Development of Organic Seeds under Inhana Rational Farming (IRF) Technology—A Case Study from Canning Block Seed Farm, 24 Parganas (S), West Bengal

R. Bera; A. Seal; A. Datta; S. Saha; S. Mitra

doi:10.37591/rrjocst.v7i2.1147

Abstract

Availability of good quality seed is one of the major constraints for sustainable agriculture in India. Especially in pretext of climate change mitigation, relevance of organic seed is immense. In this respect, organic seed development has been undertaken jointly by Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya (BCKV) and Inhana Organic Research Foundation (IORF), Kolkata, India in Canning Block Seed Farm under coastal saline ecosystem with adoption of Inhana Rational Farming (IRF) Technology—A comprehensive organic package of practice since 2016. Three popular paddy varieties, viz. Banskathi, Dudheshwer and PAN 40 were taken for organic seed production. On-farm Novcom compost was prepared with farm waste, weeds and water hyacinth in 21 days, which was used for organic soil management. Inhana plant management package of practice was used for seed treatment, organic nursery management as well as plant health management in main field. Highest crop productivity was recorded in case of PAN 802 paddy variety (6000 kg ha-1), followed by Banskathi (3750 kg ha-1) and Dudheshwar (2837 kg ha-1). Agronomic efficiency also reflected the result as obtained in the case of yield i.e., the highest value (68.49) in case of PAN 802 variety, followed by Banskathi (42.8) and Dudheshwar (32.39) varieties. Paddy seed quality parameters viz., pure seed (%), inert matter (%), husk less seeds (%), other crop seeds (%), total weed seeds (%), germination (%) and moisture (%) were analyzed as per Indian Seed Certification Standard as the results were well above the minimum standards for all three paddy verities. Germination percent was highest in case of PAN 802 paddy variety (98%) followed by Dudheshwer (92%) and Banskathi paddy verity (92%) which was well above Indian Seed Certification Standard for both certified and foundation seeds (minimum 80%). Moisture percent in all the developed seed varieties were found to be within the safe moisture level as per standard reference and well within the Indian Seed Certification Standard. At the same time, uniform and healthy growth of seedlings with high root:shoot ratio indicates high seed vigour, reflecting their capability to withstand environmental stress factors. Keywords: organic paddy seed, Inhana Rational Farming (IRF) Technology, Novcom compost, Seed Certification Standard, Germination percentCite this ArticleBera R, Seal A, Datta A et al. Development of Organic Seeds under Inhana Rational Farming (IRF) Technology—A Case Study from Canning Block Seed Farm, 24 Parganas (S), West Bengal. Research & Reviews: Journal of Crop Science and Technology. 2018; 7(2): 1–21p