Ievs 103
Ievs 103
Ievs 103
3 and
Transplanting in
Solanaceous Crops
Introduction
Soil is the most important and easily available growing
medium for plants. Soils are of different types, depending
upon their chemical and physical properties. Soil
provides nutrients and moisture to plants, which are
necessary for their growth and development. Manures
and fertilisers are added to the soil to maintain
its nutrient value. This ensures the availability of
nutrients to plants and maintains productivity, as
well as, fertility of the soil. Judicious use of fertiliser is
always recommended to avoid crop and soil hazards.
This may be achieved through testing of the soil and
expert opinion. When a soil is pulverised, levelled and
brought to fine tilth for the cultivation of a crop, it is
called ‘tillage operation’ or ‘preparation of the land’.
Different advanced implements are used to prepare the
land for cultivation. The need for water may be fulfilled
by irrigation.
Most of the solanaceous vegetables are propagated
by seed and seedlings are transplanted at requisite
spacing in the main field. Seedlings are herbaceous and
require care during uprooting and planting.
Importance of soil
Soil provides nutrients to plants, which help in their
growth. It provides support to growing plants by holding
their roots. It holds moisture and water for a long time
and serves as a habitat for many micro and macro-
organisms. Soil also provides heat, air and water to
growing organisms living in or over it. It is the most
important natural resource of a country.
Types of soil
There are different types of soil in India, which can be
classified on the basis of their colour and characteristics.
Black soil
These soils are poor in nitrogen, phosphate and organic
matter but rich in potash, calcium and magnesium
(Fig. 3.1). The pH of black soil is 6.8.
Fig. 3.1: Black soil
Red soil
These are porous, friable and neutral to acidic in nature.
These soils are poor in nitrogen, phosphate, lime and
humus (Fig. 3.2). Generally, the pH of red soil is more
than 5.
Lateritic (laterite)
Fig. 3.2: Red soil These show acidic character with pH of 5 to 6.
These soils are porous and have low water holding
Alluvial soil
These are productive soils, which are formed due to the
deposition of silt by the Ganga and Brahmaputra rivers
in course of their heavy flow during the rainy season.
Due to meandering of the river course, a rich deposit of
alluvial soil develops. The pH of alluvial soil ranges from
6.5 to 8.4.
Desert soil
Desert soils are sandy and found in low rainfall
areas. These are alkaline soils with high pH value
and are unproductive (Fig. 3.3). The pH of desert
soil ranges from 7.6 to 8.4.
Fig. 3.3: Desert soil
Forest and hilly soil
These are the soils of higher and lower elevation found
on hills. These are stony and infertile. The pH of such
soil is 4.
Soil particles
Soil particles namely sand, silt and clay are classified
according to their size. Clay particles are the finest
and are smaller than 0.002 mm in diameter. Loam
particles are 0.002–0.02 mm in diameter. Silt particles
have 0.02–2.0 mm diameter. Particles larger than 2 mm
are sand, gravel or stones. Most soils contain a mixture
of sand, silt and clay in different proportions (Table 3.1).
Soil testing
It is one of the methods to determine the fertility status of
a soil, so that recommendations with respect to lacking
nutrient or appropriate soil reclamation can be done.
A complete soil test programme essentially consists of
three basic steps, which are as follows:
(a) soil sampling
(b) soil testing
(c) soil test interpretation and fertiliser
recommendations
Soil sampling
Samples are taken using soil auger, soil tube, spade,
etc. Different locations in a field are randomly identified.
Soil from pits at plough depth (15–20 cm) is collected
from identified locations, and then, composited.
Samples should not be taken from the boundary of
a field. Shady, marshy, near irrigation source and
fertiliser applied areas are also avoided. The soil is
S. Category EC (milli-mhos/cm)
No.
1. Normal below 1.0
2. Critical for germination 1.0–2.0
3. Critical for the growth of 2.0–3.0
salt sensitive crops
4. Injurious to most crops above 3.0
Land preparation
The soil is dug out to a certain depth, resulting in big
clods (ploughing), which are further broken down to
Descriptive Questions
1. What is soil? Briefly describe the properties of soil.
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Precautions
(a) Water the seedlings before uprooting them in
order to reduce root injury.
(b) Tie the seedlings in suitable bundles for taking
them to the field.
(c) Do not place the seedlings under direct sunlight
after uprooting them.
(d) Protect the seedlings from farm animals.
(e) Preferably choose evening hours for transplanting.
(f) Treat the roots of seedlings with fungicides or
insecticides to prevent them from diseases,
insects and pests.
(g) Ensure that the field is kept moist for better
growth of the seedlings.
Cropping system
Intercropping
This is a cropping system, wherein two or more crops
are grown simultaneously in alternate rows or otherwise
on the same land, showing significant amount of
intercrop competition.
Descriptive Questions
Vegetables Spacing
1. Tomato indeterminate type (a) 60 × 20 cm
2. Long fruit bearing brinjal (b) 45 × 45 cm
3. Chilli (c) 60 × 45 cm
4. Potato (d) 90 × 60 cm