HI-TECH HORTICULTURE UNIT - UAS INTRODUCTION Indian Agriculture is passing through transitional era in this century due to globalization of trade and liberalization of Indian economy during early nineties. Horticulture in particular has attained pride status in the field of modern agriculture as horticulture crops contribute about 28.65% to GDP from merely 8.5% of area and have a high potential for value addition and foreign exchange earnings. Hi-Tech production of high value horticulture crops under cover as well open condition adopting modern technology is the recent development in this field.

In view of the competitive world environment in the context of the WTO agreement, renewed concentration on productivity, quality and value addition is one of the concerns of the farmers of our country. Hence, adoption of modern technology in horticulture viz, Greenhouse technology, Micro-irrigation, Fertigation, Micro-propagation, Nursery technology, High-tech post-harvest technologies including cold chain etc; have become necessary to achieve the target.

Protected cultivation in has started during early nineties and is the leading state in adoption. Earlier it was started around Bangalore and surrounding districts and recently progressive farmers in North Karnataka around Belgaum, Dharwad, Hubli, , Sirsi etc; have started Protected Cultivation of Flowers and Vegetables, besides Hi-Tech production of high value horticulture crops under open field. Day by day many progressive farmers, youngsters, and educated unemployed youth are taking keen interest in this field.

Genesis of the Unit

Keeping in view of the above mentioned facts, Dr. S. A .Patil, Hon’ble former Vice- Chancellor,University of Agricultural Sciences Dharwad started major initiative in establishment of infrastructure for hi-tech horticulture in the main campus at Saidapur farm during the year 2006. Further, the then Hon’ble former Vice-Chancellors Dr. J. H. Kulkarni, Dr. R. R. and the present Vice-Chancellor Dr. D. P. Biradar have taken interest in shouldering the responsibility of implementing the plans and programmes in a most befitting manner for the benefit of the stake holders. The unit was inaugurated on 12th June 2007 by His Excellency, Governor of Karnataka and Chancellor of UAS, Dharwad Dr. T.N. Chaturvedi in august presence of Sri. Surjit Singh Barnala, His Excellency, Governor of Tamil Nadu. Objectives of the Unit To conduct research on different aspects of hi-tech horticulture

1. To develop production technology for protected cultivation of flowers and vegetables 2. To teach students about hi-tech horticulture activities 3. To demonstrate technology to the farmers 4. To develop human resource in this field of protected cultivation.

Infrastructure facilities of the Unit.

Sl.No Infrastructure facility No. of Units Unit area Total area

1. Naturally ventilated polyhouse 10 560 m2 5600 m2

2. Fan & pad poly carbonate greenhouse 1 192 m2 192 m2

3. Soilless cultivation and Hydroponic Unit 1 560 m2 560 m2

4. Shadow hall 1 560 m2 560 m2

5. Poly tunnel/Mist House 1 500 m2 500 m2

6. Shade house/ Net House 14 1200 m2 4.2 acre 7. Computerized micro irrigation - - All and fertigation system units 8. Drip irrigation for outdoor crops 3 1 Acre 3 Acre 9. Water harvesting from greenhouse roof-top 8 -

10. Pack house 1 200 m2 200 m2 Naturally ventilated polyhouse Shade net houses

Poly carbonate greenhouse Micro irrigation and fertigation Unit

Soilless cultivation Hydroponic Unit Research accomplishments About 20 technologies have been developed for protected cultivation of high value vegetables and flowers. The findings in brief are given here under.

1. Capsicum In a evaluation trail of capsicum hybrids for commercial cultivation under protected condition,

Green hybrid Indra Yellow hybrid Orobelle Red hybrids Bomby

Green hybrid Indra produced higher yield of 85.69 t/ha with benefit cost ratio of 2.75, but coloured hybrids red Bomby and yellow Orobelle produced an average yield 75.83 t/ha with higher benefit cost ratio of 3.25 In a planting geometry study for cultivation of capsicum hybrids under different growing conditions.

45X30 cm under polyhouse 45X45 cm under shade house

Planting capsicum at 45X30 cm under polyhouse condition produced higher yield of 95.72 t/ha with superior quality produce while, under shade house condition planting at 45X45 cm produced higher yield of 81.70 t/ha with superior quality produce In a standardization trail of training of plants for cultivation of capsicum hybrids under different growing conditions

Four stems per plant method Training of four stems per plant for capsicum found best for higher yield of 77.25 t/ha with superior quality produce under all different growing conditions and hybrids tried.

2. Orchid. In a varietal evaluation of orchid for commercial cultivation under greenhouse

Variety Sonia- 17

Purple variety Sonia- 17 produced higher productivity of 88.50 flowers /m2 and found commercial variety of orchid for greenhouse cultivation. The study on the influence of growing media and system for cultivation of orchids under greenhouse,

Pot system having wider openings and growing media as brick pieces +charcoal found best for higher productivity of 74.44 flower spikes /m2 with superior quality flowers. 3. Anthurium In a evaluation of anthurium varieties for commercial cultivation under greenhouse, Variety Esmeralda produced higher productivity of 83.36 flowers /m2 and found commercial variety for polyhouse cultivation Standardization trail of the growing system for cultivation of anthuriums under greenhouse condition

Growing system of 90% shading net as media holding material found best for higher productivity of 126.50 flowers /m2 with superior quality flower 4. Gerbera In a evaluation of gerbera varieties for commercial cultivation under polyhouse conditions,

Red variety Savannah

Red variety Savannah produced higher productivity of 235.20 flowers /m2 and found commercial variety of gerbera for polyhouse cultivation 5. Rose In a evaluation of rose varieties for commercial cultivation under polyhouse conditions,

Red variety Tropical Amazan

Red variety Tropical Amazan produced higher productivity 127.00 flowers /m2 and found commercial variety of rose for polyhouse cultivation

6. Lettuce In a study on influence of spacing on lettuce grown under open and protected conditions, Lettuce leaf yield per hectare was maximum under shade house (24.0t/ha) followed by poly house (19.60t/ha) and least was under open field(13.45t/ha). With respect to planting geometry, leaf yield per hectare was maximum in 30 x 30 cm spacing (24.30t/ha). 7. China cabbage Spacing trail on china cabbage grown under open and protected conditions,

China cabbage head yield per hectare was maximum under shade house (63.65t/ha) followed by poly house(52.20t/ha) and least was under open field(24.35t/ha). With respect to planting geometry, head yield per hectare was maximum in 45 x 45 cm (51.76t/ha) spacing.

8. Broccoli Study on influence of spacing on broccoli grown under open and protected conditions, Broccoli flower head yield per hectare was maximum under shade house (15.05 t/ha) followed by poly house (13.10t/ha) and least was under open field (6.7t/ha). With respect to planting geometry, flower head yield per hectare was maximum in 45 x 45 cm (14.5t/ha) spacing. 9. Celery In a trail on influence of spacing on celery grown under open and protected conditions,

Celery leaf stalk yield per hectare was maximum under shade house(23.15t/ha) followed by poly house(20.02t/ha) and least was under open field(14.10t/ha). With respect to planting geometry, leaf stalk yield per hectare was maximum in 30 x 15 cm (30.0t/ha) spacing.

10. Tomato In a study on standardization of training systems for tomato under shade house Results revealed that, among the two training systems, double stem method recorded maximum yield of 160.55 t/ha. 11. Red cabbage In a trail on influence of spacing on red cabbage under open and protected conditions,

Red cabbage head yield per hectare was maximum under shade house (35.75t/ha) followed by poly house (32.85 t/ha)and least was under open field (16.10 t/ha). With respect to planting geometry, head yield per hectare was maximum in 45 x 30 cm (34.0t/ha) spacing. 12. Zucchini In a trail on influence of spacing on zucchini grown under open and protected conditions, Zucchini fruit yield per hectare was maximum under shade house (23.45t/ha) followed by poly house (19.00t/ha) and least (08.40t/ha) was under open field. With respect to planting geometry, fruit yield per hectare was maximum in 100 x 90cm spacing (22.15t/ha). 13. Leek

In a trail on influence of spacing on leek under protected conditions,

The yield per hectare was maximum under shade house (39.41t/ha) followed by poly house(33.75/ha) and least(19.55t/ha) was under open field. With respect to planting geometry, yield per hectare was maximum in 20 x 15cm spacing (30.5t/ha). 14. Carnation In a evaluation trail on carnation varieties under greenhouse, Variety Yellow Firato produced maximum number of flowers (8.45) per plant and per meter square ( 280.60) followed by Firato (8.37&277.58 respectively.)

15. Alpinia In a nutritional study on alpinia grown under shade house, Higher level of NPK (15 gram per plant) showed higher vegetative growth and produced maximum flower yield of 27.50 stems per square meter with superior quality flower having maximum stem and flower length(132cm &26 cm respectively).

16. Bird of Paradise

In a trail on crop geometry for cultivation of Bird of Paradise (BOP) under shade house. Closer spacing of 75 x 60 cm produced maximum mean flower stem yield of 11.66 per meter square with higher benefit cost ratio of 2.75.

Concluded Ad-hoc project- NHM

Two model nursery projects of NHM (National Horticulture Mission) for multiplication of fruits and flowers were sanctioned during 2006-07 with a total out lay of Rs. 36.00 lakh. Under the project two poly houses, two shade houses, mist house; two bore wells were installed at Hi-Tech horticulture Unit. With this infrastructure every year about one lakh planting materials are being produced.

Ongoing research projects 1. Evaluation of gerbera varieties under polyhouse conditions 2. Evaluation of carnation varieties under polyhouse conditions 3. Influence of source and level of fertilizers for fertigation on lettuce grown under hade house conditions 4. Influence of source and level of fertilizers for fertigation on Chinese cabbage grown under shade house conditions 5. Influence of source and level of fertilizers for fertigation on Broccoli grown under shade house conditions 6. Influence of source and level of fertilizers for fertigation on Red cabbage grown under shade house conditions 7. Standardization of production technology for growing Heliconia under shade house On giving Ad-hoc project: Department of Biotechnology, GOI sanctioned an ad-hoc project entitled- “ Protected Cultivation of flowers and vegetables to improve livelihood security of rural people” during 2012-13 for a duration of three years with an outlay of Rs. 21.947 lakh. In this project technologies of Protected Cultivation of flowers and vegetables are being demonstrated on 10 selected farmers fields. Teaching 1. Fifteen post graduate students (M.Sc. (Agri)) did their research work in this project on various crops under protected condition 2. Developed and offering a new PG course on “Protected Cultivation of Horticulture Crops” – HRT-508 (2+1) from 2009-10 3. Developed and offering new UG experiential learning course on “Hi-Tech Horticulture” – AEL-423 (0+6) from 2010-11

4. As part of course curriculum students of B.Sc. (Agri)/ B.Sc. (Ag. Marketing)/ B.Sc. (RHSc) / M.Sc. (Agronomy)/ are doing practicals in one or the other course. 5. Students of engineering college are taing their project work on Development of Software for Automation of Environmental control for green house condition 6. Students of different Colleges of Horticulture, UHS Bagalkot are being deputed for hands on training for a duration of 15 days.

Transfer of technology Training programmmes/Out-reach activities performed 1. Organized three winter schools on “Protected Cultivation” sponsored by ICAR for 21 days from 1-21 Dec, 2009, from 4-24 Dec. 2012 and 4-24 Dec. 2014.

1-21 December, 2009 4-24 December. 2012

4-24 December. 2014 Chief Minister Visit Sri Siddaramaiah, Hon’nble Chif Minister of Karnataka state visited Hi-Tech Horticulture Unit along with Dr. D. P. Biradar, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor and Dr.B.M.Khadi, Director of Research UAS,Dharwad on April 11,2015 Faculty 1. Dr. S.M. Mantur Professor of Horticulture and Head, Hi-tech Horticulture Unit UAS, Dharawd-580005 Phone: 0836-2444041 Email: [email protected] [email protected]

2. M. S. Biradar Asst. Professor of Horticulture Hi-tech Horticulture Unit UAS, Dharawd-580005 Phone: 0836-2444041 Email: [email protected]