Main Rice
Research Station
Anand Agricultural University
Nawagam-387 540
Ta. & Dist. Kheda(Gujarat)
Year of Establishment
The
centre for research on paddy was established at Nawagam in the Rice Bowl Daskoshi area on a 2.5 hectare area in
1945 by the Dept of Agriculture of Imperial Government of British
ruler.With the formation of the Gujarat State in 1960, the station
was developed as the Main Rice Research Station keeping the
headquarter of the Rice Specialist and creating various disciplines
such as Rice Breeding, Agronomy, Entomology,
Plant Pathology and Biochemistry. In addition one Regional Rice
Research Station at Vyara in South Gujarat and other sub-centres /
Testing centres were established.A scheme on Strengthening Research
in paddy was given during 3rd Five
Year Plan (1965) and post of Assistant Research Scientist (Class-II)
in the discipline of Agronomy, Plant Pathology, Entomology,
Biochemistry and Statistics were provided.
In 1971 with the commencement of the All India
Coordinated Rice Improvement Project (AICRIP), the Posts of the
Associate
Research Scientists and Assistant Research Scientist in the
discipline of Plant Breeding, Agronomy, Plant Pathology,Entomology and Statistics were created.
In 1972 the main Rice Research Station alongwith its sub-centres
were transferred from state administration
to the Gujarat Agricultural University. The technical guidance in the rice research in
Gujarat State is solely governed by the Research Scientist(Rice). He
is also working as Coordinator for the International Rice Research
Institute (IRRI) and the All India Coordinated Rice Improvement
Project (AICRIP) research programme in the University.
Introduction
The
Main Rice Research Station was established at Nawagam in
Daskoshi area, known as a “rice bowl of the then Bombay State”,
on 2.5 hectares area in 1945 by the Department of Agriculture of
Imperial Government of British ruler. At present the total area
of the station is 25.92 hectares. The station is located on the
outskirts of Kheda district on Kheda-Bareja road about 15 km
away from Kheda and 6 km from Bareja on the National Highway
No.8. As the station was established in 1945, the “Golden
Jubilee” of the station was celebrated on 17th October, 1996.
The Annual
rainfall of this region for the last 30 years ranges from 293
mm. to 1658 mm. with an average precipitation of 870 mm
Soil
The soil
of the station and its surround-dings is medium black deep to
very deep, poorly, drained and salt affected
Temperature
The
climatic conditions of the area repre-sents the subtropical
conditions with semi arid climate. The monsoon commences by
third week of June and ceases in September. The July & August
are the month of heavy rains. The Winter is medium cool & dry.
While, Summer is quite dry & hot. The January is the coolest
month of Winter with mean monthly minimum temperature varying
from 9.40C. to 29.60C., on the other hand
May is the hottest month in which the maximum temperature varies
from 21.00C., to 43.30C
Geographical
Details
Climate : Sub
tropical
Latitude : 22’48 N
Longitude : 71’43 E
Altitude : 32.4 M
Temperature : 90 to 430 C. degree centigrade
Average rainfall: 870 mm. (last 30 years)
Soil
properties
Type
Medium
black deep to very deep, Poorly Drained, salt affected
pH
7.2 – 7.9
Organic
Carbon
0.55 – 0.62
Available N2
0.46 – 0.53 kg/ha
Available P2O5
88 – 92 kg/ha
Available K2O
688 – 889 kg/ha
Water Quality
EC(dsm-1)
1.1 dsm-1
SAR
16.08
RSC (meq/lit)
8.8
Class
--
Fluoride
--
Infrastructure :
Total Area
25.9200 ha
Farm area under cultivation
20.0622
ha
Area under farm structures/buildings
5.858
ha
Irrigated area
20.0622
ha
Source of irrigation
Canal
Pond water, Tube well-1
Mandate :
To evolve
high yielding and quality varieties of rice resistant to
prevailing pests and diseases under varied conditions of
cultivation viz; Low land (transplanted), Upland (drilled),
Hilly, Saline, Alkaline and Sodic in Kharif and Summer season.
To
identify remunerative package of practices for rice cultivation
and disseminating the same to the farmers
To
multiply pure seeds (Breeder & nucleus) of improved varieties
and distribution
.
To impart
training through short term courses / farmer’s day / teaching
To facilitate exchange of information,
varietal seeds and Germplasm.
Objectives
Coordination & monitoring of rice
research work in the State which includes planning,
implementation & execution
To evolve
high yielding and quality varieties of rice resistant to
prevailing pests and diseases under varied conditions of
cultivation viz; Low land(transplanted), Upland (drilled),
hilly, saline, alkaline and sodic in Kharif and Summer seasons.
To work out the agronomy of various forage crops to maximise
production.
To
identify remunerative package of practices for rice cultivation
and disseminating the same to the farmers.
To
impart training through short term courses / farmers’ day/
teaching.
To
facilitate exchange of information, varietal seeds and germplasm.
Transfer of Technologies
Diagnosis of pests
and disease infected specimens and suggestions accordingly.
Regular visits to
farmers fields as and when required and on the spot suggestion.
Providing
information on modern rice production technology to the farmers
during farmers meetings, Gram Sabhas organized by Dept. of
Agriculture, KRIBHCO, IFFCO, NABARD, Bank of Baroda, WALMI etc.;
Imparting
trainings to T & V officers during preseasonal and bimonthly
training workshop.
Dissemination of
modern rice production technology by arranging crop museum
during farmers’ days, Field days, and farm demonstrations.
Dissemination of
modern rice production technology by radio and T.V. programmes.
Publishing popular
articles pertaining to Rice Research in vernacular language.
Research Activities :
Crop Improvement
To evaluate suitable
rice varieties through inter disciplinary approach for various
categories of situations viz; low land rice (irrigated), upland
rice (un-irrigated), hilly area and saline and alkaline
conditions as well as Summer season..
Production of
Breeder Seed, Nucleus seed trustful seed and general seeds of
improved varieties of rice for national demand.
Acceleration of rice
production by development of improved varieties.
To establish a
network linkage for effective assessment of varieties technology
emanating from different National and International Research
Stations.
Breeding programme for the resistance to insect, pests and
disease.
Development of genotypes suitable for multiple and intercropping
systems.
Breeding for quality and high protein, tolerance to drought and
saline conditions.
Maintaining purity and performance
of improved rice varieties.
Standardizing package of practices
for hybrid rice.
Resource Management
To workout
profitable management practices for newly evolved improved
varieties of rice as well as promising cultures in pipeline.
To undertake research
on nutrient aspect of soil and plant.
Acceleration of rice production by development of improved
package of practices.
Improvement in the
production of Summer paddy and its package of practices.
Research on weed
management practices in nursery as well as in transplanted rice
crop.
To ascertain the suitable crop sequence based on transplanted
rice.
Research on fertilizer and water management using sprinkler
irrigation and system of Rice intensification (SRI).
To study spectral responses of transplanted rice undergoing
various kinds of stress and to develop methodology for the
detection of stress using remote sensing technique. To develop
yield models for rice in terms of spectral properties and agro
meteorological data using Remote Sensing Technique.
Quality evaluation of samples of breeding, agronomy, plant
physiology and plant protection experiments.
Crop
Protection
(To screen breeding
materials for resistance to important pests and diseases under
hotspot conditions.
To undertake
research on newly developed pests and diseases
Pest and disease
survey and surveillance of rice in rice growing area of the
state.
Management of rice pest / diseases by botanicals, biopesticides
and fungicides as well as insecticides.
Evaluation of IPM / IDM module for rice pest disease complex.
Characterization and monitoring of bio-control agent.
Identification of additional and new sources of resistance to
WBPH, leaf folder and yellow stem borer through genetic
characterization and grouping of resistant donors.
