coriander, GC-4 of cumin, GF-2 of fennel and RMt-1 of fenugreek and least nutrient requirement was exhibited in cultivar CO-2 and Rajendra Swathi of coriander, AC-187 of cumin, AF-S-01 and AF-1-87 of fennel and RMT-305 of fenugreek.

ØUnder the protected cultivation against frost for achieving maximum yield of cumin and coriander, coriander in plastic walk in tunnel with low pressure drip irrigation and cumin in the insect proof net tunnel with low pressure drip irrigation showed encouraging results.

ØCultivars of coriander, cumin, fennel, fenugreek and anise were evaluated with salinity. RCR-446 of coriander, Hisar Mukta of fenugreek and RF-178 of fennel has exhibited better tolerance to salinity.

ØIn coriander and fennel, application of irrigation at 0.6 and 0.8 IW/CPE ratio has been found better to realizes higher yield and water economy, respectively.

ØIn fenugreek application of irrigation with drip system exhibited significantly higher yield (2246.49 kg/ha) over flood irrigation system but being at par with sprinkler system.

ØOrganic module on coriander and fenugreek were tested with vermi-compost, Azotobacter, PSB, Trichoderma, Neem Cake and foliar spray of Onion /Garlic extract(5%) 2kg/ha, Neem oil (2%) 5 litre/ha found promising.

ØFor post harvest management, five different drying methods were tested and vegetable dryer found best for leaf purpose was and multipurpose grain dryer for seed.

ØFive types of seed spices seed drill were tested with adjustable depth and spacing.

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Crop Protection:

·Survey and surveillance of diseases and insect pests of seed spices have been done in important seed spices growing areas.

·Data on development pattern of pest and their natural enemies on different crops have been compiled for developing plant protection advisory to farmers.

·Initiated the work to develop models for forecasting of important diseases and insects.

·For the management of soil borne diseases and sucking pests of seed spice crops, work has been initiated and experiments are in progress to develop eco-friendly management strategies.

·Efforts are being made to develop application schedule for the effective management of cumin diseases and pests.

·Study on management of aphids, seed wasp and storage pests is in progress using bio rational and other methods of management.

·An Apiculture unit is successfully established during the plan and running at the centre.

·Unit for mass production of bio control agents and plant health clinic are under way.

Basic Sciences

• Labora tory fac i l i t i es a re be ing deve loped for Physiological/Biochemistry research.

• The work has been initiated on physiological/biochemical parameters as affected by different kind of biotic and abiotic stress.

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VISION – 2030

• Crop physiology of major seed spices has been studied.

• Studies on cryogenic grinding for retention of flavour and medicinal properties in some important Indian spices is in progress.

• A state of art plant tissue culture laboratory has been developed. The work on developing regeneration protocol of all seed spices crops has been initiated.

• Assessment of volatile oils loss during conventional grinding, antioxidant activities of seed extracts phenolic compounds, flavonoid compounds is being done

Social Science

·Centre is involved in various activities like training programmes for farmers (both male and female), state department's employees on seed spices crops.

·Expert system (E-Learning/E-Agriculture) developed on seed spices and uploaded on website for the use of farmers etc.

·A total 432 demonstrations (270 for cumin and 162 of coriander) was given in Ajmer, Jodhpur and Baran districts of Rajasthan.

·An increase of 62.73% and 65.78% of cumin yield was recorded in Jodhpur and Baran district, respectively. It is the outcome of in demonstration over traditional farmer's practices.

·In coriander, 17.79% higher yield was obtained in demonstration over traditional farmers practices, in Baran district.

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·In another project on “Development of traders/industrialist and exporter's information on seed spices”, with complete address of trader, exporters and industrialist have been uploaded on NRCSS website.

·Farmers/agriculture officers and other officials from different part of Rajasthan and India are visiting for the solutions to their problems. NRCSS addressing the problem of farmers for enhancing production and productivity of seed spices on regular basis.

·Three Kisan mela on February 25, 2009, Febryary 19, 2010 and March 22, 2011 at NRCSS, Ajmer has been organized in which exhibition and Kisan Gosthi organized for discussion and finding solution of emerging problems faced by farmers for getting better yield of seed spices

Seed Production Programme: Seed production of seed spice crops varieties at NRCSS during last five years is given in the following table-

Total seed production during the assessment years (Breeder and

TFL).

Infrastructure

The Centre is making steady progress in creating infrastructure facilities to fulfill the mandate.

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Laboratory facilities: various laboratories like horticulture/post harvest, plant breeding, soil science, physiology, biochemistry, biotechnology, plant pathology, Entomology, social science and a crop museum are developed with modern facilities. These laboratories have the following important instruments - Seed Germinator, Deep Freezer, Autoclave, Laminar Air Flow, Refrigerated Centrifuge, Shaker, Microscope with photographic attachment, Clevenger oil extraction apparatus, Essential oil estimation unit, Gas chromatogram, oleoresin extractor, Infrared gas analyzer, cryogenic grinder, CHNS analyzer, Root image analyzer, Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer, UV-Vis spectrophotometer, Semi automatic nitrogen analyzer etc. Few more equipments as per requirement of the Centre will be procured further.

Building: Laboratory-cum-Administrative building was approved by the Council with budget provision of 2.72 crores has been constructed and is under use since January 2007. Two quarters each of type IV and type II have been constructed and are under use. A Scientist Training Hostel having capacity of accommodating approximately 30 persons and likely to be completed by March, 2012. The construction work of a Conference Hall is in fast progress and the work is being taken up through CPWD. The capacity of the hall has been revised with due permission from the council so as to accommodate up to 150 plus delegates at a time.

Farm implements: In addition to the existing farm implements, the following equipment and implements were procured during the plan- 35 HP tractor, multipurpose thrasher, two disc ploughs, heavy duty cultivator, heavy duty disc harrow, bush cutter, power lawn mower, dusters, sprayers, hoeing tools & equipments, spike tooth harrow, seed pre-cleaner and grader, weighting cum package machine, mobile processing van.

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Temporary structures and roads: Thrashing floor having area of 300 square meter was constructed for post harvest activities, in which

2covered area is 100 m . Construction of new petty work has been completed i.e. new roads in farm, extension of roads, Kerb stone and footpath.

Irrigation facility: The repair and maintenance of already installed underground irrigation system of PVC pipe line was done. Due to continuous mining of underground water the existing wells were dried out, therefore wells were digged for both vertical and lateral to get regular supply for irrigation and drinking purpose. For the judicious use of underground water, micro sprinkler system for 1ha, high pressure low discharge sprinkler system for 2 ha, drip irrigation system for 1ha, low pressure drip irrigation system for 1 ha, mobile Irrigation system etc has been installed. A pond is digged out at the farm for water harvesting and recharging of underground water in the wells.

Library: To provide support to the research and development programme, library developed at the centre by procuring new books and now the efforts were being made to further equip the library to function as national information storage, retrieval and dissemination system for seed spices and related areas. At present library has a collection of 1278 books. The library is subscribing 30 research journals presently. NRCSS is also a party of CeRA.

V-sat and Wi-Fi facilities: The procured facility of V-sat Internet has been further modernized at Centre. The wireless connectivity made available to all the computers of the campus to avoid physical intervention in connectivity of internet. The 18 computers were purchased during the plan for strengthen the ARIS cell as well as to facilitate the individual scientist and technical officers.

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Agro-meteorology: In order to collect agro-meteorological data, an observatory has been installed at the NRCSS Farm has been further maintained. In this observatory, Automatic Weather Station was purchased for meteorological observations, which will help in insect-pest and disease forecasting.

Technology Park : In rabi season all our mandate crops with released varieties (11 nos.) i.e. Coriander, Cumin, Fennel, Fenugreek, Ajwain, Dill, Anise, Nigella, Celery, and Caraway were sown. The main aim to develop this to disseminate the knowledge about the innovative seed spices production technology and popularize the same amongst the farmers, researchers and visitors of the country.

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20

National Research Centre on Seed Spices, Ajmer is growing rapidly by combining both research and development, making linkages with national and international institutes and state agriculture universities. This the only kind of institution in the world engaged exclusively in research on seed spices so to fulfill the need of farmers, other stakeholders and quality food for consumers.

Vision

Production of elite varieties, eco-friendly and sustainable production and protection technologies to ensure quality produce and income generation of farmers, clean produce to the consumer and profit to the industrialist and traders.

Mission

Harness the potential of science and technologies to the production of seed spices and to bring the smile on the face of poor farmers of arid and semi-arid regions who toils hard in the deserts.

Focus

To accomplish the vision and mission of NRCSS, the following priorities will be taken up -

1. Collection, evaluation, characterization and conservation of germplasm.

2. Breeding varieties with high yield potential, quality and resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses.

3. Developing efficient agro-techniques for achieving the high production and productivity.

4. Evolving better and efficient management system for control of pests and diseases.

NRCSS 2030

5. Study of nutritional and water management aspects.

6. Development of package on organic farming of the seed spices for export, based on environment friendly production technology.

7. Research on seed technology for production of quality seeds of improved varieties.

8. Study of economics of production and marketing.

9. Development of pre and post harvest technology for better processing, storage and utilization.

10. Development of export oriented technology for export of raw and value-added products.

11. Transfer of technology to farmers and extension agencies.

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Keeping in view the broad ICAR vision 2030, scope, opportunities and future need of seed spices at domestic and international level, the major emphasis of the centre will be on the following areas.

Crop Improvement: The foremost task is to breed varieties of seed spices having higher yield and also resistance to biotic stresses (Fusarium wilt and Alternaria blight and powdery mildew in cumin, coriander and fenugreek) and abiotic stress like limited moisture and heat tolerance. Intrusive quality is also requires to be improved of all the seed spices for fetching high value in international trade. Genetic resources collection to be intensified by incorporating germplasm from centre of origin. Mutation breeding and biotechnological approaches shall also be utilized. Population improvement programme will also be started by using gene pool concept with immediate and long term needs of genetic improvement. New breeding initiatives will also be taken to exploit the heterosis potential by searching or inducing for male sterility using chemical hybridizing agents (CHAs) or other non-conventional methods.

Production and Protection Technology: For production technology research emphasis of centre is to develop techniques for maximum water and nutrient use efficiency, weed management, integrated disease and pest management to harvest maximum yield from per unit input used. Production technology will be developed based on use of non-hazardous chemicals for bio-safety, soil health and sustainable production. Techniques will also be developed for different growing conditions like protected environment to harvest assured and maximum production in per unit area and time.

Harnessing Science

Post Harvest, Quality and Value Addition: In changing scenario of competitiveness, quality of produce would be major issue needing a fool-proof quality assurance mechanism. Share in value-added products of spices has to be increased through product diversification. Changing food habits demand product diversification, especially 'clean spices' and 'encapsulated spices'. The production, processing, value addition and export call for well set action plans. Quality has become the key word and the focal point for spices production, processing, transport and retailing. More intense research is also needed for value added products (essential oils and oleoresins) for export purpose to bring more foreign exchange. The exporters of seed spices are of opinion that the produce thus received is not properly cleaned, graded and packed. The centre has already taken initiative and the farmers will be educated on this issue so that they may get more price for their produce. The centre is putting best efforts for coming up to the expectations of farmers and Council.

Seed Production: Seed replacement ratio of seed spices is very low due to non availability of quality seed at the door step of farmers' home. The centre has initiated the programme to increase the production of seeds of improved varieties of seed spices. Centre will also increase the seed production using Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode for not only the varieties developed by the centre but for the varieties developed by other centres.

Database Management: Centre has taken initiatives to develop databases of seed spices researchers, producers, processor, packers and exporters. It will be further improved and upgraded. The centre will also work to build up a national and international level repository of information system / database on all aspects of seed spice crops.

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Bioinformatics work will be initiated on seed spices in collaboration with National Agricultural Bioinformatics Grid (NABG).The centre will set up bioinformatics hub on seed spices for genomics and proteomics research and information technology.

Technology Dissemination: Disseminat ion of techniques developed is one of the targets of centre. Centre will use all the ways and means to disseminate the techniques of higher production of seed spices. E-extension activities have already been initiated by the centre and it will be further improved, upgraded and updated to the future need. The expert system developed by the Centre has been uploaded on the website of the NRCSS and this will be regularly updated and improved.

Education and Human Resource Development/ Management:

For efficient use of Human Resource, the Training of Scientists is required in the following thrust areas

1. Molecular approaches for breeding

2. Water and Nutrient Management

3. Post harvest management

4. Insect-pests and disease management

5. Organic food chain management

6. Agriculture ecosystem and climate change

7 Precision and conservation agriculture

Management of Energy and Seed Spices Waste: Seed spices have the potential to sequester the C and nutrient recycling by their crop residue which is not useful for the fodder etc. Possibilities for the mushroom production will also be explored for remunerative output to the farmers.

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VISION – 2030

25

NRCSS research is organised under five broad areas and the strategies are also made accordingly so as to accomplish the vision and achieving the goal. The major emphasis of the centre will be on the following areas. The details efficiency and effectiveness is given in annexure-1.

1. Seed spices population improvement for harnessing genetic potential.

·Collection of elite germplasm across the nation and also from exotic sources for development of required characteristics and varieties.

·Fusarium wilt and Alternaria blight are the serious disease of cumin to be managed using mutation and molecular breeding.

·Existing varieties of coriander and fenugreek are susceptible for powdery mildew and will develop the varieties resistant to the disease.

·Early and dwarf varieties of ajwain, anise and fennel is the demand of farmers and breeding will be done for these characters.

·Water became the precious and limited resource for all purpose, therefore coriander, fenugreek and anise will be breed for limited soil moisture conditions.

·Genomic and proteomic study of seed spices required for future breeding programme will be done.

·Focus will be given to genetic diversity within the available germplasm will be done by using gene pool concept.

·Intrusive quality is also to improve for all the seed spices for fetching high value in international trade.

Strategy and Framework

2. Maximization of production in sustainable manner with improved technologies.

·Focus will be given on the improvement in resources use efficiency for soil, water and nutrients.

·Sole cropping of seed spices is limited in practice, therefore opportunities of intercropping and relay cropping will be utilized.

·Per-capita land is shrinking down which can be stretched by using problematic soil and water resources.

·Focus will be given on the crop modelling for various anticipated problems and situations.

·Standardization of organic crop modules for nutrition of crop and soil health.

·Production technologies for changing climatic scenario will be given priority.

·Precision farming using sensor technology and resources conservation using principles of conservation agriculture.

·Techniques will also be developed for different growing conditions like protected environment to harvest assured and maximum production per unit area and time.

Post Harvest management for quality and value addition of seed spices will be given on priority.

3. Management of seed spice health

·Generating database by surveying at farmers fields and by experiment for insect pest and disease forecasting.

·Seed spices are consumed as whole, therefore priority will be

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VISION – 2030

given on the eco-friendly management of insect-pests and diseases.

·Development of bio molecules to enhance the resistance in plant against insect pest and pathogens.

·Focus will also be given for biological control of pests by using birds and predators including integrated management.

·Control post harvest damage by storage pests and disease.

4. Basic research on seed spices

·Physiological and biochemical approaches will be used for getting desirable traits.

·Assessment of pesticide load in commodities and value addition for domestic and export purpose.

·Priority will also be given on the cryo grinding for aroma retention in seed spices.

·For medicinal point of view, focus will be given on the isolation of active principles.

·Potential of bio-molecule and growth regulators will be harnessed for production and quality maximization.

5. Technology dissemination among the end users.

·Technologies will be disseminated by using various means i.e. training, field demonstrations, discussions and by E-extension activities on focus given the targets of centre for higher production.

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28

NRCSS was established to cater the need of farmers dwelling

in resource constraints areas of arid and semi-arid regions. The centre

has already set the pace for the collection of elite germplasm of seed

spices and development of production and production technologies

to bring the smile on the faces of poor farmers of the region. To meet

the demand of export and internal consumption of seed spices, there

is a need to develop efficient production technologies for improved

varieties. Besides, the high yield quality of produce, it is essential to

get higher and constant production with changing climatic scenario.

These commodities also add the significant contribution in national

economy. However, sizable loss of these crops occurs due to

infestation of insect-pest and diseases and the technologies are in

pipeline to overcome those losses. There is tremendous scope to

increase productivity, generation of employment, support to industry

and export of seed spices and value added products. In order to best

use developed technologies, demonstrations will be given at the

farmer's field and also dissemination of technologies will be done by

training, discussions and e-learning facility developed by the centre.

However, there are threats of, adverse climatic factors and

international competition from Egypt, Iran, Pakistan, Turkey, Iraq,

Morocco and Italy. These issues will be well addressed by the

research strategies of NRCSS.

Epilogue

Annexure 1 : Strategic frame work

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VISION – 2030

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VISION – 2030

Prio

ritiz

atio

n,

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