LUDHIANA, MAY 15:- A seminar-cum-brain storming session on the use of leaf color chart (LCC) and tensiometer (TM) was organized in the Farmers Service Centre, PAU. More than 50 extension scientists from the State Department of Agriculture, Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) and Farmers Advisory Service Scheme (FASS) from various districts participated.
The PAU Director of Extension Education, Dr M.S.Gill, the chief guest, while inaugurating the event said that resource conservation in agriculture is the need of the day as intensive Punjab agriculture has exerted a tremendous pressure on the natural resource base. He showed a great concern about the overuse of nitrogenous fertilizer by the farmers, which not only increase the cost of cultivation but also cause water and air pollution. The excessive use of nitrogen increases the incidence of diseases and pests attack. The fast depleting underground table in the state is another concerning issue, that needs to be addressed. Dr Gill said that the PAU has recommended different technologies for the judicious use of water, including use of laser land leveler, transplanting of rice after June 10, irrigation of rice after 2 days of drainage, appropriate plot size, bed planting of crops, mulching with crop residue and micro irrigation techniques, etc. Irrigation scheduling of rice with the help of TM is another step in this direction.
To address the soil health and water concerns, Dr Gill said that PAU has recommended LCC which is a simple device to measure the greenness of the leaf and guides about the need for nitrogen application. The technique has been standardized for rice, maize and wheat crops. With its use farmers can save about 20 kg urea per acre, without any adverse effect on the crop yield. Dr Gill elaborated that judicious use of water is an utmost need of the time to restrict the depletion of underground water. He emphasized that TM- based irrigation scheduling in rice can save 20-30% irrigation water.
The soil science experts deliberated on the practical, eco-friendly and cost effective resource conserving technologies and responded to the specific queries by participants. A demonstration about the use of TM was arranged on the occasion. The extension specialists were suggested by Dr Gill to promote adoption of these resource conservation technologies at farmers fields. Dr U S Sadana, Head Department of Soil Science stressed upon need of judicious use of recommended fertilizers to reduced the cost of cultivation and check pollution and conserve water for our next generations. He informed that the LCC and TM are available from the Department of Soil Science.
