Dr. YSRHU e-Newsletter Fortnightly e-Newsletter of Dr.Y.S.R.Horticultural University

Volume-I, Issue - 5 Dr.YSRHU e-Newsletter 16th –31st July, 2015

Fortnight Focus Events Education Research Extension General

Events

Condolences Tributes were paid to Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam, Former President of on 27th July, 2015 by Dr.B.M.C.Reddy, Vice-Chancellor, All the University Officers, Staff of Administrative Office, Staff and Students of all Colleges, Staff of all Research Stations and KVKs of Dr.YSRHU on the event of his sudden demise.

ICAR Foundation Day and National KVK Conference The ICAR 87th Foundation Day and 9th National KVK Conference were inaugurated by Sri Narendra Modi ji, Hon'ble Prime Minis- ter of India on 25th July, 2015 at Patna, Bihar. Dr. S. Ayyappan, Secretary, DARE and Director General, ICAR welcomed the digni- taries which was followed by the remarks of Sri R. Rajagopal, Additional Secretary, DARE & Secretary, ICAR. Dr.B.M.C.Reddy, Vice-Chancellor represented Dr.Y.S.R. Horticultural University and interacted with dignitaries during technical sessions. contd..

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The inaugural session was followed by three technical sessions and a valedictory function on 26th July, 2015 in

which Union Minister of Agriculture Sri Radha Mohan Singh was Chief Guest. During this Conference Union Minister of Agriculture interacted with Vice-chancellors, Directors of Extension, Directors of ICAR Institutes and Program Coordinators Recommendations of the conference Focus on second green revolution in the eastern states of the country, work through four pronged strate- gies for agricultural development, enhancement of production of pulses and oilseeds; focus on skill development; pursuing enterprises like honey bee keeping, processing and value addition, organic farming and indigenous technical knowledge; joint action plans of KVKs and ATMA, better human resource management for improving working conditions in the KVKs, and standardizing impact assess- ment methodologies for KVKs.

Maha Pushkara Exhibition On the Eve of Godavari Mahapushkarams a work shop on Agriculture and allied activities was organised by Govt. of on 18th July, 2015 at Anam Kala Kendram, which was presided by Sri Prathipati Pulla Rao garu, Hon'ble Minister for Agriculture, Agri. Processing, Marketing & Warehousing, Animal Husbandry, Dairy devel- opment & Fisheries. Sri Nara Chandra Babu Naidu garu, Hon'ble Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh addressed the farmers on this occasion.

Dr.R.V.S.K.Reddy, Director of Extension and Dr. J.Dilip Babu, Director of Research have participated in this seminar and exhibition.

Dr.E.Karunasree, Programme Coordinator, KVK, Venkatara- mannagudem and Smt.K.Mamatha, Scientist (Hort) partici- pated in the workshop and interacted with the farmers during technical sessions.

Visits A committee under the Chairmanship of Dr.M.Lakshminarayana Reddy, Dean PGS and Dean of Horticul- ture inspected the proposed Private Horticultural Polytechnics in West Godavari, Kadapa, Kurnool, Guntur, Prakasam and Vizianagaram districts of Andhra Pradesh during the fortnight. The chairman along with other committee members viz., Dr.D.Srihari, COE & Dean of Student Affairs, Dr.R.V.S.K.Reddy, Director of Extension and Dr. B.Prasanna Kumar, Principal Scientist visited the proposed sites to inspect the facilities available for establishment of Horticultural Polytechnic Colleges in private sector.

Field visit at Kalluru, Kurnool district Campus visit at Podili, Prakasam district

Volume-I, Issue - 5 Dr.YSRHU e-Newsletter 16th –31st July, 2015 2

Education

Literary competitions Students of Dr.Y.S.R. Horticultural University won six gold medals in essay writing and elocution compe- titions conducted at Adikavi Nannaya University, Rajahmundry on 9th July, 2015 on the eve of Godavari Mahapushkarams-2015. Ms. P.Asha Devi, 3rd year student of Horticultural College & Research Institute, Venkataramannagudem won 4 gold medals and Ms. Niharika, 1st year student of Horticultural College & Research Institute, Anantharajupet won 2 gold medals. Sri. Nara Chandra Babu Naidu garu, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh presented the medals and certificates on 23rd July, 2015.

Ms. P.Asha Devi receiving certificate from Ms. Niharika receiving certificate from Hon’ble Chief Minister Hon’ble Chief Minister

Medal winners with Dr.B.M.C.Reddy, Vice-chancellor, Dr.B.Srinivasulu, Registrar, Dr.D.Srihari, DSA, Dr. A.Sujatha, Associate Dean and Dr.N.Emmanuel, OSA, HCRI

Theses submitted Mrs. T. Suseela (VHD/10/01) submitted thesis of Ph.D programme on “Standardisation of pro- duction techniques in tuberose cv Suvasini.”

Mr. M. Venkata Rao (VHM/13/21) submitted thesis of M.Sc (Horti.) programme on “Effect of ni- trogen and phosphorus on growth and yield of sprouting broccoli(Brassica oleracea var. Italica L.)

Mr. P. Prasad (VHM/13/11) submitted thesis of M.Sc (Horti.) programme on “Effect of dates of sowing and cultivars on growth and yield of beetroot (Beeta vulgaris L).

HORTICET-2015 HORTICET-2015 Examination was conducted for students of Horticulture polytechnic on 31st July, 2015 at Examination Hall, HC&RI, Venkataramannagudem for admission into B.Sc (Hons) in Horticulture.

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Exposure visits Dr. C. P. Viji, Asst. Professor (Ento) arranged an exposure visit for third year stu- dents to show different species of honey bees, apiary unit, beehives, beekeeping

appliances and honey extraction at Agricultural Research Station, Vijayarai and visited sericulture unit at Ramaraogudem, W.G. dist on 15th July, 2015

Sri. M. Paratpara Rao, Assistant Professor (GPBR) arranged an exposure visit on 30th July, 2015 for third year students to Indian Institute of Oil Palm Research, Pedavegi to show different activities viz., hybrid seed production, nursery rais-

ing and tissue culture in oilpalm.

A visit was also made to Biofertilizer Lab at ARS, Amaravathi to show the pro- duction and application of different biofertilizers (Rhizobium, VAM, PSB etc.) in various horticultural crops. Dr. N. Trimurthulu, Principal Scientist, ARS, Amaravathi explained about the production and application of different biofertilizers

Dr. AVD Dorajee Rao, Assistant Professor (Hort) arranged an exposure visit to third year students to show landscaping at various places in Rajahmundry viz. Canal bunds, bus terminal, airport, kailasa boomi and Lion’s Eye Hospitals at . Also visited Forest Research Station at Rajahmundry and nurseries at Kadiyam on 27th July,2015

Research

Nematode infestation in banana

Dr. B.V.K.Bhagavan, Principal Scientist(Hort) & Head, HRS, and Ms. T.Sowmya, Research Associate (Plant Protection) visited banana fields at Kalavalapalli village on 27th July, 2015 and identified nematode infestation. The root and soil samples were tested for the presence of nematodes and control measures were suggested to the farmers.

Reddish brown discoloration of the nematode infested roots

Nematode infested banana roots

Rejuvenation of senile guava orchard

Dr. R.V.S.K.Reddy, Director of Extension visited Instructional farm at Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Pandirimamidi on 17th July, 2015 to monitor the rejuvenation operations taken up at old guava orchard (20+ years). The garden was unproductive and not acces- sible to farm operations, hence the trees were pruned at 1.5 m height from the base and cut ends were pasted with COC followed by fertilizer application coupled with irrigation.

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Field and Diagnostic visits Diagnostic survey for mango borers was conducted by Smt. G.Sarada, Scientist(Ento), CRS, Tirupati and Smt. P. Sunitha, Scientist(Ento), HRS, VR Gudem in potential mango belts of Chittoor district covering 5 mandals viz., Damalacheruvu, Puthalapattu, Bangarupalyam, Irala and Tavanampalli on 28th and 29th July, 2015.

Farmers from Kolar, Karnataka visited CRS, Tirupathi on 27th July, 2015 as a part of technical skill development activities conducted by College of Agriculture, Kolar and Dr. L. Mukundalakshmi, Scientist (Hort) explained about the research programmes and nursery activities going on in this Station.

Brain storming session

Dr. T. Rajasekharam, Scientist (Path) participated in one day programme on ‘Brain Storming Dia- logue on Viral & Greening diseases of Citrus: Challenges & Way Forward’ on 28th July, 2015 at CCRI, Nagpur.

Extension

Field demonstrations under TSP Dr.R.V.S.K Reddy, Director of Extension distributed inputs viz., sorghum seed var. CSV-15 and fertilizers to tribal farmers on 17th July, 2015 under Tribal Sub Plan (TSP) to conduct front line demonstrations in agency villages of Rampachodavaram. Dr.A.Srinivas, Programme Coordinator, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Pandirimamidi, Dr.G.Narisimha Murthy, Scientist & Head, HRS, Pandirimamidi, Sri. V.Govardhan Rao, Scientist (PP), Sri Ratna Kumar, PAO. - ITDA, and NGOs, AOs, AEOs and farmers from 11 agency mandals of Rampachodavaram division partici- pated in this programme.

Dr.R.V.S.K.Reddy, Director of Extension expressed his views on importance of sorghum cultivation in drought prone areas and rainfed situation in Agency area. Sorghum is suitable under drought situation in late kharif with a minimum rainfall. It is suitable for Kondapodu in hilly areas as mixed crop with redgram, pulses and other crops (2:1) in tribal areas.

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Sri V.Govardhan Rao, Scientist (Plant Pathology) given technical session on Sorghum crop cover- ing major pest & disease problem. Sri Ratna Kumar, PAO, ITDA spoke that utilize the all schemes and programmes of Department of Agriculture, ITDA, KVK and other Institutions to improve

economic levels of tribal farmers.

Tribal sub-plan activities

Collection of soil samples and information pertaining to the selected farmers to demonstrate Integrated Nutrient Manage- ment in cashew and cotton in Tribal Sub Plan areas at Ban- damgudem and Pandugudem villages of Buttaigudem mandal was done on 16th July, 2015.

Distribution of vegetable kits to Tribal woman to promote multi nutritional gardens in their backyards to alleviate nutri- tional disorders was taken up by KVK, Venkataramannagudem on 16th July, 2015.

Diagnostic visits

Scientists of KVK, Venkataramannagudem conducted a field diagnostic visit on 16th July, 2015 to cotton fields at Buttai- gudem and identified sucking pest damage and suggested to spray Dimethoate @ 2 ml/lt 2 to 3 times at fortnight inter- vals.

Sri. Ch.Kiran Kumar, SMS(SS), KVK, Venkataramannagudem conducted a joint diagnostic visit along with scientists of IIOPR, Pedavegi on 24th July, 2015 to oil palm fields at Te- likicherla village and identified Boron and Magnesium defi- ciency and suggested application of Magnesium Sulphate @ 500 grams and Borax @ 50 to 100 grams per palm per year.

Polam polusthondi

Sri.K.Uma Maheswara Rao, Scientist (Hort), CRS, Bapatla visited flower and vegetable fields of different villages of Karlapalem mandal during polam polusthondi programme and explained cultivation aspects of vegetable & Flower crops on 21st July, 2015.

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Training programmes

Sri Ch.Kiran Kumar, SMS(SSAC), KVK, Venkatara- mannagudem has conducted training programme under FFS programme on “Plant protection in Oil Palm” at Telikicherla village with collaboration of IIOPR, Pedavegi on 29th July, 2015. In this programme Dr.P.Kalidas, Principal Scientist (Plant Protection) delivered lecture on various pest management practices to control pests in oil palm followed by field diagnostic visit and identified chafer beetle in oil palm.

Dr. Ch.Chandra Sekhar, Scientist(Hort) & Head, HRS, Chintapalli conducted two training programmes on cultivation of commer- cial flower crops to the tribal farmers of Visakhapatnam dist at Chintapalli on 14th July, 2015 and Araku on 16th July,2015.

General

Best AICRP Centre Award for HRS, Ambajipet Dr. G. Ramanandam, Principal Scientist (Hort) and Head, HRS, Ambajipet has received Chaudhary Devilal outstanding AICRP award, 2014 for best AICRP centre from Sri Sanjeev Kumar Balyan, Union Minister for Agriculture at Patna on 26th July, 2015.

Conferences Dr.E.Karunasree, Programme Coordinator, KVK, Venkataraman- nagudem participated in 9th National Conference of KVKs at Patna on 25th -26th July, 2015 to learn about the Skill Intensive Agriculture for the benefit of the present agriculture scenario and farmers needs.

Guest Lecture Dr. K. Venu, Professor and Director, Centre for Integrated Biological and Environmental Research at Delaware State University, Dover visited the campus on 16th July, 2015 and delivered a guest lecture on “A model to study disease resistance and epigenetics using the bean- bean interaction” for the benefit of staff and students at HC & RI, VRGudem

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Research articles published B.Prasanna Kumar, Effect of chemicals and growth regulators on Post Harvest shelf life and quality in papaya (Carica papaya L.) cv.Red lady. (2014) Journal of Horticultural Sciences, Vol.9(1): 1-4 PP.66-73.

Radio and TV programmes Dr.B.Govinda Rajulu, Principal Scientist (PP), Citrus Research Station, Petlur has given programme on 'Acid lime - Canker tolerant and high yielding varieties' to TV5 - Annapoorna telecasted on 16th July, 2015.

Photograph showing Grand Naine clone at HRS Kovvur with a bunch weight of 43 kg and 206 fingers per bunch

Visit our website at www.drysrhu.edu.in Published by: Dr. B.M.C. Reddy, Vice-Chancellor Dr.Y.S.R. Horticultural University Administrative Office: Post Box No.7, Venkataramannagudem-534 101, W.G. Dist., A.P. Compiled & : Dr.R.V.S.K.Reddy, Director of Extension, Edited by Dr.Y.S.R. Horticultural University

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