1

Originally established in 1905 at Pusa (Bihar) with

the financial assistance of an American Philanthropist, Mr.

Henry Phipps, the Indian Agricultural Research Institute

(IARI) started functioning from New Delhi since 1936

when it was shifted to its present site after a major

earthquake damaged the Institute’s building at Pusa

(Bihar). The Institute’s popular name ‘Pusa Institute’ traces

its origin to the establishment of the Institute at Pusa.

The Indian Agricultural Research Institute is the

country’s premier national Institute for agricultural

research, education and extension. It has the status of a

‘Deemed-to-be-University’ under the UGC Act of 1956,

and awards M.Sc., M.Tech. and Ph.D. degrees in various

agricultural disciplines.

The growth of India’s agriculture during the past more

than 100 years, is closely linked with the researches done

and technologies generated by the Institute. The Green

Revolution stemmed from the fields of IARI. Development

of high yielding varieties of all major crops which occupy

vast areas throughout the country, generation and

standardization of their production techniques, integrated

pest management and integrated soil-water-nutrient

management have been the hallmarks of the Institute’s

research. The Institute has researched and developed a

large number of agrochemicals which have been patented

and licensed and are being widely used in the country.

Over the years, IARI has excelled as a centre of higher

education and training in agricultural sciences at national

and international levels.

The mandates of the Institute are as follows:

● To conduct basic and strategic research with a view to

understanding the processes, in all their complexity,

and to undertake need based research, that lead to crop

improvement and sustained agricultural productivity

in harmony with the environment

● To serve as a centre for academic excellence in the

area of post-graduate and human resources

development in agricultural sciences

IARI : AN INTRODUCTION

● To provide national leadership in agricultural

research, extension, and technology assessment and

transfer by developing new concepts and approaches,

and serving as a national referral point for quality

and standards

● To develop information systems, add value to

information, share the information nationally and

internationally, and serve as a national agricultural

library and database

The present campus of the Institute is a self-contained

sylvan complex spread over an area of about 500 hectares.

It is located about 8 km west of New Delhi Railway Station,

about 7 km west of Krishi Bhavan, which houses the Indian

Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), and about 16

km east of Indira Gandhi International Airport at Palam.

The location stands at 28.08o N and 77.12o E, the height

above mean sea level being 228.61m. The climate is sub-

temperate and semi-arid. The mean maximum daily

temperature during the hot weather (May-October) ranges

from 32.2 to 40 oC and the mean minimum temperature

from 12.2 to 27.5 oC. June to September are rainy months

during which about 500 mm of rainfall is received. Winter

sets in from mid-November and is delightful. The mean

maximum temperature during winter (November-March)

ranges from 20.1 to 29.1 oC and the mean minimum

temperature from 5.6 to 12.7 oC. During winter, a small

amount of rainfall (about 63 mm) is received.

The Institute has 19 divisions, 2 multi-disciplinary

centres situated in Delhi, 8 regional stations, 2 off-season

nurseries, one krishi vigyan kendra at Shikohpur, 2 all

India coordinated research projects with headquarters at

IARI, and 16 national centres functioning under the all

India coordinated research projects. It has a sanctioned

staff strength of 3,041 comprising scientific, technical,

administrative and supporting personnel. The revised

budget estimates of the Institute constituted a total amount

of ` 31,681.78 lakh (Plan & Non-Plan) for the year

2012-13.

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Priortisation,Monitoring &

Evaluation Cell

PublicationUnit

AgronomyAgricultural PhysicsSoil Science & Agril. ChemistryMicrobiologyCESCRAPost Harvest TechnologyAgricultural EngineeringWater Technology CentreUnit of Simulation and Informatics

ITMU

ZTM & BPDU

Comptroller

Registrar &Jt. Director

(Admn.)

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The Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI)

continues to maintain the status of a premier agriculture

institute of the country. By using cutting-edge

technologies such as genomics and bioinformatics, IARI

has accelerated its crop improvement programmes, and

developed several crop varieties with improved yield,

quality and adaptability. The Institute has developed

resource management technologies, and pest and

disease management methods, farm machineries,

protected cultivation methods and food processing

techniques for enhancing the input use efficiency, farm

profit and environmental sustainability. The Institute’s

basic and strategic research programmes towards

development of climate smart crops have made

significant progress in deciphering genetic and

molecular bases of abiotic and biotic stress tolerance

and yield. Extension and training programs focused on

enabling youth and empowering rural women. The

salient achievements of IARI in research, extension and

education during 2012-13 are summarized below:

The School of Crop Improvement has developed

several varieties and hybrids with enhanced

productivity, quality, adaptability to different agro-

ecosystems, and inbuilt resistance to biotic and abiotic

stresses. An early maturing bread wheat variety HD

3059, possessing resistance to all the three rusts,

superior bread and chappati making qualities, and an

average yield of 4.25 t/ha was released for commercial

cultivation under late sown irrigated conditions of

North Western Plains Zone(NWPZ). In addition, a

bread wheat variety HW 5216 and a semi-dwarf

dicoccum variety HW 1098 have been released for

Southern Hills Zone, while a durum variety HI 8713

with a yield potential of 5.23 t / ha was identified for

release in the irrigated timely-sown conditions of

Central Zone. In rice, elite Basmati genotype Pusa 1509-

03-3-9-5 (IET 21960) was identified for release in the

Basmati growing regions in the states of Delhi and

western U.P., while Pusa 1612-07-6-5 (IET 22290), a NIL

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

of Pusa Sugandh 5 with Piz5 and Pi54 genes conferring

resistance to blast disease, was identified to replace Pusa

Sugandh 5. Additionally, two elite rice lines in the

background of PRR78, namely, Pusa 1601-05-1-46-1-1

(IET 22777) possessing BB resistance genes xa13 and Xa21,

and Pusa 1609-09-9-4 (IET 22778) possessing blast

resistance genes Piz5 and Pi54 were promoted to AVT

2-Basmati. Improvement of maize for nutritional quality

traits through MAS for the development of QPM, altered

starch content and rich in pro-vitamin A content is in

advance stage of development.

In chickpea, Pusa Bheema, the first extra large

seeded desi variety, and Pusa Shaktiman, an extra large

seeded Kabuli variety were released for cultivation in

Delhi and NCR Region. In addition, two more chickpea

varieties, namely, Pusa 2085, a large seeded Kabuli

variety, and Pusa Green 112, a high yielding desi green

seeded chickpea, have been identified for release in

Delhi and NCR. In mustard, Pusa Mustard 29 (LET 36),

a low erucic acid bold seeded variety with 143 days

maturity and an average seed yield of 2.17 t/ha was

found promising in NWPZ. In soybean, a medium-bold

seeded variety Pusa 14 (DS 2614) with resistance to

YMV, Rhizoctonia aerial blight and bacterial pustule was

identified for release in Delhi and NCR region.

In vegetable crops, one hybrid was released, and

one hybrid & six varieties identified for cultivation in

North Indian plains. Pusa Cabbage Hybrid 1 having

yield potential of 35-40 t/ha and early maturity (55-60

days) was released for agro-climatic zone-I and IV. A

cucumber variety, Pusa Barkha, tolerant to downy

mildew disease and having an average fruit yield of

18.8 t/ha was identified for cultivation in kharif season.

Pusa Vasuda, a CMS based tropical carrot hybrid was

identified for release for commercial cultivation. Two

varieties of radish, namely, Pusa Jamuni, a purple

fleshed variety having better root size, shape and

consumer preference with high anthocyanins and

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ascorbic acid and Pusa Gulabi, a pink fleshed variety

having medium root size, cylindrical shape with high

carotenoids and anthocyanins were identified. An onion

variety, Pusa Riddhi with compact, flat globe and dark

red coloured bulb with a yield potential of 31.6 t/ha

and suitable for export purpose was identified for

cultivation in both kharif and rabi seasons. Pusa Soumya,

the first bunching onion variety with enhanced

tolerance to pests and diseases with an average yield

potential of 26.38 t/ha was identified. A dual purpose

broad bean variety, Pusa Udit, possessing extra-long,

flat and light green pods with good taste and a yield

potential of 17.63 t/ha was identified.

Two gladiolus hybrids, namely, Pusa Unnati and

Pusa Srijana were identified for release. Pusa Unnati

has spike length of 141 cm and rachis length of 71 cm,

whereas Pusa Srijana has spike length of 85.25 cm and

rachis length of 49.55 cm. In chrysanthemum, two

mutants, namely, TQP 061 with pink colour flower

and Pusa Kesari having saffron colour flower suitable

for both cut flower and pot culture purposes were

identified. In addition, three open pollinated varieties,

Pusa Aditya (semi double, gazania type), Pusa

Chitraksha (spray type) and Pusa Sona (spray type)

suitable for cut flower, potted plant and pot mum,

respectively, were also identified.

Several genetic stocks possessing unique

economically important traits were identified,

developed and characterized in different crops,

microbes and insects. In field crops, a total of five

germplasm lines including three in rice (INGR12002,

INGR12003 and INGR12052) and two in chickpea (IC

594869, IC 59416) were registered with NBPGR, New

Delhi. In vegetable crops, a sponge gourd line DSG 6

(INGR 12013) resistant to Tomato Leaf curl New Delhi

Virus and a predominately gynoecious line of bitter

gourd, PreGy 1 (INGR 12014) were also registered.

Three fungal species, namely, Collectrichum

gloeosporoides, C. capsici and C. musae were characterized

for inter-species differentiation by using markers

based on ITS, glyceraldehydes 3 phosphate and

-tubulin regions. A new insect species, Trogaspidia

karnatakaensis sp. nov, closely related to species pilosella

was described. A new leafhopper species, Sophonia

chandrai sp. nov., was described from Tupul, Manipur

and Chudania axona has been recorded from Umkiang,

Meghalaya for the first time.

The School of Crop and Resource Management and

Environment developed several agrotechniques for

improving resource use efficiency, profitability and

environmental health. Cropping system analysis

showed that cotton-wheat system is superior to

pigeonpea-wheat and maize-wheat systems in terms

of maize equivalent yield, system productivity and

net returns. All the three crops performed better when

grown on zero-till with residue as compared with

conventional-till flat bed system. Zero-till broad-bed

with residues resulted in significantly higher soil

organic carbon (SOC), particularly at the surface (0-5

cm) layers in soil. Summer mungbean (SMB) followed

by incorporation of its residue in direct seeded rice

(DSR), and then rice residue retained on the surface in

zero-till wheat (ZTW) resulted in rice yield similar to

transplanted rice (TPR), and wheat yield significantly

higher than the conventional tilled wheat (CTW). The

SMB-DSR-ZTW system resulted in significantly higher

system crop productivity, water productivity, energy

productivity, net returns and B:C ratio than TPR-CTW

or ZTW. The system productivity analysis of soybean-

based cropping systems revealed that soybean-

chickpea-fodder sorghum is the best with highest

soybean equivalent yield (7.9 t/ha/year) followed by

soybean-wheat-mungbean system. In terms of maize

grain equivalent yield, maize/soybean-garden pea–

sunflower system was found to be more productive

and profitable, followed by maize/soybean-potato–

sunflower system. Conservation agriculture practices,

namely, zero tillage - bed planting and zero tillage –

conventional flat planting increased the SOC by 13

and 11%, respectively, as compared to conventional

tillage with bed planting in top 0-5 cm soil layer.

Precision irrigation and fertilizer application

methods were developed in order to enhance the water

and nutrient use efficiency, and reduce the input cost in

different crops. Fertigation at every alternate day

increased the yield of kharif onion by about 15 % as

compared with fertigation once in a week. Fertigation

with drip irrigation enhanced the yield of pigeonpea by

39.3 % as compared with conventional fertilizer

application with drip irrigation. Nitrogen fertilizer

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application based on a SPAD value of <42 resulted in

significantly higher grain (5.24 t/ha) and straw (9.08 t/ha)

yields in rice as compared with yields obtained by N

application based soil testing or a SPAD value of <40. The

SPAD value <42 based N applications also saved 20-40 kg

N/ha and increased the water productivity. The net returns

from sweet pepper could be increased by `30,000 per ha

(21%) by enhancing nitrogen dose by 25% as compared to

the recommended dose of 320 kg/ha nitrogen. The

additional cost involved is only `200. With this method,

average yield of 62.2 t/ha was obtained in sweet pepper.

Water saving techniques, namely, partial root zone deficit

and regulated deficit irrigation with low pressure drip

fertigation were developed for cultivation of tomato under

naturally ventilated greenhouse. These techniques saved

about 50% water and yielded good quality tomato of more

than 10 kg per plant.

Solar energy operated greenhouse with fan-pad

cooling system and low pressure drip fertigation

system was designed and developed. Method for

growing parthenocarpic cucumber under naturally

ventilated polyhouse during off-season was developed.

Among the parthenocarpic varieties of cucumber, Kian

was identified as the best as it was ready for first

harvest within 33 days and produced fruit yield of

2.15 kg/plant (7.58 t/1000 m2). Plastics mulching

method was developed which enhanced fruit yield of

cucumber by 40-50%. Silver mulch was found to be

better for producing high quality flowers, bulbs and

bulblets in tuberose under drip system. Similarly

silver mulch enhanced plant growth and bloom

quality in marigold for seed production.

To utilize the large quantities of sewage water for

agricultural purpose,water treatment methods were

standardized. The pollutant mass reduction efficiency

of the gravel based wetland systems were found to be

associated with significantly higher (1.2 to 1.6 times)

BOD, turbidity, nitrate, sulphate, K, RSC, phosphate,

nickel and lead removal efficiencies. Lead followed by

iron, nickel and manganese in treated sewage waters

contributed maximum to the consumer health risk.

Levels of these heavy metals were significantly

reduced in the Acorus calamus and Phragmites karka treated

sewage waters. Further, the overall metal health

hazard due to the consumption of wheat grains

produced with untreated waste water irrigation was

about 1.6 times higher as compared with paddy

produced with treated waste water irrigation.

IARI developed new farm machineries required for

mechanization and timely farm operations. A two bed

and eight-row carrot planter was designed and

developed for precise planting of carrot seeds on raised

beds with a ridge height of 20 cm. A prototype of a two

bed harvester was designed and developed for harvesting

carrot grown on raised bed. The width of coverage of the

carrot harvester is 2000 mm and it is adjustable as per

harvesting width requirement. A 9-row tractor operated

garlic planter was developed for planting garlic cloves.

A 4-row tractor operated garlic harvester was designed

and demonstrated to be efficient with crop harvesting

percentage and bulb damage percentage of 96.12% and

5.94%, respectively, in sandy loam soils. The manually

operated vegetable seed extractor was modified to use

solar energy for operation.

Food processing techniques have been developed

to produce nutritionally rich ready-to-eat pearl pop,

soy biscuits and aonla crackers. The pearl pop is rich in

total antioxidants (15.47 mole Trolox /100g) and

micro-nutrients, especially iron (50.2 ppm) and zinc

(30.1 ppm). A technique for production of soy fibre

enriched biscuits with 6.87 per cent protein and low

fat content (17 %) was developed. Low fat crackers

containing aonla and beet root powders with good

protein content (>16.0%), antioxidants (117.32 μmole/

g, ABTS assay) and flavonoids (389.1 mg/g) have also

been prepared.

Microorganisms have been explored for

production of biofilms, pigments and biomass,

composting and biofuels. Large scale biomass and

pigment production by Nostoc commune, Anabaena

variabilis and Anabaena oryzae were optimized using

photobioreactor and open trays. Phycobilin

production by Nostoc commune was highest followed

by Anabaena variabilis and Anabaena oryzae. Effective

microorganism (EM) consortium was developed for

better degradation to produce a C:N ratio of 13:1

within 60 days during summer. Paddy straw

supplemented with poultry dropping and treated with

EM consortia registered higher microbial activity, and

the compost produced by this method was free from

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phytotoxicity. The inoculation with phytate

mineralizing fungi improved the availability ofbicarbonate P in cattle manure- straw compost by 20% and FYM compost by 15 % compared to theirrespective controls. Biofilms developed usingTrichoderma viride as a matrix and Bacillus subtilis,Pseudomonas fluorescens and Azotobacter chroococcum aspartners significantly improved the germination,growth, nutrient uptake, and yield attributes of cotton.Anabaena –Trichoderma viride biofilm formulation provedmost promising for soybean, recording 12-25%enhancement in yield. A new lignolytic micromycetefungus Myrothecium roridum LG7 was isolated andselected for biological delignification of paddy strawand herbaceous weed Parthenium sp. Bio-fuelproduction potential of rice straw was estimated tobe in the range of 140 to 300 L/t of rice straw with anestimated cost of `43.0 to 48.3 /L ethanol production.

Climate change and environment research wasfocused on development of methods to reducegreenhouse gases (GHGs) emission, reduce carbon footprinting and train farmers to become climate smart.Estimation of contribution of Indian agriculture to theglobal warming and the trends in GHGs emission from1970 to 2010 revealed that Indian agriculture hascontributed 21% of total Indian GHG emissions. During1970 to 2010, GHG emissions from Indian agricultureincreased by about 10% mainly due to enhanced useof fertilizers and higher population of the livestock.Simulation studies projected that climate change mayreduce mustard and soybean yield by 2 to 2.5 % in2020 with no mitigation techniques. Improvedvarieties and better management of crop can increasethe soybean production by about 14% in future climatescenarios. Burning of crop residues in the fields ofPunjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh in North WestIndia was approximately 52.4 Mt per annum whichcontribute to emission of CO

2 (91.65 %) followed by

5.5% CO, 0.15% NOX, 0.95% non-methane volatileorganic compounds and 0.42 % non-methanehydrocarbons. Burning of rice straw contributedmaximum (51%) to these emissions followed by wheat(30.4%) and sugarcane (15.3%). Increase in pumpingefficiency from 36.5 to 50 % may decrease the Carbonfoot print (CFP) from 365 to 267 million tonnes. CFPwould increase by 11.67 million tonnes for one meter

decline in water table under specified recharge and

pumping conditions. Direct seeded rice (DSR) under

conventional or drip irrigation was found to reduce

methane emission significantly. Nitrous oxide

emission was found to increase under both the water

management practices in DSR and SRI as compared to

the conventional transplanted rice. The global

warming potential was reduced by 52% under DSR-

Drip irrigation and 57% under SRI-conventional

irrigation in comparison to the conventional flooded

control. Farmers were imparted trainings on climate

resilient technologies through demonstrations and

training programmes, and were shown the benefits of

zero-tillage based wheat cultivation, walk-in-tunnel

and low-tunnel based vegetable cultivation, net house

nursery system, IPM practices in vegetables, drip

system of irrigation, mulching and use of hydrogel.

The School of Crop Protection has developed

diagnostic methods, identified novel molecules and

validated technologies for integrated management of

pests and diseases. Genetic diversity of wheat rust

races, Fusarium spp. infecting chickpea and rice were

assessed and DNA based diagnostic markers were

developed. Virulence analysis of Magnaporthe oryzae,

Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris, Ralstonia

solanacearum and X. oryzae pv. oryzae have led to race

profiling. Recombinant protein based diagnostics

developed for Grapevine leafroll-associated virus, Garlic

common latent virus, Large cardamom chirke virus and Potato

virus S. Novel chemicals and resistance sources were

identified for integrated pest management in various

crops. Foliar spray of profenophos with cypermethrin

was found to be an effective control measure for bitter

gourd fruit fly Bactrocera cucurbitae. Novel strategies for

management of root knot and reniform nematodes

using metham sodium and biofumigation using

Brassica juncea were developed. Entomopathogenic

nematodes such as Steinernema spp. and Heterohabditis

indica were found effective against homopteran insect

pests and white grubs, respectively. Management of

insect pests and nematodes based on gene silencing

approaches using chitinases and oesophageal gland

genes, respectively, were developed.

Green chemistry approach was used to synthesize

novel chalcone and thiadiazole based derivatives

having antifungal activity. Hydrogel based combo

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formulations of Trichoderma harzianum and ZnSO4 were

developed which improved rice productivity and

managed Rhizoctonia solani. Controlled release

nanoformulations of thiamethoxam were developed

which gave significantly better control of white fly in

soybean. Decontamination methods for removing

pesticides from water using granular carbon and rice

husk were standardized. In weed management

studies, brown manuring technology was

standardized for weed management in maize. Pre-

emergence application of metribuzin followed by

propaquizafop resulted in significantly higher weed

control in soybean crop.

The School of Basic and Strategic Research made

significant progress in identification of donors, QTLs

and genes for agronomically important traits, genetic

transformation of crops, and GIS and remote sensing

methods for crop management. Genome-wide

association mapping was performed using 30K SNP

data and phenotypic data on drought stress response

of 240 inbreds of maize. Significant SNPs were

identified for ASI, grain yield and yield component

traits. SNPs identified for ASI on chromosome 1 and 7,

were mapped within the known QTLs, and several

mapped SNPs are in the stress-related transcription

factors such as MYB, ERF and NAC, suggesting their

potential role in drought tolerance in maize. Marker-

assisted backcross breeding (MABB) program to

introgress root trait QTLs in chickpea (Pusa 362 and

ICC 4958) resulted in development of 24 lines carrying

root trait QTL and 87-100% recurrent parent genome

recovery. Molecular marker OPZ 13700 linked to

gynoecious trait in bitter gourd was identified. CAPS

markers for UGPase and Invertase Inhibitor, and SSR

marker for Apoplastic Invertase were used to analyze to

identify the allelic variation in these genes and their

relationship with cold induced sweetening (CIS) with

reducing sugar accumulation in potato. Absence of

absence of UGP “B”, StInhap

-a and apINV-255 alleles, and

presence of apINV-221 allele were found to be associated

with CIS tolerance. Six new QTLs for disease resistance

in different crops have been mapped during 2012-13.

Four QTLs were identified in pearl millet for resistance

to downy mildew Rajasthan isolate (Sg 384). Two

molecular markers tightly linked to black rot resistance

locus in cauliflower were identified and validated. Two

QTLs governing charcoal rot resistance were mapped

in soybean. In chickpea, marker assisted gene

pyramiding for resistance to wilt races (foc 2, 3 and 4) in

Pusa 372, Pusa 362, Pusa 5023 and Pusa 1103 was

achieved. Leaf rust resistance was transferred from

wild relative of wheat T. militinae to bread wheat.

Phenotyping of large number of wheat germplasm were

carried out to identify donors for various traits of

drought and heat tolerance, and nitrogen use efficiency.

Screening for nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) using 110

genotypes led to the identification of efficient wheat

genotypes (EC 556434, BT-Schomburgk, PBW 394,

Arrino and Roller) which will be used for mapping QTLs

genes for NUE in wheat. Wheat genotypes with stay

green trait and drought tolerance were identified from

screening of 70 wheat genotypes from India and

CIMMYT. To identify novel proteins associated with

heat tolerance of wheat, proteomics was employed.

Proteomic analyses identified 68 differentially

expressed proteins in wheat under heat stress. MALDI-

TOF analysis of these proteins led to the identification

of some important proteins, namely, Small Heat Shock

Protein, Rubsico Small Subunit, Oxygen Evolving

Enhancer Protein, ATP Synthase and Calcium

Dependent Protein Kinase. Hyperspectral indices based

method was developed for measurement of relative

water content of rice plants under pot culture

conditions. This method can be used as high throughput

non-destructive measurement of plant water status in

large scale phenotyping for drought tolerance of rice.

The plant stress hormone abscisic acid receptor

(ABAR) genes, SNF-related Kinase 2, transcription

factor genes such as MYB and AP2, ion transporters

and HSPs have been cloned from different crops.

Genetic transformation of rice was carried out with

the ABAR6 and AP2/ERF genes for improving abiotic

stress tolerance of rice. To reduce seed phytate content,

soybean was transformed with PHYTASE (PHY) gene

under seed specific VICILIN promoter. The T0

transgenics were confirmed by PCR and Southern

analysis. qRT-PCR analysis showed the expression of

PHY transgene in the developing seeds.

Infocrop model was validated to predict grain

yield of wheat grown with four levels of nitrogen and

irrigation levels. The global warming potential, i.e.,

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the emission of green house gases (GHG, expressed in

CO2 equivalent) during wheat growth increased but

the CO2 equivalent GHG emitted per unit quantity of

grain decreased with the increase in the irrigation and

N levels. Therefore, the irrigation and fertilizer N dose

should be optimized for obtaining higher water and

nitrogen use efficiency, and minimum global warming

potential without significant yield reduction in wheat.

Time-series of remote sensing images were used to

predict wheat yield for Dehradun district by using

MODIS Terra-EVI time-series images from 2000 - 2012.

The study revealed that phenology parameter of

amplitude derived from multi-date satellite data is

much better in capturing variability in yield followed

by filtered single date EVI. A multiple regression model

with time and amplitude as independent variable was

developed (R2 = 0.83; p=0.002).

Hyperspectral remote sensing method was

attempted to distinguish wheat genotypes. Spectral

reparability analysis using stepwise discriminant

analysis and Jeffries-Matusita (J-M) distance showed

that out of the JM distance matrix for 2415 pairs of

genotypes, 378 pairs were not separable, rest of

genotypes pairs were classified quantitatively to low,

moderate and highly separable pairs. GIS based

forewarning system for white rust of mustard was

developed and validated. The old aphid prediction rule

developed earlier by IARI was modified to enhance the

accuracy. For aphid initiation, 100% flowering stage

was found to be most congenial. Tmax

and Tmin

values

greater than 20oC and 8oC, respectively, and 2-3

consecutive cloudy days provided the favourable

weather. This was validated during rabi 2011-12 and

2012-13.

The School of Social Sciences and Technology

Transfer focused their research efforts on the nature

and impact of growth and development initiatives in

agriculture, the dissemination and assessment of the

technologies generated by IARI, the promotion of

agricultural value chains, domestic market and trade

reforms, public and private investments in

agriculture, energy demand in agriculture, innovative

credit delivery systems for enhancing access to

institutional credit and designing effective training

programmes for empowering women and enabling

rural youth with entrepreneurial skills. Three major

growth trends were identified in the agricultural

sector. The first trend relates to high growth rates of

oilseeds, cotton and coarse cereals, particularly maizein recent period. The second major growth trend in

some states like Gujarat is largely the result of

institutional reforms leading to expansion in irrigation

and transfer of technology to producers. The third

major trend is the rapid growth in high-value

commodities like fruits, vegetables, livestock andfisheries. Price incentives coupled with rising demand

and strong market linkages, supported by factors like

availability of improved seeds and planting materials

have induced farmers to diversify towards these

commodities. The energy demands of the country for

the years 2016 and 2021, which mark the end of the12th and 13th five year plans, respectively, were

estimated. Direct energy demand was projected for

two scenarios, viz., business as usual (BAU) with

agriculture GDP growing at a rate of 3 % per annum

as observed in the previous decade and an optimistic

scenario of 4 % growth per annum. The demand ofdirect energy for the year 2016 was projected to be

33.33 and 41.49 million tonnes of oil equivalent (MTOE)

in the BAU and optimistic scenarios, respectively. The

direct energy for the year 2021 was projected at 47.0

and 65.30 MTOE under the BAU and optimisticscenarios, respectively. These represent an annual

average growth rate of 7–9 per cent over the current

energy consumption in the Indian agriculture.

For effective communication of farm information

and widespread dissemination of technology to the

farmers, a cyber extension model was developed andexecuted. Information on various aspects of

agriculture is regularly updated on the portal. SMS

facility for communicating relevant information on

cultivation practices, market intelligence and weather

forecasting is being extended to project locations. The

innovative measures taken by the Institute tocollaborate with post offices in the country have paid

rich dividends. The linkages with post offices for the

distribution of IARI seeds to farmers were extended to

four more locations in Jammu and Kashmir, Rajasthan,

Madhya Pradesh and Bihar. Enhancing the

entrepreneurial skills of rural youth is an importantextension activity of the Institute. An Agri-preneurial

Success Index based on profit levels, growth and

diversification, yield improvements, quality

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maintenance, recognition received and innovations

implemented is being developed. Two entrepreneurial

technical information packages on protected

cultivation and baby corn production were prepared.

A major thrust in entrepreneurship development was

placed on vegetable seed production.

Under the National Extension Programme, IARI

varieties and technologies were disseminated through

773 demonstrations in collaboration with ICAR

Institutes and SAUs at 16 locations during rabi 2011-12

and kharif 2012. Most of the IARI varieties showed

significantly higher yield in comparison to local

varieties. In an innovative model involving 25

voluntary organisations, 1415 demonstrations were

successfully conducted for 27 varieties of 11 crops

during kharif 2012 and 808 demonstrations were

conducted during rabi 2011-12 to transfer IARI

technologies. The Agricultural Technology Information

Centre of the Institute played a pivotal role in

communicating relevant information to farmers and

handling their specific problems related queries. These

queries were received from farmers who came in person

as well as through telephone on the Pusa Helpline.

Advice was also provided through letters and email.

A regular feature of the Institute is the annual Krishi

Vigyan Mela which showcases the progress made by

the Institute in various areas of agriculture. The 2013

Mela focused on “Agricultural Technologies for Farmers

Prosperity”. Besides IARI and its Divisions and KVK

Shikhopur, a large number of ICAR Institutes, SAUs,

KVKs, and private organisations participated in the

Mela. A unique feature this year was the participation

of six CGIAR Centres. More than 1,00,000 visitors from

different parts of the country including farmers, farm

women, extension workers, entrepreneurs and

students visited the Mela. Farmers from 19 states

across India including distant states like Karnataka,

Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Orissa

and Assam visited the Mela.

For women empowerment in rural areas, several

special activities were undertaken and interventions

planned. An analysis of the training needs of rural

women led to the development of six capacity building

modules focusing on motivation, leadership, financial

management and use of ICT. The Institute, through its

KVK in Shikohpur, Gurgaon, is taking a lead in

empowering rural women by providing need based

training for self-employment and for income

generating activities. Besides entrepreneurship

training, other extension activities aimed at creatingawareness about scientific farming and dissemination

of technologies were also undertaken. In all, 52

programmes were organized for rural women during

the year which benefitted 969 rural women of different

social classes. IARI also provides integrated agromet

advisory services to the farmers. During 2012-2013,104 agro-advisory bulletins were prepared. Majority

of farmers rated the utilities of agro-advisories high

in relation to sowing and plant protection under

aberrant weather conditions. Farmers who followed

the agromet advisories were able to reduce the input

cost and increase their profit.

The 51st Convocation of the Post Graduate School

of IARI was held on February 15, 2013. Hon’ble Lt.

Governor, NCT of Delhi, Shri Tejendra Khanna was

the chief guest and delivered the convocation address.

A total of 100 M.Sc., 8 M.Tech., and 100 Ph.D. students

were awarded degrees. In addition, the Institute alsoconducted several regular and short-term training

courses.The institute also contributed towards

strengthening research and higher education in

agricultural sciences in Myanmar and Afghanistan.

Agri-information and bioinformatics continued

to receive the Institute’s attention. The IARI Librarycontinued to provide services to the students and the

scientific community. The Institute brought out several

quality publications in the form of scientific peer

reviewed research papers, symposia papers, books/

chapters in books, popular articles, technical bulletins,

regular and other technical publications, both inEnglish and Hindi, to disseminate information on the

Institute’s mandated activities. With reference to

protection of intellectual property, the Institute filed

six new patents, renewed nine patents, protected eight

varieties of different crops with PPV& FRA and signed

15 MOUs for commercialization of IARI technologies.

Linkages and Collaborations continued to exist

with several national and international institutions.

Many scientists, students and faculty of the Institute

received several prestigious awards and recognitions

and brought laurels to the Institute.

11

1. CROP IMPROVEMENT

The crop improvement programme of the Institute is aimed at enhancing productivity and improving

nutritional quality in different field crops through precision breeding, combining molecular markers assisted

selection with conventional breeding. A number of improved varieties both in field and horticultural crops suiting

to different environments and possessing resistance/tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses with desirable traits

were developed. In addition to this, a large number of entries were promoted to advanced varietal trials of

different All India Coordinated trials during the reporting period. Significant progress was also made in seed

production and other aspects of seed quality to support the crop improvement programme.

1.1 CEREALS

1.1.1 Wheat

1.1.1.1 Varieties released

HD 3059. An early maturing (121 days), semi-

dwarf (93 cm) wheat variety, HD 3059 with an average

yield of 4.25 t/ha and genetic potential of 5.94 t/ha under

late sown, irrigated conditions was released for NWPZ

by the Central Variety Release Committee. This variety

possesses high degree of resistance to all the three rusts

including stem rust race Ug99 and its variants. HD 3059

has a superior bread and chapatti making qualities.

Wheat variety HD 3059

HW 5216. A wheat variety, HW 5216 developed at

the Regional Station, Wellington was released for

Southern Hills Zone with an average yield of 4.56 t/ha.

It possesses high degree of resistance to leaf rust both

under field and artificial conditions in addition to stem

rust. It also exhibited high degree of seedling resistance

to stem, leaf and yellow rusts.

HW 1098. A semi-dwarf dicoccum (khapli) wheat variety,

HW 1098 developed using irradiation technique at

Regional Station, Wellington with an average yield of 4.55

t/ha was released for commercial cultivation. The variety

HW 1098 has high level of seedling resistance to stem, leaf

and yellow rusts under artificial epiphytotic conditions.

1.1.1.2 Variety identified for release

Pusa Mangal (HI 8713). A durum wheat variety HI

8713 developed at the Regional Station, Indore was

identified for release for irrigated and timely-sown

conditions of Central Zone. HI 8713 produced an average

grain yield of 5.23 t/ha which was about 6% higher over

the currently cultivated durum wheat varieties HI 8498

(Malavshakti) and MPO 1215; and around 10% higher

over the most popular bread wheat variety Lok 1. It has

high levels of resistance to stem and leaf rusts. It is rich

in -carotene and micronutrients like iron and zinc.

1.1.1.3 Entries in coordinated trials

A large number of wheat genotypes were evaluated

in all India coordinated trials under various production

conditions across the country.

1.1.1.4. Promising genotypes identified

The wheat genotype HW 5224 which has diverse

genetic resistance for leaf, stem and yellow rusts

12

consistently yielded better than the check. The high

yielding disease resistant genotypes, viz., HW 5224,

HW 4013, HW 4042, HW 5235, HW 5237, HW 1900

were promoted to AVT while HW 1900-1, HW 4015,

HW 5239, HW 5242, HW 5243, HW 5244 and HW 5555

were promoted to IVT for the southern zone. A semi-

dwarf elite line HW 1099 was entered for testing in

NIVT special trial on dicoccum. In addition, 18 lines

were also included for testing in common varietal trials

of IARI and 25 for disease screening nursery.

1.1.1.5. Breeding for cropping system underconservation agriculture practices

Nineteen new high yielding lines from CSW 37 to

CSW 55 were identified suitable to conservation

agriculture practices and entered into common varietal

trials for testing. A significant genotype x early seed

sowing interaction was observed and CSW 18 was

found to outperform checks like PBW 550, HD 2851,

HD 2894 and DBW 17. Entries viz., HD 2532, 2535, 2536

and 2538 were found to perform well under rice-wheat

cropping system. Two new entries consistently

performed well in maize-wheat cropping system and

one under both maize-wheat and pearl millet-wheat

cropping systems.

1.1.2 Rice

1.1.2.1 Varieties identified for release

Pusa 1509-03-3-9-5 (IET 21960). An elite early

maturing Basmati rice variety, Pusa 1509-03-3-9-5 (IET

21960) with seed to seed maturity ranging from 110 to

123 days and an average yield of 3.94 t/ ha was

identified for release in the Basmati growing regions of

the Uttar Pradesh and the National Capital Region of

Delhi. Its performance was on a par in terms of yield

and quality traits with Pusa Basmati 1121. It recorded

an average yield advantage of 29.1 % over Taraori

Basmati in the AICRIP trials during three consecutive

years. It is the first early maturing Basmati rice variety

with higher per day productivity (32.1 kg/ha)

compared to the checks, Pusa Basmati 1 (29.6 kg/ ha)

and Taraori Basmati (21.1 kg/ ha). It has moderate

resistance to leaf blast and brown spot diseases. It

possesses extra long slender grains (8.19 mm) with very

occasional grain chalkiness, longer kernel length after

cooking (18.2 mm), desirable ASV (7.0), intermediate

amylose content (21.24%) and strong aroma. In the

panel tests, Pusa 1509-03-3-9-5 was ranked as an

excellent culture and was in the top two rated cultures

among the Basmati varieties and other cultures tested

for three consecutive years.

Pusa 1509-03-3-9-5 is an early maturing variety and

has a semi-dwarf stature with non-lodging and non-

shattering habit and, thus, overcomes the major

weaknesses of the most popular Basmati rice variety

Pusa Basmati 1121. Being an early maturing variety, it

can help saving upto 4 irrigations (33 % saving of water)

compared to Pusa Basmati 1121, thus, economizing the

cost of agri-inputs and permitting higher cropping

intensity resulting in better economic gains to the

farmers. Due to its semi-dwarf stature it produces

Wheat genotypes evaluated in all India coordinated trials

Trial Entry Name (Zone)

Advanced Varietal AVT II: HD 3076 (NEPZ), HD 3086

Trial (AVT) (NWPZ), HD 3090, HD 3093 (PZ)

AVT I: HS 536, HS 542 (NHZ), HI 1588 (CZ)

Durum: HI 8724, HI 8725, HI 8727, HI

8737, HI 8742 (CZ), HI 8728 (NWPZ), HI

8735 (CZ, NWPZ & PZ), HI 8736 (CZ,

NWPZ), HI 8738, HI 8739 (NWPZ)

National Initial HI 8746, HI 8747, HI 8748, HI 8749, HI

Varietal Trial 8750, HI 8751, HI 8752, HI 8753, HI 8754,

(NIVT) HI 8755, HI 1591, HI 1592, HI 1593, HI

1594, HI 1595, HI 1596, HI 1597, HI 1598,

HW 5224, HW 4013, HW 4042, HW 5235,

HW 5237, HW 1900

Pusa 1509-03-3-9-5 Pusa Basmati 1121

13

reduced crop residue (almost half of Pusa Basmati 1121

and CSR 30). Cultivation of the proposed variety will

thus lead to significant reduction in pollution due to

straw burning. This variety has also been

recommended separately for release by the State

Varietal Release Committee of Punjab as Pusa Punjab

Basmati 1509.

Pusa 1612-07-6-5 (IET 22290): Pusa 1612-07-6-5

(IET 22290), is a MAS derived blast resistant near

isogenic line (NIL) of rice variety Pusa Sugandh 5,

which was identified for release in the regions for which

Pusa Sugandh 5 was released. Pusa 1612-07-6-5 was

developed through marker assisted backcross breeding

wherein two genes for blast resistance, namely, Pi54

and Piz5 which are very effective against the

Magnoporthe oryzae strains prevailing in the Basmati

growing region of the country. The variety has an extra-

long slender translucent grain with 53% mean head

rice recovery and is strongly aromatic with high kernel

length after cooking (15 mm).

1.1.2.2 Entries in all India coordinated trials

A total of six elite nominations in AICRIP Basmati

trials were tested in AVT-BT trials, and in addition to

Pusa 1509-03-3-9-5 (IET 21960), two other genotypes,

the NILs in the background of Pusa Sugandh 5, namely,

Pusa 1592-06-5-2 (IET 22289) possessing two Bacterial

Blight (BB) resistance genes (Xa21 and xa13) and Pusa

1612-07-6-5 (IET 22290) possessing two blast resistance

genes (Piz5 and Pi54) were also found to be superior.

Additionally, two elite lines with BB and blast resistance

in the background of PRR78, namely, Pusa 1601-05-1-

46-1-1 (IET 22777) possessing xa13 and Xa21, and Pusa

1609-09-9-4 (IET 22778) possessing Piz5 and Pi54 were

tested in Advanced Varietal Trial-1 of basmati varieties

during 2012 and exhibited significant yield superiority

over Pusa Basmati 1, Taroari Basmati and Pusa Basmati

1121. Based on yield, physico-chemical quality and

panel acceptability scores these two cultures were

promoted to Advanced Varietal Trial -2 of basmati

varieties. A total of nine entries including three Basmati

genotypes, two aromatic short grain genotypes, two

medium slender grain genotypes and two hybrids were

nominated in the IVT of the AICRIP trials based on

their overall performance in the station trials at New

Delhi.

1.1.2.3 Evaluation of newly identified potentialhybrids

A station trial of 21 hybrids was conducted during

Kharif 2012, out of which five hybrids were identified

to be superior to the popular hybrid Pusa RH 10. One

of the hybrids was found to have significantly superior

grain yield (9.27 t/ha) and nominated in the IHT trials

during kharif 2013.

1.1.2.4 Evaluation of Pusa Basmati 1 NILs withseven genes for blast resistance

In order to develop isogenic lines of Pusa Basmati

1 carrying seven different genes (Pi54, Piz5, Pita, Pi1,

Pib, Pi5 and Pi9) for blast resistance, advanced backcross

derived lines were developed. A replicated trial of 40

homozygous advanced backcross derived lines

carrying seven genes (Pi54, Pi1, Pita, Pi9, Pi5, Pib, Piz5),

80 homozygous lines carrying three genes (Pi54, Pi1,

Pita) in Augmented Block Design and promising lines

with different gene combinations were identified.

1.1.3. Maize

1.1.3.1 Development of QPM inbreds

In order to diversify QPM germplasm, a set of five

released single cross normal hybrids (HM4, HM8, HM9,

HM10 and HM11) with wide adaptability were targeted

for marker aided introgression of opaque2 allele. HKI323,

HKI1105 and HKI1128 were crossed with QPM donor

parent (HKI161, CML161 and HKI193-1) for the

conversion programme. Foreground selection was

successfully carried out in BC1F

1, BC

2F

1 and BC

2F

2

Ear characteristics, silk colour, tassel type and plant characteristicsof MAS derived QPM

14

generation. Homozygotes (o2o2) were selected in BC2F

2

generation and advanced further.

1.1.3.2 Maize improvement for high -caroteneand specialty traits

Marker-assisted backcross breeding (MABB) was

undertaken to enhance -carotene concentration in

seven elite inbreds (VQL1, VQL2, V335, V345, HKI1105,

HKI323 and HKI161). The favourable allele of crtRB1

gene, capable of enhancing -carotene concentration

in the maize kernel, was introgressed in the elite genetic

background using gene-specific DNA marker. The

concentration of -carotene among the backcross

progenies ranged from 5.48 to 14.72 μg/g across seven

different populations. These improved inbreds hold

significant promise in the biofortification programme.

A wide array of corn hybrids developed from

diverse sources of inbreds was tested and potential

hybrids were identified in sweet corn (L8 xT1, L1 x T2,

P10 x P1 and P4 x P11). These hybrid combinations

possess >20% sugar (brix value) in the kernels at 20 days

after pollination. In case of baby corn, BCG 5417 x 2256,

BCG 5417 x 2271, BCG 5417 x 1887 and BCG 5414 x 3081

were found to be promising. The unfertilized baby ears

conformed to the desirable traits such as cream colour,

softness of the ear, sweetness and taste.

Development of Restorers. Elite restorers with

good combining ability were used in hybridization

programme to develop new ones with early days to

flowering, good combining ability and spike traits.Six F

1s were selected and three of them advanced to

generate F2, and three for developing three way

crosses.

New cytoplasmic male sterile lines. Twenty one

designated CMS lines indented from ICRISAT wereevaluated for their suitability to early maturity, disease

resistance, spike thickness, compactness and overall

agronomic score as well as their overall suitability in

hybrid breeding programme with elite restorers of IARI.

1.2.2 Entries in Coordinated Trials

Advanced hybrid & population entries of pearl millet tested under

all India coordinated trials

Trial Entry (Zone)

IHT (Medium) Pusa 1304, Pusa 1309 (A & B)

AHT -I (M) Pusa 1201 (A)

Initial Population Trial Pusa Composite 706 (A & B)

Advanced Population Trial Pusa Composite 701 (A & B)

1.3 GRAIN LEGUMES

1.3.1 Chickpea

1.3.1.1 Varieties released

Pusa Shaktiman (Pusa 5023). An extra large

seeded Kabuli type chickpea variety, Pusa Shaktiman

1.2 PEARL MILLET

1.2.1 Hybridization and Pre-breeding

A total of 200 new hybrids possessing desirable

traits like high grain and fodder yield were developed.

Promising hybrid entry of pearl millet Pusa 1201

Maize improvement for high -carotene

15

(Pusa 5023) was released in 2012 for cultivation in

rainfed and irrigated areas of Delhi and adjoining states

in northern India. It is the first extra-large seeded Kabuli

variety released in India with 100-seed weight 40g with

an average yield of 2 t/ha and moderately resistant to

soil borne diseases.

Pusa Green 112. Green seeded chickpeas are in great

demand in urban areas for culinary and table purposes.

Pusa Green 112, a high yielding desi green seeded

chickpea was identified for release having high

resistance to Fusarium wilt and drought with an average

yield of 2.3 t/ha and has a yield potential of 2.7 t/ha.

Pusa Bheema (Pusa 5028). Pusa 5028 is the first

desi extra-large seeded variety in India released in 2012

for Delhi and NCR region. It has a 100-seed weight

more than 40 g and is suitable for cultivation in rainfed

as well as irrigated conditions. It is moderatly resistant

to soil borne diseases. Seeds of Pusa 5028 are attractive

and light brown in colour.

1.3.1.2 Varieties identified

Pusa 2085. A large seeded Kabuli chickpea variety,

Pusa 2085 was identified for release with a 100 seed

weight of 36 g. The variety has an average yield of 2 t/

ha with a genetic yield potential of over 3 t/ha. It has a

multiple disease resistance against dry root rot & stunt

and moderate resistance to wilt & botrytis gray mold

and is tolerant to collar rot.

Chickpea cv. Pusa Shaktiman

Chickpea var. Pusa Green 112

1.3.1.3 Development of high yielding desi andKabuli genotypes resistant to Fusarium wilt

A set of 12 new entries were promoted to

coordinated trials during 2012-13. Two medium seeded

Kabuli entries (BG 3025 and BG 3026) and 2 extra-large

seeded Kabuli varieties (BG 3022 and BG 3028) were

promoted to AVT I trials. A set of 183 wilt resistant

single plants (<10% wilt at maturity) were selected from

F4 (163), F

5 (537) and F

6 (103) progenies through

screening in wilt sick plot. Crosses were attempted for

developing high yielding early maturing lines with

improved heat and drought tolerance and resistance

to Fusarium wilt. Multiple Advance Generation

Intercross (MAGIC) population (F4 generation) were

evaluated under normal and late sown conditions.

1.3.1.4 Entries in coordinated trials

Two desi chickpea entries BG 3032 and BGD 1071

were promoted to AVT 1 (late sown trial). Three entries

BG 3037, BG 3038 and BGD 1075 in late sown trials,

Pusa Bheema

16

and two entries BG 3035 and BG 3036 in rainfed trials

were entered in coordinated trials (IVT).

1.3.2 Mungbean

1.3.2.1. Hybridization and breeding

Sixty five crosses were made to combine various

traits ,viz., MYMV resistance, earliness, seed boldness

and drought & salinity tolerance in mungbean. Over

500 single plants were selected from various

populations based on different attributes.

1.3.2.2. Screening for abiotic stress tolerance

In mungbean two station trials were conducted

during spring and kharif season. Among the evaluated

entries two genotypes, KM 12-15 and KM 12-18 yielded

better than the check. For abiotic stress tolerance,

genotype MH-318 showed higher level of salinity and

alkalinity tolerance based on growth reduction

parameters, seedling survivability, relative water

content and proline accumulation under saline soil

conditions. Two genotypes Pusa-0672 (mungbean), and

Mash-218 (urdbean) showed higher levels of aluminum

tolerance based on growth reduction parameters and

seedling survivability under soil conditions.

1.3.3 Lentil

1.3.3.1 Hybridization and breeding

Ninety crosses were made to combine traits like

earliness, seed size, rust resistance, wilt resistance, abiotic

stress resistance, and high Fe and Zn concentrations in

seed. A set of 774 single plants were selected from different

generations for further evaluation.

1.3.4 Pigeonpea

1.3.4.1. Entries in coordinated trials

Based on consistent superior performance in

station trial over two years, two varieties ,viz., Pusa

2012-1 and Pusa 2012-2 were found promising.

1.3.4.2 Hybridization and breeding

A massive hybridization programme was

undertaken during kharif 2011 to develop genotypes

with short duration and bold seed size, and 33 F2

generations were evaluated. Some of the cross

combinations such as Pusa 33 x HDM04-1, Pusa 33 x

AK200 60 N-82, Pusa 855 x HDM 04-1, UPAS-120 x

HDM04-1, UPAS-120 x ICPL87091, AL201 x ICPL87091,

9-5-2 x ICPL87091, Pusa 992 x AL201, S953 x H2001-4,

PS956 x AL201, Pusa 2002 x Kudrat, Kudrat x AL201

and Kudrat x 9-5-2 were found highly promising.

1.3.4.3 Hybrid breeding

Search for new restorer: More than 500 advanced

inter-specific (C. scarabaeoides x Pusa 33) lines of

pigeonpea were raised during kharif 2012. Some of these

lines showed profused bearing of flowers and good

pollen load. Such male fertile (MF) genotypes from

inter-specific cross and selfed progenies of MF

genotypes were identified and test crosses were made

with various ‘A’ lines (male sterile line).

Search for new A lines: Advanced inter-specific (C.

scarabaeoides x Pusa 33) derivatives were also evaluated

for male sterility along with compact and erect plant

type. Some of the outstanding male sterile lines were

identified with very good plant type with longer pods.

Incorporation of male sterile cytoplasm:

Backcrosses were made to transfer A2 and A

4 cytoplasm

into different genetic background which showed good

combining ability. Male sterility was incorporated into

Pusa Dwarf, a popular pigeonpea variety.

1.4 OILSEED CROPS

1.4.1 Brassicas

1.4.1.1 Variety proposed for identification

Pusa Mustard 29 (LET-36): Mustard variety, Pusa

Mustard 29 is a low erucic acid bold seeded variety of

Indian mustard proposed for North Western Plains

Mustard var. Pusa Mustard 29

17

Zone (north and north-western Rajasthan, Haryana,

Punjab, Delhi, plains of Jammu Kashmir and Himachal

Pradesh) under irrigated conditions with an average

seed yield of 2,169 kg/ha and potential seed yield of

3,005 kg/ha. This variety possesses 37.2% oil content.

It matures in 143 days and has a moderate tolerance to

high temperature at seedling and grain filling stage.

1.4.1.2. Entries in coordinated trials

Entries tested in different All India Coordinated trials inBrassicas

Trial Entry designation

IVT- Early mustard (Irrigated) NPJ 172, NPJ 173

AVT-I Toria Early mustard (Irrigated) NPJ 162

IVT-Timely sown mustard (Irrigated) NPJ 174, NPJ 175

IVT-Timely sown mustard (Rainfed) NPJ 168, NPJ 169

AVT-I (Rainfed ) NPJ 156

IVT-Late Sown Mustard NPJ 170, NPJ-171

AVT-I Late Sown Irrigated NPJ 161

IVT- Quality Mustard LET 46, LET-47

AVT-I Quality Mustard LES 45

AVT-II Quality Mustard LES 43

1.4.1.3 Hybridization and pre-breeding

A total of 309 crosses involving popular varieties

and advanced lines of mustard including 18

backcrosses were attempted, which included 120

crosses for improvement in yield, seed weight, siliqua

size, branching and earliness etc. Various crosses were

also made for quality breeding “0”(< 2% erucic acid)

and “00 (< 2% erucic acid & < 30 ppm glucosinolate)

between advance single zero genotypes, viz., LES 1-

27, LES 43, LES 45, LES 46, LES 47, Heera, EC 597325

and other improved/ advanced lines. Fifteen crosses

were attempted between different donors for white

rust resistance for allelic studies. Likewise, to study

the genetics of seed size in NPJ 161, NPJ 159 and Pusa

Bold, eight backcrosses were made. Further to

understand the genetics of purple pigmentation in a

purple mutant, four backcrosses were generated. In

addition 31 crosses for heat tolerance and 38 inter-

specific and other crosses between different Brassica

species were also attempted.

1.4.1.4 Hybrid breeding

Development of CMS lines: To develop CMS lines,

83 backcrosses were attempted in paired fashion to

transfer the nuclear genome of 19 genotypes to the

sterile cytoplasm viz., Moricandia arvensis (mori),

Diplotaxis erucoides (eru) and Diplotaxis berthautii (ber).

Development of Restorers: To transfer the fertility

restorer genes, restoring fertility in mori, eru and ber

cytoplasms, in 9 genetic backgrounds viz., NPJ 93, NPJ

112, LES 1-27, LES 39, Pusa Jagannath, Pusa Agarni,

SEJ 8 and LET 17, 72 BC2 crosses were attempted in

paired fashion with heterozygous BC1F

1 plants.

Identified as good combiners, conversion of 18 new

genotypes viz., NPJ 161, NPJ 159, NPJ 113, BPR 543-2,

VSL 11, TN 3, EJ 17, EJ 20, YSG, LES 43, LES 47, and

Heera into mori/eru/bar restorers was initiated by

making F1 crosses with heterozygous Rf gene in BC

1F

1

generation. 167 BC1F

1/ BC

2F

1/ BC

3F

1/ BC

2F

2 progenies

were raised to develop restorers for mori/eru/ber

cytoplasms.

1.4.1.5 Breeding material evaluated and advanced

A set of 1,330 progenies/ populations for early,

timely and late sown conditions; and quality oil (low

erucic acid and/or low glucosinolate) traits were raised

for advancement. Another set of 369 single plants and

23 bulk populations were selected from early sown

breeding material.

1.4.1.6 Advance generation short durationgenotypes

Five genotypes viz., MSTE-12-9 (2,465 kg/ha in 107

days), MSTE-12-4 (2,202 kg/ha in 105 days), MSTE-12-

19 (2,171 kg/ha in 106 days), MSTE-12-6 (2,168 kg/ha

in 104 days) and MSTE-12-7 (2,160 kg/ha in 99 days)

out of 24 tested in station trial out yielded the latest

released check variety Pusa Mustard 28 (2,099 kg/ha

in 107 days). Out of these, two best genotypes will be

contributed for testing in the national trials for short

duration B. juncea.

1.4.2 Soybean

1.4.2.1 Varieties identified for release

Pusa 14 (DS 2614): A soybean variety DS 2614

identified for release in Delhi NCR region by the IARI

18

variety identification committee. The variety has

demonstrated a significantly higher yield over the best

check SL 525 (8.9%). DS 2614 has resistance against

yellow mosaic virus (YMV), Rhizoctonia Aerial Blight

and Bacterial Pustule. It is moderately resistant to stem

fly, and defoliators. DS 2614 is a medium-bold seeded

variety having 100-seed weight of 9.93 grams. It has

fairly good seed longevity and high oil content

(20.26%).

rainfed conditions. Genotypes P 5430 and P 131 were

sponsored for evaluation in national trial Br 02 (a)

under irrigated conditions. Forty five genotypes were

evaluated at 3 station trials and P 5618 showed the

highest seed cotton yield of 2,641 kg/ha. P 2151 also

recorded a very high yield (2640 kg/ha). Evaluation of

another set of 68 genotypes showed P 51-P4, P11-1 and

P Sel 2 as promising with seed cotton yield of 3,078

Kg/ha, 2,865 kg/ha and 2,497 kg/ha, respectively.

1.5.1.2 Multiplication of promising strains

Seeds of varieties P 8-6, PSS 2 and P 31, and

promising genotypes, P 5760, P 131, P 5630, P 2150, P

2151, P Sel. 2, P 23-1, P13-2, P 72-9-37 were multiplied

in large plots.

1.6 VEGETABLE CROPS

1.6.1 Cole Crops

1.6.1.1 Cauliflower

Ninety five SI hybrids of early group cauliflower

were evaluated. Hybrid 351 aa × Hyb 85 recorded

highest marketable curd (1140 g) as well as net curd

(880 g) weight. Out of 14 CMS hybrids, 8498 × Pusa

Deepali recorded highest marketable curd and net curd

(1206.7 and 950 g, respectively) weights. In mid- group,

out of 36 SI hybrids CC 32 × FC 278 recorded highest

marketable curd (1850 g) and net curd (1510 g) weights.

Out of 136 CMS hybrids evaluated, Hybrid 8401 × 310-

22 recorded highest marketable curd and net curd (1972

and 1567 g) weights, followed by DB 15 × 340 (1950

and 1660 g), respectively. In snowball group, out of 18

F1 hybrids evaluated, highest marketable yield was

recorded in KTH 122 (75.55 t/ha).

Under resistance breeding programme, a total of

263 RILs of various generations (F2:3

, F2:4

, F2:5

, F2:6

) were

evaluated for downy mildew resistance. Seven and 10

plants with highly resistant category (0 score) were

obtained in F2:6

generation of Pusa Himjyoti × BR 2

combination and F2:5

generation of BR-36 (Layna × 522),

respectively. A total of 152 NILs of various generations

(F2:3

, F2:4

) were phenotyped for resistance to downy

mildew disease. Twenty six and 20 plants with highly

resistance category (0 score) were obtained in F2:4

generation of 309 × BR 2 × 309 and F2:3

of 3-5-1-1 × 466 ×

DS 2614

1.4.2.2 Varieties in pipeline

DS 2706 and DS 2708 were promoted to AVT II in

NWPZ.

1.4.2.3 Development of early maturing genotypes

In order to develop genotypes maturing within 90-

95 days, crosses were attempted involving genotypes

maturing in 68 (Sipani148) and 120 days (DS 9712). The

F2 plants were found segregating for days to maturity

ranging from 70-100 days. Further, backcrossing was

attempted to recover the genome of DS 9712 with

earliness.

1.5 FIBRE CROP

1.5.1 Cotton

1.5.1.1 Evaluation of promising material

Cotton genotype P 2151 was promoted to advanced

trial Br 04 (b) in central zone under rainfed conditions

in AICCIP. The genotype P 5760 was promoted to Br

03(a) in north zone under irrigated conditions and P

2151 was retained in Br 03 (b) in south zone under

19

3-5-1-1, respectively. Twenty one inbred lines were

assessed for resistance to black rot and downy mildew

diseases. Genotypes BR 202-2, BR 161, BR 207, AL 3

and AL 15 were found to be resistant against downy

mildew and AL 15, BR 161 and BR 1 against black rot

disease.

1.6.1.2 Cabbage

Variety released. At IARI Regional Station, Katrain

one self-incompatibility system based F1 hybrid, KGMR

1 was released as Pusa Cabbage Hybrid 1 by the Central

Sub-Committee on Crop Standards, Notification and

Release of Varieties for Horticultural Crops for Agro-

climatic Zone-I & IV. This is an early maturing (55-60

days) hybrid with round and compact head and

yielding 35-40 t/ha. The hybrid has shown tolerance to

black rot with better field staying capacity after

maturity.

red cabbage, out of 6 hybrids developed by using 3

CMS lines, hybrids 931 × KR and 931 × RCGA were

found promising with 29.2 and 22.2 t/ha yields,

respectively.

1.6.2 Cucurbitaceous Crops

1.6.2.1 Bitter gourd

Genotype registered. One predominately

gynoecious line PreGy 1 which showed high female:

male ratio (5:1 to 7:1) with a yield of 27.5 t/ha as against

17.8 t/ha in Pusa Do Mausami (check) was registered

at NBPGR as INGR 12014.

Pusa CabbageHybrid-1

Promising genotypes. Two SI based cabbage

hybrids KTCBH 51 and KTCBH 81 were evaluated in

the AVT-II under the AICRP (VC) trials. One CMS based

cabbage hybrid evaluated in IET gave superior

performance with a yield of 65.2 t/ha at IARI Regional

Station, Katrain. A flat head hybrid H 208-122 (62.8 t/

ha) was found promising followed by H 645-111 (55.8

t/ha) and H 208-5 (52.7 t/ha). It was observed that

hybrid S 645 × S 691 had maximum heterosis for yield

(46.7%) followed by S 645 × S 696 (45.5%) and S 624 × S

645 (37.2%). Out of 20 CMS based hybrids, Hybrid 991-

5 was found promising with 69.8 t/ha yield followed

by hybrids 854-6 (67.1 t/ha) and 871-111 (65.5 t/ha).In

Promising genotypes. Two entries (DBGS 37 and

DBGS 57) were promoted to AVT-II under AICRP-VC

trial. One variety DBGS 102 and two hybrids DBGH

12 (gyn × mon) and DBGH 263 (mon × mon) were

promoted to AVT I under coordinated trials. One

sequential fruited line DBGS 201 (Sel 1) produced 30.6

t/ha fruits as compared to 17.5 t/ha in Pusa Do Mausami

(check).Ten gynoecious based and one monoecious

based hybrid were evaluated and compared with

hybrids of private seed companies. Among these

hybrids, DBGy 201 × S 2 (Gy× Mon) gave maximum

yield (23.8 t/ha) followed by hybrid S 2 × S 63 (Mon ×

Mon) (21.3 t/ha).

Four varieties were evaluated under insect proof

net house in kharif season (July to November), the

variety DBGS 54 yielded 474 kg fruits in 100 square

PreGy 1

20

meter area. Among the hybrids evaluated under low

cost polyhouse during winter season (December-April)

the hybrid DBGy 201 × DBGS 54 produced 418.50 kg

fruits in 100 square meter area.

1.6.2.2 Cucumber

Variety identified. First extra early improved

variety of cucumber Pusa Barkha was identified for

kharif season cultivation in North Indian plains. It has

field tolerance to high humidity, high temperature and

downy mildew disease with an average fruit yield of

18.8 t/ha.

Promising genotypes. Cucumber selections DC 54

and DC 78 and F1 hybrid DCH 6 were advanced to

AVT-II of AICRP (VC). During spring summer season

selections DC 54 and DC 78 yielded 18.5 and 17.9 t/ha,

respectively. Tropical gynoecious lines DGC 3, DGC

10 and DGC 102 showed stable performance at higher

temperature under net house. Out of 30 F1 hybrids

evaluated, DCH 6 and DCH 9 yielded 21.1 and 20.5 t/

ha, showed an increase of 20.6% and 17.1% higher yield

than the check Pant Sankar Khira 1 (17.5 t/ha),

respectively. Under kharif trial, selections DC 70

(PDI=7.2%) and DC 77 (PDI= 8.6%) showed high

resistance to downy mildew disease. The F1 hybrids

DCH 16 (21.6 t/ha) and DCH 19 (21.2 t/ha) also showed

high yield and resistance to downy mildew disease.

The parthenocarpic lines Sel. DPaC 6, DPaC 9 and

DPaC 10, predominantly gynoecious line DC 128 and

gherkin lines DG 5, DG 8 and DG 11 were observed

highly promising for yield and resistance to downy

mildew under polyhouse during winter.

1.6.2.3 Luffa

Genotype registered. Luffa (sponge gourd)

genotype DSG 6 (IC-0588956; INGR 12013), resistant

to Tomato Leaf curl New Delhi Virus was registered at

NBPGR.

Promising genotypes. Selections DSG 43 (15.4 t/

ha) and DSG 48 (14.7 t/ha) and F1 hybrids DSGH 3 (16.8

t/ha) and DSGH 9 (16.2 t/ha) were found to be highly

promising for yield. DSG 48, DSG 104 and F1 hybrids

DSGH 3 and DSGH 9 are advanced to AVT-II of AICRP

(VC). In ridge gourd, DRG 74 and F1 hybrid DRGH 4

were found promising with an average yield of 17.5 t/

ha and 18.9 t/ha, respectively. A gynoecious genetic

stock was developed which segregates into gynoecious

and hermaphrodite (Satputia) in the ratio of 1:1 and

maintained by utilizing Satputia as pollen parent.

Ridge gourd Sel. DRG 7 was advanced to AVT-II of

AICRP (VC).

1.6.2.4 Pumpkin

Selections DPU 48, DPU 12 and DPU 37 yielded

35.33, 33.14 and 30.60 t/ha and showed an increase of

35.88%, 27.46% and 17.69 % over the check

PusaVishwas (26.00 t/ha), respectively.

1.6.2.5 Muskmelon and watermelon

The muskmelon genotype DM 148 was found to

be highest yielder (22.7 t/ha) with a yield advantage of

18% over Pusa Madhuras along with good quality (TSS

DBGS 54

Pusa Barkha

21

11.6). The other superior lines with respect to yield were

DM 151(21.6 t/ha) and DM 154 (20.8t/ha) with desirable

fruit quality attributes. Among F1 hybrid combination,

DMH 3, DMH 5 and DMH 12 were found promising

for fruit yield, early maturity and quality traits. The

F1s between muskmelon lines (Hara Madhu and Pusa

Madhuras) and snap melon lines (DSM 11 and DSM

12) were found to have moderate resistance to Fusarium

wilt suggesting dominant nature of inheritance. Icebox

type watermelon lines, PWMH 25-4-3 (7.8 mg/100 g)

and IPWM 34-1-2(7.2 mg/100 g), containing high

lycopene were selected.

1.6.2.6 Minor cucurbits

In summer squash, selection DS 8 (15.14 t/ha) was

found to be the most promising and the yield

advantage was 31.42 % higher than that of the local

check (11.52 t/ha). In long melon, selections DLM 27

and DLM 34 yielded 26.10 and 23.94 t/ha, respectively.

In round melon, selections DRM 26 and DRM 44

yielded 6.73 and 6.59 t/ha, respectively.

1.6.3 Solanaceous Crops

1.6.3.1 Brinjal

The selections DBR 190 (green round fruited) and

DBSR 195 were found promising with a yield of 43.8

and 36.2 t/ha, respectively. Among 72 F1 hybrids

evaluated, DBHR 9 (purple round), DBHR 38 (purple

round) and DBHL 155 (white oblong) were found

promising with a yield of 54.4, 52.8 and 51.7 t/ha,

respectively. Lines DBR 569 and BL 1 were found

tolerant to phomopsis blight.

1.6.3.2 Tomato

DT 7 (determinate type) was promoted to AVT-II of

AICRP (VC). During kharif season, selections SPS 2, SPS

3, SPS 5, BAR 13, H 88-2, TH 348-2-11, H 88-1-2 and

hybrid combinations TH 348 × H 88, H 86 × H-88 and H

86 × H 24 were found resistant to ToLCV. Out of 96

genotypes, F1 crosses PSH × PS, 120 × PS and 3900×PS

recorded fruit setting at high day and night temperature

and yielded 21, 20, and19.5 t/ha, respectively. Selection

Lp 2 and Pusa Sadabahar were found tolerant to low

temperature. In cherry tomato three red fruited and one

orange fruited lines were found promising.

1.6.3.3 Chilli

Out of 74 genotypes DCH 10-05 and DCH 11-08

were found promising with a yield of 18.84 t/ha and

17.71 t/ha, respectively. Two genotypes, DCS-LCV-P1

and KA-LCV-P2, for leaf curl tolerance and one,VNR-

314-F4-P3, for high temperature tolerance were

identified.

1.6.3.4 Capsicum

At IARI Regional Station, Katrain, thirteen

germplasm lines were found promising and genotypes

KT 5 (29.1 t/ha), Banglore 42 (28.0 t/ha) and Banglore

38 (25.9 t/ha) were found promising having medium

sized green fruits. In paprika, genotype DP 2 ranked

first in fruit yield/ha. Out of twenty five F1 cross

combinations evaluated, three, namely, Sel-12-2 ×

Palam Bell (45.0 t/ha), Yolo Wonder × SolanBharpoor

(39.3 t/ha) and Yellow Capsicum × Yolo Wonder (37.8t/

ha) were found to surpass the standard checks Nishat

and PusaDeepti for marketable fruit yield and other

traits.

1.6.4 Root and Bulbous Crops

1.6.4.1 Tropical carrot

Variety identified. PusaVasuda is the first public

sector tropical carrot hybrid developed using CMS

system. Its roots are smooth, attractive, vigorous, self-

coloured, red, sweet, juicy, rich in total carotenoids,

lycopene, TSS and minerals. It is suitable for salad, juice

extraction, cooking and carotenoid extraction industry

and gives an average yield of 40 t/ha.

Pusa Vasuda

22

Promising lines and hybrids. Under hot and humid

condition, 27 genotypes were evaluated by sowing in

the first week August. Five genotypes were found

promising having normal desirable roots with least

forking and an average root weight ranging from 113.33

g (IPC 10) to 180 g (IPC 31 P-1). Nine hybrids were of

high quality for root shape, surface, external and

internal colour and external appearance, and root

weight varied from 86.7 to 240.0 g. Under October

sowing conditions, maximum root length was observed

in IPC 104 orange (27.87 cm) followed by IPC 100 (27.33

cm), root diameter was highest in IPC 55 Red (4.88 cm)

followed by IPC 104 orange (4.79 cm), and root weight

was maximum in IPC 104 orange (253.3 g) followed by

PM Dark orange (220 g). Among 87 CMS lines, highest

root length was noted in IPC 126 P-8 (31 cm) followed

by IPC 55-1-2 P-2 (29.6 cm), root diameter was

maximum in IPC 126-16-1 P-1 (5.70 cm) followed by

IPC 55-1-2 P-2 (5.54 cm), and root weight was highest

in IPC 126-16-1 P-1 and IPC 98a BP P-5 (300 g).

1.6.4.2 Temperate carrot

CMS based hybrids, KTCH 1020 (49.5 t/ha), KTCH

1022 (44.1 t/ha) and KTCH 96-113 (43.7 t/ha)

superseded the check hybrid Pusa Nayanjyoti (42.5 t/

ha) with 16.5%, 3.8% and 2.8% increase in yield,

respectively.

1.6.4.3 Radish

Pusa Jamuni. It is a purple fleshed nutritionally

rich radish variety. It has distinct advantage in root size,

shape, yield and consumer preference over the existing

varieties. It contains high anthocyanins and ascorbic

acid with an average yield 50 t/ha.

Pusa Gulabi. It is a pink fleshed nutritionally rich

radish variety having medium root size, cylindrical

shape, optimal yield and consumer preference over the

existing varieties. It contains high carotenoids,

anthocyanins and optimal ascorbic acid and gives an

average yield of 60 t/ha.

Pusa Gulabi

1.6.4.4 Onion

Pusa Riddhi. Bulbs of this variety are compact in

nature, flat globe in shape, and dark red in colour. The

equatorial diameter of bulbs ranges from 4.5 to 6.0 cm,

polar diameter ranges from 4.8 to 6.3 cm and single

bulb weight ranges from 70 to 100 g. It is pungent and

rich in antioxidant (quercetin 107.42 mg/100 g). The

variety is suitable for kharif and rabi seasons. The variety

is also suitable for storage and export with an average

yield of 31.66 t/ha, an average increase of 28.60% over

the check (28.53 t/ha).

Pusa RiddhiPusa Jamuni

23

Pusa Soumya. This is the first bunching onion

variety proposed for commercial cultivation in India.

This multi-cut variety is suitable for green onion

production round the year. It produces bluish green

leaves and clumps can be separated for further

multiplication. The variety is least affected by pests and

diseases and has an average yield potential of 26.38 t/

ha from single harvest.

1.6.5 Leguminous Crops

1.6.5.1 Garden pea

Out of nine early maturing varieties, GP 17 was

found promising and recorded highest pod yield (3.02-

4.0 t/ha) under high temperature. At IARI, Regional

Station, Karnal, GP 17 also recorded highest pod yield

(8.38 t/ha) against Arkel (7.14 t/ha) under November

sowing. However, GP 473, a medium maturing and

highly resistant to powdery mildew variety, recorded

9.85 t/ha pod yield at IARI, Karnal during 2011-12.

Among new early maturing lines, GP 901 and GP 902

were found completely resistant to powdery mildew

having long curved green pods with 8-9 seeds/pod.

Among edible podded peas, GPE 1 (6.54 t/ha) and GPE

4 (7.33 t/ha) were found highly resistant to powdery

mildew disease.

1.6.5.2 Broad bean

Pusa Udit. Pods of Pusa Udit are extra-long, flattish

and light green. Fresh seeds have attractive green

colour and good in taste. This is a dual purpose broad

bean variety. Both tender pods and dried seeds are

edible. The variety is suitable for packaging and

transport. It has an average yield potential of 17.63 t/

ha, which is 88.52% higher than that of earlier released

variety Pusa Sumeet.Pusa Soumya

Promising genotypes. During rabi season trial,

Sel. 121 (Pink) (33.7 t/ha), Sel. 397 (dark red) (31.5 t/

ha) and Sel. 131 (White) (30.2 t/ha) were found

promising compared to Pusa Red (20.8 t/ha). Hybrids

developed using tropical short day male sterile line

121(A), namely, Sel. 121(A) × EG (39.7t/ha), Sel.

.121(A) × I-33 (37.5 t/ha) and Sel. 121 (A) × Sel.

131(35.6 t/ha) were found superior for bulb yield to

the best commercial hybrid Flare (32.8 t/ha). Sel.

121(A) × Sel. 383 was found superior for anthocyanin,

CUPRAC, K and Fe content.In kharif season white

coloured selection, Sel. 106 (yield: 25.81 t/ha and

water productivity 8.5 kg/m3 ) was found most

promising next to Agrifound Dark Red. (28.94 t/ha

and 9.8 kg/m3). Sel. 383 was found promising for

FRAP and CUPRAC (1.21ìmol trolox/g and 2.78

ìmoltrolox/g, respectively), Sel. 157 (371.02 mg GAE/

100g) for total phenol content and Sel. 102-1 for TSS

(12.830 Brix).

Pusa Udit

1.6.5.3 Minor legumes

Dolichos bean. DB 7 (dark green with purple

sutures), DB 10 (long white straight pod), DB 14

(pink medium) and DB 15 (pink long), and medium

24

H 11-2 H 1-5

maturing lines DB 3 (long green pod with purple

suture), DB 5 (purple-red pod), DB 12 (light green)

and DB 9 (long green straight pod) were found

promising.

Cowpea. The lines CP 5, CP11, CP 19, CP 21, CP

24, CP 26, CP 55, CP 56 and Pusa Sukomal were found

resistant to Cowpea Golden Mosaic Virus.

1.6.6 Malvaceous Crop

1.6.6.1 Okra

Out of 164 genotypes of okra evaluated for yield,

fruit quality traits and YVMV resistance, DOV 66,

DOV 64 and DOV 62 were found resistant to YVMV

up to 90 days of sowing. Out of 82 F1 cross

combinations, DOH 1 and DOH 2 were earliest (50 %

flowering in 43 days), had dark green fruits with

heavy fruiting and yielded 21.5 and 22.7 t/ha,

respectively.

1.6.7 Leafy Vegetables

1.6.7.1 Palak

Among six genotypes of palak, Selection GS recorded

28 % higher vitamin C than Pusa Bharati. In spinach,

Selection VS type was found high yielding and late in

bolting with higher vitamin C and carotenoid content

24.3% and 8.5%, respectively, than Virginia Sivoy.

1.6.7.2 Fenugreek

Out of 19 methi genotypes, BJF 8 gave maximum

yield (14. 4 t/ha) followed by Selection MPB (13.9 t/

ha), and vitamin C content ranged from 7.56 to 51.25

mg/100 g whereas total carotenoid from 15.8 to 60 mg/

100 g.

1.6.7.3 Lettuce

Progambo was observed to have the highest leaf

yield of 1.75 kg/ plant followed by Gallega (1.00 kg).

Stem Lettuce Angustana had the highest CUPRAC

(1.984 μmoltrolox/g) and FRAP content (4.696

μmoltrolox/g), Reina De Mai Pleine Terre had the

highest lycopene content (18.72 mg/100g) while

Wonder Von Stuttgart had the highest total carotenoid

of 45.129 mg/100g. The lowest phenolic content (41.94)

was present in Arctic Kwig.

1.7 FRUIT CROPS

1.7.1 Mango

1.7.1.1 Promising genotypes

Forty five mango hybrids which came into fruiting

were evaluated for different physico-chemical

parameters. Fruit weight ranged from 69.42 g in H 1-9

to 284.12 g in H 1-5. Pulp weight was found to be

maximum in H 11-2 and minimum in H 1-9 and pulp

per cent ranged from 46.76 in H 1-10 to 75.48 in H 11-2.

Pulp TSS was maximum in H 10-10 (26.8%) and

minimum (11.88%) in H 2-14. The Peel thickness was

the maximum in H 8-11(1.63 mm) and minimum in H

2-13 (0.89 mm).

An open-pollinated Selection 1 of Amrapali having

large fruit (266.41 g) with fruit dimension of 12.2 cm ×

6.9 cm and pulp weight 188.2 g was also found

promising. This selection was found superior to

original Amrapali with respect to yield and quality

traits.

25

1.7.1.2 Pollen-pistil interaction

The pollen-pistil interactions in Amrapali as a

result of self, open and cross-pollination with cv.

Sensation was studied. The study indicated that self-

pollination in Amrapali (1133flowers) resulted in rapid

decline in fruit set (0.26%) after 25 days of pollination.

In contrast, cross-pollination with Sensation (637

flowers) resulted in 32 fruits (5.02%) after 25 days of

pollination. Results of the present investigation clearly

indicate that Amrapali does not favour self-pollination.

However, cross-pollination resulted in substantial fruit

set.

1.7.2 Citrus

Malta sweet orange. Eleven malta accessions were

evaluated and compared with Jaffa and Valencia Late,

standard sweet orange cultivars as check. The heavier

fruits were recorded in MS 3 (340.92 g) followed by

MS 7 (276.74 g). Juice content varied from 38.19% in

MS 3 to 55.00% in MS 16 and total soluble solids (TSS)

content was found to be the highest in MS 2 (11.3%)

followed by MS 16 (11.12. The lowest juice acidity was

recorded in MS-5 (0.66%) and highest in MS 13 (1.18%).

Higher ascorbic acid content was estimated in Jaffa

(40.35 mg/100 ml juice) followed by MS 7 (39.60 mg/

100 ml juice). The highest yield per plant was recorded

in MS 13 (31.07 kg) followed by MS 7 (23.36 kg).

heaviest fruit was recorded in P 7 (1075.20 g) followed

by P 9 (920.12 g). The peel thickness was found to be

minimum in P 12 and juice TSS ranged between 8.5%

in P 7 to 10.0% in P 11. The ascorbic acid content was

found to be maximum in P 11, while acidity was

minimum in P 12.

Grapefruit. Five grapefruit cultivars, namely,

Marsh Seedless, Red Blush, Imperial, Foster, and

Duncan were evaluated for yield and quality

parameters. The maximum fruit weight was found in

Foster (408.8 g) followed by Duncan (293.6 g) whereas

juice recovery was recorded the highest in Imperial

(57.77%) followed by Red Blush (56.21%). Marsh

Seedless had the lowest acidity (0.92%), while TSS was

recorded the highest in Imperial (10.57%). Fruit yield

varied from 8.94 kg/plant in Redblush to 15.10 kg/plant

in Marsh SL.

1.7.3 Grape

Promising genotypes. Out of 35 genotypes, Tas-e-

Ganesh had the highest bunch weight (550 g) and TSS

(22.5%). Centennial Seedless was the promising exotic

genotype having moderate bunch size (279.0 g) with

self berry thinning type as well as berry size (2.2 g).

These varieties can be recommended for commercial

cultivation in north India.

Amongst 16 hybrids evaluated, Hybrid (Hur × BE)

× BS matured early followed by Hybrid Hur × Card

76- 1. Hybrids BA × Per 75-32, (Hur × BE) × BS are good

quality seedless type, while Hybrid Hur × Card 76-1 is

seeded type with large berry (5.0 g) and suitable for

table purpose and munnakka making.

MS 13 MS 5

Mosambi sweet orange. Maximum fruit weight

(176.03 g) was observed in MOS 6 and juice recovery

in MOS 2 (31.04%). Seeds per fruit varied from 13 in

MOS 16 to 22.67 in MOS 2. Variant MOS 6 also had

higher TSS. The lowest acidity was recorded in MOS

5. The highest per plant yield was recorded in MOS 3

(12.80 kg) followed by MOS 7 (2.91 kg).

Pummelo. Six pummelo genotypes were evaluated

for various physico-chemical parameters and the Promising grape hybrids

26

Six genotypes were evaluated for pigments and

flavour compounds. It was found that PusaNavrang

had highest phenol content (332 mg GAE/100 g)

followed by Hybrid 76-2 (MA × RR) (280.8 mg GAE/

100 g). Pusa Navrang had highest total flavonoids

followed by Hybrid 76-2 (MA × RR) and Black Muscat.

Pusa Navrang also contained highest total monomeric

anthocyanin content (1026.136 mg/ l), while Alumwick

had the lowest content (54.017 mg/l).

1.7.4 Papaya

Promising genotypes. The highest fruiting zone

was recorded in P 7-9 genotype (123 cm) followed

by TGP 7 (109 cm) and RCTP 1 (107 cm), whereas it

was lowest in Pusa Nanha (78 cm). The fruits of

Sinta hybrid were superior having uniform fruit

size, flesh thickness, minimum central cavity and

maximum shelf-life (8 days). The total soluble solids

were maximum in Surya (12.50Brix) followed by P

7-9 (12.00Brix) and Red Lady (11.60Brix). The

maximum viral symptoms were observed in Surya

followed by Red Lady and Arka Prabhat, minimum

in P 7-9 followed by PSL 3 and RCTP 1. The

maximum fruit yield per plant was recorded in P

7-9 (55.6 kg) followed by RCTP 1 and TGP 7 (50.2

kg), PSL 3 (46.5 kg), P 7-2 (46.0 kg), Sinta (40.5 kg)

and Pusa Nanha (35.6 kg), whereas it was lowest in

Surya (15.6 kg) followed by Red Lady (18.6 kg).

At Regional Station, Pusa (Bihar), Pusa Dwarf

showed lowest plant height (112.2 cm), number of

nodes (24.8) and girth (18 cm) at first flowering.

Maximum number of fruits (56.8) was found in Pusa

Papaya 2-8 and highest fruit weight (2.12 kg) and T.S.S

(11.6%) were observed in Pune Selection 3. Pusa

Selection Red recorded the highest yield per plant (79.0

kg). Pune Selection 2 and Pune Selection 3 showed

tolerance to ring spot virus disease in the first year trial

whereas the maximum incidence (82.41%) was

observed in Pusa Delicious.

1. 8 ORNAMENTAL CROPS

1.8.1 Gladiolus

Hybrids identified for release. Two hybrids Berlew

× Heady Wine (Tall) and Berlew × Heady Wine were

identified for release as Pusa Unnati and Pusa Srijana,

respectively. Pusa Unnati attained a height of 158.66

cm and produced spikes having spike length of 141.00

cm and rachis length of 71.00 cm. However, Pusa

Srijana attained a height of 103.22 cm having spike

length of 85.25 cm, rachis length of 49.55 cm with 16.66

number of florets/spike.

Performance of some promising grape hybrids

Hybrid/genotype Ripening Av. no. of Av. bunch Av. berry TSS Remarks

date bunches/ vine wt. (g) wt. (g) (%)

BA × Per 75-32 7th June 25.0 313.75 2.7 18.0 Yellowish seedless berry, suitable as table

grape

Hur × Card 76-1 6th June 17.0 300.0 5.0 22.5 Yellowish bold berry, seeded, suitable as table

grape and also for Munnakka making.

(Hur ×BE) × BS 1st June 35.0 465.0 2.2 18.5 Yellowish-green round berry, seedless suitable

as table grape

Perlette 1st June 17.0 350.0 1.8 17.50 Greenish-yellow berries

Sinta P 7-9

27

1.8.2 Chrysanthemum

1.8.2.1 Varieties identified

Pusa Arunodaya. It is a gamma ray induced pink

coloured mutant of cv. Thai Chen Queen, which is

orange in colour. Pink coloured ray florets (65D)

appeared as chimers which were used for in vitro

regeneration to establish as a new variety. The plants

are medium in height (50-55 cm) with good spread (60-

65 cm). The semi double flowers are big (7-8 cm

diameter) with incurving ray florets. The variety is

suitable as a cut flower and pot culture for exhibition

purposes.

used for in vitro regeneration to establish as a new

variety. The plants are tall in height (65-70 cm) with

good spread (60-65 cm). The semi double flowers are

big (9-10cm diameter) with incurving ray florets. The

variety is suitable as a cut flower and pot culture for

exhibition purposes.

Pusa Aditya. It is an open pollinated seedling of

cv.Jaya. The plants are bushy (30-35 branches) and

medium in height (55-60 cm) with moderate spread

(45-50 cm). The spray type variety is a unique, bearing

star shaped semi-double flowers that resemble that

of a gazania. The flowers are yellow in colour (5 A) at

the periphery with orange red colour (45A) in the

center. The florets are spatulate with distinct keel. This

attractive variety is suitable for cut flower and potted

plant.

Pusa Srijana Pusa Unnati

Pusa Arunodaya

Pusa Kesari. It is also a gamma ray induced red

coloured mutant of cv. Thai Chen Queen. Red coloured

ray florets (171A) appeared as chimers which were

Pusa Kesari

Pusa Aditya

Pusa Aditya

28

Pusa Chitraksha. It is an open pollinated seedling

of cv. Lal Pari. The plants are bushy (24-30 branches),

tall in height (60-65cm) with excellent spread (60-65

cm). The variety is a spray type producing single

flowers having deep magenta colour, which is unique

in chrysanthemum. The florets are spatulate in shape

with magenta colour (59A) at the periphery with silvery

white ray floret tube. The disc florets are yellow (12A)

providing a very good contrast. Owing to its floriferous

nature the variety is suitable for potted plant and

garden display.

florets are also yellow (12C). The variety is an early

flowering .The flowering commences by the last week

of October while other varieties bloom in the third week

of November giving an advantage of at least 20 days.

The variety is ideally suited for pot mums.

1.8.3 Bougainvillea

Stem cuttings of bougainvillea varieties were

treated with gamma rays. After six month of planting,

the results revealed that sprouting was 76.47 % in

Elizabeth Angus, 55.00% in Blondie and 40.00% in

Mahara at 2.5 Gy dose of gamma rays. Two mutants,

one each from Golden Glow and Lady Mary

Baringalong with one natural bud sports of Dr. Bhabha

were evaluated. All the three mutants were stable in

terms of colour of the bracts which differed remarkably

from their respective parents.

1.8.4 Lilium

At IARI Regional Station, Katrain, the F1 Oriental

hybrids were backcrossed to diploid Asiatic hybrid cv.

Pollyanna. Seedling of different progenies were

harvested and evaluated. Maximum number of

seedlings (11.0) and size of bulblets (6.8mm) was

observed in Stargazer × Pollyanna cross combination.

In inter-ploidy crosses (4x) × (2x) these values were

maximum in Grand Paradiso × Pollyanna.

Pusa Chtraksha

Pusa Sona. It is an open pollinated seedling of cv.

Sadbhawana. Plants are bushy (20-25 branches),

extremely dwarf in height (25-30 cm) with excellent

spread (50-55 cm). The spray type variety produces

single flowers that are yellow in colour (8A). The disc

Pusa Sona

Stargazer × Pollyanna Grand Paradiso (4x) × Pollyanna (2x)

The alteration in morphology was observed after

irradiation of lily bulbs. The changes included

differences in flower development, double

inflorescence, increase or decrease in tepal numbers

and distorted leaves.

29

1.8.5 Tulip

At IARI Regional station, Katrain, three varieties

of tulip, namely, Apeldoorn, Golden Melody and

Strong Gold were irradiated with gamma radiation (5,

10 and 20 Gy). At higher dose of gamma radiation large

number of flower buds dried before opening. The

irradiated bulbs produced less number of bulbs and

bulblets than those of control.

1.9.2 Development of Seed ProductionTechnology for Hybrid Bitter Gourd

Seed production technology was standardized for

bitter gourd hybrids, Pusa Hybrid 1 and Pusa Hybrid

2. Stigma remained receptive up to one day both under

open field and net house conditions, but fruit and seed

setting was higher when pollination was done between

7 am and 12 noon. GA3 (50ppm) sprayed at three leaf

stage, tendril initiation and bud initiation was found

Seven petals Five petals Double inflorescence

Original flower Mutant flower

1.9 SEED SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

1.9.1 Studies on Self-incompatibility andProtogyny System in Indian mustard andSeed Production in CGMS and SI basedHybrids

Flowers of SI-Pg lines of Indian mustard were

treated with growth regulators, such as, Kinetin, GA3,

IAA and NAA, and histidine amino acid to validate

the seed set response. Highest number of seeds per pod

was recorded in Kinetin (5mg/ 50ml) and histidine

(1000 ppm). Analysis of the pollen viability of these

lines at differential maturity stage, i.e., from freshly

opened flower to 8 days after anthesis showed that

pollens collected after 3 and 4 days of anthesis showed

maximum viability (78.6 – 81.3 %) leading to optimum

seed setting (8.3 – 13.4 seeds/ pod).

Stained pollen from flowers of freshly opened [A], [B], [C], [D],[E], 5 day old [F]; G and H – Staining of Viable and Non-Viablepollen; Pod and seed set from pollen f & 3 and 4 day old flowers.(I&J)

View of hybrid seed production of bitter gourd in Insect proof nethouse

30

to be the most effective for induction of more female

flowers, higher fruit and seed setting, number of fruits/

vine and seed yield for hybrid seed production of Pusa

Hybrid-1. Hand pollination done once per flower was

found to be the best for higher fruit setting as well as

seed yield. Storability studies indicated spring-

summer-produced seeds had higher germination,

vigour and storability as compared to kharif season.

1.9.3 Development of Seed Testing Protocolin Caraway

Freshly harvested seeds of Caraway (Carum carvi

L.) exhibited non-deep physiological dormancy for

about 2-3 months. Seed deterioration in Carway was

recorded to be fast. This was attributed to a low

molecular weight carbonyl compound emitted by the

seed that can be highly active against proteins, lipids

and nucleic acids. Seeds stored with higher moisture

content (i.e., 8, 10 to 12%) lost viability within 6, 9 and

18 months of storage under ambient condition,

respectively, while storage of seeds with similar

moisture content at – 20oC could retain upto 50 % seed

germinability.

1.9.4 Assessing Genetic Purity in Hybrid Seed

Studies were conducted to identify molecular

markers for ensuring the purity of hybrids of brinjal,

maize and cotton, and their respective male and female

parents. In brinjal validity of identified markers for

testing the genetic purity in comparison with that of

GOT was established in variety PH-5 and PH-9. Six

SSR markers were identified for each of three brinjal

hybrids, which could be used for ensuring the hybridity

as well as extant of selfed seeds in hybrid seed lots of

PUSA 9, PUSA 5 and Kashi Komal. Duplex PCR

technique was developed to establish the identity of

these hybrids/variety.

In case of cotton, out of 40 microsatellite markers

studied, 10 markers, i.e., BNL169, BNL2590, BNL 2895,

BNL 840, BNL 2544, BNL1350, BNL 3255, BNL 2895

BNL 2572 and BNL3441 were found polymorphic

among the parents of two interspecific cotton hybrids

DCH32 and RAHB87. Maize hybrids (12) and the

respective parental inbreds were screened for hybrid

purity test by SSR markers. Two SSR markers for hybrid

Vivek QPM-9, one SSR marker each for Vivek Hybrid

9, HQPM 1 and HM-11 were identified for

distinguishing hybrids from its parental inbreds.

1.9.5 Pre-sowing Seed Treatments forEnhancing Crop Productivity

Seed Priming

High and low seed vigour lots of maize (HQPM-1)

and sweet corn were exposed to hydro priming or halo

priming (0.3% KNO3), for 17h at 25oC followed by dry

dressing with thiram (3g/kg seed) and evaluated for

field emergence, speed of emergence, seedling root

growth (length, surface area, volume), early vegetative

growth, plant height and seed yield. Treated seeds

performed better than the non-treated control. In okra

varieties, A-4 and Varsha Uphar, seeds treated with

osmo priming (PEG 6000 1.5MPa) improved field

emergence, speed of germination, seedling vegetative

growth, vigour and root development, especially under

suboptimum conditions (Min. temp. 10-12OC during

4th week of February).

In wheat, halo priming with KNO3 (0.3%) followed by

treatment with Neem Khali (10g/kg seed) was found effective

in improving crop establishment and final plant stand, and

was demonstrated on farm trials in Madhya Pradesh.

Duplex PCR technique for ensuring the identity and seed purityin brinjal hybrids and parental lines (F: female parent, H: hybrid,M: male parent)

Field emergence in osmo primed (A) and non-treated control (B)seeds of Okra

B

A

31

Identifying the seed vigour traits associated with

drought tolerance in wheat

Wheat recombinant inbred lines (RILs) developed

for drought tolerance, were studied for seed and

seedling vigour traits, especially pre-anthesis biomass

production. Trial conducted under irrigated field

conditions showed highly significant association

(r=0.50) between root biomass (< 10 cm depth) and pre-

anthesis shoot biomass. Genotypes showed wide

variation in initial and final germination percentage,

root and shoot length, and 1000-seed weight.

1.9.6 To Study the Effect of DifferentGrowing Conditions on Stage of Harvest inHybrid Seed Production in Cucumber

The effect of stage of fruit harvest, i.e., 25, 30, 35, 40,

45 days after anthesis in cucumber cv. Pant Shankar

Khira-1on fruit and seed quality was studied under

naturally ventilated poly house (NVPH), insect proof

net house (IPNH) and open field conditions (OFC).

These three environments significantly influenced the

fruit and seed development process. As a result under

IPNH the fruit weight in summer (580.33g) and kharif

(684.00g); number of filled seeds in summer (154.46) and

kharif (169.33) were higher compared to NVPH and OFC.

1.9.7 Effect of Berry Pruning and TrussesRetention of on Seed Yield & QualityAttributes of Cherry Tomato under DifferentEnvironmental Conditions

In the experiment conducted under different

environmental conditions at the Center for Protected

Cultivation Technology during winter summer season

2011-12 on cherry tomato Pusa selection-1, it was

observed that 10 fruits/5 trusses recorded the highest

berry weight followed by 10 fruits/7 trusses and 15

fruits/5 trusses under environmentally controlled poly

house (ECPH) followed by NVPH and IPNH. The

findings indicated that pruning of berries/truss as well

as retaining of trusses/plant positively influenced the

weight, width and length of berries, and enhanced seed

germination and seed weight under ECPH followed

by NVPH and IPNH conditions, when compared to

un-pruned trusses.

1.9.8 Effect of Pollination Time on Fruit Setand Seed Yield under Different Conditionsin Hybrid Seed Production of Cucumber

The hand pollination was carried out at 7.00, 9.00

and 11.00 AM under three sets of conditions viz., ECPH,

NVPH and IPNH. During summer season, pollination

at 7.00 AM gave higher fruit set (3.76) and number of

fruit developed to maturity (2.30). Additionally, the

number of filled seeds per fruit, 100-seed weight, seed

yield per fruit was also significantly higher at 7.00 AM

pollination.

1.9.9 Seed Production

The Seed Production Unit (Delhi) and regional

stations of IARI at Karnal, Pusa, Dharawd and

Wellington produced nucleus, breeder, IARI seeds and

fruit saplings of different crops during the year.

Production of seeds (tons) and planting material (no.)

Crop group Nucleus seed Breeder seed IARI seed Total seed

Seed Production Unit, Delhi

Wheat - 45.76 155.00 200.76

Paddy - 11.95 116.29 128.24

Maize - 0.003 - 0.003

Pearl millet (Parental lines) - 0.39 - 0.39

Mungbean - - 2.00 2.00

Pigeonpea - - 1.12 1.12

Chickpea 4.88 - - 4.88

32

Lentil - - 1.32 1.32

Dhaincha - - 1.12 1.12

Mustard - 0.56 1.28 1.84

Soybean - 0.76 - 0.76

Vegetables and flowers 0.0015 0.35 3.01 3.3615

Fruit saplings (Number) - - 933 933

Regional Station, Karnal

Cereals 4.07 131.97 298.85 434.89

Forages 0.04 0.53 0.37 0.94

Oil seeds 0.03 1.48 0.31 1.82

Pulses 0.04 7.13 3.42 10.59

Vegetables 0.11 1.22 3.24 4.57

Regional Station, Indore

Wheat 130.4 130.4

Maize 3.39 3.39

Soybean 2.50 2.50

Papaya 0.0107 0.0107

Regional Station, Pusa

Wheat 23.0 881.05 901.9 1805.95

Paddy - - 208.0 208.0

Pigeonpea 0.5 1.25 - 1.75

Maize - 3.90 15.0 18.9

Papaya - - 0.24 0.24

Lentil - - 15.02 15.02

Tobacco 0.02 - 9.0 9.02

Mungbean - - 15.06 15.06

Mustard - - 18.6 18.6

Cauliflower - - 11.9 11.9

Okra - - 9.0 9.0

Peas - - 15.5 15.5

Regional Station, Katrain

Vegetables 0.1009 0.1493 2.3836 2.6338

Regional Station, Dharwad

Pearl millet 0.065 - 0.045 0.11

Pulse (Chickpea) 0.16 - - 0.16

Regional Station, Wellington

Wheat - 15.0 - 15.0

Crop group Nucleus seed Breeder seed IARI seed Total seed

33

2. GENETIC RESOURCES

Plant genetic resources are the reservoirs of variability in crops which is crucial for crop improvement. The

institute has an in-built programme in different crops for collection, characterization and utilization of germplasm

to strengthen the genetic base and improvement of crop varieties. A huge collection of landraces, released varieties,

wild and weedy species of crop plants have been maintained and utilized in the breeding programmes of the

Institute. The chapter also includes biosystematics and identification services related to fungi, insects and

nematodes to explore, conserve and enrich the culture collection.

2.1 CROP GENETIC RESOURCES

2.1.1 Wheat

2.1.1.1 Maintenance and utilization of wildrelatives

About 250 accessions of wild relatives of wheat

were maintained including diploid, tetraploid as well

as hexaploid species. The introgression of rust

resistance genes from several wild species such as

Aegilops markgrafii (2n=2X=14, genome CC), Ae.

Speltoides (2n=2x=14, genome SS), Triticum militinae

(2n=4x=28, genome AAGG) and T. turgidum (2n=4x=28,

genome AABB) are in advanced stage. Leaf rust

registant Ae. speltoides and Ae. markgrafii derivatives

were crossed with NI 5439 and Agra Local to study

mode of inheritance and possibly determine the

identity of gene through molecular mapping.

2.1.1.2 Germplasm maintained

About 90 CMS and 70 fertility restorer lines of

wheat developed so far were maintained and utilized.

Monosomic series in Chinese spring and Lal Bahadur

were maintained cytologically. A set of 1,259 indigenous

and exotic genetic stocks collected from different

sources for moisture stress, early and terminal heat

stress, leaf, stem and stripe rusts, and foliar blight were

maintained in the field conditions.

2.1.1.3 Pre-breeding

Creation of new genetic variability and handling

of breeding material. One hundred and seventy eight

simple and three way crosses in wheat were attempted

in order to create new genetic variability for selecting

new desirable types. A total of 3,724 segregating and

breeding lines of wheat were evaluated for rust

resistance and agronomic features of which 1,673 elite

lines selected.

Preparedness to mitigate the threat from Ug99

race.Top cross and three way crosses were effected for

pyramiding of stem rust resistance genes Sr2, Sr22,

Sr24, Sr25, Sr26, Sr27, Sr29, Sr33, Sr44, Sr47 and Sr49.

Identifying newer APR genes from Indian old

varieties and land races.To identify newer APR genes

from HW 971, Lok 1 and UP 2339, mapping populations

were picked at BC2F

2 stage in the background of WL711,

Lumli local and Lalbahadur.

Linkage studies. To study the positive and negative

traits (yield, resistance to biotic/abiotic stresses)

associated with rust resistance gene (Lr28), a planned

trial with unsprayed and sprayed control was

conducted utilizing already developed NIL’s

populations of popular wheat cultivars carrying this

Aegilops speltoides - derived gene.

Hybrid wheat research. In view of developing

hybrid wheat, nearly 32 CMS A-lines have been

developed and A x B seed production system was

standardized.

Genetic stocks. Under the bulk and modified

pedigree program nearly 1,200 lines were raised as

different filial generations. At F9,140 advance stable

34

populations resistant to leaf, stem and yellow rusts

were constituted.

2.1.1.4 Germplasm evaluation for stripe rustresistance

Two hundred and seventy CVT entries of wheat

were evaluated for seedling resistance against 46S119

and 78S84 pathotypes of stripe rust. Fifty genotypes

were recorded as resistant to pathotype 46S119, 36 to

78S84 and 30 to both. Forty seven elite lines of wheat

were evaluated for seedling resistance against 46S119

& 78S84 pathotypes of stripe rust, of which 23 were

found resistant to both. Forty three spring and winter

wheat genotypes possessing good agronomic features

were evaluated against the most virulent and

prevalent pathotype 77-5, of which nine were found

resistant.

2.1.1.5 Identification of germplasm against rustdisease

The wheat germplasm line HS 545 (HD 2819/HS

435) developed through bulk-pedigree method of

breeding at Tutikandi Centre was identified as source

of resistance to all the pathotypes of leaf and stem rusts,

and also possessed good agronomic features.

2.1.2 Rice

2.1.2.1 Registration of three elite genetic stocksof rice

A total of three germplasm lines including two

improved versions of PRR 78, namely, Pusa1602-06-24-

5-45 (INGR12002, IC0593847) and Pusa1603-06-11-4-19

(INGR12003, IC0593848) carrying gene Piz5 and Pi54,

respectively, conferring resistance to blast disease

developed through molecular marker assisted

foreground and background selection, and an early

maturing semi-dwarf basmati rice genotype, Pusa 1509-

03-1-7-2 (INGR12052, IC0593942) were registered with

NBPGR, New Delhi.

2.1.2.2 Germplasm characterization, maintenanceand conservation

A total of 855 rice germplasm consisting of released

varieties and landraces were multiplied and conserved

in seed storage modules.

2.1.3 Maize

2.1.3.1 Maintenance and characterization ofgermplasm

Collected 6 inbreds (with favourable alleles crtRB1

and lcyE) from CIMMYT-Hravest Plus and more than

1,500 inbreds, majority in QPM background, were

procured from CIMMYT, Mexico. These new

generations of QPM inbreds were evaluated during

kharif 2012 and promising entries identified which are

being utilized in the QPM breeding programme. A set

of 331 CMLs inbreds received from Sehgal foundation

during the last season were maintained at IARI. Thirty

eight populations in the genetic background of waxy,

sweet corn, pop corn type were also received from

CIMMYT, Mexico. These populations were selfed

during kharif 2011 and 2012 to derive new inbreds in

the given genetic background. An “Opaque16” maize

mutant known to increase the level of tryptophan

content in maize was procured from USA. The new

mutant is being used in the quality breeding program.

2.1.3.2 Development of sweet corn hybrids

A set of F1 plants generated between sh2sh2 and

su1su1 based sweet corn inbreds were selfed to identify

segregants for both the sh2 and su1 genes. Eleven

promising F3

segregants with su1su1/sh2sh2 were

identified and selected for further advancement. These

double recessive mutants were found to be distinctly

different from either of the single mutants. These new

mutant stocks hold significant promise in sweet corn

breeding for further enhancement of kernel sugar.

Kernel characteristics of shrunken (sh2sh2), sugary (su1su1) anddouble recessive genotypes (su1su1sh2sh2)

35

Conversion of haploid inducer temperate lines

RWS, RWK-76 and RWS × RWK-76 in to subtropical

lines is underway. Crosses were successfully made

between inducer lines and subtropical lines, and seeds

harvested from the successful crosses.

2.1.5 Chickpea

2.1.5.1 Germplasm registered

Two germplasm accessions, namely, IC 594869

(BGD 112) and IC 59416 (BG 2085) were registered with

NBPGR.

2.1.5.2 Pre-breeding and germplasmenhancement

A set of 100 land races procured from ICARDA,

Syria were evaluated for yield and drought

parameters. Using a minimax-maximax approach

based on yield and membrane stability index (MSI),

the land races IG5844a, IG5896 and IG5908 had lower

reduction in MSI under late sown conditions as

compared to that of normal sown and were also high

in yield.

2.1.5.3 Maintenance of germplasm

Thirty four germplasm accessions and 11 breeding

lines/varieties were screened for resistance to dry root

rot pathogen (Rhizoctonia bataticola) for identification

of resistant (R) and susceptible (S) genotypes. Nine lines

were identified as resistant (score 3).

2.1.5.4 Sources of tolerance to rust

Three chickpea genotypes FLIP-97020-1785, ICC-

1558 and ICC-1745 were identified as tolerant to rust

caused by Uromyces ciceri-arietini.

2.1.6 Mungbean

2.1.6.1 Evaluation and maintenance of germplasm

A set of 409 mungbean germplasm lines were

maintained and 101 lines along with checks (Pant

Mung 5 and Pusa 871) evaluated for tolerance to

drought stress at seedling stage. Out of these, only

one line, IC 325810 showed remarkably higher level

of tolerance. Physiological parameters such as

relative water content and proline accumulation

proved a potential indicator of drought stress

tolerance. Four intraspecific and interspecific crosses

were attempted using mungbean and urdbean to

generate new genetic variability and incorporation

of traits like drought tolerance, aluminium tolerance

and YMV resistance.

2.1.3.3 Sources of resistance to maize foliardiseases

Developed inbreds, viz., IDL-13, IDL-26, IDL-17,

IDM-40 (PS-15), IDM-29, IDL-31, IDM-2, IDM-39

(PS-27), IDM-43, IDL-30, IDM-3, IDM-42 and IDE-9

combining tolerance to turcicum leaf blight with higher

grain yield ( > 5t/ha). Four inbreds, viz., DK-120243,

DK-120006, DK-120033, DK-120013 were found highly

tolerant to bacterial leaf and sheath blight with a disease

score of <1.5.

Inbreds, viz., IDM-44, IDE-40, IDM-2, IDM-3 IDM-

45 and IDL-3 were resistant to both maydis leaf blight

and turcicum leaf blight whereas DK-120084, DK-

120090, DK-120002 and DK-120154 resistant to maydis

leaf blight and bacterial leaf and sheath blight.

2.1.4 Pearl Millet

2.1.4.1 Maintenance of germplasm

A total of 700 germplasm lines of pearl millet

including cytoplasmic male sterile lines, maintainers

and restorers were maintained and evaluated for the

traits including early flowering, high tillering, thick

spike, bristled spike, long spike, variations in

compactness of the spike, grain colour, etc. Among

these, four lines with > 120 ppm of Fe and 17 lines with

> 80 ppm of Zn were identified.

Ears of haploidy inducer lines

36

2.1.7 Lentil

2.1.7.1 Maintenance of germplasm

Ninety European land races and 140 early

maturing lines procured from NBPGR were evaluated

and maintained.

2.1.7.2 Lentil screening against abiotic stresses

One hundred and fifty one genotypes of lentil were

grown in the hydroponic conditions under salt stress,

having NaCl levels of 40, 60, 80 and 120 mM NaCl along

with control. The most tolerant genotypes were PSL 1,

PSL 2, PSL 3, PSL 4, PSL 5, PSL 6, PSL 7 and PSL 8. The

results for plant biomass and salinity induced toxicity

symptoms were closely associated with reduction of

growth parameters. The level of salinity tolerance based

on these parameters varied substantially and provide

an important basis for genetic improvement of lentil.

One hundred thirty five genotypes were evaluated

under three treatments including control, 40 and 60 mM

NaHCO3. There were significant differences in high

pH tolerance between the 135 genotypes. The most

tolerant genotypes were PAL 1, PAL 2, PAL 3, PAL 4,

PAL 5 and PAL 6. Genotypes from ICARDA, Syria were

the most tolerant, followed by those from Turkey, India,

Bangladesh, Pakistan and Australia.

2.1.8 Pigeonpea

2.1.8.1 Maintenance of germplasm

A set of 113 lines including 27 bold seeded

determinate entries were raised for their use in

hybridization programme. All the lines were

determinate (DT) type with bold seed size, but were

late in maturity. Short duration lines (40) along with

some R lines were also procured from ARS, Durgapura,

Jaipur.

2.1.9 Brassicas

2.1.9.1 Maintenance of germplasm

A total of 726 germplasm lines including B. juncea

(439), B. carinata (170), B. napus (38), B. rapa (39), B.

oleracea (6,) B. nigra (14), B. tournifortii (3), B. caudatus

(3), R. caudatus (1), R. sativa (1), S. alba (2), Eruca sativa

(6), Crambe spp. (2), Lapidium spp (1), Camellina spp. (1)

were maintained by selfing and used in crossing

programme.

2.1.9.2 Diversity analysis

Based on molecular and morphological diversity,

70 F1s were analyzed to study the relationship between

genetic distance and heterosis. Simple Sequence

Repeats (SSRs) were observed to be a better tool in

differentiating genotypes from different origin.

However, no strong association between genetic

distance and average heterosis was observed.

2.1.9.3 Screening for temperature tolerance

A set of 256 genotypes including released varieties,

germplasm and advanced breeding lines along with

five checks were screened under field conditions for

seedling and terminal heat tolerance; and for seedling

stage heat tolerance under Phytotron conditions.

Genotypes, viz., NPJ 124, EJ 22, NPJ 113, EJ 13, EJ 20,

Bio 313-10, NPJ 135, NPJ 147, NPJ 93, MST 11-1, MST

11-19, 6020 and 6023 were found to possess tolerance

to high temperature at seedling stage.

2.1.9.4 Evaluation of double zero breeding lines

Sixteen double zero genotypes from advance

generations were raised in replicated trials with four

checks (low erucic acid and conventional variety) for

their yield evaluation. Out of these, six genotypes were

found promising for various important agronomic traits.

2.1.10 Soybean

2.1.10.1 Maintenance of genetic stock

More than 100 diverse lines in F5 were developed

through inter-specific hybridization between Glycine

Maintenance of mustard germplasm

37

max and G.soja. All the lines found to vary in days to

flowering, days to maturity, plant type, flower color,

pod size and numbers, seeds per pod, seed size, etc.The

colour of the seeds varied from black, variegated, green

to yellow. The 100- seed weight varied from 5.5 g

to14.1g. Five lines were identified with maturity

duration around 90-95 days. Plants were erect, medium

tall and of non-shattering habit. Further testing is on.

A series of lines devoid of Kunit trypsin inhibitor (KTI)

in its seeds were developed through marker assisted

selection. The donor for the null allele of KTI was PI

542044, a germplasm line collected from USDA. The

plants were resistant to yellow mosaic virus and earlier

in maturity than the recurrent parent (DS 9712).

2.1.11 Cotton

2.1.11.1 Maintenance and evaluation ofgermplasm

Two hundred germplasm lines of G. hirsutum were

maintained and evaluated for important yield and fiber

quality traits.

2.1.12 Vegetable Crops

Cauliflower. Forty early group and 63 mid-group

genotypes were evaluated and promising plants were

advanced through selfing and sib pollination. One

hundred new germplasms of cauliflower received from

NBPGR were evaluated at IARI Regional Station,

Katrain. Among them five promising lines were

maintained. Ninety five lines of snowball cauliflower

along with 11 CMS lines and their maintainers were

maintained as core set of germplasm.

Cabbage. Eighty four new germplasm of cabbage

received from NBPGR were grown at IARI Regional

Station, Katrain in observation rows and it was

observed that more than 75% lines were male sterile.

Another set of 50 exotic collections were evaluated for

horticultural traits and the lines EC 686706, EC 675660,

EC 686716, EC 675667 and EC 686707 were found to be

highly promising.

Broccoli. Twelve lines were evaluated and

promising selections were advanced for further

evaluation. Twenty germplasm along with five CMS

lines and their maintainer (B) lines were maintained at

IARI Regional Station, Katrain.

Tomato. Fifty two new germplasm and 60 old

germplasm of tomato were collected and are being

evaluated for their yield and quality traits. Sixty seven

breeding/parental lines were evaluated during kharif

2012 for resistance against ToLCV.

Brinjal. Fifteen newly collected and 145 working

germplasm maintained in the previous years were

purified, evaluated and maintained. Wild brinjal

species, Solanum aethiopicum, S. incanum,S. gilo, S.

insanum, S. indicum, S. torvum, S. khasianumand S.

integrifolium were maintained.

Chilli. Thirty nine genotypes collected from

Meghalaya region through NBPGR and 10 Chinese

lines were evaluated and maintained.

Capsicum and paprika. Fifty six lines were

evaluated and maintained and 40 new lines were added

to gene pool at IARI Regional Station, Katrain.

Carrot. Forty eight elite genotypes, 87 CMS lines

and 56 fertile inbreds were evaluated, and selected

roots were planted for maintenance and seed

multiplication.Thirty five germplasm and 23 CMS (A)

lines along with their respective maintainer (B) lines

were maintained at IARI Regional Station, Katrain.

Three more CMS lines are in advanced stages of

development.

Onion. Thirty nine new germplasm of onion

including allied species (Allium ascolonicum, Allium

tuberosum) were collected and planted for initial seed

multiplication. Another allied species, namely, Allium

fistulosum and Allium schoenoprassum are being

maintained.

Garden pea. Eighty Fusarium wilt and powdery

mildew resistant lines were evaluated and maintained.

Minor legumes. Sixty five and twenty five

genotypes of cowpea and Dolichos bean, respectively,

were maintained.

Cucumber. One hundred fifty three and ninety

eight germplasm /advanced breeding lines including

32 new collections were evaluated during spring-

summer and kharif seasons, respectively, and promising

lines maintained. Sixty-three germplasm/ breeding

lines of gynoecious parthenocarpic cucumber, gherkin,

38

carotene rich cucumber, Cucumishytivus and other

exotic lines with novel characters were evaluated under

polyhouse conditions during winter season.

Luffa. Seventy five and 72 germplasm/advanced

breeding lines and virus resistant lines of Luffa

(sponge gourd) were evaluated during spring

summer and kharif seasons, respectively and

promising lines maintained. In ridge gourd, 80 and

96 germplasm/ breeding lines including Satputia and

its genetic stock were evaluated during spring

summer and kharif seasons, respectively, and

promising lines maintained.

Pumpkin. Fifty germplasm/ advanced breeding

lines of pumpkin were evaluated and maintained.

Muskmelon and snapmelon. One hundred forty

eight lines of muskmelon and 48 lines of snapmelon

were evaluated and maintained.

Minor cucurbits. Twenty five, 36 and 24

germplasm/ advanced breeding lines of summer

squash, longmelon and roundmelon, respectively, were

evaluated and maintained.

Okra. One hundred forty one cultivated and 21

wild accessions of okra were maintained.

Minor leafy vegetables. Nineteen lines of methi, 15

of Chenopodium, 8 of palak, 11 of spinach and 9 of

Amaranth were maintained.

2.1.13 Fruit Crops

Acid lime. A survey was made around Fatehpur

district of Uttar Pradesh and 11 plants were selected

based on yield and fruit quality parameters. Fruit

weight varied from 40.5 g in ALC 59 to 88.1 g in ALC

58, while juice recovery ranged from 34.98% in ALC 55

to 59.63% in ALC 58. All collections had acidity more

than 5.0%, however, maximum was recorded in ALC

56 and minimum in ALC 53 (5.57%). Plants of these

collections were collected and planted in evaluation

block.

Kinnow. For identifying low seeded Kinnow

mandarin clones, Hoshiarpur district of Punjab was

surveyed. The areas surveyed were Mehlianwali,

Ahranakala, Darapur and Dharamkot. Out of 16

orchards surveyed in different locations, two low

seeded Kinnow mandarin trees (<10 years) were

identified in new orchards of Mehlianwali (MH 2/1)

and Darapur (DDH 5/5). The number of seeds/ fruit of

MH 2/1 and DDH 5/5 were 5 and 15 with vitamin C

content of 30.50 and 28.9 mg/100 ml, respectively, and

the juice recovery was over 45%.

ALC 57 ALC 56 ALC 53 ALC 58

Guava. Thirty six genotypes with red peel, red and

white flesh with soft seeds or less number of seeds were

collected from different regions of Allahabad, Ajmer,

Udaipur and lower Palani hills of Tamil Nadu. Physico-

chemical characters were analysed. Significant

variability was observed among the traits, viz., fruit

size, weight, colour, TSS, acidity and vitamin C content.

Variability in guava

Grapes. Twenty four germplasm were collected

from Grape Research Station (GRS), Andhra Pradesh

Horticultural University, Hyderabad; NRC for

Grapes, Pune, College of Horticulture, Mandsaur

(Madhya Pradesh) and PAU, Ludhiana in the form of

un-rooted/ rooted cuttings. The cuttings were planted

in nursery for evaluation. Eight germplasm were

supplied to GRS, Andhra Pradesh Horticultural

University, Hyderabad.

39

Temperate fruit crops. At IARI Regional Station,

Amartara Cottage, Shimla, a dwarfing rootstock

(Prunus japonica) was identified for grafting stone

fruits on the basis of graft compatibility, precocity

and growth pattern. It gave fruiting in the same year

of grafting on apricot, peach, cherry and plum. Pusa

Apple Rootstock 101 (Malus baccata) Shillong was

recommended as an ideal promising rootstock for

conventional as well as high density (3m × 3m)

planting of apple. The grafted plant starts bearing

from 4th year onwards. It yielded more than 25 t/ha

at 30 % slope with drip irrigation facility. It also

showed resistance to powdery mildew, moderate

resistance to apple scab and tolerance to white root

rot.

2.1.14 Ornamental Crops

Rose. Thirty varieties of rose belonging to H.T.

and Floribunda groups (Vars. Bordo, Hollywood,

Tajmahal, Noblesse, Tineke, Golden Giant, Moncheri,

Modern Art, Bellona, First Prize, Landora, Gold

Bunny, Chablis, Bellona, Michele Mielland, Blue Bird,

Margaret Meryll, Casino, Out of Africa, Mirandy,

Lagerfield, Nigrette, Pristine, Garden of the World,

Abracadabra, Vale Della, About Face, Gold Strike,

Sarissa and Narang)were collected from different

sources.

Lilium. Three important lily cultivar groups were

evaluated at IARI Regional Station, Katrain. Among

LA-cultivars, Salmon Classic and in Oriental hybrid,

Medusa was the earliest to flower. OT-cultivar, Avocado

produced longer stem.

Tulip. Four new varieties, namely, Mughal, Don,

Prince Victoria and Blenda were collected, evaluated

and maintained along with twenty existing

germplasm at IARI Regional Station, Katrain. Don and

Mughal were found promising for cut flower

production.

Other ornamental crops. Two cultivars of

gladiolus, 10 of bougainvillea and two of marigold

(Giant Yellow and P 4 orange) were collected from

various sources and added to the existing

germplasm.

2.2 BIOSYSTEMATICS AND IDENTI-FICATION SERVICES

2.2.1 Fungal Biosystematics and IdentificationServices

Enrichment of repository of fungal biodiversity.

One hundred and six specimens of fungal diseases of

various groups were accessioned in Herbarium

Cryptogamaae Indiae Orientalis (HCIO), raising the

total number of specimens to 49,977. Besides, 3,846

fungal cultures belonging to Mastigomycotina,

Zygomycotina, Ascomycotina and Deuteromycotina

groups were maintained at Indian Type Culture

Collection. The culture collection was enriched with

38 different fungal cultures.

Culture supply and identification services. A set

of 250 authentic fungal cultures belonging to different

groups, viz., Zygomycetes (1), Hyphomycetes (207),

Ascomycetes (2) and Coelomycetes (40) were

identified, besides, 280 cultures supplied to various

users.

Characterization of fungal species. In order to

identify suitable marker for developing DNA barcode

for fungal pathogens, Multilocus sequence typing

(MLST) of Trichoderma spp. (T. asperellum, 15 isolates;

T. harzianum, 14 isolates; T. longibrachiatum, 21 isolates;

T. virens, 11 isolates) based on ITS, tef-1, Cal, -tubulin,

and rpb 2 regions was carried out which revealed -

tubulin as a suitable marker for the inter-species

differentiation of Trichoderma isolates. Similarly,

characterization of Collectrichum gloeosporoides (15), C.

capsici (9) and C. musae (1) isolates based on ITS,

glyceraldehydes 3 phosphate (gpd) and -tubulin

regions were identified as suitable marker for inter-

species differentiation. In contrast, ND 6 was identified

as a suitable marker singly and/or in combination with

tef1 for differentiating 26 isolates of different Fusarium

spp. (11).

2.2.2 Insect Biosystematics

Taxonomic studies conducted in subfamily

Mutillinae ( Hymenoptera : Mutillidae) resulted in

several new records, viz., Trogaspidia pilosella (Magretti),

40

Pristomutilla pauli (André) and Trogaspidia intermedia

(Saussure) from India; numerous new distribution

records, viz., Kurzenkotilla niveosignata from Bihar,

Delhi, Haryana, Mutilla rufodorsata from Bihar,

Karlissaidia sexmaculatus from Andhra Pradesh, Bihar,

Karnataka, T. villosa from Coimbatore, Vanhartenidia

dives from Haryana, etc.; cataloging of all the known

169 species under 29 genera in this subfamily from

India with synonyms, revisionary details, and

zoogeographic distribution of these species ; taxonomic

accounts of a total of 31 species under 12 genera

including a new species Trogaspidia karnatakaensis sp.

nov. The new species karnatakaensis is closely related

to species pilosella but differs from it by having a dense

setal white spot on the dorso- lateral side of pronotum,

genitalia broaderat the apex compared to base; penial

valves long and slender, etc.; Further the male of K.

sexmaculatus was described for the first time; two new

combinations were proposed, viz., sexmaculatus

transferred from genus Wallacidia to Karlissaidia Lelej

in tribe Trogaspidiini and consociata from genus

Physetopoda to Smicromyrme in tribe Smicromyrmini;

description of all the species were standardized to an

uniform format with additional characters,

morphometric ratios, 350 illustrations including 165

line diagrams. Keys were formulated with valid

characters and up to date terminology for all the genera

and species studied separately for both males and

females.

A new leaf hopper species, Sophonia chandrai sp.

nov. was described from Tupul, Manipur. This species

can be distinguished by the ventral process of pygofer

which is long and thin with pointed apex; aedeagus

robust, membranous; dorsal apodeme robust with one

pair of long, recurved, apical process about as long as

dorsal apodeme in lateral view; two pairs of lateral

shorter spine like processes, one basolaterally and one

near apex. Another leafhopper Chudania axona was

recorded from Umkiang, Meghalaya for the first time

and re-described.

Male of Trogaspidia karnatakaensis sp. nov.

Sophonia chandrai sp. nov.

Female Male

World review of the leaf hopper genus Phlogotettix

with 9 species was completed with discovery of one

new species. Further Phlogotettix indicus Rao was

redescribed and two species monozoneus Li and Wang

and longicornis Kamitiani, Hayashi and Yamada from

China and Japan, respectively were synonymized with

it. A key for identification of all the species was also

formulated.

Surveys conducted in various regions of North and

North East India indicated the faunistic composition

of collected scarabaeid beetles from Uttar Pradesh to

be 16 species under 10 genera while from Uttarakhand

and North East India it was 16 species under 11 genera,

and 24 species under 10 genera, respectively. A mite,

41

Sancassania sp. was found to be associated with field

collected scarab larvae belonging to Melolonthinae,

especially, Holotrichia and Maladera. On an average 590

mites per larva were found congregating around the

spiracles resulting in 55-60% mortality.

2.2.3 Nematode Biosystematics and Identi-fication Services

National Nematode Collection of India (NNCI)

was augmented by the addition of 30 wet suspensions,

thus, bringing the total strength to 2,371 type slides

(belonging to 194 genera and 588 species) and 3,455

wet Collections.

A total of 62 additions were made in the wet

collection. Identified slides of 10 species of plant

parasitic nematodes were provided to AICRP

(Nematodes) for their reference. Fifty species of type

collection, including a specimen of male (wherever

available) and female, were digitized. More than 1.75

lacs photographs of entire specimen were captured and

stored. Digitization of NNCI is being done using

motorized Zeiss image analysis system at a

magnification of 630X (with 63X oil objective).

Developed a Check-list of globally known 115 species

of Tylenchorhynchus Cobb, 1913 along with

compendium of the 60 Indian species and

communicated for publication.

Altogether 15 composite soil samples were

collected from the rhizosphere of maize, ginger, french

bean, turmeric, rice, radish, pea, citrus, cabbage and

potato. Helicotylenchus species were the most frequently

occurring (A.F.=86.7%), followed by omnivorous

dorylaims (A.F.=80%) and bacteriophagousrhabditids

(66 %). Other plant parasitic nematode genera

encountered were Tylenchorhynchus, Meloidogyne,

Heterodera, Xiphinema and Trichodorus in low

frequencies (A.F.= 6-13 %).

A total of 23 soil samples received from Uttar Pradesh

and Delhi, were analysed and the nematodes identified

were: Tylenchorhynchusnudus, T. elegans, Hirschmanni-

ellaoryzae, Meloidogynegraminicola, Rotylenchulusreniformis,

Criconemoides and Heterodera sp. Five isolates of

entomopathogenic nematodes received from Kerala, were

identified and placed under carpocapsae(3) and bicornutum

group (2) of the genus Steinernema.

Discovered 11 new Gene Sequences of the 16S

region of rDNA comprising 4 of Xenorhabdus (GQ

923884, JN457412, JN547413, JN547414), 5 of

Photorhabdus (JQ924830, JQ924831, JX221722, JX221723,

JX240394) and 2 of Providenciarettgeri strains (GQ

923882, and GQ923883) and deposited in NCBI

GenBank.

Two hundred forty seven samples collected by the

Division of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry

were observed for nematode fauna. Rice root

nematode, Hirschmaniella oryzae, not encountered in

earlier survey conducted in 1978, was found to occur

at IARI farm. Unlike previous survey, Helicotylenchus

spp. were present in very few samples. Recording for

free living nematodes was also done in the samples.

The cereal cyst nematode, Heterodera avenae was the

most predominant nematode pest associated with wheat

in Bhoot garhi and Gothani villages in Bulandshahr

district with a population of >19 cysts /200 cm3 soil. It was

also observed from Shahpur in Aligarh district of UP. In

Leh, H. avenae was encountered in all the wheat growing

areas. A new species of Diptherophora was found in the

rhizosphere of apricot and apple trees, and was described.

Species of Trichodorus, Aphelenchoides and Aphelenchus

were also encountered. Dorylaimids were predominant

in samples from bamboo. Cyst nematode obtained in

another survey showed similarities with H. cardiolata and

H. graminis.

The soil and diseased plant samples received from

Directorate of Seed Research, Mau, U.P. were found to

harbour Criconemoides and Hirschmaniella in low

numbers (about 1/5 cc soil) for attributing the disease

to nematodes alone. Tissue culture plants of different

species received from the TERI, Gurgaon, were

diagnosed and certified to be free from harmful

nematodes for export purpose.

Tylenchorhynchus, Rotylenchulus reniformis, larva of

cyst (Heteroderoides), Aphelenchus, Mononchus, Ironus,

Cephalobids, Tylenchus, and Dorylaimids were

observed in the samples collected from the forest areas

of Dehradun.

42

3. CROP AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENTFOR SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENT

Managing crops and resources efficiently for higher agricultural productivity, profitability and environmental

sustainability are challenging tasks. These issues have been adequately addressed through researches in various

Divisions in the School of Natural Resource Management. Efficient management of crops and resources (soil/

nutrient/water/energy) under various cropping systems in conventional as well as conservational mode of

agriculture have been studied and validated. Various studies in this regard have revealed the beneficial aspects

of genotype × environment (nutrient/water) interactions. Ground water recharge, recycling of waste water for

irrigation and quality aspects of crops using waste water from consumer health point of view have been studied.

Precision monitoring techniques for major nutrients (N,P,K & S) in certain crops and precise cultivation techniques

for crops under protected environment have been developed. The effective management of below ground diversity

along with efficient farm mechanization, development of new farm-machinery and post-harvest management of

perishable farm produces like vegetables, fruits, flowers have been evolved, tested and refined. Several efficient

and beneficial microbes/consortia/biofilms of agricultural importance have added new dimensions of research in

the management of natural resources. Impact of different agricultural practices on mitigation of GHGs emission

and climate change on crop production have been studied and documented.

3.1 AGRONOMY

3.1.1 Conservation Agriculture for ImprovingResource-use Efficiency and Productivity inWheat-based Cropping Systems

Conservation agriculture (CA) practices are being

developed for non-rice-wheat cropping systems under

irrigated conditions to replace rice with suitable

alternative crops during kharif season in north-western

plains zone. Therefore, a study (continued since 2010)

was undertaken with three major non-rice cropping

systems, viz., maize-wheat, cotton-wheat, pigeonpea-

wheat with different CA practices to diversify rice-

wheat system. Among the three non-rice cropping

systems, cotton was found consistently superior to

pigeonpea and maize in term of maize equivalent yield,

Productivity and net returns in different non-rice,wheat-based cropping systems

Treatment Cotton-wheat Pigeonpea-wheat Maize-wheat

System Net returns System Net returns System Net returns

productivity (x103 `/ha) productivity (x103`/ha) productivity (x103 `/ha)

(WEY) (t/ha) (WEY) (t/ha) (WEY) (t/ha)

CT+ flat bed 12.25 125.4 10.06 120.1 8.81 105.5

ZT+ narrow bed 13.72 151.3 10.22 124.8 8.65 117.4

ZT+ narrow bed with residue 14.74 158.2 10.87 126.1 9.45 123.0

ZT+ broad bed 13.72 155.5 10.84 126.9 9.06 121.7

ZT+ Broad bed with residue 14.88 159.8 11.15 127.2 9.55 118.8

ZT+ flat bed 13.35 145.3 9.81 125.7 9.01 120.0

ZT+ flat bed with residue 13.99 149.4 10.81 125.3 9.67 122.0

LSD (P = 0.05) 0.36 - 0.21 - 0.42 -

WEY: Wheat Equivalent Yield

43

and cotton-wheat system superior to pigeonpea-wheat

and maize-wheat systems in terms of wheat equivalent

yield, system productivity and net returns. All the three

crops performed better when grown on zero-till (ZT)

broad, narrow or flat beds with residue than in

conventional-till (CT) flat bed. Zero-till broad-bed with

residues resulted in significantly higher SOC,

particularly at the surface (0-5 cm) layers in soil. Cotton-

wheat system under zero-till broad bed with residues

gave higher system crop productivity, water

productivity, energy productivity and efficiency and

net returns than pigeonpea-wheat or maize-wheat

system. This system could be a potential alternative to

rice-wheat system which was found to give a net return

of `1,22,724 with a system productivity of 14.67 t/ha

(wheat equivalent) in 2011-12.

3.1.2 Conservation Agriculture forImproving Resource-use Efficiency andProductivity in Rice-based Cropping System

In a study (continued since 2010), the

performance of direct-seeded rice (DSR) cv. PRH 10

with different CA practices was compared with

conventional transplanted puddled rice (TPR)-

conventional till wheat (CTW) system. The results

showed that DSR with rice residue (RR) retained on

the surface in zero-till wheat (ZTW), followed by

summer mungbean (SMB) and its residue retention

resulted in rice yield similar with, and wheat yield

significantly higher than TPR-CTW or ZTW. It not

only resulted in significantly higher system crop

productivity, net returns and B:C ratio than TPR-

CTW or ZTW. It also gave higher system water

productivity and energy productivity than TPR-

CTW or ZTW. This treatment resulted in a

considerable improvement of soil carbon (Walkley and

Black method ) from initial 1.6 g kg-1 bulk soil, labile

and very labile carbon, and total N content in the

surface soil (0-5 cm) in rice-wheat system. This as

well as other DSR treatments showed a considerable

reduction in global warming potential (GWP)

through reduction of methane emission from rice

field. Wheat grown in mungbean residues (MBR) +

DSR – RR + ZTW – SMB system gave higher yields

over other DSR treatments, whereas DSR reduced

methane emission and global warming potential

compared to TPR.

3.1.3 Evaluation of System of WheatIntensification (SWI) with Other Methodsof Wheat Cultivation

A field experiment was conducted to compare the

productivity and economics of different methods of

wheat cultivation. A significantly higher number of

effective tillers and number of grains per earhead were

significantly higher in SWI-DS over the conventional

method. There was no significant difference in 1000-

grain weight due to different methods of cultivation.

Significantly higher grain yield and net returns were

obtained with direct seeded system of wheat

intensification over all other methods.

System productivity and economics of different CA rice-wheat systems

Treatment System productivity Net returns Net B:C

(in rice equivalent) (t/ha) (x103`/ha)

Direct-seeded rice (DSR) –zero-till wheat (ZTW) 9.66 103.4 1.86

DSR - rice residues (RR) + ZTW 9.72 95.6 1.59

DSR + brown manuring (BM) – ZTW 10.19 107.9 1.89

DSR + BM – RR + ZTW 10.35 105.0 1.69

Mungbean residues (MBR) + DSR - ZTW - summer mungbean (SMB) 12.29 (2.46)* 122.4 1.81

Mungbean residues (MBR) + DSR – RR + ZTW - summer mungbean (SMB) 13.68 (2.73)* 134.8 1.87

Conventional puddled transplanted rice (TPR) - ZTW 10.23 100.3 1.43

TPR – conventional till wheat (CTW) 9.85 96.4 1.34

LSD (P =0.05) 0.43 - -

* Rice Equivalent Yield of mungbean

44

3.1.4 Sensor based Nitrogen and WaterManagement in Wheat

A field experiment was conducted in wheat (var.

HD 2967) to study the effect of precise nitrogen and

irrigation scheduling using plant sensors. Treatments

comprised of combinations of four nitrogen application

rates and three water application schedules. Applying

N based on SPAD value < 42 resulted in the highest

grain (5.24 t/ha) and straw (9.08 t/ha) yields which were

significantly higher than those of soil based and SPAD

value < 40 based N application. Water productivity (0.89

kg/m3) was the highest with SPAD value < 42 based N

applications. Further, SPAD based N application saved

20-40 kg N/ha without causing significant yield

reductions. Applying irrigation based on relative water

content (RWC) and crop water stress index (CWSI)

significantly improved water productivity over IW/

CPE ratio based irrigation. However, yield was

significantly reduced when irrigations were timed as

per RWC 85% and CWSI 0.6.

3.1.5 Evaluation of Wheat Varieties underVery Early Sown and Limited Period AssuredIrrigation Conditions in Central Zone

Nine wheat varieties, viz., HI 1531, GW 273, Lok 1,

HD 2987, HI 8627, HD 4672, HI 8638, HI 8663 and HI

1500 were sown on October 5 at Regional Station,

Indore to find out the most suitable variety for very

early sown conditions under limited period assured

irrigation condition (come-up irrigation provided

after sowing in dry to facilitate germination + 3

irrigations given thereafter at about monthly

intervals). Durum wheat variety HI 8663 produced

maximum grain yield (3.46 t/ha), being statistically

on a par with GW 273 (3.36 t/ha), HI 1500 (3.18 t/ha)

and HI 8627 (3.13 t/ha), but significantly higher over

all other varieties. It showed that the popular bread

wheat variety Lok 1 was not suitable for very early

sowing (1.92 t/ha).

3.1.6 Seed Treatment with Static MagneticField (SMF) and Gamma Radiation (GR)Influences Grain Yield of Aerobic Rice

A field experiment was conducted to study the

effect of SMF and GR-treated seeds on growth and yield

of aerobic rice (Pusa Basmati 1121) employing five seed

treatments. The highest grain yield of rice was recorded

with GR at 0.0025 kGy treated seeds, which was on a

par with SMF treatments.

Effect of static magnetic field (SMF) and gamma radiation(GR) treated seed on yield attributes and yield of aerobic rice

Treatment Panicles/ m2 Number of Grain

filled grains/ yield

panicle (t/ha)

SMF at 50 mT 347ab 104 a 3.60ab

SMF at 100 mT 335ab 101ab 3.42ab

GR at 0.0025 kGy 367a 106a 3.80a

GR at 0.10 kGy 324b 99ab 3.16b

Control 319b 93b 3.21b

Yield attributes and grain yield of wheat (var. HD 2967) under different methods of cultivation

Treatment Effective tillers No. of grains/ Test wt. Grain yield Net returns

(m-2) earhead (g) (t/ha) (`/ha)

Conventional 445 67.3 35.6 6.08 71,910

Furrow irrigated raised bed system 358 72.0 36.3 5.87 68,960

Conventional sowing at 20x10cm and 459 72.7 36.2 6.08 67,040

irrigations as in SWI

System of wheat intensification - direct seeded 479 76.0 36.9 7.93 91,175

System of wheat intensification - transplanted 269 72.3 36.7 4.07 29,065

Conventional and irrigations as SWI 423 66.0 36.7 5.80 70,015

LSD (P=0.05) 5.7 4.48 NS 1.06

System of wheat intensification (SWI) and conventional method

45

3.1.7 Effect of Transplanting Dates andNitrogen on Seed Yield and Quality of PusaPunjab Basmati 1509

There was significant reduction in yield attributes

like plant height, panicles/m2 and seed weight/panicle

when transplanting was delayed to 30th July compared

to 10th July in Pusa Punjab Basmati 1509 but seed yield

increased significantly with increase in nitrogen dose

up to 120 kg which was on a par with 80 kg N/ha at

Karnal. Seed germination was not affected by

transplanting dates or nitrogen levels and remained

well above minimum seed certification standard of 80

percent. Maximum seedling vigour was recorded with

10th July transplanting which was significantly higher

than those of 20th and 30th July transplanting.

3.1.8 Performance of Basmati Cultivarsunder Organic and Integrated NutrientManagement

Four basmati cultivars, viz., Pusa Punjab Basmati

1509, PB 1121, PB 6 and PB 1 were evaluated at Karnal

for yield under organic and integrated nutrient

management. Among the cultivars, PB 1 recorded

significantly higher grain yield than all the other

cultivars, followed by PB 6. Among the nutrient

treatments, vermicompost+50% recommended dose of

fertilizers (RDF) was significantly superior to FYM 5t/

ha + 50% RDF, FYM 10t/ha, vermicompost 2.5t/ha+75%

RDF and green manuring. Differential responses of

cultivars were recorded under different nutrient

management. Higher grain yield of Pusa PB 1509 was

recorded under RDF whereas PB 1121 and PB 1 were

superior under vermicompost+50% RDF. PB 6 recorded

significantly higher grain yield over others under

organic treatments, viz., FYM 10t/ha, FYM 10t/ha +

vermicompost 5t/ha and green manuring +

vermicompost 5 t/ha.

3.1.9 Assessment of Rice EstablishmentMethods with Different Rice Varieties underNEPZ

At Regional Station, Pusa, three rice establishment

methods, i.e., Direct Seeded Rice (DSR), System of Rice

Intensification (SRI) and Puddle Transplanted Rice

(PTR) were assessed with five varieties involving one

hybrid Arise 6444 and four conventional varieties of

this zone PS 5, Pusa Improved Basmati (scented), PNR

381 and Pusa 834 (non scented). The results revealed

that irrespective of varieties, SRI method of rice

establishment was significantly higher yielder (6.04 t/ha)

as compared to DSR and PTR. Whereas irrespective of

rice establishment methods hybrid Arise 6444 (7.22 t/ha)

emerged as significantly higher yielder, followed by

PS 5 (5.41 t/ha).

3.1.10 Effect of Integrated PotassiumFertilization on Yield and Quality of Maizeand Wheat

An experiment on maize-wheat cropping system

was carried out to evaluate the effect of integrated

potassium fertilization on maize and wheat. Results

revealed that the application of 90 kg K2O/ha

supplemented with 60 kg K2O through MOP and 30

kg K2O through FYM to both the crops produced

maximum grain yield of wheat and maize over

remaining treatments. The treatments with 60 kg K2O

supplemented with 30 kg K2O through FYM + 30 kg

K2O through MOP also proved significantly superior

over 60 kg K2O/ha applied through MOP alone.

The nutrient concentration in maize and wheat

grains were significantly influenced by K2O

fertilization. The highest concentration of N, P, K, Zn,

Fe and protein content in maize and wheat grains were

recorded with integrated potassium fertilization in both

the crops, i.e., MOP60

+ FYM30

(Maize) - K0(Wheat) and

K0(Maize) – MOP

60 + FYM

30(Wheat), respectively.

3.1.11 Nutrient Omission Studies in Maize

An experiment was conducted to study the effect

of omitted nutrients on productivity and profitability

of maize-wheat system as well as soil quality. The

highest grain and stover yield of maize were recorded

with the application of N, P, K & Zn on the basis of soil

test value (STV) which was on a par with the

application of recommended dose of N,P,K & Zn. The

omission of N, P, K and Zn resulted in 20.5, 6.7, 8.1 and

2.7% reduction in maize grain yield, respectively,

compared to RD of NPKZn. Application of NPKZn

based on STV fetched the highest net returns, followed

by recommended dose of NPKZn. Soil based

application of NPKZn as well as recommended dose

46

of NPKZn resulted in higher activity of alkaline

phosphatase, dehydrogenase and microbial biomass

carbon (MBC) in soil at harvest of maize crop as

compared to control.

filling stages recoded the significantly highest Zn

concentration in grains (72.3 mg/kg grain) as compared

to 42.6 mg/kg grain in control, as well as highest grain

yield (2.25 t/ha) which was 42.4 and 22.3% higher

compared to the absolute control and only NPK. Hence,

Zn was found to have a significant role in increasing

productivity and Zn concentration in chickpea.

3.1.14 Influence of Diversification ofSoybean-based Cropping Systems andNutrient Sources on Productivity and SoilHealth

A field experiment was conducted to study the

effect of diversification of cropping systems and

nutrient sources on productivity and soil health. The

combined application of 25 % (RDF) + 50 %

recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN) through FYM +

biofertilizers gave significantly increased seed yield of

soybean over all other sources except 50 % RDF along

with 25 % RDN through FYM and biofertlizers. During

rabi, wheat and potato produced significantly the

highest grain/tuber yields with the application of 100

% RDF followed by 50 % RDF + 50 % RDN through

FYM. Chickpea recorded significantly higher yield with

combined application of 50 % RDF + 50% RDN through

FYM. Substitution of 50 % of RDN through FYM along

with 50 % RDF through fertilizers resulted in

significantly highest productivity of summer

mungbean and fodder sorghum. The system

productivity of different soybean-based cropping

systems revealed that soybean-chickpea-fodder

sorghum recorded the highest soybean equivalent yield

(7.9 t/ha/year) followed by soybean-wheat-mungbean.

Application of 50 % RDF along with 50 % RDN through

FYM or 50 % RDF with 25 % RDN through FYM +

biofertlizers resulted in improved soil status of

Effect of different nutrient omission treatments on grain and stoveryields of maize

3.1.12 Yield Evaluation of Maize Hybrids inRabi Season

Five Vivek Hybrids of maize (from VPKAS,

Almora) were evaluated in rabi season against five

maize hybrids recommended for North Bihar at

Regional Station, Pusa (Bihar). During 2011-12 all the

five Vivek Hybrids attained physiological maturity

between 120 to 130 days, whereas other hybrids under

test attained physiological maturity between 150 to160

days thereby taking almost one additional month for

the crop. The significantly highest grain yield of 11.54

t/ha was recorded with hybrid Pioneer 30V92, followed

by Vivek Hybrid 25 (7.09 t/ha) in rabi season but in other

two seasons (spring and kharif) at this location Vivek

Hybrid 25 performed best among tested hybrids. At

the same time, this hybrid was harvested almost one

month earlier, therefore, preference of farmers for

growing this hybrid is more.

3.1.13 Agronomic Bio-fortification of Zn inChickpea

A field experiment was carried out to study the

agronomic bio-fortification of Zn in chickpea.

Application of NPK + Zn EDTA @ 0.5% solution spray

at maximum vegetative growth + flowering + grainSoil dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphatase activities atflowering stage of soybean

47

available N, P and K at harvest of crops and maximum

activities of soil dehydrogenase and alkaline

phosphatase enzymes over application of 100 % RDF

alone and control, besides giving higher yields.

3.1.15 Evaluation of Maize and Soybean-based Cropping Systems under DifferentTillage Practices

In a fixed plot field experiment, five maize-based

and five soybean-based cropping systems with 300%

cropping intensity were evaluated under different

tillage practices for system productivity, economics and

soil health. In the tillage systems, minimum tillage with

crop residue cover recorded significantly higher system

productivity (maize grain equivalent), production

efficiency, net returns and B:C ratio as compared to

conventional tillage. Minimum tillage with residue

cover also found to improve/ moderate soil available

nutrient, available soil moisture, soil temperature and

soil microbial properties. In cropping systems,

soybean-based cropping systems were found more

productive and profitable than maize based systems.

In terms of maize grain equivalent yield, maize/

soybean-garden pea–sunflower system was found

more productive and profitable, followed by maize/

soybean-potato–sunflower system. Microbial activities

and other soil properties recorded considerable

improvement due to intervention of legumes in the

cropping systems.

3.1.16 Nutrient and Moisture Managementin Maize + Soybean Intercropping Systemunder Dryland Conditions

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the

performance of maize + soybean intercropping under

dryland conditions. Maize + soybean intercropping

system performed well under dryland conditions.

Paired row planting of maize + soybean gave

significantly higher maize equivalent yield over sole

maize. Application of organic mulch + 6% kaolin spray

was proved significantly better over control. Among

different fertility levels application of 100% RDF

recorded significantly higher maize equivalent yield.

3. 2 SOIL MANAGEMENT

3.2.1 Effect of Nutrient Management Optionson Total Soil Carbon

Long-term (9 years) impact of application of

organic manure, green manure and biofertilizers on

depth-wise distribution (0-15, 15-30 and 30-45 cm) of

total carbon (C) was studied under rice-wheat system

Effect of tillage practices and cropping systems on system productivity, production efficiency, net returns and B:C ratio

Treatment System productivity- Production efficiency Net returns B:C ratio

maize grain (kg/ha/day) (x103 `/ha)

equivalent (t/ha)

Tillage

Conventional tillage 15.02 41.16 118.9 2.14

Minimum tillage with crop residue 17.08 46.80 135.2 2.17

LSD (P=0.05) 0.75 2.05 6.25 NS

Maize and Soybean based systems

Maize 14.92 40.89 116.9 2.00

Soybean 17.18 47.07 137.2 2.31

LSD (P=0.05) 0.27 0.74 3.06 0.05

Cropping systems

M/S - Potato-sunflower 21.51 58.92 160.8 2.14

M/S - Pea-sunflower 28.13 77.07 242.3 4.12

M/S - Wheat-greengram 9.39 25.73 72.5 1.32

M/S - Coriander-greengram 12.59 34.49 98.7 1.97

M/S - Fenugreek-greengram 8.64 23.68 60.9 1.22

LSD (P=0.05) 0.42 1.15 4.09 0.07

M/S – Maize/Soybean

48

in an Inceptisol of IARI farm. Sole application of

farmyard manure (FYM) at 10 t/ha each to both rice

and wheat, Sesbania green manure (SGM) at 10 t/ha to

rice, and Leucaena green leaf manuring (LGLM) at 10 t/

ha to wheat significantly increased total C content in

all the three soil depths. However, the effect was most

spectacular when all the organic sources (SGM, FYM,

Blue Green Algae at 10 kg/ha to rice and LGLM,

Azotobacter seed treatment at 2 kg/ha and FYM to

wheat) were applied together. The effect of organic

sources was found to be more pronounced in surface

soil than sub-surface soil.

3.2.2 Effect of Nutrient ManagementPractices on Aggregate Protected Carbon inSoil

Effect of long-term (7 years) use of fertilizers and

organics on the soil aggregate protected Carbon on an

Inceptisol was studied in different potato-based

cropping systems. Application of vermicompost

(equivalent to 100% N) alone or in combination with

crop residues significantly increased the

macroaggregate-, microggregate- and total aggregate-

protected Carbon in 0-5 cm soil depth. Though

combined application of fertilizers (50% NPK) and

vermicompost (50% N) showed higher Carbon

in macroaggregates, it failed to enhance C in

microaggregates. Maize-potato-onion system showed

greater amount of macroaggregate protected C and

total aggregate protected C while rice-potato-wheat

system favoured formation of microaggregate

protected C. Sesamum-potato-greengram system

showed lowest aggregate protected carbon.

3.2.3 Soil Organic Carbon Stocks andFractions under Different Land Use Systemsin East Khasi Hills of Meghalaya

An attempt was made to assess the fractions of soil

organic C under different land use systems in East

Khasi Hills of Meghalaya. The results indicated that

the total organic C, microbial biomass C,

polysaccharides, glomalin labile C, non-labile C and

particulate organic C followed the order of agroforestry

(AF) > horticulture > agriculture. Total organic C,

particulate organic C, labile C, non-labile C and

microbial biomass C in the soils under agroforestry

were greater by 27.8, 107, 131.7, 18.0 and 55.7%,

respectively, as compared to agriculture land use. On

the other hand, conversion of fallow lands to

agriculture, horticulture and agroforestry land uses

significantly increased all these fractions by many fold.

Amongst the land uses, SOC stocks were highest

through the 0-75 cm soil under agroforestry (54.3 t/ha),

followed by horticulture plantation (53.7 t/ha) and

agriculture crops (49.3 t/ha). Amongst the three land

uses, agroforestry improved the overall soil quality,

aggregate stability and sequestered more organic C in

subtropical Meghalaya.

3.2.4 Effect of Applied Nanoparticles onRice Crop

Transport and accumulation of iron (Fe) and zinc

(Zn) nanoparticles (NPs) in root and shoot of rice plants

were studied under hydroponics. A comparison of four

application rates, i.e., 0, 100, 500 and 1000 ppm each of

Fe and Zn nanoparticles (Fe2O

3 and ZnO) indicated that

elongation of the roots was inhibited with increasing

concentrations of the NPs. Transmission electron

microscopy (TEM) revealed the presence of Fe and Zn

nanoparticles in root cells and xylem sap. This implies

that these NPs were transported from roots to shoots

via xylem. The current study indicated possible

bioaccumulation of Fe and Zn NPs (20-40 nm) in

biomass.

Accumulation of nano particles in roots of rice plant

3.2.5 Effect of Modified Clays on HeavyMetal Sorption and Bioavailability to Crops

Modified bentonites were prepared by Mn oxide

coating, Fe oxide coating and aluminium pillaring and

adsorption behavior of Zn, Cu, Ni and Cd on these

modified clays was studied. Modification of bentonite

with iron oxide and manganese oxide resulted in

49

enhanced heavy metal sorption as revealed by

Freundlich and Langmuir parameters. This was

reflected in greenhouse experiment, where addition of

modified bentonites significantly reduced the

phytoavailability of zinc, copper and nickel as well as

hazard coefficients to Amaranthus and spinach used as

test crops.

3.2.6 Protocol for Fixing MaximumAllowable Limit of Sludge Application toAgricultural Lands

A preliminary study was made to assess the

maximum permissible limits of sludge application to

agricultural soils in relation to transfer of metals to

human food chain. For this purpose, a pot experiment

was conducted on acid and alkaline soils with graded

rates of sludge (0, 1.12, 2.24, 4.48, 8.96, 17.9, 35.8, 71.6,

142 and 285 g/kg of soil) using spinach as a test crop.

Spinach responded positively to the applied sludge in

both acid and alkaline soils. Substantial increase in the

content of Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Cd and Pb in the shoot

of spinach was recorded as a result of sludge

application. Application of sludge was more effective

in enriching the spinach with metals grown on acid

soil than alkaline soil. Solubility-free ion activity model

as a function of pH, organic C and extractable metal

was far superior in predicting metal uptake by spinach

grown on sludge treated soils as compared to chemical

extractant alone. The risk in terms of hazard quotient

(HQ) to human health for intake of metals through

consumption of spinach grown on sludge treated soils

was computed for different metals. In a 90-day-pot

experiment, safe rates of sludge application were

worked out as 4.46 and 35.7 g/ kg for acid and alkaline

soil, respectively.

3.3 WATER MANAGEMENT

3.3.1 Watershed Management

3.3.1.1 Optimal crop planning of Biwanwatershed, Haryana

A linear programming (LP) model was developed

to propose alternative cropping pattern plan (including

and excluding improved water management strategies)

and maximize net returns from Biwan watershed,

subjected to various production and resource

constraints of the target area. LP proposed alternative

cropping plan with pearl millet (26.45%, irrigated;

7.54%, rainfed; total 33.99%); sorghum (26%, irrigated);

mungbean (10%, irrigated); arhar (10%, irrigated);

sesamum (10%, irrigated); vegetables (10%, irrigated);

fallow (10%) during kharif season and wheat (44%,

irrigated); mustard (28%, rainfed); tomato (18.25%,

irrigated); other vegetables (5.75%, irrigated) during

rabi season in place of existing cropping pattern plan,

i.e., with pearl millet (67%, rainfed); sorghum (22% -

7% multi-cut irrigated; 17.75%-rainfed); vegetables

(0.6%,irrigated ); fallow (10%) during kharif season and

wheat (55%, irrigated); mustard (24%, rainfed); tomato

(15%, irrigated); other vegetables (5%, irrigated) during

rabi season could yield 29.5% higher annual net income

(`87,172/ha/annum) as compared to the existing

cropping plan (i.e., with net income ` 67,320/ha/

annum).

However, this was associated with a 36.12%

increase in the total annual water demand (731 ha-m

vis-à-vis existing demand of 537 ha-m) for the area. This

study revealed that as the total surface runoff potential

of the area (225.53 ha-m) is more than the additional

water demand of 194 ha-m, therefore, this may be

achieved through proper planning of the water

harvesting measures in the study area. Incorporation

of water saving technologies along with alternative

cropping plan could lead to a further 13.9% increase in

the annual net income (` 99,334/ha/annum) for the

farmer of this region. The analysis also revealed that

as compared to ` 1.20 per m3 being actually spend by

the farmer as market water cost, the dual (shadow)

price of water (i.e. income per unit additional water

consumed under limited water conditions) is ` 7.85/-

and ̀ 10.80 per m3, under existing and improved water

saving technologies, respectively.

3.3.2 Waste Water Management

3.3.2.1 Impact of harvesting of wetlandvegetation on the pollutant removal efficiencyof a pilot sewage water treatment plant of IARIand its up-scaling

The sewage water treatment plant of IARI (of 1500-

LPD capacity) is in operation since 2009 and comprises

of 16 small scale batch fed (<1-day HRT) vertical sub

50

surface flow (VSSF) experimental wetlands (each of 100

lpd capacity). Long term pollutant mass reduction

efficiency of (so far not harvested) system over 2 years

(until July, 2011), indicated a general reduction (by 20-

40%) in its pollutant mass reduction efficiency over the

base year (i.e. 2010) and thereby emphasized the need for

a periodic plant biomass harvesting plan. To work out a

scientifically sound biomass harvesting plan, the wetland

vegetation (Typha sp, Phragmites sp. and Acorus sp.) of the

system were harvested (with the onset of the monsoon

season) during July, 2011 and thereafter the impact of

harvesting operation on the overall pollutant removal

efficiency of the treatment plant (in terms of both nutrients

and heavy metals) was monitored. Vegetation harvesting

could lead to significant (30-40%) improvement in nutrient

and metal removal efficiencies (70-90%). Treatment

systems based on the fast growing –Typha latifolia

vegetation were observed to be associated with 10-20%

superior nutrient and metal removal efficiencies. These,

along with those for the other wetland systems, however

subsequently dropped in the month of Jan. 2013. Thus,

for achieving year-round sustained (70-80%) plant -

pollutant removal efficiencies, a 5-monthy harvesting

schedule was worked out.

The pollutant mass reduction efficiency of the new

gravel based systems was then compared with those

for the old (but July, 2011-harvested) soil based systems.

Observations revealed that in general, the new gravel

based wetland systems were associated with

significantly higher (1.2. to 1.6 times) BOD, turbidity,

nitrate, sulphate, K, RSC, phosphate, nickel and lead

removal efficiencies.

Typha latifolia based systems stood out as the best

systems for chromium removal. However their

chromium removal efficiencies were very low (20%)

thereby suggesting the need for screening an

alternative wetland vegetation for this purpose. Iron

(Fe) and manganese (Mn) removal efficiencies were

observed to be significantly superior under soil based

systems, thereby indicating the role of soil media in

effective Fe/ Mn - transformation/ precipitation to non-

labile forms as one of the main geo-chemical process

governing sewage metal removal.

Based on these experiences, the technology has

been recently up-scaled to a 2.2 MLD horizontal sub-

surface flow system for treating sewage waters from

Krishi Kunj colony, adjoining IARI campus. Spread

over 1.42 hectares, the up-scaled system consists of

three treatment cells, with HRT of 2.2 days. Each

treatment cell is stratified with 60 cm thick layer of

stratified gravel, on which Typha latifolia- a wetland

vegetation - is planted. The average pollutant removal

efficiency of the system is quite significant. While

biological oxygen demand (BOD) of the influent at the

inlet is about 460 milligrams per liter (mg/l), the BOD

of effluent is 100 or less at the outlet. Besides this, the

system is capable of reducing total suspended solids

(TSS) from 220 mg/l to about 2.2 mg/l and nutrients /

heavy metals (such as NO3, PO4, K, Pb, Fe and Cr) by

75-85%. The treated water is collected in a 4800 m3

holding tank, from where it is pumped through a riser

A view of the up-scaled horizontal sub-surface flow sewagetreatment wetlands of IARI

BOD and Lead reduction efficiency of gravel vs. soil based wetlandsystems

51

pipe to the IARI - fields. The so treated sewage water

has a potential to irrigate 132 ha of IARI farm lands.

3.3.2.2 Consumer health risk from rice/ wheatgrains produced under different quality ofirrigation water

Consumer health hazard due to the consumption

of food grains produced through the ground waters

(GW), sewage waters (SW) and the waste waters treated

through the unplanted (CW) and the 3-planted wetland

technology (viz., Acoruscalamum planted: VW;

Phragmites karka planted: PW; and Typha latifolia

planted: TW) based systems was assessed in terms of

the Hazard Index (HI). For these estimations, daily

intake of grains/cereals by an adult of say 70 kg weight

was assumed to be 0.405 kg (on fresh weight basis, with

the fresh weight to dry weight conversion factor

assumed as 0.90 for grains/cereals). The dietary intake

of pollutants normally does not exceed 50 % of the

Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake, except for

individuals who are exposed through occupational

activities or are resident near a pollution point source.

Hence, for this analysis, the consumption probability

of contaminated grains was considered as 25%. While

the oral reference dose or safe daily intake quantity of

different heavy metals was based on the standard per

USEPA (1997 & 2002) guidelines. The analysis showed

that lead (Pb) followed by the iron (Fe), nickel (Ni) and

manganese (Mn) contributed the maximum to the

consumer health risk. However, in comparison to the

untreated sewage waters, these threats were

significantly lower with the Acoruscalamus and

Phragmites karka treated sewage waters. Further, the

overall metal health hazard due to the consumption of

wheat grains produced through untreated waste waters

was about 1.6 times more than that of the consumption

of similar water produced-paddy grains.

3.3.3 Irrigation Water Management

3.3.3.1 Evaluation of mungbean under bothsurface and drip irrigation systems

A study was conducted to find out the suitability

of drip irrigation for summer mungbean production.

The treatment consisted of three irrigation methods,

i.e., drip, furrow irrigated raised bed (FIRB) and check

basin (CB) with 3-irrigation regimes, i.e., 100% crop

evapotranspiration (ETc), 75% ETc and 60% ETc. Total

water applied was 234 mm, 175.5 mm, and 140.4 mm

in irrigation at 100% ETc, 75% ETc and 60% ETc,

respectively. The yield attributes (number of pods per

plant, number of grains per pod, pod length, 1000-grain

weight) as well as grain yield were also recorded to be

the highest in drip irrigated plots for all treatments as

compared to CB and FIRB.

Consumer health hazard due to consumption of wheat and paddygrains produced through the untreated vs. treated waste waters

Mungbean crop under drip irrigation

Yield of mungbean under different treatments in surfaceand drip irrigation methods

Treatments Yield (t/ha) under different irrigation methods

Drip Furrow Check Basin

100 % of ETC

1.11 0.98 0.82

75% of ETC

1.05 0.98 0.79

60% of ETC

0.92 0.88 0.69

CD (0.05) = 0.087

52

3.3.3.2 Effect of crop geometry and fertigationfrequency on the yield of kharif Onion

An experiment was conducted to study the effect

of crop geometries (S1 = 15 cm x 10 cm; S2= 12 cm x 10

cm; S3 = 10 cm x 10 cm; S4 = 7.5 cm x 10 cm) and

frequency of fertigation (F1 =every alternate day, i.e. 3

times in a week; F2= two times in a week; F3= once in a

week) on the yield, irrigation water use efficiency and

cost of the drip system in two onion cultivars (AFDR

and N 53). Lateral to lateral distance was 1.20 m in all

treatments, to maintain the cost of the system uniform.

Highest yield was observed in S4F1 (30 t/ha) in AFDR.

There was 9.8, 16.1 and 23.3 % decrease in the onion

yield in S1, S2 and S3, respectively, in comparison to

S4. Irrigation water productivity of 9.9 kg/m3 of water

was observed in S4F1. Increase in fertigation frequency

from once weekly to every alternate day increased the

yield by about 15 %. Water requirement for onion was

estimated to be 309 mm. However, because of adequate

rainfall, only 132 mm irrigation water was applied

through drip.

i.e., Pusa 44, Pusa 834, Pusa 1121 and Pusa 1401 were

sown with three replications. The variety Pusa 44

produced significantly higher yield (6.4 t/ha) in SRI

under drip. Irrigation water use efficiency (0.67 kg

grain/m3) and field water use efficiency (0.45 kg

grain/m3) was found to be highest in SRI method with

drip.

3.3.3.4 Soil water tension based irrigationscheduling of different wheat varieties underdrip irrigation

A field study was conducted to investigate the

water productivity of four wheat varieties (V1 = HD

2733; V2= HD 2851; V

3= HD 2894 and V

4= HD 2967) in

drip irrigation with different irrigation schedules. The

irrigation scheduling was based on different soil water

tensions (SWT) (I1 = 40 kpa; I

2 = 50 kpa; I

3 = 60 kpa and

I4 = 70 kpa). Water requirement of the crop was

estimated to be 35.1 cm. Maximum yield (7.1 t/ha) was

observed in V4 I

1. Water productivity at 70 kPa was

higher than all other irrigation schedules. Productivity

varied from 1.20 to 2.03 kg/m3. HD 2733 was found to

be more tolerant to deficit irrigation than the other three

wheat varieties.

3.3.3.5 Enhancing productivity of pulses throughmicro irrigation

Pigeon pea is one of the important pulses in

India but poor nutrient and water management

result in low productivity. Efforts were made to

enhance the productivity of pigeon pea through

drip-fertigation technology. Crop was sown on

raised beds of 15 cm height and 45 cm width leaving

30 cm furrow to insure proper drainage. Three

levels of irrigation (I1=100 % ETc, I

2= 80 % ETc, I

3=

60 % ETc) and 3 recommended doses of fertilizers

(F1=100 % RDF, F

2= 80 % RDF and F

3= 60 % RDF)

were applied through drip-fertigation. Highest

yield (2.97 t/ha) was obtained in treatment I1 F

1.

Deficit irrigation of 20 and 40 % of ETc reduced the

yield by 2.2 and 6.7 % in comparison to full volume

irrigation. Reduction in fertilizer doses to the tune

of 20 and 40 % of RDF reduced the yield by 3.3 and

20.2 %, respectively. Fertigation with drip irrigation

enhanced the yield by 39.3 % in comparison to only

drip irrigation.

Onion crop under drip irrigation

3.3.3.3 Response of rice varieties to differentplanting methods under drip irrigation

A field experiment was conducted with three

planting methods of rice, direct seeded rice (DSR),

system of rice intensification (SRI) with drip irrigation,

and traditional method as control. Four varieties of rice,

53

3.3.3.6 Deficit and partial root zone (PRZ)irrigation in drip-irrigated citrus

A study on drip irrigation was conducted to study

the effects of single and combined regulated deficit

irrigation (RDI) schedules on the yield and economics

of Kinnow mandarin. RDI was scheduled at 50% ETc,

during both early and final fruit growing periods, in

both single and combined modes. While simple deficit

irrigations (DI) at 50% ETc and 75% ETc criteria were

scheduled during the rest of the growth stages along

with or without partial root zone drying treatments.

Full irrigation (FI: irrigation at 100% ETc) was taken as

control, for comparison. Irrigation at 50% ETc in early,

100% at middle and 50% at final fruit growth periods

(RDI50-100-50

) saved around 30% irrigation water,

producing only 3-6% less yield. Similarly, PRD at 50%

ETc (PRD50

) proved superior, resulting in 35%

improvement in irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE)

as well as better economy.

3.3.4 Research on Climate Change andModelling

3.3.4.1 Development of interfaces for trendanalysis and drought indices

An interface for Climate Change Trend Analysis

(CCTA) of long term climatic data using Man Kendall

and Modified Man Kendall, Sen Seasonality trend test

and Cox Stuart trend test concepts was developed,

using MATLAB programming language. Temporal

variability in climatic parameters, reference crop evapo-

transpiration and groundwater levels for Karnal were

analyzed using Mann-Kendall test, Sen’s slope

estimator and time series ARIMA model. Analysis of

data of Karnal station showed that the mean daily

minimum and mean daily temperature increased by

0.02 oC/yr and 0.01 oC/yr, respectively. Mean daily

relative humidity and wind speed increased by 0.11 %

per year and 0.57 km/yr during 1981-2011. Mean daily

sunshine hours and reference evapo-transpiration

decreased by 0.06 hour/yr and 0.01mm/yr, respectively.

Sensitivity analysis of potential evapo-transpiration

(ET0) to the principal climatic variables for Karnal

district showed that mean annual and seasonal ET0 are

primarily affected by maximum temperature and

sunshine hours.This was followed by sunshine hours,

wind speed, relative humidity and minimum

temperature during summer seasons and the minimum

temperature, relative humidity and wind speed during

monsoon seasons.

Climatic and hydrological variables were

combined to estimate district wise ADI for Uttar

Pradesh using the data for the period from 1996 to 2002

for both pre-and-post monsoon season. The ADI is a

multivariate drought index that considers all physical

forms of drought (i.e., meteorological, hydrological and

agricultural) through selection of input variables

related to each drought type. In this study, four

variables, namely, rainfall, potential evapo-

transpiration, stream flow and groundwater levels (pre-

and-post monsoon) were used. The categories of ADI

to describe drought severity conditions were also

developed. This study is in continuation to the work

carried out during 2011-12 involving use of Standard

Water level Index (SWI) to monitor hydrological

drought anomaly in Indo Gangetic Plains. The results

showed that, due to the incorporation of surface stream

flow, rainfall and PET indicators, ADI could represent

drought conditions better than SWI. A comparison of

ADI based drought categorization of the study area

with the NDVI values for the drought year-2002

validated superior performance of ADI to the

previously developed SWI - drought index. The

composite index - ADI is now being further improved

by incorporating other variables such as soil moisture

and biophysical parameters.

Comparison of ADI and NDVI during 2002 for Uttar Pradesh

54

Besides this, a new drought index, namely,

Standardized Effective Rainfall and Crop Evapo-

transpiration Index (SERCEI) was developed for

assessing agricultural drought and tested using the

data of Pune district. SERCEI index estimated for the

year 2015, using GCM based downscaled rainfall data

for the pearl millet growing regions of the Pune district,

showed that 6 out of the 7 regions of Pune district will

be under moderate drought while one will be under

severe drought.

3.3.4.2 Simulation of vadose zone processes,recharge flux and groundwater behavior undervarious climate change and pumping scenarios

Vadosezone processes, recharge flux and

groundwater recharge under various climate change

and pumping scenarios were simulated, and various

components of water balance such as cumulative

recharge flux, cumulative root water uptake,

cumulative evaporation and cumulative surface runoff

were computed using HYDRUS-1D and MODFLOW

models for Najafgarh block of Delhi. Results indicated

that average groundwater recharge in 2030s may

increase marginally (0.03 m) compared to the 2005,

under ARIMA based predictions. However, in case of

estimates based on IPCC and INCCA predictions,

groundwater recharge appeared to be decreasing by

0.09 to 0.21 m. Similar studies on future groundwater

levels, using ARIMA model, for Karnal district also

revealed receding groundwater levels (25.20 to 23.72

m from current 15 to 18 m) by 2035.

3.3.4.3 Evaluation of AquaCrop model inpredicting wheat yield and water productivityunder irrigated saline regimes

Crop growth models of varying complexity to

simulate grain and biomass yields, and water

productivity of different crops under irrigated saline

environment were developed and used for simulation

of crop yield under different crop growth conditions.

The present study was undertaken to simulate the grain

yield and water productivity of four wheat varieties,

including 3 salt-tolerant (i.e., KRL 19, KRL 1-4; KRL

210) and one salt non-tolerant (HD 2894) grown under

different salinity levels using AquaCrop model. The

model was calibrated using the experiment data of rabi

2009-10 and validated with the data of rabi 2010-11. The

model efficiency (ME), index of agreement (d) and

coefficient of determination (R2) for grain yield were

0.85, 0.96, 0.94, and for biomass 0.7, 0.95, 0.95,

respectively, for all varieties and salinity levels.

However, AquaCrop model predictions were found to

be the best for the grain yield, better for the biomass

and relatively inferior for water productivity for all

wheat varieties and salinity levels.

3.3.4.4 Assessment of energy requirement andcarbon foot print of groundwater irrigation

Sensitivity analysis was conducted to assess the

impact of various groundwater recharge and pumping

scenarios on energy requirement and carbon foot print

(CFP) of groundwater abstraction at IARI. The results

indicated that the pump efficiency had maximum

impact on CFP (increase in efficiency from 36.5 to 50 %

may decrease the CFP from 365 to 267 million tonnes).

Groundwater recharge did not show much impact on

CFP. Carbon footprint would increase by 11.67 million

tonnes for one meter decline in water table under

specified recharge and pumping conditions. Energy

required for groundwater irrigation of rice-wheat, rice-

mustard, pearl millet-wheat, pearl millet-mustard,

maize-wheat, maize-mustard, pigeonpea-wheat,

pigeonpea-mustard under prevailing conditions in

Najafgarh, Delhi were 1.31, 1.30, 0.90, 0.88, 1.14, 1.12,

1.06 and 1.04 MWh, respectively, whereas their CFPs

were 1.24, 1.22, 0.85, 0.83, 1.07, 1.05, 1.00 and 0.98 MT/

ha.

3.4 NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT

3.4.1 Long-term Effect of Fertilizers andManures on Crop Yields and Soil Fertility

The long-term experiment started during 1971-72

at IARI farm under the aegis of AICRP was continued

with maize-wheat cropping system. Ten treatments

comprising sub-optimal (50% of recommended) to

super-optimal (150% of recommended) NPK, NP or N

alone, NPK supplemented with FYM (5.0 t/ha), S (45

kg/ha) or Zn (10 kg/ha), and unfertilized-control were

evaluated.

Long-term changes in crop response to fertilizers.

The grain yield of maize during the year under report

revealed that conjoint use of NPK and FYM, or super-

55

optimal NPK out-yielded all other treatments. The

yields in these treatments were significantly greater

than recommended NPK, suggesting for an increase

in the fertilizer recommendations. Grain yield under

100% NP was also significantly greater than N alone,

underlining the response to P fertilization. Maize

response to K was 0.3 t/ha, and that to P was 0.45 t/ha

during the current year. The yield response to FYM

was 0.87 t/ha. The yield responses to P, K and S in wheat

were much greater during 2011-12 compared with the

17-year averaged response to these nutrients.

Application of 150% of recommended NPK over

optimal (100% of recommended) NPK gave an

additional yield of wheat (0.67 t/ha), whereas the

corresponding average yield gain for the period 1995-

96 to 2011-12 was 0.45 t /ha. Similarly, yield gains due

to conjoint use of FYM and NPK increased with the

passage of time, owing to decline in soil health and

inadequacy of recommended fertilizer rates.

Nonetheless, results clearly suggested for an upward

revision of fertilizer recommendations to achieve high

yield goals and minimize nutrient mining from soil.

Fractions of soil B under different nutrient supply

options. Total B ranged between 36.5 and 44.9 mg/ kg,

and was significantly higher under NPK+FYM as

compared to the rest of the treatments. Readily soluble

and specifically adsorbed B varied significantly with

treatments, being the highest (0.82 and 0.86 mg/kg,

respectively) under NPK+FYM and the lowest (0.61 and

0.60 mg/kg, respectively) under N alone. No significant

effect of treatments was observed on the oxide-bound

and residual fractions of B, which varied between 1.44

and 1.62 mg/kg, and 31.0 and 35.8 mg/kg, respectively.

On the other hand, organically bound B showed the

highest value (5.86 mg/kg) under NPK+ FYM, whereas

it was the lowest (2.50 mg/kg) under control. As these

soils are neither B deficient nor have excessive B

adsorption sites such as CaCO3, oxides or clay content,

distribution of B in different fractions is mainly

governed by soil organic matter content and B removal

by the crops. Grain yield as well as total B uptake

showed significant correlation with specifically

adsorbed and organically bound B in soil. Multiple

regression analysis revealed that specifically adsorbed

and organically bound B fractions individually could

explain 37% and 52% variability in grain yield and B

uptake by wheat.

Soil S pools and apparent S balance. Total S in

surface soil (0-15 cm) ranged between 164 and 242

mg/kg, with the highest content in NPK+S plots.

Organic fraction contributed 88 to 93% of total S, and

appeared to be the dominant pool. Highest contents

of organic and inorganic S fractions were registered

in NPK+S followed by NPK+FYM plots. Apparent

balance sheet of S was computed by estimating S

addition through different sources,viz., fertilizers,

irrigation and rainfall. Annual S addition to different

treatments ranged between 29.8 and 119.3 kg/ha,

whereas total S uptake by both crops ranged between

9.34 and 33.0 kg/ha. Thus, the apparent balance was

positive in all treatments, except 150% NPK. Highest

positive balance of 88 kg/ha was recorded under

NPK+S, which was followed by 45.2 kg/ha under

NPK+FYM.Grain yield trends of maize and wheat under different fertilizeroptions

56

3.4.2 Effect of Sludge Application on CropYield and Soil Properties

A field experiment established in 2009-10 was

continued with wheat- cowpea system on a Typic

Haplustept at IARI farm to assess the effect of sewage

sludge application on crop yields and soil properties.

The highest yield of wheat was obtained with 100% of

recommended NPK, which was on a par with the

treatment receiving sludge @ 15 t/ha + 50% of

recommended NPK. Soil pH and EC remained

unaffected after harvest of wheat. Application of

sewage sludge along with 50% NPK not only increased

the yield but also improved soil available N, P and K

content. Application of sludge decreased bulk density,

while mean weight diameter, water stable aggregates

and porosity increased.

3.4.3 Effect of Enriched Composts on SoilFertility and Biological Properties underWheat-Green Gram Sequence

Composts were prepared using rice straw, mustard

stover and tree leaves, enriched with low-grade rock

phosphate (RP). Cattle dung was added as natural

inoculant for faster decomposition of composting mass.

The materials were ready for field evaluation after 4

months. A field experiment was conducted to study

the effect of these enriched composts on soil fertility

and biological properties under wheat-green gram

rotation. Eleven treatments consisted of T1: Control; T

2:

100% RDF (recommended dose of NPK fertilizers); T3:

50% RDF; T4: FYM @ 5 t/ha; T

5: Rice straw enriched

compost @ 5 t/ha; T6: Mustard stover enriched compost

@ 5 t/ha; T7: Tree leaf enriched compost @ 5 t/ha; T

8:

50% RDF + FYM @ 5 t/ha; T9: 50% RDF + Rice straw

enriched compost @ 5 t/ha; T10

: 50% RDF + Mustard

stover enriched compost @ 5 t/ha; and T11

: 50% RDF +

Tree leaf enriched compost @ 5 t/ha. Whole quantities

of fertilizer materials were applied to first crop of wheat

and green gram was grown on residual fertility. Mineral

N (NH4+-N and NO

3--N), organic C, and available P, K

and S status in soil improved significantly due to

application of enriched composts as well as inorganic

fertilizers than control at harvest of each crop. The

organic C content varied from 0.35% in control (T1) to

0.54% in T9 (50% RDF + 5 t/ha rice straw enriched

compost) at wheat harvest. In general, significant build-

up in soil organic C as well as available P was

maintained in treatments receiving enriched compost

along with 50% RDF than sole application of FYM/

enriched compost (T4, T

5 and T

6) or fertilizer (T

2 and

T3). The available P content in soil ranged from 13.0 kg

P/ha in control (T1) to 25.3 kg/ha in T

9 (50% RDF + 5 t/

ha rice straw enriched compost) at wheat harvest.

3.4.4 Enhancing Phosphorus Use Efficiencyin Maize-Wheat Cropping System

A field experiment comprising fertilizer P rates (0,

33, 50 and 100% of recommended P) and microbial

inoculation options, i.e., un-inoculated, P solubilizing

bacteria (PSB; Pseudomonas striata) and arbuscular

mycorrhizae (AM) consortia consisting of Glomas,

Gigaspora and Acualospora sp., and PSB + AM

inoculation was established with maize-wheat

cropping system. Available P content was higher in

rhizosphere soil by 35% than non-rhizosphere soil,

whereas, at V5 and VT stage, the rhizosphere soil P

availability was lower by 24% and 45%, respectively

than non-rhizosphere soil. Microbial inoculants

(PSB+AM) enhanced P availability by 12, 27, 52 and

47% over un-inoculated plots at V2, V5, VT and harvest

stages, respectively. The recovery efficiency of P was

the highest when 50% of recommended P was applied

along with PSB+AM. Highest maize grain yield (4.16

t/ha) was recorded under split application of 100% P

fertilizer with PSB+AM. Averaged across fertilizer

treatments, maize yield under microbial inoculants

(PSB, AM, PSB+AM) was on a par. The yield under 50%

P with PSB + AM was on a par with 100% P fertilizer

application, indicating that microbial inoculation can

help in curtailing fertilizer P application by mobilizing

the native and applied P.

3.4.5 Evaluation and Refinement ofLaboratory Techniques for Boron (B)Determination in Soil

In view of the problems encountered in

conventional hot-water extraction of B, a study was

undertaken to evaluate different extractants for

available B in soils of varying characteristics. Sixteen

soils representing different soil groups were selected

for pot experiment, which differed widely in

57

characteristics with pH ranging between 5.26 and 8.43,

organic C between 0.15 and 0.75%, and exchangeable

Ca between 1.54 and 5.20 me 100 g-1 soil. Four extractants,

viz, Hot water, Hot 0.01M Cacl2, 0.05M Mannitol-0.01M

CaCl2 (pH 8.5) and 0.2M Sorbitol-1N NH

4OAc-0.1M TEA

(pH 7.3) were used to extract the available B. In general,

soil B extraction increased with increasing organic C and

soil pH, whereas the reverse was true in case of

exchangeable Ca content. Such a relationship with soil

characteristics was more consistent in case of Hot CaCl2,

Sorbitol-NH4OAc-TEA and Hot water. A pot-experiment

was conducted using these soils, wherein soybean was

grown with (1.0 mg B kg-1) or without B (0 mg B/kg),

and residual effect of B was studied in cauliflower. All

pots received uniform application of N P K at 20-40-27

mg/kg soil, respectively. Crops were harvested at 45-day

growth. The results revealed that B content, B uptake

by the crops and dry matter yield of crops were increased

with B application, although the magnitude of increase

depended on the soil B values. Dry matter yield response

to B was, on average 39% in soybean and 53% in

cauliflower over no B-control.

3.4.6 Controlled and Sustained Release ofZinc in Soil

In order to ensure controlled release of applied Zn

in soil, two bio-nano composites (Bio NCPC) were

synthesized using biopolymers, namely, chitosan and

starch, and uploaded with Zn. Studies on Zn release

behaviour of these Bio NCPCs having different nano-

clay content revealed that increasing amount of nano-

clay decreased the release rate of Zn in all the three

NCPCs. Biodegradability of these materials in soil was

also studied by incubating the same with Aspergillus

sp. and measuring CO2 evolution. The results showed

that bio NCPCs degraded much faster compared with

polyacrylate-NCPC which degraded very slowly

initially. In case of bio NCPCs, increasing amount of

nano clay decreased CO2 evolution rate at initial stages.

3.4.7 Biosynthesis of Nitrogen Nano-particles

An attempt was made to synthesize nitrogen (N)

nano-particles using bacterial enzymes. For this

purpose, several soil bacteria were isolated from

research farm of Central Arid Zone Research Institute

(CAZRI), Jodhpur. A laboratory experiment was

conducted to assess the compatibility of each bacterial

isolates against varying concentration of different salts

of N, viz., (NH4)

2SO

4, NH

4NO

3, NH

4Cl and KNO

3. Out

of these, three isolates (bacteria-2, bacteria-4 and

bacteria-7) showed positive growth in NH4NO

3 salt

solution and were selected for biosynthesis of N nano-

particles. The results indicated that bacteria-2 and

bacteria-7 were able to produce nano-particles in

NH4NO

3 salt solution. Intensity distribution of bio-

transformed salt solutions using extracellular enzymes

of bacteria-2 in 1 mM of NH4NO

3 salt solution after 24

hours of incubation indicated that bacteria-2 was able

to produce 92.9% nano-particles from salt solution.

Similarly, intensity distribution of bio-transformed salt

solutions using extracellular enzymes of bacteria-7 in

1 mM of NH4NO

3 salt solution only after 3 hours of

incubation indicated that bacteria-7 was able to

produce 70.6% nano-particles from salt solution.

3.4.8 Standardization of Leaf Colour Chart(LCC) and Chlorophyll Meter for DynamicN Management in Wheat

Leaf colour chart and chlorophyll meters (SPAD

and Fieldscout CM 1000) were evaluated for site-

specific N management in wheat at IARI farm. A

positive and significant (R2=0.93-0.97, p<0.01) quadratic

response between N application levels and wheat grain

yield was observed. The optimum LCC score, Minolta

SPAD, CM 1000 meter values, leaf chlorophyll and N

concentration at maximum tillering (most important

crop growth stage for N management in wheat) were

found to be 4.5, 45.9, 301.9, 2.47 mg g-1 fresh weight

and 2.72%, respectively, to fetch economic optimum

grain yield. Growth stage specific optimum and critical

values of above mentioned N indicators for achieving

economic optimum and critical grain yield of wheat

were also developed.

3.4.9 Hyperspectral Remote SensingTechniques to Monitor N, P, S and K statusin Wheat

Field experiments were carried out to assess the

possibility of monitoring nutrient stress in wheat

using hyperspectral remote sensing. Leaf and canopy

spectra at wavelengths from 350-2500 nm using

58

spectroradiometer and vegetation data were recorded

at booting stage of wheat crop. Reflectance in short

wave infra red (SWIR) region found to monitor

nutrient (N, P, K and S) status in plant in combination

with reflectance at either VIS or NIR region. Eight

traditional and six newly proposed indices were tested

for retrieval of N, P, S and K quantitatively. Prediction

coefficient of newly proposed indices were

statistically significant for P (R2=0.35-0.39, RMSE=0.208-

0.210 g m-2, p<0.01) and S (R2=0.51-0.55, RMSE=0.131-

0.145 g m-2, p<0.01). The ratio compared to normalized

structures of vegetation indices was found to be more

robust in retrieval of amount of nutrients. Newly

developed and validated spectral algorithms specific

to N, P, S and K can be used for their site-specific

management in wheat.

3.4.10 Response of Soybean and Wheat to theApplication of Nickel in Alluvial Soils

A pot experiment was conducted to assess the

response of applied Ni (0, 5, 50 and 100 mg/kg) on

soybean and wheat crop, grown on residual Ni content.

There was 16.5 to 26.6% increase in biomass yield of

soybean due to Ni application at 5 mg/kg over control;

the corresponding figure for wheat was 10.7 to 41.1%.

Toxicity symptoms in soybean were recorded at higher

level (50 or100mg/kg) of applied Ni. DTPA was more

consistent in predicting available Ni in soil as compared

to Sr(NO)3 and Ca(NO)

3. Critical limit of deficiency of

DTPA-extractable Ni in soil were 0.17 and 0.18 mg/kg

for soybean and wheat, respectively. Whereas, critical

plant Ni concentration of deficiency for soybean and

wheat was worked out to be 0.20 and 0.37 mg/kg,

respectively. Phytotoxicity limit of DTPA extractable

Ni in soil was computed as 3.24 mg/kg and a plant

content of 12.0 mg/kg on dry weight basis can be

considered as toxic limit using soybean as a test crop.

3.4.11 Available Nutrient Content in Soilunder Conservation Agriculture

With an objective to assess the changes in nutrient

status under conservation agriculture (CA), the soil

samples (0-15 cm) from three cropping systems (rice-

wheat, cotton-wheat and pigeonpea-wheat) after two

years of field experimentation at IARI farm were

analyzed for organic C, available N, P and K. Averaged

over different cropping systems, organic C in CA based

systems increased by 19% over the conventional

farmer’s practice and 24% over the initial soil content.

The maximum increase in organic C was recorded in

CA based rice-wheat system, followed by cotton-wheat

and pigeonpea-wheat system, respectively. Similarly,

CA based systems maintained greater available N and

K content in soil compared with conventional practice

or initial value. The increase in N and K was highest in

cotton-wheat system followed by rice-wheat and

pigeonpea-wheat system. On the other hand,

availability of P decreased in CA by 15% over

conventional practice but increased over initial by 86%.

3.4.12 Soil Test Crop Response Correlation(STCR) Based Fertilizer Recommendation ofN, P and S for Wheat

Integrated plant nutrient supply (IPNS)

recommendations for N, P and S in wheat (cv. HD 2851)

Effect of Ni application on soybean grown on Ni deficient soil

Fertilizer (NPS) prescription equations for targeted yieldof wheat

Fertilization option Fertilizer prescription equation

Fertilizer NPS alone FN = 5.33 T – 0.65 SN

FP = 1.65 T – 2.37 SP

FS = 1.04 T – 1.06 SS

Fertilizer NPS + FYM FN = 5.33 T – 0.65 SN – 0.68 FYMN

FP = 1.65 T – 2.37 SP – 0.43 FYMP

FS = 1.04 T – 1.06 SS – 0.39 FYMS

FN, FP and FS – fertilizer N, P and S in kg/ha, respectively; T- target yield in q/

ha; SN, SP and SS – Alkaline KMnO4 – N, Olsen’s-P and 0.15% CaCl

2 extract-

able S in kg/ha, respectively; FYMN, FYMP and FYMS - FYM N, P and S in kg/

ha, respectively.

59

were developed on an Inceptisol following

Ramamoorthy’s ‘inductive cum targeted yield model’.

Marked fertility gradients were established with

respect to soil available N, P and S. Graded levels of

fertilizer N, P, S and FYM were applied to three fertility

strips each having twenty four plots. Soil and plant

analysis data were used to compute basic parameters

required for development of nutrient prescription

equations. The nutrient requirement for producing one

quintal of wheat grain yield was worked out as 2.3 kg

of N, 0.40 kg of P and 0.5 kg of S. Available soil nutrient

pool contributed 28.7, 54.5 and 52.0%, applied fertilizers

43.9, 23.0 and 49.2%, and FYM 29.9, 9.9 and 19.2% to

total N, P and S uptake by wheat, respectively. Using

these basic data, fertilizer prescription equations and

ready reckoners were developed for a range of soil test

values and yield targets.

3.5 ORCHARD MANAGEMENT

3.5.1 Performance of IARI Released MangoVarieties on Polyembryonic Rootstocks

Growth performance of four mango varieties

released from IARI were evaluated on four

polyembryonic rootstocks (K-5, Kurakkan, Olour and

K-3). In Pusa Arunima, maximum fruit weight was

recorded on K-5 rootstock and minimum on Kurakkan.

Whereas highest pulp percent was recorded for Olour

rootstock. The maximum fruit weight of Pusa Surya,

Amrapali and Mallika was found on Olour rootstock,

while pulp percent in Amrapali and Mallika was

recorded the highest when grafted on K-5 and

Kurakkan rootstocks, respectively.

3.5.2 Effect of Rootstock on PhysiochemicalParameters in Mango Grown under NaClStress

Plants of Amrapali mango grafted on two

polyembryonic, Olour and Kurakkan and one

monoembryonic, small fruited desi type (non-descript

seedlings) were irrigated with water containing 0.0 or

50 mM NaCl at four days interval for 90 days. In

different rootstock-scion combinations, minimum

reduction in plant height (13.48%) under salinised

condition was found in graft with desi type, while

minimum inhibition in number of leaves (4.66%) was

recorded on Olour rootstock. Graft on desi type

seedlings had increased minimum leaf Na+

concentration (1.5-fold), while graft with Olour had

minimum leaf Cl- (1.2-fold) in the presence of NaCl as

compared to non-salinised plants. Olour seems to be

good Cl- excluder rootstock, while desi type, non-

descript seedlings could exclude Na+ from leaf tissues

of scion cultivar. Based on the overall performance and

leaf scorching symptoms, it could be concluded that

Olour might be used as mango rootstocks in areas

where irrigation water contains high salts.

3.5.3 Physiological and Biochemical Analysisin Malformation Resistant and SusceptibleMango Cultivars

Twelve mango cultivars were characterized for

different parameters with respect to mango

malformation. Leaf blade thickness which showed

genotypic variability, was maximum in Bhadauran

(0.228 mm) a resistant cultivar to malformation,

compared to Lucknow Safeda (0.136 mm) and Langra

(0.142), the susceptible cultivars. Leaf wax coating

showed highly significant negative correlation with

intensity of mango floral malformation (r = -0.88) with

highly susceptible cultivars showing considerably less

wax thickness (315-375 g/cm2) compared to resistant

cultivars (484-522 g/cm2). Resistant cultivars including

Elaichi and Bhadauran had the highest leaf wax content

(522 and 484 g/cm2, respectively), while highly

susceptible cultivars such as Amrapali, Eldon and

Neelum had significantly low amounts 315, 355 and

375 g/cm2, respectively.

Correlation between the number of stomata per

unit area (mm2) of mango leaf surface did not show

significant correlation (r = -0.28) with malformation

intensity. Mallika - a susceptible cultivar recorded the

minimum number of stomata, while Bhadauran a

resistant cultivar had the maximum stomata per unit

area. Significant positive correlations were observed

between leaf length, leaf breadth and severity of floral

malformation (r = 0.59, 0.53, respectively). Leaf length

had highly significant positive correlations with leaf

breadth, leaf weight, leaf area and total number of

stomata per leaf.

60

Polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity was found to

be significantly higher in malformation resistant

cultivars Bhadauran and Ellaichi (8.38 and 8.39 min-1

g-1 fw, respectively) than the susceptible cultivars

(Mean 4.43 min-1g-1 fw). Chausa, Mallika and Bombay

Green had the lowest PPO activities, which were

insignificantly different within this group.

Lipoxygenase (LOX) was higher in Chausa (3.96

mol Trolox g-1 fw) and lowest in Bhadauran (11.06

mol Trolox g-1 fw). LOX activity was negatively

correlated with malformation. Mean peroxidase

activity was maximum for the varieties resistant to

malformation (29.62 and 30.30 μmol H2O

2 mg-1 fw

min-1for Bhadauran and Ellaichi, respectively).

Malformation susceptible varieties recorded

significantly lower catalase (mean 22.48 μmol H2O

2

mg-1 fw min-1) than the resistant genotypes. A

comparison of mean catalase activity across mango

varieties revealed significantly higher catalase

activity in leaf of 1-2 month (29.83 μmol H2O

2 mg-1

fw min-1) than that of 3-4 months stage (18.13

μmol H2O

2 mg-1 fw min-1). Catalase activity in 3-4

month-old leaf was positively correlated (0.477)

with malformation resistance.

3.5.4 Performance of Grapefruit Cultivars onDifferent Rootstocks

Growth performance in terms of height,

rootstock: scion index, and canopy volume of two

grapefruit cultivars, namely, Marsh Seedless and Red

Blush were observed on nine rootstocks. The

maximum height 1.57 m of Marsh Seedless trees was

recorded when grafted on Troyer citrange, while

minimum plant height was recorded when Marsh

Seedless grafted on Attani-1 (1.10 m), whereas in Red

Blush, maximum height was found on rough lemon

rootstock and minimum on Troyer citrange

rootstock. Canopy volume of Marsh Seedless trees

ranged from 4.30 m3 on sour orange rootstock to 2.10

m3 on Jatti khatti rootstock. However, in Red Blush,

higher canopy volume was recorded when grafted

on Jatti khatti and lowest was found when grafted

on Attani-1. Rootstock: scion index was found the

highest (1.23) when Marsh Seedless was grafted on

Troyer citrange; whereas lowest index (0.87) was

recorded on sour orange. In grapefruit cultivar Red

Blush, rootstock : scion index varied from 0.90 on

Troyer citrange to 1.46 in trees grafted on Jatti khatti

after two year of growth.

3.5.5 Plant Growth and PhysiologicalParameters of Wilt Tolerant and DwarfGuava Genotypes

Physiological parameters like numbers of stomata

per unit leaf area and phenolic content in leaves were

assessed in guava germplasm. Minimum stomatal

density was observed in Psidium chinensis followed by

genotype Sasri. Stomatal density estimation also

indicated Sasri to be a dwarf genotype. Low stomatal

density and high phenolic content in leaves were found

to be associated with dwarfness in Sasri genotype.

Guava wilt affected area in Muzaffarnagar (UP)

was surveyed and selected orchards was artificially

Plant height, canopy volume and rootstock/scion index of grapefruit cultivars on different root stocks

Rootstock Plant height (m) Canopy volume (m3) Rootstock/Scion index

Marsh SL Red Blush Marsh SL Red Blush Marsh SL Red Blush

Rough lemon 1.37 1.93 8.11 15.14 1.26 1.01

Attani-1 1.10 1.22 5.10 3.18 1.15 1.13

Attani-2 1.47 1.37 7.07 5.28 1.04 1.02

Jatti khatti 1.40 2.10 7.67 20.34 1.11 1.46

Billi khichli 1.33 1.43 6.93 7.21 1.13 1.04

Sour orange 1.20 1.18 4.30 4.08 0.87 1.19

RLC-4 1.30 1.60 5.27 7.54 1.10 1.08

Karna khatta 1.25 1.28 5.89 4.37 1.09 0.94

Troyer citrange 1.57 1.20 10.83 1.82 1.23 0.90

61

inoculated with Fusarium and other bacterial bioagents

to see their effect on controlling guava wilt. Soil and

root samples were collected from guava wilt affected

area, analyzed for identifying the fungal and nematode

species. Fusarium oxysporum and eight different species

of nematodes were found to be associated with guava

wilt.

3.6 PROTECTED CULTIVATIONTECHNOLOGY

3.6.1 Vegetables Crops

3.6.1.1 Evaluation of different protectedstructures for off-season cucumber production

Naturally ventilated polyhouse, fan-pad poly

house and insect proof net house for production of

parthenocarpic cucumber (var. Isatis and Kian) were

evaluated during 2012-13. Cucumber seedlings (25

days old) were transplanted on 15th Sept. under

different protected structures on raised beds along

with drip fertigation system. The variety Isatis gave

higher average fruits yield (15.50 kg/m2) as compared

to Kian (14.15kg/m2) under naturally ventilated

polyhouse condition. It is concluded that

parthenocarpic cucumbers can be grown successfully

under naturally ventilated polyhouse during off-

season, which is economically feasible for the

growers.

3.6.1.2 Studies on summer squash varieties underplastic low-tunnels during winter season

Four Summer squash varieties viz., Australian

Green (Green coloured long fruited), Zucchini (Yellow

coloured long fruited), Chand and DS 8 (Tinda type

round fruited) were evaluated under plastic low

tunnels for their off-season cultivation during winter

2012. Among the long fruited yellow coloured varieties

Zucchini hybrid produced maximum fruit yield (56.2

t/ha) as compared to variety Australian Green (53.6 t/

ha). However, among the round shaped varieties,

hybrid Chand produced the highest fruit yield (41.5 t/

ha) as compared to DS 8 (35.5 t/ha).

3.6.1.3 Studies on parthenocarpic cucumber withand without plastic mulch under naturallyventilated poly house

Three parthenocarpic cucumber varieties, viz.,

Kian, Satis, and Hilton were evaluated under naturally

ventilated greenhouse equipped with low pressure

drip irrigation cum fertigation system during August

to December 2012. Out of three varieties, Kian required

minimum period for first harvesting (23 days) after

Studies on parthenocarpic cucumbers under Greenhouse

Crop /var. Crop Days taken to Days taken to Average fruit Average fruit Cost benefit

duration flowering after first harvesting yield (kg/plant) yield (t/1000 m2 ) ratio

transplanting

With mulch

Kian 120 days 15 23 2.40 7.78 1:2.70

Satis 110 days 15 25 2.15 7.39 1:2.20

Hilton 115 days 18 27 2.20 6.75 1:2.40

Without mulch

Kian 106 days 22 35 1.50 5.68 1: 2.12

Satis 100 days 23 36 1.10 5.42 1: 1.70

Hilton 107 days 22 40 1.30 5.24 1: 1.50

Red sweet pepper crop in experimental field

62

transplanting and produced the highest fruit yield

(2.40 kg/plant and 7.78 t/1000 m2) with the cost benefit

ratio of 1:2.20. Silver/black plastic mulch of 25-30

micron on raised bed at 30 cm x 30 cm spacing along

with drip enhanced the fruit yield by 40-50%

compared to without mulching under similar

conditions.

3.6.1.4 Performance of sweet pepper withconventional and dry liquid drip fertigationunder protected cultivation

Eleven N and K fertilizer combinations, including

nine combinations of urea and MOP, one ready mix

dry liquid fertilizer (DLF) and a control, were

considered in sweet pepper and fertilizer was applied

weekly in 32 equal split doses through low head low

cost drip system while irrigation was scheduled twice

a week. The highest average sweet pepper fruit yield

was recorded (62.2 t/ha) in case of the conventional

fertilizer treatment. The use of urea as a nitrogen source

retained more nitrate in surface layer than that of DLF.

The net returns increased by 21 per cent (`30,000) by

enhancing 25 per cent (`200) nitrogen as compared to

the recommended dose of nitrogen (320 kg/ha). The

above fertilizer rate with urea and MOP was found to

be the best as far as yield, benefit cost ratio, net income

and payback period were concerned. The study will

be useful in operation and management of drip

fertigation for enhanced production of sweet pepper

under protected cultivation.

3.6.1.5 Development of pole type F1 varieties of

summer squash suitable for greenhouse andopen field conditions

Summer squash is important vegetable of

cucurbits, mainly all cucurbits are wine type in nature

but summer squash is having bushy type nature.

Nowadays promotion of vertical horticulture is

required for greenhouse but presently, varieties

available are bushy types. Therefore, Breeding program

for the development of wine type summer squash was

initiated. A vine type parental line was collected and

crossed with Australian Green (Bushy type) under

green house conditions. F1 between vine type female

and bushy type male (Australian Green) was found

suitable for protected conditions.

3.6.2 Flower Crops

3.6.2.1 Effect of poly ethylene mulch on gladiolus

Effect of polyethylene mulch was studied on

three varieties of gladiolus, viz., Spic & Span (pink),

Amsterdam (white) and Peter Pears (peach) on

raised beds under open field, drip irrigation

conditions during winter season. Out of these, the

variety Peter Pears produced quality flowers with

spike length of 84.8 cm, rachis length 56.97 cm and

floret size (10.90 cm). Spike length (91.39 cm) was

also higher in Peter Pears as compared to two other

varieties under silver mulch, whereas, plants with

no mulch were late in flowering with shorter plant

height.

3.6.2.2 Evaluation of five new varieties of roseunder protected conditions

Five new varieties of rose, viz. , Poison,

Tajmahal, Avalanche, Gold Strike and Bugatti were

planted on 6th November 2012 in the polyhouse to

study their response. The variety Gold Strike

responded well under polyhouse by producing

maximum plant height (104.20 cm), stem length

(94.30 cm) and flower numbers (2.33). However, var.

Avalanche produced maximum flower diameter

(10.16 cm) as compared to other varieties. It was

also observed that rose was prone to mites once the

temperature reached beyond 35 0C resulting in

complete leaf falls. Out of the different chemicals

tried, a regular spray of Vertimac or Dicofol @ 0.2%

was found effective.

3.6.2.3 Evaluation of eight gerbera varietiesunder polyhouse

Eight commercial varieties of gerbera, viz, Balance,

Salvadore, Goliath, Dune, Paradisco, Prime Rose,

Sangaria and Silvester were evaluated under fully

controlled green house. The variety Paradisco showed

the earliest flowering while Salvadore performed

comparatively better among all the varieties with

respect to stalk length (52.75 cm) and diameter (1.51

cm) and frequency of flower production, whereas,

Primerose produced maximum number of flowers

(3.00) and maximum flower diameter (10.80 cm) as

compared to other varieties.

63

3.6.2.4 Off-season production of chrysanthemumunder polyhouse with drip fertigation system

Among three chrysanthemum varieties, viz.,

Zembla, Thai Chen Queen and White Star tested for

protected cultivation, var. Zambla produced very

attractive flowers with longest vase life as compared

to other varieties, whereas, maximum plant height

(78.25 cm), stem length (70.25 cm) and flower diameter

(14.60 cm) were recorded in var.White Star. Of these,

vars. Zambla and Thia Chen Queen were found suitable

for year round off season production by regulating

photoperiod and using GA3 @ 150 ppm twice in 15 days

interval during summer season.

mulch was found better for producing good quality

flowers and production of bulbs and bulblets in

tuberose under drip system in Delhi. Similar kind of

effect was noticed in plant growth and quality bloom

in marigold for seed production. Mulching provided

the warmer environment for root growth and it

ultimately enhanced the plant growth and promoted

the early bloom.

3.6.3 Drip Irrigation and Fertigation

3.6.3.1 Design of partial root zone deficit (PRD)and regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) techniquesfor greenhouse tomato

The irrigation design was improved by making

an arrangement of drip lateral with control valves

for 16 mm diameter lateral fixed with dripper

discharge of 2 liter per hour. Low pressure drip

fertigation scheduling was controlled by two

tensiometers installed at 30 cm and 60 cm depth.

Good quality tomato with a yield of more than 10

kg per plant was achieved with 50% less water by

using water saving techniques of PRD and RDI under

naturally ventilated greenhouse with low pressure

drip fertigation.

3.6.3.2 Design and installation of solar energyoperated greenhouse

A 200 square meter solar energy operated

greenhouse equipped with fan-pad cooling system and

low pressure drip fertigation system was designed and

installed at CPCT farm. Solar photovoltaic power plant

of 2.6 kWp was installed to energize the greenhouse of

200 square meter area. The greenhouse has two exhaust

fans each of 500 watts and 0.5 hp pump and motor for

cooling pad. Parthenocarpic cucumber was grown

successfully in soil-less cultivation system inside the

solar energy operated greenhouse.

Off season production of chrysanthemum var. Zambla duringsummer

Mulching effect on bulb production in tuberose and seedproduction in marigold

3.6.2.5 Effect of mulching on flower quality andbulb production in tuberose and seed productionin marigold

Tuberose var. Parwajal was planted under open

field conditions using different kinds of mulch. Silver

Solar Photovoltaic power plant for greenhouse

64

3.7 AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING

3.7.1 Optimization of Design and MachineParameters of Compost Turner-cum-Mixer

To optimize the design and machine parameters

of compost turner-cum-mixer, an experiment was

conducted at three different levels of blade shape

(Straight, L-shape and Knife edged) with three different

rotor speeds (220, 300 and 350 rpm), three levels of

forward speed (1.26, 2.26 and 4.17 km/h) and three

different pile heights (0.8, 1.0 and 1.2 m). The optimized

performance parameters were tested with 1000 ml

culture dose per tonne of the material of the compost.

The optimum conditions were found with straight

shaped blades at a rotor speed of 300 rpm operating

with the tractor forward speed of 2.26 km/h and pile

height maintained at 1.0 m. This resulted in decrease

of the compost density from 514.3 kg m-3 to 299.1 kg m-3

and energy requirement to 4.84 kWh. The optimum

dose of PUSA inoculant for the preparation of the good

quality compost was 1000 ml per tonne of the compost

material. The uniform mixing at the optimum

parameters caused moisture to vaporize for the top

surfaces and loss was from 19.4 to 6.66% with the

maximum temperature of 60 0C from the initial ambient

temperature of 39 0C. The electrical conductivity of

compost increased from 1,421 to 1,640 μS/m, nitrogen

content from 0.31 to 0.672%, potassium from 0.51 to

1.33% and phosphorus from 0.18 to 0.61% and C/N

value from 53:1 to 18:1.The decomposition also resulted

in reduction in power consumption from 7.93 to 6.13

kW for turning of compost by the turner-cum-mixer.

There was reduction in composting time by more than

45 days in comparison to pit method. All the nutrient

contents and various parameters studied were in

accordance with the standards set by BIS.

3.7.2 Development of Two Bed and Eight-Row Carrot planter

The two bed and eight-row carrot planter was

designed and developed for precise planting of carrot

seeds on raised beds with a ridge height of 20 cm. The

top and bottom width of bed were 350 and 700 mm,

respectively. The planter plants the carrot in four rows

on each bed at a row to row spacing of 7.5 cm. An

inclined plate metering device setting was used which

consisted of circular outer casing, seed plate with cells

on periphery, and a cut-off brush. The trapezoidal

shape seed hopper of size 165x190 mm (top) and

130x105 mm (bottom) with the side wall slope of 40° to

the horizontal was fabricated. The planting geometry

adopted on the bed was 75x50 mm for carrot. The

average depth of seed placement was 2.25 cm. The field

capacity of the machines is 0.5 ha/h.

Compost turner-cum-mixer

Two bed and eight-row carrot planter

3.7.3 Development of Two-Bed CarrotHarvester

A prototype of a two bed harvester was designed

and developed for harvesting carrot grown on raised

bed. The width of coverage of the carrot harvester is

2000 mm and it is adjustable as per harvesting width

requirement. The optimum design specifications of the

carrot harvester are: rake angle of 25°, length of soil

separator 600 mm and angle of soil separator 20°. The

field capacity of carrot harvester is 0.5 ha/h with a field

65

efficiency of 75%. The carrot harvester can be operated

by a 35 hp tractor.

3.7.4 Development of Tractor OperatedGarlic Planter

A nine row tractor operated garlic planter was

developed. The planter consists of main frame, vertical

plate metering system, reversible tyne furrow openers

and seed tubes. The metering system is driven by the

ground wheel of 380 mm diameter and power

transmission is by a set of chains and sprockets. The

vertical metering plates are of 150 mm diameter and

each having eight hemispherical cups of diameter 25

mm. The developed planter has two seed boxes. Row

to row spacing is 150 mm and desired plant spacing is

75 mm. The field capacity of the planter is 0.2 ha/h at a

working speed of 2 kmph. The vertical plate metering

system was tested over sticky belt and the clove spacing

recorded. The quality of feed index was computed as

88%. The miss index and multiple index were 2% and

10%, respectively. No visible clove damage was

recorded in the laboratory testing. Performance

evaluation of the prototype is being carried out in the

experimental farm of the Institute.

3.7.5 Design and Development of PneumaticPrecision Planter for Vegetable Crops

The effect of depth of seed placement for germination

and plant stand was studied for design of the planter

components. Performance parameters were recorded for

radish, spinach and cauliflower for three different depths

(10, 15 and 20 mm). No significant difference was

observed for plant population in case of radish and

cauliflower, whereas significant difference was recorded

for spinach with 15 mm depth of planting with higher

plant population. Performance parameters were also

recorded for okra at two different depths (20 and 40 mm).

Dry (8.16% m.c.) as well as soaked (66.27% m.c.) okra seed

were used for the experiment. It was observed that almost

50 per cent germination occurred on 5th day for soaked

okra seed, whereas the germination for dry seed was 30

per cent on 5th day. However, on 21st day there was no

significant difference in germination and dry matter for

both the treatments. Planter performance was better in

case of dry okra seed. No significant difference was

observed in yield for both the treatments except the

numerical higher values for dry okra seed planting. On

the basis of the observations, the design of the

experimental metering system was carried out with all

the sub-systems.

3.7.6 Development of Prototype GarlicHarvester

In order to reduce the high labour cost, design

parameters of a garlic mechanical harvester were

optimised through evaluation of relevant biometric and

engineering properties. The influence of soil-machine

parameters on mechanical harvesting of garlic was

determined through field experiments of harvesting

system set-up at three levels of soil moisture content

(15, 12 and 9%), rake angle (10,15 and 200) and speed of

operation (1.5, 3.0 and 4.5 km/h), and optimum design

values determined. A 4-row tractor operated garlic

harvester was designed accordingly and field evaluated

in sandy-loam soil. Crop harvesting and bulb damage

Garlic harvester

Two-bed carrot harvester

66

percentages were 96.12 and 5.94%, respectively. The

machine had soil separation index of 0.26 with power

requirement of 4.54 kW, which is adequate for small/

medium size tractors commonly used. The machine

could cover 1.9 ha per day of 8 h of operation.

Breakeven use of the prototype garlic harvester was

estimated to be 218.12 h/year, with a payback period

of 3.63 years. Estimated operational cost of the

machine is 55 % lower than that of manual

harvesting.

3.7.7 Evaporative Cooling System for TractorCabin

An evaporative cooling system was designed for

tractor cabin and retrofitted on tractor to reduce

environmental stress on tractor driver. Evaluation of

system was carried out in two field operations, i.e.,

secondary tillage and transportation mode. The cabin

temperature significantly reduced from 43 to 33.25 oC

with increase in relative humidity from 32 to 39% for

secondary tillage operation; 42 to 35.3 oC with relative

humidity of 34 to 41% for transportation operation.

The dust concentration of PM 10 also reduced

significantly from 18.5 mg m-3 to 0.35 mg m-3 in

secondary tillage operation and 4.4 mg m-3 to 0.2 mg

m-3 in transportation. Acceptability of protective

system was evaluated by measuring physiological

parameter of tractor operators, i.e., heart rate

reduction from 138 beats min-1 to 119 beats min-1 and

overall discomfort score from 4.0 to 2.9 for secondary

tillage operation; 117 beats min-1 to 107 beats min-1

and overall discomfort score to 2.9 to 1.9 for

transportation operation. The evaporative cooling

efficiency achieved was 80%.

3.7.8 Solar Powered Knapsack Sprayer

A solar powered system was developed which can

be fitted with the existing knapsack sprayer. The system

consists of 24V DC motor with diaphragm type pump,

non-return two-way valve, safety control high pressure

switch and acid-lead or Li2O battery. With constant

pressure system, quality spray, i.e., uniformity, fine spray,

effective and efficient control of pest is achievable with

operator comfort. The diaphragm type pump creates 4

kg/cm2 pressure without pulsation which is sufficient

for fine and uniform spray, increases field capacity,

chemical efficacy and farmers’ comfort. The acid-lead

or Li2O battery can be charged with SPV panel of 100W.

The fully charged battery is able to operate the sprayer

for 6-8 h continuously, which is adequate for a day

operation. As the spraying operation is undertaken only

occasionally, the rest of the time SPV panel and battery

system can be used for other purposes as a power source

for domestic use, e.g., lighting.

Evaporative cooling system for tractor cabin

Solar powered knapsack sprayer in operation

3.7.9 Solar Power Operated Vegetable SeedExtractor (Tomato)

The manually operated vegetable seed extractor

was modified to solar energy operated. Solar powered

DC motor of 740 W, 48 V and 1500 rpm was used for

running the machine. The machine can be used by the

farmers who already have the solar panels of more than

740 Wp to reduce human drudgery involved, saving

of labour/electric charges, and increasing the uses of

the Solar Photovoltaic panels. The performance of solar

67

powered seed extractor was evaluated, and the capacity

achieved was 250 kg tomato per hour.

3.7.10 Utilization of Solar Energy for Rural/Domestic Lighting System and Refrigeration

Solar lighting system developed by the Division of

Agricultural Engineering consists of a solar module of 40

W, battery of 12 V, 40 Ah and a LED light of 9 W. In

addition, a solar lantern system was also developed. It

consists of a solar module of 10 W, battery of 12 V, 7 Ah

and a CFL light of 7 W. Preliminary studies were carried

out to develop the solar refrigeration system. Preliminary

testing of 80 litre refrigerator with solar panels through

inverter and 40 Ah 12 V battery was done.

3.7.11 Farm Operation Services

The farm operation service unit (FOSU) managed all

field operations including field preparations, crop sowing,

harvesting and threshing in 750 acres of IARI farm using

indigenous and imported machinery. The multi crop

harvester and plot combine harvester (combine) were

used for mechanized harvesting and threshing of field

crops during kharif and rabi seasons. The dependence on

canal water was also reduced through development and

renovation of old tube wells and addition of one new tube

well at IARI farm. Check gates of irrigation channels were

redesigned and installed in pucca irrigation channel for

efficient water management.

3.8 POST HARVEST TECHNOLOGY

3.8.1 Fruit Bagging of Apple for Colour andQuality

For improving the quality of apple, experiments

with ethrel treatment (1000 ppm) and bagging of the

fruits with four spun-bounded recyclable fabric bags

(yellow, blue, red, and green) were conducted at 4

different elevations (1200,1500, 1800, 2100 msl) at Kullu

and Shimla (HP). Both bagging and ethrel treatments

improved colour of apple compared to unbagged

apples, ethrel treatment caused fruit and leaf drop and

poor keeping quality. Shelf life was found to be 18 days

for ethrel treated, 26 days for non-bagged and 35 days

for bagged apples at room temperature. Bagging of

fruits improved colour more significantly (about 33%

increase) over control at lower elevation (1200 msl) than

at higher elevations (1500, 1800 or 2100 msl). But the

best quality apples (TSS = 16.2%) were produced at

higher elevation (2100 msl). Further, bagged apples had

lower incidence of bitter pit (nearly 1.0%) and other

storage disorders during storage, though no incidence

of sooty mould or fly speck was observed this year.

Solar power operated vegetable seed extractor (Tomato)

Fruit bagging of apple

3.8.2 Lime As a Potential Source for MangoDesapping

Lime (calcium hydroxide) was identified as a

potential chemical for desapping of mango fruits. It

reduces sap burn injury by neutralizing the highly

acidic sap. For this mangoes (with stem attached) are

dipped in lime solution (1 %) for 45 – 60 seconds and

desapped by removing stems while fruits are in

submerged condition.

3.8.3 Development of Protocols forDehydration of Okra

The investigation was conducted to study the effect

of drying methods, pre-dehydration treatments and

68

slice size on quality, rehydration characteristics and

sensory qualities of dehydrated okra. The okra slices

(2 cm) treated with 0.1 % Na2S

2O

5 and subjected to

microwave drying was found to be the best

combination for better quality retention in respect of

protein content, total carotenoids, total chlorophyll,

dehydration characteristics and sensory quality for

colour, texture, odour and general appearance.

3.8.4 Pearl PopA ready-to-Eat Snack

A crunchy, soft and ready-to-eat pearl pop was

developed from whole pearl millet grain. The popping

yield in pearl millet is usually low (<40%), which was

enhanced through suitable conditioning treatment up to

about 70% in var. PC 443. The approximate composition

of the product was estimated as 11.2% protein, 7.36% fat,

2.96% crude fibre, 3.83% ash, 72.81% carbohydrate and

1.84% moisture content. The total antioxidant was

determined as 15.47 mole Trolox /100g. There was a

significant reduction in phytic acid content, an anti-

nutrient factor from 516.37 (raw grain) to 373.82 mg/100g

(product). The product is rich in micro-nutrients,

especially iron (5.02 mg/100 g) and zinc (3.01 mg/100 g).

3.8.5 Cowpea Protein Isolate

Cowpea protein isolate (CPI) extracted through salt

assisted extraction technique and dehydrated by freeze

drying , spray drying and vacuum drying were

assessed for x-ray crystallography, phase transition

analysis, amino acids composition, zeta potential,

colour, surface morphology (SEM) as well as functional

properties like nitrogen solubility index, least gelation

concentration, viscoelastic gel characteristics, oil and

water absorption capacity, emulsion capacity, emulsion

activity index and foaming ability. Depending on the

functional attributes intended for end-use, the freeze

drying, spray drying or vacuum drying may be

considered as reasonable options for converting the

protein isolates into powders. Based on its functional

profile, it was concluded that CPI could be used as high

value functional ingredient for various foods.

Fresh okra Dehydrated okra

Pearl pop

X-ray crystallography of cowpea protein isolate

3.8.6 Development of Reduced Fat and HighFibre Baked Products

An attempt was made to develop high fibre

biscuits by incorporation of fibre from soy and aonla.

The soy fibre enriched biscuits had 6.87 per cent

High fibre content crackers

69

protein, about 3.0 per cent fibre and low fat content

(about 17 per cent). Low fat crackers containing aonla

and beetroot powders having good protein content

(>16.0%) were also prepared. These sweet-salty crackers

contain 60% less fat as compared to commercial ones.

The aonla crackers are also rich in antioxidants (117.32

μmole/g, ABTS assay) and flavonoids (389.1 mg/g)

besides providing fibre from aonla. The beetroot crackers

have antioxidant activity of 7.78 μmole/g and are rich in

flavonoids providing 48.43 mg/g.

3.8.7 Nisin Production and Recovery forEstablishing its Use as AntimicrobialPreservative

A cell free extract (CFE) (preserved till 6 months),

from nisin producer organism Streptococcus lactis after

17 h growth, was assayed for nisin (the extra-metabolite

antimicrobial protein). This CFE contained an active

nisin concentration of 1360 IU/150 μl CFE (9068.52 IU /

ml crude CFE) as assayed against Micrococcus luteus. It

equaled to a titer of 1.51 mg as compared against pure

nisin (used as standard, marketed by HiMedia with an

activity of 900 IU/mg pure nisin). Crude nisin CFE

produced by Streptococcus lactis showed a sensitivity of

203.8 (slope value on a dose response plot) over

Micrococcus luteus as the sensitive (indicator) organism.

3.9 MICROBIOLOGY

3.9.1 Diversity Analysis of Microbes inExtreme Environments and Bioprospectingfor Novel Molecules and Genes

3.9.1.1 Bacterial diversity in Jaisalmer soils

Soil samples collected from different sites in

Jaisalmer were used for isolation of bacteria employing

ten different growth media. The average population

of bacteria at different locations ranged between 3.8 x

104 – 6.4 x 106 g-1 of soil. Based on the varied colony

morphology, 87 different morphotypes were selected.

16SrDNA PCR-RFLP analysis with three restriction

endonucleases AluI, Hae III and Hha1 could group the

isolates into 27 clusters. Based on 16S rDNA

sequencing, the isolates from Jaisalmer were identified

as Bacillus endophyticus, Bacillus sp., Bacillus tequilensis,

Bacillus cereus, Bacillus endophyticus, Bacillus firmus,

Bacillus megaterium, Bacillus mycoides, Bacillus

thuringiensis, Sporosarcina pasteurii, Staphylococcus

succinus. The sequences were submitted to NCBI

GenBank with Accession numbers from JN411400 -

JN411422, JX441879- JX44188. Of the 87 isolates, three

isolates were tolerant to drought and could grow at a

water potential of 0.5 MPa.

3.9.1.2 Bioprospecting for molecules and genesfor antibacterial/ antifungal activity againstcharcoal rot and bacterial blight disease insoybean

Non-fluorescent pseudomonads were found to

have antifungal activity against Rhizoctonia bataticola

(the causal agent of charcoal rot in soybean) or

antibacterial activity against Xanthomonas oryzae (the

causal agent of bacterial blight in rice). One of the

isolates (WI-9) showed both antifungal and

antibacterial activities. The culture supernatant from

the arabinose amended medium, followed by that of

starch, showed higher inhibition against X. oryzae pv.

oryzae. The TLC analysis of the crude metabolite

extracted using different organic solvents from a silica

gel column showed the putative presence of amino

acids. Based on complete 16S rDNA sequencing, the

isolate was identified as Bacillus subtilis spizizenii (NCBI

Accession No. KC 503923). The genomic library of this

Parameter Aonla crackers Beetroot crackers

per 100 g per serving % RDA per 100 g per serving % RDA

Energy (kcal) 403.25 120.98 6.05 392.7 117.81 5.89

Protein (g) 16.03 5.01 10.02 16.70 5.01 10.02

Carbohydrates (g) 68.66 20.60 6.87 62.53 18.759 6.25

Fat (g) 6.87 2.06 3.17 8.42 2.526 12.95

Fibre (g) 1.78 0.53 7.10 4.24 1.27 5.09

Vitamin C (mg/100g) 33.16 9.95 16.58 - - -

70

isolate was constructed with an average insert size of

1.5 – 2.5 kb and the clones were screened for bioassay.

Two putative clones showing active inhibition were

found to have an insert of 1.5 kb and codes for nicotinate

phosphoribosyl transferase and malonyl CoA-acyl

carrier protein transacylase.

3.9.1.3 Biomolecules from salt tolerant bacteriaisolated from Sambhar salt lake

Salt tolerant bacteria can be harnessed for novel

genes and biomolecules which can help alleviate salt

stress in plants. The salt tolerant bacterial strain was

grown in presence and absence of salt and SDS PAGE

was carried out to look for the differential expression

of proteins. Under salt stress conditions, some

proteins were up-regulated while others down-

regulated. The up-regulated proteins included

chaperonin GroEL (57.5 kDa, pI of 4.71), molecular

chaperone DnaK (66.03 kDa, pI of 4.73), elongation

factor G (76.27 kDa,pIof 4.83) and glyceraldeyde-3-

phosphate dehydrogenase (35.86 kDa, pI of 5.11).

Flagellin (33.2 kDa, pI of 5.40) was predominantly

down-regulated under salt stress. Down-regulation

of flagellin was confirmed by the bacterial motility

test. In the stabs, there was considerable growth of

bacterium in the upper layer of medium around the

site of inoculation under control conditions,

suggesting high motility. When exposed to salt stress,

growth was limited to the site of inoculation,

suggesting low motility probably due to poor

synthesis of flagellin. Under the static, salt stress

conditions, there was development of biofilm on the

surface of medium whereas in the absence of stress,

instead of biofilm development growth was observed

uniformly in the medium. SEM micrographs of the

isolates under the static and normal conditions

showed that bacterial cell tended to be shorter in

length, thicker and present as single cells or in small

groups. However, the cells were longer, thinner and

in the form of a network under the salt stress

conditions.

3.9.1.4 Diversity and functional characterizationof anaerobic ammonia oxidizers

Anaerobic microbial processes such as anaerobic

ammonia oxidation, iron reduction and manganese

reduction are significant not only to elemental cycling

but also to plant growth and development. Flooded

soil microcosms (1:1.25 ratio, w/v) using samples from

the experimental fields of IARI and Aduthurai and

farmers’ fields of Kuttanad (Kerala) were prepared

by adding N at two different levels (10 and 100 mM)

to enrich anaerobic ammonium oxidizers (anammox

bacteria) and archaea. Eleven acidophilic ammonia

oxidizers from the acid-sulphate soil (Kuttanad) were

obtained. Presence of essential oils such as spearmint

and eucalyptus inhibited while those of lemongrass

and basil when applied to the medium at 5 μl ml-1

stimulated ammonia oxidation by the selected

isolates. Potential ammonia oxidation of soils

decreased under anoxic conditions compared to that

of oxic conditions; presence of nitrate alone stimulated

denitrification by 20-folds. In the presence of both

ammonia and nitrate, rates of ammonia oxidation

were similar in soils of IARI and Aduthurai.

Abundance of lipid biomarkers of Clostridia,

Desulfobacter, and Desulfovibrio differed among soils

of Aduthurai (28.0%), IARI (24.0%) and Kuttanad

(20.4%).

3.9.1.5 Isolation, identification and characterization ofpentacholrophenol degrading microbes

Bacterial isolates capable of degrading

pentachlorophenol (PCP) 100 to 375 mg L-1 were

isolated from farmers’ fields irrigated with PCP

containing pulp and paper mill effluent. The efficient

PCP degraders were identified by partial 16S rRNA

gene sequencing and classified into four major

bacterial lineages, -Proteobacteria and Firmicutes.

The isolates were identified as Pseudomonas aeruginosa,

Pseudomonas putida, Azospirillum sp., Burkholderia sp.,

Cupriavidus sp., Stenotrophomonas sp., InquilinusSEM micrograph of the bacterial growth under control and saltstress conditions

Control 10% NaCl

71

limosus, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, Ochrobactrum

anthropic, Pseudomonas mendocina¸ Bacillus sp. and

Pseudomonas sp. Isolates Pseudomonas aeruginosa

(PCP1) and Pseudomonas sp. (PCP42) could grow at

PCPmax

(maximum PCP concentration) of 300 mg L-1

in 144 h and showed maximum degradation of 72.91

and 72.07% PCP, respectively. PCP degrading isolates

of Azospirillum (PCP13 and PCP16) and Inquilinus

limosus (PCP 27) were reported for the first time and

might represent new chlorophenol-degrading taxa.

3.9.1.6 Growth and phycobilin production inphotobioreactor vis a vis open trays

Large scale biomass and pigment production by

Nostoc commune, Anabaena variabilis and Anabaena oryzae

were optimized using photobioreactor (3.5 L) and open

trays (18 L). Higher growth and phycobilin production

was obtained in the closed photobioreactor as

compared to open trays. Phycobilin production by

Nostoc commune was maximum followed by Anabaena

variabilis and Anabaena oryzae.

3.9.2 Microbes for Nutrient Management

3.9.2.1 Evaluation of fungal and cyanobacteriabased biofilmed formulations

PGP and biocontrol traits of Trichoderma based

biofilms as inoculants for cotton. The potential of

novel biofilmed biofertilizers as plant growth

promoting and biocontrol agents was evaluated in

cotton crop at CICR, Nagpur, IARI, New Delhi and

CICR Research Farm, Sirsa. The biofilms were

developed using Trichoderma viride as a matrix and

agriculturally important bacteria - Bacillus subtilis,

Pseudomonas fluorescens and Azotobacter chroococcum, as

partners. At IARI, biofilmed formulations (using

compost: vermiculite; 1:1 as carrier) significantly

improved the germination (%), growth and nutrient

uptake parameters, microbiological activity and yield

attributes, including 15-20% increase in boll weight. At

CICR, Nagpur, T. viride - B. subtilis biofilm significantly

enhanced yield of cotton. In Rhizoctonia solani infested

sick plots at Sirsa, seedling mortality reduced with

inoculation of T. viride - B. subtilis and T. viride - P.

fluorescens biofilms. This was significantly correlated

with increased activity of hydrolytic enzymes like b-1, 3

and b-1, 4 endoglucanases and chitosanase in plant roots.

Scanning electron microscopy further confirmed their

colonisation on roots, especially the T. viride - B. subtilis

biofilms. Significant correlation of plant parameters

with polyphenol oxidase activity, mortality of cotton

plants with MBC, defense enzyme activity with

Phycobilin production by different cyanobacteria in (a)photobioreactor and (b) open trays SEM of biofilm inoculated and uninoculated cotton root

To

tal

ph

yco

bil

in ( g

/ml)

To

tal

ph

yco

bil

in ( g

/ml)

72

mortality were also observed in this study. Synergistic

effects of the partners in these biofilmed formulations

illustrated their potential vis a vis use of mixtures/

individual cultures as inoculants. Such formulations

may represent a more viable inoculation option for

integrated nutrient and pest management strategies in

agriculture.

Novel biofilmed inoculants as PGP agents for

legumes. Agronomic potential of biofilmed

preparations (developed using Anabaena/Trichoderma

viride as matrices with different agriculturally useful

bacteria/fungi as partners) on mungbean and soybean

was examined. The Trichoderma viride - Bradyrhizobium

biofilm exhibited 20-45% enhancement in fresh/dry

weight and yield of mungbean plants, over

recommended fertilizer treatment. Anabaena based

biofilms and T. viride - Pseudomonas fluorescens biofilm

recorded 2-3 folds enhancement in microbial biomass

carbon at the mid-crop stage, over control. The T. viride

- Azotobacter biofilm exhibited highest dehydrogenase

activity and nitrogen fixation at the mid-crop stage,

besides enhanced dry weight at harvest stage. In

soybean, among all the treatments, the T. viride –

Bradyrhizobium recorded highest fresh weight of plants

and available N in soil at harvest stage. Anabaena –

Trichoderma viride biofilmed formulations proved most

promising for soybean, recording 12-25% enhanced

plant biometric parameters, yield and dehydrogenase

activity.

Biofilm of Piriformispora indica and

Pseudomonas sp. for soybean and rice. The biofilm of

Pseudomonas sp. and Piriformispora indica when

inoculated with soybean led to significantly higher

FDA (32%), urease activity (14%), glomalin production

(43%), and acid-and alkaline phosphatase activities

(15.7%), relative to individual inoculation of

microorganisms with soybean. Inoculation of

Pseudomonas striata- Piriformospora indica to aerobic rice

in pot culture resulted in significant gains in

chlorophyll content (1.66%), nitrate reductase activity

(10.2%), and catalase activity (77.8%) while a reduction

in peroxidase activity (-72.44%) in leaf tissues was

recorded at the tillering stage. Similar trend was

observed at the panicle stage, albeit with lower

magnitude.

3.9.2.2 Development of Azotobacter bioinoculantsfor saline soils

Inoculation of two salt tolerant Azotobacter strains

(H 16 and A 24) significantly enhanced the yield of

wheat under salt stress conditions. The N content both

in straw and grain improved significantly due to

inoculation. However, the influence on plant and grain

P-content was non-significant. The increased uptake

of K in Azotobacter inoculated treatments resulted in

lower Na/K ratio in the plant both under normal and

saline stress conditions. Inoculation also resulted in

increase in phenol and proline contents. However, there

was no influence on accumulation of amino acid, starch

and total sugars content. Inoculation resulted in

significant increases in chlorophyll and relative water

content and decrease in percent electrolyte leakage in

plants. Azotobacter strains could be used as bioinoculant

to alleviate salt stress for growth and yield of wheat.

3.9.2.3 Profiling of Azolla in relation to cropimprovement

Methanolic extract of the fronds of Azolla

microphylla, which was partially purified by solvent

partitioning with ethyl acetate followed by hydrolysis

showed antimicrobial activity against Xanthomonas

oryzae. HPTLC and HPLC analyses of the ethyl acetate

fractions showed the presence of several active

constituents with antioxidant, pro-oxidant and

antibacterial potential, belonging to the categories of

alkaloids, terpenoids, phenolics and flavonoids. The

GC-MS analysis of the ethyl acetate fractions showed

the presence of a mixture of decanes and eicosenes,

which are also reported to have antimicrobial potential

from other pteridophytes.

3.9.3 Microbial Degradation of Agrowaste

3.9.3.1 Development of a formulation of effectivemicroorganisms for production of enrichedcompost for peri-urban agriculture

“Effective Microorganisms” (EM) formulation is a

combination of microorganisms with lingo-cellulose

hydrolysis potential and additives or helper bacteria

like lactic acid bacteria, yeast and a group of

photosynthetic bacteria capable of degrading

agrowaste. The consortium consisting of Phanerochaete

chrysosporium (VV18), Streptomyces sp. (C3), an isolate

73

of lactobacillus, yeast Candida tropicalis (Y6) and

enriched photosynthetic bacterium was developed. EM

consortia was evaluated for paddy straw composting

under outdoor conditions and compared with Pusa

Compost inoculant during summer and winter seasons.

The EM consortia performed better during summer

and degradation was faster resulting in C: N ratio of

13:1 within 60 days. The paddy straw supplemented

with poultry droppings registered higher microbial

activity as compared to other treatments, highest

activity of alkaline phosphatase (2.62 mg pNp/g/h) and

FDA hydrolase (124.17 μg flourescein/g/h) was

observed in paddy straw receiving EM. The pH of the

mature compost ranged 7.45-8.13. Compost was also

found to be free from phytotoxicity showing 90%

germination of mustard seeds.

3.9.3.2 Phytate mineralizing microbes and theirrole in P nutrition

The organic P can be de-phosphorylated by using

microbes with P mineralizing potential. Animal

manures available in huge amount are rich source of

organic P and can be exploited to prepare P enriched

manure by co-composting them with some bulking

agent such as cereal straw. The phosphorus enriched

organic fertilizer was prepared by supplementing paddy

straw with cattle manure, farm yard manure and poultry

manure each added separately, with and without phytate

mineralizing fungal consortium (Aspergillus and

Trichoderma spp.). The nutrient availability of the

aerobically degraded compost was found to enhance with

time span. Inoculated cattle manure and FYM composts

had higher total and available P compared to their

respective uninoculated controls. Poultry manure

amended compost recorded the highest content of total

P (1676 μg g-1). Though, the amount of extractable P

ranged from 60-90 %, but not all of this was in readily

plant available form. Sequential extraction with

different reagents showed that 50-55 % of the total P

was in labile fraction. This showed that still a large

fraction of P in the compost was present as condensed

calcium phosphates such as apatites or octacalcium

phosphate, which are not soluble in water or sodium

bicarbonate. The inoculation with phytate mineralizing

fungi improved the availability of bicarbonate P in

cattle manure- straw compost by 20 % and FYM

compost by 15 % compared to their respective controls.

3.9.4 Bioprospecting Microbes for Productionof Biodiesel and Bioethanol

3.9.4.1 Novel lignolytic micromycetes: Myrotheciumroridum LG7

Biofuels produced from lignocellulosic materials,

so-called second generation bioethanol have energetic,

economic and environmental advantages in

comparison to bioethanol from starch or sugar. A new

lignolytic micromycete fungus Myrothecium roridum

LG7 was isolated and selected for biological

delignification of paddy straw and herbaceous weed

Parthenium sp. Physical and chemical modifications in

the biomass following pretreatment with M. roridum

LG7 for 7 days in term of structural modification and

lignin removal, changes in lignin skeleton, and

alteration of cellulose crystallinity was observed

through SEM-EDXA, FTIR and XRD analysis,

respectively.

Colonization of the fungus led to high amount of

lignin removal (5.8-7.0 mg g-1) from pretreated

biomass which could be recovered as a value added

product. Enzymatic hydrolysis of M. roridum LG7

pretreated biomass released significantly higher

amount of reducing sugars (455.8-509.6 mg gds-1) as

compared to respective raw biomass within 24 h. The

results illustrate the promise of micromycetes M.

roridum LG7 for biological pretreatment to accelerate

the hydrolysis of glucan into monosugars for

bioethanol production.

Biological delignification of paddy straw and carrot grass withMyrothecium roridum

74

3.9.4.2 Microorganism: source of plant cell walldegrading enzymes

Enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose and

hemicellulose is achieved by using cellulases and

hemicellulases. Plant pathogens are known to produce

arsenal of plant cell wall degrading enzymes which

may be more potent. Xanthomonas axonopodis pv.

punicae, a plant pathogen which causes blight disease

in pomegranate showed high levels of endo--1,4-

glucanase and xylanase activities. The enzyme

production was optimized with respect to major

nutrient sources like carbon and nitrogen.

Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) was better inducer for

FPase, CMCase and xylanase production while starch

was found to be good inducer of cellobiase. The

soybean meal /yeast extract (0.5%) was better N sources

for both cellulolytic and xylanolytic enzymes while

cellobiase was higher with peptone. Temperature of

28 °C and pH 6-8 were optimum for production of

enzymes. Growth under optimized conditions resulted

in around 1.7 to 5.0 fold increase in different enzyme

activities. Physio-chemical characterization of enzymes

showed that they were active over broad range of pH

4-8 with optimum at 8. Cellulolytic enzymes showed

optimum temperature around 55 °C while xylanase had

the highest activity at 45 °C. Saccharification of different

substrates showed increased release of sugars till 96

hours.

3.9.4.3 Biochemical modulation of lipidproductivity in Chlorella sorokiniana

Quality and quantity of lipid production in

Chlorella sorokiniana was studied by screening the

modes of nutrition and use of metabolic intermediates

along with reducing agents, under standard laboratory

conditions and subsequently, its lipid production was

upscaled in a photobioreactor. Time course studies

using glucose under mixotrophic and heterotrophic

conditions vis a vis autotrophy showed highest values

of growth, lipid productivity (29.33% DCW) and lipid

content (755 mg/L) under mixotrophic conditions on

the 14th day of growth. Upscaling in a photobioreactor

with selected substrates (glucose and tryptophan),

along with sodium thiosulphate (ST) as a reducing

agent was undertaken. Lipid productivity of 34.16 and

36.49% was recorded after 4th and 8th day, respectively

in both substrates, vis a vis 11% with glucose alone.

FAME analyses revealed a 2% enhancement in total

saturated fatty acids (SFA) in tryptophan

supplemented culture, which also exhibited an almost

ideal fatty acid ratio for use as biodiesel (2.6:4:1 of

16:1.18:1 and14:1). Chlorella sp. grown in glucose + ST

produced significant amount of linoleic acid (18:2) and

-linolenic acid (18:3). This strain proved to be a very

useful with metabolic versatility and multifaceted uses,

mediated through substrate amendment and addition

of reducing agent.

3.9.4.4 Standardization of harvesting technologyfor BGA and extraction of lipids

Harvesting procedure was standardized in selected

microalgal strains (Chlamydomanas sp., Chlorella

sp.,Chlorococcum sp., Botryococcus sp.; reference strain

from German Collection, Botryococcus sp. isolated from

Udaipur lake and Chlorella sp.) using inorganic as well

as organic flocculants. Inorganic flocculants used were

aluminium sulphate, calcium chloride, ferric chloride,

sodium hydroxide while, organic flocculants utilized

were Chitosan, Maize starch, potato starch, cationic

starch, rice starch, yellow dextrin, oxidized starch,

pregelitnized starch and Tapioca starch. Comparative

analysis indicated that ferric chloride was most efficient

as an inorganic flocculant for all except Botryococcus

from German collection which exhibited highest

flocculation efficiency with aluminium sulphate at a

concentration of 200 mg L-1. Out of the organic

flocculants, rice starch appeared to be most effective

flocculant in Botryococcus sp. (Udaipur Lake). In

general, organic flocculants were as effective as

inorganic flocculants and would be more economical

and environmentally safe for mass scale biomass

production of efficient microalgae.

Lipids were extracted from microalgal biomass of

selected strains utilizing standard protocols.

Botrycoccus sp. from German Collection yielded highest

percent lipids (62.13%) by the methodology reported

by Dittmer and Wells (1969). Different indigenous

methods like bead beating, autoclaving, microwave,

sonication, magnetism and osmotic shock, etc. are being

tested and standardized for oil extraction from

microalgal biomass. Commercial medium grown

75

Chlorella biomass was harvested from multiplication

units and lipids were extracted. Fatty acid profile

indicated suitability of mass produced Chlorella as a

source of biofuel.

3.10 ENVIRONMENT SCIENCE ANDCLIMATE RESILIENT AGRICULTURE

3.10.1 Trends of Greenhouse Gas Emissionin Indian Agriculture

Contribution of Indian agriculture to the global

warming and the trends in greenhouse gases (GHGs)

emission from 1970 to 2010 was estimated. In 2010,

world emitted 50,101 Mt CO2 equivalent (eq), out of

which India emitted 2691 Mt CO2 eq (5.4% of the

global emission). The global agriculture contributed

11.3% (5,677 Mt CO2 eq) to the total global GHG

emissions. Share of Indian agriculture was 10.0% (566

Mt CO2 eq) of global agriculture. Indian agriculture

contributed 21.0% of total Indian GHG emissions,

which was only 1.1% of the total global emission from

all the sources. During 1970 to 2010, GHG emissions

from Indian agriculture increased by about 10%.

Enhanced use of fertilizers and higher population of

the livestock were the major drivers for the increased

GHG emissions. Relative contribution of Indian

agriculture to the total GHG emission from all the

sectors of the country decreased from 49.5% in 1970

to 21.0% in 2010 whereas the contribution to global

agriculture increased from 8.8 to 10.0% during the

period.

3.10.2 Fluxes of Greenhouse Gases withEddy-Covariance Technique

The Eddy covariance technique based GHG flux

tower was installed in the rice field of the IARI farm

during July 2012 and is currently being standardized

and calibrated. Emissions of carbon dioxide and

methane, water vapor flux, heat flux, relative humidity,

wind speed and wind direction, air temperature, soil

temperature and soil moisture, rainfall, incoming and

outgoing solar radiation, and photosynthetic active

radiation can be measured by the system.

Trends of greenhouse gas emission from Indian agriculture

Eddy covariance flux tower at IARI

3.10.3 Impact of Different Irrigation Practiceson Controlling Greenhouse Gas Mitigationin Rice

Emissions of methane and nitrous oxide gases were

measured to evaluate the greenhouse gas mitigation

potential of direct seeded rice (DSR) and system of rice

intensification (SRI) cultivated under conventional and

drip irrigation practices. Methane emission was

significantly reduced in DSR under drip irrigation as

well as conventional irrigation practices. Nitrous oxide

emission was increased under both the water

management practices in DSR and SRI as compared to

the conventional transplanted rice. The global warming

potential was reduced by 52% under DSR-Drip

irrigation and 57% under SRI-Conventional irrigation

in comparison to the conventional flooded control.

76

Impact of different water saving technologies on green-house gas emissions in rice

Irrigation practice N2O CH

4GWP

(kg/ha) (kg/ha) (kg CO2 eq/ha)

DSR-Drip irrigation 2.67 0.04 797

DSR- Conventional irrigation 2.83 0.14 847

SRI-Drip irrigation 1.77 7.52 715

SRI- Conventional irrigation 1.81 22.42 1100

Conventional transplanted rice 0.88 56.97 1688

3.10.4 Impact of Climate Change on Mustardand Soybean Yields and Adaptation Gains

Simulation assessment was carried out using

InfoCrop mustard model to project the impacts and

adaptation gains at regional scale, and to delineate the

vulnerable regions for mustard and soybean

production. Simulation studies showed that at the

national level, climate change is projected to reduce

the mustard grain yields by ~2% in 2020 (2010-2039),

~7.9% in 2050 (2040-2069) and ~15% in 2080 (2070-2099)

climate scenarios of MIROC 3.2.HI and PRECIS models,

if no adaptation is followed. Adaptation through a

combination of improved input efficiency, additional dose

of fertilizers and adjusting the sowing time is projected

to increase the yields by ~17% with current varieties and

by ~25% with improved varieties in 2020. Soybean yields

are projected to increase by 2.5% in 2020 climate scenarios

and beyond. Improved varieties and better management

of crop can increase the soybean production by about 14%

in future climate scenarios.

3.10.5 Response of Field Crops to ElevatedTemperature and Carbon Dioxide

Gradual rise in atmospheric temperature (1-4 oC)

caused varying degree of reduction in the biomass and

grain yield of rice, wheat, chickpea and green gram.

Among the rice and wheat cultivars, PB 1121 of rice

and HD 2932, HD 2967 and Kundan of wheat showed

greater thermo-tolerance compared to the other

cultivars. Elevated temperature enhanced the spikelet

sterility leading to yield reduction. Flowering as well

as maturity of rice and wheat crop got hastened with

rise in temperature. Elevated CO2 levels also enhanced

the biomass and yield of maize and wheat grown at

different nitrogen levels and varying water stress

conditions.

3.10.6 Effect of Elevated Temperature on theCarbon and Nitrogen Dynamics in Wheat

Experiments were conducted to study the

abundance of microbial functional populations for

labile and recalcitrant carbon degradation in soil under

wheat crop (PBW 343) grown in the temperature

gradient tunnels (TGTs) (temperature 1, 2 and 3 oC

above the ambient level). The labile substrates, namely,

amino acids, carboxylic acids and polymers degraded

fast (P<0.07) as compared to ambient control. However,

the populations involved in decomposing recalcitrant

carbon (phenols) were not affected by elevated

temperature. These results were further corroborated

by laboratory incubation experiments using labile

(glucose) and recalcitrant substrate (phenol). The

concentration of labile C being slightly higher (6.22%)

under warming led to high microbial biomass at higher

temperature (p<0.01).

3.10.7 Conservation Agricultural Practicesfor Greenhouse Gas Mitigation

Greenhouse gas emissions from the soils under rice

following resource conservation technologies like

direct seeding (DSR) in rice followed by zero tillage in

wheat (ZTW), with and without residue incorporation

and green manuring were quantified for the second

year. Results showed that DSR reduced the methane

emission as compared to conventionally transplanted

puddled rice and increased nitrous oxide emission.Simulation assessment of soybean yields

77

Effect of resource conservation technologies on globalwarming potential in rice

Rice based system N2O-N CH

4CO

2-C GWP

g/ha kg/ha kg/ha kg/ha

TPR-CTW 566a 45.0b 498a 3118f

TPR-ZTW 649b 41.9b 452a 2899e

DSR-ZTW 793c 2.15a 479a 2047a

DSR-ZTW+RR 819c 2.49a 516b 2197b

DSR-ZTW+MBR 836c 2.23a 532bc 2255b

DSR-ZTW+RR+MBR 848cd 2.89a 550c 2342bc

DSR+BM-ZTW 951f 3.08a 555c 2397cd

DSR+BM- ZTW+RR 871e 3.48a 553c 2375c

3.10.9 Ecosystem Services from Poplar basedAgro Forestry System

The ecosystem services provided by one

hectare land areas of poplar based agro-forestry (AF)

system in a six-year rotation period was approximately

`3.54 lakh based on differential-weightage method as

compared to about `3.96 lakh based on equal-

weightage method. This value was in addition to the

income from selling of supply outputs (crop grain and

wood) amounting to `19.90 lakh for the six-year

rotation period.TPR- Transplanted puddled rice, DSR – Direct seeded rice, CTW- Conventionally

tilled wheat, ZTW-Zero tilled wheat, RR- Rice residue, GM – Green manure, MBR-

Mung bean residue, BM-Brown manuring

*In a column values followed by the same letter are not significantly different at P <

0.05 by Duncan’s multiple range test.

3.10.8 Impacts of Conservation Agricultureon Soil Carbon Dynamics

The conservation agriculture practices, namely,

zero tillage + bed planting (ZT-B) and zero tillage with

conventional/flat planting (ZT-F) increased the soil

organic carbon (SOC) by 13 and 11% compared to

conventional tillage with bed planting (CT-B) in top 0-

5 cm soil layer. Plots under cotton/maize + wheat

residue (C/M+ WR) contained ~9% higher total SOC

concentration than the no residue treated plots (NR)

in the 0-5 cm layer. The C/M+WR treatment had ~17,

13, 13 and 32% higher mean cotton, maize, wheat and

green gram aboveground biomass yields than the NR

treatment. About 9.8% of the gross C input contributed

towards the increase in SOC content (0-30 cm soil layer)

under the residue treated plots in ZT and CT.

Total soil organic carbon (SOC) retention potential of conservationagriculture

Economic valuation of ecosystem services from poplar based agro-forestry system based on differential weightage method

3.10.10 Effect of Gamma Radiation andMagnetic Energy on Post-harvest Storabilityof Soybean

Radiated seeds of soybean var. SL 525 exposed

to six different doses of gamma radiation, viz., 0.01,

0.05, 0.5, 1.0, 3.0 and 5.0 kGy and untreated control,

were evaluated for seed damage by insect,

Callosobruchus analis, infestation. Feeding preference

of the insect pest got altered on seed irradiation,

depending on irradiation dose. Seeds irradiated at a

dose of 1 kGy showed a total protection against insect

damage and did not significantly alter the content

and quality of the stored seeds. Electromagnetic

energy treatments significantly reducted

the lipoxygenase activity of the stored seeds.

A dose of 1-3 kGy was effective in reducing the

rate of seed quality deterioration under accelerated

aging.

78

3.10.11 Ameliorating the Negative Impactsof Ozone on Crop Productivity

For mitigating the negative impacts of air

pollutants, antioxidant chemicals (ascorbic acid,

Azoxystrobin and Tagetes leaf extract) were evaluated

for their efficacy by growing rice, wheat and potato.

The maximum yields were obtained in rice grown

under ascorbic acid. The 0.5% ascorbic acid spray at

vegetative and flowering stages increased the yield of

rice by 9% over control. In potato the yield increase of

10-11% was observed in ascorbic acid treatments over

ambient control (34 ppb mean seasonal O3).

differential growth and yield response. Among the

cultivars, PRH 10 recorded highest grain yield

followed by PB 6, Pusa 44, Pusa 1460. Type 3, a local

basmati variety, registered highest degree of low light

stress tolerance followed by Taraori, PRH 10, PS 5

and lowest level of tolerance was recorded in Pusa

44.

3.10.14 Air pollution due to Burning of CropResidues in North West India

The amount of crop residue burned in fields of

Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh in North West

India was approximately 52.4 Mt per annum. Burning

of these residues in field resulted in emission of CO2

(91.65 %) followed by 5.5% CO, 0.15% NOx, 0.95% non-

methane volatile organic compounds and 0.42 % non-

methane hydrocarbons. Burning of rice straw

contributed maximum (51%) to these emissions

followed by wheat (30.4%) and sugarcane (15.3%).

Highest emissions were from the states of Uttar

Pradesh (41%) and Punjab (41%) followed by Haryana

(18%). Burning of paddy straw resulted in the loss of

about 0.16 Mt of nitrogen, 0.006 Mt of potassium and

0.13 Mt of phosphorus.

3.10.12 Updating the Infocrop-rice Model forQuantifying the Impact of Elevated Ozone

Impact of different ozone levels on leaf area index,

photosynthetic rate, radiation use efficiency, grain

yield, root:shoot ratio and total dry matter was collated

from field experiments conducted during 2009-2011.

This data was used in updating the present infocrop-

rice model to simulate the impact of different ozone

concentrations. Calibration and validation was carried

out for quantifying the impact of surface ozone

pollution on rice yield.

3.10.13 Effect of Low Radiation on CropProductivity

One of the direct effects of air pollution on

agriculture is due to reduced radiation.Ten

promising rice cultivars/hybrids subjected to low

radiation stress (40% reduction in radiation) showed

Effect of different antioxidants on potato tuber yield

Burning of crop residues in states of North West India

3.10.15 Potential of Bio-fuel Production fromAgri-residues

Biogas, ethanol and hydrogen production potential

of agri-residues were investigated. A small sized biogas

plant based on agri-residue and recyclable byproducts

Tu

ber

yie

ld (

kg

/m2)

Azoxystrobin 1% AA 0.5% AA Ambient

79

was fabricated, installed and evaluated for biogas

production during different months of the year. The

volume of digester and gas holder was 650 and 300

liters (L), respectively.

Ethanol yield from rice straw of basmati and non-

basmati varieties ranged from 140 to 300 L/ t of rice

straw. The estimated cost of ethanol production varied

from `43.0 to 48.3 /L. The growth kinetics of hydrogen

producing strain Bacillus coagulans NCIM 2323 (wheat

straw) and Bacillus coagulans 2030 (rice straw) was

investigated in batch fermentation of wheat and rice

straw. The hydrogen concentration in the resultant

gaseous mixture from wheat straw was up to 63.3%

with 94% sugar utilization. The maximum hydrogen

yield from substrate was 246 mL/g. The low pH (pH<4)

inhibited hydrogen production and resulted in lower

carbohydrate fermentation. In case of rice straw

hydrogen concentration was 45% which increased 13

% by the use of nutrient and vitamin supplements.

3.10.16 On-farm Demonstrations of ClimateResilient Technologies

The farmers were imparted trainings on climate

resilient technologies through demonstrations and

training programmes in Gurgaon district of Haryana

and Bulandshahar, Baghpat and Bareilly districts of

Uttar Pradesh. The farmers were shown the benefits

of zero-tillage based wheat cultivation, walk-in-

tunnel and low-tunnel based vegetable cultivation,

net house nursery system, IPM practices in

vegetables, drip system of irrigation, mulching and

use of hydrogel. During the year under report, total

beneficiary of various technologies were more than

250 farmers.

Improving livelihood security in changing

climate. By replacing the local wheat varieties with

WR 544, late sown variety having terminal heat

tolerance, yields of the Mewat region improved up to

20% (based on 228 farm trials in 4 clusters). Similarly,

mustard yield (from 360 trials) increased in the range

of 8 to 11% by growing Pusa Mehak in place of variety

cultivated in Mewat. In Dhar district, early and

terminal heat tolerant aestivum varieties of wheat, viz.,

HI 8627 and HI 8638 are the potential varieties for

replacement of local variety (Sujata) as HI 8627 (yield

2.67 t/ha) and HI 8638 (2.41 t/ha), produced 31-45%

more yield than Sujata (1.8 t/ha). As a part of the

livelihood security, seed village concept was

developed at 11 seed villages in tribal districts of Dhar.

Under integrated water saving technology for

drought-prone areas nearly 10 km underground

HDPE pipeline was laid down at the farmers’ field at

Mewat and Dhar regions, which resulted in 40%

savings in irrigation water. In floods-prone district of

Ganjam, an improved backyard poultry strain

(Vanaraj) chicks were distributed to 33 marginal and

landless farm women (15 birds each) in 5 villages for

enhancing their household income and reducing

migration. Income of ` 3248/- per household was

obtained from poultry birds. Innovation in

communication technology- m-KRISHI® Fisheries

service was expanded to remaining 43 fisheries co-

operatives out of 56 societies in Raigad district and

were expanded in Mewat, Dhar and Ganjam districts.

Growth kinetics of hydrogen producing strain Bacillus coagulansNCIM 2323 & correlation between microbial biomass and hydrogenproduction rate

80

Pests and diseases result in an estimated loss of 10 to 30% in the yield and quality of field and horticultural

crops, respectively. One of the major impacts of the changing climate and cropping pattern is the rising complexities

in pest and pathogen dynamics, hence, there is a need to plan crop protection strategies that include cultural,

biological and chemical methods to provide most effective and sustainable options. During the year under report

diversity studies vis-à-vis resistances in hosts against major pests and pathogens and development of diagnostic

protocols were undertaken. Besides, biological control measures, as well as novel chemical molecules were

identified which can form a part of integrated management. Taking a long term approach, work on identification

of sources of resistance against major pests and pathogens of important crops were also undertaken to be used

for breeding resistant crop varieties. Planned crop protection based on these strategies will improve the yield

and bring about economic benefits.

4. CROP PROTECTION

4.1 PLANT PATHOLOGY

4.1.1 Genetic Diversity

Puccinia spp. (wheat rusts). Of ten URP primers

used for molecular analysis of leaf rust (77-5, 104-2 and

12-2), stem rust (40A and 40-1) and stripe rust (78S84

and 46S119) races, amplicons (250-9000bp) showing

90% polymorphism were obtained from six markers

in all the rust races. The combined dendrogram using

all URP primers showed two main clusters, cluster I

comprising all stem and leaf rust races, while stripe

rust races formed separate cluster II. Leaf rust race 77-

5 shared 90 % similarity with stem rust race 40 A, while

races 104-2 and 12-2 showed 85% similarity with each

other. Stripe rust races 78S84 and 46S119 showed 80%

similarity. In another study, amplicons (200-2300 bp)

showing 92% polymorphism were obtained from four

RAPD primers in all seven races of rusts. The combined

Combined Dendrogram obtained from 7 isolates of wheat rustraces with UPGMA-based similarity coefficient, using (a) URPprimers and (b) RAPD primers

dendrogram showed two main clusters, Cluster I

comprising three leaf rust races (77-5, 104-2, 12.2), while

stem rust (40-A, 40-1) and stripe rust (46S119, 78S84)

races formed separate cluster II.

Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceris (chickpea wilt).

Genetic diversity in FOC isolates (22) originating from

13 states representing 8 races was assessed by

comparing partial intergenic spacer (IGS) region

Neighbor joining tree showing the phylogenetic relationshipsamong isolates of F. oxysporum based on their IGS sequences

81

(1000bp). Sequence analysis suggested that except one

isolate from Andhra Pradesh (Foc 118), the rest 21

isolates were grouped into two major clusters.

Grouping did not correlate with the place of origin as

well as race pattern.

Chaetomium globosum. Genetic diversity in

Chaetomium globosum isolates (15) was assessed by

comparing -tubulin (1000 bp) and glyceraldehyde – 3

phosphate dehydrogenase (gpd) (1000 bp) gene

sequences. Sequence analysis suggested that both the

regions were highly conserved (97-100%). Bootstrap

analysis for -tubulin showed formation of two major

clusters. Cluster 1 comprised of Cg1, Cg15, Cg4, Cg2,

Cg3 isolates with 100% similarity among them and 60%

similarity with cluster II, which is comprised of

remaining isolates of C. globosum, other species of

Chaetomium and other fungi. On the other hand boot

strap analysis for gpd gene showed formation of two

major clusters. Cluster I comprised of C. globosum

isolates and other fungi Medurella sp., Thielavia sp. and

Hypocrea sp., while cluster II comprised of other

Chaetomium species. Multilocus sequence analyses

revealed that gpd sequences are more suitable for

differentiating Chaetomium globosum from other species.

Alternaria brassicae. Genetic diversity in Alternaria

brassicae isolates (32) originating from cauliflower

(Brassica oleracea L. var botrytis) and mustard (Brassica

juncea (L.) Czern) crop was assessed using RAPD and

ISSR primers and the mean similarity coefficient was

0.73 and 0.84, respectively. Further internal transcribed

spacer (ITS) analysis showed 60-100% similarity among

pathogenically different A. brassicae isolates.

Fusarium spp. (Bakanae disease of rice). Of forty

five Fusarium spp. isolates associated with bakanae

disease of rice, originating from Punjab, Haryana, Uttar

Pradesh and Uttarakhand, distinct species, F. fujikuroi,

F. proliferatum, F. verticillioides and F. nygamai were

identified based on translation elongation factor (Tef)

region sequences. F. fujikuroi was the most prevalent

pathogen (88.88%) associated with bakanae disease in

India.

4.1.2 Molecular Diagnostics

Puccinia striiformis tritici (stripe rust). Of four

sets of primers designed from ITS region, a primer pair

F1 5’CCAATTGAGGAGGGGAAAT3’ and R1

5’TTATTTTCAATGGATGTTGA3’ yielded a specific

band in only stripe rust (Puccinia striiformis tritici) races

(465119 and 78584). No amplification was observed in

leaf rust races (77-5, 104-2) and stem rust race (40A).

This stripe rust specific marker needs further testing

and validation.

Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceris (Foc). Primers B

125 F1 and R1 derived from -tubulin gene and ISR 52

F1 and R1 derived from IGS region yielded an expected

fragment size of 259 bp and 325 bp, respectively for

Foc only. No amplification with other representative

test plant pathogenic fungi was obtained. The markers

were also able to detect the pathogen in infected

chickpea plants. In conventional PCR, the minimum

detection limit of -tubulin derived primers was 100

pg for Foc and 10 ng for infected plant samples, while

IGS based primers sensitivity of 50 pg and 1 ng in Foc

and infected plant samples, respectively. In Real time

assay, the minimum detection limit of B 125 F1&R1

primer was 0.25 pg for Foc and 1.5 pg for infected plant

samples, while the primer ISR-52 F1R1 could detect

0.1 pg and 1 pg in Foc and infected plant samples,

respectively.

Amplified product of different isolates of Foc with B125 F1 & R1.Lane 1-14: Foc isolates, lane 15: Foc inoculated chickpea plant, lane16: Un-inoculated chickpea plant, lane 17: F. oxysporum f. sp. lini,lane 18: F. solani, lane 19: F. udum, lane 20: R. bataticola, lane 21: R.solani, lane 22: S. sclerotiorum, lane 23: NTC, lane 24: Nonpathogenic Foc and M: 100bp ladder at both sides

313bp

245bp

PCR amplication products of genomic DNA of Foc isolates usingFoc specific markers ISR 52F1R1. Lane 1-14 : Foc isolates, lane 15 :Foc inoculated plant sample, lane 16: Un-inoculated plant sample,lane 17: Rhizoctonia solani, lane 18: S. sclerotiorum, and M: 100bpladder at both sides

4.1.3 Race Profiling

Virulence analysis of Magnaporthe oryzae (Rice

blast). Virulence analysis of 26 M. oryzae isolates on 24

82

monogenic rice blast differentials revealed that isolates

from Almora (Uttarakhand), Basar (Arunachal

Pradesh), Mandya (Karnataka), Cuttack (Orissa) and

Lonavala (Maharashtra) were highly virulent. Some

isolates from these locations were compatible with

Tetep (blast resistance donor).

Ralstonia solanacearum (Bacterial wilt).

Characterization of Ralstonia solanacearum isolates (159)

originating from different hosts (tomato, capsicum,

chilli, brinjal and potato) and locations (Jharkhand,

Odisha, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Karnataka,

Goa and Jammu & Kashmir) revealed that race 1/Biovar

3/Phylotype I of R. solanacearum (95.2%) was most

prevalent (95%). Stray incidence of race 1/Biovar 4/

Phylotype I was found in Uttarakhand, Himachal

Pradesh and Jharkhand.

Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris.

Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris isolates (187)

originating from different locations when evaluated on

a set of seven differential hosts, viz., Turnip (Brassica

rapa L.), Just Right Turnip F1, Seven Top Turnip, Indian

mustard (B. juncea L.) ‘Florida Broad Leaf’, Ethiopian

mustard (B. carinata) ‘PI 199947’, cauliflower (B. oleracea

var. botrytis) ‘Miracle F1’ and Savoy cabbage (B. oleracea

var. capitata) ‘Wirosa’, revealed that majority of the

isolates (80) belonged to race 1, 58 to race 4 and 49

isolates remained unidentified.

Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo). Xoo

isolates (60) originating from Punjab (8), Haryana (7),

Rajasthan (5), Uttar Pradesh (6), Uttarakhand (5),

Himachal Pradesh (8), Odisha (5), West Bengal (6),

Nagaland (5) and Assam (5) when evaluated on

monogenic lines revealed the prevalence of six races

in India. Race 4 and 6 were highly virulent and

predominant in most of the north-western states, race

2 and 3 were predominant in north-eastern states,

whereas the race 1 and 5 were sporadic in distribution.

Few selected isolates were screened for Xop T3SS-

effector genes. Phylogenetic analysis using xop N gene

revealed close similarity of Indian Xanthomonas oryzae

pv. oryzae isolates with Korean and Japanese isolates.

4.1.4 Biological Control

Validation of Trichoderma based bioformulations.

The efficacy of Pusa 5SD, a seed dressing formulation

of Trichoderma harzianum was validated at seven

different locations, namely, Sehore and Jabalpur

(Madhya Pradesh), IARI (Delhi), Rahuri (Maharashtra),

Durgapura (Rajasthan), Junagadh (Gujrat) and Samba

(Jammu & Kashmir) against wilt and root rot of

chickpea. Pusa 5SD (@ 4g/kg seeds in combination with

Vitavax power (@1g/kg reduced disease incidence from

51.1 to 100% and enhanced the grain yield from 19.9 to

62.5% in different areas. Pusa 5SD alone reduced the

disease incidence from 8.3 to 63.8% and enhanced the

grain yield from 14.7 to 39.6% in different locations.

Performance of Pusa 5SD (Trichoderma

harzianum) formulation. The efficacy of Pusa 5SD

formulation alone or in combination with Pseudomonas

fluorescens, Mesorhizobium ciceri and fungicides as seed

treatment significantly (p<0.05) enhanced the seed

germination and the grain yield of chickpea and

reduced the wilt incidence against control. A

combination of Pusa 5SD (T. harzianum) + carboxin +

TMTD (Vitavax powerTM) + P. fluorescens (Pf-80) showed

significantly low wilt incidence (16.3%), higher seed

germination (86.7%) and grain yield (898.1 kg/ha)

compared to other treatments.

Effect of seed treatments on seed germination, wilt incidence andgrain yield of chickpea cultivar Pusa 362 under sick field condition.T1: Pusa 5SD (T. harzianum); T2: Pseudomanas fluorescens 80 (Pf80); T3: Carboxin + TMTD (Vitavax powerTM); T4: Pusa 5SD + Pf80; T5: Pusa 5SD + Vitavax powerTM + Pf 80; T6: Carbendazim(BavistinTM) + TMTD (ThiramTM) and T7: Control (untreated seeds)

Chitinolytic enzyme purification and

characterization in Trichoderma. Endochitinase

enzyme purified using Ni-NTA protein column from

effective Trichoderma harzianum (Th3), showed the

83

molecular mass as 32kDa estimated by SDS gel

electrophoresis. Chitinase was optimally active at pH

5.0 and temperature 25°C, but was stable at pH 1-5 and

upto 40°C. The in vitro assay of purified chitinase

showed antifungal activity against Sclerotium rolffsii,

Alternaria brassicae, Alternaria brassicicola, Magnaportha

grisea @150μg ml-1 and above. The enzyme caused

hyphal cell lysis at 200 μg ml-1 concentration.

Validation of Chaetomium based bioformulation.

Soil amendment with Cg2BP @ 5g/m2 along with 3

sprays using Cg2WP (0.2%) significantly reduced the

disease severity and improved the yield of the crop

under All India Co-ordinated Wheat Improvement

Programme under multilocations trials conducted at

Faizabad, Karnal and Coochbihar.

Characterization of diene lactone hydrolase

(DLH) gene from Chaetomium globosum. A novel diene

lactone hydrolase (DLH) gene (783 bp), involved in

secondary metabolites biosynthesis, transport and

degradation of chlorocatechol compounds, was cloned

and sequenced from Chaetomium globosum (Cg2). The

sequence analysis showed that DLH gene contains 3

exons and 2 introns with a conserved domain of

Dienelactone hydrolase in the sequence. The putative

polypeptide sequence of this gene was highly

conserved (96% identity) in C. globosum isolates and

shared 83% identity with hypothetical protein of

Myceliophthora thermophila and 77% with hypothetical

protein of Thielavia terrestris.

Genotyping of Pseudomonas putida and Bacillus

megaterium. Comparison of concatenated nucleotide

length of 11590 bp representing 13 housekeeping genes

from Pseudomonas putida BP25R revealed its close

similarity with nicotine degrading Pseudomonas putida

strain S16 isolated from China. Similarly, concatenated

nucleotide length of 7393 bp from Bacillus megaterium

BP17R showed close similarity with industrially

important strain WSH002. Genes participating in the

biosynthetic pathways of multiple metabolite

secretions were identified in Pseudomonas putida BP25R

which included phz (Phenazine- GenBank: JX843728),

pppH (2-octoprenylphenol-GenBank: JX843729), psaT

(2-oxo hydroxyphosphobutanoate- JX843730), haeH

(Hydroxyatrazine-GenBank: JX843726), and karI (2-

acetyl hydroxyl-butanoate-GenBank: JX843727). LC-

MS analysis of total metabolome extracted from the

Pseudomonas putida BP25R revealed that these

metabolties had antifungal activity.

Similarly, genes identified in the biosynthetic

pathways of multiple insoluble secretions having

activity against 1-4 endoglucanase of Radophilus

similis from Bacillus megaterium are 2-carboxy-5-oxo-

2,5-dihydrofuran-2-acetate (GenBank: KC698869),

(2Z,4E)-5-hydroxyhexa-2,4-dienedioate (GenBank:

KC698870), 2-aceto-2-hydroxy-butanoate (GenBank:

KC698871), Oxoglutarate (GenBank: KC698873), and

(R)-Pantoate (GenBank: KC698872).

4.1.5 Evaluation of Genotypes for Resistance

Wheat. Out of total 2440 wheat genotypes

evaluated against leaf rust races, 1641 were found

resistant. Of 520 PDSN entries evaluated for rust

resistance, 26 entries, viz., PS 1048, WR 2194, WR 2487,

WR 2575, WR 2636, WR 2641, WR 2644, WR 2645, WR

2651, WBM 2395, HAS 687, HAS 706, HAS 712, CL

3385, CL 3413, CL 3419, CL 3480, CL 3486, CL 3499, CL

3501, CL 3507, CLY 1113, CLY 1138, CLY 1147, CLY 1155

and CLY 1175 were free from all three rusts at adult

plant stage across test locations. Of 177 CVT entries

evaluated for rust resistance at seedling and adult plant

stage, five entries, viz., ID 1127, ID 1128, WBM 2382,

RD 1689 and DW 1509 showed resistance to all three

rusts at both the growth stages. For yellow rust, 20

entries, viz., ID 1110, 1118, 1121, 1127, 1128; DL 1330;

RD 1689; SBP 1120, 1122, 1127; WBM 2360, 2379, 2383,

2384, 2385, 2386, 2387, 2389, 2391; and DW 1508 were

identified resistant at both growth stages. Twelve

entries, viz., HS 560, HPW 386, VL 971, VL 972, PDW

329, PBW 658, PBW 665, PBW 670, RKD 219, HI 8726,

KRL 327 and WH 1098 in AVT IInd and I year possessed

high degree of resistance to yellow rust pathotypes

(78584 and 465119). Among 81 wheat lines including

allied species, 37 showed resistance against spot blotch

pathogen. Of total 240 wheat entries screened against

Karnal bunt (KB), 59 showed disease incidence up to 5%

and 117 entries remained free from KB infection. Of 200

F4 population derived for KB resistance from the crosses

between HD 29 × HD 2009, HD 30 × WL 711 and HD 30 ×

HD 2009; 134, 175 and 152 populations, respectively, were

identified resistant on artificial inoculation. In durum

wheat genotypes, GW 1114, HD 4672 and RS 749,

84

presence of two dominant, one dominant and one

recessive genes, respectively, were identified.

Rice. Of 26 elite rice entries evaluated under

artificial epiphytotic conditions for blast resistance,

seven showed high resistance. Two Basmati rice

genotypes developed at IARI (IET 22778 and 22290)

showed severity index less than five as compared to

blast susceptible check HR 12 with 7.4 SI, when

evaluated under artificial epiphytotic conditions at

blast hotspot locations across the country. Of 384 entries

from Directorate of Rice Research, Hyderabad

evaluated against sheath blight, seven entries were

moderately resistant. Of 200 wild rice species evaluated

against sheath blight, three accessions of Oryza

rupipogon (336687, 336719 and 336723), four accessions

of O. nivara (336685, 336696, 336713 and 330654) and

other accessions, viz., NKSWR23, NKSWR53,

NKSWR57 and NKSWR101 were found to be resistant.

Of 24 rice varieties evaluated against bakanae disease

under glass house conditions, Pusa 1342 and IR 65482

were moderately susceptible. Of 222 entries from

Directorate of Rice Research, Hyderabad evaluated

against bacterial leaf blight under glasshouse as well

as field conditions, Pusa 1460A, Pusa 1460B, BSP 56-

57, 58; CMS 5A, CMS 5B, GCP 1 to GCP 39 and SPS 153

showed resistance. Among the R-genes, xa5 was more

effective followed by Xa7, Xa21 and xa13.

Maize. Of 337 elite maize genotypes evaluated

against maydis leaf blight (MLB, Bipolaris maydis) and

banded leaf and sheath blight (BLSB, Rhizoctonia solani),

31 entries, viz., DADA, FMH 1073, FMH 951, Rasi 863,

A 7503, VMH 4174, HM 11, Meghan-G, IJ8533, BIO 719,

JH 31599, CMH 10-537, CMH 10-527, Bisco 2324Plus,

GK 3102, MCH 46, Orbit, BIO 562, BIO 9681, Seed tech

2324, JH 31522, X35A189, BIO 151, CMH 08-292, CMH

08-433, KNMH 401061, VMH 4106, X35A174, BIO 9637,

CMH 10-525 and FH 3525 showed resistance against

both the diseases. Of 201 inbreds from Directorate of

Maize Research (DMR), eleven entries, viz., HOP II,

CML 133, P72c1Xbrasil1177-2, G18seqcef 74-2-1, BML

7, HKI 1352-5-8-9, PFSR-R3, PFSR-R9, PFSR-R10, CM

501 and BML 15, were resistant to both MLB and BLSB

diseases. Of 296 entries from IARI, ten (Gen 120084,

Gen 120088, Gen 120090, DLK 121420, DLK 121424,

DLK 121 491, DLK 121 534, DLK 121572, DLK 121 584,

DLK 121 661) were resistant to both BLSB and MLB

diseases. Under the ICAR-CIMMYT collaborative

programme, of 180 genotypes evaluated against BLSB,

33 genotypes showed tolerant reaction.

Legumes. Of 356 chickpea entries evaluated against

wilt, 16 entries, namely, GNG 1936, JG 27, IPC 08-68,

IPC 05-62, IPC 07-31, IPC 09-186, IPC 10-61, IPC 10-

177, IPC 10-180, IPC 10-184, IPC 10-198, H 09-70, H 10-

04, IC 552470, ICC 11322 and ICC 5003 showed

resistance. Two genotypes JGK 19 and GL 24092

showed resistance against Ascochyta blight. Two

urdbean (P 45 and P 64) and three mungbean (P 4, P 7

and P 16) entries showed multiple disease resistance

against Cercospora leaf spot, Macrophomina blight and

YMV.

Papaya cultivars for PRSV resistance. Twenty-one

cultivars/ lines were screened for resistance to PRSV

under field conditions. The cultivar PS 3 showed lowest

incidence (21.5 %) with maximum mean fruit yield

(32.62 kg/plant), while in cultivar Red Lady it was 96.7%

and 12.95 kg/plant, respectively. In general, the

incidence of PRSV was more in June and October

planting as compared to April planting. Severity of

PRSV on Pusa selection varied at different locations.

At IARI regional station, Pusa (Bihar) severity was

38.4% on cultivar PS 3, while in farmers field at Akola

(Maharashtra) it was 18.46% and in Gulbarga

(Karnataka), severity on PS 3 was 31.75% as compared

to 90.0% in Red Lady. Lower aphid population was

observed in plots having banana as border cop and

recommended sprays. F1 hybrid of Red Lady and

Vasconcellea cauliflora had 11.11% PRSV severity.

Attempt were made to cross Pusa Delicious, Pusa

Nanha and Pusa Dwarf with hermaphrodite PS 1 to

convert them into PRSV tolerant gynodioecious lines.

4.1.6 Epidemiology and Disease Management

Stripe rust monitoring for Indo-Gangetic plains.

Based on the infection risk period, yellow rust was

predicted across Indo-Gangetic region. Yellow rust

favourable conditions predicted and were validated

with ground truthing in Jammu, several areas in Punjab

such as Gurdaspur, Pathankot, Nawanshahar,

Ludhiana and Ropar district. However, for some

locations although infection occurred but thematic map

85

could not indicate infection either due to non-

availability or unrepresentative weather data.

Effect of elevated CO2

on spot blotch of wheat.

Elevated levels of CO2 (400-600 ppm) under phytotron

significantly increased spot size in wheat caused by B.

sorokiniana in comparison to ambient level (320 ppm)

irrespective of genotypes. However, elevated exposure

through free air CO2 enrichment (FACE) did not show

any significant change in spot size. A significant

increase in spectral value was observed in phytoton

grown plants under elevated CO2 conditions.

Genetic diversity for stem rust resistance in durum

wheat. Presence of two dominant, one dominant, and

one recessive genes in GW 1114, HD 4672 and RS 749

(durum wheat genotypes) were identified, respectively,

based on analysis of F2 populations derived from their

crosses with Local Red (susceptible parental line). A

total of four diverse genes for stem rust resistance (Sr2,

Sr7b, Sr9e, and Sr11) were identified among these

genotypes.

Virulence typing of rust pathogens accomplished

in south India. Leaf rust race 77-5 predominated

southern hills, while stem rust races 40A and 40-1

occurred in equal frequencies. Race Ug99 was not

observed. In case of stripe rust, pathotype I (38S102)

with additional virulence on gene Yr 9 was

observed.

Evaluation of Ug99 resistant genotypes with

Indian stem and leaf rust pathotypes. Out of seven

proven sources of resistance to Ug99, viz., Baaz,

Chewink, Francolin, Kingbird, Super 152, Super 172,

and Quaiu only Kingbird, Chewink and Super 172

exhibited resistance to stem rust while all showed

resistance to leaf rust.

Bakanae - a potential threat in basmati rice

cultivation in India. Survey was conducted for

bakanae disease in different aromatic rice growing

states (Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh) of the

country. The disease was observed in all the surveyed

areas where rice variety Pusa 1121 is highly popular

with the incidence of 1 to 20%. Besides this, disease

was observed in other basmati varieties of rice, viz., CSR

30 (2%) at Karnal, Pusa 1401 (10 to 15%) at Fatehgarh

and Aligarh districts of Punjab and Uttar Pradesh,

respectively, Pusa 1509 (3%) at Aligarh, and Pusa 2511

(2%) at Bulandshahr district of Uttar Pradesh. Both

elongation and rotting symptoms of bakanae were

observed in all surveyed areas.

False smut of rice. Maximum false smut incidence

was observed in PB 6 (42.6%) and no incidence was

observed in Pusa Sugandh 2 and PB 1121 under natural

conditions. Out of 14 fungicides assessed, disease

severity in blue copper+ Trichoderma viride, blue copper

and tilt 25EC sprayed plots was 3.6, 16.6 and 17.9% as

against 33.9% in control plot.

Disease management in aromatic rice using

chemical and biological methods. Seed treatment with

Carboxin 37.5% + Thiram 37.5% @2.5 g/kg seed was

the most effective against brown leaf spot disease of

rice. In case of blast disease, one spray of

Tricyclazole@0.4 g + Mancozeb@ 2.0 g/litre water was

found to be the most effective in reducing the disease

severity.

Management of foliar blight of wheat through

chemicals. Seed treatment with Carboxin 37.5% +

Thiram 37.5% @2.5 g/kg seed was the most effective

against foliar blight of wheat. Two sprays of

tebuconazole @1 ml/l showed minimum disease

incidence and leaves remained green up to 120 days

after sowing.

Yellow rust risk areas during December to February throughoutIndo-Gangetic plains

86

Management of Fusarium wilt in pigeonpea

through seed treatment with novel chemicals and

polymer coating. Seed treatment with Captan +

Hexaconazole @ 2.5 g/kg seed and polymer coating was

found best with initial wilt incidence of 18.4% and

21.61% in Bahar and Pusa 9 cultivars of pigeonpea,

respectively.

Management of vegetable diseases. Out of twenty

nine cauliflower and nineteen cabbage genotypes

screened for black rot resistance by artificial

inoculation, none showed complete resistance, while

cauliflower genotypes, DC 5, KT 15, 1385, Grandess,

KT 2 MR, Pusa Meghna and cabbage genotypes KGMR

1, 83-6, AC 204, Pusa Ageti, Kinner Red, Red Cabbage,

Red Rock Mammoth, S 645, S 696 and KTCBH 81

exhibited partial resistance. The disease management

module comprising of the use of yellow coloured seeds,

nursery root dipping with Bavistin (0.5%) followed by

Trichoderma viride enriched compost application 15 days

after transplanting and need based fungicide/

insecticide application was found to be most promising

for seed crop of Capsicum var. California Wonder. Seed

treatment with metalaxyl, one foliar spray of

propiconazole (0.1%) and removal of 4 lower leaves at

60 DAS were found to be most effective for the

management of mustard diseases, and only 11.6%

Alternaria blight disease was recorded in comparison

to 53.3% in control plots.

Seed health testing. Vegetable crop seeds when

tested for their health, showed a total of 31 fungi and

the fungal infection varied from 0.2% in tomato seed

cv. Pusa ruby to 6.7% in bittergourd cv. PDM.

Maximum fungal infection on the seed samples was

due to Alternaria alternata (23.5%) followed by

Aspergillus flavus (22.5%), Rhizopus sp. (13.04%) and

Aspergillus niger (10.6%). Twenty six fungi were

recorded on the seed of paddy varieties and maximum

fungal infection was of Aspergillus flavus (26.7%)

followed by Alternaria padwickii (18.6%), Curvularia

lunata (8.9%) and Fusarium moniliforme (6.9%). Seed

germination of the paddy samples varied from 6.0 to

91.8% and seed vigour index varied from 60 to 1682.

Incidence of viral disease on vegetables. In

cucurbits (bottle gourd) occurrence of CMV (3%),

PRSV-W (8%) and ZYMV (1%) was observed. In tomato

fields, maximum incidence was of GBNV (15%). Thrips

(Thrips tabaci) on tomato and white fly (Bemisia tabaci)

on cucumber were observed.

Management of viral diseases. Mulching of plastic

showed comparatively less aphid and thrips

population in capsicum fields. Bottle gourd plants

sown in June and sprayed fortnightly with

imidacloprid (0.01%) showed significantly lowest

incidence of virus diseases (2.71%) and aphids (3.28/pl.)

with highest yield (35.69 t/ha)). Management of virus

diseases in tomato revealed that CMV, GBNV

and ToLCV could be controlled by spray of Agroneem

(2ml/l) /Dimethoate (0.05%). In capsicum, Mulching +

Neem oil (2%) + Imidacloprid (0.01%) was most

effective in reducing the incidence of PVY, PMMoV and

CMV. The combined incidence of virus diseases was

8.33 % in treated plot as compared to control (23.80%).

4.1.7 Viral and Phytoplasmal Diagnosis

Garlic common latent virus (GarCLV). The coat

protein (CP) gene (960 bp) of five Indian Garlic common

latent virus (GarCLV) isolates was sequenced. Sequence

comparisons revealed that the CP of GarCLV isolates

from India shared 98-100% amino acid sequence

identity and were grouped with isolates from Australia,

Brazil, Japan and South Korea.

Bean common mosaic virus (BCMV). Association

of BCMV with French bean samples collected from

Sikkim was established through DAS-ELISA and RT-

PCR. Coat protein gene of BCMV from cv. Allopetri

was cloned and sequenced (NCBI Genbank accession

no. JQ753313). In silico recombination analysis of 76

sequences of BCMV revealed evidence for 11 putative

recombinants. However, Jammu and Kashmir as well

as Sikkim isolates of BCMV exhibited no recombination

indicating their independent evolution/stability.

Lettuce mosaic virus (LMV). Mild mosaic and

stunted growth symptoms were observed in 19 out of

38 plants of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L, Accession No.

EC687345, variety NVRS-10:001818) at IARI

experimental farm, New Delhi. Leaf-dip electron

microscopy revealed flexuous virus particles

measuring 750 × 13 nm suggesting the association of a

potyvirus. The coat protein gene (834bp) (CP) of the

virus infecting lettuce shared 96 to 100% identity at

87

amino acid level with the corresponding regions of

LMV isolates, suggesting natural infection of LMV

infecting Lactuca sativa.

Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 3 and 1

(GLRaV 3&1). Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 3

(GLRaV-3) and Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 1

(GLRaV-1) were found associated with the leaf roll

disease of grapevine in India based on the sequencing

of the coat protein (CP) and partial heat shock protein

70 homologue (HSP70h) genes. GLRaV-3 was detected

in cultivars, namely, Cabernet Souveignon, Shiraj,

Krishna Seedless, Sharad Seedless, Flame, Pinot Noir

and Thompson Seedless from six vineyards in DAS-

ELISA and RT-PCR. GLRaV-1 was detected in two

cultivars, viz., Shiraj (Nashik region) and Pinot Noir

(Pune region). GLRaV-1 was detected either alone in

Pinot Noir or as mixed infection with GLRaV-3 in Shiraj.

against bacterial expressed recombinant coat protein

of Grapevine leafroll-associated virus (GLRaV-3) in grape,

Garlic common latent virus (GarCLV) in garlic, Large

cardamom chirke virus (LCCV) in large cardamom and

Potato virus S (PVS) in potato effectively detected. Coat

Protein (CP) gene of GLRaV-3, GarCLV and Large

cardamom chirke virus was mobilized in pET28a (+)

expression vector and expressed in E. coli strain BL-

21(DA3). The polyclonal antibodies produced

from recombinant CP could detect these viruses in

DAC ELISA or dot immunobinding assay. The

immunoreagents developed will be useful for the virus

indexing in tissue culture programs as well as in

quarantine and/or certification programs.

Dual antigen construct for simultaneous diagnosis

of Potato virus Y (PVY) and Potato virus X (PVX).

The conserved coat protein (CP) gene regions of PVY

(246 bp) and PVX (243 bp) were sub-cloned in frame in

pET-28b (+) vector to create a dual expression construct.

Cocktail polyclonal antibodies (PAbs) generated from

fusion protein (~20 kDa) efficiently detected mixed

infection of PVY and PVX in infected potato sample in

DAC-ELISA. The Cocktail PAb was further validated

with 70 field potato samples, where it simultaneously

detected both PVY and PVX in 66 samples with the

O.D. range 0.10-2.15. This is the first demonstration of

engineered fusion antigen to PVX and PVY, the most

important viruses affecting potato all over the world.

Reddening and curling of leaves in the fall on dark-fruited varieties;Leafroll on white (light-fruited) varieties

Etiology of Cowpea mild mosaic virus (CPMMV)

in soybean. The soybean crops showing systemic

mottling, mosaic and leaf deformation were observed

with high disease incidence of 25.1-71.0% in

experimental farm of IARI at New Delhi. The electron

microscopy revealed flexuous particles (650 x 12 nm)

suggesting the association of a Carlavirus. The causal

virus was characterized as a strain of CPMMV on the

basis of mechanical, insect (whitefly) and seed

transmission, host range and sequencing of a 1289 nt

(1.3 kb nt) fragment of 32 end region of viral genome

comprising complete CP gene (867 nt), complete NABP

gene (303 nt) and 32 UTR (120 nt). This is the first report

of natural infection of a distinct strain of CPMMV in

soybean in India.

Production of polyclonal antibodies using

recombinant protein. Polyclonal antibodies developed

Development of serological diagnosis of Large cardamom chirkevirus (LCCV). (a) Expression construct of LCCV based on coatprotein (CP) gene sequence. (b) Expression and purification of CPin E. coli BL21 (DE3). M: Marker, UN: Un-induced culture, 3H &6H: Three & six hours induced culture, His: Ni-Nta purifiedprotein, SDS: purified protein from gel. (c) Western blot with LCCVpolyclonal antibody (PAb) at 1:5,000 dilution. (d) ELISA with PAbto LCCV at 1:10,000 dilution. (1-10, LCCV infected leaf samples).(e) Dot immunobinding assay with PAb to LCCV at 1:10,000dilution. Samples 1- 3: protein (10, 25, 50ng), 4&5: purified virus, 6to10: LCCV infected samples, 11to14: large cardamom healthy, 15to18: CdMV infected samples, 19&20: small cardamom healthy

88

Bacterial expressed engineered monoclonal

antibody fragments for Papaya ringspot virus (PRSV)

and Groundnut bud necrosis virus (GBNV). Engineered

monoclonal antibody fragments were produced in E.

coli for Papaya ringspot virus (PRSV) and Groundnut bud

necrosis virus (GBNV). The variable region for both

heavy and light chain (VL and V

H) genes specific

to immunoglobulin (IgG) were cloned from mRNA of

immunized spleen cells of mouse or hybridoma. Two

expression constructs developed using VL and V

H genes

were utilized to generate monoclonal antibody (MAb)

in E. coli. A dot immunobinding assay and ELISA using

the engineered MAb fragments to PRSV and GBNV

showed sensitivity of detecting <50 ng of protein. The

engineered MAb could successfully detect PRSV in

crude leaf extract of papaya.

Detection of 16SrXI subgroup A phytoplasma in

sesame and delphacid leafhopper (Distant) in India.

During survey of sesame fields in Babhnauli and

Kushinagar districts of Uttar Pradesh, 22 to 50%

incidence of sesame phyllody was observed during

August-September, 2012. The association of

phytoplasma was confirmed utilizing P1/P7 and

nested primer pair R16F2n/R16R2 which yielded

exclusive bands of 1.8kb and 1.kb, respectively.

Approximately 1.2 kb amplified DNA product of

nested PCR was obtained from the leafhopper,

Hishimonas phycitis in the infected sesame phyllody

fields and BLAST analysis revealed 100% sequence

identity with 16 SrXI subgroup A phytoplasma. This

is the first time that sesame phytoplasma has been

identified as a strain of 16SrI-A subgroup

phytoplasma and H. phycitis (Distant) as a career for

SP phytoplasma (16Sr I-A) in India.

4.1.8 Host-virus Interaction Studies inPapaya- Papaya Ringspot Virus (PRSV)

Role of protein degradation machinery, the

ubiquitin/26S proteasome system (UPS), as one of the

mechanism of plant defense was studied. The

ubiquitin/26S proteasome system (UPS) plays an

essential role not only in maintaining protein turnover,

but also in regulating many other plant responses,

including plant–microbe interactions. Previous studies

highlighted two separate roles of the UPS in plant

defense during virus infection, either indirectly

through viral suppressor-mediated degradation of

Argonaute proteins, affecting the RNA interference

pathway, or directly through the RNase activity of the

20S core component of UPS, affecting the levels of viral

RNA. The proteosomal inhibition studies using MG132,

a cell permeable proteasomal reversible inhibitor,

caused an increase in Papaya ringspot virus (PRSV)

accumulation in its natural host papaya (Carica papaya).

The increase in the levels of viral transcripts, viral titre

as well as phenotypic expression of symptoms were

evident during proteosomal inhibition. The increase

in the levels of viral transcripts suggests the probable

RNAse activity of proteosomes, playing crucial role in

regulating RNA viruses. Hence, it was concluded that

20S core proteosome impose direct defense against

Papaya ringspot virus.

4.2 ENTOMOLOGY

4.2.1 Insect Pest Management

4.2.1.1 Cereals

Out of Sulfoxaflor 24 SC @ 90 g a.i./ha, buprofezin

25 SC @ 200 g a.i./ha, rynaxypyr 20 SC @ 30 g a.i./ha,

and triazophos 40 EC and acephate 75 SP each @ 500 g

a.i./ha evaluated along with monocrotophos 36 SL @

500 g a.i./ha against rice insect pests on Pusa Basmati

1401, incidence of leaf folder remained very low (<1.4

%) in all the treatments while buprofezin @ 200 g a.i./

ha proved most effective against plant hoppers

followed by sulfoxaflor @ 90 g a.i./ha. Triazophos and

buprofezin treatments had the highest yields followed

by acephate.

Development of spectral signatures for rice brown

plant hoppers (BPH). Significant difference in

reflectance of uninfested and infested plants in most

of the wavebands indicated detectability of even low

intensity damage through remote sensing. Based on

rice plant reflectance corresponding to the sensitive

wavelengths, three hyperspectral indices,viz., BPH

Index 1(R665

/R1792

), BPH Index 2 (R1792

-R665

/R1792

+R665

) and

BPH Index 3 (R1792

-R1986

/R1792

+R1986

) were developed,

where R665

, R1792

and R1986

refer to reflectance at 665, 1792

and 1986 nm wavelength, respectively.

89

Using rice plant reflectance corresponding to the

sensitive wavelengths, a multiple-linear regression

model was developed and validated.

Y= -26.206-65.08R500nm + 59.993R665nm

+3.629R1792nm

+8.753R1986nm (R2=0.99)

The model would facilitate assessment of BPH

damage based on rice plant reflectance, thereby

ensuring prompt forewarning to stakeholders.

Development of BPH population-weather model.

Weather-based prediction model for BPH was

developed by regressing peaks of BPH light trap

catches on mean values of different weather parameters

recording at different weeks. Of the weather

parameters, Tmax, RF and RH2 were found to be

relevant through stepwise regression and resultant

model was:

Log BPH = -23.289+0.7412 Tmax (Oct. 2-week)

+0.021 RF (July 2-week) + 0.050 RH2

(Oct. 2-week)

(R2=0.90, P=0.006)

The model was validated through 5-year

independent data on weather parameters and peaks

of BPH light trap catches (R2=0.845, RMSE=7.64%).

Development of rice gall midge population

simulation model. A degree days based population

simulation model of rice gall midge, Orseolia oryzae,

an important pest of rice in eastern India, was

developed using thermal constants, development

thresholds and abiotic and biotic mortality factors for

different development stages of the pest. Thermal

constants for egg, larval, pupal and adult stages were

used as 36.4, 169.4, 59.1 and 24.2 degree days (DD),

respectively with corresponding development

threshold being 16.2, 15.0, 15.5 and 16 oC and

Fecundity taken as 125 eggs/female and sex ratio as

1:1. Impact of global warming on the pest population

was simulated and it was observed that 1 oC rise in

daily mean temperature would benefit the pest by

increasing its population, while further increase

would adversely affect it. In view of the climate

change scenarios for the Indian sub-continent (0.07-

1.17 during kharif by 2020 & 1.81-2.37 during kharif

by 2050), it seemed that the gall midge incidence on

rice might increase by 2020 but would decline by 2050

compared to 2000 weather under Cuttack and other

similar environments.

Mechanism of resistance. Presence of globular

structures in stem sheath and more long hairs and

spines on leaves of resistant rice genotypes, viz., PTB

33, KAUM 174-4 and IR 64 and higher activity of

peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase (defense enzymes)

was associated with resistance against BPH.

Biochemical characterization of maize genotypes for

resistance to spotted stem borer, Chilo partellus

indicated that the iron content (37.79 to 40.22 mg/g) in

all the white seed kernel lines, viz., CPM 2, CPM 13

and CPM 15 was significantly higher (22.98 to 23.32

mg/g) than that of yellow kernel color lines, viz., CPM

8 and CPM 18.

Efficacy of insecticides against rice plant hoppers on Pusa Basmati 1401

Treatments Active ingredient BPH + WBPH/10 hills Population reduction Yield(a.i.)/ha 70 DAT 80 DAT (%) over 70 DAT (kg/ha)

Triazophos 40 EC 500 g 75.7 40.7 (6.37) 46.2 4649

Sulfoxaflor 24 SC 90 g 89.7 47.3 (6.84) 47.3 4093

Buprofezin 25 SC 200 g 67.0 31.0 (5.56) 53.7 4612

Rynaxypyr 20 SC 30 g 60.7 53.7 (7.27) 11.5 4371

Acephate 75 SP 500 g 56.3 35.3 (5.91) 37.3 4519

Monocrotophos 36 SL 500 g 46.7 37.0 (6.08) 20.8 4185

Untreated control Water spray 60.0 62.0 (6.86) - 3833

C D (P<0.05) - NS (1.31) - 462.0

*Values in parentheses are square root transformed original plant hopper counts

90

4.2.1.2 Vegetables

Three foliar sprays of profenophos+cypermethrin

mixture @ 440 g a.i./ha at fortnightly interval recorded

lowest fruit damage in bitter gourd due to fruit fly,

Bactrocera cucurbitae (10.71% on number and 8.23%

weight basis). Okra border-cropped with maize had

significantly reduced leafhopper population.

Brinjal border-cropped with maize followed

by sprays of flubendiamide @ 25 g a.i./ha,

chlorantraniliprole @ 10 g a.i./ha and novaluron @ 75 g

a.i./ha in sequence at fortnightly interval was most

successful in minimizing shoot and fruit borer damage

in brinjal fruits.

4.2.1.3 Soybean

One hundred nine soybean lines, i.e., IVT=40, AVT-

I & AVT-II=40, PYT-I=17 and PYT-II=12 evaluated

during kharif, 2012 against stem fly and yellow mosaic

virus (YMV) disease under natural incidence, varieties

DS 1213 and DS 2614 were identified as promising

sources of resistance. Thiamethoxam 25 WG @ 100 ml/

ha and triazophos 40 EC @ 800 ml/ha significantly

reduced YMV disease incidence and population of stem

fly, Melanagromyza sojae, in soybean resulting in

significant increase in seed yield.

4.2.1.4 Cotton

Studies on effect of different levels of non-Bt cotton

as refuge on Bt cotton productivity showed maximal

top shoot damage of 18.3% irrespective of days of plant

growth in 100% non-Bt and was significantly higher

than the rest of treatments ranging from 5 to 40% of

non-Bt and 100% Bt cotton. Similarly for BGII

MRC7017Bt cotton, top shoot damage due to Earias spp.

was found to increase with respect to age of crop from

45 to 108 days. It was least in treatment 100% Bt cotton

(0.89%), followed by 5% non-Bt cotton (0.89%) and

maximum in100% non-Bt cotton (17.14%). The damage

due to Earias spp. was relatively less in BGII than in Bt

cotton expressing Cry1Ac only.

4.2.2 Storage Entomology

Cadra cautella and rice moth Corcyra cephalonica

caused maximum weight loss in wheat genotypes PDW

239 and PDW 291(d), respectively at 90 days of storage.

Maximum per cent grain damage occurred in variety

PBW343 with both the insects. Sitophilus oryzae a rice

weevil caused maximum weight loss in variety PBW

621 at 60% and 70% RH while maximum insect

population was observed in HD 2967 after three

months of storage.

After 12 months of storage under high Rhyzopertha

dominica population regime, out of 14 treatments

evaluated, only carbaryl 50WP @100ppm (1.75%

damage), imidacloprid 17.8EC @ 5ppm (3.75% damage)

and spinosad 45SC @ 5ppm/kg seed (1.25% damage)

could provide considerable protection from insect

pests. Many of the other treatments including control

had over 90% of seed damage.

After 12 months of seed storage, of the 13

treatments tested, sprays with primiphos-methyl 50EC

@1000ppm, carbaryl 50WP @10000ppm and spinosad

45SC @ 1000ppm/l water over gunny bags could

effectively protect wheat seeds from insect pest

infestations. The experiment was conducted under high

Rhyzopertha dominica population regime.

4.2.3 Biological Control

Thiamethoxam was observed to be more toxic than

imidacloprid against populations of Coccinella

septempunctata grubs collected from Coimbatore,

Almora, Ludhiana and Delhi. However, Coimbatore

and Ludhiana population showed 6 and 4 times more

tolerance to imidacloprid than other populations.

Multi-arm olfactometer studies with the extracts

of different cotton varieties indicated that increase in

concentration of the extract plays a vital role in

parasitoid activity index (PAI), per cent parasitization

and emergence irrespective of the variety. The

Electroantennogram (EAG) response of A. bombawalei

to synomonal extracts of cotton plants revealed that

the mean EAG response in males were lower than the

female parasitoid. EAG responses of Uzi fly, Exorista

sorbillans, a parasitoid of tussar silkmoth, Anthereae

mylitta recorded against 49 plant volatiles revealed

that acetophenone triggered highest relative response

at 0.1 and 1 mg/ml concentration which was on a par

with benzaldehyde at 10 mg/ml and pentanone at 100

mg/ml.

91

4.2.4 Insect Physiology

Three siRNAs, viz., Hachi, HaSlchi and Slchi for

chitinase gene suppression designed in silico were

evaluated by injection and feeding the larvae of

cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera and tobacco

caterpillar, Spodoptera litura. More than 40% mortality

as inter-molt and up to 40% mortality in the form of

malformed pupae or adult in both H. armigera and

S. litura was observed. Thus, silencing of chitinase

gene led to mortalities throughout the development

period. Efficacy of the silencing of the chitinase gene

was demonstrated by gene expression of the target

gene using RT-PCR with tubulin as the marker gene.

Down regulation of target genes was observed to be

98% in neonates, 99% in larvae, 95% in the malformed

pupae and 99% in the malformed adults in H.

armigera while it was 95% in neonates, 45% in larvae,

55% in malformed pupae and 85% in adults of

S. litura.

selection pressure within 6-generations and Cry1Ac

resistance is autosomal and semi-dominant in nature.

Bacillus thuringiensis isolates were studied

for biochemical, molecular and insecticidal

characterization. More than 40 isolates were

characterized by 16s RNA sequence analysis. Kb-29,

St-6 and Wh-1 were most effective and comparable with

HD-1 in toxicity against H. armigera.

Diversity analysis using PCR probes revealed

the presence of Rhodobacter sp., Pseudomonas sp.,

Panenibacillus sp., Stenotrophomonas sp., Roseomonas sp.,

Bacillus cereus, Enterobacter, Proteobacterium (uncultured)

and Pseudomonas sp. in the gut of diamondback moth,

Plutella xylostella.

Out of 52 gut bacterial isolates from H. armigera,

12 isolates showed high lipase activity while 14

isolates had strong -glucanase activity and seven

isolates had good amylase activity. Similarly in P.

xylostella, out of 41 gut bacterial isolates identified,

six isolates had strong lipase activity, five had good

-endoglucanase activity and three isolates had strong

amylase activity.

4.2.5 Insect Toxicology

The shade dried leaf powder of Millettia pachycarpa

contained lupeol, besides, four bio-active isoflavonoids

identified, viz., millewanin-G, millewani-H,

pyranochalcone and diprenyl 5,7.4-trihydroxy

isoflavone, which showed antifeedant activity against

larvae of S. litura. Azadiracthin showed complete

growth inhibition even at 0.001%, and more than 50%

growth inhibition was recorded at the lowest

Last instar larvae of H. armigera and S. litura showing inter-moltmortality, pupal mortality, malformed pupae after SiRNAtreatment

Earias vitella reared on artificial diet had lower

larval survival, longer larval and pupal period than

those on natural diet. Studies on pink bollworm rearing

showed that insects collected from north India did

undergo diapause during last larval stage which

ranged from 134 to 203 days during their initial

collection. The pink bollworm strain developed

resistance of about 605-fold to Cry1Ac under the Structure of Lupeol

92

concentration of methanol and dichloromethane

extracts.

4.3 NEMATOLOGY

4.3.1 Nematode Management

In Pasteuria infected females of the nematode

Heterodera cajani, a rod shaped stage was found.

Besides, unlike the root-knot Pasteuria isolate, no female

of H. cajani was found to develop eggs in presence of

the bacterium.

4.3.2 Metham Sodium for the Managementof Root Knot Nematode in Polyhouse

Root-knot nematodes were effectively reduced

in tomato cultivation under polyhouse conditions,

on applying Metham sodium @ 300 l/ha with a

dilution 1:7 (30ml/m2) deep into furrow (25cm depth) one

month before transplanting of tomato seedlings.

4.3.3 Biofumigation with Brassica junceaagainst Reniform Nematode

Five varieties (MT 1, MT 2, MT 3, MT 4 and MT 5)

of Brassica juncea reduced (>45 %) the population of

reniform nematode, Rotylenchulus reniformis in

comparison to control field.

4.3.4 Bioefficacy of Indazoles in TomatoInfected with Meloidogyne incognita Race 1

L16 {6-(4-fluorophenyl)-4,5-dihydro-4-Phenyl-

2H-indazol-3-ol} @125 ppm onwards showed

increase in plant growth of tomato and maximum

reduction (84.5%) in number of galls compared to

the control.

Antifeedant activity (AI50

) and Growth inhibitory activity (GI50

) of various extracts and fractions of Millettiapachycarpa against S. litura

Extracts and Antifeedancy Growth inhibitory activity

fractions of

leaf powder Heterogeneity AI50

/ Fiducial limits (%) Heterogeneity GI50

/Fiducial limits (%)

x2 df x2 df

Methanol 0.832 4 0.034 More than 50% growth inhibition even at lowest

(0.020-0.057) concentration (0.001%)

Hexane 3.255 4 1.532 0.003

(0.089-2.620) 0.223 4 (0.001-0.009)

Dichloro- 2.371 5 1.078 More than 50% growth inhibition even at lowest

methane (0.943-2.623) concentration (0.001%)

Butanol 5.869 5 0.024 7.001 4 0.098

(0.018-0.034) (0.066-0.147)

Fraction 1 0.709 4 0.101 0.389 4 0.007

(0.067-1.496) (0.003-0.017)

Fraction 2 1.639 4 0.023 6.473 4 0.011

(0.013-0.039) (0.007-0.018)

Fraction 3 2.680 5 0.406 0.957 4 0.008

(0.211-0.778) (0.002-0.025)

Fraction 4 2.364 4 0.664 2.984 4 0.008

(0.229-0.926) (0.002-0.029)

Fraction 5 2.602 4 0.105 2.188 4 0.024

(0.052-0.209) (0.013-0.045)

Azadirachtin 1.705 3 0.086 Complete growth inhibition even at lowest concen

(0.063-0.167) tration (0.001%)

93

4.3.5 Management of Rice Root-knotNematode, Meloidogyne graminicola in Rice

Solarization (15 D) + Pseudomonas fluorescens 1%

W.P. @ 50g/sq.m gave maximum shoot growth and

least number of galls of M. graminicola in rice over

the control. Maximum reduction in the no. of eggs

were observed in solarized bed applied with

carbofuran (74.4%) and P. fluorescens 1% W.P. @ 50g/

sq.m (73.7%) compared to control. Split application

of carbofuran @1 kg a.i./ha at transplanting & at

15DAT increased the plant growth of rice puddled

condition compared to unpuddled with a reduction

in root-knot nematode population. Hexane extracts

of Crotolaria juncea shoots @ 500 ppm showed

maximum in-vitro mortality (>72%) of second stage

juveniles (J2s) of M. graminicola after 96h.

4.3.6 Population Behavior of Tylenchulussemipenetrans (Citrus Root Nematode) inCitrus

Population behavior of Tylenchulus semipenetrans

recorded in IARI orchard at regular intervals showed

positive correlation with the growth flush in citrus

plants. The total nematode populations were higher in

October (240/ g roots) and April (200/ g roots) and

declined gradually from May to August. This

synchronized with high temp. coupled with low % of

humidity.

4.3.7 Management through Transgenic Approach

Several transgenic brinjal lines have been

developed to express the double stranded RNA of four

esophageal gland genes and two FMRFamide like

peptide genes of Meloidogyne incognita independently

to bring about their silencing in the nematodes.

Evaluation on the effect of gene silencing showed 60

to 80% reduction in multiplication factor of the

nematode indicating their potential in reducing the

population pressure in the soil. QPCR analysis

indicated good expression of different genes in

various primary events and also in the plants of T1

generation.

4.3.8 Entomopathogenic Nematodes

Bioefficacy of 4 isolates of Steinernema when tested

against homopteran insect pests showed that

Steinernema thermophilum could induce 83% mortality

of mealy bugs within 72 h after inoculation at 50 IJs /

insect and 100% within 48 h at 500 IJs /insect. Against

aphids, it caused 66% and 83 % mortality at 50 and 500

IJs/insect within 3 days post-inoculation. But against

whitefly, at 500 IJs / insect, S. riobrave caused 66%

mortality after 72 h followed by S.thermophilum (49%)

and S. meghalayensis (33%).

Multi-location field trial for the management of

white grub infestation in sugarcane crop by application

of Galleria mellonella cadavers infected with

entomopathogenic nematode Heterorhabditis indica

carried out in eight villages- Jallopur, Ogarpur,

Dadhyal, Bukharipur, Shaidra Milak (Amroha district,

UP), Jakhwala (Saharanpur district, UP), Alawalpur

and Trilokpuri (Haridwar district, Uttrakhand) showed

reduction in white grub population in the range of 25

qPCR analysis of primary transgenic events and T1 plants of brinjal

for the expression of dsRNA of flp18

94

to 66% and an increase in sugarcane yield up to 6 to

8 t/acre at different locations.

B. cereus (WGPSB-2) when fed orally to 3rd instar

grubs of Holotrichia spp. (@ 0.75 x 104 spores/grub)

resulted in reduction in the feeding of the grubs finally

leading to mortality within 5 to 9 weeks. When healthy

and diseased 3rd instar grubs (exposed to B. cereus for 4

weeks) were exposed to H. indica IJ @ 250, 500 and 1000

IJ/grub, at the highest level (1000 IJ/grub), 100%

mortality was recorded in healthy within 5 days as

compared to 3 days in diseased grubs. The grubs

infected with H. indica-Photorhabdus symbionts alone

turned characteristically reddish in color. Grubs

infected with H. indica-Photorhabdus-B. cereus exhibited

patches of red, brown and black.

antibacterial and antioxidant activity. (E)-1-(4-

Fluorophenyl)-3-phenyl-propenone was found to be

the most active as antifungal agent (Rhizoctonia solani,

LC50

2.4 μg/mL), 6-(4-fluorophenyl)-4,5-dihydro-4-

phenyl-2H-indazol-3-ol was found to be most active

antibacterial agent (Klebsiella pneumonia, MIC 24.7

μg/mL) and 6-(4-fluorophenyl)-4,5-dihydro-4-(3-

nitrophenyl)-2H-indazol-3-ol emerged as most active

antioxidant (IC50

19.8 μg/mL).

Synthesis and bioactivity of 1,3,4-thiadiazole

derivatives. Out of a series of twenty two 1,3,4-

thiadiazole derivatives synthesized using 5-methyl/

amino-1,3,4-thiadiazole-2-thiols, characterized showed

antifungal, antinemic and nitrification inhibitory

activities. The test compounds were highly effective

against the fungi. The antifungal and nematicidal

activity was observed with 2-hexyl sulfanyl-5-amino-

1,3,4-thiadiazoles (ED50

3.9-4.2 g/mL). Low to

moderate effect of these compounds was observed for

inhibition of nitrification process in soil.

Synthesis and nematicidal activity of Schiff bases

of traizole. Out of twenty Schiff bases of 4-amino-3-

mercapto-5-pyridin-2-yl-4H-1,2,4-triazole and picolinic

acid synthesized and evaluated for nematicidal activity,

4-(4-Methoxybenzyliderneamino)-3-mercapto-5-

pyridin-2-yl-4H-1,2,4-triazole exhibited the highest

nematicidal activity against M. incognita (LC50

218 ppm)

and R. reniformis (LC50

174 ppm). Fungitoxicity

evaluation suggested that 4-(4-Methoxybenzy-

liderneamino)-3-mercapto-5-pyridin-2-yl-4H-1,2,4-

triazole was the best compound among the Schiff bases

(ED50

50 ppm against R. solani ).

Chemical profiling of essential oil of Anisomeles

indica. Twenty six compounds in (accounting for 82.8%

of the crude oil) essential oil was extracted from A.

indica leaves were identified using GC-MS analysis, The

compounds identified were caryophyllene oxide, 4-

hydroxy-4-methyl-2-pentanone, hexatriacontane,

bicyclo[7.2.0]undec-4-ene, 4,11,11-trimethyl-8-

methylene-, [1R-(1R*,4E,9S*)]-, hexahydro

farnesylacetone, 4,8,12,15,15-pentamethyl-

bicyclo[9.3.1] pentadeca-3,7-dien-12-ol, -

caryophyllene, pentadecanal, 2-methoxy-4-(2-

propenyl)-phenol, verticiol, trans-nerolidol, -ionone,

farnesene, Z-7-tetradecanal, farnesyl acetone and small

a: White grub infected with H. indica and B. cereus; b: Emergenceof H. indica infective juveniles from white grub

4.4 CHEMICALS FOR CROP PROTECTION

4.4.1 Chemo and Bio-prospecting forAgrochemicals through Design, Discoveryand Development of Novel Processes andProducts

Synthesis, characterization and bio-efficacy of

novel chalcone based 6-carbethoxy-2-cyclohexen-1-

one and 2H-Indazol-3-ol derivatives. Using a

simple, efficient and environment friendly method

of “Green chemistry” sixteen 6-carbethoxy-2-

cyclohexen-1-one derivatives and sixteen 2H-

indazol-3-ol derivatives were synthesized,

characterized and screened for antifungal,

95

amounts of dihyro--ionone, hexyl butanoate, n-

tetracosane, n-hexadecane, tricontane, tricosane, oleyl

alcohol, geranyl acetone and 3-octen-1-ol.

Extraction, profiling and antifungal evaluation of

non protein imino acids from leaves of Calliandra sp.

Caliandra leaves extract purification and

characterization using GC-MS suggested that pipecolic

acid derivatives were the main constituents of the

extract. These compounds showed moderate antifungal

activity against S. rolfsii and Fusarium oxysporum (ED50

359.2-462.7 ppm).

4.4.2 Innovations in Agricultural Formulationsand Application Technology for Safety andEfficacy

Preparation and evaluation of hydrogel based

combo formulations of bioagent (Trichoderma

harzianum) and micronutrient (ZnSO4). Fungal

diseases and zinc availability are two important factors

influencing rice productivity, therefore a hydrogel

based integrated compositions was prepared

employing Trichoderma harzianum, combination of T.

harzianum with ZnSO4 (25, 250 and 1000 ppm) exhibited

significantly higher activity than Trichoderma or ZnSO4

alone against Rhizoctonia solani.

Dry (H-Zn-dry) and wet formulations (H-Zn-wet)

of T. harzianum employing zincated hydrogel exhibited

100% viability of T. harzianum showing no toxicity, and

showed 94.8 and 95.1% inhibition of R. solani in in vitro.

Development of zeolite based superabsorbent

composite. Fluid retention capacity of Pusa hydrogel

was enhanced by Zeolite hydrogel composite having

water absorption capacity of 550 to 600 g/g of dry gel.

Residual acrylamide monomer estimation in hydrogel

and hydrogel composites revealed that the residual

acrylamide content in the samples decreased with

increase in cross-linker concentration.

Development of new amphiphilic nano-polymers

for formulating the thiamethoxam. Amphiphilic

copolymers were synthesized from poly(ethylene

glycols) and various aliphatic and aromatic diacids and

used to develop controlled release (CR) formulations

of thiamethoxam (3-(2-chloro-1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl)-

5-methyl-1,3,5-oxadiazinan-4-ylidene (nitro) amine)

using encapsulation technique. Formulations were

characterised by Infrared (IR) spectroscopy, Dynamic

Light Scattering (DLS) and Transmission Electron

Microscope (TEM). The diffusion exponent (n value)

of thiamethoxam, in water ranged from 0.346 to 0.764

in the test formulations. While the time taken for release

of 50% of thiamethoxam ranged from 2.04 to 5.46 days

for the CR formulations. The developed CR

formulations can be used for efficient pest management

in different crops.

Development of polymeric thiamethoxam seed

coats for seed quality enhancement.Seed coat

containing 12 controlled release (CR) formulations

of thiamethoxam was developed. The thiamethoxam

recovery ranged from 86.1 to 93.2% from different

CR formulation seed coats. Better thiamethoxam

retention was observed on soybean seed coats treated

with CR formulations. Most of the CR formulations

of thiamethoxam gave significantly better control of

white fly which transmit Yellow Mosaic Virus (YMV)

compared to commercial formulation and control.

The seed coating formulation prepared from

amphiphilic polymer Poly [poly (oxyethylene-4000)-

oxysebacoyl] with recommended dose of

thiamethoxam ,i.e., 3 g a.i. / kg seed recorded highest

yield (1612.7 kg/ha) as compared to commercial

formulation (1232.0 kg/ha). Nodulation pattern of

soybean was not affected due to treatment of CR

formulations and commercial formulation of

thiamethoxam. Also the residues of thiamethoxam

in seed and soil at harvest were below the detection

limit of 0.25 g/mL for both CR and commercial

formulations.

4.4.3 Food Safety, Risk Assessment of CropProtection Products and Residue Management

4.4.3.1 Pesticide risk assessment

Persistence of chlorfenapyr on tomato.

Chlorfenapyr was applied on tomato at flowering

followed by 2nd application at 50% fruiting @ 75 and

100 g a.i./ha along with untreated control. Chlorfenapyr

(Intrepid 10 SC) were applied on tomato (var. Pusa

Ruby) dissipated and half lives in tomato and soil

ranged from 2.9 to 4.0 days and 4.1 to 4.4 days,

respectively.

96

Persistence of metaflumizone on cabbage and

field soil. Persistence of metaflumizone on cabbage

and field soil following foliar application at

recommended and double dose (200 and 400 g a.i. /

ha) showed that the residues persisted beyond 5 days

in both the treatments and dissipated with the half-

life ranging from 1.7 to 2.1 days in cabbage and in

soil it degraded with a half life ranging from 4.0 to

4.8 days. A pre-harvest waiting period of 3 days was

suggested based on calculation of theoretical

maximum daily intake (TMDI).

4.4.3.2 Environmental fate of pesticides

Effect of elevated CO2 on persistence of pesticides.

The petrilachlor and butachlor dissipated faster in soil

at elevated CO2 (half life 3.6 and 4.8 days at 550 ppm

and 3.1 and 3.7 days at 750 ppm) as compared to

ambient conditions (38 and 25 days). Similarly, elevated

CO2 and temperature (~550, 30oC and 750 ppm, 35oC)

caused faster dissipation of cypermethrin,

pendimethalin and chlorpyriphos from soil maintained

at field capacity and submerged moisture condition as

compared to ambient (~350 ppm, 25oC) condition.

However, the effect was negligible when soil was

maintained at dry condition.

Persistence and sorption of pesticides. The studies

revealed that chlorantranipole dissipated faster from

soil under submerged condition (t1/2

130.8 days)

followed field capacity moisture (t1/2

143.5 days) and

dry condition (t1/2

150.6 days). Degradation of

metaflumizone was faster under anaerobic conditions

(t1/2

33.4 d) compared to aerobic condition (t1/2

50.1 d)

and dry soil (t1/2

150.4 d). UV light, temperature and

atmospheric CO2 levels increased the degradation in

soil (t½ 20.1–50.1 d). Degradation of metaflumizone

was faster in Oxisol compared to Inceptisol. 4-

cyanobenzoic acid (0.22–1.86 mg/kg) and 4-

trifluoromethoxy aniline (0.21–1.23 mg/kg) were

detected as major degradation products.

Effect of fly ash on leaching and degradation of

metolachlor and atrazine. Potential of coal fly ash

(Inderprastha and Badarpur) for retaining soil applied

metolachlor and atrazine within the application zone

was studied in Inceptisol and Alfisol soils. Both the fly

ashes at 2% and 5% were highly effective in reducing

the leaching losses of metolachlor and atrazine. The

Inderprastha fly ash was more effective than the

Badarpur fly ash. Although fly ash contained heavy

metals like Cr, Cu or Pb, but they were not detected in

the leachate. Also, concentration of other metals like

Zn, Mn and Fe in leachate decreased after fly ash

amendment. Results of this study have implications in

reducing the leaching losses of these herbicides in

agricultural soils. However, application of fly ash

increased the persistence of both the herbicides. 2-

Ethyl-6-methyl acetanilide was detected in the soil

samples as the major degradation product of

metolachlor.

Sorption behaviour of pesticides. Adsorption

behaviour of bispyribac-sodium herbicide was studied

in four soil types. Herbicide is poorly sorbed in the

soils and the Freundlich adsorption coefficients (Kf)

values ranged between 0.36 and 0.87. Herbicide

adsorption was highly nonlinear and 1/n values ranged

between 0.21 and 0.34. Herbicide adsorption did not

correlate with the organic carbon content, however,

positive correlation was observed with the soil pH and

clay content. Desorption studies suggested that during

single desorption step complete desorption of sorbed

herbicide was observed.

Adsorption of metsulfuron-methyl was studied in

different SOM fractions, viz., commercial humic acid,

commercial lignin and humic acid and humin extracted

from compost. 13C-CPMAS-NMR studies indicated that

the structural composition of the organic carbon in

different SOM fractions was different. The order of

sorption of metsulfuron-methyl in the different

sorbents was: humic acid- compost > humic acid-

commercial > humin ~ lignin. The herbicide adsorption

coefficient [Kf X 1/n] in SOM fractions was positively

correlated with the carbonyl components of organic

carbon, which accounted for 98.7% variation in the

sorption of herbicide. Similarly, desorption coefficient

too showed positive correlation with the carbonyl

fraction of SOM and accounted for nearly 91% of

herbicide desorption. Both correlations were significant

at p= 0.01% level of significance. Study suggested that

chemistry of organic carbon content affects the

herbicide adsorption.

97

4.4.3.3 Analytical methods

Development of multi residue analytical methods.

A multi-pesticide residue method of extraction and

cleanup was standardized for the estimation of

pesticides, namely, lindane, chlorpyrifos, quinalfos,

methyl parathion,ethion, hexaconaazole, -cyhalothrin,

-cyfluthrin, cypermethrin, deltamethrin. Bifenthrin,

fluvalinate and permethrin in wheat flour by GLC –

ECD detector and GC-MS. The average recovery varied

from 79 to 92, repeatability 2.8-5.2% RSD and

reproducibility 4.2-8.7% RSD.

Similarly, a multi-pesticide residue method for rice

grain was standardized and validated for 20 crop

protection chemicals belonging to insecticide, fungicide

and herbicide groups. GLC-ECD conditions were

standardized for resolution of all the twenty pesticides

in one go. Various pesticides were eluted at Rt: Lindane-

10.5 min; malathion-16.2 min; chlorpyriphos-16.6 min;

flufenacet-17.2 min; pendimethalin-18.4 min; fipronil

-19.4 min; -endosulfan -20.0 min; p,p-DDE -21.8 min;

thifluzamide- 23.04 min; -endosulfan 23.2 min; op-

DDT-24.2 min; endosulfan sulfate-25.7 min; p,p-DDT-

26.2 min; bifenthrin-29.8 min; carpropamid-30.5 min;

-cyahalothrin-33.0 min; permethrin-35.5 min;

cypermethrin-37.9 min; fluvalinate- 41.5 min;

indoxacarb-43.0 min and deltamethrin-43.2 min.

Instrument detection limit of different pesticides varied

from 0.001 to 0.01 ppm with 2 μ injection volume.

Method validation was carried out at 0.1 and 0.05 ppm

fortification levels using AOAC procedure. Method

was found to be repeatable and reproducible.

HPLC method was developed for the

determination of flucetosulfuron in water and soil. The

recovery of flucetosulfuron was 93.2 and 82.0% from

water and soil, respectively. Limit of quantification

(LOQ) of the method from water and soil were 0.05 μg

mL-1 and 0.1 μg g-1, respectively.

4.4.3.4 Decontamination of pesticides

Decontamination of pesticides from water.

Laboratory prepared rice husk ash was evaluated for

removal of 9 pesticides from water as a low cost

adsorbent. The rice husk was found to possess

appreciable adsorbent capacity (Kf – 0.08-0.17). The

column elution studies showed that with 10 g rice husk,

more than 90% of the pesticide load can be removed

from 10 liters of water. Decontamination study of

anilofos and chlorpyrifos from water indicated that

GAC may not be a better option for removal of

chlorpyrifos from water. The normal drinking water

treatment process was found to be inefficient in

removal of PAHs (<40% removal). Inclusion of step of

adsorption by clay materials in the process resulted in

removal of 88-100% of 6 PAHs from water. The method

was validated for natural water.

Adsorption-desorption of 2 OP pesticides anilofos

and chlorpyrifos were studied on granular carbon

(GAC) using batch method. Granular carbon could

remove 98% of the both pesticides. Desorption studies

in three cycles showed that chlorpyrifos desorbed in

each cycle and at all the concentration levels. Anilofos

was desorbed only at higher concentrations during first

cycle only. Study indicated that GAC may not be a

better option for removal of chlorpyrifos from water.

Microbial degradation of pesticides. Three fungal

isolates Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus and

Achaetomium strumarium degraded bifenthrin with a

half-life of 81.3, 34.2, 30.7 days, respectively. A bacterial

strain Serratia marcescens, L-11 which was found to be

bio-surfactant producing and PAH degrader in earlier

studies degraded bifenthrin with a half-life of 24.3 days.

Mixtures of microbes (consortia) were more efficient

than individuals. Consortium M-1 (Aspergillus flavus+

Achaetomium strumarium) and M-2 (Aspergillus flavus

+Achaetomium strumarium+ Serratia marcescens)

degraded bifenthrin with a half life of 12 days and 10

days, respectively. Hydrolysis and oxidation were

major routes of bifenthrin degradation and 2-methyl-

3-phenyl benzyl alcohol, 3-(2-chloro-3,3,3-

trifluoroprop-1-enyl)-2,2-dimethyl-cyclopropane

carboxylic acid and 2-methyl-3-phenylbenzoic acid

metabolites were identified.

Two white rot fungus, Coriolus versicolor

(NCIM1076) and Pestalotia bicolor (MTCC 372) were

screened for degradation of fipronil. The white rot fungi

enhanced fipronil degradation. Fipronil half life was

102.5 days in sterile soil as compared to 71.5 days and

52.7 days when inoculated with C. versicolor and

P.bicolor, respectively. Fipronil amide and sulfone were

detected as the major degradation products.

98

4.5 WEED MANAGEMENT

4.5.1 Effects of Tillage and WeedManagement on Soybean Productivity

Weed density in no-tillage treatment was

significantly lower than conventional tillage, but weed

dry weight, and physiological parameters like leaf

soluble protein and chlorophyll content and yield were

not affected by tillage treatments. Pendimethalin 0.5

kg/ha tank-mixed with imazethapyr 0.075 kg/ha caused

the maximum reduction in weed density. All weed

control treatments gave significantly higher soybean

seed yields compared to weedy check, but

pendimethalin 0.5 kg/ha + imazethapyr 0.075 kg/ha

being comparable with weed-free check was superior

to all other weed control treatments.

Among weed control measures, pre-emergence

application of metribuzin @ 250 g/ha followed by

propaquizafop @ 50 g/ha at 3 weeks after sowing (WAS)

caused significantly higher reduction in weed dry weight

at all stages of observation resulting in higher weed

control efficiency and seed yield in soybean which was

statistically similar to the season long weed free condition.

4.5.2 Optimization of the Brown ManuringTechnology for Weed Management in Maize

A field experiment undertaken to optimize the dose

of herbicide, seed rate of dhaincha (Sesbania aculeata) and

time of spraying/mulching for brown manuring and

weed management in maize. The results indicated that

25 kg dhaincha seed was slightly superior to 15 kg/ha

mulching dhaincha/spraying 2,4-D at 25 days after

sowing (DAS) superior to that at 35 DAS ,and 2,4-D @

0.50 kg/ha was superior to 2,4-D @ 0.25 kg/ha or in situ

dhaincha grown and mulched, in terms of broad-leaved

and grassy weed control, and maize grain yield.

4.5.3 Efficient Weed Control UsingHerbicides in Gladiolus

All the herbicides tested were selective to gladiolus

and the herbicides treatments resulted in lower weed

growth than weedy check. But, metribuzin @ 0.5 kg/ha

pre-emergence and atrazine @1.0 kg/ha pre-

emergence+residues (5 t/ha) resulted in the lowest

weed dry weight comparable with that of the weed-

free check. A tank-mix application of pendimethalin

0.75 kg/ha + metribuzin 0.3 kg/ha resulted in maximum

plant height (123.0 cm) followed by atrazine 1.0 kg/ha

+ residues, and pendimethalin 1.0 kg/ha. However,

atrazine 1.0 kg/ha + residues was found to be the best

which resulted in maximum spike length (101.0 cm).

4.5.4 Bio-efficacy and Selectivity of Herbicidesand Efficient Weed Control in Tuberose

Although, all the herbicides treatments (taken up)

were more or less equally effective and reduced weed

growth considerably than weedy check in tuberose.

Effect of chemical herbicides on weed dry weight, and plant height and spike length of gladiolus

Treatments Dry wt. of weeds (g/m2) Plant height (cm) Spike length (cm)

Atrazine 1.0 kg/ha pre-emergence 6.03 105.0 87.3

Pendimethalin @1.0 kg/ha pre-emergence 5.20 118.7 94.3

Metribuzin 0.5 kg/ha pre-emergence 4.23 111.3 89.3

Atrazine 0.75 kg/ha + pendimethalin 0.75 kg/ha pre-emergence 8.80 101.7 87.7

Pendimethalin 0.75 kg/ha + metribuzin 0.3 kg/ha pre-emergence 6.86 123.0 94.7

Atrazine @1.0 kg/ha pre-emergence + residues 5.0 t/ha 4.33 119.0 101.0

Atrazine @1.0 kg/ha pre-emergence + one hand weeding 30.00 108.3 86.3

30 days after planting (DAP)

Butachlor 1.0 kg/ha pre-emergence 34.93 107.7 87.0

Weed- free check 0.0 116.3 94.0

Weedy check 73.40 97.0 79.0

LSD (P=0.05) 4.583 2.81 1.71

99

However, metribuzin 0.50 kg/ha pre-emergence + one

hand weeding at 30 DAP, and pendimethalin 0.75 kg/

ha + atrazine 0.75 kg/ha pre-emergence resulted in the

maximum reduction in weed dry weight comparable

with that of the weed-free check, and proved to be the

best.

4.5.5 Integrated Weed Management in Rice(Oryza sativa L.) Grown under System ofRice Intensification

Among different weed control treatments, three

cono-weeding at 15, 30 and 45 days after transplanting

(DAT) caused the highest reduction in growth of weeds

with the highest weed control index of 92.1% over

weedy check. Weed-free treatment recorded the highest

grain yield (4.83 t/ha) and straw yield (10.35 t/ha) of

rice. Among integrated measures, cono weeding at 15

DAT supplemented with application of bispyribac

sodium @ 25 g/ha at 30 DAT is the best alternative

option for weed control under SRI method of rice

cultivation.

4.5.6 Bioefficacy of Different Herbicides onWeeds in Wheat

Tank mix application of clodinafop and pinoxaden

with carfentrazone and metsulfuron were effective on

complex weed flora (Phalaris minor, Anagallis arvensis,

Medicago denticulata, Melilotus alba, Rumex maritimus

and Coronopus dydimus) accumulated lower weed dry

matter and increased the seed yield over their sole

application. Clodinafop and pinoxaden showed their

inability towards broadleaf weeds where as

carfentrazone and metsulfuron were ineffective on

grassy weeds. In an experiment conducted at Pusa

(Bihar) for controlling complex weed flora in wheat,

application of twelve herbicides and their combinations

significantly reduced the weed density and weed dry

weight . However, application of sulfosulfuron @ 25.0

g a.i. /ha was most efficient in controlling weed density

and weed dry weight.

4.5.7 Integrated Weed Management inMuskmelon Seed Crop

Among the mulch treatments pea straw with

vermicompost and FYM accumulated lower weed dry

weight and resulted in higher seed yield than

pigeonpea straw mulch, however, in both the mulches

compared to vermicompost. Among the herbicidal

treatments, glyphosate at 1.0% with one hoeing

recorded lowest weed dry matter, higher weed control

efficiency and seed yield compared to pendimethalin

and alachlor.

4.5.8 Evaluation of Herbicides in ControllingWeeds in Transplanted Rice

Out of six herbicide applications tested in

transplanted rice for their effectiveness,

pendimethaline application as pre mergence of

weed (up to 48 hrs of transplanting) followed by

post emergence application (30 DAT) of Bispyribac

sodium recorded lowest dry weight of weeds in

transplanted rice. However, highest yield (4.43 t/ha)

was recorded in weed free treatment followed by

oxydiargyl (4.29 t/ha).

100

The School of Basic Sciences of IARI has made significant progress during 2012-13 in cloning and

characterization of abiotic stress responsive genes, genetic transformation of rice and soybean for abiotic stress

tolerance and reduction of seed phytate, respectively, unraveling the molecular basis of off-flavor generation in

soybean and cold induced sweetening in potato, and physiological basis of input use efficiency and abiotic stress

tolerance. Genotypes with contrasting quality traits and stress tolerance were identified, and used for development

of mapping populations in important crops. Molecular markers were employed for genetic diversity analysis,

association mapping, and QTL mapping for drought tolerance, waterlogging tolerance and disease resistance in

various crops. GIS and remote sensing methods were developed for high throughput non-destructive measurement

of plant water status, discrimination of wheat genotypes, wheat yield prediction and forewarning of white rust

disease of mustard.

5. BASIC AND STRATEGIC RESEARCH

5.1 PLANT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY

5.1.1 Cloning and Functional Validation ofGenes

With the advent of structural genomics, significant

progress has been made in sequencing of plant

genomes. Functional characterization of genes to

identify their role in plant development and stress

response is necessary to utilize the genome information

for enhancing agricultural productivity. However, the

progress in functional genomics in India is very slow.

To bridge this gap, concerted efforts were made at the

School of Basic Sciences, to clone and characterize genes

for agriculturally important traits.

5.1.1.1 Expression analysis of candidate genes forsalinity tolerance in wheat

HKT genes encode plasma membrane Na+

transporters. Quantitative Real-Time PCR analysis

revealed that HKT2;1.1 and HKT3;1.1 genes were 1.5

and 3.0 folds down-regulated, respectively, under salt

stress in tolerant wheat cv. Kharchia 65. These two HKT

genes of HKT2 subfamily were cloned and sequenced

(Acc. No. HF937363 and HF937364). RT-PCR

expression analysis showed that HKT1;4 expresses

specifically in root tissue, while HKT2;1 and HKT2;3

expresses in both root and shoot.

Sugar metabolism is critical for stress tolerance.

Hence, genes involved in sugar metabolism and

transport were studied during grain development in

salinity tolerant Kharchia 65 and salinity sensitive HD

2687 wheat genotypes. Kharchia 65 showed higher

expression of Sucrose transporter genes SUT1 and

SUT2 in leaf at 20 DAA as compared to susceptible

HD 2687. In wheat grains at 20 DAA, SUT1A, SUT1B,

and SUT1C expressions were higher under 100 mM

NaCl in both the genotypes, but under 200 mM NaCl,

expression levels of these genes declined in HD 2687.

Salinity stress decreased the expression of AGPase

large subunit (AGPase LSU) and soluble starch synthase

Expression pattern of HKT genes in wheat genotypes withcontrasting salt tolerance. Salt stress was imposed to 14 days oldseedling by irrigating with 150mM NaCl (S); C= Control plantsirrigated with water; M= 100 bp ladder

101

III (SSSIII) in both the genotypes. However, Kharchia

65 was able to maintain transcripts of SUT1, AGPase

LSU and SSSIII under 200 mM NaCl treatment.

Sugar metabolism is critical for stress tolerance.

Hence, genes involved in sugar metabolism and

transport were studied during grain development in

salinity tolerant Kharchia 65 and salinity sensitive

HD 2687 wheat genotypes. Kharchia 65 showed

higher expression of Sucrose transporter genes SUT1

and SUT2 in leaf at 20 DAA as compared to

susceptible HD 2687. In wheat grains at 20 DAA,

SUT1A, SUT1B, and SUT1C expressions were higher

under 100 mM NaCl in both the genotypes, but under

200 mM NaCl, expression levels of these genes

declined in HD 2687. Salinity stress decreased the

expression of AGPase large subunit (AGPase LSU) and

soluble starch synthase III (SSSIII) in both the

genotypes. However, Kharchia 65 was able to

maintain transcripts of SUT1, AGPase LSU and SSSIII

under 200 mM NaCl treatment.

5.1.1.2 Cloning of stress responsive genes fromwheat

Homologs of stress responsive genes, namely,

Calcium-Dependent Protein Kinase (Acc. No.

JX878360), Manganese Superoxide Dismutase (Acc. No.

KC158224), Heat Shock Transcription Factor (Acc. No.

JQ801451), Superoxide Dismutase II (Acc. No.

JQ613154), AGPase small subunit (Acc. No. KC347594)

and Rubisco Activase (Acc. no. KC776912) were cloned

and sequenced from wheat. In addition, three novel

heat responsive transcription factors (Transcript 152,

Transcript 514 and Transcript 3714) were also cloned

from wheat. As antioxidant defense is one of the

important components of abiotic stress tolerance, the

cytosolic-Cu-ZnSOD gene was cloned from

wheat genotypes Kharchia 65, HD 2009, HD 2687 and

WL 711.

5.1.1.3 Expression analysis of HSP genes inchickpea

The expression of Heat Shock Protein (HSP) genes

and acclimation response was studied in Kabuli (Pusa

1105) and Desi (Pusa 1103) type chickpea genotypes

in early seedling stage. Seeds were germinated at

25°C. Two days old seedlings were subjected to the

following treatments: 1) Control, seedlings were

grown at 25°C; 2) seedlings subjected to acclimation

(induction) temperature of 35°C; 3) acclimated

seedlings subjected to 2h heat stress at 42°C; 4)

acclimated seedlings subjected to 3h heat stress at

42°C; 5) Non-induced seedlings were subjected to 2h

heat stress at 42°C; 6) Non-induced seedlings were

subjected to 3h heat stress at 42°C. All the HSPs

studied except HSP21 showed similar and enhanced

expression in both the chickpea genotypes under all

the high temperature treatments. The expression of

HSP21 also increased under heat stress, but Pusa 1105

showed higher level of expression as compared to

Pusa 1103.

5.1.1.4 Functional validation of abiotic stressresponsive genes in rice

Plant stress hormone abscisic acid receptor

(ABAR) family genes, and stress regulated genes such

as SnRK, MYB transcription factors and expressed

protein (EP) were cloned from drought tolerant rice

cv. Nagina 22. For analysis of the role of these genes

in abiotic stress tolerance in rice, plant transformation

vectors for stress-inducible overexpression (RD29A

promoter), constitutive expression (ZmUBQ

promoter) and RNAi silencing were constructed for

Agrobacterium mediated transformation of rice cv. IR64. A)Different stages of genetic transformation of rice, B) Confirmationof putative T

0 transgenics by PCR

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ABAR6, SnRK, MYB TF and EP genes. Rice cv. IR 64 was

transformed with ABAR6 and SnRK genes under stress-

inducible RD29A promoter by using Agrobacterium

mediated genetic transformation. T0 transgenic plants

were confirmed by PCR with gene specific and selection

marker gene primers.

An AP2/ERF family transcription factor gene was

cloned from Nagina 22. This gene was subcloned into

plant transformation vector PBI121 under constitutive

CaMV35S promoter, and used for Agrobacterium

mediated floral dip transformation of Arabidopsis.

Transgenic Arabidopsis plants expressing AP2/ERF

gene showed better drought tolerance as compared

with wild type plants under greenhouse conditions.

Therefore, this gene was further subcloned in to a plant

transformation vector suitable for rice transformation.

5.1.2 Transgenic Crops with EconomicallyImportant Traits

5.1.2.1 Development of low phytate soybean

Reduction in seed phytate content is necessary to

enhance the nutritive value of soybean. To reduce the

seed phytate content, seed specific expression of

PHYTASE (PHY) gene was attempted. A full length

PHY cDNA was cloned from 10 day old seedlings of

soybean and used for construction of seed specific

overexpression vector. The full length CDS of PHY gene

was cloned under the transcriptional control of seed-

specific VICILIN promoter. This plant transformation

vector was mobilized into Agrobacterium and then used

for genetic transformation of soybean cv. JS 335 by using

Agrobacterium mediated cotyledonary node method.

The T0 transgenics were confirmed by PCR and

Southern analysis. qRT-PCR analysis showed the

expression of PHY transgene in the developing seeds.

5.1.3 Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) Mapping

5.1.3.1 Association mapping for droughttolerance in maize

Genome-wide association mapping was performed

using 30K SNP data and phenotypic data of 240

inbreds. These inbreds were phenotyped at 3 locations

consecutively for two years under control and drought

stress conditions. Two R packages, namely, GAPIT and

Genable were used to identify SNP-trait association.

The results from admixture and PCA were used as

covariates in addition to kinship to eliminate false

signals. Significant SNPs were identified for all the

agronomic traits used in the analysis (ASI, grain yield

and yield contributing traits). SNPs identified for ASI

on chromosome 1 and 7 were mapped within the

known QTLs for grain yield and its component traits.

These SNPs are in the stress-related transcription

factors such as MYB, ERF and NAC, suggesting their

potential role in drought tolerance in maize.

Different stages of development of transgenic soybean harboringGmPHY gene

Population stratifications, genetic diversity and SNP-trait association

5.1.3.2 Downy mildew resistance in pearl millet

Four QTL(s) were identified for resistance to downy

mildew Rajasthan isolate (Sg 384) by using a mapping

population from WGI 148 and ICMR 09999 cross.

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5.1.3.3 Block rot resistance in cauliflower

A RAPD 04833

derived SCAR marker (Sc4Xca1)

linked to black rot resistance locus Xca1 at 1.6 cM

distance has been developed. Another SCAR marker

(Sc11Xca1) has been developed from tightly linked ISSR

11635

markers at 1.6 cM distance from black rot

resistance locus Xca1. Both of these markers were able

to distinguish resistant and susceptible plants with

100% accuracy.

5.1.3.4 Charcoal rot resistance in soybean

F2 populations were used to map QTLs for charcoal

rot disease resistance in soybean. Two QTLs controlling

resistance to this disease were mapped by using

molecular markers.

5.1.3.5 Gynoecious trait in bitter gourd

To identify molecular marker that can differentiate

the gynoecious line from monoecious line, 113 markers

(65 SSR, 16 ISSR and 32 RAPD) were screened using

bulk segregant analysis. The RAPD marker OPZ 13700

was found linked to the gene for gynoecism at 22.09

cM distance.

5.1.3.6 Marker assisted gene pyramiding for wiltraces (foc 2, 3,4) resistance in chickpea

WR 315 was used as donor for wilt resistance alleles

in backcross breeding with Pusa 372, Pusa 362, Pusa

5023 and Pusa 1103 as recipient parents. Validated

markers for wilt race foc 2 (TR19), foc 3 (TA 110), foc 4

(TA 110) were used along with those of markers for

100 seed weight (TR56, TA78) and pods per plant (TR29,

TA 146). The background selection was done using 80

markers spread across the chromosomes. Recovery of

recipient parent genome was about 94% after BC2 along

with the pyramided alleles of interest.

5.1.3.7 Introgression of root trait QTL in chickpea

Parental genotypes of marker-assisted backcross

breeding (MABB) program (Pusa 362 and ICC 4958)

were screened with 194 SSR markers, and 54

polymorphic markers covering all 8 linkage groups

were selected for background selection. Foreground

selection for QTL linked marker NCPGR 21 was done

in 72 BC2F

1 plants. Twenty four plants showed the

presence of alleles from both the parents. These plants

carrying root trait QTL were subjected to background

selection. The recurrent parent genome recovery in

BC2F

1 ranged from 87-100%.

5.1.4 Haploid Development in VegetableBrassicas Using Anther Culture

Anther culture was used in cabbage and

cauliflower to develop haploids. Initial inoculation of

anthers at 35°C for two days was beneficial for

MABC and MARS for developing high yielding and wilt resistantchickpea. The figure shows allele structure analysis for foregroundand background selection

Haploid development through anther culture in vegetablebrassicas: a) Induction of embryo from anthers; b & c) regenerationof roots and shoots from anther embryo; d & e) mass multiplication& rooting of anther regenerated shoots; f) In vitro hardening ofanther derived plantlets

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embryogenesis. The highest per cent embryogenesis

was recorded on Nitsch media supplemented with 140

g/l sucrose, 800 mg/l Glutamine, 100 mg/l L-Serine, 30

mg/l Glutathione and 2 mg/L AgNO3. The anther

derived embryos were successfully regenerated and

multiplied on MS media supplemented 2.5 mg/L

thidiazuron and 0.5 mg/l NAA. The anther derived

plants were successfully rooted and hardened.

5.2 BIOCHEMISTRY

5.2.1 Identification of Heat Stress RegulatedProteins in Wheat

To identify novel proteins associated with heat

tolerance of wheat, soluble proteins were isolated from

the leaves of wheat cv. NIAW 301 grown under control

and heat stress conditions. The proteins were first

fractionated by IEF using IPG strip (pH range 3 to 10,

17 cm) and then by SDS-PAGE. Numerous new protein

spots were observed in heat shock treated samples as

compared to control sample. We observed 197 and 275

spots in control and treated samples, by gel image

analysis with IMP7 software. Of the 68 un-matched

spots observed, five heat stress induced protein spots

were selected randomly for MALDI-TOF analysis.

Peptide mass fingerprinting followed by mascot search

for the protein sequences from these five spots showed

maximum score with small heat shock protein, Rubsico

small subunit, Oxygen Evolving Enhancer Protein, ATP

synthase and Calcium Dependent Protein Kinase

(CDPK). These proteins will be further characterized

for their role in heat tolerance in wheat.

5.2.2 Heat Stress Induced Change in StigmaSurface Morphology in Wheat

Stigma was collected from control and heat shock

treated samples of wheat cv. HD2985. Scanning electron

microscopy showed the presence of interwoven fluffy

layers in stigma from wheat grown at 22°C, while

stigma from wheat plants heat stressed at 42°C for 2h

showed unclasped, unconfined and slackened vessels.

This change in morphology may affect pollen-stigma

interaction and may lead to failure of pollen

germination and fertilization.

5.2.3 Heat Stress Regulation of Genes forStarch Biosynthesis in Wheat

Starch metabolism in grains is highly sensitive to

heat stress. To understand the transcriptional

regulation, expression of genes involved in starch

synthesis namely granule-bound starch synthase

(GBSS), soluble starch synthases (SS-I, SSII and SSIII),

starch branching enzyme (SBE), AGPase (small and

large SUs) and ADP transporter were analyzed at

milky-dough stage of grains in wheat cv. HD 2985 and

HD 2329 after exposing them to 42°C for 2 h. The GBSS,

SPS, SS-II and SS-III genes were upregulated, while

SBE was downregulated in both the cultivars under

heat stress. In general transcript abundance was high

in thermotolerant HD 2985 as compared to

thermosusceptible HD 2329.

5.2.4 Characterization of Enzymes Involvedin Off-flavor Generation in Soybean

5.2.4.1 Lipoxygenase 2 enzyme activity inhibitedby antioxidants and isoflavones

Our previous results showed that lipoxygenase

(LOX) isozymes, that catalyze the production of off-

flavor causing volatiles, differ in their biochemical

characteristics such as inhibition by antioxidants. To

further characterize LOX2 isozyme, the full length

cDNA (NCBI Acc. No. JQ929619.1) overexpressed in

E. Coli and 97 kDa LOX2 recombinant protein was

purified. The activity of purified LOX2 protein was

inhibited by soya isoflavones (genistein and diadzein)

and antioxidants (ascorbate and -tocopherol). All the

natural antioxidants inhibited LOX2 in non-

competitive manner. Alpha tocopherol (Ki=5 μM) was

2D analysis of differential expression of proteins in wheat cv.NIAW301. a) 2-D gel of control sample; b) 2-D gel of heat stresstreated samples

(a) (b)

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the most potent inhibitor among all. Among the two

isoflavones, genistein (Ki=62 μM) was stronger

inhibitor than diadzein (Ki=98 μM). High isoflavone

and low antioxidant combination exhibited synergistic

mode of action. The inhibition kinetics results were

further validated through estimation of off-flavour

associated parameters like malonaldehyde, carbonyl

compounds and hexanal in seeds.

5.2.4.2 Characterization of hydroperoxide lyase

Hydroperoxide lyase (HPL) from soybean seeds

was purified to 16.5 fold by ammonium sulphate

precipitation followed by ion exchange

chromatography. The SDS-PAGE analysis of purified

enzyme revealed that it is about 53kDa protein. Kinetic

studies using purified HPL showed that the Vmax

and

Km values are 275.48× 10-3 A/min. and 25 μM,

respectively. Analysis of the effect of natural antioxidant

molecules like -tocopherol, genistein, glycitein,

daidzein and ascorbic acid on the HPL activity showed

that all these molecules inhibit the enzyme activity.

Further, the full length CDS of HPL gene was cloned

from developing soybean seeds. Sequence analysis

showed that HPL gene encodes a putative protein of

478 amino acids (NCBI Acc. Nos. KC412710 and

KC349985).

5.3 PLANT PHYSIOLOGY

5.3.1 Physiology of High Crop Growth Rateand Yield

To understand the physiological basis of higher

early vigor in barley than that of wheat, the seed

reserve mobilization and seedling growth were

studied. Barley cv. RD 2668 showed higher seed

reserve mobilization and seedling growth as

compared with wheat. The higher dry matter

production in barley than that of wheat was associated

with higher rate of production of leaves and tillers.

The number of nodal roots, root dry matter and root

length density in the upper 0-15 cm soil was higher in

barley as compared to wheat. The higher SLA and leaf

growth of barley as compared to wheat was positively

associated with the higher H2O

2 content but negatively

with the cell wall content of ferulic acid, which is

known to reduce cell expansion.

Comparison of Australian and Indian wheat

genotypes showed that higher yield in Australian

genotypes was associated with higher root weight,

length, diameter and volume as compared to the low

yielding genotypes at Indore conditions. The root

density was found to be the highest in the top 10 cm

soil depth. Further, Australian wheat genotypes with

“Tillering Inhibition (TIN)” gene produced less number

of tillers. These genotypes produced higher yield as

compared to the genotypes with high number of tillers

under terminal drought and heat stress conditions.

5.3.2 Nitrogen Use Efficiency in Wheat

To understand the molecular basis of nitrogen use

efficiency (NUE) and its genetic improvement, it is

essential to identify set of wheat genotypes with

contrasting NUE. Towards this goal, we screened about

110 genotypes earlier. From this, 40 genotypes were

selected and evaluated in the field with and without

N-application. Based on this study, five efficient

genotypes (EC 556434, BT Schomburgk, PBW 394,

Arrino and Roller) and five inefficient genotypes

(Stretton, Kater 1, Bevy 1 (Med), Triticale and Gluyas

early) were identified for further analysis.

5.3.3 Abiotic Stress Tolerance

5.3.3.1 Non-destructive high throughputphenotyping methods

Large scale phenotyping of germplasm and

breeding populations for drought tolerance is limited

by the availability of high throughput and non-

destructive methods to quantify plant water status. The

hyperspectral indices based non-destructive high

throughput method developed earlier for measurement

of relative water content (RWC) of the excised leaves

under lab conditions were validated. In addition, this

method was further standardized to measure RWC of

rice plants grown in pot culture conditions. Twenty one

rice genotypes were phenotyped for moisture deficit

stress tolerance under pot culture conditions during

kharif 2012. Plants were grown under adequate

irrigation till anthesis stage. At anthesis, one set of

plants were subjected to soil moisture stress (soil matric

potential of – 70 to – 80 kPa), while the other set was

maintained under non-stress (0 to -10 kPa) conditions.

Spectral and RWC data collected from 11 rice genotypes

106

under control and water-deficit stress were used to

develop prediction equations for RWC. Water Band

Index (WBI) showed highest R2 value (0.75; P0.01).

These prediction equations were validated by using the

RWC and spectral data from the other 10 rice genotypes

under control and water-deficit stress. The RMSE for

the correlation between predicted and actually

measured RWC values ranged from 4.95 to 5.25, with

the lowest RMSE for WBI based prediction. These

results showed that this method can be used as high

throughput non-destructive measurement of plant

water status in large scale phenotyping for drought

tolerance of rice.

conditions to identify set of genotypes with contrasting

stay-green trait. Based on the drought susceptibility

index and stay-green trait (leaf senescence rate) under

drought stress, the wheat genotypes were grouped in

to four categories, namely, 1) stay-green & drought

tolerant, 2) stay-green & drought susceptible, 3) fast

senescence & drought susceptible and 4) fast

senescence & drought tolerant. These genotypes will

be used to unravel the molecular genetic basis of stay-

green train under drought. As plant hormone cytokinin

is one of the key regulators of leaf senescence, to

understand the relationship between cytokinin content

and stay green under drought, Isopentenyl transferase

(IPT) gene involved in cytokinin synthesis was cloned

from wheat.

Ethylene is associated with enhancement of

senescence processes, while polyamines have been

shown to delay senescence. Hence, the association

between ethylene and polyamines with stay green trait

under drought stress in wheat was studied. S-adenosyl-

L-methionine (SAM) is an important metabolic

intermediate required for synthesis of both polyamine

and ethylene. The SAM is decarboxylated by SAM

decarboxylase (SAMDC) which is used in polyamine

synthesis. Reduction in SAM leads to less ethylene

synthesis. The expression pattern of SAMDC was

studied in drought tolerant and susceptible genotypes,

and found that tolerant genotypes have high expression

levels of SAMDC gene.

Hyperspectral indices based model to predict RWC in rice

5.3.3.2 Phenotyping of wheat for stay green traitunder drought stress

Plants with the stay-green trait under drought have

high photosynthesis due to maintenance of green stems

and upper leaves during grain filling, and, thus,

contribute grain yield. However, the molecular

processes regulating this trait are not understood

clearly. Hence, 70 wheat genotypes from India and

CIMMYT were phenotyped under drought stressClassification of wheat genotypes based on leaf senescence rateand drought susceptibility index

107

5.3.3.3 Antioxidant metabolism in spikelets ofrice under heat stress

The effects of high temperature on antioxidant

metabolism in spikelets of nine rice genotypes were

studied. During flowering stage, spikelets of

susceptible genotypes can withstand a high

temperature stress up to 35oC, those moderately

tolerant between 35 and 38oC, and those of tolerant

genotypes up to 40oC. Isozyme profiles showed two

isozymes of super oxide dismutase (SODII & III) after

temperature exposure to 30 and 35oC, while SOD I

appeared above the 40oC exposure. Catalases CAT I

and III were the major isozymes, while in ascrobate

peroxidase and guaicol peroxidase only one isozyme

was seen in rice spikelets. Of the four isozymes of

catechol oxidase, two were suppressed under

temperature stress. Thus antioxidant metabolism in rice

spikelets appears to help mitigate oxidative damage

under high temperature stress.

5.3.3.4 Bioregulators protect photosynthetic machineryand enhance chickpea yield under drought

The mechanism of bioregulators induced drought

tolerance was studied in two chickpea varieties, viz.,

Desi (Pusa 362) and Kabuli (Pusa 1108). Water-deficit

stress was imposed by withholding water at vegetative

and reproductive stages. Prior to the imposition of

stress, plants were sprayed with bioregulators, namely,

thiourea (TU, 1000 ppm), benzyladenine (BA, 40 ppm)

and thidiazuron (TDZ, 10 ppm). Drought stress

decreased RWC, MSI, chlorophyll and carotenoid

contents, rate of photosynthesis, stomatal conductance,

transpiration, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters,

yield and its attributes and increased the respiration.

Interestingly, plants treated with bioregulators

maintained higher values of all these parameters,

maintained the integrity of leaf anatomy and chloroplast

structure and enhanced level of photosynthetic

pigments under water-deficit stress, and exhibited

faster recovery after termination of stress.

5.3.3.5 Magnetopriming to boost yield undersalinity stress in chickpea

Chickpea is conventionally cultivated in marginal

areas and saline soils. Chickpea cannot tolerate salinity

levels higher than 6 dS/m. Seed germination and early

seedling growth are the most critical stages sensitive

to salinity stress. Pre-sowing exposure of seeds of

different crops to static magnetic field (SMF) called

“magnetopriming”, a non invasive dry seed priming,

has been shown to increase percentage of germination,

rate of germination and seedling vigour of many crops.

Hence, seeds of chickpea cv. Pusa 1053 (Kabuli) and Pusa

256 (desi) were magnetoprimed with 100 mT SMF for

1h to evaluate the effect of magnetopriming on salinity

tolerance. Enhanced rate of germination and seedling

growth parameters under different salinity levels

indicated that magnetopriming was more effective in

alleviating salinity stress at early seedling stage in Pusa

1053 as compared to Pusa 256. Dynamics of seed water

absorption in magnetoprimed seeds showed increased

water uptake in Pusa 1053 under non saline as

compared to saline conditions that could have resulted

in faster hydration of enzymes (total amylase, protease

and dehydrogenase) in primed seeds leading to higher

rate of germination. Increased production of H2O

2 in

germinating magnetoprimed seeds suggested its role

as a signaling molecule leading to promotion of

germination. Our results showed that magnetopriming

of dry seeds of chickpea can be effectively used as a

pre-sowing treatment for mitigating adverse effects of

salinity at seed germination and early seedling growth.

5.3.4 Post Harvest Physiology

5.3.4.1 Cold induced sweetening in potato

Cold storage (4°C) induces accumulation of

reducing sugars in potato, which react with asparagine

(Asn) during high temperature frying, and produce

PGRs stabilized photosynthetic pigments under drought stress inchickpea. Lane 1: Well watered (WW); 2: drough (D); 3: WW +thiourea; 4: D + TU; 5: WW + BA; 6: D + BA; 7: WW + TDZ; 8: D+ TDZ

108

acrylamide. Analysis of Asn contents in nine potato

genotypes stored under different temperatures

revealed that these genotypes accumulated >100 mg

per 100 g Fwt (permissible limit) of Asn, suggesting

the necessity to breed for genotypes with low Asn

content. The expression levels of asparagine synthetase

1 (AS1) and AS2 were higher in high Asn accumulating

Kufri Frysona and Kufri Chipsona 3 as compared with

low Asn accumulating Kufri Pukhraj and Kufri

Chipsona 1. CAPS markers for UGPase and Invertase

Inhibitor, and SSR marker for Apoplastic Invertase were

used to analyze the allelic variation in these genes and

their relationship with reducing sugar accumulation

in 18 potato genotypes. Absence of UGP “B”, StInhap

-a

and apINV-255 alleles, and presence of apINV-221 allele

were found to be associated with CIS tolerance. Hence,

these marker combinations will be useful to identify

CIS tolerant genotypes.

25°C showed static levels for Mg, Ca and Mn along

with a net increase in the contents of Zn and Cu. On

the other hand, ripening of tomato fruits on the

mother plant showed net decrease in the contents of

Mg, Ca and Mn in outer pericarp, while the levels of

Zn and Cu remained static. Absence of remobilization

and backflow of nutrients from plant-detached

tomato fruits to other stronger sinks of the plants

also explains the better availability and balance of

nutrients (with respect to Mg, Ca, Mn, Zn and Cu) in

plant-detached tomato fruits.

5.4 GENETICS

5.4.1 Wheat

5.4.1.1 Alien gene introgression and geneticsof rust resistance

Leaf rust resistance was transferred from wild

relative of wheat T. militinae to bread wheat.

Cytological analysis at metaphase I of meiosis

revealed presence of 42 chromosomes with 21

bivalents in most of the pollen mother cells (PMCs),

but in few PMCs twenty bivalents and two univalent

were observed. A genetic stock WR95 with a single

recessive gene for stripe rust resistance against race

78S84 was identified. Similarly, a T. spelta accession

carrying a single dominant seedling leaf rust

resistance gene was identified.

5.4.1.2 Effects of environment on theexpression of the quality traits

Regression based methods and Additive Mean

and Multiplicative Interaction (AMMI) model were

used for characterizing the Genotype (G) ×

Environment (E) interactions in quality traits. The

effect of G×E interaction (pooled deviation plus linear

part of G×E) was found to be higher than both G and

E individually on expression of grain protein

percentage, RVA traits, Farinographic traits, bread

loaf volume and bread score. Sedimentation volume

was found to be almost equally influenced by G

(51.04%) and E plus G x E interaction component

(48.96%). In spite of the major influence by G and E

(linear) components (together 90.55%), the observed

differential ranking of genotypes across

environments in this study may be accounted for by

Expression levels of AS1 and AS2 in potato genotypes withcontrasting levels of Asn accumulation. Total RNA isolated frompotato tubers at harvest (H) or stored at room temperature (RT),12°C and 4°C for 2 months were used for RT-PCR analysis. 18SrRNA gene used as RNA quantity control

5.3.4.2 Mineral nutrients dynamic in tomatofruits during ripening

Changes in the endogenous status of different

mineral nutrients were studied during the course of

ripening of tomato fruits detached and attached to the

mother plants. Ripening of tomato fruit harvested at

green mature stage and stored for ripening to occur at

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the significant G×E (non-linear) component.

Generation mean analysis for gluten strength

revealed the involvement of more than one gene

block. This study reinforced the superiority of subunit

‘5+10’ over ‘2+12’ for bread loaf volume. It was also

found that the inferior effect of ‘2+12’ could be

overcome to a large extent by combining in the

genotypes ‘7+9’ or ‘17+18’ and ‘2*’ HMW glutenin

subunits at other Glu-1 loci. Thus, for combining the

superior HMWGS with higher protein, higher

sedimentation volume and greater kernel hardness,

intraspecific hybridization involving germplasm

identified as above were carried out using single, three

way and complex cross schemes earlier. Single plant

selection and advancement of generations were done

and the advance generation was screened for quality.

The promising lines were evaluated for their yield

potential both at station and multilocation trials

under timely and late sown conditions.

5.4.2 Rice

5.4.2.1 A novel InDel identified in GS3 locusof Indian short grain aromatic rice

A recombinant inbred line (RIL) population

derived from contrasting parents, Sonasal and PB 1121

was developed, and the two QTLs for grain length,

namely, GS3 on chromosome 3 and qGL-7 on

chromosome 7 were found to explain phenotypic

variance of 65% and 6%, respectively in this

population. However, the phenotypic contrast for

rough rice length in the parental lines was 1.78 times

more than the parents used to map and clone gene

GS3. Therefore, in order to ascertain if there was any

additional sequence variation in GS3 in Sonasal/ PB

1121 which is responsible for extreme variation for

grain length, the full length sequence of GS3 locus both

parental lines was generated and analyzed, which

revealed a novel 342 bp InDel covering exon-5 and 32

UTR of GS3 in the short grain aromatic landrace,

Sonasal. Based on this 342 bp deletion, a robust marker,

aksGS3-12 involving deletion in the exon-5 of Sonasal

was developed and validated in a set of diverse rice

germplasm varying for grain length including

cultivars, landraces and wild rice accessions and the

RIL population from cross Sonasal/ PB1121,

segregating for grain length.

5.4.3 Maize

5.4.3.1 Genome-wide analysis of transcriptomeand co-expression network under waterloggingstress

Waterlogging causes extensive damage to maize

crop in tropical and subtropical regions. Identification

of genes for waterlogging tolerance will help enhance

maize crop yield under waterlogging stress. A whole-

genome comparative transcriptome analysis revealed

that genes involved in synthesis of ethylene and auxin,

cell wall metabolism, G-protein activation, ROS

scavenging, carbohydrate metabolism, and formation

of aerenchyma and adventitious roots were

upregulated in the tolerant genotypes as compared

with susceptible genotypes under waterlogging stress.

Many transcription factors belonging to ERFs, MYB,

HSPs, MAPK, and LOB-domain protein family were

upregulated under waterlogging stress. Twenty one

genes upregulated in the tolerant genotypes were

colocalized within the known QTLs for adaptive traits.

Co-expression analysis of 528 microarray samples

including 16 samples from the present study

generated seven functional modules each in the two

genotypes. In the tolerant genotype, stress responsive

genes co-expressed along with peroxidase and

fermentation pathway genes.

Sonasal PB 1121

110

5.4.3.2 Unraveling the genetic architecture ofsubtropical maize lines and their utility inbreeding programs

Genetic architecture of 240 subtropical maize lines

were analyzed by using SNPs distributed throughout

the genome. The mean SNP distance across the genome

was 70 Kb. The average polymorphism information

content, minor allelic frequency, and gene diversity

values were 0.35, 0.25, and 0.35, respectively. The

genome had both high and low linkage disequilibrium

(LD) regions, and the latter were predominant closer

to the gene-rich telomeric portions. A total of 252

haplotype blocks 1 Kb to 15.8 Mb were identified. Slow

LD decay (200–300 Kb) at r2 0.1 across all chromosomes

explained the selection of favorable traits around low

LD regions in different breeding programs. The

association mapping panel showed the characteristics

of the population substructures. The genotypes were

grouped into three distinct clusters with a mean

genetic dissimilarity coefficient of 0.36. The

dissimilarity among genotypes in combination with

agronomic traits provides an opportunity to exploit

the heterotic potential of subtropical elite maize

breeding lines.

5.4.3.3 Genetic diversity analyses of maizeinbreds differing in resistance to Sitophilusoryzae

Forty eight inbred rice lines differing in their

resistance to rice weevil (Sitophilus oryzae) were

subjected to diversity analysis using 63 SSR markers.

The analyses grouped these rice lines into three distinct

clusters. The genetic dissimilarity of the parental pairs

was found to vary from 0.32 to 0.77 with an average

Jaccard’s dissimilarity coefficient of 0.62. The principle

coordinate analysis revealed diverse spatial

distribution of inbreds across four quadrangles,

suggesting the presence of genetic divergence among

the inbreds. The study led to the identification of the

following parental inbred combinations that may be

crossed to exploit heterosis for grain yield with weevil

resistance: SKV21 x Pant109, SKV21 × MGB1, SKV21 ×

HKI209, SKV21 × LM13, SKV21 × MGHC1, SKV21 ×

CM502, SKV21 × V372, Pant109 × MGB1, Pant109 ×

CM502, Pant109 × LM13, Pant109 × MGB1, Pant109 ×

MGHC1, Pant109 × HKI209, MGB1 × V372, MGB1 ×

Transcriptome analysis of waterlogging stress tolerance in maize: A) Expression of genes involved in PCD pathway and aeranchymaformation, B) Co-localized transcriptome with QTLs for waterlogging stress tolerance traits

Genome architecture of maize germplasm showing LD, LD decayand LD distribution

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LM13, MGB1 × CM502, HKI209 × LM13, HKI209 ×

CM502, HKI209 × V372, LM13 × MGHC1, LM13 × V372,

MGHC1 × CM502, MGHC1 × V372, CM502 × V372. The

following cross combinations can be made for the

development of mapping population to map QRLs for

S. oryzae resistance: SKV21 × CML290, CML394 ×

HKI1105, CML442 × V364, LM13 × CML290.

5.4.4 Development of Linkage Map of PearlMillet

A linkage map was developed using the white

grained lines of pearl millet susceptible to Rajasthan

isolate of downy mildew from IARI (WGI 148) and a

resistance donor from ICRISAT (ICMR 09999). The

linkage analysis revealed 7 linkage groups. The linkage

map of pearl millet was constructed using 35 SSR loci

covering 491 cM map distance with a marker density

of 14.02 cM at a minimum LOD score of 2.5 and a

maximum recombination fraction of 0.5. Mapping

populations for mapping QTLs for downy mildew

resistance, high grain iron and zinc and thick spike

characters were advanced which are at different stages

ranging from F3:4

to BC2F

3.

5.4.5 Brassicas

5.4.5.1 Genotyping and phenotyping fordouble zero trait

Forty two BC4F

1 (LES-39 × EC 597325 and LES-1-

27 × EC-597325) generated through MABB were raised

along with their recurrent parents. Based on

morphological resemblance to their respective

recurrent parents, 1662 plants were selected for

foreground and background genotyping. The desirable

plants with double zero traits will be advanced to

BC4F

2. In addition, for maintenance breeding and

development of ‘0’ and ‘00’ breeding material,

biochemical analysis for various fatty acid was done

in 7206 lines. 2140 single plants with low erucic acid

(<2%) were screened for glucosinolate content, and 441

plants with <30 ppm glucosinolate were identified.

Ten new SNPs in B. juncea FAE1 gene for beta-ketoacyl-

CoA synthase in ZEM-2 derived genotype were

identified.

5.4.5.2 Development of mapping populations(RILs)

Eleven mapping populations for mapping QTLs

for erucic acid (Varuna × LES-39, and NPJ-93 × LES-

1-27), glucosinolate (LES-39 × EC-597325, LES-1-27

× EC-597325, LES-39 × Heera, and LES-1-27 × EC-

597325), white rust (Varuna × Bio-YSR, Varuna ×

BEC-144, Bio-902 × Bio-YSR, and Bio-902 × BEC-144)

and drought tolerance (RGN-73 × Bio-YSR) were

advanced for making RILs which are in different

stages from F3 to F

7.

5.4.6 Embryo Rescue for Transfer of Genesfrom Alien Species to Cauliflower

For transferring black rot resistance gene from

alien Brassica species namely, B. carinata, B. nigra and B.

napus, BC1 made in cauliflower and is being advanced

through embryo culture. For transferring sterile

cytoplasm from alien species into Brassica oleracea,

crosses were attempted with Diplotaxis catholica, D.

sifolia, D. erucoides and D. berthaultii which are being

advanced through embryo culture. Embryo cultured

plants of cauliflower carrying male sterile cytoplasm

from Trachystoma ballii and Anand cytoplasm are in

rooting stage and BC1 stage, respectively.Linkage map of pearl millet

112

5.4.7 Virus Resistance in Tomato

The S. habrochaites genotype LA1777 was identified

for high level of resistance to TOLCNDV, and inter

specific F1

between commercial susceptible varieties

Pusa Rohini and Pusa 120 were made. These F1 plants

showed resistance to this virus. SCAR marker TGO

302 which differentiates the parents was used for

selection of desirable plants in segregating generation

to develop prebreeding lines. PCR based molecular

markers were validated for TOLCNDV resistance locus

(Ty1, Ty2 and Ty3), and tomato lines containing

combination of different resistant locus were selected

from segregating population. Screening of these lines

for leaf curl virus in the field condition during kharif

season led to the identification of 42 lines with desirable

alleles and high level of resistance. The resistance for

GBNV was identified in S. peruvainum accessions EC

368644-3 and EC 379243-2. These lines also showed

resistance to TOLCNDV.

5.4.8 Transcriptome Analysis of Bitter Gourd

Global transcriptome sequencing led to the

identification 3,414 unigenes from DBGY201_Female

plant and 3,045 from DBGY201_Hermaphrodite plant

of bitter gourd. A total of 477 unigenes were found to

be significantly differentially expressed between

flowers of female and hermaphrodite plants, of which

237 unigenes were down regulated, while 59 unigenes

were up-regulated in DBGY201_Hermaphrodite

plants.

5.4.9 Garden Pea

Genetic diversity was assessed among 28 garden

pea genotypes with sixteen RAPD primers which

produced 79 polymorphic markers showing 73.15%

polymorphism. The polymorphism information

content (PIC) was the highest for the RAPD primer

OPN14 (0.74) indicating that it can be used for

fingerprinting of genotypes.

5.4.10 Lettuce

Diversity study of 62 lettuce lines was carried out

with RAPD markers. A dendrogram was constructed

using unweighted pair group method of arithmetic

mean (UPGMA). The Genotypes Wo Suen and

Revolution were highly divergent as demonstrated

by the marker system.

5.4.11 Drosophilla

To understand the role of DWnt4 gene in

development of Drosophila, analysis of the DWnt4

mutant (DWnt4 RNAi lines) were developed. To

study effect of DWnt4 on cuticle pattern of the

embryos, DWnt4 RNAi was over-expressed using

Gal4 and UAS system. The crosses involved in this

study included: i) Da Gal4/Da Gal4 X DWnt 4 RNAi

[Marker used for identification: Cyo/Gla]; ii) Da

Gal4/ Da Gal4 X Dwnt 4 RNAi [Marker used for

identification: Sco/Gla]; Based on the cuticle pattern,

the mutants were classified into the following 3

classes:

Class I: Denticle reduced: These mutants showed

reduction in number of denticles but the number

of rows of denticles and segments remained

unchanged.

Class II: Rows missing: These mutants showed

reduction in denticles as well as its rows in some or all

segments.

Class III: Segment missing: These mutants showed

severe phenotypic effect of DWnt4 RNAi. Here, besides

the reduction in number of denticles, the rows of

denticles were also decreased or absent totally. These

results showed that reducing the transcripts of Dwnt4

in wild type flies had similar phenotype as that of the

knock down mutants of Dwnt4.Hierarchical clustering of differentially expressed genes in femaleand hermaphrodite flowers of bitter gourd

113

5.5 AGRICULTURAL PHYSICS, REMOTESENSING AND METEOROLOGY

5.5.1 Agricultural Physics

5.5.1.1 Chiselling and amendments improvesoil physical properties

A study was conducted with soybean cv. DS 9814

in soybean-wheat system to assess the effect of

chiselling along with amendment application on soil

properties under irrigated and rainfed conditions.

Treatments consisted of two tillage types (chiselling

and conventional), two levels of water supply (2

irrigations and rainfed) and amendment (dhaincha @

5 t/ha and hydrogel @ 2.5 kg/ha) application. Chiselling

reduced sub-surface compaction (15-30 cm) and

increased the porosity and soil water storage of upper

45 cm of soil profile. Increased soil water content

brought about 1-1.5oC reduction in soil temperature

in upper 0-15 cm soil. Nearly 15% increase in root

length density in upper 0-30 cm was observed in the

chisel treatment. Soybean grain yield was significantly

higher under chisel than that of conventional tillage,

and under dhaincha and hydrogel application than

that of no amendment. Chisel treatment combined

with dhaincha or hydrogel under irrigated condition

significantly enhanced the soybean crop performance

by 30-35%.

Effect of tillage, irrigation and amendments application onsoybean grain yield

Tillage Dhaincha Hydrogel Control

Chisel Irrigated 2.56 2.45 1.98

Rainfed 1.99 1.91 1.83

Conventional Irrigated 1.95 2.13 1.84

Rainfed 1.66 1.61 1.51

C.D. (0.05%): tillage type-0.055 t/ha; water application-0.18 t/ha; amend-

ments-0.1 t/ha; water application × amendments-0.142 t/ha

5.5.1.2 Prediction of wheat yield under variedirrigation and nitrogen levels using Infocropmodel

Infocrop model was validated to predict grain yield

of wheat cv. HD 2932 grown with four levels of

nitrogen i.e., 0, 30, 60, and 120 kg N/ha, and irrigation

i.e., rainfed, and irrigation to meet 30, 60 and 100% soil

moisture depletion from field capacity. The model

could account for 82% variation in the observed grain

yield. The root mean square error (RMSE) between the

observed and predicted grain yield was to the tune of

14.2% of the mean observed grain yield. The index of

agreement between the observed and the predicted

grain yield was 0.99. The predictability of the model

was better for irrigated treatment than rainfed

treatment. Similarly, N stress was computed as the

proportion of the actual N content to potential N

content in plant. The yield gap between the potential

yield and actual yield was very high even if N was

applied @120 kg N/ha when the crop was under

moisture stress. However, when the water stress is

gradually alleviated by applying higher levels of

irrigation, the yield gap between the observed and

potential yield gradually declines. This shows

synergistic interaction between water and nitrogen

with respect to crop yield.

The global warming potential i.e., the emission

of green house gases (GHG, expressed in CO2

equivalent) during wheat growth increased but the

CO2 equivalent GHG emitted per unit quantity of

grain decreased with the increase in the irrigation

and N levels. Thus, there was a trade-off between the

wheat production and global warming potential

estimated by the model. Therefore, the irrigation and

fertilizer N dose should be optimized for obtaining

higher water and nitrogen use efficiency and

minimum global warming potential without

significant reduction in wheat yield.

5.5.1.3 Development of soil quality index

The soil quality was tested in three agro-

ecosystems (AER), namely, sub-humid (Pantnagar),

semi-arid (Ludhiana) and arid (Hisar) based on Non

Linear Weighted Index (NLWI). The NLWI was

determined for 8 cropping systems in sub-humid

region, 10 cropping systems in semi-arid region and 7

cropping systems in arid AER. The comparison of the

soil quality using NLWI through nested anova

concluded that the impact of agro-ecosystems on soil

quality was statistically significant. The interaction of

cropping systems and AER on soil quality showed

that, the soil quality was better in the Desi order of

114

arid > semi-arid > sub-humid. The higher NLWI

indicated enhanced soil quality which resulted in

increased cropping systems equivalent yield. The

lower values of NLWI implied that the cropping

system resulted in degradation of soil quality over

longer period of time. The lowest soil quality index

was found under Rice–Wheat (conventional)

cropping system in sub-humid AER, under Maize–

Wheat–Moong in semi-arid AER, and under Pearl

Millet–Wheat (Desi)–Cowpea (Vegetable+R) in arid

AER. Therefore, from soil health point of view such

cropping system should not be continued in the

respective AER for a long period.

Soil quality index (MLWI) averaged over cropping systemsunder three AER

Depth (cm) Sub-humid Semi-arid Arid

0-15 59.22 64.68 72.12

15-30 52.22 55.57 71.28

Average 55.72 60.13 71.70

5.5.1.4 NMR characterization of grain fillingof maize under different nitrogen levels

NMR transverse relaxation time (NMR-T2) was

used to assess the water status of maize grains during

grain development under three N levels (N1, N

2, N

3: 0,

120, 180 kg/ha, respectively). NMR-T2 decreased to less

than 50 ms in N1 as compared to N

3. Nitrogen deficiency

reduced the rate of dry matter accumulation. NMR

relaxation times qualifying the water mobility showed

significant correlation with water content and dry

matter accumulation in maize grains. Free water in

grains remained for a longer period at N3 as compared

to N1 condition. Among the nitrogen treatments, N

3

showed better grain filling rate of 8.29 mg/day with a

final seed weight of 261 mg/seed as compared to N1,

which showed a grain filling rate of 5.39 mg/day with

a final seed weight of 169 mg/seed. This study indicated

that biophysical tools like NIR and NMR are useful to

characterize the seed nutrient and water status in

maize.

5.5.2 Remote Sensing and GIS

5.5.2.1 Spectral model for wheat yieldprediction

Time-series of remote sensing images were used

to predict wheat yield for Dehradun district. The study

used MODIS Terra-EVI time-series images from 2000 -

2012 having spatial resolution of 250 m and temporal

resolution of 16 days. Pixel-wise crop phenology

parameters were extracted from time-series images

for wheat pixels. Out of eleven, four phenology

parameters of amplitude, large integral, right and left

derivative showed significant correlation with district

wheat yields. Amplitude showed the highest

Trade-off between wheat production and green house gas emission

Treatment Grain yield WUE NUE GWP Carbon efficiency

(kg/ha) (kg/ha mm) (kg/kg N) (kg CO2/ha) (g CO

2/kg grain yield)

Irrigation

Control 2310.5 8.8 17.3 879.6 406.2

30% SMD 3266.0 11.6 23.3 1326.5 434.0

60% SMD 4397.5 15.2 22.9 1431.6 335.8

100% SMD 4438.3 11.8 18.9 1487.5 345.2

Nitrogen

Control 2063.5 10.0 NA 1303.5 525.5

30 kg N/ha 3227.3 11.3 24.3 1211.5 368.5

60 kg N/ha 3772.8 12.4 20.7 1257.1 332.7

120 kg N/ha 4755.3 13.7 16.9 1353.1 294.5

SMD: soil moisture depletion from field capacity; GWP: global warming potential

115

correlation (r = 0.83), followed by right derivative (r =

0.81). Correlation analysis of yield with single-date

raw EVI data and single-date filtered EVI

corresponding to peak vegetative crop growth stage

showed improvement of correlation from 0.41 for

former to 0.74 for later, though were lower than

correlation with amplitude. Study was conclude that

phenology parameter of amplitude derived from

multi-date satellite data is much better in capturing

variability in yield followed by filtered single date EVI.

A multiple regression model with time and amplitude

as independent variable was developed (R2 = 0.83; p =

0.002). This model predicted wheat yield of 2.32 ± 0.23

t/ha at p = 0.05 for the year 2011-12.

5.5.2.2 Identification of wheat genotypesthrough remote sensing

Spectral observation of seventy wheat varieties

grown during rabi 2011-12 in the experimental field

of Genetics Division, IARI were taken using Fieldspec

3 spectroradiometer in the spectral range of 400 to

2500 nm. Spectral separability analysis was done

for all combination genotype pairs (i.e. 2415 pairs)

using stepwise discriminant analysis and Jeffries-

Matusita (J-M) distance as a measure. Result of JM

distance matrix for 2415 pairs of genotypes based

on hyperspectral data revealed that 378 pairs are

not separable, rest of genotypes pairs were classified

quantitatively to low, moderate and highly

separable pairs and they are 119, 167 and 1751 pairs

respectively.

5.5.2.3 GIS based forewarning of white rustof mustard

The ‘white rust rule’ for mustard developed earlier

was validated, fine tuned and put into GIS

environment. In feature attribute table, locations of

automatic weather stations and mustard growing

villages in NCR were represented as ‘point’ features.

NCR and district boundaries were represented as

‘polygon’ features. In attribute data table, hourly

weather data were added for 10 days in MySQL format.

Algorithms were developed in ‘php’ and incorporated.

Influential zone of each weather station was developed

GIS based map of NCT-Delhi with mustard growing villages andwhite rust forecast

Remote sensing to predict wheat yield

Spectral Reflectance (A) and Separability Matrix (B) of 70 wheatgenotype pairs

116

using Theissen polygons and superimposed on NCR

boundary. Now, by clicking any village on the map,

forecast of white rust for that village will be displayed.

Weather data can be updated every day to have

forecast for next seven days for mustard growing

villages of NCR.

5.5.3 Agricultural Meteorology

5.5.3.1 Modification of aphid rule

The old aphid prediction rule developed by us

earlier was modified to enhance the accuracy. After

analyzing the long range weather and mustard

phenology data, in addition to temperature and GDD,

two more parameters responsible for initiation and

outbreak of aphid population were identified. Weekly

mean maximum (Tmax

) and minimum temperature

(Tmin

), and cloudiness had profound influence on

initiation of aphid infestation. But the most important

parameter was found to be the phenology of the

mustard crop. For aphid initiation, 100% flowering

stage was found to be most congenial. Tmax

and Tmin

values greater than 20 and 8 oC, respectively and 2-3

consecutive cloudy days provided the favorable

weather. This was validated during rabi 2011-12 and

2012-13 and was found to be highly accurate.

coefficient (Kp) is commonly practiced but most users

adopt generic Kp values or empirical methods without

carrying out local calibration entailing large errors in

ETo estimates. In this study, monthly Kp values were

estimated from IARI station using daily weather data

from 1997 to 2011, and evaluated different empirical

methods for estimation of Kp in a semi-arid region.

The estimated Kp values for IARI showed bi-modal

variation across the year between 0.72 to 0.93. The Kp

was lower in summer months and higher in rainy

and winter months. Besides, Kp was also estimated

by five empirical methods (viz. Cuenca, 1989; Snyder,

1992; Orang, 1998; Pereira, 1995 and Allen and Pruit,

1977) which use temperature, humidity and wind

data. Except for Periera method, all empirical methods

also showed a bi-modal pattern in Kp. Out of the five

methods, Snyder method was found to be the best

method for estimating Kp values with RMSE of 0.05.

The ETo estimated with Kp of Snyder method also

showed the lowest RMSE. It is recommended that

temporal variation in Kp shall be estimated for each

station for estimating representative ETo. Otherwise,

Snyder method is recommended for estimating Kp in

semi-arid environment.

5.5.3.3 Integrated agromet advisory services

Weather forecast on rainfall, maximum and

minimum temperature, wind speed, wind direction,

cloud cover, maximum and minimum humidity

received on every Tuesday and Friday from IMD, New

Delhi. Once the forecast was received, the expert

opinions from different disciplines (Agriculture

Physics, Centre for Protected Cultivation Technology,

Entomology, CATAT, Seed Production Unit,

Agronomy and Plant Pathology) were obtained and

based on their advice: the agro-advisories were

prepared on every Tuesday and Friday in Hindi and

English. These advisories were sent to IMD for

preparation of national bulletin and uploaded on the

IMD web sites www.imdagrimet.gov.in. The bulletin

was passed on to the farmers on the real time through

telephone / e-mail /SMS and through local Hindi

newspapers (Haribhoomi and Dainik Jagran). The same

was uploaded at IARI website www.iari.res.in in

both Hindi and English languages. The bulletins were

Monthly pan coefficient values estimated for IARI station and itscomparison with other empirical methods

5.5.3.2 Evaluation of pan coefficient methods forestimating reference crop evapotranspiration

Estimation of Reference crop evapotranspiration

(ETo) from the pan evaporation (Ep) data using pan

117

also sent by e-mail to ATIC, KVK Shikohpur,Ujawa,

IFFCO, NGO, ATMA, State Agriculture Department,

e-choupal, Krishi Darsan and All India Radio. During

2012-2013, 104 agro-advisory bulletins were

prepared. Majority of farmers rated the utilities of

agro-advisories high in relation to sowing and plant

protection under aberrant weather conditions.

Farmers who followed the agromet advisories were

able to reduce the input cost up to ` 1252 /acre in

carrot and increases net profit of ` 3192/acre as

compared to the non AAS farmers. In wheat, AAS

farmers were able to reduce the input cost up to Rs.

237/acre and increases net profit of ` 776/acre as

compared to the non AAS farmers. Thus, the

application of agromet advisory bulletin based on

current and forecasted weather is useful tool for

enhancing the production and income by reducing

the farm input cost.

118

6. SOCIAL SCIENCES AND TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER

The research programmes in Agricultural Economics are focused on understanding the growth process in

agriculture in the context of the viability of small holder producers. Particular emphasis was placed on the

functioning of agricultural value chains, and the implementation and impact of domestic market reforms. Since

higher growth in the agricultural sector is linked to increased demand for energy, analysis of time series data on

energy consumption in agriculture was undertaken to determine the relationship between energy consumption

and agricultural GDP, and to project future demand for energy in agriculture. The Agricultural Extension and

technology transfer and assessment programmes concentrated on the demonstration and evaluation of the

technology generated, especially the new varieties of various crops developed by the Institute, and also on

developing innovative models for technology transfer. Training of farmers and collaborations with various agencies

including farmers’ groups and voluntary organizations were established to boost seed production in villages to

meet the growing demand for quality seed. Rural youth were trained to take up alternative vocational employment

and to become entrepreneurs themselves.

6.1 AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS

6.1.1 Agricultural Growth and Small HolderProducers

An analysis of growth in the agricultural sector in

the context of the viability of small farmers indicated

three major growth trends in Indian agriculture. The

first trend relates to higher growth rates of coarse

cereals, particularly maize, oilseeds and cotton in the

recent years. The growth in maize and cotton is

primarily technology-driven whereas, in oilseeds, area

expansion, price incentive and better seed varieties are

responsible for yield growth. The second major trend

relates to high agricultural growth in some states like

Gujarat, where institutional reforms to expand

irrigation and transfer of technology are the major

contributing factors. The third major trend is the rapid

growth in high-value commodities like fruits,

vegetables, livestock and fisheries. Price incentives,

coupled with rising demand and strong market

linkages have prompted farmers to diversify towards

these commodities. This has been accompanied by

supply-side factors like improved availability of seed

and other planting materials. The indicators show that

these sectors will continue to grow rapidly and,

therefore, will compete for area with food grains. Thus,

there is a need for raising productivity of food grains

so as to provide more area for high-value commodities,

which requires better technologies and input delivery

systems in disadvantaged regions like eastern India.

Based on a district-level analysis, districts with limited

irrigation and relatively slow agricultural growth were

identified. These districts constitute more than 40 per

cent of the agricultural area of the country and,

therefore, are a potential source of future output

growth in agriculture. Hence, it is necessary to accord

priority in investment in infrastructure, markets, agro-

processing and scientific knowledge dissemination in

these regions.

6.1.2 Agriculture and Small Farmers’Livelihood

Small holder farmers are in a disadvantageous

position in terms of access to several inputs and

markets. Although several development pro-

grammmes with a focus on socially disadvantaged

groups have been implemented, improved governance

is needed to help provide small farmers better access

technology, inputs and other services. The average net

value of productivity per hectare was estimated at

` 52,953 in the irrigated regions, ` 34,647 in the flood-

affected regions and ` 21,336 in the drought-prone

119

regions of northern and central India. The total

household income was found to range from ` 25,483 /

ha in the drought-prone regions to ` 87,000 /ha in the

irrigated regions. The contribution of agriculture to

household income ranges between 50 to 70 per cent

and is even less in the case of marginal and small

farmers. This is just adequate to sustain farmers above

the poverty line in the irrigated regions. The majority

of small farmers will have to live below the poverty

line if they continue to depend only on agriculture as

their source of livelihood. The study shows that

marginal and small holdings are economically non-

viable. The long-run solution to the problem lies in

shifting agricultural workers to non-agricultural

sectors. Short-and medium-term measures are required

to increase agricultural productivity and generate non-

agricultural sources of employment in the rural areas.

A few farmers have reported taking up non-

agricultural activities to supplement their income.

However, the lack of technical knowledge, lack of

capital, low local demand, and social and cultural

inhibitions constrain farmers from taking up non-

agricultural enterprises. Major programmes for skill

development, institutional credit and technological

support to the rural youth in starting non-agricultural

enterprises are required to facilitate the shift from

agriculture to non-agricultural sectors.

6.1.3 Promotion of Agricultural Value Chains

The conditions for participation of small farmers

in high-value markets were examined in two case

studies. First was on baby corn in Haryana and the

second was on grapes in Maharashtra. In the case of

baby corn, one farmer’s initiative to set up a simple

processing and packaging facility gave a boost to baby

corn production in Aterna village of Haryana. The area

planted to baby corn increased by over 5 times in the

village from around 8 ha in 2006 to nearly 40 ha in

2010. The net returns from baby corn were estimated

at ̀ 62,000 /ha. The estimated per hectare returns from

paddy (Pusa 1121) and wheat were ` 75,000 and

` 48,000, respectively. The returns from baby corn are

encouraging considering the fact that picking starts

from 60 to 70 days after sowing and three crops can be

taken in a year.

In the case of grapes, Mahagrapes demonstrates a

successful public private partnership that has

benefitted the grape growers of Maharashtra and given

a boost to grape production. Mahagrapes is a

partnership firm of 16 grape growers cooperatives

which facilitates the production and exports of grapes.

Mahagrapes strength lies in the post-harvest support

that it provides to its members. It pioneered the pre-

cooling technique required very much for preserving

quality and enhancing shelf lifeof grapes. In addition

to providing logistics support, it also negotiates for a

better price for the members which includes small

farmers. The success and utility of Mahagrapes for

grape growers is evident from the fact that in a span of

one year the proportion of members of the society have

grown from 48 per cent in 2010-11 to 62 per cent in

2011-12. Survey results among grape growers and

markets further indicated that Mahagrapes is able to

obtain a significantly higher price (` 52 / kg) for its

members than what is offered by the local trade (` 34 /

kg). The success of Mahagrapes has encouraged several

private players to enter the grape export trade in the

area and some are even able to provide a higher price

than Mahagrapes. Producers, however, preferred

Mahagrapes to other private agencies for disposal of

their produce. Fifty one per cent farmers expressed that

they preferred Mahagrapes for selling their produce,

while only 11 per cent preferred other private agencies.

Prices (`̀̀̀̀/kg) offered by different agencies for grapes (2011)

6.1.4 Domestic Market Reforms in Karnataka

Karnataka has been one of the progressive states

in respect of the implementation of domestic market

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reforms for improving the marketing of agricultural

produce and providing higher income opportunities

for the producers. A survey conducted in Karnataka

showed that direct purchases of agricultural produce

have been permitted in the state. Since 2009, licenses

have been granted to 9 companies to directly purchase

agricultural produce from the farmers. Under the

proposed reforms, Karnataka State has also set up

Special Commodity Markets for fruits and vegetables.

Six market sub-yards have been set up in different parts

of the State. Survey conducted in the Binny Pete Special

Commodity Market for babanas revealed that the

produce in the market is arriving from as far away as

Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. Sellers indicated that

the Special Commodity Market provided them an

assured market and remunerative prices. Under the

PPP mode, a special commodity market was being

developed by a private realty company Sobha

Developers for vegetables in Dyatanarayanapura,

Bangalore where all infrastructure including cold

storages, weighing facilities, godowns, etc. will be

provided by the developer. An important feature of these

markets is the provision of a facility for fast track disposal

of complaints and disputes. Another reform initiative is

the setting up of farmers – consumers markets. These

markets facilitate direct sales by farmers to consumers.

While some markets have not been very successful, the

farmers market in Bangalore has been highly successful

as it has a location advantage in terms of large numbers

of consumers. Mostly vegetables are sold in these markets.

Farmers are benefitted as they are not required to pay

any market cess or commission. Also, problems arising

on account of the intermediaries and functionaries are

not found in these markets. Prices are fixed by averaging

the prices at the Kalasipalya wholesale vegetable market

and the HOPCOMS price. As the HOPCOMS price is

slightly higher than the wholesale market price, farmers

receive a price which is slightly more than the wholesale

price but less than the HOPCOMS price. Prices fixed are

displayed prominently in the market for the benefit of

the sellers and buyers.

Floriculture is an important activity in Karnataka.

To facilitate fair trade in cut flowers, an International

Flower Auction Centre with state of the art electronic

auctioning system on the Dutch pattern has been

developed in Bangalore. However, the facility has

benefitted only the national market trade and not

exports which still continue on a one-to-one basis

between the growers and buyers or their agents. E-

trading in agricultural commodities is another

important reform initiative being undertaken. With the

help of NCDEX, e-trading was started in 11 markets

covering 50 commodities during 2012-13.

6.1.5 Energy Use in Indian Agriculture in theContext of Climate Change

Empirical analysis of time series data on energy

consumption in agriculture and gross value of

agricultural output indicated that the value of output

per unit of energy-use has declined over time.

Therefore, there is a need to establish a robust

relationship between direct energy-use and

agricultural gross domestic product (AgGDP) so that

energy requirement for the targeted growth of Indian

agriculture can be projected. The Johansen test based

on the vector autoregression (VAR) method was

performed for the presence of cointegration between

the energy input and value of agricultural output.

Empirical analysis supported the presence of one

cointegrating vector for the pair of analyzed time series

data. Since, the cointegration relationship was

established between the logarithmic transformations

of two variables, it provided a long-run energy

elasticity of 0.422 for agricultural growth. This indicates

that for any target growth of agricultural GDP, growth

in energy-use should be more than two-times the target

growth. Using the estimated model, attempts were

made to bring out the broad contours of energy

demand for the country by the years 2016 and 2021,

which mark the end of the 12th and 13th Plans,

respectively, and hence are relevant for India’s policy

planning. For the direct energy demand projection, two

scenarios were considered, viz., business as usual

(BAU) scenario, i.e., agriculture GDP to grow at a rate

of 3 per cent per annum, as observed in the previous

decade and an optimistic scenario (OS) of 4 per cent

agricultural growth per annum. The demand of direct

Average prices received 2011-12 (`̀̀̀̀/kg)

Mahagrapes 52

Other Private Agencies 62

Local Trade 34

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energy for the year 2016 is projected to be 33.33 million

tonnes of oil equivalent (MTOE) in the BAU and 41.49

MTOE in optimistic scenarios, respectively. The

corresponding demand for direct energy for the year

2021 has been projected to be 47.0 MTOE and 65.30

MTOE under the two scenarios. These represent an

annual average growth rate of 7–9 per cent over the

current energy consumption in the Indian agriculture.

6.1.6 Agricultural Investments in the PostLiberalization Period: An InstitutionalPerspective

The role of investments in pushing India’s

agriculture on a higher growth path is being widely

recognized. However, it is important to set the right

priorities of investments with improved efficiency to

gear up the economy. Analysis of recent trends in

public investments in agricultural research and

education (Ag R&E), a key driver of agricultural

growth, showed that total Government expenditure

(both Central and State Governments) has risen more

than six times in the last three decades from ` 11

billion in 1980-81 to ` 68 billion in 2010-11 at 2004-05

prices. More than half (58 per cent) of the total

spending during 2010-11 was contributed by the

Central Government with almost the entire fund

(95 per cent) being routed through the ICAR. The

steadily rising share of the Central Government in

total expenditure points to the its increasing role in

Ag R&E. However, a large proportion of funds is

transferred to State Agricultural Universities (SAUs)

for various programmes for education, technology

assessment and transfer, and coordinated research.

The second major source of funding are the annual

block grants from the State Governments to their

respective SAUs, which are engaged in region specific

research to meet the local technology needs and

higher agricultural education.

Energy requirement scenarios for the years 2016 and 2021

Categorization of major states of the country on

the basis of national average of energy consumption

and agricultural productivity revealed that

productivity of some of the larger states like Madhya

Pradesh and Maharashtra is low as their per hectare

energy consumption is low. Also, states like Bihar and

Uttar Pradesh still use more of traditional energy in

agricultural production. This clearly calls for

investment in energy related infrastructure in order

to achieve targeted growth of four percent for the

country.

Commercial energy consumption and its relationship withagricultural output in major states of India (TE 2008-09)

Trends in real government expenditure on agricultural researchand education in India (at 2004-05 prices)

122

The decade-wise growth rates in the real spending

show that it grew by 5.8 per cent during the nineties

and maintained its growth momentum during the 2000

decade (7.2 per cent) too. But the major thrust came

only during the second half of the 2000 decade (13 per

cent per annum between 2005-06 and 2010-11). It is also

significant that growth in the central funding has

outpaced that of the state funding throughout the

period which is also evident from the rising share of

the former in all India spending. Though, the growth

in all states’ real expenditure in Ag R&E also continued

to inch upwards, it remained highly uneven across

states. Consequently, there is a wide variation in the

research intensity ratios across states.

Annual compound growth rates (%) of Government realexpenditure in research and education

Period Centre States Total

1990-91 to 1999-2000 7.42 4.22 5.80

2000-01 to 2010-11 8.22 6.17 7.24

2005-06 to 2010-11 14.91 11.38 13.30

Increased Central Government expenditure has led

to a rise in the share of Ag R&E investment to

agricultural gross domestic product (AgGDP) from

0.42 per cent in triennium ending (TE) 1994-95 to 0.60

per cent in TE 2010-11. Though, recent trends clearly

indicate an improvement in the country’s research

efforts, this needs to be judged in the context of the

size and structure of our agricultural economy. The

share of Ag R&E expenditure in the total agricultural

expenditure of the country is still only 3 per cent. The

ratio of Ag R&E investment to AgGDP is much lower

than in other developing countries like Brazil (1.80)

and South Korea (2.30) and substantially lower than

in developed countries like Australia (3.56) and Japan

(4.75). Thus although public investments in

agricultural research and education are widely

distributed and address the diverse research needs

of the country, a still higher and consistent investment

support is warranted to put the country on the growth

trajectory.

6.1.7 Innovations in Credit Delivery andFarmers’ Access to Institutional Credit

A significant disparity across financial institutions

was observed in relation to the performance of Kisan

Credit Card Scheme. The largest number of cards were

issued by commercial banks (44 per cent) followed by

cooperative banks (43 per cent). In spite of their rural

presence, regional rural banks have performed poorly

and account for just 14 per cent of the total cards issued.

The evaluation of the impact of Kisan Credit Card

(KCC) revealed that the beneficiary farmers realised

22 per cent higher income from paddy crop over the

non-beneficiary farmers. The transaction cost of

borrowing through KCC has also come down to ̀ 1280.

A large proportion of the KCC beneficiary farmers (66

per cent) withdraw the entire loan amount sanctioned

to them in a season. This is against the spirit of the

KCC card which authorizes the farmers to withdraw

the amount as and when it is required for different

agricultural operations. The lump sum withdrawal

enhances the chances of credit diversion leading to non-

productive use of the loan amount impacting farmers’

income and the repayment.

Overview of public agricultural R&D spending and research staffing levels, 2009

Agency Total spending Total staffing

Rupees PPP Dollars Share Number Share

(In billion at 2005 prices) (%) (FTEs) (%)

ICAR (94) 17.9 1.2 53.7 3816.7 34.0

Other government (12) 3.6 0.2 10.8 1015.0 9.0

SAUs (45) 11.4 0.8 34.2 6158.0 54.9

Other higher education (16) 0.4 0.0 1.3 226.8 2.0

Total (167) 33.4 2.3 100.0 11216.5 100.0

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Non-availability of loan on time, lack of flex ibility

in use of branches of the same bank, lack of flexibility

in withdrawal, insufficient credit limit, lack of

consumption loan and difficulty in opening accounts

were the major constraints faced by the beneficiaries.

Issuance of the KCC in the form of ATM cards will help

to overcome many of these problems.

6.2 AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION

6.2.1 Cyber Extension Model for AgriculturalDevelopment: An Action Research

The cyber extension model aims at developing an

effective mechanism for communication of farm

information and dissemination of technology to the

farmers. Information on cultivation practices of red

gram and mustard, existing schemes of state

departments on education, health, training, etc., were

updated on web portal to meet the information needs

and to generate awareness among farmers and

extension personnel. SMS facility for communicating

relevant information on cultivation practices, market

intelligence and weather forecasting is being extended

to project locations.

Linkages have been established with post offices

to strengthen the dissemination of agricultural

technologies and information to remotely located

farmers. IARI-Post Office Linkage Model was

expanded to four more locations, viz., Jammu

(Jammu & Kashmir), Sirohi (Rajasthan), Sheopur

(Madhya Pradesh) and Buxar (Bihar). In 2012 -13, 20

branch post offices and 114 villages were covered in

partnership with KVKs of the districts. The Krishi

Vigyan Kendras, our grassroot level partners, provide

technology backstopping to the village post office

staff and the farmers. Seeds of improved IARI crop

varieties were sent to 678 farmers. Two training

programmes were organised on improved crop

production technologies for capacity building of

farmers and branch post masters. The yield data for

the paddy (Pusa 44, PS 5, PNR 546, PNR 519, PNR

381 and JD 13) and bajra (Pusa 383) varieties which

were disseminated among 55 farmers in kharif 2012

through post office revealed that farmers preferred

Pusa 44 and PS 5 to other varieties in terms of

duration, yield, and taste. The high yielding wheat

seeds of IARI varieties HD 2967, HD 2985 and HD

2733 and mustard vars. Pusa Bold and NPJ 113 were

distributed to 623 farmers covered under twenty post

offices in 5 districts during rabi 2012-13. For summer

season, vegetable seeds of bottle gourd (20 kg) and

pumpkin (3 kg) were disseminated under eighteen

selected post offices. The distribution of seeds

through the post offices was perceived as effective

by the farmers who shared half of the seed cost and

paid the amount in cash. A Workshop on “IARI Post

Office Linkage Model: Experience Sharing and

Mechanism for Expansion” was organised for

institutionalising the linkage mechanism and

expansion involving 53 Krishi Vigyan Kendras.

Frequency of withdrawal of loan amount by KCC beneficiaries

Performance of KCC Scheme, March 2009

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6.2.2 Constraints in Adoption of ImprovedTechnologies in Pulses and Cereals

During kharif 2012, a total of 30 demonstrations of

paddy variety P 1121 and 30 demonstrations of pigeon

pea variety P 2001 were conducted. The yield gap I in

case of rice was calculated 0.25 – 0.30 t/ha while yield

gap II was 0.30 – 0.45 t/ha. In pigeon pea, yield gap I

was estimated at 0.35 – 0.65 t/ha and yield gap II at

0.30 – 0.45 t/ha. In wheat, data from 20 profitability

demonstrations during rabi 2011-12 showed that actual

yield of both the varieties was more than the potential

yield. The average yield of HD 2967 was 6 t/ha while

HD 2733 yielded 5.4 t/ha. Two chickpea varieties Pusa

1053 and Pusa 1003 were also demonstrated at 18

farmers’ fields. A comparative profitability analysis

indicated that profits were higher in chickpea relative

to wheat in terms of the B:C ratio. The analysis further

revealed that during kharif 2012, the trained farmers

adopted almost all critical practices in pigeonpea

production including seed treatment with rhizobium

culture, insecticide and fungicide, line sowing and

recommended varieties. However, integrated pest

management practices were not adopted mainly due

to non-availability of the pheromone traps. The impact

of A3P component of NFSM in Gujarat (high potential-

high gap state) showed that large scale block

demonstrations with nutrient and plant protection

centric approach coupled with support for construction

of rain water harvesting farm ponds for providing

protective irrigation resulted in expansion of the pulse

area and production. The adoption status of the

improved technologies in two adopted districts,

namely, Anand and Ahmedabad showed major

changes in input use pattern in application of

micronutrients, liming materials application, HYV

seed, IPM technology, possession of farm implements

including pump sets, and participation in FFS. The

services of the farmers were utilized as Farmer

Facilitators in the Farmers’ Field Schools organized

under the Mission. The visits of scientists and experts

to the sites were confirmed by 75% of the respondents

and the frequency of such visits was reported as ‘very

often’ by 20%, ‘sometimes’ by 50% and ‘rarely’ by 30%

of the respondents. A majority of the respondents

reported that through the exposure visits organised

under A3P their knowledge regarding pulse

production has improved and their farm productivity

has increased. The major constraints reported included

destruction by blue bulls, poor availability of critical

inputs, like seeds, bio-fertilizers, bio-pesticides,

secondary and micronutrients which limit productivity

and yield. Efficient marketing was reported as an

urgent need as pulses have short shelf life and cannot

be stored by the farmers for long in the absence of

proper storage facility. Farmers suggested provision

of large scale grazing lands through Mission support

for management of Blue Bulls to tackle the problem.

6.2.3 Extension Models and Strategies forSustainable Livelihoods

In coastal Maharashtra, m-krishi led extension has

been effective in providing early warning, knowledge

of potential fishing zones and saving of time, money

and fuel for motor boat. Integrated farming system

model and community participation have been

effective in livelihood security of farmers in coastal

areas of Odisha. Survey of KVKs in Uttar Pradesh,

Haryana, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and Gujarat

revealed their impact in enhancing crop yield by 1.5 to

2 times with introduction of improved varieties and

technological packages and capacity building.

Community based extension model was tested and

found effective in promotion of climate resilient

technology (zero-tillage, DSR, IPM, vegetables

cultivation on raised beds and in low and walk-in-

IARI - Post Office linkage for effective extension

125

tunnels, etc.). Assessment of ATMA in Gujarat revealed

lack of competence and incentives as constraints.

6.2.4 Interventions for Enhancing Entre-preneurship among Rural Youth

Extending the work done in previous years, eight

achiever agricultural entrepreneurs were studied

during 2012-13 to delineate facilitative and inhibitive

factors in setting up of agri-enterprises. The key

‘Entrepreneurial Catalysts’ were identified as

individual motivations, aspirations and

entrepreneurial competencies. Factor analyses revealed

facilitative socio-economic factors like promotional

government schemes, frequent expert advisory sought

by entrepreneurs and market demand were important

contributing factors. However, the critical factor

differentiating success and failure of entrepreneurial

endeavour is the entrepreneur’s ability to effectively

manage the inhibitive factors present in the rural

environment. Agri-preneurial Success Index based on

profit levels, growth and diversification, yield

improvements, quality maintenance, recognition

received and innovations implemented is being

developed. To develop agriculture based

entrepreneurs, thirty women entrepreneurs from

villages of Hapur district (U.P.) were trained in post-

harvest processing and value addition in vegetables

and fruits. After the training imparted to them, they

have launched their pickle making enterprise and are

selling their products under the name of “Sunhara

Lalpur”. Besides various pickles they have also taken

up agarbatti and dalia making. An assessment of

motivational level, aspirations, willingness to take

risks, credit orientation and entrepreneurial

competencies indicated enhanced motivation levels

after the training interventions. Follow up and

mentoring of the trained agripreneur youth is being

done by initiating linkages and partnerships with

supportive institutions and marketing agencies like

RuDSETI (Ghaziabad), NABARD, nationalised

commercial bank branches located in project villages,

District Horticulture Officials, selected NGOs and

Bharati Walmart. An interactive video conferencing

facility was also launched for rural women of these

villages which facilitated regular exchange of

information, views and problem sharing with district

officials, IARI project team, RuDSETI trainers and

DDM, NABARD.

6.2.5 Developing and Validating Entre-preneurial Technical Information Packages(ETIP)

Two ETIPs on protected cultivation and baby corn

production were developed based on the information

collected from practicing entrepreneurs. Data for ETIP

on seed production earlier collected was validated on

parameters of relevance for potential entrepreneurs and

expert opinion.

6.2.6 On-farm Testing of IARI Technologiesin NCR

Analysis of the data of on-farm trials of wheat laid

out during rabi 2011-12 showed that the grain yield of

all the three varieties subjected for adaptation research

under timely sown conditions was significantly higher

than the local practice as a whole. The highest yield

was of the variety HD 2967. The application of

fertilizers on the basis of soil test yielded significantly

higher quantities of grain and straw than the farmers

practice and general recommendations of fertilizers

highlighting the importance of scientific nutrient

management practices. During kharif 2012, on-farm

trials of paddy were conducted at Badarpur Said village

and on Pearl millet at Kumbhawas village which

showed that site specific nutrient management yielded

highest. In case of weed management, Pretilachlor +

Bispyribac-Na proved promising in direct seeded as

well as transplanted paddy in terms of grain yield.

6.2.7 Developing Agricultural Entrepreneursin Vegetable Seed Production

Seed production of hybrid brinjal PH 5 at Kansala

village, carrot ( Pusa Rudhira) at Badarpur Said and

cauliflower (Pusa Sharad) at Tigipur village was

initiated. Adverse climatic conditions, particularly

hailstorm, impacted the crops in Kansala and Badarpur

Said. Interaction meets and training programmes for

seed production were organized in 4 project villages.

The buyback process with NSC was streamlined for

vegetable seed produced under NABARD funded

research project and an agreement between seed

producing farmers and NSC was facilitated.

126

6.2.8 Livelihood and Nutritional Security ofTribal Dominated Areas

In order to promote integrated farming systems

and generate appropriate technology models for tribal

dominated areas of Udaipur, Dungarpur, Sirohi and

Banswara districts of Rajasthan, 50 on-farm

demonstrations on improved wheat varieties, viz., HD

2967, HD 2894 and HD 2932 were laid. On-farm

demonstrations of vegetables including palak (Pusa

Bharti), vegetable pea (Pusa Pragati) and tomato (Pusa

Rohini) were also organised. Seed production of

improved wheat variety HD 2932 was taken up at

farmers’ fields. A training programme was conducted

at IARI on improved production technologies of fruits

and vegetables.

6.2.9 Strategies to Enhance AdaptiveCapacity to Climate Change in VulnerableRegions

Interventions were made for livelihood options

among farmers and farm-women, viz., mushroom

cultivation, value addition, stitching and tailoring. Five

trainings were organized in protected cultivation of

vegetables, IPM, storage pest management, animal

health, and mobile based advisory. Through public-

private partnership with TCS, m-krishi led advisory

service was initiated in project villages of Mewat. A

Village Resource Centre was established in the project

area with facilities of custom-hired farm implements,

seed banks, stitching training centre, information

service, etc.

6.3 TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENTAND TRANSFER

6.3.1 Assessment and Promotion ofAgricultural Technologies and DevelopingMarket-led Extension Models

Four villages of the NCR, namely, Badarpur Said

in Faridabad, Rajpur in Sonepat and Dhani

Kumbhawas in Gurgaon districts of Haryana and

Soodana in Hapur district of Uttar Pradesh have been

adopted for integrated development as model villages.

Farmers’ problems were prioritized on the basis of

which the potential interventions were planned.

During rabi 2011-12, 358 demonstrations were

conducted on wheat, mustard, palak, berseem,

cauliflower, onion, pea, carrot and lentil over an area

of around 143 ha. In Badarpur Said, Soodana and

Rajpur, wheat variety HD 2967 outperformed other

varieties and gave an average yield of 7.02 t/ha, 6.25 t/

ha and 6.21 t/ha, respectively. Mustard varieties Pusa

Bold and Pusa Jaikisan performed well as a new

introduction in the area. Pea variety Pusa Pragati gave

an average yield of 5.5 t/ha, which was 27.91 per cent

higher than the local check (4.3 t/ha). Demonstration

on use of hydrogel in wheat resulted in saving of one

irrigation. Demonstration of lentil variety L 4076 in

Soodana village resulting in an increase of yield to the

tune of 39.18 per cent as against local variety (1.6 t/ha)

with a high B:C ratio of 5.21. The best trait of mustard

varieties Pusa Bold and Pusa Vijay was reported as bold

seeded grain. During kharif 2012, 347 demonstrations

were conducted on paddy, arhar, moong, muskmelon,

bhindi, bottle gourd, sponge gourd and pumpkin

covering an area of nearly 166 ha in all the four adopted

model villages. In Soodna, carrot variety Pusa Rudhira

was grown on 36.42 ha. The variety was found to be

superior than that of the best hybrid of the private

company, Sungro, on account of its long size, dark flesh

colour and better taste. Because of greater market

acceptability, it generated a net profit of ` 2.44 lakh

from 1.5 acres resulting in nearly 25 per cent additional

income.

6.3.2 Strengthening National ExtensionProgramme

The National Extension Programme, which has

been found to be effective in disseminating IARI

technologies in far off locations, was further

strengthened in collaboration with 16 ICAR

Institutes and SAUs for faster and broader diffusion

of IARI varieties and production technologies.

During rabi 2011-12, 494 demonstrations were

conducted at 16 locations covering an area of 171.50

ha on varieties of wheat, mustard, gram, lentil,

carrot, onion, bottle-gourd, pumpkin, pea and palak.

The following traits were found prominent in the

variety demonstrations.

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Wheat

• HD 2643: Suitable for late sown conditions, good

grain size and good chapati quality

• HD 2932: Lodging resistant, rust resistance and

good grain quality (amber colour)

• HD 2733: High tillering, good yield and lesser

lodging in adverse weather

• HD 2967: High tillering (20-25), medium sized

grains and an average 60 grains per ear head

• HS 420: High yielding (3.8 t/ha) and yellow rust

free even in epidemiological conditions.

Mustard

• Pusa Bold: Higher oil content, more branching,

higher yield and bold seeds

• Pusa Jaikisan: Lodging resistant.

• Pusa Vijay: Fruiting from lower branches and

consistently high yield with the highest at Baghpat

district (U.P.) (2.5 t/ha)

Chickpea

• Pusa 1103: High yield at Chitrakoot (2.0t/ha), good

taste, two grains per pod and 70-100 pods per plant

• BG 365: High yield (2.2 t/ha) at Bilaspur (HP)

• P 2024: Highest yield (2.5 t/ha) at Bilaspur (HP)

Palak

• Pusa All Green: Higher profit with 4-5 cuttings at

Bangalore

Carrot

• Pusa Rudhira: Long in size, good taste, market

acceptable and higher profitability

During kharif 2012, a total of 279 demonstrations

of paddy PRH 10 (64), Pusa 1121 (51), P 1401 (38), Pusa

2511 (80), P 44 (22), JD 6 (3), JD 13 (1), PNR 519 (6), P

1460 (8) and PB 1 (6); Arhar, P 992 (22) and P 2001 (3);

Bottle Gourd, Pusa Naveen (19); Cauliflower, Pusa

Kartik Sankar (2) and Pusa Snowball (5); and Bhindi,

Pusa A 4 (4) were conducted at ICAR Institutes / SAUs.

All demonstrated varieties of IARI showed

significantly higher yield in comparison to local

varieties at all locations with one or two exceptions.

Paddy

• New paddy variety Pusa 1509 (3.5 t/ha) has been

observed to be early by 15-20 days. No incidence

of bakanae disease was observed. However, it could

not surpass the yield of PB 1121 (3.75 t/ha). There

is a need for further testing at farmers’ field under

different level of inputs for drawing a conclusion

about this variety.

• Pusa 1401 paddy variety has shown promising

yield (3.9 t/ha) and did not suffer from foot rot.

However, the rate of the variety is not yet

established as in case of PB 1121.

• PRH 10 emerged as best paddy variety for eastern

region in terms of higher yield, short duration and

fineness.

• Non-basmati variety Pusa 2511 showed superiority

in terms of yield (4.2 t/ha) and less duration (120

days).

• In areas where water is not a limitation, Pusa 44

paddy variety has out-yielded all local varieties

(average yield 4.7 t/ha).

Bottle gourd

• Pusa Naveen – Small size bottle gourd has a niche

market in certain areas like Delhi. Better market

preference makes it more profitable than the other

popular varieties which bear longer fruits.

Lentil

• Lentil L 4076 fetched a higher price (15 per cent)

due to its preferred seed size and taste.

6.3.3 Participatory Seed Production ofImproved IARI Varieties

Under participatory seed production programme

of improved varieties of paddy, 120 t of Pusa 44, 18.0 t

of Pusa 1401, 36.0 t of PB 1121, 10.0 t of Pusa 1509 and

3.0 t of Pusa 1460 were produced during kharif 2012.

During rabi 2010-11, Pusa Vijay (1.8 t), Pusa Bold

(1.0 t), Pusa Jagannath (2.3 t) seed was produced at

PRDF Gorakhpur. Around 72.0 t seed of wheat var. HD

2967 was produced at YFAP, Rakhra and 400 kg of

quality seed of carrot (Pusa Rudhira) was produced at

Bharatpur.

128

IARI - Farmers Participatory Seed Production Programme

6.3.4 Front Line Demonstrations on wheat (incollaboration with DWR)

During rabi 2012-13, 15 FLDs were conducted in

collaboration with DWR on wheat in selected villages

of Sonepat, Faridabad, Ghaziabad and Hapur districts

on newly released varieties of wheat DBW 17 and PBW

550, zero tillage and use of bio-fertilizer (Azotobacter

+ PSB)

6.3.5 Innovative Transfer of TechnologyModel: IARI – Voluntary OrganisationsPartnership

In collaboration with 25 Voluntary Organisations,

1415 demonstrations were conducted for 27 varieties

of 11 crops covering an area of over 383 ha during kharif

2012.

All demonstrated varieties of IARI showed

significantly higher yield in comparison to local

varieties at all locations with one or two exceptions.

S. No. Technology Variety No. of Demonstrations Area (ha)

1. Newly released wheat varieties HD 2967 4 3.00

HD 3043 2 1.00

2. Zero tillage HD 2967 5 3.00

3. Use of bio-fertilizers (Azotobactor+PSB) HD 2967 4 3.00

Total 15 10.00

Crop Variety No. of No. of Area covered

locations demonstrations (ha)

Paddy Pusa 2511 13 182 55.84

PRH 10 16 113 35.96

PNR 381 08 22 5.56

Pusa 44 13 147 48.68

PNR 519 05 23 7.80

JD 13 06 26 8.16

PNR 162 06 11 3.96

PB 1121 08 188 60.00

Pusa 1401 04 63 25.60

Pusa 1460 04 52 19.20

Pusa 834 01 04 1.60

PB 1 01 06 3.20

Total — 837 275.56

Arhar Pusa 991 11 136 24.08

Pusa 992 09 27 4.14

Pusa 2001 06 231 51.86

Total — 394 80.08

Bhindi Pusa A 4 08 18 1.82

Sorghum PC 9 05 16 1.60

PC 6 02 16 1.60

Total — 32 3.20

Maize PC 3 08 53 10.30

Bottle gourd Pusa Naveen 08 15 1.60

Cowpea V 578 05 28 6.20

Sponge gourd Pusa Supriya 02 04 0.60

Pusa Sneha 04 09 0.70

Total — 13 1.30

Pumpkin Pusa Vishwas 04 11 0.60

Cauliflower Pusa Kartik-S 04 07 1.20

PSB 02 05 1.00

Total — 12 2.20

Capsicum California 01 02 0.20

Wonder

Grand total 1415 383.06

Kharif 2012

Paddy

• Pusa 2511: High yielding and good in taste, marketrate up to ` 2000-3000/ t more than the best localvariety (Sarju 52) in Gorakhpur

129

• Pusa 44: High yielding, medium grain size variety

which can replace Sarju 52 in eastern regions

because of its better taste and yield in eastern Uttar

Pradesh.

• PNR 381: Higher yield and a higher market price

which was ` 3000/ t more than the local check

(Satya 29) in West Bengal.

• PRH 10: Fits very well in the crop rotation with

early mustard (lahi) and vegetables. PRH 10 also

escaped terminal drought. This variety gives 40 to50 per cent higher yield and fetched better market

price relative to local varieties. When cooked, PRH

10 is better in taste and possesses good aroma

compared to local variety.

• PB 1121: Matured 10 days earlier enabling timely

planting of potato.

• Use of BGA in paddy increased the yield by 2 per

cent and helped to keep weeds under control and

improved soil physical properties (visual).

Maize

• Pusa Composite 3: Suitable for intercropping in

cotton and pigeon pea. Taste and sweetness werefound to be better as compared to local variety atDahod, Gujarat.

Cauliflower

• Pusa Kartik gave an average yield of 6.5 t/ha at

Mandi, HP.

Arhar

• Pusa 2001: The variety was found to be more

profitable and it could be sold as green pod inGujarat.

Rabi 2011-12

During rabi 2011-12, in collaboration with

Voluntary Organisations, 808 demonstrations were

conducted in an area of 253.55 ha on varieties of wheat,

mustard, lentil, pea, carrot, palak, onion, and pumpkin.

In addition to the wheat varieties demonstrated under

the National Extension Programme and which showed

similar results, two other varieties of wheat, HD 2985

and HD 2643, were also demonstrated. HD2985

emerged as a promising wheat variety as it showed

good tillering and high grain quality while HD 2643

which is suitable for late sown conditions, produced

grains of good size and was found to possess good

chapati quality. Other crop varieties for which

demonstrations were laid out performed similarly as

in the case of demonstrations under National Extension

Programme.

6.3.6 Up-scaling of Water RelatedInterventions

Integrated water related interventions were up-

scaled through deepening of open wells, renovation

of water harvesting structures, laser levelling,

underground pipeline system, sprinkler, drip and rain

gun irrigation systems in villages of Dhar and Mewat

districts of Haryana. These interventions were

introduced at the individual, water user group, and

community levels to develop strategies to enhance

adaptive capacity to climate change through enhanced

water availability and utilization efficiency. Besides

these, other livelihood interventions were introduced

in these districts. The m-Krishi service in Mewat distrcit

of Haryana was also launched under public-private

partnership and mobile handsets were distributed to

selected farmers of the region to facilitate the receipt

of advisory services for enhancing productivity of the

region.

6.3.7 Assessment and Promotion of WaterManagement Technologies for SustainableCrop Productivity in Irrigated Areas

Thirty five demonstrations were successfully

conducted on farmers’ fields in Bulandshahar district,

Uttar Pradesh. These included 10 demonstrations on

the use of biogas slurry, 10 on laser leveling, 10 on raised

bed planting and 5 on system of rice intensification.

Farmers reported irrigation water savings of around

19, 20.8, 28 and 19 per cent through these interventions,

respectively. Two farmer’s field training programs and

two field days were also organized.

Field demonstration of different technologies at farmers’ fields

130

6.3.8 Pusa Krishi Vigyan Mela 2013

The theme of the Institute’s annual Krishi Vigyan

Mela 2013 organized from March 6 to 8, 2013 was

“Agricultural Technologies for Farmers Prosperity”.

Hon’ble Union Minister for Agriculture and Food

Processing Industries, Government of India, Shri

Sharad Pawar inaugurated the Mela. Hon’ble Minister

of State for Agriculture and Food Processing Industries,

Shri Tariq Anwar presided over the inaugural session.

Besides IARI, 40 ICAR Institutes, 6 SAUs, 6 KVKs, 6

CGIAR Centres, 57 private companies, 3 news paper

publishers including Krishak Jagat and Dharati Ugale

Sona, 42 NGOs and 9 public sector undertakings

participated in the mela. In addition to this, 41

progressive farmers from Extension Operational Areas

of the Institute also put-up their stalls for display and

sale of their farm produce.

Farm technologies developed by IARI for

enhancing productivity and income were displayed in

the thematic pandal and in the stalls of the different

Divisions of the Institute. Technical sessions on ‘Crop

Based Technologies for Enhanced Productivity and

Income’, and ‘Horticultural Technologies for Higher

Income and Employment’, a workshop on ‘Women

Empowerment’, and an ‘Innovative Farmers Meet’ in

which 25 progressive farm men and farm women from

different states participated, were organized during the

Mela. A special talk on ‘Kitchen and Container

Gardening’ was organized for the benefit of urban

housewives. On this occasion, two important

publications, a Mela Souvenir and a Technology

Bulletin on “Uchch utpadakta avam aiy hetu unnat krishi

prodhogikiyan” and one gladiolus variety Pusa Unnati

were released. Two farmers were bestowed with “IARI

Fellow” award in recognition of their outstanding

contributions in technology development and

dissemination in partnership with IARI. Twenty five

progressive farmers from different states of the country

were honoured for their innovations in the field of

agriculture. Seeds of high yielding varieties of different

crops worth Rupees 35 lakhs were sold through Pusa

Seed Sale Counter during the mela period. An

important feature of the Mela was the provision of free

soil test facility for farmers and technical advisory

services to the farmers on their specific problems. More

than 1,00,000 visitors from different parts of the country

including farmers, farm women, extension workers,

entrepreneurs, students and others visited the Mela.

Farmers from 19 states across India including, among

others, distant states like Karnataka, Kerala,

Maharashtra, West Bengal, Orissa and Assam visited

the Mela.

6.3.9 Participation in Off-campus Exhibitions

In order to extend the reach of the Institute’s

extension services and ensure widespread

dissemination of the technologies developed by the

Institute, the staff of CATAT and ATIC participated in

14 national and international agricultural exhibitions

outside the campus. The technologies and products

developed by the Institute and the services being

provided were showcased in these exhibitions.

6.3.10 Agricultural Technology InformationCentre (ATIC)

For agricultural information to be useful, it is not

enough to merely generate it but it must also be

delivered to the end users in a way in which it can be

used by them. This requires considerable coordination

between researchers and technology users. The

Agricultural Technology Information Centre (ATIC) of

the Institute provides a formal and functional

A progressive farmer receiving IARI Fellow Award from Hon’bleUnion Minister of Agriculture and Food Processing Industries, ShriSharad Panwar

131

mechanism for linking scientists and technology users

for the dissemination of relevant information through

a single window delivery system.

Besides farm advisory services at ATIC, farmers

were given farm advice through Pusa Helpline (011-

25841670), Pusa Agri Com 1800-11-8989, exhibitions,

farm literature and letters. A Second Level Kisan Call

Centre (1800-180-1551) has also been established at

ATIC for providing remedial measures of the problems

/ queries of farmers of Delhi state. Information needs

of the visitors are also being catered to through touch

panel kiosks, revolving scrollers, and laminated

posters. An information museum, plant clinic, farm

library, and exhibits on agricultural implements, seed

samples & bio-fertilizers are also established for

communicating information at the Centre.

During the year 26,450 farmers / entrepreneurs,

development department officials, students, NGO

representatives and others from 24 states of India

visited ATIC for farm advice, diagnostic services,

purchase of technological inputs and products and

training. The largest number of farmers visited ATIC

to purchase / enquire seeds / varieties (14,235). Other

visitors included those seeking information / products

related to horticultural and medicinal plants (7,010),

plant protection (1,855), agro-based enterprises (1,465),

farm literature (5,135), dairy (345), agricultural

implements (798). The highest number of farmers came

from Uttar Pradesh (28 %) followed by Haryana (20%),

Delhi (15 %), Rajasthan (15%), Punjab (8%) and others

(14%). Besides the visitors, 8,172 farmers /

entrepreneurs from 18 states received information on

various aspects of agriculture through Pusa Agricom,

a toll free service, Pusa Help-line and Kisan Call Centre

(IInd level). Purpose-wise, the maximum calls received

were related to seed availability (3,210) followed by

production technology (2,418), plant protection (1,320),

agro-based enterprises (690), literature (745), and

biofertilizer (380). Seeds and publications worth nearly

` 22.82 lakh and ̀ 65 thousand, respectively, were sold

by ATIC during the period, generating a record revenue

of ` 23.45 lakh.

ATIC also lays out demonstrations of different

crops in a cropping systems mode. The demonstrations

laid included paddy varieties Pusa Sugandh 4 (PB

1121), Pusa Sugandh 6 (Pusa 1401), PRH 10, Pusa

Basmati 1, Improved Pusa Basmati 1(Pusa 1460), Pusa

Sugandh 5 (Pusa 2511 ), Pusa 44, P-834, PNR 162, PNR

381, Pusa 1509, Jaldee Dhan 13 (JD 13), maize varieties

(PEHM 5, PEHM 2, PC 3 and PC 4) and Pearl millet

varieties (Pusa 443, Pusa 605) in kharif. Demonstrations

of wheat varieties (HD 3043, HD 2894, HD 2851, HD

2987, HD 2733, DBW 17, WH 1105, PDW 621-50, HD

2987, HD 2985, DBW 71,HD 2932, HD 3059 and WR

544) and mustard (NPJ 93, Pusa Mustard 21, Pusa

Mustard 26, Pusa Mustard 27, Pusa Mustard 28) were

conducted in rabi season followed by moong variety

Pusa Vishal and green manuring with dhaincha during

summer in rotation in the same field. Cauliflower (PH

2, PSBKT 25, Pusa Sharad), cabbage (Golden Acre,

Chinese cabbage), broccoli (Samridhi, Vichitra,

Kanchan), tomato (Rohini, Utsav), khol khol (White

Vienna), capsicum (Yellow Wonder,), lettuce

(Revolution, Iceberg), brinjal ( Pusa Uttam, Pusa Purple

Cluster), chilly (Pusa Sadabahar), pumpkin (Pusa

Vishwas), bhindi ( Pusa Long Green), bottle gourd (Pusa

Naveen), lobia (Pusa Sukomal) were the vegetable

varieties that were demonstrated. ATIC also maintains

a medicinal garden, nutrition garden and fruit orchard.

Drip irrigation system was demonstrated for fruit

orchard and nutritional garden for the benefit of the

visitors. High density fruit trees orchard planted with

lemon (Kagzi Kalan), mango (Amrapali), guava

(Lucknow 49, Allahabadi Safeda and Lalit), ber

(Banarasi Karaka and Gola) and aonla (NA 7, NA 10,

Lakshmi 52, Chakaiya) are also maintained. For

generating awareness among farmers about

15medicinal plants are demonstrated in small plots. A

bio-gas plant of 4 cubic metres and a unit of bee keeping

(apiary) with 4 bee hives are also being maintained for

demonstration to the visitors.

To disseminate IARI technologies to the ultimate

users, ATIC regularly publishes a bi-monthly farm

magazine, “Prasar Doot” which is popular amongst the

farming communities. Twelve pamphlets (reprints) on

cereals, pulses, vegetables and fruit crops were

distributed free of cost to visiting farmers. Besides this,

more than 110 clients were provided advise through

letters and e-mails. ATIC is providing a mechanism for

obtaining direct feed-back from the technology users

132

to the technology generators. This has helped to

strengthen ATIC activities and provide a ground for

developing need based technologies. The ATIC has also

developed functional linkages with various agencies

working for the farming community to effectively cater

the information needs of the different stakeholders.

6.3.11 IARI Krishi Vigyan Kendra,Shikohpur, Gurgaon (Haryana)

6.3.11.1 Front line demonstration programme

During rabi 2011-12 and kharif 2012, 322

demonstrations over an area of 127.68 ha were

conducted in oilseeds, pulses, vegetables and cereal

crops. These included demonstration under the KVK

scheme in 72.48 ha, sponsored FLDs in 25 ha and

demonstrations under NEP and Model Village scheme

in 30.20 ha. The increase in yield recorded in the

demonstrations on various crops ranged from slightly

over 2 per cent to around 17 per cent.

6.3.11.2 Trainings for different target groups

With a view to enhance opportunities for income

and employment and to update knowledge of farmers,

both men and women, several vocational and farm

trainings were organized by the KVK, Shikohpur.

Vocational trainings for income generation and

employment enhancement were organized in the areas

of dress making, kitchen gardening, motor winding,

vermin-composting, plant protection and pest control

services, beekeeping, and value addition. To update

the knowledge and skills of farm men and women,

trainings were organized in crop production, dairy

management, horticulture, home science, plant

protection, post harvest management and agricultural

engineering. Refresher courses for in-service

candidates were organized in integrated plant nutrient

management, IPM, live stock production and

management; improved crop production technology

in soybean and maize, advances in protected

Results of FLDs organized on farmers’ field under KVK scheme

Season Crop Variety No. of Area Yield (kg / ha) Increase BC ratio

Demo. (ha) in yield

Demonstrations Local (%)

Max. Min. Avg. Avg.

Rabi 2011-12 Mustard Pusa Vijay 50 20.00 2018 1770 1885 1745 8.02 1:2.80

(Laxmi)

Wheat HD 2967 10 4.00 6185 5570 5780 5290 9.26 1:2.70

(PBW 343)

HD 2932 10 4.00 6168 5385 5645 -do- 6.71 1:2.78

Peas Azad P-3 11 3.80 8570 7945 8160 7815 4.41 1:2.40

(Arkel)

Gram Pusa 1053 08 1.90 1835 1570 1790 1685 6.82 1:2.60

(HC 1)

Barley BH 393 10 4.00 5340 5175 5240 4890 7.15 1:2.90

(BH 393)

Total 99 37.70 — — — — — —

Kharif 2012 Paddy PB 1121 22 8.00 4380 3955 3905 3490 (PB1) 11.89 1:2.41

PB 1 10 5.33 3875 3465 3782 3490 (PB1) 8.37 1:2.80

Arhar P 2001 19 6.00 1935 1655 1888 1735 8.82 1:3.85

(UPAS120)

P 992 11 4.00 1860 1630 1845 1735 6.34 1:3.51

(UPAS 120)

Summer- SML 668 10 3.45 740 580 665 1:2.36Moong Pusa Vishal 03 1.00 640 555 590 — — 1:2.75Sponge Rashmi 06 1.30 7250 5960 6327 5870 7.79 1:3.53Gourd (Nutan)

133

Cowpea Gauri 03 0.80 3750 3680 3708 3460 7.17 1:3.62

(Mahesh)

Bottle Pusa 06 1.80 27550 25650 26441 24240 9.10 1:5.19Gourd Samradhi (Mayuri )

F.S. 2 01 0.40 20460 20460 20460 —- —- 1:3.80

Sumit (Hy) 01 0.20 24390 24390 24390 — — 1:4.79

Keerti 04 1.10 26440 25080 21748 20690 5.42 1:4.04

(Arka Harit)

Aditya 04 1.40 25760 24950 25531 24240 5.33 1:4.46

(Mayuri)

Total — 100 34.78 — — — — — —

Grand Total — 199 72.48 — — — — — —

Results of FLDs organized on farmers’ fields under Model Village Scheme

Season Crop Variety No. of Area Yield (kg / ha) Increase BC ratio

Demo. (ha) in yield

Demonstrations Local (%)

Max. Min. Avg. Avg.

Rabi 2011-12 Wheat HD 2987 05 2.00 5436 4561 4998 5290 — 1:2.41

(PBW 343)

HD 2932 07 3.40 6235 5971 6103 -do- 15.40 1:2.81

HD 2733 11 4.20 5471 5338 5405 -do- 2.20 1:2.54

HD 2967 03 1.20 6037 5976 6007 -do- 13.60 1:2.79

HD 2687 06 2.40 5762 5315 5539 -do- 4.70 1:2.56

WR 544 10 4.00 4356 4276 4316 -do- — 1:2.31

Mustard Pusa Vijay 10 4.00 2308 2307 2173 1745 (Laxmi) 15.50 1:2.86

Gram P 1103 04 1.60 2018 1731 1875 1685 (HC 1) 11.20 1:2.63

Palak All green 02 0.20 9700 9100 9400 8600 9.30 1:2.45

Onion N 53 02 0.20 23000 21800 22500 20800 8.17 1:2.67

Methi P. Early Bunch 02 0.20 7900 7100 7500 6800 10.29 1:2.48

Carrot Pusa Kesar 02 0.20 24600 22600 23600 21500 9.77 1:2.52

Pea Azad P - 1 02 0.20 8800 8200 8500 7700 10.39 1:2.85

Total — 66 23.80 — — — — — —

Kharif - 2012 Paddy PB 1121 07 4.00 3759 3558 3659 3285 (PB1) 11.40 1:2.75

PB 1401 03 2.40 3891 3798 3845 -do- 17.0 1:2.93

Total 10 6.40 —- — — — — —

Grand Total — 76 30.20 — — — — — —

Results of FLDs under Sponsored Scheme

Season Crop Variety No. of Area Yield (kg / ha) Increase BC ratio

Demo. (ha) in yield

Demonstrations Local (%)

Max. Min. Avg. Avg.

Rabi 2011-12 Wheat DPW 621-50 04 2.00 6325 6020 6173 5290(PBW343) 16.70 1:2.83

Barley DWRB 74 07 3.00 4532 4311 4422 4890(BH 393) —- 1:2.74

Kharif 2012 Pearl millet HHB 197 10 4.00 3504 3268 3386 2711 (Pioneer) 24.90 1:2.45

PA 9444 26 16.00 3082 2578 2827 -do- 4.20 1:2.21

Total 47 25.00 —- — — — — —

134

cultivation of vegetables and floriculture and first aid

in animals. In addition to this, three sponsored

programmes on value addition, mushroom production

and beekeeping were also organized. Around 1503

participants, including 245 women, attended the

various programmes.

6.3.11.3 On- farm testing

The focus of this activity is to test the technologies

developed so as to find solutions to common problems

of farmers in a particular area and under a specific

farming system in a participatory mode. The objective

is to provide tailor-made recommendations to the

farmers after location specific testing. During the

period, 44 on-farm trials were conducted on different

crop based problems and two trials were conducted

on animal based problems.

S. No. On-farm testing trial Number

of trials

Rabi 2011-12

1. Integrated nutrients management in wheat 04

2. Integrated weed management in wheat 03

3. Varietal evaluation of wheat 04

4. Management of pod borer in gram 03

5. Management of stem rot in mustard 04

6. Management of diamond back moth in cauliflower 04

7. Management of Nematode in Chappan Kaddu 03

8. Management of Fusarium wilt in Chappan Kaddu 03

Total 28

Kharif 2012

1. Varietal evaluation of arhar 04

2. Effect of different Ecto parasiticides on control of Ecto 03

parasites in animals

3. Effect of hormones to control the fruit dropping in 03

young orchard of lemon

4. Effect of growth hormones on size and uniformity of

flowering and yield in marigold 03

5. Effect of mineral mixture and herbal hormones and

vitamins A,D& E on productive performance in buffaloes. 03

Total 16

Grand Total 44

6.3.11.4 Extension activities and farm advisoryservices

Various extension activities were organized to

facilitate speedy dissemination of technologies among

the farming community. The KVK celebrated a

“Women in Agriculture Day” with a focus on women

'Women in Agriculture Day' at KVK, Shikohpur

empowerment. Other programmes conducted

included field days, group meetings, camps and

campaigns, farmers visits to KVK and visit of subject

matter specialists to farmers’ fields, demonstrations,

radio and TV talks and special lectures, advisory

services on telephone and through SMS, exhibitions,

diagnostic services, and press releases. Latest

agricultural news and new practices and technologies

developed are made available to farmers at their door

step through a quarterly publication of the KVK

entitled the Krishi Vigyan Patrika. Through this

publication, relevant technical know-how on

production technologies of field crops, fruits,

vegetables, home and dairy management are provided

to farmers.

6.3.12 Transfer of Technology Through IARIRegional Stations

Regional Station, Indore conducted fifty three

FLDs of 13 recently released IARI wheat varieties

during 2011-12 in 22 hectares area across 7 villages of

Indore, Harda (minority dominated villages), and

Khandwa districts of Madhya Pradesh. The average

increase in grain yield was 1.13 t/ha or 39 per cent in

these demonstrations compared to respective local

checks plus conventional cultivation practices. Under

NAIP Network Project on “Strategies to enhance

adaptive capacity to climate change in vulnerable

regions”, a large number of FLDs were conducted in

11 villages of two agro-ecological zones in Dhar district

135

of Madhya Pradesh. A total of 131 demonstrations of

five wheat varieties (HI 1500, HI 1531 and HI 1544 of

bread wheat; and HI 8627 and HI 8638 of durum wheat)

were conducted in 38 hectares of area and average yield

increase of 0.75 t/ha or 37% was obtained. Fifteen

demonstrations of the gram variety JG 11 were

conducted in 7.2 hectares in 8 villages and average yield

increase was 380 kg/ha or 34 per cent. Demonstrations

(86) of two soybean varieties JS 93-05 and JS 95-60 were

conducted in 20 hectares area and the average yield

increase realized was 507 kg/ha or 43 per cent. One

hundred and thirty one demonstrations of three maize

varieties, JM 216, PC 3 and Ganga Kaveri Hybrid

conducted in 20 hectares area gave an average yield

increase of 340 kg/ha or 17 per cent. The Station also

organized 118 on- and off-campus training

programmes for 2,300 farmers on wheat production

technology.

Regional Station, Pusa, Bihar distributed wheat

seeds of HD 2985 and HI 1563 varieties for one ha

among ten farmers of Muzaffarpur, Samastipur, Araria

and Kishanganj districts of Bihar. Out of ten

demonstrations, three were sown with biofertilizers

and two demonstrated zero tillage technology. Under

the IARI Outreach Programme, new cereal and pulse

crops (paddy, maize and pigeonpea) were included

with wheat to popularize IARI varieties among

farmers. Trials of six varieties of long grain scented and

medium grain paddy (Pusa Sugandh 5, Pusa Sugandh

6, Pusa 1176, Rajendra Suwasini, and PNR 381, Pusa

44, respectively.) were conducted on 140 farmers’ fields

through KVKs in 14 districts of Bihar in kharif 2012.

The response of farmers was very encouraging for the

scented varieties of paddy, especially for Pusa Sugandh

5, Pusa Sugandh 6 and Pusa 1176. Hybrid maize, DHM

117 was distributed among twenty farmers in four

districts of Bihar. Farmers compared this variety with

other hybrids from private seed companies and found

it better in yield performance. Average yield of DHM

117 obtained was 6.97 t/ha. Pigeonpea var. Pusa 9 was

distributed among twenty farmers in four districts

(Samastipur, Begusarai, Patna, Vaishali) of Bihar. Yield

of this variety was excellent and farmers liked it very

much compared to their local (desi) varieties. Average

yield performance of the variety was 2.74 t/ha. Eighty

five quintal wheat seed of timely, late, very late and

rainfed sown varieties was distributed to the farmers

through KVKs, NGOs and SHGs in eastern states. A

Kisan Mela was organized by the Station in

collaboration with NABARD, MONSANTO, ATMA

and Syndicate Bank, Pusa on the theme “Importance

of Quality Seed in Integrated Crop Management”. The

Station also participated in the in the Kisan Mela

organized by Rajendra Agriculture University, Pusa.

Under the Bioversity-ICAR Project on “Climate Change

Adaptation and Visualization through Farmer based

Experimentation Networks in Indo-Gangetic Plains of

India”, varietal trials (18 varieties), selected varietal

trials (3 varieties) and crowd sourcing trials (10 timely

and late sown varieties) were conducted at different

locations. In India, crowd sourcing trials were

conducted for the first time at the Regional Station,

Pusa, Samastipur and Vaishali district of Bihar and also

in Unnao and Badaun districts of Uttar Pradesh.

Farmers’ Field Days were organized at two

locations to facilitate interaction with scientists in

understanding the climate change adaptation and

visualization and in choosing wheat varieties based on

their observations and discussion in the workshop.

Regional Station, Wellington conducted front line

demonstrations for successful introduction of wheat

as an alternate viable crop in South Hills Zone in 20

ha. The varieties promoted were: CoW(W)1, HW 5207,

CoW-2 and HD 2833.

Under Seed Village Programme sponsored by

DAC, Ministry of Agriculture, Govt. of India the

Regional Station, Karnal gave special emphasis to

resource poor farmers, especially farm women, around

Karnal region. Farmers were given nine trainings on

different aspects of quality seed production like seed

agronomy, weed control, disease and insect

management, genetic purity, harvesting and post

harvest management at the Station as well as at farmer’s

fields. Forty eight farm women from Pundri village of

Karnal district, Haryana were selected under seed

village programme, and were given training on quality

seed production of paddy var. Pusa Basmati 1121 which

resulted in improvement of their level of understanding

and income. Seed crops of the selected farmers of

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Churni and Modi Jagir villages were visited and need

based plant protection measures suggested. Seed

production through seed village programme was

undertaken on 16 ha area in kharif 2012 for paddy cv.

Pusa Basmati 1121 and on 16 ha area in rabi 2012-13

for wheat cv. HD 2967.

Regional Station, Katrain conducted fifty field

demonstrations on different vegetables at the farmers’

fields. The varieties/hybrids demonstrated showed 15-

28 per cent higher yield over check in kharif 2012. Forty

field demonstrations have been conducted in rabi 2012-

13. A study conducted among farmers showed that in

vegetables production, a technology gap of 70 per cent

existed. Only 22 per cent farmers were found to apply

the correct agronomic practices with the majority 78

per cent using local practices. Only 12 per cent farmers

were satisfied with market facilities in the valley.

Regional Station Amartara Cottage, Shimla

conducted 5 front line demonstrations on new wheat

and barley varieties. Seven wheat and 3 barley FLD’s

were organized during 2012-13 for popularizing wheat

var. HS 507 and barley var. BHS 380 among the farmers.

Three all India coordinated trials of northern hills zone

under AICW&BIP were conducted. The data on

phenological traits, grain yield and associated traits

was recorded and is under analysis at DWR. Three on-

farm training programmes were organized on the

preparation of Bordeaux mixture and its application,

seed stratification techniques in apple and package of

practices of strawberry cultivation.

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Women are playing an increasingly important role in household and farm activities and hence they can

contribute significantly to family income and welfare. This can be further enhanced if women are empowered

through training in farm and off-farm alternative occupations. Initiatives taken by Self Help Groups (SHGs)

which promote collective action also enhance income and livelihood. With this in view, several special activities

were undertaken and interventions planned for empowering women in rural areas.

7.1 CAPACITY BUILDING OF SHGsFOR GENDER EMPOWERMENT

Six capacity building modules identified through

training need analysis,were designed/developed and

subjected to content validation by Self Help Group

Members in Haryana. The modules developed relate

to motivation, leadership, financial management and

use of ICT. A self rating scale was developed for

assessment of new learning taken place, utility,

appropriateness and overall satisfaction from the

module. Knowledge tests were finalized for selected

components of the modules. The designed modules

contain a Facilitation Guide with activities, reading

materials and suggested multimedia resources,

presentation slides explaining key concepts with

trainer notes included, learner’s guides for the SHG

members, and handouts of other resources for

participants to continue their learning. The modules

are based on a participative approach and include

experiential exercises.

Relevance of the designed training modules was

worked out on a maximum score of 5. The average

score for the designed modules was estimated at 4.1

implying high relevance of the modules for the

women SHG members. Similarly the modules were

evaluated on the criteria of ease of understanding,

simplicity of language, interest created, motivation

for learning, etc. A very high overall increase in

knowledge level of participants was observed as a

result of the trainings. Impact of training modules on

7. EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN ANDMAINSTREAMING OF GENDER ISSUES

different dimensions indicated a high level of

perceived behavioral changes.

Action oriented interventions for promotion of

IARI technologies included an exposure visit of seventy

women SHG members from Ujeena, Sangel and Nooh

villages of Mewat, Haryana to popularize latest

agricultural technologies of IARI among SHGs.

7.2 EFFECTIVENESS OF SHGs FORGENDER EMPOWERMENT

Data were collected from 100 SHG women

members from Junagarh and Rajkot districts of Gujarat,

and 40 SHG women members from Model Villages of

IARI for studying the effectiveness of SHG for gender

empowerment and their impact on livelihood security.

Items related to changes in livelihood security were

ranked on a ten point scale with maximum possible

score of +5 and minimum possible score of -5. The data

revealed significant difference in scores before and after

formation of SHGs with the maximum change in score

for the positive in the case of social security followed

by occupational security, health security, educational

security, food security, environmental security and

habitat security.

7.3 VOCATIONAL & FARM TRAININGFOR TECHNOLOGICAL INTER-VENTION

The Institute, through its KVK in Shikohpur,

Gurgaon, is taking a lead in empowering rural women

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by providing need based training for self-employment

and for income generating activities. Besides

entrepreneurship training, other extension activities

aimed at creating awareness about scientific farming

and dissemination of technologies are also undertaken.

Some of the important programmes and activities

organized for rural women during the last year

included:

● Vocational training courses for self employment

and income generation.

● Trainings and special lectures in villages for

updating the farm knowledge /skills.

● Visits of rural women in agriculture fairs and

exhibitions.

● Celebration of ‘Women in Agriculture Day’.

● Interactive field visits of SMS

In all, 52 programmes were organized for rural

women during the period under report. Nine hundred

sixty nine rural women from all social classes and

income strata were benefited.

Specialized training in quality seed production of

Pusa Basmati 1121 provided to farm women led to an

improvement in their skills and income levels. Forty

eight farm women from Pundri village in Karnal

district of Haryana were selected by the IARI Regional

Station, Karnal under the Seed Village Programme for

the special training in quality seed production.

Activity wise participation of rural women

S.No. Programme / Activity Number of Number of

programmes / beneficiaries

activities

1. Vocational training programmes·

● Dress designing & tailoring· 01 31

● Dairy management· 03 08

● Value addition and preservation of fruits & vegetables· 02 58

● Production technology of button mushroom 01 20

Total 07 117

2. Agriculture extension & farm advisory service·

● Celebration of 'Women in Agriculture Day' 01 45

● Special lectures delivered 12 353

● Women’s visit to agricultural fairs 01 45

● Day long trainings in villages 14 87

● Field days 09 122

● Field visits of SMS to farmers’ fields 08 200

Total 45 852

Grand total 52 969

Practical training on mushroom production for the rural womenat KVK, Shikohpur

139

The Indian Agricultural Research Institute is India’s largest and foremost Institute in the field of agricultural

research, higher education, and extension. The PG School of IARI which was first established as a part of Deemed

University in 1958 has been engaged in providing high quality agricultural education at the post-graduate level

in the country as a lead centre. A formal course leading to a two year diploma, ‘Associateship of IARI’ in various

fields of agriculture was started in 1923, which was awarded to 903 graduates up to 1957. Keeping the tradition of

the glorious past, the PG School endeavours to scale newer heights in agricultural research, education and extension

through upgradation of course curriculum and by adopting new methods of teaching.

8. POST-GRADUATE EDUCATION ANDINFORMATION SYSTEM

8.1 POST- GRADUATE EDUCATION

8.1.1 Admission during the AcademicSession 2012-13

The P.G. School continues to attract a large number

of students seeking admissions to various PG courses

through five modes of admission, namely, open

competition, faculty up-gradation, ICAR in-service

nominees, departmental candidates and foreign

students. Admissions to the Ph.D. programme are

made on the basis of candidates’ performance in a

national level entrance examination conducted in

different parts of the country followed by an interview

and academic records. While the admissions to the

M.Sc./M.Tech. programme are made on the basis of an

‘All-India Entrance Test’ conducted by the Education

Division of the ICAR. The foreign students are admitted

through DARE, Ministry of Agriculture. During the

academic year 2012-13, 267 students (including 13

foreign students from seven countries) were selected

for admission to various M.Sc. and Ph.D. courses as

per details given below.

Category M.Sc./M.Tech. Ph.D. Total

Open competition 113 141 254

Foreign students 10 3 13

Total 123 144 267

8.1.2 Convocation

The 51st Convocation of the PG School of the Indian

Agricultural Research Institute was held on February

15, 2013. Hon’ble Lt. Governor, NCT of Delhi, Shri

Tejendra Khanna was the Chief Guest. Dr. S. Ayyappan,

Secretary, DARE & Director General, ICAR presided

over the function. Dr. H.S. Gupta, Director, IARI in his

welcome address highlighted the salient achievements

of the Institute. Dr. H.S. Gaur, Dean and Joint Director

(Education) presented Dean’s report on the education,

training and HRD activities of the Institute.

In his very impressive Convocation Address, the

Chief Guest covered scientific, moral and spiritual

A Ph.D. student receiving his degree certificate from Hon’ble Lt.Governor, NCT of Delhi, Shri Tejendra Khanna at the Convocation.Also seen in the picture is Dr. H.S. Gupta, Director, IARI (centre)

140

aspects of life. He advised the students to use their

knowledge for the upliftment of the people particularly

the farmers.

At the Convocation 208 candidates (100 M.Sc.,

100 Ph.D. and 8 M.Tech.) including 18 foreign

students were awarded degrees. Mr. Bappa Das

(M.Sc. in Agricultural Physics) and Dr. Sudipta

Paul (Ph.D. in Agricultural Extension) received the

“Best Student of the Year Award”. Five students

each in M.Sc. and Ph.D. also received ‘IARI Merit

Medals’.

Fourth Rao Bahadur Dr. B. Viswa Nath Award for

the Biennium was awarded to Dr. (Mrs.) Shailaja

Hittalmani, Professor, Genetics and Plant Breeding,

Agriculture College, UAS, GKVK, Bangalore.

Dr. Ashok Kumar Patra, Principal Scientist, Division

of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, IARI,

New Delhi received the Hooker Award for biennium

2010-11. Dr. D.K. Yadava, Principal Scientist, Division

of Genetics, IARI, New Delhi received Dr. B.P. Pal

Memorial Award for the year 2012. Prof. K. N. Tiwari,

Professor, Agricultural and Food Engineering

Department, Indian Institute of Technology,

Kharagpur received the 13th Shri Hari Krishna Shastri

Memorial Award for the year 2012. Four faculty

members, namely, Dr. S.K. Jha (Post Harvest

Technology), Dr. S.P. Datta (Soil Science and

Agricultural Chemistry), Dr. Anil Dahuja

(Biochemistry) and Dr. Sharad Mohan (Nematology)

were given the “Best Teacher Award” for their

achievements in academics during 2012.

On this special ceremony, the Chief Guest also

released 21 IARI varieties of different crops and two

PG School publications.

The 43rd Lal Bahadur Shastri Memorial Lecture was

delivered by Dr. M.K. Bhan, Former Secretary,

Department of Biotechnology, Govt. of India, on

February 14, 2013 on the emerging topic ‘Science

Innovation and Future Food and Nutrition Security’.

Dr. C.R. Bhatia, Former Secretary, Department of

Biotechnology, Govt. of India, presided over the

function.

8.1.3 Communication and LanguageLaboratory

The Communication and Language Laboratory at the

IARI Central Library was inaugurated by Dr. H.S. Gupta,

Director, IARI, New Delhi on November 22, 2012. The

laboratory is equipped with 20 networked computers and

with smart classroom gadgets. The facility is being used

for the benefit of international students who have

difficulties in written and spoken English.

8.1.4 Modernization of PG Laboratories andLecture halls

Modernisation of PG laboratories and lecture halls

was undertaken under the scheme for strengthening

of PG education programme at deemed university.

Teaching facilities were modernized by adding smart

class, audio-visuals, LCD projectors, multi-media

systems, interactive boards, etc.

8.1.5 Training Programmes

The institute organised several national and

international short-term training courses (regular, ad-

hoc and individual) and refresher courses in specialised

areas for the scientists of NAREES under the

programmes of “Centres of Excellence” and “Centres

of Advanced Studies”. In addition, some special

training courses were also organised for the benefit of

professionals, farmers and extension workers.

Dr. M.K. Bhan, former Secretary, Department of Biotechnology,Govt. of India (seated 2nd from right) delivered the 43rd Lal BahadurShastri Memorial Lecture, Dr. C.R. Bhatia, former Secretary,Department of Biotechnology, Govt. of India, Dr. H.S.Gupta,Director & Dr. H.S.Gaur, Dean are also seen in the picture

141

Important training programmes organized

Name of the training programme Date Number of trainees

Division of Agricultural Chemicals

Techniques and Methods for Pesticide Residue Analysis October 5-11, 2012 5

Extraction and Analysis of Nutraceuticals from Vegetables, Fruits and Non-food Crops November 22-24, 2012 19

Division of Agricultural Economics

Agricultural Research Planning and Impact Assessment August 17 to 25

September 6, 2012

Division of Agricultural Engineering

Motor Winding for Entrepreneurs October 3-12, 2012 10

February 18 -27, 2013 10

Project Formulation, Risk Assessment, Scientific Report Writing and Presentation November 11-15, 2012 18

March 12-16, 2013 19

Division of Agricultural Extension

Enhancing Motivation for High Job Performance May 18-21, 2012 24

October 4-6, 2012 25

January 7-9, 2013 22

January 14-16, 2013 20

Life Skills and Leadership Development July 19-23, 2012 20

January 29

February 1, 2013 22

Experiential Learning Andragogical Methods for Developing September 11- 23

Entrepreneurial Human Resource October 1, 2012

Information and Communication Technology Application October 12-19, 2012 24

Emerging Paradigms of Competencies in Context of Changing Agricultural Scenario January 3-23, 2013 24

Division of Agricultural Physics

EDUSAT Based off Campus Training Programme on Remote Sensing, GIS and GPS August 6- 18

October 17, 2012

Assessment of Soil-Plant-Atmosphere System for Improving Resource September 4-11, 2012 20

Use Efficiency in Agriculture

Dspace Admin Training September 10-11, 2012 20

Advances in Spectrometry for Earth Remote Sensing December 3-4, 2012 30

Koha LMS Training December 12-13, 2012 10

December 19-20, 2012 13

Hyperspectral Remote Sensing for Agriculture February 18-27, 2013 25

Dspace User Training June 25-26, 2012 20

Division of Biochemistry

Current Biochemical & Molecular Techniques for Nutritional Enhancement and November 1- 21, 2012 20

Stress Tolerance in Crop Plants

CESCRA

Role of Environment Resources in Determining Agriculture Productivity September 14-21, 2012 20

142

Safe Use of Radioisotopes and Radiations December 6-7, 2012 12

Management of Emerging Environment Problem for Enhancing Agriculture Productivity December 17-24, 2012 20

Division of Fruits and Horticultural Technology

Good Agricultural Practices in Production of Horticulture March 10-18, 2013 20

Division of Floriculture and Landscaping

Rose Floral Arrangements January 24, 2013 50

Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers' Rights March 21, 2013 100

Dry Flower Making October 10, 2012 50

October 27, 2012

November 17, 2012

Division of Nematology

Microbial Bio-Agents and Entomopathogenic Nematodes for Management for October 26 –

Agriculturally Important Pests November 2, 2012

Division of Plant Pathology

Mushroom Cultivation October 15-20, 2012 42

Genomics and Diagnosis of Emerging Phytopathogens in Indian Agriculture October 3-23, 2012 20

Division of Post Harvest Technology

Soynut: Processing and Packaging December 13-15, 2012 8

Post Harvest Management and Value Addition of Horticultural Produce for Export March 12-16, 2013 15

Division of Seed Science and Technology

Seed Quality Assurance July 24-28, 2012 25

August 17-24, 2012 25

Seed Production and Quality Evaluation February 11-24, 2013 9

Quality Seed Production March 23-25, 2013 50

Seed Production of Field Crops March 28, 2012 30

Division of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry

Soil Testing, Plant Analysis and Water Quality Assessment September 4-24, 2012 20

Water Technology Centre

Water Saving Technologies September 28, 2012 952

Sugarcane Cultivation Through Micro-irrigation October 3, 2012 145

Micro-irrigation for Livelihood Improvement January 10, 2013 152

Centre for Protected Cultivation and Technology

Advances in Micro-irrigation and Fertigation November 5-25, 2012 25

Protected Cultivation Technology for Horticulture Crops August 16-18, 2012 25

August 21-25, 2012 25

August 27- 19

September 2, 2012

September 3-9, 2012 23

September 8-9, 2012 30

September 11-14, 2012 30

March 14-16, 2013 20

Name of the training programme Date Number of trainees

143

IARI Regional Station, Pusa, Bihar

Quality Seed Production and Seed Certification March 17-26, 2013 47

IARI Regional Station (Cereals & Horticultural Crops), Amartara Cottage, Shimla

Preparation of Bordeaux Mixture and Application October 1, 2012 15

Seed Stratification Techniques in Apple October 6, 2012 25

Package of Practices of Strawberry Cultivation February 16, 2013 25

Regional Station, Karnal

Control of Diseases and Insect Pests in Paddy Crop September 21, 2012 60

Beej Utpadan Dwara Udyamsheelta February 20-22, 2013 20

AKMU (Formerly USI), IARI

Applications of Bioinformatics Tools in Agricultural Research March 11-13. 2013 25

CATAT

Organic Farming, Vermi-Compost, Mustard, Wheat and Rabi Vegetables October 24, 2012 24

Grading, Packing and Post Harvest Management October 30, 2012 25

Pre-Seasonal Rabi Crops and High Tech Agri. Horticulture November 6-7, 2012 25

Diversification on Agriculture due to Climate Change November 16, 2012 27

Skill Development Training and Exposure Visit

Safe and Judicious use of Chemicals for Food Safety and Quality Reference to January 7, 2013 20

Food Standards and Other Certificates

Preservation of Fruits and Vegetables January 8, 2013 25

Use and Benefit of Sprinkler and Drip Irrigation System and Use of Net and January 15, 2013 25

Green House in Agri-Horticulture

High Tech Agriculture/ Pre-Seasonal Zaid /Kharif Crop January 29- 30, 2013 25

Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and its Certification February 5, 2013 24

Improved Agricultural Technologies for Higher Productivity and Income January 21-30, 2013 24

February 21-28, 2013 24

March 12-18, 2013 25

Tips and Strategy for Effective Extension February 12, 2013 24

8.2 INFORMATION AND DATABASE

8.2.1 Bioinformatics & Agri-informatics

A computational study was undertaken to identify

the structure and function of Pi-ta Blast resistance

protein (Accession:- Q9AY26) and its comparative

analysis with Pi-ta Blast susceptible protein. The

susceptible protein sequence was generated by

mutating the 918th position in blast resistance protein

Name of the training programme Date Number of trainees

sequence by replacing 918th alanine(A) with serine(S).

The physio-chemical properties of resistant and

susceptible protein for blast disease were derived which

showed the differences in molecular weight, Aliphatic

index and GRAVY. Tertiary structural alignment of both

the proteins showed a significant difference in the

structure of these two proteins. It was also observed

that there was a major difference in the altered active

site/ pocket area and volume of the two protein

144

structures and difference in cleavage site for the both

sequences. The study clearly indicated that changing a

single residue ,i.e., alanine by serine, caused mutation

from resistant strain to susceptible strain for blast

disease.

Content management and updation of the website

was carried out. Various crop genomic and proteomic

data was integrated on the website. The content of the

site was also made inter-operatable with RKMP and

wheat informatics databases.

A stand alone scientist information system (SIS)

was developed using SQL server as back end tool for

database storage and ASP .net as front end tool for

application development.

The SMS facility helped the registered farmers by

providing the general information regarding the rice

cultivation practice and disease management.

8.2.2 Consortium for e-Resources inAgriculture (CeRA)

Nearly 2424 on line journals are available for full

text from nine publishers. In addition to on-line access,

the library is providing document delivery services to

143 institutions (including SAU’s) under NARS.

Photocopies of 4299 articles were provided from the

holdings of library.Three hundred fifty articles were

received from different institutes and delivered to

concerned students and faculty.

Under the NAIP subproject on CeRA, the website

developed at IARI was updated with the latest

information. Under CeRA, 18 awareness cum

monitoring workshops covering 25 institutions under

NARS were organized.

8.2.3 Rice Knowledge Management Portal(RKMP)

Based on the end users feedback, the RKMP portal

of IARI was updated for northern region. Rice

bioinformatics related activities were also added in this

portal which enable proteomic annotation including

rice protein chain, color, molecular composition, amino

acid composition, etc.

8.2.4 e-Granth: Strengthening of DigitalLibrary and Information Management underNARS

As a subcomponent of ICDS (Information and

communication and dissemination System) of

component – I of NAIP, e-Granth was started from May

2009 with 12 Libraries of ICAR Institutes and SAUs’ as

consortia partners and IARI as the lead center. Under

the project, 574 books were directly catalogued in

WorldCat through Connextion Software of Online

Computer Library Center (OCLC) which are accessible

in WorldCat (catalogue of 71,000 libraries of the world).

IARI Library is also selected to digitize important

institutional repositories including old and rare

publications and 15,66,624 pages were scanned during

the reported period. 6672 publications were uploaded

in KrishiKosh.

8.3. LIBRARY SERVICES

IARI Library is one of the largest and the finest

agro- biological libraries in South East Asia housing

large collection of publications including books/

monographs, journals, reports, bulletins, post

graduate theses and other reference materials. The

Library functions as the depository of Food and

Agricultural Organization (FAO), and Consultant

Group of International Agricultural Research

(CGIAR) institutes’ publications. Several training

programme/demos were conducted during the

reported period on the aspects of DSpace software,

“KOHA” software, etc.

8.3.1 Acquisition Programme

8.3.1.1 Books

During the period under report, the Library

procured 625 publications which included 168 in Hindi

and 457 in English costing ` 32, 31,918. The Library

also acquired 133 gift publications and 205 PG Students’

theses from IARI and 3 RFT theses.

8.3.1.2 Serials

The Library procured 806 journals/serials through

subscription, gifts and exchanges. It subscribed to 146

145

foreign journals (out of which 17 online access) and

284 Indian journals, advances, and annual reviews.

Exchange relationship was maintained with 67

institutions globally and nationally by sending 185

annual reports, ICAR journals and society publications.

One hundred twenty three annual scientific/technical

reports of different institutions and 64 bulletins were

received in the Library during report period. The

expenditure on serial acquisition from plan and PG

strengthening scheme was ` 1,90,45,554.

8.3.2 Documentation Activities

8.3.2.1 AGRIS Project

IARI Library is declared as an input center for

National Agricultural Research Database (NARD)

under AGRIS Project. The Library is assigned the job

of scanning articles from 10 most important Indian

journals. The input was done in ISO format using

AGRIN methodology. During the reported period, 340

articles were scanned, processed and sent to DKMA,

ICAR for inclusion in AGRIS Index.

8.3.2.2 Development news in agriculture

Four thousand, six hundred twenty two issues

of 14 newspapers were scanned and 30 news items

pertaining to IARI as well as ICAR were sent to

the Directorate, Principal Scientist (PME) and

CATAT.

8.3.2.3 Document processing

In all, 795 documents consisting of 574 books, 156

IARI post-graduate and RFT theses, and 30 Hindi books

were processed (classification and cataloguing). Thirty

five articles were also loaded in KrishiKosh.

8.3.3 Resource Management

8.3.3.1 Reference, circulation and stackmaintenance

Apart from approximately 2000 registered

members, the Library served everyday approximately

125 to 130 users, who consulted about 1500 to 2000

documents. During the period under report, 1986

publications were issued and 1871 publication returned

to its members. In all, 45 documents were issued under

Inter Library Loan System to various institutions.

8.3.4 CD-Rom Workstation

Three prominent international databases on

agricultural aspects were subscribed amounting to `35,76,419 to provide CD-ROM services. Ten user

terminals were provided to users in CD-ROM

workstation of the library. These databases are accessible

to scientists/students/users through LAN. In all, 21,904

references were downloaded by the scientists, students

of IARI and research scholars from all over India. The

cost based references downloaded were 9,904 which

generated a revenue amounting to ` 17,097.

146

An important mandate of the Institute is to generate scientific information, add value to information and

share the information nationally and internationally. Publications in the form of research papers in peer reviewed

journals, books/ book chapters, popular articles, etc. are an integral component of the information system. During

the reported period, the Institute scientists brought out quality publications both in English and Hindi. Apart

from these publications, the Institute brought out several regular and adhoc publications both in English and

Hindi. The details of these publications are given below:

9. PUBLICATIONS

9.1RESEARCH/SYMPOSIA PAPERS

a) Research papers published in international 360journals

b) Research papers published in national 462journals

c) Symposia/conference papers 484

9.2 BOOKS/CHAPTERS IN BOOKSa) Books 39

b) Chapters in books 201

9.3 POPULAR ARTICLES 294

9.4 IN-HOUSE PUBLICATIONS

9.4.1 Regular Publications (English)

● IARI Annual Report 2011-12 (ISSN: 0972-6136)

● IARI NEWS (Quarterly (ISSN: 0972-6144)-4 issues

● IARI Current Events (Monthly)-12 issues

(Available only on IARI website)

9.4.2 Technical Publications (English)

● A Guide Book of Global Climate Change (ISBN 978-

81-88708-88-8)

● Edible Oilseeds Supply and Demand Scenario in

India: Implications for Policy (ISBN 978-81-88708-

90-1)

● Evaluation Report on Watershed Development

Programme (DPAP & IWDP) in Selected Districts

of Uttar Pradesh (ISBN 978-81-88708-91-8)

● Enhancing Water Productivity in Agriculture

(ISBN 978-81-88708-92-5)

● Five Decades of Research in Agricultural Physics

(ISBN 978-81-88708-93-2)

● A Practical Manual of Analytical Methods for Soil

and Plant Samples from Agronomy Field

Experiments ( ISBN 978-81-88708-94-9)

● A Practical Manual on Principles and Practices of

Managing Soil and Field Crops (ISBN 978-81-

88708-95-6)

● The Insight of Green Education (ISBN 978-81-

88708-96-3)

● Dual Purpose Summer Mungbean for Sustaining

Rice-Wheat Cropping System (TB-ICN: 93/2012)

● IARI Vegetable Hybrids for Nutrition and Profit

(TB-ICN: 94/2012)

● Assessment of Soil-Plant-Atmosphere System for

Improving Resource Use Efficiency in Agriculture

(TB-ICN: 95/2012)

● Management of Storage Pest through Modified

Atmosphere Technology (TB-ICN: 96/2012)

● Developing Understanding on the Role of

Environment Resources in Determining

Agriculture Productivity (TB-ICN: 97/2012)

● Genomics and Diagnosis of Emerging

Phytopathogens in Indian Agriculture (TB-ICN:

98/2012)

● Pusa Basmati Rices-India’s Pride A Saga of Success

(TB-ICN: 99/2012)

147

● Crop Residues Management with ConservationAgriculture: Potential, Constraints and PolicyNeeds (TB-ICN: 100/2012)

● Pusa Hydrogel-An Indigenous Semi syntheticSuperabsorbent Technology for Conserving Waterand Enhancing Crop Productivity (TB-ICN: 101/2012)

● Water Management Technologies for SustainableAgriculture (TB-ICN: 102/2012)

● Management of Emerging EnvironmentalProblems for Enhancing Agricultural Productivity(TB-ICN: 103/2012)

● Breeding for High Productivity and IndustrySuitable Food Colourants and Bioactive HealthCompounds in Vegetable Crops- Conventionaland Hi-Tech Cutting Edge Approaches (TB-ICN:104/2012)

● Selected Topics in Chemistry for Post-GraduateStudents of Agronomy (TB-ICN: 107/2012)

● Vegetable Seed Production Techniques and Post-Harvest Handling of Seeds (TB-ICN: 108/2013)

● Entrepreneurship Development Through SeedProduction (TB-ICN: 109/2013)

● Year-round Cultivation of Baby Corn through DripIrrigation (TB-ICN: 110/2013)

● Processing of Hyperspectral Remote Sensing Data(TB-ICN: 111/2013)

● Protocals for Analysis of Antioxidants andFunctional Quality in Food (Part-1) (TB-ICN: 112/2013)

● Manual on Air Quality Analysis (TB-ICN: 113/2013)

● GAP in Production of Horticultural Crops (TB-ICN: 114/2013)

● Turf Grasses (TB-ICN: 115/2013)

9.4.3 fu;fer izdk’ku ¼fgUnh½

◆ okf"kZd fjiksVZ 2011&12 (ISSN 0972-7299)

◆ iwlk lekpkj ¼=Sekfld½ (ISSN 0972-7280)

◆ iwlk lqjfHk ¼okf"kZd½◆ izlkj nwr ¼f}ekfld½◆ lkef;dh ¼ekfld½ ¼dsoy laLFkku dh osCklkbV ij miyC/k½

9.4.4 rduhdh izdk’ku ¼fgUnh½

◆ Qlyksa esa lw=Ñfe jksx ,oa mudk izca/ku (ICN : H-120

/2012)

◆ tSo moZjd (ICN : H-121 /2012)

◆ tM+xkaB lw=Ñfe feykbMksxkbuh xzsfefudkyk % /kku dk,d eq[; ihM+d (ICN : H-123/2012)

◆ fVdkm [ksrh ds fy, ty izca/ku izkS|ksfxfd;ka (ICN : H-

124 /2012)

◆ chtksRiknu }kjk m|e’khyrk (ICN : H-125 /2013)

◆ Qyo`{kksa dh l?ku ckxokuh (ICN : H-126 /2013)

◆ Ñf"k e’khuhdj.k] mi;ksxh ;a=] mudk j[kj[kko ,oamiyC/krk (ICN : H-127 /2013)

◆ mUur cht % [kq’kgky fdlku (ICN : H-128 /2013)

◆ Ñf"k esa mUur ty izca/ku (ISBN 978-81-88708-89-5)

148

The mandate of the Institute Technology Management Unit (ITMU) relates to registration of patents, facilitation

of contract research projects and consultancies by the Institute scientists, intellectual property rights, and interaction

with the agri-business industry. During the period, the ITMU organised the following activities:

10. COMMERCIALIZATION AND IPR ACTIVITIES

10.1 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTYRIGHTS

A. Patents Filed

1. Carotinoid rich composition and process of its

preparation (Dr. Charanjit Kaur, Division of Post

Harvest Technology).

2. Heat stable anthocyanin rich composition and

process of its preparation (Dr. Charanjit Kaur,

Division of Post Harvest Technology).

3. Anti-oxidant and anti-bacterial di-aryl-

indazol-3-ols and their method of preparation

thereof (Dr. N. A. Shakil, Division of Agricultural

Chemicals).

4. Development of polymeric formulations of

bioactive molecules and method of preparation

thereof (Dr. Jitendra Kumar, Division of

Agricultural Chemicals).

5. Amphiphilic polymers based slow release nano

formulations of -carotene and method of

preparation thereof (Dr. Jitendra Kumar, Division

of Agricultural Chemicals).

6. A cross flow flexible membrane filtration

assembly for small processing volume (Dr. Gopal

P. Agarwal, Indian Institute of Technology,

New Delhi).

B. Patents Renewed

1. A process for the preparation of Mosquito

Larvicidal Formulations based on Rabdosia

Melissoides Ingredients (Dr. B.S.Parmar and Dr.

Lalit Kumar, Division of Agricultural

Chemicals).

2. Process for the preparation of Mono/Di/Polyol Ester

Pesticides (Dr. Suresh Walia and Others, Division

of Agricultural Chemicals).

3. Process for the preparation of Pesticidal Oxime

Esters (Dr. Suresh Walia and Dr B.S. Parmar,

Division of Agricultural Chemicals).

4. A hyper-spectral data analyzing method for

characterization and discrimination of natural/

man-made resources from air borne platforms

(Dr. Ravinder Kaur, Division of Environmental

Sciences).

5. Polymeric seed coats based on bioactive

botanicals (Dr. Jitendra Kumar, Division of

Agricultural Chemicals).

6. Efficient process for the preparation of Neem based

Reduced Azadirachtin(s) Pesticides (Dr. Suresh

Walia and Others, Division of Agricultural

Chemicals).

7. Synthetic gene encoding Cry1Fa 1-endotoxin of

Bacillus thuringiensis (Dr. P. Ananda Kumar, NRCPB).

8. Synthetic gene encoding a chimeric -endotoxin

of Bacillus thuringiensis (Dr. P. Ananda Kumar,

NRCPB).

9. Biopesticidal formulation with improved shelf

life and the process of preparation (Dr. Prem

Dureja and others, Division of Agricultural

Chemicals).

C. Trademark Filed

Trademark application has been filed for PUSA in

eight different classes.

149

10.2 TECHNOLOGY COMMERCIALIZED

A. Memoranda of Understanding Signed

D. Varieties Protected under PPV&FRA

Sl. No. Crop Variety Type of Variety Application No. Date of Filing Principal Inventor

1. Brinjal Pusa Upkar Extant REG/2012/90 03.04.2012 Dr. Pritam Kalia

Division of Vegetable Science

2. Brinjal Pusa Uttam Extant REG/2012/91 03.04.2012 Dr. Pritam Kalia

Division of Vegetable Science

3. Tomato Pusa Hybrid-8 Extant REG/2012/92 03.04.2012 Dr. Pritam Kalia

Division of Vegetable Science

4. Rice Pusa Basmati 1509 New REG/2012/154 09.05.2012 Dr. A K Singh

(IET 21959) Division of Genetics

5. Wheat HD CSW 16 New REG/2012/389 03.9.2012 Dr. Rajbir Yadav

Division of Genetics

6. Wheat HD CSW 18 New REG/2012/390 03.9.2012 Dr. Rajbir Yadav

Division of Genetics

7. Chickpea Pusa Green 112 New REG/2012/414 24.9.2012 Dr. J. Kumar

Division of Genetics

8. Chickpea Pusa 2085 New REG/2012/415 24.9.2012 Dr. J. Kumar

Division of Genetics

Fifteen MoUs signed during the year under report

with twelve private partners generating a revenue of

` 33.36 Lakh.

Sl.No Technologies Companies Date of MoU Revenue

Generated (`)

1. Nano formulations of bioactive molecules M/s Aegis Agro Chemicals India Pvt Ltd, 24.01.2013 5,00,000

i.e., Carbofuran and Azadirachtin A Hyderabad

2. VAM Technology M/s Bharat Agro Molecules Ltd, Meerut 24.01.2013 50,000

3. Nano formulations of bioactive molecules M/s Insecticides (India) Limited, Delhi 6.12.2012 5,00,000

i.e., Imidacloprid and PEG based surfactants

4. Maize Hybrid PEEHM 5 M/s Sampoorna Seeds 27.11. 2012 3,00,000

5. Embedded Dry Flower Technology Mrs Poonam Qamra 22.09.2012 25,000

6. Rice Hybrid HI 1544 M/s Syngenta India Ltd, Pune 18.09.2012 70,000

7. Pusa Pearl Puff M/s Devesh Foods & Agro 5.09.2012 1,00,000

Products Pvt. Ltd

8. Vegetable Varieties (Cauliflower: Pusa M/s Nuziveedu Seeds 5.09.2012 36,000

Hybrid-2 & Kartik Shankar; Carrot: Pusa

Rudhira ; Cucumber: Pusa Sanjog)

9. Pusa Nutri Cookies M/s Gold Win Agro Foods Pvt. Ltd 5.09.2012 50,000

MoUs signed

150

B. Consultancies /Contract ResearchProposals/ Agreements

1. Contract Research Project on “To study the Bio-efficacy of insecticide incorporated insect-proof netas a cladding material for different protectedstructures to ward off major sucking insect & pestsfor cultivation of important vegetables andflowers” for Vestergaard Frandsen Group (Dr. RajKumar, CPCT).

2. Contract Research Project on “Validating theefficacy of solo clodinafop-propargye and itscombination and sequencial application withother herbicides, and in combination withadjuvants against the resistant Phalaris 1minorsRetz populations/biotypes” for SyngentaIndia Ltd., Mumbai (Dr. T. K. Das, Division ofAgronomy).

3. Contract Research Project on “Management of Riceand Brinjal diseases through bioproducts- Biogoldand MC TEC-2” for M/s. Jai Shree Rasayan UdyogLimited, Delhi (Dr. Pratibha Sharma, Division ofPlant Pathology).

4. Consultancy on “Proposal to impart training incapacity development on Plant Protection forMinistry of Agriculture, Irrigation of livestock ofIslamic Republic of Afghanistan” for UNDP(Dr. R.K. Jain, Project Co-ordinator, Division ofNematology).

10. Event 142 (Brinjal Variety) carrying Cry1Fa1 gene Bejo Sheetal Seeds Pvt. Ltd., Jalna 24.08.2012 (2nd Renewal

Agreement)

11. Soil Test Fertilizer Recommendation M/s Systronics (India) Ltd., Ahmedabad 23.07.2012 10,00,000

Meter (STFR)

12. Animal Feed Block Making Machine M/s Perfect Hydro Machines, Haryana 13.07.2012 5,00,000

13. Chickpea varieties Pusa 256, Pusa 372, M/s Sungro Seeds Limited, Mumbai 03.05.2012 For collabora-

Pusa Dharwar Pragati (BGD 72), tive research

Pusa 1053 (Kabuli), Pusa 1088 (Kabuli),

Pusa 1103, Pusa 1105 (Kabuli),

Pusa 1108 (Kabuli), Pusa Shubra

(BGD 128) (Kabuli), Pusa 547 and

(BGM 547)

14. Rice hybrid Pusa RH 10 M/s Delta Agrigenetics Pvt Ltd. 19.04.2012 1,80,000

15. Pusa Fruit Drink M/s Shankar Amrit, Muzaffarpur 12.04.2012 25,000

5. Consultancy for “Economic feasibility study on

identification of investment opportunities in

Kenya, Malawi and Mozambique for cultivationof pulses” for State Trading Corporation of

India Ltd, New Delhi (Dr. I Sekar, Division of

Agricultural Economics).

6. Contract Service on “Supervised field trials on

residue and persistence of Tebuconazole 430 SC

on Cabbage” for M/s Bayer Crop Science Ltd, BayerHouse, Mumbai, (Dr. K.K. Sharma, Division of

Agricultural Chemicals).

7. Contract Service on “Supervised field trials on

residue and persistence of Spiromesifen 240 SC on

Cucumber” for M/s Bayer Crop Science Ltd, Bayer

House, Mumbai, (Dr. K.K. Sharma, Division ofAgricultural Chemicals).

8. Contract Service on “Supervised field trials on

residue and persistence of Flubendiamide 480 SC

on Okra” for M/s Bayer Crop Science Ltd, Bayer

House, Mumbai, (Dr. K.K. Sharma, Division of

Agricultural Chemicals).

9. Contract Service on “Supervised field trials on

residue and persistence of Picoxystrobin 7.5%

+ Propiconazole 12.5% w/w SC in Wheat”

for M/s E.I. Dupont, 7th Floor, Tower C, Sec-25

A, DLF City Phase-III, Gurgaon – 122001

(Dr. K. K. Sharma, Division of AgriculturalChemicals).

151

10.3 OTHER ACTIVITIES

A. Technology Promotional Events

1. Meets Organized/Participated

Field day for Pearl Millet was organized on

September 27, 2012 at IARI for showcasing Pearl

Millet varieties & hybrid lines. Over thirty

participants including people from industry attended

the meet.

The Unit actively participated in the following

events: IARI Krishi Vigyan Mela; National Innovation

Foundation Award Ceremony cum Exhibition at

Rashtrapati Bhawan, New Delhi, March 7, 2013;

Floriculture Field day at IARI, March 4-5, 2013; Indian

Seed Congress at Gurgaon, February 8, 2013;

Vegetable Field day at IARI, January, 2013; Plant

Genome Savior Community Award, New Delhi, May

21, 2012; Seed Business workshop organized by BAU

Ranchi at Shinghbhum, Jharkhand, June 2, 2012; Zonal

(Eastern) CII-ICAR Industry Meet at Central

Agricultural University, Lembucherra, Agartala, July

3, 2012; Manufacturers Meet, Division of Agricultural

Engineering at IARI; CII-ICAR Industry Meet

(Regional) at Hisar, September 4, 2012; National

Convention- The Next Frontier of Agri-Business and

Technology- Agri Asia at Gandhinagar, September 3-

6, 2012; Krishi Mela organized by BeejIndia and Tara

Health Foods Ltd. at Punjab, September 24, 2012; CII-

ICAR Industry Meet (Regional) held on 16 and 25

April, 2012 at Ahmedabad and Coimbatore,

respectively.

2. Entrepreneurship Development Programme(EDP)

An Entrepreneurship Development Programme

was conducted on “Microbial Bio-Pesticides

Technology” during March 19-22, 2013. Twenty

seven participants from four states participated in

this programme. ZTM & BPD unit coordinated the

fund matching activity during this EDP.

Representatives from National Centre of

Organic Farming (NCOF), Ministry of Agriculture

(Govt. of India), National Bank for Agriculture

(NABARD), Union Bank and Bank of Maharashtra

participated.

3. Corporate Membership

Continuous interaction with the industry and

the entrepreneurial community has resulted in the

development of a network of corporate members.

159 corporate members were registered with BPD

Unit during the period under report making a total

of 366.

4. Revenue Generated

A revenue of `45.88 Lakh was generated during

the financial year 2012-13 by commercialization

of technology, corporate membership and

Entrepreneurship Development Programme.

5. New Initiatives

Technology bank: A repository of information

was developed in the format of Technology Bank on

EDP on Microbial Bio-pesticides

List of technologies available for commercialization

152

about 250 IARI technologies,which are ready for

commercialization.

Zonal technology bank: A total of 310 technologies

of North Zone-1 were evaluated. Out of which 57

technologies were prioritized for commercialization.

Invention disclosure form: To expedite the process

of IP management, an invention disclosure form was

developed by ZTM & BPD Unit for the use of scientists/

inventors.

Profile on social websites: Developed an

interactive page on social website at https://

www.facebook.com/pages/ZTM-BPD-Unit-IARI-

New Delhi/411951285493735?fref=ts

153

The Indian Agricultural Research Institute has

linkages with various national and international

institutes/organizations.At national level the Institute

has close linkages with almost all annual crop and

horticultural crop research institutes, centres, project

directorates, coordinated projects as well as a few other

selected institutes of the ICAR. Similar linkages exist

for natural resource and socio-economic research

institutes. Collaboration exists with almost all state

agricultural universities (SAUs), selected conventional

universities, several of the institutes of the CSIR and

departments of Ministry of Science and Technology

such as the Departments of Biotechnology, Space

Research, Meteorology, and several other ministries/

departments/organizations of the Government of

India.

At the international level, the Institute has close

linkages with some of the CGIAR’s international

agricultural research centres (IARCs), viz., ICRISAT,

CIMMYT, IRRI, and ICARDA. It also has linkages with

other international organizations, viz., FAO, IAEA,

USAID, UNDP, WMO, UNIDO and UNEP. Several

bilateral research linkages involving developed and

11. LINKAGES AND COLLABORATION

Name of funding agency

Within India

DBT, DST, ICAR,CPRI (Mini Mission - HP),

CSIR, NCPA, Ministry of Water Resources,

Ministry of Environments & Forest, MoFPI,

Basmati Export Development Foundation,

DAC, DWR, DRDO, SAC, NABARD, NRDC,

BARC, PPV&FRA NFBSFARA (ICAR), NAIP

(ICAR), etc.

Revolving Fund, National Fellow Scheme of

ICAR and ICAR Niche Area Project

Outside India

IPNI India Programme, USAID, UKIERI,

CIMMYT, University of Sydney, Indo-

Australian Programme

No. of projects

159

06

05

developing countries also exist. These include linkages

with USDA, selected universities in USA, Canada,

Australia, World Bank, Rockfeller Foundation,

European Commission, JAICA, JIRC, JSPS, ACIAR,

AVRDC (Taiwan), etc.

The number of externally funded projects in

operation during the period from 1.4.2012 to 31.3.2013

are given below:

154

● Dr. K. V. Prabhu, Head, Division of Genetics

received (i) Borlaug Award for the year 2012 by

Coromandel International and (ii) Certificate of

Honor by Government of Punjab and Young

Farmers’ Association.

● Dr. Ravender Singh, Head, Division of Agricultural

Physics was selected Fellow of the National

Academy of Agricultural Sciences.

● Dr. T. Janakiram, Head, Division of Floriculture and

Landscaping was nominated Fellow of the

Confederation of Horticultural Associations of

India.

● Dr. P. Kalia, Head, Division of Vegetable Science

was nominated (i) Secretary of the Horticultural

Society of India and (ii) Fellow of ISVS.

● Dr. Jagdish Kumar, Head, IARI Regional Station,

Wellington received Shri V.P. Gokhale Prize of

Agharkar Research Institute, Pune.

● Drs. A.N. Mishra, S.V. Sai Prasad, A.K. Singh, M.Y.

Samdur, S.R. Kantwa, H.N. Pandey, P.K. Verma

IARI Regional Station, Indore received ICAR

Award for outstanding Inter-disciplinary Team

Research in Agriculture and Allied Sciences 2009–

2010.

● Dr. H.Chandrasekharan, Incharge, AKMU

(formerly USI) received Certificate of Appreciation

from NAIP for outstanding work on e-journal

accessibility in CeRA.

● Dr. Y.S. Shivay, Principal Scientist, Division of

Agronomy received FAI Golden Jubilee Award.

● Dr. Shiva Dhar, Senior Scientist, Division of

Agronomy was selected for Common Wealth

Academic Staff Fellowship, Harpenden, UK.

● Dr. Supradip Saha, Senior Scientist, Division of

Agricultural Chemicals was selected for NAAS

Associateship.

● Dr. S.D. Singh, Professor and Dr. S.Prasad, Senior

Scientist, CESCRA received Aryabhatt Samman by

the Vigyan Bharati, NPL.

● Dr. D. Chakraborty, Senior Scientist, Division of

Agricultural Physics awarded Rothamsted

International Post Doctoral Award.

● Dr. A. K. Singh, Professor, Division of Genetics

received (i) Borlaug Award for the year 2012 by

Coromandel International and (ii) Certificate of

Appreciation, NAIP for outstanding contribution

in model translational research.

● Dr. Partha Saha, Scientist, Division of Vegetable

Sciences received Dwarika Nath Memorial Gold

Medal Award.

● Dr. K.V. Prasad, Principal Scientist, Division of

Floriculture and Landscaping received

Horticultural Society of India (HSI) Gold Medal in

Floriculture.

● Dr. A.K Mishra, Scientist, AKMU (formerly USI)

received Award from Society of Information

Technology Professionals.

● Dr. T.K. Dutta, Scientist, Division of Nematology

was conferred with Crop Protection Young

Scientist Award.

● Dr. C. Viswanathan, Principal Scientist & Dr.

Lekshmy, S., Scientist, Division of Plant Physiology

received J.J. Chinoy Gold Medal.

● Dr. Vijay Paul, Principal Scientist & Dr. Rakesh

Pandey, Senior Scientist, Division of Plant

Physiology received Aryabhat Samman.

● Dr. K. Annapurna, Principal Scientist, Division

of Microbiology was nominated Member of

International Advisory Board of Asian PGPR Society.

● Dr A.K. Patra, Principal Scientist, Division of Soil

Science and Agricultural Chemistry received Rajiv

Gandhi Excellence Award.

12. AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS

155

● Dr. D.R. Biswas, Senior Scientist, Division of Soil

Science and Agricultural Chemistry received

World Phosphate Institute – Fertilizer Association

of India Award.

● Dr. T.B.S. Rajput, Principal Scientist, Water

Technology Centre received (i) Dr. C. Subramanian

Outstanding Teacher Award, (ii) Student Incentive

Award and (iii) Fellow of National Academy of

Agricultural Sciences.

● Dr. N.R. Prasannakumar, Scientist, IARI, Regional

Station, Katrain was awarded Dr. S. Pradhan Medal.

● In addition, a number of our scientists were

recognized by their peer groups by electing/

nominating to various positions in the societies

and governmental and inter-governmental

committees. The Institute won the First Prize

under the ICAR Rajrishi Tandon Rajbhasa Puraskar

for the year 2011-12 and Second Prize for

Institute’s Annual Rajbhasa Patrika ‘Pusa Surbhi’

under ‘Ganesh Shankar Vidhyarathi Hindi Krishi Patrika

Puraskar Yojna’ for the year 2011-12.

156

Statement showing Budget Estimates (B.E.) & Revised Estimates (R.E.) for the year 2012—13 and Budget Estimates for 2013-14 under Plan

`̀̀̀̀ in lakhs

Sl.No. Name of the Head Plan up to March, 2013

B.E. 2012-13 R.E. 2012-13 B.E. 2013-14

Grants for creation of Capital Assets (CAPITAL)

1 Works

(A) Land

(B) Building

i. Office building 2410.00 950.00 1410.00

ii. Residential building

iii. Minors Works

2 Equipments 1247.74 775.00 1200.00

3 Information & Technology

4 Library Books & Journal 250.00 250.00 299.99

5 Vehicles & Vessels

6 Livestock

7 Furniture & Fixtures 100.00 50.00

8 Others

A Total- CAPITAL (Grants for creation of Capital Assets) 4007.74 1975.00 2959.99

Grants in Aid-Salaries (REVENUE)

1 Establishment Expenses

(A) Salary

i. Establishment charges

ii. Wages

iii. Overtime allowance

(B) Loan & Advances

Total-Establishment Expenses(Grants in Aid-Salaries) 0.00 0.00 0.00

Grants in Aid-General (REVENUE)

1 Pension & Other Retirement Benefits 0.00

2 Travelling Allowance

A. Domestic/Transfer T.A. 118.00 82.20 103.66

B. Foreign T.A

Total-Travelling Allowance 118.00 82.20 103.66

3 Research & Operational Expenses

A. Research Expenses 325.00 567.69 600.00

B. Operational Expenses 300.00 227.22 250.00

Total Research & Operational Expenses 625.00 794.91 850.00

13. BUDGET ESTIMATES

157

4 Administrative Expenses

A Infrastructure 399.92 300.00

B Communication 4.42 0.00

C Repair & Maintenance

i. Equipments, Vehicles & Others 1000.00 146.52 150.00

ii. Office building

iii. Residential building

iv. Minor Works

D Others (exc.TA) 324.70 241.19 260.00

Total-Administrative Expenses 1324.70 792.05 710.00

5 Miscellaneous Expenses

A HRD 50.00 10.10 40.00

B Other Items (Fellowship) Provision for OBC 400.00 233.40 300.00

C Publicity & Exhibitions

D Guest House-Maintenance

E Other Miscellaneous. 203.00 62.34 100.00

Total -Miscellaneous Expenses 653.00 305.84 440.00

Total Grants in Aid-General 2720.70 1975.00 2103.66

B Total Revenue (Grants in Aid-Salaries + Grants in

Aid-General) 2720.70 1975.00 2103.66

GRAND TOTAL (CAPITAL + REVENUE) 6728.44 3950.00 5063.65

* Tribal Sub Plan 29.05 20.00 30.61

* NEH 80.00 30.00 66.71

Total (CAPITAL+REVENUE+TSP+NEH) 6837.49 4000.00 5160.97

Statement showing Budget Estimates & Revised Estimates for the year 2012-13 and Budget Estimates for 2013-14 underNon-Plan

`̀̀̀̀ in lakhs

Sl.No. Name of the Head Non-Plan up to March, 2013

B.E.2012-13 R.E.2012-13 B.E.2013-14

Grants for creation of Capital Assets (CAPITAL)

1 Works

(A) Land

(B) Building

i. Office building

ii. Residential building

iii. Minors Works

2 Equipments 60.00 315.00 40.00

3 Information & Technology

4 Library Books & Journal 2.00 4.00 3.00

5 Vehicles & Vessels

6 Livestock 8.00 0.00

7 Furniture & Fixtures 81.00 30.00

8 Others

A Total- CAPITAL (Grants for creation of Capital Assets) 70.00 400.00 73.00

Grants in Aid-Salaries (REVENUE)

1 Establishment Expenses

158

(A)Salary

i. Establishment charges 12375.00 12775.00 13300.00

ii. Wages

iii. Overtime allowance 4.00 4.00 4.00

(B) Loan & Advances 11.00 16.00 17.00

Total-Establishment Expenses(Grants in Aid-Salaries) 12390.00 12795.00 13321.00

Grants in Aid-General (REVENUE)

1 Pension & Other Retirement Benefits 9900.00 9000.00 9261.45

2 Travelling Allowance

A. Domestic/Transfer T.A. 25.00 35.00 38.00

B. Foreign T.A

Total-Travelling Allowance 25.00 35.00 38.00

3 Research & Operational Expenses

A. Research Expenses 200.00 230.00 200.00

B. Operational Expenses 275.00 195.00 280.00

Total Research & Operational Expenses 475.00 425.00 480.00

4 Administrative Expenses

A Infrastructure 1500.00 1675.00 1500.00

B Communication 37.00 37.00 40.00

C Repair & Maintenance

i. Equipments, Vehicles & Others 341.00 200.00 120.00

ii. Office building 600.00 1226.10 550.00

iii. Residential building 350.00 457.45 300.00

iv. Minor Works 180.00 248.90 170.00

D Others (exc.TA) 515.00 702.55 700.00

Total-Administrative Expenses 3523.00 4547.00 3380.00

5 Miscellaneous Expenses

A HRD 2.00 2.00

B Other Items(fellowships) 300.00 173.42 250.00

C Publicity & Exhibitions 25.00 6.60 15.00

D Guest House-Maintenance 50.00 53.40 50.00

E Other Miscellaneous 250.00 244.36 204.55

Total -Miscellaneous Expenses 627.00 479.78 519.55

Total Grants in Aid-General 14550.00 14486.78 13679.00

B Total Revenue (Grants in Aid-Salaries + Grants 26940.00 27281.78 27000.00

in Aid-General)

GRAND TOTAL (CAPITAL + REVENUE) 27010.00 27681.78 27073.00

159

Category No. of posts

Sanctioned Filled

Direct By

Recruitment Assessment Total

A. SCIENTIFIC STAFF

1) Research Management Personnel 6 4 - 4

2) Principal Scientist 65 43 140 183

3) Senior Scientist/Scientist (S.G.) 170 95 4 0 135

4) Scientist 337 272* - 92

Total 578 414 414

B. TECHNICAL STAFF

1) Category III 2 3 17

2) Category II 294 256

3) Category I 381 316

4) Auxiliary 1 1

Total 699 590

C. ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF

1) Group A 18 15

2) Group B 276 203

3) Group C 163 145

Total 457 366**

D. SKILLED SUPPORTING STAFF 1307 989

Note: * Out of 272 positions of scientist filled through direct recruitment only 92 are working in the grade of Scientist. The remaining 180 scientists (i.e. 140

Principal Scientists & 40 Senior Scientists) have been promoted as Principal Scientist and Senior Scientist through assessment.

** Three vacancies are excess filled i.e., CF & AO, Security Officer, and Assistant Manager (Canteen).

14. STAFF POSITION(As on 31.03.2013)

160

15.1 OFFICIAL LANGUAGE IMPLE-MENTATION COMMITTEE

An Official Language Implementation Committee

(OLIC) was constituted by the institute under the

chairmanship of Joint Director (Research) and the

Committee ensures compliance of policy and rules of

O.L. Act 1963 and O.L. rules of 1976. All the Joint

Directors, Head of Divisions and Comptroller are ex-

official members of OLIC and Deputy Director (OL) is

its member-secretary. During the period under report,

the meeting of this Committee was organized regularly

in each quarter and necessary suggestions and

instructions were given for promoting the use of Hindi

in various official/research activities and the effective

implementation of Official Language. To ensure follow

up action on the decisions taken in these meetings, sub-

committees were also constituted in different Divisions,

Regional Stations and the Directorate.

15.1.1 Inspection of Progressive Use ofOfficial Language

As per the recommendations of the OLIC and to

achieve the targets fixed in the annual programme of

the Department of Official Language, Ministry of Home

Affairs, Govt. of India, an OL Inspection Committee

was constituted under the chairmanship of Dr. A.K.

Vyas, Head, Division of Agronomy. The Committee

inspected the progressive use of OL in all the Divisions,

Units and sections of the Directorate. The Committee

also visited some of the Regional Stations, namely,

Katrain, Kalimpong, Wellington, Pune and Indore, and

inspected the progressive use of OL. The committee

gave valuable suggestions for making the desired

progress of OL implementation in the concerned

15. OFFICIAL LANGUAGE IMPLEMENTATION

Division/Section/Centre,etc. and submitted inspection

reports.

The Institute’s Inspection Committee was re-

constituted on February 2, 2013 with Dr. R.D. Rai,

Head, Division of Biochemisty as its chair.

15.2 AWARDS AND HONOURS

● The Institute was awarded the First Prize for doingmaximum writing work in Hindi for the year 2011-12 under the ICAR ‘Rajrishi Tandon RajbhasaPuraskar Yojna’ and Second Prize for Institute’sAnnual Rajbhasa Patrika ‘Pusa Surbhi’ under ‘GaneshShankar Vidhyarathi Hindi Krishi Patrika Puraskar Yojna’of ICAR for the year 2011-12 during the Director’sConference organized on March 19, 2013.

● Smt. Seema Chopra, Deputy Director (OL) IARIreceived ‘Aryabhatt Puraskar’ for her outstandingcontributions in popularization of science in Hindi

According to Article 343 of the Constitution, Hindi shall be the Official Language of the Union Government.

To implement the objectives in letters and spirit, IARI is making consistent progress in the use of OL in agricultural

research, education, extension as well as in administration.

Dr. H.S. Gupta, Director and Dr. Malavika Dadlani, Joint Director(Research), IARI receiving Second Prize for the Institute’s AnnualRajbhasa Patrika ‘Pusa Surabhi’ from Prof. M.S. Swaminathan,Chairman, M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation

161

during the Third National Conference onInnovations in Indian Science, Engineering andTechnology 2013 organized by Indian SwadeshiScience Movement, Vigyan Bharti, Delhi fromFebruary 25 to 27, 2013.

15.3 PROMOTION OF THE USE OFHINDI IN OFFICIAL WORK

In order to encourage staff members in different

categories to do maximum work in Hindi, several steps

were taken by the Institute during the year 2012-13.

● One-day workshop was organized for assistants

of administrative cadre of the institute on June 12,

2012 (60 assistants participated).

● Two - day workshop was organized on December

5 and 6, 2012 for technical officers of the institute

on ‘Quality Research Paper Writing in Hindi’ in

which 60 technical officers participated.

● Two - day workshop was organized from January

28 to 29, 2013 for administrative staff of the instituteon ‘Use of Unicode System on Computers’.

15.4 AWARD SCHEMES/COM-PETITIONS

During the year 2012-13 many competitions/award

schemes were also initiated to motivate the employees

of the institute to do their maximum work in Hindi. A

large number of officers and employees of different

categories of staff participated in these activities. The

following activities were organized :

15.4.1 Award Scheme for Doing MaximumOfficial Work in Hindi

This award scheme of the Department of Official

Language, Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt. of India

was implemented as per the directives of the

Department and 10 employees of the institute were

given cash awards for doing their maximum official

work in Hindi in the whole year.

15.4.2 Hindi Vyavahar Pratiyogita

Hindi Vyavahar Pratiyogita were organized amongst

the different Divisions and Sections of Directorate

separately and a Division and Section each were

awarded mobile shield for doing maximum work in

Hindi during the whole year. In the period under

report, the Division of Floriculture and Landscaping

amongst the divisions and personnel-II amongst the

sections were given mobile shield.

15.4.3 Rajbhasha Patra Vyavahar Pratiyogita

Rajbhasha Patra Vyavahar Pratiyogita was organized

for promoting maximum correspondence in Hindi. The

Divisions of Nematology and Vegetable Science were

given first and second prize, respectively. The prizes

carry mobile shields.

15.4.4 Awards for Popular Science Writingin Different Journals

A competition for Popular Science Writing was

organized for scientists/technical officers of the

institute and winners were awarded first, second and

third prizes for their published articles in different

journals.

15.4.5 Pusa Vishisht Hindi Pravakta Puraskar

Pusa Vishisht Hindi Pravakta Puraskar was given

jointly to two scientists for their outstanding lectures

in different training programmes. Evaluation was done

on the basis of recommendations of course coordinator

and feedback of the trainees. The Puraskar carries a cash

prize of `10,000/- and a certificate.

15.4.6 Power Point Presentation in Hindi

A Power Point Presentation Competition was

organized on September 29, 2012 on the topic entitled

‘Utilization of Bio-technology in Agricultural

Growth’. Cash Awards were given to the successful

participants.

15.4.7 Hindi Chetna Maas

The Institute celebrated Hindi Chetna Maas from

September 1 to 30, 2012. Hindi Chetna Maas was

inaugurated on September 1, 2012 by the Chief

Guest, Dr. Rashmi Gupta. Dr. H.S. Gupta, Director,

IARI chaired the function and Dr. Malavika Dadlani,

Joint Director (Research) & Chairperson, OLIC, was

also present. On this occasion ‘Kavya Paath’

competition was organized. Famous poets

162

Dr. Shardendu Sharma and Dr. (Ms.) Kamal Kumar,

Associate Professor, University of Delhi were invited

to judge the competitions. On this occasion Hindi

version of IARI Annual Report 2011-12 was also

released by the Chief Guest. During Hindi Chetna

Maas, various other Hindi competitions like essay

writing, noting & drafting, debate, and quiz, etc.

were also organized for all categories of the staff

members.

Hindi Week/Hindi Day were also celebrated in

different divisions and regional stations of the

institute. Many competitions were organized and

participants given prizes.

Release of IARI Annual Report 2011-12 in Hindi

15.4.8 Hindi Annual Prize Distribution Function

Hindi Annual Prize Distribution Function was

organized on October 5, 2012. Famous Hindi Critic and

renowned Hindi Litterateur, Dr. Namvar Singh was

the Chief Guest. Dr. Malavika Dadlani, Joint Director

(Research),IARI presided over the function. The Chief

Guest gave away the prizes to the winners of different

competitions conducted during Hindi Chetna Maas.

Smt. Seema Chopra, Deputy Director (OL) presented

the annual Hindi progress report of the Institute. Three

publications, viz, Pusa Surbhi (Annual Rajbhasha Patrika ),

Jaiv Urvark and Faslon Main Sutrakrimi Rog Avam Unka

Prabandhan (technical bulletins),were released. A Hasya

Kavi Sammelan was also organized on this occasion.

Dr. Namvar Singh, Chief Guest of Annual Hindi Prize DistributionFunction, releasing Pusa Surabhi (Annual Rajbhasha Patrika)

163

I. On-going Projects at IARI as on 31.03.2013

(A) In-house Research Projects 108

School of Crop Improvement 34

School of Crop Protection 19

School of Resource Management 29

School of Basic Sciences 14

School of Social Sciences 12

(B) Outreach Programmes 11

(C) Challenge Programmes 05

Total 124

II. Scientific Meetings Organized

a) Workshops 27

b) Seminars 14

c) Summer institutes/Winter school 02

d) Farmers’ day (s) 41

e) Others 59

Total 143

III. Participation of Personnel in ScientificMeetings

India

a) Seminars 183

b) Scientific meetings 216

c) Workshops 129

d) Symposia 123

e) Others 49

Total 660

Abroad

a) Seminars 6

b) Scientific meetings 9

c) Workshops 14

d) Symposia 7

e) Others 9

Total 45

16. MISCELLANY

IV. Significant Suggestions Given / DecisionsTaken at the Meetings of Senior ManagementPersonnel

Board of Management

● Replacement of equipment approved under EFC

by the various divisions of IARI.

● The name of USI has been changed as “Agricultural

Knowledge Management Unit (AKMU)”.

● Nomination of Grievance Cell Members.

● Retention of allotted residential accommodation

at the Institute by employees of the Institute on

transfer to ICAR Headquarters/other Institutes

located at Delhi and Outside Delhi.

● Appointment of Authorized Medical Attendant

(AMA) at IARI Regional Station, Katrain (Kullu),

Himachal Pradesh.

Academic Council

● Approval of the introduction of Ph.D. programme

in the discipline of Computer Application from

the next academic year 2013-14.

● Approval of the conditions of temporary relief of

students from Ph.D. programme for accepting

employment.

● Revision of guidelines for the charge of Professor.

● Recognition of directly recruited scientists as

research guides.

Research Advisory Committee

School of Crop Improvement

● Research on Varietal improvement needs to be

translated to commercial application involving

partners and stakeholders from the public / private

sectors for the benefit of end users.

● IARI needs to take up a lead role in wheat breeding

for terminal heat tolerance, through MAS.

164

● Prime importance needs to be given to yellow rustresistance in wheat involving scientists from PlantProtection School.

● Efforts should be made to evolve short duration(120 days) pigeonpea varieties with synchronousflowering and maturity that fit well into differentcropping systems.

● Research efforts need to be strengthened in hybridpigeonpea and hybrid mustard development.

● Lentil varieties with improved nutritive value(high iron & zinc) to be developed.

● Seed quality maintenance technologies need to bedemonstrated and transferred to public andprivate seed producing agencies, especially theadvancements in seed priming and seed coatingtools.

● The seed produced through private or farmers’ linkshould be quality tested before its disseminationto farmers.

● The seed technological interventions infacilitating commercial hybrid seed productionin crops such as mustard, wheat, pigeonpeahave to be worked out and validated for theirsimultaneous synthesis as a system along withthe release of the hybrids.

School of Natural Resource Management

● Research work should be intensified to suggestalternative to rice-wheat system in Indo-Gangeticplain.

● Work on nano formulations for enhancing the NUEof crops need to be strengthened.

● More in-depth studies are required with respectto hybrid quality index for soil quality assessmentbefore arriving at logical conclusions.

● Extensive data on the water requirement ofimportant crops should be generated for fertigationscheduling in important crops.

● Equipments / implements developed by theInstitute (mechanical Hydrogel Applicator, STFR,Basmati Rice Thresher) need to be commercializedon priority for the benefit of the end users.

● Regional impact studies on climate change inmandated crops be undertaken in collaborationwith other ICAR programmes.

● Major thrust be given to the research on

biodegradation of lignin and lignocellulosics for

biofuel purpose.

● Work must be strengthened in developing solarpowered machinery and use of renewable energy.

● Institute should take lead in developing a Centre

of Excellence in the area of Conservation

Agriculture. Long term experiments on

Conservation Agriculture need to be carried out

in partnership with International centres workingin this area.

● Drought vulnerability studies in other regions

need to be undertaken complementing the work

being carried out under the NICRA project.

● Research on development of effective

microorganisms for production of enrichedcompost be further strengthened with primary

focus on reducing the duration required to produce

a good quality compost having low C: N ratio.

● Institute must develop an effective system of

presenting its most significant achievements on

IARI website and ensure its regular updation.

School of Crop Protection

● School of Crop Protection should focus on fewimportant diseases of national importance invegetable and horticultural crops, in a problem-solving mode. Virus diseases in vegetables needspecial attention. Inter-institutional linkages withIIHR also need to be established to avoidduplication in the research work.

● Concerted efforts are needed in the area of cropspecific IPM in collaboration with NCIPM.

● Linkages need to be built with industry and privatesector for large scale commercialization of the novelmolecules (hydrogel, nitrification inhibitors, etc.)developed by the Institute.

● A challenge programme on mango malformationshould be formulated on priority.

● The Advanced Plant Virology unit is a lead centrein the country. It should lay more emphasis oncapacity development in virology.

● A brainstorming session involving the scientists ofPlant Protection School and peers havingspecialized research experience in the area of crop

165

protection should be organized for prioritizing andstrengthening of the research agendas of the school.

School of Basic Sciences

● Research should be focussed on a few selected andmandated areas based on prioritization andreorientation of the research agenda in the school,keeping in view the available manpower.

● Work on breeding wheat varieties for drought andterminal heat tolerance be given high priority.

● Efforts should be made to improve salt tolerancein crops by incorporating salt tolerant genes fromwheat (var. Kharchia) and rice (var. Pokkali) intohigh yielding varieties.

School of Social Sciences

● The Division of Agricultural Economics shouldstudy the research planning, management andpolicy decisions. Implications of the policy studiesalso need to be brought out to improve the visibilityof the system.

● Methodology should be developed to find out theappropriateness of the technologies beforereaching the end user. Constraints involved in thenon-adoption of technologies by farmers also needto be assessed.

● Impact of technology adoption with respect to cropyield, income and employment generation andlivelihood of farmers needs to be studied.

● Ways and means for faster and efficientdissemination of the technologies to small andmarginal farmers be worked out on priority.

● More intense strategies need to be taken up to linksmall farmers to market in order to increase theirprofitability.

● Pilot studies on the processing of horticulturalproduce, involving an economist, need to beundertaken. Emphasis should also be given toimpact assessment of cultivation of horticulturalcrops.

● Efforts should be made to impart vocationaltraining to farmers, farm women & rural youth forentrepreneurship development and also developrural technology providers.

● Special attention needs to be given to capacitydevelopment in the school of social sciences. A

formal MOU needs to be signed with NCAP, at the

earliest for Post-graduate teaching programme.

Students’ research programme should also be well

integrated with mandated research programmesof the school.

Post Graduate School Activities

● As part of the HRD programme, a comparison of

the number of winter / summer schools organized

by different disciplines be made.

● Number of guest lectures to be delivered by retired

scientists need to be increased.

● Sincere efforts need to be made and ways and

means be devised to attract more foreign students

for PG studies.

● Provision of a minimum residential requirementof two years be made for the students opting for

split Ph.D. programme

Administration and Finance Activities

● The activities of the revolving fund schemesoperative at the Institute need to be expandedfurther. Incentives be given to the staffinvolved.

● The institute has made a good progress in therecruitment and assessment of technical staff whichshould be completed on priority.

● For strengthening of the scientific manpower at theInstitute, filling up of the vacant scientific posts invarious disciplines at different levels be taken upwith the council / ASRB on priority.

Technical Advisory Committee (TAC)(Recommendations for the ChallengeProgrammes of IARI)

The following recommendations were made by the

members of TAC for bringing further improvement in

the under mentioned five challenge programmes of

IARI.

1. Hybrid development in crops (wheat, pigeonpea and mustard)

● Large numbers of A x R combinations needs to betried for obtaining functional hybrids in wheat.

● Pollination control mechanisms may be looked intofor hybrid development in wheat.

166

2. Hybrid development in vegetable crops

● Major emphasis should be given to yield,uniformity, earliness and quality of vegetablehybrids.

● Efforts should be made to study the transportationand keeping quality of tomato hybrids.

● Possibility of using gynoecious lines andparthenocarpic genes in bitter gourd may beexplored.

3. Enhancing resilience of Indian Agriculture toclimate change

● The major challenge in the programme needs tobe addressed with clear definition of impactassessment, outcomes and deliverables.

● Adaptation and mitigation strategies to combatthe effect of climate change need to beprioritized.

● The work on Pest and disease forecasting needmore focus.

● The studies on the effect of elevated CO2,

temperature and ozone on plants needs to beintegrated to arrive at more meaningfulconclusions.

● Location and site specific models on climate changemay be developed keeping in view the problemsfaced by the niche areas.

● Ways and means to increase the WUE in rice needto be worked out for increasing the sustainabilityof rice-wheat system.

4. Bioprospecting of microorganisms forsustainable production of second generationliquid biofuels

● Prime importance needs to be given to themechanism of l ignin degradation. Theinhibitory effects of residual lignin and byproducts of lignin degradation may be studiedfor improving the efficiency of ethanolproduction. Strategies to overcome the feedbackinhibition caused due to the accumulation ofreducing sugars during lignin degradation alsoneed to be worked out.

● The total time period required from delignificationto ethanol production along with the cost incurredmay be highlighted.

● Kinetic efficiency of conversion of hexoses andpentoses during the fermentation process need tobe studied.

5. Conservation agriculture for enhancingproductivity and resource-use efficiency

● Regional and location specific approaches forconservation agriculture, especially under rainfedfarming, needs to be worked out.

● More economical and sustainable alternatives tothe existing rice-wheat system for higherproductivity and better water use efficiency maybe identified and validated.

● Emphasis needs to be given to microbiologicalstudies with respect to conservation agricultureunder different types of soils.

● Water requirement in mungbean and the benefitsaccruing from the incorporation of mungbeanresidues under conversation agriculture may beworked out in order to improve yield,profitability and sustainability of rice-wheatsystem.

V. Resource Generation

1) Consultancy & other services

Consultancy services ` 21,12,000

Contract research -

Contract service ` 59,210

Training ` 1,45000

Total (A) ` 23,16,210

2) Revolving fund Sale

Revenue Generated

(a) Seed ` 1,65,06,604

(b) Commercialization ` 3,20,134

(c) Prototype manufacturing ` 6,10,1918

Total (B) ` 2,29,28,656

3) Post Graduate School receiptTraining Programme

(a) Foreigners & Indians -

M.Sc./Ph.D. Programme

(b) Institutional economic fee from ` 37,48,397

foreign scholars under Work Plan

167

(c) Receipt from Registrar ` 75,26,009

Account No. 5432(9029.201.4314) :

all fees except institutional economic fee,including sale of information bulletin|through D.D.

(d) Cash transferred from Syndicate ` 10,34,875

Bank to Director’s Account No.

C-49(9029.305.17) from sale ofinformation bulletin

(e) Receipt deposited in Director’s ` 2,33,911

Account No. C-49(9029.305.17)

for theses evaluation, PDC &

Misc.( does not include refund

of IARI scholarship by students)

Total (C) ` 1,12,74,406

Grand Total (A+B+C) `̀̀̀̀ 3,65,19,272

VI . Infrastructural Development

● Installed three Automatic weather stations (at

IARI agromet observatory, KVK Shikohpur,

NBPGR farm Issapur), (ii) Established a state-of-

the-art Satellite Data Reception, processing and

management system facility and (iii) Developed

field laboratory in the experimental field of the

Division (MB-4C) at the Division of Agricultural

physics.

● Constructed an insect proof net house at main

Vegetable Research Farm, (ii) Renovated Drip

irrigation system at divisional UVRD in the

Division of Vegetable Science.

● Recarpeting of roads, (ii) Construction of car

garage and toilets, (iii) Construction of boundary

wall and (iv) Modernization of PG Lab in the

Division of Agronomy.

● Renovation of two laboratories, computer lab,

Library; Seminar room and Committee room (ii)

Developed field produce storage lab, (iii) Field

fencing/ labelling and (iv) Initiated ground water

augmentation at Water Technology Centre.

● Constructed of 100 tonne capacity seed godown

in the Division of Seed Science and Technology.

● Installed Solar Photo-Voltaic panel of 2.6 Kilo wattpower, Solar Energy Operated Greenhouse of 200square meter area and developed Soil-less Culturehydroponics system inside greenhouse at the farmof CPCT.

● Procured a Biomass Grabber with loader, twoTractors (one 60 HP & one 45 HP), a Tractormounted power sprayer, Submersible pumps(4 pumps 15 HP & one pump 3 HP), Diesel Enginesfor Pullman Thresher (four 8.3 HP), one Rotaryslasher at FOSU and Renovation and developmentof tube well at New Area-C.

● Established corn flaking laboratory in the divisionof Post Harvests Technology.

● Tiling and false ceiling of laboratories and corridors,renovation of glass house and installation ofpolyhouse in the Division of Nematology

● Renovation, refurbishing and operationalizationof Tissue culture Facility and CAFT laboratory inthe Division of Biochemistry

● Development of office-cum-laboratory building

and other developmental works at the IARI

Regional Research Centre, Dharwad.

● Construction of II phase of guest house comprisingof two guest rooms and one VIP suite (ii)Electrification of Naggar and Baragraon Farmswith path lights at the IARI, Regional Station,Katrain.

● Construction of office-cum laboratory building atthe IARI, Regional Station, Pune.

● Installed Interactive Voice Recording System,Uploaded programmed technology basedinformation system on five crops on IVRS,Prepared a 3D Model on weather based Agroadvisory Services for display in ATIC and installedDigital Board for displaying seed availability in

ATIC at Institute Gate.

VII. All India Coordinated Research Projectsin Operation during the Year April 1, 2012to March 31, 2013

Project Headquarters

1. All India Coordinated Project on Plant ParasiticNematodes with Integrated Approach for theirControl.

168

2. All India Network Project on Pesticide Residues

3. All India Coordinated Research Project onFloriculture (Upgraded as Directorate ofFloricultural Research)

National Centres Functioning at IARI underAll India Coordinated Research Projects

1. All India Network Project on Biofertilizers

(Erstwhile All India Coordinated Research Project

on Biological Nitrogen Fixation)

2. All India Coordinated Project on Long-Term

Fertilizer Experiments

3. All India Coordinated Research Project on Soil Test

Crop Response Correlations

4. All India Coordinated Research Project on

Floriculture Improvement

5. All India Network Project on Pesticide Residues

6. All India Coordinated Research Project onRenewable Energy Sources for Agriculture andAgro-based Industries

7. All India Coordinated Research Project on

Biological Control of Crop Pests and weeds

8. All India Coordinated Research Project on

Soybean

9. All India Coordinated Research Project on Sub-

Tropical Fruits

10. All India Coordinated Research Project on

N.S.P.(Crops)

11. All India Coordinated Research Project on

Mustard

12. All India Coordinated Research Project on Wheat

13. All India Coordinated Research Project on Rice

14. All India Coordinated Research Project on Pulses

15. All India Coordinated Research Project on

Vegetable

16. AINP on Whitegrubs and other Soil Arthropods

(AINPWOSA)

169

VIII. Foreign Visitors during April 1, 2012 to March 31, 2013

S. Visitor(s) Month & date

No. of visit

1. A 36-member delegation from Australia April 23, 2012

2. A 12-member delegation of Board of Management, University of Agricultural Sciences, GKVK, Banglore April 25, 2012

Comprising of progressive farmers, nominees of His Excellency the Governor of Karnataka, nominees from

Govt. of Karnataka

3. A team of 7 Editors/ Senior Journalists from Myanmar April 25,2012

4. A group of 18-students and two faculty members from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, April 30, 2012

National Defence University, USA.

5. A 24-member delegation from Texas Agricultural Lifetime Leadership (TALL), USA. April 30, 2012

6. A 9-member delegation from Afghanistan. May 15,2012

7. A 5-member delegation from University of Ibadan, Nigeria May 21, 2012

8. A 3-member delegation from University of Ibadan, Nigeria. May 25, 2012

9. His Excellency Mr. Jose Pacheco, Minister of Agriculture, Govt. of the Republic of Mozambique June 14, 2012

10. A 9-member delegation led by Mr. Lesego M. Motoma,Director, Research Science & Technology, Botswana June 25, 2012

11. A 5-member high level delegation led by Professor Dr. Bhangy Cassy, Vice Chancellor, Mozambique July 16, 2012

12. A 20-member delegation from Kenya, Zambia and Ghana July 28, 2012

13. An 11-member delegation from WAAPP, Nigeria August 27, 2012

14. A 2-member delegation viz. Dr. Gil Ronen, CEO and Dr. Nissim Yonash, Breeding Director from Seed andOctober 15, 2012

Bio-tech Wing namedas NRGENE, Makhteshim Agan Group, Israel.

15. The 2nd ASEAN, India Ministerial Meeting and the ASEAN. A group of attending Indian Agriculture October 19, 2012

Expo organized by the DARE

16. A delegation led by His Excellency Mr. Vilayvansh Phomke, Minister of Agriculture, Lao PDR October 19, 2012

17. A 3-member delegation led by Mr. Ivan Ariel Matus Tejas, National Coordinator- Genetic Resources and October 22, 2012

Investigator, Programs for Improvement of Wheat Varieties, National Institute of Agril. Research

Republic of Chile.

18. An 8-member Legislator delegation led by SenatorEmmanuel Bwacha, Chair of Senate Committee on November 5, 2012

Agriculture, Nigeria

19. A 4-member Bangladeshi delegation led by Agriculture Minister, Her Excellency Begum Matia November 6, 2012

Chowdhury, Bangladesh.

20. A 4-member delegation (Drs. March Andreini,Michael Hayes, Derek Heeren and Robert Lenton) November 16, 2012

from University of Nebraska, USA

21. A 6-member delegation from University of Queensland(UQ), Australia December 7, 2012

22. Visit of a group under ”Exchange visits of farmers from ASEAN countries and vice versa” December 22, 2012

23. Dr. Monuel Pacheco, President and Dr. Vimal Chaitanya, Vice President for Research, New Mexico StateDecember 26, 2012

University, USA

24. Dr Hamed Ali Hadwan, D-G, National Centre for Organic Agriculture, Min. of Agriculture, Iraq January 11, 2013

25. Mr. Jacobo Regalado, Minister of Agriculture, Honduras January 15, 2013

26. A 14- member delegation of Senior Editors led by Mr. Daoud Sultanjoy, former MP, Afghanistan January 28, 2013

27. A 12- member delegation from Deptt of Livestock, Govt of Thimpu, Bhutan led by Dr. Tashi Dnendup January 31, 2013

28. Heads of Agricultural Universities and Research Institutions of ASEAN February 20, 2013

29. A 21- member delegation from Canada February 25, 2013

30. Visit of a delegation from University of Queensland, Australia including Prof. Robert Henry, Director; February 26, 2013

Ms. Sarah Melbusch, Deputy Director; and Dr. Neena Mitter, Sr. Researcher & Focussed Team Leader-

Plant Biotechnology

31. A 29- member delegation from Canada February 27, 2013

32. A 9-member delegation from Rothamsted Research Institute, UK March 14, 2013

33. Delegation from Oklahoma State University, USA March 22, 2013

Chairman

Dr. H.S. GuptaDirector, IARI

Members

Dr. K. VijayaraghvanDean & Joint Director(Education), IARI

Dr. Malavika DadlaniJoint Director (Research), IARI

Dr. K. Vijayaraghvan Joint Director (Extension), IARI

Dr. K. V. PrabhuHead, Division of Genetics, IARI

Dr. A. K. VyasHead, Division of Agronomy, IARI

Dr. R. K. JainHead, Division of Plant Pathology,IARI

Dr. Raj Deo RaiHead, Division of Bio-Chemistry,IARI

Dr. Suresh PalHead, Division of Agril. Economics,IARI

Appendix 1

Members of Board of Management of IARI

(As on 31.03.2013)

Dr. Swapan Kumar Datta

Deputy Director General (CS)

ICAR, Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi

Dr. A. K. Srivastava

Director, NDRI, Karnal

Agril. Commissioner

Deptt. of Agriculture and

Cooperation, Ministry of

Agriculture Krishi Bhawan,

New Delhi

Development Commissioner

Delhi Administration

Govt. of NCT of Delhi

Director (Finance), ICAR

Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi

Secretary, Planning Commission

Yojana Bhawan, New Delhi

Dr. K.V. Peter

TC-12/1309,Post Office Mannuthy,

Trissur, Kerala-680 651

Dr. S. S. Acharya

33, Shashi Complex, Sector-11

Udaipur-313001 (Rajasthan)

Dr. R. R. HanchinalVice ChancellorUniversity of Agricultural SciencesDharwad-580005 (Karnataka)

Sh. Rajendrakumar Shantilal PatelVed Wali Khadki, Khambholaj-388330,Tal & District Anand(Gujrat)

Sh. M.J. Ummen,MangaiathuparambilHouse : ArivilanjapoyilP.O. : AlakodeVia. Kannur District.,Kerala-670571

Member - Secretary

Sh. B. N. RaoRegistrar and Joint Director(Admn.), IARI

Appendix 2

Members of Research Advisory Committee of IARI

(As on 31.03.2013)

Chairman

Dr. R.S. Paroda

Trust for Advancement of

Agricultural Sciences

Library Avenue, IARI Campus

Pusa, New Delhi 110012

Members

Prof. S.L. Mehta

Former Vice Chancellor (MPUAT)

71, Gokul Nagar

Udaipur-313001 (Rajasthan)

Prof. A.N. Mukhopadhyay

Sangini, 151 Akanksha

Udhyan II, Raibareilly Road

Lucknow -226025, UP

Dr. M. Velayutham

Former DDG (NRM)

6A, Gardenia Apartment

275, Kilpauk Garden Road

Kilpauk, Chennai-600010

Dr. G. L. Kaul

Former National Director

NAIP & Ex-VC, AAU

KA- 59 A, Kaushambi

Ghaziabad-201012 U.P.

Dr. Mruthyunjaya

Former National Director, NAIP

A-701, Vasundhara Apartments

Sector 6, Plot No. 16,

Dwarka, New Delhi-110075

Dr. Swapan Kumar Datta

Deputy Director General

(Crop Science),

ICAR, Krishi Bhavan

New Delhi-110114

Sh. Rajendrakumar Shantilal Patel

Ved Wali Khadki

Khambholaj-388330

Tal & District Anand (Gujrat)

Sh. M. J. Ummen

Mangaiathuparambil

House: Arivilanjapoyil

P.O. : Alakode, Via. Kannur District

Kerala-670571

Dr. H. S. Gupta

Director

IARI

Member-Secretary

Dr. Malavika Dadlani

Joint Director (Research)

IARI

Appendix 3

Members of Technical Advisory Committeefor Challenge Programmes

(As on 31.01.2013)

Chairman

Dr. H. S. Gupta

Director, IARI

Co-Chairperson

Dr. Malavika Dadlani

Joint Director (Research), IARI

Members

Dr. I. P. Abrol

Ex-DDG (NRM) and

Director, Centre for Advancement

of Sustainable Agriculture, NASC

Complex, DPS Marg

New Delhi-110012

Prof. S.L. Mehta

Former Vice Chancellor, (MPUAT)

71 Gokul Nagar

Near Bohra Ganeshji Temple

Udaipur-313001, Rajasthan

Dr. Gautam Kalloo

Ex-DDG (Crop Science) and

Vice Chancellor, JNKV, Jabalpur

Dr. P. K. Aggarwal

Former National Professor, ICAR

Regional Facilitator, Challenge

Program on Climate Change,

Agriculture Food Security, IWMI

India Office, NASC Complex,

DPS Marg, New Delhi-110012

Prof. R. Banerjee

Head,

P.R. Sinha Centre for Bioenergy

IIT, Kharagpur-721301

Appendix 4

Members of Academic Council of IARI

(As on 31.03.2013)

Chairman

Dr. H.S. Gupta

Director, IARI

Vice-chairman

Dr. K. Vijayaraghvan

Dean & Joint Director

(Education), IARI

Members

Dr. Arvind Kumar

DDG (Education)

ICAR, Krishi Bhawan

New Delhi

Dr. K.C. Bansal

Director, NBPGR, New Delhi

Dr. U.C. Sud

Director, IASRI, New Delhi

Dr. Srinivasan

Director, NRC on Plant

Biotechnology, New Delhi

Dr. Malavika Dadlani

Joint Director (Research), IARI

Dr. K. Vijayragavan

Joint Director (Extension), IARI

Dr. I.P. Abrol

Director, CASA,

NASC Complex, New Delhi

Dr. P.G. Chengappa

Former VC, UAS,

Bengaluru

Dr. S. Edison

Former Director, CTCRI,

Trivandrum

Prof. Deepak Pental

Director, CGMCP,

New Delhi

Dr. O.P. Yadav

Project Director,

Directorate of Maize Research,

New Delhi

Dr. Ravinder Kaur

Project Director, WTC, IARI

Dr. V.T Gajbhiye

Professor, Agril. Chemicals, IARI

Dr. V.C. Mathur

Professor, Agril. Economics, IARI

Dr. Indra Mani

Professor, Agril. Engineering, IARI

Dr. Prem Lata

Professor, Agril. Extension, IARI

Dr. Rajender Parsad

Professor, Agril. Statistics, IARI

Dr. K.S. Rana

Professor, Agronomy

Dr. Usha K. Chopra

Professor, Agril. Physics, IARI

Dr. I.M. Santha

Professor, Biochemistry, IARI

Dr. Prajneshu

Professor, Bio -Informatics, IARI

Dr. P.K. Malhotra

Professor, Computer Application,

IASRI

Dr. Ramesh Kumar

Project Director,

Directorate of Floriculture,

New Delhi

Dr. S.D. Singh

Professor, Environmental Sciences,

IARI

Dr. A.D. Munshi

Professor, Horticulture, IARI

Dr. Charanjit Kaur

Professor, PHT, IARI

Dr. A.K. Singh

Head, Division of Fruits &

Horticultural Technology, IARI

Dr. T. Jankiram

Head, Division of Floriculture &

Landscaping, IARI

Dr. R.S. Chillar

MOHR, IARI

Mrs. Usha Khemchandani

Incharge, Central Library, IARI

Dr. Sunil Pabbi

Principal Scientist, Faculty

Representative, Division of

Microbiology, IARI

Dr. Anil Sirohi

Principal Scientist, Faculty

Representative, Division of

Nematology, IARI

Mr. Pankaj Kumar Sinha

President, PGSSU, IARI

Ms. Trisha Roy

Student’s Rep. to the AC, IARI

Dr. K.M. Manjaiah

Officer Incharge, AIM Cell, IARI

Dr. V.V. Ramamurthy

Professor, Entomology, IARI

Dr. Pritam Kalia

Head, Vegetable Science, IARI

Dr. Dolly Wattal Dhar

Professor, Microbiology, IARI

Dr. Srinivasan

Professor, Molecular Biology &

Biotechnology, NRC on Plant

Biotechnology

Dr. Sudarshan Ganguly

Professor, Nematology, IARI

Dr. I.S. Bisht

Professor, Plant Genetic Resources,

NBPGR

Dr. Pratibha Sharma

Professor, Plant Pathology, IARI

Dr. V.P. Singh

Professor, Plant Physiology, IARI

Dr. S.S. Parihar

Professor, Seed Science &

Technology, IARI

Dr. R.D. Singh

Professor, Soil Science &

Agricultural Chemistry, IARI

Dr. Man Singh

Professor, Water Science &

Technology, IARI

Dr. A.K. Singh

Professor, Genetics , IARI

Member- Secretary

Shri B.N. Rao

Registrar & Joint Director (Admn.),

IARI

Appendix 5

Members of Extension Council of IARI

(As on 31.03.2013)

Chairman

Dr. H.S. Gupta

Director, IARI

Members

Dr. K.D. Kokate

DDG, Extension,

ICAR, KAB, New Delhi

Dr. K. Vijayaragavan

Joint Director (Extension) , IARI

Dr. Malavika Dadlani

Joint Director (Research), IARI

Sh. B.N. Rao

Registrar & Joint Director

(Admin.), IARI

Dr. K.V. Prabhu

Head, Division of Genetics, IARI

Dr. A.K. Vyas

Head, Division of Agronomy, IARI

Dr. R.K. Jain

Head, Division of Plant Pathology,

IARI

Dr. Suresh Pal

Head, Division of Agril.

Economics, IARI

Dr. V.A. Tonapi

Head, Division of SS&T, IARI

Dr. D.V.K. Samuel

Head, Division of Agril.

Engineering, IARI

Dr. B.S. Dwivedi

Head, Division of SS & AC, IARI

Dr. G.T. Gujar

Head, Division of Entomology

IARI

Dr. Ravinder Kaur

Project Director, WTC, IARI

Dr. A.N. Mishra

Head, IARI Regional Station

Indore (M.P.)

Agril. Commissioner Deptt. of

Agriculture and Cooperation

Ministry of Agriculture

Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi

Dr. A.P. Saini

Joint Director (Agriculture)

Govt. of NCT of Delhi

MSO Building, 11th Floor

IP Estate, New Delhi

Dr. Khajan Singh

Principal Scientist (Dairy

Extension), NDRI

Karnal, (Haryana)

Dr. M. Kazmi

Director (FI)

Directorate of Extension

Krishi Vistar Sadan

Behind Agronomy Division

IARI Campus, New Delhi

Member-Secretary

Dr. J.P. Sharma

Head, Agricultural Extension

IARI

Appendix 6

Members of Institute Research Council

(As on 31.03.2013)

Chairman

Director, IARI

Co- Chairperson

Joint Director (Research), IARI

Members

Deputy Director-General

(Crop Science), ICAR

All Project Directors/Project

Coordinators of IARI

All Heads of Divisions / Regional

Stations of IARI

All Principal Investigators of IARI

Member-Secretary

Principal Scientist (PME), IARI

Appendix 7

Members of Executive Council of IARI

(As on 31.03.2013)

Chairman

Dr. H.S. Gupta

Director, IARI

Members

Dr. K. Vijayaraghavan

Dean & Joint Director

(Education), IARI

Dr. Malavika Dadlani

Joint Director (Research), IARI

Dr. K. Vijayaragavan

Joint Director (Extension), IARI

Dr. Madhuban Gopal

National Fellow

Agricultural Chemicals, IARI

Dr. Pritam Kalia

Head, Vegetable Science, IARI

Head, IARI Regional Station, Shimla

Dr. A. K. Saxena

Head, Microbiology, IARI

Head, Post Harvest Technology,

IARI

Dr. R. K. Jain

Head, Plant Pathology, IARI

Dr. Raj Deo Rai

Head, Biochemistry, IARI

Dr. Suresh Pal

Head, Agricultural

Economics, IARI

Dr. Ramesh Kumar

Director, Directorate of

Floriculture, New Delhi

Dr. S.S. Atwal

Head, IARI Regional Station

Karnal

Dr. Swapan Kumar Datta

DDG (CS)

ICAR, Krishi Bhawan

Member-Secretary

Sh. B. N. Rao

Registrar & Joint Director

(Admn.), IARI

Appendix 8

Members of Institute Joint Staff Council

(As on 31.03.2013)

Chairman

Dr. H.S. Gupta

Director

Members (Official Side)

Dr. Malavika Dadlani

Joint Director (Research)

Dr. S.S. Atwal

Head, IARI Regional Station

Karnal

Dr. A.K. Singh

Principal Scientist

Division of Nematology

Dr. A.N. Mishra

Incharge, IARI Regional Station

Indore

Shri Radhey Sham

Comptroller

Secretary (Official Side)

Shri B.N. Rao

Registrar & Joint Director (Admn.)

Members of the Staff Side(Elected)

Ms. Santosh Gautam

Assistant, Audit, Directorate

IARI

Shri Radhey Krishn Thakur

UDC, Audit, Directorate, IARI

Shri Yogesh Kumar

Assistant

Division of Plant Pathology, IARI

Shri Ganesh Rai

T-2, Division of Entomology

Shri Veer Pal Singh

T-4, CPCT

Shri Bhagat Singh

T-3, FOSU

Shri Atiq Ahmed

T-3, Division of Agricultural

Physics

Shri Umesh Thakur

SSS, Audit, Directorate

Shri Desh Pal

SSS, Directorate

Shri Bijender Singh

SSS, CATAT

Shri Dharm Singh

SSS Division of SS&AC

Secretary (Staff Side)

Shri Satyendra Kumar

Assistant, P-V Section

Directorate

Appendix 9

Members of Institute Grievance Committee

(As on 31.03.2013)

Chairman

Dr. K. Vijayaraghvan

Joint Director (Extension)

Members (Official Side)

Dr. V.T. Gajbhiye

Head, Agril. Chemicals

Shri Dinesh Nagpal

Sr. Admn. Officer

Ms. V.B. Jhade

CF&AO

Dr. Prachi Sharma

Scientist, Division of Plant

Pathology

Member-Secretary

Shri Chetan S. Issar

AAO (P-III)

Members of the Staff Side(Elected)

Dr. Prem Lata Singh

Principal Scientist, Agricultural

Extension

Shri Brahm Dutt

Technical Officer, (T-7/8)

Division of Microbiology

Shri Satyendra Kumar

Assistant, Directorate

Mohd. Azam

SSS, Environmental Sciences

Appendix 10

Personnel

(As on 31.03.2013)

Directorate

DirectorDr. H.S. Gupta

Joint Director (Research)Dr. Malavika Dadlani

Dean & Joint Director (Education)Dr. K. Vijayaragavan

Joint Director (Extension)Dr. K. Vijayaragavan

Joint Director(Admn.) & RegistrarMr.B.N.Rao

Principal Scientist (PME)Dr. I.Sekar

Incharge, Publication Unit (English)Dr. R.L. Sapra

Principal Scientist (ITMU)Dr. Archna Suman

ComptrollerMr. Radhey Sham

Chief Administrative OfficersMr. P.K. Jain

Mr. Pushpendra Kumar

Agricultural Chemicals

Head & ProfessorDr. V.T. Gajbhiye

Network Project CoordinatorDr. K.K. Sharma

National FellowDr. Madhuban Gopal

Agricultural Economics

HeadDr. Suresh Pal

Professor

Dr. V.C. Mathur

Agricultural Engineering

Head

Dr. D.V.K. Samuel

Professor

Dr. Indra Mani

Agricultural Extension

Head

Dr. J.P. Sharma

Professor

Dr. Prem Lata Singh

Agricultural Physics

Head

Dr. Ravender Singh

Professor

Dr. Usha Kiran Chopra

Agronomy

Head

Dr. A.K. Vyas

Professor

Dr. K.S. Rana

Biochemistry

Head

Dr. R.D. Rai

Professor

Dr. I.M. Santha

Entomology

Head

Dr. G.T. Gujar

ProfessorDr. V.V. Ramamurthy

National FellowDr. G.K. Mahapatro

Floriculture and Land-scaping

HeadDr. T. Janakiram

Fruits and HorticulturalTechnology

HeadDr. A.K. Singh

Genetics

HeadDr. K.V. Prabhu

ProfessorDr. A.K. Singh

Microbiology & CCUBGA

HeadDr. A.K. Saxena

ProfessorDr. Dolly Wattal Dhar

Nematology

HeadDr. R.K. Jain

ProfessorDr. Sudershan Ganguly

Project CoordinatorDr.R.K. Jain

Plant Pathology

HeadDr. R.K. Jain

Professor

Dr. Pratibha Sharma

National FellowDr. Rashmi P. Aggarwal

Plant Physiology

Head & ProfessorDr. V.P. Singh

Post Harvest Technology

HeadDr. Vidya Ram Sagar

ProfessorDr. Charanjit Kaur

Seed Science and Technology

HeadDr. Vilas A. Tonapi

ProfessorDr. S.S. Parihar

Soil Science and AgriculturalChemistry

HeadDr. B.S. Dwivedi

ProfessorDr. R.D. Singh

Vegetable Science

HeadDr. Pritam Kalia

Professor (Hort.)Dr. A.D. Munshi

Centre for EnvironmentScience and Climate ResilientAgriculture (CESCRA)*

InchargeDr. R.K. Rattan

ProfessorDr. Shiv Dhar Singh

Water Technology Centre

Project DirectorDr. Ravinder Kaur

ProfessorDr. Man Singh

Centre for Agricultural TechnologyAssessment and Transfer

InchargeDr. Ambrish Kumar Sharma

Centre for Protected CultivationTechnology

InchargeDr. Raj Kumar

Agricultural KnowledgeManagement Unit (AKMU)

InchargeDr. H. Chandrasekharan

Agricultural TechnologyInformation Centre (ATIC)

InchargeDr. Monika Wasan

Farm Operation Service Unit

InchargeDr. Man Singh

National Phytotron Facility

InchargeDr. K.V. Prabhu

Seed Production Unit

InchargeDr. B.S. Tomar

Zonal Technology Management& Business Planning andDevelopment (ZTM & BPD) Unit

InchargeDr. Neeru Bhooshan

IARI Library

Incharge (Library Services)Ms. Usha Khemchandani

IARI Regional Station,Amartara Cottage, Shimla

HeadDr. K.K. Pramanik

IARI Regional Station, Indore

HeadDr. A.N. Mishra

IARI Regional Station, Kalimpong

InchargeDr. Amalendu Gosh

IARI Regional Station, Karnal

HeadDr. S.S. Atwal

IARI Regional Station, Katrain

HeadDr. Chander Prakash

IARI Regional Station, Pune

HeadDr. V.V. Datar

IARI Regional Station, Pusa

HeadDr. I.S. Solanki

IARI Regional Station, Wellington(The Nilgiris)

HeadDr. Jagdish Kumar

IARI Rice Breeding & GeneticsResearch Centre, Aduthurai

InchargeDr. M. Nagarajan

IARI Centre for Improvementof Pulses in South, Dharwad

InchargeDr. V. Hegde

IARI Krishi Vigyan Kendra,Shikohpur, Gurgaon

Incharge

Dr. Anjani Kumar

*Formerly Division of EnvironmentalSciences and including Nuclear ResearchLaboratory.