DAP Foliar Spray Increases Pulses YieldRs.45.925 Lakhs Subsidy under NADP District Collector Dharmapuri.

DAP Foliar Spray Increases Pulses Yield

Rs.45.925 Lakhs Subsidy under NADP
District Collector Dharmapuri.
Pulses play a vital role in sustainable agriculture as they are the major sources of dietary protein. Pulses naturally have 20-24% Protein. Besides being rich sources of protein they maintain soil fertility through biological Nitrogen fixation. Each plant of a pulse crop is virtually a natures’s mini nitrogen fertilizer factory which enables to meet its own requirement as well as that of succeeding crop.

In Dharmapuri District Pulses is the 2nd largest growing Food Crop under Rainfed condition next to Cereals. The Normal Pulses area in Dharmapuri district is 65000Ha. Red gram, Blackgram Greengram, Cowpea, Bengalgram and Horsegram are the major crops in vogue. Being grown mostly in Redfed condition the Nutrient availability and uptake is very low resulting in low productivity of pulses.
It is a short duration and accommodative crop. Phosphatic fertilizers are important for Protein conversion on the plant. Compared to Soil application of Phosphatic fertilizers Foliar spraying of 2% Diammonium Phosphate once at Flowering initiation and another at 15 days after 1st spray will increase the yield to the tune of 30% . Application of DAP through Foliage enhances Flowering, Pod formation and Grain filling.
District Collector Thirumathi R.Lilly I.A.S requested the farmers to make use of this opportunity, under National Agricultural Development Programme wherin DAP fertilizer will be distributed for 18370 Ha at Rs. 250/- subsidy per Ha. to the tune of Rs. 45.925 Lakhs during current year. 25 Kg of DAP is recommended for 1 Ha. for taking up 2 sprays.
Thiru. K.Rajan Joint Director of Agriculture, Dharmapuri further added that for one spray in 10 Lit of water 12.5 Kg of DAP is to be taken. From this the supernated liquid is to be taken by filtration and should be made to 625 Lit by adding water. By Hand sprayer at 10 lit each the spray should be taken up on the plant foliage so as to wet the entire surface. Such spray should be taken up either in the morning or evening hours only, to avoid evaporation loss. The concentration should not exceed more than 2% which will result in scorching and also it is imperative that sufficient moisture content in the soil is to be ensured at the time of spraying. On any cost DAP should not be mixed with Plant protection Chemicals. By following and adopting this Timely Technical practice a farmer is guaranteed by 30% yield increase.
To encourage the farmers 50 Ha System of Pulses Intensification Project is being implemented in this District in 40 revenue village of all blocks in the current year and required Technical know-how will be disseminated to the beneficiary farmers by the department technical officials at ground level. Collective approach of the farmers on this new project is very much required

/- K. Rajan, Joint Director of Agriculture,
Dharmapuri.