1. Dr. R.N. Pateriya - Professor, Department of Farm Machinery & Power Engineering
2. Dr. Manjul Kandpal - Professor, Department of Veterinary Surgery & Radiology
1. Dr. S.D. Samantaray - Professor & Head, Department of Computer Engineering
The Genesis
The Directorate of Experiment Station was established with the inception of the University in the year 1960 and has the following mandate:
Research Organization and Administration
The research organization of the University is governed by a ‘Research Advisory Committee’ (RAC). The Vice-Chancellor is the Chairman and Director, Experiment Station is the Member Secretary of the committee. The Deans of different colleges, Directors of various directorates in the University, Programme Coordinators and Comptroller are the members. Besides, Directors of Directorate of Agriculture, Horticulture and Fisheries of Government of Uttarakhand as well as Heads of State departments like soil conservation, sericulture, animal husbandry, forestry, marketing, medicinal and aromatic plants are also the members. Some progressive farmers also represent the RAC as member. The RAC as facilitators identify and orient research to address problems of farming community.
The Directorate of Experiment Station has a set-up which distinctly looks after technical, financial and administrative management as well as the management of on-campus and off-campus research centres. The Director Experiment Station is the head of the set-up and is assisted by Joint Directors from disciplines of Agriculture, Veterinary and Engineering as well as by Joint Director Research for Administration and Monitoring. The on- and off- campus research stations have Joint Directors/ Associate Directors/ Officer-in-charges for planning and execution of mandate of these centres and a Joint Director at Head quarters monitors these activities. The Comptroller in association with a Deputy Comptroller and other accounts officials takes care of financial management of the directorate.
On Campus Research Centres
Off-Campus Research Centers
RESEARCH PROJECTS IN OPERATION
At present 134 research projects with financial outlay of Rs 32.25 crores are in operation at different colleges and on- and off- research centres of the University funded by ICAR, Central and State Government, International Agencies.
SALIENT RESEARCH ACHIEVEMENTS
The University has made significant achievements on agricultural research front and has developed a number of technologies for adoption by farmers and other end users. Some of the achievements are given below:
University has so far released 280 improved varieties of cereals, pulses, oilseeds, fodder crops, sugarcane, green manure crops, vegetables crops of Kharif and Rabi seasons, fruits crops and plants species, agroforestry and flowering plants. The crop varieties have great potential and contributed significantly to enhance the productivity in the state and the country. The University has focused research efforts to meet specific requirements of Uttarakhand and more than 100 varieties of different crops have been released for cultivation in different parts of the state under various cropping systems.
Organic Farming Technologies
Organic production technology has been developed for most of the crops which are being grown under Tarai as well as hilly areas. Under Tarai conditions organic package of practices have been developed for Basmati rice based cropping systems. Basmati rice grain yield during five years of experimentation showed a increasing trend though slight increase in initial 3 year and a drastic increase in fourth and fifth year in 100% organic mode (52.0% more over initial) and this observed cumulative yields of basmati rice over years under organic mode of nutrient management may be attributed to the build up of organic matter, accumulation of nutrients over years and improvement in physico-chemical properties of soil.
Organic mode of cultivation recorded on an average highest net return after three years of conversion period and up to three years it was highest in inorganic mode of cultivation. Among the cropping systems, highest net return and B: C ratio was recorded with basmati rice-vegetable pea system followed by basmati rice- lentil system in all the modes of nutrient management during all the years.
Propagation of Haldu (Adina cordifolia)
Propagation technology reported for the first time on rooting in Adina cordifolia using macro propagation technique using mono nodal leafy softwood cuttings prepared from epicormic shoots using 6000 ppm IBA. The technology is helpful in cloning, domestication and mass multiplication of the species. This technique is useful in overcoming the problem of poor seed germination in the species which hinders the nursery production.
Propagation techniques for multiplication of bamboos
Propagation techniques for multiplication of bamboos in sand without use of mist chamber has been developed which can increase success for bamboo rooting and can produce more number of roots. In addition macroproliferation technique with use of fertilizer was standardized which can give higher number of plants as compared to standard technique.
Root training in litchi
Air layering is only means to multiply litchi plants. Air layers in litchi produce thick and brittle roots which results in heavy mortality of rooted plants in nursery and field as well. However, after separation from mother plants, air layers were subjected to root training by planting in root trainers which produced more number of thinner lateral roots and resultantly enhanced survival of air layered plant in the field.
Pant zero-till ferti-seed drill (Tractor drawn)
This drill reduces sowing time by 10-15 days and saves Rs. 1,500-2,000 per hectare. The Pant Zero-till ferti-seed drill (ZT drill) is a tractor mounted drill (9,11and 13 tynes) used for sowing wheat in rice- wheat crop rotation, over a dozen agricultural machinery manufactures are manufacturing this drill who have sold about 4,000 drills so far.
Pant zero-till ferti-seed drill (Animal Drawn)
Pant animal drawn zero till seed drill having single, two and three rows had been developed and popularized. The one and two seed drill is suitable for use in hills while three row zero-till seed drill is recommended to be used in plain region. Zero till ferti-seed drill is suitable for sowing wheat, pulses and oil crops. The weight of drill is 30 kg and can be shifted easily from one terrace to another. The area sown is 0.15-0.25 hectare/day approximately and two row drill costs Rs. 2500/-.
Pant hill yoke
The Pant hill yoke suitable for hill bullocks has been developed and fabricated. The animals feel comfortable while using this yoke due to large neck contact area compared to local yoke. The cost of Pant hill yoke is Rs.280/-per unit, weight 3 kg approximately and is made of Tun wood (light weight hill wood having very good strength). An increase in pulling capacity of 9-10% has been observed enabling farmers to use large size implements/tools even under adverse field conditions. More than 400 no. of hill yokes have been marketed by the department in hill region.
Multi-fruit grader
A multi-fruit grader suitable for grading spherical fruits has been developed. The grading principle is based on varying weights of fruits. It is most suited for grading oranges. The capacity of the grader is 250kg/hour.
Pant dal mill
A new technology of miling has been developed in which pigeon pea grains are treated with edible sodium solution for loosening the husk. The use of bicarbonate treatment increases digestibility and reduces flatulence. This technology is ready for delivering to dal mill owners. There is an increase in dal recovery by 6 to 8% as compared to conventional methods.
Quality Litchi Production under Drip fertigation
Study conducted on response of micro irrigation and fertigation in grownup litchi orchard reveals that average marketable fruit yield (176.22 kg/tree) over the years was significantly higher (56%) in treatment under bubbler irrigation at 100% of estimated irrigation water requirement + 125% of recommended dose of fertilizer (N:P2O5:K2O:: 1500:750:750 g) as compared to conventional practices (112.94 kg/tree). Micro irrigation and fertigation also increases the fruit length (8.5%) and fruit width (6.4%), fruit weight (19.9%) along with significant reduction in fruit cracking (69.9%).
Development of vaccine
A potent cell culture vaccine against fowl pox virus in poultry was developed. Fowl pox virus was first attenuated in cell culture including CEF, CEL, CEK and also in non avian origin BHK-21 cell line. The attenuated virus was tested for its disease producing ability and thereafter its disease protection capability. However, further field trials are necessary before its commercial use.
Super-ovulation
Super-ovulation was induced in New Zealand white rabbits (daily injection of 50 I.U. of PMSG for 3 consecutive days) and goats (with 750 I.U. PMSG given twice on subsequent days followed by 1000 IU hCG at estrus/ mating). Embryos were collected 100 hrs after mating from uterus and transferred to uterus of estrus-synchronized rabbit and goats by surgical methods resulting into embryo survival rate of 67.5 and 63.5 per cent, respectively. Freezing of 4-cell goat embryos revealed a good cryoprotection effect with 2.0 M DMSO in goat.
In buffaloes, a superovulatory response of 2.66 ovulations was recorded with 2000 IU PMSG. In cattle, superovulation was successfully induced with 50 mg FSH-P in crossbred cows and with 60 mg FSH-P in Sahiwal cows. A positive correlation was observed between blood progesterone level at the initiation of Gonadotrophin treatment and ovulation rate. The mean recovery rates of embryo, transferable embryo and good quality embryo were 5.25, 3.00 and 1.8 per flushing, respectively. The mean pregnancy rate on transfer of frozen and fresh embryos was 23.8% and 36.4%, respectively, while a pregnancy rate of 76.9 per cent was recorded on transfer of fresh embryos of good quality. The pregnancy rate was significantly improved if recipient cows were injected with 10 mg Buserelin acetate on day 5 post-embryo transfer. Seven healthy calves were produced through embryo transfer from one donor cow in one year.
In-vitro maturation and In-vitro fertilization
The technique of in vitro oocyte maturation (IVM), sperm capacitation, in-vitro fertilization (IVF), embryo culture and cryopreservation of oocytes and embryo have been standardized. Oviductal cell co-culture is beneficial for embryo development up to 8-cell stage beyond that its beneficial effect is lost. Technique has been established to cryopreserve buffalo oocytes by vitrification. Timings of nuclear maturation in buffalo oocytes during in-vitro maturation and fertilization have been determined. Technique of in-vitro capacitation of buffalo spermatozoa has been developed. IVM and IVF have been successfully achieved with frozen thawed buffalo oocytes.
Embryo freezing
The study on embryo freezing indicated that the 4-cell goat embryos could be successfully frozen in Cassau mini straws in the presence of 2.0 M DMSO at cooling rate of 1.00C/ min from 00C to -500C and 20C/ min from -510C to -800C before transfer to liquid nitrogen.
Pant Fertilizer Band Placement Cum Earthing Up Machine
Pant Axial Flow Multi-Crop Thresher For Hilly Region
Pant Subsoiler-cum-Vermicompost and Soil Amendments Applicator
Offset Rotavator
Offset Rotavator
Pant Integrated malting unit
Finger millet dehuller-cum-pearler
Improved Pant malting unit
Pedal operated dehuller for black soybean
Integrated Potato peeler cum slicer
PID control Solar dryer
Pant apricot decorticator
Low Level Chair
Ergonomically designed school bag
Pantloading ramp
Grain Picker