Genetic Resources and Agro-technology

Overview

Genetic Resources and Agro-technology Division has established with the aim to explore the field level research and development on the high value medicinal and aromatic plant. Conservation of genetic resources from the different ecological region and development of new elite variety through breeding is major activities carried out.  The department has rich history of working on many such high- value industrial crops and their elite varieties have been developed which providing high value economic returns than traditional crops. The department associated with 50 acres of Experimental Farm situated at Chatha (nearer to SKUAST, Jammu) which is 11 KMs from CSIR-IIIM, Jammu headquarters towards South near the Jammu airport. The farm was established in the year 1956 by Col. Sir. R. N.  Chopra.  More than 300 genetic resources/ genotypes of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (MAPs) have been conserved.

Developed and release of elite varieties of Medicinal and aromatic plants (w.e.f. January 2007-December 2016) viz., Phalsa (Grewia asiatica L., Malvaceae): [Shivalik IIIMJ-GA9], Rose-Scented-Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens L’Her Geraniaceae)- A superior variety (PG-IIIM-101), Himrosa (Cymbopogon khasianus Bor, Poaceae) [IIIM (J) CK-10], Jammu Monarda (Monarda citriodora Cerv. ex Lag., Lamiaceae) [IIIM(J)MC-02], Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia) [RRL(J)-82], Anant carvomint (Mentha longifolia (L) Hudson var. incana (Willd) Dinson, Lamiaceae) [RRL(J)ML-4], Lemongrass Kalam (Cymbopogon pendulus x C. khasianus, Poaceae) [CPK-F2-38], Tawi Rosa (Cymbopogon commutatus (Steud) Stapf) [RRLCC1], Lemon grass (Cymbopogon khasianus x C. pendulus, Poaceae) [CKP-25], Rosagrass (Cymbopogon nardus (L.) Rendle, Poaceae) [RRL CN-5], Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia Mill. = Synonyms: Lavandula officinales Chaix, Lamiaceae) [RRL 12], Tulsi (Ocimum americanum L. = Synonym: Ocimum canum Sims,             Lamiaceae) [RRL-OC-11], Tulsi (Ocimum americanum L. = Synonym: Ocimum canum Sims, Lamiaceae) [RRL-OC-12], Tulsi  (Ocimum gratissimum L .var. clocimum, Lamiaceae) [RRL-OG-14],  Tulsi (Ocimum basilicum var. glabratum L., Lamiaceae) [RRL-OB-15], Tulsi (Ocimum tenuiflorum L. = Synonyms: Ocimum sanctum L., Lamiaceae) [RRL-15], Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera (L) Dunal, Solanaceae)  [AGB-02], Hops (Humulus lupulus L., Cannabaceae) [RRL-H- 84], Alpha-bisabolol (Cymbopogon flesuosus) [RRL-Cf-100].

Kisan Training Centre

Poly House Facility

Green House Facility

Poly House Facility

Screen House

Distillation Unit Facility

Glass House Facility

Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry Labrotary

Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry Labrotary

Glass House Facility

Distillation Unit Facility

Vision and Mission

Vision

  • Agro-technology development of high value Medicinal and Aromatic plants. Developed agro-technology transferred to the farmer’s fields in J&K and across the country.
  • Enhanced the public-private partnership, Interactive meets between R&D institutions, Private growers and user industries.
  • Promote the essential oil industries through production, marketing and value addition of essential oil.
  • R&D on Agronomic, soil studies, genetic diversions and selection parameters studies on high value Medicinal and aromatic plants.

Mission

  • Development of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and end to end technology of high value Medicinal and aromatic plants.
  • Maintenance and standardization of bio-resource pool at IIIM, Farm, Chatha.
  • Addition of new accessions in existing bio-resource pool and cultivation of exotic plant species to be promoted in Jammu.
  • Acclimatization of MAPs from the different ecological region under sub environmental condition of Jammu region.
  • Release of new elite varieties.
  • Generation of good quality planting material (QPM) and extension of CSIR agro-technology among farmers/ entrepreneur/ industries in different agro-climatic zone in the country for rural prosperity /for societal development.
  • Organizes awareness cum training programme for growers on demonstration, cultivation and marketing of Medicinal and Aromatic Crops and also to develop market linkages to growers at National and International level.
  • Enhancing public-private partnership, Interactive meets between R&D institutions, Private growers and user industries.

Competencies

  • Agronomy, farm planning and Management
  • Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry
  • Genetics and Plant Breeding
  • Extension activities/ technology transfer

Research Facilities

  • Experimental Farm: CSIR–IIIM Jammu has 50 acres well managed experimental farm of Medicinal and Aromatic plants situated at Chatha which is about 11 kms from CSIR-IIIM, Jammu headquarter towards South near the Jammu airport.
  • Gene bank/ herbal garden
  • Glass house
  • Poly/Green house
  • Net house
  • Soil Science and Agricultural chemistry Laboratory
  • Processing/ Distillation units of MAPs.
  • Kisan Training Centre (KTC): CSIR-IIIM provides facility of Kisan training centre (KTC). The main aims of this centre was generation of improved technical knowhow and imparting training for farmers/growers/ entrepreneurers. The Institute organizes both institutional and peripatetic training programmes. In this connection we facilitate many training-cum-Skill development programmes of medicinal and aromatic plants, farmer’s fairs and flower show for farmers/growers/entrepreneurs.

People / Research Group

Dr. Dhiraj Vyas
Principal Scientist

Dr. Rajendra Bhanwaria
Scientist

Dr. Vishva Prakash Rahul
Scientist

Dr. Sabha Jeet
Scientist

Dr. Rajendra Gochar
Technical Assistant

Dr. Siya Ram Meena
Sr. Technical Officer(1)

Chandra Pal Singh

Multitasking/ Farm Staff

  1. Sewa Ram, MTS
  2. Sodagar Lal, MTS
  3. Ashok Kumar, Lab. Adtt.
  4. Bachan Lal, MTS
  5. Nagar Lal, Lab. Adtt.
  6. Sodagar Lal, MTS
  7. Kuldip Kumar, Ldtt.
  8. Ajit Ram, MTS
  9. Karnel Chand, MTS
  10. Surinder Kumar, MTS
  11. Mr. Ashok Kumar, MTS

Ongoing Projects

  • Development and Standardization of Bio-resource pool at IIIM Experimental Farm, Chatha, Jammu (MLP-2010).
  • Demonstration of Cultivation, Processing and Value Addition of Selected Aromatic Crops in Bundelkhand region (GAP 2172).
  • CSIR Skill development programme (NWP100).