The online webinar series on ‘Soil health management in agricultural crops’ was organized at ICARCPCRI,Regional Station, Kayamkulam during 20th to 23rd October, 2020 as videoconferencing through zoom platform and simultaneously broadcasted live through CPCRI YouTube channel with theparticipation of more than 200 farmers. The webinar series was inaugurated by Dr. S. Kalavathi, with a brief introduction on the importance of maintaining soil health for sustainable productivity in a coconut based cropping system.

The technical session on ‘soil health management practices of coconut’ was handled on the first day of the programme by Dr. Jeena Mathew, Scientist (Soil Science), ICAR-CPCRI, RS, Kayamkulam, wherein the participants were sensitized on various aspects of soil health including integrated nutrient management and fertilizer based management practices for coconut production. The second session on ‘soil health management for vegetables and banana’ was covered by Dr. V. Thulasi, Assistant Professor, RARS, Pattambi. The nutrient deficiency symptoms and management, organic recycling of crop residues and integrated nutrient management practices were well explained during the session. Dr. V. Srinivasan, Principal Scientist, ICAR-IISR, Kozhikkode handled the topic on ‘soil health management of spices’ on the third day of the programme. The lecture covered a detailed account on the soil health management including management of nutrient deficiency symptoms and specific nutrient mixtures developed for spice crops developed at ICAR-IISR. On the last day, Dr. Susan John K, Principal Scientist, ICAR-CTCRI, handled the topic on ‘soil health management of tropical tuber crops’. The nutrient requirement of tuber crops, screening and varietal development of potash efficient genotypes, customized fertilisers and nutrient interactions in the soil were covered during the session.

The technical sessions followed by an interactive session with the active involvement of farmer participants were conducted from 2.00 to 3.30 pm in all the four days. Dr. S. Kalavathi (Acting Head), Dr. Chandrika Mohan, Dr. Regi Jacob Thomas, Dr. Jeena Mathew, Dr. Merin Babu and Dr. Anes,K M were the resource persons during the interactive session on coconut.

Dr. Jeena Mathew, Dr. Anes. K.M and Dr. S. Kalavathi co-ordinated the training programme.