Vol. 62 No.10 October 2010 TNAU NEWS TAMILNADU AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY NEWS LETTER

Patron : Dr. P. MURUGESA BOOPATHI- Vice Chancellor Editor : Dr. P. SIVASUBRAMANIAN - Director, Planning & Monitoring

DARS blossoms with new building and Pudukottai districts also participated.

Our Vice -Chancellor presided over the function and lauded the quality of education offered in TNAU. He cited the graduates of TNAU showing their excellency as scientists, administrators in various capacities throughout the country. He emphasized the need for d e v e l o p i n g s i t e s p e c i f i c dryfarming technologies suitable for farmers of Sivagangai District.

During inaugural address, the Hon'ble Union Home minister Shri. P. Chidambaram stressed the need for more Agricultural Research A New office cum research Regional Research Station – Institutes and graduates in the State building at DARS, Chettinad was Aruppukottai, ARS – Paramakudi, in order to sharpen the focus of agricultural research and to enable declared opened on 12.09.2010 by AC&RI – Madurai, HSC&RI – the farmers to follow modern Hon'ble Union Home Minister Shri. Madurai, KVKs, Department of farming techniques. The Hon'ble P.Chidambaram in the presence of Agriculture / Horticulture / Agrl. Home Minister pointed out that 10 the Vice-Chancellor, TNAU, E n g i n e e r i n g a n d p r i v a t e Director of Research and other percent farmers were following c o m p a n i e s . C ro p a n d s o i l University officers, Mr. N.Sundram, modern cultivation technologies m a n a g e m e n t t e c h n o l o g i e s M.L.A., Mr. Ramasubbu, M.L.A., over 98 lakhs farm families in the scientists and farmers participated pertaining to dryland farming, dry state using certified seeds. Since in the function. f a r m i n g m e c h a n i z a t i o n there is a huge gap between implements, improved varieties, production and demand for pulses, An exhibition was organized by the biological control and plant he insisted for evolution of p a r t i c i p a t i o n o f D r y l a n d protection, micro irrigation technologies to enhance pulse Agricultural Research Station, technologies were exhibited. production in the country for self Chettinad, NPRC – Vamban, About 800 farmers from Sivagangai sustenance.

VC visits CRS, funded research projects based on field problems of coconut farmers. Veppankulam He also discussed with the farm labourers regarding their welfare. Our Vice-Chancellor, Dr. P. Murugesa Boopathi, reviewed the activities of individual Scientists of Coconut The Vice-Chancellor inaugurated the Research Station, Veppankulam on new office cum laboratory building 2 3 . 0 8 . 2 0 1 0 . H e e n c o u ra ge d constructed for formal occupation. andmotivated the Scientists to He has also planted a tree sapling in propose more number of externally new office premises. TNAU scientist brings laurels mycorrhizal symbiosis associated nutrient dynamics in rhizosphere to the institution were considered for this award.

Best Entrepreneur Award BPD-TNAU Mr. S. K. Babu, Director, Eco Green Unit and one of the members of B u s i n e s s P l a n n i n g a n d Development Unit-TNAU (BPD- TNAU) in the Directorate of Agri- the demonstration plots of Business Development (DABD) has precision farming on banana and Dr.B.Meena, Assistant Professor bagged the “Best Entrepreneur Sugarcane at Melakkadu Village of T (Plant Pathology) of Sugarcane Award” in the 18th Foundation Day Sivagangai district on 24.9.10. He Research Station, Sirugamani has of the National Research Centre for interacted with the farmers and received the prestigious Tamil Banana (NRCB), Tiruchirapalli for shared his expertise in green Nadu Scientist Award (TANSA) – his excellent and continuous manuring and intercropping in N 2008 in Agricultural Sciences from contribution to value addition in sugarcane. the Hon'ble Minister for Higher Banana. The award was conferred Education & Mines. The award has to the member during the function DEMIC suggests cotton cultivation been given by Tamil Nadu State held on 21st August 2010 in NRCB at in Puratasi pattam A C o u n c i l f o r S c i e n c e a n d Tiruchirapalli. Eco Green Unit is Technology, Chennai. The TANSA involved in manufacture of banana NAIP- Domestic and Export Market A wa rd h a s b e e n g ive n t o fibre based products including I n t e l l i ge n c e C e l l ( D E M I C ) Dr.B.Meena based on her research mats, paper bags and many more. functioning in CARDS, analyzed the contribution in biological control of past 15 year prices prevailed in U plant diseases. Tirupur and Konganapuram markets and also conducted TANSA award for Traders survey in cotton markets TNAU scientist and confirmed that the price of cotton (long staple varieties) will Dr. K.S. Subramanian, Professor and rule around Rs.3100 to Rs.3300 per Head, Department of Nano Science quintal from November 2010 to & Technology, has been honoured March 2011. Hence, farmers are N with a Tamil Nadu Scientist Award advised to go for cotton cultivation (TANSA) for Agricultural Sciences in Puratasi pattam managing the constituted by Tamil Nadu State Inspection of AgMet - Observatory whitefly menace with integrated Council for Science & Technology, pest management. If the exports by IMDA scientists E Chennai. The Award was presented are increased then there is a to Dr. K.S. Subramanian by the S C. Jakka, Scientific Assistant, P. S. likelihood of increase in above Hon'ble Minister for Higher Narayanan, Scientist of IMDA, Pune prices. Education Dr. K. Ponmudi on visited the TRRI on 26-08-2010 and 2 4 . 8 . 2 0 1 0 i n C h e n n a i . H i s technically inspected the Agro- Students Club inaugurated in W outstanding contribution in the Meteorological Observatory at AEC & RI, Kumulur development of ICT enabled TRRI under GOI- AgMet. NCMRWF “Interactive Visual Diagnostic Kit scheme. Perfection and installation ( V D K ) ” s o f t w a r e f o r t h e of the Agro-Meteorological S i d e n t i f i c a t i o n o f n u t r i e n t instruments in the observatory, deficiencies in crops and data acquisition by the instruments and manual observation, data collection and consolidation of all w e a t h e r p a r a m e t e r s w e re scrutinized. Visit of World Bank Official - T h e S t u d e n t s ' C l u b w a s TN-IAMWARM inaugurated for the year 2010-2011 at AEC & RI, Kumulur on 27.08.2010. Dr.I.P.Abrol, World Bank Consultant Dr. A. Raja Rajan, Dean, AC & RI, for TN-IAMWARM Project visited Killikulam graced the occasion as

2 the Chief Guest. Dr. K. Nagarajan, farmers of the basin participated in Staff Advisor welcomed the each of the programme. gathering and introduced the office bearers of the Students' Club. Dr. A. Tajuddin, Dean AEC&RI, Training for tribals presided over the function. CIMMYT Coordinator visits Thirty six families of a tribal TNAU community “Mudhuvan” living in to welcome the first year B.Tech. Vellimudi hills of Valparai was Dr. Raj Gupta, Developing (Agrl. Engg.) students on 16th brought to TNAU thro' an NGO Coordinator of CIMMYT, IRRI August, 2010. Er. M. Kanagavalli, Valparai and a three days training visited Tamil Nadu Agricultural IAS, an alumnus of the college was organized at the Directorate of University on 17.09.2010 who had a th graced the occasion as the Chief Extension Education, between 24 discussion with our Hon'ble Vice and 26th Aug, 2010. T Guest. C h a n c e l l o r , T a m i l N a d u T h e p r o d u c t i o n A g r i c u l t u r a l U n i v e r s i t y, technologies for ragi, maize and Coimbatore. The visit was planned Awareness campaign on for strengthening collaborative o t h e r m i n o r m i l l e t s , s e e d research activities under the aegis IAMWARM production techniques thro' group N of Cereal System Initiative of South approach, value added products in Asia (CSISA). Awareness campaigns were millets were taught to the tribal conducted on the IAMWARM group apart from field visit to CYMMIT and TNAU have agreed to project in operation at Nallavur observe the modern package of A sign a MOU for a collaborative basin of Tindivanam Taluk at practices followed for all the millet r e s e a r c h p r o g r a m m e o n Brahmadesam, Omandur and crops. Conservation Agriculture in Tamil Vemboondi and Erayanur villages Nadu. Dr. S. Jeyaraman, Director of on 16th, 17th and 23rd of August, 2010. Crop Management will be the U Principal Investigator of the The objectives of the project, Research program with the funding subsidies available and the of Rs 13, 00,000/- from CIMMYT. technologies such as SRI, Pulses and groundnut production and Freshers' day celebrated precision farming, that will be at AEC&RI, Kumulur demonstrated during the course of implementation of the project were The staff and students of AEC&RI, explained by the project officer Kumulur celebrated Freshers' day Dr.P.C.Prabhu. More than 30 N

Hon'ble Agricultural Minister visit CRS, Veppankulam Jayaraj, Director, Tamil Nadu Rice Research Institute, Aduthurai E welcomed the Hon'ble Minister and appraised the activities of Coconut Research Station, Veppankulam. W The Minister reviewed the on going research activities at this Research Station. He suggested to S p o p u l a r i s e t h e e f f e c t i v e management of coconut eriophyid mite among farming community by adopting integrated pest and nutrient management practices through trainings, meetings and The Tamil Nadu State Agricultural M.L.A., Pattukkottai constituency mass and print media. The Minister Hon'ble Veerapandi and Shri K.P.T. Ganesan, President, research on Noni (Morinda S. Arumugam visited the Coconut Tamil Nadu State Marketing Citrifolia), the newly introduced Research Station, Veppankulam on Committee and other officials i n t e rc ro p i n c o c o n u t w a s 26.09.2010. Shri. N. R. Rengarajan, accompanied the Minister. Dr.T. appraised to the Hon'ble Minister.

3 Vayal Vizha on Demonstration on mechanized Inauguration of ODL course on Nematode Management harvester for Pulses Coconut at CRS, Aliyarnagar

The National pulses Research Centre in Vamban, Pudukottai and the Krishi Vigyan Kendra have jointly introduced a combined mechanized harvester recently. It is an imported machine costing Rs.15 lakhs, saves both time and expenditure. The harvester would be made available to farmers on nominal rental. A Vayal Vizha on nematode T management, jointly sponsored by An inaugural function of certificate All India Coordinated Research course on Coconut Production Project on Nematodes and USAID Technology was organized at Global theme project on Integrated C o c o nu t R e s e a rc h S t a t i o n , N Pest Management has been Aliyarnagar on 17.08.2010. Dr. K. organized on 28.08.2010 at Chithrai Rajamanickam, Professor and chavadi village near Alandurai. Head, Coconut Research Station, Aliyar nagar welcomed the About 200 farmers in addition to A gathering. Dr. C. Jayaraman, e x t e n s i o n s t a f f f r o m t h e Director (Crop Management), Dr. K. Department of Agriculture and Horticulture participated. Farmers' GM crops awareness campaign Thiyagarajan (Director, Centre for interaction with the subject matter at KVK, Sandhiyur Plant Breeding and Genetics) and U specialists on crop insect pests, Dr. N. Kumar (Dean, Horticultural diseases and nematodes was the Department of Plant Molecular College & Research Institute, highlight of the mela. Biology and Biotechnology, has Coimbatore) explained in detail organized one day campaign on about the technical aspects of “ B i o t e c h c ro p s Awa re n e s s coconut cultivation. A total of 50 BPD-TNAU facilitated campaign for scientists and participants have registered for the commissioning of banana fibre e x t e n s i o n p e r s o n n e l ” o n certificate course on "Coconut extraction unit 19.08.2010 at Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Production Technology" during N Sandhiyur, Salem. Dr.S.Manickam, this year. B u s i n e s s P l a n n i n g a n d P r o g r a m m e C o - o r d i n a t o r Development Unit at Tamil Nadu welcomed the gatherings. Our Agr icultural University has Vice-Chancellor Dr. P. Murugesa Awareness Programme on successfully f acilitated the Boopathi delivered presidential E Papaya Mealy bug in coconut development and commissioning address and he advised the of Banana Fibre Extraction Unit on 24.08.2010. Dr. R. Ganesan, An awareness programme on D i r e c t o r , A g r i - B u s i n e s s "Papaya Mealybug and Plant W Development and PI, NAIP-BPD Protection Aspects on Coconut" project handed over the machine to was jointly organized by CRS, Mr. Murugesan from Madurai, who Aliyarnagar, and Department of is manufacturing and exporting Agriculture, Pollachi (South) on S banana fibre based products. 21.08.2010 at Pollachi. officials to talk about the biotech crops concepts when they meet farmers during field visit. Also he released books on “Sugarcane Cultivation technologies” and Training Manual for women self help groups. Dr.P.Kalai Selvan, Director of Extension Education, has given an introduction on Genetically modified bio tech crops.

4 Vice - Chancellor inaugurates Honey processing and value addition units about 100 kg of raw honey in about 8 hours.

In connection with the function a mini exhibition was also held where, modern safe rock climbing accessories such as hip-harness, chest harness, carabiners, Hi-tech rock climbing rope, gadgets invented in TNAU for harvesting honey combs in rock cliffs such as improved honey press, leaf shredder for making fine broom T from leaves of wild date palm, cordage making tool were displayed. Value added products from wild honey and amla by tribal N women like amla candy, amla supari, amla powder, amla shreds, amla cheese and amla squash made by tribal women were also The Vice-Chancellor inaugurated value added amla products and A on display giving a wholesome the “Honey Processing and Value will be utilized for training tribal gastronomic treat to the visitors. Addition Units” established at a women on making value added cost of Rs. 8.10 lakhs on 22.09.2010 products from wild amla and A three day training during sponsored from NAIP-“A Value processing the wild honey from September 22-24, 2010 on Honey U Chain on wild bees”. This facility Sathyamangalam Reserve Forests processing was also organized was created for enhancing the collected by tribal honey hunters. subsequent to inauguration of the market value of wild honey and The processing unit can process unit to stake-holders.

Groundnut field day by attended the function. The CRS, Aliyarnagar Scientists of CRS, Aliyarnagar have delivered the crop improvement, A Groundnut Field day was c ro p p ro d u c t i o n a n d c ro p N o r g a n i z e d a t K a l i a p u r a m , protection aspects of groundnut Anaimalai block on 25.08.2010. The cultivation. Dr. D. Rajakumar, meeting was chaired by Th. M.K. Assistant Professor (Agronomy) R a j a m u d i g o u n d e r, K o t t u r proposed a vote of thanks. E Malaiyandipattinam. Dr. K. Rajamanickam, Professor and On campus training on Head, CRS, Aliyarnagar welcomed Pulses and SRI was explained in detail. About 25 the gathering and highlighted the final B.Sc. (Horticulture) students aspects of new groundnut variety, were also participated and W Under TN-IAMWARM programme, CO(Gn)6 released during 2010. Th. on campus trainings on “Improved demonstrated the seed treatment M. Panjalingam, President, Production Technology on Garden techniques in the training who are Kaliyapuram delivered the special Land Pulses” and “System of Rice undergoing RAWAE programme. address. About 25 farmers have Intensification” were conducted at S ARS, Vaigai dam on 17.08.2010 and On campus training on SRI 18.08.2010 respectively. Totally 50 farmers were participated. The T hird phase TN-IAMWARM, f a r m e r s w e re t r a i n e d o n Theniyar basin project is operating importance of line sowing, plant at Agricultural Research Station, population per unit area improved Vaigai Dam. Under this programme production technology on pulses On campus training on “System of and major pest and diseases. R i c e I n t e n s i f i c a t i o n ” w a s Significance of foliar application of c o n d u c t e d o n 1 8 . 0 8 . 2 0 1 0 DAP @ 2 per cent during the time of (Wednesday).Totally 50 farmers flowering and pod setting stage f r o m t h re e v i l l a g e s v i z . ,

5 Kodangipatti, Anaikaraipatti and T o t a l l y 5 0 f a r m e r s w e r e Field exhibition of TNAU Dombuchery of Bodi block were participated. The famers were participated. The famers were trained on importance of line Sunflower hybrids trained on importance of line sowing, plant population per unit sowing, plant population per unit a re a i m p rove d p ro d u c t i o n a re a i m p rove d p ro d u c t i o n technology on pulses and major technology on rice and major pest pest and diseases. Significance of and diseases. About 25 final foliar application of DAP @ 2 B.Sc.(Horticulture) students were percent during the time of a l s o p a r t i c i p a t e d a n d flowering and pod setting stage demonstrated the seed treatment was explained in detail. techniques in the training who are undergoing RAWAE programme. Weed killer identified in farmers' field T Off campus training on A sunflower field exhibition was garden land pulses by A team of scientists from KVK, organized by the Department of N e e d a m a n ga l a m i n c l u d i n g Oilseeds, Centre for Plant Breeding ARS, Vaigai dam Dr.T.Senguttuvan, Professor and and Genetics on 06.09.2010 to Head, KVK, Needamangalam and d i s p l ay re c e n t ly re l e a s e d N Under TN-IAMWARM, programme, sunflower hybrid and other the Subject Matter Specialists visits 'off campus training' on “Improved promising hybrids to the private Karikottai village of Mannargudi production technology on garden seed companies. A total of 11 land pulses” was conducted on Block have observed that a participants from eight private 31.08.2010 at B. Meenachipuram. battalion of grubs of blue beetle organizations participated in this A (Altica sinea) feeding voraciously field day. They informed that they on Goose weed (Sphenoclea will give their feed back after zeylonica) which is a common weed evaluation. They also informed that found in paddy ecosystem. The they will give their indent for the U field observation that they made is hybrid seeds and parental seeds unique given the weed killing after their evaluation. activity of blue beetle grub. The Training on “Vermicomposing observation throws enormous using silpaulin vermi bags” scope for the scientists to work on blue beetle and its biological weed A o n e d a y t r a i n i n g o n control activity. Vermicomposting using Silpaulin N First TNAU scientists award ceremony at Anna Auditorium, TNAU, Coimbatore. The meeting was presided by Dr.P. Murugesa E Boopathi, Vice-Chancellor. In his address, he congratulated the scientists for their meritorious services and requested all the other scientists to propose W externally funded projects to sustain the research activities at T a m i l N a d u A g r i c u l t u r a l University. Th.P.S.Anbu, Hon'ble S Board Member, TNAU, Th.O.V.R. Somasundaram, Hon'ble Board Member, TNAU and Dr.P.Subbian, Registrar felicitated the scientists. The special guest Dr.V.Ponraj, Scientist, Advisor to Dr.APJ First TNAU Scientists Award lakhs and to encourage the Abdulkalam, Office of Former ceremony to f elicitate the scientists who have developed President of India, New Delhi scientists who have won the varieties / hybrids / management distributed the certificates to the externally funded research technologies / farm implements scientists and addressed the projects worth of more than Rs.5 since 2005 was held on 24.8.2010 gathering.

6 Agricultural University (TNAU). This happened during the Monthly Zonal Workshop (MZW) organized by TNAU for the Extension Officers of Coimbatore District. TOT to Sericulture Farmers of Tamil Nadu thro' Video Conferencing to the extension workers and scientists who are doing transfer of In Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Sandhiyur, technology work that GM Crops Bags was conducted for the Salem the Regional Sericulture have great future, and to unravel the extension officials of Theni District Research Station and Central Silk myths and realities about GM recently under the TN-IAMWARM Board jointly inaugurated the video Crops. at Horticultural College and co n f e re n cin g f acilitie s f o r T Research Institute, Periyakulam. technology transfer to all the NGO programme at HC&RI, Sericulture farmers on 8.9.2010. In Periyakulam D r. V. Po n n u s w a m i , D e a n , Tamil Nadu alone 35,000 acres of The final year B.Sc., (Hort.) students Horticultural College and Research land is under mulberry cultivation of the Horticultural College and N c o n c e n t r a t e d m a i n l y i n I n s t i t u t e i n a u g u r a t e d t h e Research Institute, are undergoing Dharmapuri, Salem, Coimbatore, programme. Dr. A. Rathinasamy, R u r a l H o r t i c u l t u r a l Wo r k Erode and Dindigul districts. On an Professor and Head, Department of Experience Programme (RHWE) average 21 lakh silk cocoons were Social Sciences briefed about and were placed to study the produced every month. With a view A v e r m i c o m p o s t i n g a n d t h e activities of Non Governmental to increase the production, the earthworm species that can be Organizations. The NGO's visited Central Silk Board has decided to utilized for the purpose. Dr. V. by the students include Green, disseminate the latest technologies Dhavamani, Assistant Professor Vidiyal, Association for Rural U (ENS) elaborated the sequence of Development (ARD) Cendect, operation in establishing the Social Education Economic Vermicomposting unit. T he Development Society, Centre for c o m p o s t i n g m e t h o d w a s I m p r o v e d H e a l t h a n d demonstrated by Dr. Nageshwari, Environmental Development. They Assistant Professor (Agronomy) took part in the activities of the a n d t h e t e c h n o l o g y w a s NGO's and studied their mode of operation. appreciated by the officials to farmers through training and because of its mobility. N discussion forums through video Under the Village Stay Programme conferencing. the students were placed in Bodi for Demonstration of TNAU a period of one month. They Awareness Campaign on Coconut Tree Climbing Device worked in Theniyar Sub-basin GM Crops E under TN-IAMWARM Project. Thanks to the boldness and great A one day Awareness Campaign on Students gained first hand enthusiasm of Ms. R. Sudha, Genetically Modified (GM) crops exper ience from real f arm Agricultural Officer of Perur block for Extension Personnel and situation, while studying the of Coimbatore district, who strengths and constraints in W Scientists was conducted at KVK, climbed the coconut tree by the Needamangalam on 23.08.2010. farming. first trial itself using the Ergo The awareness campaign was Refined Coconut Tree Climbing conducted under the aegis of Training on Improved Device developed by Tamil Nadu Centre for Plant Molecular Biology Production Technology in Pulses S ( C P M B ) , T N A U w h i c h w a s supported by Agribiotech Support Programme (ABSP), USA. The programme was attended by thirty extension personnel from Dept of A g r i c u l t u r e , o t h e r l i n e departments and ten scientists f r o m K V K s o f Thiruvarur,Nagapattinam and Thanjavur District. The prime aim of the campaign is to communicate

7 A one day training programme on the gathering. All the UG and PG 'Improved Production Technology students studying in the main in Pulses (Blackgram)' was campus attended the function. organized under TN-IAMWARM project by Floriculture Research Honey bee training at Oilseeds Station, Thovalai on 08.09.2010 for Research Station, Tindivanam the farmers of Hanumanadhi sub basin at Koliankulam village. Fifty six farmers of Koliankulam, immense. To overcome this S i v a s u b ra m a n i a p u ra m a n d problem hydraulic land leveler for Vadakkankulam participated in the puddled condition has arrived for training programme. the rescue of the farmers. A demonstration of hydraulic Land Students' interactive Leveler for Extension personnel T session with Scientific Advisor has been arranged at KVK, Needamangalam on 23.08.2010. Twenty Extension personnel took T h i r t e e n d ay s t ra i n i n g o n part in the demonstration. N “Commercial honey bee rearing – An income generating farm women Awareness campaign on entrepreneurship” was conducted Biotech crops on 27.09.2010 to 09.10.2010 at ORS, Tindivanam in collaboration with Awareness campaign on Biotech A NABARD, Chennai with an outlay of crops for extension personnel Rs. 29,400/-. A total of 30 women (officials of Department of The Dean (Agriculture), AC & RI, self help group members (10 Agriculture) and KVK scientists was Coimbatore organized a students' SHG's) from different villages of organized at KVK, Tirur in U i n t e r a c t i v e s e s s i o n w i t h V i l l u p u ra m d i s t r i c t s we re coordination with Directorate of Dr.V.Ponraj, the scientific advisor to participated in the hands-on Extension Education with a view to the former President of India, Dr. training programme on honey bee provide scientific information on A.P.J. Adbul Kalam on 24.08.2010 at rearing. GM crops. During the one day programme, the following lectures K a l a i g n a r A ra n ga m , T NAU, Demonstration on Coimbatore. The Vice Chancellor were presented. Hydraulic Land Leveller Dr. P. Murugesa Boopathi presided 1. GM crops - An overview ov e r t h e f u n c t i o n , D r. M . Land leveling has been an onerous 2. Biosafety of GM crops 3. Case stud y of Bt cotton N Paramathma, Director of Research, task of the farmers of Cauvery and Bt Br injal TNAU, Coimbatore has welcomed deltaloss due to poor leveling is Dr.D.P. Mothiramani memorial lecture E The Coimbatore Chapter of Indian Society of Soil Science (ISSS) organized Dr.D.P. Motiramani memorial lecture on 17.09.2010. W The eminent soil scientist Prof. Dr. K. K. Krishnamurthi, Former Dean, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University and President, Indian Society for S Certification of Organic Products (ISCOP), Coimbatore delivered the memorial lecture on Soil – The Living Dynamic System – “Soul of Infinite Life” at Golden Jubilee Hall in the Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore.

8 Farmers Field School (FFS) on Training on Automatic weather station Direct Wet Seeding in Rice Mushroom cultivation installed at TRRI Mushroom cultivation has emerged into a successful small scale venture which can be augmented for employment generation. This has been witnessed by SMS in KVK, Needamangalam who get regular calls from individuals seeking training in Mushroom cultivation especially women folk. To meet this Direct wet seeding has been a emerging demand, a one day on viable option for places where campus training was arranged on An Automatic Weather Station T (AWS) was installed at Tamil Nadu water and labour availability is a 1 0 . 0 8 . 2 0 1 0 a t K V K , Rice Research Institute, Aduthurai problem. Realising this, a Farmers N e e d a m a n g a l a m . F o r t y o n 3 0 . 0 9 . 2 0 1 0 u n d e r t h e Field School on Direct sown participants cutting across the s p o n s o r s h i p o f I n d i a we t s e e d e d r i c e h a s b e e n borders of district enthusiastically Meteorological Department, N attended the training. conceptualized by Krishi Vigyan Government of India, Pune. The K e n d r a , N e e d a m a n g a l a m . Director, Tamil Nadu Rice Research M a n a p a rava i , a v i l l a ge i n Institute, inaugurated the AWS and Kudavasal block where a vast area Mr. S.Gnana Murthy, Assistant A is under direct sown rice has been Meteorologist, IMD, Regional selected for the FFS and it was Meteorological Centre, Chennai inaugurated on 13.08.2010 by explained the features and Dr.T.Senguttuvan, Professor and functions of the various sensors and U Head of Krishi Vigyan Kendra, their utility in agriculture and Needamangalam. research to the scientists.

óDr.Varaprasad, Kanas State Uni versity, USA visited Dean (SPGS) on 3.9.2010. óDr. K uruvinashetty, V ice-President, Kr ishidhan seeds, J alna visited DPMB & B on 3.9.2010. N óThiru. R. Sellamuthu, IAS , Chairman, T NPSC, Chennai visited T RRI, Aduthur ai on 07.09.2010. óDr. Max Angst, Head, Global R&D, Syngenta Crop Protection, Switzerland visited TRRI, Aduthurai on E 12.09.2010.

óDr. Rajan Natarajan, President & CEO Global Alliant Inc., Maryland, USA visited DPMB & B on 13.9.2010. W óDr.Anitha Karun, Principal Scientist, Biotechnology Division, CPCRI, Kasaragod, Kerala visited DPMB&B on 14.9.2010. óDr.V. Subramanian, Vice-President (Biotech), M/s. Rasi Seeds, Attur visited DPMB & B on S 17.9.2010.

óDr.S.K. Bansal, Dir ector, P otash Research Institute of India visited T RRI, Aduthur aion 18.09.2010.

óSri. Elisha B. Pulivarti, Executive Director for MIBRT and Ag Bio global Summit, W ashington, USA visited DPMB & B on 22.9.2010.

óDr.Ish Kumar, Head, Asia Pacific, Syngenta, India Ltd., Hyderabad and Dr.A.Anbu Bharathi Syngenta India ltd, Seed Division, Secunder abad visited T RRI, Aduthur ai on 23.09.2010.

óDr. Bhattachar ya, V ice-President, JK Agri Ltd., Hyder abad visited DPMB & B on 25.9.2010.

9 New schemes Amount Name of the scheme Principal Investigator Funding Agency (Lakh Rs.)

Engineering novel disease resistance in Dr.K.K.Kumar, wheat and rice by silencing disease DBT, GOI Dept. of Biotechnology, 100.16 susceptibility genes

Early detection and endophytic Dr.T.Kalaimani, Sugar Development bioarsenal development for the Professor (Pl. Pathology), 36.24 fund, Krishi Bhavan, management of red rot in sugarcane VRS, Palur New Delhi.

Evolving bio-intensive IPM strategies Dr. A. Thirumurugan , for management of sugarcane woolly 19.37 SDF, New Delhi SRS, Melalathur T aphids in Tamil Nadu

P r e h a r v e s t M a n a g e m e n t o f horticultural and agricultural crops Dr. V. Ponnuswami, Excel Crop Care N by using Excel crop care chemical Dean (Hort.) 15.00 Limited, Mumbai. sand products for better management HC&RI, Periyakulam and yield

A Confined field trial (bio-safety research level 1) on Transgenic maize Dr.C.Chinnusamy hybrids containing stacked event of Professor (Agronomy) 12.82 Pioneer TC 1507 (Insect resistant) X NK 603 U (Herbicide resistant)

Nutritional Management strategies Dr.R.Kavimani, M/s.Monsanto in Bt cotton – A Boom for Bt cotton Professor and Head, 6.52 growers CRS, Veppanthattai India Ltd

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