Dr. YSRHU e-Newsletter Fortnightly e-Newsletter of Dr.Y.S.R.Horticultural University Volume-II, Issue –2 Dr.YSRHU e-Newsletter 15th —31st January, 2016 Fortnight Focus • Events • Education • Research • Extension Events Dear Colleagues, With a deep sense of pride and gratitude we pay homage to the visionary leaders and the architects of the constitution of our country on the occasion of 67th Republic day. Indian constitution is a rare masterpiece carved out of the long and strenuous work. So with freedom in mind, faith in words, pride in our hearts, memories in our souls let us salute the nation. Dr.B.M.C.Reddy Vice-chancellor Republic day celebrations Sixty seventh Republic Day was celebrated at Dr.Y.S.R. Horti- cultural University Campus and in all its affiliated Institutions on 26.01.2016. Dr. B.Srinivasulu, Registrar hoisted the Na- tional flag at administrative office of the university in the presence of other University Officers and Staff. Registrar, Dean (Horticulture), Director of Research and Director of Extension has given messages on this occasion. 1 Foundation stone Dr.B.M.C.Reddy, Vice-Chancellor along with University Officers of Dr.YSRHU, Venkataramannagudem laid foundation stone for the con- struction of 1st floor for the office building and Farmers’ hostel at KVK, Venkataramannagudem on 20.01.2016. Bankers’ visit Sri. V. Brahmananda Reddy, Chairman, Chaitanya Godavari Grammena Bank, Guntur along with Senior Manager visited Fruit and Vegetable Processing unit of PHTRS, V.R.Gudem on 30-1-2016 to know about the viability of the unit for promoting as small scale enterprise. Education Experiential Learning Programme Dr.B.Prasanna Kumar, Principal Scientist (Hort.) & Head explained about various equipment for Fruit and Vegetable Processing to the Final year B.Sc (Hons), Horticulture students of HC&RI, V.R.Gudem under ELP at Post Harvest Technology Research Station, Venkatara- mannagudem on 19-1-2016. Exposure visits Dr. C.P. Viji, Asst. Professor(Ento) & Dr.V. Sudha Vani, Asst. Professor (Hort) arranged an exposure visit to III year, B.Sc(Hons), Horticulture students to Apiculture Unit at ARS, Vijayarai and Sericulture Units at Ramaraogudem, Denduluru mandal on 27.01.2016. Dr. M. Raja Naik, Asst. Professor (Hort), HC&RI, Anantharajupeta ar- ranged an exposure visit to Citrus Research Station, Petlur for final year B. Sc (Hons), Horticulture students on 19-1-2016 to show acid lime nursery production and collected balaji acid lime fruits for raising seed- lings at HC&RI, Anantharajupeta. Also visited M/s. Cifal Herbal Indus- tries Ltd, Goginenipuram, SPSR Nellore district and collected informa- tion on processing, grading, packing and export of various acid lime products. Students of II year, B.Sc(Hons) Horticulture of HC&RI, V.R.Gudem visited experimental farm of AICRP on MAP & Betelvine, Horticultural Research Station, V.R.Gudem on 27.1.2016. During their visit Dr. P. Rama Devi, Sci- entist (Pl. Pathology) explained about pests and diseases of betelvine and medicinal plants. Students of Narayana School, Rly kodur visited HC&RI, Anantharajupeta on 23-01-2016. Dr. K.Swarajya Lakshmi, Associate Professor (Hort) and Smt. G. Thanuja, Asst. Professor (Hort) explained about existing crops in the field and importance of horticulture. Volume-II, Issue –2 Dr.YSRHU e-Newsletter 15th —31st January, 2016 2 Research Floriculture trials Dr. R. Nagaraju, Asst. Professor (Hort) HC&RI, Anantharajupeta ob- served a rare chimera in hybrid tea rose variety ‘Avalanche’ (white). It could be due to weird weather, fluctuating temperatures and genetic mutation. Dr. M. Raja Naik, Asst. Professor (Hort), HC&RI, Anantharajupeta collected 7 different hybrids of Dendrobium orchid from Kerala and initiated research work entitled “Collection, maintenance and evaluation of various germplasm lines of Dendrobium orchid” at HC&RI, Anantharajupeta. Dr. R. Nagaraju, Asst. Professor (Hort) and Dr. K. Gopal, Associate Dean, HC&RI, Anantharajupeta observed phyllody symptoms in Gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii L.) under polyhouse. Mango blossom midge -An emerging pest of mango in Andhra Pradesh Dr. D. Srinivasa Reddy, Scientist (Ento), HRS, Anantharajupata observed severe incidence of blos- som/Inflorescence midge in mango in all the varieties viz., Alphonso, Neelum, Pulihora, Banglora and Baneshan. In the survey, 100 percent damage was observed in Alphonso cultivar in certain orchards followed by Bangalora, Neelum and Baneshan where the damage could be 35-50 percent. Early incidence causes more damage as entire inflorescence is destroyed even before fruit set. The inflorescence shows stunted growth and its axis bends at the entry point of the larvae and finally dries up before fruit set. Infestation was noticed at bud-burst stage, at fruit set and on tender leaves of new flushes. The midge emergence was coincided with panicle emergence in mango and more number of adults emerged during cooler period when the temperatures was low i.e. 20 to 24OC and mango is the only host known so far. Infestation on floral buds and inflorescence Severely infested inflorescence Infested young fruits Maggots observed inside main axis of Infested young leaves inflorescence and fruits Volume-II, Issue –2 Dr.YSRHU e-Newsletter 15th —31st January, 2016 3 Disease survey Smt T. Naga Lakshmi, Scientist (Pl. Pathology), HRS, Anan- tharajupeta observed severe incidence of leaf blight in gladiolus at HRS and HC&RI, Anantharajupeta. The pathogen associated with gladiolus leaf blight was isolated and puri- fied using single spore isolation method. Morphological and conidial characters were studied and it was identified as Alternaria sp. Smt. T. Naga Lakshmi, Scientist(Pl. Pathology), HRS, Anantarajupeta conducted survey in Madhavaram podu and Settigunta villages of Rly. Kodur mandal on 29.01.2016 and observed black banded disease caused by Rhinocladium corti- colum Massee on aerial parts of mango trees in the gardens due to heavy rains received during November, 2015. Dr. K. Subrahmanyam, Principal Scientist (Pl.Pathology) & Head, HRS, Mahanadi along with Sri. N. Chaitanya, RA (Entomology) conducted disease survey in Kovelakuntla, Banaganapalli and Panyam mandals of Kurnool dis- trict to record incidence of diseases in pomegranate, onion, turmeric, chilli and papaya. Interacted with the farmers and advised them with suitable remedial measures. Exposure visits Farmers from Jalgaon district of Maharashtra state visited Horticulture Research Station, Lam, Guntur on 24-1-2016. Dr.C.Sarada, Sr Scinetist (Hort) explained about chilli varieties released by Dr YSRHU. Students of Agricultural Polytechnic, Lam visited Horticultural Re- search Station, Kovvur on 21.01.2016. Dr. B.V.K.Bhagavan, Principal Scientist(Hort) & Head explained about tissue culture banana produc- tion and tuber crops production (elephant foot yam, colacasia and dio- scorea). Sister. M.Beatrice of Jeevandhara, NGO organisation working for the upliftment of rural women accompanied by Dr. M.Rajasekhar, Sr.Scientist(Hort) & Head, Dr.P.Rama Devi, Scientist (Pl.Pathology) and Smt. P.Sunitha, Scientist (Entomology) visited medicinal plants block at HRS, Venkataramannagudem on 22.01.2016 to explore the possibility of medicinal and aromatic plants cultivation by women self help groups in W.Godavari district. Dr. Sampath Kumar, Principal Scientist (Hort), Division of Fruit Crops, IIHR, Bengaluru along with Dr.M.L.N. Reddy, Dean of Horticulture visited the Fruit and Vegetable Processing Unit of PHTRS, Venkataramanna- gudem on 30-1-2016. Dr. B.Prasanna Kumar, Principal Scientist (Hort) & Head explained about the functioning of the unit. Volume-II, Issue –2 Dr.YSRHU e-Newsletter 15th —31st January, 2016 4 Extension Field diagnostic visits Dr.M.Rajasekhar, Senior Scientist(Hort) & Head and Mrs P.Sunitha, Sci- entist (Ento), HRS, Venkataramnnagudem conducted a diagnostic visit to mango orchards at Thetagunta, E.Godavari district on 28-01-2016 and suggested prophylactic sprays to control mango hoppers, anthrac- nose and powdery mildew disease which cause severe damage during flowering season. Dr.C.Venkata Ramana, Scientist(Hort), HRS, Lam inspected Chilli field at Ponnekallu village of Tadikonda mandal on 19-01-2016 along with Ch. Tirumala Devi, ADA, Mangalagiri to ascertain the reasons for the chilli crop failure. It was observed that the scorching of terminal buds may be due to incompatibility between Pegasus and a bio product Magic. Smt. T.Vijaya Lakshmi, Scientist (Path) visited chilli field at Yedlapadu village which was affected by yellowing and drying on 27-01-2016. Dr.N.B.V.Chalapathi Rao, Sr. Scientist (Ento) and Smt.A.Nischala, Research Associate, HRS, Ambajipeta conducted a diagnostic visit at Challapalli village of Uppalaguptham mandal and created awareness to the farmers on nature of damage by the black headed caterpillar and its control through bio agents on 27.01.2016. Dr.N.B.V.Chalapathi Rao, Senior Scientist(Entomology) and Smt. A. Nischala, RA, HRS, Ambajipeta conducted field diagnostic visit at Devarapalli, Kothapeta mandal and created awareness to the farmers on nature of damage by the slug caterpillar and suggested management practices Sri Ch.Kiran Kumar, SMS(SSAC), Sri K.Krishnakanth, SMA(Ento) and Sri G.Naveen Kumar, SMA(Agrl.Extension) conducted field diagnostic visit to blackgram, papaya and paddy fields at Telikicherla and Chodavaram villages on 28-1-2015 and observed YMV incidence in blackgram, Zinc deficiency in paddy fields and Potassium deficiency in papaya and rec- ommended suitable control measures. G. Naveen