Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat

Assam Agricultural University is the first institution of its kind in the whole of North-Eastern Region of India. The main goal of this institution is to produce globally competitive human resources in farm sectorand to carry out research in both conventional and frontier areas for production optimization as well as to disseminate the generated technologies as public good for benefitting the food growers/produces and traders involved in the sector while emphasizing on sustainability, equity and overall food security at household level. Genesis of AAU - The embryo of the agricultural research in the state of Assam was formed as early as 1897 with the establishment of the Upper Shillong Experimental Farm (now in Meghalaya) just after about a decade of creation of the agricultural department in 1882. However, the seeds of agricultural research in today’s Assam were sown in the dawn of the twentieth century with the establishment of two Rice Experimental Stations, one at Karimganj in Barak valley in 1913 and the other at Titabor in Brahmaputra valley in 1923. Subsequent to these research stations, a number of research stations were established to conduct research on important crops, more specifically, jute, pulses, oilseeds etc. The Assam Agricultural University was established on April 1, 1969 under The Assam Agricultural University Act, 1968’ with the mandate of imparting farm education, conduct research in agriculture and allied sciences and to effectively disseminate technologies so generated. Before establishment of the University, there were altogether 17 research schemes/projects in the state under the Department of Agriculture. By July 1973, all the research projects and 10 experimental farms were transferred by the Government of Assam to the AAU which already inherited the College of Agriculture and its farm at Barbheta, Jorhat and College of Veterinary Sciences at Khanapara, Guwahati. Subsequently, College of Community Science at Jorhat (1969), College of Fisheries at Raha (1988), Biswanath College of Agriculture at Biswanath Chariali (1988) and Lakhimpur College of Veterinary Science at Joyhing, North Lakhimpur (1988) were established. Presently, the University has three more colleges under its jurisdiction, viz., Sarat Chandra Singha College of Agriculture, Chapar, College of Horticulture, Nalbari & College of Sericulture, Titabar. Similarly, few more regional research stations at Shillongani, Diphu, Gossaigaon, Lakhimpur; and commodity research stations at Kahikuchi, Buralikson, Tinsukia, Kharua, Burnihat and Mandira were added to generate location and crop specific agricultural production packages.

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EVALUATION OF SOME IPM MODULES AGAINST INSECT PESTS OF CHILLI
(2023) Borgohain, Arundhati; Rajkumari, Prarthna
Chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) is a crucial vegetable crop and spice in India which is valued for its colour (capsanthin) and pungency (capsaicin). In India, chilli cultivation faces several challenges, including biotic and abiotic factors which affect its yield. Insect pests such as aphid, thrips, fruit borer, leafhopper and whitefly cause substantial damages leading to yield losses of 50 to 90 percent. Indiscriminate use of pesticides in India has led to increased cultivation costs, destruction of natural enemies, while increase in pesticide residues raises concerns for exports. To address these issues sustainably, non-chemical pest management techniques are necessary. Integrated pest management (IPM), employing bio-controls and newer generation insecticides, is recommended as an alternative to conventional pesticides. This approach can effectively control pests, minimize negative impacts, and ensure the production of healthy and nutritious chilli crops. In this investigation, evaluation was done on 8 different integrated pest management modules against insect pests of chilli in Randomised Block Design with 3 replications. The experiment was conducted in the experimental farm for PG research, Biswanath College of Agriculture, Sonitpur during rabi season of 2022-2023. Four sucking pests viz., aphid, Aphis gossypii; thrips, Scirtothrips dorsalis Hood; whitefly ,Bemisia tabaci; leafhopper, Amrasca biguttula biguttula and a fruit borer, Helicoverpa armigera were found infesting the chilli crop. The treatments were applied at different intervals according to its recommendation. It was observed that M4 treatment containing mulching (polyethene) + marigold trap crop + neem cake @ 250kg/ha was found the most effective in controlling thrips, whitefly and fruit borer. M6 seed treatment with Imidacloprid 70% WS at 3 g/kg of seed + foliar application of neem oil @3ml/l was the most effective against aphids, Aphis gossypi. The highest number of coccinelids i.e., natural enemies were found in M8 untreated control and lowest was found in M4. Lowest leafhopper population was recorded in M3 consisting of neem oil 3ml/l + reflecting mulch. All of the treatment modules showed reduction in pest population during the weeks of observation over control. The highest yield was recorded in M4 (yield- 64.80q/ha, B:C ratio- 2.36) and was found to be the most effective module. Standard meteorological correlation with insect pests showed significant negative correlation with minimum temperature, bright sunshine hours and relative humidity in some insects. As we seek into the future aspects we can say that pest management modules prioritize the long-term health of agricultural ecosystems and can help achieve consistent, long-term pest suppression and increased yield.