The Agricultural Research Station, Virinjipuram comes under North Eastern Zone region of  Tamil Nadu.  It is located in Virinjipuram Village of Katpadi  Taluk, Vellore District.  It is about 15 km away from Vellore bus stand off Chennai – Bangalore high way and 21 km from Katpadi Railway station.

Location

Origin

This station was started in 1969 by the Department of Agriculture as “Banana Research Station” with the main objective of introduction and evaluation of new varieties of banana under irrigated conditions besides maintenance of banana germplasm.   In 1981 it was transferred to Tamil Nadu Agricultural University.  In 1990 the station was upgraded as “ Agricultural Research Station” to conduct research in agricultural crops also.

Objectives

·         To cater the needs of extension functionaries and farming communities of both Vellore and Thiruvannamalai districts.

·         To produce breeder seeds in pulses, oilseeds and vegetables.

·         To improve high yielding local Thalaivirichan sorghum varieties.

·         To undertake breeding programme for high alcohol yielding sorghum varieties.

·         To select and evaluate greengram varieties.

·         To conduct OFT / MLT / FLD in the farmers holdings.

·         To study the use of tannery effluent as a source of irrigation for crops.

·         To maintain banana germplasm, evaluate and introduce new varieties of banana.

·         To collect and evaluate the long size papaya types of this tract.

·         To improve local thorny cultivar of brinjal (Mullukathiri)

·         To manage the bud worm problem in jasmine.

·         To manage crossandra wilt complex through bio-control agents.

First Head

The first Head of this station was Dr. S. Sathiyamoorthy, Professor in Horticulture, from April 1981 to April 1982.

Scheme Details

Banana Research Scheme

This scheme is in operation from 1.12.1980 at this centre with the main objective of introduction and evaluation of new varieties of banana (Musa spp)  under well irrigated conditions besides maintenance of banana germplasm.

Agricultural Research Station  

This scheme was started on 1.4.1984. 

Objectives

·         To evolve high yielding Thalaivirichan  type of sorghum varieties.

·         To evolve long compact and bold grained bajra varieties.

·         Production of breeder seeds in greengram and groundnut.

·         Development of Sweet Sorghum Varieties

The scheme is in operation from 1.4.1990 at this research station.  Screening and development of sweet sorghum varieties with high alcohol content for industrial use is the main objective of this scheme.

National Agricultural Research Project Scheme  (NARP) Phase II

This scheme is functioning from 1.11.1988 at this centre. 

Objectives

·         Improvement of field and horticultural crops.

·         To evolve production technologies for horticultural and field crops

·         Studies on weed and water management for various field crops.

·         Studies on amelioration of tannery pollution in Vellore district.

·         Studies on Pest and disease management in banana, brinjal, tomato, sorghum, pulses, lablab etc.

Plant Clinic Centre

This scheme is functioning at this centre from 24.09.1980.

Objectives

·         To identify farmers’ field problems like pests, diseases, nutritional disorders etc. and to suggest suitable remedial measures.

·         To conduct on farm trials of latest technologies in farmers holdings.

·         To study the seasonal incidence of pests and diseases and to forewarn their outbreak

·         To impart training to farmers, farm women and extension functionaries on latest technologies of farming and in cultivation of edible mushroom. 

Department / Libraries:

Laboratory :

Well established Soil Science, Entomology and Pathology laboratories are available at this station.

Information of Individual Scientists:

Technologies

Plant Breeding and Genetics

·         A greengram VRM (Gg) 1, pure line selection   was released as a variety in 2000 and it recorded the highest yield of 1020.4 kg/ha.

·         Sorghum germplasm lines viz., CSV 15, SPV88, TNS 297, SSVT-SR-350-12-ISV 0413, 192-15-3, 2029-42 and 2026-1-1-1 were selected as high alcohol yielding sweet sorghum lines.

·        Of the 105 sorghum cultures evaluated, Poigai local (Thalaivirichan type) was found to be most promising.

·        In greengram breeder seed, 3887 kg in K.851 and 256 kg in VRM(Gg)1, besides 401 kg of TFL in VRM (Gg)1 was produced and supplied to State Department of Agriculture and farmers.

·        VMS 98001 a sweet sorghum   culture was selected for dual purpose i.e., for alcohol and grain production.

Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry

·         Maize varieties Co1 and African tall, Co13 ragi and BN2 grass were identified as suitable crops for tannery polluted areas.

·         Application of composted coconut coirpith @ 10 tonnes /ha in the tannery polluted area was found to be the best soil amendment.

·        Application of tannery effluent to soil resulted in reduction of hydraulic conductivity from 7.48 to 3.35 cm/hour, soil porosity from 41.2. to 31.6% and increased the bulk density from 1.4. to 1.5 g/cc.

·        The ground water samples of Pernampet and Ambur belts were found to be contaminated with tannery effluents.

·        Electrical conductivity of contaminated ground water samples indicated the toxic EC range of 9 to 10.

·        Phytotoxic elements like Sodium and Chloride exceeded the critical limits and recorded 2935 mg/1 and 223 mg/1 respectively.

Crop Physiology

·         In rainfed pulses, seed pelleting with ZnSO₄ (Black gram) or MnSO₄ (greengram) at 100 ppm increased the yield by 18.6% and 15.3% respectively.

·        DAP (2%) foliar spray at two stages (peak flowering, pod development) boosted the yields of irrigated greengram (14.7%) and black gram (17.6%).

·         Tannery sludge upto 80 t/ha had no phytotoxic effect on paddy, tomato, brinjal, cucumber, groundnut, cowpea, bhendi and lucerne in pot culture experiment.

Agricultural Microbiology

·         Water hyacinth was found to absorb the toxic element chromium present in tannery effluent.

·         The bacteria Pseudomonas sp. reduced the toxicity of the tannery effluent.

Horticulture

·        Spraying of 2,4-D (25ppm) on the Poovan bunch within 15 days after the opening of the last hand produced better grade bunches

·         Urea blended with neem cake had increased the productivity and suppressed the nematode level in “Rasthali” banana.

·         Poovan banana (AAB) was tolerant to drought condition whereas Robusta (AAA) was susceptible.

·         The first and second ratoon crops of Poovan banana require the same fertilizer dose of 110:35:330 g NPK / Plant as that of main crop

·         The dwarf Cavendish banana grown at a spacing of 1.5.m x 1.5m  (4444 plants /ha)   accommodates 1,358 more plants per hectare instead of prevailing spacing 1.8 m x 1.8m (3,086 plants /ha)

·         Application of Pendimethalin as pre-emergence herbicide at one kg/ha followed by Imazethapyr as post – emergence heribicide (10 DAP) at one kg/ha controlled weeds in tomato.

·         In banana, application of glyphosate at one kg/ha each at 30 DAP and 30 days after first earthing up on 3^rd month recorded higher bunch weight.

·         Azospirillum @ 18 g / plant applied in three splits (basal, 3^rd and 5^th months after planting) resulted in higher yield with the cost benefit ratio of 1:3.17 in banana.

·         VMB 7 was identified as a promising “Mullukathiri” local brinjal.

Agricultural Entomology

·        Spraying of neem seed kernel extract (NSKE) 5% at 10 days interval from flower initiation controlled the fruit borer in brinjal

·        Spraying of NSKE 5% thrice at 10 days interval from flower initiation was effective against the gram pod borer, Helicoverpa armigera on redgram.

·        Sorghum cultures viz., EC 0024, MS 1142 and TNSH 9407 were resistant to sorghum shootfly.

·        Spraying of NSKE 5% on 10^th and 20^th day after sowing was effective in controlling sorghum shootfly.

·         Spraying of NSKE 5% on 75 and 90 days after sowing controlled the sesame pod bug, Elasmolomus sordidus.

·         Spraying of Acephate @ 600 g/ha or Triazophos @ 500 ml/ha on 75 and 90 days after sowing was effective against sesame pod bug.

Plant Pathology

·        Incorporation of Trichoderma viride and T. harzianum and application of neem cake in nursery reduce the damping off disease of tomato

·         Spraying of Mancozeb 0.2% thrice at triweekly interval controlled leaf spot diseases of tomato.

·        Spraying of Carbendazim 0.2% at triweekly interval reduced the black spot disease of rose.

·         Capsule application of Carbendazim @ 80 mg/corm controlled the panama disease of banana.

Extension Activities

·         Making field visits and suggesting suitable remedial measures.

·         Rendering farm advisory services.

·         Conducting off /on campus meeting.

·         Imparting trainings on the latest technologies.

·         Distribution of extension literatures.

·         Dissemination of technologies through AIR and TV.

·         Publication of popular articles in dailies and farm Magazines.

·        Transfer of latest farming technologies through monthly zonal workshop meetings.

·         Pest and disease surveillance meetings.

·         Adoption of villages under TNAU – IVDP.

Awards

·        The Plant Clinic Centre functioning at this station was awarded Bishma Narain Singh award for the best Plant Clinic Centre for the year 1996.

Address for Communication

Professor and Head,

Agricultural Research Station,

Tamil Nadu Agricultural University,

Virinjipuram – 632 104

Vellore District

Phone: 0416 – 2272221