Enhancing pulse production through introduction and expansion of improved pulse production technologies (IPPT) in rainfed rice fallow lands (RRFL) of Central and Eastern India CL Laxmipathi Gowda Global Theme Leader Crop Improvement & Management International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) Patancheru 502 324, Andhra Pradesh, India Presented at Workshop on “Strategies for Pulses Production”, Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi, 8 May 2010.

Goal, Approach and Focus To increase production and productivity of pulses on sustainable basis in rainfed rice fallow lands of Central and Eastern India Approach: Increase pulses production through dissemination of improved technologies Focus: Districts with high potential but relatively low levels of productivity performance High potential: Medium to deep soils (Dorsa – Kanhar) With supplementary irrigation (where ever possible)

Potential Areas for Rice Fallow Legumes Chhattisgarh 2.94 mha Madhya Pradesh 1.75 mha Jharkhand Orissa 1.22 mha West-Bengal 1.72 mha Total 9.38 mha Scope: Area: 11.65 mha

Estimated Potential RRFL Area State RRFL Area (mha) Potential 30-40% RRFL (area mha) available for immediate IPPT interventions Potential RRFL districts for IPPT Intervention 30% 40% Chhattisgarh 2.94 0.88 1.18 Bilaspur, Dhamtari, Kanker, Jashpur, Raipur, Raigarh, Raj-Nandgaon, Durg, Kabirdham, Korba and Mahasamund Jharkhand 1.75 0.53 0.70 Chhatra, Dumka, Jamtara, Palamau, Ranchi, Lohardaga, Gumla, Girdhi, Deoghar, Sahibhanj, Dhanbad, Godda, Purbi Singbhum and Pashchimi Singbhum Madhya pradesh Anupuur, Chhatarpur, Damoh, Dindori, Raisen, Jabalpur, Katni, Jhabua, Rewa, Satna, Shadol, Seoni, Mandla, Narsingpur and Umeria Orissa 1.22 0.37 0.49 Baleshwar, Dhenkanal, Sundergarh, Mayurbhanj, Kalahandi, Bolangir, Kheonjar, Puri and Cuttak West-Bengal 1.72 0.52 0.69 Bankura, Purulia, Mednapur, West Dinajpur, Malda, Jalpaiguri, Medinipur, Barddhaman and Birbhum Total 9.38 2.83 3.76 59

Where and When? Unirrigated early sown: - 3rd week of Sept - 2nd week of Oct Unirrigated/partially irrigated timely sown: - 4th week of Oct – 2nd week of Nov Irrigated late sown: - Up to 1st week of December Note: Wherever possible with supplementary irrigation

Constraints and Possible Solutions in RRFL Intervention/Solutions Seed : Improved varieties Crop establishment : Zero tillage machines Diseases : Wilt resistant varieties Pod Borer : IPM Fertilizers : DAP Micronutrients : Zn, B, S, Mb Herbicides : Pendamethaline Transfer of technology : Farmer Empowerment Seed systems : Village Level Seed Banks

Strategy and Approach: Village Level ICRISAT SAUs NGOs DoA&E ICAR Panchayat Farmer FSHG Seed clubs IPPT clubs IPPT Village Institutions

Lessons Learned from NFSM Pilot Project in Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh IPPPT package was highly profitable, net return was 110% in CG and 130% in MP compared to local framers’ practices IPPPT gave 25-38% higher grain yields over local farmer practices Seed system at village level needs strengthening Introduction of Zero-till machines is a priority for crop establishment. Development of heat /drought/root rot tolerant cultivars Collar Rot and Dry Rot Rot are the potential diseases of chickpea in RRFL Social action and policy support needs

Main Elements and Strategy/Approach: Pulse Villages Farmers and village selection Soil Sampling and nutrient analysis Farmers participatory IPPT demonstrations Farmers participatory variety selection Crop establishment (machines) Crop monitoring, pest management Village level seed system (multiplication to storage) Capacity building and empowerment Back-up research and development: 1. Development of heat/drought tolerant varieties 2. Basic and developmental research on crop protection

NFSM- Pilot Project Chickpea: RRFL- Chhattisgarh (2009-10)

ICAR-ICRISAT Collaborative Project: RRFL Pulses NFSM- Pilot Project Chickpea: RRFL- Madhya Pradesh (2009-10) ICAR-ICRISAT Collaborative Project: RRFL Pulses

(ISOPOM Project F.No.14-9/2008-CA II) Improving Heat Tolerance in Chickpea for Enhancing its Productivity in Warm Growing Conditions and Mitigating Impacts of Climate Change (ISOPOM Project F.No.14-9/2008-CA II) Developed simple and effective field screening method for heat tolerance in chickpea Reproductive stage identified as the most sensitive stage for heat stress in chickpea Large genetic variation observed for heat tolerance in chickpea. Several heat tolerant germplasm/breeding lines were identified which were able to set pods at high temperatures of up to 350C. Project Partners: ICRISAT, Patancheru; IIPR-Kanpur; Punjab University, Chandigarh; JNKVV, Jabalpur; and RARS of ANGRAU, Nandyal

(ISOPOM Project: F. No. 14-9/2008-CA II) Exploiting Host Plant Resistance for Helicoverpa Management to Increase Production and Productivity of Chickpea and Pigeonpea Under Rainfed Conditions in India (ISOPOM Project: F. No. 14-9/2008-CA II) In chickpea, the genotypes ICC 506, ICCV 10, ICCL 87316, C 235, and ICCV 96572 showed moderate levels of resistance of Helicoverpa and yielded >2,000 kg grain ha-1 as compared to 1,000 kg of check. In pigeonpea, ICPL 332 WR, ICPHaRL 4978-5, ICPHaRL 4985-4, ICPHaRL 4585-1, ICPL 84060, ICPL 87039, and PPE 45-2 exhibited resistance to Helicoverpa. ICP 9879, ICP 8102, and ICP 11975 exhibited oviposition non-preference, and also had low larval density under field conditions; while ICP 12746, ICP 12942, and ICP 9880 exhibited antibiosis to H. armigera. The Helicoverpa-resistant cultivars invariably required less pesticide applications, even though the farmers did not use the control measures based on economic thresholds.

Taking Pigeonpea Hybrids to the Door Steps of Farmers Pigeonpea hybrid ICPH 2671 is performing well in the states of Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh with maximum yields recorded over 3 t ha-1  and mean superiority  of up to 94%.  Two new promising hybrids ICPH 2740 and ICPH 3762 have also been introduced for on-farm testing in 2009. The biotechnologists are confident that a  molecular hybrid seed quality determination kit will be made available soon for seed producers. Fine tuning of seed production technology is in progress to suit different environmental conditions.

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