STATUS OF AGRICULTURAL RESERCAH, EDUCATION AND EXTENSION ACTIVITIES
2. Research
The research activities in agriculture are being undertaken in different departments of the constituent colleges as well as in 6 Regional Agricultural Research Stations (RARS) and three Commodity Research Stations (CRS) viz., Citrus Research Station, Tinsukia; Sugarcane Research Station, Buralikson and Horticultural Research Stration, Kahikuchi. The research activities in veterinary and fisheries are conducted primarily in the departments of the constituent colleges.
There are, however, two research stations to conduct research in livestock and one centre for research in fisheries. Almost all the KVKs have the manpower and facilities to conduct participatory and on-farm research in these fields. The research programs in home science are carried out by the Departments as well as through the KVKs. The research stations and the departments of the constituent colleges have reasonably good laboratory and field facilities for executing the research activities.
Package no. Title No. Of
students
Package – i Crop protection 20
Package – ii Post harvest technology 6
Package – iii Agri- business management 15
Package – iv Commercial horticulture 20
Package – v Commercial agriculture 16
Pakcage - vi Social science 12
Package – vii Tea production and processing technology 10
Total : 99
48 2.1 Agriculture
At present, a total of 118 research projects including 44 ICAR sponsored All India Coordinated Research Projects (AICRP)/All India Network Project (AINP) and 74 ad-hoc projects sponsored by different agencies like ICAR, DBT, DST etc. are in operation in the Faculty of Agriculture.
Research achievements
The University has so far developed more than 80 crop varieties which include the promising varieties like Ranjit, Bahadur, Prafulla, Gitesh, Lachit, Luit, Dishang, Jyotiprasad, Bishnuprasad, Kanaklata, joymati, Aghoni bora, Bhogali bora, Keteki joha in rice; Pratap in greengram; TS-36, TS-38 and TS-46 in toria; Dhansiri, Lohit Nambor, Kapilipar and Doiyang in sugarcane; Tarun in jute; JC-1 and JC-2 in brinjal; etc. The rice varieties with very short duration, submergence tolerance and the sali rice varieties with suitability for staggered planting with aged seedlings are significant contribution of the university to the farmers of flood affected areas of the state.
The University has established itself as one in the elite club of universities/institutes to exhibit its capability in gene technology. The university has successfully generated the transgenic Bt- chickpea lines resistant to pod borer and transferred the same to M/S Mahyco, India’s leading Seed Company, for further testing and commercialization.
The university has identified/developed/updated/perfected volume of technologies and information and recommended to the farmers from time to time in the form of ‘Packages of Practices of Kharif Crops’ ‘Packages of Practices of Rabi Crops’ and ‘Packages of Practices of Horticultural Crops’.
The most significant research achievement of the year 2011-12 is the recommendation of altogether 17 crop varieties by the State Seed Sub-Committee for their notification by the Central Seed Sub-Committee. The varieties include 9 in rice, 2 in wheat, 1 in jute (Apeswaree), 1 in sugarcane (Doiyang), 2 in coconut (Assam green tall and Kahikuchi hybrid-1), 1 in rice-bean (Shyamalima) and 1 variety in colocasia (Ahina Kochu).
One more accomplishment of significance was the establishment of AAU-DBT Centre with funding of Rs 35 crore from DBT to promote research in the frontier areas of science.
Few among the important accomplishments during 2011-12 and 2012-13 are as follows:
Rice
The breeding line TTB 103-21-1 (Mulagabharu - derived from Jaya/Mahsuri) with 135 days duration and tolerance to blast, brown spot and sheath blight diseases has been found promising for growing in double cropped areas.
Four rice varieties viz. TTB 303-18-3 (4.76 t/ha), TTB 303-2-23 (5.11 t/ha), TTB 303-1-26 (4.66 t/ha) and TTB 303-1-42 (4.84 t/ha) exhibited significant promise for water logged situation of Assam and have been recommended.
With a yield of 51.22 q/ha rice variety Kmj 3-1-3 exhibited promise for shallow water situation.
On farm testing of advanced breeding line TTB 404 (135 days) exhibited better promise over the recommended variety Basundhara and other varieties of similar duration in terms of yield performance.
Swarna Sub1 exhibited maximum elongation percent of 88.5% on physiological studies on Near Isogenic Lines for submergence tolerance. The lowest reduction in grain yield due to submergence stress was recorded in cvs. Purnendu (3.10 t/ha) and IR64 Sub1 (3.08 t/ha),
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thereby registering the highest partitioning efficiency (HI) of more than 25% under submergence stress.
Long term application of 100% NPK @ 40 kg N, 20 kg P2O5 and 20 kg K2O/ha along with ZnSO4 (20 kg/ha) + 5 t FYM could sustain stable yield of rice crop over the years (22nd year) and improve soil fertility. In rice-based cropping system, application of this treatment once in a season led to positive growth of plants and increased nutrient accumulation, improved nutrient status and higher organic carbon in soil.
With the best management practices (Irrigated, Application of FYM @ 5 t/ha + 150% RDF NPK,+ 25 kg ZnSO4, alternate wetting and drying, incorporation of weed bio-mass, line planting with 20 cm × 20 cm, pest-management) rice variety Ranjit could produce an average yield of 5.56 t/ha as against 3.89 t/ha with farmer’s practices (Rainfed, imbalanced fertilization, continuous flooding, random planting no. of hills/m2- 17-21, pest control following ITK).
Different irrigation schedules did not show difference in grain yield of boro rice. However, 5 cm irrigation at 3 DADPW resulted in considerably higher water use efficiency of 73.3 kg/ha and led to water saving to the extent of 42.3 per cent over the farmers’ practice.
In relay cropping of pea after rice, increase in number of irrigations increased the pH value significantly while reverse trend was recorded in respect of Soil Microbial Biomass Carbon (SMBC). Organic carbon, available N, P2O5 and K2O did not differ significantly due to the influence of irrigation levels. Residual data (gain/loss) calculated based on initial chemical properties revealed that both irrigation schedules and organic manures improved pH, organic carbon (%), available N, P2O5, K2O (kg/ha) and SMBC (µg/g) to the tune of 0.30, 0.04, 24.73, 11.41, 18.32 and 22.25, respectively.
Application of flubendamide 3.5% + hexaconazol 5% WG could effectively reduce the infestation of sheath blight disease and attack of leaf folder, DH and WEH and could increase grain yield of rice.
In a farmer’s field of 100 hectare area, BIPM technology had shown better performance in reducing Green Leaf Hopper and rice stem borer infestation with an increase in yield of 6.08 per cent over the chemical control.
Application of Buprofezin + Acephate (20+50) % @ 800 ml/ha could effectively suppress the infestation of rice stem borrer, whorl maggot, leaf folder and gundhi bug.
Application of vermicompost @ 2.5 t/ha could lower the incidence of stemborer, gall midge and gundhi bug and could increase the grain yield up to 4790 kg/ha.
Bamboo internode pieces (15.46 gm/day) are the best bait station followed by banana pseudostem (14.00gm/day), while banana leaf exhibited poor performance with lowest bait consumption (12.20 gm/day).
Pulses
In blackgram, application of lime @ 200 kg/ha increased grain yield by almost 80 kg/ha over the control with the BC ratio of 2.04.
Treatments with different biofertilizers recorded significantly higher grain yield in blackgram than no seed inoculation. There was no significant variation in grain yields under Rhizobium and PSB when inoculated separately while in combination inoculation could record significant increase in grain yield and BC ratio.
In greengram-wheat sequence, greengram equivalent yield (GEY) of the sequence was significantly higher under 40 kg P2O5/ha + seed inoculation with PSB (Bacillus megeterium) @ 50 g/kg seed of greengram than all other P2O5 levels applied to the first crop. Application of 60 kg P2O5 /ha to wheat produced significantly higher GEY of the
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sequence than application of the lower doses. Combinations of 40 kg P2O5 /ha + seed inoculation with PSB @ 50 g/kg seed of greengram and P2O5 @ 30 (B:C ratio 1.72) and 60 kg /ha (B:C ratio 1.70) applied to wheat resulted in significantly higher GEY of the sequence.
In lentil, application of 10:20:15 kg N:P2O5:K2O/ha along with vermincompost 1 t/ha or FYM 2 t/ha as basal + seed inoculation with Rhizobium and PSB each @ 50 g/kg seed of lentil was found to significantly increase yield.
The bio-efficacy of seven biopesticides, viz. Neemazol, Neemgold, Multineem, Nimbicidine, Achook, Beauveria bassiana (Biopower) and Verticillium lecanii (Verticel) were evaluated against insect pests of lentil. All the insecticides were found effective in suppressing pests population and consequently increase in yield. Nimbicidine @3ml/l was found most effective followed by neemazol at the same dose.
In lathyrus, seed inoculation with rhizobium and PSB besides application of 5 kg N, 13 kg P2O5 at sowing and 5 kg N, 13 kg P2O5 and 15 kg K2O/ha at rice harvest recorded the highest grain yield (1035.56 kg/ha) and was significantly higher than those under all other treatments except application of N and P2O5 at 2 equal splits at sowing and rice harvest (@
7.5 kg/ha and 17.5 kg P2O5/ha) along with K2O @ 15 kg/ha at rice harvest (1001.11 kg/ha).
Two sprays of 2 % urea at branching and pod initiation recoded significantly higher grain yield (1002.04 kg/ha) in comparison to no spray.
In field pea, Adoption of IPM module (Seed treatment with Imidacloprid 600FS + Carbendazim2 3g/kg + Removal of rogued plants + Sprays of NSKE 5% at 40 days + Install yellow sticky trap (1mx1m) @ 8/ha + Spray of Spinosad @ 60 a. i./ ha at 50%
flowering stage) has resulted in 17.26% increase in yield over farmers’ practice (FP). The cost-benefit ratio was calculated as 1.89 in the respective year.
Rapeseed and Mustard
In rice–toria sequence, 50 % RD of N and P with 100 % K and 1 t of enriched compost (for both the crops) produced rice and toria yield of 3.99 and 0.85 (t/ha) with corresponding B:C ratio of 2.21 and 1.39. This treatment combination showed higher yields, improved chemical and biological properties as well as better B:C ratio. Incorporation of the enriched composts with consequent reduction of mineral fertilizer exhibited greater MB-C (318.93- 428.47µg/g) and dehydrogenase (314.69-367.44 µg TPF /g/ 24h), phosphomonoesterase (466.05-623.42 µg p-nitrophenol/g/h) and fluorescein diacetate (11.89-13.20 µg fluorescein/g/hr) activities
In rice – linseed sequence, the highest rice and linseed yield was recorded in 100 % NPK.
Rice – Linseed crop sequence yielded significantly higher LEY when rice was fed with 100
% NPK and linseed with 75 % NP + Azotobacter + PSB + 100% K. The highest Gross Monetary Return along with highest B:C ratio was recorded with 100% NPK applied both in rice and linseed.
Jute and Allied Fibers
Among 27 breeding lines derived from the crosses of oletorious jute, few lines such as NHPOC 27, NHPOC 2, NHPOC 26, NHPOC 21, NHPOC 12, NHPOC 23, NHPOC 20, NHPOC 22 with plant height of 164 to 186 cm were found promising. All the plants in each of the crosses were free from incidence of stem rot, root rot and anthracnose diseases.
Retting was completed in 15 days when treated with CRIJAF microbial consortium against 21 days without microbial consortium (natural). The fibre was brighter in CRIJAF microbial consortium treated jute plants than non-treated plants. On the other hand, with
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application of the bacterial consortium of Shillongani retting was completed within 17 days while the retting in the control (untreated) tank was completed within 20 days. The fibre extracted from the treated tank was of better quality and lustrous than the fibre extracted from the controlled (untreated) tank.
Fruits
Three local cultivars of banana viz, Bhutmonohar, Bharatmoni and Kachkol were evaluated as promising cultivars in regards to plant height, girth, number of leaves. However, Barjahaji is the best among the cultivars in regards to yield and yield attributing characters.
Reduced disease and increased fruit yield were observed on application of three bioagents viz., Trichoderma viride, Trichoderma harzanium and Pseudomonas fluorescens followed by foliar spraying of Al-phosetyl. The reduction in disease severity of 46.14% was achieved with the spraying of Al-phosetyl alone, while, 48.32% reduction in disease severity was recorded when all three bioagents were added to the soil.
For management of citrus canker, alternate application of COC (0.3%) + streptomycin sulphate (100 ppm) and NSKE 5% found effective (72.64%) when compared to NSKE 5%
(49.82%) and COC (0.3%) + streptomycin sulphate (1g/10lit) (48.56%) separately.
Vegetables
A large number of brinjal varieties were tested over seasons and across locations. From the evaluations, three brinal varieties - two round type and one long type were found to be suitable for consideration for recommendation to the farmers with high yield, good taste and consumer preference palatability.
Experiments were conducted to develop organic package of practices in several crops including cabbage and tomato.
Flowers
A large number of flower cultivars were tested. Among the cultivars tested, the promising cultivars were Prajwal in tuberose; Pusa Kiran in gladiolus; Aeropolish, Fire, Tropical and Calora in anthurium andRed Gem and Classic Beauty for open condition and Battayia, Gussi, Basic, Nayri, Sangria and Rosalin for protected condition in gerbera.
Honeybee
Stingless bees were collected or received from different parts of India. Taxonomic study was made and based on characteristics such as colour morph, chaetotaxy, structural variation and morphometrics six species have been identified as Trigona conifrons, T.
iridipennis, T.laviceps, T. ruficonis, T. atripes and T. ventralis.
White Grub
Field and laboratory investigations on different aspects of L. mansueta confirmed the biennial life cycle of L. mansueta, which was reported for the first time from North East India. Biology and feeding behavior of the pest including its host range etc. have been studied thoroughly.
Ornithology
96 species of birds belonging to 31 families were recorded in agricultural landscape of Assam of which Eurasian Tree sparrow (Passer montanus) and House sparrow (Passer
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domesticus) were the only two dominant sparrow species recorded in agricultural landscape of Assam.
The low cost nest boxes designed for beneficial omnivorous birds were mainly occupied by House sparrow, Eurasian Tree sparrow, Great Tit, Magpie Robin and Spotted owlet.
Eurasian Tree sparrow and House sparrow readily occupied earthen nest box and nest box made of shoe box (70% occupied), while 30 per cent Nest Box made of wood occupied by spotted owlet. Magpie Robin preferred mud pot (40 per cent) and Common Myna in old biscuit tin.
Biofertilizer
Five indigenous phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) based on their potential phosphate solubilizing abilities (13.00-59.25% P dissolved from RP in 30 days) were evaluated in field condition taking rice as test crop for three years. Three years pool analysis of data clearly indicated the excellent performances of indigenous PSBs in increasing rice yield (3.84-3.88t/ha) and enhancing the phosphomonoesterase activity. These PSBs are preserved and will be utilized for biofertilizer production.
2.2. Home Science
Four research projects including the AICRP on Home Science with 5 components are in operation in the Faculty of Home Science.
Research achievements
Few significant research accomplishments have been - development and commercialization of Assam mix – a promising weaning food, nutritional fortification of several traditional recipes, development of women-friendly farm-tool “Kuhuna” for drudgery reduction and standardization of methods for extraction of natural dyes from locally available plants etc.
Few of the significant achievements during the period under review are as follows:
Ergonomic evaluation of parboiling of rice with conventional tool was assessed. The working heart rate and energy expenditure of the farm women using conventional tool were found to be 104 b.min-1 and 7.70 kJ/min respectively. The activity was categorized as a
“moderately heavy” activity based on average heart rate and energy expenditure values.
Ergonomically designed hand tool along with improved work station will reduce drudgery and enhance the work efficiency of the farm women.
Weaving chair for fly shuttle weavers was ergonomically designed with provision of back support and drawer underneath for keeping weaving accessories. The working heart rates while weaving in conventional seat and improved chair were found to be 98.36 b.min-1 and90.44 b.min-1respectively indicating reduction of physiological workload and hence enhancing comfort as well as efficiency of the fly shuttle weavers.
Laboratory scale production of rice beer was standardized and suitable varieties were identified.
For Value addition of under-utilized non-degradable natural resources, Polyethylene Laminated fabric and for the under utilized degradable farm waste, Banana fiber were used for making folders, note books, visiting cards, etc. for entrepreneurial development.
2.3 Veterinary
Currently, a total of 31 research projects including 8 ICAR and DBT sponsored AICRP/AINP projects are in operation in the Faculty of Veterinary Science.
53 Research achievements
The University developed improved pig breed with 87.5 % Hampshire inheritance, goat breeds with 75 % beetal blood, developed DNA fingerprinting of Swamp buffalo to establish its closeness to riverine buffalo, standardized MOET (Multiple Ovulation Embryo Transfer) protocols and developed Cell culture vaccine for Swine Fever which is now being mass produced in PPP mode among many important accomplishments. Few of the significant achievements during the period under review are as follows:
In buffalo, Vitrification of immature bovine oocytes using 10 % Ethylene Glycol +10 % Dimethyl Sulphoxide for equilibration and 20% EG+20%DMSO with 0.6M sucrose as vitrification solution yielded acceptable in-vitro maturation rate of 74.20± 1.88% and successfully isolated Cx43 (Connexin 43) and PAP (Poly A Polymerase) genes in vitrified in vitro matured bovine oocytes.
A package of rations for pre weaned piglets, grower and lactating sows have been developed by combining different ingredients and chemicals for optimum growth and the cost price per kg of feed is calculated as Rs. 62.85/-, 38.15/-, 23.55/-, 20.85/- and 19.16/- respectively in Pre- stater, Starter I, Starter II, Grower I and Lactating sows.
Microsatellite based characterization of indigenous pigs, goats is in progress.
Cell culture adapted lapinized vaccine virus at different passage level and 43 CSF virus isolates from Assam and other N.E. states were lyophilized and kept in the virus repository.
Production and characterization of monoclonal antibodies against CSF virus antigen was done for the first time in the country.
Among the various extracts of Esholtzia communis., Elsholtzia communis ethanol water extract exhibited potent adaptogenic activity in various models of adaptogenic study. The extract showed the presence of diterpenes, phenolics, steroids, triterpenes, flavonoids, tannin.
The phenolic content of the extract is 0.081±0.012 mg tannic acid/g of dry plant material and flavonoid content of the extract is 0.011±0.010 mgquercetin /g of dry plant material. The extract showed the maximum in vitro anti-oxidant activity at the concentration of 0.05 mg/ml .Likewise, among the various extracts of Gnetum gnemon., itsethanol extract showed potent adaptogenic activity in various models. The extract showed the presence of diterpenes, phenolics, glycosides, triterpenes. The phenolic content of the extract is 0.148±0.025 mg tannic acid/g of dry plant material and flavonoid content of the extract is 0.011±0.006 mgquercetin /g of dry plant material. The extract showed maximum in vitro anti-oxidant activity at the concentration of 0.05 mg/ml. While comparing the nutritive values of both the plants, Esholtzia communis exhibited higher level of crude protein and carbohydrate.
2.4 Fishery
There are altogether 8 research projects in operation in the faculty.
Research achievements
Few important accomplishments in fishery research have been development of crop-fish- live-stock based integrated farming system models, seed production of Cat-fish magur (Clarias batrachus), development of low cost fish-feed under the trade name “Sushama”. Some of the salient research findings under these projects are as follows:
Studies on culture and breeding of three small fish species viz. A. mola, N. notopterus, M.
Vitatus under small pond condition revealed that N. notopterus was the most suitable one for culture under small pond condition.
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Different integrated fishery based farming systems have been developed and demonstrated at FRC farm for the benefit of the fish farmers of N.E. Region visiting the Centre.