1. Profile
Last Updated on Friday, 26 February 2010 10:19
YEAR OF ESTABLISHEMET :1978
The Research Station is located at the Head quarter of S.D. Agril. University, Sardarkrushinagar and dealing with the research activities of two important oil seeds crops, castor and mustard, of North Gujarat.
The research in these crops are being carried out in Gujarat since early 70S with commendable achievements. The research work on these crops was started at Sardarkrushinagar since 1978 consequent upon the transfer of Castor Research Project from then G.A.U., Vijapur and Mustard Project from G.A.U., Manud. The activities were further intensified and strengthened with the formation of separate Research Unit clubbing the research projects of these two crops at Sardarkrushinagar.
Castor (Ricinus communis L.) is an important non-edible oilseed crop of the arid and semi arid regions of the world, wherein India has the maximum area and production under this crop. Other important castor producing countries are China, Brazil, Russia (earlier USSR) and Thailand. In India, the crop is grown in an area of above 10.77 lakh hectares with a total production of above 8.67 lakh tonnes(200-2001). At current level, the country exported castor seeds, oil and castor based products of worth Rs.1102.15 crores during 1999-2000. Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, Karnataka and Rajasthan are major castor producing states in India. Gujarat is the leading castor growing state of the country where the crop is grown in 3.05 lakh hectares of area with 4.65 lakh tonnes of total production and productivity of 1527 kg/ha (2001-2002). Thus, Gujarat shares about 49% of the area and more than 80% of the total castor production of the country. This state is pioneer in the development and release of hybrids where in the first ever castor hybrid, GCH 3 was released for general cultivation in 1968-69. There after 4 more hybrids, viz; GAUCH 1, GCH 2, GCH 4, GCH 5 and GCH-6 have been developed and released for general cultivation in the state. Recently, a nematode-wilt complex higher yielding hybrid ,GCH 7, was released. Besides improved production technologies and plant protection measures for the control of pests and diseases have also been developed and recommended which have helped in increasing the productivity of the crop from 352 kg/ha (1966-70) to 1972 kg/ha (1997-98) in the state.
Wilt complex in irrigated condition and root-rot under rainfed condition among biotic stresses ; salinity and drought among abiotic stresses are major .production constraints. Being industrial crop, value addition in term of quality improvement needs special attention.
Mustard is one of the most important rabi oilseed crops in Gujarat wherein North Gujarat is ideally suited for its cultivation. Presently, it is grown in about 1.87 lakh ha. area with 2.31 lakh tonnes of total production and 1235 kg/ha. productivity , which is the highest in the country (2000-01). Mehsana, Banaskantha, Sabarkantha, Ahmedabad, Kheda and Gandhinagar are major mustard growing districts of Gujarat.
The area and production under the crop has increased substantially in Gujarat during the last two decades. The area which was only 0.85 lakh ha. during 1973-74 has gone upto 3.68 lakh ha. during 1995-96, while the total production has increased from 0.42 lakh tones to 4.23 lakh tonnes during the same period. During last three-four years, the area under mustard decreased due to less rainfall and non remunerative price of the crop. Though, the yield level is maintained. The success of mustard cultivation in our state can be attributed to the development and release of improved varieties viz., PM 67, Varuna, G M 1, GM 2 and GM 3, improved production technology, effective plant protection measures to control the pest and diseases and their high rate of adoption by the farmers.
There is still very good scope to increase the area in kyari land, water logged area during kharif, Kutch and Saurashtra regions and in view of high productivity, the crop has excellent future in the state.
Contact :
Research Scientist
Main Castor-Mustard Research Station
Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University
Sardarkrushinagar -385 506
Phone : 91-02748-278457
E-mail :
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