Agricultural Research Station, Paramakudi is located in the southern bank of the river, Vaigai on Madurai - Rameswaram National Highway. In 1952, it was established as Research station under State Department of Agriculture. Then, it was recognized as Paddy research Sub-center from 1952 to 1958. Later it was changed as State Seed Farm from 1958 to 1978. Again it was renamed as Multi-Crop experiment sub-station from 1978 to 1981.  Finally it was established as Agricultural Research Station under Tamilnadu Agricultural University from 1981 on wards.

            Agricultural Research Station, Paramakudi represents rainfed tracts of Ramnad and Sivagangai districts of Tamilnadu. The extent of the experimental farm is about 9.36 ha, which is located at latitude of 9° 21’N and longitude of 78° 22’E and an altitude of 39.83 m MSL. Annual average rainfall is 740 mm of which 60 per cent is received from Northeast monsoon. Soil type is clay loam low in available nitrogen, medium to high phosphorus and potassium. The organic matter content of the soil is very low. Soil is slightly saline with a pH of 8.0

Area                 : 9.35 ha

Altitude            : 39.83 m MSL

Latitude           : 9° 21’ N

Longitude         : 78° 22’ E

History

First Head of the Station  :  Dr.P.Rangasamy

Objectives

·         To evolve and evaluate very early and early duration drought tolerant high yielding rice varieties for dry and semi-dry conditions of Ramanathapuram and Sivagangai districts.

·         To develop improved agronomic techniques for rainfed rice, chilli, and other rainfed crops.

·         To develop integrated pest management strategies for direct sown dry/semi-dry rice, chilli,  and other rainfed crops.

·         To evaluate and find out suitable trees and fruit crops for wastelands of Ramanathapuram and Sivagangai districts.

Current Acivities

Research

·         Breeding rice and chilli varieties for higher yield and drought tolerance.

·         Finding out suitable weed and stress management practices for dry/semi-dry rice and chilli.

·         Identification of suitable annual crops and tree species for waste lands of Ramanathapuram and Sivagangai districts.

·         Sorting out suitable IPM technology for dry/semi-dry rice and chilli.

Extension

·        Monthly Zonal Workshop of Ramanathapuram and Sivagangai Districts.

·         Farm advisory services

·         On-farm testing

·         Demonstrations of new varieties/technology.

·        Imparting technical know-how to the farmers of IVDP-village.

·        Training for farmers, farm women and Extension functionaries.

·         Radio messages/talk.

·         Pamphlets/booklets.

·         Conducting Field day/Farmers Day.

PMK1 Chilli

PMK(R) 3 Rice

Information of Individual Teachers

Technologies Developed

Varieties released - Rice

PMK-1

Released during 1985

Drought tolerance and non-lodging

Matures in 120-125 days

Best suited for semi-dry Condition in Ramanathapuram and Sivagangai districts

Yield: 2650 kg/ha under moisture stress condition

PMK-2

Released during 1994

Matures in 110-115 days

Drought tolerance and non-lodging

Tolerant to water inundation

Grain yield: 3200 kg/ha under rainfed condition

Suitable for both dry and semi-dry systems of cultivation in Ramnad and Sivagangai districts.

PMK-3 
Released during 2003

Matures in 110 days

13 per cent higher yield then PMK-2

Drought tolerant, semi – dwarf and non-lodging

Suitable for rainfed tracts of Ramanathapuram and Sivagangai District.

Chilli    : PMK-1

Released during 1994

Suitable for rainfed conditions

Yield: 2400 kg dry pods per hectare (53% increased yield over the local)

Duration: 200 days

Conical fruits with attractive red colour

Fruits contain 0.36% capsaicin

Crop Management

·         Second fortnight of September (38^th and 39^th Std week) is suited for direct sowing of rice in Ramnad District

·         Paddy intercropped with greengram at 6.2 ratio is the most remunerative system under semi-dry condition

·         Application of NPK as per soil analysis along with enriched FYM @ 750 Kg/ha and 4 Kg (20 pkts) each of Azospirillum and Phosphobacteria gave higher yield under semi-dry paddy

·         Pre-emergence application of Oxyflourfen @ 0.15 kg a.i/ha is most effective in controlling weeds in rainfed chilli

Crop Production

·         Basal application of neem cake @ 100 kg/ha, release of Trichogramma chilonis @ 5 cc/ha on 40,47,54 and 61 DAS and T.japonicum on 67,74,81 and 88 DAS and spraying NSKE 5% at 50% ETL controlled the major pests of Semi-dry Paddy

·         Neem oil 1% or neem cake extract 5% is effective in controlling chilli aphids

·         Dimethoate 0.03% or neem oil 1% or neem cake extract 5% is effective in controlling chilli thrips

·         Dicofol 0.03 % or Phosalone 0.07% is effective in containing yellow mites in chilli

·         Ethanolic or Hexane extract of Neem Seed Kernel at 1% are effective in controlling aphids and thrips in Chilli

Contact Address

Professor and Head

Agricultural Research Station

Paramakudi- 623 707

 Phone number   :  04564/222139

 e-mail ID           : arspmk @tnau.ac.in