Package of Practices Recommendations: Crops is a compilation of the recommendations on crop production technologies, edited and brought out by the Directorate of Extension of the Kerala Agricultural University. This book has been evolved out of the discussions held at State level workshops in which representatives from the University, State Department of Agriculture, ICAR institutions, Commodity Boards, input firms and farming community of the State participated and contributed. Recommendations of the task forces on specific field problems have also been taken into account.

In the current edition of this publication, all the chapters have been updated keeping pace with the rapid progress and challenges in the field of sustainable crop production. Contents of the chapters have been enlarged with the addition of more crops of recent importance. Comprehensive information on biofertilizers, biological control of pests and diseases, vermicompost, coirpith compost etc. have been included.

The recommendations given in this publication are mostly of a general nature. Location specific technological options are to be formulated wherever necessary taking into consideration of the agro-climatic, edaphic and farming situations of the locations concerned.

I hope this publication will be of great help to the farming community, extension workers and the agricultural scientists all over the State. Constructive suggestions from the readers for the improvement of the presentation, content or any other aspects of this publication are solicited.

I congratulate the Directorate of Extension and the Directorate of Research for the initiatives taken. Above all, I congratulate the scientists who contributed to the scientific information.

Vellanikkara, Trichur                                                                                                                                Prof. K. V. Peter
28 December, 2002                                                                                                                                   Vice-Chancellor

Package of Practices Recommendations: Crops has remained a much appreciated reference document on the agricultural technological developments in Kerala. In this edition also, no effort was spared to upkeep this long-standing credential of the publication. At the same time, every attempt has been made to incorporate all the recent technological developments in the field of sustainable agriculture by bringing together the knowledge and experience of progressive farmers, field extension functionaries and researchers. Though the basic ideas are retained, the pressing needs for technologies that adapt to the changing farming scenario have been attended to by making the chapters more comprehensive and informative with the addition of topics on biofertilizers, biocontrol etc. The recommendations of different task groups proposed by the State level workshops and the crop varieties recommended for release by the State Variety Release Committee till date have also been included.

The book remains devoted to the needs of all practising as well as aspiring farmers, extension functionaries and researchers. Moreover, it forms a testimonial to the enduring patience and unfailing commitment of a large number of scientists from the University, ICAR institutions, Commodity Boards, and other research organizations in the State.

Hope this edition of Package of Practices Recommendations: Crops will serve all its intended purposes and help the farming community at large.

I am grateful to the scientists of the ICAR institutions, Commodity Boards, Government Organizations and Kerala Agricultural University for the help rendered in compiling the information, which made this publication possible.

Mannuthy, Trichur                                                                                                                                         Prof. A. I. Jose
28 December, 2002                                                                                                                              Director of Extension

 

Citation:
Kerala Agricultural University. 2002. Package of Practices Recommendations: Crops. 12th Edition
(eds. A. I. Jose et al.). Kerala Agricultural University, Trichur. 278p.