News Vol. 28, No. 2
April-June, 2012
Varieties/Hybrid Identified Vegetables. One hybrid and six varieties, namely, Pusa Vasuda in carrot, Pusa Jamuni and Pusa Gulabi in radish, Pusa Barkha in cucumber, Pusa Riddhi in onion, Pusa Soumya in bunching onion and Pusa Udit in broad bean were i d e n t i f i e d b y I A R I Va r i e t y
First purple fleshed unique trait nutritionally rich radish variety Pusa Jamuni has distinct advantage in root size, shape, yield and consumer preference over the existing varieties. It has higher anthocyanins and ascorbic acid with an average yield of 50 t/ha.
Identification Committee for their release in Delhi State. First public sector tropical carrot hybrid Pusa Vasuda, developed using CMS system, with
and consumer preference over the existing varieties. It contains high total carotenoids, anthocyanins and optimal ascorbic acid with an average yield of 60 t/ha. First extra early improved variety of cucumber Pusa Barkha, identified for kharif season cultivation for North Indian plains, is field tolerant to high humidity, high temperature and downy mildew disease. It has an average fruit yield of 18.8 t/ha.
an average yield of 40 t/ha is suitable for salad, juice extraction, cooking and industry for
Pusa Jamuni
carotenoid extraction. Its roots are smooth, attractive, vigorous, red, sweet, juicy, and are rich in total carotenoids, lycopene, TSS and minerals.
First entire pink fleshed nutritional rich radish variety Pusa Gulabi has medium root size, cylindrical shape, optimal yield Pusa Barkha
Pusa Vasuda
Pusa Gulabi
The onion variety Pusa Riddhi is suitable for kharif and rabi seasons having compact, flat globe, and dark red colour bulbs. Average equatorial and polar diameters of bulbs range from 4.5-6.0 cm and 4.8-6.3 cm, respectively, and bulb weight ranges from 70-100 g. It is pungent and rich in antioxidant
Pusa Riddhi
A dual purpose broad bean variety Pusa Udit with an average yield potential of 17.63 t/ha is suitable for packaging and transport. Pods of this variety are extra long, flattish and light green. The fresh seeds have attractive green colour and are good in taste. Both tender pods as well as dried seeds are edible.
(quercetin 107.42 mg/100 g). The variety is also suitable for storage and export and has an average yield of 31.66 t/ha. Pusa Soumya is the first bunching onion variety proposed for commercial cultivation in India. This is a multi-cut variety and suitable for round the year green onion production. 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.
Pusa Udit
Gladiolus. Three varieties of g l a d i o l u s , n a m e l y, P u s a Manmohak, Pusa Red Valentine and Pusa Vidushi, were identified by the IARI Variety Identification Committee for state release.
It is a mid-maturing variety flowering in about 100-105 days and duration of flowering ranges from 20-25 days. The florets are saffron red (40 B) with thin whitish stripes on the throat of two oppositely placed lower tepals. Spikes are more than 93 cm in length with good rachis length (>55 cm) and 19-21 numbers of florets per spike. Pusa Red Valentine is a selection among the open pollinated population of the variety Regency. It flowers in about 95 days. Spikes are straight and long with good rachis length (about 5055 cm) and have close arrangement of 18-19 florets on each spike. Florets are brick or blood red (53 B) in colour with sun ray like small lines on the lower tepals which make them more attractive.
Pusa Manmohak is a selection among the progeny obtained from the cross of Mayur ×Hunting Song.
Pusa Red Valentine
Pusa Soumya
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Pusa Manmohak
Pusa Vidushi is a selection among the progeny obtained from the cross of Melody x Berlew. It is an early and mid-maturing variety, first florets open in 80-85 days after planting. Spikes are straight with IARI News
multiple disease resistance against dry root rot and stunt. It has high protein percentage and hydration capacity. The seeds are beige coloured, uniform, attractive and shinning. Pusa 112 is a high yielding desi green seeded chickpea variety having high resistance to Fusarium wilt and drought. Its average yield is 2.3 t/ha with a yield potential of 2.7 t/ha. Its seeds are dark green, Pusa Vidushi
good rachis length and have 15-16 florets per spike. The florets are arranged compactly on the spike. At a time about 5-6 florets remain open which enhance the beauty of spikes when kept in vases. Florets are purplish white in colour with grey purple spots on base of the throat.
uniform and excellent for cooking and culinary purpose. It will be a boon for marginal farmers as it has multiple stress resistance.
Chickpea. Two varieties of chickpea, namely, Pusa 2085 and Pusa 112 were identified by IARI Variety Identification Committee for release in the NCR. Pusa 112
Pusa 2085 is a large seeded Kabuli chickpea variety with 100seed weight of 36 g and its average yield is 2 t/ha with a genetic yield potential of more than 3 t/ha. It has
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Pods of soybean variety Pusa 14
Soybean. A soybean variety DS 2614 (Pusa 14) was identified for release in the national capital region. The variety has shown higher and stable yield performances (2.21 t/ha) across the Northern Plains Zone including Delhi and NCR. It is resistant to Ye l l o w m o s a i c v i r u s ( Y M V ) , Rhizoctonia arial blight (RAB), and bacterial pustule (BP). Its seeds are bold (9.93 g/100 seeds), yellow in colour, and contain 20.26% oil.
Biofilmed Biofertilizers - A Novel Approach for Developing Effective Inoculants The Division of Microbiology optimized the process of in vitro development of biofilms using fungal mycelia (Trichoderma viride, Aspergillus awamori, Piriformospora i n d i c a ) a n d c ya n o b a c t e r i u m (Anabaena torulosa) as matrices, with agriculturally important bacteria endowed with biocontrol or nutrient mobilizing potential as partners. Microscopic observations revealed that biofilm development involved concurrent mode of growth of both partners, along with attachment of bacterial cells to the c e l l wa l l / m u c i l a g e . B i o f i l m combinations of Trichoderma or Anabaena with Bacillus or Pseudomonas exhibited significantly higher PGP traits (IAA / siderophore production, ACC deaminase activity and nitrogen fixation), as compared to individual/dual cultures. A n a b a e n a / Tr i c h o d e r m a b a s e d 3
Partial Genome Sequencing of Citrus Greening and BSV Isolates
Novel fungal and cyanobacterium based biofilms
biofilms revealed that those with Bacillus as partner brought about 10-12% enhanced germination, 2-3 fold reduction in disease severity and 37% enhancement in fresh biomass, as compared to nonbiofilmed inoculants. The synergism in terms of the PGP traits in the biofilms was also recorded in wheat with Anabaena-Psuedomonas striata/Azotobacter chroococcum recording higher P and N uptake in p l a n t , r e s p e c t i v e l y. T h e investigations reveal the promise of these biofilms as novel organic options for agriculture.
Demonstration of Pusa Hydrogel in Wheat IARI signed an MOU with ITC group for demonstration of its technologies at farmers’ fields
S e ve n i s o l a t e s o f c i t r u s greening from various locations of Maharashtra, 14 isolates of BSV (Mysore) and 20 isolates of BSV (Kerala) from different cultivars of banana were sequenced and the partial genome sequences deposited with NCBI GenBank.
Nitrogen Stress Monitoring in Wheat using Hyperspectral Remote Sensing The Division of Agricultural Physics developed a prediction model for assessing plant N using Hyperspectral Remote Sensing. In case of N stress plant, red edge position (REP) shifts towards lower wavelength (called blue shift) and has lower red edge value (REV), and in healthy plant REP shifts towards higher wavelength (called red shift) and has high REV. The REV has been found to be positively correlated with N stress levels in wheat crop. This technique can be used as nondestructive in situ measurement of N stress in crop for site specific N management.
under e-choupal programme. IARI’s Hydrogel was demonstrated in wheat at 10 different locations of Uttar Pradesh in four hubs, namely, Luknow, Hathras, Hardoi and Gonda. A remarkable uniformity in the yield pattern with 17% increase in yield as well as saving of two irrigations was reported. 4
0.008 First derivative reflectance
water conserving technology Pusa
Soy Fortified Cookies The Division of Post Harvest Te c h n o l o g y d e v e l o p e d t h e production technology for nutritionally rich soy fortified cookies. The product is high in protein (7.89%) and can cater to 4 per cent of the total recommended
Wheat + Soybean (20%)
dietary requirement of protein for children. It is also a good source of iron (67.45 ppm) and calcium (38 mg/ 100 g), and found to be highly acceptable on organoleptic evaluation by the people of different age groups. The shelf life of the product is about 4 months in laminated packs.
Biggest Bio-gas Plant Constructed A bio-gas plant of 100 cubic metres was constructed at village Beri, Jhajjar, Haryana with the technical guidance of the institute’s scientists, This is one of the biggest bio-gas plants in India. This plant
0.006 0 kgha–1
0.004
30 kgha–1 60 kgha–1
0.002 0 680
120 kgha–1
700
720
740
760
780
Wavelength (nm)
REP and REV with different N stress levels in wheat crop
100m3 bio-gas plant at Beri, Jhajjar
IARI News
is expected to produce gas equivalent of about 100 cylinders and will be an ideal model for construction of bio-gas plants in the country.
19th Dr. B.P. Pal Memorial Lecture The 19th Dr. B.P. Pal memorial lecture was delivered by Professor G. Padmanaban, NASI-Platinum Jubilee Chair, Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore on May 26, 2012 on a very emerging topic ‘Research Priorities for Application of GM Technology in Agriculture’. The function was presided by Professor P.L. Gautam, Chairperson, PPV & FR, Govt. of India. In his very impressive and t h o u g h t p r o vo k i n g l e c t u r e , Professor Padmanaban highlighted the importance of GM technology in India. Dr. Padmanaban said, “The embargo on Bt brinjal has done a
great disservice in terms of turning away researchers from the field and I notice even industry is reluctant to invest in transgenic crop research. It is suicidal for a country to deny itself a technology option.” Therefore, every effort has to be made to strengthen quality work force in the area of agricultural biotechnology. The focus has to be on products that would ensure increased productivity and improved nutrition content. He further said, “If nuclear power is an option to contribute to improving the power crisis in this country, I am sure given the support and encouragement our scientists would also make GM technology highly relevant to improve agricultural productivity in India.” The Chairman of the function Professor P.L. Gautam gave the concluding remarks and supported the views expressed by the learned speaker. Dr. K.V. Prabhu, Head, Division of Genetics, IARI, presented the vote of thanks.
Trainings The Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Shikohpur organised a daylong in-service training on “Integrated Pest Management in Kharif Crops” on May 11, 2012. The training was attended by 27 ADOs of Haryana Agriculture Department, Gurgaon. The KVK, Shikohpur also organised two vocational training courses on “Dairy Farming”. The first course was organised in Teekli village of Gurgaon district from May18 to 29, 2012 (26 farm men and 6 farm women participated) and the second training course was o r g a n i s e d i n v i l l a ge Dhani Kumbhawas from June 5 to15, 2012 (30 farm men and 2 farm women participated). The Division of Agricultural Extension organised a three-day training programme on “Enhancing Motivation for High Job Performance” from May 18 to 21, 2012 for technical officers of IARI. Twenty seven technical officers of different divisions participated in the training programme. The training was conceived with an idea to motivate the technical officers to bring higher efficiency and better quality in their profession. IARI Library organised a training on “D Space - An Open Source Software for Creating Digital Library and Institutional Repository” from June 25 to 26, 2012 under e-Granth Sub-Project of N A I P. Tw e n t y - f i v e l i b r a r y
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professionals of SAU’s and ICAR institutes attended this training.
Workshop The Centre for Agricultural Technology Assessment and Transfer (CATAT) organised a oneday workshop on April 19, 2012 to share and learn the experiences from collaborative organisation of IARI and voluntary organisations(VOs) for developing the future strategies The workshop was attended by 18 VO partners. The workshop was chaired by Dr. H.S. Gupta, Director, IARI. The participants of the workshop deliberated at length on the progress of kharif crop varieties across the country.
Field Days CATAT organised a field day in its adopted model village Dhani Kumbhawas, Gurgaon on April 12, 2012. A kisan goshthi was also organised during the occasion. Dr. H.S. Gupta, Director, IARI while addressing the farmers emphasized on various avenues to enhance productivity and income of the farmers. On this occasion, the institute also put up an exhibition to display its technologies, products, services and publications. CATAT organised another field day on “Summer Crops” at adopted model village Soodna, Panchsheel Nagar district on May 10, 2012. The emphasis of the field day was on scientific management of major kharif crops and post6
harvest management of rabi produce. A kisan goshthi was also organised on the occasion. About 100 farmers participated in the goshthi and discussed their problems with the scientists.
Collaborative Research with the University of Nebraska, USA IARI signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with Mr. J. B. Milliken, President and Dr. Roberto Lenton, Founding Executive Director, D a u g h e r t y Wa t e r f o r F o o d Institute, University of Nebraska,
Capacity Building Programme CATAT organised a “Capacity Building Programme” for farm women at adopted model village Rajpur, Sonepat district, Haryana. During the programme, information about the latest ongoing programmes and schemes for women were discussed. Making of value added products from tomatoes were also demonstrated for taking up as income generating venture. About 50 women including 10 SHG members participated in the programme.
the one day brainstorming session
IARI Exhibits at India Water Week
organised under the aegis of Water
The Water Technology Centre
Technology Centre, IARI. The
(WTC) of the Institute actively
proposed collaborative research
participated in a convention on
program would focus on drought
“ I n d i a Wa t e r We e k 2 0 1 2 ” ,
monitoring and early warning
organised by the Ministry of Water
systems; increased water use
Resources, Govt. of India from
efficiency and productivity
April 10 to 14, 2012 at Pragati
through energy efficient micro-
Maidan, New Delhi. The theme of
USA on May 7, 2012, pursuant to
irrigation systems; and abiotic
the event was on “Water, Energy
stress tolerance in major cereal
and Food Security-Call for
crops using functional genomics.
Solutions”. The Institute displayed its contributions in agricultural
The event was inaugurated by
water management though several
Prof. M. S. Swaminathan, Hon’ble
posters/exhibits and working
Member of Parliament (Rajya
models. The working models on an
Sabha). Dr. R. B. Singh, Ex-Director,
Environment Friendly Waste Water
IARI & President, NAAS;
Treatment Plant for treating Krishi
Dr. Thomas Farrell, Vice Provost for
Kunj sewage waters and
Global Engagement; Dr. Michael
augmenting IARI-farm irrigation
Hayes, Director, National Drought
supply; a Solar Photo-voltaic Pump
M i t i g a t i o n C e n t r e ; a n d D r.
coupled with Drip Irrigation
Harkamal Walia, University of
System; and Pusa Aqua-Ferti-Seed
Nebraska-Lincoln also graced the
Drill - an intervention for rain-fed
event.
areas were the major attractions for IARI News
visitors. Indigenously developed decision support systems/ softwares for integrated water resource management were also displayed.
New Projects Sanctioned
Silkworm Antheraea assamensis for Enhancing Productivity of Muga Culture in North Eastern India” funded by DBT.Amount: ` 26.55 lakhs. Principal Investigator: Dr. S. Subramanian, Division of Entomology. “Molecular Mapping and Construction of Linkage Map for Ye l l o w m o s a i c v i r u s ( Y M V ) Resistance in Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.)” funded by DBT. Amount: ` 29.96 lakhs. Principal Investigator: Dr. Akshay Talukdar, Division of Genetics.
“Crop Plants Which Remove Their Own Major Biotic Constraints” funded by DST. Amount: ` 72.84 and 97.82 lakhs. Principal Investigators: Dr. G.T. Gujar, Division of Entomology and Dr. Pritam Kalia, Division of Vegetable Science.
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“Development of Economically
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Viable Conversion Technology for Ethanol Production from Rice Straw” funded by DST. Amount: `
22.96 lakhs. Principal
Investigator: Dr. Renu Singh, Division of Environmental Sciences. “Proteomics of Salinity Stress
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in Azolla” funded by DST. Amount: `
34.95 lakhs. Principal
“Development of Diagnostics for Detection of Bipolaris oryzae in India by Molecular Markers and its Eco-friendly Management” funded by DST. Amount: ` 21.00 lakhs. Principal Investigator: Dr. Atul Kumar, IARI Regional Station, Pusa.
“Molecular Characterization of Phytoplasmas Associated with Sugarcane Crops in India” funded by DST. Amount: ` 32.44 lakhs. Principal Investigator: Dr. Govind Pratap Rao, Division Plant Pathology.
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lakhs. Principal Investigator: Dr. Chitra Srivastava, Division of Entomology. “Decision Support System for Enhancing Water Productivity of Irrigated Rice-Wheat Cropping System” funded by NFBSFARA. Amount: ` 87.22 lakhs. Principal Investigator: Dr. A. Sarangi, WTC.
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“Decision Support System for Enhancing Productivity of Grapes under Moisture and Temperature Stress Conditions” funded by NFBSFARA. Amount: ` 38.21 lakhs. Principal Investigator: Dr. S. Naresh Kumar, Division of Environmental Sciences.
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“Crop Simulation Studies to Understand the Effect of Moisture and Temperature Stress on Growth and Yield of Wheat” funded by NBFSFARA . Amount: ` 128.79 lakhs. Principal Investigator: Dr. P. Krishnan, Division of Agricultural Physics.
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“Enhancing Use Efficiency of Micronutrients : Novel Delivery Systems” funded by NFBSFARA. Amount: ` 150.34 lakhs. Principal Investigator: Dr. R.K. Rattan, CESCRA.
Effluent Contaminated Soils and
Oxidative Processes of Nitrogen
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Utilization of Dominant Micro-
Cycling in Oxic and Anoxic Soils”
flora for Crop Growth Promotion”
funded by DST. Amount: ` 38.58
funded by AMMAS-ICAR.
lakhs. Principal Investigator: Dr. B.
Amount: ` 12.34 lakhs. Principal
Ramakrishnan, Division of
Investigator: Dr. Rajiv Kaushik,
Microbiology.
Division of Microbiology.
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Investigator: Dr. G. Abraham, CCUBGA. “Assessing Structural and
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Functional Shifts in Soil Microbial Communities of Paper Mill
“Molecular Approaches in Characterization and Utilization of Gut Micro-flora from Muga
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IARI News
“Archaeal- and Anaerobic
“Ensuring Food Security:
Harnessing Science to Protect our Grain Harvest from Insect Threats” funded by DST. Amount: ` 68.41
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“Understanding Plantnematode Interactions: Identification of Plant and Nematode G e n e s I n vo l ve d i n D i s e a s e Development” funded by NFBSFARA. Amount: ` 42.43 lakhs. Principal Investigator: Dr. Anil Sirohi, Division of Nematology. “Development of Spectroscopic Methods for Detection and
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Quantification of Adulterants and Contaminants in Fruit Juices and Milk” funded by NFBSFARA. Amount: ` 47.06 lakhs. Principal Investigator: Dr. K.K. Mondal, Division of Plant Pathology. “Bioremediation of Agrochemicals and Heavy Metals Present in Yamuna and Drainage Water Used for Irrigation in Urban and Peri-urban Agricultural Areas” funded by NFBSFARA. Amount: ` 31.27 lakhs. Principal Investigator: Dr. Neelam Patel, WTC.
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“Development of Genetically Engineered Vaccines against Economically Important Poultry Vi r a l D i s e a s e s ” f u n d e d b y NFBSFARA. Amount: ` 71.90 lakhs. Principal Investigator: Dr. Bikash Mandal, Division of Plant Pathology.
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Patents Renewed
Chickpea varieties Pusa 256, Pusa 372, Pusa Dharwar Pragati (BGD 72), Pusa 1053 (Kabuli), Pusa 1088 (Kabuli), Pusa 1103, Pusa 1105 (Kabuli), Pusa 1108 (Kabuli), Pusa Shubra (BGD 128) (Kabuli) and Pusa 547 (BGM 547) licensed to M/s Sungro Seeds Limited, Mumbai. ●
Contract Research Contract Research Project on “Management of Rice and Brinjal Diseases through Bio-products Biogold and MC TEC-2” with private partner Jai Shree Rasayan Udyog Limited, Delhi.
Crop Varieties Protected (under Protection of Plant Variety and Farmers’ Right Act, 2001)
Corporate Membership
Brinjal (Pusa Upkar and Pusa Uttam), tomato (Pusa Hybrid 8), and rice (Pusa Basmati 1509).
Unit of the institute during this
Twenty-five new corporate members were registered with Business Planning & Development period raising the corporate membership to a total of 232.
Visitors from Abroad During the period, April-June, 2012 two delegations each from USA and Nigeria, and one delegation each from Australia, Botswana, Myanmar and Afghanistan visited the institute. His Excellency Jose Pacheco, Minister of Agriculture, Govt. of the Republic of Mozambique also visited the institute.
A process for the preparation of mosquito larvicidal formulations based on Rabdosia melissoides ingredients
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Process for the preparation of mono/di/polyol ester pesticides
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Process for the preparation of Pesticidal Oxime Esters
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Technologies Commercialized Pusa Fruit Drink licensed to M/s Shankar Amrit, Muzaffarpur
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Rice hybrid Pusa RH 10 licensed to M/s Delta Agrigenetics Pvt. Ltd.
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Dr. H.S. Gaur, Dean & Joint Director (Education) greeting His Excellency Jose Pacheco, Minister of Agriculture, Govt. of the Republic of Mozambique
Published quarterly by the Publication Unit on behalf of the Director, Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi 110 012, and printed at Venus Printers and Publishers, B-62/8, Naraina Industrial Area, Phase II, New Delhi - 110 028. Joint Director (Research): Dr. Malavika Dadlani; In-charge, Publication Unit (English): Dr. R.L. Sapra
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Website : http://www.iari.res.in
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