Horticulture Research and Extension Station, Arsikere
Genesis of the station
The Horticulture Research and Extension Station, Arsikere was established in the year 1958 by the Department of Agriculture as Regional Coconut Research Station. Later, it was handed over to the Department of Horticulture in 1963. During 1965, research station was handed over to the University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore and renamed as Agriculture Research Station. In 2009, research station was transferred to University of Horticultural Sciences, Bagalkot and renamed as Horticulture Research and Extension Station.
Geographical location
Horticulture Research and Extension Station, Arsikere is located at 7 Km away from Arsikere town of Hassan district on Arsikere – Hassan Road and situated at 76o 15’ E longitude and 13o 15’ N latitude with an altitude of 808 m above mean sea level. The Research Station is having 48.61 ha area of which 24.30 ha is under protective irrigation.
Soil and weather conditions
The research station falls under Central dry zone of Karnataka. The soils are red sandy loam to medium black clay with PH of 7.39, low in available nitrogen (254.1 kg N/ha) and phosphorous (19.0 kg P2O5/ha) and medium in available potash (246.0 K2O/ha). The research station receives an annual rainfall of 815.7 mm distributed mainly during April to October with two peaks one in April- May and another in September- October. The mean minimum temperature ranges from 11.0 oC (January) to 19.3 oC (June) and the maximum temperature ranges from 27.9 oC (December) to 35.4 oC (March). The mean relative humidity rages from 49.1 % (March) to 75.0% (August).
Mandates
· Evaluation of germplasm, new hybrids and high yielding varieties of coconut.
· Evolving suitable combination of cultural, manurial and irrigation techniques in coconut.
· Evaluation of suitable coconut based cropping/ farming systems.
· Development of integrated pest and disease management in coconut.
· Post-harvest technology and value addition in coconut.
Scientific Staff
|
Sl. No |
Name |
Post |
Email id and Mobile number |
|
1 |
Dr. T.B. Basavaraju |
Professor of Agronomy and Head |
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. +919449872865 |
|
2 |
Dr. M. Prashanth |
Associate Professor (GPB) |
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. +919480787698 |
|
3 |
Dr. G. S. Chandrashekar |
Assistant Professor (Entomology) |
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. +919901093240 |
|
4 |
Dr. Manjunath Hubballi |
Assistant Professor (Plant Pathology) |
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. +918971639748 |
Research
The Arsikere centre of All India Coordinated Research Project on Palms (AICRP on Palms) started functioning at Horticulture Research and Extension Station, Arsikere from May 1976. The broad objectives of the project are:
1. Collection, conservation, cataloguing and evaluation of germplasm, new hybrids and high yielding varieties of coconut.
2. Standardization of agro-techniques for various agro-climatic regions and development of appropriate farming/ cropping system compatible with the main crop and edaphic and climatic conditions.
3. Development of effective and efficient pest management strategies.
On-going AICRP Experiments
A. Crop Improvement
|
Sl.No. |
Project No. |
Title of the Project |
Year |
|
|
From |
To |
|||
|
1. Gen.1 |
Conservation and evaluation of coconut genetic resources in different Agro-climatic regions |
|
|
|
|
|
Expt. 1 |
Evaluation of conserved germplasm |
2014 |
2030 |
|
|
Expt. 2 |
Collection, conservation and evaluation of location specific germplasm |
2009 |
2025 |
|
|
Expt. 3 |
Evaluation of selections from germplasm |
2014 |
2030 |
|
2. Gen. 2 |
Evaluation of coconut hybrids in different agro climatic regions |
|
|
|
|
|
Expt.1 |
Production and evaluation of new cross combinations |
1987 |
2016 |
|
|
Expt. 2 |
Evaluation of new coconut hybrids of location specific cross combinations |
2009 |
2025 |
|
|
Expt. 4 |
Evaluation of Tall x Tall coconut hybrids |
2009 |
2025 |
|
3. Gen. 3 |
Establishment of mother blocks and production of quality planting material in coconut |
|
|
|
|
|
Expt.1 |
Demonstration of released coconut varieties in different agro-climatic regions |
2009 |
2025 |
|
|
Expt. 2 |
Nucleus seed gardens for released varieties |
2010 |
2020 |
B. Crop Production
|
Sl.No. |
Project No. |
Title of the Project |
Year |
|
|
From |
To |
|||
|
1. Agron. 10 |
Development of coconut based integrated cropping system models for different agro-climatic regions. |
2008 |
2018 |
|
|
2. Agron.10A |
Development of Coconut - Livestock integrated farming system models |
2013 |
2018 |
|
|
|
Expt. 1 |
Integration of cows in coconut based cropping system |
2013 |
2018 |
|
|
Expt. 2 |
Integration of sheep in coconut based cropping system |
2014 |
2018 |
|
3. Agron. 11 |
Coconut based cropping systems for different agro-climatic regions |
|
|
|
|
|
Expt. 1 |
Performance of commercial flower crops in coconut garden. |
2012 |
2016 |
|
|
Expt. 3 |
Multilocation trial (MLT) of cocoa clones under palms |
2012 |
2022 |
|
4. Agron. 14 |
Soil and nutrient management in coconut |
|
|
|
|
|
Expt. 3 |
Network project on Organic farming in coconut based farming system |
2014 |
2018 |
C. Crop Protection (Pathology)
|
Project No. |
Title of the Project |
Year |
|||
|
From |
To |
||||
|
1. Path. 1 |
Survey and surveillance on diseases of coconut |
2012 |
2016 |
||
|
2. Path. 2 |
Basal stem rot disease |
|
|
||
|
|
Expt. 1 |
Etiology and epidemiology of basal stem rot diseases of coconut Activity I: Collection of Ganoderma isolates from various locations to analyse diversity Activity III: Epidemiology and disease forecasting |
2012
|
2016
|
|
|
|
Expt. 2 |
Studies on minimum inoculum load required for successful infection of basal stem rot disease |
2014 |
2017 |
|
|
|
Expt. 3 |
Management of basal stem rot disease in coconut Activity I: Biological management– Collection, conservation and characterization of bioagents from different location. Activity II: Integrated Management of BSR Activity III: Screening of new fungicides |
2012 |
2016 |
|
|
|
Expt. 5 |
Identification of coconut types resistant to Ganoderma wilt |
2012 |
2016 |
|
|
3. Path. 3 |
Stem bleeding and Bud rot diseases |
|
|
||
|
|
Expt. 1 |
Management of bud rot and stem bleeding disease in coconut Activity II: Chemical management |
2012 |
2016 |
|
|
4. Path.4 |
Leaf blight disease of coconut |
|
|
||
|
|
Expt. 1 |
Etiology and epidemiology of leaf blight disease of coconut Activity I: Collection of Lasiodiplodia theobromae isolates from various locations to analyse diversity Activity III: Epidemiology and disease forecasting |
2012
|
2016
|
|
|
|
Expt. 2 |
Studies on Management of leaf blight disease in coconut Activity II: In vitro and In vivo screening of new fungicides |
2012 |
2016 |
|
D. Crop Protection (Entomology)
|
Project No. |
Title of the Project |
Year |
|
|
From |
To |
||
|
1. Ent.3 |
Survey and monitoring of pest problems in coconut |
2014 |
2017 |
|
2. Ent.5 |
Management of eriophyid mite in coconut gardens |
2014 |
2017 |
|
3. Ent. 11 |
Evaluation of olfactory conditioned larval parasitoid (Goniozus nephantidis) in the field against O. arenosella |
2014 |
2017 |
|
4. Ent. 12 |
Studies on field efficacy of commercially available pheromones against rhinoceros beetle |
2014 |
2017 |
|
5. Ent. 14 |
Validation of integrated pest management technology for Oryctes rhinoceros in different regions |
2014 |
2017 |
|
6. Ent 16 |
Field evaluation of talc formulation of Hirsutella thompsonii(CPCRI isolate) against coconut eriophyid mite. |
2014 |
2017 |
|
7. Ent 17. |
Evaluation of newer insecticides against the red palm weevil,Rhynchophorus ferrugineus |
2014 |
2017 |
On-going revolving funds projects
|
Name of P I |
Title of projects |
Amount (Rs) |
Funding agency |
|
Dr. T.B. Basavaraju |
Seedling production of different varieties of coconut |
50,000 |
UHS, Bagalkot |
|
Dr. Manjunath Hubballi |
Mass multiplication of bio- control agents |
50,000 |
UHS, Bagalkot |
Completed Projects
|
Sl.No. |
Projects/ Experiments |
Year of Start |
Year of Close |
|
1 |
Integrated nutrient management in coconut through organics |
1996-97 |
2004-05 |
|
2 |
Drip irrigation experiment in adult coconut palms |
1999-00 |
2004-05 |
|
3 |
Coconut based high density multi species cropping system |
2001-02 |
2006-07 |
|
4 |
Management of Basal Stem Rot (BSR) disease of coconut |
2000-01 |
2006-07 |
|
5 |
Nutritional requirement of high yielding varieties/hybrid coconut |
1987-88 |
2007-08 |
|
6 |
Performance of medicinal and aromatic plants in coconut gardens |
2006-07 |
2008-09 |
|
7 |
Studies on fertilizer application through micro-irrigation technique in coconut. |
2007-08 |
2012-13 |
|
8 |
Trial on new hybrid combinations in coconut |
1992-93 |
2013-14 |
|
9 |
Observational trial on the performance of Morinda citrifolia as mixed crop in coconut gardens |
2008-09 |
2013-14 |
Extension
Horticulture Extension Education Unit is in operation at this institute and various training programmes and demonstrations are being carried out by the subject matter specialists.
|
SMS |
Area of specialization |
|
Dr. T. B. Basavaraju |
Agronomy |
|
Dr. M. Prashanth |
Genetics and Plant Breeding |
|
Dr. G. S. Chandrashekar |
Agricultural Entomology |
|
Dr. Manjunath Hubballi |
Plant Pathology |
|
Mrs. S. M. Patil |
Value addition and Marketing |
On-going University Extension Projects
|
Name of the PI |
Title of the project |
Duration |
|
Dr. M. Prashanth |
Integrated Farming System |
2011-12 to 2015-16 |
Research Achievements
· Release of coconut varieties and hybrids: One variety (Kalpatharu) and four hybrids (Kalpashresta, Kalpaganga, Abhayaganga and Vasistaganga) of coconut have recommended for release for cultivation in Karnataka.
1. Kalpatharu
|
Bearing year |
6-7 years |
 |
|
Nut yield /palm/year |
100 |
|
|
Copra content (g/nut) |
172 |
|
|
Copra yield (kg/palm/year) |
17.2 |
|
|
Oil Percentage |
67 |
2. Kalpashresta (MYD x TPT)
|
Bearing year |
4 years |
 |
|
Nut yield /palm/year |
120 |
|
|
Copra content (g/nut) |
166 |
|
|
Copra yield (kg/palm/year) |
20 |
|
|
Oil Percentage |
67 |
3. Kalpaganga (GBGD x FJT)
|
Bearing year |
4 years |
 |
|
Nut yield /palm/year |
120 |
|
|
Copra content (g/nut) |
157 |
|
|
Copra yield (kg/palm/year) |
19 |
|
|
Oil Percentage |
66 |
4. Abhayaganga (GBGD x LCOT)
|
Bearing year |
4 years |
 |
|
Nut yield /palm/year |
134 |
|
|
Copra content (g/nut) |
159 |
|
|
Copra yield (kg/palm/year) |
21 |
|
|
Oil Percentage |
66 |
5. Vasistaganga (GBGD x PHOT)
|
Bearing year |
4 years |
 |
|
Nut yield /palm/year |
130 |
|
|
Copra content (g/nut) |
159 |
|
|
Coprayield (kg/palm/year) |
21 |
|
|
Oil Percentage |
66 |
· Planting of seed nuts: Planting of seed nuts in horizontal position at 30 cm apart is ideal to get good stand of robust seedling compared to vertical planting.
· Planting of coconut seedlings: Planting of coconut seedlings at 60 cm deep in 90 cm pits is ideal for good growth of plants.
· Spacing for coconut: Planting of tall coconut at 9 m x 9 m spacing is ideal for better growth and yield.
· Use of coir pith compost as source of nitrogen to coconut: Raw coir pith can be made into compost of good manurial value by using ligno-cellulolytic fungi, Pleurotus sajorcaju and used as a source of nutrients to coconut. The composted coir pith (CCP) can be applied to coconut palm to supplement 50-100% of the recommended dose of N (25-50 kg CCP).
· Drip irrigation requirement of coconut: Drip irrigation at 100% Eo is ideal for coconut in maidan tract of Karnataka as it produces higher nut and copra yield and results in higher WUE, net returns and B:C ratio compared to basin irrigation. The water to be applied during summer months (February-May) is 65-75 litres per palm per day while for winter and rainy months (June-January) is 40-50 litres/palm/day.
· Fertigation requirement of coconut: Fertigation of 75% RDF is recommended for coconut. Application of 75% of recommended NPK through drip irrigation produced nut and copra yield on par with the application of 100% of recommended NPK and also with the soil application of 100% of recommended NPK indicating the possibility of saving 25% of recommended NPK through fertigation.
· Fertilizer recommendation for hybrid coconut: A fertilizer level of 1000:250:1000 g N, P2O5, K2O per palm per year is optimum for hybrid coconut (COD x WCT) in the maidan tract of Karnataka as it produces higher nut and copra yield and results in higher net returns and B:C ratio.
· Suitable intercrops in coconut: Intercropping of banana, drumstick, french bean-ladies finger and red gram with adult coconut palms is productive and remunerative. The crops are to be selected depending on the availability of irrigation water. When there is a good source of irrigation water, high water requirement crop like banana or medium water requirement crops like drumstick, french bean and ladies finger can be grown. Under limited source of irrigation water, red gram can be grown as a rain fed crop with need based protective irrigation.
Coconut + Drumstick Coconut + Banana
 |
 |
Coconut + French bean Coconut + Redgram
· Suitable medicinal and aromatic crops for coconut gardens: Lemon grass (Cymbopogon flexuosus), garden rue (Ruta graveolens), tulsi (Ocimum sanctum), Kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata), arrow root (Maranta arundinaceae) and makoi (Solanum nigrum) are the promising medicinal and aromatic plants for intercropping in coconut gardens of maidan tract of Karnataka.
 |
 |
| Garden rue | Kalmegh |
 |
 |
| Makoi | Tulsi |
 |
 |
| Arrow root | Lemon grass |
- Coconut based cropping system: The coconut based cropping system of coconut + cocoa + lime + drumstick under integrated nutrient management developed at Arsikere Centre of AICRP on Palms showed higher productivity and income than monocrop of coconut. The net returns were higher under fully organic nutrient management (Rs. 294810/ha) followed by 50% of recommended NPK + organic recycling with vermicompost + vermiwash application + biofertilizer application and in situ green manuring (Rs. 284410/ha) and 75% of recommended NPK + organic recycling with vermicompost (Rs. 274590/ha).
- Flower crops as intercrops with coconut: Growing of flower crops as intercrop in coconut is remunerative than monocrop of coconut. The cropping system of Coconut + Chrysanthemum recorded significantly higher net income (Rs. 256400//ha) followed by Coconut + Crossandra (Rs. 163300/ha), Coconut + Jasmine (149000), Coconut + China aster (Rs. 144350/ha) and Coconut + Marigold (Rs. 104150/ha). The monocrop of coconut recorded significantly lowest net income of Rs. 53400 per ha.
· Management of basal stem rot disease of coconut: The combined application of Hexaconazole (1%-100 ml) root feeding at quarterly interval along with soil application of neem cake @ 5 kg/palm/year + Trichoderma viride @ 50g/palm/half year is effective in the management of basal stem rot disease of coconut.
Contact address
Head
Horticultural Research and Extension Station,
P. B. No. 41, Arsikere-573103
Hassan District, Karnataka
Email:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Phone No: 08174-291565/ 9449872865