PAU’s vegetable science department bags national award for best center
10 September 2021, Punjab: The Department of Vegetable Science, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), has been awarded with the “Best-All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP – Vegetable Crops) Centre” for year 2020 for its contribution in the field of vegetable crops research. The prestigious award, carrying a plaque and citation, was conferred during the 39th Annual Group Meeting of AICRP (Vegetable Crops), held at Indian Institute of Vegetable Research, Varanasi from September 7-9, 2021 (through online mode).
Dr Tarsem Singh Dhillon, Head, Department of Vegetable Science, said that PAU is amongst 63 centers of All India Coordinated Research Project (Vegetable Crops) since 1971. This center has developed and released 201 improved varieties/hybrids of different vegetables, of which 37 of them have been identified under AICRP programme. Hara Madhu of muskmelon; CH 1 and CH 27 of chilli; Punjab Chhuhara and Punjab Ratta of tomato; Punjab Sadabahar, PBH 3, PBH 4, and PBH 5 of brinjal; Matar Ageta 6 and Punjab 89 of pea; Punjab 7 of okra and Punjab Naroya of onion are special to mention for wider acceptability in the country. The centre has developed many resistant varieties against various biotic stresses, he added.
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The production technologies standardized for protected cultivation, crop geometry, weed management, nutritional requirements and forcing techniques for different vegetables have been widely accepted by the growers of Punjab and adjoining states, he said. PAU is pioneer to recommend net-house cultivation of sweet pepper, tomato and brinjal to minimize pesticides use, informed. “Soil solarization technique for management of soil borne pathogen in net house is gaining popularity. Besides, fruit fly traps are becoming popular among growers,” he stated.
The impact of technologies developed by this center can be witnessed from increased area by 80 per cent and production by 90 per cent under vegetables in Punjab during the last six decades and commercialization of technologies to various stakeholders, he said.
Lt Amit Singh Memorial Foundation has recognized the contribution of PAU by conferring the Best AICRP (Vegetable Crops) Center for the year 2020.
Mr Anirudh Tiwari, Additional Chief Secretary (Development), Punjab and Vice Chancellor, PAU; Dr NS Bains, Director of Research; and Dr AS Dhatt, Additional Director Research (Horticulture and Food Science) congratulated Dr Dhillon and his team for bringing glory to the University at the national level.
