Person: Kumar, A.
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Kumar
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Kumar, A.
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0000-0002-5023-7618 8 results
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- Genomic selection: A tool for accelerating the efficiency of molecular breeding for development of climate-resilient crops(Frontiers, 2022) Neeraj Budhlakoti; Kushwaha, A.K.; Rai, A.; Chaturvedi, K.K.; Kumar, A.; Pradhan, A.K.; Kumar, U.; Rajeev Kumar; Juliana, P.; Mishra, D.C.; Kumar, S.
Publication - Large survey dataset of rice production practices applied by farmers on their largest farm plot during 2018 in India(Elsevier, 2022) Anurag Ajay; Craufurd, P.; Kumar, V.; Samaddar, A.; Malik, R.; Sharma, S.; Ranjan, H.; Singh, A.K.; Paudel, G.; Pundir, A.; Poonia, S. P.; Kumar, A.; Kumar, Pankaj; Singh, D.K.; Singh, M.; Iftikar, W.; Ignatius, M.; Banik, N.C.; Mohapatra, B.K.; Sagwal, P.K.; Yadav, A.K.; Munshi, S.; Peramaiyan, P.; Mcdonald, A.
Publication - A comprehensive account of SARS-CoV-2 genome structure, incurred mutations, lineages and COVID-19 vaccination program(Future Medicine Ltd., 2022) Vijay Rani Rajpal; Sharma, S.; Sehgal, D.; Singh, A.; Kumar, A.; Vaishnavi, S.; Tiwari, M.; Bhalla, H.; Goel, S.; Raina, S.N.
Publication - Integrated weed management in rice: training of trainers modules(CIMMYT, 2017) Kumar, V.; Yadav, A.K.; Malik, R.; Peramaiyan, P.; Kumar, A.; Krupnik, T.J.; Das, B.N.; Dubey, S.; Gautam, U.S.; Kumar, A.; Mishra, J.S.; Pathak, H.; Panwar, G.S.; Das, A.; Pattnaik, S.; Singh, S.; Mcdonald, A.In India, weeds are responsible for about 33% of total yield losses caused by pests, whereas insects and diseases are responsible for 26% and 20%, respectively. Weeds interfere with crops by competing for light, water, nutrients and space resulting in reduction of crop yield and quality. The yield reduction in any crop through weed competition depends on several factors such as weed flora and density, duration of competition, management practices and climatic conditions. Therefore, timely weed management is crucial for attaining optimal grain yield of a crop. However, none of the single weed control methods are effective for all weeds and to manage weeds effectively and sustainably in the long run, it is essential to develop and deploy flexible integrated weed management (IWM) practices. IWM consists of physical, cultural, chemical, and biological means developed on knowledge of weed ecology and biology. In addition, costs involved in weed management constitute a significant share of total cost of production. Weeds have also become major constraints in adoption of new resource-efficient (labor, water, and tillage) technologies such as direct-seeded rice and reduced/zero-till systems. In eastern India, hand weeding has traditionally been the most common practice of weed control in rice and other cereals crops. In recent years, because of rising scarcity of labor and increasing labor wages, farmers have started adopting herbicides for weed control. However, farmers have limited knowledge on proper herbicide handling, selection of herbicide molecules and their time of application, application technologies for better efficacy, and environmental and human health risks associated with their incorrect use. Therefore, there is a need to train and develop master trainers with a strong understanding of IWM, who will help to pass on this knowledge on to farmers. This training module covers critical topics on the principles and practices of IWM, in the context of Indian agriculture, where the majority of farmers are smallholders. Strong emphasis has been placed on hands-on learning and learning by experience. This module aims to provide guidance to the training facilitators to conduct rapid two-day trainings on IWM, including step-by-step detailed instructions on how to facilitate the training, training materials required for successfully conducting different sessions, and instructions on how to conduct hands-on trainings, field visits and practical sessions. IWM principles can be better learned through multiple training sessions combined with practical sessions, or as part of a farmer field school than a single classroom session covering different aspects of IWM. Hence, while this module covers five training sessions that can be conducted consecutively over two days, they can also be delivered as individual modules, for example, during a season-long farmer field school.
Publication - Multidimensional impact assessment of zero tillage technology on wheat productivity in Haryana(WLF, 2016) Kumar, A.; Singh, Randhir; Shahnawaz Rasool Dar; Singh, S.; Gathala, M.K.; Kanchan PathaniaThe farmer’s participatory approach proved to be accurate guide for zero tillage technology adoption by farmers within different districts not only in Haryana, India, but also in other major wheat producing states of the country. Continuously, need is being felt to explore the possibilities of saving critical inputs by adopting zero tillage technology but little research exists that explores agricultural conservation outreach. Current study was so aimed to see factors affecting the adoption and impact of zero tillage technology in rice wheat cropping system. Results revealed that adopters were more literate than non-adopters. Majority of the adopters (62.49%) were in age group of 30-50 years; the relative percentage in this category among non-adopters was very low (39.16%). The probability of adoption of zero tillage technology with the increase in farm size increased, so medium to large land holders contributed to 68.33 percent in adopting zero tillage technology. Attitude, knowledge and satisfaction of the respondents were found to be driving force of change to click from traditional practices to zero tillage technology. The mass media like educational films, radio, pamphlets, farm publication, TV and newspapers, in case of institutional sources panchayat personnel’s, extension persons and ADO, while among the non-institutional sources family members, relatives and progressive farmers were the most preferred sources of information to the adopters and non-adopters. Furthermore combinations of a significant “yield effect” and “cost-saving effect” makes adoption worthwhile and is the main driver behind the rapid spread and widespread acceptance of ZT in Haryana.
Publication - Operational manual for multi-crop zero till planter(CIMMYT, 2012) Kapil; Kamboj, B.R.; Jat, M.L.; Kumar, A.; Kumar, D.; Sidhu, H.S.; Gathala, M.K.; Saharawat, Y.S.; Kumar, V.; Kumar, V.Multiple challenges associated with plough based conventional production practices that include deteriorating natural resources, declining factor productivity, shortages of water & labor and escalating costs of production inputs coupled with challenges of climate change both in irrigated intensive systems as well as low intensity rainfed ecologies are the major threat to food security of South Asia (Jat et al., 2009; Ladha et al., 2009; Chauhan et al., 2012). Water and labor scarcity and timeliness of farming operations specially planting under the emerging uncertainties are becoming major concerns of farming all across farmer typology, production systems and ecologies in the region (Chauhan et al., 2012). In many parts of Asia, over-exploitation and poor management of groundwater has led to declining table and negative environmental impacts. Conventional flooded rice receiving the largest amount of fresh water compared to any other crop is the major contributor to the problems of declining groundwater table ranging from 0.1–1.0 m year–1 and increasing energy use. The problem has further been intensified with the unavailability of labor in time, and multi-fold increase in labor costs. Fragmented land holdings and nucleus farm families further exacerbates the problem of availability of farm labour. Potential solutions to address these issues include a shift from intensive tillage based practices to conservation agriculture (reduced or no tillage) based crop establishment techniques (Saharawat et al., 2010; Jat et al., 2012; Gathala et al., 2011). Direct drilling (seeding/planting with zero tillage technology) is one such practice that potentialy addresses the issues of labor, energy, water, soil health etc (Malik et al., 2005; Gupta and Sayre, 2007; Jat et al., 2009; Ladha et al., 2009; Gathala et al., 2011). However, due to fragmented and small land holdings it is not affordable to purchase many machines for the sowing of different crops. Therefore, multi-crop planter have been invented and are being used by many farmers across South Asia. The same multi-crop planter available in the region can be used for direct drilling of several crops including wheat, rice, maize, moongbean, mustard, barley etc without any preparatory tillage and also under reduced tillage situations. One of the major constraints in large scale adoption of this technology as well as sub-optimal use of planters is the lack of skills/knowledge on operation and calibration of the machinery for multiple uses. There are different field/crop/situation specific adjustments needed before the use of the machine in the field. These adjustments include proper seeding depth, fertilizer rate and the seed rate etc as per the crop and field conditions to realize the potential benefits of the technology. There are several machinery manufacturers who supply these planters but the operational manuals are not available for making adjustments, calibrations for multiple purposes, multiple crops under local conditions. In absence of the manual guidelines/protocols for efficient use of these planters by the farmers, service providers, extension agents for different purposes and variable field conditions, many a times the desirable results are not achieved and even contradictory results are observed. This results in slowing down the adoption rates of the technology. Also, in absence of simple guidelines for maintenance of these planters, the farmers/service providers need to make huge investments on repairing at the start of the season. In this manual, we attempted to provide simple guidelines for calibration, operation, maintenance and troubleshooting for efficient use of multi-crop zero till planters by the range of stakeholders including farmers, service providers, extension agents and researchers.
Publication - Operational manual for turbo happy seeder: technology for managing crop residues with environmental stewardship(CIMMYT, 2013) Jat, M.L.; Kapil; Kamboj, B.R.; Sidhu, H.S.; Singh, M.; Bana, A.; Bishnoi, D.K.; Gathala, M.K.; Saharawat, Y.S.; Kumar, V.; Kumar, A.; Jat, H.S.; Jat, R.K.; Sharma, P.C.; Sharma, R.; Singh, R.; Sapkota, T.; Malik, R.; Gupta, R.K.Multiple challenges associated with plough based conventional production practices that include deteriorating natural resources, declining factor productivity, yield plateau, shortages of water & labour and escalating costs of production inputs coupled with emerging challenges of climate change both in irrigated intensive systems as well as low intensity rainfed ecologies are the major threat to food security of South Asia (Jat et al, 2009; Ladha et al, 2009; Chauhan et al, 2012). Water and labour scarcity and timeliness of farming operations specially crop establishment under the emerging climatic uncertainties are becoming major concerns of farming all across farmer typologies, production systems and ecologies in the region (Chauhan et al, 2012). In many parts of South Asia, over-exploitation and poor management of groundwater has led to declining water table and negative environmental impacts. Conventional tillage based flooded rice receiving the largest amount of fresh water compared to any other crop is the major contributor to the problems of declining groundwater table ranging from 0.1– 1.0 m year-1 specially in north-west India and increasing energy use and costs. The problem has further been intensified with the unavailability of labour in time, and multi-fold increase in labour costs. Fragmented land holdings and nucleus farm families further exacerbates the problem of availability of farm labour. Potential solutions to address these issues include a shift from intensive tillage based practices to conservation agriculture (CA) based crop management systems (Saharawat et al, 2010; Jat et al, 2012; Gathala et al, 2013). Direct drilling (seeding/planting with zero tillage technology) is one such practice that potentially addresses the issues of labor, energy, water, soil health etc (Malik et al 2005; Gupta and Sayre, 2007; Jat et al, 2009; Ladha et al, 2009; Gathala et al, 2011; Jat et al, 2013) and adaptations to climatic variability (Jat et al, 2009; Malik et al, 2013). One of the key elements of CA is rational soil cover with organics (crop residues, cover crops etc) has greater relevance not only in terms of managing the agricultural waste but particularly for eliminating burning, improving soil health, conserve water, help in adaptation to and mitigating of climate change effects. Globally, annual production of crop residues is estimated at 3440 million tonnes of which large quantities are not managed properly. In India alone, more than 140 million tonnes of crop residues are disposed of by burning each year. In rice-wheat system of the IGP of South Asia, the disposal of rice residues is one of the major challenges due to poor quality for fodder, bioconversion, and engineering applications. In most combine harvested rice fields of western IGP, the rice residues are burnt before planting of wheat. The field burning of crop residues is a major contributor to poor air quality (particulates, greenhouse gases), human respiratory ailments, and the death of beneficial soil fauna and micro-organisms. During burning of crop residues around 80% of carbon is lost as CO2 and a small fraction is evolved as CO. Burning involving incomplete combustion can also be a source of net emissions of many greenhouse gases including CO, CH4, SO2 and N2O. Crop residue burning accounts 6.6 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent emission annually in India (INCCA, 2010). Apart from loss of carbon, up to 80% loss of N and S, 25% of P and 21% of K occurs during burning of crop residues (Ponnamperuma, 1984; Yadvinder-Singh et al., 2010). For managing residues of combine harvested crops and field (loose as well as anchored) as surface mulch and realize multiple benefits of improve crop yields, conserve soil moisture, saving of irrigation, buffer soil temperature, improve SOC, adapt to terminal heat effects in addition to environmental benefits through eliminating burning, ‘Turbo Happy Seeder’, is now available, which is capable of direct drilling (ZT) into heavy surface residue loads in a single operation. Many of the farmers in India and elsewhere have started using Turbo Happy Seeder for residue management. However, one of the major constraints in large scale adoption of this technology as well as sub-optimal use efficiency of planter is the lack of skills/knowledge on operation, calibration and maintenance of the machinery. There are different field situation specific adjustments needed before the use of the machine in the field. These adjustments include proper seeding depth, fertilizer rate and the seed rate etc as per the crop and field conditions to realize the potential benefits of the technology. There are several machinery manufacturers who supply these planters but the operational manuals are not available for making adjustments, calibrations under local conditions. In absence of the proper operational guidelines and protocols for efficient use of this machine by the farmers, service providers, extension agents, many a times the desirable results are not achieved and even contradictory results are observed. This results in slow down the adoption rates of the technology. Also, in absence of simple guidelines for maintenance of the machine, the farmers/service providers need to make huge investments on repairing at the start of the season. Therefore, we attempted to develop an operational manual to provide simple guidelines for calibration, operation, maintenance and troubleshooting for efficient use of turbo happy seeder by the range of stakeholders including farmers, service providers, extension agents and researchers.
Publication - Direct seeded rice technology in Western indo-gangetic plains of India: CSISA experiences(CSISA, 2012) Kamboj, B.R.; Kumar, A.; Bishnoi, D.K.; Singla, K.; Kumar, V.; Jat, M.L.; Chaudhary, N.; Jat, H.S.; Gosain, D.K.; Khippal, A.; Garg, R.; Lathwal, O.P.; Goyal, S.P.; Goyal, N.K.; Yadav, A.K.; Malik, D.S.; Mishra, A.; Bhatia, R.This bulletin summarizes the experiences of direct seeded rice (DSR) during CSISA, phase-I (2009-2011) as well as outcomes of a multi stakeholder travelling seminar on dry direct seeded rice (DSR) organized by Cereal Systems Initiative for South Asia (CSISA) Haryana Hub on 20th September 2011. About 70 stakeholders of CSISA Haryana hub including scientists from Central Soil Salinity Research Institute (CSSRI) and Krishi Vigyan Kendra’s (KVKs), officers from State Department of Agriculture, agriculture extension officers from private sector, members of Technical Working Group (TWG) of Haryana hub, local machine manufacturers, and participating farmers gathered together to share their experiences on DSR. The underlying objectives were to (i) visit on-farm and on-station trials on DSR in Karnal district of Haryana for participatory assessment and learning of performance and potentially of DSR, (ii) create awareness about DSR technology, (iii) facilitate interaction among different stakeholders who are engaged in developing, refining and out-scaling of DSR technology and share experiences, (iv) summarize and update technological package of DSR for Haryana, (v) identify constraints associated with DSR, and (vi) identify the future research needs. The travelling seminar was strategically structured into two parts; (i) visit farmer participatory DSR fields as well as on-station strategic research trials on DSR and (ii) a round table discussion by all stakeholders. During field visit, a total of three sites were covered, including one on-station site (CSISA Research Platform at CSSRI, Karnal) and two farmer’s participatory conservation agriculture (CA) modules established with innovative farmer cooperatives at village clusters of Taraori and Modipur of Karnal district. At CSISA Research Platform, performance of zero-till (ZT) DSR under double ZT systems was elucidated to the participants. In addition, trials on weed management and varietal screening for DSR conditions were briefed. At farmer participatory CA modules at Modipur & Taraori, participants were exposed to large scale demonstrations on DSR and adaptive research trials on different component technologies of DSR (varietal evaluation, weed management, water management and nutrient management) conducted through farmer cooperatives in collaboration with CSISA hub and partners. Based on large number of demonstrations on DSR using superfine varieties and hybrids of rice conducted in 8 hub districts across 3 years (2009-2011), it was verified that grain yield of DSR in comparison to puddled transplanted rice was either similar or higher with US$ 128-137/ha higher net profitability. Demonstration on DSR under double ZT system at village Taraori was also highly appreciated as the population of earthworms and vermicast was visible on the plot. All the participants were impressed with the performance of DSR and potential benefits it can endow on farmers like savings in labour, water (20-25%), and cost of cultivation. During round table discussion on DSR at CSSRI Karnal, Dr. D. K. Sharma (Director, CSSRI & TWG Chair, CSISA Haryana) highlighted the importance of DSR while elaborating the issues of declining water table due to over exploitation of groundwater, labour scarcity, escalating cost of cultivation and deteriorating soil health under current management practices of rice-wheat cropping system. CSISA Hub coordinator, Haryana) while sharing the joint experience of CSISA and partners on DSR in Haryana, presented the summary of the technological package of DSR for Northwestern IGP including Haryana for discussion and finalization of the recommendations of DSR package for large scale delivery. This was based on the outcomes of farmers’ participatory adaptation and demonstrations of DSR and its component technologies in Haryana in CSISA phase-I during past 3 years (2009-2011). Approaching the consensus, everyone confirmed that precise land levelling with laser land leveller, effective weed management, precise sowing depth and time of sowing are critical for the success of DSR. The DSR technology may also play vital role in recharge of groundwater and reduction in water runoff during heavy rainfall. Partners from public (KVK’s, ICAR, CCSHAU) and private sector (DevGen seeds, Bayer, HKB) shared their experiences on DSR and advocated its large scale promotion. Participating farmers also shared their experiences and found weed control being the most challenging task in DSR and thus achieving optimal weed control a route to its success. They experienced that pre and post-emergence herbicide application is important to manage weeds effectively in DSR. The issue of poor crop establishment due to sudden rainfall soon after sowing was also put up by some of the farmers. All participants very much convinced about DSR, pledged to make it a revolution in Haryana, and hence emphasized the access to literature on technology package for DSR. Finally, the participants suggested that to attain potential benefits of the DSR technology, further refinements of some of the component technologies for example varietal development for DSR, water management, nutrient management etc needs immediate efforts of the researchers.
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