Agricultural Research Station,
Anand Agricultural University,
Derol, Dist. : Panchmahal,
Pin. :- 389 320

The Agricultural Research Station, Derol Started its functioning in 1958 by the than Bombay State as a testing centre for oilseeds crops. Then after during 1962 the scheme on drilled paddy research was started to serve this station as drilled rice research centre for whole of the Gujarat state. The station was transferred from the State Department of Agriculture to the Gujarat Agricultural University after its establishment in 1972. The paddy research was further strengthened with the sanction of strengthening of Paddy Research Scheme ( drilled ) during Vth Five Year Plan. The project on intensification of research and training in pulses and oilseeds crops was initiated during 1980 which was terminated in 1983. Besides these schemes, considering needs of the farmers in the region National Agricultural Research Project was started in May 1983 at this centre to undertake multidisciplinary research in drilled rice, oilseeds and pulses.

Derol Centre of Anand Agricultural University is the main Research Station in Gujarat with the mandate to take up multidiscplinary research work in Drilled paddy to meet the need of developing production technology for increasing production of Drilled Paddy of Gujarat. This station also working for multiscplinary research in oilseed crop like Groundnut & Mustard as well as in pulse crop like pigeonpea, mungbeen udidbean, chickpea & clusterbean. It also serva as seed production unit for maize, Deshi Cotton, pigeonpea, chickpea & clusterbean and other pulse crop. The station is located physically 1 km away from Kalol town on Bombay – Indore state Highway and 1 km away from Derol railway station ( Baroda – Delhi B. G. Line).

 (a) Name of the :- Middle Gujarat Agro-Climatic zone – III

(b) Rainfall :- The  annual  rainfall  of this  region  over  the  past  10 years  ranges  from  380  mm  to 1246  mm with  an  average  precipitation of 800  mm 

(c) Soil :- The soil of the farm is sandy loam in texture, poor in organic carbon, medium in available phosporus and rich in available Potash. The soil is deficient in micro- nutrients like Fe, Zn, Cu & Mn. The soil reaction is neutral with pH 7.0

(d) Temperature :- The climatic conditions of the area represents the subtropical conditions with semi arid climate. The monsoon commences by third week of June and ceases by middle of September. The July & August are the months of heavy rains. The winter is cool & dry while summer is quite dry & hot. The January is the coolest month of winter with mean monthly minimum temperature varying from 8.2 C to 21.5 C. On the other hand, May is the hottest month in which the maxi temperature varies from 39.6 C to 47.3 C.

(e) Geographical Details :- Climate Subtropical.
                                        Latitude 22’ N
                                        Longitude 72’ E
                                        Average Rainfall 750 mm.

(f) Soil properties :-

Type :- Sandy Loam, Highly productive and responsive to fertilizers.
pH :- 7.0
Oarganic Carbon :- 0.35
Available N2 :- 200 kg / ha
Available P2O5 :- 35 kg / ha
Available K2O :- 345 kg / ha

Total area of farm                         ::  15.68 ha
Farm area under office bulding         :: 3.25 ha
residential quarters, threshing yard,
stores, bullock shed and farm roads.
Farm area under cultivation            :: 12.43 ha
Farm area under Agricultural crops   :: 12.43 ha
Area under horticultural crops         ::  NIL
Irrigated area                               ::  10.0 ha
Source of Irrigation                       :: One Open Well and Open Borewell

(b) OILSEEDS RESEARCH SCHEME :-

(1) Identification of early high yielding genotypes of important oilseeds crops of this region.
(2) Testing the potentiality of introduction of new promising remuneration oilseed crops.

(c) NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH PROJECT :-

(1) Development and identification of high yielding genotypes resistant to biotic stresses in pigeonpea and chickpea.
(2) Development of improved agronomic practices for pigeonpea and chickpea for higher production.
(3) Identification of suitable intercropping system for pulse crop perticularly pigeonpea, blackgram and green gram.
(4) Evaluation of economic and environment ecofriendly economic plant protection measures for yield stability.
(5) Development, modification and evaluation of suitable agricultural implements to reduce the cost of production.
(6) Research on advance water economic irrigation technologies for different cops.

(d) GENETIC ENHANCEMENT & PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGIES OF PULSES,   OILSEEDS & CEREALS

(1) Development  and  identification  of  high  yielding  genotypes  resistant to biotic stresses  in blackgram  and  chickpea.

(2) Identification of  early,  synchronous maturity and high  yielding  genotypes of blackgram and hickpea for  this  region. 

(e) GENETIC ENHANCEMENT & PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGIES OF MAJOR  CROPS GROWN IN TRIBAL AREAS

(1) Development  of  short  duration  high  yielding,  drought  resistant genotypes  of  drilled  paddy  suitable  for  this  region  and  state.        

(2) Development  of  tolerant  genotypes  against  chlorosis,  stem  borer  and leaf  roller.

(b) PULSES :-

(1) Screening of genotypes for sterility mosaic in pigeonpea, will be given the priority.
(2) Identify the high yielding genotypes in green gram, cowpea, pigeonpea and chickpea.
(3) Development and isolution of high yielding coupled with wilt resistant in chickpea.
(4) Development of suitable cropping system irrigation and plant protection schedule and agronomic practices for increasing productivity per unit area.
(5) To solve the termite problems in pulses at the station.
(6) To fix the economic threshold level of H. armigera in chickpea.

(c) OILSEEDS :-

Testing and Varification of groundnut, Sunflower, mnstard and other oilseed genotypes / varieties for higher yield and economic return.

(d) GENETIC ENHANCEMENT & PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGIES OF PULSES,   OILSEEDS & CEREALS:

(1) Collection and identification of plus  genotypes of blackgram for higher yield, seed size, plant type, YVMV resistance and for early and synchronous maturity.

(2) To take crossing programme in chickpea having following objectives in mind.

• Wilt resistance.

• Heliothis tolerance.

• Seed size.

• Higher yield.

• Nematode resistance.

 e) GENETIC ENHANCEMENT & PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGIES OF MAJOR CROPS GROWN IN TRIBAL AREAS

(1) To develop high yielding varieties of drilled paddy suitable for tribal      areas of          Middle Gujarat. (2) In addition to higher yield

• Resistant to drought.

• Resistant to lodging.

• Tolerant to iron chlorosis.

• Better aroma and cooking quality.

c) Crop Protection :-
i. Pest and diseases survey and surveillance of various crops.
ii. Development of suitable plant protection schedule for increasing production of different crops like paddy , pulses and oilseed crops.
iii. To solve the termite problems in drilled paddy and pulses.
iv. To fix the economic threshould level of H. armigera in chickpea.

b) AGRONOMY Research Recommendations for the Farmers :-
 

(1)  In  the  Derol  condition  of  middle  Gujarat  agro – climatic  zone,  the   groundnut  variety  JL – 24  during  Kharif  should  be  grown  at  a  spacing  of  30 x 10 cm.  This  give  an  additional   income  of  about  Rs.  500 / ha over  the  wide  spacing  of  45  cm.

(2) The  farmers  in  Panchmahals  district  of  middle  Gujarat  zone  are  advised to  intercrop  groundnut  or  maize  or  drilled  paddy  in  pigeonpea.

(3)  Farmers  of  middle  Gujarat  Agro climatic  zone  following  maize – wheat  (irrigated)  crop  sequence  are  advised  to  apply  100  percent   of  recommended  dose  i.e.  100  kg  N +  50 kg  P₂O₅ / ha  to  both  the crops.

(4)  The farmers of  middle Gujarat  Agro climatic  zone  adopting  pigeonpea + maize  intercropping  system (2 : 1) in  paired  row  method  (60 : 120 : 60 ) are advised  to  apply  recommended  dose  of  fertilizer ( 100 kg N +50 kg  P₂O₅/ ha )  to  intercrop  maize  only.

(5)The farmers of  Middle Gujarat  Agro climatic  zone –III growing Drilled Paddy having problem of Fe – Chlorosis are advised to give 4 sprays of FeSO₄ @ 1.0 per cent without neutralization starting from 15 to 20 days after sowing at an interval of 8 to 10 days to get higher yield and net return.

(6)The farmers of Middle Gujarat Agroclimatic Zone – III (AES – II) growing clusterbean variety GG – 1 are advised to sow their crop on the 15th of August and to apply 1.0 t/ha. of  vericompost under the crop row at the time of sowing for securing maximum yield with net return of Rs. 34,506/- with CBR of 4.71.

(7) The farmers of Middle Gujarat Agroclimatic Zone – III (AES – II) growing chickpea variety GG – 1 are advised to irrigate their crop twice first at branching stage (about 30 DAS) and second at pod filling stage (about 70 DAS) with application of 40 Kg.P2O5 /ha as basal at time of sowing under the crop row for securing maximum yield of 2736 Kg./ha with net realization of Rs.62,927/-  with CBR of 8.15.

c) ENTOMOLOGY Research Recommendations for the Farmers :-

(1) Two application of DDVP 0.03 % ( 1:12:30 ) or dimethoite 0 . 03 % ( 1:7:22 ) or Endosulfan 0 . 07 % ( 1 : 6 : 32 ) at first and second flush at the initiation of pod stage are recommended for effictive and economical control of Heliothis and pod fly in pigeonpea in middle Gujarat.

(2) The chickpea cultivators of middle Gujarat are advised to spray Monocrotofos 0.04 % at 50 % flowering of the crop to have the best control of gram pod borer and economic crop return ( ICBR 1:26:81 ).

(3) The pigeonpea cultivators of middle Gujarat are advised to spray endosulfan 0.07 % first spray at the time of pod borer appearance and second spray after 15 days of first spray to have the best control of the pod borer Heliocoverpa armigera Hb. and economic crop return (ICBR 1:9:10)

(4) To minimize the use of synthetic insecticides and there by to reduced hazard, the pigeonpea cultivators of middle Gujarat are advised to spray 5% neem seed extract at first and second flush, at the infestation of pod setting should be given for reducing the damage of pod borer Heliocoverpa armigera Hb. and economic crop return ( ICBR 1:15:5 ).

d) Agricultural Engineering :-
(1) Farmer of middle Gujarat Agro-climatic zone – III having deep sandy loam soil are hereby advised to use Gujarat. Agric. University, Derol multipurpose implement for ploughing, sowing, interclturing and digging operations in place of the wooden traditional implements.

(2) It is recommended that the farmers of Panchmahals district ( Middle Gujarat Agroclimatic zone – III ) harvest the drilled paddy crop at 35 days after 50 % flowering which gives higher yield as well as good response in milling quality. variety GR – 5 gave more production and rice recovery.

(3) The farmers of Middle Gujarat Agro-climatic zone ( AES – III ) are advised to irrigate chick pea crop through sprinkler method. The crop should applied with first irrigation at sowing, second irriation about 20 – 25 days of sowing i.e. branching stage and third irrigation at 40 – 45 days after second irrigation i.e. pod formation stage to get maximum grain yield. The sprinkler system should be laid out at 12m x 12m spacing and operating pressure of 2 . 74 kg / cm 2 with application rate of 1 . 67 cm / hr. The system should rune 3 . 6 hours to irrigate the crop at 60 mm depth of irrigation water.

i) Seed Production :- SEED PRODUCTION FOR THE YEAR 2007 – 08.

The technologies developed at this research station is being discriminated to the various extension agencies, N. G. O’s, farmers and students in the following ways.

● All the Staff members activety participated in Krushi Mahotasva Organized by Govt. of Gujarat for one month i.e. 12 – 05 – 05 to 12 – 06 – 05 for dissemination of new Agriculture technology in entire Panchmahal District.

● Participating in the “Krushi Mela”, farmers days and Agril. Exhibition organized by University or other agencies.

● Educating govt. officials in pre – seasonal training diagnostic team visit and other training programmes.

● Conducting demonstration plot and organizing field days on farmers field.

● Educating students during Kendra Nivas and to farmers during visit of this station.

● Through personnel / spot field visits diagnosis and letter etc.

DR. SOMABHAI HIRABHAI PATEL
RESEARCH SCIENTIST (P)
AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH STATION
ANAND AGRICULTUAL UNIVERSITY
DEROL – 389 320 , TA : KALOL,
DIST. PANCHMAHAL.

TELEPHONE NO. :-RESI. :- (0265) 2487593  

OFFICE :- (02676) 235528

E-mail:-    ars_derol@yahoo.com