Regional Horticultural Research & Training Station, Sharbo Sharbo, Kinnaur(HP)

Regional Horticultural Research and Training Station, Sharbo, District Kinnaur, Himachal Pradesh was established in 1958 as Grape and Raisin Research Station under the State Department of Agriculture, HP. It was elevated to the status of Regional Horticultural Research & Training Station during the year 1985 after the creation of Dr Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan. This research station and KVK, Kinnaur of this University were restructured as Regional Horticultural Research & Training Station and KVK, Sharbo, District Kinnaur in 2013. This research station has one satellite research station i.e. Vegetable Research Station Kalpa established in 1959.
Regional Horticultural Research and Training Station & KVK, Sharbo is situated at 2,121.4 meters above mean sea level and caters the regular and extra needs of the farmers of dry temperate and cold desert zone (Zone-IV) of the state, in the field of horticulture and forestry. The area experiences wide seasonal temperature fluctuations, negligible rainfall, and heavy snowfall in winters and high intensity of UV and IR radiations together with high velocity winds. The soils of the region are shallow, sandy to sandy loam with low organic matter. Vegetable Research Station, Kalpa is situated at 2,743.2 meters above mean sea level. Germplasm of cabbage, carrot, beans, lettuce and peas are being maintained at the station, beside the production of cabbage, carrot, turnip and radish seed.

Mandate

  • Collection, introduction and evaluation of promising varieties of dry temperate fruits, vegetable, agroforestry, and their multiplication etc.
  • Standardization of agro-techniques for plantation and application of IPM in horticultural and forestry crops
  • Dissemination of improved technology of apiculture, horticulture and forestry crops to the end users.

Strengths

  • This station is working specially for the dry temperate region of the state.
  • VRS Kalpa is having unique agroclimatic conditions suitable for seed production of temperate vegetables.
  • Established first high density plantation of Apple and pear in dry temperate zone.
  • Demonstration on pistachionut and hazelnut.

Academics

This station is serving as the centre for RHWE programme of UG students exclusively for agro-climatic conditions of dry temperate zone.

  • Dr Ashok K Thakur received best editor award Ratikanta Maiti Foundation, Kolkata in 2013.
  • Professor HC Dube Outstanding Young Scientist Award -2018: Conferred with this prestigious award by ISMPP Udaipur Rajasthan India and ICAR-Indian Institute of Pulse Research, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India during November 16- 18th 2018.

Research

Thrust Areas

  • Productivity enhancement in temperate fruit crops.
  • Evaluation and selection of suitable cultivars of temperate fruits.
  • Diversification through high value fruit and vegetable crops.
  • Productivity enhancement of key medicinal plants.
  • Seed production and distribution of improved cultivars of temperate vegetables.
  • Skill Up-gradation for Improved Livelihood through Agri-Interventions in Tribal Areas of HP, funded by ICAR for ₹ 70.00 Lakhs from 2021 to 2023.
  • Niche Area Development and Skill Upgradation for Diversified Agriculture in Tribal Areas of HP funded by ICAR for ₹ 32.00 Lakhs from 2022 to 2023.
  • Promotion and conservation of Apis cerana in the potential pockets of Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh funded by NABARD for ₹ 15.64 Lakhs from 2023 to 2024.
  • Bioefficacy of herbal preparations against scab disease of apple under national innovation foundation-India Aided Project for ₹ 11.22 lakh from 2022 to 2023.
  • Himachal Pradesh Horticulture Development Project (POP) funded by Department of Horticulture, Himachal Pradesh from 2016 to 2023.
  • Studies on the effect of Nano urea and Nano DAP on growth, yield and quality of apple funded by IFFCO New Delhi for ₹ 10.0 lakh from 2023 to 2024.
  • Establishment of Bud Wood Bank under HPHDP funded by Department of Horticulture, Govt. of Himachal Pradesh for ₹ 26.0. Lakh from 2021 to 2023.
  • Impact of technological interventions of KVK’s on socio-economic empowerment and sustainable livelihood security of Tribal Farmers (TSP Network Project), funded by Centre Govt. (ATARI) from 2021 to 2023.
  • Field evaluation of Sanovita concept on apple funded by Sanovita India Pvt. Ltd for ₹3.0 Lakhs from 2021 to 2023.
  • Evaluation of ambition complete as a liquid fertilizer on apple funded by Bayer Crop Sciences for ₹ 7.0 lakhs from 2022 to 2023.
  • Evaluation of Femigrow on apple funded by Swaroop Agro-chemical Industries Nasik, Maharashtra for ₹ 3.0 lakhs from 2023 to 2024.
  • Evaluation of Aquafert foliar on apple funded by Rallis India Limited, Chandigarh for ₹ 3.0 lakhs from 2022 to 2023.
  • Study the various new spur cultivars on seedling rootstock under High Density Plantation at different elevations of Kinnaur funded by ATARI, ICAR for ₹ 3.0 lakhs from 2020 to 2023.
  • Package of Practices for production of temperate horticultural crops of Himachal Pradesh.
  • Varieties evaluated and recommended: Apple cvs. Super Chief, Jeromine, Red Velox, Red Cap Valtod, Gale Gala, Redlum Gala;
  • Pistachio Nut cvs. Kerman, Peter;
  • Snowpeas cv. Mithi Phalli
  • Production technology recommended: Management of alternate bearing in Pistachio nut through NPK and Boron manipulation
    • Plant protection technologies recommended: 20 new molecules were tested and recommended in the package of practices/ spray schedule of apple as listed below:

    • Cursor (Flusilazole 40%EC) for Apple scab.
    • Lustre 37.5%(Carbendazim 25%+Flusilazole12.5%) for premature leaf fall and Alternaria leaf spot in apple
    • DodinO FIL SC for Alternaria leaf blight & Premature leaf fall.
    • LUNA Experience for Marssonina leaf blotch Alternaria leaf spot, & Fruit rot
    • Avtar (Zineb 68% + Hexaconazole 4%) @ 500g/200L for core rot, powdery mildew, scab, premature leaf fall and alternaria leaf spot.
    • Sercadis Plus for management of apple scab and powdery mildew
    • Merivon for premature leaf fall and alternaria leaf spot
    • Signum and Acrisio for powdery mildew management in apple
    • Saaf for apple scab and powder mildew.
    • Shamir, Rubigon D, Karara, Kanji, Aroosh, Scale, Marlett, Krizole and Key for management of apple scab.

Extension

  • KVK has organized more than 30 number of on-campus training programme on training & pruning, Beekeeping etc., & more than1000 farmers were benefited.
  • Total of 77 off campus training programme on disease management of horticulture crops, training & pruning of apple, introduction & cultivation of exotic vegetable & beekeeping etc. were organized & 3236 farmers were benefited.
  • Thirty Front line demonstrations were organized involving more than 100 benificiaries.
  • 35 OFTs were laid out on various important technologies of key crops of dry temperate zone.
  • Important days celebrated like Kisan diwas, world water day, international women’s day, world bee day, food & nutrition day, sawachhta campaign, azadi ka amrit mahotsav etc where more than 1000 participants attended.
  • Skill Up-gradation for Improved Livelihood through Agri-Interventions in Tribal Areas of HP, funded by ICAR for ₹ 70.00 Lakhs from 2021 to 2023.
  • Niche Area Development and Skill Upgradation for Diversified Agriculture in Tribal Areas of HP funded by ICAR for ₹ 32.00 Lakhs from 2022 to 2023.
  • Promotion and conservation of Apis cerana in the potential pockets of Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh funded by NABARD for ₹ 15.64 Lakhs from 2023 to 2024.
  • Bioefficacy of herbal preparations against scab disease of apple under national innovation foundation-India Aided Project for ₹ 11.22 lakh from 2022 to 2023.
  • Himachal Pradesh Horticulture Development Project (POP) funded by Department of Horticulture, Himachal Pradesh from 2016 to 2023.
  • Studies on the effect of Nano urea and Nano DAP on growth, yield and quality of apple funded by IFFCO New Delhi for ₹ 10.0 lakh from 2023 to 2024.
  • Establishment of Bud Wood Bank under HPHDP funded by Department of Horticulture, Govt. of Himachal Pradesh for ₹ 26.0. Lakh from 2021 to 2023.
  • Impact of technological interventions of KVK’s on socio-economic empowerment and sustainable livelihood security of Tribal Farmers (TSP Network Project), funded by Centre Govt. (ATARI) from 2021 to 2023.
  • Field evaluation of Sanovita concept on apple funded by Sanovita India Pvt. Ltd for ₹3.0 Lakhs from 2021 to 2023.
  • Evaluation of ambition complete as a liquid fertilizer on apple funded by Bayer Crop Sciences for ₹ 7.0 lakhs from 2022 to 2023.
  • Evaluation of Femigrow on apple funded by Swaroop Agro-chemical Industries Nasik, Maharashtra for ₹ 3.0 lakhs from 2023 to 2024.
  • Evaluation of Aquafert foliar on apple funded by Rallis India Limited, Chandigarh for ₹ 3.0 lakhs from 2022 to 2023.
  • Study the various new spur cultivars on seedling rootstock under High Density Plantation at different elevations of Kinnaur funded by ATARI, ICAR for ₹ 3.0 lakhs from 2020 to 2023.

Awards/Recognitions

  • Dr Ashok K Thakur received best editor award Ratikanta Maiti Foundation, Kolkata in 2013.
  • Professor HC Dube Outstanding Young Scientist Award -2018: Conferred with this prestigious award by ISMPP Udaipur Rajasthan India and ICAR-Indian Institute of Pulse Research, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India during November 16- 18th 2018.

facilities

  • Well equipped laboratories of fruit science, food processing, soil and leaf analysis, plant pathology, entomology are available.
  • Experimental farms at Sharbo and Kalpa having dry temperate climate.
  • Hostel facility as at Reckong Peo as well as at Kalpa for tranees and researchers visiting RHRTS and KVK Kinnaur.
  • Quality planting material of temperate fruits and seed of temperate vegetables.
  • Budwood bank of improved cultivars of apple.
  • Demonstration units of ultra HDP of apple, HDP of pear, pistachio nut, hezel nut, mud hive for local bee rearing.