Latest news with #K.Subrahmaniyan
The Hindu
02-08-2025
- Science
- The Hindu
Cotton Research Station workshop focuses on preparation for kharif
A pre-kharif season crop workshop was organised for the benefit of farmers of Perambalur and adjoining districts by the Cotton Research Station, Veppanthattai of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), on Saturday. The workshop included an exhibition of at least 20 stalls showcasing agricultural products and services. A live technical demonstration of cost-saving equipment such as tractor-drawn seed drill sower, boom sprayer, and rotary trash mulcher was conducted for participants. In his inaugural address, R. Thamizh Vendan, TNAU acting vice-chancellor, said the institution served farmers by developing a technology capsule for complete mechanisation in cotton, including mechanical harvesting. It had developed an integrated approach to management of the Fall Army worm in maize and was widely used by farmers, he said. K. Subrahmaniyan, director, Tamil Nadu Rice Research Institute, Aduthurai, said that farm mechanisation was must for reducing labour cost and use of the TNAU crop boosters and TNAU varieties for the benefit of farmers. S. Babu, Joint Director of Agriculture, Perambalur; R.J. Sundhar, Alwar Organic Farming Community, Salem,; and S. Somasundaram, professor and head, Cotton Research Station, Veppanthattai, spoke.
The Hindu
06-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
New short duration paddy variety released by research institute emerges a popular choice for kuruvai crop
A newly released short-duration rice variety, ADT 59, is gaining traction among delta farmers for its high yield, salinity resistance, and bold grains — key traits that align with the needs of paddy cultivators in the Cauvery delta. Developed by the Tamil Nadu Rice Research Institute (TRRI), Aduthurai, the variety is now being promoted as a suitable replacement for the traditional choices such as ADT 37 and ASD 16. K. Subrahmaniyan, Director of TRRI, told The Hindu that the ADT 59 had demonstrated yield potentials of 15-20% more than conventional varieties. 'While typical yields in delta paddy farms are around 2,500 kg per acre, a farmer in Malapalaiyam village in Virudhachalam harvested up to 4,000 kg per acre using ADT 59 under Kuruvai conditions,' he said. Mr. Subrahmaniyan said only 50% of conventional fertilizer input is required for ADT 59. 'This is one of the highest-yielding bold grain varieties developed specifically for Kuruvai. It's cost-effective, nutritive, non-lodging, and perfectly suited to the delta's soil profile,' he said. 'Officially released last year, it is already being adopted widely by farmers.' As Direct Procurement Centres (DPCs) typically prefer bold grain varieties, ADT 59 offers an added advantage due to its grain weight, improving returns for farmers. R. Pushpa, Assistant Professor specialising in grain quality traits at TRRI, highlighted the research journey behind the variety. 'ADT 59 followed extensive trials after which it was released in 2024. Not only does it mature in 110-115 days, making it ideal for Kuruvai, Navarai and summer seasons, but it also performs well in saline conditions and under direct sowing system,' she said. 'Its yield is higher than its predecessors and it contains 19.4 mg of zinc per 100g, adding nutritional value,' she added. Ms. Pushpa said the variety's grain quality — short and bold — is particularly favoured for making idli and dosa. 'With a 6:1 rice-to-black gram ratio, it produces soft, firm batter, requiring less grain while giving more output,' she added. Farmers in the delta, who traditionally relied on older bold-grain varieties like TPS 5 developed outside the region, often face challenges with pest and disease resistance. ADT 59 addresses these concerns while offering resilience to stem borers, blast, and brown leaf spot, the TRRI authorities said.
The Hindu
27-06-2025
- Science
- The Hindu
Research institute favours climate-friendly non-puddled rice cultivation for kuruvai crop in delta districts
The Tamil Nadu Rice Research Institute (TRRI), Aduthurai, has reaffirmed the potential of non-puddled machine transplanting (NPMTR) as a climate-smart, cost-efficient alternative to conventional puddled rice cultivation — reducing water, fuel, energy, and labour use by nearly 50% without compromising on yields. In a five-year field study conducted from 2016 to 2020, researchers compared NPMTR with puddled machine transplanting (PMTR) across the clay-dominant delta soil of Thanjavur. While yields remained comparable — 4.82 tonnes per hectare under NPMTR versus 5.06 tonnes per hectare under PMTR — the resource efficiency of NPMTR stood out. Fuel use decreased by 61.9%, energy by 50.6%, and water by 21%. Simplified field preparation, requiring just three tillage operations, reduced cultivation cost by ₹5,880 a hectare. TRRI director and co-author of the study K. Subrahmaniyan described NPMTR as a 'proven water-saving technology.' He said although the method was included in the TNAU Crop Production Guide, its broader adoption remained limited. 'This is a proven, soil-friendly method that aligns with Tamil Nadu's climate realities. The need now is to popularise it further, especially for kuruvai and summer paddy,' he said. 'Many farmers still use the puddled method, which is no longer sustainable in the face of erratic rainfall and rising input costs.' Puddling — the traditional method involving repeated tilling of flooded soil to create an impermeable layer — uses 250 mm to 300 mm of water, accounting for up to 30% of irrigation requirements. It degrades soil structure, reduces machinery efficiency, and contributes to methane emissions, Mr. Subrahmaniyan said. S. Elamathi, lead author of the study and Associate Professor specialising in farming systems, highlighted the practical benefits of NPMTR. 'In regions facing labour shortage and delayed water release, farmers need quick, less labour-intensive transplanting options. NPMTR fits well, especially for kuruvai and summer paddy,' he said. He explained that traditional puddling leads to soil compaction, restricts root growth in subsequent crops, and exacerbates greenhouse gas emissions. With rainfall becoming increasingly erratic, NPMTR offers a viable, climate-resilient alternative. Unlike puddling, the non-puddled method involves light irrigation followed by transplanting under alternative wetting and drying (AWD) conditions. It avoids deep tillage, reduces energy consumption, and supports sustainability across varied soil types.
The Hindu
21-06-2025
- Science
- The Hindu
Rice research institute experts urge delta farmers to choose paddy varieties suited for local conditions
With kuruvai cultivation under way in a few pockets of the delta and most areas still awaiting favourable conditions, scientists at the Tamil Nadu Rice Research Institute (TRRI), Aduthurai, have urged farmers to plan ahead for samba and thaladi seasons using region-specific, low-input paddy varieties. TRRI Director K. Subrahmaniyan told The Hindu that variety selection must align with the delta's soil and climate. Citing TPS 5, a commonly used variety here, he said while it matures in 100 days elsewhere, it takes 125 days in the delta — causing delayed harvests, higher pest incidence, and increased costs. He warned against sowing short-duration varieties during samba season, calling it a common but expensive error. He expressed concern over continuous cropping, especially thaladi immediately after kuruvai, which denies the soil a recovery phase. 'Without rest or organic enrichment, fertilizer response keeps falling,' he said. 'Twenty years ago, 10 kg of fertilizer gave results. Now, even 100 kg often falls short due to depleted soil health.' To rebuild soil fertility, he recommended green manure crops such as Sunn Hemp and Daincha, to be incorporated before flowering. A well-managed green manure crop can contribute up to 130 kg of nitrogen per hectare and 20–30 tonnes of biomass. 'Only 10–15 kg of seed per acre is enough, and incorporation should be done 45–60 days ahead of kuruvai,' he said. Pulse cultivation after samba, he added, can improve soil health and help break pest cycles. R. Manimaran, professor with expertise in pulses breeding, hybrid rice at TRRI, recommended kuruvai varieties such as ADT 53, 55, 56, and 57 — of which ADT 57 is suitable for direct sowing and ADT 55 offers Bacterial Leaf Blight (BLB) tolerance. ADT 53 is a good alternative to ADT 43 for parboiled rice, and ADT 59 is preferred for idly rice. For saline and coastal tail-end areas, TRY (Tiruchi Rice) varieties 1 to 5 are ideal. For Samba, ADT 51 (155 days) and ADT 52 (145 days) are recommended, with ADT 52 noted for its strong non-lodging ability during adverse weather. For flood-prone delta areas, he recommended CR1009 Sub 1, which can withstand up to 15 days of submergence during early growth. For thaladi (October sowing), ADT 54 (an alternative to improved White Ponni), ADT 58, and ADT 60 — all in the 125–135 day medium-duration group — were recommended for their consistency when sown within the right window.
