| Genetic Resource Management and Crop Improvement |
| Research activities… |
- Collection/introduction, characterization, evaluation and documentation of litchi germplasm
- Molecular characterization of (DNA Fingerprinting) of litchi germplasm
- Plant regeneration in litchi
- Collection and evaluation longan germplasm
- Collection and evaluation rambutan germplasm
- Clonal selection for improvement in the commercial cultivars of litchi
- Development of improved hybrids of litchi
- Evaluation of seedling population of litchi for improved plant types
- Establishment and evaluation of segregating population of litchi
- Establishment and evaluation of provincial populations of litchi
- Evolving improved cultivars in litchi
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| Achievement so far… |
- Thirty four cultivars of litchi and allied species were collected from indigenous sources and 33 were planted in the germplasm repository.
- Nine cultivars of litchi were also collected from Spain under FAO Project
- The molecular characterization of 20 litchi cultivars is in progress in collaboration with CISH, Lucknow using RAPD and ISSR markers.
- Fifty six superior clones of litchi were identified and propagated for their detailed evaluation.
- The hybrid progeny involving litchi cultivars viz., Shahi, China, Bedana and Kasba were developed and is under evaluation.
- About 800 seedlings of Shahi and China cultivars are under evaluation. Further seedlings are also being raised from the selected clones.
- The fruits from the adjoining trees of different trees were collected and the seedlings are being raised.
- The provincial litchi seedling populations were developed from the states of Bihar, Jharkhand, Assam and Tripura and the seedlings are being raised.
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| Externally Funded Project |
| UNEP/GEF Project “Conservation and Sustainable use of Cultivated and Wild Tropical Fruit Diversity: Promoting Sustainable Livelihoods, Food Security and Ecosystem Services” |
- Selection of superior mango and pummelo clones
- Seventy seven mango and 135 pummelo clones were characterized. The superior clones of mango (5 no.) and pummelo (5 no.) were multiplied for conservations, evaluation and distribution to the farmers
- The TFT fruit diversity catalogue is being prepared for documentation of the diversity in mango and citrus (pummelo)
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| Crop Production |
| Research activities… |
- Standardization of grafting techniques in litchi
- Effect of various dip solutions on establishment of litchi gooties in nursery
- Plant propagation and growth physiology of vegetative propagated plants in litchi
- Effect of graded level NPK on vegetative and reproductive character of Shahi and China litchi
- Standardization of organic inputs for litchi
- High density planting in litchi
- Standardization of pruning Intensity in high density planting of litchi
- Studies on effective utilization of interspaces in young bearing litchi orchards for income and soil health improvement.
- Effect of vegetative flushing and shoot maturity on flowering, bearing behaviour, fruit yield and quality in litchi.
- Effect of PGR sprays on yield, maturity and quality of litchi fruits cv. Shahi
- Effect of bagging on maturity, yield and quality of litchi fruits
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| Achievement so far… |
- Vigorous and healthy growth of air-layer was found in T8 (RB soil+ Vermi- compost) with 86% survival in early stage in nursery
- Available N kg/ha varied from 93.78 kg/ha to 161 kg/ha in different treatment combinations. Leaf analysis data showed that the maximum N content (1.93%) was found with highest dose of nitrogen (100 g incremental). N content in leaf varied from 1.53% to 1.93 % in different treatment combination
- Growth parameters viz. height, girth and spread showed non – significant differences. Available N kg/ha varied from 73.23 kg/ha to 116 kg/ha and showed significant response. Plants are in vegetative phase
- Application of 20 kg FYM + 2 kg vermicompost + 1 kg neem cake + bio fertlizers showed better growth performance
- Maximum plant circumference (22.60 cm) was recorded in 6 x 4 m spacing followed by 4 x 4 m whereas minimum circumference recorded in 2 x 2 m spacing where the plant canopy started over lapping
- Schedule of sprays of different treatment was imposed and found that foliar spraying of GA3 and ethrel during October showed mixed flowering panicle in the September-October vegetative flush
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| Crop Protection |
Research activities… |
- Monitoring and surveillance of pest and diseases of litchi.
- Identification and etiological studies of pathogens of pre- and post-harvest diseases of litchi
- Effect of combination of mycorrhiza, biofertilizers and organic amendments on initial establishment and plant vigour of litchi under field conditions
- Survey and sampling for diversity of mycorrhizal fungi in litchi orchards.
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| Achievement so far… |
- Major pests of litchi prevalent in the area were identified. Borer complex of litchi are most important as they extensively damage the developing and matured fruits reducing the yields and marketability.
- A new weevil which is brownish red in colour, about 5-7 mm in length and having strong rostrum was found to damage young shoots in large numbers during 2009 and 2010. Young growing tree of less than five years age was devastated.
- Based on the characteristics of the new weevil, it was identified as Apoderus blandus Faust. However, it differed from typical A. blandus in having brownish red colour of head, prothorax and antennae.
- Further, in the September flush of litchi sporadic outbreak of a semilooper pest was observed. About 20% was found infested in NRCL farm. This pest voraciously fed on young foliage and in a few days only bare rachis left on top canopy.
- Trichogramma @ 50,000 eggs/ ha at flower initiation and Nimbicidine @ 0.5% at fruiting, Cypermethrin @ 0.005% and Nimbicidin @0.5% were effective in minimizing the damage caused by fruit borer.
- Laboratory facility for study of fungal pathogens and other microbes including mycorrhiza was developed.
- Among the diseases at vegetative phase, leaf spot, twig blight and bark splitting were noticed. Pathogens were isolated. Etiological studies are in progress.
- A ‘twig blight’ disease was observed. The symptoms appeared as death of leaves on new shoots and a foliar blight and tip dieback which was difficult to separate. The leaf blight appeared as tan spots on the leaves. The afflicted leaves look like they were scorched from the sun. The twig blight along with infestation of foliage feeding pest complex particularly, the new weevil pest (A. blandus), leaf miner, leaf cutting weevil and shoot borer not only severely hampered the young plants’ growth but also reduced the potential fruit bearing flushes in grown-up orchards.
- Microflora associated with fruit drop and post-harvest fruit rot was studied. A low temperature tolerant strain of Aspergillus flavus spoiled the litchi juices stored in refrigerator.
- A field experiment have been laid out with twenty treatments having components viz., VA mycorrhiza, Azotobacter chrococcum, Bacillus megatarium and Trichoderma harzianum to study the effect of combination of mycorrhiza, biofertilizers and biocontrol agent on initial establishment and plant vigour of litchi.
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| Post-harvest Management and Value Addition |
| Research activities… |
- Standardization of harvest techniques, stages and maturity indices of litchi.
- Post harvest treatments to enhance the shelf life of litchi fruits.
- Effect of various bagging materials on quality and yield of litchi fruits.
- Investigation and management of post-harvest losses in litchi.
- Investigation of losses due to post harvest disease and their management.
- Prevention of pericarp browning in litchi and its causative factors.
- Effect of different packaging & lining materials and other treatments on shelf life of litchi fruits.
- Development of modified atmospheric packaging technologies for extending the shelf life of litchi fruits.
- Standardization of techniques for preparation of alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages from litchi fruits of different cultivars.
- Standardization of techniques in respect of temperature at various levels of litchi wine preparation and screening of yeast culture and their optimum dose
- Standardization of techniques in respect of stage of harvest and duration of treatments for preparation of litchi nuts
- Preparation of nut and raisin from different varieties of litchi.
- Standardization of techniques for preservation of litchi pulp
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| Achievement so far |
- Covering the canopy with 30% green and 50% white shade net has extended the harvesting period by almost 16 days.
- Effect of chemicals and PGR on fruit drop and cracking revealed that KMnO4 (2.0 & 4.0 %) & CaNO3 (1.0 %) delayed the colour break stage by 4 days and increased the fruit retention by18.0 & 26.0 per cent, respectively.
- Physico-chemical studies of litchi fruits during fruit development stage revealed that last week of May is the best time for harvesting.
- Protocol for litchi wine and litchi nut is developed.
- The process of wine making from litchi fruits yielding 11.5 % alcohol has been standardized in collaboration with CTCRI-RS, Bhubaneshwar.
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Mandate
