8. FRONTLINE DEMONSTRATIONS
8.1 Distribution of frontline demonstrations
Under the aegis of All India Coordinated Research Project on Rapeseed-Mustard, 20 cooperating centres conducted 454 frontline demonstrations (FLDs) under irrigated as well as rainfed conditions on rapeseed (toria, yellow sarson, taramira, brown sarson and gobhi sarson) and mustard (Indian mustard) in 55 districts across 13 states during 2015-16. Rajasthan had maximum (174) followed by Uttar Pradesh (40) and Haryana (40) FLDs. Of the 20 cooperating centres, 5 were in Rajasthan followed by 2 each in Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Jammu & Kashmir and one each in rest of the 9 states. Maximum districts (8) were covered in each in Rajasthan and Punjab followed by 7 in Haryana, 6 in Jammu & Kashmir, 5 each in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, 4 in Gujarat, 3 each in Madhya Pradesh and Manipur, 2 each in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand and one each in Assam and Maharashtra. The sowing time (Table 8.1) was spread from Sept. 26, 2015 (Uttarakhand) to Dec 3, 2015 (Manipur) for Indian mustard.
8.2 Types of demonstrations
One hundred seventeen FLDs were conducted on rapeseed and 337 on Indian mustard. Maximum 337 FLDs were conducted on Indian mustard followed by gobhi sarson (52) and yellow sarson (23). This year, all the demonstrations were conducted under whole package demonstrations in two different situations viz., irrigated (361) and rainfed (93). Variety wise analysis was also done to see the performance of demonstrated improved varieties under demonstrations. There were 18 varieties of Indian mustard followed by 2 each of yellow sarson and gobhi sarson and one each of toria under irrigated condition. The 4 varieties of Indian mustard, 3 of taramira, 2 each of gobhi sarson and brown sarson and one each of yellow sarson and toria were demonstrated under rainfed condition (Table 8.2). The results included the mean seed yield (kg/ha) for both the improved plot (IP) with improved technology and the farmers’ plot (FP) with farmers’ practice, besides yield superiority of improved technology (%), cost of cultivation (CoC), gross monetary return (GMR) and additional net monetary return (ANMR) in Rs/ha from the IP and benefit: cost (B:C) ratio for both the IP and FP.
8.3 Whole package FLDs of rapeseed-mustard under irrigated condition
The whole package technology demonstration included use of improved variety, balanced use of fertilizers and micronutrients and need based plant protection and cultural practices against in comparison to farmers’ practices of crop cultivation. Bharatpur, Kota and Navgaon centres in Rajasthan, Amity University, Noida and Varanasi centres in Uttar Pradesh, Hisar and Bawal in Haryana, Morena in Madhya Pradesh, S K Nagar in Gujarat, Dholi in Bihar, Pantnagar in Uttarakhand and Nagpur in Maharashtra conducted 361 FLDs on whole package of rapeseed-mustard under irrigated condition (Table 8.3).
The maximum FLDs (139) were conducted in Rajasthan where improved plot recorded average yield of 1,901 kg/ha with yield superiority of 14.2% and ANMR of Rs 7,433/ha.
Mean seed yield from IP ranged from 665 in Maharashtra to 2,245 kg/ha in Madhya Pradesh, whereas from FP ranged from 502 in Maharashtra to 1,857 kg/ha in Gujarat. The yield increase due to IP ranged from 7.6% in Punjab to 74.5% in Jammu and Kashmir.
For IP, Madhya Pradesh had the highest cost of cultivation (Rs 48,510/ha), while Maharashtra had the lowest cost of cultivation (Rs 13,396/ha).
The maximum ANMR (Rs 16946 /ha) was accrued due to the improved WP of Indian mustard in Jammu and Kashmir, while minimum was in Uttarakhand (Rs 3020/ha). All IP had positive ANMR. The higher B:C ratio for the improved WP under irrigated condition in all the states, except Uttarkhand was realized. The B:C ratio of IP (2.21) was lower than that of FP (2.22) in Uttarakhand due to relatively higher additional cost (Table 8.3).
8.4 Whole package FLDs of rapeseed-mustard under rainfed condition
Sriganganagar and Jobner centres (Rajasthan), Bawal (Haryana), Khudwani (K&K) and Kangra (Himachal Pradesh), Imphal in Manipur and Shillongani centre in Assam conducted 93 FLDs on WP of rapeseed-mustard under rainfed condition (Table 8.4). The maximum demonstrations (35) were conducted on Indian mustard and Taramira in Rajasthan under rainfed condition with mean seed yield of 1640 kg/ha in IP and 1340 kg/ha in FP. IP had a yield advantage of 22.4% and ANMR of Rs 7,994/ha with maximum B:C ratio of 4.8 under rainfed condition in Rajasthan. The 20 demonstrations were conducted on gobhi sarson and brown sarson by Kangra centre in Himachal Pradesh which recorded highest yield advantage of 52.0% under rainfed condition. Jammu and Kashmir observed lowest yield advantage of 14.7% from IP under rainfed condition. The Assam recorded 47.2 % yield improvement with 1107 kg/ha average seed yield in IP .
The maximum (1,750 kg/ha) and minimum (912 kg/ha) mean seed yield were observed in Haryana and Manipur, respectively. The cost of cultivation ranged from Rs 11,093 /ha in Rajasthan to Rs 29095 /ha in Haryana under rainfed condition. The maximum ANMR (Rs 9,875 /ha) was accrued due to the improved WP in Assam. The IP also had higher B:C ratio in all the states than that of FP in rainfed condition.
8.5 Varietal performance in Whole package FLDs of rapeseed-mustard under irrigated condition
An effort was also made to see the performance of demonstrated varieties in whole package demonstrations in different states under irrigated and rainfed condition.
8.5.1 Indian mustard
A total of 18 improved varieties of Indian mustard namely RH 749, Giriraj, RH 406, RRN 573, RRN-505, Navgold, NRCHB101, NRCDR 2, Ashirwad, PM 25, PM 26, PM 27, GDM 4, RVM 2, Rajendra Sufalam, PBR 357, RLC 3 and GM 3 were used in WP covering nine states under irrigated condition (Table 8.5). Improved variety Rajendra Sufalam demonstrated in 3 FLDs in Bihar recorded highest average yield of 2,594 kg/ha with a yield improvement of 39.2% over local (FP) and maximum ANMR of Rs 25,965 /ha followed by RH 749 demonstrated in 10 FLDs in Madhya Pradesh with average seed yield of 2,253 kg/ha with a yield improvement of 42.2%. However, maximum yield improvement of 73.3% was recorded from Giriraj variety in Jammu and Kashmir demonstrated in 10 FLDs. The minimum average seed yield of 660 kg/ha was reported from GM 3 variety in Maharashtra.
The Giriraj variety was demonstrated in 4 states which recorded a yield improvement of 5.8% with mean seed yield of 2085 kg/ha in Haryana (2 FLDs), 15.5% with mean seed yield of 2058 kg/ha in Rajasthan (35 FLDs), 33.4% with mean seed yield of 1667 kg/ha in Uttar Pradesh (3 FLDs) and 73.3% with mean seed yield of 1437 kg/ha in Jammu and Kashmir (10 FLDs) over FP. The improved variety RH 749 was demonstrated in 3 states which recorded a yield improvement of 14.4 % with mean seed yield of 1859 kg/ha in Rajasthan (52 FLDs), 18.1% with mean seed yield of 2163 kg/ha in Haryana (35) and 42.2% with mean seed yield of 2253 kg/ha in Madhya Pradesh (10 FLDs).
Seven improved varieties viz. RH 749, Giriraj, RH 406, RRN 573, RRN 505, NRCHB 101 and Navgold were demonstrated in 139 FLDs by 4 centres in Rajasthan under irrigated condition. Out of which, improved variety Giriraj demonstrated in 35 FLDs in Rajasthan recorded highest yield of 2,058 kg/ha with an improvement of 15.5 % over local (FP). The maximum yield improvement of 22.0% with an average seed yield of 1945 kg/ha was recorded with improved variety NRCHB 101 used in 13 demonstrations conducted by Kota centre in Rajasthan. The improved variety RH 749 was used in maximum demonstrations (52 FLDs) in Rajasthan which recorded average seed yield of 1859 kg/ha with yield improvement of 14.4%. In Rajasthan, yield improvement ranged from 6.7 from RH 406 to 22.0 from NRCHB 101.
The improved variety RH 406 recorded 6.7 % yield improvement in Rajasthan and 9.7 % yield improvement in Uttar Pradesh. Improved varieties viz. Navgold, RRN 573, RRN-505 and NRCHB 101 recorded 9.1, 11.0, 13.2, and 22.0 per cent yield improvement, respectively in Rajasthan over FP.
NRCHB 101 recorded 14.4% yield improvement in Gujarat and 34.0% in Maharashtra. The improved variety GDM 4 and RVM 2 recorded 18.5% yield improvement with an average seed yield of 2201 kg/ha and 41.4% with 2237 kg/ha average seed yield in Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh, respectively. PM 25 and PM 27 varieties recorded 19.4% and 27.0 yield improvement, respectively in Bihar.
In Uttar Pradesh, NRCDR 2, Ashirwad, NRCHB 101, PM 25, RH 406 and Giriraj varieties recorded 6.9%, 23.1%, 23.7% 28.3%, 9.7% and 33.4% yield improvement, respectively over FP. The demonstrated varieties, PBR 357 and RLC 3 recorded 7.6% and 8.6% yield improvement, respectively in Punjab.
8.5.2 Yellow sarson
Pantnagar centre used PYS 1 (12 FLDs) and Pant Sweta (3 FLDs) varieties of yellow sarson in WP demonstrations conducted in Uttarakhand under irrigated condition (Table 8.5). The IP demonstrations with PYS 1 had the average yield of 1,585 kg/ha against 1, 419 kg/ha in FP, resulted into 11.69% higher yield and ANMR of Rs 3,203/ ha, while demonstrations with Pant Sweta had the average yield of 1,437 kg/ha with yield improvement of 13.1 per cent.
8.5.3 Gobhi sarson
Ludhiana and Jammu centres conducted 29 and 8 FLDs using GSC 7 and RSPN 25 variety of gobhi sarson, respectively (Table 8.5). The demonstrations with GSC 7 recorded an average yield of 1,965 kg/ha with a yield improvement of 7.4% in Punjab, while demonstrations with RSPN 25 recorded an average yield of 1,424 kg/ha with a yield improvement of 72.2% in Jammu.
8.5.4 Toria
Pantnagar centre also conducted 2 FLDs with PT 303 variety of toria which had the average yield of 1,464 kg/ha resulted into 12.1% higher yield than FP (Table 8.5).
8.6 Varietal performance in Whole package FLDs of rapeseed-mustard under rainfed condition
8.6.1 Indian mustard
Sriganganagar centre in Rajasthan, Imphal centre in Manipur and Bawal centre in Haryana conducted 20, 7 and 3 FLDs with RGN 298, NRCHB 101, and RB 50 variety of Indian mustard, respectively under rainfed condition (Table 8.6). The demonstrations with RGN 298 showed a yield improvement of 20.8 with highest average seed yield of 2,058 kg/ha in Rajasthan under rainfed situation. In Manipur, demonstrations with NRCHB 101 recorded lowest average seed yield of 1,092 kg/ha, however, yield improvement of 42.0% over FP was highest. The demonstrations with improved variety RB 50 in Haryana showed 23.5% yield improvement with an average seed yield of 1,750 kg/ha.
8.6.2 Yellow sarson
Imphal centre conducted 8 FLDs with YSH 401 variety of yellow sarson in rainfed situation of Manipur which recorded 24.2% yield improvement and an average yield of 841 and 677 kg/ ha in IP and FP, respectively (Table 8.6)..
8.6.3 Gobhi sarson
Kangra centre used GSC 7 (9 FLDs) and ONK 1 (6 FLDs) varieties of gobhi sarson in WP demonstrations conducted in Himachal Pradesh under rainfed condition (Table 8.6). The IP demonstrations with GSC 7 had the average yield of 957 kg/ha against 635 kg/ha in FP with an yield improvement of 50.7%, while IP demonstrations with ONK 1 showed yield improvement to the tune of 68.1% which had the average yield of 1,330 kg/ha against the 791 kg/ha in FP.
8.6.3 Brown sarson
Kangra and Khudwani centres conducted 5 and 10 FLDs using KBS 3 and Shalimar Brown Sarson 1 variety of brown sarson in Himachal Pradesh and Kashmir, respectively (Table 8.6). The IP demonstrations with KBS 3 recorded highest yield improvement of 59.5% with an average yield of 7,99 kg/ha in Himachal Pradesh, while demonstrations with Shalimar Brown Sarson 1 recorded an average yield of 1,220 kg/ha with a yield improvement of 14.7% in Kashmir.
8.6.4 Taramira
Jobner centre conducted 15 FLDs on taramira using three varieties of namely RTM 1355, RTM 1351 RTM 314 under rainfed situation of Rajasthan (Table 8.6). The IP demonstrations had the average yield of 1,082 kg/ha with yield increase of 26.3% and ANMR of Rs 5,632 /ha in response to Rs 1,118 /ha additional cost. The B:C ratio was 5.14 and 4.94 with IP and FP, respectively.
8.6.5 Toria
Shillongani centre conducted 10 FLDs with TS 38 variety of toria in rainfed situation of Assam which recorded 47.2% yield improvement and an average yield of 1,107 and 732 kg/ ha in IP and FP, respectively (Table 8.6).
8.7 Exploitable yield reservoir in rapeseed-mustard
It is evident from the productivity potentials and profitability of improved rapeseed-mustard production technologies that there exists vast potential to improve the rapeseed-mustard productivity under real farm situations. An attempt was made to estimate the extent of such yield reservoir available for exploitation (Table 8.7). Yield gap-I as a result of demonstration of improved technology over farmers practices was ranging from 7.6% in Punjab to 47.2% in Assam, whereas, the yield gap-II (between IP and triennium from 2012-13 to 2014-15 state average productivity) was ranging from 29.7% in Haryana to as high as 104.3% in Madhya Pradesh.
It can be understood from the Table 8.7 that rapeseed-mustard productivity at national level could be improved by 22 and 61.8% by bridging the yield gaps-I and II, respectively. Similarly, the national rapeseed-mustard production could be increased from 7.4 to 9.1 and 13.64 mt by bridging yield gaps I and II, respectively. This indicates the presence of significant yield reservoir which can be exploited through spread of appropriate technology among the farmers. Therefore, there is an urgent need for effective transfer of improved rapeseed-mustard production technologies to the rapeseed-mustard growers in order to convince them to adopt such technologies so that yield gaps can bridged and rapeseed-mustard production in the country can be stepped up.