Academic Department
AICRP on Seed (Crops), AAU, Jorhat
Constituent Department under Directorate of Research(Agri)
Seed is an essential input for crop production. Farmers’ access to quality seed of superior varieties is key in increasing agricultural productivity and production. For any successful quality seed programme, it is mandatory to produce sufficient quantity of seed with appropriate research backup on various aspects of seed technology viz., production research, maintenance, quality assurance, processing, storage, quality enhancement etc. In a bid to shoulder the responsibility, ICAR established Directorate of Seed Research during December 2004 by upgrading AICRP-NSP (Crops) which was launched during 1979-80. Directorate of Seed Research, through its flagship projects viz., AICRP – NSP (Crops) and ICAR Seed Project, presently combined as AICRP on Seed (Crops), under the aegis of Indian Council of Agricultural Research. Assam Agricultural University is also a part of the programme since inception, and contributing towards catering the need of breeder seed of the entire North Eastern States. Seed Technology Research (STR) Component was introduced in the year 2000 in Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat and has made significant achievements by developing appropriate technologies relevant to seed through basic, applied, strategic and anticipatory research leading to seed security which is a prerequisite for assuring food security. Apart from technology development; capacity building with focus on skill intensification, technology dissemination, model deployment (farmers participatory approach and seed village programme), employment generation, commercial orientation addressing gender outlook i.e. women entrepreneurship, expansion of seed activity in untapped areas are significant contributions of the project.
Mission of AICRP on Seed (Crops):
· To ameliorate Seed Replacement Rate (SRR) and Varietal Replacement Rate (VRR) through production of adequate quantity of breeder seed and to develop regional specific seed technologies for improved yield and productivity.
Mandates of AICRP on Seed (Crops):
· To produce breeder seed as per national requirement and augment quality seed production among agricultural crops in the country.
· To conduct, coordinate and monitor research on different aspects of seed science and technology.
· Qualitative and quantitative enhancement in seed production capabilities of institutions under NARES
· Capacity building among various stake holders on seed production, processing, storage & packaging, quality control and seed health.
· To establish linkages with Crop Improvement Projects, Seed Industry, Seed Regulatory Agencies, NGOs, KVKs etc.
Department Faculty Members
6 FacultyAssociated Faculty
Dr. Mrinal Saikia
Associate Director of Research Associated Scientist View Profile
Dr. Sharmila Dutta Deka
Principal Scientist Associated Scientist View Profile
Dr. Umesh Chandra Kalita
Principal Scientist Associated Scientist View Profile
Dr. Priyanka Sharma
Junior Scientist Associated Scientist View Profile
Dr. Bharat Chandra Nath
Junior Scientist Associated Scientist View Profile
Dr. Abhilisa Mudoi
Junior Scientist Associated Scientist View ProfileDepartment Achievements & Accolades
1 Records- HDPE interwoven bags have been recommended for bulk seed storage at farmer’s level and at commercial level.
- Seed drying and storage using desiccants in air tight condition for paddy is found suitable for storage of small number of seeds and can be successfully utilized for germplasm conservation
- Molecular markers were identified and validated for public sector hybrids of Rice, maize and Sunflower
- Revalidation period for seed certification was standardized for rice in ambient storage condition
- Two Community Seed Banks were constructed at Jorhat and Golaghat District
- Two small seed entrepreneur groups named “Annam Brahma” were registered with the cluster of fourteen villages in Pirakota area of Jorhat district and in Kochupathar area of Golaghat district.
- Community based seed production programme has been introduced in these two localities.
- A diversity survey and documentation of local rice germplasm has been done and 19 farmer’s varieties registered under PVPFR (Plant Variety Protection and Farmer’s right) Authority of India.
IX. A series of awareness camps on preserving traditional rice varieties was conducted for utilization of these varieties for livelihood improvement was organized.
- Capacity building through village level and on station trainings on Importance of quality seed, Quality paddy seed production Importance of scientific seed storage Improved Packaging materials and Seed Business
- Organization of Rice Diversity fair and Bhogali mela for displaying more than 300 varieties of rice including 40 colour rice varieties and for introduction of seed business of Annam –brahma self-help group registered by the project
- Characterization and screening of high Zn rice varieties developed by IRRI under project “Development of High Zinc rice varieties” as PI
- Earned 3 DBT-funded projects and 1 AAU-funded project as PI on competitive mode basis project
a. Preserving future genetic resources through capacity building of women farmer and utilization for livelihood improvement (2012-2016)
b. Morphogenetic Barcoding of Aromatic and Glutinous Rice varieties of Assam (2015-2018)
c. Genome and Transcriptome sequencing of Aromatic Rice from NE region (2016-2020)
d. Differential expression of gene for grain aroma at post harvest stages and identification of ideal condition for aroma retention for Assam aromatic rice
XIV. Details of technology developed and their adoption
|
Sl. No. |
Technology Developed |
Technology demonstrated& Adopted |
Adopting agency/ stake holders |
|
1. |
Seed enhancement using bio agents for organic rice seed production |
Physiological studies and development of priming technologies for enhancing planting value of seed in field crops under optimal and sub-optimal conditions for pigion pea, mustard and lentil |
All India recommendation by AICRP on Seed (Crops) |
XV. The technology entitled “Seed solarization technique for management of pulse bruchid” has been identified and recommended for release during 37th annual group meeting of AICRP on Seed (Crops) 2022.
XVI. The technology entitled “Pre-harvest spraying of insecticides for pulse bruchid management” been identified and recommended for release during 37th annual group meeting of AICRP on Seed (Crops) 2022.
Research & Extension Projects
3 Total Projects
Completed Projects (3)
Genome and Transcriptome sequencing of Aromatic Rice from North Eastern Region
Morphogenetic Barcoding of Aromatic and Glutinous Rice varieties of Assam
Preserving future genetic resources through capacity building of women farmer and utilization for livelihood improvement
Department Photo Gallery
1 Photos