The Horticultural College & Research Institute (HC & RI), one of the constituent colleges of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, is located at Periyakulam, on the Theni – Dindigul high way in Tamil Nadu State. The famous upper Pulney hill ranges featuring nearby offers natural beauty and scenic frontage to this unique Institute. Geographically, the College campus is situated at 10^oN latitude with an elevation of 300m MSL. The climatic conditions are quite congenial for the cultivation of a wide array of horticultural crops. This Institute provides both teaching and rich research opportunities of high order in an exceptionally pleasant environment.

The College Campus encompasses over 100 hectares of farm lands to cater the needs of teaching, research, training, seed production and plant propagation activities. This is the only full-fledged Institute providing horticulture education in Southern Peninsular India.

Genesis and Growth
A Fruit Research Station was set up in 1957 at Periyakulam, with a view to meet the needs and aspirations of the fruit crops growing farmers of the erstwhile Madurai district. In the year 1971, Horticultural Research Station (HRS), Periyakulam, was developed which marked the expansion of the research mandate to all major horticultural crops. This Institute has made a commendable progress in fruits and vegetable research consequently the centre was upgraded in 1990 as a full-fledged teaching and research institute. This formed the basis for the blossoming of the present multi-faceted renowned campus.

Mandate

• To impart state-of-the-art in education in horticulture and allied sciences to equip students properly for a life which is rewarding in all senses.

• To serve as a centre of academic excellence in the area of under-graduate and post-graduate education in horticultural sciences, and to develop innovative concepts, hypotheses, and production technologies.

• To undertake basic and scientific research to gain insights in complex mechanisms that will lead to the evolution of new crop varieties, enhanced horticultural production, and preservation of environmental quality.

• To offer training and consultancy to farmers, entrepreneurs, and departmental functionaries.

First Dean of the College          Dr. R. Arumugam

Programs Offered
Under-graduate teaching program has sprung up since then and the college included post-graduate programs in 1993. The student’s intake at present is 75 in the UG program as against 40 at the time of inception. This Institute was accredited in 1999 by the National Accreditation Board as per the advice of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi.

Present M.Sc. (Horticulture) strength
            I  Year PG - 8
            II Year PG - 6

Curriculum and Syllabi
This is the only full-fledged institute providing horticultural education in Southern Peninsular India. This campus teaches:

A total of 159 credit hours in UG, which include

1. Horticultural Sciences     : 62
2. Agricultural Sciences       : 57
3. Allied Sciences               : 10
4. Basic Sciences                : 15
5. NSS and PED                   : 02
6. Others                            : 13 ( RHWE and All India Study Tour) and

 A total of 53 credit hours in PG, which include

1. Horticultural sciences     : 27
2. Allied sciences               : 12
3. Seminars                       : 02
4. Research                       : 12
    

Student strength

• Number of students enrolled from inception        : 502 in UG & 51 in PG
• Successfully completed and passed out students  : 485 in UG & 46 in PG

 Placement Cell Activities
Placement Cell has the mandate as follows.

1. To Find decent jobs for young horticultural graduates

2. To undertake coaching for JRF and other competitive examinations

3. To provide guidance for the students who opt for pursuing their studies abroad

4. To chart out project/ programme for the students to get assistantship in foreign universities

5. To offer counseling for the students who wish to establish enterprises / project on their own

6. To establish Alumini Association to facilitate exchange of information and opportunities for career development among students.

Achievements of Placement Cell

1. A total number of 22 students of HC & RI were placed in Karnataka Agro Chemicals Multiplex Fertilisers Private Ltd., Karnataka (4), DHAN Foundation (5), Harry Hi-Tec Nursery Garden, Thanjaviur (4), Coodu Trust, Dindigul (4), Fibroflex India limited, Chennai (1) and Saravana Farm Services, Agro-Input Manufacturers (4).

2. Conducted three sessions on project formulation and the refinance facility available at NABARD for starting Agri Clinics and Consultancy services to III and IV year students.

3. The bio-data of the outgoing final year students were collected and compiled to establish the Alumini association of 1997-98 batch students.

Department details
Department of Horticulture          -   Dr. S. E. Naina Mohammed,
                                                      Professor & Head (i/c)
Dept. of Soil & Crop Management -   Dr. H. Vijayaraghavan
                                                      Professor & Head
Department of Plant Protection     -  Dr. S. Mohan
                                                      Professor & Head
Department of Social Science        -  Dr. A. Balakrishnan
                                                      Professor & Head
 

Technologies
Research
Research schemes

1. Plan schemes                 : 2
2. Non-Plan schemes          : 4
3. ICAR schemes                : 3
4. Other agencies              : 2

New Schemes proposed:
A total of 40 new research schemes proposals were sent to external funding agencies such as ICAR, NATP, DBT, ACIAR, NHB and Part II plan schemes to a value of Rs. 6.22 crores

Promising varieties released
More popular varieties of tomato PKM 1, sapota PKM 1, Moringa PKM 1 and Tamarind PKM 1 and Wonder Moringa PKM 2 are the products of this Institute. Among them, tomato PKM 1, Sapota PKM 1 and PKM 3, Annual Moringa PKM 1 and PKM 2 are popular choice varieties among the farmers of South India. Other varieties such as Brinjal PKM 1, Snake gourd PKM 1 and Ribbed Gourd PKM 1 are also popular in Southern Districts of Tamil Nadu.

PKM 4 Sapota (New variety released)
This promising culture, namely Spindle sapota has been released as PKM 4 during 2003. This is an open pollinated progeny of PKM- 1. The fruits are attractively spindled shaped with smooth, light brown skin and with a good market appeal. The flesh is crisp with light pinkish honey brown colour and do not turn dark brown after ripening. Since the fruits are lengthier than other varieties, it is highly suitable for making first grade quality of sapota flakes. After ripening, the flesh will come as flakes, which also will attract the consumer and enhance the quality of the fruit, which lends scope for export.

Maintenance of germplasm

The centre currently maintains the following germplasm:

• Mango                                  : 35     
• Tamarind                             : 06
• Sapota                                 : 16
• Tomato                                : 49 (Exotic 15 & domestic 34)
• Guava                                  : 06
• Aonla                                   : 08
• Snake gourd                         : 06
• Acid lime                              : 06
• Annual Moringa                     : 30
• Jack                                     : 12
• Greens                                 : 70
• Under exploited fruit spp       : 52
• Herbal plants                        : 460

Bio-resource management
The establishment of a herbal Consortium at HC&RI is a maiden attempt and unparallel in the state. The repository now boasts of around 460 species including tribal and endangered species. This appears to be a powerful tool in disseminating green health through conservation, description, documentation, familiarization, quality evaluation, production, processing and multiplication. The Herbal Park, Star Garden and a Green’s Park annexed to the Herbal garden have been viewed as a panorama of Herbal Wealth in the campus.

Establishment of a cafeteria for under-exploited fruit crops
A total of 53 rare species of under-exploited fruit crops were collected from Southern Peninsular India. A crop cafeteria of under-exploited fruit crops was established in the Eastern Block. This is a unique venture in bioresourcing and conservation.

Development of technology for the production of biodegradable plastic films for packing fruits and vegetables
Plastic packing provides excellent protection for the product, it is cheap to manufacture and seems to last forever. However, lasting forever is proving to be a major environmental problem. Another problem is that traditional plastics are manufactured from non-renewable resources –oil and gas. In an effort to overcome these shortcomings, biodegradable plastics that are made form renewable sources.

Starch is a natural polymer. It can be processed into a bioplastic by modifying in starch into a different polymer. Starch from tapioca is transformed into lactic acid by microbes. Lactic acid is chemically treated to form a plastic called polylactide (PLA).

Another way of making biodegradable polymers involves getting bacteria to produce granules of plastics called poly hydroxy alkanote (PHA) inside their cells.

However, PLA/PHA are significantly more expensive than conventional plastics. Starch, which is cheap to produce, can be used in a variety of blends with other more expensive biodegradable polymers to produce a variety of flexible plastics, which are being made into ‘ film ‘.

Protected cultivation of tomato
Research on tomato cultivation to tackle the unfavorable seasonal conditions prevailing during summer and rainy seasons is being undertaken at HC&RI, Periyakulam. We are aiming at the development of heat tolerant varieties/ hybrids, media standardization, fertigation, training and pruning systems and other need based precision farming practices. We tested domestic and exotic tomato accessions in various environments viz., shade net house, Screen house, glass house and open conditions. We found that an exotic hybrid, Athyla was better adapted to our heat environment in shade net house.

Consequently, a low cost polyhouse of size 23 ´ 9 ´ 6 m has been erected in the Western Block. This is a simple structure erected on G.I. pipes covered with UV stabilized LDPE sheets of 200 micron thickness and it utilizes natural ventilation provided at the top and on all four sides for cooling. All the indeterminate tomato types are being evaluated at this protected environment. Among the 12 F1 hybrids and 12 varieties of indeterminate tomato, the hybrids, Meenatchi, NS 6666, HY 7611 and COTH 1 are very promising.

Biofertilizer production unit
For the first time in the campus and in the region of Dindigul and Theni District, a public sector based biofertilizer production unit has been established to disseminate knowledge on renewable use of energy.

Theme park on Micro Water Harvest
In tune with the saying " Seeing is believing"/ there is no better means of transfer to technology than making live models. The centre’s attempt in creating a Theme Park on cultivation of Aonla in a virtually slopy, stony soil depicting different techniques of microwater harvest is a pragmatic approach for the spread of dryland Horticulture. Spreading over 0.5 ha of land area, the spot drives in the concepts of water harvest and dryland Horticulture to all visitors, which is the need of the hour.

Water Harvesting models – a trend setting live demonstration
In order to focus the dangers of an extended drought and the value of every drop of water, ‘a roof water harvest model’ was developed to collect a total rain and run off water or around 85 lakh litres of water over an area of 8557 m spread over six huge buildings in the campus. This serve as a unique demonstration lives model to all in trumpeting the essentiality of water savings.

Central Facility for Biotechnology Research
Keeping phase with the developments else where in the world on genetic modification of plants and micropropagation of plants, to tide over the growing food needs of a burgeoning population. The centre has set up a highly modernized laboratory for biotechnology to serve as a basis for biotechnology work on horticultural crops and to train the students and entrepreneurs. The assistance was through state government. The lab has been designed in such a manner that the space is kept ultra free from biological and particulate contaminants. There is a well designed commercial hardening chamber also annexed to the laboratory. The facility is a boon to the institute to champion the cause of biotechnology in horticultural crops.

Micro propagation of banana
The micropropagation of red banana (AAA) and hill banana have been undertaken. The Muraghige & Skoog (MS) medium was suitably modified to achieve the shoot tip growth. A addition of 5 mg/l of BAP and 2 mg/l of ascorbic acid in full MS medium resulted in earliness by 21 days for meristem growth and the response by 72.5%. The callus induction in banana is considered to be difficult. However, the addition of 2,4-D in the modified MS medium improves the rate of callus induction.

Micropropagation of medicinal plants

In vitro screening for salt tolerance in banana
Supplementation of 4.0mg/1 NaCl in the MS medium produced salt lines in Nendran and Rasthali varieties. The salt line so developed has been advanced to NaCl 10.0 mg/l media for further induction. A protocol for in vitro screening for salt tolerance was developed for Nendran, Rasthali and Karpooravalli varieties. The MS medium is suitably modified to achieve the shoot tip growth of Red Banana. The protocol for meristem induction, proliferation and rooting in Red banana were standardized.

Micro propagation of medicinal plants:
An attempt has been made to develop a protocol for callus induction and multiplication of Gymnema Sylvestre, a medicinal plant that is known to reduce blood sugar level. The callus development and multiplication have been achieved in MS medium supplemented with cytokinins. Attempts have been made to develop oreganogenetic protocols.

Research on the standardization of protocols for major commercial medicinal plants such as Gymnema sylvestre, Withania somnifera, Aloe vera, Tinospora cordyfolia, and Gloriosa superba have to be undertaken.

Crop Protection

1.      IPDM modules were developed for pests and diseases of acid lime and sapota.

2.      Pest calendars were constructed for acid lime and sapota pests.

3.     New molecules viz., imidacloprid 200 SL against citrus leaf miner, abamectin 1.9 EC against tomato leaf miner, Indoxocarb against tomato fruit borer, buprofezin against grapevine mealy beg, Follicur and Tribuconazole against grapevine powdery mildew were found effective.

EXTENSION

Integrated Village Development Programme (IVDP)
Two villages viz., Alagarnaickenpatti and Valaiyathupatti of Theni District have been adopted under this programme. The important activities carried out at the villages were 15 Diagnostic Visit, 10 Farm Advisory Services and performing 12 training, 15 demonstrations and 2 seminars. A total number of 528 farmers and rural youths and 553 farm women were the beneficiaries.

Extension activities at the campus

Infra-structural facilities developed
 In the course of time, an additional land area of 60m hectares was added to the existing Horticultural Research Station in the year 1998. Academic and Administrative Blocks were constructed in two phases in 1991 and 1995 respectively. Two hostel buildings for boys were constructed in the year 1991 and 1995. Girls hostel building was completed in the year 1994. A computer centre and students counseling block was constructed in the year 1998.

1.      Field research amenities such as glasshouses, screen houses, nutritional garden, model orchard, herbal garden, and meteorological observatory were established. Irrigation facilities such as inter grid system and drip irrigation system was developed. Recently a greenhouse has been constructed for conducting practical classes on growing crops under cover.

2.      An Air-conditioned Seminar Hall, three mist chambers, Post – graduate laboratory, centralized instrument room, a separate exhibition hall and a common examination hall, a huge shade net house, a biotechnology laboratory were established during 200-2001.

3.      Facilities for extra curricular activities were provided for the benefit of the students. A 400m Running Track, Cricket Ground, Basket Ball Courts, Volley Ball Courts and Ball Badminton Courts were made available initially and subsequently facilities were developed for other games and indoor games as well.

4.      Water Resources development and Water supplies

o        Two overhead tanks of 60000 litre capacity each

o        Roof water harvesting system for five buildings

o        Micro water harvesting theme park for wastelands

o        Sprinkler Irrigation Systems for shade net.

o        Water tank and pipe line system to cater the needs of dry land crops and Lawns of the college

Land Resources Development

• Terrace construction for erosion control lawn arrangement by the side of administrative building.
• Greenery with horticultural plants and wind breaks establishment in the eroded lands of eastern block.
• Bush cleaning in front of library and making access to the Library building.

1. Block topping of road from main gate to the library and provision of farm roads at necessary places were made.
2. Creation of communication and Information dissemination Network

• Provision of Intercom facility to all three blocks of the college
• Provision of Illumination Boards with erection of stand.

Library Facilities

Our library contains 5050 numbers of books, 1000 numbers of back volumes of periodicals and 100 numbers of thesis for reference. A total of 34 Horticultural Journals, 55 Agricultural and Allied Journals and 30 General & Competitive Exam. Journals are subscribed. Recently, the Library was equipped with Pentium 4 computer system and Internet connection. More than 190 students and 50 Scientists started learning and utilizing this fabulous communication system. At present, they regularly browse the Internet and E-mail facilities. An amount of Rs. 2500 has been realized from Internet browsing.

Number of users visited the Library

Conventions-Seminars and workshops conducted

Breeder seed production
Horticultural College & Research Institute, Periyakulam is one of the recognized centres for breeder seed production of vegetable crops under ICAR – National Seed Project. The following vegetable crops are being undertaken as per the indent of Government of India, State Department of Agriculture and Horticulture, Research Stations and Private Seed Companies.

From this centre, the following quantity of seeds was supplied during period as indicated.

Truthfully labeled seed

Apart from the breeder seeds of vegetative crops, truthfully labeled seeds are also produced and distributed to the farmers from this centre

Modern Nursery Complex
One of the most modern nursery complex in India was established in the campus during the year 2001 with the financial assistance of Tamil Nadu Government. The complex consisted of a shade net house, mist chamber and close planting of sapota

Shade net house
The shade net extending over an area of (45 cents) with a capacity to accommodated 60,000 plants has been established. This is the largest shade net house in Tamil Nadu Agricultural University and is a centre piece of attraction to the visitors.

Mist chambers
To promote hi-tech infrastructure in propagation for teaching, training and demonstration, three mist chambers of the dimensions 32 feet in length, 12½ feet in breadth and 6½ feet height were erected during 2001. Three systems of misting namely (i) E. Jet (ii) Fogger (iii) Fan spray nozzles are provided one in each for effective Transfer Lab Technology. The estimated cost of each mist chamber is Rs. 32,000/- and the project was executed with a available funds.

Other long term improvements           

Close planting blocks exclusively for multiplication

1. Sapota – variety PKM1, PKM2, PKM3  (Total area – 3 acres)

2. Mango – varieties Alphonso and Banganapalli (Total area – 2 acres)

3. Tamarind – variety PKM1 (Total area – 1 acre)

Rootstock blocks established
           (a) Mango rootstock
           (b) Tamarind rootstock

1. Students free adoption program mango
2. New introduction of commrcial important Amala varieties

Contract address :

Dr. Anbu

Dean

Horticultural College and Research Institute

Periyakulam- 625 604

Phone & Fax :    (04546) 231726

E-mail               : deanhcripkm@tnau.ac.in