Loading...
Thumbnail Image

Dr. Y. S. Parmar University of Horticulture & Forestry, Solan

Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Solan, was established on 1st December, 1985 with the objective to promote education, research and extension education in the fields of Horticulture, Forestry and allied disciplines. Late Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar, the first Chief Minister and the architect of Himachal Pradesh perceived the importance of Horticulture and Forestry to develop and improve the State economy which led to the establishment of this University. Its history lies in erstwhile Himachal Agricultural College, Solan, established in 1962 and affiliated to the Panjab University. It became one of the campuses of Agriculture Complex of Himachal Pradesh University on its formation in 1970. Consequent upon the establishment of Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya in 1978, this campus became its Horticulture Complex and finally in 1985, assumed the status of a State University, being the only University in the country engaged exclusively in teaching, research and extension in Horticulture and Forestry. The University is located at Nauni in Solan District of Himachal Pradesh, 13 km from Solan on Solan-Rajgarh Road, at an elevation of 1300 metres above mean sea level. Solan town is situated on national highway (NH-22) and is well connected by train and bus services. The University has four constituent colleges, out of which, two are located at the main campus Nauni, one for horticulture and the other for forestry, having 9 and 7 departments, respectively. The third College i.e., College of Horticulture & Forestry is located at Neri in Hamirpur District on Nadaun-Hamirpur state highway, about 6 Km from Hamirpur town and is well connected with bus service. The college offers three Undergraduate Degree Programmes i.e. BSc (Hons.) Horticulture, BSc (Hons.) Forestry and B. Tech. Biotechnology and MSc degree programme in a few subjects. The fourth college i.e. College of Horticulture and Forestry, Thunag (Mandi) is located at Thunag District Mandi. This college offer BSc (Hons.) Horticulture and BSc (Hons.) Forestry degree programme. In addition, there are five Regional Research Stations, 12 Satellite Stations and five Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) situated in different zones of the State.

Browse

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 9 of 69
  • ThesisItemOpen Access
    ASSESSMENT OF SEDIMENT QUALITY AND FLORISTIC DIVERSITY AROUND THE BALAD TRIBUTARY OF SARSA RIVER IN HIMACHAL PRADESH
    (UHF Nauni, 2023-11-24) ITIKA BISHT; Dr Pratima Vaidya
    The present investigation entitled “Assessment of sediment quality and floristic diversity around the Balad tributary of Sarsa River in Himachal Pradesh” was conducted during the year 2022-2023 in the Department of Environmental Science, Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry Nauni, Solan. The study was carried out in Baddi industrial area of Himachal Pradesh. Replicated sediment samples were collected from 7 sites along the Balad tributary of Sarsa river from 3 distance i.e. riverbed, 10m and 20m from the riverbed during dry and wet seasons. Site 1 at the upstream of Balad tributary was selected as control site followed by the sites 2 to 6 encompassing industrial and mining area to its confluence in Sarsa river (Site-7). The results revealed significant variation in all the parameters of sediment quality along Balad tributary from control Bhatauli Kalan to the confluence with Sarsa river. Sediment colour varied from Reddish brown at control to dark brown to greyish colour close to industrial area in comparison to yellowish brown at the confluence. The sediment pH was recorded highest at Bhatauli Kalan (Site-1) and decreased along the tributary. Electrical conductivity was observed highest at Lakkadpul-2 (Site-4). In the Balad riverbed, the concentration of all the examined heavy metals was found to be increasing downstream the tributary. As, Cd, Cr and Pb were observed highest at Baddi Sheetalpur-2 (Site-6), whereas, Cu, Mn and Zn were observed highest at Lakkadpul-2 (Site- 4). Fe and Ni were observed highest at Sarsa confluence zone and Katha village, sites 7 and 2, respectively. Cu and Mn were observed highest at the riverbed sediment. As, Fe and Pb were found higher at 10 m distance from the riverbed while Cr, Zn and Ni were found highest at 30 m distance from the riverbed. Higher concentration of heavy metals was observed during dry season in comparison to wet season. Floristic diversity of herbs was observed higher at Bhatauli Kalan (Site-1) and Lakadpul-2 (site- 4) while evenness was recorded higher at Baddi sheetalpur-2 (Site-6). Floristic diversity of herbs, shrubs and trees were higher at 30 m distance from the shoreline. Nasturtium officinale, Ranunculus sceleratus and Veronica anagalloides were recorded dominant herbs species in all the sites within the 10m distance. Murraya koenigii and Lantana camara were dominant shrubs whereas Dalbergia sissoo and Leucaena leucocephala were dominant tree species around the Balad tributary. Overall the heavy metal load of sediments increased from upstream to downstream side towards Sarsa in Balad tributary owing to point or non point industrial discharge and mining activities at different points along the stretch. The study concluded that ongoing monitoring of sediment and vegetation is required to create preventative measures to sustain the quality of the aquatic ecosystem of industrial hub.
  • ThesisItemOpen Access
    CARBON SEQUESTRATION POTENTIAL OF APPLE ORCHARDS IN WET TEMPERATE ZONE OF HIMACHAL PRADESH
    (UHF Nauni, 2023-10-23) TANVI; Dr MK Brahmi
    The present study entitled “Carbon sequestration potential of apple orchards in wet temperate zone of Himachal Pradesh” was undertaken during the year 2022-2023 in the Department of Environmental Science, Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan, Himachal Pradesh India with the objectives to determine carbon sequestration potential of apple orchards and for the preparation of allometric equations for biomass and carbon based on height and diameter of trees. Six apple orchards belonging to three different age groups i.e, less than 15 years, 15 to 30 years and more than 30 years were selected on two different aspects i.e, northern and southern aspects from Jubbal block of Shimla district. CO2 sequestration potential was determined using biomass of trees which was calculated by following semi- destructive analysis method. Allometric equations were prepared by taking height, diameter and biomass of 60 representative trees from each selected orchard. The results revealed that the maximum biomass and carbon was in Northern aspect in more than 30 years age group i.e, 68.36 t ha-1 and 32.83 t ha-1 respectively.The biomass and carbon stored in stem, branches, leaves and roots was found increasing with age and was more in northern aspect than in southern aspect. CO2 sequestration potential was observed more for orchards in northern aspect with mean value of 152.60 t ha-1 and less in southern aspect having mean value of 127.36 t ha-1. The potential to sequester CO2 increased with increasing age with mean values ranging from 83.13 t ha-1 to 185.85 t ha-1. In allometric equations prepared for estimation of biomass and carbon the exponential model was best fitted based on height of tree; whereas the power model was best fitted for biomass and carbon based on diameter at bole height of trees. The exponential model had maximum R2 =0.95 for biomass estimation when equations were prepared based on height and power model was best fitted for carbon estimation with maximum R2=0.95 when prepared on the basis of diameter at bole height. The allometric equations prepared are particularly applicable to the wet temperate zone of Himachal Pradesh and will play an important role in estimating the biomass and carbon stocks of apple orchards.
  • ThesisItemOpen Access
    ASSESSMENT OF ROOFTOP RAINWATER HARVESTING AND SOLAR POWER POTENTIAL OF UNIVERSITY CAMPUS IN HIMACHAL PRADESH
    (UHF Nauni, 2023-11-09) KRITI THAKUR; Dr RK Aggarwal
    The present investigation entitled “Assessment of rooftop rainwater harvesting and solar power potential of university campus in Himachal Pradesh” was conducted during 2022-2023 in the Department of Environmental Science, College of Forestry, Dr. Y.S Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan, H.P. A total of 151 buildings in the campus were digitized using GIS techniques having a total rooftop area of 38,318 square meters. The results were validated for errors in digitization by manual ground truth measurement. The verification of the digitized area with the manually obtained area of rooftops showed an accuracy of 99 percent, whereas with the data provided by the Estate Office showed an accuracy of 97 percent. It was found that the university campus has a rooftop rainwater harvesting potential of 42,919.24 cubic meters which could cater to about 76 percent of the water demand of the campus. In order to assess the rooftop solar power potential of the university campus, the Digital Elevation Model (DEM) map of the university campus was prepared using the satellite data obtained by Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) and was interpolated to 5 m resolution for further analysis. The total South-facing area covered by building rooftops was found to be 20,261.4 square meters. The total rooftop solar power potential was found to be 2026.1 kW per day. The annual rooftop photovoltaic panel installation of the capacity of 2269 MWh can be recommended which can fulfil about 99.59 percent electricity demand of the campus serving as a crucial investment towards sustainable energy.
  • ThesisItemOpen Access
    PHENOLOGICAL STUDIES ON Silybum marianum UNDER DIFFERENT ENVIRONMENTS IN MID HILLS OF HIMACHAL PRADESH
    (UHF Nauni, 2023-11-24) SRISHTI SHARMA; Dr. Parminder Kaur Baweja
    The present investigation entitled “Phenological studies on Silybum marianum under different Environments in mid hills of Himachal Pradesh)” was conducted at the Experimental Farm of Department of Environmental Science, Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan (H.P.) with effect from October, 2022- June, 2023.The study aimed to assess the phenology and quality of Silybum marianum L. in subtropical region of western Himalayas, planned with five sowing dates (October 20, October 30, November 10, November 20 and November 30) and two spacing i.e., 40 cm x 60 cm and 60 cm x 60 cm replicated thrice in a randomized block design (RBD). The agro-morphological characteristics were assessed. Thermal indices viz., AGDD, AHTU and APTU based on maximum/minimum temperature, sunshine hrs. and day length with base temperature of 5oC were simulated for ten phenological stages viz., germination, leaf development, formation of side shoots, rosette growth, development of harvestable plant biomass, inflorescence emergence, flowering, development of fruit, ripening and senescence. The results revealed that planting dates and spacing had a significant impact on all agro morphological characteristics attained the tallest plants (158.35), greater plant spread (78.52 cm), leaf area (303.09 cm2), number of flower head per plant (23.28) and maximum biomass yield (11.19 q ha-1) for early sown crop i.e., 20th October 2022 and 30th October 2022 under wider spaced (60 cm x 60 cm) sown crop. Late sowing (D4) with wider spacing (60 cm x 60 cm) resulted in highest number of branches (side shoots) per plant (16.50) , capitulum diameter (5.58 cm), fresh weight of flower head per plant (11.57g), dry weight of flower head per plant (11.03), flower heads per plant (22.20), number of seeds per flower head (116.50) and seed yield (48.08 g). The simulated AGDD (1622.12 oC day), AHTU (11868.70oC day hr ), APTU (18582.40oC day hr) for fruit development was revealed in 20 November 2022 sown at 60 cm x 60 cm (D4S2 ) spaced crop combination which attained best results in terms of quality parameters. Finally, the developed predictive model based on AGDD was assessed as best for seed yield prediction with 62% predictability. The study further opens the way for farmers and entrepreneurs to grow Silybum marianum L. successfully by cultivation of Milk Thistle as medicinal crop throughout Himachal Pradesh by adjusting the sowing windows as 20 November with addition of spacing (60 cm x 60 cm) for commercial cultivation
  • ThesisItemOpen Access
    ASSESSMENT OF AIR POLLUTION TOLERANCE INDEX OF PLANT SPECIES SURROUNDING CEMENT INDUSTRY AT BARMANA IN HIMACHAL PRADESH
    (UHF Nauni, 2023-11-23) AJAY; Dr PK Baweja
    The present investigation entitled “Assessment of Air Pollution Tolerance Index of Plant Species surrounding Cement Industry at Barmana in Himachal Pradesh” was conducted during the year 2022-23 under the Department of Environmental Science, College of Forestry, Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry Nauni- Solan, Himachal Pradesh. The study was aimed at understanding the seasonal variation in biochemical parameters and determining the indices of the Air Pollution Tolerance and Anticipated Performance along with the dust accumulation capacity of plants growing around the cement industry. In the selected area around the cement industry vegetation distribution was studied. The commonly grown dominant species namely; Cassia fistula, Mangifera indica, Toona ciliate, Ricinus communis and Murraya koenigii were choosen for the study. Studied the seasonal impact of pollutants emitted from cement industry on the plants, horizontal distances of 0-150 m and 150-300 m during winter and summer seasons. Total 20 treatment combinations replicated four times were analysed through three way (factorial) randomized block design. The dust accumulation of selected plant species ranged from 6.57-30.69 mg m-2. The leaf ascorbic acid content of the selected plant species varied from 2.54-4.10 mg g-1. The leaf chlorophyll content of the selected plant species ranged from 0.77-2.44 mg g-1. The leaf extract pH of selected species fluctuated from 5.93- 6.27. The relative water content of selected plant species ranged from 76.46-81.06%. The APTI was calculated on the basis of four bio-chemical parameters; ascorbic acid content, total chlorophyll content, leaf extract pH and relative water content. The APTI of selected plant species varied from 9.43-11.21. The order of selected plant species in accordance with APTI was Cassia fistula (11.21) > Mangifera indica (10.83) > Toona ciliata (10.41) among the tree species and Ricinus communis (10.50) > Murraya koenigii (9.43) in shrubs species. Anticipated Performance Index (API) was also calculated by combining APTI with some socio-economic characters. Among the selected plant species, the order of API was Mangifera indica > Cassia fistula = Ricinus communis = Toona ciliate > Murraya koenigii. Thus, the investigation suggested that Mangifera indica may be grown alongside of the cement industry as green belt. Murraya koenigii being the least tolerant plant species may act as bioindicator of pollutants in the area.
  • ThesisItemOpen Access
    PHENO-THERMAL RESPONSE OF TOMATO CULTIVARS UNDER DIFFERENT ENVRONMENT IN MID HILLS OF HIMACHAL PRADESH
    (UHF,NAUNI, 2023-10-25) VASU BHANOT; MOHAN SINGH JANGRA
    ABSTRACT The present investigation entitled “Pheno-thermal response of Tomato cultivars under different environment in mid hills of Himachal Pradesh” was carried out during the year 2022-2023 at the Experimental Farm of Department of Environmental Science, College of Forestry, Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan, Himachal Pradesh. The study aimed to assess the pheno-thermal response of two tomato cultivars namely Heem Sohna and Solan Lalima to different environmental conditions created by transplanting the selected cultivars at an interval of 15 days before and after normal date of transplanting i.e., 10th March (early), 25th March (normal) and 09th April (late) under irrigated and rainfed conditions. Further, quantifying the days taken to attain different phenological stages, morphological parameters, yield attributes and thermal requirements. The study revealed that early transplanting of Heem Sohna cultivar under irrigated conditions experienced optimum meteorological conditions i.e., maximum (29.4ºC) and minimum (4.7ºC) temperatures, total rainfall (305.1mm), bright sunshine hours (107.1) and relative humidity (41-74%) and took maximum number of days to attain different phenological stages viz. leaf development (23), inflorescence emergence (37), flowering (44), fruit development (66) and fruit maturity (88) followed by normal and late transplanting. The longer duration under optimum meteorological conditions provided ample time to complete its phenological stages efficiently and accumulate growing degree days (1037.5ºC), photo-thermal units (14068.2 ºC), hydro-thermal units (52154.6ºC) and helio-thermal units (8281.9ºC). The proper completion of phenological stages, ample time and optimum conditions for uptake of nutrients and efficient accumulation of heat units resulted in higher morphological parameters viz. plant height (202.0cm), number of branches and leaves (4.3, 45.3, respectively) and yield attributes i.e., number of fruits per plant (42), fruit weight (71.3g), fruit width (6.1cm), fruit length (5.9cm), yield per plant (2.8kg), yield per plot (33kg) and yield per hectare (660.0q) coupled by higher biomass accumulation for early transplanted Heem Sohna cultivar under irrigated conditions followed by normal and late transplanting. Therefore, to bring tomato cultivation in line with the changing environmental conditions, transplanting tomato crop in the first week of March, not later than 10th March, under irrigated conditions using Heem Sohna followed by Solan Lalima is recommended in mid hills of Himachal Pradesh
  • ThesisItemOpen Access
    WATER QUALITY ASSESSMENT OF BALAD TRIBUTARY OF SARSA RIVER IN HIMACHAL PRADESH
    (UHF,NAUNI, 2023-10-25) AKSHAY MOHAN CHADDA; PRATIMA VAIDYA
    ABSTRACT The study entitled "Water Quality Assessment of Balad tributary of Sarsa river in Himachal Pradesh" was conducted in the Department of Environmental Science, College of Forestry, Dr Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni- 173230, Solan, Himachal Pradesh with objective to assess the water quality of Balad seasonal stream of Baddi industrial area during the year 2022- 2023. The water samples were collected during pre-monsoon, monsoon and post monsoon season by dividing stream along industrial belt in seven sections upto Sirsa river confluence. Water quality parameters viz. pH, electrical conductivity, turbidity, BOD, COD, sulphate, nitrate, phosphate and heavy metals were determined and water quality index was worked out. pH of the tributary was in the range 7.65 to 8.38 and decreased from control site to downstream confluence site. Heavy metals concentration was increased from upstream site 1 to the Sarsa confluence site 7. The concentration of Fe, As, Cr and Pb were highest at site 7, while highest Cu was observed at site 4. Highest electrical conductivity (0.45 dS m-1), turbidity (195.14 NTU), arsenic (9.61 μg L-1) and iron (49.73 μg L-1) were observed in pre monsoon season whereas, pH (8.21), copper (71.86μg L-1), chromium (14.95 μg L-1) in monsoon season and COD (142.71 mg L-1) in pre-monsoon season. The lowest WQI of Balad Tributary was observed in control site1 depicting excellent quality of water and followed the trend: Site 1 (7.12) < Site 2 (34.87) < Site 6 (83.40) < Site3 (94.82) < Site 5 (95.92)
  • ThesisItemOpen Access
    PHENOLOGY OF STONE FRUITS AND ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS IN MID HILLS OF HIMACHAL PRADESH
    (UHF,NAUNI, 2023-10-07) LEKHIKA PARIHAR; S K BHARDWAJ
    ABSTRACT The present investigations entitled “Phenology of stone fruits and its relationship with environmental factors in mid hills of mid hills” was conducted in the Department of Environmental Science, Dr YSP University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni- 173230 Solan HP during 2020-22. The study was conducted to determine the influence of changing environment of different altitudinal gradients in mid hills of Himachal Pradesh on crop phenology of major stone fruits. To accomplish objectives of the study the major stone fruits namely, apricot, peach and nectarine growing at two altitudinal gradients viz.,1200-1400 and 1400-1600 m amsl having different environmental conditions including edaphic factors were considered. At each selected elevation five commonly growing varieties namely New Castle of apricot, Red Gold & Sun Crest of peach and Glo Haven & Silver King of nectarine were selected at two different sites of each gradient. In the region stone fruits exhibited variations in attaining phases from pink bud to fruit maturity at both the altitudinal gradients. The cultivar New Castle of apricot plants took maximum of 114.4 days to complete all phases up to maturity. In case of peach plants cultivar Red Gold and Sun Crest took 112.6 and 111.1 days to complete their phenological cycle. Whereas, the Silver King and Glo Haven of nectarine fruit plants took 110.3 and 108.6 days to complete the cycle up to maturity of fruits. Among all the stone fruits, apricot cultivar New Castle accumulated the highest GDD of 731.4oC days to complete the phases up to fruit ripening. The highest accumulation of GDD of apricot was followed by peach cultivars namely Red Gold and Sun Crest with values of 723.3 and 718.5oC days. Whereas, the cultivars Glo Haven and Silver King of nectarine fruit plants accumulated lowest GDD of 708.3 and 715.3 oC days to complete all the phenophases. The accumulation of GDD increased with elevations and on an average all the stone fruits accumulated 10.6oC days at 1400-1600 m amsl higher than at lower elevation. The study indicated that the stone fruits chilling requirement ranges from 238.2 to 301.7 CH in the region. Among all the stone fruit plants the highest CU of 301.7 CH accumulated by New castle of apricot to break dormancy and achieve pink bud stage. The Red Gold and Sun Crest cultivar of peach plants accumulated effective CU of 268.4 and 250.5 CH to break the dormant bud. The cultivars Glo Haven and Silver King of nectarine plants accumulated 238.2 and 243.7 CH to attain pink bud stage after dormancy. The HTU accumulated ranged from 5388.4 to 5530.1 oC day hrs in the region. Among all fruits the highest HTU of 5530.1oC days hrs. accumulated by New Castle to complete the phenological cycle. The Red Gold and Sun Crest cultivar of peach and Glo Haven and Silver King of nectarine accumulated HTU of 5427.6, 5392.1 and 5388.4 and 5418.9 oC day hrs respectively to attain all phenological stages. The HTU accumulation by the plants decreased with increased elevation as it was 5103.0 oC days hrs at 1400-1600 m amsl and 5759.8 oC days hrs at lower altitudinal gradient of 1200-1400 m amsl. The soils of 1400-1600 m amsl under stone fruits exhibited higher soil moisture, available NPK and micronutrients namely, Fe, Mn, Cu and Zn with respective ranges of 27.9- 30.1%, 417.5- 467.5 kghg-1, 29.5- 38.0 kghg-1, 187.5- 290.0 kghg-1, 12.9-20.0 mgkg-1, 0.82- 1.34 mgkg-1,1.43- 2.25 mgkg-1,10.1- 14.4 mgkg-1 whereas, at lower elevations the values of these parameters ranged from 26.28- 28.05%, 409.5- 458 kghg-1, 27- 40 kghg-1, 180.5- 281 kghg-1, 12.61- 17.29 mgkg-1, 0.77- 1.29 mgkg-1, 1.33- 2.19 mgkg-1, 9.78- 13.51 mgkg-1. The altitude wise average temperature was in order of 21.1°C (1200-1400 m amsl) > 20.0°C (1400-1600 m amsl) during first year (2020-21). Whereas, during second year (2021-22) the average temperature was in the order of 21.9°C (1200-1400 m amsl) > 20.8°C (1400-1600 m amsl). At lower elevation on an average 0.6-1oC temperature was higher than the higher elevation. Among all the stone fruits, apricot cultivar New Castle exhibited advancement of 6-7 days in attainment of phenophases at lower elevation of 1200-1400 m amsl. While, the cultivars Red Gold and Sun Crest of peach and Glo Haven and Silver king of nectarine exhibited advancement of 7-8 days at low altitudinal gradients. The instability index indicated altitude wise irregularity in the range of 13.6 to 14.8 % to attain various phenological stages which decreased with increasing elevations. In stone fruits the syrphids was most dominant insect in the region followed by Apis cerana, other hymenopterans, Apis mellifera and other insects with respective values of 12.68, 10.94, 3.10, 2.22, 0.85 m-2 5 min-1 afternoon at higher elevation of 1400-1600 m amsl. Whereas, their order was 12.11 > 9.56 > 2.66 > 2 > 0.65 m-2 5 min-1 at lower elevation. The study inferred that the altitudinal wise significant variation in environmental conditions which might have influenced phenological cycle of stone fruit plants and their GDD and HTU accumulation as well as pollinator insect visitation. The altitude wise variation in their parameters can be exploited for planning judicious marketing of fruits and identification of new areas of their cultivation. The phenophase wise pattern at different altitudinal gradients under influence of varied temperature and other edaphic factors also indicated that how climate variability may influence the crop production in the region in coming years and hence there is urgent need to enhance climate resilience of these important fruits by managing the edaphic factors on sustainable basis so that stone fruit crops productivity can be enhanced and crop harvest and marketing may be planned judiciously in the region.
  • ThesisItemOpen Access
    DISTRIBUTION OF SOUTH-WEST MONSOON AND ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH MAJOR CROPS OF SOLAN DISTRICT IN HIMACHAL PRADESH
    (UHF,NAUNI, 2023-10-18) SHALINI DHIMAN; MOHAN SINGH JANGRA
    ABSTRACT The present investigation was carried out during 2022-2023 in the Department of Environmental Science, College of Forestry, Dr Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni-173230 Solan, Himachal Pradesh to quantify the characteristic features of southwest monsoon and its impact on major crop production of Solan district. To achieve the objectives daily data on rainfall and rainy days for 33 years (1990-2022) for the southwest monsoon period (June to September) was collected from the Agromet observatory, Department of Environmental Science, of the university. The southwest monsoon spells were divided into six categories (1-day, 2-day, 3-day, 4-day, 5-day & >5 days duration). Similarly, the monsoon breaks (dry spells) were divided into five categories (5-day, 5–10-day, 10-15 day, 15-20 and > 20 days). The normal date of onset of S-W monsoon was 13th June with earliest 29th May 2020 and delayed 27th June, 2002 with 8 & 6 days of standard deviation. The onset date was advancing and withdrawal date was delaying which indicated that the total duration of S-W monsoon was expanding. The number of wet spells of medium duration was highest in August and increasing with a non-significant rate of 0.078 spells/year, but higher duration spells were observed maximum in July which decreasing @ 0.01spells/year. The total wet spells were increasing at a non-significantly rate of 0.043 spells/year. The dry spells of short and medium duration (< 5 & 10-15 Days) were highest in July and September with decreasing trend of 0.027 & 0.003 spells/years, spells of higher duration (15-20) were maximum in August and September with an increasing @ 0.035 and 0.011 spells /year. No spells of more than 20 days were observed. The overall trend in total dry spells was increasing @ 0.015 spells/year. In Solan district the crop productivity of all crops except apple was increasing. The S-W monsoon rainfall exhibited positive correlation with crop productivity of Rice, Maize, Wheat, Peach, Plum, Capsicum and Tomato but negative for Apple in Solan district of Himachal Pradesh