Agriculture notes prepared by IAS Topper for all agriculture based competitive exams-Agronomy-Pulses

Pulses

Importance

As food :       Source of cheap protein and important amino acids

source of important minerals (calcium in particular)

source of vitamin A, B-1 and C

As fodder:    Used as hay, green fodder and concentrates for animals

Soil fertility : Roots fix atmospheric nitrogen in soil (50-200 kg/ha), also used as green  manure for improving soil fertility

Weed control : Broad leaves prevent penetration of light thereby reducing the weed infestation. Faster growth and better competition against weed also prevents nutrient availability to weeds

Soil and water conservation: Deep roots bind the soil firmly and reduce removal of soil by the running water. Broad leaves prevent splash erosion and also evaporation from the soil. Dense growth of pulses prevents run off.

 

Limitations for pulse production in India

a). Agro-climate: Pulses are normally grown in unirrigate/dry lands where it is subjected to drought, moisture stress, frost and low temperature conditions. Pulses are also grown in highly eroded soils and problematic soils like acid, alkaline and waterlogged soils.

b). Agronomical management problems:

• Lack of high yielding varieties
• Improper agronomic practices
• Heavy infestations by weeds as the pulses grow slowly in their early stage (20-45 days). Crop is also attacked by sever pests (gram pod borer, aphids, pod fly etc.)  and diseases (wilt and root rot) during their growth

c). Socio-Economic factors

• Pulses are given subsidiary status because India has large number of small and marginal farmers who cultivate crops for subsistence (consumption). Therefore, grain crops are preferred for more remuneration.

d). Genetic constraints

• Pulses are genetically handicapped as they store proteins more rather than carbohydrates as done by grain crop. Production of protein needs more energy compared to CHO, therefore, pulses demand more inputs like fertilizer and proper management.

f). Insufficient research and development in pulses leave more problems for profitable cultivation of pulse crops.

g). Constraints in post harvest technologies, have failed to prevent the damage due to pest and disease during the storage of pulse grains

Remedies:

Consider all the above limitations and rectify the mismanagements. In addition to them, it is important to keep in mind the following points.

·        Development of high yielding pulse varieties should be early maturing, photo and thermo insensitive, fertilizer sensitive, resistant to pest, disease, frost, drought and  waterlogging, erect and non spreading so as to suit all the adverse conditions.

·        Development of new intercropping and mixed cropping systems to accommodate pulses. Companion cropping, relay cropping and parallel cropping can effectively exploited to increase the total pulse output in the country.

·        Extension of government support through agricultural credit with special packages for pulse seeds, fertilizers and infrastructure to take up its cultivation

·        Adoption of proper land reclamation before cultivating the pulse crops