AAU-Zonal Research Station, North Lakhimpur

AAU-ZRS, North Lakhimpur (Excluding AINP on VPM Project)

1. MLT/ OFT Conducted: 34 Nos.

1) MLT on nine ( 9 ) hybrid maize var., TMMH 2655, RMH 3499, ADV 768, ADV 757, MM 2050, NK 7806, NK 7804, LG 34.05 and LG 34.04

2) MLT on eight ( 8 ) hybrid boro paddy var., TMRH 5513, Indam 100 012 , ADV 8100, ADV 8283, ADV 8300 and ADV 8343, GMS-2693 and Ayush 2432

3) MLT on hybrid mustard var ADV 423

4) MLT on sixteen ( 16 ) hybrid maize var., PPS 4255, ADV 785, TMMH 2855, NRL 1155, SV4455 special, KMH 4210, KMH 8333, KMH 8322, RS-114, Super king 4455, Super King 4455 plus, RMH 3499, BD 8055, BDM Gold, Victor and Ayush 35A35

5) MLT on two farmers varieties LRGA-2019 and LRGA-2020

6) MLT on six ( 6) Trombay rice lines TJR-15, TJR-16, TJR-17, TJR-18,and TJR-19

7) MLT on two horse gram variety

8) MLT on sugarcane variety CoBln 19502

9) MLT on seven (7) Rajmah lines AAURM-01, AAURM-02, AAURM-03, AAURM-04, AAURM-05, AAURM-06, AAURM-07.

10) MLT on boro paddy under APART

11) MLT on hybrid maize under maize evaluation at Assam

12) MLT on pumpkin lines under world veg ( APART)

13) MLT on group 2 clones of potato under APART

14) MLT on tomato lines under World veg. APART

15) MLT on mustard lines

16) MLT on Yield maximization in field pea under rice- field pea system through surface seeding, seed rate and seed priming

17) MLT on Evaluation of chickpea varieties in rice- fallow condition

18) MLT on Evaluation of acid tolerant PGP bioinoculum on Grain yield in Lentil

19) MLT on Performance of TERI’s Nano Urea in Kharif rice, 2024

20) MLT on Performance of TERI’s Nano DAP in Kharif rice, 2024

21) MLT on Boron fertilization on soil properties and yield of Rice

22) MLT on Rice with combinatorial nanofertilizer

23) MLT on Effect of micronutrient (boron and Zinc) and biofertilizer application on yield, growth attributes and soil microbial population of sesame

24) MLT on Nitrogen management in Linseed through Nano Urea supplementation

25) MLT on Blended manure- fertilizer mixture performance on soil fertility and yield of tomato under low energy planting after winter rice

26) MLT on Yield maximization of Lathyrus through crop establishment methods and foliar nutrition under rice- lathyrus relay cropping system

27) MLT on Maize Hybrid Evaluation (Early and Medium) in collaboration with ICAR-IIMR (Indian Institute of Maize Research), Ludhiana & AAU-ZRS, Gossaigaon

28) MLT on Management of blast disease of finger-millet through alternation in time of transplanting

29) MLT on Bio-management of mustard disease

30) MLT on weed management in wet seeded Kharif rice

31) MLT on weed management in organically grown aromatic Kharif rice

32) MLT on development and testing of IPM module for management of major pests of Mungbean

33) MLT on use of trap crop for management of Mustard aphid

34) MLT on demonstration of IPM practices against fall army worm, Spodoptera frugiperda

2. Technology generated, recommended, notified/ commercialized/Lisencing: 2 nos.

1) Effect of split application of vermicompost on soil physico- chemical properties and productivity of sali paddy- Pea cropping sequence (Proposed as MLT and going on in all ZRSs of Assam)

2) Effect of foliar spray of vermiwash and panchagavya on french bean productivity (Proposed as MLT and going on in ZRSs and AAU, Jorhat)

3. Biodiversity explored and conserved (new germplasm/ microbial identified/ registered):

1) Conservation of 235 numbers of Bao rice germplasm (Red kernelled-143 & White kernelled-92)

2) Conservation of 118 numbers of genotyped (sequenced) Bao rice germplasm

3) Conservation of 147 numbers of Sali rice germplasm

4. Number of patents filed/ published: NA

5. Involvement in competitive research projects:

1) Genome wide association mapping for identification of novel genes/QTLs of Bao rice population of Assam for deep water tolerance and nutritional quality trait

2) GIS mapping of Char areas of Assam using geospatial techniques for planning strategies of crop management and improving livelihood security

3) AICRPDA, BNCA (Enhancing productivity of rice based cropping system through harvested rainwater under medium lowland situation of North bank plain zone of Assam)

4) Mega Project on Rapeseed-Mustard Value Chain Development through Promotion of Scientific Cultivation in Assam

5) Standardization of crop geometry for maximum production of leaf from intercropped food plant for eri silkworm rearing and quality eri cocoon production

6) Development of actinobacterial bioinoculants for organic deepwater rice cultivation in Assam

7) APART

6. Intra and Inter Institutional collaboration (department/ state/ National/ International): N/A

7. Publications and citations:

· Kalita, M.K., Bora, B., Upadhayay, V., Pathak, D., Gogoi, N. and Kalita, R. (2023). Management of sesame phyllody disease in Assam, India. Phytopathogenic Mollicutes 13 (2): 194-201, doi: 10.5958/2

8. Development of mobile/ computer apps: N/A

9. Revenue generation (Rs in Lakhs): ₹ 11.11 Lakhs

10. Research paper Reviewer, Project Evaluator, National Level Committee member: N/A

11. Recognition and awards: N/A

12. Salient Research Achievements: N/A

13. Any other (please specify): N/A

 AINP on VPM, AAU-ZRS, North Lakhimpur

(1^st January 2024 to 20^th December 2024)

1. MLT/OFT conducted: 2 Nos

2. Technology generated, recommended, notified/commercialized/Lisencing:

Integrated Agri. Solar Fencing Solution (Solar Energizer) to minimize Wild animals menace (Monkey) from crop fields developed by ICAR-AINP on Vertebrate Pest Management, PJTSAU & Gamyam Technologies Pvt Ltd.(Prposed by Dr. Prabal saikia, CS & PI, AINP on VPM,AAU-ZRS, North Lakhimpur

3. Biodiversity explored and conserved (new germplasm/microbial identified/registered): NA

4. Number of patents filed/published: NA

5. Involvement in competitive research projects: Dr. P Saikia, P.I, AINP on VPM, involved as Coordinator, DBT, GoI supported research project entitled “Genome wide association mapping for identification of novel genes/QTLs of Bao rice population of Assam for deep water tolerance and nutritional quality traits” AAU-ZRS, North Lakhimpur & ICAR-NIPBT, New Delhi.

6. Intra and Inter Institutional Collaboration (department/state/national/international): Krishi Vigyan Kendras & constituent Colleges of AAU, Dept. of Agriculture, State Govt. of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, KVK Paren, Nagaland, Indian Agricultural Research Institute(IARI)-Assam, Gogamukh

7. Publications and citations:

1) Borkotoki B, Bhattacharyya, D; Sharma, K and Saikia Prabal (2024). Soil nutrient mapping of the Lakhimpur district of Assam using; geospatial technology. Annals of Plant and Soil Research 26(1): 1-13https://doi.org/10.47815/apsr.2024.10326

2) Saikia Prabal and Phukon Bithika (2024). Reproductive cycle of Barn Owl Tyto alba in artificial nest box and diet analysis in agro- ecosystem of Assam. In Proc. National conference on Achieving sustainable goals in challenged Agro ecosystems March 03-05, 2024, ICAR-CAZRI, Jodhpur

3) Phukon Bithika and Saikia Prabal (2024). An eco-friendly, low cost Drive Away ITK artificial dummy bird for management of bird pest nuisance in agricultural field. In Proc. National conference on Achieving sustainable goals in challenged Agro ecosystems March 03-05, 2024, ICAR-CAZRI, Jodhpur

4) Saikia Prabal 2024. Bird Diversity in River Eco-system of Assam In Proc. National Seminar Socio-Economic valuation of Rivers of North East India. 15 March 2024 , Madhabdev University, Assam

5) Saikia Prabal 2024. Avifaunal Diversity in Aquaculture. In Proc. National seminar Socio-Economic Issues and Status of Fishermen of Subansiri river, Assam: Policy Drafting for Livelihood Enhancement. ICSSR 28-29 June 2024, Silapathar Science College, Assam

8. Development of mobile/computer apps: NA

9. Revenue generation (Rs. in Lakhs): NA

10. Research Paper Reviewer, Project Evaluator, National Level Committee Member

11. Recognition and awards: State Parivesh Mitra (Friend of Environment) Honour 2023 conferred by Govt. of Assam to Dr. Prabal Saikia on 28 February 2024 for his contribution in the field of Environment and biodiversity conservation.

12. Salient Research Achievements:

1) Community structure of bird and their diversity in relation to crop stages 185 bird species recorded in Agricultural Landscape of Assam till March 2024. Total of 56 species of birds were recorded from seed sowing to harvesting stage of paddy crop growth in North Bank Plain Zone of Assam. This is 58.3% occurrence in relation to total birds recorded in Agricultural Landscape in the zone. Results revealed highest 28 species during tillering stage followed by 27 species during milky stage and 24 species at ripening stage. A total of 43 species recorded in Homestead garden. 17 bird species were recorded in different growth stages of mustard crop.

2) Solar fencing (AGRI-SOLAR), a potential method to reduce the problem of intrusion by higher vertebrates (Monkey and wild boar) . The Agri Solar Energizer uses 12 V input solar energy, generate electrical shock to the higher vertebrates

3) Low cost HDPE net of 5 cm mesh and 1.5 mm thickness using bamboo poles of 8 feet in height found to protect Rabi and Kharif vegetables and effective in preventing monkeys entry in to the crop fields

4) Use of ECO-Gun and wrapping of maize cobs in outer 3 rows significantly reduced the cob damage by parakeets.

5) A survey on wild pig incidence in Assam was initiated from April to June 2024. Three development blocks viz., Orang, Biswanath and Behali under North Bank plain and two blocks viz., Raja Mayong (Pobitora) in Morigaon district and Kaliabor in Nagaon district under Central Brahmaputra valley zone of Assam . The wild pig affected crop fields were located nearer to Kaziranga Natural Park and Pobitora Wildlife sanctuary. Paddy field, Maize, vegetables, Chilli, Colocacia were recorded to be damaged by wild pig.

13. Any other (please specify): N/A

Deep water Rice (Bao dhan) research — the station's signature contribution

This is arguably the most distinctive research identity of ZRS North Lakhimpur.

Germplasm conservation

The station's historical 1983–2023 account records:

• 235 local landraces and exotic deep-water-rice germplasm

• 146 Sali-rice germplasm

• 15 improved/premium rice varieties maintained for research and seed production

• 7 rapeseed/mustard germplasm

• 16 buckwheat germplasm

• 4 niger germplasm.

Major deep-water-rice varieties and lines

The station's historical breeding record is particularly rich.

Early pure-line selections

Important materials identified through collection and selection included:

• Amona Bao

• Negheri Bao

• Maguri Bao

• Herepi Bao

• Padmapani

• Kekuabao

• Sailbadal

• Panikekua

• Ahinia Bao

Several of these traditional materials have exceptional elongation ability and can cope with rapidly rising floodwater.

Stagnant-water selections

The station also developed lines for areas with shallower/stagnant flooding, including:

• LPR 245 — selection from Borjahinga

• LPR 345 — selection from Rangoonsali

• LPR 85 — selection from Maguri.

Introduced materials

The station evaluated introduced germplasm including:

• KDML 105 from Thailand, associated with aromatic rice and later known locally as Padumoni/Podumoni in station records

• Rayada B3 from Bangladesh, associated with Ufra tolerance and subsequently designated Basudev.

Hybridization-derived varieties

Major products include:

AAU specifically records Padmanath, Panindra and Panchanan among the station's achievements.

A separate AAU faculty record states that Panchanan and Padumoni were recommended for flood-prone Assam in 2016.

Rice genetics

The research programme has moved beyond conventional selection.

A major DBT-supported project involves:

Genome-wide association mapping for identification of novel genes/QTLs of the Bao-rice population of Assam for deep-water tolerance and nutritional-quality traits.

The project involves AAU-ZRS North Lakhimpur and ICAR-NIPB, New Delhi. Dr. Prabal Saikia is listed as PI/coordinator in the relevant AAU records, with Dr. Nripen Kumar Gogoi and other scientists participating.

Recent work has examined:

• deep-water tolerance,

• Zn and Fe,

• protein,

• amylose,

• disease resistance,

• genetic diversity,

• internode elongation,

• nutritional quality.

AAU's broader 2024–25 research report says genome-wide association work was carried out on 192 diverse deep-water-rice genotypes, with significant SNP associations identified for nutritional traits.

Mustard, toria, niger and buckwheat

The station's mandate has expanded substantially beyond rice.

Mustard

Research has included:

• short-duration mustard,

• late-sown mustard,

• rainfed mustard,

• frontline demonstrations,

• nitrogen management,

• rapeseed–mustard value chains.

AAU records identify short-duration mustard varieties including PM 25/PM 26 in one historical scientist record and PM 26/PM 27 in the station's current achievement record. Because the university pages contain this nomenclature discrepancy, I would not treat the PM-25/PM-27 sequence as settled without checking the original varietal-notification documents.

Niger

Niger improvement and scientific cultivation have become important components of the station's diversification programme. Recent publications include technical material on niger cultivation.

Buckwheat

The station has worked on buckwheat improvement and agronomy. A major recent milestone is GHAGAR, a buckwheat variety reported by AAU as recommended/released and notified by the State Variety Release Committee in 2025.

 Other crop research

The station's recent programmes include trials involving:

• maize,

• boro rice,

• horse gram,

• garden pea,

• finger millet,

• foxtail millet,

• sugarcane,

• broccoli,

• scented rice,

• toria,

• mustard.

For example, AAU reports 34 MLT/OFT trials in 2024, including hybrid maize, hybrid boro rice, mustard, farmer varieties, Trombay rice lines, horse gram and sugarcane.

Current/very recent project records also include trials on garden pea, horse gram, finger millet, toria and hybrid maize/boro rice.

 Plant protection and disease research

Plant pathology has become another important research area.

• Diseases of deep-water rice,

• sesame phyllody,

• rice sheath rot,

• sheath blight,

• nematodes,

• Microbial biological control.

Publications include work on screening red-kernelled deep-water rice for disease and pest resistance and sesame phyllody disease.

Recent projects include:

• Trichoderma harzianum against rice sheath rot,

• microbial consortia against Meloidogyne graminicola,

• Vermipower against rice sheath blight.

The station also operated an AAU–DBT project on actinomycetes of the deep-water-rice ecosystem and their potential agricultural/industrial applications during 2012–14.

Vertebrate Pest Management and Agricultural Ornithology

This is a particularly distinctive part of the North Lakhimpur research programme.

The ICAR-AINP programme examines:

• Depredatory birds,

• Beneficial insectivorous birds,

• monkeys,

• wild pigs,

• crop losses,

• Bird population dynamics,

• feeding and breeding biology,

• Bird-based IPM,

• Environmentally compatible control methods.

Research has included:

Beneficial birds

The station has promoted birds as biological components of IPM.

Barn owl nest boxes

Artificial nest boxes have been investigated as a means of encouraging predatory birds.

Bird roosting structures

T-shaped perches have been used to encourage insectivorous birds.

Monkey management

More recent work has focused on Rhesus macaque crop damage.

In 2024 the AINP programme reported an Integrated Agricultural Solar Fencing Solution/Solar Energizer for reducing monkey and other wild-animal damage to agricultural crops. The system was developed through ICAR-AINP on Vertebrate Pest Management, PJTSAU and Gamyam Technologies, with Dr. Prabal Saikia proposing the technology in his capacity as PI at AAU-ZRS North Lakhimpur.

 Soil and nutrient management

Another major area is site-specific soil management.

A notable publication was:

Borkotoki, B.; Bhattacharyya, D.; Sharma, K.K.; Saikia, PRABAL. (2024).
Soil nutrient mapping of the Lakhimpur district of Assam using geospatial technology.
Annals of Plant and Soil Research, 26(1), 1–13.
DOI: 10.47815/apsr.2024.10326.

Earlier, the station produced a Soil Nutrient Mapping of Lakhimpur District monograph and conducted work on integrated nutrient management and leaf-colour-chart-based nitrogen management.

The station also provides:

• soil testing,

• soil-health advice,

• soil-health-card related services,

• Plant-health diagnostic services.

Sand- and silt-deposited land research

The North Bank districts frequently experience deposition of sand and silt after floods.

The station therefore participated in projects on livelihood security in sand- and silt-deposited areas of Assam, evaluating crops such as:

• Buckwheat,

• Niger,

• linseed,

• gourds,

• potato,

• brinjal,

• chilli.

This research was designed to identify crops that could provide income after flood/sediment deposition when normal rice cultivation is temporarily difficult.