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Prelude
The Horticultural Research Station, Kahikuchi, a commodity research station under Assam Agricultural University, is located at the western end of Guwahati city by the side of National Highway 37. The station is 20 km away from Guwahati railway station and 2 km from the Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport, Guwahati and spreads across an area of 32 ha. It lies on 20018 N latitude, 91078 E longitude and 64.0 m above MSL. The station falls in the Lower Brahmaputra Valley Agro-climatic Zone of Assam. It receives an average annual rainfall ranging from 1800–2000 mm. The maximum and minimum temperatures range from 190–350 C and 80–270 C, respectively. The soil texture of the station is mainly alluvial clay loam, having a pH range of 4.8–5.5.
Genesis
In 1957, the Department of Agriculture, Govt. of Assam, being the controlling authority, initiated research in horticulture with a scheme on pineapple at this centre. Thereafter, the station was renamed as Regional Fruit Research Station in 1960-61 and the research works continued. Subsequently, the station was handed over to Assam Agricultural University in 1973 when it acquired its present identity as Horticultural Research Station. Initially functioning with research thrust focused on three mandated crops, viz., Banana, Coconut and Pineapple, the station, in keeping pace with shifts in research priorities and paradigms, had gradually embarked upon research activities in the different horticultural components of fruits, nuts, vegetables, flowers, spices, agro- forestry, medicinal and aromatic plants as well as post harvest management and precision farming. At present, the station is the only one of its kind in the entire north eastern region and has been playing a pioneering role in conducting basic and applied research in the field of horticulture for the entire state of Assam.
Vision statement
To play a catalytic role in ushering sustainable horticultural development in the state through pragmatic and smart agro-horticultural research agenda
Mission statement
To empower the farming community of the state through the generation of demand driven, location specific and climate resilient horticultural technologies and create an enabling environment for horticultural development in the state through stakeholder capacity building, technological support and collaborative action.
Mandates
- Technology generation in horticulture
- Quality planting material production
- Capacity building of stakeholders
- Provisioning technical support to the state government and the line departments
- Transfer of technologies to the farming community
- Analytical and advisory services
How to reach
By Road: Horticultural Research Station, Kahikuchi, can be reached by buses and shared taxis from Adabari bus stand or from Jalukbari flyover point of Guwahati city. The station is located beside National Highway 17 (Formerly NH 37) and the landmark is Farm Gate.
By Rail: The station is 20 km away from the Guwahati railway station, which is connected by trains from all across the country. From there one can take a cab to reach the station.
By Air: Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport of Guwahati city is only 3 km away from Horticultural research Station and one can easily take a cab from the airport.
Contact details
Horticultural Research Station
Assam Agricultural University
Kahikuchi, Guwahati – 781 017
E – Mail: hrs.kahikuchi@aau.ac.in
Crop Improvement
- Varieties Released: Coconut variety Kamrupa and Kalpa Samrudhi (MYD x WCT)
- Brinjal variety ‘Kuchia’ – tolerant to fruit and shoot borer identified
- Tuberose varieties Shringar, Suhasini, Vaibhav and Arka Nirantara identified for commercial cultivation
- Gladioli varieties Suryakiran (very early), American Beauty (early) and Red Candiman (mid season) identified for commercial cultivation
- Gerbera genotypes viz., Shimmer, Pink Elegance, Salvador, Destina Renee, Tecta, Sonata and Loreto identified for growing under poly shade net house in Assam
- Black pepper varieties Panniyur–1 and Sreekara screened for mixed cropping in coconut plantations for higher productivity and profitability
- Black pepper varieties Panniyur–5 and Subhakara screened for mixed cropping in Arecanut plantations under the agro-climatic conditions of Assam
Crop Management
- Development of Coconut based multi-storied cropping system as well as second generation coconut based multi-species cropping system
- Development of coconut based commercial flower crops, aromatic and medicinal crops
- Evaluation of nutrient management under coconut based cropping system
- Standardization of nutritional requirement for COD x WCT hybrid coconut
- Off season fruit production in Assam lemon
- Off season vegetable production in polyhouse
- Propagation techniques of fruits, flowering shrubs and trees
- Standardization of planting time of tuberose
- Nutritional recommendations for tuberose, gerbera, gladiolus and orchids
- Identification and documentation of different agro-forestry systems in various agro- ecological situations of the state
- Standardization of coconut and Acacia mangium based agro-forestry system
- Development of Gmelina arborea, Jackfruit and bamboo based agro-forestry system
- Standardization of potting media for better growth and flowering of Dendrobium var. Morning Glory
- Standardization of bio-fertilizer dose in orchid Dendrobium var. Sonia
- Integrated nutrient management in Tuberose cv. Vaibhav
- Micro- nutrient management in gerbera through spraying for better growth and flowering of field grown Gerbera cv. Red Gem
- Standardization of media composition for Aglaonema, Dracaena and Rhapis palm
- Standardization of planting time for round the year flower production in marigold
- Standardization of potting media for growing bush pepper varieties Panniyur-1 and Karimunda
- Standardization of time for raising of bush pepper cuttings under the agro-climatic conditions of Assam
- Standardisation of bunch covering technique in Banana to protect the bunch from the attack of fruit scarring beetle
- Mulching technique in Cucumber for effective control of weeds and better yield and quality.
Post-Harvest Technology
- Postharvest technology package for distant marketing of gladiolus spikes
- Standardization of technology package for marketing of chrysanthemum in local and nearby markets
- Holding solution for extending vase life of orchids Dendrobium Var. Sonia
- Pulsing and holding treatments for extending vase life of orchid Dendrobium Var. Sonia
- Holding solution for enhancing keeping quality of Dendrobium orchid
- Enhancement of post harvest life of loose flowers of tuberose
- Standardisation of pulsing treatments for enhancing keeping quality of cut gerbera stems
- Standardization of post harvest technology package in gerbera cut flower for distant marketing
- Standardization of packing techniques for flower strings of marigold
Crop Protection
- Management of Fusarium wilt in gladiolus
- Management of tuberose leaf blight (Alternaria polyanthi)
- Management of leaf and flower blight (Alternaria dianthi) of marigold
- Integrated management of foot and root rot of gerbera
- Management of leaf spot/blight (Phoma gerberae) of gerbera
MLT -Conducted :
1.Testing of genotypes in tuberose in progress
2.Testing of genotypes in gladiolus Recommended for MLT
3.Testing of new genotypes of gerbera is in progress (Both MLT & OFT)
4. Testing of new genotypes of marigold is in progress (Both MLT & OFT)
5. Testing of new genotypes of Kale is in progress ( Both MLT & OFT)
Technology Generated:·
1. Application of split doses of N:P:K @ 30:25:10 g/m2 in gladiolus grown from cormel (> 1.9 & < 2.5 cm diameter) at 45 days and 60 days after sprouting significantly increase the corm weight and corm diameter, resulting in production of flowering grade stock in the same season which otherwise needs two growing seasons.
2.Mnagement of Alternaria blight in marigold by applying three sprays of Tebuconazole 23% EC (0.5ml/l) or Difenoconazole (0.5ml/l) at 10 days interval
3. Management of Alternaria blight in gerbera by applying four sprays of Pyraclostrobin 20% WG (1g/ l) or Difenoconazole25% EC (0.5 ml/l) at 10 days interval.
4. Management of leaf spot/ blight of tuberose by applying three spray of Azoxystobin (0.03%) or Difenoconazole (0.05%) at 10 days interval.
Biodiversity explored :
Twenty one species of wild ornamentals— namely Gomphocarpus physocarpus (Balloon plant), Botrypus virginianus (Rattlesnake fern), Alysicarpus vaginalis (One-leaf clover), Melampodium divaricatum., Sagittaria montevidensis (Giant arrowhead), Pistia stratiotes (water lettuce),Phgopteris conectilis (Long beech fern),Salix eleagnos (Olive willow), Adiantum lunulatum (Walking maidenhair fern)Convallaria majalis (lily of the valley),Trifolium repens (White clover),Holmskioldia sanguine (Chinese hat plant/cup-and-saucer),Psychotria nervosa (Wild coffee),Smilax anceps (Scrambling vineor Shrub ),Caryota zebrine,Ixora finlaysoniana (white jungle flame),Ochrosia grandiflora,Putranjiva roxburghii, Phyllanthus reticulates and Begonia heracleifolia were collected from Karbi Anglog, Lumpi and Manas Wildlife Sanctuaries of Assam.
Number of patents filed/Published : Nil
Involvement in Competitive Research Projects: Nil
Intra and Inter Institutional Collaboration:
1. A two months long Internship Programme by four M.Sc.(Botany) students of Girijananda Choudhury University , Azara ,Guwahati-17 has collaborated with AAU-HRS,Kahikuchi and successfully completed
2.A two months long Summer Internship Programme by two B.Sc.(Agri) students of Sisksha 'O" Anusandhan (Deemed to be university) ,Bhubaneswar and College of Arts & Science ,Sikkim Professional University, Budang, West Sikkim collaborated with AAU-HRS,Kahikuchi and successfully completed.
3.Institute Research Skill - Validation & Promotion of Integrated Pest Management in Rice and Horticultural crops in NEH region of India under ICAR-NCIPM, New Delhi , Total project cost 6.0 lakh
Publication & Citation: Nil
Development of mobile /computer apps: Nil
Revenue generated: 1.Rs. 3,99,622.00 AICRP on Floriculture (Up to December,2024)
2. Rs.1,35,650.00 (Ready to use potting mixture) (Up to December,2024)
Salient Findings :
(i) Collection, characterization, evaluation and maintenance Tropical orchids
Recommendation: Spathoglottis plicata, Cymbidium aloifolium, Phaius tankervilleae, and Arundina graminifolia are recommended for pot culture based on inflorescence and flowering traits, with Spathoglottis noted for year-round flowering with intense purple colour.
Recommendation: Aerides odoratum, Rhynchostylis retusa, Dendrobium aphyllum, and Dendrobium moschatum are recommended for hanging baskets based on their inflorescence traits.
ii) Collection, evaluation and maintenance of tuberose germplasm:
Recommendation:
Under single type:
Bidhan Sugandhi, Phule Rajani, GK-TC-4, and Bidhan Ujal are found promising to be recommended for their earliness in flowering and other yield attributing traits.
Under double type:
Phule Rajat and Bidhan Rajani H-19 are promising to be recommended for similar traits.
iii) Collection, evaluation and maintenance of gerbera germplasm
HRSG-OWC is found promising in terms of number of sucker production ,flowering duration and other yield attributing traits and now under MLT and OFT
(iv) Survey, collection and evaluation of native ornamentals for commercial cultivation:
Four species of wild ornamentals—namely Gomphocarpus physocarpus (Balloon plant), Botrypus virginianus (Rattlesnake fern), Alysicarpus vaginalis (One-leaf clover), and Melampodium divaricatum—are collected from Manas Wildlife Sanctuary
(v) Collection, evaluation and maintenance of bougainvillea
Bougainvillea genotypes exhibit a variety of growth forms including upright, climbing, spreading, drooping, and dwarf. This information aids in selecting the appropriate bougainvillea genotypes for specific purposes in gardening, landscaping, or pot culture, ensuring desired aesthetic and functional results.
Suitable for Pot Culture: Genotypes like HRS-BV-16 and HRS-BV-15 are best for compact growth in pots due to their smaller height and spread.
Suitable as Shrubs: HRS-BV-18 and HRS-BV-11 are suitable for creating smaller shrub-like plants
Suitable as Climbers/Arches: For large-scale applications such as boundary plantations and arches, genotypes like HRS-BV-19 are ideal due to their considerable height and spread.
B. CROP IMPROVEMENT
(i) Testing of genotypes in gladiolus: Arka Ranjini, Arka Amar, Pusa Monmohak,Pratap Glad and DFR-GH-3 are found promising in terms of earliness in flowering and other flower yield attributing traits and recommended for MLT
(ii)Testing of new genotypes of African marigold for loose flower : Earliness in visibility of flower buds and other yield attributing traits are found promising in Arka Abhi , Arka Subha and Arka Bhanu and all are recommended for MLT and OFT
(iii) Testing of new genotypes of ornamental Kale for cut flower and pot culture
Genotype Ktok-2 and KtDH -57 are found significantly promising in respect of earliness in head formation, plant height , plant spread and diameter of central colour portion and recommended for MLT. and OFT
C .PLANT PROTECTION
Management of Alternaria leaf blight/leaf spot in Chrysanthemum
Spraying of azoxystrobin 18.2% SC + difenoconazole 11.4% w/w SC @ 1.0 ml/l and Tebuconazole 50% WG @ 0.5ml/l + trifloxystrobin 25% WG @ 0.5ml/l. significantly reduced infection of leaf blight/leaf spot in chrysanthemum.
D.POST HARVEST TECHNOLOGY
Studies on anti-oxidant potential of value-added products from Hibiscus rosa sinensis
Total Phenol Content: Green tea alone has the highest total phenol content at 125.32 µg of GAE/mg and infusion of green tea and fresh hibiscus petals at a 1:1 ratio (T5), which has 104.49 µg of GAE/mg. Over the time of storage, there is a gradual decrease in phenol content.
Anthocyanin Content: Freshly prepared hibiscus tea have the highest anthocyanin content at 128.12 mg cyn-glu eq.-100g^-1 FW and the content decreased over a prolong storage in both infused and non-infused teas.
Antioxidant Activity: The highest antioxidant activity is observed in green tea alone at 92.47%, followed by the green tea and hibiscus infusion at 86.09%.
Overall Acceptability: The highest organoleptic scores of 4.5 are achieved by both freshly prepared hibiscus tea and the green tea and hibiscus infusion , indicating high overall acceptability for these teas.
Any Others: .1. Successfully organized 31 st Annual group Meeting of AICRP on Floriculture from 23rd to 26th January,2024 at AAU-HRS, Kahikuchi
2. Successfully organized QRT meeting for seven centers of AICRP on Floriculture in July ,2024
Training/extension activities conducted:
Three numbers of on campus training programme under NEH to urban and rural women on Rooftop Garden ,Flower arrangement and Preparation of incense stick from flower waste were organized during, 2024 where 105 female farmers from Kamrup (Metro & Rural) attended the programme.
