Abstract
A study was conducted among 200 dryland farmers of Virudhunagar District of Tamil Nadu
to understand the knowledge and adoption of dryland pulse production technologies by dryland
farmers and to know the association of the characteristics of farmers and their knowledge and
adoption. From the study, it is found that social participation, decision making pattern, economic
motivation, information seeking behaviour are the essential factors which critically influence
knowledge and adoption level of pulse growers and subsequently the production of pulses.
With regard to pulse production technologies, improved varieties, seed rate, time of sowing,
method of sowing, depth of sowing, DAP application and raising castor to control spodoptera
were the practices for which majority of the respondents possessed knowledge and adopted the
same. Majority of the respondents had little knowledge on seed treatment, NPK application,
and weed management and these practices were adopted by few respondents.