Rice

Apart from being the second most populous nation, India is the second largest producer of rice in the world. The importance of rice has considerable increased in recent years because of the changing agro-climatic conditions, viz. increased rainfall and water-logging condition. Following are the hints for maximizing rice yield:
The improved varieties suitable for different areas and fertility levels should be grown
The seed must be treated before sowing
Fertilizers application should be in balanced manner as per recommendation in respective areas
Though stagnation of water in the rice crop field should be avoided ,the application of adequate and frequent irrigation is necessary
The requisite action must be taken to prevent the weed competing with standing crop
Apply integrated pest management (IPM), of which weather related pest and disease forecasting is important tool

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Groundnut

Groundnut is the major oil seed crop grown in India under varied agro-climatic zones and practices, occupying about 9 million ha. Selection of suitable high yielding varieties according to the soil type coupled with improved cultural practices and plant protection measures would certainly help in attaining high production level. However, following are the hints for maximizing groundnut production:
The healthy, disease free and treated seed for yielding better germination
The recommended spacing and seed rate should be followed
The fertilizers should be used as per the recommendation. The excessive vegetative growth should be avoided as it will result in poor yield
The protective irrigation must be applied during flowering and fruiting period if rain fails
Use weather based disease and pest forecasting and apply the plant protection measures accordingly
Timely weed control measures should be followed

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Cotton

Cotton, the most important fibre crop of India plays a dominant role in its agrarian and industrial economy. It is the backbone of our textile industry and country's export. Area under cotton cultivation in India (8.9 million ha) is the highest in the world, i.e., 25% of the world area. But cotton productivity is quite low as compared to world standards. Following are the points which should be kept in mind for having higher yield:
The seed of improved varieties, according to the suitability of different agro-climatic conditions, should be sown
The sowing time should be appropriate
The seed must be treated before sowing
The acid delinted seed is prerequisite for good cultivation
The fertilizer should be used strictly as per recommendation
Control different disease and pest as suggested by the weather based forecasting system

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Grape

Grape is cultivated over an area of 34,000 hectares with an annual production of 1,000,000 tonnes. Grape is grown under a variety of soil and climatic conditions in three distinct agro-climatic zones, namely, sub-tropical, hot tropical and mild tropical climatic regions in India. Following are the suggestions which must be followed for maximizing the yield:
Proper planting season should be selected according to the planting material you have
Spacing generally varies with the varieties and soil fertility and should be done accordingly
Many training systems are in vogue in India and should be adopted according to the suitability of area
Utmost care should be taken while pruning of the vines which should be according to the grape growing regions of the country
In addition to the standard dose of fertilizers, the usage of organic manure has assumed high importance in India as vineyard soils are either sandy loams or heavy clays
Vineyards should be free from weeds
Since grapes are grown in areas where the evapotranspiration exceeds the precipitation, supplementary irrigation is essential
As grape crop is very much weather sensitive, the weather should be continuously monitored. Accordingly farming operations should be planned
Pesticide application should be done as suggested by the weather based disease pest forecasting system

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Maize

Being one of the most important cereals in the world, its standing in India is only next to rice and wheat. As an important and nutritive cereal, it is consumed in various forms and shapes. It is also used as feed and fodder for livestock. Sensing its overwhelming importance, it is advised to adopt following measures for maximizing its yield:
Seed of the hybrid or composite variety, fertilizer and pesticides must be procured well in advance of the sowing season
The selection of the right kind of hybrid or composite seeds should be according to the suitability of the area.
Every year fresh hybrid seed should be procured.
Own composite maize seed should be raised by selecting 2 to 5 thousand cobs from the central portion of the fields.
Do not use seed from a few cobs of a composite variety.
Proper seed rate should be ensured for good crop stand. Corn planter may be opted for sowing.
Field should be weed free.
Diseases and pest should be managed according to the micro-climate of the field.

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