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GREEN-seeds.com:
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HORTICULTURE RESEARCH IN INDIA
INFRASTRUCTURE, ACHIEVEMENTS, IMPACT, NEEDS AND EXPECTATIONS |
K.L.CHADHA
ICAR National Professor (Hort.)
&
Former Deputy Director General (Hort.)
Indian council of Agricultural Research
New Delhi - India
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India has a wide variety of climate and soil on which a large range of horticultural
crops such as, fruits; vegetables, potato and other tropical tuber crops;
ornamental, medicinal and aromatic plants; plantation crops ; spices, cashew
and cocoa are grown. After attaining independence in 1947, major emphasis
was laid on achieving self sufficiency in food production. Development of
high yielding wheat varieties and high production technologies and their
adoption in areas of assured irrigation paved the way towards food security
ushering in green revolution in the sixties .It , however, gradually became
clear that horticultural crops for which the Indian topography and agro
climates are well suited is an ideal method of achieving sustainability
of small holdings, increasing employment, improving environment, providing
an enormous export potential and above all achieving nutritional security.
As a result, due emphasis on diversification to horticultural crops was
given only during the last one decade.
RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research is the premier agency which
pioneered systematic research on agricultural crops in the country. Horticulture
research in India received very little attention till the 3Rd
five year plan. The establishment of the Indian Institute of Horticultural
Research at Bangalore and starting of eight All India Coordinated Crop Improvement
Projects to cover different horticultural crops was a landmark in the history
of horticulture in 4TH five year Plan (1969-74). Rapid expansion
of infrastructure took place in 7Th and 8Th Plans.
To-day, the horticultural research in the country is being carried out at
eight ICAR institutes (with 26 regional stations),10 National Research centres
(on major crops) and a Project Directorate on Vegetable crops . Area specific,
multi-disciplinary research is also being conducted under 14 -All India
Co-ordinated Research Projects each on Tropical, Sub-Tropical Arid Fruits;
Vegetables, Potato, Tuber Crops, Mushrooms; Ornamental Crops, Medicinal
and Aromatic crops; Palms, Cashew, Spices and Betel vine; and Post Harvest
Technology at 215 centres located at various research Institutes, and State
Agricultural Universities. In addition, four net work projects each on 'Hybrid
research in vegetable crops', 'Drip irrigation in perennial horticultural
crops', 'protected cultivation of ornamental crops' and 'Phytophthora disease
of horticulture crops' are now in operation. Research on horticulture is
also being undertaken at several multi-crop, multi-disciplinary Institutes.
Departments of Horticulture in 24 Agricultural Universities, one deemed
to be University and one full fledged University of Horticulture and Forestry
are also engaged in horticultural research. Besides 280 adhoc schemes supported
from Agriculture Produce Cess Fund and a number of foreign-aided projects
have also been in operation on specific problems of different horticulture
crops. As a result, the country now has a sound research infrastructure
in horticulture to meet the growing needs and expectations of the fast developing
horticulture industry.
BUDGETARY SUPPORT
The investment in horticulture research by the ICAR in the Central sector
has increased significantly in the last two plans. The Plan allocation for
horticultural crops started in 4TH Plan (1969-74) with a modest
allocation of Rs. 34.78 million and was enhanced to Rs. 319.56 million in
the 7th Plan (1985-90) and to Rs.1047 millions in the 8Th
Plan (1992-97). Non-Plan expenditure also increased from Rs. 73.55 million
in the 5TH Plan to Rs. 768 million in 8Th Plan. Overall
increase in Plan investment in 25 years has been of the order of 2775.21
per cent. The per cent budget allocation for horticulture research out of
the total budget for agriculture research rose from 6.1 in 5Th
to 6.5, 6.67and 7.7 in 6Th , 7Th and 8Th
five year plans respectively. Similarly, expenditure for Central Sector
Schemes of the Department of Agriculture & Cooperation for horticulture
crop development also rose tremendously from Rs. 20.5 million (4Th
Plan) to Rs. 76.18 million (5TH Plan), Rs. 146.37 million (6Th
Plan), Rs. 250 million (7Th Plan ) and Rs 10,000 million (8Th
Five Years Plan).
MANPOWER
Nearly one sixth of the total strength of 5906 scientists working in ICAR
in different disciplines is allocated for horticulture research in ICAR
Institutes. Besides , 560 scientists are working in State Agricultural Universities
in ICAR funded All India Coordinated Projects. In addition, a large number
of scientists are working in horticultural crops in State Agricultural Universities.
RESEARCH ACHIEVEMENTS
INTRODUCTION AND CULTIVATION OF NEW CROPS
Several new crops have been introduced for commercial cultivation, eg. :
- Kiwi fruit in sub-mountain areas of North India.
- Olive in mid hills of North Western Himalayas.
- Low chilling stone fruits in the North Western plains.
- Oilpalm in some coastal states.
- Gherkin in south and west India.
- Baby corn and sweet corn in certain specific pockets.
- Broccoli, Brussels' Sprouts, Asparagus, Celery, Parsley near the
cities.
CROP IMPROVEMENT
- A large number of high yielding varieties developed in several horticultural
crops e.g. fruits (76), vegetables (160), potato (29), other tuber crops
(24) ornamental crops (>300) palms (20), spices (51), cashew (33) and
betel vine (1).
- First seedless variety of mango developed.
- 40 F1 hybrids developed in brinjal, tomato, chillies, cauliflower,
carrot, capsicum and muskmelon.
- Self incompatible lines in cauliflower, gynodioecious lines in cucumber
and muskmelon and genetic male sterile lines in tomato developed. Temperature
tolerant strains of button mushroom developed.
PROPAGATION OF QUALITY PLANTING MATERIAL
- Standardised Propagation technique for many fruits hitherto propagated
by seed.eg., Aonla, bael, ber, black pepper. cardamom,
cashew, cassia, cinnamon, clove, custard apple, jack fruit , jamun,
nutmeg, sapota and walnut.
- Standardisation of Seed Plot Technique resulting in successful disease
free potato seed production in the tropics and sub tropics of the country.
Standardised method of micro-propagation and in vitro micro-tuber production
in potato.
- Identification of suitable parental lines for production of True
Potato Seed (TPS)and standardised technology for raising commercial
crops.
- Micropropagation protocols developed in banana, black pepper, betel
vine, cardamom, ginger and turmeric.
- P roduction of cococnut hybrids through establishment of Seed gardens
of Tall (T) x Dwarf (D) and D x T hybrids.
- Standardised rootstocks in citrus, grape and apple.
AGROTECHNIQUES
- standardised high density plantations in banana, citrus, mango ,
and pineapple and high production technology in several crops eg., pineapple,
black pepper and cardamom.
- Year round production technology in tomato and "off season" cultivation
of onion and cauliflower developed.
- Arecanut, coconut and Potato, based cropping systems developed to
maximise productivity under high management conditions.
- Standard used commercial use of several plant growth regulators and
chemicals now commercially employed in production and quality improvement
of horticultural crops eg., paclobutrazol for induction of flowering
in mango; gibberellic acid for improving berry size and quality in grape,
Maleic hydrazide for preventing sprouting in onion and potato, Dormex
for hastening bud burst in grapes and ; boron and calcium for changing
flower cycle in some cucurbits.
CROP PROTECTION
- Developed improved disease detection techniques such as ELISA and
ISEM for improving seed quality and tissue culture technique for rapid
multiplication of potato.
- Developed IPM for fruit borer in brinjal, diamond back moth in cabbage,
thrips in chillies, phytophthora foot rot in black pepper, "Katte",
rhizome rot in cardamom, rhizome rot in ginger, late blight and bacterial
wilt of potato.
- Developed biological control measures for mealy bug in grape , fruit
borer in tomato and okra.
POST HARVEST MANAGEMENT
- Preharvest treatments to control post harvest losses in citrus, mango
and grape standardised.
- Maturity standards for mango, guava, grape, litchi, ber standardised.
- Chemical treatment for regulation of ripening in mango, sapota, banana
standardised.
- Optimum storage temperatures worked out for several fruits, vegetables
and tuber crops.
- A mango harvester and fruit peeler; hand and pedal operator cassava
chipping machine, harvesting tools(5-14 times efficient); Implements
for mechanization of potato cultivation eg., oscillating tray type potato
grader, fertilizer application cum line marker , potato culti ridger,
soil crust breakers, potato digger and automatic potato planter diggers.
- Low cost environment friendly storage system for fruits, vegetables,
potato and onion developed.
IMPACT OF RESEARCH
FRUITS
Area under fruits increased from 1.22 million hectares to 3.35 million
hectares in 1995-96.India with a production of 41.50 million tonnes (1996-97)
is the second largest fruit producer (next to China 45.46 million tonnes)
with a share of 8% in world fruit production. India produces 65% of world's
mango, 11% of world's banana, ranking first in the production of both the
crops. It has the highest productivity of grapes in the world. Significant
expansion has taken up in aonla, ber, pomegranate and sapota
cultivation.
VEGETABLES
India ranks second in the world vegetable production (71.59 million tonnes)
after China. Vegetable production has increased three times during the last
50 years. A large area is now covered with F1 hybrids in vegetable crops
resulting in increased yield and better socio-economic status of farmers.
Vegetables like tomato, cabbage , cauliflower, radish and onion are now
produced almost round the year and India has attained self sufficiency in
seed production of temperate vegetables .Mushroom production has increased
from 100 tonnes in 1970 to 30,000 tonnes in 1996-97. The productivity has
increased from 10-12 Kg/m2 in 1985 to 18-22 Kg/m2
in 1995. Mushroom cultivation has spread to almost all parts of the country.
POTATO
In potato, area , production and productivity has increased from
0.234 million hectares, 154 million tonnes and 6.59 t/ha in 1949-50 to 1.14
million hectares, 1924 million tonnes and 16.9 t/ha respectively. This increase
is 12,4.9 and 2.6 times respectively. The annual compound growth rate for
potato during this period was 6.07 compared to 5.6% for wheat, 2.7% for
rice and 2.74 for total food grains. India is the only country in south
east Asia having a national disease free seed production programme producing
2600 tonnes of breeder's seed annually.
CASSAVA
In cassava, productivity increased from 7t/ha in 1960-61 to 22t/ha during
1992 which is more than double the world average (9.81t/ha). Sago and starch
industry based on cassava developed.
FLORICULTURE
Protected cultivation of cut flowers started a decade back and India has
already entered the world cut flower market. Micro propagated ornamental
foliage plants are being exported in millions internationally. Export of
dried flowers from India is increasing.
COCONUT
In coconut, area has increased from 1 million hectares in 1980 to 1.793
million hectares in 1996-97. India has become one of the largest coconut
producing country of the world. Production of coconut has gone up from 5677
million nuts to 13968 million nuts. The productivity in coconut has increased
from 5249 nuts/ha to 7808 nuts/ha. Coconut contributes 700 billion rupees
to the GDP of the country. The contribution of the crop to the total edible
oil pool in India is around 6 per cent . India also exports coir and coir
products derived from coconut husk to the tune of 2260 million Rupees.
ARECANUT
India continues to dominate the world in area, production and productivity
of arecanut and has achieved self sufficiency in arecanut production (0.27
million tonnes). Most of the production is domestically consumed.
OILPALM
Area in oil palm has gone up from 200 ha in 1965 to 40,700 ha in 1996-97.
Average productivity in oil palm plantations is now from 4-5 tonnes/ha which
compares favourably with other countries.
SPICES
India is the largest producer (2.48 million tonnes), exporter (0.20 million
tonnes) and consumer of spices. Indian spices flavour foods in over 134
countries. Spice exports touched Rs. 11800 million during the last year.
CASHEWNUT
In cashewnut, area has increased from 0.176 million hectares in 1961 to
0.659 million hectares in 1996-97. The production in cashew has gone up
from 0.079 million tonnes to 0.430 million tonnes in 1996-97. India exported
cashew kernels worth Rs.13000 moillion (362 million $U.S during 1996-97).Export
of cashew rising @ 27% per annum. These export earnings are exceeded only
by coffee and rice among agri - exports.
NEEDS AND EXPECTATIONS
In spite of significant achievements in horticulture R&D, a number of
challenges still need to be met. These are:
- Inadequate supply of quality planting material.
- Heavy losses caused by several biotic and abiotic stresses.
- Several unresolved chronic disorders.
As a result, the productivity per unit area is low resulting in high cost
of production. Further, the quality of produce in many cases is far from
satisfactory. The post harvest losses continue to be high. Full advantage
has yet to be taken of several frontier areas eg., biotechnology, protected
cultivation , computer aided management of inputs, integrated nutrient management,
leaf nutrient standards, biofertilizers, integrated pest management and
mycorrhiza. There is also need for change both in the content and approach
of research which can be taken up in partnership with private sector on
aspects like production of hybrids, green house production of flowers, biotechnology,
value addition and export. The future growth of horticulture industry will
largely depend on new and globally competitive technologies. As such ambitious
research programme is called for in horticultural crop in the following
thrust areas.
GENETIC RESOURCES
- Introduction of some fruits eg. mangosteen, durian, rambutan, longan,
macadamia and berries not yet commercially exploited in India.
- Widening genetic base in mango (Mangifera species of South
East Asia), Citrus (newly developed rootstocks), apple (scab resistant
cultivars), guava (coloured varieties), papaya (species and varieties)
and litchi (varieties from South East Asia). Also, widening genetic
base for improvement of medicinal and aromatic plants required by pharmaceutical
industries.
- Enrichment of various germplasm collections with species/ cultivars
which are high yielding and resistant/tolerant to different biotic and
abiotic stresses.
- Exploitation of full potential for cultivation of avocado, kiwi and
olive.
- Standardize long term techniques for cryopreservation of propagating
materials and pollen grains.
- In situ conservation of endangered genetic wealth .
CROP IMPROVEMENT
- Development of dwarf rootstocks/ scion varieties for high density
planting and export in mango, litchi, sapota, citrus, ber, coconut,
arecanut, oilpalm and cashewnut.
- To induce and exploit useful genetic changes through mutations in
commercial cultivars.
- Development of rootstocks and scion varieties in fruits resistant/tolerant
to major biotic and abiotic stresses, e.g. malformation in mango, guava
rootstocks for wilt, citrus rootstocks against phytophthora , root wilt
resistance in coconut, frost and PRV resistance in papaya, weevil in
sweet potato, cassava mosaic and stress tolerance in arecanut and spices.
- To develop F1 hybrids in vegetable crops for yield, nutritional
quality and export.
- Development of virus resistant potato varieties having high tuber
dry matter and low accumulation of sugars during low temperature storage
and varieties with high temperature tolerance.
- Evolving varieties with bolder nuts and higher shelling percentage
in cashew.
- Domestication of indigenous medicinal plants with bulk demand both
in the modern and traditional system of medicine.
- Studies on quality control, seed health, packing and storage of seeds
of annual crops.
CROP PRODUCTION
- Standardise rootstocks for all important fruit crops e.g. mango,
guava, litchi, sapota, ber and walnut.
- To develop horticultural crop based cropping systems for different
agro-ecological regions.
- To develop integrated nutrient management system i.e. efficient utilization
of chemical fertilizers, use of bio-fertilizers and addition of organic
material using leaf nutrient standards.
- Standardize water management practices in major crops including micro-irrigation
and fertigation.
- Develop techniques of organic farming for export oriented horticultural
crop.
- Standardize practices for production of horticulture crops particularly
flowers and vegetables under protected cultivation involving computer
aided supply of inputs.
- Standardize production technology for quality crops for export e.g.
mango, grape, litchi, cashew, potato and spices.
CROP PROTECTION
- Develop IPM strategies for important pests of commercial crops.
- Develop biological control for important diseases and insects affecting
commercial crop production.
POST HARVEST MANAGEMENT
- To reduce losses occurring during harvesting, storage and transport
and improve shelf life of perishable horticultural commodities.
- To conduct basic and applied research in CA/ modified atmospheric
storage of high value perishable crops.
- Improve indigenous low cost storage systems developed for onion,
potato, fruits and vegetable crops.
- Develop techniques for bulk preservation of fruit pulps. Improve
drying systems for raisins, mushroom and different vegetables. Standardize
technique for frozen vegetables.
- Initiate post harvest research on ornamentals with special emphasis
on export market.
- Utilization of wastes for development of economically viable products.
- Development / fabrication of low energy requiring machinery for horticultural
crop cultivation.
BIOTECHOLOGY
- To standardise in vitro culture techniques for mass multiplication
of rootstock/scion of difficult to micro propagate plants like mango,
guava, sapota, litchi, walnut, date palm, coconut and oil palm.
- Development of protocols for rapid propagation of seedless water
melon , vegetable crops with male sterlity and self incompatibility
barriers eg., tomato, capsicum and selected ornamental crops.
- Use of anther culture system for production of di-haploids for integration
with breeding programmes.
- To identify molecular markers based on RAPD and RFLP in important
horticultural crop varieties.
- Develop transgenic plants with endogenous resistance to insect pests
eg. bacterial canker in kagzi lime, salt and drought tolerance in tomato
and capsicum.
NATIONAL PROBLEMS
Intensify interdisciplinary research to find solution to nationally important
problems eg., malformation and irregular bearing in mango, wilt in guava,
die back in citrus and root wilt in coconut.
CONCLUSIONS
India has a good natural resource base an adequate R&D infrastructure
and excellence in several areas. As a result , the horticultural scenario
of the country has been changing fast. Both production and productivity
of several crops has increased manifold and India can boast itself as a
leading horticultural country of the world . Many new crops have been introduced
and many others have adapted to non conventional areas. Some other crops
are under adaptive trials. A number of turn key projects in mushroom and
flower production have been established .Near self sufficiency has been
achieved in many crops. Export of fresh as well as processed fruits has
been increasing. The demand of horticulture produce is on the rise due to
increasing population, changing food habits, realisation of high nutritional
value of horticultural crops and greater emphasis on value addition and
export. However, several challenges are yet to be met. These are, fast eroding
gene pool, fast population build up , shrinking land and other natural resources
, serious production constraints, biotic and abiotic constraints and huge
post harvest losses. Further, in the era of globalisation ,our produce has
to be of international quality and globally competitive. Our future expansion
of horticulture has also to be in arid and semi arid areas and on under
utilized horticultural crops.
While the impact of green revolution in India was felt mainly in assured
irrigation areas, horticultural crop production has brought prosperity even
in arid and semi arid areas. Horticulture is no longer a leisurely avocation
and is fast assuming position of a vibrant commercial venture. Nature has
placed India in a state of advantage and it is now on us horticulturists
to work towards ushering in a GOLDEN REVOLUTION in years to come
in India.
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