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REGIONAL RESEARCH STATION, VRIDHACHALAM

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1. Establishment

The station was established as Cashew Research Station in 1963 and subsequently, upgraded as Regional Research Station under NARP for North Eastern zone during 1982.

2. Mandate

  • To develop high yielding varieties in groundnut, sesame and cashew
  • To develop location specific technologies for increasing the production and productivity of major crops of the region
  • To impart training to the farmers and staff of sister departments on crop production technology

3. Activities

(i). All –India Co-ordinated Research Project on Groundnut

  • Characterization and evaluation of groundnut germplasm to major biotic  and abiotic stresses
  • Development of high yielding varieties tolerant to foliar fungal diseases, to sucking pests, defoliators and early season drought
  • Integrated agronomic management of drought moisture stress under rainfed condition
  • Integrated nutrient management
  • Evaluation of newer molecules for the control of major insect pests of groundnut
  • Evaluation of IPM Modules
  • Integrated  management of major diseases of  groundnut

(ii). All –India Co-ordinated Research Project on Sesame

  • Genetic Resources Management
  • Evolving white seeded sesame varieties
  • Development of new CMS lines for hybrid development
  • Weed management studies in sesame
  • Optimization of sesame production under resource constraints
  • Management of sesame pod bug with newer insecticidal molecules
  • Management of sesame phyllody vectors through newer molecules
  • Estimation of pesticide residue in sesame seeds

Integrated management of sesame diseases

(iii). All –India Co-ordinated Research Project on Cashew

  • Germplasm collection, conservation and cataloguing, hybridization and evolving high yielding dwarf hybrids
  • Drip fertigation, organic farming and ultra-high density planting system
  • Integrated pest management

(iv). All –India Co-ordinated Research Project on Breeder seed production

      • Nucleus and breeder seed production and supply of groundnut and sesame varieties
      • Maintenance breeding

(v). Revolving fund (Regional nursery and Horticulture) on production of quality planting material in cashew

17.5 lakh cashew grafts of VRI 2, VRI 3, VRI 4 and VRI (cw) H1 and 1500 Jack grafts of PLR-1 were produced and supplied to farmers.

(vi). Front line demonstration programmes on groundnut, sesame and cashew

Transfer and demonstrate the technologies developed in this station.

4. Achievements

Varieties released

Groundnut – 7 Nos. – VRI 1, VRI 2 (bold seeded and wide adaptability), VRI 3 (early maturing), VRI 4 (high sucrose content suitable for confectionary), VRI (gn) 5, VRI (gn) 6 (resistant to major pests and diseases), VRI (gn) 7 (suitable for rainfed areas)

Sesame – 2 Nos. – VRI (Sv.) 1 (short duration, brown seed), VRI (Sv.) 2 (reddish brown seed)

Cashew – 4 Nos. – VRI 1, VRI 2 (drought tolerant), VRI 3 (export quality), VRI (cw) H1 (first hybrid cashew in Tamil Nadu)

5.Technologies developed

Groundnut

  • Dual application of pre-emergence herbicide viz., Pendimethalin @ 1 kg a.i/ha at 3 DAS along with early post emergence application of Imazethapyr @ 75 g a.i/ha at 2-3 leaf stage of the weed (25 to 30 DAS) + one hand weeding at 40 DAS is effective for control of broad leaf weeds.
  • Seed treatment with Propiconazole 2 ml/ Kg seed  is effective for the management of groundnut root rot
  • Seed treatment with mancozeb 2 g/kg + hexaconazole 0.1% spray at 60 and 75 DAS is effective for the management of rust and leaf spot of groundnut

Cashew

  • Soft wood grafting technology for production of good quality planting material
  • Top working in cashew to rejuvenate old senile orchards
  • Fertilizer schedule – 500:200:300: g NPK/tree per year after 5 years
  • Intercropping with groundnut, blackgram, Ocimum sanctum and Aloe vera
  • High density planting system at 5 x 4 m to accommodate 500 plants per hectare with a fertilizer dose of 225:75:75 kg NPK/ha.
  • Spray of profenophos (0.05%), chlorpyriphos (0.05%) and carbaryl (0.1%) for the control of tea mosquito bug.
  • Phytosanitation and drenching with chlorpyriphos 0.2% or neem oil 5% for the control of cashew stem and root borer.

Contact:

Professor and Head
Regional Research Station
Vridhachalam - 606 001. 
Cuddalore
Phone : 04143-238231
Fax     : 04143-238120
E.mail : arsvri@tnau.ac.in

Updated on Oct 2013