Agricultural Research Station (Fruit Crops),
Junagadh Agricultural University,
Mahuva Dist : Bhavnagar - 364 290
Year of Establishment : 1852
Introduction:
This farm was established in 1852 by Late Highness Shree Bhavsinhji of Bhavnagar State having area of 1529 acre. Thus, this farm may be one of the biggest and the oldest farm of our state. In 1947, this farm was handed over to Agriculture Department, Government of Gujarat for extension and nursery activities to bring more and more coastal area under coconut plantation through supplying the best selected coconut seedlings to the growers. In 1972, this farm was transferred to Gujarat Agricultural University to conduct the research activities on coconut and other fruit crop. From 2004 and onwards, this farm belongs to Junagadh Agricultural University.
The object to establish this farm was to bring fellow land of coastal area under horticulture crops like mango, coconut, areca nut, chiku, banana, etc. This farm also situated on bank of Malan River, and there was ample source of sweet irrigation water at that time and because of that large area of farm, it was covered under coconut, mango, chiku, areca nut etc crops. Equable humid climate of coastal area and evergreen with many horticultural orchards in the city and surrounding area this Mahuva city was well known as a “Kashmir of Saurashtra”. This status was maintained till 1975 and during this time, two dames were constructed on Malan River. But insufficient and uneven rainfall stopped the flow of Malan River which was running throughout the year. This has resulted in acute shortage of irrigation water. As farmers lifted more ground water for irrigation, ultimately resulted in brackish water and now it has became totally saline.
The nearest city and railway station is Mahuva 3 km away and nearest district place and aerodrome is Bhavnagar 100km.
Mandate :
- To evolve high yielding variety of coconut.
- To find out suitable plant protection measure against coconut pest and disease.
- To determine most suitable and effective, eco-friendly and low cost agronomical practices for the production of coconut and fruit crop.
- To introduce new fruit and plantation crops for the region.
- To supply the true to type planting materials of coconut and fruit crops to the farmers.
- To produce maximum skilled aqua farmers.
- To developed standard culture technique for shrimp farmers in and around.
- To boost aqua production of this district.
Objectives :
- Collection evaluation and maintenance of indigenous and exotic germplasm of coconut and fruit crops.
- To generate germplasm for developing biotic and abiotic stress resistant high yielding varieties of plantation and fruit crops.
- To test and develop new production technology for plantation and fruit crop.
- To produce and distribute seedling of coconut of varieties D x T (Mahuva) among the farmers.
- To develop farming facilities for freshwater and brackish water finfish and shell fish cultivation in saline ground water.
- To develop suitable technology for enhancement of fish and shell fish production in salt affected soil.
- To conduct short term training -cum demonstration on fresh and brackish water Fish/Prawn/shrimp cultivation techniques for fish farmers.
Establishment of Elite Seed Farm:
To fulfill the demand of hybrid coconut a project Under RKVY 2009-10, “Establishment of Elite Seed Farm for Coconut D x T (Mahuva) seed nut Production” for large scale production of D x T (Mahuva) seed nut and seedlings successfully established at this station. Under this project total 1570 plants of coconut cv. Dwarf Green as female and 700 plants of coconut cv. West Coast Tall as Male has been planted during July-2011 and protection has been done by means of cement pole, barbed wire and galvanized iron wire chain link. It is estimated that this farm will produce 50,000 hybrid nuts per year from year 2018 and onwards.
Faculty Profile :
|
Sr.
|
Name
|
Designation
|
Qualification
|
Specialized subject
|
|
1.
|
Dr. G. S. Vala
|
Res. Sci. (Horti.)
|
Ph. D. (Agro.)
|
Agronomy
|
|
2.
|
Dr. S. W. Sawarkar
|
Asso. Res. Sci.
|
Ph. D.
|
Veterinary & animal husbandry extension
|
|
3.
|
Shri. A. S. Kotiya
|
Asst. Res. Sci.(Fish)
|
M. F. Sc.
|
Fisheries
|
|
4.
|
Shri. N. S. Lakhani
|
Asst. Res. Sci.(Hort.)
|
M.Sc. (Agri.)
|
Horticulture
|
|
5.
|
Shri. V. C. Dodiya
|
Asst. Res. Sci. (Soil Sci.)
|
M.Sc. (Agri.)
|
Soil Science
|
|
6.
|
Shri. N. M. Kachhadiya
|
Asst. Res. Sci. (Ento.)
|
M.Sc. (Agri.)
|
Agril. Entomology
|
|
7.
|
Shri. V. R. Ahir
|
Asst. Res. Sci. (Pl. Patho.)
|
M.Sc. (Agri.)
|
Plant Pathology
|
|
8.
|
Shri. C. P. Maval
|
Agril. Officer
|
Diploma in Agril
|
-
|
|
9.
|
Shri. V. S. Bambhaniya
|
Agril. Officer
|
M.Sc. (Agri.)
|
Agril. Entomology
|
|
10.
|
Shri. T. K. Mandaviya
|
Agril. Officer
|
M.Sc. (Agri.)
|
Plant Pathology
|
Research projects and schemes – ongoing :
|
Sr. No.
|
Project Name
|
B.H.
|
Starting Year
|
Objectives
|
|
1
|
Research in Fruit Crops (Non Plan)
|
5014
|
1985
|
- To find out most suitable and low cost production technology in fruit crops.
|
|
2
|
Strengthening of Agro meteorology at JAU (Sub Center) (Plan)
|
12907
|
1999
|
- Establishment of Weather Laboratory at Coastal area for recording weather parameters.
|
|
3
|
Establishment of new centre on Onion Crop (Plan)
|
12931
|
2001
|
- To find out appropriate low cost production technology for onion. Varietal testing for onion and garlic.
|
|
4
|
Centre of excellence for soil and Water Mgt. technology (Sub Centre) (Plan)
|
12101-04
|
2005-06
|
- To determine most effective and low cost water harvesting and irrigation system.
|
|
5
|
Mega Seed Production
|
18804-03
|
2006-07
|
- Production of good quality planting materials and supply to the growers.
|
|
6
|
Strengthening of research in Plantation and Fruit Crops. (Plan)
|
12586
|
2008-09
|
- To find out suitable inter crop for coconut, Introduction of new fruit crops, in situ collection and conservation of Fruit/plantation crops Germplasm.
|
|
7
|
Agro Based I.T.I. for Bhavnagar District. (Plan)
|
12116-00
|
2011-12
|
- Training to farmers for use of micro irrigation system and storage and value addition of Onion.
|
|
8
|
Establishment of Aqua Based Research and Training centre in coastal area of Saurashtra. (Plan)
|
12016-00
|
2011-12
|
- Research and Training on Fisheries.
|
Research Activities (2018-19):
1) Research in fruit crops – (B.H.-5014):
Horticulture:
- Performance of different varieties of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) in coastal region.
- Effect of Nitrogen levels on growth, yield and quality of different Pineapple varieties.
- Efficacy of different insecticides against Eriophyid mites (Aceria guerrenonis Keifer) infesting Coconut Cv. D x T
- Varietal screening of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) against anar butterfly (Virachola isocrates Fab.) in coastal region
Bio-control:
- Studies on seasonal activity Opisina arenosella W. and its parasitism.
2) Scheme Center of Excellence for Soil & Water Management Technology (B.H. 12101/04):
- High Density Planting of Sapota under saline soil
- Feasibility of organic farming in pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) under saline water irrigation condition
3) Scheme Establishment of New Research Center on Onion Crops Sub-Center-Mahuva (B.H. 12931):
- Large Scale Varietal Trial on Red and Red Dark Onion
- Evaluation of Biocontrol agent and its combination against disease complex of onion.
4) Scheme strengthening of research in plantation and fruit crops (B.H.12586)
- Effect of chemical fertilizer application in split on coconut cv. TxD Mahuva
- High density planting in Mango cv. Kesar
- Evaluation of coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) genotype
- Effect of Biofertilizers on Seedling Growth and Biochemical Changes of Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.)
5) Establishment of Aqua Based Research and Training Centre in Coastal Saurashtra at Mahuva (B. H. 12016):
- Effect of shrimp (Littopenaeus vannamei) pond sludge on growth of Tilapia (Tilapia mosambiques) in cemented circular tank.
- Evaluation of Growth Performance using Ipomoea aquatic Forsk meal as partial supplementation with fish meal in the diet of Catlacatla fry.
- Replacing fish meal by shrimp protein hydrolysate in Littopenaeus vannamei (Boone, 1931) feeds formulation.
- Effect of different level of protein on the growth and survival of Terapon jarbua (Forsskal, 1775) fry.
Publications:
Research Papers Published by the Faculty : 33
Popular Articles / Folder / Booklet : 51
Books : 4
Transfer of Technologies / Extension Activities :
The technologies developed at this research station are being disseminated to the various extension agencies, N.G.O's, farmers and students by Organizing farmer’s day / agril. fair at the station, by participating in the ' Krushi Mela ', farmers days and Agril. Exhibition organized by University or other agencies, educating students during Kendra Nivas and to farmers during visit of this station. Through TV, Radio broadcasting, literature, press note, personnel / spot field diagnosis and letter etc the extension activities is carried out.
Future Outlook :
Targets :
- Yield enhancement and stability in production of coconut through hybrid varieties.
- To develop input responsive varieties of coconut and chiku crops.
- To brace up production technology of coconut that is more friendly to harsh environment in terms of sustaining and utilizing natural resources i.e. biofertilizers, water and land.
Mile stone :
- Development of high yielding varieties having stable performance, consumer friendly quality and tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses.
- Development of high yielding and hybrids of coconut crops.
- Development of resources responsive varieties / hybrids of coconut
- Production technology for specific crop system based on coconut.
- Identification of donors for major diseases, insect pests and quality traits.
Activities:
- Development of resources responsive varieties / hybrids of coconut.
- Production technology for specific crop system based on coconut.
- Identification of donors for major diseases, insect pests and quality traits.
- Enhanced quality attributes that includes physical, nutritional and cooking quality and arresting anti nutritional attributes.
- TOT including improved seedling.