Recent Research Initiatives

• Program initiated with objectives of
• To enhance the nutrition as well as synthesis of novel bioactive compounds.
• Develop disease resistance varieties by targeting the susceptible genes.
• 11 Institutes are collaborating
• Crops: Cucumber, Muskmelon, Potato, Onion, Cassava, Apple, Banana, Papaya, Grapes, Black pepper, Ginger, Cumin, Coriander, Marigold
• Single copy Mendalian segregation of the T-DNA was observed eg. Papaya line No. R2P5G2 has shown a ratio of 3:1 with 31 T-DNA +ve and 11 null plants.
• begomovirus resistant tomato plants through CRISPR-Cas9 system2 gRNAs targeting pelota gene

• Module and protocol for assessment of the crop acreage (area) with crop signature using ground truth, UAV and satellite data together with > 85% accuracy
• UAV for foliar appication

• Prototypes  for automated vineyard monitoring
• Moisture sensors measure soil moisture

Honey bee assisted pollination in polyhouse

• Apis serana and Tetragonula iridipennis
• Fruit set (80 to 90%)  with  2.5 times
• Higher yield compared to open field

Bee-friendly flower genotypes & rearing structures for pollinator’s conservation. 

Vertical Farming and Peri-urban Horticulture

• VEGFAST- A technology for growing vegetable on rooftops
• Arka Vertical Garden structure
• Arka Vegetable Garden Model
• Vertical Gardens for Foliage Plants
• Arka Sasya Poshak Ras (ASPR) - A Liquid Nutrient Formulation for Soilless Cultivation

Digital Horticulture

• Sensor - based controlled  irrigation system in tomato
• e-Crop Based Smart Farming (e-CBSF) in tuber crops
• Artificial Intelligence  powered decision support system for leaf spot and other pest in banana
• UAV based IR detection of palm health

Export Protocols for Horticultural Crops (Banana, Mango, Pomegranate)

• ICAR-CISH, Lucknow, NRC Pomegranate and NRC Banana have standardized the Export  protocol of  Mango ,Banana and pomegranate to US &EU with the support of APEDA.

Clean Plant Progam

• The key principle: “start clean, stay clean”.
•  The project aims at improving horticulture farmers’ access to certified disease-free planting materials.
• This will result in improved yields and  crop quality
• Crop identified- Almond, apple, avocado, berries, citrus, grapes, guava, litchi, mango, pomegranate, and walnut.