Agricultural Research Station (Fruit Crops),
Junagadh Agricultural University,
Mahuva Dist : Bhavnagar - 364 290
Year of Establishment : 1852
History :
This farm was established in 1852 by Late Highness Shree Bhavsinhji of Bhavnagar State having area of 1529 acre. Thus, this farm may be one of the biggest and the oldest farm of our state. In 1947, this farm was handed over to Agriculture Department, Government of Gujarat for extension and nursery activities to bring more and more coastal area under coconut plantation through supplying the best selected coconut seedlings to the growers. In 1972, this farm was transferred to Gujarat Agricultural University to conduct the research activities on coconut and other fruit crop. From 2004 and onwards, this farm belongs to Junagadh Agricultural University.
Introduction:
The object to establish this farm was to bring fellow land of coastal area under horticulture crops like mango, coconut, areca nut, chiku, banana, etc. This farm also situated on bank of Malan River, and there was ample source of sweet irrigation water at that time and because of that large area of farm, it was covered under coconut, mango, chiku, areca nut etc crops. Equable humid climate of coastal area and evergreen with many horticultural orchards in the city and surrounding area this Mahuva city was well known as a “Kashmir of Saurashtra”. This status was maintained till 1975 and during this time, two dames were constructed on Malan River. But insufficient and uneven rainfall stopped the flow of Malan River which was running throughout the year. This has resulted in acute shortage of irrigation water. As farmers lifted more ground water for irrigation, ultimately resulted in brackish water and now it has became totally saline. The nearest city and railway station is Mahuva 3 km away and nearest district place and aerodrome is Bhavnagar 100 km.
Geographical Information:
Geographically this research station is situated on South Saurashtra sea coast with 21.50 north latitude and 71.50 longitudes with MSL is 24 M. The average rainfall is 500 to 600 mm. The soil is sandy clay loam with pH Range 8.0 to 8.5 having regular saline patches that tend to be problematic. Well water has also become brackish to saline because of ingression from sea.
Faculty Profile :
|
Sr. No.
|
Name of Officer
|
Designation
|
Qualification
|
Experience (In Year)
|
Specialized subject
|
|
01
|
Dr. G. S. Vala
|
Research Scientist
|
M. Sc. Agri., PhD
|
17
|
Agronomy
|
|
02
|
Shri V. C. Dodiya
|
Asst. Res. Sci.
|
M. Sc. Agri.,
|
08
|
Soil Science
|
|
03
|
Shri V. R. Ahir
|
Asst. Res. Sci.
|
M. Sc. Agri.,
|
07
|
Plant Pathology
|
|
04
|
Shri V. S. Bambhaniya
|
Agriculture Officer
|
M. Sc. Agri.,
|
04
|
Agril Entomology
|
|
05
|
Shri T. K. Mandaviya
|
Agriculture Officer
|
M. Sc. Agri.,
|
04
|
Plant Pathology
|
|
06
|
Shri R. D. Kapadiya
|
Agriculture Officer
|
B. Sc. Agri.,
|
04
|
-
|
|
07
|
Shri M. R. Senta
|
Agril. Inspector
|
Agri. Diploma
|
36
|
-
|
|
08
|
Shri O. C. Senta
|
Agril. Inspector
|
Agri. Diploma
|
36
|
-
|
|
09
|
Shri B. K. Goswami
|
Agri. Asst.
|
Agri. Diploma
|
34
|
-
|
|
10
|
Shri K. P. Dharaiya
|
Agri. Asst.
|
Agri. Diploma
|
26
|
-
|
|
11
|
Shri S. B. Dhaduk
|
Agri. Asst.
|
Horti. Diploma
|
08
|
-
|
|
12
|
Shri P. D. Ladumor
|
Agri. Asst.
|
Agri. Diploma
|
05
|
-
|
|
13
|
Shri H. K. Zala
|
Agri. Asst.
|
Agri. Diploma
|
05
|
-
|
Mandate :
- To evolve high yielding variety of coconut.
- To find out suitable plant protection measure against coconut pest and disease.
- To determine most suitable and effective, eco-friendly and low cost agronomical practices for the production of coconut and fruit crop.
- To introduce new fruit and plantation crops for the region.
- To supply the true to type planting materials of coconut and fruit crops to the farmers.
Objectives :
- Collection evaluation and maintenance of indigenous and exotic germplasm of coconut and fruit crops.
- To generate germplasm for developing biotic and abiotic stress resistant high yielding varieties of plantation and fruit crops.
- To test and develop new production technology for plantation and fruit crop.
- To produce and distribute seedling of coconut of varieties D x T (Mahuva) among the farmers.
- To develop farming facilities for farmer having horticultural crop cultivation.
Establishment of Elite Seed Farm:
To fulfill the demand of hybrid coconut a project Under RKVY 2009-10, “Establishment of Elite Seed Farm for Coconut D x T (Mahuva) seed nut Production” for large scale production of D x T (Mahuva) seed nut and seedlings successfully established at this station. Under this project total 1570 plants of coconut cv. Dwarf Green as female and 700 plants of coconut cv. West Coast Tall as Male has been planted during July-2011 and protection has been done by means of cement pole, barbed wire and galvanized iron wire chain link. It is estimated that this farm will produce 50,000 hybrid nuts per year from year 2018 and onwards.
Coconut seedling rate for selling:
|
Sr. no.
|
Seedling Type/Varieties
|
Price/seedling
|
|
01
|
D x T Hybrid (Mahuva)
|
400/-
|
|
02
|
Dwarf Yellow
|
120/-
|
|
03
|
Dwarf Orange
|
120/-
|
|
04
|
Green dwarf
|
100/-
|
|
05
|
F2/Cross bona/NCD
|
100/-
|
|
06
|
West Cost Tall
|
100/-
|
Research projects and schemes :
|
Sr. No.
|
Project Name
|
Budget Head
|
Starting Year
|
Objective
|
|
01
|
Research in Fruit Crops
(Non Plan)
|
5014
|
1985
|
To find out most suitable and low cost Production technology in fruit crops.
|
|
02
|
Strengthening of Agro meteorology
at JAU (Sub Center) (Plan)
|
12907
|
1999
|
Establishment of Weather Laboratory at Coastal area for recording weather parameters.
|
|
03
|
Establishment of new centre on
Onion Crop (Plan)
|
12931
|
2001
|
To find out appropriate low cost production technology for onion. Varietal testing for onion and garlic.
|
|
04
|
Centre of excellence for soil and Water Management technology (Sub Centre) (Plan) |
12101-04
|
2005-06
|
To determine most effective and low cost water harvesting and irrigation system.
|
|
05
|
Mega Seed Production
|
18804-03
|
2006-07
|
Production of good quality planting materials and supply to the growers.
|
|
06
|
Strengthening of research in
Plantation and Fruit Crops. (Plan)
|
12586
|
2008-09
|
To find out suitable inter crop for coconut, Introduction of new fruit crops, in situ collection and conservation of Fruit/plantation crops Germplasm
|
|
07
|
Agro Based I.T.I. for Bhavnagar
District. (Plan)
|
12116
|
2011-12
|
Training to farmers for use of micro irrigation system and storage and value addition of Onion.
|
Coconut seedling production and selling (2010-2011 to 2022-2023) :
|
Sr. No.
|
Year
|
D x T Hybrid
|
Dwarf Green
|
West Cost Tall
|
Dwarf orange
|
F2/NCD
|
|||||
|
Production
|
Selling
|
Production
|
Selling
|
Production
|
Selling
|
Production
|
Selling
|
Production
|
Selling
|
||
|
1
|
2010-11
|
1350
|
1379
|
1500
|
1547
|
75
|
48
|
0
|
0
|
475
|
529
|
|
2
|
2011-12
|
1397
|
1279
|
2330
|
1534
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
1064
|
983
|
|
3
|
2012-13
|
3815
|
3804
|
4600
|
4091
|
300
|
15
|
17
|
17
|
8350
|
8335
|
|
4
|
2013-14
|
4943
|
4978
|
12729
|
7553
|
50
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
8198
|
7553
|
|
5
|
2014-15
|
2370
|
1713
|
11619
|
10321
|
1058
|
393
|
0
|
0
|
7622
|
7547
|
|
6
|
2015-16
|
6405
|
5417
|
9825
|
9212
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
13005
|
12870
|
|
7
|
2016-17
|
1422
|
964
|
14378
|
11684
|
0
|
0
|
162
|
0
|
4761
|
4131
|
|
8
|
2017-18
|
2406
|
2162
|
5250
|
2676
|
1251
|
385
|
0
|
0
|
10892
|
10662
|
|
9
|
2018-19
|
7401
|
6999
|
18499
|
17671
|
9637
|
5994
|
390
|
382
|
17026
|
16832
|
|
10
|
2019-20
|
14484
|
14424
|
8176
|
7976
|
132
|
132
|
351
|
276
|
27578
|
27520
|
|
11
|
2020-21
|
8734
|
7984
|
4483
|
3813
|
4070
|
2638
|
325
|
253
|
24646
|
24439
|
|
12
|
2021-22
|
13,015
|
13,015
|
10,178
|
10,178
|
677
|
677
|
460
|
460
|
9,955
|
9,955
|
|
13
|
2022-23
|
23531
|
22521
|
3743
|
3743
|
140
|
05
|
133
|
133
|
23414
|
23414
|
|
|
Total....
|
91273
|
86639
|
107310
|
91999
|
17390
|
10287
|
1838
|
1521
|
156986
|
154770
|
Research Activities :
1) Efficacy of different insecticides against Eriophyid mites (Aceria guerrenonis Keifer) infesting Coconut Cv. D x T
2) Studies on seasonal activity Opisina arenosella W. and its parasitism
3) High Density Planting of Sapota under saline soil.
4) Large Scale Varietal Trial on Red and Red Dark Onion.
5) Evaluation of Biocontrol agent and its combination against disease complex of onion.
6) Evaluation of coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) genotype.
7) Effect of Biofertilizers on Seedling Growth and Biochemical Changes of Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.)
8) Management of bud rot disease in coconut nursery.
9) Bio-efficacy of different natural farming components against sucking pest of coconut.
10) Efficacy of different natural farming components against sucking pest through root feeding in coconut.
11) Effect of different growing media on germination and seedling quality of coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) cv. WCT
12) Effect of different growing media on germination and seedling quality of coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) cv. Dwarf green
Publications :
1) Research Papers Published by the Faculty : 38
2) Popular Articles / Folder / Booklet : 65
3) Books : 4
Transfer of Technologies / Extension Activities :
The technologies developed at this research station are being disseminated to the various extension agencies, N.G.O's, farmers and students by Organizing farmer’s day / agril. fair at the station, by participating in the ' Krushi Mela ', farmers days and Agril. Exhibition organized by University or other agencies, educating students during Kendra visit and to farmers during visit of this station. Through TV, Radio broadcasting, literature, press note, personnel/spot field diagnosis and letter etc the extension activities is carried out.
Development of new plots :
Coconut museum:
For live demonstration of different varieties of coconut, we have developed one live coconut museum. In this museum we have planted eight varieties of coconut in three line of each one. Eight varieties are D x T Mahuva, T x D mahuva, F2 (D x T), F2 (T x D), Green Dwarf, Yellow, Orange, West coast Tall.
Vrajvadi:
To fullfil the demand of D x T hybrid Mahuva, vrajvadi plot has been successfully developed at this station in 2017. In this plot 1700 seedling of greendwarf has been planted for hybridization purpose. When this seedling was fully mature, manually hybridization will be carried out.
Navan plot:
To fulfil the requirement of healthy pollen for hybridization and to conserve exotic deshi cultivar WCT, we have planted 200 plant of west coast tall in this new plot.
Bee keeping/honeybees training:
Bee keeping is a new emerging business now a days and our prime minister also insist farmer to do something new like bee keeping and mushroom cultivation. We focus on strengthen farmer in bee keeping. In previous year, we have do 22 training on bee keeping & for upcoming year, we also have planning to arrange training for farmer regarding bee keeping.