Tuesday 28 May 2013

Vegetables Crops - A Data Oriented Complete Guide - WorkInProgress

In our Agriculture for Everybody blog series, we are going to see a Data Oriented Complete Guide to Vegetables Crops.


The first table (Parameters Template) will contain the parameters filter while the second table (Detailed Template) will contain more details about the crop.

Note: Request readers to help update the parameters of the crops and let me know of any other parameters.

Parameters Template

S.No. Common Name ST / MT / LT (age) SSH / MSH SH / MH SC (%)
1Amaranthகீரை வகைகள்WIP3WIP4WIP5
2Annual Moringaசெடி முருங்கைWIP3WIP4WIP5
3Ash GourdWIP2WIP3WIP4WIP5
4AsparagusWIP2WIP3WIP4WIP5
5BabycornWIP2WIP3WIP4WIP5
6BasellaWIP2WIP3WIP4WIP5
7Beetrootபீட்ருட்WIP3WIP4WIP5
8Bellary OnionWIP2WIP3WIP4WIP5
9BhendiWIP2WIP3WIP4WIP5
10Bitter GourdWIP2WIP3WIP4WIP5
11Bottle GourdWIP2WIP3WIP4WIP5
12Bread FruitWIP2WIP3WIP4WIP5
13BrinjalWIP2WIP3WIP4WIP5
14BroadbeansWIP2WIP3WIP4WIP5
15Brussels SproutWIP2WIP3WIP4WIP5
16Butter BeanWIP2WIP3WIP4WIP5
17Cabbageமுட்டைக்கோசுWIP3WIP4WIP5
17ACabbageWIP2WIP3WIP4WIP5
18Carrotகேரட்WIP3WIP4WIP5
19Cauliflowerகாலிஃபிளவர்WIP3WIP4WIP5
20CeleryசெலரிWIP3WIP4WIP5
21Ceylon SpinachWIP2WIP3WIP4WIP5
22Chakravathi KeeraiWIP2WIP3WIP4WIP5
23ChekurmanisWIP2WIP3WIP4WIP5
24ChilliesWIP2WIP3WIP4WIP5
25Chinese CabbageWIP2WIP3WIP4WIP5
26Chow ChowWIP2WIP3WIP4WIP5
27Cluster BeansWIP2WIP3WIP4WIP5
28CocciniaWIP2WIP3WIP4WIP5
29ColeusWIP2WIP3WIP4WIP5
30Colocasiaசிறுகிழங்குWIP3WIP4WIP5
31CucumberWIP2WIP3WIP4WIP5
32Curry Leafகருவேப்பிலைWIP3WIP4WIP5
33Dioscoreaகருணைக்கிழங்குWIP3WIP4WIP5
34Elephant Foot Yamசேனைக்கிழங்குWIP3WIP4WIP5
35French BeanWIP2WIP3WIP4WIP5
36GherkinWIP2WIP3WIP4WIP5
37Knol-kholWIP2WIP3WIP4WIP5
38Lab labWIP2WIP3WIP4WIP5
39LettuceWIP2WIP3WIP4WIP5
40MintWIP2WIP3WIP4WIP5
41OnionWIP2WIP3WIP4WIP5
42PalakWIP2WIP3WIP4WIP5
43PaprikaWIP2WIP3WIP4WIP5
44PeasWIP2WIP3WIP4WIP5
45Potatoஉருளைக் கிழங்குWIP3WIP4WIP5
46PumpkinWIP2WIP3WIP4WIP5
47Radishமுள்ளங்கிWIP3WIP4WIP5
48RhubarbWIP2WIP3WIP4WIP5
49Ribbed GourdWIP2WIP3WIP4WIP5
50Small OnionWIP2WIP3WIP4WIP5
51Snake GourdWIP2WIP3WIP4WIP5
52Sweet Potatoசர்க்கரைவள்ளிக்கிழங்குWIP3WIP4WIP5
53Tapiocaமரவள்ளிக்கிழங்குWIP3WIP4WIP5
54TindaWIP2WIP3WIP4WIP5
55TomatoWIP2WIP3WIP4WIP5
56TurnipWIP2WIP3WIP4WIP5
57Vegetable CowpeaWIP2WIP3WIP4WIP5
58WatermelonWIP2WIP3WIP4WIP5
59Winged BeanWIP2WIP3WIP4WIP5

Notes:
  • ST/MT/LT (age) stands for Short Term Crops(ST), Medium Term Crops(MT), Long Term Crops(LT), (age) stands for the economical lifetime of the crops
  • SSH/MSH stands for Single Season Harvest Crops(SSH), Multiple Season Harvest Crops (MSH)
  • SH/MH stands for Single Harvest(SH), Multiple Harvest(MH)
  • SC (%) stands for Shade Crops. This will help us to grow shade crops once the main crops are grown. (%) stands for percentage of shade required
  • Anything that starts with WIP* means Work In Progress. The same will be updated in a future date once the information is available

Detailed Template


The Detailed Template provides the data the farmer is looking for quick decision making.
  • Soil Type - Provides the Vegetable Crop information based on the Soil Type
  • Water Requirement - Provides the information on the amount of water required for the specific Vegetable Crop
  • Best Season - Provides the information on the Best Season to grow the specific Vegetable Crop
  • Crop Longevity - Provides the information on the Crop Age of the Vegetable Crop
  • Type of Vegetables - Provides the information on the Vegetable Crop that needs Pandals or Trellis as well as the Type of Vegetable
 



S.No.Common NameTamil NameBotanical NameFamily NameSpacing(Rows X Plants) (Cms / Inches / Fts)Seed Rate (Varieties / Hybrids)Seed Sowing DepthGestation Period (Yrs)Avg Yield/Crop(Nos/Kgs/Tonnes)BCD
1 Amaranth கீரை வகைகள் Amaranthus sp L Amaranthaceae WIP4 V:300-350 g/ha                   H:100-150 g/ha WIP6 WIP7 WIP8 WIP9 WIP10 WIP11
2 Annual Moringa செடி முருங்கை Moringa oleifera L Moringaceae WIP4 WIP5 WIP6 WIP7 WIP8 WIP9 WIP10 WIP11
3 Ash Gourd சாம்பல் பூசணி Benincasa hispida Cogn Cucurbitaceae WIP4 WIP5 WIP6 WIP7 WIP8 WIP9 WIP10 WIP11
4 Asparagus
அஸ்பிரகஸ்
Asparagus officinalis var.altilis WIP3 WIP4 WIP5 WIP6 WIP7 WIP8 WIP9 WIP10 WIP11
5 Basella
பேசல்லா
WIP2 WIP3 WIP4 WIP5 WIP6 WIP7 WIP8 WIP9 WIP10 WIP11
6 Beetroot பீட்ருட் Beta vulgaris L Chenopodiaceae WIP4 WIP5 WIP6 WIP7 WIP8 WIP9 WIP10 WIP11
7 Bellary Onion பெல்லாரி வெங்காயம் Allium cepa var. cepa Alliaceae WIP4 WIP5 WIP6 WIP7 WIP8 WIP9 WIP10 WIP11
8 Bhendi வெண்டை Abelmoschus esculentus (L) Moench Malvaceae R:45 C
P:30 C
V:8.0 kg/ha
H:2.5 kg/ha
0.5 I WIP7 WIP8 WIP9 WIP10 WIP11
9 Bitter Gourd பாகற்காய் Momordica charantia L Cucurbitaceae WIP4 WIP5 WIP6 WIP7 WIP8 WIP9 WIP10 WIP11
10 Bottle Gourd சுரைக்காய் Lagenaria siceraria (Mol) Standl Cucurbitaceae WIP4 WIP5 WIP6 WIP7 WIP8 WIP9 WIP10 WIP11
11 Bread Fruit
கறிப்பலா
Artocarpus altilis WIP3 WIP4 WIP5 WIP6 WIP7 WIP8 WIP9 WIP10 WIP11
12 Brinjal கத்தரி Solanum melongena L Solanaceae WIP4 WIP5 WIP6 WIP7 WIP8 WIP9 WIP10 WIP11
13 Broadbeans பிராட் பீன்ஸ் Vicia faba L Fabaceae WIP4 WIP5 WIP6 WIP7 WIP8 WIP9 WIP10 WIP11
14 Brussels Sprout
புரசல் ஸ்பிரவுட்
Brassica oleracea var. Gemmifera WIP3 WIP4 WIP5 WIP6 WIP7 WIP8 WIP9 WIP10 WIP11
15 Butter Bean
பயிர் பீன்ஸ்
Phaseolus lunatus WIP3 WIP4 WIP5 WIP6 WIP7 WIP8 WIP9 WIP10 WIP11
16 Cabbage முட்டைக்கோசு Brassica oleracea var. capitata Brassicaceae WIP4 WIP5 WIP6 WIP7 WIP8 WIP9 WIP10 WIP11
17 Capsicum குடை மிளகாய் Capsicum annuum Solanaceae WIP4 WIP5 WIP6 WIP7 WIP8 WIP9 WIP10 WIP11
18 Carrot கேரட் Daucus carota L Umbelliferae WIP4 WIP5 WIP6 WIP7 WIP8 WIP9 WIP10 WIP11
19 Cauliflower காலிஃபிளவர் Brassica oleracea var. botrytis Brassicaceae WIP4 WIP5 WIP6 WIP7 WIP8 WIP9 WIP10 WIP11
20 Celery செலரி Apium graveolens WIP3 WIP4 WIP5 WIP6 WIP7 WIP8 WIP9 WIP10 WIP11
21 Ceylon Spinach
ஸ்பினாச்
Talinum triangulare WIP3 WIP4 WIP5 WIP6 WIP7 WIP8 WIP9 WIP10 WIP11
22 Chakravathi Keerai
சக்ரவர்த்தி கீரை
Chenopodium album WIP3 WIP4 WIP5 WIP6 WIP7 WIP8 WIP9 WIP10 WIP11
23 Chekurmanis
செக்குர் மணிக்கீரை
Sauropus androgynus WIP3 WIP4 WIP5 WIP6 WIP7 WIP8 WIP9 WIP10 WIP11
24 Chillies மிளகாய் Capsicum annuum L Solanaceae WIP4 WIP5 WIP6 WIP7 WIP8 WIP9 WIP10 WIP11
25 Chinese Cabbage
சைனிஸ் முட்டை
கோஸ்
Brassica pekinensis WIP3 WIP4 WIP5 WIP6 WIP7 WIP8 WIP9 WIP10 WIP11
26 Chinese Potato சீன உருளைக்கிழங்கு Coleus parviflorus L Labiatae WIP4 WIP5 WIP6 WIP7 WIP8 WIP9 WIP10 WIP11
27 Chow Chow செளசெள Sechium edule Cucurbitaceae WIP4 WIP5 WIP6 WIP7 WIP8 WIP9 WIP10 WIP11
28 Cluster Beans கொத்தவரை Cyamopsis tetragonoloba L Fabaceae WIP4 WIP5 WIP6 WIP7 WIP8 WIP9 WIP10 WIP11
29 Coccinia
கோவைக்
காய்
Coccinia indica WIP3 WIP4 WIP5 WIP6 WIP7 WIP8 WIP9 WIP10 WIP11
30 Colocasia சிறுகிழங்கு Colocasia esculenta L. Scott Araceae WIP4 WIP5 WIP6 WIP7 WIP8 WIP9 WIP10 WIP11
31 Cucumber வெள்ளரி Cucumis sativus L Cucurbitaceae WIP4 WIP5 WIP6 WIP7 WIP8 WIP9 WIP10 WIP11
32 Curry Leaf கருவேப்பிலை Murraya koenigii Linn. Sprengal Rutaceae WIP4 WIP5 WIP6 WIP7 WIP8 WIP9 WIP10 WIP11
33 Dioscorea கருணைக்கிழங்கு Dioscorea alata L. & Dioscorea esculenta L Dioscoreaceae WIP4 WIP5 WIP6 WIP7 WIP8 WIP9 WIP10 WIP11
34 Elephant Foot Yam சேனைக்கிழங்கு Amorphophallus companulatus Blume Araceae WIP4 WIP5 WIP6 WIP7 WIP8 WIP9 WIP10 WIP11
35 French Bean ப்ரெஞ்சு அவரை வகைகள் Phaseolus vulgaris  L Fabaceae WIP4 WIP5 WIP6 WIP7 WIP8 WIP9 WIP10 WIP11
36 Gherkin ஜெர்கின் Cucumis sativus var. angaria Cucurbitaceae WIP4 WIP5 WIP6 WIP7 WIP8 WIP9 WIP10 WIP11
37 Knol-khol
நூல்கோல்
Brassica caulorapa WIP3 WIP4 WIP5 WIP6 WIP7 WIP8 WIP9 WIP10 WIP11
38 Lab lab அவரை Lab lab purpureus var. typicus Fabaceae WIP4 WIP5 WIP6 WIP7 WIP8 WIP9 WIP10 WIP11
39 Lettuce
லெட்டூஸ்
Lactuca sativa WIP3 WIP4 WIP5 WIP6 WIP7 WIP8 WIP9 WIP10 WIP11
40 Mint
பெதினா
Mentha virides WIP3 WIP4 WIP5 WIP6 WIP7 WIP8 WIP9 WIP10 WIP11
41 Muskmelon முலாம் பழம் Cucumis melo L Cucurbitaceae WIP4 WIP5 WIP6 WIP7 WIP8 WIP9 WIP10 WIP11
42 Palak
பாலக்கீரை
Beta vulgaris var. Bengalensis WIP3 WIP4 WIP5 WIP6 WIP7 WIP8 WIP9 WIP10 WIP11
43 Paprika பஜ்ஜி மிளகாய் Capsicum annum var. longum Solanaceae WIP4 WIP5 WIP6 WIP7 WIP8 WIP9 WIP10 WIP11
44 Peas பட்டாணி Pisum sativum L Fabaceae WIP4 WIP5 WIP6 WIP7 WIP8 WIP9 WIP10 WIP11
45 Potato உருளைக் கிழங்கு Solanum tuberosum L Solanaceae WIP4 WIP5 WIP6 WIP7 WIP8 WIP9 WIP10 WIP11
46 Pumpkin பரங்கிக்காய் Cucurbita moschata Poir Cucurbitaceae WIP4 WIP5 WIP6 WIP7 WIP8 WIP9 WIP10 WIP11
47 Radish முள்ளங்கி Raphanus sativus L Brassicaceae WIP4 WIP5 WIP6 WIP7 WIP8 WIP9 WIP10 WIP11
48 Rhubarb
ருபார்ப்
Rheum rhaponticum WIP3 WIP4 WIP5 WIP6 WIP7 WIP8 WIP9 WIP10 WIP11
49 Ribbed Gourd பீர்க்கன் Luffa acutangula Roxb Cucurbitaceae WIP4 WIP5 WIP6 WIP7 WIP8 WIP9 WIP10 WIP11
50 Small Onion சின்னவெங்காயம் Allium cepa var. aggregatum Alliaceae WIP4 WIP5 WIP6 WIP7 WIP8 WIP9 WIP10 WIP11
51 Snake Gourd புடலைக்காய் Trichosanthes cucumerina. L Cucurbitaceae WIP4 WIP5 WIP6 WIP7 WIP8 WIP9 WIP10 WIP11
52 Sweet Potato சர்க்கரைவள்ளிக்கிழங்கு Ipomoea batatas (L) Lam Convolvulaceae WIP4 WIP5 WIP6 WIP7 WIP8 WIP9 WIP10 WIP11
53 Tapioca மரவள்ளிக்கிழங்கு Manihot esculenta Crantz Euphorbiaceae WIP4 WIP5 WIP6 WIP7 WIP8 WIP9 WIP10 WIP11
54 Tinda டின்டா Citrullus vulgaris Schrad var. fistulousus Cucurbitaceae WIP4 WIP5 WIP6 WIP7 WIP8 WIP9 WIP10 WIP11
55 Tomato தக்காளி Lycopersicon esculentum Mill Solanaceae P:24 I V:300-350 g/ha                   H:100-150 g/ha 0.25 Inches 0 V:30-40 t/ha                   H:80-95 t/ha WIP9 WIP10 WIP11
56 Turnip
டர்னிப்
Brassica rapa WIP3 WIP4 WIP5 WIP6 WIP7 WIP8 WIP9 WIP10 WIP11
57 Vegetable Cowpea காய்கறி தட்டைப்பயிறு Vigna unguiculata (L) Walp Fabaceae WIP4 WIP5 WIP6 WIP7 WIP8 WIP9 WIP10 WIP11
58 Watermelon தர்பூசணி Citrullus lanatus (Thumb) Matsum and Nakai Cucurbitaceae WIP4 WIP5 WIP6 WIP7 WIP8 WIP9 WIP10 WIP11
59 Winged Bean விங்கிடு பீன்ஸ் Psophocarpus tetragonalobus WIP3 WIP4 WIP5 WIP6 WIP7 WIP8 WIP9 WIP10 WIP11

Notes:
  • Soil Types are
    1. Red Soils
    2. Black Soil
    3. Laterite Soils
    4. Coastal Soils
  • Spacing provided here is for the normally accepted standard spacing only
  • Water Per Crop is the accepted water requirements. The template may be modified to accomodate water requirements for each year as well in future
  • Avg Yield Per Crop can be in Numbers, Kgs/Tonnes.  This can be expanded to accomodate Avg Yld Per Crop based on the age of the crop as well in future
  • Last Market Rate is the price that the market has given to the crop
  • Anything that starts with WIP* means Work In Progress. The same will be updated in a future date once the information is available

Monday 27 May 2013

Water Irrigation Methods

In our Agriculture for Everybody blog series, we will cover the water irrigation methods generally followed in and around the country.  Only the important methods are covered here.

  • Flood Irrigation
    • This is the traditional method that is being used even today in most parts of our country
    • This is the cheapest method in terms of cost and maintenance is very less
    • The water loss is very high in this method
    • This method is suitable for Paddy, Wheat etc

  • Furrow Irrigation
    • This is another traditional method that is being used even today
    • This method is cheaper as well as easy to maintain
    • The water loss is somewhat average in this method
    • This method is suited for row crops or tree crops
    • This method is suitable for Coconut, Mango, Sugarcane, Vegetables etc

  • Pot Irrigation
    • This method is generally used in areas where the waterfall is very less and hence recommended for dryland agriculture
    • This involves filling up the pot every week or so and hence is a tedious work
    • No or minimal water loss due to evaporation / heat
    • Cost is negligible
    • This method is suitable for Tree based crops

  • Drip Irrigation
    • This is the newly introduced method mainly for the purpose of reducing/saving the water to a greater extent
    • This method needs infrastructure and materials (like pvc pipes etc) and hence the cost is higher
    • This method requires maintenance at regular intervals and there is a nominal cost associated with it
    • This method requires power for the water to be pumped across
    • Very less water loss due to evaporation
    • This method is suitable for Tree based crops as well as for Vegetables

  • Sprinkler Irrigation
    • This is also newly introduced method and is a better alternative than flood irrigation for certain crops
    • This method needs infrastructure and materials (like pvc pipes etc) and hence the cost is higher but less than that of Drip Irrigation
    • Little more of water loss is associated with this method
    • This method requires power for the water to be pumped across
    • This method is generally used for Vegetable based crops or even can be used for growing crops like Maize, Grasses etc where the requirement of water is minimal

  • RainGun Irrigation - This method is similar to Sprinkler Irrigation except the coverage and reach of the water

Tuesday 14 May 2013

Internal Water Sources - An Analysis

In our last blog, we have covered the difference between Internal Water Sources and External Water Sources.

In our Agriculture for Everybody blog series, we will do a deeper analysis and understand the different Internal Water Sources and their advantages and disavantages.


Borewells

AdvantagesDisadvantages
1. Occupies very less space
2. Digging of borewell is quite fast
3. No evaporation of water at all
1. Need power for lifting water
2. Identifying the water point is not fool proof
3. How much water available cannot be established?


Open Wells

AdvantagesDisadvantages
1. Occupies a little more space
2. Takes more time to dig an Open Well
3. Can measure the amount of water available and plan crops accordingly
4. Can be utilized to store water harvested
5. Recharge of groundwater happens automatically
6. Water can also be lifted by mechanical power
1. Need power for lifting water
2. Little bit of evaporation takes place
3. Mosquito menace can be a problem for humans and livestock


Calculating Water Holding Capacity of an Open Well

Volume of Pond in Litres = 3.142 X Diameter/2 X Diameter/2 X Average Depth X 1000

For eg., a pond with 2.5 metres diameter and 5 metres avg depth will have

3.142 X 2.5/2 X 2.5/2 X depth X 1000 = 24547 Litres


Ponds

  1. Allocate 10% of the farmland for ponds if you wish to utilize the pond for growing fish and have only 3 to 5 feet of water for better maintenance
  2. Allocate atleast 1% of the farmland for ponds if you need just water and increase the depth of the pond according to your needs
  3. Confirm whether the water will be held in the pond without too much seeping
  4. Identify the lowest point of the farm where the water rushes to during rain and create the pond there for easy collection of water and better maintenance

AdvantagesDisadvantages
1. Occupies a huge space
2. Takes a little more time to do construction of the pond
3. Can measure the amount of water available and plan crops accordingly
4. Can utilize the pond for growing fish, ducks etc
5. Can be utilized to store water harvested
6. Recharge of groundwater happens automatically
7. Water can also be lifted by mechanical power
1. Need power for lifting water
2. More evaporation takes place
3. Filling of pond takes time
4. Mosquito menace can be a problem for humans and livestock

Calculating Water Holding Capacity of a Pond

Square or Rectangular Pond

Volume of Pond in Litres = Length (in metres) x Width (in metres) x Average Depth (in metres) x 1000

For eg., a pond with 25 metres length and 10 metres width and 5 metres depth will have

25 m (Length) X 15 m (Width) X 5 m (Avg Depth) X 1000 = 1875000 Litres


Round Pond

Volume of Pond in Litres = 3.142 X Diameter/2 X Diameter/2 X Average Depth X 1000

For eg., a pond with 2.5 metres diameter and 5 metres avg depth will have

3.142 X 2.5/2 X 2.5/2 X depth X 1000 = 24547 Litres
 

Thursday 9 May 2013

Water Sources

We all know Water is a very important requirement for farming activities.  In our Agriculture for Everybody blog series, we will understand the various sources from where we can get the water for our crops.

We can classify the Water Sources into two as below.
  1. Internal Water Source
  2. External Water Source

Internal Water Source

Internal Water Sources are those that are available within our farms.  We have some limited control on these water sources.

Generally, the Internal Water Sources are created by us and some of them are given below.
  • Borewells
  • Open Wells
  • Ponds
I mentioned limited control in the previous paragraph, just to highlight the point, that the water in these sources can become dry if other farms in the area exploit the underground water indiscriminately by using borewells.


External Water Source

Any water source that is outside of our farm are considered External Water Source.  We have literally no control on these water sources.

Some examples of External Water Sources are
  • Common Wells / Ponds
  • Streams
  • Springs
  • Canals
  • Lakes
  • Rivers
If External Water Source need to be utilized, we may have to get permission from the concerned authorities.  External Water Sources need to be used co-operatively and any naturally occuring water source is the best option as these will replenish by themselves.