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Wheat Research Station
Junagadh Agricultural University
Junagadh-362 001 Gujarat (India)

Name of Centre

Wheat Research Station

Year of Establishment

Wheat Research Station, J.A.U., Junagadh was established in the year 1960 with the approval of the Wheat Research Scheme by the Government of Gujarat. The center is representing the whole Saurashtra region i.e. seven districts viz. Junagadh, Jamanagar, Rajkot, Amreli, Bhavanagar, Surendranagar and Porbandar of Gujarat state. The main objectives of this station are to develop high yielding, dwarf, high fertilizer responsive, disease resistant wheat varieties with better grain quality of bread and macaroni durum wheat for different production conditions. Simultaneously, the research work on new production technology and plant protection technologies for the newly released varieties of wheat for this area is also conducted regularly. This station was strengthened by sanctioning of the scheme "All India Coordinated Wheat Improvement Project" by Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi from 09/07/1987. This provides an ample scope for testing newly developed varieties under wide range of environmental conditions. Further, this station has been strengthened by sanctioning of the plan scheme entitled "Strengthening Research in Wheat" by State government under 11^th five year plan from 2008. The main objective of this scheme is to generate high temperature tolerant genotypes of T. aestivum and T. durum wheat suitable for early sowing.

Introduction

Junagadh is a main wheat research station of Junagadh Agricultural University located in Saurashtra region and sub-center for Gujarat state. The climatic conditions of the station represent the tropical-subtropical climates characterized by fairly cold, dry and short winter, hot and dry summer and comparatively low precipitation during monsoon season. This station is also working as a Regional Research Station of Central Zone for wheat crop.

Faculty Information

Sr.No.	Name	Designation	Qualification	Experience (In Years)	Specialized Subject
1.	Dr. K. L. Dobariya	Research Scientist	Ph. D.	25	Plant Breeding
2.	Dr. P. R. Padhar	Assoc.Research Scientist	Ph. D	30	Plant Breeding
3.	K. V. Jivani	Asstt. Research Scientist	M. Sc.(Agri.)	32	Plant Pathology
4.	L. D. Vavadiya	Asstt. Research Scientist	M. Sc.(Agri.)	32	Entomology
5	Dr. A. V. Khanpara	Asstt. Research Scientist	Ph. D	2	Entomology
6.	A. G. Pansuriya	Asstt. Research Scientist	M. Sc.(Agri.)	14	Plant Breeding
7.	V.B. Ramani	Asstt. Research Scientist	M. Sc.(Agri.)	23	Agronomy
8.	L. G. Vanaparia	Agril Officer	M. Sc.(Agri.)	22	Plant Breeding
9.	R. M. Vikani	Agril Officer	M. Sc.(Agri.)	14	Agri.Chem.,Soil Sci.
10	H. P. Ponkia	Agril Officer	M. Sc.(Agri.)	14	Agri.Chem.,Soil Sci.
11	Y. A. Kavthiya	Agril Officer	M. Sc.(Agri.)	14	Entomology
12	B.J. Chatrabhuji	Agril Officer	M. Sc.(Agri.)	29	Agronomy
13	V. L. Kikani	Agril Officer	M. Sc.(Agri.	17	Agronomy

Agro-climatic information of the Center

(a)	Name of the Agro-climatic Zone	:	South Saurashtra Agro-climatic Zone
(b)	Rainfall	:	The average rainfall of this station is about 825 mm with maximum of 3176 mm (1983) and minimum of 37 mm (1987).
(c)	Soil	:	The soil of the center is medium black and calcareous varying from 25 to 75 cm in depth.
(d)	Temperature	:	The annual temperature ranges from 15⁰ C in winter to 45⁰ C in summer with an average minimum of 17.9⁰ C and maximum of 34.8⁰ C.
(e)	Geographical Details	:	Of the total geographical area in the district, about 64.1 % is cultivated. Irrigation is limited to only about 11 % of the cultivated area. Out of total 1600 km coastal line in the state, 210 km falls under the Junagadh district. The climate of Junagadh district can be classified as semi-arid. Junagadh district lies between 21⁰ 30' N latitude, 70⁰ 30' E longitudes at an altitude of 61 m above mean sea level.

Infrastructure

Total area of farm	:	20.25 ha
Farm area under cultivation	:	18.40 ha
Area under farm structure/ buildings	:	1.85 ha
Irrigated area	:	18.40 ha
Source of irrigation	:	Dug well-3

Mandate

Testing of various national/international nurseries and selection of better genotypes for utilization in hybridization programme.
Development of new crosses and growing various segregating generations for selection of better individual plants in aestivum and durum wheat.
Testing of various genotypes developed at this station and conduct different experiments for their performance in the zone
Screening wheat genotypes for their reaction against the brown and black rusts.
Productivity enhancement and maintenance through developing varieties tolerant to various biotic and abiotic stresses by adopting intensive hybridization programme.

Monitoring of wheat diseases and pests in the Saurashtra region of the state. Breeder seed production programme of recommended varieties of
wheat.

Thrust areas

In Saurashtra region, winter is very short. To compensate winter spell and crop growth stage, the sowing time of wheat is recommended during the second week of November. However, the farmers of this region generally prefer early sowing because of shortage of irrigation water at the ripening stage of wheat i.e. during February-March. Such practice greatly affects the initial growth and ultimately results in poor yield. Under these situations, the development of early heat tolerant, early to medium maturing and rust resistant varieties is highly required. Likewise, durum wheat produced in Saurashtra region possesses superior grain quality but farmers are reluctant to accept the durum wheat because of longer maturity period than bread wheat. Keeping these facts in view, the further research work should be aimed at:

· Enhancing productivity and profitability of wheat by developing varieties with higher yield through incorporation of genes from different sources.

· Continuously updating the tolerance against biotic and abiotic stress through incorporation of resistance genes from various germplasm sources.

· Development of high yielding and early maturing varieties suitable for early sowing especially in Saurashtra region

· Development of varieties suitable for restricted irrigations.

· Collection, evaluation and maintenance of germplasm and elite breeding materials for crop improvement.

· Development of facilities for the creation of artificial epiphytotic conditions for different races of black and brown rusts of wheat in order to screen large number of entries

Technology development for higher production based on integrated nutrient management, efficient water management and improving tillage technology and post harvest care

Schemes Operating

S.No.	Name of Scheme	Budget Head	Type of Scheme	Funding Agency
1.	Project for Research in Wheat	5004	Non-Plan	State Govt.
2.	All India Co-ordinated Wheat Improvement Project	2004	ICAR	State 25% ICAR 75%
3.	Revolving Fund	9510-J-6	J.A.U.	J.A.U. Fund
4.	Seed Production in Agriculture Crops	18803-5	Mega seed Project	Other Agency
5	Strengthening Research in wheat at Junagadh	10583	Plan	State Govt.

Research Activities

a) Crop Improvement

i Strengthening of genetic resources, which include collection,evaluation and maintenance of germplasm for making use in breeding programme.

ii Development of new genetic materials and selection of desirable individual plants from various segregating generations for developing genotypes with high stable yield, better grain quality and resistance various biotic and abiotic stresses.

iii Testing of newly developed genotypes under various categories of trials such as PET, SST, LST, NIVT and AVT in early, timely and late sowing conditions.

iv. Seed multiplication of different varieties on large scale to cater the need of farmers and various seed producing agencies.

Dissemination of the newly developed varieties and technologies on the farmer's fields through demonstrations.

Resource Management

i. To find out the optimum time of sowing and response of fertilizers for newly developed genotypes in relation to yield and quality.

ii. To study the response of genotypes to limited irrigations.

iii. To determine the optimum irrigation requirement of newly developed varieties to get maximum yield.

Crop Protection

i. To study the naturally occurrence and intensity of stem and leaf rusts in Trap Plot Nurseries conducted at Mangrol village of coastal area.

ii. To screen the wheat entries of various centers of India which included in coordinated trials for stem and leaf rusts under artificially created epiphytotic conditions.

iii. To screen the newly developed wheat genotypes and advanced bulks of Junagadh and Vijapur centers for stem and leaf rusts by creating artificially epiphytotic conditions.

iv. To survey of various mondies and farmer's fields of different areas of Saurashtra region to monitor the infection of karnal bunt and black point diseases of wheat grains

v. To maintain and multiplication of rust races in micro plot of this station.

To create artificial epiphytotic conditions for the stem and leaf rusts in all the breeding materials, various breeding nurseries and germplasm.

Research Recommendations made for the Farmers

(I) New Varieties

Following wheat varieties have been developed by this station and released for production conditions in the state as well as Central Zone

S.No.	Name of Variety	Year of Release	Salient Features
1.	J 1-7	1971	19% higher yield than K.sona. Pink aurical, brown colour ear-Timely sown irrigated
2.	J 24	1974	11.55% higher yield than K.sona. Pale green aurical, brown colour ear, pubescent -Timely sown irrigated
3.	J 18	1977	9% higher yield than K.sona green foliage, brown colour ear, glabrous - Late sown irrigated
4.	J 40	1978	5% higher yield than K.sona. Pale green leaf, white colour ear, glabrous- Timely sown irrigated
5.	GW 2 (Rainfed )	1983	7% higher yield than A-9-30-1. Pale green leaf, brown colour ear, glabrous-Rainfed
6.	GW 405	1985	8% higher yield than Lok-1. Gloomy and deep green leaves, white ear, labrous-Late sown irrigated.
7.	GW 496	1989	5% higher yield than K.sona. Bloomy and pale green leaves, white ear, glabrous, lustrous grain -Timely sown irrigated.
8.	GW 503	1989	11% higher yield than GW 89. Bloomy green leaves, white colour ear, glabrous- Timely sown irrigated.
9.	GW 366	2006	12%, 10% and 6% higher grain yield than Lok-1, GW 190 and GW 322 respectively. Pink auricle, curved peduncle and top dense ear head. Bold and lustrous grains -Timely sown irrigated.

Agronomy: The following crop production technologies Recommendations were made by this station.

Sowing time of wheat is very important and it affects the grain yield to great extent in this area. Middle of November is recommended for sowing of wheat in Saurashtra region to obtain maximum yield.
The results of an experiment on nitrogen and phosphorus requirements indicated that wheat crop required 120 kg nitrogen and 60 kg phosphorus. It is recommended to apply half doze of N and full doze of P₂O₅ at the time of sowing and remaining half doze of N at 21 days after sowing
To control the weeds in irrigated wheat, Pendimethalin should be sprayed @ 1 kg a.i./ha as pre- emergence application.
The wheat variety Raj 1555 under irrigated conditions of Saurashtra should be planted in cross sowing at 22.5 x 22.5 cm. spacing using 150 kg seed rate /ha. Crop should be fertilized with 60 kg N + 60 kg P2O5/ha as basal dose at the time of sowing and remaining 60 kg N/ha as top dressing at 21 days after sowing to produce higher yield and economic return
The results of the experiment on cropping sequence and time of sowing indicated that early sowing of wheat varieties like GW 120, GW 405 and Lok 1 was found proper for timely sowing of summer groundnut and better harvesting of pod yield. Although, early sowing of wheat decreased the grain yield but it is compensated by increasing pod yield of summer groundnut on net return basis.
6. The farmers of South Saurashtra agro-climatic zone following groundnut- wheat crop sequence are advised to apply FYM 15 t/ha to kharif groundnut followed by 120 kg N and 60 kg P₂O₅/ha to wheat for getting higher yield and economic returns.
In the areas of South Saurashtra Zone where irrigation water is not a limiting factor, farmers are advised to irrigate (50 mm) the wheat crop at weekly interval (Total 14 irrigations) in order to get maximum yield and net return. However, on the basis of net ICBR, ten irrigations are recommended. The first irrigation should be given immediately after sowing of seeds in dry soil followed by next irrigation at 6 days after sowing for better germination. The rest of the irrigations should be given at an interval of 8 to 10 days.
The farmers of South Saurashtra Agro-vlimatic Zone growing irrigated wheat are advised to prefer wheat variety GW 322 and given 7 irrigation i.e. at sowing,CRI tillering ,boot flowering, milky and dough stages for getting higher yield and net return. Under limited water availability, farmers can apply 6 irrigatins by skiping irrigation at boot stage without affecting yield.

Achievements Seed production for the year 2007-08

Sr. No.	Name of Crop	Season	Variety and Stage	Area (ha.)	Production (kg.)
1.	Groundnut	Kharif	GG-10 (Breeder)	2.00	810
2.	Groundnut	Kharif	GG-5 (Breeder)	4.00	510
3.	Wheat	Rabi	GW 496 (Breeder) Lok-1 (Breeder) GW 366 (Breeder)	1.00 3.00 2.30	2520 9880 7040

Transfer of technologies

The technologies developed at this research station are being discriminated to the various extension agencies, NGO's, farmers and students in the following ways.

· Organizing "Wheat production week" at the station every year

· Participating in the 'Krushi Mela', farmer's days and Agril. Exhibitions organized by University or other agencies

· Educating Government officers in pre-seasonal training. diagnostic team visits and other training programmes.

· Conducting demonstration plots at the station and organizing field days on farmers field.

· Educating students and farmers during visit of this station.

· Through TV, Radio broadcasting, literature, press note, personnel/spot field diagnosis and letter etc.

· Conducting Wheat Front Line Demonstrations on farmers field to popularize the varieties and latest production technology.

Scientists of this Station were participating in “ krushi Mahotsav” from last three years.

Future outlook

Target: To improve yield ceiling with superior quality parameters.

Enhancing productivity and profitability of wheat by developing varieties with higher yield through incorporation of genes from different sources
Continuously updating the tolerance against biotic and abiotic stress through incorporation of resistance genes from various germplasm sources.
Development of high yielding and early maturing varieties suitable for early sowing especially in Saurashtra region.
Development of varieties suitable for restricted irrigations.
Collection, evaluation and maintenance of germplasm and elite breeding materials for crop improvement.
Development of facilities for the creation of artificial epiphytotic conditions for different races of black and brown rusts of wheat in order to screen large number of entries.
Technology development for higher production based on integrated nutrient management, efficient water management and improving tillage technology and post harvest care.

Dr. P. R. PADHAR
ASSOCIATE RESEARCH SCIENTIST
WHEAT RESEARCH STATION
JUNAGADH AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY
JUNAGADH-362 001

:: CONTACT ::

H.P.PONKIA
Agril. Officer

Telephone Number with STD Code
Office	:	0285- 2672080-90 Ext-327
Fax	:	0285 2672004
E.Mail	:	ars_wheat@jau.in

Junagadh Agricultural University . Junagadh 362 001 . India . +91 285 2672080 - 90 (O)

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