Horticultural Research Station, Yercaud
Horticultural Research Station, Yercaud was started in the year 1976. It is situated 35 km from Salem in Athiyur village, 3 km away from Yercaud town on Nagalur Road. The total area of the station is 45.16 ha. It is at latitude of 11.4 to 11.5oN. The elevation is 1500 m MSL and it receives an annual rainfall of 1600-1800 mm. The mean temperature ranges from 21.0 to 32.2oC(Day); 9.0 to 18.0oC(Night). The relative humidity ranges from 58 to 75 per cent. The soil is lateritic with a depth of 0.52 to 1.55m. The soil pH varies from 4.75 to 6.25. Coffee is the major crop of interest, besides mandarin orange, spices like pepper, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg and cardamom, cut flowers like anthurium, gerbera, orchids, vegetable such as beans, chow chow, cauliflower, tomato, carrot.
ONGOING RESEARCH ACTIVITIES
Flowers
Research is being carried out in four mandatory cut flowers viz., Gerbera, Anthurium, Carnation and Orchids. Varieties are being collected from allover the state and country and a germplasm is maintained. Their performance is evaluated for their suitability in this location. So far, three varieties in roses and two varieties in gerbera have been released from this station. In addition, standardization of agro-techniques such as identification of ideal growing environment, ideal growing media, foliar nutrient application, use of biofertilizers, prolonging the vase life of flowers etc., are taken up.
Spices
Under the All India Coordinated Research and Improvement project in spices, research on pepper is being carried out. A germplasm of pepper is being maintained and the accessions are being evaluated for their performance under Yercaud conditions. Besides this, research is being taken up to standardize the application of biofertilizers to pepper.
Medicinal plants
A total of 182 species of medicinal plants were collected and are under evaluation and maintenance. Plants of commercial medicinal and aromatic plants are mass multiplied and supplied to the farmers.
Mass production of biofertilizers
Biofertilizers viz., Azospirillum, phosphobacterium and VAM are mass-produced and supplied to farmers all over the state.
Mass production of biocontrol agents
Biocontrol agents viz., Trichoderma viridae and Pseudomonas fluorescens are being mass produced and supplied to farmers all over the state.
Varieties Released:
Contact:
Professor & Head
Horticultural Research Station, Yercaud - 636 602
Salem (Dt)
Phone: 04281-222234, 04281-222456
Fax: 04281-222456
e-mail ID:hrsycd@tnau.ac.in
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