Specialty Of KVK

Krishi Vigyan Kendra, JAU, Rajkot-I

 

7)Specialty of KVK:

(i)   Management of stem rot disease in groundnut:

(Trichoderma harzianum – An eco-friendly component for management of stem rot disease in groundnut)

 

Situation analysis:

            Groundnut is a major crop of Saurashtra region and plays an important role in the economy of farmers of Gujarat state. Due to initiation of stem rot (Sclerotium rolfsii)  disease particularly in groundnut variety GG-20, the area under groundnut decreases every year. This disease has causes severe damage to economically important crops and huge losses to farmers of this region. Percentage of stem rot infection reached up to 20 to 25% in some pocket of this area. Mostly farmers shell groundnut by decorticator for sowing seed purpose which makes seed vulnerable for infection. Farmers add sand/murrum into soil to make the soil more permeable. Secondly farmers perform 7 to 8 interculturing unnecessary to make crop weed free. Due to these amendments and practices make soil more porous for fungus growth. Due to this percentage of stem rot infection reached to 20 to 25 % in this region.

Stem rot infected plant in the farmers field	Field of groundnut crop severely infected with stem rot disease

Technology, implementation and support:

Junagadh Agricultural University (JAU) has recommended following technology for the control of stem rot disease in groundnut i.e. “Application of Trichoderma harzianum powder @ of 2.5 kg/ha mixed with castor cake @ 500 kg/ha at the time of sowing”.

• The technology cost is Rs 3375 per hectare
• It improve soil health
• This technology is eco-friendly

KVK-Rajkot started campaign for the management practice of stem rot disease in groundnut through application of Trichoderma harzianum. The KVK initiated a participatory programme through large scale front line demonstration of technology on farmers’ field in Rajkot district. Different extension teaching methods such as field demonstration, training, farmers-scientist interface, group discussion, diagnostic survey etc. were used to transfer and promote the technology. The KVK also published a colorful pamphlet describing technology with illustration and distributed to farmers.  For appealing the large mass of people, Radio talk and TV talks were also delivered at a critical periods of plant growth.

In order to provide wide publicity to the technology “SAWAJ” brand Trichoderma harzianum powder is distributed to 1500 to 2000 farmers every year at the cost of Rs. 70 /kg since 2011 at KVK centre.

KVK, Rajkot has created awareness among farmers regarding stem rot management technology. The farmers have adopted this technology and got fruitful result. KVK Rajkot provides the Trichoderma harzianum powder (SAWAJ Brand) at the cheapest rate i.e. Rs. 70 per kg which is produced by Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh. 

OFT conducted at KVK farm for stem rot disease management through application of Trichoderma harzianum	FLD on farmers field for management of stem rot disease in groundnut crop

 

Uptake, spread and benefits:

Farmers are using higher amount of chemical fertilizers to increase the productivity of the crops, which create the soil pollution and reduce the soil fertility day by day. So application of Trichoderma harzianum with castor cake improves the soil health and reduces the soil pollution.

The percentage of stem rot disease infection was found near 25% that has been reduced up to 6-8% due to continuous application of Trichoderma harzianum powder for management of stem rot disease in groundnut. Most of the farmer adopted the recommended practice and drastically suppressed stem rot disease and increased the groundnut yield upto 17% and farmer earns 10 to 12% more return.

Also farmers are lead to use organic material viz: castor cake with Trichoderma harzianum component for the management of stem rot. This helps in saving of national wealth and environment through the reduction in use of chemical fertilizers/pesticides/fungicides and improvement of soil health.

Some of the farmers share their viewed that impact of Trichoderma harzianum powder not only useful for groundnut but consequent crops like cumin and coriander also. Farmers also viewed that while mixing Trichoderma harzianum with castor cake helps to increase soil fertility.  

Trichoderma powder well known brand ‘’SAWAJ’’ in farming community produce by J.A.U.	Mixing of Trichoderma powder with castor cake for field application	Field of groundnut crop free from stem rot disease due to  consequent application of Trichoderma harzianum