An
integrated package evaluated in farmers’
fields
-
Summer Ploughing;
-
Healthy seed @120
kg/ha;
-
Seed treatment with
carbendazim @ 2g/kg;
-
Furrow application of
Trichoderma (biocontrol agent tested at the
NRCG) based in castor cake/FYM @ 500
kg/ha;
-
Harvest at right
maturity;
-
Drying to reduce pod moisture
quickly to less than 9%;
-
Sorting of diseased pods;
-
Plant protection esp.
management of leaf spots, rust, and stem rot,
managing insect pest
AFLATOXIN ISSUES
CONFLICTING
?
-
No clear evidence yet that
aflatoxins are carcinogenic to humans
-
Study in China revealed no
significantly higher incidence of liver cancer
in groundnut producing/consuming provinces (Ref.
Ecological Survey in the People’s Republic of
China-1990
-
Human beings are in all
probability substantially less susceptible than
Rats, Rabbits, etc.
-
Human beings are in all
probability substantially less susceptible than
Rats, Rabbits, etc.
-
Effect of toxin depends on
the factors:
-
Amount of toxin
-
Resistance of the body
AFLATOXIN
ISSUES
DISTURBING
?
-
Distribution of aflatoxin in
peanut and corn is highly positively
skewed
-
Given skewed distribution of
aflatoxin, particularly in whole kernels, it is
extremely difficult to collect sample which
accurately represent the mean lot
concentration.
-
As a result, sampling step is
the largest source of variation
-
Risk of Consumers and
Producers associated with any sampling plan -
lowering sample size, increasing farmers
risk
-
Risk of Consumers and
Producers associated with any sampling plan -
lowering sample size, increasing farmers
risk
ON-FARM
DEMONSTRATIONS
Site:
Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh, India
Distinction:
World’s largest Groundnut growing dist. (0.75
m.ha) with high aflatoxin risk (50-150 ppb)
Support: UNDP
Support (Rs. 1million)
Strength: 5
Project Associates stationed at 5 adopted
villages;
20 farmers in each village, 1
acre plot
100 demonstrations each in
rainy and post rainy season.
Managing
factors
A. Pre
- harvest
At
soil level:
-
Deep ploughing/Soil
solarization
-
Application of Neem/Castor
cake
-
Application of sand in
relatively heavier soils
-
Application of Gypsum and
Potash
At
plant level:
-
Matching phenophase with
drought pattern in a given location/situation –
escape end of season drought
-
Introducing genotypes with
better testa resistance, seed colonization/
aflatoxin production
-
Prophylactic measure for
foliar fungal diseases – 1 spray of
Chlorothalonil
-
Trap cropping with Pigeonpea,
Castor to protect main crop
-
Judicious use of available
water and provide of life saving irrigation-in
case of prolonged drought spell
-
Harvesting at appropriate
physiological maturity
B.
Post - harvest
-
Drying of plants with pod
upside
-
Quick threshing and drying to
bring pod moisture at 7%
-
Storage in Polythene lined
gunny bag/galvanizedf tin container in
cooler/humidity free place.
-
Following these practices it
has been possible to demonstrate aflatoxin risk
free groundnut production even in high risk area
