ICAR Rabi season Agro Advisory Mizoram

Maize

• Land preparation and sowing of maize may be completed from 1^stweek of October using composite variety or hybrid sweet corn.
• Spacing for Maize may be maintained at 60x30 cm so that optimum plant population could be maintained.
• Fertilizer application using FYM and NPK @ 120:60:40 for Hybrids using one third N and full dose of P and K at sowing time and two split doses of N at first earthing up and one month thereafter should be used.
• For weed control pre-emergence herbicide Atrazine @ 1.5-2 kg a.i / ha for sole crops while Alochlor @ 1.5 kg /ha can be used for mixed cropping systems.
• In areas where cutworm and White grubs are serious pests, chlorpyriphos @ 2 litre/ha mixed in 60-70 kg sandy soil may be used for soil amendment before sowing or cypermethrin 10EC @ 1ml /litre may be used for foliar application.

Management of FAW (Fall Army Worm)

• Hand picking and destruction of egg masses and larvae by crushing or immersing in Kerosene water.
• Application of dry sand into the whorl of affected maize plants soon after observation of FAW.
• Mass trapping of male moths using pheromone traps@15/acre.
• Chemical management:
  • To control FAW larvae at 5% damage to reduce hatching ability of freshly laid eggs, spray 5% NSKE nor Azadirachtin 1500 ppm@5ml/litre of water; 
  • To manage 2nd and 3rd instars larvae @ 10-20% damage, spray Spinetoram 11.7&SC @0.5ml/litre of water;
  • After emergence of tasselling, hand picking of the larvae is advisable as insecticide management at this stage Is not cost effective.

Pulses

• Cultivation of Rajmash could be started by second fortnight of August and completed in first
• fortnight of September using improved varieties like ARUN using basal dose of NPK @ 20:40:20 at the time of sowing.
• Seed bio fortification with Rhizobium and PSB culture should be done before sowing for better plant stand and yield.
• Apply pre-emergence herbicide Pendimethalin @ 1.5 /ha or Butachlor @ 10ml/litre of water for weed control.

Oilseeds

Soybean

• Sowing of Soyabean could be completed from 1st week of September using high yielding variety like JS 335, VL 89 and others.
• Pre emergence weedicide Butachlor may be used to control upland weeds @ of 10 ml/ litre of water.
• For higher crop production NPK @ of 20:60:40 may be applied for better yield.
• Seed bio fortification with Rhizobium and PSB culture should be done before sowing for better plant stand and yield.
• To control Blister beetle that feed on Soyabean flower Dichlorvos @ 2 ml per litre of water may be used.

Toria

• Cultivation of Toria could be completed from second fortnight of September using high yielding variety like TS 67, TS 36 and Ts 38.
• Spacing 30 cm row to row and 5 – 10cm plant to plant. Thinning is done 3 weeks after sowing in order to maintain the 5-10 cm plant to plant distance. Seed rate: 5 – 6 kg/ha.
• Spraying of Isoproturan @ 0.75 kg a.i and Pendimethalin @ 1kg a.i/ha controlled the rabi weeds effectively and produced higher yield.
• For higher crop production NPK @ of 50:60:30 may be applied for better yield.
• Seed should be treated through Thirum/ Captan 2.5 gm/kg seed.
• Spraying of Blitox -50 or Dithane M 45@ 2g/l of water at 10 days interval found to be effective in controlling Rust and Alternaria blight.

Nursery Management of Winter Vegetable Crops

• Select a sunny area with well drained friable light soil rich in organic matter.
• Nursery bed should be prepared by second week of August. Bring the soil into fine tilth and raise the bed to 10-15 cm above ground level. Mix well rotten farmyard manure/ compost or leaf compost in the soil.
• To make the soil free from soil-borne disease-causing pathogens (Damping-off), drench the bed with 0.1% solution of Captan or Fytolan.
• Cover immediately with polythene sheet or gunny bag or thick paper for 2 days.
• Uncover the soil and get it loosened and leave it as such for 3-4 days.
• Mix Malathion 5% dust thoroughly to protect the seedlings from soil-borne insects.
• Sowing should be done by last week of August or first/ second week of September. Sow the seeds thinly in U-shaped furrows spaced at 2.5 cm and at a depth of 1-2 cm (4 times the diameter of the seed). Cover the seeds immediately with a thin layer of sand mixed with well dried and sieved farmyard manure.
• Irrigate the sown beds using water cane fitted with a fine hose.
• Seedlings are ready for transplanting 21-30 days after sowing.
• Pit should be prepared and FYM should be applied 15 days ahead of transplanting. Liming should be done earlier to transplanting to raise the soil pH to optimum level. Pit should be treated with insecticide before transplanting of plants. Pit should be prepared at a spacing of 75 x 30 cm (Row to row x Plant to plant).

Rabi vegetable crops (Tomato, Cabbage, Broccoli, Onion)

• Farmers are advised to prepare Nursery bed for Rabi Crops starting from the month end of August.
• Land preparation for direct sowing of Rabi crops is to be started by the month of September.
• Seed treatment of Rabi crops to be done with Carbendazim (0.1%) 2g/kg seed and Trichoderma spp. 4-6g/kg seed.
• Farmers are advised to adopt sowing of Leguminous crops as intercrop to increase the soil nutrient where the nutrient level of the soil are low.

Management of Aphids in Mustard

• Set up yellow sticky trap to monitor aphid population.
• Destroy the affected parts along with aphids.
• Spray Dimethoate @2.5ml/ litre of water.

Management of insect Pests in Brinjal

• Collection and destruction of infected leaves along with the insects reduces pest incidence.
• Spraying the crop with Malathion 2ml/litre of water or Carbaryl (2-4g/litre of water) effectively controls the pest.

Powdery Mildew in vegetables

• Combine 1 tablespoon, baking soda and one half teaspoon of liquid, non-detergent soap with one gallon of water and spray the mixture literally on the plants. Mouthwash can also be used.

Oyster Mushroom Cultivation

Cut Straw 3-4 inches and boil it for 20-30 mins. Cool it and squeeze the wet straw to minimize moisture content. Keep it in a polythene, layer by layer. Put the spawn in each layer. Make a hole in the polythene. Incubate it in a dark room for 10-14 days. Take out the polythene and keep it in a rack and water it the next day by sprayer. Mushroom will bloom after 5-6 days and can be harvested.

Piggery

• Pig farmers are suggested for regular supplementation of mineral mixture @ 20-30 g/head/day for adult Pig and calcium to the lactating and pregnant Sow @ 30-40 ml/head/day to maintain productivity.
• As Mizoram is currently facing African swine fever epidemic in many districts, the farmers are advised to regularly disinfect the farm premises and Pig sty using disinfectants such as 2% Sodium hydroxide, sodium, or calcium hypochlorite (2-3%) etc. Foot dip should be place at the entrance of the Farm.
• Pigs brought from other farm or other location should be kept in quarantine for at least 30 days before mixing with another herd. Avoid bringing of Pigs from disease infected area.
• If there is a suspected case of ASF or sudden death of Pigs in your area, immediately inform the Veterinary officer for further treatment and prevention of the spread of the disease and proper disposal of diseased carcasses.
• Farmers are suggested to feed their Pigs with locally available non-conventional feed stuffs like kitchen waste, vegetable waste, brewery waste, nutritious plants like wild cassava, Colacasia etc. may be incorporated to some extend to minimize the feed cost as well as to get rid of problem of commercial feed scarcity in Piggery.
• Ensure vaccination of Piglets against Classical Swine Fever disease initially at the age of 2 months (weaning) and then booster dose at 6 months after first vaccination and thereafter annually.
• Pigs should be vaccinated against FMD initially at the age of 2 months and then revaccinate annually.
• Pig should be de-wormed against gastro-intestinal nematode with Albendazole @ 5-10 mg/kg body weight or fenbendazole @ 7.5-10 mg/kg body weight orally

Preventive Measures for African Swine Fever

• Importing of pigs, pork or any by-products should be strictly prohibited.
• Disinfection and Sanitization of Pig and its premises.
• No visitors should be allowed at the farm.
• Carcass disposal should preferably be by burial.

Poultry

• The farmers are suggested to practice backyard Poultry farming and rear dual purpose variety Poultry birds such as Rainbow rooster, Vanaraja, Giriraja etc. so that local demands of eggs and meat can be fulfilled.
• The maintenance of proper hygienic condition in Poultry house is utmost necessary.
• The Poultry farmers are advised to regularly disinfect the premises of Poultry houses with 1 % sodium hypochlorite and inhibit the entry of outsiders to the farm premises. Foot dip should be place at the entrance of the Farm.
• Before introduction of new batches of chicks in the farm, the Poultry houses should be cleaned properly and disinfected with 60-70 g of KMnO4 mixed with 120-150 ml of formalin solution per 10 cubic feet space. Place the birds in the shed after 24 hrs of fumigation.
• In case of deep litter system of rearing in Poultry, the litter material should be dried completely before using it as bedding material and the litter material should be turned and raked weekly and should be replaced with a new litter material before a new batch is introduced.
• Ensure vaccination of chicks against Ranikhet disease, Marek disease, Fowl pox and Infectious bursal disease.
• Provide a minimum of 23 hrs light in the brooder continuously and 16 hrs light for adult birds during the laying period.
• De-beaking should be done as early as 1 day to 6 weeks and should be repeated at 16 weeks of age if necessary.
• Poultry farmers are suggested for regular supplementation of vitamin and mineral mixture (Grow B-plex/Ambiplex) @ 10-20 ml/100 birds and calcium to the layer during laying period @ 30-40 ml/100 birds to prevent soft shell.
• Deworming of Poultry birds should be done at the age of 6-8 weeks with Albomar liquid @ 45ml/100 birds in drinking water once in early morning with empty stomach. De-worming can also be done with Piperazine hydrochloride @ 5ml/10 birds.

Dairy Cattle

• Farmers are suggested to follow routine deworming and vaccination schedule for Dairy Cattle.
• To maintain productivity and improve immune status of animals, the dairy farmers are suggested for regular supplementation of vitamins and minerals @ 50-100 g/head/day to their livestock.

Goat

• Ensure deworming of Goat with fenbendazole @ 7.5-10 mg/kg body weight orally especially kids.
• Goat should be vaccinated against PPR & FMD at the age of 3 months & then re-vaccinate annually.
• Goat farmers are advised for regular supplementation of mineral mixture @ 10-15 g/head/day for adult and calcium to the lactating and pregnant doe @ 10-15 ml/head/day.

Source : ICAR Rabi Agro-Advisory for farmers