Widen market and they’ll be sweet
Better transportation and processing can go a long way
IN spite of many ups and downs, grape cultivation is considered a remunerative crop. Of the major grape growing states, Maharashtra alone accounts for 66 per cent area and about 74 per cent of production in the country while Punjab’s corresponding shares are 3 per cent and 3.5 per cent, respectively.

Guava can be fruitful
Gurteg Singh and Inderjit Singh
GUAVA is an important fruit crop in Punjab that ranks only after citrus and mango. It occupies an area of 4.4 thousand hectares with an annual production of 76.3 thousand tonnes. Being a hardy and prolific fruit plant, it is grown in almost all districts of the state. It is a highly nutritious fruit and contains 150-200 mg of vitamin C in 100 g of pulp.

Chemical help to extend shelf life
Pushpinder Kumar and Himanshu Walia
AT times there is a glut of a particular horticultural commodity in one part of the country while it is scarce in some other part. Prices of seasonal fruits and vegetables fluctuate greatly and during the period of maximum availability the prices are not remunerative to the farmer.

Sown the right way, it shall pay
M.S. Bajwa

SOYBEAN and its products are highly nutritious, containing up to 45 per cent high-quality protein, 22 per cent oil, 5 per cent minerals and vitamins. This crop can be grown for high productivity and profitability in many parts of Punjab and there is a huge market for soy products. In spite of all this, its cultivation has not been taken up on a large scale.

Some farmers who started growing it a few years ago have also stopped. In fact, the average yield levels obtained in Punjab are generally less than one tonne/hectare (t/ha) because farmers tend to grow this crop under any type of land/water-use conditions, without realising that high productivity can be possible only on specific kinds of soils and by following specific crop-soil-input (seed, water, fertilizer, pesticide, energy) management technologies. In addition, unorganised market and low/unstable prices relative to the competing rice crop (having assured market with MSP) have been discouraging.

The potential productivity (about 2.8 t/ha in experimental plots, up to 2.5 t/ha in demonstration plots) already obtained in Punjab and average yields in other countries (2.5 t/ha in the USA), suggest the possibility of increasing its average productivity to more than 2 t/ha in the state. With a remunerative assured market, this crop can be expected to remain fairly competitive.

Soybean does not grow well on soils testing very light (sand, loamy sand) or heavy (clayey) in texture, low in organic matter and poor in fertility. The plants of this crop are very sensitive to water-logging/shallow water table, deteriorated structure, hardpan, poor aeration, salinity/alkalinity and excessive amounts of concretions in the root-zone soil. Flooding of the soil (even temporarily) can cause appreciable reduction in productivity.

The seed of this crop (sown in the first fortnight of June), being proteinacious and oily, many a times does not germinate properly when the soil does not have optimum moisture, particularly in sandy or loamy sand soils. Crust formation even with very light rain/irrigation also results in severe reduction in germination.

Adequate germination can be achieved by sowing seeds in well-pulverised and finely prepared soil having the adequate soil-moisture conditions. Being leguminous, seed must be treated with Rhyzobium culture. The harmful effects of high temperature on soil-moisture loss (during summer period), seed germination, atmospheric nitrogen fixation in root nodules and growth of plants can be corrected by covering the soil surface with straw or other mulches. The recommended varieties in Punjab are capable of giving productivity of about 2 t/ha. But soybean breeders must develop varieties capable of producing much higher yields, even under varying degrees of biotic (diseases, insects, weeds) and abiotic (soil, water, environment) stresses.

Since high productivity can be obtained only when grown under specific soil and water management systems, identification of sites/zones specifically suitable for this crop is of paramount importance. Suitability is ensured when the soil tests loam to clay-loam, medium to high in organic matter and fertility, permeable, well drained/deep water-table, non-saline/non-alkali (not even recently reclaimed salt-affected soils), well structured and very low (or without) in concretions. Saline water is not suitable. The Punjab Remote Sensing Centre, Ludhiana, state development/ extension agencies and soil-testing laboratories can greatly help in identifying zones and making recommendations.

The focus should be on the development of state-of-the-art post-harvest handling (crop maturity standards, drying, grading, packaging, transportation), processing (all parts of the plant), branding development and well-organised market infrastructure (including market promotion and intelligence). A few innovative quality/high-value soybean-products (fresh and processed) may be treated as extreme-focus items and promoted for exports.

To improve profitability, Punjab should take pro-active steps to develop an aggressive soybean-processing infrastructure. In India, since more than 85 per cent of the soybean produced is used for producing oil, 10 per cent as seed and 5 per cent as food, there is a huge market for the processed products. Soybean is the most economical source of dietary protein (about Rs 30/kg of extracted soy-protein, compared with about Rs 100 for cereals or pulses, Rs 250 for milk and Rs 400 for meat or fish). Soy-based processed food includes flour, dairy analogues (soymilk, soy-paneer, soy-yoghurt, soy-ice cream), fermented foods, baked products and snack foods. These foods have good acceptability because of economic and nutritional advantages.

The soybean-based agro-industry must develop backward integration so that technology, raw material availability, inputs, quality, etc., can be better managed. The outdated mini-oil extractors/expellers must be replaced by modern oil extractors (solvent extraction) so as to reduce the residual oil content in the cakes (8-12 per cent to less than 4 per cent), with lower energy consumption.

There is a huge market for cost-effectively produced soybean and its processed products, particularly if they are of globally acceptable quality. The domestic demand of this protein and oil-rich crop is progressively increasing. Poultry-feed market is also rapidly growing. Soy-meal has great export potential (accounts for 90 per cent of all oil meals exported from India). At present, India exports more than 2.5 million tones of soy-meal, valued at about Rs 2400.

The demand for certified non-genetically modified (non-GM) soy-meal is expanding (at 20-25 per cent) in the European union to produce meat products without using GM-ingredients in the feeds. Since we do not grow GM-soybean, the non-GM label can be exploited.

Widen market and they’ll be sweet
Better transportation and processing can go a long way

IN spite of many ups and downs, grape cultivation is considered a remunerative crop. Of the major grape growing states, Maharashtra alone accounts for 66 per cent area and about 74 per cent of production in the country while Punjab’s corresponding shares are 3 per cent and 3.5 per cent, respectively.

In Punjab, Bathinda district is the leading grape-growing region. The state government had imported 1lakh cuttings of early maturing variety "Perlette" from California (US). This variety acclimatised well and proved good. The area under cultivation increased from 1.6 ha (1962) to 485 ha within 4 years of the initiation of the programme. During 2000-01, the total area under grape cultivation was 812 ha in Bathinda and Perlette is the major variety. Recently, the cultivation, marketing and post-harvest losses in grape production in Punjab were investigated by scientists of the Central Potato Research Institute, Shimla.

Punjab lies in the subtropical region of India. Here vines undergo dormancy during winter and the weather being hot in summer (April- June) berry development is rapid. This takes 1600-1800 degree days (> 10`B0C) covering in about 70-75 days as against the normal requirement of 120 days or more. This results in consistent high yields, early maturity, firm flesh with TSS (total soluble sugars) > 18%, seedlessness or low seed content, absence of browning of berries, high juice content and tolerance for anthracnose.

In Punjab, two methods of cultivation are prevalent. One is traditional and the other is the Israeli technique.

The Israeli technique involves pruning. This is done when vines undergo dormancy during winter. All mature shoots are shortened and 3-4 buds are retained. After pruning, grapevines should be sprayed with 0.2 % Blitox or Bordeaux mixture. After this, application of 0.3% Dormex on dormant buds enhances ripening of grapes by about two weeks. Heavy yield affects fruit quality adversely and delays ripening. After pruning, 70-80 clusters per vine are retained. Thinning should be done after fruit set. When the berry is about 4mm in size, it is treated with a 40 % solution of gibberalic acid (GA). Girdling—removal of a complete ring of bark at berry size 4mm diameter at the breast level of main trunk—helps in proper ripening of fruit. A second GA treatment is done at 50% bloom with 30 % GA solution by spraying or by dipping the bunches for 30 seconds.

Grape cultivation is highly labour and capital intensive. Major problems faced by the growers are unsuitability of water for irrigation, untimely rain, high temperature, scarcity of labour, etc. Since the water supplied through canals is saline, it causes hardening of soil and deteriorates fruit quality and yield. Growers in Punjab also face shortage of skilled labour for pre- and post-harvest operations.

Infrastructure

The Perlette variety has a niche market, as no other variety is available from mid-April to mid-June. But growers and pre-harvest contractors have to face many problems on the marketing front. Since the shelf life of Perlette variety is less, it cannot be marketed in markets more than 10-13 hours away journey. Administrative hindrances at check-posts at barriers also result in delay, causing quality losses. Proper marketing facilities, cooling centres for storage, price information, refrigerated vans, etc., are also not available.

There is an imperative need to reduce the post-harvest losses. At present the physical post-harvest losses are estimated to be 39 % of the production and 30 % of the value. It can be done through popularising the Israeli technique, insurance scheme to cope with untimely rains, and ensuring availability of skilled labour. Pre-cooling is done to reduce the field heat and moisture loss. It checks stem desiccation, browning, berry softening and shatter (Nelson, 1955). Thus, it helps in increasing the shelf life. For this, cooling centres should be opened by the state government.

It is reported by commission and forwarding agents in Delhi that growers and pre-harvest contractors in Punjab use inferior and second-hand cardboard boxes for packing grapes. But, according to growers, the cost of packing material, especially cardboard boxes, is very high and they do not get adequate returns. Hence, the government should provide boxes at subsidised rates. The use of grape guard (SO2 releasing pads) is also recommended in packing of grapes.

The chief means of transportation is trucks. Since the shelf life is very less, grapes cannot be transported to distant markets. Hence, there is a need to transport grapes from Punjab through the railway service to increase the market size.

The major marketing channel identified in Bathinda is grower-commission/forwarding agent-retailer-consumer. Still, about 30 per cent of the total produce is given to pre-harvest contractors, which is about 35 per cent of the total harvesting in Bathinda. Growers often complain that pre-harvest contractors cheat them by giving them lower prices.

To make grape farming more remunerative, marketing intelligence and information system should be made efficient and APMCs strengthened. It is recommended that co-operative grape marketing societies should be formed by growers so that the price gap can be reduced by avoiding pre-harvest contractors and commission agents.

Processing of grapes is not done in Punjab. The Perlette variety is suitable for making white wine and vermouth. This variety is also suitable for canning. It is done in combination with other fruits in salads and cocktails. The government should take steps and open processing units in collaboration with the private sector.

Prem S Dahiya, Anshuman Karol, N.K. Pandey and Rajesh K. Rana

Guava can be fruitful
Gurteg Singh and Inderjit Singh

GUAVA is an important fruit crop in Punjab that ranks only after citrus and mango. It occupies an area of 4.4 thousand hectares with an annual production of 76.3 thousand tonnes. Being a hardy and prolific fruit plant, it is grown in almost all districts of the state. It is a highly nutritious fruit and contains 150-200 mg of vitamin C in 100 g of pulp.

Guava can be grown under tropical and sub-tropical climatic conditions. However, areas having distinct winter season are considered best for higher yield. It can also be grown in arid and rainfed areas and even on poor, alkaline and sandy-loam to clay-loam soils.

Propagation: Seeds of Sardar guava are sown on raised beds of 2 x 1 m size in August or March after being treated with 2.5g of Captan/1 kg of seeds. Improved patch budding is done when the seedlings are of pencil thickness at about 15 cm from the ground. The best time for budding is May-June.

Planting techniques: A 1m deep and as wide round pit should be dug for each plant at a distance of 6 x 6 m in a square system. To each pit add 30g Lindane 5% dust or 5 ml of Chlorpyriphos 20 EC mixed in about 2 kg soil against white ants. The plantation should be done in February-March or August-September.

Crop regulation: The monsoon crop of guava may get infested with fruit fly. In order to get a winter crop, the following measures should be followed: 1) Spray urea 10% or Naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) @ 600 mg/lt of water during May when most flowers have opened; 2) pruning of terminal portion of the shoots up to 20 or 30 cm between April 20 and 30; 3) apply fertilisers during June to encourage growth in July-August to get maximum flowering in August-September; 4) withhold irrigation during April-May.

Harvesting: The fruit changes its colour from dark green to greenish yellow at maturity. This is when it should be harvested—mature yet firm. The harvested fruit is cleaned, graded and packed in corrugated fibre cartons or in bamboo baskets. Guava can be stored at 0-3.3`B0 C and RH of 85-90% for three weeks.

Plant protection: Fruit fly is serious pest of guava. It deposits eggs at the colour break stage in the soft epicarp. On hatching, the maggots bore further into the fruit and feed on the soft pulp. The infested fruit rots and falls off. Pupation takes place in the soil under the trees. The following steps can be adopted to control fruit fly: 1) Sanitation/ clean cultivation of orchard; 2) bury the infested fruit; 3) Avoid taking the monsoon crop; 4) plough and stir the soil in June-July; and 5) harvest when the fruit is still slightly hard and green.

Wilt is another disease of the crop. Its symptoms appear many months after the root is attacked by fungi. Sparse foliage, denuded branches, yellowing of leaves and wilting are the important symptoms. To control, follow these steps: 1) plant guava in well-drained soil and avoid very heavy soils; 2) uproot and burn the infested tree; 3) drench the soil in the plant pit with a 2 % formaline solution and cover with sarkanda for two weeks.

Chemical help to extend shelf life
Pushpinder Kumar and Himanshu Walia

AT times there is a glut of a particular horticultural commodity in one part of the country while it is scarce in some other part. Prices of seasonal fruits and vegetables fluctuate greatly and during the period of maximum availability the prices are not remunerative to the farmer.

If fresh and processed vegetables are evenly marketed all over, not only can the consumer buy at reasonable prices but also the producer will not have to sell at throwaway prices.

There are techniques that may be followed to keep the produce for long periods and sell at places of scarcity.

Fruits and vegetables, highly perishable, are processed in a wide range of ways, from just cleaning and cooling to high-temperature packaging in metal, glass or plastic containers. Products from the some raw material can vary widely in flavour, colour and texture. Pineapple, apple, peas, mango and tomato are examples of foods available in several fresh and processed forms.

While frozen or canned vegetables have their importance, most people in our society like the to be fresh. To maintain the freshness and other qualities, a mild chemical treatment that retards ripening and retains harvest quality by interfering with the action of ethylene, a plant hormone produced by fruit itself that stimulates the ripening process. Ethylene has been used for years to bring bananas to market at the peak of flavour. Bananas are harvested while green and easy to ship and then ripened in special rooms where they are exposed to ethylene.

Some fruits, such as apples, give off ethylene, which can affect other crops stored in the vicinity. An ethylene-inhibiting chemical, l-MCP (methyl cyclopropene), was discovered by Edward C. Sisler of North Carolina State University during research on ethyl receptors in plants. It turns out that other olefins besides ethylene bind to the suspected receptor sites and block the action of ethylene strained olefins. Such MCP are most effective in the sense that their action persists the longest.

MCP has been found to be most effective and commercially practical. In many parts of the world it is used commercially by many leading companies. In India, research is being done using KMnO₄, N₂, for absorbing ethylene and extending the shelf life of fruits and vegetables. Solid crystalline KMnO₄, 5 gm / half kg, in the form of sachets can be used in HDPE `BD kg packing of tomatoes. For other fruits and vegetables research is being done.

MCP, the active ingredient, is released when a carrier sugar (cyclodextrin) is wet with water—1 part per million in the atmosphere can have the desired effect. Each crop responds differently, depending on what the effect of ethylene usually is. For instance, ethylene causes colour changes in some crops and softening or flavour changes in others.

Mainly papaya, apples, tomatoes, cucumber, avocado, peach and other climatic fruits can be given extended shelf life with the help of ethylene absorbents, with the concentration of 1 MCP ranging from 0.25 to 10 ppm and temperature from near freezing to ambient.

It is marketed under various brand names and is very effective on fruits and vegetables that ripen quickly and so are rarely shipped far.