IN THIS ISSUE From Vice-Chancellor’sFrom Vice-Chancellor’s Desk Desk News & Events Scenario of Horticultural Crops in Andhra Pradesh Education Andhra Pradesh is the second largest producer of horticultural Research crops. Horticulture contributes to about 4 per cent of the state GDP. Horticultural crops cover 13 per cent of the gross area in the state. Extension The area under horticulture is 19.60 lakh ha with an annual production of 203.66 lakh tonnes. Andhra Pradesh with high geographical General diversity, 9 agro-climatic zones, varied soil types and good irrigation resources is better placed in the production of various horticultural Visitors crops such as fruits (9.21 lakh ha; 129.18 MT), vegetables (3.33 lakh ha; 54.61 MT), plantation crops (3.64 lakh ha; 6.54 MT), spices (2.99 lakh ha; 11.21 MT), flowers (0.21 lakh ha; 1.30 MT) Human Resource and medicinal and aromatic plants (0.20 lakh ha; 0.79 MT). Andhra Pradesh ranks first in the Development production of mango, chillies, turmeric, sweet orange and papaya. Coconut, oil palm and cashew are important plantation crops. Mango, sweet orange and banana are the leading Programmes fruit crops of Andhra Pradesh and accounts for over 86% of the area under fruit crops and over conducted 77% of the total production. Tomato, brinjal and bhendi are the major vegetables grown in Programmes the state. Among the spices, Andhra Pradesh ranks first in area and production of chillies and participated turmeric. Rose, jasmine, crossandra, chrysanthemum, marigold, tuberose are the traditional flower crops of the state. Lectures Delivered The state is giving special thrust to this sector under various schemes. There has been a significant growth in the area of sweet orange and mango in the state without gains in Consultancy / productivity, mainly due to growth in their consumption within the state. Relatively backward services districts like Anantapur, Mahabubnagar and Adilabad have shown an impressive growth in fruit crops. Among vegetables, though there has been a marginal decline in the area of tomato, the yield gains have pushed the production, more so in the districts like Ranga Reddy and Publications Mahabubnagar. The growth rates of area and production of spices in almost all the districts have been found negative. In the case of flowers, a very high growth rate in area has been observed in the districts like Guntur, Chittoor and Anantapur, and a significant productivity growth is visible in Chittoor, East Godavari, Visakhapatnam and Kadapa districts. There has Personnel been a moderate growth in the traditional districts of Godavari in respect of coconut, while Superannuation in all other districts, there has been a decline. Oil palm has gained significantly being a new and promising crop. While proximity to the regulated markets and cities coupled with promotional schemes seems to have encouraged growth, much more needs to be done to build upon these achievements with more infrastructure development and encouragement to resource-poor farmers in the sector. (C.V.S.K. Sarma) VICE-CHANCELLOR APHU NEWS NEWS & EVENTS His Excellency the Governor of Andhra Pradesh and the Chancellor, Andhra Pradesh Horticultural University, Venkataramannagudem, Tadepalligudem, West Godavari District has been pleased to keep Dr.C.V.S.K.Sarma, IAS., Agricultural Production Commissioner & Principal Secretary to Government, Agricultural & Cooperation Department temporarily as incharge Vice-Chancellor, Andhra Pradesh Horticultural University, Venkataramannagudem, West Godavari District with effect from 25.2.2011 afternoon. ZREAC Meeting of Coastal Zone at Tadepalligudem held on 24.03.2011 The Zonal Research and Extension Advisory Council (ZREAC) meeting of Coastal Zone - 2011-2012 (Srikakulam, Vijayanagaram, Visakhapatnam, East Godavari, West Godavari, Krishna, Guntur districts of Andhra Pradesh) was Director of Extension, Dr. K. Hari Babu, Dean of Horticulture, held on 24th March, 2011 at Rice Millers’ Association Hall, A.P.Horticultural University and Dr.E.Karunasree, Programme Tadepalligudem. Officers from Department of Horticulture, Coordinator, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Venkataramannagudem. scientists of APHU, line departments and progressive farmers Secretary, DARE and Director General, ICAR laid from the above mentioned districts participated in the Foundation Stone for buildings of Krishi Vigyan Kendra, meetings. APHU, Pandirimamidi, East Godavari District on Secretary, DARE and Director General, ICAR laid 18.02.2011. Foundation Stone for buildings of Krishi Vigyan Kendra Dr. S. Ayyappan, Secretary, Department of Agricultural and inaugurated International Hostel, APHU, Research and Education, Government of India and Director Venkataramannagudem, West Godavari District on General, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi, 18.02.2011. laid Foundation Stone for buildings of Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Dr. S. Ayyappan, Secretary, Department of Agricultural Pandirimamidi in the presence of Smt. T.Ratna Bai, Member Research and Education, Government of India and Director of Parliament, Rampachodavaram, Dr. S.D.Shikhamany, Vice General, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi, Chancellor, A.P.H.U., Venkataramannagudem, West Godavari District, Andhra Pradesh, Dr. V. Krishnamurthy, Director CTRI, Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh, Dr. Arul Raj, Director, Project Directorate of Oil Palm Research, Pedavegi, West Godavari District, Andhra Pradesh, Dr. N. Sudhakar, Zonal Project Director, Zone-V, ICAR, Dr. K. Purushotham, Director of Research, Dr.P.Suryanarayanareddy, Registrar, Dr.S.Amarender Reddy, Director of Extension, Dr.K.Hari Babu, Dean of Horticulture, A.P.Horticultural University and laid Foundation Stone for buildings of Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Dr.A.Srinivas, Programme Coordinator, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Venkataramannagudem and inaugurated International Hostel Pandirimamidi, East Godavari District. at APHU Campus, Venkataramannagudem in the presence of Dr. S.D.Shikhamany, Vice Chancellor, A.P.H.U., Venkataramannagudem, West Godavari District, Andhra Pradesh, Dr. Krishna Murthy, Director CTRI, Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh, Dr. Arul Raj, Director, Project Directorate of Oil Palm Research, Pedavegi, West Godavari District, Andhra Pradesh, Dr. N. Sudhakar, Zonal Project Director, Zone-V, ICAR, Dr.K.Purushotham, Director of Research, Dr.P.Suryanarayanareddy, Registrar, Dr.S.Amarender Reddy, APHU NEWS 2 EDUCATION RESEARCH COH, Rajendranagar ARI, Rajendranagar Blood donation camp was The potmums grown in the potting mixture containing soil, organized at College of sand, Vermicompost and FYM are performing well. Horticulture, Rajendranagar HRS, Peddapuram on 22nd January, 2011. Tapioca germplasm PDP-8 as well as TCS -25 have recorded International Women’s day maximum tuber yield of 30.9 tons/ha. was celebrated on 8th March, 2011. Application of green manure (cowpea) @50kg/ha + RD COH, Mojerla (100kg/ha) of K +50% of NP+ Azospirillum & PSB@ 5 kg/ha NSS UNIT inaugurated at College of Horticulture, Mojerla. each(22.63 t/ha) and T5 (Green manure (Cowpea@50kg/ On 3rd March 2011, National Service Scheme Unit was formally ha)+ RD of NPK recorded numerically higher tuber inaugurated at College of Horticulture, Mojerla. The function yields(22.22 kg/ha) in cassava. was attended by Sri M Arun Kumar, DRDA Area Coordinator, MRS, Nuzvid Sri A Rajavardhan Reddy, Director SES Group of Institutions Monitoring of mango pests in Krishna District revealed that as special invitees of NSS Advisory committee. Dr.D.Srihari, highest incidence of mango leaf webber, Orthage euadrusalis Associate Dean has presided over the function. in all the gardens surveyed and the incidence ranged from NSS Special Camp organized by COH, Mojerla 100 to 1500 webs/tree. Other sucking pests like hopers and A special NSS camp was organized from 22-28th March 2011, thrips were recorded upto a peak population of 125 no./avg at Amadabakula village, Kothakota mandal with the of 12 panicles and 150 no /avg of 12 panicles respectively participation of final year B.Sc Hons. (Horti) students. during the last three months. Incidence of mango fruit borer was started in the 2nd fortnight of January and recorded to a level of 25% by the end of March EXTENSION Training programme on Mango Pests and Disease Management on 07.02.2011 Organized Rythu Sadassu on Mango (Mamidi thotalalo Sasyarakshna) under the banner of Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Blood donation camp organized by COH, Mojerla Venkataramannagudem, Andhra Pradesh Horticultural SSPG HP, Madakasira University, at Sri. Bodepudi Venkateswara Rao mango garden NSS Special Camp Conducted from 25th February 2011 to 3rd on 7th February 2011. The programme was started at 10.00 March 2011 at Rekulakunta to Kantipuram, Anantapur District. A.M and was presided by Dr. S. Amarender Reddy, Director of Extension, A.P.H.U, Dr. A. Sujatha Principal Scientist and Head, Mango Research Station, Nuzvid has given detailed lecture on management practices, Pest and diseases and their control. Dr. E. Karunasree, Programme Coordinator, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Venkataramannagudem has interacted with farmers regarding seasonal problems especially flower and fruit drop management in Mango. Farmers from Principal, Dr. M Ramakrishna Principal & NSS Programming Tadepalligudem, Nallajerla, Unguturu and Chintalapudi helping the Students in removing Officer, working along with NSS the Thorny bush Volunteers during the Camp mandals of West Godavari District were actively participated. 3 APHU NEWS Two days State Level Seminar on Cocoa was organized