Popularization of high yielding, small grain paddy variety MSN-99 through front line demonstration in cauvery command area of Mandya district, Karnataka

Cauvery command area is known for paddy cultivation. In Mandya district, paddy occupies an area of 80735 ha with a production of 1,84,307 MT and productivity of 3400kg/ha. Use of locally available varieties, faulty cultivation practices with continuous submerged conditions are causing higher pest and disease incidence thus leading to lower yield. In this context an attempt was made with an objective to substitute existing variety with improved paddy variety MSN-99 with integrated crop management practices. The FLD on improved variety MSN-99 was carried out during the two consecutive years 2021 and 2022 in village B-Hullukere and Goravale of Mandya district. The soil of the area under study was red loamy soil. The components in FLDs comprised of improved variety MSN-99 along with proper land preparation, seed rate, seed treatment, pre-emergence application of herbicide and need based plant protection measures. The inputs viz., Seeds, Lodax powder herbicide, Zinc, Azospirillum were distributed to farmers. The crop was transplanted during the second week of July and harvested in 3^rdweek of November. The yield data were collected from both demonstration and farmers’ practices by random crop cutting methods. The result indicated that improved variety MSN-99 exhibited mean grain yield 43.70 q/ha which accounts to 26.11 % higher than the farmer’s practices. The technology gap of the demonstration plot was 5.85 q/ha and 6.75 q/ha during 2021-22 and 2021-22, respectively. Extension gap of 9.10 q/ha and 9.00 q/ha was observed during 2021-22 and 2021-22, respectively. The technology index varied from 11.70 % to 13.50 % with a mean value of 12.60%. The efficacy of demonstrated technology improved variety MSN-99 coupled with scientific package of practices can be proved and it accelerates with the adoption of demonstrated technology to increase the yield of paddy.