Weather based Integrated Agro Advisory for the month of October 2024

Plant Breeding & Genetics –Harendra Verma

1. Arrange the improved seeds of rabi season crops from reliable source.

2.    

3. Ensure irrigation during flowering stage if available.

4. Spray bio-pesticide during grain maturity stage to avoid the damage of grain during storage.

5. Harvested product of kharif season (June-Oct) crops should be dried properly before storing them in air tight container to prevent entry of moisture to avoid spoilage of seeds.

Vegetable Science – Aabon W Yanthan
1. Nursery raising of cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower: 100 sqm area is sufficient for raising one hectare area. Seed rate 300-500g/ha. Apply FYM @ 300kg, 50g sodium molybdate and 100 g of borax. Sow seeds at 10cm between rows in raised seed bed after drenching with copper chloride @ 2.5g/litre. Transplanting will be ready in 30-45 days. If high seedling mortality is observed, it is preferred to raise in protected nursery. Raise the seedling under shade net with 50% shade. Raising in portrays leads to healthy seedlings and less mortality rate. Around 600 protrays having 98 cell/portray is sufficient for one hectare.

Agroforestry – Pempa Lamu Bhutia
•     As October marks the end of the monsoon in many regions, trees might start facing water stress. Apply mulch around the base of trees /bamboos to retain moisture in the soil. Organic mulch like leaf litter and compost also enriches the soil as it decomposes.

•     In October-November, the second dose of cow dung and fertilizers should be applied to arecanut plants (Tamul) based on their year of planting. The recommended quantities per plant are as follows:

•     Here is the fertilizer application schedule for arecanut plants in a table format:

Application instructions: 
Apply the mixture in a ring around the base of the plant, 75-100 cm away from the base, with a depth and width of 15-20 cm.

Fruit Science –Ruth Assumi
1.     Papaya – Clean the basin of weeds, mount with soil and create good drainage to avoid water logging around the basin which will eventually kill the plant.

2.     Banana – At vegetative stage, remove all unwanted suckers growing around the main plant. Sword suckers must be removed at regular intervals to direct the plant/ soil nutrients towards the main plant growth.    

Pathology – Mathew S Baite
General Agro-Advisory for Disease Management:
•     Use local weather forecasts and apps to monitor humidity, temperature, and rainfall patterns.

•     Clean and remove crop residues to prevent disease carryover.

•     Avoid excessive nitrogen as it makes plants more susceptible to fungal infections.

•     Use drip irrigation where possible to minimize leaf wetness, which promotes fungal diseases.

•     Regular monitoring and timely application of control measures based on weather triggers.

Poultry –Celina and Mahak Singh 
1. Winter has incredible impact on poultry production. Amid winter season, when the temperature goes down, productivity decreases. Decrease in temperature causes more feed intake. Therefore when weather gets colder, it is necessary to give extra feed for maintaining body temperature.    

2. In winter season, 3400 kcal/Kg ME and 23% protein is required. Also, in cold period, birds tend to take lesser water so lukewarm water must be made available at all times.

3. In addition, good quality litter serves as an insulator in maintaining uniform temperature must be placed on the floor.

Piggery – Atokali and Mahak Singh
1.     As the winter months approach, the diet of the pig should be modified which usually involves increasing the energy requirements in the diet to keep the pig warm. Access to clean water is crucial.
2.    Biosecurity must be given priority to reduce the possibility of diseases to herd as well as spreading to other herds. Observe the animals for any indications of poor health. Sick animals to be isolated and treated as directed by veterinarian. BY keeping the indoor facility clean and dry, skin and respiratory problems can be avoided. 

3.    Maintaining daily observations and updating the farm’s standard operating procedures (SOPs) in response to changing environmental conditions is important for overall well being of the animals.  

Fishery - Jyotish barman
1.     Repair pond embankment that may have got damaged due to excessive rainfall. 

2. Constantly monitor fish activities and movement every morning, noon and evening. At early morning hours the fish may come to surface to gulp air or breathe. If such symptoms are observed, immediately mix the pond water by splashing or by pumping fresh water from nearby sources. 

3.     Diseased or injured fish should be dipped in 1 ppm KMnO4 solution for 1 minute and then release into the pond. 

4.     Prune tree branches around the pond so that leaves do not fall on water. Make sure that the pond receives enough sunlight. 

5.     Apply lime @ 27 kg/ha preferably in the morning hours preferably during 9 – 10 am to maintain the desired pH level of the water. Lime should be mixed with water in a container and allowed to cool and sprayed over the pond surface. Avoid liming on rainy or cloudy days.

6.    After 10 days of lime application, apply cow dung @ 200 kg /ha, Urea @ 25 kg/ha and SSP @ 20 kg/ha. 

7.    Feeding should be continued @ 14 kg/day/ha. Do not overfeed.

8.    If the temperature is too high, put some floating aquatic plant in one corner of the pond to provide shelter for the stocked fish. The covered area should not exceed one-fourth of the total water surface area.

9.    If excessive growth of algae (algal bloom) occurs, discontinue feeding and fertilization for few days until the bloom disappears.

10. If pond water is receding, fish weighing above 600-700 g can be partially harvested to allow the remaining fish to grow fast.

11. Remove pond bottom debris before the onset of winter.

Issued by ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region; Nagaland Centre, Medziphema