Multi-Disciplinary Team to Improve Quality of Horticultural Produce, Nursery Production

The ICAR-All India Coordinated Research Project on Fruits organized the “7th Group Discussion” at Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana from 16th to 19th January, 2020.

The Chief Guest, Dr. W.S. Dhillon, Assistant Director General (Horticultural Sciences - II), ICAR emphasized on developing the indigenous rootstocks rather than importing the same that leads to enhance the cost of cultivation. Dr. Dhillon also urged to produce the quality planting materials. He stressed on the need for enhancing the income from the horticultural crops by adopting the High Density Planting systems for all the suitable fruit crops and minimize the post-harvest losses from the retailer to consumer.

Padma Shri Dr. B.S. Dhillon, Vice-Chancellor, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, in his Presidential address urged the fruit scientists, plant breeders and mechanical engineers for working together as a multi-disciplinary team to improve the quality of horticultural produce, nursery production and mechanization in the fruit crop production system.

Dr. Prakash Patil, Project Coordinator, ICAR-AICRP on Fruits presented the progress of work done at the participating centres across the country on 9 fruit crops (Mango, Citrus, Banana, Guava, Litchi, Grapes, Papaya, Sapota and Jackfruit).

A Monograph on Litchi Insect Pests and Smart Management Options and two CD-ROMs - One on key characters of varieties / hybrids under the MLTs and another Monograph on Mango pollinators were released during the inaugural session.

The occasion also marked the releasing ceremony of the Postal Stamp of 7th Group Discussion of ICAR-AICRP on Fruits.

The Kannara Centre was bestowed with the “Best Centre Award for the Year – 2019” during the occasion. The Ludhiana Centre bagged the “Award of Excellence for linking technology development and transfer”.

The various research achievements made during the Years - 2018 to 2019 in relation to the crop improvement, crop production and crop protection were reviewed in detail. The research programme on the mandate fruit crops for the Year 2020 - 21 was finalized in addition to the recommendation of the technologies.

During the deliberations, many technologies were recommended, that includes a juice variety in Grape, package for Macro-propagation for Banana, Stage-wise nutrient doses in Nagpur Mandarin and Acid Lime.

Earlier, Dr. N.S. Bains, Director of Research, Punjab Agricultural University welcomed the delegates.

Directors of ICAR Institutes and officials from ICAR Headquarters attended the Group Discussion and participated in the deliberations.

More than 200 delegates from 50 various Centres across the country participated in the deliberation.