Impact of red gram variety WRGe-97 under Front-line Demonstration (FLD’s) of Soyabean + Redgram intercropping under rain-fed situation in Sangareddy district

Introduction

Soybean (Glycine max L.), a vehicle of socio-economic transformation for millions of small and marginal farmers of central India is continued to occupy the premier position in the oilseed scenario of the country since 2006. Soybean contains around 40% protein with all the essential amino acids beside 18-20% oil. According to the first advance estimates 2023-24, Government of India soyabean crop is estimated at 115.28 lakh tonnes as compared to 149.85 lakh tonnes in 2022-23. Among the states, Madhya Pradesh is leading in soyabean production with 45.97 lakh tonnes followed by Maharashtra (45.74 lakh tonnes), Rajasthan (10.69 lakh tonnes), Karnataka (4.73 lakh tonnes) Gujarat (4.23 lakh tonnes) and Telangana (2.90 lakh tonnes) (Source: https://www.igc.int). In India, as in 2023 area under soyabean during 2023-24 was 125.61 lakh hectares as against 124.79 lakh hectares during 2022-23. Among the states, Madhya Pradesh stood first with 53.35 lakh ha followed by Maharashtra (50.72 lakh ha), Rajasthan (11.44 lakh ha), Karnataka (4.11 lakh ha), Gujarat (2.66 lakh ha) and Telangana (1.89 lakh ha) (Source: https://agmarknet.gov.in/). In Telangana, as in 2023 area under soyabean was 4,67,160 acres as against 4,33,468 acres during 2022-23. Among the districts, Nirmal stood first with 1,23,063 acres followed by Adilabad (1,08,522 acres), Kamareddy (91,927 acres), Sangareddy (78,830 acres) and Nizamabad (51,612 acres) (Source: www.agri.telangana.gov.in). Soybean is a highly nutritious food with significant importance across various sectors, including milk production, oil processing, livestock feed, industrial applications, and human consumption (Addo and Oguntona, 1993) [1] . Recognized as an ideal grain for meeting the protein and energy needs of both humans and animals, soybean is likely the world's most valuable crop. It is used as feed by billions of livestock, a source of dietary protein and oil for millions of people, and in the production of countless industrial products. Rich in protein, fat, energy, vitamins, and minerals, soybean is an excellent nutritional resource (Nwokolo, 1996) [10] . The crop has an average production cycle of 90-110 days from planting to harvest (Fabiyi et al., 2006) [5] . About 6 million men and 6.3 million women that are living today have a history of coronary heart disease. Soyabean works in the prevention or minimizing the conditions through controlling cholesterol, blood pressure, vascular function and direct effects on the cells of the artery wall (AHA, 2000) [2] . Soyabean prevents heart attack and stroke through lowering cholesterol. Soyabean is reputed to be able to lower total cholesterol levels by 30% (Desroches et al., 2004) [4] . Beneficial effects of soyabean on cholesterol concentrations have recently culminated in the U.S. Food and Drugs Administrations (FDA) approving a health claim that 25g of soyabean protein a day as part of diet low in fat and cholesterol, may reduce the risk of heart diseases (Teixeira et al., 2000) [15] . It is also now known that the very high magnesium content of soyabean can cause expansion of the peripheral blood vessels thereby helping to decrease blood pressure to prevent hypertension (Lijuan et al., 2000) [9] . Men which were at risk of developing coronary heart disease consuming soyabean in diets have been found to have significant reductions in both diastolic and systolic blood pressure (Sagara et al., 2004) [12] . Pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan L.) is India's second most important grain legume, following chickpea, and accounts for 1.76% of the country's gross cropped area, contributing to 22% of total pulse production. This crop is a rich source of minerals and vitamins (Saxena et al., 2002) [13] and has a variety of ethnomedicinal uses. Floral decoctions of pigeon pea are traditionally used to treat ailments such as bronchitis, cough and cold, pneumonia, dysentery, and menstrual disorders (Singh & Kaur, 2012) [14] . The leaves and seeds contain active constituents, including alkaloids, cyanogenic glycosides, flavonoids, saponins, and tannins (Aja et al., 2015) [3] . Beyond its nutritional and medicinal value, Cajanus cajan also plays an important ecological role as a natural barrier to soil erosion and as a biological nitrogen fixer, enhancing soil fertility. Additionally, an infusion of its leaves is used to treat conditions such as anemia, hepatitis, diabetes, urinary infections, yellow fever, and various skin irritations, especially in females. Area under red gram reported during 2023-24 was 43.87 lakh ha (108.40 lakh acres) as against 46. 13 This study was conducted with the following objectives: 1. To evaluate the impact of the red gram variety WRGe-97 on the yield and productivity of Soyabean + Red gram intercropping system under rain-fed conditions in Sangareddy District. 2. To assess the economic benefits and resource utilization efficiency (e.g., water, nutrients) of the Soyabean + Red gram intercropping system, incorporating WRGe-97, under the prevailing rain-fed agricultural conditions of Sangareddy District.

Materials and Methods

The Field days were also conducted in each cluster to show the results of front-line demonstrations to the farmers of the same and neighbouring villages. The yield and economic performance of front-line demonstrations, the output was collected from FLDs as well as local control plots from all selected farmers of Soyabean intercropping with red gram for analysis and interpretation of the data. The data is interpreted and presented in terms of percentage and the qualitative data were converted into quantitative form and expressed in terms of per cent increased yield. Finally, the grain yield, cost of cultivation, net returns with benefit cost ratio was worked out. An average of cost of cultivation, yield and net returns of different farmers was analyzed by the formula. Average = [F1+ F2+F3. . . . . . . . . . . .. Fn]/N; F1 = Farmer; N = No. of Farmers. In the present study, technology index was operationally defined as technical feasibility obtained due to implementation of front-line demonstrations.

Results and Discussion

To enhance the yield, to reduce the risk and to minimise the pest and disease incidence these intercropping systems were demonstrated. These demonstrations were conducted under FLD's during the period of 2022-23 and 2023-24 in Sangareddy district. Among the two varieties in red gram, WRGe-97 showed the more yield when compared to local variety. Results were represented in Tab.1. WRGe-97 variety recorded a grain yield of 8.8 qt/ha and 9 qt/ha in 2022-23 and 2023-24 respectively which is more yield than local variety recorded a grain yield of 6.5 qt/ha and 6.9 qt/ha in 2022-23 and 2023-24 respectively. Demo variety showed an average of 30% more yield than check variety.

Economic indices of demo and check

The results revealed that, the maximum plant height was seen in demo for two years i.e., 176 cm and 181 cm respectively with an average of 178.5 cm. While, higher yield was noticed in demo of WRGe-97 variety for two years that is 8.8 qt/ha and 9 qt/ha respectively with an average mean of 8.9 qt/ha over check and mean increase of yield of demo was 35.3 and 30.4 respectively for two years (Table 1). However, the maximum yield of inter crop for two years (2022-23 and 2023-24) was seen in demo field i.e., 8.8+16.25 qt/ha and 9+16.9 qt/ha over check respectively. Similar results were seen in Praveen et al., (2022) [11] . WRGe-97 variety of red gram was found to be most effective intercrop with soyabean than local variety. [11] .

Conclusion

References

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