 13:0:45 @ 3g/lt. at 7-10 days interval. This will increase plants own defense against disorders. 

Animal Husbandry

• Animal house under loose housing system needs attention to protect them from cold stress.
• Supply extra heat for newborn for preventing Pneumonia and Diarrhoea.
• Maintaining proper cleaning and ventilation under the shade.
• Dry cleaning should be followed.
• Arrangement of sufficient sun light during daytime.
• Provision of bedding and extra heat for preventing cold.
• Lukewarm and outdoor feeding should be advised.
• Maintaining body temperature feed like oilcakes and jaggery may be used.
• Feed more roughage (Hay & Straw).
• Newborn should be feed with more milk.
• Drainage system should be clean for preventing food root.
• Promotion of fodder cultivation (Oats, Berseem, Mustard cabbage).
• Deworming the animals.
• Don’t shear wools and hairs during Rabi.
• Additional feed is required for sheep and goat.
• At least 4 hours’ sunlight is required for sheep and goat.
• Use Cypermethrin for removing ticks and mites inside the shades and use Ivermectin for removing ecto and endo parasitic load.
• Avoid over feeding.
• Vaccinate FMD, HS & BQ for cattle, PPR for goat Pox and Ranikhet for poultry, Duck plague for Duck, Swine fever for pigs.
• For preventing winter stress, gunny bags should be hanged at the places from where cold air entered.
• Around 6 inches of litter is needed in houses during winter.
• 24 hours lighting provision inside the poultry shade.
• Numbers of feeder should be increased.
• Continuous supply of fresh and clean lukewarm water inside the Poultry shade.
• Routine inspection of Pipeline.
• Provision of heater inside the Poultry shade.

Fisheries

• The feed cost in fish cultivation is about 60-70% of total expenditure. Thus, preparation of feed from low cost easily available local ingredients can reduce the expenditure and increase the profit.
• During winter, most of the fishes need to sell and dry the pond by removing the water for pond management.
• The stocking density about to 20% during winter period improves the fish cultivation.
• In feed mill, ensure that the workers are following industry best practices, along with strict protocols of hygiene and physical sanitation regarding COVID-19.
• During winters, various fungal, bacterial, and parasitic diseases like fin rot, gill rot, EUS and argulosis may appear in the fish. Treat the pond with CIFAX @ 400 ml/acre just before the onset of winters. Also treat the pond with potassium permanganate @ 1-2 kg/acre or limestone @ 50-100 kg/acre. Salt application @ 100 kg/acre also helps in protecting fish against disease outbreak during winters.

Source : ICAR Rabi agro-advisory for farmers