Annual Report - krishi icar

Annual Report2008–09

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Foreword

The year 2007–08 has been very good for agriculture with a record harvest of 230.67

million tonnes of food grains with remarkable gains in rice, maize, groundnut and cotton.

This inspiring accomplishment was possible owing to farmers’ efforts using appropriate

technologies, periodic advisories and availing timely supply of inputs, and well planned

research programmes, ably executed by scientists of our National Agricultural Research

System (NARS).

The crop research and development activities of the Indian Council of Agricultural

Research during the year are — preparation of soil-erosion maps for resource conservation

planning; enrichment of the National Gene Bank with about 13,850 accessions of orthodox

seed species; production of 7,162.40 tonnes of breeders seeds of centrally released field

crop varieties and 2,788.10 tonnes of state-released crop varieties; release of 117 superior

varieties of field and horticultural crops for commercial cultivation; identification of

seven varieties of wheat resistant to stem rust race Ug99 and a high sugar-yielding cane

variety, Birendra, having tolerance to waterlogging and top borer; a singular innovation

in Bt-cotton by indigenously transforming an open-pollinated variety Bikaneri Narma,

enabling the farmers to use their own farm-saved seed year after year; release of regular-

bearing mango variety Arunika having attractive colour; revelation of wedge grafting

technique for rapid multiplication of guava; development of field kits for ascertaining

soil sodicity and quality of bio-fertilizers; and preparation of liquid bio-fertilizers with

enhanced shelf-life.

Research and development activities for livestock resulted in better genetic resistance

of SDL-IC broilers than Aseel and Kadaknath against H5N 1 infection; enhanced fibre

digestibility of poor-quality crops residues; reduced methane production from enteric

fermentation due to use of tree leaves; and increased milk production and fat and SNF

(solids-not-fat) percentage by ragi supplementation to dairy cows, with a net increase in

income of about Rs 19/cow/day under field condition. The mega Seed Project on Pig was

launched with 4 co-operating centres. A status of freedom from contagious bovine

pleuropneumonia infection in cattle and buffalo was obtained from OIE (Office

International des Epizooties). Improved diagnosis of foot-and-mouth disease in suspected

clinical samples by multiple PCR (m-PCR); preparation of biofilm vaccine against

pasteurellosis; and development of web-based interactive expert system on animal

diseases of the country are the other significant achievements. In fisheries major

achievements are: molecular protocol to assess the impact of pollution on freshwater

fishes; culture of tiger shrimp in inland ground saline waters as a new avenue in inland

aquaculture; initiation of marker to marker linkage study in rohu—the first attempt of its

kind in Indian fish species; breakthrough in early carp breeding enabled farmers to utilize

at least five more months as the growing period; hatching and larval rearing of crucifix

crab, Charybdis feriatus.

These technologies are being propagated through a network of 562 Krishi Vigyan

Kendras (KVK). A total of 35,533 trainings were organized benefiting 966,142 farmers/

farm women and 187,304 rural youth for skill upgradation. The Directorate of Information

and Publications of Agriculture has developed on-line global visibility by using latest

information and communication technologies.

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Some of the major structural reforms in research management include establishment

of DNA bank cutting across plant and animal kingdom; and provision for the foreign

fellowship for higher agricultural education. The Government has accorded approval of

78 new KVKs including 50 additional KVKs in large districts; and establishment of integrated

farming system research modules at 31 centres with stepped up investments to diversify

the functioning of KVK.

The Council took specific steps to improve the national agricultural education, and

seven new Agricultural Universities were accredited. One hundred eleven awardees under

twelve different categories were conferred awards, among these were 13 women

scientists. The National Agricultural Innovation Project has made good progress in

approving 112 subprojects at a total outlay of Rs 658 crore.

Policy issues were decided for Guidelines for management of ICAR services and

contracts, IPR clearance of collaborative research projects, and Business Planning and

Development.

To share our experiences and co-operation in agricultural research and education,

work plans were signed with the Islamic Republic of Iran and Republic of Ecuador.

We as a nation are trying to feed our millions with dignity. Our cultivable area is

limited but the growing population will continue to escalate the food requirement. Only

alternative before us is to improve resource use efficiency and agricultural productivity.

To this end state-of-the-art technologies are required. The policy environment and support

in agricultural research and education is now conducive and I am sure our NARS will take

full advantage to improve the state of agriculture and agricultural community in the

country.

It is hoped that policy planners, researchers, students and all stakeholders will find

this information of DARE/ICAR Annual Report 2008–09 useful in further improvement and

development of agriculture.

(SHARAD PAWAR)

President

ICAR Society

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Contents

1. Overview 1

2. Soil and Water Productivity 7

3. Farming Systems 12

4. Climate Change 15

5. Genetic Resources 20

6. Crop Improvement 29

7. Livestock Improvement 41

8. Crop Management 46

9. Livestock Management 60

10. Post-harvest Management and Value-addition 72

11. Agricultural Mechanization and Energy Management 81

12. Agricultural Human Resource Development 87

13. Agricultural Economics, Marketing and Statistics 95

14. Information, Communication and Publicity Services 99

15. Technology Assessment, Refinement and Transfer 101

16. Gender Issues for Technological Empowerment of Women in Agriculture 106

17. Research for Tribal and Hill Regions 109

18. Organization and Management 114

19. Partnership and Linkages 122

20. National Agricultural Innovation Project 134

21. Selection and Assessment of Scientific Resource 136

Appendices

A. DARE

I. The Government of India (Allocation of Business) Rules 139

II. Total Number of Posts and Names of Important Functionaries 140

III. Activity Programme Classification 141

(Budget estimates and revised estimates of DARE and ICAR)

B. ICAR

1. Indian Council of Agricultural Research Society 144

2. Governing Body 150

3. Senior Officers at the Headquarters of the ICAR 151

4. ICAR Institutes and their Directors 152

5. National Bureaux and their Directors 153

6. Project Directorates and their Directors 154

7. National Research Centres and their Directors 154

8. All-India Co-ordinated Research Projects 155

9. Agricultural Universities and their Vice-Chancellors 158

10. Total Number of Employees in the ICAR and its Research Institutes and 160

Number of SC, ST and Other Backward Classes

11. Awards 161

12. Audit Observations 163

Acronyms 164

Index 166

Indian Council of Agricultural Research

President, ICAR Society and : Shri Sharad PawarUnion Minister of Agriculture

Minister of State for Agriculture : Shri Kanti Lal Bhuria

Secretary (DARE) and Director-General (ICAR) : Dr Mangala Rai

Additional Secretary (DARE) and : Shri A K UpadhyaySecretary (ICAR)

Additional Secretary (DARE) and : Shri B A Coutinho (up to 5.11.2008)Financial Adviser (ICAR) Shri Chaman Kumar (since 6.11.2008)

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The Mandate of the

Indian Council of Agricultural Research

(i) To plan, undertake, aid, promote and coordinate education,

research and its application in agriculture, agroforestry,

animal husbandry, fisheries, home science and allied

sciences.

(ii) To act as a clearing house of research and general

information relating to agriculture, animal husbandry, home

science and allied sciences, and fisheries through its

publications and information system; and instituting and

promoting transfer of technology programmes.

(iii) To provide, undertake and promote consultancy services in

the fields of education, research, training and dissemination

of information in agriculture, agroforestry, animal

husbandry, fisheries, home science and allied sciences.

(iv) To look into the problems relating to broader areas of rural

development concerning agriculture, including post-harvest

technology by developing co-operative programmes with

other organizations such as the Indian Council of Social

Science Research, Council of Scientific and Industrial

Research, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre and the

universities.

(v) To do other things considered necessary to attain the

objectives of the Society.

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OVERVIEW

1

Overview

The rainfall during the year 2008 (1 June to 30September 2008) was 98% of its long period average(LPA) and a cumulative seasonal rainfall for thecountry as a whole was near normal. Monsooncovered the entire country on 10 July against itsnormal date of 15 July. Of the 36 meteorologicalsubdivisions, 32 received excess/normal rainfall andthe remaining 8% received deficient rainfall duringthe season. During the year country harvested arecord 230 million tonnes of foodgrains andestimations for the year ahead are even higher. Theproduction of rice, wheat and maize was highestso far. The fish production was 6.87 million tonnesand the milk production was over 100 milliontonnes. The floods and outbreak of avian influenzain the eastern and NE parts of the country remaineda cause of concern.

The Indian Council of Agricultural Researchmarched ahead in generating technologies towardssustainable advancements in agriculture and alliedsectors, improving quality of higher agriculturaleducation, institutional capacity building, fosteringinternational linkages for co-operation inagricultural research etc. The research anddevelopment activities during the year coveredwide areas, ranging from optimizing resources’use, improved cultivation techniques, developmentof improved varieties/breeds, excellence inagricultural education and frontline extension oftechnologies, providing improved plantingmaterials, imparting training especially to ruralwomen and youth and various stakeholders throughthe chain of Krishi Vigyan Kendras as a knowledgehub. In our efforts to improve the system’sefficiency and to make the research and educationprogramme more relevant in the present context,organization and management (O&M) reforms wereput in place. Human resource development (HRD)programmes and talent search in agriculturalsciences continued to meet the future needs of

agricultural research, education and extension.The Council has taken decision to reorient the

functioning of some National Research Centresto work in Directorate mode such as Groundnut;Rapeseed-Mustard; Soybean; Sorghum; ColdwaterFisheries; Women in Agriculture; Oil Palm;Cashew; Medicinal and Aromatic Plants;Mushroom; Onion and Garlic; Floriculture; andWater Management. The National Bureau ofAgriculturally Important Insects (NBAII) isestablished by reorienting the Project Directorateof Biological Control. In order to protect agriculturefrom the increasing abiotic stresses throughtechnological intervention, a state-of-the-artNational Institute of Abiotic Stress Managementis contemplated.

The number of projects under the Basic andStrategic Research has gone up to 49 during theyear. Some of the potential impact making areasunder the scheme are controlling arsenic in foodchain, genetic engineering for fixation of heterosis,developing wireless sensor for effective animalmanagement, C4 photosynthetic system in rice, stemcell research in cattle and buffaloes, nano-technologyfor higher utilization of native phosphorus in aridsoils etc. Similarly, there are now 21 projects innetwork mode to address issues of climate change,control of diseases and pests in crops and livestocketc. Besides the research, continued efforts are onto develop competent Human Resources in frontierareas of science as well as in the IPRs. In order toimprove the efficiency of system various measureswere taken in the important areas of administrationand finance management.

An Overview of the Council’s initiatives andachievements during the year under report ispresented here.

Soil and water productivity

Soil-erosion maps of districts like Kota

DARE/ICAR ANNUAL REPORT 2008–2009

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(Rajasthan) and Pauri Garhwal (Uttarakhand) wereprepared for resource-conservation planning. Cost-effective bio-engineering structures were developedand locally adaptive flow-resistant vegetativespecies identified for training the river flow, bank-erosion control and protection of the agriculturalland and other property along the banks. Assessmentof rainwater harvesting potential across the majorrainfed growing districts showed that about 39million ha area under coarse cereals, rice, cotton,oilseeds and pulses could generate about 114 billionm3 surplus water capable of providing supplementalirrigation in major part of rainfed areas. Field kitswere developed for ascertaining soil sodicity andquality of bofertilizers. Liquid formulations weredeveloped for enhancing the shelf-life ofbiofertilizers, viz. Rhizobium, Azospirillum andphosphate-solubilizing bacteria.

A molecular protocol developed for early andrapid detection of heavy metal pollution in openwater can be used to assess the impact of pollutionon freshwater fishes. Decision support softwaredeveloped for shrimp aquaculture will help stategovernments and other regulatory organizationsto regulate the level of shrimp farming activityfor each receiving water body and in framingfuture guidelines and policies for sustainabledevelopment of shrimp farming.

Genetic resources

During the year, 33 explorations were undertakenand 2,203 accessions including 784 of wild specieswere collected. In the National Herbarium ofCultivated Plants, 371 herbarium specimens, 121seed samples and 21 economic products wereadded. A total of 25,456 diverse crop accessionswere introduced from various countries, and 15,000accessions, including germplasm from theICRISAT, were exported to 19 countries. About13,850 accessions of orthodox seed species wereadded to the National Genebank.

Twenty accessions of fruit crops, 17 of bulband tuber crops, five of medicinal and aromaticplants and three of spices were added to the in-vitro Genebank. In all, 1,991 accessions (nearly32,000 cultures) belonging to 52 genera and 158species of vegetatively propagated crops andmedicinal and aromatic and threatened specieswere conserved. Accessions of fruits and nuts (214),spices (9), industrial crops (136) and medicinaland aromatic plants (72) were cryo-stored.

The community-level physiological profilingof soil microbes using BIOLOG showed significantshift in C-utilization pattern of effluent irrigatedsoils over the control soil. Forty-five fast-growingactinomycetes strains isolated from the effluent-contaminated sites were characterized at themolecular level. From salt lake of Sambhar,

Rajasthan, unique bacterial isolates capable ofgrowing at 20% NaCl and at pH 12 were isolated.

Development of a computational methodologybased on genetic algorithm to solve the individualassignment problem using microsatellite data;phenotypic characterization of Bargur cattle,Malnad Gidda cattle, Balangir sheep, Surti goat,and Busra chicken; genotyping of Calpastatin gene,responsible for meat tenderness, in Deccani,Nellore, Sonadi, Malpura, Nali, Ganjam, Choklaand Garole sheep breeds; consistent superiorityof naked neck birds to normal birds for broilertraits; and better genetic resistance in SDL-ICbroilers than Aseel and Kadaknath against H5N1infection, are the significant achievements inanimals and poultry.

Development of microsatellite markers inMacrobrachium rosenbergii; initiation of markerto marker linkage study in rohu; revelation of captivebreeding and milt cryopreservation techniques forIndian catfish Horabagrus nigricollaris, which wascategorized as critically endangered; preparationof DNA barcodes for 180 fish species; andstandardization of DNA based-diagnostic techniquefor species-specific identification of the trematode,Gyrodactylus elegans, a first attempt in the country,towards molecular detection of parasites, are someof the major accomplishments in the field of fishgenetic resources.

Crop improvement

Seventy-six varieties/hybrids of major food cropsincluding rice, wheat, barley, maize, pearl millet,and pulses and oilseeds have been released/identified for different agro-climatic regions ofcountry.

Significant crop improvement research includesregistration of 10 new genetic stocks of wheat,resistance of 78 wheat genotypes to stem rustUg99, identification of dual-purpose hybridsorghum CSH 25 for cultivation in kharif inMaharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, MadhyaPradesh and Gujarat. Jute variety JRO 2003 Hwas recommended for entire tossa-growing beltof country. Sangami variety of tobacco was releasedfor cultivation.

A coloured regular bearing hybrid Arunika ofmango, having good fruit qualities, was released.Potato varieties Kufri Khayati and Kufri Sadabaharfor plains and Kufri Girdhari (good for processing)for hills were released.

Three varieties of coconut Kalpa Pratibha, KalpaMitra and Kalpa Dhenu were released forcommercial cultivation. A new high-yieldingcoconut variety Kalparaksha was recommendedfor release. A high-yielding and root (wilt)-resistantvariety Gauthami Ganga with sweet nut waterand high potassium was released for Andhra

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OVERVIEW

Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra.HH 67 (ew) sorghum bred using DNA markers

for downy mildew resistance has significantlyarrested spread of disease. A significantbreakthrough is development of first public sectortransgenic Bt cotton variety Bikaneri Narma (BNBt) for commercial cultivation, and farmers canreuse seeds of this variety year after year.

Breeders seeds 7,162.4 tonnes of centrallyreleased varieties and 2,788.1 tonnes of state-released varieties of field crops were produced.In fish, 1,502.5 lakh spawn of carps, 504.94 lakhfry + fingerlings of carps, 5.1 lakh fry and spawnof catfish, 22.03 lakh larvae of sweet-water prawn,185.97 lakh larvae of marine prawn, 12.17 lakhseed of ornamental fishes, 12.7 lakh brackishwaterfish fry and 848.87 lakh seed of other marinefishes were produced.

Livestock improvement

The XI set of 14 genetically superior Murrahbreeding bulls was selected from the participatingcentres, and test mating was initiated from July2008. Herds of elite Jaffarabadi buffaloes wereestablished at the JAU, Junagarh, of elitePandharpuri buffaloes at the MPKV, Kolhapur,and of elite Surti buffaloes at the MPUAT,Vallabhnagar. Under the programme for enhancingmutton production, the twining rate of 37.61%and triplets of 4.27% were achieved in Garole ×Malpura sheep.

A demo microarray (biochip) was developedfor the detection of economically important viralpathogens white spot syndrome virus (WSSV),monodon baculovirus (MVV) affecting shrimp andKoi herpes virus. Lactobacillus spp. inhibited fourstrains of Listeria monocytogenes and showeddesirable characteristics for use as a biocontrol(competitive exclusion) culture. Silver barb, Puntiussarana, can be used for biological control of insects.Breakthrough in early carp breeding would enablethe farmers to have fingerlings by May for stockingand utilize at least five more months as the growingperiod. Besides, this opens up the possibility ofbreeding and seed production of carps round theyear. Osteobrama belangeri, an endemic speciesof Loktak lake, Manipur, that fetches high pricein local market, was successfully bred undercontrolled conditions. Shrimp Penaeus semisulcatusand crab Portunus pelagicus seeds were producedin hatchery and sea ranched. Spawning, hatchingand larval rearing of crucifix crab Charybdisferiatus was achieved for the first time.

Crop management

Groundnut-wheat-greengram cropping systemrecorded maximum productivity and improved soilnitrogen and organic-carbon. Sesbania as a green-

manure crop preceding mustard recordedsignificantly higher mustard seed yield in the north-eastern Rajasthan and Haryana. An intercroppingof pigeonpea and sorghum in 2:1 row ratio onthe raised bed planting gave higher yield thanflat bed planting.

Modified central leader system of training gavemaximum yield in mango orchards at Pantnagarand Pusa. Saba, Karpuravalli and Ney Poovanbanana showed normal finger development andfruit filling under salt-affected field (EC 1:2.5 =3.34) and Nendran and Robusta recorded smalland ill-filled fingers. Okra-gladiolus was foundbest intercropping in litchi (young) orchard, givingnet returns of Rs 97,847/ha annually.

In mango, hot-water treatment of fruits at48±1°C for 1 hour controlled all stages of fruitfly, Bactrocera zonata in Dashehari, Langra,Chausa, Amrapali and Mallika. At Gandevi, forsapota a trap named “NAUROH-STONEHOUSEFRUIT FLY TRAP” was designed and producedcommercially for orchardists.

Livestock management

For enhancing the fibre digestibility of poorquality crop residues, cellulase gene obtained fromthe best fibre degrading fungi, was cloned toStreptococccus bovis, a predominant bacteria inrumen of crossbred cattle. A mixture of three plantspecies reduced methane emission by 12% incrossbred calves, showing that there is a potentialin using tree leaves for reducing methaneproduction from enteric fermentation. Dual-stainingtechnique that saved time and chemicals, wasstandardized for testing viability and acrosomalintegrity in frozen and fresh semen. The semenproduction was high in the intensively rearedJamunapari bucks.

A status of freedom from contagious bovinepleuropneumonia infection in cattle and buffalowas obtained from Office International desEpizooties (OIE). The Indian Veterinary ResearchInstitute, Izatnagar, developed an effective PK-15 cell line-based live attenuated freeze-driedvaccine. To improve the diagnosis of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in suspected clinical samples,a multiplex PCR (m-PCR) was developed and byusing it 42% of the outbreaks that wentundiagnosed using ELISA, were identified. A largedatabank on the livestock diseases of the country,based on reports submitted to the Government ofIndia by various state governments, was developedat the PD–ADMAS. A web-based interactive expertsystem on animal diseases of the country wasdeveloped, and it can be accessed atwww.nadres.res.in.

Molecular diagnosis of brucellosis wasstandardized that helped in differential diagnosis


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of Brucella abortus and B. suis. Molecularepidemiological studies are being standardized todiagnose and differentiate the brucellosis of cattle,ovine, caprine and humans. Molecular studies onBHV-1 were carried out. Occurrence of zoonoticbacterial pathogens from the livestock and livestockproducts was studied. A computer interface basedBHV-1 whole antigen AB-ELISA developed, asper the standards of the International Atomic EnergyAgency (IAEA), was standardized and validated.Serum Bank facility at PD_ADMAS has morethan 170,000 serum samples from all over thecountry, which is being used for long-term nationalsurveys on various diseases of economicimportance.

Fish production improved by over 60% inreservoirs Dahod in Madhya Pradesh and Pahujin Uttar Pradesh, through stocking of fish seedand improvement of institutional arrangements forfish catch and marketing. The compatibility ofLabeo gonius with other major carps revealedthat silver carp has higher overall species survival.A low fish meal shrimp feed was developed whichcould be successfully used for culturing tigershrimp at low cost of production. The study onprevalence levels of white spot syndrome virusin crabs indicated that they do not pose anyadditional WSSV risks. Coconut wood of morethan 50 years old was used for constructing alow-cost plank built type of canoe for gillnettingin backwaters. The price of coconut wood is lessthan half of the conventional boat building timber.

Post-harvest management and value-addition

A process was standardized to make osmoticallydehydrated slices from papaya variety Taiwan RedLady. Bittergourd chips were prepared andpopularized among rural and urban areas as snackfoods. A solar PV mobile unit was designed anddeveloped to provide a complete self-sustainedmobile power unit for domestic, small agriculturaland other rural applications in isolated cluster ofhouses (dhanis) of arid region. Several sulphurdyes free from banned amines and safe fromecological considerations were used for dyeingjute fabric.

An immuno-diffusion test for detection ofadulteration of soymilk in milk was developed.Whey-based oral rehydrating solution (ORS) wasdeveloped. A process was developed formanufacturing Quarg, a milk protein paste, fromthe milk of buffalo. Quarg cheese is of highnutritional value owing to high concentration ofproteins and a carrier for probiotic micro-organisms.

Production of heavier broilers has indicatedbenefits of producing primal cuts, deboned meat

and valuable protein at lower cost to benefitproducers and consumers. The felts of less than4-mm thickness were converted into value-addedproducts like jackets and women ruffles. Theseproducts are in great demand and can createemployment opportunity in rural/unorganizedsector.

A method was developed for the preparation ofMaricream, essentially a ready-to-eat and highlynutritious product, containing deodorized fishprotein. Fish-enriched noodles were prepared toimprove nutritional value (protein, calcium andphosphorus) and taste of the market noodles.Sandwich paste was prepared from Sciaenid fishand fortified with EPA and DHA in retortable pouch.

Agricultural engineering and energymanagement

Tractor-operated machinery developed includesrotary nozzles for mango orchard, chopper-typetynes for power tiller rotavator for sugarcane trashshredding, vegetable transplanter for brinjal,cauliflower and tomato, rotary weeder, farmyardmanure spreader; and tractor-mounted includesonion harvester-cum-elevator. Controlled trafficrotary no-till slit drill was developed for sowingof soybean under wheat crop residue.

A manually-operated tool for desuckering andanother equipment for desuckering and clumpremoval for hill banana were developed and wellaccepted by farmers. Drainage technologies wererevelated for the crops sensitive to waterloggingin Vertisols. Parameters were optimized forutilization of paddy straw, kinnow pulp and peapods for production of cellulases, ethanol and feedsupplements. Paddy straw-based bio-methanationsystem was commissioned.

Agricultural human resourcedevelopment

For maintaining and upgrading the standards andquality of higher agricultural education in thecountry, the ICAR continuously providing theprofessional and financial support to the AgriculturalUniversities (AUs). Admission of 1,687 students(up to 15% of total seats) in under-graduate (UG)and 1,875 students (up to 25%) seats in post-graduate (PG) programmes were made throughcentral entrance tests to reduce inbreeding and fosternational integration.

Besides organizing 61 trainings and capacitybuilding programmes, the National Academy ofAgricultural Research Management, Hyderabad,has embarked upon becoming an academic unitand has started two post-graduate diplomaprogrammes, viz information technologymanagement, and IP management.

The IV Deans Committee Report on reforms

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OVERVIEW

in agricultural education has been implemented.The accreditation of 14 Agricultural Universitiesfor assured quality of education was done. Forskill development 138 Units were established in43 universities for Experiential Learning. An ICARnet has been put in place for connecting the librariesof 35 State Agricultural Universities (SAUs), 69ICAR institutes and 182 off-campus colleges. Inorder to further enhance capabilities of DeemedUniversities and Agricultural Universities, theICAR has launched a programme to promote NicheArea of Excellence in these institutions. Someimportant Niche Areas of Excellence include Hi-tech horticulture, Molecular diagnostics of aviandiseases, Resource conservation technology, Soiland water management, Biofuels, Buffalogenomics, Arsenic management in soils, Fin-fishfarming, Immunodiagnostics, Tropical homegardens and Agro-based nutraceuticals. Besideswith the involvement of 180 academicians forover an year, PG course curricula was revisedand is expected to be implemented in all theuniversities w.e.f July 2009.

A new activity on overseas fellowships is putunder the continuing HRD programme to developcompetent human resources that are trained inthe best laboratories in the world (for Indiancandidates) and expose overseas candidates to thebest of the Indian Agricultural Universities forfacilitating future co-operation with these countries.For ensuring quality research technology andhuman resource development, Rs 421 crore wasallocated for modernization of the research farmof the universities. Scientists are being providedtraining in advanced laboratories in India andabroad to develop core competencies in selectareas. Sixty scientists were trained and over 500are to be trained abroad in 21 frontier areas duringXI Plan and about 1,000 scientists are to be trainedin the country. With a massive recruitment driveabout 500 scientists have joined the ICAR andanother over 500 will be joining during 2009 asper the recruitment programme already set inmotion.

The model qualifications for various scientificpositions under the ICAR were finalized and thenumber of disciplines for entry level ARS/NETExamination was reduced from 69 to 38 and notified.

Information, communicationtechnology and publicity services

Directorate of Information and Publications ofAgriculture has developed on-line scrolling day-to-day news, in addition to regular uploading theissues of ICAR Reporter and ICAR News on theICAR web page. World-wide more than 753,039visitors have browsed ICAR Web page during2008. Two projects have been approved by the

National Agricultural Innovation Project (NAIP):(i) E-publishing and Knowledge System inAgricultural Research – development of on-lineelectronic publishing and hosting of ICARpublications integrated with e-commerce, and (ii)Agro web – digital dissemination system for IndianAgricultural Research. Some new initiatives werealso taken. English and Hindi Editorial Units havebrought out 100 publications. E-library facilityhas been started at the ICAR(Hq). It is usinglatest information and communication technologies.The ICAR Library has been modernized withinformation kiosks, internet surfing, on-linecatalogue etc. using latest ICT tools.

Technology assessment, refinementand transfer

A total of 520 technologies in various crops,livestock, fisheries, entrepreneurship and familyhealth and nutrition were taken up for 20,002 on-farm trials with network of 562 Krishi VigyanKendras (KVKs). The Krishi Vigyan Kendrasconducted 18,949 demonstrations on oilseedsspread over 6,379 ha, and 17,301 demonstrationson pulses in 5,433 ha, showing 33.17 and 41.14%more yield than farmers’ practice respectively.Besides, demonstrations were conducted on cotton,covering an area of 8,347 ha, benefiting 4,211and 5,628 farmers directly from demonstrationson production technology and farm implements,respectively, in 1,754 and 5,173 ha. The KVKalso conducted 22,334 demonstrations, covering6,295 ha on other crops, besides 2,168 on livestockand fishery, and 109 on other enterprises.

A total of 35,533 training programmes wereorganized on various technologies, benefiting966,142 lakh farmers and farmwomen. Skill-oriented trainings were imparted in different areasof agriculture, benefiting 187,304 rural youth. Atotal of 3,487 training programmes were organizedfor 90,398 extension personnel to upgrade theirknowledge and skills in frontier areas of agriculturetechnology. Besides, 6,099 sponsored trainingprogrammes were conducted for 232,951 lakhparticipants from government and non-governmentorganizations.

The Government has recently approvedconversion of existing 8 Zonal Co-ordinating Unitsto Zonal Project Directorates. Further, 28 KVKsin newly created districts and one additional KVKin 50 larger districts for wider coverage of KVKactivities have been approved. Provision has beenmade for e-linkage of KVKs; establishment offacilities, namely the mobile diagnostic-cum-exhibition units; the soil- and water-testing labs;rain-water harvesting structures; the basic planthealth diagnostics; minimal processing ; portablecarp hatchery; integrated farming system ; and


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support to Directorate of Extension of SAUs forknowledge empowerment of KVKs.

National Agricultural InnovationProject

The National Agricultural Innovation Project(NAIP) has made good progress in approving 112subprojects at a total outlay of Rs 658 crore. Underthe project, 28 value-chain models were approvedcovering niche agro-produce like millets, cotton,pelagic and freshwater fishes, coconut, seed spices,potato, banana fibre, carps and prawns, flowers,pork, maize etc., and 26 rural sustainable livelihoodsecurity models were approved covering 82 mostbackward districts directly benefiting about 83,000households. Forty-nine Basic and StrategicResearch (BSR) subprojects are pursued coveringsome of the most potential impact making areaslike controlling the deadly arsenic problem in foodchain, genetic engineering for fixation of heterosis;and 21 projects are in operation under NationalFund for Basic and Strategic Research (NFBSRA)since February 2006.

Organization and management

The Budget Estimates (BE) and RevisedEstimates (RE) of DARE and ICAR (Plan andNon-Plan) for 2007-2008 are Rs 2,460 crores andRs 2,337 crores, respectively, and BE for 2008-09 (Plan and Non-Plan) is Rs 2,680 crores. Patentswere granted to the ICAR in 11 fields of invention.The world patent search for ICAR as the applicant(at the European free search facility http://ep.espacenet.com), revealed 35 patent records.Policy issues were decided for Guidelines formanagement of ICAR services and contracts, IPRclearance of collaborative research projects, andBusiness Planning and Development.

One hundred eleven awardees under twelvedifferent categories were conferred awards. Thesecomprised four Institutions, 103 scientists, 3farmers and one journalist. Out of 103 scientiststhere were 13 women scientists.

Partnership and linkages

Work plans were signed with the IslamicRepublic of Iran, the Republic of Ecuador for co-operation in agricultural research and education.A total of 208 foreign nationals of 20 countrieshave completed post-graduate degree programmein ICAR Institutes and State AgriculturalUniversities. The ICAR in November 2008 alsoorganized an extra-ordinary meeting of SAARCAgriculture Ministers in New Delhi whereinSAARC Declaration on UG 99 was made foraddressing the problem jointly. The ICAR hosteda Global Agro-Industries Forum 2008 and about500 senior delegates and professionals from 111countries participated and shared world experiencein promoting agro-industries for greater profitabilityof agriculture. A notable feature of the conferencewas the active participation of Central Ministriesof Agriculture, Commerce and Industries, and FoodProcessing Industries and Directors-General ofFAO, UNIDO and President, IFAD of UN. TheICAR has initiated a major programme onagricultural knowledge empowerment of Africancountries.

The Council is marching ahead to ensuresustainable development of agriculture throughtechnological developments and in this endeavourtimely completion of 11th Plan EFC/SFC meetingsfor all the schemes under ICAR is expected toprovide impetus. This will certainly help us ineffective implementation of the research andeducational programmes and other activitiesenvisaged.

(Mangala Rai)Secretary,

Department of Agricultural Research and Education,and

Director-GeneralIndian Council of Agricultural Research

Land degradation status in arid desert

Land degradation under different land uses in thearid desert of western Rajasthan and Gujarat,covering 28.5 million ha area, was mapped on1:0.5 million scale using remote-sensingtechnique. It revealed that ~76% area of westernRajasthan was affected by wind erosion,encompassing all the major land uses but mostlycroplands and dunes/sandy areas, while watererosion affected ~2% area (mostly in croplandsand scrublands), salinization ~2% (mostly incroplands) and vegetation degradation ~3%(especially in scrublands and forests). Miningactivities have spoiled so far only 0.10% area,and degraded rocky areas covered 1% area. About18% area was severely degraded and 66% slightlyto moderately, while 16% area was not affectedby degradation. The mapping showed that ~1.3million ha area of croplands in western Rajasthanwas under severe wind erosion (mostlyunirrigated).

In arid Gujarat, water erosion was the mostdominant process, affecting ~43% of the totalarea (mostly in croplands), followed by salinity(38%), while vegetation degradation (10%) andwind erosion (5%) covered smaller areas. About44% area was severely affected, 53% slightly tomoderately, and 3% not affected. Large areaunder severe degradation was due to the hugearea of the Great Rann of Kachchh and the LittleRann that have high natural salinity.

2

Soil and Water Productivity

Soil Resource Inventory andManagement

District-level land-resource inventory for farmplanning: Soil-resource inventory of Lohardagadistrict (149,100 ha), Jharkhand, was preparedon 1:50,000 scale and 26 soil series were identifiedunder two broad physiographic units, viz. hills(36.6%) and plateau (62.2%). The soil resourcedata were mapped into 35 mapping units at soilseries association level. The soils of Lohardagadistrict belong to 3 orders, Alfisols being the mostdominant (45.09%) followed by Inceptisols(28.03%) and Entisols (16.58%).

Evaluation of land capability, irrigability andsoil-site suitability for various crops showed thatmajority area (33.1%) of the district was undercapability class IIIw which is mostly in low-lyingarea of the district. About 31.3% area is undercapability class VII, which is mostly in hilly terrain.The available water-holding capacity of the soilsof 51.8% area of the district is high.

Soil erosion map of Kota, Rajasthan: Thedigitized soil erosion map of Kota (Rajasthan)has been generated from soil loss value estimatesfor each of 10 km grid point using universal soilloss equation (USLE). Despite relatively lowannual rainfall, water-induced erosion is a seriousproblem in the region. About 66% area has annualsoil loss higher than 10 tonnes/ha and about 15%of the area show severe erosion rates with soilloss rates exceeding 40 tonnes/ha/year. Therelatively higher rates of erosion per unit of rainenergy are primarily due to poor ground coverduring the monsoon season and slope steepnessof the rolling and hilly terrain.

Four grass barriers, Vetiveria zizanioides (khus),Saccharum munja (munj), Cenchrus ciliaris(dhaman) and Dichanthium annulatum (karadgrass) were evaluated for their conservation valueand compatibility with rainfed sorghum and

soybean on 1% slope at Kota, Rajasthan. C. ciliarisand D. annulatum were the most effective inreducing runoff with significant grain (~23%) andstraw (~13%) yield of sorghum and soybean besidesproviding about 0.4-0.5 tonne/ha air dry forage.

Soil erosion map of Pauri Garhwal district,Uttarakhand: Digitized soil erosion maps ofPauri Garhwal district, on 1:50,000 scale, havebeen generated. The soils are mostly moderatelyshallow, excessively drained, sandy loam, occuron very steep slopes, very severely eroded, largely

7

SOIL AND WATER PRODUCTIVITY


8

from an area of 20 -25 million ha during droughtand normal monsoon periods which accounts forabout 12% increase over the present production.The benefits could be still higher if initiativeslike improved cultivars, SRI cultivation in rice,crop and land use diversification, use of improvedirrigation techniques like drip and micro-sprinkler(which further increase water-use efficiency etc.)are taken up. Thus supplemental irrigation throughwater harvesting would be a viable option in majorpart of rainfed area which otherwise have noenvironmental problems like waterlogging etc.These areas are more in the sub-humid climaticzone of the country.

Micro-tubewell for coastal saline area: Incoastal saline area of Orissa in Astarang block ofPuri district, micro-tubewell was constructed whichwas helpful for small farmers irrigating their rabicrops/vegetables. The groundwater was salinebeyond 20 m (4.8 dS/m). Hence, the depth oftube-well was limited to 10 m to 12 m depth andthe diameter of tube well was limited to 5 to 7.5cm. The energy for drawing the water was limitedto 2 HP.The discharge from the tube-well variedbetween 3.5 to 5 lps. The aquifer, full of freshwater from deltaic rivers and huge monsoonrainfall, is a perched one and it extends from 3 mbelow ground level onwards. Top 3 m is clayeyzone and rest is sandy zone. The cost of 7.5 cmdiameter tubewell with 12 m depth is Rs 4,800only and it irrigates almost 1 ha vegetable crops.The water productivity varies from Rs 2.87/m3

toRs 4.52/m3 in case of 10:90 (farmers share: projectshare) participation. The water productivityincreases from Rs 3.65 to Rs 5.46 when theparticipation of farmer increases up to 30%.

Long-term effects of sewage irrigation:Intensification of industrialization has resulted ineffluent and wastewater production in large

Bio-engineering measures for protection ofriver banks

Seasonal rivers (torrents) cause a huge damageto the life and property due to flash floods duringthe monsoon season in the Shiwaliks and foothillsof outer Himalayas. Cost-effective bio-engineeringstructures (spurs, protection walls andembankments) were developed and locallyadaptive flow-resistant vegetative speciesidentified for training the river flow, bank erosioncontrol and protection of the agricultural land andother property along the banks. Nearly 2.2 kmstretch on Song river near Dehradun was recentlyprotected through construction of 93 spurs. Thetechnology is being extended to the otherdevelopment agencies. The silvi-pastoral systemconsisting of Grewia optiva (managed under threelopping practices), Chrysopogon fulvus andPanicum maximum was also developed on oldriverbed lands for their productive utilization.

stony, slightly acidic and dominantly rated as classIII lands.

Soil loss tolerance limits for Gujarat: Gujarat,covering an area of 19.6 million ha was dividedinto three major physiographic regions, viz. CentralHigh Lands, Western Hills and West CoastKathiawar. Major area (42.4%) of the state fallsunder SLTL class IV and V, i.e. 10.0 to 12.5tonnes/ha/year. About 20.0% area falls in SLTLclass I and II, i.e. 2.5 to 5.0 tonnes/ha/year. About35.7% area falls under soil tolerance class III,i.e. 7.5 tonnes/ha/year. The soil loss tolerance limit(SLTL) map has been developed for Gujarat state.

Integrated Water Management

Assessment of water harvesting potential inrainfed areas: Assessment of rainwater harvestingpotential across the major rainfed crop growingdistricts for providing supplemental irrigation usingFAO water balance model revealed that about10.6 million ha area under coarse cereals, 6.4million ha area under rice, 4.1 million ha areaunder cotton, 10.5 million ha area under oilseeds,7.2 million ha area under pulses totalling 39 millionha could generate about 114 billion m3 surpluswater capable of providing supplemental irrigationin major part of rainfed areas. Based on theavailable surplus, the area that can be providedwith single supplemental irrigation of 100 mm atreproductive stage of the crop was estimated forboth normal rainfall and drought years. Out of114 billion m3 available as surplus, about 28 billionm3 (19.4%) is needed for one supplemental

irrigation on an area of 25 million ha during normalmonsoon year, thus leaving about 86 billion m3

(81.6%) to meet river/environmental flow and otherrequirements. During drought years also, about31 billion m3 is still available even after makingprovision for irrigating 20.6 million ha. Byintroduction of supplemental irrigation (with‘Business as Usual’ scenario), the crop productioncan be enhanced by a total of 28-36 million tonnes

Soil loss tolerance limits for Gujarat

9


quantities, which has become a matter of seriousconcern in terms of their safe disposal. Thesewastewaters have high nutrient value and theirrigation potential for increasing crop production,but due to heavy metal and pathogen loads thesewaters have to be used judiciously, otherwise willpollute our natural resources. Long-term fieldstudies on development and refinement of lowcost-management practices of sewage and agro-industrial wastewater under different croppingsystems (vegetable, fodder, cereal and agro-forestrybased systems) indicated that the yields of mostcrops like Egyptian clover and wheat increasedby 10 to 28% when sewage water was used forirrigation. Further, sewage irrigation supplementedwith N and P at 50% of recommended levels andtube-well water irrigation with recommended levelsof both nutrients produced almost similar yields.In the 5th year, rice productivity in associationwith poplar was 73% less than the rice yield inthe open.

Integrated Nutrient Management

Site-specific nutrient management: Theverification trials with rice (JR 201) – wheat (GW273) and soybean (JS 93-05) – wheat (JG 273)systems were conducted on Vertisols at Jabalpur.All the crops received recommended dose of N,P and K, while rice received FYM @ 5 tonnes/ha. In rice-wheat system, the average grain yieldswith target yield approach with and withoutIntegrated Plant Nutrient Supply System (IPNS)were 8.5 and 10.97 tonnes/ha, respectively,compared to 6.35 tonnes/ha with generalrecommended dose (GRD). The net returns dueto IPNS target yield approach over GRD were Rs10,787/ha in paddy and Rs 24,689/ha in wheat.In soybean-wheat system, the average annual seedyields with and without IPNS target yield were8.56 tonnes/ha and 6.68 tonnes/ha, respectively,compared to 6.3 tonnes/ha with GRD.

Crop-residue management in farmers’ field:In irrigated areas, about 90% of wheat is cultivated

after harvest of rice and cotton. Accordingly, thereis short time for land preparations for establishingwheat due to late-maturing long-grain rice varieties.It normally takes 2-3 weeks for rice fields tobecome workable for land preparations due toantecedent moisture. The delay in planting of wheatafter 20 November results in reduction of potentialwheat yield by about 1% per day. Moreover,farmers cultivate land often without achievingsuitable seedbed conditions for planting wheat,which results in poor crop yields. The on-farm evaluation trial was conducted (12farmers) during 2006-07 by using the secondgeneration machineries as Happy and Turbo Seederin condition of 6 tonnes/ha of rice residues left onthe field which was to be cultivated for the next wheat crop. Wheat was sown with these machinesunder zero-till condition. There was increase inwheat grain yield with both Happy Seeder (5.75tonnes/ha) and Turbo Seeder (5.8 tonnes/ha) overconventional method (5.55 tonnes/ha). Further,resource saving was also recorded when both theseeders used for sowing. About 7-10 days timesaving was recorded with Happy and Turbo seederas compared to conventional method. About Rs1,500-2,000 and Rs 1,200-1,800 were saved,respectively, owing to use of Happy and Turboseeders. Besides, use of these seeders under standingresidue conditions saves 20-30 % irrigation waterin the case of first irrigation after sowing and 10-15 % in subsequent events.

Field test kit for determination of sodicitylevel and reclamation material: A field test kitwas developed for easy determination of soilsodicity level and amount of reclamation materialrequired, for the sodic soil of Uttar Pradesh to beused by farmers/extension worker. Determinationof soil sodicity has been proposed by way ofturbidity, dispersion and swelling tests for theircategorization into sodic , moderately sodic andnon-sodic soils. To reclaim such types of salt-affected soils, suitable amendments are requiredbased on the soil-test value. Ten surface (0-15cm) soil samples per hectare at random locationsare to be collected from the field during April-May for determination of the extent of soil sodicityand the amount of reclamation materials required.The recommendation for amendments required fordifferent sodicity classes are as follows:

Non-sodic: No amendment recommended.Moderately sodic: An amendment of 6 tonnes/

ha sulphitation pressmud is recommended.Sodic: An amendment of 12 tonnes/ha gypsum

or 6 tonnes/ha gypsum along with salt-tolerantrice and wheat varieties is recommended.

Improving biofertilizer quality: The widelyused carrier based inoculants have a short shelf-life of up to 6 months and are of variable quality.

Performance of different crops under sewage irrigation


10

Liquid cultures containing cell protectants not onlymaintain high microbial numbers but also promotethe formation of resting cells like cysts and sporeswhich result in better resistance to abiotic stresses,thus improving the product shelf-life. Three liquidmedia formulations containing differentconcentrations of arabinose, trehalose, glyceroland polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) were devisedfor Rhizobium, Azospirillum and P-solubilisingBacillus megaterium. Even after one year ofstorage, in case of Rhizobium the liquid mediummaintained good titre (2.7 × 108 cells/ml), whereasin lignite carrier it had come down to negligiblelevel (12 cells/g). In case of Azospirillum (AZS303) liquid medium maintained 4.4 × 108 cells/ml, whereas in lignite it had come down to 9.8 ×102 cells/g. In case of phosphate solubilisingbacteria (Bacillus) the liquid inoculant mediumcould maintain 1.0 × 108 cells/ml, whereas inlignite it had come down to 145 cells/ml. Nocontamination was observed until 360 days inany of the liquid inoculants. The dose of 4 ml ofliquid Rhizobium inoculants per kg of seed couldsatisfactorily retain the maximum number of viablecells on the seeds up to 24 hr of bacterization.

Biofertilizers for vegetables in tribal areas:Bioinoculants (Azotobacter and Azospirillum) weredeveloped for tropical vegetables (brinjal, tomato,potato, onion, bean, cowpea, okra, carrot, yam,elephant foot yam, chilli, radish). Bioinoculationin acid Alfisols of Orissa in the tribal areas ofDhenkanal district enhanced yields (8 – 21% for above ground grown crops and 25 – 50% forunderground crops and brought fertilizer savingsof 20-25 % of plant nutrient cost incurred for Nand P. Nutrient-use efficiency improved by 12-36% for N, 18-28% for P, 9-15% for K and 16-18% for S owing to inclusion of biofertilizers.Biofertilization improved produce quality (VitaminC, curcumin, lycopene). Response of corm and yam to bioinoculation in farmers’ fields in acidsoils of Majhishahi, Dhenkanal and Orissa.

Biofertilizer quality testing kit

A quick method for estimating biofertilizer qualitywas devised for Azotobacter, Pseudomonas,Bacillus and Rhizobium bioinoculants which weretagged with a genetic marker encoding for theenzyme ß-galactosudase and the end produce wasdetected using chromogenic substrate. Theamount of enzyme activity was correlated withthe viable cell number to estimate the viable cellpopulation in broth as well as charcoal-basedinoculants. This test can be performed eitherquantitatively in liquid culture or qualitatively byusing filter paper discs. A quality-assurance kitwas developed which can test the quality ofbiofertilizers in 1-2 hr. The cost of assay isapproximately Rs 100/assay.

Nitrate contamination in groundwater: Theextent of nitrate contamination in groundwater insix intensively cultivated districts was evaluated.Geo-referenced maps with block boundaries ofsix target districts, viz. West Godavari (AP),Ferozepur (Punjab), Hooghly (WB), Jalgaon(Maharastra), Coimbatore (TN) and Hoshangabad(MP) have been prepared for delineating nitratecontamination using data of pre-monsoon 2007.While about 20% stratified random samples ofWest Godavari district had nitrate concentrationin groundwater beyond the permissible safe limitof 10 mg NO3-N/litre, three districts, viz.Ferozepur, Coimbatore and Hoshangabad, recordedmoderate level of nitrate pollution. Hooghly andJalgaon district did not show any nitrate pollutionin groundwater. The shallow and unconfined orsemi-confined aquifers like dugged wells, openwells and hand pumps were more polluted thandeep and confined aquifers in all the districts. Inall districts higher nitrate was recorded ingroundwater in areas under vegetables andorchards/plantation crops than rice-based/soybean-based cropping systems and other field crops.

Delineation of nitrate contaminated areas in West Godavari,Ferozepur, Coimbatore and Hoshangabad districts

Rapid composting through fungalbioinoculum: Microbial enriched compostingtechnique using fungal bioinoculum such asAspergillus heteromorphus, A. terrus, A. flavusand Rhizomucor pusillus was developed toaccelerate the process of decomposition of organicwaste such as wheat straw, soybean stalk, pigeonpeastraw, cotton stalk, sugarcane trash and vegetableswaste. These wastes were mixed with freshcowdung in the ratio of 1: 0.2 (w/w) and starternitrogen @ 0.5% on materials on dry-weight basis.Fungal bioinoculum was added to accelerate the

11


process of decomposition at 5 and 30 days ofdecomposition @ 500 g mycelial mat/q materialson dry-weight basis.

After decomposition, addition of fungalbioinoculum helped in attaining early maturityindices for all the composts. Compost preparedfrom vegetable waste, pigeonpea straw, soybeanstraw and wheat straw with fungal bioinoculumdecomposed faster and attained maturity in 120days compared to uninoculated control (180 days),thus reducing the composting period from 6months to 4 months. Cotton stalk and sugarcanetrash, however, took some more maturity time toproduce good quality compost.

FISHERIES

Water Management

Decision support software for shrimpaquaculture: Decision support software wasdeveloped to estimate the maximum allowableshrimp farming area based on the assessment ofcarrying capacity of particular water body. Basedon the monthly estimates of nutrient loading fromthe shrimp farms and assimilation capacity for

Impact assessment of aquaculture onmangroves using remote sensing and GIS

Satellite images of Punnakayal mangroves, TamilNadu, were georeferenced to assess the impactof aquaculture development on mangroves. Theland use maps indicated that no aquaculture farmsare located around mangrove areas. GIS changedetection analysis found that saltpans nearer tomangrove areas were the main reason for thedegradation. The mangroves of 7.9 ha wereconverted to saltpan and 29.4 ha were degradedto scrub land. The soil and water analysis nearerto mangrove areas revealed that the electricalconductivity values (measure for salinity) in soiland water were more than 59 dS/m and 110 dS/m in soil and water samples, respectively. Thehigh salinity observed in the vicinity of salt panscould be the reason for mangroves gettingdegraded into scrub land. The study indicated thataquaculture is not responsible for the mangrovedegradation in Punnakayal area.

Development of diversified farmingsystems

As a part of diversified farming practice, themonoculture of the seaweed, Hypnea valentiae,was carried out by raft culture method atNavibunder, Gujarat. A maximum of 5.2-foldincrease in yield was observed in 50 days duringthe post-monsoon period of December andJanuary. The monoculture of Hypnea musciformisrecorded a maximum of 6.2-fold increase in yieldin 61 days during post-monsoon periods ofJanuary and February at Chorwad.

one year, area recommendations for shrimpaquaculture were made taking into considerationof Coastal Regulation Zone rules, CoastalAquaculture Authority guidelines and supportivecapacity of the ecosystem in Andhra Pradesh. Thistool will help state governments and otherregulatory organizations to regulate the level ofshrimp farming activity for each receivingwater body and in framing future guidelines andpolicies for sustainable development of shrimpfarming.

Molecular protocol to assess pollution effect:A molecular technique was developed for earlyand rapid detection of heavy metal pollution inopen waters. The protocol could be used to assessthe impact of pollution on freshwater fishes.

Assessment of inland fishery resources usingremote sensing techniques: For the developmentof digital map of inland water bodies of the countryusing remote sensing satellite data, water bodiesof 0.5 ha and above were identified and mappedfor Punjab, Haryana and Orissa. The mapping ofwater bodies with area above 10 ha was completedin Madhya Pradesh. The ground-truthing wasundertaken in 27 districts in Orissa and UttarPradesh for the verification of imageries withphysical presence of the water bodies. Spatial andother information was attached with GIS format.Murugama (Sahara Jore) watershed in Puruliadistrict of West Bengal was delineated and digitizedfor first, second and third order streams of thewatershed.

Farming systems modules for smallfarmers in drylands

Studies of the farming systems modules on micro-watershed basis conducted on Alfisols during2005-08 indicated that a farming system modulefor 1.1 ha area with arable crops (0.4725 ha),agro-forestry (0.3496 ha), vegetables (0.1150ha), grasses (0.1256 ha) and bushes (0.0890 ha)gives the highest gross income of Rs 16,080, andnet income of Rs 9,793 and a benefit:cost ratioof 2.38. The individual enterprises of arablecropping, agro-forestry, vegetables, grasses andbushes contributed 38.2, 10.3, 27.2, 7.1 and17.2%, respectively, to the total net income.

Multi-entreprise agriculture model

3

Farming Systems


2,928 per annum with a benefit:cost ratio of 1:0.8when 25 honey boxes were kept in the farm forhoney production. Milk worth Rs 113,373 wassold from four buffaloes/cows. The studiesindicated that the vegetables planted on the dykesof the pond can generate a regular income of Rs1,000-1,500/month to meet daily cash requirementsof the small farm family. The income is likely toincrease manifold when fruit trees start bearingfruits. The cooking gas generated from the gobargas plant was sufficient to meet energy requirementof a family of six persons throughout the year. Inaddition, the gas is used for lighting purpose.

The above model was also replicated at ShardaSahayak Canal Command, village Kashrawan,Raibareli district, Uttar Pradesh. The area issuffering from shallow water table conditions andis not suitable for cultivation even after gypsumbased reclamation. A land reclamation model basedon the concept of land modifications (physicalland reclamation) and pond-based integratedfarming systems (bio-drainage) was conceived forthis purpose. A model of one ha comprising 0.4ha fish pond, 0.2 ha field crops, 0.2 ha fruit crop,

Farming/Cropping Systems ResearchMechanical transplanting of rice: Rice

transplanting is a very cumbersome and labourintensive process. To overcome this problem, amechanical transplanter was developed. It wasevaluated both in on-station and on-farm locations. The rice transplanter covered 0.18–0.20 ha/hr areawith a cost of Rs 1,240/ha, which provided higherrice yield (10%), cost effectiveness (25%) andenergy efficiency (12%) as compared to handtransplanting.

Multi-enterprise agriculture model: A multi-enterprise model based on an integrated farmingsystem and multiple water-use approach involvingcomponents of crops, fisheries, dairying,horticulture, vegetables, bee-keeping, poultry,duckery, gobar gas plant, solar heating systemetc. was developed on 2.0 ha reclaimed sodicland, to provide regular income, employment andlivelihood to small farmers. The preliminary resultsindicated that the field crops (rice and wheat)gave a net income of Rs 51,519, berseem Rs 45,768and bottle gourd Rs 61,650/ha. Fish worth Rs12,528 was sold during the year from 0.2 ha fishpond. The net income from bee-keeping was Rs

12

13

FARMING SYSTEMS

0.1 ha forage and 0.1 ha vegetable crops wasdeveloped. Fish were grown in the pond aftersuitable initial pond treatment and raised bedswere utilized for the field crops and horticulturalcrop without gypsum application. The slopes ofembankment and the raised bed were utilized forthe eucalyptus plantation, which served as bio-shield and bio-drainage purpose in the system.The preliminary data indicate that the pH of thepond water remained below 8.4 over the periodunder study. The pond water pH was almost sameas that of canal. In the first year, 4.0 tonnes/ha ofrice, 2.7 tonnes/ha of wheat was obtained withoutapplication of gypsum; green forage yield of 15.0tonnes/ha and 15.4 tonnes/ha of sorghum andberseem was recorded in a soil where nothingcould be produced before the implementation ofthis project. A yield of 5.5 tonnes/ha and 4.5 tonnes/ha of spinach (palak) and garlic, respectively wereharvested from this integrated farming system.Fish production of 2.5 tonnes/ha was also obtainedfrom fish farming. The benefit : cost ratio of thevarious components under study varied from 1.70in fruit-based system to 2.63 in fish farming system.The whole system benefit:cost ratio comes to 2.21.Thus multi-enterprise agriculture is a better optionto generate regular income and employment fromsmall farm holdings than solely crop-based systems.

Tree root management in agri-horti system:Pearlmillet-wheat is the predominant croppingsystem in semi-arid region of the Indo-Gangeticplains under irrigated conditions. Agri-horti systemhaving a fruit crop tolerant to these stress conditionsopens up an opportunity for the farmer to getmore assured income. It is feasible to growpearlmillet and wheat with ber. The suppressioneffect of ber tree was noticed on wheat andpearlmillet. Among root management practices,tree planted in bottomless bitumen drum gavesignificantly higher grain yield of wheat. The yieldof ber, pearlmillet and wheat adopting bottomlessbitumen drum was 7.4, 1.73 and 3.18 tonnes/ha,respectively. Net returns of around Rs 50,000 were

recorded from ber, pearlmillet and wheat crops.Agroforestry system in coastal salt-affected

soils: The cropping pattern in the high rainfallcoastal region of the country is entirelymonocropped with rice in the kharif. Due to heavyrainfall in monsoon, flat topography, low infiltrationrate and lack of proper drainage facility, most ofthe cultivated fields are deeply waterlogged inthe kharif season. Under the situation, there ishardly a choice for alternate crops other than pooryielding and long duration tall indica typetraditional rice varieties in the kharif season. Dueto increase in salinity in dry months with noirrigation facility, the land remains almost fallowthroughout the year after kharif. Alternate farmingin the salt-affected coastal areas has becomeessential. Agroforestry system could be analternative and sustainable farming system for thelow-lying salt-affected coastal land. Low-lyingagricultural lands in the coastal region suffer fromsevere drainage congestion in the kharif and acuteshortage of freshwater during rabi season. Studieswere conducted to develop appropriate agroforestrysystem for such situations. Evaluation of varioustree species revealed that Eucalyptus sp., Acaciaauriculiformis, Casuarina sp., Heritiera fomes,Brugeria gymnorhiza and Xylocarpus mekongensiscan be grown after suitable land shaping underthis situation.

Economic fortification of existing forestand horti-land use system

Aloe vera was cultivated in the interspaces ofmatured ber trees that were planted in 8 m × 4m spacings. Planting distance of Aloe vera was0.5 m × 0.5 m and 1 m space was left out afterevery two rows of Aloe vera. When raised as anintercrop with ber, the growth and yieldparameters such as plant height, spread and yieldof Aloe vera were 68 cm, 70 cm and 47 tonnes/ha/year, respectively, and yield of ber fruits wasaround 7.5 tonnes/ha/year. As a result, gross andnet income from the ber – Aloe system wasestimated to be Rs 123,000 and Rs 73,000,respectively.

Fish production in multi-enterprise agriculture model in ShardaSahayak Canal Command, Uttar Pradesh

A new rust bio-agent, Puccinia sp. formanagement of exotic weed, Lagascea mollis:A new rust fungus, a species of Puccinia (IsotypeNRCWSR-3 and holotype HCIO 48,126) identifiedfor management of velvet bush or silk leaf(Lagascea mollis), a fast-spreading weed in croppedand non-cropped areas in India. It also serves asan alternate host for some insect pests of legumecrops and diseases of rice, French bean, chilli,tomato etc. Inoculation of fungus under micro-plot experiment caused drastic reduction in theseed production/plant (91.68%) compared tofungicide-protected control plants of L. mollis.

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Seed weight (1,000 seed) and germination (%) asobserved from inoculated plants also showedremarkable reduction by 68.20% and 77.78%respectively. In another field trial of host specificitytesting on about 150 crop species and residentweeds the bioagent was found safe to the testedplants and restricted only to the L. mollis. Thisheavy damage potential of this safe rust bioagentis being tested for further bio-intensifiedmanagement of this exotic weed.

New varieties/hybrids: A new tomato hybridnamely Swarna Vijaya was recommended forcommercial cultivation in Zone I (Uttarakhand,Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir). Theplants are of medium height (50-60 cm). It takes25-30 days to flower after transplanting. It isresistant to bacterial wilt under normal fieldcondition and is suitable for winter and summerseason cultivation. The mean yield potential inwinter crop is 90-100 tonnes/ha.

A promising hybrid brinjal Swarna Neelimahas been recommended for commercial cultivationin Zone IV (Jharkhand, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and

Punjab). The plants are of medium height (80-100 cm), prostrate growth habit with broad plantspread. It takes 55-60 days to flower aftertransplanting. The fruits become ready for firstharvest after 65-75 days of transplanting. Thevariety is resistant to bacterial wilt under normalfield conditions and is suitable for winter andsummer season cultivation. The mean yieldpotential in rabi is 70-80 tonnes/ha.

CS 234-2, a new salt-tolerant raya varietyidentified for late-sown irrigated conditions ofZone II (Sriganganagar, Bathinda, Ludhiana, Hisar,Bawal, Navgaon, Delhi) with an yield potentialof around 1.28 tonnes/ha, which was nearly 15.2,57.8 and 17.2% higher over the national checks,viz. Vardan, Varuna and Kranti, respectively.

KRL 119, a salt-tolerant new wheat genotypehas been identified, which can be grown up to pH9.3. Its plant type is semi-dwarf, resistant to lodgingand has dense ears, easy threshability and boldgrains. The genotype is resistant to all the threerusts and other diseases, viz. leaf blight, Karnalbunt, flag smut, head scab and foot rot.

15

to green house gases emission. An inventory ofmethane emission from enteric fermentation fromlivestock has been developed using the revised1996 IPCC tier-2 approach for cattle and buffaloand tier-1 methodology for estimating emissionsfrom small animals. The total emission of methanefrom the entire Indian livestock is estimated tobe 9.37 Tg for the year 2003. Earlier studies showed

4

Climate Change

CLIMATE CHANGE

Spatial inventory of greenhouse gasesemission from rice fields in India

Emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs),responsible for global warming, is a matter ofconcern. For its mitigation, it is important toquantify the total emissions of GHGs from differentsectors, including agriculture. Field experimentsand a validated InfoCrop model were used toestimate emissions of methane (CH4), nitrous oxide(N2O), and carbon dioxide (CO2) from rice systemsin India. Global warming potential (GWP) of theseGHGs was calculated.

Simulated annual emissions from 42.21 millionha of rice fields of India were 2.07, 0.19 and72.90 Tg (1 Tg = 1012 g) of CH4-C, N2O-N andCO2-C, respectively. The global warming potentialof the rice fields was 316.6 and 13.7 Tg CO2

equivalents with and without CO2 respectively.High emission of CH4 was observed in somedistricts of West Bengal, due to their relativelyhigher soil organic carbon content, maintenanceof continuous submergence and large area perdistrict under rice. Emissions of N2O-N were higherfrom the Andhra Pradesh and northern statesbecause of large rice area and the use of relativelymore N fertilizer. The eastern and southern partsof the country showed higher GWP, mainly becauseof higher CH4 and CO2 emissions with larger ricearea per district. The GWP of the rice growingregions throughout the country was <1 to 10 TgCO2 equivalent per district. This spatial inventorywill be helpful in identifying the regions fromwhere excessive emissions of greenhouse gasesare taking place and subsequently focusedmanagement practices can be implemented in theseregions for mitigating the emissions.

Inventory of methane emission fromlivestock in India

Livestock sector is one of the main contributors

Legend Emission per district

Methane Nitrous Carbon GWP(Gg C) oxide dioxide (Tg CO2 equiv.)

(Mg N) (Gg C)

<1 <1 <1 <0.0011-20 1-100 1-500 0.001-2.0

20-40 100-300 500-1000 2.0-4.040-80 300-500 1000-2000 4.0-10.0

Annual emissions of methane, nitrous oxide, carbon dioxide, andglobal warming potential from Indian rice fields. The spatialdistribution of GHG emission and their GWP from the rice-growingareas of the country is presented at the district scale.

16


this value vary from 7.26 to 10.4 Tg. Buffaloesand indigenous cattle were the dominant source;both contributed 40% each. Indigenous femalecattle contributed 2.2Tg and indigenous malesemitted 1.55 Tg methane. Crossbred females,though small in number compared to indigenouscattle, emitted more methane per animal (0.63Tg methane from 19.74 million heads). Emissionfrom buffalo females was also higher (3.42 Tg-36.5% of the total methane emission). Dairy cattleand buffaloes contributed 3.42 Tg methane.Contribution of milch buffaloes, crossbred cows,and indigenous cows was 59.6%, 11.4% and 28.9%,

water requirement of crops due to high evaporativedemand and crop duration due to forced maturity.The impact of simulated rise in temperature ofone degree by 2020 (over the base year of 1990)on water requirement of major crops grown inAndhra Pradesh was assessed. The waterrequirement of all the major crops like maize,groundnut, pigeonpea and cotton will be increasedwith rise in temperature. The crop duration isexpected to decrease by 1-2 weeks.

Micro-organisms for enhancing hightemperature tolerance in plants

Rise in temperature is one of the causes of thepredicted climate change. Role of micro-organismsin protection of plants from high temperature stresswas investigated. It was found that seed inoculationwith stress-tolerant strain of Pseudomonas putidahelped sorghum and pearl millet seedlings surviveat 50o C up to 21 days, whereas the controlledseedlings could survive only up to 10 days.

This remarkable protective effect was mediatedthrough induction of the synthesis of novel highmolecular weight proteins in the leaves, whichwere not found in the controlled seedlings.Inoculation also reduced the oxidative stress inseedlings exposed to high temperature (50oC) asevidenced by significantly lower oxidative enzymeactivity in treated seedlings. The introducedorganism successfully entered into the roots andinduced the physiological changes at the wholeplant level as confirmed by electron micrography.

Impact of elevated CO2 on castor

Elevation of CO2 is another phenomenon likelyto be caused due to climate change. In order toassess the changes that might be caused underhigh CO2, the growth, flowering and yield of castorwere studied under elevated CO2 conditions (700,550 and 365 ppm) in open top chambers. All

respectively, to the total emissions from dairyanimals. The total emission from draught animalshas been estimated to be 1.2 Tg. Contribution ofbullocks (indigenous and crossbreds) was 85%,while that of buffalo males was 10% and othertransport and pack animals contributed about 5%of total methane emission.

Change in temperature trends overIndia

Rise in temperature is one of the predictedimpacts of climate change with significantimplications for agricultural productivity. In orderto assess the long-term trends in temperature, theminimum and maximum temperature data for 47stations across the country for more than 50 yearswas analyzed. Overall, 55 to 80% stations locatedacross the country showed increasing trends inaverage annual temperature. About 75, 60 and54% of the stations in south, east and centralIndia, respectively, showed increasing trend inmaximum temperature, whereas only 8 and 13%of the stations in central and west India,respectively, showed decreasing trend. Similarly80, 78 and 75% of the stations in east, north andsouth, respectively, showed increasing trends inminimum temperature.

Impact of temperature rise on cropwater requirements

Rise in temperature is likely to increase the

Total methane emission from Indianlivestock in 2003

Species Enteric Manure Totalfermentation management emission

(Tg/year) (Tg/year) (Tg/year)

Indigenous cattle 3.34 0.41 3.75Crossbred 0.63 0.08 0.71Buffalo 3.34 0.46 3.8Sheep 0.31 0.01 0.32Goat 0.62 0.02 0.64Others 0.09 0.06 0.15Total 8.33 1.04 9.37

Projected changes in crop water requirements andcrop duration of major rainfed crops in Andhra

Pradesh by 2020

Station Agro- Crop Increase Reductionclimatic in water in cropzone require- duration

ment (mm) (weeks)

Anakapalli North Maize 51.7 1Coastal Groundnut 61.3 1

Anantapur Scarce Groundnut 70.1 1Rainfall Red gram 174.3 1

Jagtiyal North Cotton 60.5 2Telangana Maize 49.0 1

Rajendra- South Red gram 114.5 2nagar Telangana Groundnut 73.0 1

Tirupati Southern Groundnut 73.0 1

17

CLIMATE CHANGE

growth parameters of castor showed maximumresponse under elevated CO2 of 700 ppm followedby 550 ppm. Elevated CO2 improved total biomass,which was highest at 700 ppm (22%) followedby 550 ppm (11%). Elevated CO2 also reducedthe days to initiation of flowering by three daysand days to 50% flowering by 15 days. At thematurity of first order spikes, the increase ofreproductive biomass was 47% at 700 ppm and35% at 550 ppm over ambient control. Theimprovement in effective spike length (12 and15%), spike weight (46% and 47%), capsulenumber (65 and 98%), capsule dry weight (46and 54%) and seed weight (155 and 167%) ofprimaries were recorded with CO2 enrichment at550 and 700 ppm, respectively. Oil content andquality were not changed significantly. However,the total oil yield was significantly higher due tohigher seed yield. These results indicated thatelevated CO2 is a positive factor of climate changefor castor bean. Under irrigated conditions wherewater is not a limitation, it is possible to realizehigher yields due to elevation of CO2 in castorbean.

Impact of Climate Change on

Coconut productionImpact of climate change on coconut production

was assessed for 13 agro-climatic zones representedby 16 centres using validated Info Crop-Coconutsimulation model. These areas contribute over 90%to the coconut production in India. The modeloutput on temperature and rainfall projections assimulated by Had CM3 model for the years 2020,2050 and 2080 for 3 scenarios viz., A2a, B2a andA1F wherein which the atmospheric concentrationswould reach by 715, 562 and 1150 ppm and thecorresponding increase in global temperatureswould be about 3.3°, 2.3° and 4°C, respectivelyby the end of the century. Also location weatherdata for past 30 years, major soil type of theagro-climatic zones, and currently followedfarmers’ practice for crop management in eachAgroclimatic zones were used as inputs into thecoconut simulation model. Outputs were obtainedon yearly basis for 30 years and mean effects of30 years were used to compute relative impactsover current yields. Relative impacts on yield wereworked out to district level in each agro-climaticzone and up-scaled to the state and nationalprojections assuming that the area under coconutremains unchanged in future scenarios.

Results indicate that under all scenarios, coconutproductivity on all India basis is likely to go upby up to 4% during 2020, up to 10% in 2050 andup to 20% in 2080 over current yields due toclimate change. In west coast, yields are projectedto increase by up to 10% in 2020, up to 16% in

2050 and up to 39% by 2080 while in east coastyields are projected to decline by up to 2% in2020, 8% in 2050 and 31% in 2080 scenario overcurrent yields. Yields are projected to go up inKerala, Maharastra and parts of Tamil Nadu andKarnataka while they are projected to decline inAndhra Pradesh, Orissa, Gujarat and parts of TamilNadu and Karnataka. However, situations mayvary if future irrigation sources are limitedparticularly in currently irrigated areas such as inTamil Nadu and Karnataka.

Apple cultivation in Himachal PradeshThe impact of climate variability/change on

apple cultivation in Himachal Pradesh was studied.Temperature in apple growing regions of HimachalPradesh showed increase, whereas precipitationshowed decrease in recent years. This led to

Projections on relative yield change of coconut in A2a, B2a andA1F scenarios (please note that the districts with white colour arenot simulated.)

Coconut yield relative deviation from current yield due toclimate change

Yield deviation (%)

Yield deviation (%)

Yield deviation (%)

18


Spodoptera litura consumed more foliage of plantsraised under high CO2 than ambient CO2. Thetotal consumption of castor foliage during entirefeeding period was significantly more underelevated CO2 than ambient CO2. Final larval dryweights differed among treatments and the impactof elevated CO2 on larval weight of S. litura oncastor was significant. The larval weights werehigher with elevated CO2 foliage compared toambient CO2 foliage. The developmental periodfor larvae fed with castor foliage grown underelevated CO2 conditions was longer (18 days)compared to larvae fed with ambient CO2 foliage.The study showed that elevated CO2 results inincreased foliage feeding by the insect larvae andan increase in larval duration.

reduction in chilling units in the normal applegrowing zone (1200-1800 msl) which led toreduction in this zone under apple orchards butincreased area at higher elevation (2400-2700 msl)where optimum chilling units are available forthis crop. These findings were also corroboratedby socio-economic surveys by farmers in the regionwhich stated that apple cultivation is expandingto higher altitudes in Lahaul and Spiti and Kinnaurdistricts in recent years.

Marine fisheriesThe Indian mackerel is able to adapt to rise in

sea temperature by extending its distributiontowards northern latitudes, similar to oil sardineand also by descending to depths. The carbonfootprint of marine fishing boats was determinedand an inventory on vulnerability of coastal fishingvillages to sea level rise was made.

The catch data of oil sardine and mackerel from1926 to 2005 showed that the revival of oil sardinefishery in 1950’s and late 1990’s coincided withheavy rainfall and presence of an opitmalenvironmental window (OEW).

Inland fisheriesA perceptible shift was observed in geographic

distribution of the warm water fish species,Glossogobius giuris, Puntius ticto, Xenentodoncancila and Mystus vittatus towards the colderstretch of the river Ganga up to Haridwar with anenhancement of annual mean minimum watertemperature of 1.5ºC in the Haridwar stretch duringthe period 1970-86 to 1987-2003. This has becomea congenial habitat for these warm water fishes.

Elevated temperature range (0.37ºC–0.67ºC) andalteration in the pattern of monsoon proved amajor factor for shifting the breeding period ofIndian major carps from June to March in fishhatcheries of West Bengal and Orissa. Ex-situexperiment carried out indicated a rising trend inthe specific growth rate of Labeo rohita withincreasing temperature between 29ºC and 34ºC.

Livestock productionPreliminary studies indicated that an increased

temperature of 2°C above the minimum temperatureled to measurable reduction in milk productionin Murrah buffaloes. Extreme events like heatwave (>40°C and cold wave <3°C) reduced themilk yield by 10-30% in first lactation and 5-20% in second and third lactations in cattle andbuffaloes. The results were in situ and not observedafter the events.

Insect host plant interactionStudies on the impact of elevated atmospheric

CO2 on insect pests showed that larvae of

Effect of elevated CO 2 on Spodoptera litura rearedon castor foliage

CO2 enrichment Weight Larval Larvalof leaf weight duration

ingested (g) days(g)

Elevated CO2 0.820 0.137 18.27550 –foliage ±0.131 ±0.002 ±0.113

Elevated CO2 0.869 0.137 18.22700 –foliage ±0.054 ±0.001 ±0.195

Ambient CO2 0.594 0.117 16.11Chamber foliage ±0.044 ±0.006 ±0.253

Ambient CO2 0.588 0.118 16.13Open foliage ±0.192 ±0.002 ±0.083

SEm± 0.048 0.0003 0.085LSD (p=0.05) 0.166 0.011 0.261CV% 11.59 4.70 3.10

Spawning season of Nemipterus japonicusThe threadfin breams Nemipterus japonicus and

N. mesoprion are the dominant fish speciesdistributed along the entire Indian coast at depthsranging from 10 to 100 m. Past data (1981 to2004 except for the years 1988-1992) wereanalyzed to determine if there has been any changein the spawning season of N. japonicus andN. mesoprion off Chennai coast. The months inwhich the spawning females occur are taken asthe months of spawning, as males too spawn duringthose months.

Though there were wide monthly fluctuationsin the number of spawners, grouping the numberof spawners into two major seasons, i.e., warm(April to September) and cool (October to March)seasons showed a clear pattern in the shift of thespawning season. Whereas 35.3% of the spawnersoccurred during the warm months in 1980, thenumber of spawners gradually reduced and only5.0% of the spawners occurred during the sameseason in 2004. In 1980, it was observed that64.7% of the spawners occurred during October-March, whereas as high as 95.0% of the spawners

19

CLIMATE CHANGE

occurred during the same season in 2004. In otherwords, the number of spawners reduced in summerand shifted towards cooler months.

Analysis of historical weather data showed that

Change in spawning season of Nemipterus japonicus off Chennai

during April – September, the annual average sea-surface temperature (SST) off Chennai coastincreased from 29.07°C during 1981-85 to 29.38°Cby 2001-04; and from 27.86°C to 28.01°C duringOctober-March. There was good correlationbetween SST and spawning activity of the twospecies of threadfin breams. The occurrence ofspawners (percent of spawners in the annual totalnumber of spawners) of N. japonicus linearlydecreased with increasing temperature during April– September, and increased positively duringOctober – March. It appears that SST between28o C and 29o C may be the optimum and whenthe SST exceeds 29oC, the fish shift the spawningactivity to seasons when the temperature is aroundthe preferred optima.

Saccharum spontaneum in Gujarat riverbeds

Wild sugarcane from Gujarat

A total of 32 accessions of Saccharumspontaneum were collected from differentdistricts. Another related wild species Erianthusbengalensis was found on the field bunds in northGujarat.

Introductions of germplasm from other countries

Country Species Registration No.

Serbia Winter wheat Triticum EC 609394–9413aestivum 631734

USA T. aestivum translocation -line with grain softnessgene

Kenya Oryza sativa inbred and EC 609524–47thermosensitive geneticmale sterile lines

USA Hordeum vulgare spring EC 607790lines with low phytateand good quality grain

USA Hordeum vulgare cv. EC 631731Lentah with good yield

USA Lens esculenta cv. Morton EC 608175with winter hardiness

Taiwan Lycopersicon esculentum EC 606703–04resistant to bacterial wilt,Fusarium wilt, gemini virus,grey leaf spot pathogen,tomato mosaic virus

Taiwan Capsicum sp. resistant EC 628903–08to chilli veinal mottledvirus, poty virus Y andbacterial wilt

USA Apple, pear, peach and EC 616557–63apricot cultivars

5

Genetic Resources


CROPS

Plant exploration and germplasm collection:Explorations (33) were undertaken, and 2,203accessions were collected including 784 of wildspecies. In the National Herbarium of CultivatedPlants (NHCP), 371 herbarium specimens, 121seed samples and 21 economic products wereadded; and the total reaches to 19,688 specimens.

Diverse crops accessions (25,456) includinginternational trial materials (7,485) were introducedfrom various countries. About 15,000 accessionsincluding ICRISAT germplasm were exported to19 countries. Nearly 15,500 samples of crops and

their wild relatives were supplied to Indianresearchers.

A total of 13,850 accessions of orthodox-seedspecies were added to the National Genebank forlong-term storage at –18°C.

Accessions of fruit crops (20), bulb and tubercrops (17), medicinal and aromatic plants (5) andspices (3) were added to in-vitro Genebank. Inall, 1,991 accessions (nearly 32,000 cultures)belonging to 52 genera and 158 species ofvegetatively propagated crops, medicinal andaromatic plants and threatened species wereconserved. Accessions of fruits and nuts (214),spices (9), industrial crops (136) and medicinaland aromatic plants (72) were preserved.

20

21

GENETIC RESOURCES

Plant quarantine: Ten phytosanitary certificateswere issued for export of 873 samples. Over 25,000accessions were processed for quarantine clearance.About 540 samples were found infested/infectedwith different pests; out of which 526 weresalvaged. Important interceptions include insects:Araecerus fasciculatus, Bruchus lentis,Callosobruchus subinnotatus, Chrysomphalusdictyospermi, Pectinophora gossypiella,Rhizopertha dominica, Tribolium castaneum,Sitophilus oryzae, S. zeamais, Sitotroga cereallela;nematodes: Aphelenchoides besseyi; fungi andbacteria: Alternaria brassicae, A. brassicicola,Botrytis cinerea, Colletotrichum dematium, C.graminicola, Drechslera maydis, Fusarium solani,Peronospora manshurica, Puccinia helianthi,Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris andXanthomonas vesicatoria; viruses: Alfalfa mosaicvirus, Bean common mosaic virus, Bean yellowmosaic virus, Cowpea mottle virus, Pea enationmosaic virus and Raspberry ring spot virus.

DNA fingerprinting: In watermelon, 232 simplesequence repeats (SSRs) were identified, andprimers for the amplification of the sequenceswere designed and tested using selected cultivars.

PCR-based detection protocols were workedout for detection of late-blight resistant RB genein genetically modified potato (with RB gene upto a limit of detection of 0.01%); cry1Ac gene inBt okra up to a limit of detection of 0.01%;multiplex PCR-based detection of ama1 gene, 35Spromoter, nos terminator and nptII marker genesin genetically modified potato with ama1 gene;and cry1Ac gene, endogenous a -tubulin (TubA)gene and nos terminator/nptII marker gene in Btrice. Qualitative detection procedures using RealTime PCR were developed for cry1Ac gene in Btbrinjal. PCR-based diagnostic kits were developedand released for detection of endogenous genes,specific transgenes and 35S promoter sequencein genetically modified cotton (cry1Ac, cry2Abgenes), brinjal (cry1Ac gene), cauliflower (cry1Acgene), mustard (barnase and barstar genes) andtomato (osmotin gene).

AGRICULTURALLY IMPORTANT

MICROORGANISMS

Isolation, characterization and docu-mentation: In the northern Indo-Gangetic plains,based on sequencing of 16S rDNA, isolates fromthe effluent-treated soils are Bacillus humi, B.drentensis, B. asahii, B. cohnii, B. pumilus, B. niacini,B. djibeloresis, B. fumarioli, B. senequalensis, B.oleronius and B. sporothemodurans. Functionaldiversity with regard to production of IAA andsiderophore and p-solubilization has revealed that

over the years there has been enrichment of speciesof Bacillus and Pseudomonas that have lost plant-growth promoting traits.

Microbial consortia to alleviate salinity:Bacterial inoculants developed to alleviate harmfuleffects of salinity for enhanced growth and yieldof wheat, identified through sequencing of 16SrDNA, are Bacillus pumilus EU 927407, B.aquimaris EU 927408, B. arsenicus EU 927409,Arthrobacter sp. EU 927410, Bacillus cereus EU927411, Pseudomonas medicona EU 927412,Bacillus subtilis EU 927413, Bacillus pumilus EU927414 and Bacillus aquimaris EU 927415. Thesewere submitted to NCBI Gene bank and accessionnumbers were obtained.

Potent biocontrol agent against Fusarium:Of the 23 isolates of Trichoderma obtained fromthe Uttarakhand soil samples, 10 showed morethan 40% inhibition in all the assays againstFusarium melonis, F. cucumerinum and F.lycopersici. PCR amplification using primers,internal transcribed spacers, ITS-1 and ITS-4,followed by RFLP analysis with restrictionendoncuclease Hind III, could cluster 10 isolatesinto 8 groups. RAPD analysis with oligonucleotideprimer OPV 14 revealed significant level ofpolymorphism among the isolates.

Microbial shift in soils: The community-levelphysiological profiling of soil microbes usingBIOLOG showed significant shift in C utilizationpattern of the effluent-irrigated soils over thecontrol soils.

Fast-growing actinomycetes strains isolated fromthe effluent-contaminated sites were characterizedat the molecular level and their 16S rDNA andPCR-RFLP analysis using restricitionenconucleases MboI and TaqI, grouped these 45isolates into 12 clusters, of which 6 clusters wereunique isolates from the effluent-irrigated soils,and 2 were unique isolates from the control soils.These isolates were able to produce xylanase andcellulose at 85-290 and 28-70 IU/ml/min.

Bacteria and fungi identified: From salt lakeof Sambhar, Rajasthan, bacteria capable of growingat 20% NaCl and at pH of 12 were isolated.Molecular diversity clustered bacteria into 29groups- and sequencing of 16S rDNA led toidentification of Halomonas sp., Marinobacteralkaliphilus, Marinobacter hydrocarbonoelasticus,Halomonas variabilis, Altermonadales, Nitrinicolalacisaponesis, Bacillus thuringiensis, Chromo-halobacter salexigens, Marinobacter aquaeolei.From Leh region, psychrophilic fungi growing at4° C or lower temperature were isolated andidentified as Asordaria sibutii, Gemocyes sp.Penicillium sp., Ulocladium consortiale,Thelebolaceae sp. and Ulocladium sp.

22


PESTS AND NATURAL ENEMIES

Biosystematics: Field surveys in 20 states/unionterritories led to collection of 98,122 insects andmites belonging to economically important group.Taxonomic keys have been developed for thegenera and the species of Largidae, Pyrrocoridaeand Cercopidae. Two new species of Eriophyiidaehave been identified and described.

Highest trap index of B. bengalensis was 56.25from fodder crops in October. In Andhra Pradesh,the rodent population in terms of active live-burrows was high in rice-sugarcane croppingsystem compared to rice-rice-pulse or rice-ricecropping systems. In rice-rice cropping system,burrow infestation was low to medium in kharifand low in rabi. In arid Rajasthan, a complex oftwo gerbils, Tatera indica and Meriones hurrianae,was predominant in bajra-mungbean-mothbeanin kharif.

Lesser bandicoot rat in the arid region: Inrecent years, lesser bandicoot rat B.bengalensispopulation remained almost constant throughoutthe year in Jodhpur with a trap index up to14.0.Average daily intake of pearl millet grains by B.bengalensis was 13.57 g/day as compared to 6.19and 5.24 g/day by Rattus rattus and Tatera indica,indicating more than two times higher potentiallosses to stored grains, besides other damagesand contaminations caused to stored commodities.

HORTICULTURE

Mango: Mango accessions, 11 at RFRS,Vengurle, 15 at Periyakulam, 10 at FRS,Sangareddy and 4 at AES, Paria were added. Twoclones of Alphonso and one of Bangalora wereadded in the germplasm. Bangalora was the highest-yielding cultivar followed by Dholikothi Maldahat RAC, Sabour Campus, while Mallika gave higherfruit yield at Pantnagar. Seedling selection,Peddapur 16 and Pargi 16, recorded the maximumyield at FRS, Sangareddy, while seedling No.7/80 and 10/85 at Sabour and Latif Aliwala, Surkhroo1 and Surkhroo 2 at Pantnagar. Clone RatiBanganpalli showed cluster-bearing habit whileBenishan early maturity; Pedda Benishan andAllahabad Benishan with bigger-size fruits thanBenishan. At FRS, Rewa, a clone of Chausa

Eucalyptus pest identified

There was an epidemic of an invasive pest, gallwasp, in eucalyptus that is used commercially forpulp production and for other raw materials forpaper industry in the different parts of India. Thispest was found to be occurring as a regular andserious pest in eucalyptus nurseries andplantations not only in Andhra Pradesh, Karnatakaand Tamil Nadu, but also in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh,Haryana, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. This hasnow been identified as Leptocybe invasa(Eulophidae: Hymenoptera), and details of itsecology and bionomics have been worked out.

Mitigating desert locust outbreak inRajasthan and Gujarat

There was an outbreak of the desert locust in sixvillages of Jalore district of western Rajasthan andadjoining localities in Gujarat during kharif. In all,81 hectares and 129 farmers had been affectedin the villages Partappur, Paladsar, Luniasar,Barsam and Mekhpura in Sanchore tehsil andVanse in Bilmal tehsil. The project aideddiagnostics of the locust, and paved way forclearing the confusion of whether it is the samemigratory locust, which occurred in epidemic inLeh of Ladakh in Jammu and Kashmir in 2006.Taxonomic studies confirmed it to be the desertlocust Schistocerca gregaria; characterized by thepresence of prosternal tubercle. This facilitatedquick and timely management of the locust bythe plant-protection agencies.

Genetic diversity of Trichogrammatids:Internal transcribed spacer, ITS-2, and RFLPanalysis enabled molecular differentiation of 12species of trichogrammatid egg parasitoids.Microbial symbionts that influence sex ratio ofthese egg parasitoids provide clue on the influenceof Trichogramma female.

Rodent surveys: In Punjab dominance ofBandicota bengalensis was noticed, followed byTatera indica, Mus spp. and Golunda ellioti.

Distribution pattern of rodent-pest complexes incrop fields in Karnataka

Crops Pest species complex Live-burrowdensity/ha

Irrigated rice B. bengalensis> Mus 73booduga

Ragi T. indica>B. bengalensis> 40–50M. booduga

Maize B. bengalensis> T. indica> 6–20M. booduga

Pearl millet B. bengalensis 8–10Wheat B. bengalensis 26–30Pigeonpea T. indica > B. bengalensis 20–25

> M. boodugaCowpea and T. indica > B. bengalensis 8–30mungbean > M. boodugaSoybean B. bengalensis > T. indica 24–29

> M. boodugaSunflower T. indica, M. booduga and 12–30

Mus platythrixSugarcane B. bengalensis > M. 10–25

boodugaTuberose B. bengalensis > M. 47

(a flower booduga> Milardiacrop) meltada

23

GENETIC RESOURCES

(Chausa No. 2) was found promising.Guava: Six new accessions of guava three each

at FRS, Sangareddy and FRS, Rewa were collected.Cultivar Sardar gave the highest yield followedby Pant Prabhat at Pantnagar, while Guthneewala,Safeda (J 2) and Portugal gave higher yield atFRS, Rewa. At FRS, Sangareddy, cv. KohirSafeda performed better followed by AllahabadSafeda, while Sardar , MPUA&T- S 1 andMPUA&T-S 2 at RCA, Udaipur and AllahabadSafeda and Safed Jam at BAC, Sabour.

Litchi: Two clones of Bombai litchi werecollected by BCKV, Mohanpur. Litchi cultivarRose Scented outyielded at Pantnagar, Shahiand Late Bedana at RAU, Pusa and Bombaiand Muzaffarpur at BCKV, Mohanpur.

Tropical fruits: Under All-India Co-ordinatedResearch Project on Tropical Fruits, geneticresources of varieties/species of tropical fruits weremaintained and evaluated at different centres. Ninesweet orange clones, 21 accessions in banana, 1in sapota and 2 in jackfruit were added to thegermplasm collection. At Kannara, two introducedhybrids (TMB 5295-1 and SH 3640) are undermultilocational trial. Acid lime selections 2 and5 and mandarin selections 5 and 4 continue torecord higher yield under Akola conditions. Anelite clone of acid lime has been identified fromVaigai Dam, Tamil Nadu. In banana, Acc. No. 73- 9 has been identified as a promising genotype.At Coimbatore, a field tolerant papaya genotypeagainst PRSV was identified which is undermultiplication.

Citrus: Two clones, one early maturing (N2)and another less seeded (N4) (less than 3 seeds/fruit) were identified. Under clonal selectionprogramme, 49 exotic germplasm comprising 31Scion (14 mandarin, 9 sweet orange, 7 grapefruitand pummelo from USA, France, Japan), 19rootstock (mostly from USA, a few from Australia)and 532 indigenous collection have been collectedand maintained at NRCC, Nagpur. Besides, 55superior clones of Nagpur mandarin, 13 of acidlime and 13 of Mosambi were also collected. Morethan 215 genotypes/accessions of pomegranatewere collected from Jammu and Kashmir,Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra andKarnataka. At present, over 160 germplasmaccessions were maintained.

Arid fruits: Tikadi , Khavaspura and Sanaur5 cultivars of ber were found tolerant to lowtemperature (-1 °C), while Sanaur 1 , Jogia andKathaphal were moderately tolerant. Early dokastage was observed in cultivars, Khuneizi , Muscatand Tayer of date palm. Two new germplasm ofwood apple have been added. Promising genotypesof aonla, Narendra Aonla 27, Narendra Aonla 28and Narendra Aonla 29 were identified.

Pomegranate anardana types (05) were collectedfrom Shimla. Out of 16 different types of Bhagawain Maharashtra, Sel 4 was found superior in yieldand quality parameters. In bael, two genotypes,viz. a Narendra Bael 19 and Narendra Bael 20,were significant. Higher fruit yield/plant wasrecorded in Singapur seedling and Red tamarind.Custard apple accession AS 1(APK (Ca)1 showedyield of 12.50 kg/ tree. At Rahuri, evaluation ofgermplasm of Bullock Heart (Annona atemoya),Island Gem (Annona atemoya) and Annona Hy.No. 2 (Annona squamosa × Annona cherimoya)indicated superiority for fruit quality.

Cashew: Four germplasm accessions were addedto National Cashew Field Gene Bank (NCFGB),raising the total germplasm to 513. At variousRegional Cashew Field Gene Banks (RCFGBs)at different AICRP-Cashew Centres, 1,272accessions have been conserved.

Vegetable crops: Out of 161 germplasm linesin chilli, GP 276 for high capsaicin content(0.581%), GP 89 for high oleoresin content (14.51)and GP299 for high capsanthin (53375EOA); okra(IIVR 402 for resistance to YVMV); earlycauliflower (Kuwari 23/42 for earliness and heattolerance); late cauliflower (RSK 1301 forresistance to downy mildew; cabbage (Ac 208for bluish green colour and resistance to blackrot); lablab bean (IS 21 for earliness) and ivygourd (CG 84 for resistance to mosaic) were foundpromising.

Mushroom: About 302 wild mushrooms ofTermitomyces, Lepista, Chlorophyllum, Agrocybe,Leucocoprinus and Mycena spp. were collected.The DNA sequence from Tricholomella constrictahas been deposited. This is second DNA sequencedata from the world and first of this species fromIndia. DNA sequence of two new Volvariella spp.has also been deposited. Two new species ofVolvariella were identified. Genomic DNA from12 strains of A. bisporus and C. indica were isolatedand purified. DNA fingerprints were developedusing 4 random primers. Seven new strains/SSIof paddy straw mushroom (Volvariella volvacea)were evaluated for their mushroom yield andquality. Strain bbsr-007 gave highest mushroomyield of 31% on a 1:1 mixture of paddy straw +cotton waste in 2 weeks of cropping. A total of130 specimens of wild fleshy fungi were collectedfrom the forest areas of different regions. Theimportant collected species were Ganoderma spp.,Agaricus bisporus, Schizophyllum commune,Polyporus spp., Termitomyces spp., Auriculariapolytricha, Rassula spp., Cantharellus spp.,Calocybe spp., Pleurotus spp., Phelloriniainguinans, Podaxis pistillaris, Daldaniaconcentrica, Ramaria spp., Tricholoma spp.,Hericium erinaceusm, Lapiota procera, Lycoperdon

24


spp., Mycena spp. and Volvariella volvacea.Oil palm: Seeds of 12 promising oil palms, viz.

Baratang (2 nos.), Theni (5 nos.), Nellore, (4 nos.),Sulia, Mangalore (5 nos of Nigerian source), werecollected from commercial plantations of LittleAndaman. One high-yielding virescence dura, wascollected. One dwarf Surinam palm was identifiedat Palode. One more dwarf Nigerian sterile pisiferawas identified in OPIL estate. Two high-yieldingviresence type dwarf palms were identified atPCKL, Athirapalli. One dwarf tenera of Costaricanorigin was collected from a plantation in AndhraPradesh.

Spices: A total of 585 black pepper germplasmhave been maintained under different AICRPScentres. The characterization resulted inidentification of high-yielding accessions, viz.Karimunda II with a maximum green berry yieldof 5.60 kg/vine followed by Valiyaramundi (3.45kg/vine) and TMB IV (1.80 kg/vine). In cardamom,305 germplasm have been maintained. Ginger(660 accessions) and turmeric (1,280 accessions)have been maintained under AICRPS centres. Outof the 265 turmeric germplasm accessions screenedfor resistance against leaf spot and leaf blotchdiseases, the turmeric germplasm accessions, viz.CL 1, CL 2, CL 3, CL 6, CL 14, CL 22, CL 25,CL 31, CL 32, CL 33, CL 53, CL 54, CL 148, CL153 and CL 230 were resistant to leaf spot (8 –10 PDI) and leaf blotch. In tree spices, a total of37 clove, 119 nutmeg, 39 cinnamon and 6 cassiaaccessions have been maintained. In coriander1,809, in cumin 623, in fennel 670 and in fenugreek976 accessions were maintained.

Flowers: At Bhubaneshwar, five new cultivarsof rose were added to the existing germplasm of324 cultivars including 201 HT, 73 floribunda,42 miniature and 8 climbing roses.

Orchids: A total of 3,130 orchid accessionsmaintained at NRC for Orchids, Pakyang, Sikkim.Two orchid species, Euranthes and Ione, havebeen collected and enriched germplasm collection.

Betelvine: The cultivar, Vasanaa Kapoori,performed better than others in respect to leafyield, 20% more than the control. GN 1 hybrid(Ghodi Bangla × Kapoori Nasik) exhibited normalvigour. Even in GN hybrid, yield was much belowthan the local check variety. The hybrids couldnot establish at BCKV centre.

Tuber crops: In tuber crops, four early-maturinghybrids and 12 others suitable for table purposewere identified. The 164 SSR marker-tested cassavamosaic resistant clones received from CIAT wereevaluated. Flour clones, viz. CR 43-11, CR 43-7, CR 54A-3 and CR 59-8, had high yield (>40tonnes/ha) coupled with CMD resistance. Out of1,820 first clonal hybrids evaluated for identifyingTLB tolerant clones, 12 were symptom-free and

being evaluated along with Mukhtakeshi. Alsohybrid seeds were generated incorporating TLB-free wild taro as one of the parents (seven crosses)to produce TLB-resistant taro hybrids. Fifteen high-yielding hybrids were identified from the replicatedtrial and being evaluated to confirm theperformance. About 118 hybrids were evaluatedfor isolation of high-yielding good cooking types.

In cassava, ME 833 gave higher yield atYethapur and CM 9905 at Thiruvananthapuram.H 740/92 recorded significantly higher yield atYethapur and Peddapuram. Three clonal selections,PDP 5, PDP 6 and PDP 7, obtained from crossesAmbakadan × Sree Prabha (TCH 2) andAmbakadan × H 165 showed high degree ofresistance to cassava mosaic virus with high yieldpotential.

In sweet potato, two selections, viz. CARI –SP1 and CARI-SP2, from Port Blair with consistenthigher yield under Island ecosystem were identifiedfor Andaman and Nicobar Islands. IGSP 14, CO3-4, SV 280, DOP 93-19 and ST 10 were identifiedas good yielders at different centres. Among orangefleshed sweet potato entries, Kamalasundari,440038, CIPSWA 2, ST 14, IGSPC 15, 362-7and SV 98 showed better performance in differentstates.

Yam bean RM 1, DPH 101, DPH 88 and DPH70 were the maximum tuber yielders at differentcentres. Among the collection of Colocasia, C.esculenta var. antiquorum, taro collections, ML1 and ML 9 were good yielders in Meghalaya.JCC 25, IG Col 4 and BCC 17 in taro wereidentified as good yielders for Asom, Chhattisgarhand West Bengal.

ANIMALS

Livestock information management

Individual assignment using geneticalgorithm: A computational methodology basedon genetic algorithm was developed to solve theindividual assignment problem using microsatellitedata. Its results were compared, and accuracy ofassignment was also tested. Performance usinggenetic algorithm methodology is comparable withthat of existing methods with the data generatedfrom actual allelic frequency values of RedKandhari, Deoni, Hariana and Sahiwal cattlebreeds.

Phenotypic characterization

Bargur cattle: Bargur cows are distributed inand around Bargur hills in Bhavani Taluk of Erodedistrict, and also in Kolathur Taluk of Salem districtespecially the regions adjoining the Bargur hills.Bargur village (34 hamlets) has 10,102 cattle ofwhich 90% conform to breed characteristics ofBargur cattle. The animals are maintained in low

25

GENETIC RESOURCES

input system by grazing animals in deep thickforests. Patti system is practiced, wherebyherdsmen keep animals in pattis during night.Animals are small; brown colour with whitepatches. The average body length, height at wither,heart girth, paunch girth, face length, face width,horn length, ear length and tail length withoutswitch in cows were 99, 108, 139, 144, 42, 14,35, 17 and 62cm, respectively. The birth weightvaried between 15 and 18 kg. Cows are poormilkers; average daily yield is 1.14 kg. Age atfirst calving varies from 36 to 60 months with anaverage of 48 months. Calving interval varies from16 to 18 months, lactation length 180 days to240 days, service period 120 to 180 days, anddry period from 150 to 210 days.

Malnad Gidda cattle: Malnad Gidda, a dwarfcattle is mainly distributed in Shimoga,Chickmagalur, North and South Kannada, andBelgaum districts of Karnataka. The breedpopulation has declined especially in last twodecades. The animals are kept under low inputsystem of management. There are five major coatcolours in the breed (black, brown, red, fawn,white and sometimes mixture of any two). Theaverage body length and height at withers were87.04±0.65 cm and 90.29±0.46 cm, respectively,for cows, and 86.53±1.93 cm and 91±1.47 cm,respectively, for adult males. The average chestgirth and paunch girth were 118.36±0.67 and121.39±0.82 cm for cows and 118.47±3.93 and118.67±3.90 cm for adult males. Birth weight,weight at maturity, age at first calving, age atfirst service in males, calving interval, serviceperiod and number of services/conception were8.56 ± 0.44 kg, 87.29±2.95 kg, 45.41± 1.22 months,

38.06 ± 1.24 months, 17.02 ± 0.68 months, 8.38months, and 1.48, respectively. About 15% cowsare producing more than 2 kg milk/day. In elitecows, the lactation period, dry period, averagedaily milk yield, peak yield, lactation milk yieldwere estimated as 8.95 months, 7.17 months, 2.11kg, 3.09 kg, 569.13 kg, respectively.

Balangir sheep: The Balangir sheep isdistributed in Balangir, Kalahandi Baudh and Anguldistricts of Orissa. Animals are small; averagebody weight, body length, height at withers andchest girth were 23.0±0.74kg, 57.6±0.84cm,62.1±0.74cm and 69.7±0.84cm in rams and20.4±0.17kg, 55.6±0.22cm, 59.6±0.18cm and67.2±0.22cm in ewes, respectively. Coat colourranged from light to dark brown or patches ofwhite and brown. Males are horned and femalesare polled. Body is covered with coarse, openand colour fleece. Face, belly and legs are devoidof wool. In males, age at first breeding was 8-12months with a breeding life of 1-3 years. Lambingrate was 70-100%. Balangir sheep are primarilymaintained for mutton.

Surti goat: Surti goats are found in Bharuch,Narbada, Navsari, Valsad and Vadodara districtsof Gujarat. Animals are of medium size with variedcolour patterns, viz. white, black tan, and grayish.Mottled animals are also found. Surti goats aregood milch animals with well developed funnel/bowl shaped udder. The milk production rangedfrom 1.5 to 4 kg/day. Surti goats are good breedersshowing first oestrous at an age of 6-8 monthsand kid at 13-14 months of age. Twins are bornto majority of does (50-60%), and triplets arerare (5%). Males also show sexual maturity atthe age of 6-7 months. The major breeding seasonis March-April and minor is October-November.The average body weight of adult male and femaleis 29.03 and 31.06 kg, respectively.

Busra chicken: Busra birds are found inNavapur taluk of Nandurbar and Sakri taluk ofDule districts of Maharashtra, and Songadh andUchchal taluks of Surat district of Gujarat. Thesebirds are reared for home consumption as well asfor sale of live birds and eggs. Birds are kept in

Sex identification of meat

Method for identification of sex from meat wasstandardized. It involves PCR amplification ofAmelogenin XY gene. In males amino acid codingregion of the Amelogenin gene on the Ychromosome (AMELY) is shorter than its Xchromosome counterpart i.e. it is having a deletionregion. Hence PCR amplification of AMEL genegives amplicons of two sizes (217, 280 bp) in maleand only amplicon of single size (280 bp) in femaleDNA samples. Repeatability of the assay wasconfirmed by testing in different field samples.

Evaluation of indigenous pig germplasm

Indigenous pig herds of three strains, wereestablished at the NRC Pig for genetic evaluation,improvement and conservation. Unrelated pigsof Nagaland, Megahlaya and Northern West Bengal(Ghungroo) were directly procured from farmers’field and the founderstock wasestablished at theinstitute. The littersize at birth inindigenous pigsfrom north Bengal(Ghungroo) was onan average 12piglets incomparison to sevenin Meghalaya and five in Nagaland. The weaningweight is about 12 kg in Ghunguroo in comparisonto Megahalaya local (5.25 kg) and Nagaland local(4.5 kg).Gunghroo has the potential to bedeveloped as the Indian Meishan pig in the future.

Ghungroo pig with litter

26


the free range system. Flock size varied from 2to 25 with an average of 8.6. Plumage is mostlywhite mixed with black feathers on neck, back,tail, and reddish brown feathers on shoulders andwings. Comb is red, single, small to medium insize, stands erect; beak yellow; wattles red, smallto medium size; and shank, yellow. Weight ofcock ranged from 0.85 to 1.25kg (average1.11±0.06 kg) and of hen from 0.8 to 1.2 kg(average 0.98±0.06 kg). Age at first egg rangedfrom 5-7 months (average of about 6 months).Annual egg production ranged from 40 to 55.Hatchability on total egg basis ranged from 60 to85%. Dressing percentage is about 65 – 70%.Eggs are small weighing about 28-38g (average31.56±1.40g). Shell colour is mostly light brown.Egg shell is mostly strong with an average thicknessof 37.73±1.47µ. Albumen index, yolk index andhaugh unit were 0.059±0.007, 0.352±0.012 and73.66±4.04, respectively.

Genetic characterization

Cytogenetic status of Assamese buffalo: Allthe non-descript buffaloes found in Assam resembleswamp buffaloes in external features. They areof small body size, low milk yield and are classifiedas swamp buffaloes (Assamese swamp buffaloes).Distinctive karyotypic features of swamp and riverbuffaloes were exploited to explicitly ascertaintheir riverine or swamp status. Majority of theanimals investigated–picked from different partsof Assam–were riverine type, which is incontradiction to the general classification ofAssamese buffaloes as swamp type.

Only four animals had a diploid count of 49chromosomes, with one large size metacentricchromosome characteristic of swamp buffaloes.These four animals were thus crosses of River ×Swamp type indicating the presence of swamptype buffaloes also in the vicinity, probably ofthe wild type.

Buffalo lactoferrin gene: Lactoferrin is apotential candidate gene in dairy cattle breedingfor increasing resistance against infections especiallyin mammary gland. Polymorphism in this gene wasstudied by analyzing the 5’ flanking region oflactoferrin gene in Murrah, Jaffarabadi, Marathwada,Toda and Pandharpuri buffalo breeds. Ten distinctSSCP (single strand conformation polymorphismpatterns) were observed, which further revealed 13polymorphisms with 8 transitions, 4 trans-versionsand one deletion mutation upon sequence analysis.Sequencing indicated homology with Bos taurus(96%), Bos indicus (95%), Capra hircus (91%),Ovis aries (92%), Sus scrofa (57%) and Homosapiens (28%). Sequence analysis of SSCP variantsrevealed 34 nucleotide changes in bubalinelactoferrin gene from that of Bos taurus across

Comparative Genetic resistance to H5N1

Genetic resistance of indigenous stock — Kadaknath and Aseel Peela vis a vis high yielding SDL-IC (SyntheticDam Line-Immunocompetent)—broilers against induced infection of H5N1 was evaluated. The birds were subjected to induced-infection intra-nasally with a dose of 1,000 EID 50 (determined by aprior experiment) of H5N1 (narapur/7972 strain). The overall survivability percentages were 8, 2 and 0% inSDL-IC broilers, Aseel and Kadaknath, respectively. The MDT (mean death time) was highest in SDL-IC(6.96 days) followed by Aseel (5.92 days) and Kadaknath (3.12 days). The day-wise and cumulative mortalitypercentages and MDT were significantly different among genetic groups. So far, no report is available inliterature on survival of chicken after induced challenge of H5N1 whereas, for the first time, in present case1 out of 50 Aseel and 4 out of 50 SDL-IC broilers survived for 10 days experimental period after H5N1induced infection at higher dose than reported in literature. The four surviving SDL-IC broilers did not showany clinical sign and were apparently healthy whereas the Aseel was depressed. The overall severity of clinical signs was less with delayed onset of symptoms in SDL-IC broilers ascompared to other two genetic groups. The overall severity of gross PM lesions was less in Kadaknathfollowed by Aseel and SDL-IC broilers, which might be due to the least MDT in Kadaknath as compared toother genetic groups. During early as well as late phases of H5N1 infection, lungs were most severelyaffected followed by brain in all the 3 genetic groups.

The expression profiles of genes indicated better genetic resistance in SDL-IC broilers as compared toAseel and Kadaknath against H5N1 infection, which was in agreement with results of challenge trial. Nucleotideanalysis of differentially expressing genes also revealed variation (transitions, transversion and insertion/deletion) in both exon and intron regions among the three genetic groups.

Busra birds are kept for home consumption and sale of live birds

27

GENETIC RESOURCES

different exonic regions. Analysis of differentintronic regions revealed 38 nucleotide changes.Further, analysis of sequence data revealed fivenovel SNPs in intronic region and two SNPs inexonic region of bubaline lactoferrin gene. The SNPsidentified in the lactoferrin promoter, exonic andintronic regions may serve as potential candidatemarker(s) in buffaloes.

Phylogenetic relationship among bovinespecies: RAPD analysis on five bovine speciesunder the genus Bos (Bovis), viz. yak (Pheophagusgrunniens), mithun (Bos frontalis), Bos indicus,Bos taurus and buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) showedthat yak shares highest genetic similarity withmithun (42%) followed by exotic cattle (27%),indigenous cattle (29%) and buffalo (16%). Incomparison with yak, mithun was slightly closerto both the cattle species. Among the five speciesstudied, buffalo seemed to be the most distinctfrom others. These results suggested that duringthe course of evolution, chromosomalrearrangement might have played little role inthe diversification of bovines.

Molecular genetic characterization

Sheep and goat: Microsatellite based genotypingof Patanwadi, Marwari and Dumba Sheep breedsrevealed genetic distance of 0.033 betweenPatanwadi and Marwari, 0.049 between Patanwadiand Dumba, and 0.066 between Marwari andDumba, indicating less genetic distance betweenPatanwadi and Marwari sheep breeds.

Microsatellite based genotyping was completedfor Coimbatore sheep, Barghur cattle, Salem Blackand Tellicherry goat at Core lab, TANVASU,Chennai, and diversity analysis for Bachaur cattle,Shahbadi and Ganjam sheep breeds at Core lab,NBAGR, Karnal. Diversity analysis indicatedexistence of substantial genetic variability andhad no recent bottleneck in the populationsinvestigated. Under trait-specific genecharacterization, polymorphism at the DGAT1 locuswas also investigated by PCR-SSCP assay in nativegoat breeds.

Calpastatin gene, responsible for meattenderness, was genotyped in Deccani, Nellore,Sonadi, Malpura, Nali, Ganjam, Chokla and Garolesheep breeds. Nellore sheep revealed the highestpolymorphism in the calpastatin gene. Nellore andMalpura sheep are closer in terms of meattenderness.

Layer and broiler germplasm: Geneticdiversity analysis of 6 genetic groups of a diallelcross was carried out by 14 microsatellite markers.The genotypes showed varied genetic identity/diversity. In a study using 14 microsatellite markerslocated on different chromosomes, the markersADL023, MCW041, ADL210 and MCW110 were

significantly associated with egg production upto 28, 64 and 72 weeks of age. MCW007, ADL020,ADL023 and ADL176 microsatellites correlatedsignificantly with age at sexual maturity. Thegenotypes of MCW007 microsatellite wereassociated with body weight.

Genetic manipulation through introgression ofmajor gene, transgenesis and reconstitution ofpoultry species: Two pure broiler strains (NNWPand NNCP) having specific introgressed nakedneck gene, have undergone specialized selectionprogramme over thirteen generations. The nakedneck birds showed consistently relative superiorityover normal for array of broiler traits. Presently,CARIBRO-Mritunjai is the only provencommercial (Naked Neck) broiler to performexceedingly well in hot and humid conditions(tropical climate). To improve the generalimmunocompetence, the male and female progenyof NNCP population were selected for high 5-week body weight and high response to HI titre,and in NNWP population only male progeny wasselected for high 5-week body weight and highresponse to HI titre.

Role of apoptotic genes during forcedmoulting: Apoptotic genes, viz. Caspase-1,Caspase-2, Caspase-3, Caspase-6, Caspase-8,Caspase-9, p53, Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL, were studiedin the regressing reproductive tissue of forcemoulted White Leghorn hens. The mRNAs of allcaspases under study except Caspase-6 were foundin the regressing ovarian and oviduct (magnumand uterus) tissues. The involvement of apoptoticgenes of intrinsic pathway (p53, bcl-2, bcl-xL)was also found in the ovary, magnum, and uterusof the moulted birds. The present investigationclearly indicated that apoptotic genes involved inboth extrinsic and intrinsic pathways controlreproductive regression in moulting birds.

Isolation and molecular characterization ofmethanogenic archaea: The methanogenic archaea

Genetic characterization of predominantSalmonella serovar in seafood

PCR ribotyping and band pattern analysis ofSalmonella Weltevreden and Salmonella Rissenisolates, the most common isolates from differentseafood revealed three ribotype profiles inSalmonella Rissen and four major ribotypepatterns in Salmonella Weltevreden strainsindicating distinct genetic diversity among them.Studies on the genetic variations amongSalmonella Typhi isolates by PFGE and VNTRshowed similar genetic homology amongSalmonella Typhi strains isolated from differentseafoods. These molecular fingerprintingtechniques showed that there were intra-serovargenetic variations among predominant Salmonellaserovars in seafood.

28


were isolated from the rumen of small and largeruminants. Uncultured archaeal sequences werealso characterized from the metagenomic libraryconstructed with rumen content. Archaeal isolatesMethanobrevibacter and Methanosarcina wereisolated. An organism with 94% sequence similaritywith Methaniculleus marisnigri was recorded forthe first time in India.

Network Project on Animal GeneticResources

In-situ conservation: At the in-situ ConservationUnit of Beetal goat, 173 Beetal does were registeredand their performance data recorded. Male kidswere selected, tagged and registered, and theirbody weights were recorded up to 12 months ofage. The awareness for pure breeding of Beetalwas created among the selected farmers, whichresulted in an increase of flock size by 5-7. Thiswas also attributed to the culling of non-Beetalgoats and sheep in flocks.At Navsari, 150 Surtigoats were registered in 11 villages of Bharuch,Surat and Navsari districts. The male kids wereborn with slightly higher birth weight than femalekids. The daily weight gain up to the age of 3months was approximately 75.88g for male and74.11g for female kids.

At Kilakarsel sheep in-situ Conservation Unit,358 animals of Kilakarsel (1.5%) were identifiedby surveying 23,621 sheep in five districts.The number of pure Kilakarsel sheep wasvery less, therefore it was categorized as a threatenedbreed. Purebred Kilakarsel sheep are being rearedto produce 50 rams for distribution in field.

Ex-situ conservation: At BAIF, Pune, bullcalves of Krishna Valley cattle were reared atgermplasm unit in individual bull-pens. The bullcalves, weighing at least 260 kg were used forsemen collection, and 7,000 semen doses werestored. On an average 1,000 semen doses perJaffarabadi bull were produced and stored. At theUPLDB Lucknow, 12 male calves of Ponwar cattleand 11 male calves of Kherigarh cattle are beingtrained for semen donation.

FISH

Coldwater fisheries: The coldwater fish geneticstocks of the Kumaon region, Uttarakhand, weresurveyed in river Kosi, Ramnagar, Gola andChirapani stream and Tor putitora, Schizothoraxrichardsonii, Barilius species, Garra species andRiamas bola were recorded. The cyprinid familyfish species were assessed for their molecularsystematics at subfamily level and the sequencewas submitted to NCBI database with the accessionnumbers of AM778102 to 06 and AM950230.

They indicated the possible occurrence ofsubfamilies Schizothoracinae, Cyprininae andRasborinae.

Development of microsatellite markers inMacrobrachium rosenbergii: With regard todevelopment of microsatellite markers in giantfreshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii, over3,000 colonies from a partial genomic library werescreened. A total of 92 positive colonies weredetected and 30 colonies were selected on thebasis of signals strength of which 12 could besequenced. Eight loci were polymorphic and allthe loci except one were in the agreement withHWE. No significant pair-wise linkagedisequilibrium was found among the loci. Thesemarkers may prove useful for characterization ofnatural population as well as brood stockmanagement of this species.

Genetic linkage mapping in Indian majorcarps: Marker to marker linkage study was initiatedin rohu, the first attempt of its kind in Indian fishspecies. Rohu and kalbasu (Labeo calbasu) have25 pairs of chromosomes and produce viable F1hybrids. Pair-wise recombination estimation usingLINKMFEX software showed eight loci to be linkedwith a minimum LOD score of 3.0 forming threelinkage group in male parent spanning 67.29 cM.

Gene banking of Indian catfish Horabagrusnigricollaris: Horabagrus nigricollaris, anendemic, cultivable yellow catfish, is found onlyin one river (Chalakkudy River, Kerala) originatingfrom southern part of the biodiversity hotspot –the Western Ghats, South India. This species enjoysa good market value as a food and ornamentalfish. The species was categorized as criticallyendangered due to its highly restricted distribution,loss of habitat, over exploitation, destructive fishingpractices and trade. Hence, captive breeding andmilt cryopreservation techniques were developedfor the species.

DNA barcoding of Indian fishes: Acomprehensive programme on DNA barcoding offishes of India is being carried out at the NBFGR,Lucknow. The total DNA was isolated for 1,427samples of 410 species and PCR amplificationwas done for 733 samples of 280 species. DNAsequencing was done in 540 samples of 182species. DNA barcodes were prepared for 180species. A total of 395 DNA sequences of 110species were submitted to BOLD.

Species-specific DNA - based diagnostic assayfor Gyrodactylus elegans: A standardized DNAbased-diagnostic technique for species-specificidentification of the trematode, Gyrodactyluselegans was developed. This is the first attemptin the country, towards molecular detection offish parasites.

29

CROP IMPROVEMENT

Improved Samba Mahsuri has good agro-morphological features (a,b) and excellent grainquality (d,f) similar to Samba Mahsuri (c,e)

Rice varieties/hybrids released

Variety Ecosystem Resistant to pests/diseases Recommended

Central ReleasesHybrid 6129* Irrigated Blast, brown spot, brown Irrigated areas of Punjab, Tamil Nadu

plant hopper (BPH), whitebacked plant hopper (WBPH)

Improved Pusa Basmati Blast Basmati-growing areas of Delhi, Punjab,Basmati 1 Jammu and Kashmir, UttarakhandImproved Samba Rainfed shallow Blast, bacterial blight Irrigated/shallow lowlandsMahsuri lands of Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand,

Orissa, Bihar, Gujarat, MaharashtraState ReleasesChandrama Shallow lowland/ Blast, bacterial blight, Shallow lowlands/boro areas of Assam

boro rice tungro virus (RTV),sheath blight, BPH, WBPH

Madhuri Rainfed lowlands Blast sheath rot, Lowlands of Karnatakabacterial blight

Karma Mahsuri Irrigated Blast, brown spot, gall midge Irrigated areas of ChhattisgarhVarun Dhan Irrigated hill Blast Irrigated hills of Himachal PradeshMAS 946-1 Aerobic Bacterial blight Limited water environments of eastern

dry zone in KarnatakaMAS 26 Aerobic Limited water environments of eastern and

central dry zones in KarnatakaAnnalakshmi Irrigated Bacterial blight, RTV, Irrigated areas of Pudducherry

brown spotCO (R) 48 Irrigated Irrigated areas of Tamil NaduRMD (R) 1 Irrigated Moderately resistant to Irrigated areas of Tamil Nadu

shoot-borer and leaf folderKarjat 7 Irrigated Neck blast, leaf folder Irrigated areas of Maharashtra

BPH, blast, bacterial blastSatya Krishna Irrigated and rainfed Irrigated and rainfed lowlands of Orissa

shallow lowlandsNua Kalajeera Rainfed shallow Shallow lowlands of Orissa

lowlandsNua Dhusara Rainfed shallow Shallow lowlands of Orissa

lowlandsHanseswari Semi-deep water Semi-deep lowlands of Orissa

ecologyChandan Boro ecology Boro irrigated areas of Orissa

*Hybrid rice

6

Crop Improvement

IMPROVEMENT

Rice: Eighteen hybrids/varieties have been released for various agro-ecologies.

30


Wheat: Seven varieties of wheat have been released and notified.

Yielded more than check varieties

Gave high yield over check varieties. In addition tobeing resistant to brown rust, it showed betterresistance than checks against yellow rust. It alsoshowed high degree of resistance to Karnal Buntand immunity against flag smutPossessed higher degree of resistance to yellowand brown rusts and flag smut in comparison tochecks. And found resistant to 78S84 race of yellowrust to which PBW 343 has now become susceptible

Yielded higher than UP 2425, PBW 373 and Raj3765. It has more protein content, higher loaf volume(12.21%), (572cc) and much better bread-makingquality. Besides better nutritional quality, showedhigh degree of resistance to yellow rust, brown rustand flag smutYielded higher than Lok 1. It showed resistance toleaf and stem rusts

It out-yielded all check varieties in the central partsof the country. It exhibited high magnitude of adultplant resistance to leaf and stem rusts. It is anearly-maturing variety with acceptable grain qualityIt exhibited high beta-carotene content, high proteincontent, high sedimentation value (35ml), and highcontents of iron, manganese, copper and zinc tomake it a very good durum wheat. It showeddesirable pasta cooking quality. It maintained highdegree of field resistance to leaf and stem rustsand foot rot

Late sown, mediumfertility restrictedirrigation conditionsEarly sown, lowfertility rainfedconditions

Timely sown, highfertility irrigatedconditions

Late sown, mediumfertility irrigatedconditions

Timely sown, highfertility irrigatedconditionsLate sown, mediumfertility irrigatedconditions

Timely sown, highfertility irrigatedconditions

VL 892 Hills of Himachal Pradesh andUttarakhand

HPW 251 Hills of Himachal Pradesh andUttarakhand

PBW 550 Punjab, Haryana, west Uttar Pradesh(except Jhansi division), Delhi,Rajasthan (excluding Kota andUdaipur divisions), Tarai ofUttarakhand, Paonta Valley and Unadistrict of Himachal Pradesh

WH 1021 Punjab, Haryana, west Uttar Pradesh,Delhi, Rajasthan, (excluding Kota andUdaipur divisions), Tarai ofUttarakhand, Paonta Valley and Unadistrict of Himachal Pradesh

HI 1544 Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan (Kotaand Udaipur divisions) and Gujarat

HD 2932 Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh,Rajasthan (Kota and Udaipurdivisions), Gujarat, Maharashtra andKarnataka

HI 8663(d) Maharashtra and Karnataka

HS 490 North Hills Zone (Hills of Jammu and Kashmir except Jammuand Kathua districts), Himachal Pradesh (except Paonta Valleyand Una district), Uttarakhand (excluding Tarai region), Sikkimand hills of West Bengal and north-eastern states. Late sown,restricted irrigation

PBW 590 North Western Plains Zone (Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Rajasthan(except Kota and Udaipur divisions), west Uttar Pradesh (exceptJhansi division), Jammu and Kathua districts of Jammu andKashmir, Paonta Valley and Una district of Himachal Pradeshand Tarai region of Uttarakhand. Late sown, irrigated conditions

CBW 38 North Eastern Plains Zone (East Uttar Pradesh, Bihar,Jharkhand, West Bengal (excluding hills), Orissa, Assam andplains of north-eastern states. Timely sown, irrigated conditions

RAJ 4120 North Eastern Plains Zone. Timely sown, irrigated conditions

MP 1203 Central Zone (Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Kotaand Udaipur division of Rajasthan and Jhansi division of UttarPradesh). Late sown, irrigated conditions

UAS 415 Plains Zone (Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Goaand plains of Tamil Nadu). Timely sown, irrigated conditions

PBW 596 Plains Zone, Timely sown, irrigated conditions

MACS 2971 Plains Zone, Timely sown, irrigated conditions

RD 2715 Central Zone, Timely sown, irrigated conditions

Good biscuit quality

Tolerance to terminal heat stress and goodbread quality

Resistance to leaf blight and leaf rust, highsedimentation value (58cc), bread quality andgrain nutritional characteristics

Resistant to Ug99, superiority in leaf rustresistance and good chapati quality

High protein (13%) and extraction rate (70%),good bread quality and grain appearance

Durum for superior pasta quality

Goof for limited irrigations

Dicoccum variety

Dual-purpose variety for green fodder andgrains

Wheat varieties released

Variety Area of adaptation Production conditions Remarks

Bread Wheat

Wheat varieties identified

Variety Area of adoption Salient features

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CROP IMPROVEMENT

Registration of genetic stocks. Ten new genetic stocks of wheat have been registered by the PlantGermplasm Registration Committee.

To mitigate the threat posed by the stem rustvirulence Ug99, 318 wheat varieties were screenedat its hot spot Njoro (Kenya). The screeningrevealed that 78 genotypes were resistant to Ug 99.Four wheat varieties HD 2781, DL 153-2, NI 5439and HI 8498(d) have been reconfirmed for theirresistance to Ug 99.

Barley: Dual-purpose barley RD 2715 has beenidentified for release in Madhya Pradesh,Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Kota and Udaipur divisionof Rajasthan and Jhansi division of Uttar Pradeshfor timely sown, irrigated conditions. This showedresistance to yellow rust.

Maize: Five hybrids, four composites and twoquality protein maize (QPM) hybrids have beenreleased for different agro-ecological zones of thecountry.

Sorghum: A new multicut forage sorghumhybrid CSH 24MF (UTMCH 1302) has beenidentified for release in all forage zones of India.It has lower HCN content (90-100 ppm), and isresistant to anthracnose, zonate leaf spot and greyleaf spot, and is tolerant to stem borer and shoot-fly.

Dual-purpose hybrid sorghum CSH 25 has beenidentified for cultivation in kharif in Maharashtra,

Wheat genetic stocks registered

Name Reg. No. I.D. No. Developed by Traits(s)

FLW 28 INGR 08001 IC 553913 DWR, Shimla Resistant to brown and yellow rustsFLW 29 INGR 08002 IC 553914 DWR, Shimla Resistant to all rustsFLW 30 INGR 08003 IC 553915 DWR, Shimla Resistant to all rustsGW 2002 18 INGR 08004 IC 553917 WRS, SDAU, Gujarat High tilleringGW 2002 51 INGR 08005 IC 553919 WRS, SDAU, Gujarat High grain weight in durum wheatHS 424 INGR 08006 IC 557719 IARI, RS Shimla Resistant to leaf and stem rustsHS 431 INGR 08007 IC 557720 IARI, RS Shimla Resistant to leaf and stem rustsLBRL 4 INGR 08056 IC 549912 DWR, Karnal Leaf blight resistanceLBRL 6 INGR 08057 IC 549913 DWR, Karnal Leaf blight resistanceLBRL 1 INGR 08058 IC 549914 DWR, Karnal Leaf blight resistance

Maize hybrids/composites released

Hybrids/ Area of adaptation Characterizationcomposites

HybridsPMH 3 Delhi, Punjab, Haryana and western Late-maturing, orange flint grains, single-cross hybrid

Uttar PradeshHM 10 Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, western Uttar Late-maturing, yellow grains, single-cross hybrid;

Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, resistant to Sesamia inferens; released for winterGujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu,Maharashtra and Karnataka

HM 8 Punjab, Haryana, western Uttar Pradesh, Medium-to-late maturing single-cross hybrid, orangeRajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, grains; suitable for kharif and rabiTamil Nadu, Karnataka and Maharashtra (rabiand kharif)

PRO 368 Rajasthan, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh Double-cross hybrid, yellow grainsVivek maize Uttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmir Extra-early maturing hybrid; orange dent grainshybrid 33CompositesPant Sankul Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Yellow grainsMakka3 Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Madhya

PradeshBajaura Makka Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh Orange grainsChandramani Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra Composite with yellow to orange grainsPratap Kanchan Tamil Nadu, Jammu and Kashmir and Yellow grains, moderately resistant to stem borers

Uttarakhand and major diseasesQPM HybridsHQPM 7 Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu Yellow grains quality protein single-cross hybrid,

and Maharashtra medium-to-late maturingVivek 9 QPM Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Extra-early maturing yellow grains; developed by SSR

Uttarakhand ,Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, marker-assisted selection; semi-dent QPM single-Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra cross hybrid

32


Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh andGujarat. It is tolerant to grain mold.

Pearl millet: Four hybrids MH 1340,MH1385,MH1351 and MH1352 and an open-pollinatedvariety MP 443 have been identified for release.

Small millets: Proso millet TNAU 151 andbarnyard millet VL Madira 207 have been identifiedfor release in Tamil Nadu,Andhra Pradesh, Bihar,Karnataka, Uttarakhand and across the country,excepting Gujarat and Tamil Nadu.

Forage crops: Oat JHO 991 (Bundel Jai 991).Its seed-to-seed maturity period is 150-155 daysand seed-to-flowering is 120-125 days. It ismoderate to highly resistant to leaf blight andmoderately resistant to nematodes, and resistantto highly resistant to grasshoppers and aphids. Itcontains crude proteins 9.7%, acid digest fibres46.7%, neutral digestible fibres 63.5% and its in-vitro dry matter digestibility is 57.4%. This varietyhas been released for cultivation in the hilly zoneunder single-cut system.

Underutilized crops: Grain-amaranth RM 4and GA 3 have been identified for release for

cultivation in rabi in Rajasthan, Orissa, Jharkhandand Gujarat.

Phytochemical characterization was done ofpromising genotypes identified in Grain-amaranthIC 35399, for protein content and lysine content(6.4 %), and in faba bean HB 502 for protein(26.30%), and HB 30 for low vicine-convicinecontent (0.82%).

Groundnut: Two varieties have been releasedand notified, and 3 have been recommended forrelease.

Grain-amaranth has been identified for release in rabi inRajasthan, Orissa, Jharkhand and Gujarat

Virginia bunch type with‘stay green’ leaves andbold seeded. Tolerant torust, leaf spot, peanutstem necrosis disease(PSND) and suckingpests

Drought tolerant,suitable for rainfedareas, resistant to foliarfungal diseases

High yielding than JL 24and tolerant to foliardiseases and suckingpests

Tolerant to foliar dis-eases and consistencyin yield performance

Identified for terminaldrought areas

Girnar 2(PBS 24030)

AK 265

R 2001-2

VG 9816

ICR 48

Uttar Pradesh,Punjab, northernRajasthan

SouthernMaharashtra,Karnataka,Andhra Pradesh,Tamil Nadu

Orissa,Jharkhand, WestBengal and north-eastern states

Tamil Nadu,Andhra Pradesh,Karnataka andsouthernMaharashtra

Rajasthan andGujarat

NRCHB 506 Indian mustard hybrid

Released and notified

Identified for release

Rapeseed-mustard: Two hybrids of Indianmustard NRCHB 506 and DMH 1 have been

North West Zone coveringPunjab, Haryana,Rajasthan, western parts ofUttar Pradesh andUttarakhand

Cowpea-growing areas inNorth West, Central andNorth East Zones

Pearl-millet growing areasin North West and CentralZones

All pearl-millet growingareas except South Zone

Pearl-millet growing areasin North East Zone undersalt-affected soils

Forage crop varieties identified and released

Forage Variety Adaptation region/crops Agro-ecology

Maize Pratap MakkaChari EC 3135

Cowpea UPC 625

Pearl millet BAIF bajra 1

JHPM 05 02

NDFB 2

Groundnut varieties

Variety State(s) area Special featuresof adaptation

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CROP IMPROVEMENT

identified for release. Similarly, 7 varieties ofrapeseed-mustard have been identified for releasefor various agro-ecologies of the country. Theseare ONK 1 (Gobhi sarson), NRCYS 05-02 andYSH 0401 (Yellow sarson), RB 50, RGN 145,NRCHB 101 and LESI 27.

Soybean: Three improved varieties, VLS 59,VLS 63 for Northern Hill Zone and JS 97-52 forCentral Zone have been identified for release.

Safflower: NARI 38 and AKS 207 with wiltresistance and yield advantage have been releasedand notified for the safflower-growing areas of thecountry and Vidarbha region of Maharashtra. AndSSF 658 superior to NARI 6 and JSI 7 in yieldwith resistance to wilt hasbeen identified for allsafflower-growing areas.

Sunflower: DRSF 113has been released andnotified. It is suitablefor kharif and rabi, andis recommended for

Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh andMaharashtra; and TAS 82 for Maharashtra andCO (SFV) 5 for Tamil Nadu have been notified.

Castor: 48-1, exhibiting distinct superiority overthe checks in seed (15-30%) and oil yields (19.9-50.2%), has been released for castor-growing areas.It is resistant to wilt and capsule borer, and istolerant to jassid.

Sesame: Two varieties of sesame RT 346 andSWB 32-10-1 have been identified for releaseand notification. RT 346 having 20% superiorityover the check with higher oil percentage hasbeen identified for Rajasthan, Haryana, Gujaratand parts of Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh. SWB32-10-1 having 15% yield superiority has beenidentified for summer in coastal ecosystem ofAndhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Orissa.

Niger: BNS 10 has been recommended forrelease in niger-growing areas, and KBN1 hasbeen released for Karnataka.

Pulses: Five varieties have been identified inpulse crops.

NRCYS 05-02 yellow sarson variety

TAS 82 sunflower has beennotified for Maharashtra

Castor 48-1 is resistant to wilt, capsule borer, and istolerant to jassids

Pulse varieties identified

Crop Variety Special features Area of adoption

Chickpea IPCK 2002-29 Extra large seeds (33.8 g/100 Madhya Pradesh, Bundelkhand region of(Kabuli) seeds) Uttar Pradesh, southern Rajasthan, Maharashtra,

Chhattisgarh, GujaratPigeonpea TJT 501 Tolerant to pod borer and pod Madhya Pradesh, Bundelkhand region of Uttar

fly Pradesh, southern Rajasthan, Maharashtra,Chhattisgarh, Gujarat

GTH 1 Resistant to SMD and wilt First CMS-based hybrid notified for Gujarat andidentified for Madhya Pradesh, Bundelkhand regionof Uttar Pradesh, southern Rajasthan, Maharashtra,Chhattisgarh, Gujarat

Mungbean KM 2241 Resistant to MYMV Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh,Uttarakhand

Urdbean IPU 02-43 Resistant to MYMV and Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Orissapowdery mildew

NDU 5-7 Resistant to MYMV Punjab, Haryana, western Uttar Pradesh, northRajasthan

Vallabh Urd 1 Resistant to MYMV Punjab, Haryana, western Uttar Pradesh, northRajasthan

Lentil WBL 77 Resistant to rust, small seeds Eastern Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, WestBengal, Assam

34


Arid legumes: Guar VLG 15 and HG 2-20have been identified for release and notification.VLG 15 having advantage of higher grain yieldand tolerance to diseases has been identified forNorthern and Central Zones. HG 2-20 identifiedfor Northern Zone is moderately resistant to foliardiseases with 31.14% gum content.

Sugarcane: Among red-fleshed clones, NG 7775 recorded appreciably higher antioxidants thanthe other tested clones.

than JRO 524 and JRO 8432. The fibre of JRO204 is free from body defects and root content.

AAU OJ-I (Tarun) has been notified for theentire jute-growing tracts in India. The varietyfibre yield surpassed national check JRO 524 by7% at the all-India level. It showed better bioticstress resistance.

C. capsularis entries C 517 and C 532 and oneof mesta JMB 2004D have been recommendedfor release at the national level.

Tobacco: Sangami variety was released forcultivation in Bhavani, Anthijur and Kurichi areasof Erode district and Edapady area of Salem districtof Tamil Nadu. This is a narrow-leaf countrycheroot tobacco variety. It showed an increase of22.4% in average cured leaf yield over the rulingvariety I-737, coupled with good smoking quality.The variety showed less susceptibility to tobaccomosaic virus, black shank and leaf curl.Torsa,new motihari tobacco variety, has been approvedfor release. It recorded significantly higher curedleaf yield.

Horticulture

Mango:A new mango hybrid, Arunika, wasreleased. A cross between Amrapali and Vanraj,it has regular bearing and good fruit qualities.Twelve STMS primers, modified withfluorochromes for high resolution genomic analysiswere utilized for molecular characterization of150 cultivars of mango. In general, fluorescent-based analysis revealed single main peak inhomozygotes and two different size allelic peaksin heterozygotes. Polymorphic information content(PIC) values ranged from 0.630 to 0.855. A totalof 149 alleles were amplified. The number ofalleles detected per locus ranged from 7 to 21.Four set of primer pairs were found sufficient toidentify the accessions. In mango, Hybrid 311(Alphonso x Neelum) having good yield and qualityand freeness from spongy tissue were foundpromising at RFRS, Vengurle. At IARI, New Delhi,five hybrids, viz. H 1-1 (Amrapali × Lal Sundari),H 1-6 (Amrapali × Sensation) and H 2-6 (Amrapali× Sensation), H 4-12 (Dashehari × Sensation) and

Two new improved sugarcane varieties, resistantto red rot and smut and tolerant to drought andsalinity Co 2001-13 and Co 2001-15 were identifiedfor cultivation in Peninsular Zone. They showedsignificant improvement over standard varieties.

A high sugar-yielding cane variety CoLk 94184(Birendra) has been recommended for commercialcultivation. This is early maturing and withstandsmoisture stress and waterlogged conditions ineastern Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.

Jute: JRO 2003 H (IRA) has been recommendedfor entire tossa jute-growing belt of the countryfor cultivation during mid-March to last week ofApril. Its yield was 10-15% higher than JRO 524and JRO 8432, i.e. the check varieties. The varietyshowed better resistance to biotic stress and alsohad less body defects and root content as comparedto national checks.

JRO 204 (Suren) has been notified for the entirejute-growing tracts of India. It is a high-yieldingtossa jute variety, showing better fibre quality.As the variety is highly resistant to prematureflowering, it can be sown from the first week ofMarch, and can be easily accommodated in multiplecropping systems in Assam, Bihar, Orissa andWest Bengal. It is least affected by major pestsand diseases as compared to widely cultivatedtossa jute varieties. It produced finer quality fibres(2.3-2.4 tex), which were 21% and 15% finer

CoLk 94184 (Birendra) has been recommended for commercialcultivation. It withstands moisture stress and waterlogging ineastern Uttar Pradesh and Bihar

Tobacco as oilseed crop

Oil content in seed was estimated in 108 tobaccogermplasm accessions of various tobacco types.Among the 43 germplasm accessions of exoticair-cured type, the seed oil content variedbetween 33.06 (EAC 145) and 44.94% (EAC 101).Among the Burley tobacco accessions, the seedoil content varied from 23.09 (BGP 33) to 45.61%(BGP 35). The peroxide value increased from 8.24to 84.24 me peroxide/kg within 90 days from thedate of extraction; in sunflower oil, it varied from6.24 to 50.12 me peroxide/kg within 90 days.

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CROP IMPROVEMENT

H 8-11 (Amrapali × Sensation) were foundpromising.

Grape: In grape, two hybrid seedlings ofThompson Seedless × Sevye Villard showedtolerance to powdery mildew (12/6 and 15/2),anthracnose (10/4 and 11/3) and rust (7/5, 11/4and 15/3). A mother block of quality plantingmaterial comprising 12 table/raisin varieties, 6wine varieties and 9 rootstocks was established.About 150 varieties including 28 wine/juice and25 crosses were evaluated for their various desirableattributes. The F1 hybrids, Flame Seedless × SevyeVillard and Thompson Seedless × Sevye Villardwere maintained in the greenhouse and someprogenies were transferred to the field. In-vitroscreening of these available hybrids was also doneagainst Plasmopara viticola. DNA from 41 hybridswas analysed with 32 microsatellite primers.

Sapota: In sapota, plant spacing of 8 m × 4 m(312 trees/ha) registered highest yield/ha (24.96tonnes/ha) while number of fruits (1,650) and yieldof fruits/tree (95.00 kg) were more in 8 m × 8 mspacing in PKM 1 sapota at Periyakulam.

Citrus: Seven citrus genotype (NRCC Pummelo1, NRCC Pummelo 2, NRCC Pummelo 3, NRCCPummelo 4, NRCC Pummelo 5, NRCC PummloGalgal 1 and NRCC sweet lime 1) were promising.About 61,200 disease-free plants of Nagpurmandarin, Mosambi, acid lime and rootstocks weresold to different government departments andfarmers. And 46,000 certified elite STG deriveddisease-free planting stock were released to citrusgrowers of Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh andMadhya Pradesh.

Banana: Fourteen accessions of banana werecollected, which include 3 wild accessions and11 landraces. A high-yielding Cheeni Champa clonewith better fruit quality was collected. Cryobankingof Musa germplasm was initiated with the transferof 210 accessions as in-vitro to NBPGR, NewDelhi.

Sweet orange: At Rahuri, Sweet orangeselection 4 was released as Phule Mosambi andacid lime line, RHR-L 124, as Phule Sharbati.The rootstock Rough lemon 14-19-13 recordedhighest yield, whereas Rough lemon NematangaAssam and Rangpur lime Brazilian showed seedlingresistance to root rot.

Cashew: In cashew, five collections havingcompact canopy and bunch bearing were collectedfrom Ansurli which had bold nut character (> 8.0g). The hybrids, H 66, H 68 and H 43, yielded5.4, 4.9 and 5.4 kg/tree in fourth harvesting witha cumulative nut yield of 19.9, 18.8 and 19.5 kg/tree respectively. Hybrids, H 125 and H 126, ofcross combination NRCC Sel 2 × Bhedasi gavea yield of 5.6 and 5.0 kg/tree in the fourthharvesting and a cumulative yield of 19.5 and

17.8 kg/tree respectively. The cumulative yieldof 14 years was higher in cashew JGM 34/7 (276.64kg/tree), followed by JGM 70/2 (211.56 kg/tree),and JGM 48/1 (174.72 kg/tree).

Acid lime: In acid lime, intermediate hybridsof the cross Kagzi lime × Nepali round and Kagzilime × Nepali oblong were found resistant to citrusbacterial canker. The hybrids had lemon likecharacter.

Apricot: Ten promising apricot genotypes wereevaluated under medium-density accommodating400 trees/ha. Four varieties were found promisingunder Kashmir conditions. CITH selection KS 1(8.0 tonnes/ha) gave the maximum yield followedby Harcot, AS 1 and AS 2. The TSS of these elitevarieties ranged from 13.87 to 15.98° Brix,indicating their suitability for table purpose.

KS-1, a promising apricot

Underutilized fruits: In ber, phylogeneticrelationships revealed that the pooledchromatogram of eight cultivars possessed a totalof 28 flavonoid spots. Spot No. 3 and 12 wereencountered only in single taxon and hence, theyproved to be marker spots for respective cultivars.In pomegranate, number of spots varied from 12to 17 in different genotypes, maximum in cv.Mridula and minimum in cvs. Kabul and JaloreSeedless. Regeneration protocol for genetictransformation of pomegranate Bhagwa with nodalblight resistant gene was standardized. Inpomegranate, seeds of Bhagwa and Ganesh wereirradiated with 0-30 kR gamma rays and sown inpolythene bags. Branching was more at lower dosesof gamma irradiation (0-6 kR) and there wasdecreasing trend in branching habit with increasein irradiation doses beyond 6kR in Ganesh. Incontrary, higher doses (beyond 6kR) of gammairradiation increased branching in seedlings ofBhagwa. The plant height in Ganesh and Bhagwawas not influenced by irradiation treatments at 0-9 kR and 0-18kR respectively. But higher doses

36


of gamma irradiation induced dwarfing effects at27 and 30 kR in Ganesh and Bhagwa. Wedgegrafting on 30th January was found optimum forgrafting. Pomegranate, viz. Dholka, Bedana andKandhari, planted under 2.5 m × 2.5 m spacingwere found promising under Karewa conditionsof Kashmir. The maximum yield was recorded inDholka (11.52 tonnes/ha) followed by Bedana andKandhari. The number of spots in date palm variedfrom 6 to 9 in different genotypes. In date palmHalawy, axilary bud formation in shoot tip wasachieved. Direct morphogenesis of shoot and rootformation was achieved in lasoda (Cordia myxa),mulbery (Morus alba) and citrus (Citrusaurantifolia).

Vegetable crops: A total of 10 varieties / hybridsincluding six open-pollinated varieties and 4hybrids were identified for release. They are PusaSantushti (bottle gourd), IIVR MC 12 and DC 76(cauliflower), VR 5 and Swarna Harita (cowpea),GMM 3 (muskmelon), JNDOH 02-22 (okra),HATH 5 and ARTH 734 (tomato) and Vivek bittergourd. Two promising gourd varieties, CHTG 2(teasel gourd) and CHSG 28 (spine gourd), wereselected at Central Horticultural Experiment Stationfor yield and quality. Kashi Agahani, a mid-latematurity group (December-January) cauliflowerwas developed.

In muskmelon (Cucumis melo), line AHMM17, AHMM 26, AHM 32, AHM 46 and CIAHSelection 1, showed potential for better fruit qualityand yield attributes under high temperatureconditions, while in bottle gourd, line AHLS 11and AHLS 24 exhibited better fruit quality andhigh yield potential. In varietal trial, advancedlines of Indian bean (AHDB 16) exhibitedsuperiority for earliness under high temperatureconditions. In Luffa gourds, purified geneticmaterial of AHSG 4 was found to be superior foruniform harvesting and early marketing.

Mushroom: Out of 7 strains/SSI of paddy strawmushroom evaluated, OE 274, BBH and BBH 5and SSI-OE 55-0% gave more than 25% mushroomyield in first flush. However, in overall yield OE274 and BBH outyielded other strains/SSI. Buttonmushroom strains CM 3, CM 7 and CM 9 gavehigher yield. Out of 53 hybrid strains of Pleurotussajor-caju developed for fructification, mycelialgrowth in 33 strains was observed. Three strainsgave significantly higher yield on wheat straw. Ofthe six strains of Agaricus bisporus evaluated, CM13 and CM 16 gave higher yield. In paddy strawmushroom (Volvariella volvacea), strains Vv 09,Vv 11 and Vv 12 gave higher yield and milkymushroom (Calocybe indica) strain C 1-6 gavehigher yield. The hybrids, PSc 1 of Pleurotus sajor-caju and PF 01 of P. florida gave higher mushroomyield than their parents and other hybrid strains.

Potato: A new potato variety Kufri Sadabaharwas released for cultivation in Uttar Pradesh. Itgives an average yield of 35 tonnes/ha and hasdry-matter content of 19-20%. Late blight resistantvariety Kufri Girdhari , was released for hills.Hybrid, J. 93-86, an early bulking potato line forfitting in rice-wheat system was also identified.This hybrid is likely to be a good replacement ofKufri Ashoka and Kufri Chandramukhi forcultivation in the plains specifically for Haryana,Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Bihar,Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal.

Advance hybrid for French fry developed

An advanced hybrid, MP/98-71, suitable formaking French Fries was developed for cultivationin the Indo Gangetic plains. Promising hybrids ofKufri Bahar/Kufri Jyoti x RB-transgenic Katahdinwere identified. Similarly, putative transgenic linesof Kufri Jyoti and Kufri Chipsona 1 with reducedcold-induced sweetening developed.

MP/98-71: a potato hybrid for French fry

Coconut: Three coconut varieties, viz. KalpaDhenu, Kalpa Mitra and Kalpa Pratibha, werereleased for commercial cultivation. A new coconutvariety, Kalparaksha was recommended for releaseas a high-yielding and resistant (field resistance)to root (wilt) disease. Three coconut ecotypes,viz. Bedakam type in Kasaragod district,Anjarakandy type from Kannur district and Kuttiaditype from Kozhikode district, were identified forin-situ characterization. Putative in-situ drought-tolerant coconut palms were identified in Sivagangadistrict of Tamil Nadu. Coconut, Kalyani Coconut1, was released for West Bengal. Coconut IND003 S is a high-yielding coconut variety (12,813nuts/ha/annum) with sweet taste of nut water (sugarcontent 6.40 g/100 ml) with a very high quantityof nut water (446 ml) and high potassium content(2035 ppm). It was released for Andhra Pradesh,Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra. It was named asGauthami Ganga. Coconut hybrid, Konkan BhatyeCoconut Hybrid 1, was released for the Konkancoastal region. Varieties Kalpa Dhenu, KeraKeralam, Kera Bastar, Kalpa Prathiba, Kalpa Mitra,and hybrid Kahikuchi of Coconut Hybrid 1, werereleased.

37

CROP IMPROVEMENT

Oil palm: Eleven oil palm hybrids, 4 fromASD Costa Rica, 4 from Palode, India, 2 fromIvory coast and 1 from Papua New Guinea wereevaluated. In Dura mother palms, maximumgermination (97.6%) occurred when fruit reachedStage 4 (165/days after anthesis-DAA) where leastmoisture content was recorded. At Stage 5 (180DAA), decline in germination (94%) was noticed.High dry-matter accumulation and low moisturecontent were recorded in both the stages. Seedlingsobtained from Stage 4 showed superior quality.Oil formation initiated (6.62%) at Stage 1 (75DAA) and highest content (74.93%) was recordedat Stage 5. The virescense palms showed earlymaturity and germination than normal nigrescensepalms.

Black pepper: In black pepper, Cul 5489showed highest spike length (13.34 cm) followedby Cul 5308 and Panniyur 1. At Panniyur,maximum yield/vine was recorded in Cul. 5489(1.847 green berry kg/vine) and was on par withKarimunda OP, Cul.5308, Panniyur 1, Karimundaand Coll. 1041. Hybrid P 6 × P 5 was promisingwith a fresh yield of 3.54 kg/vine.

Ginger: In ginger, there was maximum yieldin V1E 4 -5 (29.21 tonnes/ha), followed by V2E5-2 (28.29 tonnes/ha) with 32.29 and 28.12% higheryield over the control Suprabha. The genotypes,viz. SG 27/04, SG 45/04, SG 896 707, SG 827,SG 716, SG 682 and 51/04, were identified ashigh-yielding and high-quality lines.

Coriander: Coriander entries, DH 220 and DH233, were identified as high-yielding in IET atHisar. The CVT trials at Coimbatore identifiedLCC 170 and UD 206 as high-yielding with ayield potential of 928.33 and 923.33 kg/harespectively. Three entries, COR 5 (1913 kg/ha),COR 4 (1825 kg/ha) and COR 2 (1670 kg/ha)were identified as high yielders from Hisar. LCC244 (18.9 tonnes/ha), LCC 233 (18.5 tonnes/ha)and LCC 234 (18.0 tonnes/ha) were identified asgood leafy types at Coimbatore. COR 4, COR10, COR 11, COR 12, COR 13, COR 14 andCOR 15 were identified as early-maturing typesat Dholi. At Kumarganj, COR 9 (1.99 tonnes/ha)and COR 8 (1.94 tonnes/ha) were identified ashigh-yielding.

Cumin: Of the 10 entries in IET tested againstwilt, blight and powdery mildew, UC 331 andUC 225 were found resistant to wilt, blight andpowdery mildew at Jobner.

Fennel: Fennel, HF 131 and HF 143, fromHisar and NS 63, NS 46, RF 125 and RF 101from Jobner were identified as promising. Themaximum volatile oil (2.47%) was found in FNL17, followed by FNL 15, FNL 20 and FNL 14.The FNL 15 ranked first in volatile oil yield (41.36litres/ha), followed by FNL 16 (40.04 litres/ha),

RF 125 check (34.36 litres/ha), FNL 17 (32.93litres/ha) and FNL 14 (28.52 litres/ha).

Fenugreek: In fenugreek, JF 270 recordedhigher yield (573 kg/ha) which was at par withRmt 303 (543.33 kg/ha) from Coimbatore. FGK14 was identified promising from Dholi centrewith a yield of 2.18 tonnes/ha. HM 348 and HM355 were identified as promising at Hisar.

Flowers: Two carnation interspecific hybrids,IIHRIS 1 and IIHRIS 2, were found potential forcommercial exploitation. Crossandra, F1 HybridIIHR 2004-9, was characterized by large-sizedflowers, novel orange colour. In gladiolus, twohybrids each from the IARI, New Delhi and MPKV,Pune; 6 new varieties in chrysanthemum fromPAU, Ludhiana, are under multilocational testing.Two promising gerbera hybrids IIHR 99-1 andIIHR 99-2, were identified for open cultivation.They were tolerant to thrips and leaf spot withdouble flowers having deep orange and yellowflorelts.

In orchids, random amplified polymorphic DNA(RAPD) markers were used to study the geneticdiversity of 10 cymbidium species. Newly-developed hybrids NRCO 42 (Dendrobium whitae× Dendrobium pompadour) and H × B (Cymbidiumcross) were good for flowering and other floraltraits.

Betelvine: Flowering was observed for the firsttime in 11 female and 9 male accessions. A totalof 141 different cross-combinations were carriedout using 1,713 catkins involving 25 female and21 male clones. A total of 480 fruits were harvestedfrom 83 crosses. The germination varied from2.2 to 67.2% among the crosses. Maximum numberof hybrid seedlings was raised in the cross SGM1/Vasani Kapoori (169) followed by SGM1/ TellakuPonnuru (140). Wide variability was observed formany morphological traits like plant vigour, leafsize, leaf shape, leaf colour, petiole length,internodal length and stem pigmentation.

Cassava: In cassava, Hybrid 6-6 was superiorwith a mean tuber yield of 40.5 tonnes/ha and31.0% extractable starch. The 164 SSR marker-tested cassava mosaic resistant clones wereevaluated for four years. Flour clones, CR 43-11,CR 43-7, CR 54A-3 and CR 59-8 had highyield (>40 tonnes/ha) coupled with resistance toCMD.

Taro: In taro, out of 1,820 first clonal hybridsevaluated, 12 were symptom-free and beingevaluated along with Mukhtakeshi. The hybridseeds were also generated incorporating TLB-freewild taro as one of the parents (seven crosses) toproduce TLB resistant hybrids. Fifteen high-yielding hybrids (17.0-22.5 tonnes/ha) wereidentified from the replicated trial and beingevaluated to confirm the performance.

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Pyramiding additional bacterial blightresistance genes in basmati rice

background

Background analysis revealed that Improved PusaBasmati inherited most of the regions from PusaBasmati 1, which are linked to Basmati qualitytraits. Possibility of linkage drag was also minimumin respect of chromosomes 8 and 11, carryinggenes Xa 13 and Xa 21 for BB resistancerespectively. Marker-based analysis suggestedthat this variety can be used as a combiner inBasmati hybrid-breeding programme. With theobjective of adding more BB resistance genes inthe Basmati background, a large segregatingpopulation was generated using Basmati 370 andIRBB 60, a non-Basmati rice line, carrying fourgenes Xa4, xa5, xa13 and Xa21. This populationwill now be screened for identification of suitablerecombinants possessing all the 4 BB resistancegenes and Basmati traits.

Transgenic rice for blast resistance

From rice line Tetep blast resistance gene Pi-kh

has been fine mapped and cloned. Blastsusceptible line Taipei 309 (TP309) has alreadybeen genetically transformed with cloned rice blastresistance gene Pi-kh. Further evaluation of thetransgenic lines containing Pi-kh genes with sameisolate of Magnaporthe grisea in T2 generationwas carried out.

Elephant-foot yam: In elephant-foot yam, 118hybrids were evaluated. Of them, 52 were high-yielding.

BIOTECHNOLOGY

Rice: Two varieties released, Improved PusaBasmati (IET 18990) and Improved Samba Mahsuri(IET 19046), are the first products of biotechnology.Both were developed through marker-assistedselection (MAS) for pyramiding three bacterialblight resistant genes in the background of themost popular aromatic variety Pusa Basmati andthe popular and widely cultivated variety SambaMahsuri.

Sorghum: Sorghum transgenics with Cry1Bgene that can control stem borer were producedand tested with 10 artificially reared borer larvaetill four generations. Transgenics from two

independent events were very effective. Bt proteinlevel in the leaves was as high as 3 m g/g of leaftissue (comparable to commercial Bt cotton).

Quantitative trait loci (QTL) resistant to targetleaf spot, zonate leaf spot and Dreschlera leafblight were located in sorghum (genomic)chromosome SBI-06. This genomic region issyntenic with regions on rice chromosome 4, andmaize chromosome 2.

Reduced feeding and reduction in stem borer larval growth onsorghum transgenic plants in insect bioassay. (A) Control leaffully damaged with stem-borer larvae; (B) Minor nibbling markson transgenic leaves (arrows indicate the dead larvae ontransgenic leaves); (C) Larvae survived in non-transgenic control;(D) Dead larvae in transgenic plants

HH 67 (new), which was bred using DNAmarkers for downy-mildew resistance, hassignificantly arrested spread of the disease in thecountry. Both the parents of three most popularhybrids RHB 121 in Rajasthan, GHB 538 inGujarat, and HHB 117 in Haryana have beenconverted into downy-mildew resistant usingmarkers, and are in the final stage of testing.

Forage crops: Reproductive pathways inapomictic guinea-grass. Three components ofapomixis, apomeiosis (formation of unreducedembryo sac formation), parthenogenesis(fertilization-independent embryogenesis) andfunctional endosperm development, were foundto be frequently recombining in the germplasmlines. Reconstruction of reproductive pathwaysyielded a total of 8 different pathways of seeddevelopment.

Hybridization-supplemented apomixis com-ponents partitioning approach (HAPA) for ploidymanipulations. Apomeiosis and parthenogenesiswhen partitioned (following recombination,expressivity or modifying effects) yielded highfrequency of triploids and haploids. Utilizing thishybridization-supplemented apomixis-componentspartitioning approach (HAPA),the largest ploidy

Region-wise recommended entries/varieties forrelease

Crop Entry Region/state Averagefor which it is yieldrecommended (tonnes/ha)

Cassava IGT 1 Bihar 31.40Chhattisgarh 34.50

Sweet Kamalasundari West Bengal 29.00potato (rich in ß Orissa 20.00

carotene)Taro JCC 25KCS 2 Assam 18.10

Andhra 28.90Pradesh

Elephant- Sree Assam 20.00foot yam Padma Bihar 30.70

GajendraBunda NDB 1 Assam 18.50

Jharkhand 11.30Swamp BCST 5 Assam 14.00taro

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CROP IMPROVEMENT

series in a crop-plant from a single progenitor inguinea-grass was generated.

Molecular markers. A RAPD primer (10-mers,Operon Series) showed differential pattern inapomictic and sexual guinea-grass; yielding a bandof about 300bp, exclusively represented inapomictic genotypes and absent in sexual forms.

Tissue-cultured lucerne. Multiple shoot inductionfrom apical meristematic axis onMS medium supplemented withBAP and kinetin showed highfrequency of plantletsregeneration in lucerne.

Oilseeds: Castor. Whole plantbioassays were done for 69transgenic castor lines derivedfrom 20 independenttransformation events showing tolerance toSpodoptera and semilooper. Among the testedevents, PCP202 AMT18 conferred maximumresistance to both the target pests. The transgeniccastor plants PCP 202 AMT 1, 9, 11, 18, 37 withCry-1 EC gene showed less than 20% defoliationdue to semilooper and Spodoptera.

Safflower. Delta 6-desaturase gene isolated fromborage was developed into a cassette, and theconstruct cloned into binary vector is being usedfor developing transgenic safflower plants withgamma linolenic acid in seed oil.

Soybean. Fifteen putative transgenics withreplicase gene were developed. Genomic DNAwas isolated from the leaves of these as well asthe control plants. PCR analysis was carried out

with replicase specific primers. Presence of anexpected amplicon of 566 bp with DNA fromputative transgenic plants confirmed the presenceof replicase gene. No amplified product wasobserved in untransformed plants.

Pulses: In-vitro regenerated fieldpea. Mediumcontaining MS+B5+4mg/litre BAP+0.6mg/litreNAA produced 16-18 shoots/embryonic axis acrossthe genotypes and media containing MS+B5+2mg/litre BAP+0.4mg/litre NAA produced 20 shoots/cotyledonary node. In rooting medium, 1mg/litreIAA was found better across genotypes.

Commercial crops: Sugarcane. Transgenicsugarcane plants with cry1Ab gene were producedthrough particle bombardment as well as byAgrobacterium-mediated transformation. Southernanalysis was carried out for selected plants, andcry1Ab gene integration was confirmed. In-vitrobioassay was carried out to study efficacy ofdifferent Bt toxins Cry1Aa, Cry1Ab and Cry1Acon sugarcane shoot borer. High larval mortalitywas observed with Cry1Ab. Eight transgenicsexpressing Cry1Ab were screened against shootborer. Plants showing dead hearts varied from 0to 24 % in transgenics; 50 % of the plants incontrol showed dead hearts.

Cotton: First public sector transgenic Bt cottonvariety Bikaneri Narma(BNBt) has been releasedfor commercial cultivation to all cotton-growingareas in kharif. The advantage of this variety isthat farmers can reuse the seeds year after year.

SEED

Breeder seed production: Breeder seeds 9,950.5tonnes of different field crops were produced;including centrally and state released varieties asper requirement (see table on p.40).

Quality seed production: The total quality seedproduction of field crops was 0.85 lakh tonnes. Andproduction of saplings and tissue-cultured plantletswas 285.33 lakh, and seed production of horticulturaland vegetable crops was 1,130.56 tonnes.

Tissue-culturedlucerne

Male sterility induced inArabidopsis thaliana

A novel mitochondrial gene was identified to beassociated with the cytoplasmic male sterility inBrassica juncea alloplasmic lines. To test whetherit is directly involved in causing male sterility, thecoding sequences of this gene were translationallyfused with a mitochondrial targeting signal andthe fusion construct was cloned downstream toCaMV35 S promoter in a plant transformationvector. Transgenic Arabidopsis plants containingthe gene were obtained following floral diptransformation and selection of T1 seeds onkanamycin-containing medium. Most of thetransgenic plants showed varied degrees of pollensterility, indicating that the gene is involved incausing cytoplasmic male sterility.

Transgenic Arabidopsis expressing male sterility

Pigeonpea genomics initiative

A total of 21 cDNA libraries have been preparedand about 9,776 ESTs sequenced. Pigeonpeavarieties Asha, UPAS 1210 and a wild speciesCajanus scaraboides were used for RNA isolationand cDNA synthesis. Out of the total ESTsproduced, 776 sequences have been submittedto the NCBI GenBank and rest of them are underthe process of submission. EST database wasmined for presence of SSRs, and 28 SSR markershave been developed and are used forpolymorphism survey between these two varietiesfor the creation of first reference genetic map ofpigeonpea.

40


In the fish component, 1,502.5 lakh spawn ofcarps, 504.94 lakh fry + fingerlings of carps, 5.1lakh fry and spawn of catfish, 22.03 lakh larvaeof sweet-water prawn, 185.97 lakh larvae of marineprawn, 12.17 lakh seed of ornamental fishes, 12.7lakh brackishwater fish fry and 848.87 lakh seedof other marine fishes were produced.

In general, 40.91% increase in quality seedproduction of field crops and almost double fishseed production were observed at various centres.

inclined belt conveyor in place of bucket elevator.Sieve sizes for the unprocessed seeds of

safflower, chickpea and pigeonpea have beenstandardized. Specific gravity separator-basedimprovement of marginal seed-lots of cotton,soybean and safflower, respectively was attainedto the minimum acceptable levels.

Seed treatment. Pre-sowing seed hydration for17 hr at ambient temperature, followed by drydusting with Thiram at 0.25% are recommendedfor rapid and uniform field emergence and plantestablishment for better seed yield in sunflowerand pigeonpea.

Seed storage: CO2 provided complete killingof storage insects at 40% (v/v) concentration upto 12 months of storage under ambient conditionsat the Coimbatore, and seed germination was aboveIMSCS (80%) level.

HONEYBEES AND POLLINATION

Apple : Fruit set was 26.2% when four coloniesof Apis mellifera per hectare were introduced, andfruit set was 16.7% without honeybees colonies.

Radish : For efficient pollination in radish seed-crop, 5 A. mellifera colonies each at 10 framesbee-strength per hectare were required.

Cucumber: Fruit set was 74.9% with honeybeepollination and it was 12.2.% in open pollination.And 6 A. mellifera colonies produced 21.80 fruitsper plant and yielded 10.83 tonnes/ha comparedto 8 tonnes/ha in open pollination.

Mass multiplication of planting material of horticultural crops

Participatory seed production: A total of 5,775tonnes of seeds were produced under theparticipatory seed programme at the farmers’ fieldsat the University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad,Indira Gandhi Viswa Vidyalaya, Raipur, NarendraDeva University of Agriculture and Technology,Faizabad, Indian Agricultural Research Institute,Regional Station, Karnal, Jawaharlal Nehru KrishiVishwa Vidyalaya, Jabalpur, Mahatma Phule KrishiVidyapeeth, Rahuri, Rajendra AgriculturalUniversity, Dholi, Himachal Pradesh Krishi VishwaVidyalaya, Palampur, Chaudhary Charan SinghHaryana Agricultural University, Hisar, AssamAgricultural University, Jorhat, Tamil NaduAgricultural University, Coimbatore and PunjabAgricultural University, Ludhiana

Seed production technology: Single riceseedlings 12-15 days old transplanted at 25 cm ×25 cm spacing were most suitable under the systemof rice intensification for breeder seed production.

Seed processing: Processing damage in soybeanseeds could be minimized considerably with the

Thai Sac Brood Viral and Sac Brood Viral

molecular characterization

Genomic sequences of virus isolates fromHimachal Pradesh of Thai Sac Brood Viral diseaseand Sac Brood Viral disease of honeybees obtainedafter sequencing of the amplicons with SB 9f/SB10r and TS3f/TS4r, respectively and phylogeneticanalysis have revealed that present SBV isolateof A. mellifera is closely related to China and UKSBV strains, and phylogenies of TSBV isolate haveshowed that it is different from the SBV strainsavailable with gene bank database of the USA.

Litchi : Fruit set recorded was 38.4% in openpanicles where honeybees were main pollinatorsas compared to 0.4% in caged panicles; to excludeinsects pollinators.

Champakka (Eugenia jambos): Fruit set inA. cerana augmented plants was 43.50% withaverage fruit weight of 60.61 g, and fruit set incaged plants was only 29.54% with average fruitweight of 46.83 g.

Winged-bean: In A. cerana introduced plots,fruit set was 63.96% and in stringless bees, fruitset was 83.16% compared to 22.22% in plots notintroduced by bee-colonies.

Breeder seed production

Production in tonnes

Crop Centrally released State released Totalvarieties varieties

Cereal crops 3,275.9 1,287.3 4,563.2Oilseed crops 2,603.8 1,074.1 3,677.9Pulse crops 1,123.4 387.0 1,510.4Forage crops 140.2 26.8 167.0Fibre crops 19.1 12.9 32.0Total 7,162.4 2,788.1 9,950.5

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Field progeny testing

At GADVASU, Ludhiana; KAU, Mannuthy; andBAIF, Urulikanchan units of the project 150, 180and 126 bulls have so far been used in differentsets. The overall conception rate was 45.3, 37.4and 45.15% at these units, respectively. Theaverage first lactation 305 days lactation milk yieldof daughters in first five sets showed an increasingtrend in milk yield. Similarly the average age atfirst calving among the progenies of first threesets at GADVASU, Ludhiana and BAIF,Urulikanchan, had shown positive decreasingtrend.

LIVESTOCK IMPROVEMENT

7

Livestock Improvement

Ongole unit: At Ongole unit, 49 bulls have sofar been used under test mating in 6 sets. Theoverall conception rate was 47%. The age atfirst calving averaged 53.19 months. The averagelactation milk yield, 300 days or less milk yield,peak yield and lactation length were 405.9 kg,403.6 kg, 2.98 kg and 183.7 days, respectively.The first service period, dry period and calvinginterval averaged 275.3, 357.1 and 588.1 daysrespectively. The draught power varied from 0.52to 0.63 HP among the bulls.

Buffalo

Network Project on Buffalo ImprovementMurrah: Under Network Project on Buffalo

Improvement sixth set of 16 bulls was progenytested, and the top ranking bull showed sire indexof 2,121 kg based on 21 daughters spread at 4participating centres. The superiority of this bullwas 13.3% over contemporary daughter’s averageof 1,818 kg. Bull ranked II and III with sire indexof 1,972 and 1,953 showed 9.29 and 6.92superiority to contemporary daughters. The XIset of 14 genetically superior Murrah breedingbulls was selected from the participating centers,and test mating was initiated from July 2008.

ANIMAL IMPROVEMENT

Cattle

Frieswal Project: Genetic merit of 80 bullswas evaluated based on first lactation (300 daysmilk yield) of their daughters. Top 10 bulls hadtheir breeding values between 3,056 and 3,140kg. Their superiority over the herd average (2,806kg) ranged from 8.91 to 11.9%. Genetic andphenotypic trend of first lactation milk yield was24.88±0.63 {0.88% of mean breeding value (2,827kg)} and 30.76±3.26 {1.07% of mean phenotypicvalue (2878 kg)} kg/year, respectively.

At Semen Freezing Laboratory 127,208 semendoses were produced and 41,385 doses distributedto different Military Farms. The overall meanage at first calving in Frieswal cows was 977.06days. The least squares mean of service period,dry period and calving interval were 173.58, 124.98and 444.72 days respectively. The overall leastsquares mean of 300 days milk yield, total milkyield, peak yield and lactation length were 3246.72kg, 3,355.36 kg, 15.33 kg and 341.91 days,respectively.

Indigenous breeds

Hariana unit: At Hariana unit, 55 bulls haveso far been used under test mating in 7 sets. Theoverall conception rate was 56%. Average age atfirst calving, first lactation milk yield and peakyield, 300 days or less milk yield and lactationlength were 1,496.6 days, 1,087.7 kg, 6.52 kg,1085.8 kg and 234.9 days, respectively. First dryperiod, service period and calving interval averaged208.4, 172.7 and 469.5 days, respectively. Sixyoung bulls put to training for draught took anaverage of 40.50±1.18 days to be ready for thepurposes. The mean fatigue score for empty cartranged from 2.15 to 2.52 after 2 hr work and2.45 to 2.70 after 3 hr work.

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Jaffarabadi: A herd of 110 elite Jaffarabadibuffaloes was established at the JAU, Junagarh.The wet average was 7.52 kg/animal/day andaverage of 305 days or less lactation milk yieldwas 1,807 kg. AI programme was undertakeninvolving 7 bulls; and average conception rate of58.5% was obtained in field animals.

Pandharpuri: A herd of 50 elite Pandharpuribuffaloes was established at the MPKV, Kolhapur.The annual wet average was 5.47 kg/animal aday, and 305 day or less lactation milk yield 1,833kg. AI was undertaken covering 11 bulls of set Iand 12 bulls of set II with 48.1% conception rate.

Surti : A herd of 80 elite Surti buffaloes wasestablished at the MPUAT, Vallabhnagar. Theannual wet average was 5.70 kg/animal a dayand average 305 day or less lactation milk yield1,649 kg. During the period 1,811 AI resulted inconception rate of 30.17%.

Sheep

Under the programme on sheep geneticimprovement and conservation, the production traitsof native breeds (Malpura, Chokla, Marwari, Magraand Garole) and synthetic sheep (Bharat Merino,Gaddi Synthetic and Avikalin) were improved.Under the programme for enhancing muttonproduction through introduction of prolificacy traitsof Garole into Malpura sheep, the twining rate of37.61% and triplets of 4.27% were achieved inGarole × Malpura sheep. Higher gain in bodyweights and growth rate of lambs were achievedby backcrossing GM rams with Malpura sheep.

in 90 days, 140 days, total lactation yield andlactation length were 103.11±2.04,143.68±2.94,152.78±4.17 kg and 169.98±3.09 days,respectively. The average age at first kidding,weight at first kidding and kidding interval were754±21 days, 32.6±0.5 kg and 323±5 days,respectively. The multiple birth rate and kiddingrate were 34.2 and 1.34%, respectively.

Barbari: The body weights of kids at birth, 3,6, 9 and 12 months of age were 1.84±0.01,6.11±0.10, 2.38±0.18, 17.19±0.10 and 23.58±0.28kg, respectively. Year of birth had significant effecton the weights at different ages. Overall meanfor 90 days milk yield, lactation yield, and lactationlength were 58.81 kg, 62.21 kg and 109.80 days,respectively, which were higher in comparison toprevious years.

Sirohi: The mean body weights at birth, 3, 6,9 and 12 months of age were 3.09±0.44,12.23±0.18, 15.48±0.31, 19.07±0.30 and23.74±0.33 kg, respectively. The milk yield inthe does averaged 74.43±1.58 kg for 90 days,97.24±2.21 kg for 150 days and 107.93±3.36 kgfor total lactation. Lactation length was175.49±4.17days. The selection differentials ofselected male kids from population for 9 monthsbody weight and their dam’s first lactation at 150days milk yield was 4.75kg and 13.81 daysrespectively.

Ganjam: The average body weights of malekids at birth, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months of age were2.35±0.02, 6.82±0.02, 9.36±0.03, 13.30±0.04 and17.33±0.06 kg respectively. The average daily milkyield was 418.28±9.54 g with total milk productionof 73.86±1.25 kg in 176.58 days of lactation.

Malabari: The mean weights at birth, 3, 6, 9and 12 months of age were 2.28±0.07, 9.04±0.14,16.17±0.56, 18.09±1.00 and 24.63±0.94 kg,respectively. The average lactation yield was45.72±3.94 kg. The average gestation length, ageat first kidding and inter kidding interval were147.37±1.42, 394.47±25.73 and 274.0±21.3 days,respectively. The incidence of single, twins, tripletand quadruplet births was 43.37, 49.34, 5.96 and1.33%, respectively. The kidding rate was 1.65%.The selection differential was 5.74 kg and geneticgain was 1.00 kg.

Surti: The overall mean for body weights at

Twining rate of 37.6% and triplets of 4.27% have beenachieved in Garole × Malpura sheep

Goats

All India Co-ordinated Research Project on GoatImprovement

Jamunapari: Mean body weights of kids atbirth, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months of age were 3.28±0.03,11.99±0.14, 16.41±0.22, 21.54±0.38 and27.06±0.38 kg, respectively. Average milk yield

Mega Seed Project

Mega Seed Project on Pig was launched with 4cooperating centres (BAU, Ranchi; Veterinary andAH Department, Government of Mizoram; ICARResearch Complex for NEH region, NagalandCentre; and Assam Agricultural University,Khanapara) for enhancing pig production throughsupply of superior pig germplasm to farmingcommunity.

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birth 3, 6, 9 and 12 months age were 2.90±0.06,9.23±0.26, 12.85±0.39, 15.40±0.54 and 20.38±1.01kg, respectively. The milk yield for 90 and 120days was 158.44±6.25 and 215.58±10.62 kg,respectively. The kidding rate was 1.63 under fieldconditions. Multiple birth was 56.15%. Theimprovement of 5.61% was observed at 3 monthsbody weight because of use of elite bucks underfield condition.

Black Bengal: The body weights of BlackBengal goats at birth, 3, 6 and 9 months of ageaveraged 1.17±0.01, 5.28±0.06, 7.82±0.09 and10.91±0.15 kg, respectively. The average weeklymilk yield for first, second and fifth week was1.58±0.13, 1.66±0.14 and 0.97±0.18 kgrespectively. Black Bengal is a highly prolificgoat breed, and is having 83.72% multiple births.The kidding rate was 1.80, the highest among allthe goat breeds of the country. The age and weightat first kidding were 378±2.12 days and13.52±0.22 kg.

Marwari: The overall means for body weightsat birth, 3, 6 and 12 months of age were 2.58±0.011,9.68±0.29, 18.33±0.46 and 27.41±0.81 kg,respectively. The average milk yield was38.30±0.27 kg in 30 days, 85.24±1.88 kg in 60days, and 121.15±1.03 kg in 90 days of lactation.

Sangamneri: The least squares means for bodyweights at 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months of age were4.87±0.04, 8.72±0.08, 13.16±0.41, 16.81±0.63 and21.85±0.69 kg, respectively. The least squaresmeans for milk yield in Sangamneri goats formorning, evening and daily milk yield wereestimated for 90 days as 0.459±0.003, 0.423±0.003and 0.881±0.006 kg, respectively.

Pig

All India Co-ordinated Research Project on PigsTwo new centres of AICRP on Pig, one each

at College of Veterinary Science, CAU, Mizoramand Nagaland University, Medziphema, werelaunched. Two genetic groups of pig, viz.50%H50%I and 75%H25%I are being developedat AICRP on Pig, AAU, Khanapara, from crossesof Hampshire (H) and indigenous (I) pigs ofAsom.

Rabbit

German Angora rabbits under temperate climateswith scientific management produced 824g of woolannually with staple length, fibre diameter andguard hair of 6.14cm, 13.55µ and 4.67%,respectively. Further efforts are underway to achieveannual wool yield of 1,200 g through better feedingand management. Broiler rabbits under semi aridclimate of Rajasthan gained body weights of 1.40kg at 84 days of age under routine management.

Poultry

Improvement of poultry for eggs: Under theAICRP on Poultry Breeding,WL pure lines, i.e.IWH, IWI, IWD, IWF, IWN and IWP strains wereimproved. The hen housed egg production up to64 weeks increased in IWN (by 3.4 eggs) andIWP (by 3.5 eggs) over previous generation. Thegenetic response for egg production to 64 weeksin IWN (8.80 eggs) was higher than that in IWP(4.80 eggs) over the last 5 generations. The eggweight at 40 weeks also increased in both thestrains.

At Anand center, S-7 generation of IWN andIWP showed positive genetic response of eggproduction to 64 weeks (1.28 eggs in IWN and1.46 eggs in IWP) over last 6 generations. Theegg production up to 72 weeks of age in IWNwas 297 eggs. At the SVVU, Hyderabad, the IWDand IWF showed improvement in egg productionto 64 weeks by 1 egg in both the strains in thepresent generation. The egg production up to 72weeks in both the lines was around 290 eggs. InS-29 generation of IWH, IWI the egg weight at28 weeks increased in both the populations ongenetic scale. Improvement in pullets of S-6generation of egg production in IWH (by 4.88eggs) and IWI (by 9.47 eggs) and egg mass inIWK (by 1,043 g) was recorded up to 64 weeksof age over the previous generation. The humoralimmune response increased in all the populations

Efforts are underway to improve wool yield of Angora rabbits

Maintenance and evaluation of gene lines

Naked neck and dwarf lines were maintained asresource populations. Body weight at 20 weeks,ASM and egg weight at 28 and 32 weeks,respectively, were 2,378 g, 170.6 days, 52.7 gand 56.8 g in naked neck and 1,968 g, 148.6days, 49.8 g and 51.2 g in dwarf line in S-6generation. The lines matured early, whileproduction traits were stable as compared to lastgeneration.

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over last generation. The control population wasstable for most of the traits over last 6 generations.

Improvement of poultry for meat: Under theAICRP on Poultry Breeding, synthetic colouredbroiler populations, viz. PB-1, PB-2, SDL, CSMLand CSFL, were improved. In PB-2, the bodyweight at 5 weeks increased by 107g as comparedto previous generation, while egg production upto 40 and 52 weeks improved by 3.12 and 11eggs, respectively.

The body weight of S-32 generation at 5 weekswas 1,036, 1,024 and 973 g in PB-2, PB-1 andcontrol population, respectively, and showedimprovement (38 g) over previous generation. Theegg production up to 40 and 52 weeks increasedby 4.5 and 8 eggs, respectively, in PB-2.Thephenotypic response per generation for 5-weekbody weight was 21.2 and 24.67 g and geneticresponse was 22.9 and 26.4 g, respectively, incoloured synthetic male line (CSML) and colouredsynthetic female line (CSFL) over last 7generations. The S-12 generation of the SDLimproved marginally in the current generation asgenetic and phenotypic responses of 5-week-bodyweight were 12.7 g and 20.6 g respectively.

The body weight, breast angle and shank length,respectively, at 5-week were 934g, 88.1º and72.4mm in S-18 generation of PB-1. On geneticscale, 5-week body weight improved by 46 g overthe last generation. In the PB-2 line, ASM, bodyweight at 20 and 40 weeks, egg weight at 32 and40 weeks and egg production to 40 weeks,respectively, were 166.2 days, 2,461 g, 3,533 g,54.2 g, 59.0 g and 57.8 eggs.

Rural poultryPure lines, viz. PD-1, PD-2 and PD-3, were

improved and utilized in production of crossesfor rural poultry production. Besides, PD-4 andPD-5, which originated from Aseel and Kadaknath,were maintained as source of native germplasmin production of crosses. Shank length, the primarytrait of selection, improved by 4.63 mm in SL-2generation of PD-1 line as compared to previousgeneration. The ASM reduced by 3.1 days andthe egg production improved by 0.51 eggs pergeneration over the last 7 generations in PD-2line during S-7 generation. The PD-3 line matured11.5 days early compared to previous generation,and egg production and egg mass improved by1.67 eggs and 111.3 g respectively. PD-5 maturedearly compared to PD-4 and laid more eggscompared to PD-4, but egg weights were betterin PD-4 line. The lines were regenerated (G-2),and the body weight at 6 weeks in PD-4 and PD-5 was 305 and 192 g, respectively.

The cross PB-2 × PD-3 was used as male lineand crossed with PD-2 line (TC) and evaluated

along with a reciprocal cross (TCR) and Vanaraja(VR) under intensive system. TC cross maturedearly and produced more number of eggs (168.7eggs) compared to TCR (158.4 eggs) and VR(152.6 eggs) at 72 weeks of age.

CARI Nirbhic and CARI Shyama birds wereevaluated at Agartala centre of AICRP on PoultryBreeding, at both farm and field levels. Twomedium types of multicoloured populations wereproduced by crossing CSML with coloured normaland dwarf birds, and evaluated up to 6 weeks ofage at the centre.

Improvement of backyard poultry in KashmirValley: The performance of Vanaraja chicks wasevaluated under rural backyards at the SKUAST,Srinagar experimental farm. The body weight ofmale birds at 8, 16, 24 and 30 weeks was 840,1,719, 1,908 and 3,248 g, respectively. Thecorresponding values in females were 613, 1,337,1,502 and 2,642 g, respectively. The mortalitybetween 5 and 26 weeks under backyard was 14.6%and for the next 26 weeks it was 4.7%. The bodyweight was higher and mortality was lower underintensive management system. Vanaraja is nowin considerable demand in Kashmir.

BIOTECHNOLOGY

Human lactoferrin expressed in yeastsystems

Lactoferrin, a unique multifunctional proteinexpressed in the milk of mammalian speciesincluding human, is a high value protein ofconsiderable value due to its direct impact onhuman health. Its major role is in iron absorptionand has strong iron-binding properties. Lactoferrinis also used in the treatment of bacterial, viraland fungal infections, sepsis, cancer, tumors andimmuno-suppressory illnesses both in human andveterinary medicine. Human lactoferrin (hLf) withseveral bioactive functions in particular, can findpotential market in health/functional foods forelderly or immuno-compromised hosts. Lactoferrin-fortified dairy foods will also have extended shelflife, hence finds application in dairy, food andmeat industry. Alternatively, the iron-loadedlactoferrin can be added to baby formula, cereal,and ice cream to enhance their nutritional value.However, it is impractical to purify nativelactoferrin particularly from human milk to makeit a commercially viable product. Hence, humanlactoferrin (hLf) cDNA was cloned and sequencedboth from mammary gland tissue and neutrophilsand finally expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiaeand in Pichia pastoris.

FISHERIES

Genetic improvement of tiger shrimp

45


(Penaeus monodon): Harvest weights of taggedshrimp Penaeus monodon were recorded.Significant genetic variations in body weight atharvest and pond survival were observed. Theseestimates indicated the possibility of geneticimprovement of these traits through selection. Theheritability estimate for resistance to white spotsyndrome virus (WSSV) was extremely low. Therewas a slight positive association between harvestweight and pond survival whereas a negativeassociation was observed between body weightat harvest in ponds and resistance to WSSVrecorded in the challenge test.

Natural bioactive substances of therapeuticalimportance: Root extracts of Rhizophoramucronata, Rhizophora apiculata and Acanthusilicifolius from backwaters of Kochi were orallytested after checking LD50 values for analgesic,anti-pyretic and wound healing effects in rats.Maximum activity was observed for methanolicroot extracts of A. ilicifolius, followed by R.apiculata and R. mucronata.

Biocontrol of Listeria monocytogenes:Lactobacillus spp. inhibited four strains of Listeriamonocytogenes and showed desirable characteristicsfor use as a biocontrol (competitive exclusion)culture. Yersinia enterocolitica was isolated fromcrustaceans, bivalves and cephalopods collectedfrom Kochi. Other species identified were Y.bercovieri (20%), Y. frederiksenii (20%) and Y.intermedia (60%). Biotype and genotypecharacterization of the Y. enterocolitica strainsisolated from shellfish samples revealed that theybelonged to biovar 1A and virulence markers ailand yst were not present in them, but inv geneswere noted.

Aquatic insect control: The potential of silverbarb, Puntius sarana as a candidate species forcontrol of aquatic insects was assessed. Notonectidswere accepted well by fry of P. sarana. The fryshowed significantly higher final body weight,net weight gain and specific growth rate withprovision of live notonectids thereby showing thefeasibility of inclusion of the species for biologicalcontrol of insects.

Phytoremediation potential of water hyacinth:Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) plantremoved approximately more than 90% of copperand cadmium. The accumulation of Cu and Cd inroots and stems increased with the initialconcentration. The biocencentration factor (BCF)of Cu was higher than that of Cd at the sameduration, suggesting that the accumulation potentialof Eichhornia crassipes for Cu was higher thanthat for Cd and could be used to treat wastewatercontaminated with low Cu and Cd accumulations.

Successful spawning of pengba (Osteobramabelangeri): Osteobrama belangeri known as pengbais an endemic species of Loktak lake, Manipur. Itis a rare species and fetches high price locally. Itwas successfully bred under controlled conditions.One female fish weighing 372 g released 1.4 lakheggs out of which 0.60 lakh spawn was recoveredwith 54% hatching success.

Breeding of Ompok pabda and rearing ofhatchling/spawn: Pabda (Ompok pabda), weighing25-27 g, attained maturity and were bred throughhypophysation technique. The early fry of pabda(average length of 280 mm) were reared in cementcistern and indoor glass aquaria, fed with livefeed and silkworm pupae, and the fry attained asize of 390-470 mm (average length 441 mm,weight 0.5 g) in 35 days. They are being furtherreared for fingerlings and table fish. Anothersignificant achievement is the multiple breeding(twice) of pabda.

Mariculture seed production: Shrimp, Penaeussemisulcatus, and crab, Portunus pelagicus, seedswere produced in hatchery and sea ranched.Spawning, hatching and larval rearing of crucifixcrab, Charybdis feriatus was achieved for the firsttime.

Fish seed: Breakthrough in early carpbreeding

Rohu and catla were bred during off-season, andspawn was successfully produced at carp hatchery,CIFA, Bhubaneshwar, under controlled conditionsto advance gonadal maturation. Rohu was bredon 24 January, 9 February and 12 March 2008and catla on 26 February 2008 accounting for firstrecord of early carp breeding in India. Thebreeding season of carps in India is from May toAugust depending on the onset of monsoon andsuitable size of fish fingerlings (80-100 mm) forgrow out culture is normally available to thefarmers earliest by September. The presentbreakthrough would enable the farmers to havefingerlings by May for stocking and utilize at leastfive more months as the growing period. Besides,this opens up the possibility of breeding and seedproduction of carps round the year.

Detection of viral pathogens affectingshrimps and carps

A demo microarray (biochip) was developed forthe detection of economically important viralpathogens white spot syndrome virus (WSSV),monodon baculovirus (MVV) affecting shrimp andKoi herpes virus. The results demonstrated thepossibility of development of a single DNAmicroarray (biochip) for the detection of all thereported viral pathogens of finfish and shellfish.

46

Culturing fishes in rainfed lowland rice

Breeding and culture of ornamental fishes,introduced first time in the rainfed lowland riceecology, produced 500 egg-layer species (Bluegourami, Red gourami and Pearl gourami) and15,000 livebearer species (Guppies and Redsword-tail guppies).

In dry season, 1.03 tonnes of sunflower(KBSH 1), 1.1 tonnes of groundnut(AK12-24), 0.4 tonne of mungbean (PDM 139),12.5 tonnes of watermelon (Sugar Baby), 8.1tonnes of pumpkin (Guamal), 5.8 tonnes ofcucumber (Chaitali) and 3 tonnes of okra (HybridF1) per hectare were produced.

8

Crop Management


PRODUCTION

Rice: System of Rice Intensification andIntegrated Crop Management resulted in increaseof grain yield over standard transplanting.Penoxsulam 24 SC at 0.250 kg a.i./ha as pre-emergence or post-emergence effectively controlledbroad spectrum of weeds.

Under the irrigated ecology, rice-potato-sesamegave the highest rice equivalent yield of 18.23tonnes/ha; which was 42 % higher than thatobtained with conventional rice-rice-rice sequencecropping. The benefit of mulching with rice-strawin terms of rice equivalent yield was significantlyhigher for sesame (3.82 tonnes/ha), followed byhorsegram (3.01 tonnes/ha) and greengram (2.70tonnes/ha).

Population densities of culturable iron reducersoil microorganisms ranged from 103 to 106 pergram, and the Polymerase Chain ReactionDenaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE) analysis of the total microbial communityDNA from the soils showed that eubacterialmicroorganisms during peak iron reduction processvaried in these soils.

Wheat: Long-term effects of conventional

tillage, zero tillage, rotary tillage, strip tillage andbed planting in wheat were evaluated in a fixedplot trial. Eight years’ mean yields were 3.04%higher in rotary tillage, and were 7.55% and 12.81%lower in strip tillage and bed planting comparedto conventional field preparation. Yields underzero tillage and conventional tillage were similar.

Improving soil-organic C through residuemanagement. Increase in soil-organic C was about0.1% after two years and about 0.2% after fouryears with full residue retention or incorporationof rice and/or wheat crops.

Pearl millet: In pearl millet, nitrogen at 60 kgand 40 kg per hectare increased 24.58 and 14.35%grain yield and 18.93 and 12.09% fodder yieldover 20 kg N in states having <400 mm rainfallsuch as north-west Rajasthan, Gujarat, parts ofHaryana and Madhya Pradesh.

In summer, grain and fodder yields of pearlmillet advance hybrids increased significantly at120 and 90 kg N/ha over 60 kg N/ha. GHB 558and MSH 185 responded more to higher doses ofnitrogen.

Optimum management of the crop produced18.94% more grains and 13.24% more foddercompared to low management practices inMaharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and TamilNadu.

Small millets: Sowing fingermillet andtransplanting 40-45 days old pigeonpea seedlingsin 8:2 row proportion as intercrop gave 250-270%higher pigeonpea yield over recommended practiceof simultaneous sowing of fingermillet andpigeonpea. In terms of fingermillet grain equivalentyield, transplanting of pigeonpea gave yieldadvantage of 38 and 86% over drilling pigeonpeain intercropping system and farmers’ practice ofAkadi.

Forage crops: In ex-situ conservation in rainfedareas, grasses, herbaceous legumes, shrubs and

47

CROP MANAGEMENT

trees, suited for rangeland/wastelands wereevaluated. Mean above ground biomass of Albiziaprocera (12-years old) varied from 27.17 to 42.13kg/plant. The proportion of the small timber,firewood and fodder was 47, 40 and 13% of thetotal above-ground biomass.

Groundnut: Groundnut-wheat-greengramcropping system recorded maximum productivityand improved soil-nitrogen and organic-carbonover groundnut-groundnut, groundnut + pigeonpea,groundnut + pearl millet and groundnut-wheatcropping systems.

VG 9902 at Virddhachalam, K 4 at Kadiri, JL501 at Jalgaon and GG 5 at Junagadh werepromising genotypes for late sowing in kharif .

Nitrogen 100% to groundnut as basal and 50%nitrogen in 3 splits to intercropped cereal-cropwas best fertilizer scheduling for groundnut +cereal intercropping systems at Jalgaon, Junagadh,Chintamani. This saved 50% N to cereal crops.

Polythene mulching on paired-row bed furrowsin groundnut with irrigation either at 0.8 or 0.6IW/CPE ratio and 100 % recommended dose offertilizers and seed treatment with Rhizobium andphosphate-solubilizing bacteria were ideal for waterand nutrient management.

For groundnut under rice fallow system,Rhizobium strain NRCG 9 or IGR 6 was foundsuitable at Vriddhachalam and Jagtial.

Sunflower: Rabi sorghum succeeding sunflowerwas adversely affected compared to fallow, interms of emergence, growth and yield comparedto other rabi crops, chickpea, coriander andsafflower, in scarce rainfall zone of Andhra Pradeshat Nandyal in rainfed areas.

Rapeseed-mustard: Growing sesbania as agreen-manure crop preceding mustard recordedsignificantly higher mustard seed yield in north-eastern Rajasthan and Haryana.

Castor: Sulphur at 20 kg/ha through gypsumto castor in irrigated areas in Rajasthan, whereverthe available soil S status is low to medium, gavehigher seed yield and economic returns.

Safflower: In Vidarbha region (Akola) ofMaharashtra, sulphur at 30 kg/ha through singlesuperphosphate recorded increased seed yield andreturns in rainfed areas.

In scarcity zone (Solapur) of Maharashtra, it ispossible to substitute 50% N and P needs ofchickpea-safflower rotation by seed treatment withphosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB) to chickpeaand to safflower by Azotobacter/Azospirillumand PSB without any adverse effects on theproductivity.

Soybean: Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi foundin soybean rhizosphere are Glomus intraradices,Glomus sp. 1 and Glomus sp.2. These dominantisolates can be mass produced and used for

improving soybean productivity.Pseudomonas isolates SP4, SP8, DP5, UP1,

UP4 and UP8, identified from soybean rhizosphere,showed in-vitro potential for solubilizing zincphosphate, zinc oxide and zinc carbonate.

Integration of 100% recommended dose offertilizers + oil cake (250 kg/ha) + Azospirillum(5 kg/ha) + phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (5 kg/ha) + Trichoderma viride (2.5 kg/ha) +Pseudomonas fluorescens (2.5 kg/ha) in soybeanresulted in higher yields, net monetary returnsand benefit:cost ratio.

Pulses: Raised-bed planting of chickpea gavehigher yield as compared to flat-bed planting,besides increasing water-use efficiency.

Intercropping pigeonpea + sorghum in 2:1 rowratio on raised-bed planting gave higher yield thanflat-bed planting.

Raised-bed resulted in higher grain yield inlentil and fieldpea over flat-bed sowing. In lentil,grain yield also increased with increase inphosphorus from 25 kg/ha to 50 kg/ha and sulphurfrom 20 to 40 kg/ha.

In rice-chickpea sequential cropping,incorporation of chopped rice straw +20 kg N +irrigation resulted in significantly higher yields.Chickpea residue incorporation also provedbeneficial over removal of straw. Foliar spray of2% urea in chickpea at 75 days after sowingincreased grain yield significantly over 200 kgper hectare.

Residue incorporation of the component cropsignificantly increased total productivity of rice-lentil system.

Short-duration pigeonpea variety Pusa 992 wasfound compatible for intercropping with urdbeanand mungbean in the North Western Plains Zone,and medium duration GT 101, JKM 189, JKM 7and BSMR 853 was compatible with groundnut,maize and soybean in the Central Zone.

In mungbean-ragi sequence, phosphate-solubilizing bacteria + 40 kg P2O5/ha to mungbeansaved 30 kg P2O5/ha in the succeeding ragi. Mixedspray of 2% potassium chloride + 0.1 ppm boronand 2% of urea spray maximized yield of urdbeanunder drought.

Sugarcane: IISR-microbial formulationinoculated into farmyard manure/press-mud cakeat 20 kg/hectare was recommended for applicationin furrows above seed-cane setts at the time ofplanting. This practice managed sugarcane diseasesand improved sugarcane productivity.

In areas with limited irrigation, cane-settsrequired for one hectare should be soaked insaturated lime water (80 kg lime/1,000 litres ofwater) for two hours a day before planting toimprove germination and cane yield.

In sugarcane-based sequential cropping systems,

48


pre-planting weed control with Glyphosate,followed by in crop weed control with ‘pre-emergence Atrazine’ and ‘post emergenceEthoxysulfuron’ or ‘directed post emergenceParaquat’ or ‘directed post emergence Glyphosate’managed weeds, including cynodon and nutgrass,which are persistent in nature in plant and ratoonsugarcanes.

Drip irrigation saved about 40% of water ascompared to the conventional furrow irrigation.Cane yield data revealed that paired-row plantingof sugarcane with fertigation helped save 25% ofchemical fertilizers.

Cotton: Bt hybrids. At Nagpur and Coimbatore,irrigation through drip at 0.8 Etc or through furrowsat 0.6 IW/CPE improved seed-cotton yield andwater-use efficiency. In rainfed areas,cotton+greengram provided the highest cottonequivalent yield and water-use efficiency. Highestseed-cotton equivalent yield and net returns wereobtained with multitier cropping of cotton withradish, beet-root and coriander.

Tobacco: Seedling growth under micro-sprinklers was vigorous; transplantable seedlingswere more and ready for transplanting in 45 daysas compared to 60 days from traditional methodof watering seedbeds. Application of water totobacco seedbeds through micro-sprinklers reducedlabour cost by Rs 145,000/ha.

Mango: An optimum irrigation of 40% ofevaporation losses under drip irrigation with anapplication of 65% of recommended dose offertilizers through fertigation was optimum forgetting higher yield. Pre-harvest application ofradioactive tritiated water to developing fruits ofAlphonso mango showed higher mobilization ofwater into seed in the affected fruits compared toseeds in healthy fruits.

Maximum fruit yield was recorded in the treespruned on alternate limbs after harvesting withthe application of Paclobutrazol @ 10g a.i./tree.For rejuvenation of overcrowded orchards,maximum fruit yield was recorded in heading backof crowded branches and centre opening withapplication of Paclobutrazol @ 10g a.i./tree duringrest period. Modified central leader system oftraining gave maximum yield at Pantnagar andPusa.

Banana: In banana, planting three suckers/pit

at 1.8 m × 3.6 m spacing recorded higher leaf-area index and facilitated the plants to have lowerlight transmission ratio (39.5) for Poovan atCoimbatore. At Kannara, plant spacing of 2 m ×3 m with three plants/pit (5,001 plants/ha) with100% RDF for Nendran recorded highest yield(39.05 tonnes/ha). Inclusion of VAM, PSB,Azospirillum at 250, 50, 50 g/plant, respectively,with 100% recommended dose of fertilizer wassuperior. Application of 25% CAN + 25% urea +50% ammonium sulphate constituting 200g N, inaddition to 50g P2O5 and 200g K2O favoured higherbunch weight (13.5kg) for Ney Poovan banana atCoimbatore. Application of 250:90:250gN:P2O5:K2O plant/crop with bunch spray of 2,4-D (10 ppm) recorded higher yield and benefit:costratio for Grand Naine (AAA) at Gandevi andBarjahaji (AAA) at Jorhat. The application of 80%N and 20% K2O of the RDF in the first fivemonths after planting resulted in higher B:C ratioat Kannara.

Banana Ney Poovan and Karpuravalli showedbetter nitrogen assimilation capacity under saltaffected field (EC 1:2.5 = 3.34) than Nendranand Rasthali. Saba, Karpuravalli and Ney Poovanshowed normal finger development and fruit fillingunder salt-affected field (EC 1:2.5 = 3.34) andNendran and Robusta recorded small and ill-filledfingers. Imbogo(AA) was found tolerant to soilmoisture-deficit stress and Saba, Karpuravalli andPoovan showed drought-tolerant traits, viz. higherrelative water content (43- 55%) and epicuticularwax.

Litchi: In litchi, maximum fruit yield wasobtained with the use of biofertilizer, Trichodermaand Pseudomonas, along with half therecommended dose of N P K and 50kg FYM inShahi. Irrigation and sprinkling of water hadsignificant impact on reducing fruit cracking inShahi at RAU, Pusa.

Papaya: In papaya, inclusion of VAM, PSB,Azospirillum at 50, 25, 25 g/plant, respectively inpapaya with 100% recommended dose of fertilizerwas observed superior for yield. At Coimbatore,in papaya, application of 30:30:30 g of N:P2O5:K2O(60% RDF) applied @ 100:25:25% duringtransplanting to flower emergence @ 0:50:50%from flowering to first harvesting and @ 0:25:25%from first harvesting to end of first cropping periodrecorded better fruit characters in papaya.

Citrus: Best site-specific treatment N800 – P400– K600 – M1 (250 g/tree each of FeSO4, MnSO4

and ZnSO4/tree) showed its clear cut superiority(yield 52.8 kg/tree) over recommended doses offertilizers (yield 42.0 kg/tree) and farmers practices(yield 38.3 kg/tree) with reference to yield andquality in addition to higher tree efficiency.

Inclusion of VAM, PSB, Azospirillum and

Sugarcane ratoon management device

Ratoon management device performs off-baring, deep tilling and fertilizer placement in theratoon crop simultaneously in one pass of thetractor. This device saved 8-10 tractor-hours, 200-250 man-hours in a hectare, thus economizingRs 5,000-6,000 per hectare.

49

CROP MANAGEMENT

Trichoderma harzianum (500, 100, 100 and 100g/plant respectively) to 100% of recommended doseof fertilizer recorded higher growth in mandarinand better growth and yield characters for acid limeat Akola. Application of RDF through fertigationresulted in saving of RDF to 25% in Kinnowmandarin at Ludhiana. At Rahuri, intercropping ofgreengram (kharif) followed by gram (rabi) in sweetorange was superior in Maharashtra.

Grape: Highest raisin recovery was found inThompson Seedless grafted on 110 r and dogridge.Tas-a-Ganesh grafted on dogridge recorded moreshoots positioned vertically to cordon more fruitfulthan the horizontal. The bunch weight was morein single cordon placed horizontally than doubleand four cordon system. Cumulative total uptakeof sodium in cane, lamina and petiole wassignificantly more in Tas-a-Ganesh grafted ondogridge 110r. Dogridge rootstock could notexclude sodium under saline irrigation. The totalaccumulation of chloride among different tissueswas found highest in lamina followed by caneand petiole both in grafted and ungrafted vines.However, potassium concentration was low in allthree vine parts in case of own rooted vinescompared to grafted vines.

Walnut: In walnut, maximum grafting successwas recorded in wedge grafting performed during10-31 March. It gave maximum success of 68.31%under ordinary polyhouse conditions.

Almond: Medium high and high-densityorcharding in almond has been standardized withearly, mid and mid to late season varieties,Makhdoom, Shalimar and Waris respectively forKarewa conditions of Kashmir valley. The orchardhas been established at three different spacing of3.5 m × 3.5 m, 3.0 m × 3.0 m and 2.5 m × 2.5 m,accommodating 816,1111 and 1,600 trees/ha,respectively, against 278 trees/ha under conventionalplanting. Maximum yield (2.01 tonnes/ha) wasrecorded in almond Shalimar under high-densityplanting of 2.5 m × 2.5 m spacing, providingirrigation through drip at critical stages of kernelfilling and development, maintaining optimumcanopy under central modified leader system withmore fruiting wood through regular pruning.

Apple: Five apple varieties on clonal rootstock,MM 106 were found very promising under high-density plantation of 2.5 m × 2.5 m spacing. Inseventh year, with about 50% canopy cover OregonSpur recorded maximum yield of 17.79 tonnes/ha, followed by Red Chief (16.64 tonnes/ha), VanceDelicious (16.16 tonnes/ha), Red Fuji (13.47tonnes/ha) and Silver Spur (12.98 tonnes/ha). Thesecultivars were significantly superior to traditionalcultivar Red Delicious (11.20 tonnes/ha). However,under Mukteshwar (Uttarakhand) conditions RedChief, Well Spur, Starkrimson, Spur type RedDelicious and Skyline Supreme performed better.

Underutilized fruits: Soft wood grafting hasbeen recommended for khirni (Manilkarahexandra) during March-June and July-Augustand for Chiraunji (Buchanania lanzan) plants inJune and August.

Aonla-based multistorey cropping system groundstorey crops did not exert any competition on thegrowth and development of aonla up to four yearsof intercropping. Moth bean-cumin and moth bean-gram was observed to be profitable cropcombinations in arid region.

Vegetables: Intercropping of gram, lentil, andvegetable peas with potato increased net returnsat Jalandhar. Highest system productivity wasobtained in maize–potato–onion (45.7 tonnes/ha),followed by paddy–potato–wheat (43.2 tonnes/ha). Traditional method of potato storage in heapsand pits was improved with single spray applicationof the CIPC. CIPC residues in peels of treatedpotatoes was only 0.11-3.22 ppm after 100 daysof storage.

Peas: Technology for growing double crop ofpeas has been standardized with FC 1 and Arkel.First main season crop can be successfully grownduring October-May and second off-season cropfrom July to October. Rotation involving pea-chilli crops also resulted in lower incidence ofwilt and higher chilli yield.

Coconut: Higher coconut yield was recordedunder coconut + vegetable intercropping system

High-density plantation in apple

High-density plantation in almond

50


(130 nuts/ palm/year) compared to monocroppingof coconut (118 nuts/palm/year). Growing vanillaas mixed crop in coconut garden with cowdungslurry application recorded more number ofinfloresences (21), beans (208) and fresh beanyield (2.0 kg) per vine, followed by vermiwashapplication and vermicompost + biofertilizerapplication treatments. Integrated nutrientmanagement with NPK and organic manureapplication resulted in improvement in health ofroot (wilt) disease affected palms and higher yield.The coconut-based farming system involvingcoconut with integration of grass, pepper if trailedon coconut, banana (on border of garden), dairyand poultry resulted in the net returns of Rs l29,070/ha. Coconut, milk and broilers sale accounted for91% of the revenue generated from the system.

Arecanut: In arecanut garden, mixed croppingwith pepper, banana, citrus found to economicallyadvantageous in North East Region. In tarai region,flower crops like aster, marigold and gladiolusgave higher yield in arecanut garden. Applicationof 50 % VC +50% NPK recorded significantlyhigher nut yield (68.8 nuts/palm/year) and wason a par with application of 25% VC + 75%NPK treatment (66.3 nuts/palm/year) and differedsignificantly compared to other treatments.

Cashew: In high-density plantation (416 and500 trees/ha) in cashew, yields was significantlyhigher (1,093 and 1,078 kg/ha respectively) thanin normal tree density plantation (511 kg/ha). Inintercropping trial, total net returns from intercropsas well as main crop (cashew) at Bhubaneshwarwas maximum in colocasia (Rs 44,908) followedby brinjal (Rs 37,666), okra (Rs 36,650) andcowpea (Rs 36,398). The highest net return (Rs48,766) was recorded by tapioca followed bycolocasia (Rs 43,290).

Turmeric: The highest curcumin content of3.5% was recorded in accession CL 57. Oleoresincontent varied from 8.5 to 12.5%. The highestoleoresin content (12.5%) was found in CL 219.The essential oil content varied from 2.0 to 4.5%.The highest essential oil content (4.5%) was foundin CL 20. Integrated treatment recorded highestrhizome yield (24.8 tonnes/ha) followed byinorganic (22.9 tonnes/ha), whereas organictreatment recorded 21.2 tonnes/ha in the trial onorganic farming in turmeric at Jagatial. Soilapplication of FYM @ 30 tonnes/ha + 20 q/havermicompost + 8 q/ha neem oil cake producedmaximum plant height (126.67 m), tillers/plant(5.40), leaves/tiller (14.60) and yield/plot (15.20kg/3m2) or yield (50.67 tonnes/ha), followed bysoil application of FYM at 30 tonnes/ha + 15 q/ha vermincompost + 8 q/ha neem oil cake at Dholi.

Fennel: In fennal, application of inorganicnitrogen (100%) + FYM 5 tonnes/ha +

Azospirillum, inorganic nitrogen (75%) +Azospirillum + FYM 5 tonnes/ha and inorganicnitrogen (50%)+ Azospirillum + FYM-5 tonnes/ha and inorganic nitrogen (50%) + Azospirillum+ FYM 5 tonnes/ha were found significantlysuperior to the control for umbels/plant, umbellet/umbel, grains/umbellet and grain yield/ha.

Fenugreek: In fenugreek, JF 270 recordedhigher yield of 573 kg/ha which was at par withRmt 303 (543.33 kg/ha) at Coimbatore. FGK-14was identified promising at Dholi. HM 348 andHM 355 were identified as promising in IET atHisar. The J.Fg. 244 and NS 2006-3 were identifiedas drought tolerant at Jobner. Spraying ofTricontanol 1.0ml /litre at 40 days after sowingresulted in highest grain yield of 595 kg/ha.

Tuber crops: In taro, use of whole mothercorm as planting material was recommended. Theapplication of vermicompost @200 kg/ha withRDF with 80: 50: 100 or FYM (10 tonnes/ha) +neem cake (1 tonne/ha) or FYM (10 tonnes/ha) +mustard cake (1 tonne/ha) was recommended forJharkhand and Chhattisgarh. The application of50% N through vermicompost and remaining NPKthrough chemical fertilizers was recommended forUttar Pradesh. Application of 125: 60: 100 kgNPK/ha along with 50 kg N through vermicompostwas recommended for bunda crop in Uttar Pradesh.In greater yam, application of paddy straw @ 1kg/pit and 75% recommended dose of NPK(80:60:80 kg/ha) was recommended forChhattisgarh. In elephant-foot yam, applicationof FYM @10 tonnes/ha and mustard cake @0.5kg/pit was recommended for West Bengal. Inelephant-foot yam, application of vermicompost@200 kg/ha and 50% recommended dose of NPK(80:60:80) applied at the time of planting wasrecommended for Bihar.

PROTECTION

Rice: INRC 4598 is the new source of resistanceidentified against gall midge. Identity of the newgene in MR 1523, a donor for gall-midge resistance,is established by RM 17, RM 235, RM 28706,

Mushroom

At Solan, the 1:1 combination of cotton ginningmill waste+paddy straw gave more than 25% yieldin paddy straw mushroom, which was highest tilldate in first flush. The addition of laccase activatortannic acid and p-anisidine stimulated 3-foldhigher dyes decolourization with P.sajor-caju. Thepellet form of mushroom mycelia and agitatedgrowth conditions enhanced days decolourizationby oyster mushroom. The mushroom grown oncotton waste compost were found to containhigher protein content, followed by those grownon cotton waste + paddy straw and paddy straw.

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RM 28784, lying on chromosome 12, whichshowed co-segregation.

IET 19913 (CR 662-2211-1-1) showed resistanceto leaf blast, neck blast and tungro, IET 20441(JKRH 1206) to leaf blast, neck blast and brownspot, IET 20448 (DRRH 57) to neck blast, tungroand sheath blight and IET 20453 (CRHR 25) to neckblast, sheath blight, sheath rot and brown spot.

Trifloxystrobin 25% + Febuconazole 50%(Native 75 WG) were found effective in checkingseverity of blast, sheath blight and glume discolour-ation and Fenoxanil 5% + Isoprothiolane 30%checked blast severity and increased grain yield.

Wheat: Seed treatment with Imidacloprid at0.6 g a.i./kg of seeds was found promising inchecking aphid build-up 70-85 days after sowingand also gave yields at a par or better thanImidacloprid at 100 ml/ha (check). Likewise foliarspray of Oxydemeton Methyl reduced aphidpopulation and increased yield significantly.

Phalaris minor, wheat weed: Phalaris minor, aserious weed on wheat, has evolved for multipleherbicides resistance to three modes of action(photosynthesis at photosystem II site A, ACCaseand ALS inhibitor). Some resistant populationshad GR50 (50% growth reduction) values forClodinafop; >11.7 times than those of the mostsusceptible populations. The populations resistantto these three modes of actions were found sensitiveto Trizine (Metribuzin and Terbutryn),Dinitroaniline (Pendimethalin) herbicides as wellas to Glyphosate and Paraquat.

Barley: Seed treatment with Vitavax powder at3 g/kg and Imidacloprid 70 WS (Gaucho) at 0.6 ga.i./kg + foliar spray of Propiconazole (Tilt 25 EC)at 0.1% and Imidacloprid (Confidor) at 20 g a.i./ha reduced incidences of stripe and stem rusts,covered rusts, covered smut and foliar blight aswell as aphids.

Maize: Five pink stem-borer Sesamia inferensresistant lines WNZ PBTL2, WNZ PBTL3, WNZPBTL6, WNZ PBTL8 and WNZ PBTL9 withdesirable agronomic traits have been developedfor their use in developing pink stem-borer resistant

hybrids/varieties.Pearl millet: Hybrids/varieties MH 1248, MH

1291, MH 1294, MH 1299, MH 1328, MH 1397,MH 1363, GHB 538, GHB 558, PB 106, Pusa266, Raj 171, ICMV 221 and JBV 2 have exhibitedresistance against downy mildew, smut and rust.

Forage crops: Verticillium wilt of lucerne,caused by Verticillium albo-atram Reinke &Berthold, was first reported in Jhansi in 2007.

Application of 2% asafeotida suspensionsignificantly reduced root-knot nematodes(p=0.0001 at 95%) in cowpea. Three sprays ofIpomoea carnea leaf extract (8% water extract),at 15 days interval, resulted in 65-70% reductionin major insect pests damage over control.

Groundnut: Genotypes NRCG CS 144, 156,158, 159, 160, 168, 196, 222 and PBS 25001 arefound to possess multiple disease resistance. Thesewill now be tested at the hot-spot locations.

Soil application of castor-cake enrichedTrichoderma (isolate T-170) at 50kg/ha(Trichoderma multiplied on sorghum grains andmixed with 50 kg castor-cake) + intercroppingwith maize (3:1 ratio) + gypsum at 500kg/ha atflowering + foliar application of Chlorothalonileffectively controlled collar rot, stem rot, earlyleaf spot and late leaf spot.

Azadirachta indica and Annona squamosa freshleaves dried in shade and applied at 500g/10 kgof pods reduced post-harvest Aspergillus flavusinfection and aflatoxin contamination.

Trichoderma isolates NRCG T 07, 11, 14 and29, identified to be thermo-tolerant, could growwell at 35-37 ºC. Trichoderma isolate NRCG T12enriched with neem-cake or castor-cake effectivelycontrolled collar and stem rots, A. flavus infectionand aflatoxin contamination. Soil drenching withtalc-based Trichoderma viride at 2.5kg/ha appliedat 30 days after sowing effectively reduced stem-rot disease.

Seed treatment with 0.0035% Imidacloprid +2 sprays of 0.008% Imidacloprid at 30 and 45days after sowing were quite effective againstjassids and thrips.

Groundnut promising resistant germplasm accessions

Centre Hot spot for Disease/insect Promising germplasm accessionspressure

Kadiri Peanut Stem Necrosis 0.12-23.14% NCAc 515 (0.2%)Disease (PSND)

Raichur Peanut Bud Necrosis 4.0-72.0% NRCG 6696 (5.2%)Disease (PBND) NRCG 13129 (7.1%)

NRCG 13078 (7.7%)NRCG 9238 (8.8%)NRCG 13177 (9.8%)

Junagadh Collar rot 0.0-35.0% NRCGs 4206, 9740, 1079, 11604, 13011,13010, 4236, 11611, 13024, 13076, 13051

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Groundnut + castor and groundnut + Bt cottonintercropping systems reduced jassid population.Groundnut + castor and groundnut + hybrid cottonreduced thrips population. Intercropping withpigeonpea gave highest cost:benefit ratio (1: 3.99),followed by castor (1: 3.46) compared to solegroundnut and other intercrops.

The life-table of Caryodon serratus (pod borer)on groundnut pods was studied at 25, 30 and35°C. The net reproductive rate was highest at25°C (R0 = 170.04), and on an average, a femaleinsect could produce 170 female offsprings duringits life-span; indicating that insect can assume astatus of serious pest at this temperature.

Safflower: For effective and efficient controlof safflower aphid, two sprayings either of 0.005%,Thiamethoxam 25 WG or 0.004% Acetamiprid20 SP or one spray of each alternatively first atETL (40-45 DAS) and second spray at 55-60 DASwere recommended in the scarcity water zone ofMaharashtra (Solapur).

For effective and efficient management ofsafflower aphid, 2 need-based sprays of either0.005% Thiamethoxam 25 WG or 0.0045%Imidacloprid (17.8%) were recommendedparticularly in the northern parts of Karnataka(Annigeri).

Rapeseed-mustard: Imidacloprid 70 WS at 7g/kg of seeds was found effective in controllingpainted bug incidence in Indian mustard. Oxy-demeton Methyl 25 EC spray at 1 ml/litre of water,followed by neem-seed kernel aqueous extract(5%) and neem oil (2%) proved best for controllingmustard aphid

Castor: Trichoderma sp. N 13 formulation wasfound to reduce Botrytis ricinii grey-rot diseasesignificantly under detached spike technique.

Soybean: Seed treatment 50 days prior to sowingwith Carboxim (37.5%) + Thiram (37.5%) at 0.2%besides giving best management of seed andseedling diseases of soybean also resulted in highermonetary returns and energy output.

Seed treatment with either Carboxim at 3g/kgor Trichoderma at 10g/kg and soil application ofzinc at 2.5kg/ha with B at 0.5kg/ha reduced chaffypods as well as disease incidence of charcoal rotdue to Macrophomina phaseolina to the tune of75- 85% as compared to control.

Seed treatment with Trichoderma and irrigationat the time of moisture stress especially at thetime of pod formation reduced charcoal rotincidence by 50%.

Pigeonpea: Resistant sources for Fusarium wilt(ICP 14722, 89046, 89048, 89049, Banda palera,PI 397430, BWR 377), pod fly (ICP 4542, JBP120A), Heterodera cajani (Pusa 2007, JKM 213,JSA 28, PA 296) and Meloidogyne javanica (JSA81) have been identified.

Chickpea: Resistant sources for Fusarium wilt(GJG 0505, H 04-31, WCG 2000-12,H 04-87,Phule G 9621-8, GNG 1778, GJG 0506, IPC 2005-64,IPC 2006-13, H 82-2, BCP 91,JSC 35, MPJG2001-04, GJG 02-05, GJG 03-12, JG 2000-14and JG 2003-14-16), dry root rot (GJG 0419,GJG 0505, H 04-31, GJG 0107, GJG 0315), collarrot (IPC 2005-66, IPC 2005-61 GNG 1763, NDG7-701 and Phule G 9621-8), Ascochyta blight (H03-45, CSJ 479, NDG 7-602, GNG 1778,GNG1488 and GG 1362) and Botrytis grey mould(IPC 2005-64 and IC 269380) have been identified.

Mungbean: Resistant sources for Cercosporaleaf spot (Co4, Co5, COGG 7, UPM 98, TM 98-50, BM 4, BM 7 and ML 515), mungbean yellowmosaic virus (MYCV) (KM 2241, COGG 923and ML 1299) and root-knot nematodes (RMG976 and ML 1299) have been identified.

Urdbean: Resistant sources for powdery mildew(DU 1) and leaf crinkle disease (PLU 662, UH82-2, JU 4, IPU 99-218, IPU 99-229, IPU 99-259, Aligarh 1, U 15 and JU 2) have been identified.KUG 216 showed multiple resistance to mungbeanyellow mosaic virus, stem necrosis, Cercosporaleaf spot and anthracnose.

Mass multiplication of Trichoderma

Eight locally available agrowaste substrates viz.wheat straw, soybean refuge, spent maize cob,safflower, mustard waste, chickpea, lentil wastesand grass straw individually and in consortiumwere tried for mass multiplication of Trichodermaspecies. Trichoderma multiplied in all thesubstrates. One and two years old substrates werebetter as compared to the fresh substrates formass multiplication of Trichoderma.

SUCCESS STORY

Pulse growers of Uttar Pradesh selectedchickpea varieties

In Fatehpur district of Uttar Pradesh, farmersmostly follow paddy/bajra-wheat croppingsequence under irrigated conditions. Surveyrevealed that chickpea vanished from the croppingsequence mainly due to the continuous decline inthe yield due to Fusarium wilt and non-availabilityof quality seeds in Fatehpur. In view of this,farmers participatory varietal selectionprogramme was taken up at 20 sites across sixvillages in two years (2006-08). Six improvedvarieties of chickpea, DCP 92-3, JG 16, KWR 108,PG 186, KGD 1168 and JGK 1 and two local large-and small-seeded varieties were assessed.Varieties JG 16 (2,850 kg/ha) and DCP 92-3(2,550 kg/ha) proved most promising in theregion. Farmers preferred JG 16 for mid-Octoberplanting and DCP 92-3 for planting during the firstweek of November. They produced 28 tonnes ofseeds of DCP 92-3 and 15 tonnes of JG 16.

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Lentil: Resistant sources for wilt (RG/L 2, RG/L 17, ILL 9981, ILL 9976, RGC/L 14, ILL 8114,IPL 86, IPL PP 12), rust (L 4688, L 4691, L4147, L 4583, VL 133, RLG 73, IPL 315 andHUL 57) and root-knot nematodes (LL 1020, PL406, VL 516, L 4695) have been identified.

Fieldpea: Pant P 108, Pant P 74, Pant P 25,Pant P 86, TRCP 8, RFP 29 and Pant P 107 showedresistance against rust and powdery mildew.

Phenolic acids–chlorogenic, caffeic, coumaricand ferulic acids–imparted resistance against wiltin chickpea. Chlorogenic acid was mostpredominant phenolic acid for wilt resistance.

Dust formulation (30 × 105 IJS/ha) of EPNspecies Steinernema masoodi and S. seemae,worked better for the management of lepidopteran-borer complex. A dose of 6 × 105 IJS/ha of S.masoodi/plot was sufficient to kill physiologicallymatured larvae.

Seed soaking in 0.1% Imidacloprid or 0.1%Carbosulfan reduced nematode population andassured plant health.

Sugarcane: Trichoderma viride and T.harzianum were effective for management of redrot, wilt and smut.

Dipping of smut-affected setts before plantingin T. viride (Tv-6) spore suspension (106 spores/ml) reduced smut incidence and enhanced numberof millable canes and yield in plant-crop. In ratoon,smut incidence was comparatively low that resultedin more millable canes and yield.

Two split doses of urea at 75 kg N/ha at plantingand at the appearance of 1st moth of third broodof top-borer (15-25th June) with three weeklyreleases of Trichogramma japonicum at 50,000adults/ha combined with neem-based insecticideformulation spray at 3 litres/ha at the time ofegg-laying reduced infestation and increased caneyield.

Jute: In stale seed-bed method, Glyphosate at2.46 kg + 2,4-D at 2kg a.i./ha and Glyphosate2.46 kg + Pyrozosulfuron Ethyl (PSE) at 60g/ha,followed by one hand-weeding was foundpromising for broad-range weed control at theearly stage in jute field. It reduced Cyperus rotunduspopulation by more than 80% over control aftertwo years’ cycle and yielded significant jutefibres/ha.

Glyphosate at 2.46 kg SL + Paraquat 0.72 kgSL per hectare at 15 DAE using herbicide-brushcontrolled wide range of weeds in jute and mestafields.

Tobacco: Crude sugar ester fractions fromNicotiana glutinosa at 2% concentration broughtabout 92% mortality of the aphids.

Application of Paecilomyces lilacinus at 10g/m2 in FCV tobacco nursery caused 32.1% increasein number of root-knot-free-healthy transplants

compared to the check. It also reduced root-knotindex to 2.05 compared to 3.75 in check, andwas on a par with P. lilacinus + neem cake (1.87)and P. lilacinus + vermicompost (1.82).

Mango: Pongamia and neem oils at 0.2 % werehighly synergistic with Imidacloprid (0.3 ml/litre)against chilli thrips, Scirtothrips dorsalis (73 –76 % mortality). Acephate @ 1 g/litre along withpongamia oil 0.1 % resulted in 67 % mortality ofthrips.

Wooden block methyl eugenol trap was foundhighly efficient in trapping fruit flies (1,584 flies/trap), followed by agriland, sun agro and bottletrap. Hot water treatment of fruits at 48±1°C for1 hour controlled all stages of fruit fly, Bactrocerazonata in Dashehari, Langra, Chausa, Amrapaliand Mallika without affecting ripening of fruits.Thiamethoxam (0.005%) was found highlyeffective in controlling mango thrips.

Guava: Sixteen Fusarium isolates (F6, F9, F10,F26, F27, F30, F31, F36, F39, F41, F43, F45,F46, F47, F49, F50) exhibited typical guava wiltsymptoms. In field evaluation of bioagents forthe management of guava wilt, Aspergillus niger-AN 17 showed plant growth-promoting activity.Isolates AN 9, AN 10 and AN 11 were alsoeffective. Soil application of Trichoderma viridealong with FYM applied in the root zone wasfound most effective in reducing the incidence ofguava wilt at BCKV, Mohanpur.

Citrus: At Tirupati, coat protein gene of acidlime isolate of CTV was cloned in P drive vectorand sequenced. The clone can be used forrecombinant technology based diagnosis of CTV.At Rahuri, two sprays of acephate (0.1125%) orImidacloprid (0.005%) or Thiamethoxam(0.0025%) were effective to control citrus leaffolder. Spraying of Acephate (0.1125%) atPeriyakulam, Imidacloprid 200 SL (0.005%) atTirupati and Imidachloropid 200 SL, Acephate(0.1125%) and single application of Ithiodicarb75 WP (75%) at Tinsukia were effective againstcitrus leaf miner. Among natural products, NSKE(5%) was also effective at Periyakulam andTirupati. At Periyakulam, NSKE (5%) and fishoil resin soap (0.3%) were effective against citrusbutterfly.

The Bacillus thuringiensis (BT) @ 0.1% waseffective for lemon butterfly and leaf minermanagement at Tirupati. Spraying of streptomycinesulphate (100 ppm) with copper oxychloride (0.3%)was best at Periyakulam, while NSKE (2%) waseffective at Pusa. Biopesticides abamectin @ 0.32ml/litre followed by spinosad @ 0.34 ml/litre andnovaluron @ 0.87 ml/litre were found effectivefor 15 days against citrus leaf-miner. Applicationof petroleum spray oil @ 3.72 ml/litre and Bacillusthuringiensis @ 1.9 g/litre water were found

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effective for 11 days. However, treatments of neemoil, azadirachtin, neem soap, and pongamia soapwere found effective for one week. A chrysopidpredator, Mallada boninensis and a eulophidparasitoid Tamarixia radiata released @ 30 larvae/tree and 40 adults/tree, respectively, alone and incombination in six Nagpur mandarin orchards withmarigold as border crop covering Nagpur districtresulted in 31-35, 46-49 and 26-32% reductionof blackfly, psylla and leaf miner populationrespectively. PCR technique for rapid detectionof citrus greening bacterium was developed. Arapid and sensitive diagnostic assay based on PCRwas developed.

Banana: For the management of rhizome rotdisease of banana, suckers from diseased plotfollowed by dipping in copper oxychloride (0.4%)and streptocycline (0.03%) for 45 minutes waseffective at Arabhavi, Coimbatore and Gandevi.Planting disease-free suckers from disease-freefields followed by dipping in Carbendazim (0.2%)for 45 minutes followed by drenching withCarbendazim (0.2%) at 5th, 7th and 9th monthwas highly effective against Panama wilt at Jorhatand Kannara. For the management of Sigatokaleaf spot disease in Robusta, spraying ofpropiconazole (0.1%) + Pseudomonas fluorescens(0.5%) was found to be effective (PDI-11.2)compared to the control (PDI-23.2) at Coimbatore.At Coimbatore, Pseudomonas fluorescens as bothsucker treatment and soil application [10g as suckerapplication - Pseudomonas fluorescens (2.5 kg +50 kg FYM mixture) and 20 g/sucker as soilapplication] was effective in suppressing nematodepopulation, root and corm index and gave anincreased yield (56% over control).

About 100% mortality in burrowing nematodewas observed in two isolates at 100% concentrationwhen exposed to 48 hour, whereas eight out of12 bacterial isolates exhibited 100% mortality at100% concentration when exposed to 72 hour.Promising biocontrol agents, viz. Paecilomyceslilacinus, Trichoderma viride and T. harzianumwere mass multiplied by using banana wastes suchas banana leaves, pseudostem and petiole. Thegenotypes, Karthobiumtham and Calcutta 4 showedtolerant/ resistant reaction to P. coffeae.

Grape: The rootstocks differed significantlyin leaf damage caused by leaf blackening. Thesymptoms were more severe in Salt Creek followedby Dogridge and own rooted vines. However,symptoms were not observed in vines grafted on110R rootstock. The 110R rootstock showedtolerance against saline water. A procedure ofsampling grapes from vineyards was standardizedfor pesticide residue analysis. As per this proceduresampling by collecting 5 kg grapes comprisingsmall bunchlets will be laboratory sample from

1 ha for residue analysis with homogenous results.Sapota: Application of 5 kg vermicompost with

200g N, 40 g P2O5 and 150g K2O/plant/year insapota at Arabhavi and Periyakulam continue torecord significantly higher growth and yield.

In sapota, Carbendazim (0.1%) effectivelyreduced leaf spot disease (after I spray) at Arabhavi.At Gandevi, a trap named “NAUROH-STONEHOUSE FRUIT FLY TRAP was designedand produced commercially to make available tothe orchardists.

Pomegranate: Pomegranate bacterial blight(Xanthomonas axonopodis pv.punicae) wasmanaged effectively avoiding rainy season crop(Mrig bahar) and regulating winter season (Hasthabahar) crop during October- April, orchardsanitation, pruning of diseased branches andapplication of Bordeaux paste to cut ends of stems,dusting orchard soil with copper dust 4% @ 20kg/ha or drenching with bleaching powder @ 2.0%and regular sprays of Streptocycline (500 ppm)along with Carbendazim (0.15%)/mancozeb (0.2%)/copper oxychloride (0.25%) at 15 days interval.Theadoption of integrated schedule resulted in 82.2%bacterial blight control and managed fungal leafand fruit spots caused by Cercospora punicae,Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, Alternaria spp.and Phytophthora sp. The defoliator (Achaeajanata) was manged by spraying of Chlorpyriphos(0.1%) and fruit-borer ( Deudorix isocrates), mealybug (Ferussia virgata) and ahids (Aphis punicae)were controlled effectively by spraying ofMonocrotophos (0.15%).

Chilli: Seed and seedling treatment against wiltwith Carbendazim (0.05%) and transplanting insecond week of April on raised beds followed bydrenching with Carbendazim (0.05%) using blackpolythene mulch in between rows reduced wiltincidence and increased yield of green and dryred chilli.

Black pepper: The plots treated with potassiumphosphonate @ 0.3% and Trichoderma harzianum@ 50 g/vine was found effective in managingfoot rot in black pepper, followed by Bordeaux

Plant Protection measures in bitter gourd

In bitter gourd, repellent spray of neemformulation enhanced the field performance ofMale Annihilation Technique (MAT) and BaitApplication Technique (BAT). The bait (molasses10% + carbaryl 0.1%), repellent spray (neemformulation 0.3%) and installation of cue-lurebaited traps @25 /ha) initiated from the floweringwas most effective in reducing the fruit damagecaused by fruit fly. Application of neem as arepellent increased the catch in para-pheromonetraps and enhanced the luring ability of para-pheromone by 52%.

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mixture 1% spray and COC 0.2 % drenched plots.Among the biorationals evaluated, neem gold(0.5%) was found effective in suppression ofmussel scale (Lepidosaphes piperis) populationand the least scale population was recorded onvines treated with Dimethoate (0.05%).

Cardamom: In cardamom, application ofinorganic P alone or with P-solubilizer wassignificantly superior to other treatments. Panicleand clump infections due to capsule and rhizomerot disease were minimum in plots treated withT. harzianum and consortium of bacteria @ 50 g/plant. The efficacy of Phorate (2.34), Imidacloprid(1.77), Thiamethaxam (1.90) and neem cake (2.33)were found superior in recording lowest numberof dead hearts per clump compared to otherchemicals. Significant reduction of cardamom rootgrub was observed in plots treated with combinedapplication of Imidacloprid (0.006%) and H. indica(100IJ/grub).

Integrated pest management

IPM validation in rice. In rice, IPM validationin Dehraduni Basmati (Type 3) was carried out atvillage Tilwari, Dehra Dun, in 25 hectares withmain interventions like seed treatment, pheromonetraps for yellow stem borer (YSB) monitoring,release of parasitoid Trichogramma japonicum forYSB and leaf folder and spray of Carbendazimfor rice blast disease, which suppressed theincidence of all major pests. Net returns were Rs42,840/ha in IPM as compared to Rs 34,465/hain farmers’ practice. IPM validation programmewas also initiated in Pusa Sugandh 4 (1121).Bakane disease was observed as the main problemof this cultivar, which was effectively managedby seed treatment and Pseudomonas. IPM providedhigher cost : benefit ratio (1:6.76) as comparedto farmers’ practice (1:5.76).

IPM in brinjal. IPM and INM technologies in

brinjal were advanced to organic trial and validated,which yielded clean and better quality produceas it did not contain any chemicals though theyields were lower compared to farmers’ practice.It also resulted in increased biodiversity (naturalenemies and soil flora and fauna) and non-pollutionof underground water.

Biological control

Exotic egg parasitoid for managing diamond-back moth. Imported egg parasitoid Trichogrammabrassicae release at 1 lakh/ha in Jorhat, Jammu,Pune and Coimbatore revealed its better efficacythan T. chilonis in controlling diamondback mothPlutella xylostella in cabbage at Jorhat and Jammu.In Pune and Coimbatore, T. brassicae was aseffective as T. chilonis on cauliflower.

Pink bollworm management in cotton

Pink bollworm (PBW) in later stages of crop growthin cotton was managed successfully by mating-disruption technique. PBW moth catches inpheromone traps in control block ranged from 3.0to 9.4 with a mean of 7.25 moths/week/trapagainst 0.8-2.8 with a mean of 0.65 moth/week/trap in an experimental block where PB Rope Lwas used. Green boll damage due to PBW (%),due to PBW larvae, open-boll damage and loculedamage/20 bolls ranged from 0.4-2.0 (mean1.43), 0.25-1.4 (mean 0.75), 9.8-12.2 (mean11.04) and 3.2-4.4 (mean 3.64) in experimentalblock against 1.0-7.6 (mean 5.21), 0.6-6.2 (mean3.64), 20.4-27.4 (mean 23.44) and 7.0-9.8 (mean8.36) in control block. Seed-cotton yield at harvestremained higher in experimental block ascompared to control block.

A hand-held device developed for e-pestsurveillance

This is a portable, hand-held device, a type ofprotected Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), forcapturing number of pests and beneficial insects,and the collected data can be sent to NCIPMdatabase through Internet. A software for enteringpopulation dynamics of insect-pests in cotton andweather data was developed. The data from23 centres of the AICCIP were collected for2006-07. And the data were entered in thisprogramme, which generates reports either intabular or in chart form. Interaction studies usingthree years (2003-04 to 2005-06) data on mealybug colonies with weather suggested thatsignificantly higher rainfall associated with coolerwinter provided congenial environment foroutbreak of grape mealy bugs.

SUCCESS STORY

Biological control of rice pests

Rice-sucking pests, leaf folder and stem borer aswell as sheath blight were controlled usingTrichogramma japonicum, pheromone, neem oiland Pseudomonas fluorescens over 1,250hectares of Kole lands of Adat Panchayat inThrissur district. The perceived effect of thepeople’s movement in this village was enhancedbiodiversity of the rice-farms, in terms of increasein birds, predatory insects and reduction in pestsin terms of insects and diseases in rice-crop aswell as enhanced human and livestock health, asreported by villagers. The average yield level of6.5 tonnes/ha as against the state average of 2.5tonnes fetched premium price since the farmers’cooperative bank marketed it as non-chemical ricewith premium price. Collateral co-ordination ofinput supply and marketing of paddy by the villagepanchayat brought economic advantage tofarmers.

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Development of fungal formulations withenhanced shelf-life: Formulations of Trichodermaharzianum with 12 months shelf-life have beendeveloped, and the bioefficacy study confirmedpotency of the organism. A simple and economicalsolid-state fermentation technique has beendeveloped and commercialized.

Antagonistic organisms for control of mangofruit rot: Trichoderma harzianum andPseudomonas fluorescens, isolated from mangoorchards, as mixed pre-harvest sprays, followedby post-harvest dip of fruits in a suspension of P.fluorescens was found effective in suppressingpost-harvest fruit rot in Dasheri mango at Pantnagar.

Natural enemies control cotton mealybug:Cotton mealybug Phenacoccus solenopsis notablenatural enemies are predators, Spalgis epiuscaterpillars Mallada desjardensis, Cryptolaemusmontrouzieri and a parasitoid Promuscideaunfascialiventris. Hymenopteran parasitoid,Aenasius sp. has been reported from Punjab. Thesenatural enemies could be conserved by avoidingchemical pesticides and relying on naturalsuppression of mealy bugs.

during flowering with a mean of 11% damage. InAssam, rice (sali and bao) recorded 10-15.9%tiller damage. Pea, mustard and pumpkin and potatocrops suffered 11.54,2.36, 9.4 and 13.7% damageby field rodents.

Botanicals: Feeding of wheat-sugar-oil (WSO)mix supplemented with 1, 3, 5, 7 and 10%Calotropis procera latex to Rattus rattus resultedin antifeeding index from 1.03 to 41.95%; withits maximum value (41.95%) at 3% latexconcentration. With daily consumption (g/100gbw)of bait having C. procera root powder mixed inWSO at 2, 4 and 6% results were comparable toplain WSO food, but the intake of treated baitprolonged the cyclicity of the treated rats. Malehouse rats fed on WSO containing 0.1, 0.2 and0.3% beiao (antifertility agent extracted from

Indigenous storage structures in NEHregion and rodent-proofing

Rodent species composition in grain storage inAssam (indoor and outdoor granaries) comprisedRattus rattus, Bandicota bengalensis, M. musculuscastaneus, R. norvegicus and Dremomys lokriahmacmillani.There are two kinds of indigenous storagestructures, one for indoors for small to mediumperiod of storage, and the other one for longerduration of bulk storage outdoors. Both types ofstorage systems mainly utilize bamboo and mudplaster. Different types of indoor storagestructures include (i) Duli, (ii )Mer, (iii) Tum, (iv)Bakharu, (v) Hak. Similarly for bulk storageoutdoors, two kinds of structures Guchi bharaland Guti bharal are quite common. They areerected on bamboo poles supported by timber/brick-cement pillars or large wooden blocks. Guchibharal is mainly used for bulk storage of paddyand Guti Bharal is used for storing threshed paddy.Indoor structures are vulnerable to rodent attacktherefore rodent-proofing can be done by fixingrat-guards made of GI or aluminum sheets onpillars supporting platforms at 60 cm aboveground and keeping grains stored in bags in duli,mer, tum at a 50 cm distance from the walls.Bharals can also be made rodent-proof by fixingsimilar types of rat-guards on the pillars.

Rodent management

In Punjab, rodent damage to rice and wheatwas very low (up to 2% only) but damage to pea,groundnut and sugarcane was in the range of 2.0-11.5, 9.1 and 13.8%. In western Rajasthan, 36-65live burrows of Mus hurrianae and Tatera indicawere observed in bajra-mungbean-guar fields.Among pulses, pigeonpea, cowpea and soybeansuffered 3-3.33, 6.6-7.7 and 7.0-7.5% pre-harvestrodent damage. Groundnut in Bangalore and Bidardistricts recorded 9.0 and 6.0% damage by rodents.Similarly damage to sesame was 5 to 6.8% inRamanagar rural district of Karnataka. In tuberose(a flower crop) at Bidar, a maximum (47 liveburrows count/ha) rodent population was observed

Catterpillars of S. epius feeding on mealy bugs(inset: Spalgis epius adult)

One of the indigenous storage structures in NEH region (Mer)

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CROP MANAGEMENT

Tripterygium wilfordii) revealed no significantdifference in the consumption of beiao treatedand plain WSO by rats excepting at 0.3%concentration, indicating its good acceptability.

Rodenticides: Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3):Cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) feeding at differentdoses to house rats resulted in higher values of

calcium and phosphorus levels in the serum oftreated rats as compared to the control rats. Toxiclevels of calcium and phosphorus led to death oftreated rats due to mineralization of soft tissueslike heart, liver, lungs, kidneys and stomach.

Brodifacoum: Efficacy of brodifacoum in wax-cake formulation containing a.i. of 0.005% wasevaluated against commensal rodents at Jodhpur,Bangalore and Jorhat. In no-choice trials, centper cent mortality was observed in B. bengalensisand R. rattus within 4-10 days in the laboratory.In choice tests, the mortality was reduced to 80%in 5-10 days (B. bengalensis) and 70% in 4-10days (R. rattus). The bioefficacy and palatabilityof brodifacoum baits were comparable with thatof bromadiolone.

Aluminium phosphide: Fumigation of liveburrows of Tatera indica with an experimentalformulation of aluminium phosphide (6% a.i)yielded a control success of 68.43% (horticulture),66.66 %(silvipasture) and 65.39% (grasslands),which was closely comparable with the checktreatment of celphos pellets (54% a.i.). Theexperimental fumigant may have an edge overcelphos due to reduced a.i. of poison in formulationunder similar bioefficacy.

Whitegrubs and other soil arthropods

Whitegrubs: In groundnut, seed treatment withThiomethoxam 25 WG and Thiomethoxam 70 WSboth at 1 g a.i./kg of seeds and Imidacloprid 200SL at 0.6 g a.i./kg of seeds, and to suppresswhitegrubs in standing crop, Thiomethoxam 25WG at 150 g a.i./ha, Imidacloprid 0.75 G at 90g a.i./ha and Thiomethoxam 70 WS at 150 g a.i./ha,were effective for managing Holotrichiaconsanguinea.

In the pot experiments, 1,200 IJs/grub gave50% mortality on day 4 and dose of 1,500 IJs/grub gave 90% mortality on day 7. Entomo-pathogenic nematode strain Heterorhabditis indicaprovided 46-51% protection to groundnut againstwhitegrub Holotrichia consanguinea at 2 to 3million IJs/10 m2 doses.

In potato, soil application of Imidacloprid 200SL at 48 g a.i./ha and Imidacloprid 0.75 G at 90g a.i./ha were promising against whitegrubs,Holotrichia longipennis and Apogonia sp., as wellas in arecanut against Leucopholis lepidophora.

Cutworms: In capsicum, spray of Imidaclopridat 0.04% and Lambda Cyhalothrin at 0.04% oneweek after transplanting were promising formanaging cutworms in Kullu valley.

Plant-parasitic nematodes

Nematode distribution atlas of economicallyimportant plant-parasitic nematodes of major cropshas been compiled and digitized.

Rodents in NEH region

Sporadic to mass flowering of bambooDendrocalamus hamiltonii and Melocanna baciferawas observed during October-November, andfruiting was from January-April in Mizoram,Meghalaya and Tripura. The rodent activitiesstarted increasing from April to September withan average number of active burrows ranging from36 to 60.49 and 38.89 to 58 in Meghalaya and inMizoram, respectively. Rodent activities in fieldswere maximum in July-October and were least inJanuary-February. Highest activities of rodentswere observed in upland cultivated areas.

A total of eight rodent species from Meghalayaand twelve from Mizoram were collected andidentified. In overall collection, Bandicotabengalensis was the predominant species,followed by Rattus sp. In bamboo-flowering areas,Rattus sp. was predominant. Trap index wascalculated, which varied from 0.0135 to 0.239for local traps in Mizoram in different sites.

Rice crop was most affected by rodents. InMizoram, damage to almost all crops increasedsignificantly after shedding of bamboo fruits.Upland rice, lowland rice, jhum paddy and maizesuffered losses between 14.67 and 32.54%, 18.52and 30.05%, 32.70 and 36.90% and 18.60 and40.12%, respectively. The bait preference studieswith Rattus spp. indicated higher preference forbamboo fruit, followed by rice > maize > soybean.Among the local traps, Vaithang proved mosteffective with 70-90% catches in differentlocations, followed by Chepthang (50-80 %),which was fairly high in comparison to Sherman’straps (10-20%) and Snap traps (10-30 %).Among rodenticidal trials, zinc phosphide wasmost effective, followed by racumin andbromadiolone.Bait stations made up of bambooproved effective in comparison of other methods.

Chepthang – a local rodent trap in Mizoram

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Hot-spot areas in paddy against Aphelenchoidesbesseyi in West Bengal and Himachal Pradeshand Meloidogyne graminicola in Tamil Nadu,Karnataka and Himachal Pradesh were identified.Polyhouses having carnation, capsicum in thedistricts of Bilaspur, Hamirpur and Kangra inHimachal Pradesh were badly infested with root-knot nematodes.

Management of Meloidogyne graminicolainfesting paddy was achieved through soilsolarization of nursery + Carbofuran at 1kg a.i./ha45 days after transplanting or application of neem-cake at 100 g/m2 in the nursery + Carbofuran inthe main field.

The combined application of neem-cake at 100g/m2 + Trichoderma viride at 2.5 kg/ha as soilapplication at the sowing time was effective forroot-knot nematode management in mungbean.

Agricultural acarology

In Gujarat, Propargite (0.05%) was statisticallybetter than Diocofol (0.05%), wettable sulphur(0.125%), Ethion (0.1%) in reducing rice sheathmite damage.

At Bangalore, chilli PBC 61, Udaipur 2, BVC47 and BVC 53 were free from yellow miteinfestation.

In Gujarat, Tetranychus urticae was observedto have resistance to Dicofol 1.5 fold at Navasari,1.6 at Wada, 1.9 at Dungri and 2.7 fold at Sandhier.

To sustain predatory mite populations ofNeoseilus longispinosus, Frenchbean plantsprovided optimum food for spidermites up to 50days, and hence spidermites (prey) can be massproduced on Frenchbean plants up to 50 days.

At Ludhiana, Propargite (Indofil) 57 EC at 850 ga.i./ha reduced significantly yellow mite populationon chillies. Propargite was found comparativelysafe to predatory mites and was not phytotoxicon chilli plants.

Spiromesifen (96 g a.i./ha), Diafenthiuron (450g a.i./ha), Milbemectin (4 g a.i./ha), Chlorfenapyr(75 g a.i./ha) and Fenazaquin (125 g a.i./ha) weresignificantly effective in reducing yellow mite

population in chillies up to 14 days after eachapplication at Bangalore. At Ludhiana,Diafenthiuron (Polo) 50 SC at 300 g a.i./ha provedeffective in reducing Polyphagotarsonemus latusup to 10 days after spray, followed by Propargite57 EC at 750 ml/ha, and Dicofol provided goodcontrol up to 7 days after spray during July-August.Propargite 57 EC at 750 and 1,000 ml/ha andSpiromesifen 240 SC at 400 ml/ha were effectivein reducing Tetranychus urticae on brinjal up to14 days after spray during May-June.

Pesticide residues

Spirotetramat on chilli was studied at fourlocations – Jaipur, Kalyani, Vellayani andHyderabad – at 60 and 120 g a.i./ha, first at fruitingand second 10 days after first spray. Red chilli atharvest and soil samples at 20 days after secondspray did not show any residue of Spirotetramatand Enol metabolite.

At Hyderabad and Kalyani, new generationinsecticide Spiromesifen was used as foliar sprayat 120 and 240 g a.i./ha twice at interval of 10days. Residues in fruit samples were below thelimit of observed quantity (LOQ) level of 0.01ppm after 3 days at the recommended dose withpost-harvest interval of 3.12 days. At Kalyani,Solan and Vellayani, two foliar applications ofSpiromesifen were given on tea-crop in 7 daysinterval at 400 and 800 ml/ha. The residues reachedbelow LOQ level of 0.05 mg/kg in green tea leavesafter 7-10 days at 400 ml/ha. No pesticide wasdetected in processed tea and tea liquor after 14days of application.

At Kalyani, Vellayani, Rahuri and Ludhiana,Bifenthrin 10 EC was sprayed in sugarcane inbasal furrow at 100 and 200 g a.i./ha. Residuesin juice and soil samples at harvest after 290days were below the limit of determination of0.025 ppm.

A recently introduced ß-Cyfluthrin 9% +Imidacloprid 21% were tested in supervised fieldtrial on brinjal, tomato and okra. Three sprayswere given at an interval of 7 days at (18+42)and (36+84) g a.i./ha. The proposed waiting periodafter the spray is 7 days.

Combi-formulation of (Trifloxytrobin 25% +Tebuconazole 50%) WG at Hyderabad, Kalyani andRahuri on chilli was applied first at fruiting stageand the second 10 days after first spray at two doses(62.5+125) and (125+250) g a.i./ha. Half-life ofTebuconazole on chilli was found 2 days and ofTrifloxystrobin was 0.38 days. The proposed waitingperiod for this formulation is 15 days.

Flubendiamide 24% + Thiaclorid 24% 480 SCon tomato at Bangalore and Rahuri was appliedtwice at 10 days interval at (48+48) and (96+96)a.i./ha. The half life of Flubendiamide was found

SUCCESS STORY

Cyst nematode management in pigeonpea

in Tamil Nadu

The crop is widely attacked by the nematodes inthe state. To minimize losses caused by pigeonpeacyst nematode (Heterodera cajani), combinedtreatment of Pseudomonas flourescens +Trichoderma viride at 5 + 5 g/kg of seeds led to32.5% decrease in Heterodera cajani populationin soil and 37.1% increase in grain yield. The cost :benefit ratio was 1:2.29. This recommendation iswidely accepted by Tamil Nadu farmers.

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CROP MANAGEMENT

1.59 days. Thiacloprid residues deposit on tomatowas 0.37 and 0.63 mg/kg, which dissipated witha half-life of 1.29 days. Flubendiamide andThiacloprid were below the detectable level insoil at harvest following dosages.

Agricultural ornithology

Birds damage in different crops: In rice, theIndian peafowl Pavo cristatus, teals and commonmoorhen Gallinula cloropus damaged the crop tothe tune of 10.0, 5.0 and 12.0%. And in wheatfield in Gujarat, migratory short-toed larkCalandrella cinerea and calendar larkMelanocorpha calandra damaged sown seed tothe extent of 90%. In maize, rose-ringed parakeetPsittacula krameri in Andhra Pradesh caused 40%damage, and in sorghum damage was between 5and 25%, mostly by rose-ringed parakeet Psittaculakrameri, common myna Acridotheres tristis andmunias Ploceus species.

Eco-friendly birds management practice: InIBPM in cultivators’ fields, different managementmodules during kharif consisting of net (1,471kg/ha), reflective ribbon (1,361 kg/ha) and botanicalspray (1,305 kg/ha) proved effective in controllingbird damage in sorghum over control (912 kg/ha).

For the first time, birds like small green barbetMegalaima viridis, white cheeked bulbul Pycnotus

jocosus and tree pie Dendrocitta vagabunda playeda vital role in propagation of Momordica dioica,a cucurbitaceous climber. And the seeds found inthe excreta of these birds readily germinated(100%), unlike seeds harvested manually.

Role of beneficial birds: In Kerala,insectivorous birds (14) controlled rice insect pestsand recorded higher yield in experimental plot(3,215 kg/ha) than control (1,895 kg/ha). T-shapedperches with nucleopolyhedrosis virus provedeffective in controlling medium and large-sizedlarva Helicoverpa armigera in pigeonpea inGujarat. In castor, 22 birds species controlled 48%of Spodoptera litura, and in Kerala, crow pheasantCentropus sinenis in cardamom devoured 5% ofstem-borer larvae, and termites were voraciouslyfed on by common crow Corvus splendens. Intomato-crop, 11 species of insectivorous birdsreduced 25% of Helicoverpa armigera larvae whilein chickpea 8 birds species reduced 20-23% ofH. armigera. Nest boxes designs were standardizedfor cavity-nesting birds. In Kerala, feedingbehaviour of barn owl Tyto alba, Fish-eating owlBubo flavipes and spotted owlet Athene bramawas studied that showed dietary rodent remnants(82%) in barn owl diet, crab remnants (65%) infish-owl and insecta remnants (60%) in spottedowlet throughout the season.

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Energy supplementation forhigher milk yield

Strategic supplementation of ragi (Eleucinecoracana) grain to dairy cows during their earlyto mid lactation period resulted in increased milkproduction (average 1.9 litre/cow/day) and fatand SNF percentage (average 0.2-0.3%) and alsoreduced the milk urea content with a net increasein income of about Rs 19/cow a day under fieldconditions.


9

Livestock Management

anti-fungal activity (>50%) against Aspergillusparasiticus. Pachouli leaves, curry leaves, rosemaryleaves, cinnamon leaves, sarpagandha leaves,thumbe leaves, sweet worm wood leaves,aswagandha leaves, chicory powder, yellowoleander leaves, Selastras paniculatus, Tinosporacardifolia, railway creeper and Indian acalyphaleaves showed high anti-fungal activity (>50-90%)against Fusarium moniliforme.

Buffalo

Nutrition for the onset of puberty: GnRHchallenge studies in the calf attaining maturity at3 years of age due to nutritional perturbationshowed immature status of hypothalamo-hypophyseal-ovarian axis even at the age of 2years 4 months.

Nutritional modulation of IGF: In sub-fertilemale buffaloes nutritional modulation of IGF-I(as a mediator of metabolic hormonal effects)proved beneficial for various sperm functionalattributes in vitro. The cleavage rate in embryosproduced through IVF using such sperms, wasalso better.

Area specific mineral mixture:Supplementation of area specific mineral mixture(Ca, P, Zn, Mn, Cu) to buffaloes based on thedeficiency in the North east zone of Haryana,improved productive and reproductive efficiency

CattleFibre digestibility: Streptococccus bovis, a

numerically predominant bacteria in the rumenof crossbred cattle under different feeding regimeswas charaterized. And the cellulase gene obtainedfrom the best fibre degrading fungi isolated fromthe faecal matter of goat was cloned toStreptococccus bovis for enhancing the fibredigestibility of poor quality crop residues.

Suppression of methane production: In vitrogas production test revealed that methanesuppression among the tree leaves ranged from4.6 to 82% — minimum recorded in jatropha leaves(4.6%) that contained lowest tannin and themaximum (82%) in Ficus bengalensis leaves.Commonly used top feeds like Sesbaniagrandiflora, Glyricedia maculata, Ficus mysorensisand Ficus religiosa leaves showed a methanesuppression ranging between 35 and 50%. Amixture of three plant species having anti-methanogenic activity in vitro, exhibited 12%reduction in methane emission in crossbred calves,which confirmed that there is a potential in usingtree leaves for reducing methane production fromenteric fermentation.

Use of fungi for enhanced digestibility ofstraws: Lignin content of ragi straw decreasedwith all the white rot fungi, viz. Phanerochatechrysosporium, Pleurotus sajorcaju, Pleuritousostreatus and Vorialla voloraceae. High proteaseactivity was observed during the first two daysof fermentation after which it declined, andlignolytic enzymes, viz. laccase, manganeseperoxidase and lignin peroxidase concomitantlyincreased up to the fifth day of fermentation.Phanerochaete chrysosporium showed the bestpotential in improving the digestibility of ragistraw followed by P. ostreatus.

Antifungal property of medicinal/aromaticplants: Melissa and thyme leaves exhibited good

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LIVESTOCK MANAGEMENT

as 70% buffaloes showed normal cyclicity, and10% increase in milk production. Supplementationof area specific mineral mixture pellets @ 40gdaily in cattle and buffaloes during lactation stageincreased milk yield by 10-15%, brought cowsinto estrus within 30-45 days, and reduced theproblem of skin keratinization.

Detection of pesticide residues: A rapid multi-residue method for analysis of neonicotinoidpesticides, viz. imidacloprid, acetamiprid andthiacloprid, was developed. The percent recoveryfrom 0.5 to 2.0 ppm concentration varied from95.6 to 81.17% for imidacloprid, 92.76 to 84.99%for acetamiprid, and 96.96 to 88.50% for thiaclopridwith a detection limit of 5ppb, 10ppb and 20ppb,respectively.

Fibre digestibility: Isolates of anaerobic fungicollected from 5 different states and 6 different

host species, revealed that isolates from Rajasthanhad highest fibrolytic potential and the best isolateimproved digestion of wheat straw in buffaloes.

Improving reproductive efficiency

● Buffalo embryos were produced in vitro @64% cleavage with 20% blastocyst using animproved IVEP protocol.

● A three dimensional (3D) collagen gel culturesystem for the in vitro growth and survivalof the buffalo preantral follicles with IGF-I was developed.

● Early diagnosis of pregnancy (by day 20-21post-breeding) was facilitated by using realtime B-mode ultrasonography in goats andbuffaloes.

● Bull-biostimulation curtailed the incidenceof silent ovulation and service period andincreased conception rate in post-partumbuffaloes.

Enhancing productivity: Strategicsupplementation of protein (<20% CP) during mid-lactation increased productivity of buffaloes.Vitamin E supplementation @300 IU daily wasoptimum to improve weight gain, and increasedits concentration in the muscles of buffaloes.

Early embryonic mortality: Dynamic statusof antioxidant enzymes in relation to the stagesof oestrous cycle and tissue remodeling wasobserved. Effective modulation of prostaglandinproduction by the uterus may rescue corpus luteumand prevent early embryonic mortality.

Improvement of reproductive efficiency:Insemination dose could be reduced from 25 to15 million spermatozoa without adversely affectingthe conception rate. The results are beingauthenticated with more trials in farmers’ herd.Frozen semen samples were evaluated for spermmotility attributes. Bulls with higher fieldconception rates also had higher sperm totalmotility, progressive motility, rapid motion andviability.

Sheep

Trace element status: Biochemical markers(Cu and Zn-dependent enzymes – ceruloplasminand Cu/Zn- super oxide dismutase) were evaluatedto assess the trace element (copper and zinc) statusin sheep at different dietary levels of Cu and Zn.Prediction equations developed by correlating theabsorbed Cu and Zn with Cu- and Zn-dependentenzymes; plasma Cu and Zn with Cu and Zn-dependent enzymes; liver tissue concentrationsof Cu and Zn with absorbed Cu and Zn, revealedthat Cu and Zn status of animals could be assessedby using these enzymes as biochemical markers.

Production performance: Bharat Merino andGaddi Synthetic sheep under migration to highlandpastures gained higher body weights and produced

Induction of lactation

Infertile Murrah buffaloes were treated withsubcutaneous injections of estradiol-17 b andprogesterone for 7 consecutive days, andsupplemented with largectil and dexamethasoneat specific intervals for induction of lactation. Oneweek of udder massage was given twice daily tillthe udder was turgid with milk, followed bymilking, which started from day 21. Milk frominduced-lactating buffaloes became normal within10-15 days after start of milking. Four of the sixtreated buffaloes responded successfully and milkbecame normal between 4-20 days of the startof milking. The fat content stabilized at7.72±0.3% after about 10 days of first milking.In successful cases, the peak milk yield between20th and 75th day ranged between 2.5 and 7.0kg/day. The effect of treatment for induction oflactation — which comprises sex steroids — wasalso assessed on the ovarian activity of treated

buffaloes. Ultrasonographic scanning revealedthat pre-treatment ovarian follicular size of 7-13mm, regressed to 2-3 mm within 8-10 days ofstart of the treatment and then no follicular activitywas observed for 30 days during treatment. Firstovulation took place between 55 and 60 days aftertreatment. In two buffaloes, follicular cysts of upto 35 mm diameter were detected.

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strengths of hypo osmotic solution. For frozensperm 75-mosmol and for fresh diluted semen100-mosmol hypo-osmotic solution was found tobe the best.

Dual staining test: Dual staining technique wasstandardized for testing viability and acrosomalintegrity in frozen and fresh semen. It savedtime and chemicals in testing viability andacrosomal integrity thereby avoiding separatetests.

Semen quality: Twice a week semen collection,evaluation and freezing in Jamunapari bucks of2-5 years of age group, indicated that the semenproduction was higher under intensively rearedbucks compared to the semi-intensively managedbucks.

Rapid estrus detection methods: Sponges ofdifferent sizes and shapes were tested for theirretention in vagina for 12 days in Sirohi goatsfor estrus detection. Circular sponges with adiameter of 30 mm and cylindrical shaped spongeswith a diameter 25 mm had the highest percentages(>83%) of retention.

Mithun

Feed blocks with locally available feedresources: Feeding of Lagerstroemia speciosa treeleaves based complete feed blocks to mithunsshowed that the tree leaves could be incorporatedin the ration up to 30% for feeding mithuns undersemi-intensive or intensive system.

Organic fertilizer: The excreta (faeces andurine) of both mithun and Tho Tho cattle werecompared as a source of organic fertilizer. Thequantum of faeces voided from mithun was morethan that of Tho Tho cattle though faeces of ThoTho cattle contained less water (more DM)compared to that of mithun. The chemicalcomposition of faeces of mithun and local cattledid not differ significantly. Mithun produced moreurine than Tho-Tho cattle. So per animal basis,

Production and reproduction performancein sheep

The spent sheep after completing productive lifeconstitute more than 30% of meat produced inthe country. Pre-slaughter feeding of ad lib.concentrate mixture in spent ewes for 45 and 90days improved body weight gain by 10-11kg.Supplementation of mineral mixture in sheepflocks maintained on degraded rangeland of semiarid Rajasthan brought anoestrus sheep intoestrus after 15-20 days of supplementation.

Prototypes of vaginal speculum and plunger ofdifferent dimensions, suitable for transcervicalinsemination of Malpura sheep were fabricatedfrom plastic and nylon material for successfultranscervical insemination. Three differentprotocols for producing synchronized lamb cropswere perfected, and the study indicated thatovagen alone and in conjunction withprogesterone enhanced lambing in sheep.

more wool in comparison to stationary flocks.Utilization of fibrous crop residues:

Fortification with cellulase, xylanases, pectinase,phytase and protease enzymes enhanced dry matterdigestibility by 7.00%, cell wall digestibility by25.00%, and the end product fermentation by15.00% of poor quality roughages. Supplementingprobiotics of microbial origin like Saccharomycescerevisiae, Saccharomyces uvarum andKluyveromyces marximanus and a mixed yeastculture of above three in a ratio of 1:1:1 asmicrobial probiotics in lambs showed thatSaccharomyces cerevisiae strain is superior inimproving the growth of lambs.

Bioavailability of nutrients: Dietssupplemented with condensed tannins improvednutrient utilization, immune response besidesprotection from GI parasites and fasciolosis insheep.Supplementation of Tinospora cordifolia asa functional food imparted positive influence onthe nitrogen metabolism and antioxidant levelsin seminal plasma besides significantly improvingthe erythrocytic antioxidant status and cell-mediatedimmune response of adult Muzzafarnagari rams.Undecorticated jatropha (Jatropha curcas) mealafter processing with 1% common salt and 0.5%lime, could replace protein of conventional oilcakes up to 25% in the concentrate mixture ofadult sheep and goat for short-term feeding,

Goat

Standardization of in vitro fertility testHypo osmotic swelling test (HOST): Sperms

were evaluated for strongly coiled, weakly coiledand non-coiled under oil immersion lens. The bestswelling in terms of strong coiling and total coilingwas in 75-mosmol hypo- osmotic solution. Therewas significant difference in swelling in different

Cylindrical sponges showed maximum retention

63


mithun supplied more excreta as organic fertilizerthan Tho-Tho cattle in Nagaland.

Bakers yeast: Feeding bakers yeast(Sacharomyces cerevisiae), a probiotic on roughagebased diet, significantly increased average dailygain of mithuns, intake of concentrate and roughageand also improved FCR.

Estrus synchronization protocols: Experimentsconducted to synchronize estrus in cyclic and post-partum mithun cows showed more prominentbehavioural signs of estrus than spontaneous heat.Application of CIDR on day 45-50 after parturition,induced first postpartum estrus immediately afteruterine involution (day 53-58 post parturition).Unlike other bovines, mithun cows exhibit firstpostpartum estrus at around 97±19.6 dayspostpartum. Use of CIDR was advantageous interms of prominent behavioural signs of estrusthereby ease in detection of estrus. The first calfwas born from an anoestrus mithun cowsynchronized with CIDR.

Hormone-induced maternal behaviour:Mother-neonate bonding was studied usingoxytocin intranasal spray. Intranasal administrationof oxytocin effectively induced maternal behaviourin primiparous bovine heifers where maternalbehaviour was blocked chemically.

Embryo transfer technology: Estrussynchronization was performed by using CIDRprotocol and four embryos (compact morula) wererecovered successfully from two donors andsubsequently transferred into three recipients.

Yak

Trace mineral supplementation: Soil, feedsand fodders of yak rearing zones are deficient inmicronutrients, as reflected by the low productiveand reproductive performances of yak.Supplementation of trace minerals like Zn, Cu,Co and Mn in the ratio of 40:20:2:1 along withthe basal diet significantly increased milkproduction.

Production performance during winter: Bodyweight gain was significantly higher during Octoberin calves but from November onwards nosignificant increase was observed. Bulls gainedsignificantly higher body weight compared tocalves up to December. The lactating yak cowslost about 5.84% of their body weight, and milkyield reduced mainly due to shortage of feed andfodder during long winter. Providing adequatenutrition during winter could help in amelioratingwinter stress in yaks.

Modified temperature humidity index: Yakswere comfortable at THI of 52 and when THIexceeds 52 yaks experienced heat stress, asexpressed through increased physiologicalresponses.

Poultry

Stress related hormone: Under heat stresscondition some of the lymphocyte proteins wererepressed whereas some others were induced inbroiler.

Bioavailability of micronutrients: Sesupplementation in broiler chicken diets at 0.15or 0.30 ppm complemented bioavailability of Zn.In contrast, Se antagonized retention of Mn, Cuand Fe in liver tissues. Se (0.15 ppm) and Zn (80ppm) improved humoral and cell-mediated immuneresponse in broiler chicks. Zn uptake by tissueswas relatively more active during early age (2week) than at later ages (4 and 6 week), whereasSe retention in tibia and liver was higher at 4 and6 weeks than that at 2 weeks of age.

Se inclusion in broiler chick diets from 0.15 to1.35 ppm linearly enhanced its retention in boneand liver tissues and complemented Zn uptakeby tissues. Both Cu and Fe responded negativelyto Se increases in diets at 5 weeks of age. VitaminE at 40 IU enhanced Se uptake by bone, but didnot influence retention of Zn, Mn, Cu or Fe.Moderate levels of Se (0.15 or 0.45 ppm) andvitamin E at 40 IU produced higher antibody titres,better cell-mediated immune and reduced stressin 5-week-old broilers.

Enhancing utilization of macronutrients:Protease enzyme produced from Bacilluslicheniformis were supplemented to broiler diets@ 4,000 IU/kg to enhance the feeding value ofcommercial meat meals and soybean meal low inprotein by 3-4% over the recommended level(22%). Meat meal diets responded better to proteasesupplementation and performance of broilers wasequivalent to the control group that was maintainedon 22% protein diet. Inclusion of enzyme had

Nutrient requirements of rural poultry

Ca and NPP levels in diet could be reduced to 0.6and 0.3%, respectively, by maintaining thevitamin D3 level at 1,200 IU/kg diet in Vanarajafemale parent. The effect of interaction betweenCa and NPP on performance and bonemineralization of Grampriya chicks during nursery(rearing period of 1 to 42 days) suggested that0.6% Ca and 0.30% NPP were adequate.

Krishibro chicks responded positively to dietaryenergy levels (2,900 and 3,000 kcal ME/kg) instarter and finisher phases, respectively. Therequirement of Ca, and NPP for dressing yieldsand bone mineralization in Krishibro chicksappeared to be equal/higher than 0.6 and 0.3%.

Carbohydrate in combination with fat producedbetter effect on body weight of broiler chickensthan combination of fat and protein as chicks couldutilize carbohydrate better than fat during initialpost hatch period.

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significant impact on different productionparameters compared to non-supplemented diets,particularly when dietary protein levels were lowerthan the recommended levels.

Female reproductive system of desi fowls:Ovary and oviduct development was noticed clearlyaround 16 to 18 weeks of age in White Leghorn(WLH), around 20-22 weeks of age in Kadaknath(KN) and around 24 weeks in Aseel peela (AP).At the peak of sexual maturity, around 30 weeksof age, total length of the oviduct was greater inWLH (73 cm) as compared to desi fowl (66 cm).The transaminases activity of blood plasma,irrespective of breeds increased linearly with age.An increased pattern of ACP, GOT and GPTactivity was found associated with maturation offemale reproductive tract and reverse was truewith ALP activity among all the breeds.

Enhancing egg production: Using simple feedformulation, egg production could be enhancedmarkedly over the age of 78 weeks in Aseel peeladesi fowl. Large-scale replications at institute andfield level are being taken up to validate the data.

Supplementation of melatonin: Dietaryinclusion of aflatoxin @0.15 ppm level adverselyaffected body weight, feed intake and FCR andcaused lipid peroxidation with simultaneousdepletion of antioxidant enzymes (superoxidedismutase and catalase) in broilers. Melatoninsupplementation @ 40mg/kg feed alleviated theadverse effect of aflatoxicosis at lower levels(<0.15ppm).

Moulting for enhanced production: Birds wereforce moulted by feed withdrawal method for 10days. As the period of fasting progressed from 0to 10 days a gradual but steady reduction wasnoticed in the levels of serum triglycerides, whichwas more pronounced and significant from thefourth day of commencement of feed withdrawal.A similar decline in serum total cholesterolconcentration was noticed, which became veryapparent from the sixth day after feed withdrawaland a reduction of 30% in total cholesterolconcentration was achieved by the tenth day inthe moulted hens. In contrast, serum HDL–cholesterol concentration progressively increasedduring the feed withdrawal period and peakedaround the eighth day after withdrawing feed.Accumulation of high lipid in uterus in late layingage results in either shell less or poor shelledeggs. Feed withdrawal for longer period leads tomobilization of lipids from uterus.

Quail semen characterisation: Physical andbiochemical characteristics of quail semen showedthat birds having larger cloacal gland size ejaculatedhigher volume of semen and semen productionwas higher in CARI Uttam than CARI Swetaquails. Mass sperm motility in neat semen was

only 50-60% immediately after collection thatdecreased continuously and reached to zero after30 min. Sperm abnormalities were higher in CARISweta than CARI Uttam. Among the enzymesLDH was exceptionally high in all groups in boththe lines, cations sodium and potassium were higherin birds having larger cloacal gland size whereasmagnesium and calcium were more in the seminalplasma of birds with smaller cloacal gland.Methylene blue reduction time test revealed thatquail spermatozoa are more active than chicken.

LIVESTOCK PROTECTION

A status of freedom from contagious bovinepleuropneumonia infection in cattle and buffalowas obtained from OIE.

Development and improvement ofdiagnostics and vaccines

Vaccines● A low volume saponified haemorrhagic

septicaemia vaccine was found safe andeffective in farm cattle.

● Possibility of DNA vaccine construct againstbovine brucellosis was ascertained.

● Chicken cytokine genes (MIP-b , lymphotactinand IFNg ) were expressed in mammalian cellsthereby opening up the possibility of theiruse as genetic adjuvant in DNA vaccine.

● LPS and genomic DNA containing CpG fromSalmonella Gallinarum activated the innateimmune system of chickens and gave higherprotection after immunization with inactivatedNDV in challenged birds.

● Conjugation of Fc with flagellin protein wasa good model for efficient antigen deliveryresulting in higher immune response thanantigen alone.

Diagnostics● A nested RT-PCR was developed using

primers from RNA dependent RNApolymerase region for differentiation ofruminant pestiviruses.

Exotic and emerging diseases

BVDV-1 was identified in yaks of Himalayanregion. Phylogenetic analysis establishedprevalence of BVDV-1b and 1c subtypes in Indianbuffaloes and existence of close relationshipbetween cattle and buffalo BVDV-1b viruses.

The phylogenetic analysis of avian influenzavirus indicated that the virus might have beenintroduced into India through migratory birds.

The Indian isolate of PCV1 was foundgenetically closely related (0.6%) to isolates fromChina, USA, France and distantly related (1.4%)to the isolates from Taiwan.

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● C18L gene based conventional PCR andTaqMan probe based real time PCR weredeveloped for specific detection of buffalopox virus.

● Duplex PCRs were developed for specificdetection and differentiation of buffalopoxvirus from other orthopox viruses, andcamel pox from other orthopox viruses.

● C18L gene-based real time PCR wasstandardized for quantification of camelpoxvirus in clinical samples.

● A hybridizing probe based real-time PCRwas developed for diagnosis of PMWS andthe disease was diagnosed in four privatefarms in Uttar Pradesh.

● The expressed protein of N gene of PPRvirus could be an alternative to whole virusantigen in sandwich ELISA for diagnosis ofPPR.

● Developed indirect ELISA for serodiagnosisof Japanese encephalitis in pigs.

● Transformed fibroblast antigen was muchsuperior antigen for detection of anti-avianleucosis virus antibodies in the serum samplesof chicken, as compared to gsAg, asdetermined by an indirect ELISA.

● A highly sensitive PCR targeting new geneof Mycobacterium a. paratuberculosis anda quantitative real-time PCR (RT-PCR) weredeveloped for the diagnosis ofparatuberculosis in small ruminants.

● Serotype specific PCR was developed fordetection of Salmonella Typhimurium andS. Enteritidis.

● Duplex PCR was developed for simultaneousdetection of Salmonella genus andTyphimurium serotype.

● Germ tube formation test was developed fordetection of chlamydospore in Candidaalbicans.

● Methodology for quick detection ofEchinococcus granulosus genotypes bypolymerase chain reaction coupled withrestriction fragment length polymorphism wasdeveloped.

● A useful primer was developed and foundeffective in differentiating cryptic stage ofEchinococcus granulosus and Taenia.

Molecular characterization of pathogens/receptors● Mutants of E. granulosus isolate from Indian

cattle and buffalo origin, were detected onthe basis of sequence analysis ofmitochondrial gene and non-coding spacergene.

● Molecular characterization of toll-likereceptors (TLR2, and TLR4) of nilgairevealed higher expression in skin and

immune cells of nilgai, as compared to buffaloindicating stronger innate immunity.

Herbal medicines● Immunomodulators prepared with extract of

Tinospora cordifolia and a probiotic(Mycobacterium phlei) showed significantbody weight gain in broiler birds andimproved their health.

● Significant antidiarrhoeal activity wasdetected in the seed extract of Caeslipineabonducella.

Surgical and clinical interventions● The epoxy-pin external skeletal fixation

technique was developed, and used to treata variety of compound fractures of differentlong bones in small animals.

● A novel design of bilateral external fixatorhaving opposite threadings in the side barswas developed for the management of longbone fractures in large animals.

● Transplantation of autologous bone marrowcells, along with hydroxyapatite induced fasterhealing of radius fracture in rabbits, as comparedto transplantation of hydroxyapatite alone.

SUCCESS STORY

Cell culture vaccine forclassical swine fever

Classical swine fever or hog cholera, the mostimportant disease of pigs that causes death in 98to 100% cases in susceptible populations, resultin economic losses of around Rs 500 crore in India.Presently, vaccination is done with a lapinizedvaccine that requires killing of rabbits for itsmanufacture. Since cell culture vaccine is notavailable in India for protection of pigs againstclassical swine fever, the Indian VeterinaryResearch Institute, Izatnagar, developed aneffective PK-15 cell line-based live attenuatedfreeze-dried vaccine. Field validation of the cellculture vaccine on pigs revealed that immuneresponse of the vaccine was highly satisfactory.Vaccinated pigs sero-convert from 21-30 days ofvaccination. The vaccine has a shelf life of morethan one year and provides immunity for at leasta year following a single vaccination after weaning.It is safe, potent and can be applied even duringpregnancy and there has been no report of anyuntoward post-vaccination reactions.

The newly developed vaccine is cell culturebased and its production is easier and low cost ascompared to the existing lapinized vaccine. Hencethere would be a good demand for the product inmarket. Supply of country’s demand ofapproximately 20 million doses of the vaccineseems possible by use of this cell culture vaccine.This would help in reducing the losses due tomortality and thus improve the economic conditionof poor pig farmers in the country.

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within genotype VII in the N-J tree. GenotypeVII is restricted to only India as none of the exoticsequences clustered in this group. Thirteen out ofthe seventeen isolates sequenced, clustered in thedeletion group. 1D region based phylogeny alsorevealed that this lineage is genetically divergingwith time giving rise to three lineages (VII b, fand g) so far.

In serotype O, PanAsia II strains dominatedthe outbreaks, nevertheless Panasia I and II 2001also co-circulated. Asia 1 field isolates (19) weresubjected to 1D gene sequence analysis. Theisolates were grouped with lineage CI thatdominated Asia 1 outbreaks. The isolates of 2007and 2008 showed 15.4 to 16.7% and 12.4 to 14.7%divergence at nucleotide and amino acid level,respectively, from in-use vaccine strain (IND63/72).

The Central laboratory, Mukteswar, contains1,402 (893-O, 261-Asia 1, 233-A, 15-C) fieldisolates. Pre- and post-vaccinate serum samplescollected up to sixth phase of FMD-CP showedincreased levels of protective antibodies againstserotypes O, A and Asia 1 over different phasesof vaccination.

● Application of autologous bone marrow cellssubcutaneously in the periphery of incisionaland open cutaneous wounds induced fasterhealing, as compared to conventionalantiseptic dressing of wounds.

Foot-and-mouth disease

Field samples (1,313) received from variousstates during the year were processed and subjectedto sandwich ELISA for type identification. Only705 samples were typed — 567 samples weretyped as O, 58 samples as type Asia1, and 80samples as A —, and no virus could be detectedin rest of the samples. Samples were also processedin BHK 21 cells and virus could be recovered in119 field samples comprising 24 type Asia 1, 75type O and 21 type A.

To improve the diagnosis of FMD in suspectedclinical samples, a multiplex PCR (m-PCR) wasdeveloped and evaluated. Using the test, 42% ofthe outbreaks that went undiagnosed using ELISA,were identified indicating that mPGR could beused as best supplentary to ELISA to increasethe percentage of FMD outbreak diagnosis in thecountry.

Two-dimensional micro-neutralization test (2D-MNT), a modified form of SNT, was routinelyused to test new field isolates to determine theappropriateness of the existing vaccine strains andto select new vaccine strains, if required. In serotypeA the most worrying factor, which merits attentionis the antigenic heterogeneity of the isolates. Inthe sense some strains show close antigenic matchto the current vaccine strain (17/82) and others tothe new strain (IND40/00) in in-vitro microneutralization test. One isolate IND 53/08 fromChhattisgarh, was unique both antigenically andgenetically forming a separate cluster with anotherisolate IND 109/06 from Chhattisgarh.

Among all serotypes prevalent in India, type Avirus population is genetically and antigenicallymost heterogeneous in nature. VP1 coding (1D)region based molecular phylogeny has establishedcirculation of four genotypes of type A so far inIndia. There is once again an upsurge in incidenceof outbreaks due to lineage genotypes VII withamino cicer (aa) deletion at 59th position of VP3.This single aa deletion is at an antigenically criticalposition in structural protein VP3, which isconsidered to be a major evolutionary jumpprobably due to immune selection.

Field isolates (17) of serotype A recovered fromoutbreaks in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Chhattisgarh,West Bengal and Haryana were sequenced at 1D(VP1) region for molecular epidemiologicalanalysis. The determined sequences were alignedwith other Indian sequences and some of theretrieved exotic sequences. All the isolates clustered

SUCCESS STORY

Rapid immunoassay kit for serologicalmonitoring of infectious bursal

disease of chickens

Infectious bursal disease also known as Gumborodisease, a highly contagious viral disease affectingyoung chickens, 3 to 6 week-old, has worldwideoccurrence. Morbidity of the disease is high withmortality usually of 0-20%, but sometimes up to60%, thus adversely affecting the economy ofpoultry industry.

Serological diagnosis of the disease is eitherlabour intensive, slow or require sophisticatedequipment. A need was felt to replace theselaboratory tests with a simple pen side test. Arecombinant protein produced from aheterologous expression system was used as adiagnostic antigen in a simple field assay format.The developed protocol allows the user to rapidlyinterpret the immune/disease status of the birdby a simple agglutination phenomenon of antigen-coated beads with naked eye within 5 min. Thisin turn, helps the farmers and poultry breedersin determining the time of vaccination of thechicks. Test results are comparable with agar gelprecipitation test and enzyme linkedimmunosorbent assay under test conditions

The kit has been validated under laboratoryconditions from different parts of the country andthe technology was transferred to NationalResearch Development Corporation, New Delhi,for further commercialization. The developed kitwould help in minimizing the time required fordiagnosis and develop judicious vaccinationscheduling.

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Animal disease monitoring andsurveillance

A large databank on the livestock diseases ofthe country, based on reports submitted to theGovernment of India by various state governmentswas developed at the PDADMS. The institutionwas involved in the sero-monitoring of rinderpest.Large number of sera samples from various partsof the country is maintained in the NationalLivestock Serum Bank for retrospective studies.

● An offline version of the databank of livestockdiseases of the country was developed. Basedon the custom queries, variousepidemiological analyses are possible e.g.,frequency of disease occurrence, top diseasesof the country, eco-patho zones. The spatialand temporal analysis of animal disease datais being carried out using this software.

● Molecular diagnosis of brucellosis wasstandardized that helped in differentialdiagnosis of Brucella abortus and B. suis.Based on the results of the serological,biochemical and molecular techniques a rarecase of brucellosis in swine due to B. abortuswas diagnosed. A standardized A-B ELISAkit for the detection of bovine Brucellaantibodies was developed. An indirect ELISAkit was standardized to identify the magnitudeof disease in ovines. Molecularepidemiological studies are being standardizedto diagnose and differentiate the brucellosisof cattle, ovine, caprine and humans. Testswere developed to detect the etiological agentdirectly from the clinical samples such asaborted foetus, placenta and uterine discharges.

● A multiplex PCR was standardized todiagnose the pathogenic leptospira. Arepository of the leptospira isolates is beingmaintained.

● Molecular studies on BHV-1 were carriedout. A multiplex PCR for detection of BoHV-1 sequences was standardized. The PCRamplified products of gB (293 bp), gC (173bp), gD (343 bp) and US 1 (464 bp) weresubjected to partial nucleotide sequencingand aligned with different reference sequencesof respective genomic regions.

● The PCR amplification of different‘tk’genomic region of BoHV-1 wasstandardized and the PCR amplicons thusobtained were confirmed using uniquerestriction enzyme. Multiple PCR usingdifferent combinations of primers specificfor gB, gC and gD was standardized andwas applied for screening of field samples.The partial nucleotide sequencing of gB, gDand US 1 were aligned with the referencesequences, and was analyzed with

phylogenetic trees. These results would beof much help in profiling and characterizingBoHV-1 in livestock population.

● The serum samples obtained from MadhyaPradesh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh,Manipur, Kerala, Orissa, West Bengal andTamil Nadu, were screened for the presenceof antibodies against IBR, using AB-ELISAkit and 41.90% of the samples were foundpositive for IBR antibodies.

● An mPCR for genome detection of leptospira,BoHV 1 and Brucella using known standardstargeting the LipL32 gene of Leptospira, gBgene of BoHV 1 and bcsp31 gene ofBrucella, was standardized.

● Occurrence of zoonotic bacterial pathogensfrom the livestock and livestock productswas studied. The pathogens were isolatedfrom various sources, and their molecularcharacterization was completed.

● A computer interface based BHV-1 wholeantigen AB ELISA was developed as perthe standards of IAEA, standardized andvalidated. The kit was critically evaluatedboth in-house and extensive field trials fordetection of antibody to IBR virus in bovineserum. This test is highly sensitive, specific,economical and user friendly.

● A kit to detect the antibodies to Brucella inswine is being developed and is in the processof standardization.

● A PCR technique was developed to detectthe carrier status in domesticated animals.A pair of primers specific to VSG gene ofTrypanosoma evansi was developed. The PCRtechnique was standardized and 400 bpamplicon of VSG gene was obtained fromthe genomic DNA isolated from the bloodof T.evansi infected experimental animal.Field validation of the technique is inprogress.

Intensive expert system on animaldiseases

A web based interactive expert system on animaldiseases of the country was developed, and it canbe accessed at www.nadres.res.in. It depictsnational livestock statistics, animal diseasesstatistics, eco-patho zones of important livestockdiseases, epi-reports and the animal diseaseforecasting. Based on the dynamic factor,frequency of occurrence of diseases, and the staticfactor, various precipitating factors, an interactiveweb service was designed. The user can knowthe probable occurrence of a particular diseasein any district of the country by feeding the nameof the state and district of his choice. This serviceis useful to researchers and particularly to theplanners to implement the disease controlmeasures well in advance.

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● Serum Bank facility has more than 170,000serum samples from all over the country,which is being used for long-term nationalsurveys on various diseases of economicimportance.– Development of relational database on

Animal Health Information System– Development of India.admasEpitrak – a

relational animal health informationdatabase software

– Development and launching of NationalAnimal Disease Referral Expert System

– Identification of disease specific Eco-pathozones in the country

– Providing eco-pathozones and spatial andtemporal occurrence of diseases foreffective vaccination and control ofimportant diseases in different states e.g.PPR in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka,Brucellosis in West Bengal and AndhraPradesh, FMD, PPR, HS and BQ inMaharashtra, Andhra Pradesh andKarnataka.

– Providing the logistic support to nationalnetwork projects like bluetongue and HSprojects for disease monitoring andsurveillance.

Bluetongue

A repository of blue tongue virus isolates BTV-1 (2 isolates), BTV-2 (4 isolates), BTV-9 (3isolates), BTV-15 (5 isolates), BTV-18 (4 isolates)and BTV-23 (7 isolates) from Izatnagar, Hyderabad,Parbhani, Kolkata, Parbhani, Hisar and Chennai,was made. No outbreak of bluetongue was recordedin the country except Andhra Pradesh, Karnatakaand Tamil Nadu. Disease forecasting model wasdeveloped. The incidence was as high as 95.5%sheep from Uttarakhand; 88.6% cattle from Panjab;63.8% goat and 55.6% sheep from Manipur; 50.0%sheep from Jammu and Kashmir; and 18.22% goatfrom Delhi. A VP7 gene incorporated recombinantantigen based indirect ELISA kit was developedfor detection of group specific antibodies in thesera.

Inactivated pentavalent bluetongue vaccine wasevaluated at different places particularly in thebluetongue affected states. Vaccine was satisfactoryexcept a nodule formation at the site of inoculation.

Type specific primer designing, VP2, VP5 andVP7 gene cloning and expression, multiplex RT-PCR for BTV, RNA-PAGE and nucleotide sequencestudies, were standardized. Confirmation of virusisolates was done by RT-PCR using VP7 genespecific primers.

Haemorrhagic septicaemia

Isolates (93) of Pasteurella multocida were

characterized and a new serogroup E of Pasteurellamultocida was identified first time in the country.Most of the Pasteurella multocida isolates weresensitive to enrofloxacin, ofloxcin chloramphenicol,doxycycline and resistant to vancomycin,bacitracin, and sulphadiazine. Molecularcharacterization of different isolates of Pasteurellamultocida recovered from different species ofanimals and poultry were carried out by PM-PCR,HSB-PCR, multiplex-PCR, ERIC-PCR and REP-PCR. A low volume saponified HS vaccine wasvalidated successfully in farm cattle, and it wasfound satisfactory. The OMP vaccine againstP.multocida type A in ducks provided higherprotection as compared to the bacterins. The biofilmvaccine against P.multocida type A of sheep originwas prepared and compared with the whole cellvaccine, and it produced higher immune responseson using montanoide oil adjuvant. Economic lossof more than Rs 225 million was estimated dueto haemorrhagic septicaemia in cattle and buffalo.

Gastrointestinal parasitism

In Rajasthan software ‘FROGIN’ was evaluatedfor forecasting of gastrointestinal (GI) nematodosisin semi-arid and arid regions. It gives results aspredicted faecal egg counts (FEC) on start ofmonth, intensity of FEC for next 60 day and pasturelarval burden for that month. The Garole sheepwas not found completely refractory to infectionof Haemonchus contortus. Haemonchus,Bunostomum, Nematodirus and Oesophagostomumspp. were found in all the zones in Sikkim. 170kDa polypeptide of larval antigen of H. contortus

Ethnovetrerinary medicine

Concomitant use of hydromethanolic (1:1) extractof fruit pulp and seeds of tamarind (Tamarindusindica) at different doses reduced F concentrationin blood and bones and enhanced urinaryexcretion in rats indicating the ameliorativepotential of tamarind fruits in fluoride toxicity.Testing of bio-fractions A, B and C, revealed thatfraction B and C reduced the fluoride, whereasfraction A showed antibacterial activities. Anindigenous herbal teat dip was developed foreffective control of mastitis and the same is beingcross validated to facilitate patent. Azadirachtaindica stem extract effectively treated sub clinicalmastitis, and for it standardized dose of A. indicastem extract was established. An alkaloid isolatedfrom test herb ANAND-EVM-NW-4 revealedantibacterial efficacy against common isolatesfrom field cases of mastitis. Ethanolic extract ofAAU-EVM-NW-3 showed potential effects @ 500and 750 mg/kg p.o. in clinical case of fasciolosisin ovines, and 7.5% ointment of AAU- EVM –NW-2 was effective in Psoroptic mange in rabbit(Oryctologus cuniculus). Toxicity testing of all theeffective herbs established their safety.

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was recognized by 4 day sera (prepatent sera) ofsheep in western blotting. Zymogram studiesrevealed that 120 and 170 kDa polypeptidebelonged to metalloproteases based upon proteaseinhibitor studies. In the ES product, cysteineprotease and GST (glutathione-S-tranferase) wereidentified, which are of immunodiagnostic andimmunoprophylectic value. In H.contortus ESantigen 30-32 kDa polypeptide showed proteaseactivity, which was inhibited by E–64 confirmingit to be a cysteine protease. GST was confirmedin western blotting utilizing anti-GST antibody.ES antigen was better than gut antigen of Ascarissuum. Dipstic ELISA was comparatively foundmore efficient than plate ELISA. No correlationcould be established between worm burden andantibody titre in naturally infected sera of pigwith A.suum. Immunodominant polypeptide inBunostomum and Oesophagostomum spp. wasidentified, and a diagnostic kit for serodiagnosiswas developed and revalidated. Allele specificPCR was applied to field population of larvae fordetection of benzimidazole resistance and wascompared to FECRT and EHA. Frequency of BZ-rr (homozygous BZ-resistant) larvae in populationranged from 73.39 to 100% in Northern Rajasthan.Effect of Fec B gene on resistance to GIN wasconducted in sheep naturally infected with GINs.Lower incidence was observed in Garole sheep.H-11 and H-gal-GP polypeptides of H. contortusare being utilized for immunoprophylaxis andstudies on H-gal-GP were completed. In H-gal-GP of H. contortus MEP-2 fragment showed 94%homology to other international strains.

Equines

Nation-wide active equine disease surveillance,sero-survey was conducted at Rajasthan, Haryana,Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, andJammu and Kashmir. Antibodies to EHV-1 weredetected in 7.1% samples, Babesia equi in 24.3%sera tested, and Japanese encephalitis in 5.5%serum samples tested. None of the serum samplestested was positive for equine infectious anemia,African horse sickness, equine influenza andSalmonella Abortus-equi. Outbreaks of glandersreported from Uttarakhand, Andhra Pradesh,Himachal Pradesh and Haryana were investigatedand diagnosed, and etiological agent Burkholderiamallei was islolated. Comparative sero-prevalenceof JE in different animal species (equine, cattle,buffalo, pigs) was done in different regions ofHaryana and highest incidence was in buffaloesfollowed by pigs, horses and cattle. EHV-4 viruswas isolated from 11 out of 138 samples usingequine embryonic lung cells. These results wereconfirmed by sequencing of PCR products. Thecentre succeeded in in vitro cultivation of

bloodstream forms of Trypanosoma evansi. Thecharacterization of T. evansi antigen by SDS-PAGEof sonicated antigen revealed five majorpolypeptides in the molecular weight range of41-81 kDa and proteins of 35-41 kDa exhibitedproteolytic activity. Serum neutralization test (SNT)and haemagglutination inhibition (HAI) werestandardized for specific differentiation of tworelated arboviruses i.e., Japanese encephalitis (JE)and West Nile virus (WNV). On comparisonsensitivity of HAI was 96.29% and specificity100% in comparison to SNT. RT-PCR using E-gene (291 bp) was also developed for diagnosisof JE in equines.

An ELISA was developed for detection ofBabesia equi specific antibodies. The sensitivityand specificity of the ELISA in comparison tocommercial CI-ELISA was 94 and 96%,respectively. To study the polymorhphism of theMHC class II gene in Marwari horses, regions ofMHC class-II (DRB-2a and 2b) gene fragmentsof 276 bp and 229 bp were amplified. Restrictionanalysis revealed that MHC-DRB2 (276 bpfragment) on digestion with HinfI exhibitspolymorphism in 48.39% genotypes.

Microsatellite based parentage testing was doneusing 194 DNA samples collected from bloodleukocytes of different horse breeds. Genotypingwas performed by analysis of nine microsatelliteand selected microsatellites were highlypolymorphic as mean number of alleles rangedfrom 3.78 to 10.78. Total exclusionary power ofboth parents in all breeds was more than 0.9 andall the foals (67) qualified the offspring-candidateparent compatibility.

Yak

A slide enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(SELISA) was standardized for the detection ofBabesia bigemina antibodies in yak sera.Serological studies for detection of B. bigeminaspecific antibodies in yak from an organized farmand under field conditions revealed 44.16 and56.10% seropositivity, respectively. It could beconcluded that being more economical andtechnically simpler, SELISA could be used forseroprevalence studies on babesiosis in yak.

Keratoconjunctivitiswas noticed in yaks, andMoraxella bovis andNeisseria were recoveredfrom the ocular swabs.Serum samples from theaffected animals wereanalyzed by viralneutralization test. AB-ELISA for the presenceof bovine herpes virus -1

Bovine herpes virus-1associated kerato-conjunctivitis in a yak

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(BHV-1) specific antibody. Nested PCR conductedusing glycoprotein B and glycoprotein E specificprimers (of BHV-1) revealed the presence of BHV-1 in the ocular swab of the affected yaks. Theserological and molecular analyses indicated thepossible role of BHV-1 in severe forms ofkeratoconjunctivitis in yaks.

Yak sera samples collected from different yaktracts of India were screened for the detection ofBHV-1 specific antibody. The overall prevalenceof BHV-1 specific antibody was alarmingly high(more than 40%) in yaks. Sex and location ofdifferent yak tracts did not have any influenceover the IBR prevalence. However, the prevalenceincreased with the age of the animals, and washighest in yaks more than 3-year-old. Conjunctivitisand reproductive abnormalities were predominantsymptoms among the seropositive yaks. Thecommon ecological niche for feeding, wateringand grazing with other domestic and wild animalsis the possible avenue of infection in yaks.

Poultry

Marek’s disease virus (MDV) circulating in PDPflocks was low virulent strain. MD incidence couldbe reduced more effectively with HVT (cell free)double dose or HVT+SB1 cell associated vaccinesthan single dose of HVT vaccine. Tumour samplescould be safely stored in phenol-chloroform-isoamyl alcohol for PCR. Leg weakness associatedwith osteomyelitis caused by Staphylococcus spp.was recorded in young broilers, while aspergillosiswas observed in female line of Gramapriya.

FISHERIES

Capture fisheries

Marine fish landings and catch structure: Themarine fish landings of India during the year 2007has been estimated as 2.88 million tonnes with anincrease of about 1.7 lakh tonnes (6.5%) againstthe estimate of the previous year. The pelagicfinfishes constituted 57%, demersal fishes 25%,crustaceans 14%, and molluscs 4% of the totallandings. The sector-wise contributions were —mechanized landings 68%, motorized landings 28%and the atisanal landings 4%. Among thecommercially important groups, the landings of oilsardine (26% increase over the previous year),penaeid prawns (13.4%), Indian mackerel (26%),

croakers (41.9%) and other clupeids (55.6%)recorded substantial increase over their previousyear’s landings. The landings of non-penaeid prawns(18.6% decrease from the previous year), ribbonfishes (44%), Bombay duck (4.8%), thread finbreams (16.3%) and cuttle fish (27.2%) recordedmarginal to substantial reduction from their previousyear’s landings. The estimates of region-wiseproduction in the total production were—north-eastregion 13.2%, south-east region 22.6%, north-westregion 29.3%, and south-west region 34.9%.

Ring seine fishery for oil sardine along thenorthern coast of Tamil Nadu: Oil sardine(Sardinella longiceps), is the most important pelagicresource on the west coast of India, and itsoccurrence along the east coast was consideredsporadic and rare. In July 2008, large shoals ofoil sardine appeared in the near shore coastal watersof Devanampattinam, Cuddalore and Puducherry.This supported high catches in the ring seine unitsnewly introduced fishing practice, from the nearshore waters for a month.

Inland fisheries

Exotic fish species invasion in West Bengalwetlands – a cause of concern: During fish stockassessment, breeding populations of exotic tropicalSouth American Sailfin catfish, Pterygoplichthysdisjunctivus and Pterygoplichthys pardalis, wererecorded in Gomokpota beel under East KolkataWetlands. Huge biomass of these species,approximately 20 metric tonnes, was caught in asingle month. These fishes do not fetchremunerative price as food fish but occasionallyfind place in aquaria. These species are prolongedbreeders and voracious detritivores. A number ofother exotic fish species, viz. Barbonymusgonionotus (Puntius gonionotus), Pangasianodonhypophthalmus (Pangasius sutchi), Clariasgariepinnus, Oreochromis niloticus niloticus andPiaractus brachypomus were also recorded in someother wetlands in the state. This has seriousecological and economic implications for thewetland fisheries in the state.

Culture fisheries

Reservoir fisheries enhancement: Fisheriesenhancement in reservoirs Dahod in Madhya

Equine welfare

The centre extended equine welfare activities indifferent parts of the country by organizing equinehealth camps and farmer meets (Ashwa PalakGoshthis) to educate the equine owners on variousaspects of disease control and management.

Revival of ghol and koth fishery along thecoast of Gujarat

Making the end of long period of decline and poorcatch of ghol (Protonibea diacanthus) and koth(Otolithoides biauritus), bumper catches of largesize fishes by multi-day trawlers occurred atSalaya landing center, Jamnagar, Gujarat. Theywere caught from Bay of Kutch at 25-30 m depth.

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Cobia fishery at Kochi

Cobia (Rachycentron canadum), highly priced, butpreviously of a rare occurrence in the catch,landed in large numbers at Kochi fisheries harbourby multi-day gill-netters and hooks and line unitsoperated in distant waters continuously fromSeptember this year. Fishery was supportedmainly by large adult fishes weighing 10kg to over30 kg. Fishery and biology of the species are beingmonitored.

Fish stock enhancement in beel fisheries

Haribhanga beel, covering an effective area of125 ha, is under the control of Assam FisheriesDevelopment Corporation (AFDC). The pen culturetechnology intervention in a partnership modewith leaseholder resulted in doubling fishproduction/unit and recording a benefit cost ratioof 1.89 and 2.01 for consecutive two years.

The fish catch recorded was 131.1 tonnes ofwhich Indian major carps contributed the majorshare followed by exotic carps, thus registeringper unit increase in per unit productivity to 1,050kg/ha in the beel. With an initial investment of Rs10 lakh, the net income was Rs 53.5 lakh. Thebenefit-cost ratio of the lessee was 2.40.

Pradesh and Pahuj in Uttar Pradesh, was attemptedthrough stocking of fish seed and improvementof institutional arrangements for fish catch andmarketing. This resulted in improved fishproduction by over 60% in one year of experimentalintervention. The catch/month, total fish catch andper month fishing days increased. The case studieswill be helpful in formulating strategies forreservoir development in the Indo-Gangetic basin.

Freshwater aquacultureLabeo gonius in polyculture system: The

compatibility of Labeo gonius with other majorcarps was studied through three combinations catla,silver carp, rohu and gonius; catla, silver carp,mrigal and gonius; and catla, silver carp, rohuand mrigal at combined density of 7,500fingerlings/ha. Silver carp gave higher overallspecies survival, while catla showed the lowestlevel. Survival of rohu, mrigal and gonius, wasintermediate and did not differ among them.

Coastal aquaculture

Low fish meal feed for shrimp: A low fishmeal shrimp feed was developed by replacingfish meal and other marine protein sources withplant protein sources. Shrimp production after fourmonths of feeding on the low fish meal feed was1,308 kg shrimp/ha with a feed conversion ratio(FCR) of 1.31:1. This feed can be successfullyused for culturing tiger shrimp at low cost ofproduction.

WSSV risks to shrimp farming due toincreased culture of crabs: Crabs are knowncarriers of white spot syndrome virus (WSSV),hence to address apprehensions of shrimp farmers

to crab culture, studies were carried out to assessWSSV risks to shrimp farming due to enhancedculture of crabs. The prevalence of WSSV incrustaceans in different geographical regions wasestimated based on samples from Andhra Pradesh,Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and West Bengal. Theprevalence levels in crabs used for crab fatteningor those found in wild crabs indicate that they donot pose any additional WSSV risks.

Coconut wood for canoe construction

The strength properties of coconut wood comparewell with those of other structural timbers liketeak and jungle jack, and studies showed thatwood with a density of more than 600 kg/m3 canbe used for boat building. A plank built type ofcanoe (length 6.4 m, breadth 0.83 m and depth0.42 m) for gillnetting in backwaters wasconstructed out of coconut wood of more than 50years old. The price of coconut wood is less thanhalf of the conventional boat building timber, viz.aini (Artocarpus hirsuta).

Canoe structured of coconut wood

10

Post-harvest Management and

Value-addition

Aonla dietary fibre-enriched biscuits

Dietary fibre, vitamin C and antioxidant-enrichedbiscuits were developed by incorporation of aonlapomace (a byproduct generated in aonla juiceprocessing). The dietary fibre content of thefinished product was about 5 times higher than

Thermal disinfestation set-up for pulses has a batchcapacity of 100 kg

the control, while vitamin C and antioxidantconcentration were 15.6 mg/100g and 0.25 g %,respectively. Biscuits had a shelf-life of more than3 months when wrapped in 100-gaugepolypropylene pouches under ambient conditions.


Thermal disinfestation set-up for pulses:Optimum combinations of temperature-time,vacuum-time and microwave energy-time weredetermined for chemical-free disinfestation ofpulses. Insect mortality of 100% for the pulsebeetle could be achieved at the temperature - timecombinations of 55°C and 60 s or 60°C and 50sfor all the 3 pulses, i.e. greengram, pigeonpeaand chickpea. Optimum combinations of vacuumpressure and treatment duration in vacuumtreatment of pigeonpea, chickpea, and greengramwere 100 mm-Hg and 168 hr, 120 mm-Hg and360 hr, and 120 mm-Hg and 96 hr, respectively.Optimum microwave exposure time at 700 Wmicrowave exposure was found to be 70, 90 and100 s for greengram, pigeonpea and chickpea,respectively. Thermal disinfestation equipmentdeveloped has a batch capacity of 100 kg. The

cost of disinfestation is Rs. 1.10/kg of grain.Production of full fat soy flour from sprouted

soybean: Two varieties of soybean, viz. JS 9305and MAUS 47 were found superior in nutritionalquality. The best time, temperature and humiditycombination for germination of these varietieswas 3 days at 25oC and 90% RH. Germinationimproved the nutritional profile by improvingsolubility of protein, decreasing levels of fat,reducing the trypsin inhibitor levels to 60% andphytic acid levels to 50%. The sprouted soybeanwas dried to bring down the trypsin inhibitorcontent to safe levels and the moisture to 6–8%for milling. Sprouting, followed by sun drying isrecommended for production of full fat soy flour(FFSF) to be used for incorporation into bakeryproducts due to its superior functional quality.The steamed sprouted soybean, followed by sundrying is ideal for use at the domestic level andmicrowaving at 630 W for 9 min on a commercialscale for the production of FFSF. Sprouting ofsoybean, followed by drying leads to productionof nutritionally enriched (high protein, low fat,high fibre), anti-nutrient free (safe levels of trypsininhibitor, low levels of phytic acid), functionally

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POST-HARVEST MANAGEMENT AND VALUE-ADDITION

superior (good colour, nitrogen solubility, waterabsorption capacity) FFSF. Sprouted roasted soybeanas a ready-to-eat snack was prepared by roastingsprouts at 180°C for 45 min, followed by additionof spices. The products contained 39% protein,22% fat and negligible amount of trypsin inhibitor.

HACCP protocols for the production of soybiscuits: Hazard Analysis and Critical ControlPoints (HACCP) protocols were drafted for theproduction of soy paneer and soy biscuits. Theguidelines included good manufacturing practices,good hygiene practices, and standard operatingprocedures which are the prerequisites forimplementing the HACCP. The expected qualityof these products under study were put forth whichwere experimentally verified with and withoutHACCP. The data indicate that HACCP yieldedbetter quality soy paneer and soy biscuits. Thesoy biscuits may be used for theraputic purposes.

Ready-to-eat bittergourd chips

Bittergourd chips were prepared and popularizedamong rural and urban areas as snack foods. Theprocess for manufacturing of bittergourd chipsinvolves cutting of bittergourd to 0.25–0.30 cmthick slices, followed by cooking in 0.1% sodiumbicarbonate solution at 100°C for 30–40 min. Thecooked bittergourd slices were subjected toosmotic diffusion treatment of 1–2% brine solutionat 50–60°C for 2 hr. The osmotically diffusedbittergourd slices were dried at 55–60°C for 5–7hr and fried in refined oil at 160–180°C for 5–7sec. The fried chips were packed in laminatedpouch.

SUCCESS STORY

Using palm oil mill effluent

Palm oil mill effluent (POME), a waste releasedwhile processing fresh fruit bunches (FFB) in palmoil mills was evaluated for its use in animal andfish feed formulations as organic fertilizer andbiogas production. Dehydrated POME could beincorporated in the diets of buffalo calves andbuffaloes up to 40 % level, lambs up to 60 %level, kids (goats) up to 50 % level and pigletsup to 20 % level. Dried palm oil sludge (POS) canbe incorporated in the feed of freshwater fish Rohuas well as ornamental fish Koi- Carp up to 60%and for freswater fish Catla catla up to 40%.Inclusion of Palm kernel cake (PKC) in diets ofRohu showed good growth rate with 10% inclusionof PKC. The POME slurry is comparable and evenbetter than cowdung for biogas production.Composite formulation of essential micro-organisms comprising Saccharomyces, Lactobacilliand Rhodopseudomonas improved the quality ofPOME by reducing BOD and COD to the eco-friendly level.

Similarly, the soy paneer processed throughHACCP is of better quality.

Mango: An integrated protocol consisting ofpre-harvest fungicidal spray, followed bystandardized post-harvest practices and ma packingin semi-permeable d-955 film extended the storage-life of mango Alphonso and Banganapalli to 5weeks at 8°C.

Papaya: A process was standardized to makeosmotically dehydrated papaya slices from TaiwanRed Lady. Slices osmotically dehydrated using60° Brix syrup containing 0.2% citric acid withadditives produced best quality products with oneyear shelf-life at room temperature. Pre-treatmentdip of slices in calcium chloride solution (0.5%)improved textural and sensory quality.

Grape: Minimum loss of weight was recordedin bunches of Tas-A-Ganesh with knot as comparedto bunches without knot. The grape juice dilutedwith soda water up to TSS level of 14° Brix didnot affect the acceptance in terms of colour,sweetness and flavour.

Banana: The storage of Ney Poovan bananawas standardized at 13.5 °C. A recipe wasstandardized for preparation of banana flower-based ready-to-make soup powder. Storage methodusing steeping solution was developed for storageof banana stem for further product preparation orculinary use. The bulk production technique ofbanana wine was standardized where fermentationat 10 °C took 13 days for total sugars to reachbelow 1% and alcohol to 15%.

Litchi: The litchi fruits treated with KMS (1%),followed by citric acid dip (2%) and driedalternatively in sun and oven gave good qualitylitchi nuts.

Mahua: A process was standardized fordeveloping good quality mahua wine by fermentingfresh flower juice with Saccharomyces cerevisiae.The wine prepared from fresh flowers had shininglight yellow appearance than that made from storedflowers, which turned brown. The burnt rice flavourof mahua was suppressed by using lemon peel.The wine was siphoned, aged and bottled. Thefinal alcohol content in mature wine ranged from9 to 10%.

Mushroom: The washing treatment of 100 ppmEDTA + 0.02% KMS, followed by packaging in100-gauge thick polypropylene bags gave superiorshelf-life to stored button mushrooms. Blanchingof oyster mushroom and milky mushroom for 2min in 0.2% salt + 0.1% citric acid solution,followed by sun-drying improved the post-harvestshelf-life of both the mushrooms.

Onion: Irradiation of onion bulbs with gammarays at 60gy reduced sprouting losses as well astotal losses. The irradiation helps in reducing totallosses by 20% and sprouting losses by 100%.

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Well-cured bulbs of rabi season treated can bestored up to 6 months. Genotypical differentialresponse to gamma irradiation was also observed.Light red varieties mostly recommended for rabiseason responded very well to irradiation thandark red varieties recommended for kharif andlate kharif seasons.

Coconut: A prototype of small-scalefermentation plant was developed to produce virgincoconut oil by fermentation technique. Technologyto produce sweet coconut chips, osmoticallydehydrated using jaggery syrup and flavoured withnatural cardamom, ginger and cumin wasdeveloped.

Ginger: Fresh ginger oil was rich in citral,whereas dry ginger contained higher levels ofzingiberene, farnesene and sesquiphellandrene.Thechief components of C. sulphuratum bark oil wereidentified as linalool and tetradecanal.Cassava: Graft copolymers of cassava starch withacrylamide were synthesized, which had decreasedcrystallinity, hard texture and excellent waterabsorption capacity, film-forming property etc.These properties facilitate an enhanced use of theproduct in cosmetic and oil-drilling industries.

Functional pasta products (protein, fibre andcarotene enriched) were made from cassava flour,incorporating whey protein concentrate (WPC),oat meal and carrot powder, respectively. Besides,functional extruded snack foods having minimum

oil content, good puffing and high protein weremade by fortifying cassava flour with defattedsoy flour, finger millet, coconut residue (after virginoil extraction etc.).

Skin care products from Aloe vera: Aloe vera,locally known as guar patha, is a traditionalmedicinal plant and is used as an ingredient inmanufacture of several products (both edible andnon-edible), including cosmetic ones. The plantis hardy and well adapted to arid region ofRajasthan. Locally the plant is also used asvegetable, but the potential of the plant has notbeen fully exploited.

Two products for skin care namely, aloe crackcream and aloe moisturizer, which are very usefulfor different types of skin were developed fromAloe vera. Each product has a shelf-life of morethan 10 months. Aloe crack cream was found veryeffective against cracked heels and dry anddehydrated skin. It even stops bleeding from thecracked heels and makes the hard skin smoothwithin a week, if used properly. Aloe moisturizeris suitable for oily skin and prevents the skinfrom drying in winter.

Candy and preserve from tumba fruit: Tumba(Citrullus colocynthis) is a natural perennial creeperof the desert. The pulp of fruit is used as feed foranimals and seed for extraction of non-edible oilused in soap industry. The fresh fruits have 72%pulp containing 0.22% cucurbitacin, besides 26%

SUCCESS STORY

Gum technology from Acacia senegal in the Thar desert

Acacia senegal (Kumat) is an important source of gum-arabic that finds widespread use in medicines andpharmaceuticals, and is also an important component for paper, textile, adhesive, minerals, fertilizers,explosives, cosmetics, soap, ceramics, food, beverages and confectionary industries. In India, productionof gum from A. senegal is meagre despite the occurrence of extensive stands of the tree in the dry partsof Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Haryana. Consequently, the country imports annually 5,000tonnes of the gum, especially from Sudan, costing Rs 7.3 million. The average international price of theSudanese gum arabic is ~US $ 1,500/tonne.

Considering the market potential of gum arabic, a simple technology that involves administering a gum-inducing solution (ethephon) into the main stem of a tree through a small hole, plugging the hole withcleaned clay paste, and without causing any further injury or cut to the plant. The gum exudation startswithin 5-10 days of giving the treatment and may continue for 1 or 2 months. Depending on environmentalconditions, the appropriate time for treating the trees in western Rajasthan starts from the last week ofFebruary and extends up to May. The physico-chemical characteristics of the exuded gum conform toPharmacopoeia of India specifications for Indian gum. The cost of the treatment is Rs 10/tree, while thegum production/tree is 500 g (average). The current sale price of the gum is Rs 100-300/kg.

This low-cost, environment-friendly technology is now being propagated through CAZRI’s extensionwing and the KVKs. The state government agriculture extension department has also started propagatingthe technology. Due to its immense benefit at no management cost, simple technique, low capital investment,low gestation period, high benefit:cost ratio, employment generation and utilization of existing naturalresource, the farmers of western Rajasthan have tremendously responded to its adoption, especially in thedistricts of Barmer, Jodhpur, Nagaur, Bikaner, Jaipur and Bhilwara. The farmers are not only adopting thetechnology, but are also demanding to plant more A. senegal trees in their field boundaries, and in theircommunity lands.

Widespread application of the gum-inducing technology would not only help the country to meet thedomestic demand of gum-arabic and saving precious foreign exchange, but will also open the avenue forinternational marketing. It is estimated that there is scope for producing 20,000 tonnes of gum arabic forthe international market.

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oil and 13.5% protein in seeds. It profuselyproduces fruits (25–30 tonnes/ha). At Jaisalmer,Rajasthan efforts were made to provide value-additions to bitter pulp. Candy and preserve weremade successfully which can be used as dessertpurpose in confectionary, empty stomach intakelowers acidity and constipation. The preserve costsRs 15/kg and the candy costs Rs 20/kg. At theseprices the benefit : cost ratio for the preserve andcandy would be 2 and 1.5, respectively.

Date products: At Jaisalmer, products likechutney and toffee have been prepared from unripeand low-quality fruits of date palm or khajoor.The date toffee has granular texture with goodelasticity, which is liked by children. The datechutney has a pleasant aroma.

Solar PV mobile unit: A solar PV mobile unitwas designed and developed to provide a completeself-sustained mobile power unit for domestic, smallagricultural and other rural applications in isolatedcluster of houses (dhanis) of arid region. It comprisesan especially designed mobile structure to keep 2PV modules (70 Wp each) facing due south at 26o

from horizontal to receive maximum solar radiationand also to provide shade to sub-components. ThePV modules are fixed on a folding system withauto locking arrangement, so that these panels canbe folded inwards for easy movement of the unitand again opened to place the panels at an optimumangle. The frame of the mobile unit is made of ironangle with 4 wheels at the lower end of the frame(2 on the rear side and 2 on a guiding trapezoidalframe) with an appropriate handle to pull it withease. Side support is provided to firmly hold astorage battery and electronic sub-systems on awooden base to ensure intactness of the componentsduring movement of the unit.

The PV array (140 Wp) output is fed to thebattery (12 V 120 Ah) through a regulator and amaximum power tracker to charge the battery inan optimum way and then to derive power throughan in-built inverter for the working devices thatcould be operated for illumination, running radio,a small TV in the domestic front. The unit can beused also for operating a churner for butterextraction and for winnowing operation. The utilityof this power unit can be extended for other cottage-scale applications.

Production of beetroot powder and itsutilization: The total time taken in drying ofbeetroot after blanching at different temperatureswas in the range of 8–13 hr. The recovery of thecompletely-dried beetroot at different temperatureswas in the range of 13.9 – 14.6%. The hammermill was used for grinding the beetroot for powder.About 60% of the beetroot powder of 65 meshsize can be obtained from properly-dried beetroot.

The mean particle size of the beetroot powderwas 0.215 mm. The solubility of beetroot powderwith different particle size was in the range of77.3 – 79.9%. Average protein, fat, ash, fibre andtotal carbohydrates content in beetroot powderwas 11.99%, 2.17%, 4.57%, 7.40% and 79.87%,respectively. Acid insoluble ash content in beetrootpowder was 0.067%.

Ready-to-serve drink was prepared from beetrootpowder with different level of sugar, citric acid andwater and evaluated by a panel for different sensoryattributes. The overall sensory acceptability of drinkwas maximum for the sample with 2.6 g citric acidand 225 g sugar/litre of the ready drink. Theminimum overall sensory acceptability of the drinkwas observed for the drink with lowest citric acidand sugar content. Reconstituted drink to get thebenefits of beetroot was developed using beetrootpowder at 2.5, 3.5 and 4.5% with water andevaluated for different sensory attributes withreference to the fresh beetroot juice. The meansensory scores for overall acceptability ofreconstituted beetroot powder in the form drink at4.5% level was maximum as compared to freshjuice.

Carrot powder: Carrot was dried afterblanching. The total time taken in drying of carrotat different temperatures was in the range of 8–13 hr. The recovery of the completely-dried carrotat different temperatures was in the range of 8.4– 9.4%. Carrot samples, 2 particle size, viz. 65mesh size and 100 mesh size were evaluated forsolubility at different water temperature (30–90°C)using the water bath. Solubility of the carrot powderof 65 mesh size was in the range of 60.19 –69.65%. The solubility of carrot powder of 100mesh size at lower temperature (i.e. 30°C) wasslightly higher than the carrot powder of 65 meshsize. Solubility of the carrot powder of 100 meshsize was in the range of 64.25% – 69.8%. Averageprotein, fat, ash, and fibre content in carrot powderwas 6.87%, 2.77%, 8.81%, and 8.38% (d.b.),respectively. Acid insoluble ash content in carrotpowder was 0.36%. The carotene content in thecarrot powder samples obtained from carrot driedat different temperatures was in the range of 60.47– 70.82 mg/100g (d.b.).

Aonla pricking machine: An aonla-prickingmachine was designed and developed whichreduces labour cost, maintains uniform prickingdepth and improves efficiency and accuracy. It isoperated with 1 hp motor and its capacity is 100kg/hr.

Novel value-added extruded products usingapple powder: The extruded product of applepowder was prepared along with rice brokens,wheat grits (dalia) and dhal. The products obtainedwere very tasty, crispy, had good appearance and

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look like kukure. It does not have any sour andhot taste or any particular flavour, because theingredients in the extruded product are only applepowder, dalia, rice, and dhal in 15:40:35:10proportions. Colouring agents and artificial flavourswere not added. Product scored 7.7 value duringsensory evaluation on 9-point hedonic scale.

Drying of henna leaves using solar energy:Solar dryer took about 12–14 hr to dry hennaleaves. The thickness of henna leave was about0.399 mm and having moisture content of 221.54%d.b. It was found that solar-dried henna leavesretained good quality of green colour. Two-termmodel with highest R2 value of 0.99 was found torepresent the thin layer drying behaviour of hennaleaves in solar dryer. Effective moisture diffusivityof henna leaves ranged from 8.27 × 10-10 to 1.278× 10-8 m2/s. The moisture diffusivity increased asdrying air temperature was increased. Themaximum temperature inside the solar dryer was52°C and minimum RH was 9%.

Modified atmosphere packaging for okra andbetel leaf: Okra, being very delicate should behandled gently after harvest, pre-cooled (hydro-cooled as well as air-cooled) and then stored undermodified atmosphere packaging in perforatedpolypropylene film packages to extend its shelf-life reasonably, to maintain the qualitativeparameters and its market quality. Under theseconditions, the green colour retention would besubstantial as well as no blackening of ridgeswould be observed for 7 days of storage.

Okra should be stored under ideal temperaturerange of 10–15°C. Beneficial modified atmospherescontaining low O2 (6–8%) and high CO2 (11–13%) concentrations can be generated automaticallyin polypropylene (PP) film packages. To createthese modified atmospheres, okra should bepackaged (500 g) in the perforated (2 holes; holediameter: 0.3 mm, normal pinhole) normalpolypropylene film packages (bag dimensions: 210mm × 275 mm; thickness: 35 micron) and thenkept for storage at 15°C. Under these conditions,the equilibrium gas concentration is suitable forretention/maintenance of its bright green colour,retention of qualitative parameters and a shelf-life of 7 days without blackening of ridges orexcessive weight loss. Also, under these storageconditions, the water vapour production is checkedwhich helps in maintaining the qualitativeparameters.

Modified atmosphere (MA) technology wasapplied at CIPHET, Ludhiana for packaging ofbetel leaf for retail handling and storage. Thepigments and phenolic content of betel leaf canbe sufficiently maintained in polypropylene filmpackages which show the potential of use of MAPfor packaging of betel leaf. Betel leaves can be

stored for 10 days at 20°C under MAP.Continuous feed seed removal unit for aonla:

A continuous feed type aonla segmentation unitwas developed for removal of seeds from fruitfor use by the aonla processing industries. Theaonla fruit to be processed is placed on the rotatingindexing assembly having 6 holes. A hole providedat the bottom allows discharge of the seed intothe bottom-collecting tray. The process time isregulated by using the control panel assemblyand controls the speed of the motor, synchronizationof the cutting knife assembly and indexing table.

Continuous feed seed removal unit for use by the aonlaprocessing industries

Production of fruit and vegetable-based bars/confectioneries: Production processes for 5 typesof fruit-vegetable bars, papaya-pumpkin, papaya-bottleguard, papaya-brinjal, papaya-cabbage andpapaya-cauliflower and candy from aonla for pilot-plant scale production of 50 kg/day were developed.The quality of the bars/candies was found goodon account of texture, colour, microbial load andconsumer acceptance. Establishment of plant forproduction of 12,500 bars/candies annually mayneed an investment of Rs10 lakhs. The cost ofproduction will be Rs130/kg.

Production processes for 5 types of fruit and vegetable bars

Large cardamom dryer for NEH region: Thedryer installed at Sikkim centre, Gangtok wastested on site. The modified drying equipment

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has capacity of 600 kg/batch of fresh (wet)cardamom. The drying temperature of 55–60°Cwas maintained uniformly in plenum chamber. Ittook about 12 hr to bring down the moisture content(wb) from 85 to 15%. There was no loss in quality,especially in natural colour of the husk ofcardamom, which remained same after drying.The dried product was of A-Grade quality.

Wool: Work on technical felt revealed that non-woven felts from different blends of Bharat Merinowool with rabbit hair, viscose and cigarette fibresin the proportion of 50:50 having different thicknessof 2, 4 and 6 mm could be prepared. The felts ofless than 4 mm thickness were converted intovalue-added products like jackets and womenruffles. These products enhanced quality andconsumer acceptance due to better lustre, durabilityand thermal insulation values. These products havegreat demand and can create employmentopportunity in the rural/unorganized sector.

Microspinning of cotton sample: A newmachine for lap preparation was developed atCIRCOT that is suitable for opening cotton samplesweighing approx. 60–100 g and then convertingthem into mini laps in about 15 min. The machinehas 3 motors, one each for feed, delivery andsuction. The Inverter drive for speed control enablesquick adjustments of speeds of the workingelements. This new device was found to performsatisfactorily with quality output.

Extraction of banana psuedostem fibre andits utilization for preperation of value-addedproducts: Experiments conducted on spinning ofbanana on jute system revealed that it is possibleto produce yarns to tex values matching those forjute. Doubling of banana yarn improved itsbreaking load, breaking extension and tenacityby more than 50%. Addition of 20% jute in bananafibres also improved the breaking extension andtenacity of the blended yarn. These yarns wereconverted into plain woven fabric of about 250–400 GSM. This fabric may be useful as upholstery.

Paper produced from banana cut fibres obtainedfrom scutcher waste was noted to have high quality;with the quality improving further with the useof NaOH in pulp preparation. It was observedthat paper made from long length textile gradefibres of banana was of much better quality thanthat obtained by using cut fibres, matching withthe quality of currency paper.

Characterization of natural dyes: HPTLCpatterns of the extracts from flowers of marigold(3 types), chrysanthemum (2 types) and aster weredeveloped in a solvent system which also facilitatedrecording of uv-vis spectra of the separatedconstituents. It could be inferred from the positionof spots on the chromatogram and their uv-visspectra that basic HPTLC pattern of all marigold

flowers was similar and it was different from thebasic HPTLC pattern of chrysanthemum and asterflowers. Basic HPTLC patterns of both types ofchrysanthemum flowers were similar and had aresemblance with a part of HPTLC pattern ofaster. Thus, it is inferred that the basic HPTLCpattern can serve as a marker for identification ofthese flowers.

Dyeing of jute fabric with sulphur dyes:Several sulphur dyes free from banned aminesand safe from ecological considerations were usedfor dyeing of jute fabric and the dyeing processwas standardized. The dyes are Ecofast RubberBrown 31, Ecofast Dark Olive 44, Ecosol NavyBlue IRR, Ecosol Yellow IGCD, Solsul MandarinOrange ZYY and Solsul Swedish Blue ILW.Evaluation of sulphur-dyed samples reveal thatall the above dyes produce good colour yield andfastness properties. Sulphur-dyed jute fabric retainsits tensile strength and the handle properties arealso improved. Accelerated tendering test ofsulphur-dyed jute fabric shows no negative effect.

Ornamental jute fabric: A handloom wasdesigned, developed and fabricated exclusivelyto be used for jute and other fibres in blends.Shuttle box and sley race were incorporated torun big shuttle. There is no interruption in weaving,as in conventional looms, due to a positive takeup arrangement. Cloth roller and cloth beam areinside the loom to hold longer length of fabric.The double beam arrangement facilitates feedingwarp yarn of different linear density so that variablewarp yarn tension is avoided during weaving andvarieties of designs can be made through jacquardshedding.

Bioscouring of jute: To overcome thediscrepancies of scouring by alkaline treatmentthe process of bioscouring was developed. It is atreatment with cellulose/xylanase enzyme and non-ionic surface active agents. The process has beenstandardized for jute fabric and the bioscouredsamples have been found to be far superior to thealkali-scoured samples in respect of opticalproperties, absorbency, handle property and tensilecharacters.

Mannual ribboner and improved ribbonretting technology for jute: Technology ofaccelerated and eco-friendly retting of jute,developed by NIRJAFT, has been accepted bythe Ministry of Textiles, Government of India aswell as Department of Agriculture, Governmentof West Bengal for implementation under the JuteTechnology Mission programme.

Frontline demonstrations have establishedconsistently that the fibre quality is improved by2 grades, retting period is shortened by 7–8 daysand the requirement of water is reduced from1:20 to 1:3 (plant:water).

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Visual test fordetection of adulterationof soymilk in milk: Acolour-based test fordetection of presence ofsoymilk in milk wasdeveloped, which is basedon inhibition of activityof exogenously addedenzyme by components ofsoymilk. Pure milk givespink colour, whereasadulterated milk showsdrastic reduction in theintensity of pink colour,which can be visuallydistinguished. The test results can be obtained in50 min. The sensitivity of test is 2.5 to 10%,depending on the methods of preparation ofsoymilk. Other adulterants such as urea, starch,glucose, sucrose, hydrogen peroxide and formalindo not interfere with the test. The test does notrequire any expensive equipment and can be appliedat quality control laboratories.

Immunological test for detection ofadulteration of soymilk in milk: An immuno-diffusion test for detection of adulteration ofsoymilk in milk was developed. The test has thesensitivity to detect presence of 3% soymilk inadulterated milk. The results are availableovernight. The precipitation (antigen-antibodycomplex) lines are stained for enhancing visibility.An innovative step in test was added to allowflow of milk micellar proteins in agarose gel duringdiffusion. The test does not require any expensiveequipment and can be applied at quality controllaboratories.

Technology for the manufacture of Kradi:Kradi (semisoft cheese), hitherto undocumentedtraditional dairy product of Jammu and Kashmir,is consumed either as a fried spiced item or aculinary dish. A process was standardized for itsmanufacture. The product was better than marketsamples on sensory evaluation. The vacuum packedproduct had a shelf-life of 15 to 20 days at 25°C,3.5 to 4 months at 5°C and more than 6 monthsat –20°C. The developed technology could becommercially utilized for large-scale manufactureof this product.

Quarg type cheese from buffalo milk: Quargis essentially a milk protein paste, manufacturedby acid coagulation of milk by proper bacterialcultures with a small rennet addition for betterseparation of the protein coagulum from the whey.A process was developed for its manufacture frombuffalo milk. Quarg cheese is of high nutritionalvalue due to high concentration of proteins. It isexcellent carrier for probiotic micro-organisms.

Khoa from low fat milk: An integrated three-stage thin film scraped surface heat exchanger(SSHE) was designed and fabricated. Itsperformance was evaluated to manufacture khoausing low fat milk having 2, 3 and 4% fat. Yieldis 50kg/hr khoa with buffalo milk (6% fat) andwas enhanced to 120 kg/hr, if milk is pre-concentrated to 30%. It can run with buffalo milkand cow milk with any fat level. This method ishygienic and sanitation-friendly.

Meat and meat products technology

● Technology for the production of functionalmutton nuggets was evolved.

● Identified optimum handling practices, newtenderization techniques and productformulations for efficient utilization of sheepand goat meat.

● The assessment of quality and safety of meatspread revealed that the product could besafely stored up to 60 days at refrigeratedand 6 months at frozen temperature.

● Sensory evaluation of mutton nuggets:Mutton nuggets with low salt, low fat andhigh dietary fibre had very good acceptabilityon scientific evaluation.

● Sensory evaluation of chicken soup: Theoverall acceptability of premium chicken soup,with low salt and traces of fat was evaluatedas ‘very good’ on scientific evaluation.

● Assessment of the impact of technologiesgenerated by IVRI: Impact assessment ofOlinall skin ointment, IVRI crystoscope andarea-specific mineral mixture was done bycollecting data from dealers, field veterinariansand farmers from Uttar Pradesh andUttarakhand. The respondents considered thetechnologies as very useful.

Benefits of larger weight broilers: Broilersof relatively lower live weight are being producedin the country. Yield of deboned meat from primalcuts (leg, breast, and wing drummets) could beincreased by 74.49 g, 36.34 g and 27.98 g,

Reduction in colour intensityindicates presence of soymilkin milk

Buffalo milk quarg cheese

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respectively, when broilers were grown from lowto heavy, low to medium and medium to heavyweight, respectively. Cost of protein productionwas 26.86% less in heavy weight broilers comparedto low weight. Heavy weight broilers also facilitatedevelopment of processed meat sector with higheryields of special cuts like chicken tenders. Thus,producing broilers of heavier weights has indicatedbenefits of producing primal cuts, deboned meatand valuable protein at lower cost to benefit theproducers and consumers.

Shelf-stable meat products: Chicken driedmeat: Technologies to prepare dried meat were

developed. It is not only a value-added varietyproduct but the technology is also useful whenchicken prices are low due to poor demand.

Chicken meat pickle: Technology wasdeveloped for preparing chicken meat pickleutilizing cooked meat from deboned frames, abyproduct of poultry processing industries. It isa value-added product and shelf stable for about5 months.

Value-added egg product: Egg waffle, anutritious and versatile snack food perfect for thebreakfast meal, has good market potential,particularly at growing fast food outlets.Standardized processing methodology wasdeveloped. Egg waffles contain 13.72% protein,12.53% fat and 34.1% moisture with low aerobicbacteria and yeast and mould counts (log 1.4–1.9cfu/g, respectively) and complete absence ofcoliforms and staphylococci. Egg waffles, invacuum, indicated an ambient (24±1°C) shelf-life of 4 days, and in aerobic packaging 3 days asagainst 10 and 6 days in respective packs atrefrigeration temperature (4±1°C) with acceptablesensory and satisfactory microbiological quality.The cost of formulating one kg of processed ready-to-eat egg waffles was Rs 73.85 and of one cookedegg waffle weighing about 45g was estimated tobe Rs 3.32.

Maricream: Maricream, essentially a ready-to-eat and highly nutritious product containingdeodorized fish protein, is a mix of water, cookedcuttlefish, meat, sugar, butter, egg white, flavouringsubstances, stabilizers and emulsifiers. Cephalopodsother than cuttlefish can also be used for maricreampreparation. One important difference with otherdesserts is that the protein component is providedfrom a marine source. The product packed in plasticcontainers (food grade polypropylene), is frozenat –20°C and stored at –15°C. The product maybe transported in insulated boxes under cold chainconditions.

Fish-enriched noodles: Fish-enriched noodles

Whey-based oral rehydrating solution

The possible use of Lactobacilli with whey and itselectrolyte for the therapy against diarrhoea wasexplored. Sodium, potassium, calcium andchloride contents are significantly present inhigher concentration in paneer whey, the largestbyproduct of dairy industry. The Lactobacillus casei299 proved to be the most acid tolerant–survivingafter 3 hr at pH 1.5. The highest bile tolerancewas observed in NCDC 11 and NCDC 291 at 2%up to 12 hr. NCDC 17 and NCDC 299 showedmaximum inhibitory zone against five diarrhoea-causing pathogens. Cell surface hydrophobicitywas maximum in MTCC 1408 (77.10%), NCDC299 (70.60%), followed by L. paracasei 17(66.05%). All Lactobacilli strains were resistantto co-trimoxazole, metronidazole and vancomycinbut sensitive to teteracycline and chloramphenicol.In simulated gastric and pancreatic juice, wheyprotects the cell from reaching the death byincreasing the overall pH and inhibiting digestiveprotease activity. NCDC 17 and NCDC 299 grewfaster in whey within 24 hr. The minimum residuallactose was observed for L. paracasei NCDC 17(3.6mg/ml). Only NCDC 17 could suppress thegrowth of Salmonella in 24 hr of fermentation.Cell-free supernatant (whey) of NCDC 17 andNCDC 299 results in maximum reduction inviability of Salmonella within 8 hr of incubation.

Whey was fermented at 37oC for 24 hr withbest selected probiotic culture (NCDC 17 andNCDC 299), and glucose supplement and basesupplements were added along with orangeflavour (food grade) after the fermentation wasover. Fermented whey oral rehydrating solution(ORS) was sustainable at 4oC for 30 days. Smallintestine showed the disruption of villi, oedemaand increased PMNs during diarrhoeal infection.Fermented whey ORS treatment decreased intra-and-inter villi oedema and reduced villi disruption.Anti-Salmonella and anti-Shigella antibodies weresecreted after drinking fermented whey ORS,which was effective in displacing pathogens.Findings indicated that whey is the best milk-based medium where fermentation with probioticbacteria can enhance its therapeutic capability. Avacuum dried Bio-ORS was prepared by usingwhey as base and a standardized method for theformulation.

Egg waffles

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were prepared to improve the nutritional value(protein, calcium and phosphorous) and taste ofthe market noodles. Shelf-life of dried fish noodlesis 4 months at room temperature, and it could bea popular fast food item considering its nutritionaland organoleptic qualities.

● Sandwich paste was prepared from Sciaenidfish and fortified with EPA and DHA inretortable pouch

● Fish curry prepared from freshwater fishtilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) inretortable pouch

Improved lobster traps: Improved standard lobstertraps were fabricated under the collaborative projectParticipatory Management and Conservation ofLobster Resources along the South West Coast ofIndia (MPEDA, CMFRI and CIFT), and thesetraps were distributed to fishermen of Kadiyaptnamand Enyam fishing villages of Kanyakumari.

Solar dryer with LPG back-up: A fish dryingsystem was developed using solar energy. Fishcan be dried continuously by harnessing solarenergy and using LPG back-up system to obtaina good quality product, with reduced drying time,without insect damage or contamination, and longershelf-life. The dryer could also be used for fish,fruits, vegetables, spices and agroproducts.

Status of lac production, marketing andprocessing: Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand togetherproduce two-thirds of the total lac production inthe country. The total lac production during 2007–08 was estimated to be 20.6 m.kg. The other majorlac producing states are Madhya Pradesh, WestBengal, Maharastra, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh.A total of 29.8 m.kg. lac was processed during2007–08. The import and export of lac was about7.3 m.kg. each during the period.

Genetic diversity in Indian lac insects: Forty-eight lac insect lines, of the above collection wereanalyzed through RAPD markers. The RAPDprofiles could clearly discriminate the lines andwas used to develop a dendrogram based onJaccard’s similarity co-efficient and UPGMAmethod. The similarity co-efficient calculated was0.34-0.92, suggesting the existence of a widegenetic diversity between the lines. The clustering

analysis from RAPD data revealed 6 distinctclusters. Twenty lac insect lines were analyzedthrough ISSR markers which showed a similarityco-efficient range of 0.25–0.81, demonstrating awide genetic variation of the lac insect lines studied.The clustering analysis from the ISSR data couldgroup the 20 lac insect lines into 4 major clusters.The RAPD and ISSR markers were also employedto differentiate between 8 wild type (crimson) andyellow colour mutant of lac insect populations, eachin a pair-wise fashion. Besides characterization,the above study has helped in understanding thegenetic diversity in the lac insect lines and theirphylogenetic relationship.

Pilot plant of aleuritic acid: A pilot plant ofaleuritic acid (capacity: 2 kg/batch) was set-up atProcessing and Demonstration Unit of IINRG,Ranchi for training, demonstration and processrefinement. Aleuritic acid (9, 10, 16-Trihydroxy-hexadecanoic acid), a major constituent acid of lacresin is present to an extent of 35%. It is a whitepowder moderately soluble in hot water andcompletely soluble in the lower alcohols such asmethyl, ethyl and isopropyl alcohols. Most of thepresent production of aleuritic acid is exported. Themarket price for bleached aleuritic acid is about1,000–1,200/kg.

Pilot plant for preparation of pure lac dye:A pilot plant for preparation of pure grade lacdye was set-up for training, demonstration andprocess refinement at IINRG, Ranchi. Natural purelac dye represents a more sustainable source ofcolourants compared to synthetic counterparts.Natural colourants are used widely in food andbeverage industry. The yield of pure lac dye wasabout 0.25% on the weight of sticklac, with purityof more than 99%. The dye gave a deep orange-red colour in aqueous solution.

The dye content was 70–71% and ash content0.71–1.10%, respectively. The melting point was230–238°C and soluble in cold water.

Transfer of technology: Training of laccultivation, processing and uses was provided. Atotal of 161 courses were conducted benefitingsome 10,643 people.

Entrepreneurship training was provided on thepreparation of aleuritic acid, bleached lac,isoamberlite and processing of lac.

Technologies assigned for commercialtransfer

● A latex agglutination test for detection ofNewcastle disease (NRDC)

● Swine fever virus cell culture vaccine (NRDC)

● Fusion protein and nucleotide as Brucellavaccine (BCIL)

Physico-chemical parameters of lac fromdifferent countries

Seedlac of Major physico-chemical parameters

various countries Colour Flow Life Bleach(mm) (min) index

Indian 9 54 61 80Thai 18 20 46 140Chinese 20 20 44 140Indonesian 16 16 60 110

Animal-drawn biasi rice cultivator

The 2-row improved biasi rice cultivator gavehigher work rate and reduced plant mortalitycompared to the traditional practice. The unit priceof the improved biasi cultivator is Rs 2,000 andits draft requirement is 50 kg. Compared to thetraditional practice of farmers (cost of biasioperation, Rs/ha = 1,350) the improved 2-bottombiasi cultivator saved Rs 700/ha. Considering thecommand area of 04 ha the total annual benefitswas estimated to be Rs 2,800/unit.

11

Agricultural Mechanization and

Energy Management

Rotary transmission system for electricitygeneration using draught animals: To increasethe annual utilization of draught animals, rotarytransmission system was developed for rotary modeapplication of draught animals, especially duringoff-seasons with gadgets for electricity generationand agro-processing. Gear transmission system iswith speed step up of 01:125; further stepping thespeed up by pulley-belt combination to the inputshaft of the alternator. The generated electricity isstored in battery (17 plate, 12 volt) with back-uptime of 04 hr at output load of 250 W. Processinggadgets: seed cleaner-cum-grader, maize sheller,chaff cutter and flour mill were evaluated for outputof 300, 120, 40 and 8 kg/ha, respectively usingone camel on the rotary system.

A brief description of machines developed forseeding and placement of fertilizer, planting,puddling, spraying, trash shredding, harvestingand weeding is presented here.

Animal-drawn zero till seed-cum-fertilizerdrill: The zero till seed-cum-fertilizer drill (unitprice of Rs 3,500) was used for direct seeding ofwheat and placement of fertilizer withoutpreparatory tillage under high soil moisturecondition. By use of zero till drill the seedingwas done timely for higher yield at reduced costof cultivation. The direct savings in cost ofoperation for sowing wheat compared to thetraditional practices of farmers (cost of operation,Rs/ha = 3,000 for 03 tillage and seeding behindcountry plough) was Rs 2,250/ha. Consideringthe command area of the drill of 03 ha, the totalannual benefit was Rs 6,700/machine.

Animal-drawn improved puddler: Improvedpuddlers of different designs were developed forpuddling of rice fields prior to transplanting. Itwas advantageous in terms of better puddling withreduced number of passes (2 nos.) compared tothe traditional method of puddling by use ofwooden comb harrow (4 passes) or mould boardploughing and planking. Due to rolling, the draftload on the animals was low (60 kg) compared tothe traditional puddler and the work rate was higherdue to increased size and requiring less numberof passes to prepare the puddle bed. The unitprice of the improved lug wheel puddler is Rs5,000 and its field capacity is 0.08 ha/hr. Directsaving in cost of puddling operation compared tothe traditional practice of farmers (Rs/ha = 2,600)is Rs 1,850/ha. Considering the command area of03 ha, the total annual benefit to the farmers wasRs 5,550/machine.

Animal-drawn tool carrier with ridge makerfor vegetable cultivation: Rider bottom as anattachment to the tool carrier was developed for

making ridges for planting of vegetable seeds/seedlings. Compared to the manual ridge makingby spades (Rs 20/100 m length of ridge; size,mm; base width = 300, top width = 100 and height= 100) the animal-drawn rider with tool carriercould save Rs 15/100 m length of ridge, besidesmaking the work faster for seasonal planting. Theunit price of the ridge maker attachment is Rs1,000. Its average field capacity is 1,000 m ofridge/hr. The unit may be more useful for ridgemaking in lighter soils for raised/broad bedcultivations.

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AGRICULTURAL MECHANIZATION AND ENERGY MANAGEMENT

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A camel power-based rotary complex forelectricity generation and agro-processing wasestablished at the NRCC, Bikaner for further testingand demonstration.

Package of matching equipment for donkeys:A package of improved equipment matching thepower output of large white Kathiawad breeddonkeys (body weight = 150 kg and pullingcapacity = 30% of body weight) was developedfor field operation and transport. The packageincludes harness, iron plough, blade harrow, 2-row seed drill, blade hoe, 2-wheel steel cart andagro-processing gadgets (chaff cutter, casterdecorticator and winnower) for operation in rotarymode.

A set of donkey-drawn implements withmodified harness (modified Balram plough bladeharrow, blade hoe, 2-row seed drill, seckon typeharness with yoke, breast-cum-shoulder harnessand single donkey steel cart) was supplied to NRCon Equines, Hisar for further testing anddemonstration for use by farmers in light soils.

Rotary nozzles for tractor-operated sprayerfor mango orchard: Rotary nozzles for mangoorchard was developed. These nozzles were testedin the lab as well as in fields. The nozzles provideeffective spraying, reduce loss of pesticide, coverlarge area of plant canopy and found effective inproper and even placement of pesticides. Fieldtesting of tractor-operated Tycoon sprayer equippedwith rotary nozzles was conducted for sprayingoperation in mango orchards.

Chopper type tynes for power tiller rotavatorfor sugarcane trash shredding: Handling ofsugarcane trash and its incorporation in the soilis a big problem. Hence, chopper type tynes weredeveloped for power tiller rotavator for sugarcanetrash shredding. When L-shaped tynes are usedfor sugarcane trash shredding, entanglement oftrash around the rotavator shaft is observed. Thenormal angle for L-shaped tynes is 118° +/-2°which was changed to 160° – 180° to make itchopper type tynes. Field trials of power tillerrotavator equipped with chopper type tynes wereconducted as per BIS/RNAM test code on an areaof above 2 ha. Effective field capacity of powertiller rotavator equipped with chopper type tyneswas observed to be 0.065 – 0.085 ha/hr with 66.60– 82.27% field efficiency. Operating cost wasobserved to be in the range of Rs 977 – 1,314/ha.Significant reduction in sugarcane trash size wasobserved in both field trials.

Self-propelled lucerne harvester: A walkingtype self-propelled lucerne harvester wasdeveloped. It consists of a gearbox and cutterbar. Cutter bar is bi-directional reciprocating typemade from high carbon steel. Length of strokefor cutter bar is 25 mm and effective width of

cutter bar is 860 mm. A man can walk behind themachine with an average speed of 2 km/hr.The recommended speed ratio of the averagecutter bar speed to the forward speed of machineis 1.3 : 1.4. Two wheels are used for transportationpurpose. The ground wheels drive the reel of theharvester. Ground drive provides the desirablefeature of maintaining a constant speed ratiobetween peripheral speed and forward speed. Theeffective field capacity was found to be 0.113 ha/hr and field efficiency was noted as 70–75%. Theaverage cost of operation was found to be Rs850/ha as against Rs 1,770/ha by conventionalmethod, giving a net saving of 52% in cost and90% in time.

Tractor-operated vegetable transplanter forbrinjal, cauliflower and tomato: A 2-row tractor-operated vegetable transplanter with picker wheeltype metering mechanism was developed fortransplanting seedlings of brinjal, cauliflower andtomato etc. It was modified to 3 rows to increasethe capacity of the machine. The plant-to-plantspacing and row spacing in the modified machinecan be adjusted to suit for transplantingrequirements of different types of vegetables/crops.The plant-to-plant spacing in both the machinescan be varied as 30, 45 and 60 cm by changingsprockets or number of fingers. Trials in chilli,cabbage, cauliflower, gobi sarson and brinjalindicated that the plant missing was about 2 –3.5% at a speed of about 0.8–1.0 km/hr dependingupon the plant-to-plant spacing and skill of operator.The yield was at par with the traditional methods.The machine saves about 80–84% labour incomparison to manual planting depending on cropspacing. The approximate price of the machine isRs 70,000.

Tractor-operated rotary weeder: A rotaryweeder was developed, consisting of a main frame,gearbox, 3 rotary weeding blade assemblies, asquare shaft for transmission of power from

Tractor-mounted onion harvester-cum-elevator

Onion harvester-cum-elevator was developed fordigging onion and other root crops. It consists ofa digger blade made from high carbon wear-resistant steel. The width and thickness of theblade is 1,144 mm and 16 mm. The field capacityof the machine is 0.28, 0.24, and 0.21ha/hr whenoperated at speed of 2.78, 2.41 and 2.10 km/hr,respectively, whereas the damage is 1.98, 1.92and less than 1.0%, respectively. The saving inlabour ranged from 62 to 71%. Saving in cost ofoperation and labour for harvesting onion, carrotand garlic was 52.28, 46.71, 52.28% and 69.05,59.29 and 69.05%, respectively as compared tomanual harvesting. The approximate price of themachine is Rs 40,000.

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gearbox to rotary assemblies and sets of sprocketsand chains. A standard 3-point hitch arrangementhas been provided to mount the frame to the tractor.Power from tractor PTO is transmitted to mainsquare shaft through gearbox mounted onmainframe and set of sprockets and chain. Thespeed reduction from PTO to gearbox is 5:9. Themachine was operated in more than 8.0 ha areaon farmers’ fields. It saves 54% labour and 74%cost of operation as compared to traditional method.The cost of the machine is about Rs 60,000.

Farmyard manure spreader: A 2-tonnecapacity tractor-operated farmyard manure spreaderwas developed. It consists of manure spreadingunit, feeding auger and slanting platform to conveythe farmyard manure to the spreading unit. Thefield capacity and field efficiency of the machinewere 0.34, 0.35, 0.36 ha/hr and 75, 76 and 74%at forward speeds of 2.25, 2.32 and 2.4 km/hr,respectively. Average width of applicationwas 2.0 m. Manure application rate and uniformityof manure spreading increased with increase inflow/delivery rate of manure from the opening.

Controlled traffic rotary no-till slit drill: A7-row (30 cm row spacing) controlled traffic rotaryno-till slit drill for sowing of soybean under cropresidue of wheat crop was developed. A modularseed box with furrow opener was directly mountedon rear frame of seed drill. The modular unitconsists of primary and secondary seed hoppersand vertical rotor type seed metering system. The180 mm diameter rotor picks the seed fromsecondary seed box and drops it in the seed deliverypipe. The flow of seeds from primary to secondaryhopper is controlled through an adjustable seeddelivery chute. Press wheels are provided in frontfor sowing under crop residue of wheat and rice.

Manually-operated tool for de-suckering forhill banana: A manually-operated banana de-suckering tool was developed. The tool consistsof a handle for pushing the scoop and a pipe towhich a de-suckering scoop is attached at theend. A small footrest is provided on the pipe forapplying additional force for penetration in thesucker zone. The tool is effective in removal ofthe unwanted suckers in hill banana.

Desuckering and clump removal equipmentfor hill banana: The prototype of banana clumpremoval equipment, developed earlier, was attachedto the light weight power tiller and tested at farmers’field at Gobichettipalayam, Erode district, TamilNadu. The average time taken to remove the bigclump in dry condition was 5 min. and only 30sec. for small clump in wet conditions. Serratedblade is provided at the cutting edges of the screwfor easy cutting of clump material.

Raised bed maker-cum-planter-cum-cultivator: A customized raised bed maker-cum-

planter-cum-cultivator for field trials wasdeveloped. The machine consists of 3 toolbars;the ridgers are mounted on the front, cultivatorson middle and planting units on the rear toolbar.The rear toolbar on which planting units aremounted can be detached for intercultureoperations. For planting operation, the spacingbetween ridgers can be adjusted according to tractortread. The working width of the machine is 1,500

Desucking and clump removal equipment takes 5 min to removebig clump in dry condition and only 30 sec for small clump in wetcondition

Mole plough for Vertisols

A mole plough was designed and evaluated forits performance at CIAE farm. The dimension ofthe mole plough includes a leg with 1,000 × 250× 25 mm and a foot of 100 mm with 110 mmbullet diameter. The total weight of the ploughwas 85 kg. Since the mole drain formationdepends on the soil physical properties, soilsamples were collected in 3-day interval to formmole drains during optimum moisture content(22–26%), using liquid limit apparatus. The liquidlimit of soils in the experimental plot was workedout as 47.81% and plastic limit was found to be22.7%. Unit cost of mole plough is Rs 8,000.

An increase of above 50% soybean yield wasobserved in 2, 4 and 6 m mole drain spacings,over control. The drains are functional for the last3 monsoon seasons. Output capacity was 0.28ha/hr at 4 m drain spacing.

One labour was required for monitoring thepump used for draining out the collected water.Cost of operation of the mole plough at 2, 4 and6 m drain spacings was Rs 3,182, 1,811 and1,169/ha, respectively. The drains performed wellcontinuously for the 3 seasons. The returns onthe investment can be obtained in the first yearof installation due to enhanced soybean yield.Increase in yield of soybean due to mole drainageis @ 3 q/ha. The increase in income was workedout Rs 3,000/ha/year.

ORP trials of the technology were successfullycarried out at farmers’ fields in the villages ofRaisen and Bhopal districts.

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mm. During planting operation, the ridgersmake a raised bed on which seeds are placedby the modular planting units. The spacingbetween the rows can be adjusted and minimumspacing of 225 mm can be achieved. Themachine can also be used for intercrop sowing.Each of the functional components is modularand can be adjusted as per the requirements. Twounits of the machine have been supplied toICRISAT for sowing of soybean in Raisen andSagar districts.

Energy saving control strategy for polyhouseenvironment under warm-humid climates: Tosave energy, a strategy with combination ofdifferent systems, i.e. natural ventilation system,fan and pad evaporative cooling, fogging andshading was worked out. The study was conductedwith a pipe framed polyhouse (16¢ × 40¢ ) equippedwith various cooling and controlling devices andoperating systems like mechanized naturalventilation, exhaust fan, excelsior cooling pad,wind pump water delivery and micro tube irrigationsystem, microprocessor-based greenhousecontrolling system, foggers cooling and differentpumping units.

In January, ventilators may be kept closed duringnight time to take advantage of CO2 enrichment.In February, ventilators may be kept open during9AM–5PM and closed during off sunshine hours,however, suitable shading may also be used duringpeak sunshine hours, i.e. between 12 noon and 3

PM. In first fortnight of March, use of evaporativecooling and shading may help to reduce 1 – 2 hrevaporative cooling period. During secondfortnight, use of shading with forced evaporativecooling methods bring down inside air temperaturebelow optimum range (25±5°C). Natural ventilationis enough during night hours. In April, suitablenight cooling is also needed in addition to shadingwith forced cooling during day hours. During May–June, forced cooling with shading is needed inthe greenhouse to bring down the temperaturewithin the good production range.

Drainage technologies for crops sensitive towaterlogging in Vertisols: Surface and sub-surfacedrainage (SSD) systems for maize and pigeonpeacrops were designed using meteorological dataof 20 years. The different kinds of SSD systems(SSD with filter, SSD - chimney with filter,combination of surface and SSD with filter andSSD without filter) were installed at 20 m drainspacing and 1.0 m depth with drainage sump-wells fitted with automatic water pumping andmeasuring devices on 3.0 ha land. Fieldexperiments were carried out during kharif seasonsof 2005–07. The surface drainage at 20-drainspacing increased the yield of maize and pigeonpeaby 20 – 40% over the control. The SSD lowered

the temporary water-table by 0.40 m within aday. The maize and pigeonpea yields increasedby 34 – 59.5% and 39 – 64.2% over the control,respectively under different SSD systems.The yield of subsequent rabi season chickpea andwheat crops (cultivated in SSD fields) increasedby 14% and 12% over control, respectively dueto sub-surface drainage. The benefit-cost (B/C)ratios for maize and pigeonpea cultivation intemporary waterlogged Vertisols were found tobe 1.35 – 1.53 for surface drainage and 1.36 –1.79 for SSD systems. The pay-back period forSSD systems for crops sensitive to waterloggingis 6–7 years. Under high water-table condition,when natural outlet is available near the field, thecombination of surface and SSD is recommendedfor draining Vertisols effectively. For cultivationof the water-sensitive crops under temporarilywaterlogged Vertisols surface drainage and SSDtechnologies are techno-economical feasible.

RENEWABLE ENERGY

Optimization of parameters for utilization ofpaddy straw, kinnow pulp and pea pods forproduction of cellulases, ethanol and feedsupplements: Primary hydrolysis using sulphuricacid treatment resulted in about 25% hydrolysisof rice straw and the secondary hydrolysis resultedin further hydrolysis of about 13%, thus about 38%

Industrial application of solar tunnel dryer

A walk-in type solar tunnel dryer of 3.75 m ×17 m size floor area was installed in the premisesof M/s Cotton Products India, Ayed, Udaipur fordrying 600 kg treated cotton per batch from initialmoisture content of 40% to a final moisturecontent of around 5% on a sunny day. The systemis working satisfactorily for more than a year. Fullyconvinced with the technology, another firm M/sRaj Surgical, village Lakkadvas, Udaipur hasinstalled 3 units of the walk-in type solar tunneldryer at its factory each having a loading capacityof 600 kg of wet surgical cotton. Around 1,800kg of treated cotton at mc of around 40% is spreadon continuous trays of 2.75 m width in thin layersof approximately 5 cm thickness. The averagetemperature inside the dryer was found 15–18°Chigher than the ambient temperature. The mc ofthe cotton reduced to around 5% in 1 sunny day.Cost of materials including labour for the 3 dryerswas estimated to be Rs 4.1 lakh. Average cost ofdrying one batch of approximately 600 kg of wetcotton was estimated to be around Rs 560 ascompared to Rs 1,240 in the existing diesel-fireddryers, primarily because of very high costs ofelectricity and petro-fuel consumption. The pay-back period has been estimated to be around 10months. The system is under regular operationin the factory.

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sugars were produced from the 2-stage hydrolysisof paddy straw.The furfural, furan and phenoliccompound concentration was relatively much lesseven at 4% oxalic acid (w/v) concentration ascompared to the production of furfural, furan andphenolic compound even at lower concentrationsof strong acids such as HCl and H2SO4.Supplementing kinnow pulp with wheat bran in3:2 in simple distilled water resulted in FPase andß- glucosidase activity of 13.2 and 12.8 IU/gds anda ratio of nearly 1:1 which is considered to be mostappropriate for achieving ideal saccharificationefficiency of pretreated lignocellulosic material.Employing co-cultures of Trichoderma reesei RC30 and Aspergillus niger BC 1 in the ratio 1:1 onpaddy straw and wheat bran combination of 3:2resulted in FPase, CMCase and ß- glucosidaseactivity of 28 IU/gds, 46 IU/gds and 25 IU/gds,respectively.Acid hydrolysate of kinnow waste usingmild HCl without any detoxification treatmentresulted in an ethanol concentration of 12g/l fromtotal sugar concentration of 44g/l obtained by acidhydrolysis process with a fermentation efficiencyof about 58%.

Solar dryer for silk cocoon drying: The solardryer was evaluated for drying 50 kg of raw silkcocoons during March–May 2008. The cocoonswere uniformly loaded in 30 trays (4.0 kg/m2).The moisture content of raw silk cocoons reducedfrom 60.7% to 11.8% (wb) during 18 sun-shinehours in March. The solar intensity during dryingwas 600–900 W/m2 and air flow rate was about480 m3/hr. The recommended moisture contentfor the dried cocoon is below 12%. Similarly, themoisture content of raw silk cocoons reduced from60.2% to 11.5% (wb) during 16 sun-shine hoursin May 2008. The solar intensity during dryingprocess was 650–1,000 W/m2 and airflow ratewas 480 m3/hr. The average rendita of the driedsilk cocoons in the solar drier was 7.75 as comparedto 7.78 in the electrical-dried cocoons. Thereelability of the solar-dried cocoons were foundto be at par with the electrical-dried cocoons.The average tenacity (load to break the thread)of the silk thread of 22 denier obtained from solar-dried and electrical-dried cocoons were 0.77 Nand 0.75 N, respectively. The strength of the solar-dried cocoon thread and electrical-dried cocoonthread were 323.3 N/mm2 and 314.6 N/mm2,respectively. There was no significant differencein strength of thread between the solar andelectrically-dried cocoon threads.

Moving platform type wood cutter: A movingplatform type wood cutter using 30 cm diametercarbide tipped circular saw blade and poweredwith a 3-hp electric motor was developed forpreparing the feed for a gasifier. The cutter wasextensively tested on dry and freshly harvested

Prosopis juliflora and mixed wood logs of 25 –50 mm diameter. Three different types of bladeshaving 40, 60 and 80 teeth were tried for theirperformance and the blade with 80 teeth gave thebest performance. The output of the machine with40 mm length size cuts was in the range of 225– 250 kg/hr as against the presently used machinewhich gives output between 60 and 90 kg/hr. Themoisture content of the freshly harvested woodlogs was 39%. The energy required in cuttingwas 4 – 6 kWh/tonne and cost of sizing wood(when the length of cut was 4 cm) was betweenRs 120 and 125/tonne of wood.

Technology for ethyl easter of jatropha oil:A simple process for ethyl estrification of jatrophaoil was standardized to achieve maximum recoveryof ester having low kinematic viscosity. Rawjatropha oil at 6:1 molar ratio may be reactedwith 170° proof ethanol (moisture content 15%)at 70 – 75°C reaction temperature for 90 min. inpresence of 3% KOH and then allowed to settlefor 24 hr to get maximum ester recovery of around83% with lowest kinematic viscosity of 5.39 cS.The relative fatty ester content of jatropha oilethyl ester had 47.2% oleic acid ester, followedby 30.9% linoleic acid ester, 13.6% palmitic acidester and 6.2% stearic acid ester.

Paddy straw-based biomethanation system:Based on the results of laboratory and pilot plantstudy a field scale 50 kg/day mesophilic plant to

Industrial application of packed bed solarair heater

M/s Vishwa Karma Solar Energy Corporation,Phillaur under the technical guidance of PAU centreof AICRP on RES, installed a solar drying systemequipped with 30 packed bed type SAH panels,each of 1.5 m × 0.9 m size in the premises ofCIPHET, Ludhiana during 2004 – 05. Recently, thefirm has installed a SAH system to supplementthe heat requirement for drying of bleached woolat factory site of M/s Raghav Woolen Mills atLudhiana. The factory is drying bleached woolusing diesel-fired air heating system. Seventy twopacked bed type SAH panels, each of 1.25 m2

area were installed at the roof of the factory toproduce hot air for use in the factory. Temperatureof the hot air varies in the range of 50–55°C andaverage thermal efficiency of the system is around35%. The annual diesel consumption beforeinstallation of the solar air heating system wasaround 21.8 k litres. The diesel consumption afterinstallation of solar air heating system has reducedto 15.6 k litres, resulting in a saving of diesel byaround 28%. The total investment of Rs 5.5 lakhfor the system will be paid back over a period of2.7 years. The expected life of the system is 15–20 years. The system has recently beensanctioned a subsidy of Rs 1.58 lakh by MNRE,GOI. The pay-back period with subsidy has beencomputed as 1.95 years.

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produce biogas from rice straw was commissioned.The plant after evaluation of its performance wasproposed to be shifted to an identified farmer’s/user’s place for carrying out long duration testingand evaluation of the system and its management.The system consists of 6 M S reactors, each havingcapacity to take load of 250 kg rice straw, an MSplatform, ladder and piping. Since the reactors areinsulated and the process is exothermic, it is beingoperated without giving external heat for

maintaining reactor temperature. The feeding offirst batch reactor was initiated in September 2007using 680 kg prepared rice straw at 25% TSsupplemented with 30 kg castor cake and 32 g ofFeCl3 and 826 kg of inoculum. All the 6 reactorswere gradually filled at an interval of 5 days.Quantity of biogas produced in each reactor is beingrecorded daily. The biogas production of 191 l/kgTS was recorded after 25 days of incubation periodand methane content in biogas was 56±2%.

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12

Agricultural Human Resource

Development

AGRICULTURAL HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

The Education Division undertakes planning,development, co-ordination, human resourcedevelopment (HRD) and quality assurance in higheragricultural education in the country. The nationalagricultural education system presently has 52units comprising State Agricultural Universities(SAUs), Deemed-to-be Universities (DUs), CentralAgricultural University (CAU) and CentralUniversities (CUs) with agriculture faculty. Theendeavours undertaken are mainly through a majorScheme entitled “Strengthening and Developmentof Higher Agricultural Education in India”, dividedinto (i) Development and Strengthening ofAgricultural Universities, Niche Area of Excellence,Experiential Learning and Library strengthening,(ii) Educational Quality and Reforms, (iii) HRD,and (iv) a new initiative, on Modernization ofAgricultural University Farms. The NationalAcademy of Agricultural Research Management(NAARM) constituent component of the Divisionfacilitates capacity-building of the NationalAgricultural Research System (NARS). Further,time-bound special initiative, Indo-US AgriculturalKnowledge Initiative (AKI) has also been steeredfor targeted capacity-building by the division.

Development and Strengthening OfAgricultural Universities

Major emphasis of the financial and professionalsupport extended to SAUs, DUs and CU’s wasfor making available new state-of-art equipmentsto support post-graduate (PG) research in basicand frontier areas, providing e-learning requisites,strengthening ICT facilities, establishment of centralinstrumentation laboratory, promoting novel andcontemporary teaching methodologies, librarystrengthening, preparation of textbooks andpractical manuals, developing multimedia learningresources, facilitating students’ study tours andproviding National Talent Scholarships. A

development grant of Rs 361 crore including specialgrants of Rs 95 crores was extended during theyear. The Special Grants comprised (i) Rs 45 croreinstalment of the total grant of Rs 100 crore toPAU, Ludhiana, (ii) Rs 25 crores’ instalment ofRs 50 crores total grant to the TNAU, Coimbatore,and (iii) Rs 25 crore instalment of Rs 50 croretotal grant to the GBPUAT, Pantnagar.

CAPACITY BUILDING

Niche Area of Excellence: The new sub-programme started during the X Plan for buildingexcellence in specific strategic areas in educationand research continued. The programme elementsinclude improving quality of human resource,providing adequate infrastructure, creating facilitiesfor access to information, developing attitude andcommitment of faculty/staff/students, facilitatinginteraction with peer groups in India and abroadand sharing vision and system of well-developededucational technology agencies. A total 28 nicheareas of excellence continued to function duringthe year 2008-09.

Significant achievements include buildingexcellence and establishing brand image of specificagricultural universities. Salient achievementsspecific to some universities are as follows:

At the Gobind Ballabh Pant University ofAgriculture and Technology Pantnagar, under“Quality production of fin fishes for sustainablefarming”, early maturity of Indian major carps,improvement in gamete quality, improvements infertilization rate (6-8%), percentage survival (10-12%) and growth of hatchings (11.4 %), andextending breeding season of Indian major carpsand Chinese carps by providing balanced diet andintermittent doses of pituitary gland extract wereachieved. Use of herbal solution of Mirobolusindica seed extract at 3-4 ppm controlled the

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crushing of eggs during hatching due to variousreasons. The technology for value-added productslike fish cutlets and fish fingers was developed,and the products were marketed.

At Chaudhary Charan Singh HaryanaAgricultural University (CCSHAU), Hisar, under“Farming system to enhance farmers’ income andconservation technologies”, the production ofimproved quality seeds, soil test-based fertilizeradjustment equation for targeted crop yields, need-based training contributed to the upliftment ofrural as well as urban populace in the region.During 2008-09, 15 training programmes forteachers/scientists/extension specialists and 12training programmes for non-teaching staff wereconducted.

At the University of Agricultural Sciences(UAS), Dharwad, novel genes and promoters forfungal diseases and insect resistance, droughtresistance were cloned and gene-based SSRmarkers were identified under “Biotechnology ofMicrobes’.

At the Anand Agricultural University (AAU),Anand, a high-tech microbiological laboratory wasestablished under the “Functional Fermented DairyProduct”. It led to development of dahi-basedsymbiotic products which are highly acceptablewith satisfactory probiotic lactobacillus count.

At the Dr Yashwant Singh Parmar Universityof Horticulture and Forestry (YSPUHF), Solan,excellence in teaching along with recommendationsof technologies for high productivity of apple werethe main achievements.

under the “Dietetics and Food ServiceManagement”, two laboratories of the departmentnamely Catering Lab and Food ProductDevelopment Lab were renovated and modernfacilities were created. These units were used forUG teaching particularly to run a six credit courseof “Experiential Learning in Dietetics and FoodService Management (HFN 457)”.

At the Chaudhary Charan Singh HaryanaAgricultural University (CCSHAU), Hisar, FruitJuice Processing and Filling Unit and a CerealProcessing and other Food Production Unit, forhands-on training were set-up. A scheme onProduction and Processing Meat and Dairy Productsis also operating. A model plant on production ofmeat and dairy products is being developed withstate-of-the-machinery for processing meat anddairy products, to provide hands-on training tostudents.

At the Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth(MPKV) , Rahuri, the units on biotechnology,biocontrol, nursery management, microirrigationsystem, biofertilizer production, mushroomproduction, protected cultivation of gerbera, roseand capsicum, dairy byproduct technology weredeveloped and utilized for skill development ofUG students.

At the Uttar Banga Krishi Vishwavidyalaya(UBKV) , Cooch Behar, facilities for hands-ontraining on Vermicompost Production, Productionand Processing of Mushroom, Manufacturing ofFarm Machinery and Equipment, NurseryProduction and Management and NurseryProduction through tissue culture for ornamentaland horticultural crops, were created to equip thestudents with adequate knowledge, skill andexperience. Micro-propagation of several importantplants had been carried out. At UAS, Dharwad,the unit, “Biodiesel extraction and trans-esterification unit”, was established.

At the Anand Agricultural University (AAU),Anand, learning programmes on High-TechFloriculture, value-addition in aonla, mango,tomato and kagzi lime and training on cultivation,processing and marketing of Medicinal & AromaticPlants were utilized for UG teaching and skilldevelopment.

At the Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University(SVVU), Tirupati, the diagnostic laboratory wasmodernized and facilities of small animal operationtheatre, obstetrical ward, ophthalmology ward, werecreated for skill development in students.

At the Sher-e-Kashmir University of AgriculturalSciences and Technology (SKUAST), Srinagar, twoprogrammes—Model Meat and Poultry ProductsProcessing Centre and Tissue Culture Laboratory,three months training programme was initiated forunemployed graduates in agriculture, veterinary and

The Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar KrishiVishwavidyalaya (CSKHPKV), Palampur, under the“Organic farming”, developed organic farm on 15hectares. A consortium of the organic practicesand inputs like composts, manures, sprays andinoculums were successfully developed at thefarm.

Experiential Learning: A total of 183experiential learning units in 45 AUs establishedwith Rs 145.40 crore were made operative. Theseunits greatly helped in skill development andattitude building in undergraduate students andin linking agricultural education withprofessionalism. This sub-programme helped intranscending the mere knowledge-impartingeducation with limited practical training toexperience-based behavioural change throughcomprehensive practice sessions involving allaspects of an agricultural enterprise, fromproduction to consumption. Salient achievementsspecific to some universities are as follows:

At the Gobind Ballabh Pant University ofAgriculture and Technology (GBPUAT), Pantnagar,

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fisheries sciences to enable them to developentrepreneurship skills and establish their own units.Hands-on training in horticulture included grafting/budding and production of quality planting materialof apple, pear, plum, quince, pomegranate, cherry,grape and apricot. In floriculture, scientificmultiplication of lilium and gladiolus was initiated.

At the Dr Balasaheb Sawant Konkan KrishiVidyapeeth (BSKKV), Depoli, the programmeshave been started in Floriculture and LandscapeGardening, Post-Harvest Technology for CashewEntrepreneurs, Mushroom Technology andMechanization of Rice Farming.

At the Chaudhary Sarvan Kumar KrishiVishwavidyalaya (CSKHPKV), Palampur, 136students/unemployed youth were imparted trainingon all aspects of Bakery and Confectionery, 193on various aspects of cultivation of White ButtonMushroom, Oyster Mushroom, Milky Mushroomand Paddy Straw Mushroom, and 40 on differentaspects of horticulture.

At Anand Agricultural University (AAU),Anand, e-learning programmes were sanctionedfor High-Tech Floriculture, Value addition in Aonla,Mango, Tomato and Kagzi lime and trainings oncultivation, processing and marketing of Medicinaland Aromatic Plants were conducted.

Emeritus Scientist Scheme: Under this sub-programme significant contributions includedevelopment of heterotic hybrids and molecularmapping of fertility restorer genes in wheat, droughtand high temperature stress tolerance in chickpea,genetic improvement of Bacillus thuringiensis S6for its bioefficacy for the control of Spodopteralitura, impact assessment of climate change onmajor pests of maize and mustard, tillage-cum-organics mediated rhizospheric modulation ofwinter-initiated sugarcane, hybridization of oystermushroom for yield and quality, characterizationand evaluation of elite walnut genotypes forcommercial exploitation, effect of heat stress onreproduction-related hormones and ameliorationby dietary manipulation in buffaloes etc.

Improving Teaching-Learning: At the TNAUCoimbatore, educational tours, CD shows and guestlectures were conducted for the benefit of students.Strengthening of libraries was carried out. A newmode of teaching and learning through e-learningwas introduced for the first time in the country.Possession of laptops by all the students has beenmade mandatory. Wi-Fi connectivity is providedto all the hostels. The university is alsoimplementing, e-Assignments and e-Communication for the UG students. e-Learningprogramme has been strengthened by creation ofinteractive multimedia course content forB.Sc.(Ag.) programme and hosting this contenton the National server for sharing by all the

agricultural universities. Further, onlineexamination is also one of the features ofeducational system in the university.

The Chaudhary Charan Singh HaryanaAgricultural University (CCSHAU), Hisar hasbecome global by developing inter-institutionallinkages for education and research with theuniversities in USA and Europe.

At the Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University(SVVU), Tirupati, ICAR development grant wasutilized in development of learning resources inendocrinology, internet-hubs for students,modernization of class-rooms and equipping themwith ICTs, adoption of revised course curriculaincluding practical content.

At the Kerala Agricultural University (KAU),Thrissur, modernization of the class rooms,laboratories, seminar halls, hostels in ten collegesof the University; development of good computerlabs with 24-hour internet connectivity, librarystrengthening particularly on-line subscribing, andvideo-conferencing facilities to link agriculturalcollege at Thiruvanthapuram, Thrissur andPadannakkad (Kasargod) were undertaken, and ascience museum and herbarium at College ofForestry, Thrissur, were established.

At the Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth(MPKV) Rahuri, modernization of laboratorieswith world class equipments/instruments andstrengthening of libraries in respect of bar coding,digitization, CD Rom, internet and e-learningfacilities were accomplished.

At the University of Agricultural SciencesDharwad, classrooms with fixing latest audio-visualaids with LCD facility in Dharwad and Raichurcampuses along with students’ counseling, students’amenities, practical manuals and AV Aids wereprovided. Examination Cell was sufficientlystrengthened to meet External Examinations inall the degree programmes.

At the Anand Agricultural University, Anand,Library was updated with e-facilities. At the UttarBanga Krishi Vishwavidyalaya (UBKV), CoochBehar, a number of class rooms have been equippedwith audio-visual aids.

At Dr Yashwant Singh Parmar University ofHorticulture and Forestry, Solan, the teachingfacilities in the colleges were strengthened withelectronic LCD display system and computers atKAU Thrissur, for high speed internet browsingfor literature and data search and preparation of

A video conferencing unit has been set up forstrengthening the distance learning programmeand inter-campus e-Learning programme. About125 CD shows were also organized during theyear.

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reports, computer facility with LAN, and the LCDprojection facilities for handling hands-on trainingclasses on computer based learning, weredeveloped.

Rural Work Experience: At GBPUAT,Pantnagar, with the ICAR grant, hands- on-trainingunits for training of undergraduate students inhorticultural crops and value-addition andmarketing of soybean products were established.

India Entrance Examinations including award ofNational Talent Scholarships (NTS) wereconducted. In this, 21,463 candidates appearedand 1,687 were admitted in 45 Universities throughcounselling. In order to promote nationalintegration, all those candidates, who tookadmission in an university outside their state ofdomicile, were awarded National Talent Scholarship(NTS) of Rs 1,000 per month.

All-India Entrance Examination forAdmissions to PG: Admissions to 25% seats inPG programmes at 47 Universities and 100% seatsin ICAR-DUs, were made through an All-IndiaEntrance Examination. A total of 11,684 candidatesappeared in the examination, out of which 1,875were admitted.

Junior Research Fellowships (JRFs): Thereare about 475 Fellowships in 19 subject groups(90 subjects). The amount is Rs 8,640/month fornon-veterinary and Rs 12,000/month for veterinarystudents. Besides, a contingency grant of Rs 6,000/year is payable to all awardees.

Internship Assistance: To develop professionalskills, internship assistance is provided to all thefinal year students of B.V.Sc. and A.H. programmesduring their internship including defraying thetravel expenses for to and fro journey to the placeof internship.

Merit-cum-Means Scholarship (MCM): Thisscholarship is granted to students of economicallyweaker sections of the society to undertake UGstudies in agriculture and allied science subjects.Maximum 7% students from one University areawarded the scholarship.

All-India Entrance Examination for awardof Senior Research Fellowship for Ph.D.: ICARSRF examination was held for awarding 202fellowships in 13 major subject groups and 56sub-subjects. The amount of fellowships has beenenhanced which now stands at Rs 12,000/monthfor first and second years and Rs 14,000/monthfor third year for all disciplines other thanVeterinary sciences; for the latter the amount isRs 14,000/month for first and second years andRs 15,000/month for the third year.

Admissions of Foreign Students: Candidates(229) came from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan,Canada, Cambodia, Cote d’Ivoire, Egypt, Ethiopia,Fiji, Gambia, Iran, Iraq, Mozambique, Namibia,Nepal, Sanegalese, South Africa, Sudan, Sri Lanka,Syria, Tanzania, Vietnam and Yemen. Maximumcandidates (49) came from Ethiopia.

PROMOTION OF EXCELLENCE AND HRD

ICAR National Professor Scheme: Majorachievements of six national professors are asfollows.

At YSPUHF, computer with LAN and LCD projection facilitieswere provided

At Chaudhary Sarvan Kumar KrishiVishwavidyalaya (CSKHPKV), Palampur, a totalof 40 UG students (35 in College of Agricultureand 5 in College of Home Science) underwentRAWE/RHWE training programme.

Text Book writing: During the year, 14proposals for textbook writing were approved.Bala Saheb Konkan Krishi Vishwavidyalaya,Dapoli published two text-books entitled “CashewProcessing and Export” and “Introduction toAgricultural Economics and AgribusinessManagement” and YSPUHF, Solan, published atext book on “Agro-meteorology”.

Promoting Gender Equity: Girls’ hostels atPost Graduate Institute and constituent collegesof MPKV, Rahuri; One girls’ hostel at UBKV,Cooch Behar; two girls’ hostels at AAU, Anand;Girls’ Hostel at Dapoli and Ratnagiri of BSKKV,Dapoli were completed; modernization andrenovation of UG, PG and Girls’ hostels at UAS,Dharwad and strengthening of facilities in thehostels of KAU, Thrissur was undertaken. Also,ladies’ gymnasium was developed at CentralCampus, Rahuri.

MANPOWER DEVELOPMENT

All-India Entrance Examination forAdmissions to UG: For admissions up to 15%seats in 11 subjects of UG Programmes, 13th All-

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● Development of ‘Pant-ICAR Subsoiler-cum-Differential Rate Fertilizer Applicator’ forsubsoil structure modification and bandplacement of inorganic fertilizers at differentdepths up to 50 cm is a technologicalbreakthrough. The machine is being patented.The subsoil applicator could enhance yield,conserve moisture and increase use-efficiencyof nutrients particularly in sodic land as wellas in rainfed farming in general. Othermachines developed include Pant Zero-TillFerti-Seed Drill and ‘Pant-ICAR Deep SoilVolume Loosener-cum-Fertilizer Applicator’,the latter is used extensively as ‘SugarcaneRatoon Manager’ after harvesting of plantcrop.

Real-time nitrogen management in ricewas achieved by monitoring leaf colour thatworks very well in achieving high nitrogen-use-efficiency and yield. A criterion forassessing whether wheat crop needs additionalapplication of fertilizer nitrogen at maximumtillering stage has been developed. Acombination of prescriptive nitrogenmanagement for rice followed by correctiveN management using Green Seeker opticalsensor was found to lead to high yields andimproved nitrogen-use efficiency as comparedto blanket fertilizer N recommendations.

● Studies on (i) Global Food Crisis: Causes,Severity and Outlook, (ii) Fertilizer Growth,Imbalances and Subsidies: Trends andImplications, (iii) WTO AgriculturalNegotiations and Regional Cooperation, (iv)Prospects of Achieving Four per cent Growthin Agriculture, (v) Livestock SectorComposition and Factors Affecting its Growthand (vi) Progress and Potential of Horticulturein India have been completed.

● Developed column-wise coordinate exchangealgorithms for generating balanced and nearlybalanced two-level factors Super SaturatedDesigns (SSD) useful for economizing resourceswhile screening large number of factors. Amonograph on Hadamard Matrices has beenpublished.

ICAR National Fellow Scheme: The areas ofidentified priority covered by National Fellowsinclude, developing regional plans for managingpoor quality irrigation waters, quantitative traitloci and marker assisted selection in indigenousbreeds of cattle and buffaloes, development ofElisa-based immuno-diagnostics for classical swinefever, exploitation of metabolic diversity forisolation of genes involved in lipid biosynthesis,sustainability of watersheds in rainfed regions ofpeninsular India using GIS and remote sensing,senescence: mechanism in crops in relation to

abiotic stresses, sink strength and their interaction,molecular characterization of Indian maizelandraces and allele mining for agronomicallyimportant traits, improvement of strain ofChaetomium globosum, a potential antagonist offungal plant pathogens and developing molecularmarkers for its identification, textile articles throughprocessing of wool with silk waste and cotton tocreate entrepreneurial skills in rural women,Genome analysis of indigenous breeds of cattle,buffalo and goats, study of gene interactions indeveloping Drosophila embryo, identification andquantification of phosphatase hydrolysable organicPhosphorus sources for plant nutrition andrefinement of a non-destructive technique forphosphatase estimation, decontamination ofpesticide residues from edible commodities,assessing soil quality key indicators fordevelopment of soil quality index using latestapproaches under predominant managementpractices in rainfed agro-ecology, developmentof technology of seed production and culture offeather back, Notoprerus chitala and two mediumcarps, Labeo gonious and L . fimbriatus fordiversification of freshwater aquaculture, andefficient design of experiments for qualityagricultural research. Some of the salientachievements are the following:

● A method for Farnesene, which inducesrepellency to aphids, in mustard (BrassicaJuncea) by GC/MS/MS was developed.

A set of 43 accessions, including some uniquemaize landraces collected from the North-EasternHimalayan region were deposited in NBPGR (IC565865 to IC 565907). A set of 133 accessions

from NEH and other regions in India werecharacterized at phenotypic and molecular levels.

● Genetic polymorphisms was studied onleptin, DGAT (DGAT1, DGAT2 andMOGAT2) and butyrophilin candidate genesin Murrah, Surti and Bhadawari buffaloesrevealing polymorphism, SNPs, allelicvariants sequences’ identification, taxonomicrelations etc. Information has been generatedto identify genetic polymorphism in allelesof milk and fat genes.

● Eight micro-watersheds were surveyed andevaluated for sustainability aspects. Forevaluating Livelihood Security, economicviability, agricultural productivity and socialacceptability, the most critical indicators wereidentified.

● Developed an in situ resin-bag-technique tomeasure relative efficiencies of P in differentcrops under arid agro-ecosystem where Pmineralization rates are exceptionally low.

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Strongly basic anion exchange resin inchloride form was found best under aridconditions. The amount of saponinaccumulated in safed musli tubers(Chlorophytum borivilianum) was found toincrease with growth. Mycorrhizal inoculatedplants resulted up to 25 fold improvementin saponin content at 45 days growth stageand up to four fold improvement at cropharvest. There is a possibility to increasesaponin content of safed musli by mycorrhizalfungi. Phytase (IP6) degradation studied incowpea, horsegram, mothbean, mung-bean,soybean and pearl millet seeds demonstratedthat solubility of minerals was higher insoaking and germination than in boiling.

● Design Resources Server was developed todisseminate research in design of experimentsamong experimenters in agricultural and alliedsciences and industry in planning anddesigning experiments.

● A genomic sequence encoding complete geneof lysophosphatidic acid acyl transferase geneof 1288 base pair was PCR amplified clonedand characterized from Brassica juncea. Itis designated as BJLPAATG. A cDNAsequence of LPAAT gene was isolated, clonedand characterized from B.juncea.

● Studies on in vitro heat tolerance ofantioxidant defense enzymes from leaf andinflorescence revealed differential sensitivityof the enzymes. It was observed that therewas a faster rate of senescence under heat-stress environment (HSE) than non-stressenvironment (NSE) in Hindi62 (heat tolerant)and PBW343 (heat susceptible) wheat, whichwere allowed to suffer maximum heat stressunder late sown conditions. Heat tolerantHindi62 exhibited a slower rate of senescencethan heat susceptible PBW343 during HSE.Presence of multiple and heat stable isoformsof antioxidant defense enzymes in the leavesand inflorescence of C. album may help toameliorate oxidative stress due to hightemperature stress induced senescence.

QUALITY ASSURANCE AND REFORMS

Accreditation: The Board in its IX meetingthat was held on 29 July 2008 granted accreditationto the additional eight State AgriculturalUniversities (SAUs)/Deemed-to-be Universities(DUs) and their programmes. Accreditation to twoICAR-DUs (IARI New Delhi and NDRI Karnal)and four SAUs (OUAT Bhubaneswar, MAUParbhani, PDKV Akola and MPKV Rahuri) wasgranted for five years and it was for one year tothe CSAU&T Kanpur and for two years to theRAU Bikaner. Accreditation of the five SAUs,DUs, namely ANGRAU Hyderabad, CCSHAUHisar, TNAU Coimbatore, TANUVAS Chennaiand CIFE Mumbai has been extended for fiveyears from the date of expiry of their earlieraccreditation. The accreditation pertains to specificcolleges and programmes and has been grantedwith suggestions on which the Universities shouldcomplete action and submit the report to theCouncil on annual basis. Also, a one day workshopwas organized on September 20, 2008 atSardarkrushinagar Dantiwada AgriculturalUniversity, Sardarkrushinagar to sensitize the seniorofficers of the four state agricultural universitiesof Gujarat about the accreditation process.Accreditation of some other agricultural universitiesof the country is in process.

Revision of ICAR Model Act for AgriculturalUniversities: For enhancing the uniformity ofstructure, governance and efficiency of theagricultural universities in the context of emergingchallenges, the ICAR revised Model Act forAgricultural Universities in India through aCommittee. In the revised Model Act, theprovisions of all chapters including definitions,territorial jurisdiction, admissions to theuniversities, powers and functions of the university,its councils/bodies and officers have beenrationalized; composition of the Board ofManagement modified; in the three member SearchCommittee for Vice Chancellor, one nominee ofthe Government included replacing Chairman, UGCor his nominee. Similarly, Academic, Research

New AUs Accreditated

National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI), Karnal Granted accreditation for five years

Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi Granted accreditation for five yearsChandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture & Technology Granted accreditation for one year(CSAUA&T), KanpurOrissa University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT), Bhubaneshwar Granted accreditation for five yearsRajasthan Agricultural University (RAU), Bikaner Granted accreditation for two yearsMarathwada Agricultural University (MAU), Parbhani Granted accreditation for five yearsDr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth (PDKV), Akola Granted accreditation for five yearsMahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapith (MPKV), Rahuri Granted accreditation for five years

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and Extension Councils have been modified andthe Registrar and Comptroller included aspermanent invitee; integration of education,research and extension emphasized and thecomposition and objectives of State CoordinationCommittee/ Council for higher AgriculturalEducation in the States having more than one AUhave been redefined.

Restructuring Post-graduate CourseCurricula and Syllabi: In the Meetings of theNational Core Group, Broad Subject Matter AreaCommittees (BSMACs), separately as well astogether, and the workshops of the BSMACs withall stakeholders including the private sector andindustry, the extensive discussions were held, andthe common academic regulations and the curriculaand syllabi for different M.Sc. and Ph.D.programmes were revised/developed for improvingstandards, quality and relevance of education.

Modernization of Agricultural UniversitiesFarms: It is a new activity to provide a one-timegrant to all the State Agricultural Universities andCentral Universities with Agriculture Faculty forrenovation and modernization of farm infrastructureand facilities. Revitalization/modernization of thelaboratories and infrastructure of AU farmswill enhance their capacity for undertaking globallycompetitive research and education activities.

INDO-US AGRICULTURAL KNOWLEDGEINITIATIVE (AKI)

The Sixth Meeting of Indo-US AKI Board washeld in New Delhi on 15-16 April, 2008 in whichthe progress was reviewed and joint deliverablesidentified.

Fifteen scientists of NARS were selected fortraining in USA during 2008-09 under the Indo-US Borlaug Fellowship Programme and a jointworkshop on sanitary and phyto-sanitary (SPS)Regulation was organized in New Delhi. Salientachievements of the ongoing projects are as follows.

Pigeonpea Genomics Initiative: More than16,000 Expressed Sequence Taggs (ESTs)developed, mapping population are being screenedfor DNA polymorphism, and about 80,000 BAC-end sequences have been generated.

Teaching and Learning Excellence: A CapacityBuilding Model: Eleven scientists/faculty membersfrom four AUs/Institute had an exposure in studentscentered teaching – learning practices, leadershipdevelopment, career counseling includinginternships, and managing and institutionalizingtransformational change to achieve professionalexcellence, at the Ohio State University, USA.One day workshops have been organized at Kanpur,Bhubaneswar and Ludhiana.

Water Harvesting for Ground Water Recharge

and Bio-drainage for Salinity Control: Distancelearning classrooms were established at UASBangalore, PAU Ludhiana and GBPUA&T PantNagar. Using this facility, a course each onLandscape Hydrology and Water Quality and WaterResource Economics were taught at PAU Ludhianaboth by the US and Indian Faculty. Two USstudents completed three months training at CSSRI,Karnal.

Sustainable Water Resources Management:A detailed wetland construction, monitoring andimplementation site plan for Mewat (Haryana)for remediation of poor quality surface water wasprepared. Baseline soil survey and preparation ofthematic maps of land use, geomorphology, soiland cropping pattern for the micro- watershed atBirmi, Ludhiana (Punjab) and Wargal, Medak(Andhra Pradesh) were carried out.

Students from USA at CSSRI, Karnal

Information and Communication Technologiesfor Efficient Water Management: US-IndiaCollaborating Extension / Outreach and DistanceEducation: Finalized 39 Reusable LearningObjects (RLOs) on Water Management on differentaspects like Drip Irrigation, rainwater harvesting,water quality, remediation of salt affected soils,water balance, irrigation scheduling, soil moisturemeasurement, watershed management etc. TheRLO’s have been posted on the “EcoLearnITwebsite” of the University of Florida, Gainesville.A website: http://www.gsgk.org.in in Hindi hasbeen developed.

On farm water management for RainfedAgriculture on Benchmark watersheds in diverseeco regions of India: Detailed benchmark surveyon physio-chemical properties of soil, socio-economic, present agricultural practices, constraints(bio-physical) and socio- economic aspectscompleted in two watersheds in village – Bandha,Jabalpur and one in Kandi, Punjab and the WaterUser groups were formed.

Five new joint projects were initiated(i) Capacity building for Libarary professionals;

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(ii) Genetic Engineering for abiotic stress tolerancein the crops on papaya, tomato, banana and potato;(iii) improving the capacity for Integrated PestManagement of insect-borne viral diseases in Indianvegetable production; (iv) Technology for plantand dairy ingredients based formulated andfunctional foods using extrusion technology, and(v) Development of vaccines and diagnostics forcontrol of onion influenza in poultry.

NATIONAL ACADEMY OF AGRICULTURALRESEARCH MANAGEMENT

Training: A total of 61 such programmesincluding training programmes, workshops andorientation meetings were organized with 1,766participants.

Type of programme Programmes

(Nos.)Foundation Course for Agricultural 03

Research Service (FOCARS)Refresher Courses/Summer /Winter 10

Schools (21 days)Senior Programmes 19Workshops 13Executive Development Programmes 02Demand Driven Off Campus Programmes 11

for CARI, Port Blair, IGFRI Jhansi, CRIDA,Hyderabad, ICAR Res. Complex, Goa andCIFE Mumbai

International Programmes 03Total 61

APAARI CLAN Executive Committee Meeting was attended bymore than thirty APAARI member countries

Research and Consultancy: The Academyundertakes research studies on managementproblems faced by agricultural research andeducational institutions in the NARS.

World Bank Supported Project: Under theaegis of the World Bank supported NationalAgricultural Innovation Project (NAIP), the Indian

NAARM-Now an academic unit as well: TheAcademy has embarked upon becoming anacademic unit besides being a training unit. Twopost-graduate diploma programmes on(i) information technology management, and(ii) IP-management have been commenced.

Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) hasawarded a major project on Learning and CapacityBuilding (L&CB), to a consortium led by theAcademy, with a budgetary outlay of Rs 24.09crore.

Support/Policy Support: The academycontinued to provide policy support to NARS ingeneral and ICAR in particular through itsinteractive policy dialogue meetings andworkshops. Significant ones in this categoryincluded the APAARI CLAN Executive CommitteeMeeting on 8 October 2007. The Academy hasestablished a Help Desk under the NAIP, whichextends on-line help to all prospective institutions/individuals preparing winning research proposalsand in sensitizing potential partners.

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Diversification of agriculture towards high-value crops: Role of smallholders

Gradual diversification of agriculture towards high-value crops exhibits a pro-smallholder bias, withsmallholders playing a proportionally larger rolein the cultivation of vegetables versus fruits. Theobserved patterns are consistent with simplecomparative advantage-based production choices.The comparatively high labour endowments of thesmall farmers, as reflected in their larger familysizes, induce them to diversify towardsvegetables. Although fruit cultivation is alsolabour-intensive (as compared to cultivation ofstaples), it is highly capital-intensive, making it aless advantageous choice for smallholders whotend to have low capital endowments. Small ormedium holders do not appear to allocate agreater share of land to fruits or vegetables.However, the share allocated to vegetables issignificantly higher if the family size is bigger, whilereverse is true in case of fruits.

13

Agricultural Economics,

Marketing and Statistics

down and in some cases, farmers were founddiversifying away from high-value crops towardslow-value, less-risky and less-input demandingcrops. Terms of trade for agriculture showeddeterioration, and agricultural incomes were highlyunstable in recent years. Low level of input-useand low-productivity in most of the states offerscope for revival of agricultural growth, but itwould require simultaneous efforts on severalfronts. These include: (a) stepping-up investmentsand putting in place suitable institutionalmechanisms to exploit irrigation potential that existsin most of the states, (b) increasing power supplyto agriculture sector, (c) promoting fertilizer-useby expanding distribution network and improvingcredit facilities for farmers, (d) establishingcompetitive seed markets and ensuring attractiveprices for seed; (e) improvement in terms of tradefor agriculture, and (f) evolving measures tomitigate risk in farming.

AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS AND

MARKETING

Total factor productivity in livestocksector of India

India’s livestock sector has grown at an annualrate of 4.3% as against the annual growth of 2.7%in the crop sector during 1970-71 to 2003-04. Ithas provided a cushion to the agricultural growthand livelihood of poor farmers, for whom livestockare important source of income and employment.Robust growth in the livestock sector has beenthe result of interplay of several factors publicinvestment in dairying, private investment inpoultry, technological change in breeding, feedingand health, and market infrastructure. Facilitatedby investment and expanding markets, technologyplayed a critical role in boosting growth of livestocksector. The total factor productivity (TFP), grewat an annual rate of 2.3% during the period, andaccounted for over half of the growth in livestocksector. The TFP-led growth in livestock sectorwould sustain agricultural growth, reduce ruralpoverty and alleviate pressure of number-led growthon natural resources, which are already facingquantitative and qualitative deterioration.

Growth crisis in Indian agriculture

The growth of Indian agriculture during thepost-WTO period declined sharply in almost allsub-sectors and commodity groups. Agricultureand non-agriculture sectors are also on a disparategrowth path. The main reasons for decelerationand stagnation in agricultural output after 1995-96 are–slowdown in growth of use of fertilizers,irrigation, and energy (electric power) in somecases, stagnation or even decline in other cases.Crop intensity and area under cultivation alsoshowed either poor growth or decline.Diversification towards high-value crops slowed

AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS, MARKETING AND STATISTICS

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Demand for foodgrains towards 2011and 2020

Per caput production of foodgrains had increasedfrom 183 kg during early 1970s to 207 kg by mid1990s, even though country’s population increasedby more than 50%. However after mid 1990s,foodgrains production could not keep pace withthe population growth. Per caput production ofcereals declined by 17 kg and pulses by 3 kg duringthe past decade. This could create a serious threatto food security, as the country identifies its foodsecurity with foodgrains security. Direct, indirectand total demands for foodgrains in India towards2011-12 and 2020-21 were estimated by taking intoaccount population growth, composition of ruraland urban population, growth in per caput incomein rural and urban areas and changes in taste andpreferences. Total demand for cereals would growto 218.9 Mt by 2011-12 and would reach 261.5Mt by 2020-21. Demand for pulses during thisperiod would grow to 16.1 Mt and 19.1 Mt,respectively. Domestic demand for foodgrains isprojected to reach 235.0 Mt by 2011-12 and 280.6Mt by 2020-21. It is important to mention thatthese projections do not include export demand.

Economic losses from avian fluThe impact of ‘bird flu’ outbreak in Manipur

state in July 2007 was analyzed. It caused a massiveeconomic loss due to culling of nearly 3.4 lakhbirds after the Government of India notified it.

Impact of avian fluPoultry farmers: The producers lost about

Rs 316 lakh, as against of Rs 99.13 lakh given tothem as compensation. Inadequate compensationmay have two consequences: (i) it would affectthe livelihood and sustenance of poultry farmersand their families, particularly in Manipur, whichis already experiencing internal disturbances onaccount of economic reasons, and (ii) it mightlead to poor compliance in culling and disinfectionoperations and hence lack of eradication of diseaseoutbreak, which will have more seriousimplications.

Consumers: The price of chicken dropped afterthe outbreak of avian flu. The overall financialimpact on the poultry sector in Manipur wasestimated to be of around Rs 2,455.17 lakh onaccount of avian flu outbreak, which amounted to14% of total value of livestock outputs and 0.5%of State Gross Domestic Product.

Exploring market opportunities forfisheries sector in India

Survey work was attempted in major fishmarkets and a mini consumer survey in Chennaimetro city to explore the possibilities for developing

Economics and marketing of goatenterprise

The large and progressive farmers, businessmanand industrialists have adopted the commercialgoat farming, and their entry into this activitywould help in realizing the potential of goatenterprise as they have better access to technicalknowledge, resources and market. Goats wereeconomically viable under intensive system ofmanagement on 46% of commercial goat farms.This fact that the commercial goat farming couldbe taken up under intensive system ofmanagement would encourage the aspirantcommercial goat farmers not having access tograzing resources. Majority of the commercial goatfarms are operating with positive net returns, 39%are earning good profit, and their annual netreturns per goat ranged from Rs 968 to 2,069.Intensification and commercialisation of goatenterprise is also important because of shrinkingresources for grazing. The marketing of goatssuffers from involvement of middlemen garneringhigh margins, avoidable marketing costs,unnecessary transportation, and mortality ofanimals during transit. The poor farmers had tosale their goats per head, per pair or per groupbasis. With the awareness building by theinstitute, the goat farmers in the adopted villagescould have better understanding on appropriatemarketing strategy viz., the type of goats to besold, place of sale, right time and age of sale andright method of sale of goats. A number of farmersstarted preparing castrated male goats for sellingthen during the festival season. The average pricerealization during Eid for a male of 1-2 years ofage was about 70% higher than the price realizedduring normal sale in the villages

Initial linkages were created among thecommercial goat farmers of different statesresulting in creation of large demand of goodquality breeding goats for breeding purpose.Consequently the farmers who earlier got marketrate of Rs 55 to Rs 65/kg live body weight fortheir goats started getting Rs 110 to 150/kg livebody weight. At the same time the traders werenot paying premium price even for the purebredgoats. The increased prices of breeding goats dueto strengthened linkages created largeopportunities and interest for private investmentin commercial goat farming projects. And alsoencouraged the existing commercial goat farmersto produce good quality pure breed animals (germplasm) of different goat breeds, which would becritically important for goat enterprisedevelopment in the country.

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AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS, MARKETING AND STATISTICS

domestic fish markets in India and compilationof fish marketing policies of Tamil Nadu Stategovernment. Chennai wholesale markets sourcefish from across the country’s major fish marketslike Howrah and Calicut to fill the demand supplygap for particular fish varieties arising due toban on fish capture from the seas of east coast.These markets also source their fish from fishfarms of Andhra Pradesh (Indian Major carps,Shrimp), Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Chennai haspresently five major wholesale cum retail fishmarkets and 150 medium and small sizeneighbourhood fish markets. The consumer surveyindicated that the performance of these marketscould be considerably improved if sanitation,parking facilities, proper weighing and icingfacilities are introduced. Share of these marketsis slowly being taken away by modern chain storesas these suit the busy schedule of consumers’lifestyle.

with replacement. Ratio method of estimationfor the population mean was also includedin the software for the simple randomsampling and stratified random sampling. Theresults of the schemes are presented in theform of crystal reports available under VisualStudio, 2005 (IDE).

● The estimates of area and production ofimportant fruits and vegetables are beingobtained under the scheme on CropEstimation Survey on Fruits and Vegetables(CES-F&V). To improve the methodology,a project entitled “Pilot study to develop analternative methodology for estimation ofarea and production of horticultural crops”was undertaken. The study was conductedin Maharashtra and Himachal Pradeshcovering important fruits and vegetables. Thisalternative methodology is cost effective, lesstime consuming and its survey procedure ismore simple. It is easy to implement andprovide estimates for more than one fruit/vegetable at district level. Market arrival datawas used for obtaining state level estimates.There is a significant decrease in samplesize i.e., from 150-200 villages per district(under CES-F&V) to either 80 or 43 villagesper district depending upon the desiredprecision. This methodology is required tobe tested in few more states before actuallyimplementing it on a large scale.

● The institute initiated a study to examine thefeasibility of the developed samplingmethodology for estimation of crop yield atGram Panchayat level for large scale adoption.The field work of the study was undertakenin one district per state of Uttar Pradesh,Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Punjab andRajasthan. The farmer appraisal data aboutcrop produce and crop cutting experimentsdata as obtained from general crop estimationsurvey (GCES) were analyzed using small areacrop estimation methodology (SACEM) todevelop estimates of crop yield at GP level.The GP level estimates were very precise.

● Under the project weather based models forforecasting potato yield, weather indices (W1) based regression models were developedby taking combinations of linear and squareindices with yield/detrended yield. Complexpolynomial (CP) models, using GMDHtechnique, were developed.

● Design resources server (www.iasri.res.in/design) was developed to popularize anddisseminate research in design of experimentsamong experimenters and researchstatisticians were strengthened by adding thefollowing material/links:

Asynchronous e-learning module onaquaculture

Asynchronous e-learning module on mud crabfattening (Scylla tranquebarica) for diversificationin brackishwater aquaculture was developed. Thismodule offers selected topics on mud crabfattening to users, viz. culture systems andcontact addresses.

Evaluation of e-marketing and traditionalmarketing systems

E-marketing systems like e-choupal are freshinitiatives in aquaculture as it helps in reachingout to the unreached via this initiative. Theaquachoupal model received the highest priorityof 64% and traditional system received 36% ofpriority within the priorities set for assessment ofthe marketing system. Further, efforts should bemade to incorporate information modules targetedspecially towards women farmers.

AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS AND

COMPUTER APPLICATION

● A window based software for survey dataanalysis was developed for the selectedsampling schemes. It includes methods forvarious sampling schemes such as simplerandom sampling (SRS), probabilityproportional to size (PPS), stratified, cluster,two stages and stratified two stage. Itconsiders both types of cases i.e., when theunits have been selected with or withoutreplacement. This software also estimatesthe parameters in the situation when unitsare selected with unequal probability and

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The material available on the server has beenpartitioned into four main components:

– Useful for experimenters: Electronic books,online generation of randomized layout ofdesigns, online analysis of data and analysisof data using various softwares.

– Useful for research statisticians: Literatureand catalogues of BBB designs, designs formaking test treatments-control treatmentcomparisons, supersaturated designs, onlinegeneration of Hadamard matrices, MOLS andorthogonal arrays.

– Other useful links: Discussion Board, Ask aQuestion, Who-is-where and important links.

– Site information: Feedback, how to quote

design resources server, copyright, disclaimer,contact us and site map.

The design resources server www.isari.res.in/design is like a mobile library on design ofexperiments in particular and statistics in general.It provides useful information both for activeresearchers in statistics as well as stakeholderslike scientists in NARS and others all over theglobe. The server is dynamic in nature and newlinks on various topics are added to it regularly.

Developed a method of construction of designsfor incomplete multi-response experiments. Thedesigns were economical from resource point ofview. Developed a step-wise procedure of analysisof incomplete multi-response designs.

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14

Information, Communication and

Publicity Services

Directorate of Information and Publications ofAgriculture has developed on-line global visibilitythrough scrolling day-to-day news, and ICARReporter, ICAR News on ICAR web page. The ICARweb site users have increased and their numberreached to 753,039 by December 2008. ICARreaders browse information from scrolling newsas well as publications available in open accesson www.icar.org.in. English and Hindi EditorialUnits have brought out 100 publications. Researcharticles (1,500) were received from home andforeign countries, viz. Australia, Bangladesh, China,Germany, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Japan, Korea,Mexico, Pakistan, Nigeria, South Africa etc.According to the Status of India in Science andTechnology as reflected by its Publication outputin Scopus International Database, 1996-2006,brought out by National Institute of Science,Technology and Development Studies, ICARjournals are in top 12 most productive journals.The Indian Journal of Animal Sciences has got 2nd

position while The Indian Journal of AgriculturalSciences stood 12th out of the top 25 most productivedomestic Indian journals. The National Academyof Agricultural Sciences has increased the ratingof The Indian Journal of Agricultural Scienceswhich is now 7.20. The circulation of both thejournals has improved considerably. Projects one-Publishing and knowledge system in AgriculturalResearch – development of on-line electronicpublishing and hosting of ICAR publicationsintegrated with e- commerce’, and ‘Agro web –digital dissemination system for Indian AgriculturalResearch has approved by NAIP for greater visibilityof ICAR technologies through its informationproducts.

Media and Information Unit preparedDocumentaries (40) and compiled ICAR VicharManch Series. Media unit prepared special trainingprogrammes for Assistants, Section Officers, LDCs

E Batch 2007; and technical as well as professionalguidance of all IP Telephony facilities, videoconferencing, etc.

The Production quality is well reflected throughits publications by implementing the computerizedprint control and Computer to Plate technologies.The unit has conceptualized and designed newlayout for magazines and books. Technical supportwas provided to ICAR Hqrs., ICAR Institutes andState Agricultural Universities for production oftheir publications and for framing technical andfinancial bid tender documents for printing byProduction Unit. The quality publications forSAARC Agriculture Ministers Meeting and ASRBFoundation Day celebration were executed throughProduction Unit in a time frame manner. ASRBmodified logo was also developed by this unit.Special issue of Kheti, Phal Phool, Indian Farmingand Indian Horticulture were brought out on WorldPotato Congress-2008 with new layout designmaintaining high production quality within givenstipulated time. Training on ProductionManagement of publications and SecretarialPractices was provided to staff ICAR Institutesand students of Polytechnic respectively. Posterswere brought out on several occasions, viz.Vigilance Awareness, IVth World Congress onConservation in Agriculture. Photographs relatedto activities in ICAR System were taken; andused for press release, scrolling news, periodicals.

Agricultural Research Information Centre gaveoutput as Data Management Work, viz. AGRISDatabase of FAO, AICR database, database ofMultimedia Products developed by ICARInstitutions. DIPA has generated more than Rs 4.5million (up to December 2008) through sale ofjournals, periodicals, books, e-books andprocurement of advertisements. Thematicinformation display and sale-stalls were put inCon fe rences /Summi ts /Mee t ings /e tc . fo r

INFORMATION, COMMUNICATION AND PUBLICITY SERVICES

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dissemination of knowledge and publicity.Agricultural Research Information Centre gaveoutput as ICAR Telephone Directory, 2009;Publications in print (7) as well as electronic media(4) including on-line version (7); and SelectiveDissemination of Information services. ARICorganized workshop (1) and trainings (3). E- libraryfacility has been started at ICAR(Hq). It is usinglatest information and communication technologies.ICAR Library has been modernized with InformationKIOSKS, internet surfing, on-line catalogue etc.using latest ICT tools. The mandatory housekeeping

Special issue brought during Global Potato Congress Selected titles brought out during the year

activities of library have been automated by use ofe-Granthalaya software. The developed biblio-graphical details of publications available in ICAR,Krishi Bhavan, were made available through on-line OPAC (on-line catalogue).The circulationprocess was started by using bar-coding librarypublications and membership cards. Servicesprovided by the library include:On-line Catalogue,Access to British Council Library and DELNET,CD-ROM Databases,On-line Portal/Journals throughCera (NAIP), Springer link, Annual Reviews, andCSIRO.

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Frontline demonstration on safed musali

The Council has created a vast network of KrishiVigyan Kendras (KVK), aiming at assessment,refinement and demonstration of technologies/products. At present, there are 562 Krishi VigyanKendras which include 379 under AgriculturalUniversities, 41 under ICAR Institutes, 90 underNGOs, 33 under State Governments and 19 underother organizations.

KRISHI VIGYAN KENDRA

Technology assessment andrefinement

During the year, 520 technologies were takenup for assessment and refinement in 2,044 locationswith 20,002 on-farm trials. There were 389technologies in 1,647 locations with 14,349 trialson improved cultural practices of various crops(4,560), varietal evaluation (2,502), applicationof bio-fertilizers and bio-control agents (911), cropdiversification including cropping systems (755),plant protection (3,441), protected cultivation forproduction of seeds and planting material (230),farm machinery and equipment (507), resourceconservation (708), and processing, value-additionand quality improvement (735).

Similarly, 32 technologies in 158 locations with3,331 trials were taken up for assessment oftechnologies related to control of diseases;improved breeding; nutrition including feeds andfodder in cattle, pig and poultry; and productionand management in fishery.

A total of 67 technologies in 170 locationswith 1,031 trials were taken up for assessmentand refinement related to improved culturalpractices of various crops (529), application ofbio-fertilizers and bio-control agents (58), plantprotection (224), protected cultivation for seedproduction (16), farm machinery and implements(63), resource conservation (43), and processing,

value-addition and quality improvement (98).Thirteen technologies were taken up in 18

locations with 258 trials for assessment andrefinement related to health of cattle, sheep andgoat (102), improved breeding of cattle (56),nutrition including feeds and fodder of cattle, sheep,goat and poultry(81), and production andmanagement of sheep, goat and fishery (19).

Besides, 19 technologies related toentrepreneurship development and improving familyhealth and nutritional status were also taken up with1,033 trials in 51 locations.

Frontline demonstration

Frontline demonstrations were conducted todemonstrate the production potential of improvedtechnologies on farmers’ fields in different farmingsystems. A total of 75,825 frontline demonstrationswere organized including oilseeds, pulses, cotton,farm implements and other crops including cereal,millet, fibre, fodder and commercial crops;vegetable, fruit, flower, plantation and medicinalcrops, and spices and condiments, covering anarea of 31,627 ha; including 3,791 demonstrationson hybrids of different crops. Besides 2,168demonstrations on livestock and fishery, 109

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Technology Assessment,

Refinement and Transfer

TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT, REFINEMENT AND TRANSFER

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demonstrations were conducted on various otherenterprises.

Oilseeds: During the year, 18,949demonstrations were conducted covering 6,379haon oilseed crops including castor, groundnut,linseed, mustard, niger, safflower, sesame, soybean,sunflower, toria, and gobhi sarson. The percentageincrease in yield varied from 21.86 in raya to52.70 in rapeseed, and on an average oilseed cropsunder demonstration gave 33.17% more yield thanunder local practice.

Pulses: There were 17,301 demonstrations wereconducted covering 5,433 ha on pulse cropsincluding blackgram, chickpea, cowpea, field pea,french bean, greengram, horse gram, lentil, mash,moth bean, pigeonpea and rajmash. The increasein yield varied from 34.88% in chickpea to 50.93%in horse gram, and on an average pulse cropsunder demonstration gave 41.14% more yield thanunder local practice.

Cotton: The frontline demonstrations on cottonwere conducted in major cotton-growing areas of11 states (Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Haryana,Jharkhand, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh,Maharashtra, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu andWest Bengal), in an area of 8,347 ha involving11,613 farmers on production technology (4,211in 1,754 ha), integrated pest management (1,774in 1,420 ha) and farm implements (5,628 in 5,173ha).

Production technology: The average yield ofdemonstration plots varied from 243 kg lint/ha inWest Bengal to 745 kg lint/ha in Rajasthan, withthe cost of production varying from Rs 5,000/hain West Bengal to Rs 24,107/ha in Tamil Nadu.Due to variation in cost of production, yield levelsand market price received for the cotton, the benefit:cost ratio also varied from 1.9 in Jharkhand andWest Bengal to 4.5 in Haryana.

Performance of BT hybrids, non-BT hybridsand other varieties: Demonstrations on hybridswere conducted involving 2,991 farmers. BesidesBt hybrids, desi hybrids, hirsutum × barbadance

hybrids, hirsutum × hirsutum hybrids were alsodemonstrated in several locations along withhirsutum, arboreum and herbaceum varieties.

Irrigated:A total of 2,257 demonstrations wereconducted in 10 states under irrigated situationsin an area of 952.6 ha. Average yield ofdemonstration plots ranged from 319 kg lint/hain Jharkhand to 836 kg lint/ha in Karnataka. Anincrease in yield of demonstration plots over localplots was the highest in Madhya Pradesh (32.42%),followed by Tamil Nadu (30.39%). Overall increasein yield was 9.86%. The difference ofdemonstration yield in Punjab was –0.72 becausethe demonstrated Bt hybrids MRC 6301, MRC6304 and RCH 713 did not perform better thancheck hybrid RCH 134 Bt.

Rainfed: Under rainfed situations, 2,120demonstrations were conducted in nine statescovering 895 ha. Demonstration yields ranged from243 kg lint/ha in West Bengal to 696 kg lint/hain Madhya Pradesh and 812 kg lint/ha in Rajasthanunder partial irrigated condition. The averageincrease in yield was 32.64%. Benefit : cost ratiowas 3.10 in irrigated situation as compared to 2.2in rainfed.

Integrated pest management: The integratedpest management (IPM) demonstrations wereimplemented in seven states, viz. Rajasthan, AndhraPradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Punjab, Haryanaand Madhya Pradesh, in an area of 1,420 ha in50 blocks (50 ha per block) with the involvementof 1,774 farmers including 331 women farmers.The maximum yield of 1,305 kg lint/ha wasreported from Guntur (Andhra Pradesh), and thelowest (310 kg lint/ha) from Amaravathi(Maharashtra). The overall increase in yield fromIPM plots was 18.63% higher than non-IPM plots.

Farm implements: Demonstrations of farmimplements, viz. tillage (rotavator, furrow maker,harrow, plough, tiller, stalk uprooter and stalkshredder), sprayers, weeders, dibblers and planters,and ginning and delinting on cotton were conductedin an area of 5,173 ha involving 5,628 farmers.

Performance of cotton hybrids and other varieties in frontline demonstrations

Hybrid/variety No. of Area Demo Local yield Increase Demo cost Local cost Demofarmers/ (ha) yield (lint (lint kg (%) (Rs/ha) (Rs/ha) benefit:

demo kg/ha) /ha) cost ratio

Bt hybrid 2,257 952.6 744 610 25.7 1,660 15,077 2.9Desi Hybrid 120 74.0 683 622 11.3 5,790 5,244 3.6H × B hybrids 355 125.2 528 447 17.5 18,496 16,153 1.9H × H hybrids 259 108.4 651 529 23.1 12,808 12,060 3.1G. herbaceum variety 97 38.8 210 181 15.9 5,467 4,925 2.5G. hirsutum variety 446 180.8 487 414 23.2 10,654 10,212 3.2G. arboreum variety 45 18.0 326 224 37.8 7,701 4,393 2.5

H, hirsutum; B, barbadense

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Besides, a total of 70,111 cotton farmers werebenefited from various extension activitiesincluding training of 13,759 farmers and 1,214extension personnel to facilitate dissemination oftechnology among them. In addition, newspapercoverage (33), publication of extension literature(67) and radio/TV talk (66) were also organized.

Other crops: During the year, 22,334 suchdemonstrations were conducted covering 6,295

ha on cereals, vegetables, spices and condiments,millets, fodder crops, tuber crops, flower,commercial crops, plantation crops, medicinal andother crops. The increase in demonstration yieldover local plots ranged from 22.56% in commercialcrops to 50.26% in plantation crops.

Crop hybrids in cereals, oilseeds andvegetables: During the year, 800 demonstrationson hybrids were conducted, covering 295 ha onmaize, rice, soybean, sunflower, castor, brinjal,cabbage, chilli, cucumber and tomato.

Farm implements: During the year, 2,258demonstrations were organized on various toolsand implements related to tillage operation,planting, inter-culture operation, plant protection,harvest, post-harvest and drip irrigation on severalcrops covering an area of 1,914 ha.

Livestock and fishery: During the year, 1,739demonstrations comprising 6,362 units on health,nutrition and other production practices of dairy,poultry, piggery, sheep and goat were conducted.Besides, 429 demonstrations comprising 181 unitswere conducted on carp culture, composite fishDapog method of nursery raising of rice

Frontline demonstrations on other crops

Category No. of Area (ha) Yield (tonnes/ha)demonstrations Demonstration Local Increase (%)

Cereals 11,655 3,847.77 4.18 3.37 24.18Vegetables 4,074 874.16 16.58 12.71 30.37Spices and condiments 2,352 473.51 14.56 11.61 25.44Millets 1,167 414.70 2.07 1.56 32.80Fodder crops 705 132.60 35.67 28.73 24.15Tuber crops 538 65.08 23.15 16.86 37.29Fruit crops 515 131.80 25.30 18.96 33.39Fibre crops 509 120.00 1.43 0.98 44.74Flower crops 335 95.85 13.02 9.63 35.26Commercial crops 204 59.50 59.37 48.44 22.56Plantation crops 129 35.90 5.74 3.82 50.26Medicinal crops 57 27.00 1.14 0.71 23.01Other crops 94 17.40 4.11 3.26 26.00Total 22,334 6,295.27

Frontline demonstrations on hybrids of crops

Crop hybrid No. of Area Yield (kg/ha)farmers (ha) Demonstration Local Increase (%)

Brinjal PKM 1 20 4.00 3,025 2,820 7.27Cabbage Quisto 25 0.20 3,403 2,500 36.12Castor DCH 32, GCH 4, TMVCH 1 89 23.50 1,817 980 85.51Chilli HCH 9646 11 0.44 3,120 1,810 72.38Cucumber Century Hyb 1 4 0.04 4,600 3,800 21.05Maize Co MH 5, KH 9451, Shaktiman 3, 150 46.20 5,763 3,160 82.42

Shaktiman 4Rice Co RH 3, KRH 2, Ranjit 48 23.10 6,539 5,169 26.51Soybean JS 335 63 21.00 1,280 870 47.13Sunflower KBSH 41. MSFH 17,MSFH 8, PAC 36 380 172.80 1,743 1,296 34.48Tomato TCS 212 10 4.00 30,100 18,400 63.59Grand total 800 295.28

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farming system; 28,844 in orchard management;28,220 in entrepreneurial development; 22,360 infarm machinery, tools and implements; 27,536 inmanagement of fruit crops; 29,576 in resource-conservation technologies; 21,071 in animalnutrition; 18,811 in fisheries; 20,656 in watermanagement; 16,520 in animal health; 9,428 ingrading and packaging; 6,283 in ornamental plants;2,446 in tuber crops; 1,888 in agro-forestry; 1,119in plantation crops; 1,095 in spices; and 506 ineconomic empowerment of women.

Rural youth: As many as 12,754 skill-orientedtraining programmes were organized for 187,304rural youth. The beneficiaries in different areaswere 12,657 on increasing production andproductivity of crops; 1,212 in orchardmanagement; 26,157 in production and value-addition; 25,226 in livestock production andmanagement; 29,420 in economic empowermentof women; 4,983 in farm machinery, tools andimplements; 6,571 in fisheries; 42,875 inproduction of inputs at site; 2,018 in capacitybuilding and group dynamics; 23,743 inentrepreneurial development; and 12,442 incommercial horticulture.

Training programmes (vocational): Out of12,754 training programmes conducted for ruralyouth, 6,073 were conducted for 49,176 ruralyouths on various vocations including orchardmanagement; production of inputs at site; economicempowerment of women; livestock production andmanagement; value-addition; entrepreneurialdevelopment; commercial horticulture; capacitybuilding and group dynamics; fisheries; and farmmachinery, tools and implements.

Extension personnel: A total of 3,487 trainingprogrammes were conducted covering 90,398participants. These were organized for extensionfunctionaries working in government and non-governmental organizations related directly orindirectly with the development of agriculture.The training was imparted to upgrade theirknowledge and skills in frontier areas of agriculturetechnologies.

Training programmes (sponsored): Of the51,774 training programmes (12.44 lakhparticipants) conducted by the KVKs, 6,099 were

culture, integrated fish farming, prawn culture,and fish seed production.

Other enterprises: A total of 109demonstrations on various other enterprises, namelybee keeping, mushroom, nutrition, garden,sericulture and vermicompost were conducted.

Training programmes

During the year, 51,774 training programmeswere organized with the participation of 12.42lakh farmers including rural youth, and in-serviceextension personnel.

Farmers: A total of 35,533 training programmeswere organized for the benefit of 966,142 farmersand farmwomen on various technologies to updatetheir knowledge and skill. Total number ofbeneficiaries including women farmers were159,008 in production and productivityenhancement of crops; 132,495 in plant protection;107,537 in production of inputs at site; 58,935 inhousehold nutritional security; 53,926 in animalproduction and management; 53,067 in soil healthand fertility management; 46,142 in commercialproduction of vegetables; 40,419 in processingand value-addition of produce; 45,523 in capacitybuilding and group dynamics; 30,731 in integrated

Seeds and planting material

During the year 201,675 q seeds including cereal,oilseed, pulse, commercial, vegetable, flower,spice, fodder and fibre crops were produced andmade available to 1.39 lakh farmers. In addition,KVKs produced 133.20 lakh seedlings and saplingsof vegetables, fruits, ornamental, medicinal andaromatic plants, plantation crops, spices, tubercrops, fodder and forest species and provided to1.89 lakh farmers.

Training programmes for in-service extensionpersonnel

Thematic No. of Male Female Totalarea courses

Production, 1,113 27,337 4,026 31,363productivityand value-addition ofcrops

Production 214 3,859 1,375 5,234of input at site

Plant protection 433 9,523 638 10,161Resource 287 6,251 504 6,755

conservation,soil health andfertilitymanagement

Integrated 47 1,360 363 1,723farming system

Livestock 354 6,025 1,551 7,576production andmanagement

Farm machinery 73 1,449 209 1,658tools and implements

Economic 153 1,742 2,410 4,152empowermentof women

Capacity building 177 3,855 785 4,640and group dynamics

Capacity building 296 6,643 1,673 8,316for ICT applications

Household 340 1,961 6,859 8,820nutrition security

Total 3,487 70,005 20,393 90,398

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conducted on sponsorship by various organizationscovering 232,951 participants.

Extension activities

The KVKs organized 264,485 extensionprogrammes involving 8,069,061 farmers andextension personnel to create awareness aboutimproved agricultural technologies. The activitiesinclude advisory services , diagnostic visits, fielddays, group discussions, kisan ghosthi, film show,self-help group conveners meetings, kisan mela,exhibition, scientists’ visit to farmers’ field, plant/animal health camps, farm science clubs, ex-trainees sammelan, farmers’ seminar/workshop,method demonstrations, special day celebration,and exposure visits.

Other important extension programmesorganized by the KVKs include publication of28,224 extension literature, 11,224 newspapercoverage, 4,847 radio and TV talks, 1,409 populararticles and 8,220 lectures were delivered.

Production of technology products

The KVKs produced various technologicalproducts like seeds, planting materials, bio-products,livestock strains and fingerlings to a tune of Rs2,194.62 lakh, benefiting 4.15 lakh farmers.

Bio-products: The KVKs produced various bio-

products and made available to 74,846 farmers.These include 11.97 lakh kg biofertilizer includingAzolla, Azospirillum, Azotobactor, compost andvermicompost, phosphobacteria and rhizobium and1,857 litres vermi-wash; besides bio-pesticidesincluding botanicals, NPV, various pest repellantsand pheromone traps; bio-fungicides includingPacelomyces and Verticillium; and bio-agentsincluding beetles, decomposing fungus, earthwormsand parasitoid (Trichogramma chilonis).

Livestock, poultry and fingerlings : The KVKsproduced 5,102 improved livestock strains of dairyanimals, piglets, sheep and goat, and rabbitbenefiting 916 farmers; 72,255 improved chicksof poultry, turkey, quail and duck benefiting 10,963farmers and 60.47 lakh fingerlings benefiting 630farmers.

Demonstration on rain-water harvesting

with micro-irrigation system

The demonstration units on rainwater harvestingwith micro-irrigation system have beenestablished in 100 KVKs. These KVKs conducted240 training programmes and 128 cropdemonstrations, benefiting 21,392 farmers and1,384 extension personnel. The KVKs have alsoutilized such facility for production of 2.71 lakhplanting material.

Diagnostic services

A total of 1.52 lakh samples including 1.30 lakhsoil samples, 19,714 water samples, 2,256 plantsamples, and 504 other samples were analysed,benefiting 10,963 farmers from 18,893 villages.

Technological backstopping to KVKs

The Directorate of Extension of the StateAgricultural Universities conducted 99 programmesfor providing technological and methodologicalbackstopping to 2,827 KVK staff. The Zonal Co-ordinating Units conducted 52 programmes withthe participation of 2,060 KVK staff.

District-level interface programmes

The KVKs organized 480 Interface programmesthrough the meetings of Scientific AdvisoryCommittee, sponsorship of special programmesand developing functional linkages.

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16Gender Issues for Technological

Empowerment of Women in

Agriculture


The mandate of National Research Centre forWomen in Agriculture is to — conduct basic,strategic and applied research to identify genderissues and test appropriateness of available farmtechnologies/programme/policies with womenperspective; carry out training and consultancyfor promoting gender mainstreaming in researchand extension for empowerment of farmwomen;and capacity building of scientists, planners andpolicy makers to respond to the needs offarmwomen.

Gender roles in household activities: Ananalysis of household activities carried out amongwomen indicated that 26% of their time wasdevoted for household chores and 17% accountedfor fuel wood collection with evidences of inter-generational changes in the pattern of gender workparticipation. A tendency was noticed among 15%of farmwomen to shy away from wage earningactivities in agriculture as influenced by level ofeducation.

Impact of mechanization: Mechanization inrice farming led to a loss of about 57.1 humandays in irrigated and 22 days in non-irrigatedsituation while creating additional space for women

and restructuring of gender roles. Introduction ofthresher created on an average, 18 additional daysof employment for women in irrigated areas and5.2 days in non-irrigated areas. In the absence ofmale members, 20% of women managed the farmoperations by custom hiring of machines.

Livelihood security through entrepreneurialactivity among farm families: Women self-helpgroups are very effective in capacity building ofrural women. However many such SHGs lackentrepreneurial skills for income generation.Development of rice and pulse-based agro-enterprises among farmwomen in Pipili andSakhigopal villages of Puri district, Orissa werevery useful in helping the SHGs to generate incomeand also in improving leadership qualities andconfidence among rural women. Two SHGs weretrained in agro-processing and value addition.

Technology testing and refinement in genderperspective: Application of non-hazardouspesticides such as nuxvom, tobacco-soaked water,neem oil and calotropis and hanging of camphorand naphthalene balls from the plant combinedwith pheromone trap, light trap and maize andmarigold barrier at the time of transplanting wereeffective in the management of brinjal shoot andfruit borer and maintaining higher population ofpredator such as spider. Maize barrier and marigoldintercrop provided favourable cost benefit ratiofollowed by calotropis powder. Termite traps madeof earthen pots were also effective for termitecontrol. The above techniques were easilyaccessible to and affordable by farmwomen.

Robusta and G-9 varieties of banana wereevaluated for low input homestead cultivation usingindigenous organic and inorganic inputs. Anapplication of 5g ammonium sulphate and 10gsulphate of potash blended with 500g of freshcow dung to the distal end of bunch showedsignificant enhancement in fruit weight yield and

Capacity building of farmwomen

The action research for capacity building of womenagricultural labourers (WALs) for increasing theefficiency in agro-enterprises taken up among 60women in blocks Tangi and Salepur, showed thatWALs preferred poultry rearing, mushroomcultivation, rice processing, solar drying and beekeeping for development of enterprise andcapacity building. Training programmes,demonstrations, field visits and group discussionswere organized on the selected enterprises.Demonstrations of four-row rice transplanterdesigned by the CRRI, raising of mat typeseedlings and mechanical transplanting werecarried out.

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GENDER ISSUES FOR TECHNOLOGICAL EMPOWERMENTOF WOMEN IN AGRICULTURE

between 6 and 12 months of age in their flocks.Women accepted the improved practices, as thesewere easy to follow.

Drudgery assessment and reduction

Introduction of women friendly improvedfarm tools and implements: Out of 20 farmoperations, the ten critical areas of involvementof women are interculture, harvesting, cleaningand grading, drying and storage, preparatory workin field for sowing, winnowing, ridge/furrowmaking, maize shelling, vegetable plucking andgroundnut decortications. The critical areas ofoperations for men were ploughing, preparatorywork in the field for sowing, harvesting, sowingof seeds, threshing, carrying grain after threshing,ridge/furrow making, carrying fertilizer and itsapplication, carrying FYM and its application,and carrying harvested crop. Most of the farmoperations which farmwomen carried out are eitherby their own hand, feet or using traditional tools,such as sickle, spade, supa, chalani etc. Women’sinvolvement index in farm operation (WII fo) wasdeveloped. Women involvement index (WIIfo) infarm operations was 0.42, which varied from 0.36to 0.53 across the selected villages. The highestWIIfo of 0.53 was in the village having vegetableproduction. The operations that showed WIIfo ofmore than 0.50 were drying and storage, cleaning,grading, interculture, vegetable plucking, maizeshelling, harvesting, groundnut decortications, andpreparatory work in field for sowing. Fourteenequipments namely seed treatment drum, handridger, fertilizer broadcaster, Naveen dibbler, twinwheel hoe, PAU weeder, grubber weeder, sittingtype groundnut decorticator, hanging type cleanerwith five sieves and sack holder, PAU seed drill,pedal cum power operated cleaner grader, knapsacksprayer and groundnut stripper with four stoolswere introduced in the selected villages and farmwomen were given training in their operation andmaintenance. Most of these tools and implementshad the potential to reduce the cost of operationas well as drudgery per unit output due to increasedwork efficiency. PAU wheel hoe and twin wheelhoe saved Rs 1,563/ha and 1,514/ha (overtraditional method), respectively, in the cost ofweeding and interculture operations. Use of handridger saved labour cost to the extent of Rs 333/ha. Use of tubular maize sheller, groundnutdecorticator and groundnut stripper saved Rs 21.85,Rs 123.20 and Rs 63.40/q, respectively, in costof operation due to labour saving.

All India Coordinated ResearchProject on Home Science

The All India Coordinated Research Projecton Home Science, that was merged with NRCWA

maturity. The cost of treatment worked out to beRs 4 per plant as compared to Rs 8 per plant insoil application of recommended dose of NPKindicating cost effectiveness and ease of adoptionby women.

Animal health camps were organized andpractices such as supplementation of mineralmixture in the concentrate ratio, cultivation ofimproved forage and vaccination and de-wormingwere taken up. Castration and replacement of malesamong farmers’ flock for breed improvement,vaccination and de-worming to reduce mortalityand morbidity and supplementary feeding ofconcentrate made from locally available feedresources were introduced for increasingproductivity of small ruminants. On an average 20%gain in body weight of lambs/kids was recordeddue to supplementation of homemade concentrateas compared to farmers’ practice. Replacement ofmale buck/ram resulted in better stock. Castrationof male lambs/kids resulted in body weight gainand these fetched 20-25% higher price than un-castrated ones due to consumer preference.

Implementation of scheduled prophylactic healthmeasures reduced mortality from 33 to 7% andincrease in growth rate of 25-30% in the animals

SUCCESS STORY

Profit earning self-help group

Sangram Vikram Self-help Group in Konjar villagein Orissa, came into existence with the effort of aresearch team of NRCWA, Bhubaneshwar. Thegroup opened a bank account with the State Bankof India, Pipili in September 2002. The groupmembers leased a land area of 0.2ha for 3 years@ 650/year for carrying out the farm-basedactivities. In November 2002 they grew tomato,cauliflower, beans, potato and greens. With aninvestment of Rs 320 they could earn a grossamount of Rs 1,278 with a net profit of Rs 958after two months. The NRCWA trained them inthe preparation of lime and orange squash, andwith Rs 1,120 they could earn a profit of Rs 950.The group was also trained in the preparation ofbaddi with blackgram. With Rs 280 they couldearn a profit of Rs 60/kg. Thus within a year theSHGs could earn a net profit of Rs 2,368. Withthe initiative of the President of the group theyestablished contact with a private company, whichwas impressed by the quality of the product, andit placed order for 40 bottles of lime squash.Inspired by this the group secured a loan ofRs 50,000 from the State Bank of India forexpanding their business. The group prepared2,000 bottles of lime squash and 50 bottles oftomato puree and different types of spicesincluding haldi powder, which they sold in theexhibition organized by Orissa State Governmentand earned a net profit of Rs 28,000.

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is in operation at nine Centres/SAUs, viz.CCSHAU, Hisar; PAU, Ludhiana; UAS, Dharwad/Bangalore; MPUAT, Udaipur; ANGRAU,Hyderabad; GBPUAT, Pantnagar; MAU, Parbhani;AAU, Jorhat; and CSKHPKV, Palampur.Empowerment of rural women for enhancing thequality of life is the main objective of the Project.

Gender disaggregated data have been collectedfrom 1,800 households covering 3,600 respondentsfrom nine states (400 respondents from each centreand one male and female from each household).The gender specific information included role andresponsibility, access to and control over resourcesin farming, post harvest, horticulture, homesteadgarden, livestock management, fisheries andavailability of extension services. The pooled dataof all the states indicated that, the extent ofindependent participation of women was highest(29.9%) in livestock management and least inhorticulture (6%). About 34.1% of women havecomplete responsibility of livestock managementfollowed by 17.19% in horticulture and 16.4%farm related activities. Compared to women higherpercentage of men have taken completeresponsibility in performing various activities.About 15.8% women have complete access tofarm related resources. Greater access was inlivestock (28.2%) followed by homestead resources(27.4%) and horticulture (25.5%). The relativefrequency of women who had control over theresources was lowest (7.3%) in farm relatedresources and highest (21.5%) in livestock relatedresources. In general, the extent of access to andcontrol over the resources in agriculture and relatedactivities were biased in favour of men.

Based on the multi-location field trials, drudgeryreduction technologies including, ring cutters forharvesting vegetables and flowers, improved sicklefor harvesting paddy, harvest bag for cotton picking,improved weeders, maize shellers for maizethreshing, hand wheel hoe, long handled scrubbingbrush, hand rake, paddy row seeders, water fetchingtrolley, potato picker and vegetable peelers weretransferred to women. Head load managertechnology was developed at the ANGRAU,Hyderabad, for reducing drudgery in the manualhead loading of vegetables while transporting.

Gender sensitive extension model

The concept of Village-level Para ExtensionWorkers (VPEW) was tested for development of alogical model for gender mainstreaming inextension. This is being tried by building theircapacity for identification of the needs andproblems of farmwomen and training them to helpin increasing the productivity in agriculture,income and living standards of rural households.Under the study being implemented in two rainfedvillages of Khurda, Orissa, training programmeswere conducted on mushroom cultivation, agro-processing, eco-friendly storage pest control, seedproduction, result demonstration on cultivationof rice, colacasia and mushroom. Demonstrationswere laid on 50 homestead nutritional-cum-seedproduction units of 75m2 each, eight mushroomunits of 25 beds each, culture of fish in twocommunity ponds of 3,000m2 and high yieldingscented rice in four acres as interventions forcapacity building. Women belonging to SC andweaker sections and self-help groups derivedmore benefits from VPEWs.

Training on apiary for rural women

Empowerment programmes were conductedthrough group discussions, demonstrations andtrainings in the adopted villages for women inthe resource management practices such as fuel/energy saving practices, alternative energytechnologies and water management practices. Alow cost solar dryer was fabricated usingindigenous material for effective use of solar energyfor household purposes, and the technology wastransferred.

The concept of nutrition garden was promotedamong selected families to create awareness andmotivation about the role of micronutrients indiet. An iron rich product Lehyam from locallyavailable unconventional green leafy vegetableswas developed that helps in combating irondeficiency. The standardization of the developedproduct was completed by all the centers.

Intensive training programmes of three monthsduration were conducted at all the centres, andgirls and married women in the age group of 11– 25 years were trained to develop vocationalskills, crèche organization and management,establishment and management of early childhoodeducation centres, preparation of educational playmaterials, nursery rearing of vegetables and fruits,vermi compost preparation, color yielding andmedicinal plants and mushroom cultivation.Adolescents have also become members of self-help groups and are involved in enterprisedevelopment.

Sisal plant (Agave americana), grown as edgeplant around the fields, is usually discarded asagricultural waste. This plant is a good source ofnon-conventional fibre and was identified as sourcefor hand-made paper making.

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New Releases

Variety/hybrid/ Adaptation region/ Duration Salient featurescomposite agro-ecology

Vivek QPM 9 Zone I and Extra-early (85-90 days) Yellow, single cross hybrid showed more yield,Zone IV tryptophan, lysine, Fe and Zn than best check

Vivek Maize Hybrid 9

Vivek Maize Hybrid 25 Zone I Extra-early (85-90 days) Single cross hybrid yielded more than the bestcheck HIM 129. Also showed a high degree oftolerance to turcicum blight and better responseto low dose of N (40 kg/ha)

Vivek Maize Hybrid 27 Zone III and Extra-early (80-85 days Single cross hybrid yielded higher than HIMZone IV in Zone III and 85-88 129, exhibited moderate tolerance to turcicum

days in Zone IV) and maydis leaf blight and better response tohigher doses of N

Vivek Sankul Makka 31 Uttarakhand hills Early (90-95 days) In spite of being a composite it yielded higherthan popular hybrid HIM 129 and compositeSurya. Also showed high tolerance to turcicumblight and better response to higher N dosesin hills

VL Gehun 892 Late sown, Early (140-150 days) Variety showed yield superiority to checksrestricted irrigation Sonalika, HS 420 and HS 295, and resistanceconditions of hills to brown and yellow rusts. Also possessesUttarakhand and resistance against most virulent yellow rustHimachal Pradesh pathotype 46S119 and 78S84. It is nutritionally

rich

VL Matar 45 Rainfed, timely 160-165 days Field pea variety possesses resistance to wiltsown onditions of disease and yellow round grains with higherUttarakhand hills, 100-grain weightJammu and Kashmirand Himachal Pradesh

VL Rajma 125 Rainfed, timely 75-100 days It possesses resistance to bacterial blight andsown conditions root rot. Grains are yellow with higher 1,000-of Uttarakhand hills grain weight

17

Research for Tribal and Hill Regions

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research(ICAR) through its institutes located in North-west Himalayas, North-east Himalayas and Islandsevolved technologies to meet the needs of tribaland hill farmers.

These technologies are intended to improve thesocio-economic status of the target group, and

will help them to acquire special skills throughvocational training in traditional and non-traditionalcrops, agroforestry, apiculture, horticulture, animalhusbandry, poultry and fisheries.

NORTH-WEST HIMALAYAS

The salient achievements of institute located

RESEARCH FOR TRIBAL AND HILL REGIONS

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in North-west Himalayas are:

Varietal release

Seven varieties/hybrids/composite of crops werereleased for different agro-climatic regions ofcountry.

Seed production

Around 23.2 tonnes breeder seed of 47 releasedvarieties/inbred lines was produced. A totalof 20.2 tonnes breeder seed was suppliedto different seed-producing agencies to takeup further multiplication. Besides, 1.57 tonnesnucleus seed of 35 released varieties was alsoproduced.

High frequency plant regeneration

A robust callus induction and high frequencyplant regeneration system was observed fromthe mature seed-derived nodes in VQL 2,parent of recently developed QPM hybrid, VivekQPM 9.

The regeneration frequency was more than25%. The healthy plantlets were grown ingreenhouse.

Cold-tolerant plant growth-promotingbacteria

More than 1,000 cold-tolerant bacteria wereisolated from the rhizosphere, rhizoplane,endorhizosphere and phylloplane samples collectedfrom high altitude areas (1,800 to 3,800 m amsl)of Uttarakhand, with greater diversity among theisolates from Garhwal region compared to Kumaonregion.

Almost all cold-tolerant isolates possessed morethan two low molecular weight plasmids,

Diversity of cold-tolerant bacteria from North-West Himalayas

while high molecular weight plasmidswere detected in few isolates. The 16S rRNAgene of plant growth-promoting bacterial isolatesfrom high altitudes were sequenced at IMTECH,Chandigarh. The sequences were deposited atGenBank, USA and their accession numbers wereobtained.

The aerial view of tanks in Darim cluster is partially shown.The image was captured from web resources and the water-harvesting tanks were located in the present scene

The harvested water, when utilized throughmicro-irrigation system for cultivation of vegetablepea and French bean resulted in pod yield of 12.8tonnes and 10.5 tonnes/ha, respectively, andprovided annual return of more than Rs 1.75 lakh/ha, with a benefit:cost ratio of 2.32. The paybackperiod for water resources development came tobe 3.35 years, considering the internal rate ofreturn being 27%. Moreover, the use of micro-irrigation saved harvested water up to 40%.

SUCCESS STORY

Cultivation of off-season cauliflower

A system of off-season cauliflower cultivation inmid-hills, which includes growing of seedlings inpolyhouses during November-December followedby transplanting in open fields in January, wasdeveloped by the Institute. With this culturalmanipulation, the crop is ready to be harvestedby the end of March, when cauliflowers are not atall available in the market. Twenty-five farmfamilies in two clusters of villages of Champawatdistrict followed this practice and got an averageyield of 17 tonnes/ha with a curd size of 0.75 to1.50 kg. With such a production, farmers got anearning of about Rs 2.0 lakh/ha. Thus off-seasoncultivation of late cauliflower has become highlyremunerative for the hill farmers.

SUCCESS STORY

Water harvesting and surface storage inDarim village, Uttarakhand

Supplemental irrigation is necessary to maintainthe soil-moisture regime at optimal level forobtaining higher production. The geographicallimitations and terrain conditions indicatepossibilities of small water harvesting tanks, whichcan be well integrated with the hill farming systemand household.

Water resources of 2,417 m3 were developedat the farmers’ fields under the outreach activitiesof the institute located at Almora, in two clustersof villages, namely Bhagartola (Almora district)and Darim (Nainital district). In village Darim 52tanks were made. The capacity ranged from 10m3 to 288.75 m3. Nearly one-third LDPE tanks(17) have capacity of 10 to 15 m3 because of thesmaller size of terraces and land holdings of thefarmers. Twenty-seven poly-tanks are of 15-30m3 size and eight tanks above 30 m3 capacity.

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production under climatic conditions of NE regioncan easily be increased by rearing HF dairy cattle.

A technique for identification of meatspecies

Species-specific DNA markers for pig, chicken,duck and pigeons were developed and validatedby cross checking with the other meat speciessuch as cattle, sheep, goat, rabbit, chicken, duck,pigeon and turkeys. The DNA markers developedcan help identify the species of raw as well ascooked meat of the species mentioned. This processof identification is simple, economical and quickas compared to the PCR-RFLP method of speciesidentification.

ISLANDS

The research findings of the institute locatedin Islands are:

Rice

At the Bloomslade research farm, long-durationvarieties (Gayatri, Savitri, Ranjit and Varshadhan)performed better than medium-duration TaichungSen Yu. Among long-duration varieties, Ranjitrecorded highest grain yield followed by Savitri,Varshadhan and Gayatri. In farmers’ fieldsalso, long-duration varieties gave significantlyhigher grain yield than long-duration C 14-8 inspite of minimal management practices adoptedby the farmers.

Azolla : a feed substitute for poultry

Azolla can be supplemented for backyard poultryalong with other foodgrains and kitchen waste.Azolla supplementation did not have any adverseeffect on egg production, and showed

Rare and endemic butterflies ofnorth-east India

Out of 125 butterfly species identified for thefirst time from North-Eastern Region of India, thefollowing were found rare and endemic to theregion.

Northern jungle queen (Sticopthalmacamadeva camadeva): It is a large butterfly, foundin thick forests at an altitude of 800 m in ArunachalPradesh and its larva feeds on bamboo.

Green duke (Euthalia sahadeva sahadeva):It is found in mid-altitude of about 1,800 m inManipur, and its larva is a pest of Quercus sp.

Tawny rajah (Charaxes polyxena hierax): Anactive and stout butterfly confined to thick forestareas of Meghalaya. It is a polyphagous larva,feeds on Tamarindus indicus, Aglaia elaeagnoidea,Saccopetalum tomentosum.

Dark archduke (Adolias khasiana khasiana):It is a black butterfly found below 1,800 m altitudein Meghalaya.

NORTH-EAST HIMALAYAS

The research work carried out at the institutelocated in North-East Himalayas includes:

Promosing genotype of Indian bean

RCDL 10, A bush type, photo-insensitive, shortduration, high-yielding genotype of Indian bean(Dolichos lablab) tolerant to aphids, leaf spot andpowdery mildew disease was identified for NEHRegion. It has yield potential of 14-15 tonnes/haand can be grown from April to November at aspacing of 80 cm × 40 cm. First harvesting canbe done 75 days after sowing. Average pod weightis 4.0- 4.5 g and pod yield varies from 95 to 100g/vine.

High yielding crossbred cattle

The productive and reproductive performanceof Holstein-Friesian (HF) crossbred cattle havingaround 75% HF blood was assessed for eight yearsin North-eastern Region of India. The milk yield/lactation (litre), lactation length (days), milk yield/day (litre), milk yield/day in first 300 days (litre),age at first calving (days), calving interval (days),dry period (days), and days open (days) were3,423 ± 134, 390 ± 16, 9.2 ± 0.43, 11.7 ±0.45,811 ± 29.7, 437 ± 19, 50.4 ±4.14 and 155 ±18.15 respectively. The results indicated that milk

SUCCESS STORY

Integrated pest management

The IPM technology developed at the Institute waspropagated amongst farmers in four blocks ofAlmora district (Hawalbagh, Tarikhet, Takula andDauladhevi) during 2004-05 to 2006-07. Thetechnology adopted by 480 farmers in 972 fields(19.44 ha area) of 200 m2 each in six vegetablecrops. As a result, germination in IPM-treated plotssignificantly improved (60-90%), being 20-30%higher than the local practice. Motivated byapplication of the bioagents Trichoderma harzianumusing vermicompost as a delivering medium, thefarmers prepared 84 tonnes vermicompost in 347vermipits and applied it in the IPM fields.

The IPM adopting farmers realized higher yieldof vegetables 20, 25, 15, 16.5, 20 and 14.5tonnes/ha in bean, tomato, capsicum, cauliflower,cabbage and vegetable pea, respectively, whichwas 30-70% more than the local practice.Improved yield with reduced pesticide loadthrough bio-intensive approach of IPM has becomepopular among the farmers. Encouraged by thesuccess of IPM technology in getting healthy cropwith higher yields, 43 farmers planted vegetablepea adopting IPM technology in the village TipolaSera of Tarikhet block, where they obtained 65%higher pod yield (20 tonnes/ha). These farmersearned more than Rs 2 lakh/ha by selling theirproduce @ Rs 12-14/kg.

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immunoregulatory role in poultry. It is highlypalatable in both growing and laying quails. Azollasupplementation in quails @ 10-20 g/bird/day couldreplace 21.7-30% concentrated feed. Thetechnology of Azolla feeding was successfullytransferred to the farmers’ fields and they havestarted supplementing Azolla in the quail feed upto the age of marketing.

Coconut husk burial for round-the-year vegetable production

The areas, which are close to the sea and left asa fallow due to the clayey soils and seawater entryin subsoil during high tide after tsunami, can beeffectively converted into cultivable land by a raised

bed method. In this, beds are raised to a height of30 cm from the ground level. Coconut husks whichare thrown as waste are chopped and covered overthe beds as a layer. Above this layer, soil mixedwith compost is applied before growing crops. High-value vegetable seeds and seedlings are taken onthe surface of the raised beds. This facilitate survivalof vegetable crops against the continuous and heavyrains and rise in the level of seawater. Coriander,capsicum, okra, tomato, French beans etc. can betaken on the beds, whereas Tagetes and swampcabbage in furrows. An average net profit of aboutRs 3.8 lakh can be obtained. These treatments alsoincreased pH to 6.88 which was earlier in the acidicrange (pH 5.24).

Five hundred poultry birds (Vanaraja breed) were distributed to 30 SHGs, covering 27 villages in 2004-05. The bird population has now gone up to 4,000 by which 800 farmers were benefited through thedistribution system being adopted by UCOS. Thirty-six piglets of improved breed (Large Black X) were alsodistributed to 20 SHGs and, as of now, 90 SHGs are rearing the improved breed of pig covering 40 villages.Besides, in 2007, UCOS has sold 400 quality piglets to Wokha district of the state. In fishery sector, UCOSin collaboration with the ICAR is adopting integrated fish farming system with duck and fish in an area of3.6 ha. The fish productivity has increased from 1.2 tonnes/ha to 5.4 tonnes/ha by adopting integrated fishfarming system. An employment of 43,500 man-days was generated during the last 4 years under differentactivities taken up in the watershed area.

During 2002-03, the total area under shifting cultivation in the watershed area was 512 ha, which hascome down to 31 ha during 2007-08. The integrated watershed development programme taken up by theICAR has helped the farmers in reducing shifting cultivation and reap benefits of settled cultivation.

Integrated watershed management in shifting cultivationareas of Nagaland

Increased population of Vanaraja poultry birds

SUCCESS STORY

Integrated watershed management for livelihood security of shifting cultivationareas of Nagaland

In Peren district of Nagaland, integrated watershed development programme was taken up covering anarea of 1,032 ha during 2003-04. The watershed area comprised 40 villages having population of 28,680.To operate the scheme, 1,016 self-help groups (SHGs) were formed under the banner of Union CooperativeSocieties (UCOS) – Peren, Jalukie. Passion fruit, maize, turmeric and ginger were selected as the prioritycrops for cultivation within the watershed area. About 610 SHGs are involved in passion fruit cultivation inan area of 212 ha, whereas maize is being cultivated in an area of 105 ha involving 386 SHGs. The UCOSis cultivating these two commodities since last 3 years. The upper ridges of the area were rehabilitatedthrough agroforestry interventions to produce biomass for firewood and timber, besides soil and waterconservation. Around 76 ha area was covered with banana, pineapple, cashewnut, Assam lemon, guava,jackfruit and litchi under agri-horticultural land-use system. The institute-released turmeric variety (RCT1) is also being commercially cultivated by the farmers in an area of 100 ha since last year.

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Microbial diversity and identification

Agriculturally important micro-organisms, i.e.33 fungal pathogens, 31 bacterial pathogens, 434bacterial antagonists and 83 fungal antagonisticisolates, were isolated from infected plant partsand rhizosphere soil samples of vegetable andspice crops cultivated in Andaman and NicobarIslands. Two types of leaf anthracnose symptomswere observed on black pepper. The first symptomwas consistent with the disease previously reportedon pepper as Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. Thesecond symptom was similar to that caused by C.dracaenophilum, a species identified as a pathogenon lucky bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana), andinternal transcribed spacer region of the fungalDNA was amplified, sequenced and submitted toNCBI GenBank (Accession No EU744584).BLAST searches of GenBank using the ITSsequence revealed that this fungus was a memberof the genus Colletotrichum, but a species levelidentification could not be made with this data.The fungus was mostly similar in sequence tophytopathogenic isolates of C. dracaenophilum(93% sequence similarity).

Renewable energy-based dryers

Renewable energy-based solar dryers andbiomass fired dryer were tested and evaluated forproduct drying quality and were compared withnatural sun drying method. Coconut, black pepper,chilli, jack fruit bulb, mushroom and fish weredried in these dryers. The drying under solar dryers

saved 33.3% time in model-1 (bamboo/woodenframe) and 37.5% time in model-2 (steel framewith trays, doors and ventilators). The quality ofthe copra obtained from solar dryers was at parwith the quality of edible copra, and moisturecontent of product was between 6 and 10% (wb).These dryers are designed to work in wind speedof up to 45-60 km/hr.

Renewable energy-based solar dryer to improve the productquality of plantation crops

Under biomass fired dryer, drying of coconutand fish was done using coconut shell as fuel.Drying rate was higher under biomass fired dyersthan solar dryer. Biomass fired dryer can beused for dying of coconuts and fish during rainyseason.

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18

Organization and Management

DAREThe Department of Agricultural Research and

Education (DARE) was established in the Ministryof Agriculture in December, 1973. Subjects allottedto the DARE as per the Government of India(Allocation of Rules) are specified in Appendix Iof DARE.

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research(ICAR) is an autonomous body under theDepartment of Agricultural Research andEducation. The Secretary to the Government ofIndia in the DARE functions as the Director-General of the ICAR. The Financial Advisor ofthe DARE is the Financial Advisor of the ICAR.Generally single-file system is followed betweenDARE and ICAR.

The Department has one more autonomous bodyviz. the Central Agricultural University, Imphalunder its administrative control. The University,which was established in 1993, has its jurisdictionover Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya,Mizoram, Sikkim and Tripura and is whollyfinanced by the Government of India.

The DARE has 17 Group A, 14 Group B, 6Group C, and 6 Group D employees. Therecruitment to the post in the Group A, B, C isbeing made centrally, either through the Departmentof Personnel and Training or through theDepartment of Agriculture and Co-operation,depending on the level of the post. The DAREmakes direct recruitment only to Group D posts.Such recruitments are being made in accordancewith the orders of the Government of Indiaregarding reservations for Scheduled Castes,Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes.Presently, DARE has 6 Scheduled Caste and 2Scheduled Tribe employees.

A detailed break up of the posts and names ofthe important functionaries is given in AppendixII of DARE. The financial requirement (Grant

No. 2) includes Budget Estimate (BE) and RevisedEstimate (RE) of DARE and ICAR (Plan andNon-Plan) 2007-2008 respectively and BE for2008-09 (Plan and Non-Plan) . The detailed breakup of these financial figures is given in AppendixIII of DARE.

ICAR

The Indian Council of Agricultural Researchis an apex organization at the national level forpromoting Science and Technology Programmesin the agricultural research and education.

The ICAR was set up on 16 July 1929, as theRegistered Society abide by the SocietiesRegistration Act 1860, on the recommendationsof the Royal Commission of Agriculture. It wasreorganized twice, in 1965 and 1973. The ICAR(Hq) is located at Krishi Bhavan and its otherbuildings are Krishi Anusandhan Bhavan I and II,and NASC Complex, all in New Delhi.

The Union Minister of Agriculture is thePresident of the ICAR. The Principal ExecutiveOfficer of the ICAR is the Director-General, whois also the Secretary to the Government of Indiain the Department of Agricultural Research andEducation.

The General Body (GB) of the ICAR Societyis the supreme authority of the ICAR, and theMinister for Agriculture, Government of India,heads it. Its members are the Ministers forAgriculture, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries, andthe Senior Officers of the various stategovernments, representatives of Parliament,industry, educational institutes, scientificorganization and farmers (Appendix 1).

The Governing Body (Appendix 2) is the chiefexecutive and decision-making authority of theICAR. It is headed by the Director-General. Itconsists of eminent agricultural scientists,educationists, legislators and representatives of

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ORGANIZATION AND MANAGEMENT

the farmers. It is assisted by the Standing FinanceCommittee, Accreditation Board, RegionalCommittee, Policy and Planning Committee,several Scientific Panels, and Publications AdvisoryCommittee. In the scientific matters, the Director-General is assisted by 8 Deputy Directors-General,one each for (i) Crop Science (ii) Horticulture,(iii) Natural Resource Management,(iv) Agricultural Engineering, (v) Animal Sciences,(vi) Fisheries, (vii) Agricultural Education, and(viii) Agricultural Extension. The Deputy Directors-General are responsible for the Institutes, NationalResearch Centres, and the Projects Directoratesin their respective fields. The Senior Officers,posted at the ICAR (Hq), are listed in Appendix 3.

The ICAR received funds from the Governmentof India and from the proceeds of the AgriculturalProduce Cess.

The ICAR develops technologies anddisseminates knowledge to farming communitynot only for increasing yields of crops andmaintaining natural resources but also for elevatingcommunity’s economics status.

The Research set-up of the ICAR includes 48Institutes (Appendix 4), 5 National Bureaux(Appendix 5), 12 Project Directorates (Appendix6), 30 National Research Centres (Appendix 7),and 77 All-India Co-ordianted Research Projects(Appendix 8).

The Directorate of Information and Publicationsof Agriculture is working independently with theapproval of the Competent Authority. The Mediaand Information Unit, ARIS Unit and Library atICAR (Headquarters) which were earlierfunctioning separately, are now working underthe supervision of the Project Director (DIPA).Thisintegration of various units under DIPA will provide

organized strength and efficient use of human,financial and infrastructural resources for creatingpublic awareness through dissemination ofinformation globally by print media as well aselectronic media.

The ICAR promotes research, education andextension education in 41 State AgriculturalUniversities, 5 Deemed Universities, 1 CentralAgricultural University for the North-Eastern HillsRegion, and 4 Central Universities by givingfinancial assistance in different forms (Appendix 9).

For effective communication of research findingsamong farmers, the ICAR maintains an effectivenetwork of Krishi Vigyan Kendras and Trainers’and Training Centre along with Zonal Co-ordinatingUnits.

The total sanctioned as well as existing strengthof the employees of the ICAR system, includingscheduled castes, scheduled tribes and otherbackward classes, is given in Appendix 10.

Thus with an extensive network of researchinfrastructure, backed by an excellent team ofscientists and other employees, the ICAR is makingrapid strides in agricultural research, and providessupport to the national efforts in achieving foodsecurity and self-sufficiency.

IPR AND POLICY

IPR titles on inventions/innovations

Patents: The ICAR’s intellectual property (IP)portfolio has been firming up since theimplementation of its management guidelines w.e.f.2 October, 2006. This visibility has furtherenhanced with the release of some global andnational IP databases and search tools. The patentsearch database of ‘Intellectual Property India’

Table 18.1 Granted Indian Patents

Field of Invention Patent Title of InventionNumber

Veterinary Medicine IN210526 A process for preparing a novel herbal formulation for thetreatment of mange in animals.

Processing (Feed Industry) IN210528 Cold process technology for the preparation of urea molassesmineral block.

Pharmacy/ Biopesticides IN211204 Process for purification of solanesol (95%) from crude/enrichedextracts of tobacco green leaf/ tobacco cured leaf/ tobaccowaste.

Pest Management/ Research Tools IN213744 Egg cleaning device.Processing in edible oil industry IN216982 Development of a process for conversion of paddy husk ash

into bleaching material for edible oil.Processing in edible oil industry IN217106 Pre-grinding of oilseeds prior to mechanical expelling – a

new process of energy saving.Biopesticides IN217763 Process for the preparation of pesticidal oxime esters.Biopesticides IN218031 Process for the preparation of mono/di/polyol ester pesticides.Processing fibre industry IN220787 Method of degumming of decorticated ramie fibre by recycling

of degumming liquor.Dairy beverages/ Processing in dairy industry IN222587 Process for the manufacture of shelf-stable whey-mango

beverage.Hybrid seed production – research tools IN223253 A composition for hybrid seed production.

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(http://www.ipindia.nic.in/), which is an upcomingsite maintained by the Indian Patent Office whereuploading of records is in progress, has publishedunder the head ‘patent search for public (newrecords)’eleven patents granted to ICAR in variousfields of invention (Table 18.1). There is a listingas well of some previously granted ICAR patentson the same site, which mainly covered the fieldsof cotton, jute and shellac processing.

Besides, the world patent search for ICAR asthe applicant, at the European free search facility(http://ep.espacenet.com/), revealed 35 patentrecords, out of which 4 patents/patent families areat the stage of either international applications underthe Patent Co-operation Treaty (PCT) or grantedpatents in various jurisdictions – USA, EuropeanUnion, China, South Africa, Republic of Korea,and Mexico (Table 18.2). The recent national andforeign records of 16 inventions in ICAR coveredthe fields of biopesticides (4), biotechnology/research tools (1), dairy beverages (1), hybrid seedproduction/ research tools (1), pearl culture (1),pharmaceuticals (1), processing industry for edibleoils (2), fibre (1) and feed (1), transgene detection(1), and veterinary medicine (2).

Besides the Indian Patent Office issued 2 moreletter patents to ICAR for the respective inventionsin environmental sciences and agro-chemicals/pesticides, viz. (i) ‘A hyper-spectral data analyzingmethod for characterization and discrimination ofnatural/man made resources from air borneplatforms’, and (ii) ‘A process for the preparationof mosquito larvicidal formulations based onRabdosia melissoide ingredients’. Further, 80 Indianpatent applications filed by ICAR were publishedin the official gazette for public information tofacilitate the grant of patents abide by the law.

Plant varieties: The process of registration andprotection of varieties under the law started in thecountry in May 2007 and presently varieties of only14 crops (18 species) are notified for the purpose

(ICAR has already standardized national testguidelines for 35 crops and recommended fornotification thereof). By the middle of October,2008, ICAR had filed applications for the protectionof 546 extant and 27 new varieties of the notifiedcrops and the process of registration is on. The piediagram indicates that maximum applications havebeen filed for the extant varieties of rice (125)followed by that of wheat (83), maize (71) and pearlmillet (53). The process of filing of applicationsof extant varieties of cotton has also begun; the

Table 18.2 PCT applications at various stages and patents granted in other countries

Field of Invention Patent/Application number Title of Invention

Pearl culture WO2008062248 In-vitro pearl production using marine organisms.

Veterinary Medicine WO2008041047 An artificially synthesized peptide.

Transgene detection tool ZA200410268 [South Africa], Rapid detection of Bt-cry toxins.WO03102208 [PCT],MXPA04011769 [Mexico],KR20050026396 [Republic of Korea],CN1672049 [China]

Biopesticides EP1734817(A1) [European Union], A pesticidal composition containing thymol/WO2006064511 [PCT] P-cymene.

Hybrid seed production – US2003192070 [ USA] Composition for hybrid seed production, processresearch tools for the preparation of such composition and

use thereof.

law provides 3 years for the completion thereof.Other forms of IPR: Trademark protection for

services and products of various institutes hasbeen secured to enhance market goodwill andsafeguard quality assurance. These included labelPUSA by IARI, New Delhi; biopesticideformulations TRIVIR 1% WP (Trichoderma viridae)and KNOCK WP (Bt formulation) by DOR,Hyderabad; and antibiotic formulation CIFAX foruse in fisheries and aquaculture, and label JayantiRohu by CIFA Bhubaneshwar. A part of CopyRight Protection for Softwares (developed at NRCfor Soybean, Indore; NBFGR, Lucknow; andNBPGR, New Delhi) was secured.

Fig. 18.1. Number of applications for the Registration ofExtant Varieties filed

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Capacity building

A new Plan Scheme is a unique in Public-PublicPartnership mode (having total project outlay ofRs 486 million in XI Plan), has been initiated, whichhas a contribution (in 2:1:1 ratio) from the CentralGovernment (Plan Funds), the National AgricultureInnovation Project, and the ICAR’s internal resourcegeneration. This Intellectual Property Managementand Transfer Commercialization of AgriculturalTechnology Scheme broadly aims at up-scaling ofexisting component of IPR previously handled under

Committee, the highest decision making body onIP matters in ICAR, recommended to lay emphasison HRD in IPR and orientation with its Guidelinesfor IP Management and Technology Transfer/Commercialization in 2008 so as to soon catchup with the national and global IPR regimes. IPmanagement training-cum-workshops were alsoapproved under the Indo-US AgriculturalKnowledge Initiative in which ICAR furtherprovided the entire logistic support. Thus, the IPRand Policy Unit, ICAR has conducted 12 suchprogrammes all over the country for upgradingthe knowledge base of 574 scientists and otherconcerned staff from ICAR institutes and StateAgricultural Universities (including 132 participantsin 3 Indo-US AKI programmes) and exposingthem to the nuances of the overall subject of IPR.These programmes were structured to provide aspecial focus on various thematic areas (Table 18.3)within the IPR domain such as the protection ofIPR in biotechnological innovations, or inmicroorganisms or patent writing or other formsof IPR etc. Besides, a due exposure was given tothe participants of the core areas of IPR andtechnology transfer, as per ICAR Guidelines, 2006.

The programmes also helped in identificationand consolidation of the team(s) of competentresource persons from within ICAR as well asoutside the ICAR system, being from governmentdepartments, public sector research anddevelopment organizations, academia, law expertsand attorneys, business experts, etc. for meetingthe present and future HRD requirements in IPand Technology Management. Also, in the 3programmes under the Indo-US AKI Project,contracted to CCS Haryana Agricultural Universityby ICAR, there was a good exposure of the IPRdomains on reciprocal basis among theoutside faculty from Michigan State University,United States Department of Agriculture, andAssociation of Universities for TechnologyManagement of USA, and the core ICAR resourcepersons’ team.

Further, to cater to the HRD needs in IPmanagement, ICAR scientists and other concernedstaff were nominated for training in Indian Instituteof Science, Bangalore; Indian Institute ofManagement, Ahmedabad; Administrative StaffCollege of India, Hyderabad; Society forTechnology Management, Ooty; and in foreigncountries, viz. Cornell University, Ithaca, USA;and World Intellectual Property Organization,Geneva. The Deemed Universities of ICAR (IARI,New Delhi; IVRI, Izatnagar; NDRI, Karnal; andCIFE, Mumbai) have also started teaching coursesin IPR at Post-Graduate level. NAARM, Hyderabadhas initiated the process for launching one-yearfully residential diploma course on ‘IP and

Fig. 18.2 Location of ICAR institutes andZonal Technology Management Centres

the ICAR (Hq) Scheme on Management ofInformation Services.

More specifically, the scheme envisages settingup of the 3-tier institutional mechanism to protect/manage the IP generated within the ICAR system,including that in the collaborative research.Accordingly, at the base level, 95 InstituteTechnology Management Units have beenestablished and empowered by the appropriatedelegation of powers to enhance the institutionalIP management capacity. In the middle-tier, 5 ZonalTechnology Management Centres have beenestablished at the identified ICAR institutes indifferent zones for building capacity for businessplanning and development in association with NAIP(Fig. 18.2). The zonal centres and the central IPRand Policy establishment help the InstituteTechnology Management Unit on a case to casebasis. In the initial phase, these units would usethe resources allocates under the scheme to enhancetheir IP search and data management capacities.

Human resource development

The Central Technology Management

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Technology Management’ with campus placementfacility in early 2009.

Policy issues

Guidelines for management of ICAR services andcontracts: A Committee has been constituted inICAR to review and recommend suitableimprovements in the existing Rules and Guidelinesfor Training, Consultancy, Contract Research andContract Services, 1997, and to harmonise theseguidelines with the key policy elements, as per ICARGuidelines on IP Management and TechnologyTransfer/Commercialization, 2006. The draft reportis in circulation for discussion, finalization andmaking final recommendations to ICAR.

IPR clearance of collaborative research projects:Institutional streamlining of the process has beencarried out and awareness has been created inharmony with the ICAR Guidelines, 2006,particularly its key policy element on the much-needed Joint Intellectual Property ManagementPlan.

Business Planning and Development: Besidesidentification and notification of the five zonaltechnology management centres in respective ICARinstitutes, the IPR and Policy Unit of the ICAR(Hq), in close association with the NAIP, hasfacilitated for the setting up of their respectiveBPD Units and to take initiatives for greaterinteractions within the zones.

ADMINISTRATION

Filling up of vacant posts

A good number of vacant posts likeUnder-Secretaries, Senior AdministrativeOfficers, Administrative Officers/Finance andAccounts Officers/Section Officers/Private

Secretaries/Assistants/Personal Assistants/UDCs/Stenographers /Group ‘D’ posts were filled up.

Financial upgradation granted underACP Scheme

As per the Government of India instructionsFinancial Upgradation was granted to manyeligible employees in various grades duringthis period viz. Section Officers/AssistantAdministrative Officers/Assistant Finance andAccounts Officers/Assistant Directors(OL)/Stenographers/ Lower Division Clerks andGroup ‘D’ employees.

Staff Welfare Fund Scheme

(i) As per the recommendations of theManaging Committee of ICAR (Hq) StaffWelfare Fund financial assistance ofRs 25000/- was extended to the family ofone deceased employee of the ICAR (Hq).Further Rs17,000/- was also given asfinancial assistance in case of illness oftwo Temporary Status Labourers ofSugarcane Breeding Institute, Coimbatore.

(ii) An amount of Rs 4,70,000/- was transferredto different ICAR institutes that were not ableto generate sufficient fund under the head“Staff Welfare Fund” to have a minimumbalance of Rs 25,000/- under this fund.

(iii) Under Staff Welfare Fund Scheme 45Scholarships (Rs 2,500/- each) were awardedto the meritorious wards of the Council’semployees.

Total number of employees in the ICAR andits research institutes and number of ScheduledCastes, Scheduled Tribes and Other BackwardClasses are given in Tables 18.4 and 18.5.

Table 18.3 ICAR Training-cum-workshop on IP and Technology Management held in 2008

Thematic Area Host Institute Participants

Patenting/ IPR in Genetic Engineering Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi (68)

Essentials of Patenting CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar (55)

Procedural requirements of Patents National Academy of Agricultural Research Management, (49)

Hyderabad

Drafting Specifications and Claims Central Institute of Fisheries and Education, Mumbai (46)

Copyright Protection National Institute of Research on Jute and Fibre Technology, (31)Kolkata

Trademark Protection Central Tuber Crops Research Institute, Thiruvanathapuram (50)

Protection of IPR on Microorganisms ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Barapani (68)

Protection of Designs and ICs Designs Central Institute of Agricultural Engineering, Bhopal (35)

Protection of Geographical Indications National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources, Lucknow (40)

*Training-cum-Workshops under 3 Indo-US-AKI CCSHAU, Hisar, NAARM, Hyderabad; and KAU, Thrissur (132)

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Table 18.4 Total number of employees in ICAR (Hq) and Research Institutes mentioning SC/ST/OBC

Categories/posts Posts Scheduled castes Scheduled tribes OBCSanctioned In Number % Number % to Number % to

position to total total totalemployees employees employees

Scientific Posts

Scientists 3881 3258 432 13.2% 96 2.9% 352 10.8%Senior Scientists 1651 510 62 12.1% 07 1.3% 54 10.5%Principal Scientists 749 263 45 17.1% 05 2% 18 6.8%

RMP Scientists 147 134 03 2.2% 02 1.5% 07 5.2%Total 6428 4165 542 13.1% 110 2.6% 431 10.3%

Administrative PostsDirectors / Dy. Secretaries/ 181 160 22 13.75 11 6.87 7 4.40L.A. / Under Secretaries /Sr. Admn. Officer / Sr. Finance &Accounts Officer / Admn.Officer/ F&AO / Law Officer/SA to Chairman, ASRB

AAOs / AF&AOs / AD(OL) 645 571 88 18.34 294 7.93 359 9.68/ PS / SO / DO / JA(WS) /Protocol Officer

Assistant / UDC / PA / 4199 3706 680 18.34 294 7.93 359 9.68JAO / Steno / Sr. S.A. /UDC / LDC

Total 5025 4437 790 17.8 599 13.5 725 16.3

Supporting Staff in ICAR InstitutesGrade I 3299 2567 696 27.11 179 6.97 508 19.78Grade II 4025 3063 864 28.20 217 7.08 180 5.87Grade III 1925 1773 526 29.66 141 7.95 90 5.07Grade IV 966 889 247 27.78 104 11.69 46 5.17

Total 10215 8292 2333 28.13 641 7.73 824 9.93

Table 18.5 The total number of Group ‘C’ and ‘D’ employees and number of Scheduled Castes,Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes (as on 31.3.2008) at ICAR (Hq)

Posts Posts Scheduled castes Scheduled tribes OBCsSanctioned in No. % No. % No. %

position to total to total among to totalemployees employees them employees

Lower Division Clerk 94 58 13 22.41% 5 8.62% 5 8.62%

Peon 76 66 21 31.81% 2 3.03% 5 7.57%Farash 11 10 5 50% 2 20% 1 10%Mali 5 4 - - - - - -

Packer 5 4 1 25% - - - -Studio Attendant 1 1 - - - - - -Store Attendant 1 1 - - - - - -

Daftry 45 45 8 17.77% 1 2.22% - -Head Packer 1 1 - - - - - -Jamadar 8 8 1 12.5% - - - -

Jr. Gestetner Operator 2 2 2 100% - - - -Franking Machine Operator 1 1 1 100% - - - -Library Attendant 2 2 - - - - 1 50%

Despatch Rider 1 1 1 100% - - - -Record Keeper 1 1 1 100% - - - -Sr. Gestetner Operator 2 2 - - 2 100% - -

Safaiwala 12 12 12 100% - - - -

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Finance and AuditThe Budget estimate and Revised estimate of

DARE and ICAR (Plan and Non-Plan) for 2007–08 are Rs 2,460 crore and Rs 2,337 crorerespectively and Budget estimate for 2008–09 (Planand Non-Plan) is Rs 2,680 crore (Table 18.6).

PROGRESSIVE USE OF HINDI

DARE

The Department of Agricultural Research andEducation has an Official Language Section forthe compliance and implementation of the OfficialLanguage Policy of the Government of India. Itconsists of one post each of Assistant Director(Official Language), Junior Hindi Translator andHindi Typist. Besides the Hindi translation of theBudget, compilation and preparation of the AnnualReport of the Department etc. also take place.The functioning of this section also includesholding Hindi workshops, meetings, reports,organizing Hindi Pakhwada to encourage theemployees for doing their official work in Hindi.

ICAR

● ICAR observed 2008 as ‘Hindi year’ at ICAR(Hq) and organised several programmes forstaff to promote the progressive use of Hindiin official business. Hon’ble Union Ministerof Agriculture issued a message at thisoccasion. The Director-General (ICAR) alsoissued an appeal requesting the officers/staffto do their maximum official work in Hindi.ICAR Institutes/Research Centres alsoorganized Hindi Day/Week/Month.

● ICAR Institutes/Research Centres (4) werenotified in the Gazzette of the Governmentof India thus raising the total number ofnotified Institution to 108 under rule 10(4)of the Official Language Rule, 1976.

● Joint Official Language ImplementationCommittee of the DARE and the ICARworking under the Chairmanship of theAdditional Secretary (DARE) and Secretary(ICAR) met fourth time in 2008. Similarly,Official Language ImplementationCommittees constituted at ICAR Institutes/Research Centres convened its meetings.

● Proceedings of the Official LanguageImplementation Committee meetings, heldby the Institutes etc. as well as the quarterlyprogress reports regarding the use of OfficialLanguage Hindi, received from variousinstitutes at the ICAR (Hq), were reviewedand proper measures were suggested toovercome the shortcomings found therein.

● In accordance with the recommendationsmade by the Department of Official Languageand the Parliamentary Committee on OfficialLanguage, to assess the progressive use ofHindi at the ICAR (Hq) as well as its institutesduring 2008, 34 offices were inspected andsuggessions were given to improve theshortcomings. Second Sub-Committee of theParliamentary Official Language Committeeinspected 8 Institutes/Research Centres during2008.

● Rosters were maintained for impartingtraining in Hindi, Hindi typing and HindiStenography and officials were accordingly

Table 18.6 Budget estimate and Revised estimate of DARE (Rupees in lakh)

Items Budget Revised Budgetestimate 2007-08 estimate 2007-08 estimate 2008-09

Plan Non-Plan Plan Non-Plan Plan Non-Plan

Major Head ‘3451’ Secretariat 090 - 165 - 165 - 175Major Head ‘2415’ GeneralInternational Co-operation 80(010032) – India’s membership Contribution to - 10 - 10 - 10

Commonwealth Agricultural BureauIndia’s membership Contribution - 380 - 380 - 380

to Consultative Group on InternationalAgricultural Research (020032)

Other Programmes (030032) 950 - 1470 - *1100 -India’s contributions to - 5 - 5 - 5Asia Pacific Association of AgriculturalInstitutions (040032)

India’s contributions to NACA (050032) - 12 - 12 - 9India’s contributions to CGPRT (060032) - 5 - 5 - 5India’s contributions to Seed - 2.25 - 2.25 - 2.25

Testing Association (070032)ISHS Belgium (080032) - 0.75 - 0.75 - 0.75

*Includes Rs 10.00 crore for National Fund for basic and strategic research in agriculture.

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deputed for training during 2008. This year,14 stenographers and 16 typists werenominated for Hindi Stenography and Typingrespectively.

● Hindi Workshops (4) were also organisedfor officers/staff.

● During 2007-2008 cash awards will be givento 10 officials at ICAR (Hq) for doing theirmaximum official work in Hindi.

● Rajshri Tandon Rajbhasha Puruskar will begiven in 2009 for doing maximum work inHindi.

● Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi Utkrist HindiKrishi Partika Purskar includes Hindipublications, published during 2007-08(assessment will be done in 2009).

● XI issue of the Rajbhasha Alok will bepublished shortly.

● The Council and its institutes are organizingregular training programmes for farmers inHindi, and in other regional languages; andin Hindi speaking region remarkable progresshas been made at Krishi Vigyan Kendras inthe use of Hindi, and in the other regionallanguages in their day-to-day official work.

● Besides material regarding Parliament, AnnualPlan Report, Review of Demands for Grants,General Body, Standing Finance Committee,Parliamentary Standing Committee onAgriculture, Annual General Meeting of ICARSociety, and other meetings were preparedbilingually. The Hon’ble Agriculture Ministerand other higher officials delivered many oftheir speeches in Hindi. The drafts of speechesof Hon’ble Union Agriculture Minister andother higher officials of ICAR were preparedoriginally in Hindi also.

ICAR AWARD CEREMONY, 2008

The ‘ICAR Award, 2007’ function was held atNAAS Complex, Pusa, New Delhi on 16th July,2008. The Chief Guest of the function, Hon’bleUnion Agriculture Minister, Shri Sharad Pawar,gave away the awards. Shri Kanti Lal Bhuria,Union Minister of Agriculture (State), graced theoccasion. Dr Mangala Rai (Secretary, DARE andDG, ICAR) and several other dignitaries were alsopresent on the occasion. In his address, Hon’bleUnion Minister of Agriculture, Shri Sharad Pawar,

said that the recognition through Awards shouldlead to enhanced zeal and creative work by theAwardees, enthuse confidence in them andencourage others to strive harder for greateraccomplishment. One Hundred eleven awardeesunder twelve different categories were conferredawards. These comprised four Institutions, 103scientists, 3 farmers and one journalist. Out of103 scientists there were 13 women scientists.

TECHNICAL CO-ORDINATION

The Co-ordination work comprised the workof financial support to 57 journals for publication,7 societies/associations/universities for holdingNational Seminars/Symposia/ Conferences and9 societies/associations/universities for holdingInternational Seminars/Symposia/Conferences. Italso included work related to selection of BestAnnual Report of Institutes, preparation of ICARInternational Training Calender for conductingtraining, replies to Parliament Questions, VIPreferences and queries under RTI Act regardingAwards. Two Regional Committee meetingswere organized during this period and proposalsfor organizing two more Regional Committeemeetings were also finalized which were held inOctober and November, 2008.

Each month the Co-ordination Unit preparesmonthly report of major breakthroughs achievedin research and other related matters at variousICAR Institutes/NRCs/Project Directorates whichis submitted by the Secretary (DARE) and DG(ICAR) to the Cabinet Secretariat, Governmentof India. Copies were also circulated to variousMinistries and other related Departments. The Co-ordination Unit prepared the monthly report timelyin each month during the year.

Assistance of technical nature was rendered toDST, DSIR DAC and other Departments of theGovernment of India. The Co-ordination Unitassists in preparation of Memoranda ofUnderstandings and formulation of Work Plans fortechnical co-operation between DARE and variouscollaborating partners from abroad. There are 36such MoUs with Work Plans between DARE/ ICARand foreign countries. Besides, the Co-ordinationUnit made preparations for organizing Director’sConference which was held in 2008.

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19

Partnership and Linkages


Activities of the International Co-operation inICAR/DARE has been operating through theMemoranda of Understandings (MoUs)/Agreements/Work Plans signed with foreigncountries/International organizations etc. withICAR/DARE as the Nodal Department and throughparticipation of ICAR/DARE in the MoUs/WorkPlans signed by the Department of Agricultureand Co-operation as the Nodal Department. BesidesMinistry of Science and Technology has developeda Programme of co-operation with various countriesand international organizations in which ICAR/DARE is the participating agency in agriculturalresearch. The Joint Commissions/Working Groupsconstituted by the Ministry of External Affairsand the Ministry of Commerce have the componentof agriculture/agricultural research in which DAREparticipates directly or through the Departmentof Agriculture and Co-operation.

The Department is also organizing visits offoreign nationals under ad hoc category. TheDepartment also receives proposals for customizedtraining courses for foreign nationals.

MAJOR EVENTS

● A 2-day VI Meeting of Indo-US AgricultureKnowledge Initiative Board was held from15 to 16 April 2008.

● A 2-day Indo-ASEAN expert level seminaron Enhancement of Productivity andProfitability of Crops in India and ASEANCountries was organized from 11 to 12September 2008.

● A 2-day Organizing Workshop on RuralDevelopment and II Indo-China Joint WorkingGroup Meeting were held from 15 to 16October 2008.

MoUs/WORK PLANS

● ICAR-ICARDA Collaborative Research WorkPlan 2008-10 was signed on 1June 2008 inAleppo, Syria.

● ICAR-IWMI Work Plan 2008-09 was signedon 21 July 2008.

● Indo- Australian Programme on MarkerAssisted Wheat Breeding Work Plan wassigned between ACIAR and ICAR inAustralia on 1September 2008.

● Work Plan for Scientific and TechnicalPartnership on Maize and Wheat Systemswas signed between ICAR and CIMMYT inNew Delhi on 10 October 2008.

● A Work Plan between the Ministry ofAgriculture, Government of the Republic ofIndia and the Ministry of Jihad-E-Agriculture,Government of the Islamic Republic of Iranwas signed on 2 November 2008 for 2009-2010.

● A Contract was signed between the Embassyof Sultanate of Oman and the Indian Councilof Agricultural Research, New Delhi on 5November 2008, to participate in Mango TreeEncyclopedia Project.

● A Memorandum of Understanding betweenthe Government of the Republic of Indiaand the Government of the Republic ofEcuador was signed on 17 November 2008for co-operation in agricultural research andeducation.

FOREIGN NATIONALS STUDIES IN INDIA

The 208 foreign nationals of 20 countries, viz.Iran (31), Ethiopia (50), Sri Lanka (30), Namibia(2), Afghanistan (25), Sierra Leone (1), Sudan(2), Nigeria (4), Bhutan (17), Mongolia (2), Nepal,under NAF (8), Botswana (1), USA (1), Bangladesh

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PARTNERSHIP AND LINKAGES

(25), Zanzibar (1), Canada (1), Iraq (1), Myanmar(1), Oman (5), and Norway (1) studied in India.The cases were processed for pursuing Ph. D.(40), M.Sc., (63), MVSc, (12), BSc, (11), BVSc/B. Tech. (3), Training (77), and Post-doctoralprogramme (2).

Fund release to CG Institutions

India is donor member to CGIAR andcontributes 0.75 US Million $ annually under un-restricted funding to CG Institute.

In 2007-08 US$2.00 million was contributedunder restricted funding to C G Centers.

CENTRAL AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY

The Central Agricultural University, works underDARE, has recently started an inter-disciplinaryCollege of Post-Graduate Studies at Umiam,Barapani and Meghalaya. This University has itsHorticulture and Forestry Campus at Pasighat inArunachal Pradesh. This college has started B.Sc.(Forestry) degree course from the session 2007-08. Altogether, 281 students were admitted duringthe year in different campuses for pursuinggraduation and post-graduation.

The Central Agricultural University organizedNorth-East Agricultural Fair, 2007-08 (sponsoredby Ministry of Agriculture) at its VeterinarySciences and Animal Husbandry Aizawl Campus,Mizoram. University also participated in All IndiaAgricultural Universities’ Sports and Games Meet,2007-08 organized at MPKV, Rahuri.

Three Board of Management Meetings of theUniversity were convened at Imphal (Manipur),Aizawl (Mizoram) and New Delhi on 5 May,10September and 5 November respectively. ThisUniversity also conducted V Academic CouncilMeeting at its Agricultural Engineering and Post-harvest Technology Campus, Gangtok, Sikkim on1 September 2008.

Among groundnut genotypes, which were testedfor their adaptation under local environment ofManipur, PBS 12160 (1 319 kg/ha), GPBD 54(1,260 kg/ha) and UG 16 (1,191 kg/ha) were foundbest in IVT under Spanish group and werepromoted to AVT, while under Virginia group theentry, CSMG 2001-02 with 1,756 kg/ha pod yieldwas promoted to AVT. Besides these, onerecommended variety, ICGS 76 received fromICRISAT was the best for pod (1,958 kg/ha) andkernel (1,230 kg/ha) yield for kharif.

For soybean, among the IVT entries DS 2410(2,232 kg/ha) showed 16% increase in yield thanthe best check JS 335 (1913 kg/ha). Under AVT1 and 2 combined trials, none of the entry wassurpass the yield over the best check in North-East Zone. However, JS 13 (1590 kg/ha) was found

to be the best over the check JS 335 (1495 kg/ha)at our centre. The centre has collected and evaluated78 soybean germplasm lines. The crossingprogramme was initiated at the centre. Eight F1

with their parents were evaluated, and F2 seedwas collected for further evaluation and selectionin the segregating progeny to select high-yieldingshort duration lines of soybean.

PROTOCOL ACTIVITIES

Foreign delegations

● His Excellency Mr. Javier Cevellos, (ViceMinister of Agriculture of Ecuador) met withDr Mangala Rai (Secretary, DARE andDirector-General, ICAR) on 8 April 2008.

● His Excellency the Rwandan, Minister ofAgriculture and Animal Resources, visitedNDRI, Karnal, and IARI, New Delhi on 11November 2008.

Visits under collaborative projects ofICAR and CG centres

The following Scientists/Officers have gone ondeputation and training of International level in2008 which were funded by CG centres or coveredunder collaborative projects of ICAR and CGCentres.

● Dr C. Tara Satyawathi (Sr. Scientist, Divisionof Genetics, IARI, New Delhi) visited ondeputation as visiting scientist to ICRISAT,Hyderabad for 2 months from 18 Februaryto17 April 2008.

● Dr Mangala Rai (Secretary DARE andDG,ICAR) visited to attend 3rd ExecutiveBoard Meeting of Global Crop Diversity Truston deputation for 2 days w e f 1April 2008.

● Dr N.Sarangi (Director, CIFA, Bhubaneshwar)visited on deputation WFC Malaysia for 6days w e f 1 April 2008.

● Dr Rajendra Choudhary (Principal Scientistand In charge, Division of EnvironmentalSciences, IARI,New Delhi) visited ondeputation to attend International Conferenceson Food Security and Environmental Changeat Oxford University, UK, for 3 days wef2 April 2008.

● Dr S.Ayyappan (DDG,Fisheries) visited ondeputation Malaysia to attend 36th BOTMeeting for 5 days w e f 3 April 2008.

● Dr J.S. Minhas (Principal Scientist) andDr S.K.Kaushik (Sr. Scientist, CPRI Shimla)visited on deputation to attend InternationalPotato Symposium,2008 held at Eliya, SriLanka for 2 days w e f 3 April 2008.

● Dr R.P.S Verma (Principal Scientist, DWRKarnal) visited to attend the InternationalBarley Genetics Symposium in Egypt for 6

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days w e f 5 April 2008 on deputation.● Dr Y.S. Ramakrishna(Director, CRIDA)

visited on deputation to participate in theNational Dryland Agriculture Conference inPhilippines for 2 days w e f 17April 2008.

● Dr R.K. Arora (Principal Scientist, CPRI,Shimla) visited to attend 3rd InternationalConference on Late Blight, held at Beijing,China, from 3 to 6 April 2008.

● Dr S. Edison(Director,CIP) visited ondeputation to participate in the meeting ofBOT at Lima Peru, from19 to 25 April 2008.

● Dr R.K. Batta (Director, ICAR ResearchComplex for Eastern Region, Patna) visitedon deputation to Addis Ababa Ethiopia forparticipation in the Challenge Prog. BasinWorking Group Meeting from 9 to11 May2008.

● Dr S. Ramani(Principal Scientist and HeadCPRS, Shillong), Dr S.K.Pandey (DirectorCPRI, Shimla) and Dr B. P. Singh(Jt. Director,CPCRI, Kasaragod) visited on deputation toattend Potato Workshop in Bhutan from 6to 10 May 2008.

● Dr Mangala Rai (Secretary, DARE and DG,ICAR) visited on deputation to Ottawa,Canada for CGIAR Vision and Developmentchallenges from 10 to 14 May 2008.

● Dr P.K. Joshi (Director, NCAP, New Delhi)visited on deputation to attend CGIARReview Panel meeting and the AdvisoaryCommittee meeting in Ottawa, Canada on15 May 2008.

● Dr S. Kalawathi (Sr. Scientist CPCRIRegional Station, Kayamgulan) visited ondeputation for participation in the IFAD DataAnalysis Workshop and Project compilationmeeting from 19 to 27 May 2008.

● Dr N. Shobha Rani visited on deputation toattend meeting of Aroma Task Force INQR(International Network for Quality Rice) tobe held at Laos from 24 to 25 May 2008.

● Dr Sanjukta Das (Sr. Scientist, CRRI, Cuttack)visited on deputation to attend a meeting ofAroma Task Force of International Networkfor Rice from 24 to 25 May 2008.

● Dr K.V. Prabhu (Head, Division of Genetics,IARI, New Delhi) visited on deputation toAustralia to participate in internationalprogramme on the UG 99 breeding in wheatfrom 26 to 30 May 2008.

● ICAR scientists (5) visited on deputation tothe 7th CURE Annual Meeting,2008 from10 to11 June 2008.Ref. IRRI

● Dr K.P.R Vittal (Director, CAZRI, Jodhpur)visited to participate in USAID DisasterManagement Support Project Climatic SystemComponent from 10 to 19 June 2008.

● Dr A.K. Singh(DDG, ICAR) visited ondeputation to attend ICAR – IWMI steeringcommittee meeting at Colombo Sri Lankafrom 12 to 13 June 2008.

● Dr R.K. Batta (Director, ICAR ResearchCenter for Eastern Region, Patna)visited ondeputation to participate in ICAR – IWMISteering committed meeting from 12 to 13June 2008 in Sri Lanka.

● Dr B.C. Birakmath(Project Director) and DrJ.S. Bentur(Principal Scientist, Directorateof Rice Research, Hyderabad) visited ondeputation to participate in the InternationalConference on Plant hoppers from 23 to 25June 2008.

● Dr R.K. Arora (Principal Scientist, CPRS,Jalandhar) visited on deputation to Kabul asResource person to provide IBM trainingon Potato from 23 to 28 June 2008.

● Dr P.K. Joshi (Director, NCAP, New Delhi)visited on deputation to London to attendCGIAR Review Panel Meeting from 24 to25 June 2008.

● Dr S.Ayyappan (DDG, Fisheries) visited ondeputation Laussale, Switzerland for 5 daysw e f 30 June 2008 to participate in the 4th

CGIAR Sr leadership Programme.● Dr S.K. Soam (Sr. Scientist, NAARM,

Hyderabad) visited on deputation to Rometo attend the meeting of CGIAR from 2 to5 July 2008.

● Dr H.S. Gupta (Director, VPKAS, Almora)visited on deputation to Kumasi,Ghana toattend IV Maize Harvest Plus Meeting from7 to 11 July 2008.

● Dr (Ms) Kanta Das Mahapatra, (Sr. Scientist,CIFA, Bhubaneshwar)visited on deputationto Colombo, Sri Lanka for training from 7to 15 July 2008.

● Dr R.M. Sundram(Scientist,SS) visited ondeputation for attending the confined fieldtrial training workshop from13 to 19 July,2008 in USA.

● Dr B. Mishra(Project Director, DWR) visitedon deputation to CIMMYT and to discussand prepare the ICAR-CIMMYT Workplanfor wheat breeding from 14 to 18 July 2008.

● Dr Mangala Rai (DG, ICAR) visited ondeputation to IWMI, Sri Lanka to attendSteering Committee of IWMI-ICAR from21 to 22 July 2008.

● Dr P.K. Joshi(Director, NCAP, New Delhi)visited on deputation to Manila, Philippinesto attend the Asian Pacific RegionalConsultation on IFAD report from 22 to 24July 2008.

● Dr R.K. Sarkar (Principal Scientist) visitedon deputation for undergoing training at IRRI,

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Manila, Philippines,from 20 August to29 September 2008.

● Indian scientists (6) visited on deputation toAustralia under the ACIAR fundedcollaborative project on Molecular markertechnology for faster wheat breeding in Indiafrom 23 August to 17 September 2008.

● Dr G.P. Singh(Senior Scientist, IARI, NewDelhi) visited on deputation Canberra toparticipate in a Project Development meetingfrom 23 August to 7 September 2008

● Dr S.C. Mishra (Wheat Scientist, ARI, Pune)visited on deputation to Canberra, Australiafrom 23 August to 7 September 2008.

● Dr B.M. Prasnna (Senior Scientist IARI, NewDelhi) visited on deputation to CIMMYT,Mexico to attend the Harvest Plus MaizeBiofortification programme from 24 to 30August 2008.

● Dr B. Mishra (Project Director, DWR, Karnal)visited on deputation to participate in 11th

International Wheat Genetics Symposium inAustralia from 24 August to 17 September,2008.

● Dr P L Gautam (DDG, Crop Science) visitedon deputation Brisbane, Australia to attendthe International Wheat Genetics Symposiumfrom 24 to 29 August 2008

● Dr Mangala Rai (DG, ICAR) visited ondeputation to ACIAR Canberra, Australia toattend the PAC meeting from 31 August to7 September 2008.

● Dr S. S. Ranga(Sr. Scientist, PAU, Ludhiana)visited on deputation to Norway to attend5th International Symposium on Brassica from3 to 12 September 2008.

● Mrs B. Nirmala (Scientist,AgriculturalEconomics) visited on deputation to Chinato attend the 5th International Hybrid RiceSymposium from 11 to 15 September 2008.

● Dr V.C. Virakthmath (Director, Directorateof Rice Research, Hyderabad) visited ondeputation to Changsha, Hunan, China toattend the Vth International Hybrid RiceSymposium from 11 to 19 September 2008.

● Drs Randhir Singh, R.K. Sharma and R.S.Chhokar (DWR, Karnal) visited on deputationto attend ACIAR Project Review Meetingand Australian Agronomy Conference atAdelaide, South Australia from 14 to 24September 2008.

● Dr Mangala Rai(DG, ICAR) visited ondeputation to Manila, Philippines to attendthe IRRI BoT from 16 to 19 September 2008.

● Dr N.K. Singh (Principal Scientist, NRC onPlant Biotechnology, IARI, New Delhi)visited on deputation to attend the CGIARGCP 2008 Annual Research Meeting at

Bankok, Thailand from 16 to 20 September2008.

● Shri S.V. Nagachand (Director, ICARResearch Center, Barapani) and Dr A.K.Tripathi (Sr. Scientist, AgriculturalEconomics) visited on deputation to LaoVietnam under project Managing RiceLandscape from 20 to 30 September 2008.

● Dr P.L. Gautam (DDG, Crop Science) visitedon deputation to IRRI, Philippines to attendthe Steering Committee Meeting from 23 to24 September 2008.

● Dr M.P. Pandey (Director, CRRI, Cuttack)visited on deputation to participate in a 2-day International Workshop on Research toImpact Case Studies for Natural ResearchManagement of Irrigation of Rice in Asia inPhilippines from 23 to 27 September 2008.

● Dr Mangala Rai (DG, ICAR) visited ondeputation to Lisbon, Portugal to attend theEx-Co meeting from 1 to 4 October 2008.

● Indian Scientists (19) visited on training inMarker Assisted Selection at ICRISAT for19 days wef 6 October 2008.

● Dr M.A. Khan (Director, ICAR RegionalCentre Eastern Region,Patna) visited ondeputation to participate in 2- day workshopat Washington, USA organized by CGIARCPWF from 9 to 10 October 2008.

● Researchers (6) from India visited ondeputation to participate in the 8th RegionalCassava Workshop at Vientiane Lao from20 to 24 October 2008.

● Dr M. Pandey (Director, CRRI Cuttack)visited on deputation to attend the 5th

International Hybrid Rice Symposium in PRChina.

● Scientists (3) of CRRI Cuttack visited ondeputation to participate in the Reviewmeeting of Project enhancing and stabilizingrice in submergence prone environments inBangladesh from 1 to 8 November 2008.

● Dr P.K. Joshi(Director, NCAP, New Delhi)visited on deputation to Brazil to attendmeeting on CGIAR Impact Assessment FoculPoint Group from10 to 11 November 2008.

● Shri A.K. Upadhyay (Secretary, ICAR) visitedon deputation to Ethiopia to be a part ofpolicy and practice panel at 2nd CPWFInternational Forum on Water and Food from10 to 14 November 2008.

● Dr K.K. Vass (Director, CIFRI, Barrackpore)visited on deputation to Addis Ababa Ethiopiato participate in CGIAR CPWF from 10 to14 November 2008.

● Dr M.A. Khan (Director, ICAR RegionalCentre Eastern Region, Patna) visited ondeputation to Addis Ababa Ethiopia to

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participate in CGIAR CPWF from 10 to 14November 2008.

● Dr S.P. Das(Plant Breeder, ICAR RegionalCentre, Tripura) visited on deputation totraining course organized by IRRI from 10to 18 November 2008 at Birsa, Jharkhand.

● Dr S.Uma (Sr. Scientist NRC Banana,Trichy)visited on deputation to attend GCGWorkshop at France from 13 to 17 November2008.

● Dr S. Edison(Director, CTCRI, Trivandrum)visited on deputation to ICARDA, Syria from15 to 18 November 2008.

● Dr P. Ravichandran (Principal Scientist,CIBA,Chennai) visited on deputation forparticipation in Shrimp BMP Meeting from17 to 21 November 2008 in Bangkok,Thailand.

● Scientists (13) visited on deputation fromMaize programme in 10th Asian RegionalMaize Workshop in Indonesia

● Dr M.L. Jat (Sr. Scientist, DMR, New Delhi)visited on deputation to attend the final reviewmeeting of ADB Project on EnhancingFarmers Income and Livelihoods throughIntegrated Crop and Resource Managementin the Rice Wheat System in South Asiain Kathmandu, Nepal from 25 to 26November 2008.

● Dr Rajendera Prasad (National Fellow, IASRI,Pusa, New Delhi) visited on deputation toNepal to attend Final Review Meeting ofADB Project from 25 to 26 November 2008.

● Dr S.K. Sharma (Director, NBPGR, NewDelhi) visited on deputation to attendthe Steering Committee Meeting at BioversityInternational, Italy from 26 to 28 November2008.

Delegations abroad

● Dr (Ms) Bhawana Mishra (AssistantProfessor, CCS HAU, Hisar) visited IowaState University, USA for training in Post-Harvest Technology for Fruits and Vegetablesfrom 15 March to 26 April 2008.

● Dr Mohamed Akram, (Assistant Professor,CSA University of Agriculture andTechnology, Kanpur) visited CornellUniversity, USA, for training in PlantVirology, Emphasizing Tomato Virus from15 March to 26 April 2008.

● Dr Rajan Sharma (Senior Scientist, NDRI,Karnal) visited Cornell University, USA, fortraining in High Pressure Processing of MilkMonitoring Adultration of Milk from 15March to 26 April 2008.

● Dr Bharat Shankar Sontaki (Senior Scientist,NAARM, Hyderabad) visited Ohio State

University, USA for undergoing trainingprogramme under the project Teaching andLearning excellence : a Capacity BuildingModel under the Indo-US AKI from 28 Marchto 16 April 2008.

● Dr (Mrs.) Bindu J., Scientist (Sr. Scale, CIFT,Cochin,) visited Ohio State University, USAfor training in High Pressure Processing ofFish.

● Dr H P Singh, DDG (Hort.) visited Israelfrom 2 to 7 April 2008, as part of BusinessMission under Indo-Israel Action Plan 2008.

● Shri Ashok Kumar Bharimalla (Scientist,CIRCOT, Mumbai) visited AgriculturalResearch Centre, Egypt for training in CottonProcessing for Superior Quality Yarn from12 April to 2 May 2008.

● Dr Darrick M. Denis (Assistant Professor,AAI, Allahabad) visited Alabama A&MUniversity, USA, for training in Monitoringof Non-Point Source Pollution from 7 Aprilto 17 May 2008.

● Dr Goiranga Kar (Senior Scientist, WTCER,Bhubaneswar) visited Michigan StateUniversity, USA for training in DroughMitigation, Water Harvesting in May 2008.

● Dr Sachdeva R. Bodreddy (Senior Scientist,Agricultural Research Station, ANGRAU,Anantpur, Andhra Pradesh) visited MichiganState University, USA for training in the fieldof Water and Drought Management,Introduction of Drip Irrigation and Fertigationduring May 2008.

● Dr S.P. Tiwari [Deputy Director-General(Edn.)] visited Cape Town, South Africa toattend the 3rd Meeting of the India-Brazil-South Africa Joint Working Group onAgriculture from 5 to 7 May 2008.

● Dr K.P.R. Vittal (Director, CAZRI, Jodhpur)visited Iran, from 10 to 11 May 2008, toattend the India – Iran Joint Commission aspart of the delegation led by Joint Secretary(PAI), Ministry of External Affairs.

● Dr D.V. Sudhakar Rao [Senior Scientist(Hort.), IIHR, Bangalore] visited USA, from19 to 30 May 2008, to participate in theworkshop-cum-training programme onCapacity Building for Risk Analysis andModeling to promote Agricultural Trade underIndo-US Agriculture Knowledge Initiative.

● Sh. Anil Kumar Upadhyay (AdditionalSecretary, DARE and Secretary, ICAR), DrS.P. Tiwari, DDG (Edn.), and Dr S. Ayyappan,DDG (Fisheries) visited Sri Lanka Councilfor Agricultural Research Policy (CARP),Sri Lanka from 12 to 14 June 2008 and aWork Plan for 2008-2009 was signed.

● Dr K.S. Khokhar (ADG, PIM), visited Minsk,

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Belarus to attend the meeting of the JointWorking Group from 11 to 14 June 2008.

● Dr S.C. Dubey (Joint Director, High SecurityAnimal Disease Laboratory, IVRI, Izatnagar)visited Bangladesh from 24 to 25 June 2008to discuss and concretize areas of bilateralco-operation relating to bird flu inBangladesh.

● Dr A.K. Sahu (Principal Scientist, CIFA,Bhubaneswar) visited Agricultural ResearchCentre, Egypt from 16 to 29 July 2008 fortraining in Aquaculture.

● Dr S.K. Pandian (Principal Scientist, CIBA,Chennai) visited Agricultural Research Centre,Egypt from 16 to 29 July 2008 for trainingin Mari- culture.

● Dr B.K. Bhattacharyya (Scientist, CIFRI,Barrackpore) visited Agricultural ResearchCentre, Egypt from 16 to 29 August 2008for training in Reservoir Fisheries.

● Dr Bhudeva Singh (Senior Scientist, DWR,Karnal) visited Agricultural Research Centre,Egypt from 1 to 14 August 2008 for trainingin Wheat Drough Salinity Resistance.

● Dr O.P. Chaturvedi [Principal Scientist(Forestry), NRCAF, Jhansi] and Dr L.N.Harsh [Principal Scientist (Forestry), CAZRI,Jodhpur] visited Agricultural Research Centre,Egypt from 16 to 29 August 2008 for trainingin Greening Deserts.

● Dr A.K. Nayak (Senior Scientist, CSSRIRegional Station, Lucknow) visitedAgricultural Research Centre, Egypt, from1 to 14 September 2008, for training inSalinity Control.

● Dr Viraktamath (Project Director, DRR,Hyderabad) visited Agricultural ResearchCentre, Egypt, from 25 August to 7 September2008, for training in Rice Hybrids.

● Dr Pradyumn Kumar (Principal Scientist,DMR, New Delhi) visited AgriculturalResearch Centre, Egypt, from 17 to 30September 2008, for training in Maize BioticStress.

● Dr H.P. Singh (DDG, Hort.) visited Universityof Georgia, USA from 27 September to 4October 2008 to deliver a talk on the Stateof Horticulture Research in India.

● Dr (Mrs) P. Nila Rekha (Senior Scientist,CIBA, Chennai) visited Iowa State University,USA, from 10 October to 21 November 2008,for training in Assessment and Control ofNon-point source pollution under NormanE. Borlaug Fellowship Programme.

● Dr A.K. Nayak (Senior Scientist, SoilChemistry/Fertility, CSSRI, Karnal) visitedIowa State University, USA ,from 11 Octoberto 21 November 2008, for training in Water

Management under Norman E. BorlaugFellowship Programme.

● Sh. Anil Kumar Upadhyay (AdditionalSecretary, DARE and Secretary, ICAR) visitedBudapest, Hungary from 13 to 15 October2008 to participate in the meeting of Indo-Hungarian Working Group on Agriculture.

● Dr D.V. Singh (Senior Scientist, Soils,CSWCR&TI, Research Centre,Udhagamandalam) visited Michigan StateUniversity, from 13 October to 21 November2008, in Water Quality Management underNorman E. Borlaug Fellowship Programme.

● Dr A.K. Singh (DDG, NRM), visited Tehran,Iran, from 1 to 2 November 2008, to attendthe meeting of the XV India-Iran JointCommission Meeting.

● Dr Pitam Chandra (ADG, Agril. Engg.) visitedBerlin, Germany from 10 to 14 November2008 to attend the meeting of the Indo-German Joint Working Group on Agriculture.

● Dr B.L. Dhar (Principal Scientist, IARI)visited to Zhangzhou City, Fujian Province,China from 19 to 23 November 2008, toparticipate as a specialist in the Asian Forumon Edible Mushroom Quality Standard andInternational Trade.

Delegations hosted

● Dr Mohammed Yussef Ghoneim Mubarakand Dr Reda Mohammed Ali Al Sayed (SeniorResearcher, Agricultural Research Centre,Egypt) visited CSSRI, Karnal from 11 to 25August 2008 for training in Wheat DroughtSalinity and Heat Tolerance.

● Dr Mohammed Mahmoud AhmedMohammed (Senior Researcher, AgriculturalResearch Centre, Egypt) visited CSSRI,Karnal from 11 to 25 August 2008 for trainingin Water Quality.

● Ms Manal Muhammad Attiya and DrMuhammad Atef El-Shobky (Scientists,Agricultural Research Centre, Egypt) visitedCIPHET, Ludhiana from 3 to 15 November2008 for training in Pre-Cooling.

● Dr Muhammad Abdullfatah Abdul Khalekand Dr Ashraf Mahfouz Mashraky(Researchers, Agricultural Research Centre,Egypt) visited CIPHET, Ludhiana from 20October to 2 November 2008 for training inPre-Cooling.

Ad hoc visits

The following senior officers of the ICAR(Hq)/Institutes were approved to go on foreignad hoc visits:

● Dr Gurbachan Singh (Director, CSSRI,Karnal) participated in the VI International

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Congress on Cactus Pear and Cochineal andVI General Meeting of FAO-CACTUSNET,held in Brazil, from 21 to 27 October 2008.

● Dr Lal Krishna [ADG (AH), ICAR (Hq.)]was deputed to attend 76th Annual GeneralSession of the International Committee o1fthe OIE (World Organisation for AnimalHealth) held in Paris, France, from 25 to 30May 2008.

● Dr V. Krishnamurthy (Director, CTRI,Rajahmundry) was deputed to attend SecondMeeting of the Study Group on EconomicallySustainable Alternatives to Tobacco Growing,held in Mexico City from 17 to 19 June2008.

● Dr K.M.L. Pathak (Director, NRC on Camel)and Dr Narendra Sharma (Veterinary Officer,NRC on Camel, Bikner) visited Veterinarylaboratory, Al-Ain City, UAE from 23 to 30July 2008 to solve the problem of camelillness and deaths accompanied with highdegree of leucopenia.

● Dr C.S.Prasad [ADG (AN&P), ICAR (Hq)],attended Compound Livestock FeedManufactures Association Symposium, 2008scheduled held at Colombo, Sri Lanka from12 to 13 September 2008.

● Dr Gurbachan Singh (Director, CSSRI,Karnal) was deputed for attending the 20th

Congress of ICID (International Committeeon Irrigation and Drainage) and 59th

International Executive Council Meeting, heldin Lahore, Pakistan from 13 to 18 October,2008.

● Dr Gurbachan Singh (Director, CSSRI,Karnal) was deputed to Mexico forparticipating in a Technical Peer Review forthe Colorado Delta Project from 19 to 21November 2008.

Scientists to foreign countries ondeputation

● Dr A K Roy (Principal Scientist, IGFRI,Jhansi) visited United Kingdom for 6 monthsw e f 7 February 2008 for availing DBTOverseas Associateship Award for 2006-2007.It was financed by Department ofBiotechnology.

● Dr S.B.N. Rao (Senior Scientist, NIANP,Bangalore) and Dr A.V. Elangovan (Sr.Scientist, NIANP, Bangalore) visited Schoolof Environmental and Rural Science,University of New England, Armidale, NSW,2351 Australia for 6 months w e f 14 April2008. It was financed by DEST, Australia.

● Dr R.R.B. Singh (Senior Scientist, NDRI,Karnal) visited Dublin Institute of Technology,Ireland for availing Erasmus Mundus

Scholarship for Research in Food Science,Technology and Nutrition for 3 months w ef 18 February 2008. He visited under ErsmusMundus Programme.

● Dr Sachinandan De (Senior Scientist, NDRI,Karnal) visited Sweden on deputation foravailing DBT Biotechnology OverseasAssociateship 2006-2007 for 6 months w ef 1 February, 2008. It was financed byDepartment of Biotechnology.

● Dr B.M. Naveena (Scientist, NRCM,Hyderabad) visited University of Connecticut,USA for undergoing training in the area ofMoss Spectroscopy (Proteomics under DSTbroad area of Life Science under DSTBOYSCAST Fellowship Programme 2007-2008 for 12 months w e f March, 2008. Itwas financed by Department ofBiotechnology.

● Dr Mohan Mandal (Scientist, NRC onMithun, Jharnapani), visited Michigan StateUniversity, USA for availing BiotechnologyOverseas Associateship (Long-term)Programme 2006-2007 for 12 months w e f20 March 2008. It was financed byDepartment of Biotechnology.

● Dr H.S. Oberoi [Scientist(SS), CIPHET,Ludhiana] visited University of Arkansas,USA for carrying research work on LifeScience (Applied) under DBT’sBiotechnology Overseas Associateship (Long-Term) Programme 2006-2007 for 12 monthsw e f from second week of March 2008.

● Dr Arun Kumar (Scientist, Directorate ofSeed Research, Mau) visited Oregon StateUniversity, USA for undergoing training inthe area of Genetic Engineering under DST’sBOYSCAST Fellowship Award/Program2007-08 for 12 months beginning from 1June 2008. It was financed by Departmentof Science and Technology.

● Dr K.K. Sharma (Principal Scientist andNetwork Coordinator IARI, New Delhi)visited California, USA for undergoingtraining on Pesticide Residue Analysis from7 to 19 April 2008. It was financed underbudget grant of the Department of Agricultureand Co-operation.

● Dr K.P. Ramesha (Sr. Scientist, NRC on Yak,Dirang) visited Harvard University, USA forundergoing training under STIP Programmeof Kennedy School under the sponsorshipof Indo-US Science and Technology Forumfor 11 days w e f 13 April 2008. It wasfinanced under Indo-US Science andTechnology Forum.

● Dr Subhojit Dutta (Scientist, IIPR, Kanpur)visited University of California, USA for

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undergoing training in the area of CropBiotechnology under DST’s BOYSCASTFellowship Programme 2007-08 for 3 monthsbeginning tentatively from 31st March 2008.It was financed by Department of Scienceand Technology.

● Dr Girish Kumar Jha (Senior Scientist, IARI,New Delhi) visited University of Manitoba,Canada for undergoing training in the areaof Mathematical Sciences/Artificial NeuralNet and Fuzzy Set Theory for 12 monthsw e f 1 July 2008. It was financed byDepartment of Science and Technology.

● Dr S.K Srivastava (Sr. Scientist, NRCWA,Bhubaneshwar) visited Swedish InternationalDevelopment Co-operation Agency atStockholm, Sweden to attend trainingProgramme on Pesticide Risk Reduction from8 to 30 May 2008 (Phase-I) and 17 to 28November 2008 (Phase-II). It was financedby Swedish International DevelopmentCooperation Agency and NRC on Womenin Agriculture, Bhubaneshwar.

● Dr Reena Arora (Senior Scientist, NBAGR,Karnal) visited Lincoln University, Lincoln,Canterbury 7647, New Zealand undergoingtraining in the area of Biodiversity andConservation Biology (Life Science) underDST’s BOYSCAST Fellowship Programme2007-2008 for 3 months w e f 1 June 2008.It was financed by Department of Scienceand Technology.

● Dr (Mrs.) Th. Premila Devi (Scientist, ICARResearch Complex for NEH Region,Meghalaya) visited University ofSaskatchewan, Canada for availing DST’sBOYSCAST Fellowship Programme 2007-2008 for 12 months w e f 31 May 2008. Itwas financed by Department of Science andTechnology.

● Dr R.C. Ray (Principal Scientist, RegionalCentre of CTCRI, Bhubaneshwar) visitedUniversity of Massachusetts, Amherst,M.A.USA for availing the award of Indo-US Professorship in Microbiology for 1month w e f 7 June 2008. It was financedby IUSSTF.

● Dr M. Sheshu Madhav (Scientist, SS, DRR,Hyderabad) visited at Ohio State University,Columbus, USA for undergoing training inthe area of Molecular Biology of Biotic stressin Plants under DST’s BOYSCASTFellowship Programme 2007-08 for 12months w e f 27 March 2008. It was financedby Department of Science and Technology.

● Dr G. Gopakumar (Principal Scientist) andDr K Madhu (Senior Scientist), both fromCMFRI, Cochin, visited Aquaculture Research

Sub-Institute for a North Central, Vietnamto attend training programme/course inArtificial Seed Production of Cobia from 20May to 20 June 2008.

● Dr T Makesh Kumar (CTCRI, Thiruvananth-puram) visited Dr Stephan Winter, DSMZ,Plant Virus Division c/o BBA Messewag 11/12, 38104 Braunschweighy Germany to attendtraining of Young Scientist in the Niche areaof Biotechnology on “RNAi mediatedresistance against cassava mosaic viruspresent in India” under Department ofBiotechnology 2007-2008 for 12 months we f 5 September 2008. It was financed byDepartment of Biotechnology.

● Shri D. Pratap (T.O/T-5), Project Directorateon Poultry, Hyderabad) visited Universityof Peradeiya in Kandy, Sri Lanka forRefresher course on Teaching entrepeneurshipto a small-scale farmers from 9 to 20 June2008. His travel to and fro was financed byNetherland Fellowship Programme otherExpenses by PTC+Loading and Boarding bySponsors NE.

● Dr S.K. Lal (Senior Scientist, IARI, NewDelhi) visited Japan for Group Training coursein Conservation and Sustainable Use of PlantGenetics Resources from the date of hisrelieving up to 01 November 2008. It wasfinanced by Japan International Co-operationAgency, JICA, Japan.

● Dr Poonam Jayant Singh (Scientist, SG,NBFGR, Lucknow) visited University ofTurin, Italy for 103 days participation in LLMfrom University of Turin, Italy, w e f1 September 2008. It was financed by WIPO.

● Mrs Sandhya Sukumaran, (Scientist,Mandapam Regional Centre of CMFRI, TamilNadu) visited University of East Anglia,Norwich, England, U.K after permission forpursuing higher studies leading to the awardof Ph. D in “Aquatic Ecogenotoxicology”under Ministry of HRD, Government of IndiaCommonwealth Scholarship/Fellowshipaward 2008 w e f 1 October 2008 to 31 July2010. It was financed by CommonwealthScholarship Commission, U.K.

● Dr Mathura Rai (Director, IIVR, Varanasi)visited Michigan State University, USA forattending Indo-US Biotech trainingprogramme sponsored by USTDA from 3 to12 August 2008. It was financed by USTDA.

● Dr J. Satisha (Scientist, SS, NRC for Grapes,Pune) visited University of Missouri, Columbiafor availing Post-doctoral position in theInstitute of Continental Climate Viticulture andEnology for 12 months w e f August 2008. Itwas financed by his own pocket.

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● Dr A.K. Patra (Principal Scientist, IARI, NewDelhi) visited University of Notre DomeIndiana 46556-0767, USA for DBTBiotechnology Overseas Associateship Awardon Interactions of nanopasticlas with soilbacteria for 6 months w e f September 2008.It was financed by Department ofBiotechnology.

● Dr Amit Kar (Principal Scientist, IARI, NewDelhi) visited University of Sussex, UK foravailing UGC’s sponsored CommonwealthAcademic Staff Fellowship, 2008 for 6months w e f 1 October 2008. It was financedby Commonwealth Secretariat, UK.

● Dr Praveen K. Gupta (Sr. Scientist, IVRI,Izatnagar) visited Institute for Animal Health,Compton, UK for availing UGC’s sponsoredCommonwealth Academic Staff Fellowship,2008 for 6 months w e f 1 October 2008. Itwas financed by Commonwealth Secretariat,U K.

● Dr Y.S. Shivay (Sr. Scientist, IARI, NewDelhi) visited Norwegian for availing theNorwegian Government Scholarship as thespecialist and visiting scholar for short-termvisit to carry out the remaining part of theprevious research work data processing andmanuscript writing for 1 month w e f8 September 2008. It was financed byNorwegian Government.

● Dr Jagdish Kumar (Principal Scientist, DWR,Karnal) visited Alexander von HumboldtFoundation, Germany for his renewedresearch stay in Germany for awarded tohim by Alexander vot Humboldt Foundationfor 2 months w e f 1 September 2008. Itwas financed by Alexander von HumboldtFoundation, Germany.

● Dr V. Venkatesan (Scientist, MandapamRegional Centre of CMFRI) visited ScientificLabs/Institutions in Taiwan to attend NationalProgramme for Training of Scientists andTechnologists, Government of India from 1to 5 September 2008. It was financed byDepartment of Science and Technology.

● Dr (Mrs.) Josileen (Senior Scientist, CMFRI,Cochin) visited James Cook University,Queenland, Australia for training on Crablarval rearing studies on Portunus pelagcusunder DBT Overseas Associateship Awardfor 2007-2008 for 6 months w e f 3 October2008. It was financed by Department ofBiotechnology.

● Dr A. Kumar (Sr. Scientist, IISR, Calicut)visited Wegeningen University, Wegeningen,the Netherlands for training on Molecularidentification of cyclic lipopeptide biosthesisin endophytic bacterial strain Pseudomonas

sp. for 1 year w e f 15 January 2009. It wasfinanced by Department of Biotechnology.

● Dr S.K. Singh (Senior Scientist, IARI, NewDelhi) visited University of Florida, USAfor Plant Biotechnology (Tropical Fruit Crops)under Department of Biotechnology OverseasAssociateship Award 2006-07 for 6 monthsw e f 30 September 2008. It was financedby Department of Biotechnology.

● Dr Pramod K. Raut (Sr. Scientist, CIRG,Makhdoom) visited Roslin Institute abdR(D)SVS, University of Edinburgh, UK fortraining on Exploring, modeling and explotingthe genetic resistance of goats in responseto Gastro-intestinal nematodes with specialreference to Haemonchus contortus underDBT Overseas Associates Award for 2007-08 for 6 months tentatively from November2008. It was financed by Department ofBiotechnology.

● Dr V.K. Gupta (Senior Scientist, CIRG,Makhdoom) visited University of Wisconsin–Madison, United States of America fortraining of Veterinary Microbiology underDepartment of Biotechnology OverseasAssociateship Award-2007-08 for 6 monthsw e f 1 November 2008. It was financed byDepartment of Biotechnology.

● Dr Rekha Sharma (Senior Scientist, NBAGR,Karnal) visited University of Illinois, Urbana,USA for availing DBT OverseasAssociateship Award (short-term)for 2007-08 for 6 months w e f October 2008. It wasfinanced by Department of Biotechnology.

● Dr R.S. Tanwar (T.O) and Shri K.K.Somayajulu (T.O.), IARI, New Delhi visitedSwitzerland for participation in the trainingBruker 400 MHz Spectrometer of for 5 daysSwitzerland w e f 29 September 2008. Itwas financed by Bruker Indian Ltd., Mumbai.

● Dr K.N. Mohnta (Senior Scientist, ICARResearch Complex for Goa, Goa) visitedFrance for training of Assessment of catchup growth of fish after feed depriation andrefeeding and associated metabolic changesin nutrient mobilization and gain under DBTOverseas Associateship Award 2007-08 for6 months tentatively during the February/March 2009. It was financed by Departmentof Biotechnology.

● Dr Viswanathan Chinnusamy (SeniorScientist, IARI, New Delhi) visited Universityof California, Riverside, USA for Post-Doctoral Fellowship/Post-Doctoral FellowPosition in Plant Pathology for 2 years w ef 27 October 2008. It was financed byUniversity of California, Riverside, USA.

● Dr S.K. Das (Senior Scientist, NDRI, Karnal)

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visited University of NSW, Randwick NSW2052, Australia for undergoing BiotechnologyOverseas Associateship Award 2007-08on “Animal Biotechnology” for 6 monthsw e f December 2008. It was financed byDepartment of Biotechnology.

● Dr S.D. Sawant (Principal Scientist, NRCGarlic, Pune) visited Washington StateUniversity, USA to undertake research workfrom 11 October to 13 November 2008. Itwas financed by IAREC except InternationalAir fare that was spent by the Scientisthimself.

● Dr J. Poorani (Principal Scientist, PDBC,Bangalore) visited CSAIRO Entomology,Canbera, Australia for study between lateOctober and December 2008. It was financedby CSAIRO.

● Dr Lalit Kumar Tyagi (Scientist, SS, NBFGR,Lucknow) visited Wageningen International,the Netherlands for attending a short-termtraining on ‘Towards Participatory FisheriesManagement’ under the NetherlandsGovernment Fellowship Programme w e f20 October to 7 November 2008. It wasfinanced by the Netherlands Government.

● Dr S. Mondal (Scientist, SS, NIANP,Bangalore) visited University of Laval,Quebec, Canada for undergoingBiotechnology Overseas Associateship Award2007-08 on Small interfering RNA(siRNA)based molecular and cellular mechanismsinvolved in recognition and establishmentof pregnancy for 1 year w e f 28 February2008. It was financed by Department ofBiotechnology.

● Dr A.N. Shylesha (Sr. Scientist, PDBC,Bangalore) visited Israel to attend theworkshop and training programme on theproduction maintenance, release of naturalenemies and classical biological control ofthe eucalyptus gall wasps from 8 to 18November 2008. It was financed by IndianPaper Manujfactor Association (IPMA).

● Dr Pronab Dhar (Senior Scientist, IVRI,Izatnagar) visited University of MarylandCollege Park, MD 20742-3711, USA foravailing Department of BiotechnologyOverseas Associateship Award (short-term)2007-2008 for 6 months w e f 15 February2008. It was financed by Department ofBiotechnology.

● Dr Mihir Sarkar (Senior Scientist, IVRI,Izatnagar) visited Centre of Life and FoodSciences, Weihenstephan, TechnischeUniversitaet Muenchen, Germany for availingDepartment of Biotechnology OverseasAssociateship Award (short-term) 2007-2008

for 6 months w e f 15 March 2009. It wasfinanced by Department of Biotechnology.

● Dr A.K. Misra (Principal Scientist, IGFRI,Jhansi) visited INRA, Centre Clermont –Theix Unit de Recherche sur Les Herbivores,63122, Saint-Genes-Chempanelle, France foravailing Department of BiotechnologyOverseas Associateship Award (short-term)2007-2008 for 6 months w e f 23 February2009. It was financed by Department ofBiotechnology.

Indian scientists on foreignassignments

● Dr N.V.P.R. Ganga Rao (Senior Scientist,Plant Breeder, D.O.R., Hyderabad), asScientist (Breeder), visited ICRISAT, Nairobi,Kenya for selection of the ‘Scientist (Breeder)’at ICRISAT, Nairobi, Kenya.

● Dr K.P. Singh (Senior Scientist, IVRI,Izatnagar) as Expert Scientist visited Ministryof Agriculture and Fisheries, Sultanate ofOman for selection of the ‘Expert Scientist’at M/o. Agriculture and Fisheries, Sultanateof Oman.

● Dr N.P. Singh (Scientist, IARI, New Delhi)as Senior Scientist/Visiting Scientist(Agricultural Economics) visited ICRISAT,Patancheru (Andhra Pradesh), India forSelection of the ‘Senior Scientist/VisitingScientist (Agricultural Economics)’ atICRISAT, Patancheru (Andhra Pradesh).

● Assignment of Dr P S Birthal (PrincipalScientist and National Fellow, NCAP) asPrincipal Scientist (Socio-economics) atInternational Crops Research Institute for theSemi-Arid Tropics, Patancheru, AndhraPradesh, India for 3 years.

● Dr N. Loganandhan (Scientist, CSWCR andTI, Research Centre, Bellary under CSWCRand TI, DehraDun) as Scientific Officer(ICRISAT-WWF Project) visited ICRISAT-WWF, Patancheru (Andhra Pradesh), Indiafor selection for the ‘Scientific Officer(ICRISAT-WWF Project)’ at ICRISAT-WWF,Patancheru (Andhra Pradesh), India.

● Assignment of Dr Abhishek Rathore(Scientist, IISS, Bhopal, as ScientistBiometrics) at International Crops ResearchInstitute for the Semi-Arid Tropics(ICRISAT), Patancheru (Andhra Pradesh) for3 years from the date of joining.

● Assignment of Dr N P Singh (Scientist, SS,IARI, Pusa, New Delhi), as Senior Scientist/Visting Scientist (Agricultural Economics) atInternational Crops Research Institute for theSemi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Patancheru(Andhra Pradesh) for 3 years w e f 1 July 2008.

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ICAR scientists, approved deputationcases

● Deputation of Dr S K Pandey (Director, CPRI,Shimla) in 1 day workshop on Potato and topresent paper on Potato Research Priorityin the Asia Pacific Region on 6 May 2008at Bangkok, Thailand.

● Deputation of Dr P K Joshi (Director, NCAP)to Johannesburg, South Africa from 6 to 12April 2008 for attending 2nd Planery sessionof IAASTD.

● Participation of Dr B P Singh (Joint Director,CPRI Centre, Modipuram) and Dr Jai Gopal(Principal Scientist, CPRI, Shimla) in 3rd

International Conference on Late Blight atBeijing-China from 3 to 6 April 2008.

● Participation by Dr H P Singh (DDG, Hort)in the 1 day workshop on Potato and topresent paper on Policies and Strategiesconducive to Potato Development on 6 May2008 at FAO, Bangkok, Thailand.

● Participation of Dr Jai Gopal (PrincipalScientist, CPRI, Shimla) in the FAOsponsored meeting in Rome from 23 to 24April 2008 for the global partnership initiativefor plants.

● Consultancy proposal of Dr Rajendra Prasad(National Fellow, IASRI, New Delhi) toInternational Centre for Agricultural Researchin the Dry Areas (ICARDA), Aleppo, Syriafor 3 months from 21 April to 20 July 2008.

● Deputation of Dr R S Misra (PrincipalScientist, CTCRI, Thiruvananthapuram) toAfghanistan.

● Deputation of Dr (Mrs.) Sindhu Sareen(Karnal) to participate in training course from12 to 22 May 2008 at Kasetsart University,Bangkok, Thailand.

● Deputation of Dr N Vijayan Nair (Director,Sugarcane Breeding Institute, Coimbatore)to Egypt for 15 days on consultancy for givingtechnical guidance on sugarcane improvementprogramme.

● Deputation of Dr S K Kamra (PrincipalScientist, CSSRI, Karnal) to visit Mc GillUniversity, Canada as visiting Scientist.

● Participation of Dr Rajan (Principal Scientist,Plant Quarantine Division) and Dr (Mrs)Kavita Gipta (Senior Scientist, IARI, NewDelhi) in the master Class on PlantBiosecurity from 2 to 13 June 2008 inMalaysia.

● Dr G J N Rao (Head, Improvement Division,CRRI, Cuttack) deputation on official fieldmission of IAEA to China and Yaman toevaluate technical co-operation projects onSustainable intensification crop productionsystem from 5 to 18 June 2008.

● Deputation of Dr E Vivekanandan (Head,Demersal Fisheries Division, CMFRI, Kochi)for attending a FAO Workshop on Assessmentand Bangkok, Thailand from 17 to 19 June2008.

● Deputation of Dr R K Khetrapal (Head, PQD,NBPGR, IARI, Pusa, New Delhi) forparticipation as a Plant Pest Risk Analystfor the Project on Strengthening the sanitaryand phytosanitary service in Cambodia intwo mission for 1 month, the first missionof 1 week, from 7 to 13 July 2008, and finalmission of 3 weeks – sometimes later thisyear.

● Expert Consultation on AgriculturalBiotechnology for promoting Food Securityin Developing Countries in Malaysia from20 to 22 August 2008 – Deputation of ProjectDirector, NRC on Plant Biotechnology.

● Consultancy Proposal of Dr (Ms) NeelamPatel (Senior Scientist, WTC, IARI, NewDelhi) as consultant pressurized irrigationsystem software expert for 2 months foronward posting to Ethiopia.

● Nomination of Dr P K Aggarwal (NationalProfessor, IARI) and Dr A K Singh (DDG,NRM) for South Asia Symposium on ClimateChange, Dhaka, Bangladesh from 25 to 29August 2008.

● Participation of Dr Sarvjet Singh (PlantBreeder, Pulses, Department of Plant Breedingand Genetics, PAU, Ludhiana) to FAO/IAEAInternational Symposium on InducedMutation in Plants was held at Vienna, Austriafrom 12 to 15 August 2008.

● Deputation of Dr M C Kharkwal (PrincipalScientist, Division of Genetics, IARI, NewDelhi) to Vienna, Italy, Czech Republic andTurkey from 12 to 15 August 2008, 18 to19 August 2008, and 20 to 25 August 2008.

● Deputation of Dr K V Prasad (SeniorScientist, Division of Floriculture andLandscaping, IARI, New Delhi) for attendingthe International Symposium on InducedMutations in Plants from 12 to 15 August2008 to Vienna, Austria.

● Deputation of Dr E Vivekanandan (Head,Demersal Fisheries Division, CMFRI,Cochin) to FAO Regional InternationalSymposium on “Climate Change, FoodSecurity, Sea Level Rise and Environmentin South Asia” Dhaka, Bangladesh from 25to 29 August 2008.

● Deputation of Dr D Rama Rao (Head, ICM,NAARM, Hyderabad) for attending WorldConference on Agricultural Informationorganized by FAO, at Tokyo, Japan from 25to 27 August 2008.

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● Consultancy Proposal of Dr S K Sarkar andDr P Rautra (Senior Scientist, CIFA) to trainand establish a cyrobank facility forGovernment of Sri Lanka.

● FAO Consultancy in China from 1 to 15September 2008 for Dr R S Misra (PrincipalScientist and Head, Division of CropProduction, CTCRI, Thiruananthapuram).

● Deputation of Dr A K Tiwari (Head, ResearchCentre, Chandigarh) and Dr Amrish Kumar(Senior Scientist, Headquarters, Dehra Dunof CSWCR & TI to Mongolia under UNDPfor conducting training course on WaterHarvesting aimed at improving nationalcapacity at technical and extension levelsand upgrading knowledge of researchers,water engineers and officials from relevantGovernment agencies of Mongolia w e f 17September to 17 October 2008.

● Deputation of Dr Ambekar E Eknath(Director, CIFA, Bhubaneshwar) to attendNACA, IX Technical Advisory CommitteeMeeting in China w e f 30 October to 1November 2008.

● Dr T P Trivedi (Project Director, DIPA andADG, ARIS) and Dr A K Bawa (PrincipalScientist, ICAR, Hq) visited Bangkok,Thailand from 19 to 20 April 2008, to attendTechnical Workshop on Development andDecentralised Management of ARDInformation Resources and APARIS SteeringCommittee Meeting.

● Deputation of A K Bawa (Principal Scientist)to participate in the Expert Consultation onClimate Change and Agriculture and 10General Assembly of APAARI, Tsukuba,Japan from 20 to 22 October 2008.

● Appointment of Dr N Loganadhan (Scientist,SS, CSWCR&TI, Research Centre) for the

position of ‘Visiting Scientist’ at ICRISAT-WWF International Project from the date ofjoining till 31 December 2010.

● Deputation of Dr Masood Ali (Director, IIPR,Kanpur and Co-ordinator), Dr Shiv Kumar(Principal Scientist and Principal Investigator)and Dr B B Singh (Project Co-ordinator,IIPR and Co-Investigator) for visit toBangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan under MEAsponsored SAARC Project on ShuttleBreeding in Pulses from 10 to 20 October2008.

● Deputation Proposal of Dr P K Aggarwal(National Professor, Division ofEnvironmental Sciences, IARI, New Delhi)to Japan for attending symposium on GlobalClimate Change-Imperatives for Asia Pacificfrom 22 to 23 October 2008.

● Consultancy of Dr G J N Rama Rao (Head,Crop Improvement Division, CRRI, Cuttack)for a National Training Course on TissueCulture Techniques and their application tobe held at the Ministry of Agriculture andForestry in Freetown, Sierra Leone from 6to 11 October 2008.

● Deputation of Dr S K Tandon (ADG, Engg)for participation in the ConservationAgriculture Carbon offset Consultation atWest Lafayette, Indiana, USA w e f 28 to30 October 2008.

● Consultancy of Dr Sushil Pandey (Scientist,IARI to FAO, Rome, Italy) as an InternationalConsultant w e f 11 October to 13 December2008.

● Recommendation of Dr M M Pandey(Director, CIAE, Bhopal) as Expert to theFourth Session of the Technical Committeeof APCAEM at Chiang Rai, Thailand w e f1 to 5 December 2008.

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20

National Agricultural

Innovation Project

The National Agricultural Innovation Project(NAIP) has made good progress in approving andgrounding 112 subprojects at an total outlay ofRs 658 crore. These subprojects have diversepartnerships with non-conventional partners likeICAR institutions and SAUs, General Universities,IITs, IIMs, CSIR laboratories, other Central andState government departments, private sector,NGOs, to an extent of 40 to 50%.

Seventeen approved subprojects undercomponent-1 (Strengthening ICAR as CatalyzingAgent of Management of Change) will contributeto promote knowledge products like digitalrepository of about 10,000 Ph D theses, accessingtitles of more than 1,000 journals, e-course inagriculture, horticulture, veterinary sciences,fisheries and home science, creating of a dynamicICAR and Institute website, e-publishing ofagricultural research journals, establishment of theCentral Data Centre and securing NARS intranet,capacity-building in visioning and policy analysis,developing skills of about 3,500 personnel inproject-proposal writing and reporting, researchprioritization, monitoring and evaluation etc,establishment of Zonal Technology Managementand business planning and development units,international training of about 500 scientists in23 cutting-edge areas of agricultural sciences andtraining of about 1,000 NARS scientists by about80 international experts from the Centres ofAdvanced Studies abroad, implementing on-linefinancial management system in the NAIP andthe ICAR, and the online project managementand tracking system under the NAIP.

Under component-2 (Research on Productionto Consumption Systems), 28 approved subprojectswill explore innovations in the utilization of sweet-sorghum for ethanol production, development offood products from millets (sorghum, pearl millet,foxtail and little millet), exploitation of multiple

uses of cotton (stalk, cotton fibre for quantityyarn and fabric, oil protein) and of craft and gearfor cost-effective and responsible fishing andprocessing for total utilization of small pelagicand freshwater fishes, clean meat production andutilization, oceanic tuna fisheries, coconut products,seed spices, potato and potato products, utilizationof banana pseudostems for fibres and other value-added products, biomass-based decentralized powergeneration for agro-enterprises, value-chain onseabuckthorn for food, veterinary products, animalfeed, natural dyes (indigo, bixa, and marigold),major carps and prawns, agroforestry withimproved short-rotation clones (casuarina,eucalyptus and matchwood), clean vegetables,tomato, food products from small millets, murrelseed production, farmed-seafood production usingcobia, flowers, novelty pork products and value-added products from khejri (Prosopis juliflora),maize and maize products, coconut fibres andby-products and underutilized fruits.

Under component-3 (Research on SustainableRural Livelihood Security), 26 approved sub-projects aim at livelihood security by followingintegrated farming system approach withtechnological innovations relating to land-and-watermanagement, seed and other input supply, croppingintensity, agro-processing and value-addition andinstitutional innovations in organizing youth andwomen self-help groups, producer groups,establishing village knowledge/resource centres,marketing arrangement, processing units, andbringing synergy with ongoing developmentprogrammes, capacity-building and entrepreneur-ship development.

Under component-4 (Basic and StrategicResearch in Frontier Areas of AgriculturalSciences), 31 approved projects will contributeto mitigation strategy to control deadly arsenicproblem in food chain, genetic engineering for

135

NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL INNOVATION PROJECT

fixation of heterosis, genetic solutions for improvedcotton boll and fibre development, enhanced yieldand quality in buffalo milk, genetic solution forrice-blast management, development of bio-sensorfor examination of quality of milk, mango andsesame, genetic enhancement in buffalo, developingwireless sensors for animal management, climatechange and soil-organic carbon management, useof nanotechnology for enhancing performance ofbiodegradable polymers, development of singlecell C-4 photosynthetic system in rice, developmentof decision-support system for insect-pestmanagement in rice and cotton, new strategiesfor molecular diagnosis of plant viruses, assessmentof quality and resilience of soil in differentagroecosystems, bio-systematics of three importantplant genera, risk assessment and developinginsurance products for agriculture, stem cellresearch in cattle and buffaloes, identification ofmammary bio-markers, genetic solutions forenhanced goat-meat production, utilization ofbamboo in agricultural applications like ruralhousing, cattle-shelter, greenhouses, grain-silos,development of herbal acaricides for effectivecontrol of ticks, nanotechnology for higherutilization of native phosphorus in arid soils,utilization of rumen microbial diversity onmethanogensis and higher use of poor quality feedsand integrating machine vision technology withsatellite imagery to promote precision agriculture.

The NAIP is now processing the Concept Notessubmitted under the competitive call and plans tocomplete the process by the end of February 2009.Aftewards, close monitoring and evaluation ofall the approved subprojects will be taken up.

National Fund for Basic StrategicResearch (NFBSRA)

The 21 projects under the National Fund forBasic and Strategic Research have now startedyielding some tangible results in the frontier areasof agricultural sciences. A few salient achievementsunder the important themes are as follows.

Crop improvement and resistance tobiotic and abiotic reverses in plants

● Two somatic embryogenesis receptor kinase(SERK) gene homologues have been isolatedand cloned in sorghum, and an ovule-specificpromoter has been cloned from Arabidopsisfor sequence information as the first majorstep towards introducing apomixis in sorghum.

● In Brassica juncea, a methyl jasmonateinducible gene Bjpep1 has been isolated. Itis the member of the octadecanoid pathwayinvolved in the first-line of defence of plantsagainst insect pests and other damages

● Protocols based on zinc finger nuclease andhomologous recombination for targeted geneintegration have been developed. Cry IF genehas been integrated at the locus of the cdn1gene in cotton and Cry 1 Aabc gene at thelocus UGT gene in rice.

● The occurrence of biovar-2 of Agrobacteriumtumefaciens, which has potential for use inmanagement of crown gall of stone-fruits,was found for the first time in India.

● For the first time involvement of pathogen-related protein genes in hyper sensitiveresearch-mediated resistance against gall-forming insects in rice was observed.

Animal improvement andmanagement

● A simple and highly sensitive enzyme (EIA)for determination of luteinizing hormone (LH)in goats within 24 hr of fertilization has beenoptimized and validated.

● Successful cloning and sequencing of PAG1(pregnancy associated glycoprotein gene) wasachieved. Successful establishment ofendometrial cell culture for the first time inbuffalo was also achieved as a model to studyprostaglandin production in in-vitro.

● Methanomicrobium mobile has been foundthe dominant phytotype among the rumenmethanogens in buffaloes in India. An archeawith 92-94% similarity with Methanoculleousmarisnigri has also been isolated from buffalorumen.

Plant biomass for alternate cleanenergy

Conversion of plant biomass into hydrogen(25%) and CO (24%) and rest into nitrogen hasbeen tested by water-gas shift reactor by firstproducing CO from the biomass and then usingit to produce hydrogen from moisture at 200°-200° C. A new catalyst (based on 1% Pt andCeO2) has been developed for this reaction, whichis better than the ones known in the literature. Anew method to coat this catalyst on ceramic honey-comb has also been developed, which goes intothe reactor to produce hydrogen.

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Recruitment detail for positions of Principal Scientists

21

Selection and Assessment

of Scientific Resource


The Agricultural Scientists Recruitment Board(ASRB), an independent recruitment body of theICAR, established a record in direct selectionsfor various positions. Another notable achievementwas the conduct of ARS/NET examination in 38comprehended disciplines for the first time. Theresults emerging from an analysis of this couldbe used by the ICAR in personnel policies andreorientation of research and in the educationprogrammes. A beginning has been made by thedevelopment of a research project for evolving arecruitment and assessment methodology fordiversified agricultural research system. Thehighlights of the activities made under variousmandated programmes of the Board during 2008are briefly described.

Direct Recruitment to ScientificPositions through Interview

The Board completed recruitment process for207 posts during the current year. Of these, 16posts fell in research and management category(RMP), 2 in middle-level management (ProjectCo-ordinators) and the remaining were those ofTraining Organizers, Programme Co-ordinators andSenior and Principal Scientists categories. In all,

the Board screened more than 3,000 applicationsand called 1,396 candidates for interview. A totalof 978 candidates attended the interview. The Boardcould make positive recommendations in 184 cases,whereas in the rest of the cases, no suitablecandidates were available.

Thus on an average, there were 5 candidates foreach position. But the managerial positions attracteda higher number of candidates, the average numberfor RMP being 8. For the 153 vacancies of SeniorScientists advertised, no suitable candidates wereavailable for 21 vacancies while for rest there wereonly 4 candidates, on an average for each post.

Details of 207 direct selection posts Recruitment detail for positions of Senior Scientists

137

SELECTION AND ASSESSMENT OF SCIENTIFIC RESOURCES

ARS/NET Examination 2007

The Agricultural Research Service (ARS)/National Eligibility Test (NET) examination 2007was conducted by the Board in 40 disciplines on25 May 2008 at 34 centres in different parts ofcountry. The total number of candidates whoapplied for the examination was 17,542, and 10,070(57%) candidates appeared in the examination.Partial list of successful candidates was forwardedto the Council.

Limited Departmental Examinationfor Section Officers

Limited departmental competitive examinationfor Section Officers at the ICAR headquarterswas held during September 2008. Ten candidatesappeared in the examination for 16 posts.

Limited Departmental Audit andAccount Examination 2008

Limited departmental competitive examinationfor Audit and Account personnel wasconducted by the Board in November 2008 at11 centres. A total of 195 candidates were appearedin this test.

Average number of candidates for different positions. A, Assistant Directors-General; B, Directors of NationalInstitute; C, Directors; D, Joint Directors of National Institute; E, Project Co-ordinators; F, ProgrammeCo-ordinators; G, Training Organizers; H, Principal Scientists; I, Senior Scientists

Assessment Promotions of SeniorScientists under Career AdvancementScheme

The selection committees for considering thecases of promotion from Senior Scientist to thegrade of Principal Scientist were constituted for207 proposals in 44 disciplines. The Board hascompleted the process of assessment and the resultshave been forwarded to the Council.

Right to Information Act -2005

During the year, Board received 29 cases, largelyrelated to the disclosures of marks secured in thescorecard and interviews and the procedures ofscreening. All the cases were disposed offsuccessfully to the satisfaction of all concerned. Therewas no appeal with CIC against the ASRB decision.

Reforms

In implementing the reforms made during last3 years, new experiences have been gainedboth in respect of direct selections as well asrecruitment through interview. The Board remainscommitted to make further improvements in itsguidelines to capture the essence of the diverseARS system.

139

APPENDICES

(A) DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH AND EDUCATION

APPENDIX I

THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (ALLOCATION OF BUSINESS) RULESTHE SECOND SCHEDULE

(RULE 3)

(A) Distribution of Subjects in the Department ( Vibhag ),Ministry of Agriculture ( Krishi Mantralaya )

(B) Department of Agricultural Research and Education(Krishi Anusandhan aur Shiksha Vibhag )

Part I

The following subjects which fall within List I of the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India.1. International co-operation in the field of agricultural research and education including relations with foreign and

international agricultural research and educational institutions and organizations, including participation in internationalconferences, associations and other bodies dealing with agricultural research and education and follow-up of decisionsat such international conferences, etc.

2. Fundamental, applied and operational research and higher education including co-ordination of such research andhigher education in agriculture including agroforestry, animal husbandry, dairying and fisheries, including agriculturalstatistics, economics and marketing.

3. Co-ordination and determination of standards in institutions for higher education or research and scientific and technicalinstitutions insofar as it relates to food and agriculture including animal husbandry, dairying and fisheries.

4. Cesses for financing to the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, and the commodity research programmes other thanthose relating to tea, coffee and rubber.

5. Sugarcane research.

Part II

For Union Territories the subjects mentioned in Part I above so far as they exist in regard to these territories and inaddition the following subject which falls within List II of the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India.

6. Agricultural Education and Research.

Part III

General and consequential:7. All matters relating to foreign aid received from foreign countries and International Organizations in sofar as agricultural

research and education and allied subjects are concerned, including all matters relating to assistance afforded by Indiato foreign countries in the field of agricultural research and education and allied subjects.

8. Plant introduction and exploration.9. All-India Soil and Land-Use Survey relating to research, training, correlation, classification, soil mapping and interpretation.

10. Financial assistance to state governments and agricultural universities in respect of agricultural research andeducational schemes and programmes.

11. National Demonstrations.12. Indian Council of Agricultural Research and its constituent research institutes, stations, laboratories and centres.13. Offences against laws with respect to any of the subjects allotted to this department.14. Enquiries and statistics for the purpose of any of the subjects allotted to this department.15. Fees in respect of any of the subjects allotted to this department except fees taken in a court.

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APPENDIX II

Names of the Important Functionaries

Sl.No. Name Designations

1. Dr Mangala Rai Secretary, DARE and DG, ICAR

2. Mr A K Upadhyay Additional Secretary, DARE and Secretary, ICAR

3. Mr Chaman Kumar Additional Secretary/Financial Adviser, DARE/ICAR

4. Mr Ajai Kumar Director

5. Mr Amar Singh Director

6. Mr P R Meena Joint Director

7. Mr Ram Avtar Deputy Secretary

8. Mr D K Chhatwal Deputy Secretary

9. Mr J N Banati Senior Principal Private Secretary

10. Mr M S Nayar Under-Secretary

11. Mr Rakesh Sharma Under-Secretary

12. Mr Roopak Chaudhuri Under-Secretary

13. Ms Alka Ahuja Under-Secretary

14. Ms Sumita Dasgupta Under-Secretary

15. Mr Madan Lal Under-Secretary

16. Ms Geeta Nair Principal Private Secretary

17. Mr S K Gupta Principal Private Secretary

Total Number of Posts and Names of Important Functionaries

Group Designation Santionedstrength

A Secretary 1

A Additional Secretary (DARE)/Secretary, ICAR 1

A Financial Adviser and Additional Secretary 1

A Director 2

A Deputy Secretary 1

A Joint Director 1

A Senior Principal Private Secretary 1

A Under Secretary 7

A Principal Private Secretary 2

B Assistant Director (Official Language) 1

B Private Secretary 1

B Section Officer 4

B Assistant 4

B Personal Assistant 4

C Junior Hindi Translator 1

C UDC-cum-Cashier 1

C UDC 2

C Steno Grade ‘D’ 5

C UDC-Hindi Typist 1

C Staff Car Driver 1

C LDC 2

D Daftry 1

D Peon 5

Total 50

141

APPENDICES

APPENDIX III

ACTIVITY PROGRAMME CLASSIFICATION

The Budget Estimates (BE) and Revised Estimates (RE) of DARE and ICAR (Plan, Non-Plan) for 2007–2008 are Rs2460.00 crores and Rs 2337.00 crores respectively and BE for 2008–2009 (Plan and Non-Plan) is Rs 2680 crores. Thedetailed break-up of these financial figures are given below in Tables 1 and 2.

Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE): The details in respect of BE and RE for 2007–2008 andBE for 2008–2009 are given in Table 1. This excludes the payment to the ICAR.

Table 1 Budget estimates and revised estimates of DARE(Rupees in lakhs)

Item Budget Estimates Revised Estimates Budget Estimates2007–2008 2007–2008 2008–2009

Plan Non-Plan Plan Non-Plan Plan Non-Plan

Major Head ‘3451’ – 165 – 165 – 175090 Secretariat

Major Head ‘2415’ – – – – – –

80 -GeneralInternational Co-operation

(010032) -India’s membershipcontribution to CommonwealthAgricultural Bureau – 10 – 10 – 10

(020032) -India’s membershipcontribution to ConsultativeGroup on InternationalAgricultural Research – 380 – 380 – 400

(030032) -Other Programmes 950 – 1470 – 1100* –

(040032) -India’s contribution toAsia Pacific Association ofAgricultural Institutions – 5 – 5 – 5

(050032) -India’s contribution to NACA – 12 – 12 – 9

(060032) -India’s contribution to CGPRT – 5 – 5 – 5

(070032) -India’s contribution to SeedSeed Testing Association – 2.25 – 2.25 – 2.25

(080032) -ISHS Belgium – 0.75 – 0.75 – 0.75

*Includes Rs 10 crore for National Fund for basic and strategic research in agriculture

142


Table 2 Details of Financial Outlay

Demand No. 2. Department of Agricultural Research and Education(Rupees in crores)

Major 2007–2008 Budget 2007–2008 Revised 2008–2009 BudgetHead

Plan Non-Plan Total Plan Non-Plan Total Plan Non-Plan Total

A. Budget Allocation, net of recoveries

Revenue 1620.00 840.00 2460.00 1434.00 903.00 2337.00 1760.00 920.00 2680.00

Capital 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

Total 1620.00 840.00 2460.00 1434.00 903.00 2337.00 1760.00 920.00 2680.00

1. Secretariat - 3451 0.00 1.65 1.65 0.00 1.65 1.65 0.00 1.75 1.75Economic ServiceAgricultural Research and EducationPayments to ICAR

2. Crop Husbandry

2.1 Payments of net proceeds 2415 0.00 40.00 40.00 0.00 14.00 14.00 0.00 14.00 14.00of cess under AgriculturalProduce Cess Act, 1940

2.2 Other Programmesof Crop Husbandry

2.2.01 Crop Sciences 2415 303.00 202.50 505.50 233.50 217.21 450.71 315.00 220.92 535.92

2.2.02 Horticulture 2415 68.00 73.70 141.70 73.60 86.21 159.81 88.00 87.28 175.28

2.2.03 Agricultural Extension 2415 246.00 0.85 246.85 290.50 1.00 291.50 281.00 1.10 282.10

2.2.04 Agricultural Education 2415 290.00 5.45 295.45 340.60 7.05 347.65 350.00 7.20 357.20

2.2.05 Economics, Statistics 2415 4.00 12.95 16.95 4.00 13.59 17.59 4.00 13.90 17.90and Management

2.2.06 Agricultural Engg. 2415 40.00 24.80 64.80 40.00 29.74 69.74 42.00 30.45 72.45

2.2.07 ICAR Hq Admn., DIPA 2415 42.50 202.80 245.30 26.90 229.27 256.17 21.00 235.58 256.58including ASRB, IPRManagement

2.2.08 National Agril. 2415 270.00 0.00 270.00 80.70 0.00 80.70 257.00 0.00 257.00Innovation Project

Total other Programmes of 1263.50 523.05 1786.55 1089.80 584.07 1673.87 1358.00 596.43 1954.43Crop Husbandry

Total Crop Husbandry 1263.50 563.05 1826.55 1089.80 598.07 1687.87 1358.00 610.43 1968.43

3. Soil and Water Conservation

3.01 Soil and Water Conservation 2415 3.60 12.00 15.60 3.00 13.21 16.21 4.00 13.46 17.46Institutes

3.02 Other NRM Instts. including 2415 66.40 72.25 138.65 76.10 81.67 157.77 86.00 82.54 168.54Agroforestry Research

Total- Soil & Water Conservation 70.00 84.25 154.25 79.10 94.88 173.98 90.00 96.00 186.00

4. Animal Husbandry 2415 78.00 126.60 204.60 70.00 138.79 208.79 80.00 141.05 221.05

5. Fisheries 2415 37.00 60.30 97.30 37.00 65.46 102.46 45.00 66.65 111.65

(Contd . . .)

143

APPENDICES

6. Loans to ICAR 6402 0.00 0.00 0.00 96.00 0.00 96.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

6.1 Less amount met from 6402 0.00 0.00 0.00 –96.00 0.00 –96.00 0.00 0.00 0.00social and infrastructuredevelopment fund

7. Lump-sum provision for Projects/ 2552 162.00 0.00 162.00 143.40 0.00 143.40 176.00 0.00 176.00Schemes for the benefit of North-Eastern Region and Sikkim

Total-Payments to ICAR 1610.50 834.20 2444.70 1419.30 897.20 2316.50 1749.00 914.13 2663.13

8. Contribution to Commonwealth 2415 9.50 4.15 13.65 14.70 4.15 18.85 11.00 4.12 15.12Agricultural Bureau, ConsultativeGroup on International AgriculturalResearch and Association of AsiaPacific Agricultural ResearchInstitutes

Total-Agricultural Research and 2415 1620.00 838.35 2458.35 1434.00 901.35 2335.35 1760.00 918.25 2678.25Education

Grand Total 1620.00 840.00 2460.00 1434.00 903.00 2337.00 1760.00 920.00 2680.00

Major 2007–2008 Budget 2007–2008 Revised 2008–2009 BudgetHead

Plan Non-Plan Total Plan Non-Plan Total Plan Non-Plan Total

Head Budget IEBR Total Budget IEBR Total Budget IEBR Totalof Div. support support support

B. Investments in PSEs

1. Indian Council of Agricultural 12415 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00Research

C. Plan Outlay

1. Agricultural Research Education 12415 1458.00 0.00 1458.00 1290.60 0.00 1290.60 1584.00 0.00 1584.00

2. North-eastern Areas 22552 162.00 0.00 162.00 143.40 0.00 143.40 176.00 0.00 176.00

Total 1620.00 0.00 1620.00 1434.00 0.00 1434.00 1760.00 0.00 1760.00

D. Major Head-wise Totals Total 1620.00 840.00 2460.00 1434.00 903.00 2337.00 1760.00 920.00 2680.00

2415 1458.00 838.35 2296.35 1290.60 901.35 2191.95 1584.00 918.25 2502.25

3451 0.00 1.65 1.65 0.00 1.65 1.65 0.00 1.75 1.75

2552 162.00 0.00 162.00 143.40 0.00 143.40 176.00 0.00 176.00

New Head on 16.1.08 6402 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

144


(B) INDIAN COUNCIL OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH

APPENDIX 1

INDIAN COUNCIL OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH SOCIETY

The Society shall have the following Ex-Officio Members:

(i) President of the Society1. Mr Sharad Pawar

Minister of AgricultureGovernment of India, Krishi BhavanNew Delhi 110 001

2. Mr. Kanti Lal BhuriaMinister of State (Agriculture)Government of India, Krishi BhavanNew Delhi 110 114

(ii) Union Ministers holding charge of Finance, Planning,Science and Technology, Education and Commerce (incase the Prime Minister is holding any of theseportfolios, the Minister of State in the Ministry/Department concerned)

3. Minister of Finance, Government of IndiaNorth Block, New Delhi 110 001

4. Mr M V RajasekharanMinister of State for PlanningYojana Bhawan, Government of IndiaNew Delhi 110 001

5. Mr Kapil SibalMinister of Science & Technology, andHuman Resource DevelopmentGovernment of India, Shastri BhawanNew Delhi 110 001

6. Mr Arjun SinghMinister for Human ResourcesGovernment of IndiaNew Delhi 110 001

7. Mr Kamal NathMinister of Commerce,Government of IndiaUdyog Bhawan, New Delhi 110 001

(iv) Other Ministers in the Union Ministry of Agriculture8. Mr Taslimuddin

Minister of State for Animal Hisbandry, Dairying andFisheries Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi 110 114

(v) Ministers in the States/Incharge of Agriculture/AnimalHusbandry/Fisheries

Andhra Pradesh

9. Mr N Raghuveera ReddyMinister of Agriculture, Horticulture and FoodGovernment of Andhra PradeshHyderabad(Andhra Pradesh) 500 022

10. Mr Budha Prasad MandaliMinister for Animal Husbandry, Fisheries and DairyDevelopmentGovernment of Andhra PradeshHyderabad (Andhra Pradesh) 500 022

Arunachal Pradesh11. Mr Tersong Gyurne

Minister for Agriculture, Animal Husbandry andHorticultureGovernment of Arunachal PradeshItanagar (Arunachal Pradesh) 791 111

12. Mr Chowna MeinMinister of FisheriesGovernment of Arunachal PradeshItanagar (Arunachal Pradesh) 791 111

Assam13. Ms Pramila Rani Brahma

Minister for Agriculture, Government of AssamJanta Bhavan,Guwahati (Assam) 781 006

14. Mr Khar Singh EngtiMinister for Veterinary and Animal HusbandryHill Area DevelopmentGovernment of Assam, Janta BhavanGuwahati (Assam) 781 006

15. Mr Nurjamal SarkarMinister for FisheriesGovernment of Assam, Janta BhavanGuwahati (Assam) 781 006

16. Minister of HorticultureGovernment of Assam, Janta BhavanGuwahati (Assam) 781 006

Bihar17. Mr Ram Narayan Mandal

Minister for Animal Husbandry andFisheriesGovernment of BiharPatna (Bihar) 800 015

18. Mr NagmaniMinister for Agriculture and HorticultureGovernment of BiharPatna (Bihar) 800 015

Chhattisgarh19. Minister for Agriculture, Animal Husbandry &

FisheriesGovernment of ChhatisgarhRaipur(Chhattisgarh)

Delhi

20. Minister for Agriculture Development and FoodAnimal Husbandry & FisheriesNational Capital Territory of DelhiNew Delhi 110 012

Goa

21. Mr Antanasio MonseretteMinister of AgricultureAnimal Husbandry and HorticultureGovernment of Goa, Panaji (Goa) 403 001

22. Mr Joaquim Braz AlemaoMinister for FisheriesGovernment of Goa,Panaji (Goa) 403 001

Gujarat

23. Mr Dilipnanubhai SanghaniMinister for Agriculture, Animal Husbandry andFisheriesGovernment of GujaratGandhinagar(Gujarat) 382 010

24. Minister for HorticultureGovernment of GujaratGandhinagar(Gujarat) 382 010

145

APPENDICES

Haryana

25. Mr Harmohinder Singh ChathaMinister for Agriculture, Horticulture,Animal Husbandry and FisheriesGovernment of HaryanaChandigarh (Haryana) 160 001

Himachal Pradesh

26. Mr P K DhumalChief Minister and holding the charge of Agriculture,Animal husbandry and FisheriesGovernment of Himachal PradeshShimla (Himachal Pradesh) 171 001

27. Mr Narendra BraglaMinister of State for HorticultureGovernment of Himachal PradeshShimla (Himachal Pradesh) 171 001

Jammu and Kashmir

28. Minister for Agriculture,Horticulture and FisheriesGovernment of Jammu and KashmirSrinagar (Jammu and Kashmir) 190 001

29. Minister of Animal HusbandryGovernment of Jammu & KashmirSrinagar (Jammu & Kashmir) 190 001

30. Minister of HorticultureGovernment of Jammu & KashmirSrinagar 190 001

Jharkhand

31. Mr Nalin SorenMinister of Animal Husbandry, Horticulture and FisheriesGovernment of JharkhandRanchi (Jharkhand) 834 002

Karnataka

32. Mr Krishna PalemarMinister of FisheriesGovernment of Karnataka, Vidhan SoudhaBangalore (Karnataka) 560 001

33. Dv Revu Naik BelamagiMinister for Animal HusbandryGovernment of Karnataka, Vidhan SoudhaBangalore (Karnataka) 560 001

34. Mr S K BelubbiMinister for HorticultureGovernment of KarnatakaBangalore 560 001

35. Mr S A RavindranathMinister for AgricultureGovernment of Karnataka, Vidhan SoudhaBangalore (Karnataka) 560 001

Kerala

36. Mr Mullakkara RatnakaranMinister for Agriculture & Coir including Animal

Husbandry and HorticultureGovernment of KeralaThriuvananthapuram(Kerala) 695 001

37. Mr S SharmaMinister of FisheriesGovernment of KeralaThiruvananthapuram (Kerala) 695 001

Madhya Pradesh

38. Minister for AgricultureGovernment of Madhya PradeshBhopal (Madhya Pradesh) 423 006

39. Minister for FisheriesGovernment of Madhya PradeshBhopal (Madhya Pradesh) 423 006

40. Minister for Animal HusbandryGovernment of Madhya PradeshBhopal (Madhya Pradesh) 423 006

41. Minister for HorticultureGovernment of Madhya PradeshBhopal (Madhya Pradesh) 432 006

Maharashtra

42. Mr Balasaheb ThoratMinister for AgricultureGovernment of MaharashtraMumbai (Maharashtra) 400 032

43. Mr Haji Anees Majeed AhmedMinister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and DairyDevelopmentGovernment of MaharashtraMumbai (Maharashtra) 400 032

44. Mr Vinay Vilasrao KoreMinister for Horticulture and Non-conventional EnergyGovernment of MaharashtraMumbai (Maharashtra) 400 032

Manipur

45. Mr D D ThaissiMinister of Animal HusbandryGovernment of ManipurImphal (Manipur) 795 001

46. Mr N Loken SinghMinister for AgricultureGovernment of ManipurImphal (Manipur) 795 001

47. Mr T Phungza Thang TonsinghMinister for HorticultureGovernment of ManipurImphal (Manipur) 795 001

48. Md Alauddin KhanMinister of FisheriesGovernment of ManipurImphal 795 001

Meghalaya

49. Mr E C BamonMinister for Agriculture and Animal Husbandry &VeterinaryGovernment of MeghalayaMeghalaya SecretariatShillong (Meghalaya) 793 001

50. Dr A PariongMinister for HorticultureGovernment of Meghalaya, Meghalaya Secretariat (C)Shillong (Meghalaya) 793 001

Mizoram

51. Minister for Agriculture and HorticultureGovernment of MizoramAizwal (Mizoram) 796 001

52. Minister for Animal HusbandryGovernment of MizoramAizwal (Mizoram) 796 001

53. Minister for FisheriesGovernment of MizoramAizwal (Mizoram) 796 001

Nagaland

54. Mr Neiphiu RioChief Minister and holding charge of Horticulture andFisheriesGovernment of NagalandKohima (Nagaland) 797 001

55. Mr Chuben MurryMinister for AgricultureGovernment of NagalandKohima (Nagaland) 797 001

146


56. Mr T R ZeliangMinister for Animal HusbandryGovernment of NagalandKohima (Nagaland) 797 001

Orissa

57. Mr Surinder Nath NayakMinister for Agriculture and HorticultureGovernment of OrissaBhubaneshwar (Orissa) 751 001

58. Mr Golak Bihari NaikMinister for Fisheries and Animal ResourcesDevelopmentGovernment of OrissaBhubaneshwar (Orissa) 751 001

Puducherry

59. Mr V VaithilingamChief Minister holding charge of Agriculture, andHorticultureGovernment of PuducherryPondicherry 605 001

60. Mr T Malladi Krishna RaoMinister of FisheriesGovernment of PondicherryPondicherry 605 001

61. Mr T A NamawwirayomMinister of Animal HusbandryGovt. of PuducherryPuducherry 605 001

Punjab62. Mr Sucha Singh Lamgha

Minister of AgricultureGovernment of PunjabChandigarh (Punjab) 160 001

63. Mr G S RanikeMinister of Animal Husbandry, Fisheriesand Dairy DevelopmentGovernment of PunjabChandigarh (Punjab) 160 001

64.Minister of HorticultureGovernment of PunjabChandigarh (Punjab) 160 001

Rajasthan65. Minister of State for Agriculture, Animal Husbandry

and HorticultureGovernment of RajasthanJaipur (Rajasthan) 302 005

Sikkim66. Mr Somnath Poudyal

Minister for Agriculture Development and HorticultureGovernment of SikkimSecretariat, Gangtok (Sikkim) 737 101

67. Ms Kalawati SubbaMinister for Animal Husbandry and FisheriesGovernment of SikkimSecretariat, Gangtok (Sikkim) 737 001

Tamil Nadu

68. Mr Veera Pandi S ArumugamMinister for Agriculture and HorticultureGovernment of Tamil NaduChennai, (Tamil Nadu) 600 009

69. Mr K P P SamiMinister for FisheriesGovernment of Tamil NaduChennai (Tamil Nadu) 600 009

70. Mr P N PalanisamyMinister for Animal HusbandryGovernment of Tamil NaduChennai (Tamil Nadu) 600 009

Tripura71. Mr Aghore Debbarma

Minister for Agriculture, Animal Husbandry andHorticultureCivil Secretariat, Government of TripuraAgartala (Tripura) 799 001

72. Mr Khagentra JamatiaMinister for FisheriesGovernment of TripuraAgartala (Tripura) 799 001

Uttarakhand73. Mr Trivendra Singh Rawat

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Animal HusbandryGovernment of UttarakhandDehradun (Uttranchal)Uttarakhand

74. Mr Ajay TamtaMinister of HorticultureGovernment of UttarakhandDehradun

Uttar Pradesh

75. Mr Lakshmi NarayanMinister for AgricultureGovernment of Uttar PradeshLucknow (Uttar Pradesh) 226 001

76. Dr Awadhpal Singh YadavMinister for Animal HusbandryGovernment of Uttar PradeshLucknow (Uttar Pradesh) 226 001

77. Mr Narayan SinghMinister for HorticultureGovernment of Uttar PradeshLucknow (Uttar Pradesh) 226 001

78. Mr Dharm Raj NishadMinister of FisheriesGovernment of Uttar PradeshLucknow (Uttar Pradesh) 226 001

West Bengal

79. Mr Naren DeMinister for AgricultureGovernment of West Bengal Writers’ BuildingKolkata (West Bengal) 700 001

80. Mr Anisur RahmanMinister for Animal Resources DevelopmentGovernment of West BengalKolkata, (West Bengal) 700 001

81. Mr Kironmoy NandaMinister for FisheriesGovernment of West BengalKolkata (West Bengal) 700 001

82. Minister for HorticultureGovernment of West BengalWriters BuildingKolkata (West Bengal) 700 001

(vi) Member of Planning Commission, Incharge ofAgriculture

83. Mr Abhijit SenMember (Agriculture), Planning CommissionYojana BhavanNew Delhi

(vii) Six members of Parliament (Four elected byLok Sabha and two elected by Rajya Sabha)

84. Vacant85. Mr Sharad Anantrao Joshi 04.07.2010

Member of Parliament (RS)Angar Mala, Village Ambethan, Taluk khed,Distt Pune and12-A Meena Bagh,New Delhi 110 001

147

APPENDICES

86. Mr Mahdevrao Shivankar Till the expiry ofMember of Parliament (LS), term in theAmgaon, Distt. Gondia 441 902 Lok SabhaMaharashtra, and B-603, MS Flats,BKS Marg, New Delhi 110 001

87. Mr K Manvendra Singh, -do-Member of Parliament (LS)Amagarh House, Dampier Nagar, Mathura,Uttar Pradesh and 20, Willingdon Crescent,New Delhi 110 001

88. Mr Kishan Singh Sangwan -doMember of Parliament (LS)H. No. 563, Ward No. 4, Tehsil Road,Gohana, Sonepat 131 001 Haryana and18, Dr Rajendra Prasad Road,New Delhi 110 001.

89. Mr V K Thummar -do-Member of Parliament (LS)Amrut Complex, Station Road,Amreli 365 601 Gujarat and7, H C Mathur Lane, New Delhi 110 001

(viii) Director-General, ICAR

90. Dr Mangala RaiDirector-General, ICARKrishi Bhavan, New Delhi 110 001

(ix) All Secretaries in the Ministry of Agriculture

91. Mr T Nanda KumarSecretary (Agriculture and Co-operation)Ministry of Agriculture, Department of Agriculture,Krishi Bhavan,New Delhi 110 001

92. Ms N GokulramSecretary (ADF)Krishi Bhavan,New Delhi 110 114

(x) Secretary, Planning Commission

93. Mr Sabas PaniSecretary, Planning CommissionYojana Bhavan, New Delhi 110 001

(xi) Secretary, Department of Biotechnology

94. Mr M K BhanSecretaryDepartment of BiotechnologyCGO Complex, New Delhi 110 003

(xii) Director-General, Council of Scientific and IndustrialResearch, Anusandhan Bhawan, New Delhi 110 001

95. Prof S K BrahmachariDirector GeneralCouncil of Science and Industrial ResearchAnusandhan Bhawan, New Delhi 110 001

(xiii) Chairman, University Grants Commission

96. Dr S K ThoratChairman, University Grants CommissionBahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi

(xiv) Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission (or Director,Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, if nominated bythe Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission)

97. Mr Anil KhakodkarChairman, Atomic Energy Commission and Secretaryto the Government of IndiaDepartment of Atomic EnergyAnushakti Bhavan, Chhatrapati ShivajiMaharaj Marg, Mumbai 400 039

(xv) Member, Finance (Secretary/Additional Secretaryin the Ministry of Finance), Government of India,Alternate Member—Financial Adviser (DARE/ICAR)

98. Ms Rita MenonSpecial Secretary to the Government of IndiaMinistry of Finance, Department of ExpenditureNew Delhi 110 001

(xvi) Four Vice-Chancellors of the AgriculturalUniversities nominated by the President

99. Dr Vijay Mehta 9.4.2010Vice-ChancellorDr Balasaheb Sawant KonkanKrishi Vidyapeeth, DapoliRatnagiri, Maharashtra 415 712

100. Dr N N Singh 09.4.2010Vice-ChancellorBirsa Agricultural UniversityRanchi 834 006Jharkhand

101. Dr P Raghava Reddy 07.02.2011Vice-ChancellorAcharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural UniversityRajendra Nagar, Hyderabad 500 030Andhra Pradesh

102. Dr R K Samanta 29.07.2011Vice-ChancellorBidhan Chandra Krishi VishwavidyalayaDistrict Nadia 741 252West Bengal

(xvii)Five technical representatives, namely AgriculturalCommissioner, Horticultural Commissioner, AnimalHusbandry Commissioner, Fisheries DevelopmentCommissioner from the Union Ministry of Agricultureand Inspector-General of Forests, Government ofIndia

103. Dr N B SinghAgricultural Commissioner Ex-officioDepartment of Agriculture and Co-operationKrishi Bhavan, New Delhi 110 001

104. Dr M L Choudhary Ex-officioHorticultural Commissioner, Department ofAgriculture,Krishi Bhavan, New Delhi 110 001

105. Dr S K BandyopadhyayAnimal HusbandryCommissionerDepartment of Agriculture, Krishi Bhawan,New Delhi

106. Mr M K R Nair Ex-officioFisheries Development CommissionerDepartment of Agriculture, Krishi BhavanNew Delhi 110 001

107. Mr N K Joshi Ex-officioInspector-General of Forests,Government of IndiaDepartment of Environment and ForestsCGO Complex, Lodi Road,New Delhi 110 003

(xviii) Fifteen scientists from within and outside theCouncil, including one from the Indian Council ofMedical Research nominated by the President

108. Dr M V Gupta 9.4.2010C- 502, Aditya EliteB.S. Maktha, SomajigudaH.No. 6-3-1119, Hyderabad 500 016(Andhra Pradesh)

148


109 Dr T J Pandian 9.4.2010Former National ProfessorMadurai Kamaraj University9, Old Natham RoadMadurai- 625 014(Tamil Nadu)

110 Prof Sudhir K Sapori 9.4.2010Group LeaderInternational Centre for GeneticEngineering and Biotechnology,Near JNU Campus, Aruna Asaf Ali Road,New Delhi 110 067

111 Dr N Panda 9.4.2010Plot No. 62/63, Opp. Unit 8,Boy's Singh SchoolP.O. Baramunda,Bhubaneshwar 751 003 (Orissa)

112. Dr N N Goswami 9.4.2010JD 20D, Pitampura,Delhi- 110 088

113. Dr T C Thakur 9.4.2010National ProfessorCollege of TechnologyGB Pant University ofAgriculture & TechnologyPantnagar 263 145Distt. Udham Singh Nagar (Uttarakhand)

114. Dr Gyanendra Singh 9.4.2010Vice-ChancellorMahatama Gandhi Chitrakoot GramodayaVishwavidyalayaChitrakoot Distt. Satna 485 331(Madhya Pradesh)

115. Dr M Mahadevappa 9.4.2010Former-ChairmanAgricultural Scientists Recruitment Board1576, Ist Cross, Chandra LayoutBangalore 560 040

116. Dr J B Chowdhary 01.07.2010906, Sumeru TowersKaushambi, Ghaziabad

117. Dr C D Mayee 9.4.2010ChairmanAgricultural Scientists Recruitment BoardNew Delhi 110 012

118. Dr Asis Datta 9.4.2010Former Vice-ChancellorJawaharlal Nehru University & Director,NIPGRAruna Asaf Ali Margt, JNU CampusPost Box No. 10531, New Delhi 110 067

119. Dr K Pradhan 9.4.2010Former Vice-ChancellorOrissa University of Agriculture & TechnologyH-101, Som Vihar ApartmentsR.K. Puram, New Delhi 110 022

120. Dr S S Acharya 9.4.2010Honorary ProfessorInstitute of Development Studies8-B, Jhalana, Institutional AreaJaipur 302 004 (Rajasthan)

121. Mr J N L SrivastavaFormer SecretaryDepartment of Agriculture and CooperationGovernment of IndiaKothi No. 316, Sector 17-AGurgaon 122 001 (Haryana)

Representative of ICMR122. Dr G S Toteja 08.10.2009

ScientistDivision of Reproductive Health and NutritionIndian Council of Medical ResearchAnsari Nagar, PB 4911, New Delhi 110 029

(xix) Three representatives of Commerce and Industrynominated by the President

123. Mr Gokul Patnaik 06.05.2010ChairmanGlobal Agri. Systems Pvt. Ltd.K-13 A, Hauz Khas Enclave, New Delhi 110 016

124. Mr M Manickam 06.05.2010Vice-Chairman & Managing DirectorM/s. Shakti Sugars Limited180, Race Course RoadPost Box No. 3775Coimbatore 641 018 and 149 Vasant EnclaveNew Delhi 110 057

125. Ms Megha Borase 06.05.2010PresidentFlower Growers Association20/4, Kulkarni Baug Opp. B Y K CollegeNasik 422 005 Maharashtra

(xx) One farmer from each region mentioned in Rule 60(a)and four representatives of rural interest nominated by the President

126. Prof D P Tripathi 08.06.2011C-9/9782 Vasant KunjNew Delhi 110 070

127. Mr Anand Thakur 08.06.2011At Post Vangaon, Tal. DhanuDistrict ThaneMaharashtra

128. Ms Usha Barwale Zehr 08.06.2011Maharashtra Hybrid SeedsCompany LimitedPost Box No. 78Jalna 431 203 Maharashtra

129. Mr Sudhir Kumar Bhargava 08.06.2011Agroman Systems Pvt. Ltd.25/2, Tardeo AC MarketTardeo, Mumbai 400 034

130. Ms Rinchin Droma 08.06.2011Rungkhung P.O. DirangWest Kameng Dist. 790 101Arunachal Pradesh

131. Ms Asha Kashyap 08.06.2011Village - PawarPanchayat- ThadiPost Office - ShoghiBlock-Mashobra, District Shimla 173 219

132. Vacant133. Vacant(xxi) Four representatives of Rural Interest134. Mr Sopan Kanchan 08.06.2011

Irrigation ColonyAt & Post Office: Uruli KanchanDistrict: Pune 412 202

135. Dr Chanda Nimbkar 08.06.2011DirectorAnimal Husbandry DivisionNimbkar Agricultural Research Instt.P.O. Box. 23, PhaltanMaharashtra 415 523

136. Shri D S Ananth Kumar 08.06.2011PlanterSathya Sai Estate, Mahadev Pet,Madikeri, Coorg District, Karnataka

137. Vacant

(xxi) Four Directors of the ICAR Research Institutes,nominated by the President

138. Dr O M Bambawale 9.4.2010DirectorNational Centre for Integrated Pest ManagementLBS Building Pusa CampusNew Delhi 110 012

149

APPENDICES

139. Dr K A Singh 9.4.2010DirectorIndian Grassland & Fodder Research InstituteJhansi 238 003 (Uttat Pradesh)

140. Dr B P Singh 31.01.2010DirectorCentral Avian Research InstituteIzatnagar 243 122 (Uttar Pradesh)

141. Dr K K Vass 9.4.2010DirectorCentral Inland Capture FisheriesResearch Institute, BarrackporeKolkata 743 101(West Bengal)

(xxii)Secretary, Indian Council of Agricultural Research

142. Mr A K UpadhyayMember-Secretary, ICARKrishi Bhavan, New Delhi 110 014

150


Chairman1. Dr Mangala Rai

Director-GeneralIndian Council of Agricultural ResearchKrishi Bhavan, New Delhi 110 001

Ex-officio Members

Member-Finance2. Ms Rita Menon

Special Secretary to the Government of IndiaMinistry of Finance, Department of ExpenditureNew Delhi 110 001

Secretary, Planning Commission

3. Mr Subas PaniSecretaryPlanning CommissionYojna Bhavan, New Delhi 110 001

Secretary, Agriculture

4. Mr T Nanda KumarSecretary (Agriculture and Coop),Government of IndiaMinistry of Agriculture, Department ofAgriculture, Krishi Bhavan, New Delhi 110 114

Chairman, University Grants Commission

5. Dr S K ThoratChairmanUniversity Grants CommissionBahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi 110 002

Secretary, Animal Husbandry and Dairying

6. Mr Pradeep KumarSecretary (ADF)Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying &FisheriesKrishi Bhavan, New Delhi 110 114

Secretary, Department of Biotechnology7. M K Bhan

SecretaryDepartment of BiotechnologyCGO Complex, New Delhi 110 002

Director-General Council of Scientitic and IndustrialResearch8. Prof S K Brahmachari

Director-GeneralCouncil of Scientist and Industrial ResearchAnusandhan Bhawan, Rafi Marg, New Delhi 110 001

Members

Four scientists (including one Management Expert) who arenot employees of the ICAR and are nominated by thePresident

Management Expert

9. Mr J N L SrivastavaFormer Secretary, DOACGovernment of IndiaKothi No. 316, Sector 17 AGurgaon (Haryana) 122 001

Scientists10. Dr T J Pandian 09.04.2010

Former ICAr National ProfessorKamaraj University9, Old Natham Road,Madurai (Tamil Nadu) 625 014

APPENDIX 2

GOVERNING BODY

11. Dr C D Mayee 09.04.2010ChairmanAgricultural Scientists RecruitmentBoard, Pusa,New Delhi 110 012

12. Dr Asis Datta 0.9.04.2010Former Vice-ChancellorJawaharlal Nehru University & Director,NCPGRAruna Asaf Ali MargJNU Campus, POst Boxt No. 10531NEW Delhi 110 067

Three Vice-Chancellors (nominated by the President)

13. Dr P Raghava Reddy 7.02.2011Vice-ChancellorAcharya N G Ranga Agricultural UniversityHyderabad 500 030

14. Dr R K Samanta 29.07.2011Vice-ChancellorBidhan Chandra Krishi Vishwa VidyalayaMohanpurWest Bengal

15. Dr Vijay Mehta 09.04.2010Vice-ChancellorDr Balasaheb Sawant KonkanVidyapeeth, DapoliMaharashtra 415 712

Three Members of Parliament (Two from Lok Sabha andone from Rajya Sabha) nominated by the President

16. Mr Mahdevrao Shivankar 16.08.2009Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha)Amgaon, Gundia 441 902 andB 603, MS Flats, B K S MargNew Delhi 110 001

17. Mr Manvendra Singh 16.08.2009Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha)Amgarmala House, Dambiev NagarMathura and20, Willigdon CresentNew Delhi 110 001

18. Mr Sharad Anantrao Joshi 19.06.2009Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha)Angarmala, Vill. Ambethom, Taluk Khed,Distt. Pune and12 A, Meena Bagh, New Delhi 110 001

Three Farmers/Representatives of rural areas nominatedby the President19. Prof. D P Tripathi 08.06.2011

C-9/9782 Vasant KunjNew Delhi 110 070

20. Dr Chandra Nimbkar 08.06.2011DirectorAnimal Husbandry DivisionNimbkar Agricultural Research InstituteP O Box 23, PhaltanMaharashtra 415 523

21. Mr Sudhir Kumar Bhargava 08.06.2011DirectorAgroman Systems Pvt Ltd.25/2, Tardeo A C MarketTardeo, Mumbai 400 034Maharashtra

151

APPENDICES

Three Directors of Research Institutes of the Councilnominated by the President22. Dr O M Bambawale 09.04.2010

DirectorNational Centre for Integrated Pest ManagementLBS Building, Pusa CampusNew Delhi 110 012

23. Dr B P Singh 31.01.2010DirectorCentral Avian Research InstituteIzatnagar 243 122Uttar Pradesh

APPENDIX 3

SENIOR OFFICERS AT THE HEADQUARTERS OF THE ICAR

1. Dr Mangala RaiDirector-General, ICAR andSecretary to the Government of IndiaDepartment of Agricultural Research and Education

2. Mr A K UpadhyaySecretary, ICAR andAdditional Secretary to Government of IndiaDepartment of Agricultural Research and Education

Deputy Directors-General1. Dr Puranjan Das (Agricultural Extension) up to

31.12.082. Dr A K Singh (Natural Resource Management)3. Dr S Ayyappan (Fisheries)4. Dr Nawab Ali (Agricultural Engineering) up to 31.12.085. Dr S P Tiwari (Education)6. Dr H P Singh (Horticulture)7. Dr P L Gautam (Crop Sciences) up to 31.12.088. Dr K M Bujarbaruah (Animal Sciences)

Assistant Directors-General

Crop Science

1. Dr K C Jain (Commercial Crops)2. Dr S N Shukla (Food and Fodder Crops)3. Dr T P Rajendran (Plant Protection)4. Dr N D Jambhale (Seeds)5. Dr V D Patil (OP)

Horticulture1. Dr S N Pandey (Horticulture-I) up to 31.10.082. Dr U C Srivastava (Horticulture-II)

Natural Resource Management1. Dr P D Sharma (Soils)2. Dr A K Gogoi (Agronomy)

Engineering1. Dr P Chandra (Process Engineering)2. Dr S K Tandon (Engineering)

Animal Sciences1. Dr Lal Krishna (Animal Health)2. Dr T J Rasool (AP&B)3. Dr O P Dhanda (ANP)

Fisheries1. Dr V V Sugunan (Inland Fisheries)

Education1. Dr G C Tiwari (EPD)2. Dr R K Mittal (EQR)

Extension1. Dr A K Mehta (Agril. Extn.)2. Dr Ram Chand (KVK)

ARIS1. Dr T P Trivedi

Others1. Dr J P Mishra (ESM & Co-ordinator)2. Dr K S Khokhar (PIM)3. Dr S Mauria (IPR & Policy)

Principal Scientists

Crop Science1. Dr A K Sharma (Food Crops)2. Dr C P Singh (Seeds)3. Dr Sudhir Kochhar (PB)4. Dr Sanjeev Saxena5. Dr G N Mishra

Natural Resource Management1. Dr D K Paul (IWM)2. Dr P P Biswas (Soil)

Education1. Dr S D Sharma (HRD)

Fisheries1. Dr Anil Aggarwal (Marine Fisheries)2. Dr Usha Moza

Animal Sciences

1. Dr Ranjan Gupta

2. Dr Vineet Bhasin

ARIS Unit1. Dr D K Aggarwal

Extension1. Dr A M Narula

EngineeringNil

Others1. Dr A K Bawa (DG Section)2. Dr D B S Sehra (ES&M)3. Dr Ravindra Kumar (Awards)

National Agricultural Innovation Project

1. Dr Mruthyunjaya, National Director2. Dr J P Mittal, National Coordinator3. Dr A P Srivastava, National Coordinator4. Dr N T Yaduraju, National Coordinator5. Dr A Bandhopadhyay, National Coordinator

Administration

Directors1. Mr K K Bajpai, Director (P)

24. Dr K K Vass 09.04.2010DirectorCentral Inland Capture FisheriesResearch Institute, BarrackporeKolkata 743 101 (West Bengal)

Member-Secretary25. Mr A K Upadhyay

Additional Secretary (DARE) and SecretaryIndian Council of Agricultural ResearchKrishi BhawanNew Delhi 110 001

152


2. Mr Devendra Kumar, Director (F)3. Mr H C Joshi, Director (OL)4. Mr V P Kothiyal, Director (Works)

Deputy Secretaries1. Mr J Ravi2. Mr B N Rao3. Mr Sanjay Gupta4. Mr H L Meena5. Mr A C Ghosh6. Ms Shashi Prabha Razdan7. Mr S N Mitra

Others1. Mr B N P Pathak, Legal Advisior

Agricultural Scientists’ Recruitment Board

1. Dr C D Mayee, Chairman

2. Dr N K Tyagi, Member3. Dr M J Modayil, Member4. Mr N S Randhawa, Secretary5. Mr Vikram Singh, Controller of Examination

Directorate of Information and Publications ofAgriculture

1. Dr T P Trivedi, Project Director2. Dr R P Sharma, Editor (English) and Unit Incharge3. Mr V K Bharti, Chief Production Officer4. Mr Kuldeep Sharma, Editor (Hindi) and Unit Incharge5. Mr Hans Raj, Information System Officer6. Mr S K Joshi, Business Manager7. Dr B N Chattopadhya8. Dr P Vishaki, Librarian, Krishi Bhavan9. Mr Anil Sharma, Public Relations Officer

APPENDIX 4

ICAR INSTITUTES AND THEIR DIRECTORS

National Institutes1. Dr S A Patil

Indian Agricultural Research InstituteNew Delhi 110 012

2. Dr S P S AhlawatIndian Veterinary Research InstituteIzatnagar (Uttar Pradesh) 243 122

3. Dr A K SrivastavaNational Dairy Research InstituteKarnal (Haryana) 132 001

4. Dr Dilip KumarCentral Institute of Fisheries EducationJaiprakash Road, Seven Bungalow (Versova)Mumbai (Maharashtra) 400 061

5. Dr S M IlyasNational Academy of Agricultural Research andManagement, Rajendranagar(Andhra Pradesh) 500 030

Agricultural Sciences

6. Dr R C SrivastavaCentral Agricultural Research InstituteAndaman and Nicobar Group of IslandsP B 181 Port Blair(Andamans & Nicobar Islands) 744 101

7. Dr K P R VittalCentral Arid Zone Research InstituteJodhpur (Rajasthan) 342 003

8. Dr M M PandeyCentral Institute of Agricultural EngineeringBerasia Road, Nabi Bagh,Bhopal (Madhya Prdesh) 462 038

9. Dr T A MoreCentral Institute of Arid HorticultureBikaner (Rajasthan) 334 006

10. Dr K R KrantiCentral Institute for Cotton ResearchICAR Housing Complex, Central Bazar RoadBajaj Nagar,Nagpur (Maharashtra) 440 010

11. Dr B M C Reddy up to 31.12.08Central Institute for Sub-tropical HorticultureRehmankhera, PO KakoriLucknow (Uttar Pradesh) 227 107

12. Dr Nazeer AhmedCentral Institute of Temperate HorticultureOld Air FieldRangreth (Jammu and Kashmir) 190 007

13. Dr R T PatilCentral Institute of Post-Harvest Engineering andTechnology, Ludhiana (Punjab) 141 004

14. Dr S SreenivasanCentral Institute for Research on Cotton TechnologyPB 16640, Adenwala Road, MatungaMumbai (Maharashtra) 400 019

15. Dr George V ThomasCentral Plantation Crops Research InstituteKasaragod (Kerala) 671 124

16. Dr S K PandeyCentral Potato Research InstituteShimla (Himachal Pradesh) 171 001

17. Dr B VenkateswarluCentral Research Institute for Dryland AgricultureSantoshnagar, P O SaidabadHyderabad (Andhra Pradesh) 500 059

18. Dr B S MahapatraCentral Research Institute for Jute and Allied FibresBarrackpore, Distt 24 Paraganas(West Bengal) 700 120

19. Dr T K AdhyaCentral Rice Research InstituteCuttack (Orissa) 753 006

20. Dr Gurbachan SinghCentral Soil Salinity Research InstituteZarifa Farm, Kachwa RoadKarnal (Haryana) 132 001

21. Dr V N ShardaCentral Soil and Water Conservation Research andTraining Institute, 218 Kaulagarh RoadDehradun (Uttaranchal) 248 195

22. Dr V KrishnamurthyCentral Tobacco Research InstituteRajahmundry (Andhra Pradesh) 533 105

23. Dr S K NaskarCentral Tuber Crops Research Institute, PB 3502Sreekariyam, Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) 695 017

24. Dr V S KorikanthimathICAR Research Complex for Goa,Ela, Old Goa (Goa) 403 402

25. Dr M A KhanICAR Research Complex for Eastern RegionWalmi Complex, Phulwari SharifPatna (Bihar) 801 505

26. Dr S V NgachanICAR Research Complex for North-EasternHills RegionUmiam (Meghalaya) 793 103

27. Dr V K BhatiaIndian Agricultural Statistics Research InstituteLibrary Avenue, Pusa CampusNew Delhi 110 012

153

APPENDICES

28. Dr K A SinghIndian Grassland and Fodder Research InstitutePahuj Dam, Gwalior-Jhansi RoadJhansi (Uttar Pradesh) 284 003

29. Dr Meenakshi SrinivasIndian Institute of Horticultural ResearchP.O. Hassaraghatta LakeBangalore (Karnataka) 560 089

30. Dr Masood AliIndian Institute of Pulses ResearchKanpur (Uttar Pradesh) 208 024

31. Dr A Subba RaoIndian Institute of Soil ScienceNabi Bagh, Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh) 462 038

32. Dr V A ParthasarathyIndian Institute of Spices ResearchP B 1701, P O MarikunnuKozhikode (Kerala) 673 012

33. Dr R L YadavIndian Institute of Sugarcane ResearchP O DilkushaLucknow (Uttar Pradesh) 226 002

34. Dr Bangali BabooIndian Institute of Natural Resins and GumsNamkum, Ranchi (Jharkhand) 834 010

35. Dr Mathura RaiIndian Institute of Vegetable ResearchP.B. 01, P.O. JakhiniShahanshapur, Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh) 221 305

36. Dr S K BhattacharyyaNational Institute of Research on Jute andAllied Fibre Technology12 Reagent ParkCalcutta (West Bengal) 700 040

37. Dr N Vijayan NairSugarcane Breeding InstituteCoimbatore (Tamil Nadu) 641 007

38. Dr H S GuptaVivekananda Parvatiya Krishi Anusandhan SansthanAlmora (Uttar Pradesh) 263 601

Animal Sciences and Fisheries

39. Dr B P SinghCentral Avian Research InstituteIzatnagar (Uttar Pradesh) 243 122

40. Dr R K SethiCentral Institute for Research on BuffaloesSirsa Road, Hisar (Haryana) 125 001

41. Dr M C SharmaCentral Institute for Research on GoatsMakhdoom, Mathura, (Uttar Pradesh) 281 122

42. Dr K K VassCentral Inland Capture Fisheries Research InstituteBarrackpore (West Bengal) 743 101

43. Dr A G PonniahCentral Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture75 Santhome High RoadR A Puram, Chennai (Tamil Nadu) 600 028

44. Dr B Meena KumariCentral Institute of Fisheries TechnologyWillingdon Island, P O MatsyapuriCochin (Kerala) 682 029

45. Dr A E EknathCentral Institute of Freshwater AquacultureKausalyaganga, Bhubaneshwar (Orissa) 751 002

46. Dr G Syda RaoCentral Marine Fisheries Research InstituteP B 1603, Tatapuram, Kochi (Kerala) 682 018

47. Dr S A KarimCentral Sheep and Wool Research InstituteAvikanagar, District TonkVia Jaipur (Rajasthan) 304 501

48. Dr K T SampathNational Institute of Animal Nutrition and PhysiologyAdugodi, Bangalore (Karnataka) 560 030


1. Prof D K AroraNational Bureau of Agriculturally ImportantMicro-organismsPB No. 6, KusmaurMau Nath BhanjanUttar Pradesh 275 101

2. Dr S K SharmaNational Bureau of Plant Genetic ResourcesFCI Building, Pusa, New Delhi 110 012

3. Dr Dipak SarkarNational Bureau of Soil Survey andLand Use PlanningP B 426, Shankar Nagar, Amravati RoadNagpur (Maharashtra) 440 010

Animal Sciences

4. Dr P K JoshiNational Bureau of Animal Genetic ResourcesPB 129, Karnal (Haryana) 132 001

5. Dr W S LakraNational Bureau of Fish Genetic ResourcesRadhaswami Bhavan, 351/28,Dariya Pur,Talkatora RoadPO DilkushaLucknow (Uttar Pradesh) 226 002

APPENDIX 5

NATIONAL BUREAUX AND THEIR DIRECTORS

154



1. Dr R J RabindraProject Directorate of Biological ControlBellary Road, P.B. 2491HA Farm Post, HebbalBangalore (Karnataka) 560 024

2. Dr M S GillDirectorate of Cropping Systems ResearchModipuramMeerut (Uttar Pradesh) 250 110

3. Dr Sain DassProject Directorate of Maize ResearchCummings LaboratoryIndian Agricultural Research Institute,PusaNew Delhi 110 012

4. Dr D M HegdeDirectorate of Oilseeds ResearchHyderabad (Andhra Pradesh) 500 030

5. Dr B C ViraktamathDirectorate of Rice ResearchHyderabad (Andhra Pradesh) 500 030

6. Dr A B MandalDirectorate of Seed ResearchKusmaur, Mau Nath Bhanjan(Uttar Pradesh) 275 101

APPENDIX 6

PROJECT DIRECTORATES AND THEIR DIRECTORS

7. Dr T P TrivediDirectorate of Information and Publications ofAgricultureKABI, Pusa,New Delhi 110 012

8. Dr Jag ShoranDirectorate of Wheat ResearchP B 158, Kunjpura Road, Karnal (Haryana) 132 001

Animal Sciences

9. Dr A K MisraProject Directorate on CattleGrass Farm Road, PB 17Meerut (Uttar Pradesh) 250 001

10. Dr R P SharmaProject Directorate on PoultryRajendranagarHyderabad (Andhra Pradesh) 500 030

11. Dr K PrabhudasProject Directorate on Animal Disease Monitoring

and SurveillanceHebbal, Bangalore (Karnataka) 560 024

12. Dr B PattanaikProject Directorate on Foot and Mouth DiseasesIVRI Campus, MukteshwarKumaon (Uttaranchal) 263 138

APPENDIX 7

NATIONAL RESEARCH CENTRES AND THEIR DIRECTORS

Agricultural Sciences1. Dr S K Dhyani

National Research Centre for AgroforestryIGFRI Campus, Pahuj Dam, Gwalior-Jhansi RoadJhansi (Uttar Pradesh) 284 003

2. Dr M M MustaffaNational Research Centre for BananaThogamalai Main Road, Thayanur PostThiruchirapalli (Tamil Nadu) 620 102

3. Dr M Gopalakrishna BhatNational Research Centre for CashewKamminje, Puttur (Karnataka) 574 202

4. Dr V J ShivankarNational Research Centre for CitrusPB 464, P.O. Shankar Nagar,Nagpur (Maharashtra) 440 010

5. Dr P G AdsuleNational Research Centre for GrapesPB No. 3, Manjri Farm PostPune (Maharashtra) 412 307

6. Dr J B MishraNational Research Centre for GroundnutIvnagar Road, TimbawadiPB 5, Junagadh(Gujarat) 362 001

7. Dr O M BambawaleNational Research Centre for Integrated PestManagementLal Bahadur Shastri BuildingIARI, Hillside Road,PusaNew Delhi 110 012

8. Dr K K KumarNational Research Centre for LitchiManchi HouseMuzaffarpur (Bihar) 842 002

9. Dr Satyabrata MaitiNational Research Centre for Medicinal andAromatic PlantsBoriavi Seed Farm,BoriaviAnand (Gujarat) 387 310

10. Dr R P Tiwari up to 31.12.08National Research Centre for MushroomChambaghat,Solan (Himachal Pradesh) 173 213

11. Dr M Kochu BabuNational Research Centre for OilpalmPedavegi (Andhra Pradesh) 534 450

12. Dr K E LawandeNational Research Centre for Onion and GarlicRajguru NagarPune, (Maharashtra) 410 505

13. Dr R P MedhiNational Research Centre for OrchidsPakyang (Sikkim) 737 106

14. Dr P Ananda KumarNational Research Centre for Plant BiotechnologyIndian Agricultural Research InstitutePusa, New Delhi 110 012

15. Dr Vilas T JadhavNational Research Centre on PomegranateC/o Centre on Rabi SorghumNH 9 Bye PassShelgi, Solapur (Maharashtra) 413 006

155

APPENDICES

16. Dr Arvind KumarNational Research Centre for Rapeseed and MustardP B 41, Bharatpur(Rajasthan) 321 303

17. Dr M M AnwarNational Research Centre for Seed SpicesTabiji, Ajmer (Rajasthan) 305 206

18. Dr N SeetharamaNational Research Centre for SorghumRajendranagarHyderabad (Andhra Pradesh) 500 030

19. Dr G S Chauhan up to 31.12.08National Research Centre for SoybeanBhawerkua Farm, Khandwa Road,Indore (Madhya Pradesh) 452 017

20. Dr Ashwani KumarWater Technology Centre for Eastern RegionChandrasekharpur,Bhubaneshwar (Orissa) 751 023

21. Dr J G VarshneyNational Research Centre for Weed ScienceMaharajpur, AdhartalJabalpur (Madhya Pradesh) 482 004

Animal Sciences and Fisheries22. Dr K M L Pathak

National Research Centre on CamelJorbeer, PB 07Bikaner (Rajasthan) 334 001

23. Dr A K GuptaNational Research Centre for EquinesSirsa Road, Hisar (Haryana) 125 001

24. Dr N KondaiahNational Research Centre on Meat andMeat ProductsCRIDA Campus, SantosnagarHyderabad (Andhra Pradesh) 500 059

25. Dr Chandan RajkhowaNational Research Centre for MithunICAR Research ComplexJharnapani, Medziphema (Nagaland) 797 106

26. Dr Anuprata DasNational Research Centre for PigsPanjabari Road, 6th Mile, Guwahati (Assam) 785 037

27. Dr Mohan BhattacharyaNational Research Centre on YakWest Kemeng, Dirang (Arunachal Pradesh) 790 101

28. Dr P C MahantaDirectorate of Cold Water Fisheries ResearchNainital (Uttarakhand) 263 136

General29. Dr P K Joshi

National Centre for Agricultural Economics andPolicy ResearchLibrary Avenue, Pusa, New Delhi 110 012

30. Dr (Ms) Krishna SrinathNational Research Centre for Women in Agriculture1199, JagamaraBhubaneshwar (Orissa) 751 030

APPENDIX 8

A. ALL-INDIA CO-ORDINATED RESEARCH PROJECTS AND PROJECT/NETWORK CO-ORDINATORS

Crop Sciences1. Dr B Mallik

Network Co-ordinator (Acarology)UASGKVK, Hebbal, Bangalore (Karnataka) 560 065

2. Dr D KumarProject Coordinator (Arid Legumes)CAZRIJodhpur (Rajasthan) 342 003

3. Dr D M HegdeProject Co-ordinator (Castor)Directorate of Oilseeds ResearchRajendranagar, Hyderabad (Andhra Pradesh) 500 030

4. Dr N Gopala KrishanProject Co-ordinator (Cotton)CICR Research Station, PO Lawley Road,Coimbatore(Tamil Nadu) 641 003

5. Dr N P SinghProject Co-ordinator (Chickpea)Indian Institute of Pulses ResearchKalyanpur, Kanpur (Uttar Pradesh) 208 024

6. Dr S A FaruquiProject Co-ordinator (Forage Crops)Indian Grassland and Fodder Research InstitutePO Pahuj Dam, Jhansi-Gwalior RoadJhansi (Uttar Pradesh) 284 003

7. Dr J B MisraProject Coordinator (Groundnut)NRC on GroundnutJunagarh(Gujarat) 362 001

8. Dr R K LakraProject Co-ordinator (Honeybees and Pollinators)Division of EntomologyCCS Haryana Agricultural UniversityHisar (Haryana) 125 004

9. M K SinhaNetwork Co-ordinator (Jute and Allied fibres)Central Research Institute for Jute and Allied FibresBarrackpore (West Bengal) 700 120

10. Dr R L SrivastavaProject Co-ordinator (Linseed)CSA University of Agriculture and TechnologyKanpur(Uttar Pradesh) 208 002

11. Dr Sain DassProject Co-ordinator (Maize)Directorate of Maize ResearchNew Delhi 110 012

12. Dr B B SinghProject Co-ordinator (MULLARP)Indian Institute of Pulses ResearchKalyanpur, Kanpur(Uttar Pradesh) 208 024

13. Dr R K JainProject Co-ordinator (Nematodes)Division of NematologyIndian Agricultural Research Institute, PusaNew Delhi 110 012

14. Dr V Vasudeva RaoProject Co-ordinator (Ornithology)ANGRAU, RajendranagarHyderabad (Andhra Pradesh) 500 030

156


15. Dr I S KhairwalNetwork Co-ordinator (Pearl Millet)Agricultural Research Station, RAU, MandoreJodhpur (Rajasthan) 342 304

16. Dr K K SharmaNetwork Coordinator (Pesticide Residues)Division of Agricultural Chemicals, LBS BuildingIndian Agricultural Research Institute, PusaNew Delhi 110 012

17. Dr N D MajumdarProject Co-ordinator (Pigeonpea)Indian Institute of Pulses ResearchKalyanpur, Kanpur (Uttar Pradesh) 208 024

18. Dr D M HegdeProject Coordinator (Safflower and Sunflower)Directorate of Oilseeds ResearchHyderabad, Andhra Pradesh 500 030

19. Dr S S DuhoonProject Co-ordinator (Sesame and Niger)JNKVV, Jabalpur (Madhya Pradesh) 482 004

20. Dr S SeetharamaProject Co-ordinator (Sorghum)National Research Centre for SorghumRajendranagar, Hyderabad (Andhra Pradesh) 500 030

21. Dr K T Krishne GowdaProject Co-ordinator (Small Millets)University of Agricultural SciencesGKVK Campus, Bangalore (Karnataka) 560 065

22. Dr G S ChauhanProject Co-ordinator (Soybean)NRC on SoybeanIndore (MP) 452 017

23. Dr O K SinhaProject Co-ordinator (Sugarcane)Indian Institute of Sugarcane ResearchLucknow (Uttar Pradesh) 226 002

24. Dr B C ViraktamathProject Coordinator (Rice)Directorate of Rice ResearchHyderabad, Andhra Pradesh 500 030

25. Dr Arvind KumarProject Co-ordinator (Rapeseed Mustard)NRCRM, SewarBharatpur (Rajasthan) 321 303

26. Dr R S TripathiProject Co-ordinator (Rodent Control)CAZRI, Jodhpur (Rajasthan) 342 003

27. Dr V KrishnamurthyProject Co-ordinator (Tobacco)CTRI, Rajamundry (Andhra Pradesh) 533 105

28. Dr R P DuaNetwork Co-ordinator (Under-utilized crops)NBPGR, Pusa, New Delhi 110 012

29. Dr Jag ShoranProject Co-ordinator (Wheat and Barley)Directorate of Wheat ResearchKarnal (Haryana) 132 001

30. Dr Y S MathurNetwork Co-ordinator (White Grubs and other soilanthropods)Agricultural Research Station, RAOJaipur (Rajasthan) 302 018

Horticulture

31. Dr T A MoreProject Coordinator (Arid Fruits)Centeral Institute of Arid HorticultureBikaner (Rajasthan) 334 006

32. Dr Satyabrata MaitiProject Co-ordinator (Betelvine and Medicinal andAromatic Plants)NRC on Medicinal and Aromatic PlantsAnand (Gujarat) 387 310

33. Dr Gopala Krishna BhatProject Co-ordinator (Cashew)National Research Centre for CashewPuttur(Karnataka) 574 202

34. Dr A S SidhuProject Co-ordinator (Floriculture)Division of Floriculture and LandscapingIndian Agricultural Research Institute, PusaNew Delhi 110 012

35. Dr R P TiwariProject Coordinator (Mushrooms)National Centre for Mushroom Research and TrainingChambaghat, Solan (Himachal Pradesh) 173 213

36. Dr S ArulrajProject Co-ordinator (Palms)Central Plantation Crops Research InstituteKasaragod (Kerala) 671 124

37. Dr P S NaikProject Co-ordinator (Potato)Central Potato Research InstituteShimla (Himachal Pradesh) 171 001

38. Dr A K MisraProject Co-ordinator (Subtropical Fruits)Central Institute for Subtropical HorticultureRahmankhera, Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) 227 107

39. Dr M AnandrajProject Co-ordinator (Spices)Indian Institute of Spices ResearchPB 170, Marikunnu, Calicut (Kerala) 673 012

40. Dr V KrishnamurthyProject Co-ordinator (Tobacco)Central Tobacco Research InstituteRajamundryAndhra Pradesh 533 105

41. Dr Meenakshi SrinivasProject Co-ordinator (Tropical Fruits)Indian Institute of Horticultural ResearchHessarghatta Lake PostBangalore (Karnataka) 560 089

42. Dr M S PalaniswamiProject Co-ordinator (Tuber Crops), Regional Stationof the Central Tuber Crops Research InstituteThiruvananthapuram (Kerala) 695 017

43. Dr Mathura RaiProject Co-ordinator (Vegetables)Indian Institute of Vegetable ResearchVaranasi (Uttar Pradesh) 221 005

Natural Resource Management44. Dr G G S N Rao

Project Co-ordinator (Agricultural Meteorology)CRIDA CampusSantoshnagarHyderabad (Andhra Pradesh) 500 059

45. Dr D L N RaoNetwork Co-ordinator (Bio-fertilizers)Indian Institute of Soil ScienceBhopal (Madhya Pradesh) 462 038

46. Dr S K DhyaniProject Co-ordinator (Agroforestry)National Research Centre on AgroforestryJhansi(Uttar Pradesh) 284 003

47. Dr M S GillProject Co-ordinator (Cropping Systems Research)Project Directorate of Cropping Systems ResearchModipuram, Meerut (Uttar Pradesh) 250 110

48. Dr P K MishraProject Co-ordinator (Dryland Agriculture)CRIDA Campus, SantoshnagarHyderabad(Andhra Pradesh) 500 059

157

APPENDICES

49. Dr Muneshwar SinghProject Co-ordinator (Long-term Fertilizer Experiments)Indian Institute of Soil ScienceBhopal(Madhya Pradesh) 462 038

50. Dr S K GuptaProject Co-ordinator (Management of Salt-affectedSoils and Saline Water in Agriculture)Central Soil Salinity Research InstituteKarnal(Haryana) 132 001

51. Dr Mahavir SinghProject Co-ordinator (Micronutrients andSecondary Nutrients and Pollutant Elements inSoils and Plants)Indian Institute of Soil ScienceBhopal(Madhya Pradesh) 462 038

52. Dr Ashwani KumarProject Co-ordinator (Optimization of GroundWater Utilization)Khurda, Bhubaneshwar(Orissa) 751 023

53. Dr Y MuralidharuduProject Co-ordinator (Soil Test and Crop Response)Indian Institute of Soil ScienceBhopal (Madhya Pradesh) 462 038

54. Dr Ashwani KumarProject Co-ordinator (Water Management)WTC for Eastern RegionBhubaneshwar (Orissa) 751 023

55. Dr J G VashneyProject Co-ordinator (Weed Control)National Research Centre for Weed ScienceAdhartalJabalpur (Madhya Pradesh) 482 004

Engineering and Technology

56. Dr P R BhatnagarProject Co-ordinator (Application of Plastic inAgriculture)Central Institute of Post-harvest TechnologyLudhiana (Punjab) 141 004

57. Dr L P GiteProject Co-ordinator (Ergonomics and Safety inAgriculture)Central Institute of Agricultural EngineeringBhopal (Madhya Pradesh) 462 038

58. Dr Surendra SinghProject Co-ordinator (Farm Implements and Machinery)Central Institute of Agricultural EngineeringBhopal (Madhya Pradesh) 462 038

59. Dr S K NandaProject Co-ordinator (Post-Harvest Technology)Central Institute of Post-Harvest TechnologyLudhiana (Punjab) 141 004

60. Dr M ShyamProject Co-ordinator (Renewable Sources of Energyfor and Agriculture and Agro-based Industries)Central Institute of Agricultural EngineeringBhopal(Madhya Pradesh) 462 038

61. Dr S K RautarayProject Co-ordinator (Utilization of Animal Energy withEnhanced System Efficiency)Central Institute of Agricultural Engineering(Madhya Pradesh) 462 038

Animal Sciences

62. Dr K PrabhudasProject Co-ordinator (ADMAS)Project Directorate on Animal Disease Monitoringand SurveillanceHebbal, Bangalore (Karnataka) 560 024

63. Dr R S ChauhanNetwork Co-ordinator (Blue tongue)IVRIIzatnagar (Uttar Pradesh) 243 122

64. Dr R K SethiNetwork Co-ordinator (Buffalo improvement)CIRBHisar (Haryana) 125 001

65. Dr A K MisraProject Co-ordinator (Cattle)Project Directorate on CattleMeerut (Uttar Pradesh) 250 002

66. Dr K T SampathProject Co-ordinator (Feed Resources andNutrient Utilization)NIANPAudugodi, Bangalore (Karnataka) 560 030

67. Dr B PattnaikProject Co-ordinator (FMD)Project Directorate on Foot and Mouth DiseasesIVRI CampusMukteshwar (Uttar Pradesh) 263 138

68. Dr M C SharmaProject Co-ordinator (Goats)Central Institute for Research on GoatMathura (Uttar Pradesh) 281 122

69. Dr R S ChauhanNetwork Co-ordinator (Haemmrrhagic Septicaemia)IVRI, Izatnagar 243 122

70. Dr J K MalikNetwork Co-ordinator (Gastro-intestinal parasitism)IVRI, Izatnagar (Uttar Pradesh) 243 122

71. Dr Anuprata DasProject Co-ordinator (Pigs)NRC on PigsGuwahati (Asom) 781 037

72. Dr R P SharmaProject Co-ordinator (Poultry)AICRP on Poultry BreedingProject Directorate on PoultryRajendranagarHyderabad (Andhra Pradesh) 500 030

73. Dr B K JoshiNetwork Co-ordinator (Animal Genetic Resources)NBAGRKarnal (Haryana) 132 001

74. Dr G R PatilNetwork Co-ordinator (Process Upgradation ofindigenous milk)NDRI, Karnal (Haryana) 132 001

75. Dr A L AroraNetwork Co-ordinator (Sheep Breeding)CSWRIAvikanagar (Rajasthan) 304 501

Education

76. Dr Krishna Srinath (Home Science)NRC for WomenBhubaneshwar (Orissa) 751 001

158


APPENDIX 9

AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITIES AND THEIR VICE-CHANCELLORS

1. Dr P Raghava ReddyAcharya N G Ranga Agricultural UniversityRajendranagar,Hyderabad (Andhra Pradesh) 500 030

2. Dr M C VarshneyaAnand Agricultural UniversityAnand (Gujarat) 388 110

3. Dr B C BhowmickAssam Agricultural University, Jorhat(Assam) 785 013

4. Dr R K SamantaBidhan Chandra Krishi Vishwa VidyalayaMohanpur, Nadia (West Bengal) 741 252

5. Dr N N SinghBirsa Agricultural UniversityRanchi (Jharkhand) 834 006

6. Dr V P KanaujiaChandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture

and Technology,Kanpur (Uttar Pradesh) 208 002

7. Dr J C KatyalChaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural

University, Hisar (Haryana) 125 0048. Dr Tej Partap

Ch Sarwan Kumar Krishi VishwavidyalayaPalampur (Himachal Pradesh) 176 062

9. Dr Vijay MehtaDr Balaesahib Sawant Konkan Krishi VidyapeethDapoli (Maharashtra) 415 712

10. Dr V M MayandeDr Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi VidyapeethAkola (Maharashtra) 444 104

11. Dr K R DhimanDr Yashwant Singh Parmar University of

Horticulture and ForestryNauni, Distt Solan (Himachal Pradesh) 173 230

12. Dr B S BishtGovind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture

and TechnologyPantnagar (Uttaranchal) 263 145

13. Dr V K TanejaGuru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal SciencesUniversityPAU Campus, Ludhiana, Punjab 141 004

14. Mr Serjius MinjIndira Gandhi Krishi VishwavidyalayaRaipur (Chhatisgarh) 492 012

15. Mr Deepak Kumar PanwarHorticulture UniversityTadepalligudam (West Godavari)Andhra Pradesh

16. Dr Gautam KallooJawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwa VidyalayaJabalpur, (Madhya Pradesh) 482 004

17. Dr B K KikaniJunagarh Agricultural UniversityJunagarh (Gujarat) 362 001

18. Dr Suresh S HonnappagolKarnataka Veterinary, Animal and FisheriesSciences UniversityBidar (Karnataka) 585 401

19. Dr K R ViswambharanKerala Agricultural UniversityVellanikara, Distt Trichur (Kerala) 680 656

20. Dr Arun S NinaweMaharashtra Animal Sciences and Fisheries UniversityNagpur (Maharashtra) 440 006

21. Dr R B DeshmukhMahatma Phule Krishi VidyapeethRahuri (Maharashtra) 413 722

22. Dr S S KadamMarathwada Agricultural UniversityParbhani(Maharashtra) 431 402

23. Dr Basant RamNarendra Dev University of Agriculture

and TechnologyFaizabad (Uttar Pradesh) 224 229

24. Dr R P S AhlawatNavsari Agricultural UniversityNavsari (Gujarat) 396 450

25. Dr D P RayOrissa University of Agriculture and TechnologyBhubaneshwar (Orissa) 751 003

26. Dr Manjit Singh KangPunjab Agricultural UniversityLudhiana (Punjab) 141 004

27. Dr Pratap NarainMaharana Pratap University of Agriculture andTechnologyUdaipur (Rajasthan) 313 001

28. Dr Pranab NarainRajasthan Agriculture UniversityBikaner (Rajasthan) 334 006

29. Dr M L ChaudharyRajendra Agricultural UniversitySamastipur, Pusa (Bihar) 848 125

30. Dr R C MaheshwariSD Agricultural UniversityDantiwada (Gujarat) 385 506

31. Dr M P YadavSardar Ballabh Bhai Patel University of Agriculture

and TechnologyModipuram, Meerut (Uttar Pradesh) 250 110

32. Dr Anwar AlamSher-E-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences

and TechnologySrinagar (Jammu and Kashmir) 191 121

33. Dr B MishraSher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural

Sciences and Technology45-B, Gandhinagar, PB 37Jammu (Jammu and Kashmir) 180 012

34. Dr DVG Krishna MohanSri Venkateswara Veterinary UniversityTirupati (Andhra Pradesh) 517 502

35. Dr C RamasamyTamil Nadu Agricultural UniversityCoimbatore (Tamil Nadu) 641 003

36. Dr P ThangarajuTamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences

University, Chennai (Tamil Nadu) 600 05137. Dr P G Chengappa

University of Agricultural Sciences, GKVKBangalore (Karnataka) 560 065

38. Dr J H KulkarniUniversity of Agricultural SciencesDharwad (Karnataka) 580 005

39. Dr M L MadanUP Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Veterinary and Animal ScienceUniversityMathura (Uttar Pradesh) 281 001

40. Dr Asit Kumar DasUttar Banga Krishi VishwavidyalayaPundibari, Cooch, Bihar (West Bengal) 736 165

159

APPENDICES

41. Dr C S ChakrabartiWest Bengal University of Animal and

Fishery Sciences, 68KB SaraniKolkata (West Bengal) 700 037

Central Agricultural University

1. Dr S N PuriCentral Agricultural UniversityImphal (Manipur) 795 004

Central Universities

1. Dr P K Abdul AzisAligarh Muslim UniversityAligarh (Uttar Pradesh) 202 002

2. Professor D P SinghBanaras Hindu UniversityVaranasi (Uttar Pradesh) 221 005

3. Professor Rajat Kumar RoyUpacharya, Visva BharatiSriniketan (West Bengal) 731 236

4. Prof K KannanSchool of Agricultural Sciences and RuralDevelopmentNagaland UniversityMedziphema (Nagaland) 797 106

Deemed-to-be Universities

1. Dr S A PatilIndian Agricultural Research InstitutePusa,New Delhi 110 012

2. Dr S P S AhlawatIndian Veterinary Research InstituteIzatnagar(Uttar Pradesh) 243 122

3. Dr A K SrivastavaNational Dairy Research InstituteKarnal(Haryana) 132 001

4. Dr Dilip KumarCentral Institute of Fisheries EducationJaiprakash Road,Seven Bungalows, VersovaMumbai (Maharashtra) 400 061

5. Dr R B LalAllahabad Agricultural InstituteAllahabad(Uttar Pradesh) 211 007

160


APPENDIX 10

Total number of employees in the ICAR and its research institutes and number of Scheduled Castes,Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes

Total Total Total Per cent Total Per cent Total Per centposts employees SC to total ST to total OBC to total

sanctioned in among employees among employees among employeesposition them them them

1. Scientific PostScientist 3,881 3,258 432 13.2 96 2.9 352 10.8Senior Scientist 1,651 510 62 12.1 7 1.3 54 10.5Prinicipal Scientist 749 263 45 17.1 5 2.0 18 6.8RMP Scientist 147 134 3 2.2 2 1.5 7 5.2

Total 6,428 4,165 542 13.1 110 2.6 431 10.3

2. Technical PostsCategory I 4,950 3,311 599 18.0 290 8.7 275 8.3Category II 2,798 2,567 489 19.0 168 6.5 292 11.3Category III 668 600 129 21.5 42 7.0 90 15.0

Total 8,460 6,478 1,217 18.7 500 7.7 657 10.0

3. Administration Posts(a) Directors/Dy.Secretaries 181 160 22 13.75 11 6.87 7 4.4

Under Secretaries/Sr. Admn. Officers/Sr. Accounts Officers/Admn. Officer/F&AO/Legal, PA to Chairman,ASRB etc.

(b) Asstt. Fin. & Accounts 645 574 88 15.33 38 6.22 28 4.87Officer/Accounts OfficerSection Officer/HindiOfficer/Desk Officer/Protocol Officer

(c) Assistants, UDC/PA 4,199 3,706 680 18.34 294 7.93 359 9.68AD (OL)/PS/SO/DO/JA/

Total 5,025 4,440 790 17.79 343 7.73 384 8.65

4. Supporting StaffGrade I 3,299 2,567 696 27.11 179 6.97 508 19.78Grade II 4,025 3,063 864 28.20 217 7.08 180 5.87Grade III 1,925 1,773 526 29.66 141 7.95 90 5.07Grade IV 966 889 247 27.78 104 11.69 46 5.17

Total 10,215 8,292 2,333 28.13 641 7.73 824 9.93

5. Safiwala 113 136 88 01

Auxillary post dying cadre 18 13 03

161

APPENDICES

APPENDIX 11

AWARDS

AWARD AWARDEES

Sardar Patel Outstanding ICAR InstitutesInstitution Award (2007) (i) Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Kochi,

Kerala(ii) Vivekananda Parvatiya Krishi Anusandhan Shala,

Almora, Uttarakhand

State Agricultural Universities(i) Acharya N G Ranga Agricultural University, Hyderabad,

Andhra Pradesh

Jawaharlal Nehru Award for Outstanding Crop Sciences and Crop ImprovementPost-graduate Agricultural Research (2007) (i) Dr Sanjay B Patil, UAS, Dharwad, Karnataka

(ii) Dr R Narasimman, Perunthalaivar Kamaraj KVK,Karumbapet, Puducherry

Biotechnology(i) Dr P Azhahianambi, IVRI, Izatnagar, Uttar Pradesh(ii) Dr V Girijashankar, JNTU, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh

Plant Protection including Microbiology(i) Dr P N Sivalingam, IARI, New Delhi(ii) Dr K S Shankarappa, UAS, Bangalore, Karnataka

Soil Science, Natural Resource Management and Agronomy(i) Dr C Sudhalakshmi, TNAU, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu(ii) Dr S Sangeetha Mohanty, IARI, New Delhi

Horticulture(i) Dr E Srinavasa Rao, IIHR, Bangalore, Karnataka(ii) Dr Resmi Paul, KAU, Thrissur, Kerala

Engineering and Technology(i) Dr Kundan Kumar Jain, JNKVV, Jabalpur, Madhya

Pradesh(ii) Dr Narendra Kumar Gontia, JAU, Junagarh, Gujarat

Animal Production and Veterinary Sciences(i) Dr Samit Kumar Nandi, WBUA&FS, Kolkata,

West Bengal(ii) Dr Richard Churchil, IVRI, Izatnagar, Uttar Pradesh(iii) Dr Suresh Kumar, TNVASU, Chennai, Tamil Nadu

Fisheries(i) Dr P S Asha, CMFRI, Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu

Social Sciences including Home Science, Extension andEconomics

(i) Dr Malay Naskar, University of Calcutta, West Bengal(ii) Dr S Gurunathan, TNAU, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu

N.G. Ranga Farmer Award for Diversified (i) Mr Gangaraju Venkata Ramaraju, SiddirajuAgriculture (2007) Kandrika Village, Railway Kodur Mandal, Kadapa Dist.

Andhra PradeshCrop Physiology

Panjabrao Deshmukh Women Agricultural (i) Dr C Vijayalakshmi, TNAU, Coimbatore,Scientist Award (2007) Tamil Nadu

Crop Production(ii) Dr S Vennila, CICR, Nagpur, Maharashtra

Vasantrao Naik Award for Research (i) Dr N Sahoo and AssociatesApplications in Dryland Agriculture (2007) Drs S K Jena, P Nanda, Madhumita Das,

P S Brahmanand, R K Mohanty, W T C for EasterRegion, Bhubaneshwar, Orissa

Chaudhary Devi Lal Outstanding AICRP (i) AICRP on Tubercrops Improvement,Award (2007) Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala

162


Chaudhary Charan Singh Award for Excellence (i) Dr Mahendra Madhupin Journalism in Agricultural Research & Sharad Krishi (Hindi), Jaipur, RajasthanDevelopment (2007)

ICAR Awards for outstanding Interdisciplinary Crop ImprovementTeam Research in Agriculture and Allied Sciences (i) Dr S K Garg and team, NCIPM, New Delhifor the Biennium (2005–06) (ii) Dr H S Gupta, VPKAS, Almora, Uttarakhand

Natural Resource Management(i) Dr Tapas Bhattacharya and team, NBSSLUP, Nagpur,

MaharashtraHorticulture

(i) Dr George V Thomas and team, CPCRI, Kasargod,Kerala

Engineering(i) Dr Sanjeev Kumar Tyagi and team, CIPHET, Ludhiana,

Punjab

Animal Production and Health(i) Dr R K Singh and team, IVRI, Nainital

Mukteswar, Uttarakhand(ii) Dr Raj Narayan and team, CARI, Izatnagar Uttar Pradesh

Social Sciences and Home Science(i) Dr K Abraham and team, CALPI, New Delhi

Fisheries(i) Dr J R Jena and team, CIFA, Bhubaneshwar, Orissa

Jagjivan Ram Kisan Puraskar (2007) Crop Production(i) Mr Mekala Lakshmi Narayana, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh

Livestock, Poultry, Fish Farming(i) Mr Dada Sadhu Boadke, Solapur District, Maharashtra

Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed Award for outstandingAgricultural Research in Tribal Areas for Biennium Agricultural Sciences(2006-07) (i) Dr Chandra Bhushan Pandey, Dr S Ghoshal Choudhuri

and Dr Maharani Din, CARI, Port Blair, Andaman andNicobar Islands

Animal Sciences(i) Dr Mohan Mondal and Dr Chandan Rajkhowa, NRC on

Mithun, Medziphema, NagalandBharat Ratna Dr C Subramaniam Award for Crop SciencesOutstanding Teachers for the Biennium (2006-07) (i) Dr K Vanangamudi, TNAU, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu

(ii) Dr Prem Dureja, IARI, New DelhiResource Sciences

(i) Dr B R Yadav, WTC, IARI, New DelhiEngineering and Food Technology

(i) Dr Satish Kulkarni, NDRI, Bangalore, KarnatakaVeterinary and Animal Sciences

(i) Dr V H Rao, S V Veterinary University, Tirupati, AndhraPradesh

(ii) Dr Veer Singh, SDAU, Baneskantha, GujaratSocial Sciences

(i) Dr S K Tewari, GBPUAT, Pantnagar, UttarakhandDr Rajendra Prasad Award for 2005-06 Crop Sciences

(i) Dr Prem Kishore, IARI, New DelhiSoil and Agronomy

(i) Dr V N Sharda, CSWCR&TI, Dehradun, Uttarakhand(ii) Dr G P Juyal, CSWCRTI, Dehradun(iii) Dr Alok Kumar Sikka, National Rainfed Authority,

New DelhiHorticulture

(i) Dr R C Maheshwari, Hindustan Science and TechnologyCollege, Farah, Mathura, Uttar Pradesh

Animal Health(i) Dr Ramesh Somvanshi, IVRI, Izatnagar, Uttar Pradesh

Animal Production(i) Dr S C Dubey, High Security Animal Diseases

Laboratory, Anandnagar, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh(ii) Dr A K Shinde, CSWRI, Avikanagar, Rajasthan(iii) Dr V N Singh, M P Livestock and Poultry Cooperative,

Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh

163

APPENDICES

APPENDIX 12

INDIAN COUNCIL OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH

Summary of Audit Observations

(C&AG Report no. CA 3 of 2008)

Non-implementation of Dairy Project

Indian Council of Agricultural Research sanctioneda pilot project Rs 4.90 crore to National Dairy ResearchInstitute for establishment of 6 dairy centres and forproviding scientific and technical support to farmers forproduction of quality milk and agricultural products.However, the objectives of the project could not beachieved due to inadequate monitoring and poorimplementation.

(Paragraph 9.1.)

Irregular payment of Island Special Allowance

Failure of Central Agricultural Research Institute, PortBlair to follow the instructions of Ministry of Finance issuedin May 2002 to regulate payment of Island SpecialAllowance resulted in payment of Rs.67.23 lakh fromOctober 2001 to March 2007.

(Paragraph 9.2)

Irregular payment of AMC charges

Indian Council of Agricultural Research paid Rs 25.04lakh towards annual maintenance contract of UPSsystems procured under a World Bank assisted project,which was required to be paid by respective institutionsto whom UPS systems were supplied. The amount wasyet to be recovered from the respective institutions/organization.

(Paragraph 9.3)

Activities of Central Sheep and Wool ResearchInstitute

Central Sheet and Wool Research Institute did nottake up any collaborative, sponsored and consultancyprojects and also did not develop transferabletechnologies finding acceptance with farmers. It failed toachieve the envisaged objectives fully, in 6 of the 7 in-house projects test checked. It also failed to put machineryin use resulting in low output. It also failed to modernizeits machinery, despite grants being given formodernization by Indian Council of Agricultural Research.

(Paragraph 9.4)

Non-operationalization of Quarantine Building

Project Directorate of Biological Control entrusted thework relating to the construction of quarantine building toCentral Public Works Department. However, lack ofproper planning and inability to rectify deficiencies in thequarantine building resulted in non-operationalisation ofthe building even after a lapse of more than 8 years andafter incurring Rs 1.65 crore.

(Paragraph 9.5)

Council’s response

Action Taken Notes in respect of paras at Sl No. 1,3 & 4 have already been furnished to Audit. In respect ofparas at Sl No. 2 & 5, the Action Taken Notes shall befurnished to Audit shortly.

Acronyms


164

AAU : Assam Agricultural UniversityAI : Artificial InseminationAICRP : All-India Co-ordinated Research ProjectAINP : All-India Network ProjectAKI : Agricultural Knowledge InitiativeANGRAU : Acharya NG Ranga Agricultural

UniversityARIC : Agricultural Research Information

CentreARIS : Agricultural Research Information

SystemARS : Agricultural Research ServiceASRB : Agricultural Scientists Recruitment

BoardAU : Agricultural UniversityAUTM : Association of Universities for

Technology ManagementBBF : Broad Bed and FurrowBE : Budget EstimateBHU : Banaras Hindu UniversityBPD : Business Planning DevelopmentBTV : Bluetongue VirusCAU : Central Agricultural UniversityCAZRI : Central Arid Zone Research InstituteCCSHAU : Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana

Agricultural UniversityCGIAR : Consultative Group on International

Agricultural ResearchCIAE : Central Institute of Agricultural

EngineeringCIBA : Central Institute of Brackishwater

AquacultureCICR : Central Institute for Cotton ResearchCIFA : Central Institute of Freshwater

AquacultureCIFE : Central Institute of Fisheries EducationCIFRI : Central Inland Fisheries Research

InstituteCIMMYT : Centro International de Mejormento de

Maize TrigoCIPHET : Central Institute of Post-harvest

Engineering and TechnologyCIRCOT : Central Institute for Research on Cotton

TechnologyCMFRI : Central Marine Fisheries Research

InstituteCMS : Cytoplasmic Male SterileCP : Crude ProteinCPCRI : Central Plantation Crops Research

InstituteCRIDA : Central Research Institute for Dryland

AgricultureCRIJAF : Central Research Institute for Jute and

Allied FibresCRRI : Central Rice Research InstituteCTCRI : Central Tuber Crops Research InstituteCTMC : Central Technology Management

CommitteeCTRI : Central Tobacco Research InstituteCU : Central UniversityDARE : Department of Agricultural Research

and EducationDAS : Days After SowingDBT : Department of Biotechnology

DDG : Deputy Director-GeneralDG : Director-GeneralDIPA : Directorate of Information and

Publications of AgricultureDM : Dry MatterDU : Deemed-to-be UniversityDWR : Directorate of Wheat ResearchEC : Electrical ConductivityEIA : Enzyme Immuno AssayELISA : Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent AssayEPN : Entomopathogenic NematodeETL : Economic Threshold LevelFAO : Food and Agriculture OrganizationFMD : Foot-and-mouth DiseaseFSH : Follicle-stimulating HormoneFYM : Farmyard ManureGBPUAT : Govind Ballabh Pant University of

Agriculture and TechnologyGCMS : Gas Chromatography Mass

SpectrometryGH : Growth HormoneGIS : Geographical Information SystemGKVK : Gandhi Krishi Vignana KendraGPA : Global Plan of ActionGPS : Global Positioning SystemGRD : General Recommended DoseHAPA : Hybridization-supplemented Apomixis

Components Partitioning ApproachHDPE : High Density PolyethyleneHF : Holstein-FriesianHPTLC : High Performance Thin Layer

ChromatographyHRD : Human Resource DevelopmentHTMA : Hair Tissue Mineral AnalysisIARI : Indian Agricultural Research InstituteIASRI : Indian Agricultural Statistics Research

InstituteICAR : Indian Council of Agricultural ResearchICARDA : International Centre for Agricultural

Research in Dry AreasICRISAT : International Crops Research Institute

for Semi-Arid TropicsICT : Information and Communication

TechnologiesIFS : Integrated Farming SystemIGFRI : Indian Grassland and Fodder Research

InstituteIGKVV : Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwa VidyalayaIIHR : Indian Institute of Horticultural ResearchIINRG : Indian Institute of Natural Resins and

GumsIISR : Indian Institute of Sugarcane ResearchInsCot : Information System on Cotton CultivarsIPGRI : International Plant Genetic Resources

InstituteIPM : Integrated Pest ManagementIPR : Intellectual Property RightIRRI : International Rice Research InstituteITMUs : Institute Technology Management UnitsIVDMD : In-vitro Dry Matter DigestibilityIVF : In-vitro FertilizationIVRI : Indian Veterinary Research InstituteJAU : Junagarh Agricultural UniversityJNKVV : Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya

ACRONYMS

165

JRF : Junior Research FellowshipKF : Karan FriesKS : Karan SwissKVK : Krishi Vigyan KendraLDPE : Low Density PolyethyleneLE : Larval EquivalentMAP : Modified Atmosphere PackagingMAS : Molecular Marker-assisted SelectionMNFB : Multi-nutrient Feed BlockMoU : Memorandum of UnderstandingMPAUT : Maharana Pratap University of

Agriculture and TechnologyMR : Moderately ResistantMW : Molecular WeightNA : Nutrient AgarNAARM : National Academy of Agricultural

Research and ManagementNADRES : National Animal Disease Referral Expert

SystemNAIP : National Agricultural Innovation ProjectNARC : Nepal Agricultural Research CouncilNARD : National Agricultural Research

DatabaseNARS : National Agricultural Research SystemNBAGR : National Bureau of Animal Genetic

ResourcesNBAIM : National Bureau of Agriculturally

Important MicroorganismsNBFGR : National Bureau of Fish Genetic

ResourcesNBPGR : National Bureau of Plant Genetic

ResourcesNCAP : National Centre for Agricultural

Economics and Policy PlanningNDRI : National Dairy Research InstituteNET : National Eligibility TestNGOs : Non-Government OrganizationsNHCP : National Herbarium of Cultivated PlantsNIANP : National Institute of Animal Nutrition

and PhysiologyNIRJAFT : National Institute of Research on Jute

and Allied Fibre TechnologyNISAGENET : National Information System on

Agricultural Education NetworkNISM : National Information Sharing

MechanismNRC : National Research CentreNRCWA : National Research Centre for Women in

AgricultureNSKE : Neem Seed Kernel ExtractNTS : National Talent ScholarshipO&M : Organization and ManagementOBCs : Other Backward ClassesOL : Other LanguagesOMP : Outer Membrane ProteinOUAT : Orissa University of Agriculture and

TechnologyPAGE : Polyacrylamide Gel ElectrophoresisPAU : Punjab Agricultural UniversityPCR : Polymerase Chain ReactionPCR-DGGE : Polymerase Chain Reaction Denaturing

Gradient Gel ElectrophoresisPCT : Patent Cooperation Treaty

PD_ADMAS : Project Directorate on Animal DiseaseMonitoring and Surveillance

PE : Pan EvaporationPG : Post-graduatePPVFR : Protection of Plant Varieties and

Farmers’ RightPSB : Phosphate Solubilizing BacteriaPTO : Power Take OffPVP : Polyvinyl PyrrolidoneQTL : Quantitative Trait LociRAPD : Random Amplified Polymorphic DNARAU : Rajendra Agricultural University/

Rajasthan Agriculture UniversityRDF : Recommended Dose of FertilizerRDN : Rumen Degradable NitrogenRE : Revised EstimateRFLP : Restricted Fragment Length

PolymorphismRH : Relative HumidityRTV : Rice Tungro VirusSAC : Space Application CentreSAUs : State Agricultural UniversitiesSBI : Sugarcane Breeding InstituteSC : Scheduled CasteSCC : Somatic Cell CountSHGs : Self-help GroupsSLTL : Soil Loss Tolerance LimitSNP : Single Nucleotide PolymorphismSOC : Soil Organic CarbonSRF : Senior Research FellowshipSRI : System of Rice IntensificationSSD : Super Saturated DesignsSSNM : Site-specific Nutrient ManagementSSP : Single SuperphosphateSSRs : Simple Sequence RepeatsST : Scheduled TribeSTMS : Sequence Tagged Micro SatelliteSVVU : Sri Venkateswara Veterinary UniversityTAI : Timed Artificial InseminationTANUVAS : Tamil Nadu University of Veterinary and

Animal SciencesTCAI : Transcervical Artificial InseminationTCP : Total Crude ProteinTDN : Total Digestible NutrientTLCV : Tomato Leaf Curl VirusTNAU : Tamil Nadu Agricultural UniversityTSS : Total Soluble Solids/SugarsTVCSC : Teaching Veterinary Clinical Service

ComplexUAS : University of Agricultural SciencesUG : Under-graduateUGC : University Grants CommissionUNCTAD : United Nations Conference on Trade

and DevelopmentUSLE : Universal Soil Loss EquationUTM : Uterine Milk ProteinVAM : Vesicular-arbuscular MycorrhizaVPKAS : Vivekananda Parvatiya Krishi

Anusandhan SansthanWBNV : Watermelon Bud Necrosis VirusWP : Wettable PowderZECC : Zero Energy Cool ChamberZTMCs : Zonal Technology Management Centres

166

Index


Accreditation 92

Acid lime 35

African horse sickness 69

Agri-horti system 13

Agricultural

acarology 58

Economics 95

Human Resource Development 87

Mechanization 81

ornithology 59

Statistics 97

Agricultural Scientists’ Recruitment Board 136

Agroforestry 13

aleuritic acid 80

Aloe vera 74

All India Co-ordinated Research Project on

Goat Improvement 42

Pigs 43

Almond 49

Aluminium phosphide 57

Animal

disease monitoring and surveillance 67

-drawn

biasi rice cultivator 81

improved puddler 81

tool carrier 81

zero till seed-cum-fertilizer drill 81

genetic resources 28

Improvement 41

aonla 23

biscuits 72

pricking machine 75

Apoptotic genes 27

Apple 40, 49

powder 75

Apricot 35

Aquatic insect control 45

Arabidopsis thaliana 39

area specific mineral mixture 60

Arecanut 50

Arid

fruits 23

legumes 34

avian flu 96

economic losses 96

Azolla 111

backyard poultry 44

bacterial blight 38

Bakers yeast 63

Banana 35, 48, 54, 73

clump removal equipment 83

Barley 31, 51

beel fisheries 71

beetroot powder 75

beneficial birds 59

Betelvine 24, 37

bioactive substances 45

Bioavailability of

micronutrients 62, 63

Bio-engineering 8

biochip 45

biocontrol

agent 21

Listeria monocytogenes, of 45

Biofertilizers 10

quality 9

Biological control 55

biomethanation system 85

Biosystematics 22

Biotechnology 38

bitter gourd 54, 73

Black pepper 37, 54

germplasm 24

blast resistance, transgenic rice 38

Bluetongue 68

Botanicals 56

Breeder seed production 39, 40

Brodifacoum 57

Buffalo 41, 60

lactoferrin gene 26

butterflies 111

Calpastatin gene 27

canoe construction 71

Capacity

building 117

farmwomen, of 106

Capture fisheries 70

Cardamom 55

carp breeding 45

Carrot powder 75

Cashew 35, 50

cassava 24, 37, 74

Castor 33, 47, 52

Cattle 41, 60

cellulases 84

Central Agricultural University 123

Chickpea 52

chicken

diseases 66

meat pickle 79

Chilli 54

Chopper type tynes 82

INDEX

167

Citrus 23, 35, 48, 53

Climate Change 15

impact on

apple 17

coconut 17

inland fishery 18

insect-host plant interaction 18

clump removal equipment for hill banana 83

Coastal aquaculture 71

Cobia fishery 71

Coconut 36, 49, 74

husk burial 112

Coldwater fisheries 28

composting 10

Commercial crops 39

continuous feed type aonla 76

Coriander 37

Cotton 39, 48

mealybug 56

micro spinning 77

crop

duration 16

Estimation Survey on Fruits and Vegetables 97

improvement 29

intensity 95

Management 46

water requirements 16

Cucumber 40

Cumin 37

Culture fisheries 70

Culturing fishes in rainfed lowland rice 46

Cutworms 57

Cyst nematode management 58

Date products 75

Department of Agricultural Research and Education 114

Design resources server 97

Desuckering for hill banana 83

Diagnostics 64

diamondback moth 55

digestibility of straws 60

District-level interface programmes 105

diversification of agriculture 95

diversified farming practice 11

DNA

barcoding of Indian fishes 28

fingerprinting 21

Drainage technologies 84

Drudgery assessment and reduction 107

e-learning module 97

e-marketing 97

e-pest surveillance 55

Early embryonic mortality 61

Eco-friendly birds 59

Egg waffle 79

Elephant-foot yam 38

electricity generation using draught animals 81

elevated CO2 16

Embryo transfer technology 63

emerging diseases 64

Emeritus Scientist Scheme 89

Empowerment

programmes 108

Women, of 106

Energy

Management 81

supplementation 60

Enhancing

egg production 64

productivity 61

Equines 69

disease surveillance 69

estrus

detection 62

synchronization protocols 63

ethanol 84

Ethnoveterinary medicine 68

ethyl ester of jatropha oil 85

Eucalyptus pest 22

Experiential Learning 88

Extension activities 105

external skeletal fixation 65

Exotic fish species 70

Farming Systems 12

modules 12

Farmyard manure spreader 83

feed blocks 62

Fenugreek 37, 50

Fennel 37, 50

Fibre digestibility 60, 61

fibrous crop residues 62

Field progeny testing 41

Fieldpea 53

Fish 28

-enriched noodles 79

meal feed 71

Fisheries 44, 70

Flowers 24, 37

Forage crops 32, 38, 46, 51

Foot-and-mouth disease 66

French fry 36

Freshwater aquaculture 71

Frontline demonstration 101, 103

fruit-vegetable bars 76

Gastrointestinal parasitism 68

Gender

disaggregated data 108

Equity, Promoting 90

Issues 106

sensitive extension model 108

Gene banking 28

General Body 114

Genetic

characterization 26

linkage mapping 28

Resources 20

genotyping 27


168

germplasm

collection 20

from other countries 20

Ginger 37, 74

goat enterprise 42, 62, 96

Governing Body 114

Granted Indian Patents 115

Grape 35, 49, 54, 73

greenhouse gases 15

Groundnut 32, 47, 51

promising resistant germplasm 51

groundwater 10

guava 23, 53

Gum 74

HACCP protocols 73

Haemorrhagic septicaemia 68

heavy metal pollution 11

henna leaves, Drying of 76

Herbal medicines 65

High-density plantation 49

Honeybees 40

Hormone-induced maternal behaviour 63

horti-land use system 13

Human resource development 117

Hypo osmotic swelling test 62

ICAR Model Act for Agricultural Universities 92

ICT 87

Impact of

climate change on coconut production 17

variability/change on apple cultivation 17

mechanization 106

Indian Council of Agricultural Research 114

Indian agriculture, growth 95

Indigenous

breeds 41

pig germplasm 25

storage structures 56

Indo-US Agricultural Knowledge Initiative 93

infectious bursal disease 66

Information, communication and publicity services 99

InfoCrop model 15

Inland fisheries 18, 70

inland fishery resources 11

Insect host plant interaction 18

Integrated

Crop Management 46

Nutrient Management 9, 50

pest management 55, 111

Water Management 8

watershed management 112

Internship Assistance 90

Intensive expert system on animal diseases 67

in-vitro Genebank 20

IPR and policy 115

Islands 111

Junior Research Fellowships 90

Jute 34, 53

Bioscouring 77

dyeing 77

retting technology 77

Krishi Vigyan Kendra 101

lac

dye 80

insects 80

production 80

lactation, Induction of 61

Lactoferrin 44

Lagascea mollis 13

Land

degradation status 7

-resource inventory 7

Large cardamom dryer 76

Lentil 53

Litchi 23, 40, 48, 73

Livestock

Improvement 41

information management 24

management 60

production 18, 64

locust outbreak 22

macronutrients 63

Mahua 73

Maize 31, 51

hybrids/composites 31

Male sterility 39

Mango 22, 34, 48, 53, 73

fruit rot 56

mangroves 11

Manpower Development 90

Manually-operated tool for de-suckering for hill banana 83

Marek’s disease virus 70

Maricream 79

Mariculture seed production 45

Marine fish landings 70

Marine fisheries 18

Marketing and Statistics 95

Maternal behaviour 63

meat products 78

medicinal/aromatic plants 60

Mega Seed Project 42

melatonin 64

Merit-cum-Means Scholarship 90

methane

emission 15, 16

production 60

methanogenic archaea 27

Micro-tubewell 8

Microbial

consortia 21

diversity 113

shift in soils 21

Microorganisms 21

role in plant protection 16

Microsatellite based genotyping 27

Microspinning of cotton sample 77

milk, adulteration 78

INDEX

169

Mithun 62

Mole plough for Vertisols 83

Molecular

characterization of pathogens/receptors 65

genetic characterization 27

markers 39

Moulting 64

Multi-enterprise agriculture model 12

Mungbean 52

Mushroom 23, 36, 50, 73

NAIP 134

NARS 87

National

Academy of Agricultural Research Management 94

Agricultural Innovation Project 134

Cashew Field Gene Bank 23

dyes 77

Fellow Scheme 91

Livestock Serum Bank 67

Professor Scheme 90

Research Centre for Women in Agriculture 106

Talent Scholarship 90

natural enemies 56

Niche Area of Excellence 87

Niger 33

Nitrate contamination 10

North-West Himalayas 109

Oil palm 24, 37

Oilseeds 39

okra 76

Onion 73

onion harvester-cum-elevator 82

Orchids 24

Organic fertilizer 62

Organization and Management 114

Ornamental jute fabric 77

Pabda 45

packed bed solar air heater 85

palm oil mill effluent 73

Papaya 48, 73

Participatory seed production 40

Partnership and linkages 122

patents granted 116

Pearl millet 32, 46, 51

Peas 49

Pesticide residues 58, 61

Pests and natural enemies 22

Phenotypic characterization 24

Phytoremediation 45

phytosanitary certificate 21

Pig 43

Pigeonpea 52

genomics initiative 39

Pink bollworm management 55

Plant

exploration 20

quarantine 21

-parasitic nematodes 57

Policy issues 118

pollination 40

polyhouse 84

Pomegranate 54

Post-harvest management 72

Potato 36

Poultry 63, 70

egg, for 43

meat, for 44

Production performance 61

psychrophilic fungi 21

puberty 60

Pulses 33, 39, 47

Thermal disinfestation set-up for 72

varieties 33

QPM Hybrids 31

Quality seed production 39

Quarg type cheese 78

Rabbit 43

Radish 40

rainfed areas 8

Raised bed maker-cum-planter-cum-cultivator 83

Rapeseed-mustard 32, 47, 52

remote sensing 11

Renewable

Energy 84

-based dryers 113

Research

set-up of the ICAR 115

tribal and hill regions, for 109

Reservoir fisheries 70

residue management 46

resistance genes 38

retting technology for jute 77

Rice 29, 38

transplanting 12

vareities/hybrids 27, 29

Ring seine fishery 70

Rise in temperature 16

river banks 8

Rodent

management 56

pest complexes 22

Rodenticides 57

rotary

no-till slit drill 83

weeder 82

Rural poultry 44

Nutrient requirements of 63

Rural Work Experience 90

rust fungus 13

Sac Brood Viral disease 40

Saccharum spontaneum 20

Safflower 33, 47, 52

sampling methodology 97

Sapota 35, 54

SAUs 87

Seed 39


170

processing 40

production technology 40

storage 40

treatment 40

self

-help group 107

-propelled lucerne harvester 82

Sesame 33

sewage irrigation 8

Sheep 42, 61

shifting cultivation 112

silk

cocoon drying 85

leaf 13

Simulated annual emissions 15

Small millets 32, 46

smallholders 95

Sodic 9

sodicity level 9

soil

arthropods 57

erosion map 7

loss tolerance limits 8

Solar

PV mobile unit 75

tunnel dryer 84

Sorghum 31

soy flour 72

Soybean 33, 47, 52

Sorghum 31

Spawning season of Nemipterus japonicus 18

Species-specific DNA markers 111

Spices 24

sprayer for mango orchard 82

Staff Welfare Fund Scheme 118

Sugarcane 34, 37, 47, 53

ratoon management 48

Sunflower 33, 47

Super Saturated Designs 91

survey data analysis 97

Sweet orange 35

sweet potato 24

System of Rice Intensification 46

Taro 37

Technical co-ordination 121

Technology assessment 101

temperature humidity index 63

Terms of trade for agriculture 95

Thai sac brood viral disease 40

tiger shrimp 44

Tobacco 34, 48, 53

as oilseed crop 34

total factor productivity 95

Trace

element status 61

mineral supplementation 63

Training programmes 104

Transgenic rice 38

Trichoderma, mass multiplication 52

Tropical fruits 23

Tuber crops 24, 50

tumba fruit 74

Turmeric 50

Underutilized

crops 32

fruits 35, 49

Urdbean 52

Vaccines 64

for classical swine fever 65

Value-addition 72

Vegetable

crops 23, 36

transplanter 82

Village-level Para Extension Workers 108

viral pathogens 45

Walnut 49

Water harvesting

surface storage, and 110

potential 8

Water

Management 11

productivity 8

weather based models 97

Wheat 30, 46, 51

genetic stocks 31

varieties 30

Whey-based oral rehydrating solution 79

white spot syndrome virus 71

Whitegrubs 57

Winged-bean 40

wood apple 23

Wool 77

Yak 63, 69

Yam bean 24

Published by Dr T P Trivedi, Project Director (DIPA), Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Krishi Anusandhan Bhawan,

Pusa, New Delhi-110 012; Lasertypeset by Xpedite Computer Systems, D-20, 2nd Floor, Ranjeet Nagar Commercial Complex,

New Delhi-1100 08 and Printed at M/s Royal Offset Printers, A-89/1, Naraina Industrial Area, Phase-I, New Delhi-110 028.

Annual Report - krishi icar

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