Director’s Report

ICAR- Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute Jhansi – 284003 (U.P.) India

(ISO 9001-2008 Certified Institute)

Director’s Report

thOn the occasion of 55 Foundation Day of ICAR-Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Ins t i tu te , I hear t i ly congratulate all the past and present scientists, technical, ministerial and supporting staff of the institute for their sincere contributions for the progress of the institute. Due to their sustained efforts during the year, the institute has made remarkable progress in the field of

forage research, capacity building and infrastructure development and it has been honored with “Sardar Patel Outstanding ICAR Institution Award 2015”. This is the premier institute mandated for conducting research exclusively on grasslands and fodder crops including annual and perennial grasses. Being established in 1962, the institute has successfully served the country for 54 years achieving several milestones in generation of various need based technologies with an ultimate aim to serve the farming community with green production processes. The institute has seven focussed divisions viz., crop improvement, crop production, grassland & silvipasture management, farm machinery and post harvest technology, seed technology, plant animal relationship and social sciences with multi-disciplinary scientists and three regional stations located at different agroclimatic zones. Deficit of green and dry fodder being the major and continuous challenge, institute has widened its approach in multi-directions with focus on meeting the demand through technological interventions and development of high yielding fodder varieties suitable for changing climate and exploiting conventional and non-conventional fodder sources. Applying systems approach, institute is following multi-disciplinary research interlinking soil-plant-animal components standing as connecting line between both plant and animal research. There are ten distinctive programmes of forage research, with multi-disciplinary and inter-divisional approach running to address basic, strategic and applied research needs of the nation. I take this opportunity to share the most noteworthy achievements in terms of research, transfer of technology and human resource development. We have developed and identified one single cut oats variety, JHO-2009-1 (Bundel Jai-2009-1) for release and one cowpea variety, Bundel Lobia-4 was notified, 35 germplasms of temperate and tropical grasses and legumes were collected, and technologies for increased outputs from sole, mixed and inter-cropping patterns, integrated farming system as well as horti- and silvi-pasture models have been developed. The institute has developed grasslands in Gujarat, Rajasthan, Bihar, in association with state governments and NGOs. To strengthen the seed chain and availability of quality seed to the end users, the institute has produced 225.2 q of breeder seed and 113.5 q of TFL seed for direct supply to the farming community, besides, 2.12 lakhs rooted slips of perennial grasses have been sold. Adding another feather in the

institute's cap, during the year, IGFRI took a lead in rd

successfully organizing the 23 International Grassland Congress (IGC 2015) for the first time in India, showcasing all the technologies of the institute among international scientists and organizations. We have also implemented the Mera Gaon Mera Gaurav (MGMG) programme with thorough involvement to develop fodder based dairying in 75 villages. We have also implemented Swachh Bharat Abhiyan in toto.

Towards enhancing the genetic resources, 35 germplasm accessions of temperate and tropical grasses and legumes were collected and 833 accessions of different species were evaluated and characterized for their yield and related traits. In the present year, a new single cut variety of oat, JHO-2009-1 (Bundel Jai-2009-1) was identified for release under irrigated conditions of Central zone and a cowpea variety, Bundel Lobia-4 was notified and released for cultivation in North Eastern part of the country. A black seeded pentafoliate berseem line was registered as novel genetic stock with the NBPGR, New Delhi (Reg No. INGR15026). Seeds of 324 accessions comprising of oats (100) and eight temperate fodder grasses and legumes (224) were deposited at NBPGR, New Delhi for long term storage. In maize, 38 germplasm lines were found tolerant to Maydis leaf blight, 45 lines for Turcicum leaf blight, WL-7 and MWLT-5/5/22 lines were tolerant to excessive moisture stress conditions in vegetative and reproductive stages. Maintenance breeding block was developed for maintaining varieties developed by IGFRI and facilities for screening under natural waterlogging were also developed at Central Research Farm.

A rare self-compatible obligate sexual plant identified as novel genetic stock in guinea grass. Apomixis specific molecular marker was validated in diverse populations segregating for mode of reproduction. Differentially expressed genes identified utilizing suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) at meiotic and post-meiotic phase of embryo-sac (ES) development in Pennisetum hybrids. De novo transcriptome assembly of spikes at pre-meiotic stage of floret development was carried out for gene discovery and marker development in guinea grass.

In TSH + Sesbania + (sorghum + cowpea - barley) cropping system, life saving irrigation and in-situ moisture conservation produced highest forage equivalent yield (93 and 91 t/ha/year) than rainfed condition (87 t/ha/year) and recorded 2-3% more moisture at soil depth of 0-15 cm. Out of 200 germplasm lines of guinea grass tested for shade tolerance, 65 lines exhibited higher biomass compared to checks (BG-1 and BG-2). Under evaluation of non-conventional fodder, among 15 Opuntia accessions, Yellow

Plant genetic resources

Molecular and biotechnological research

Abiotic stress management

Rocca Palumba, Trunzara Red Bronte and Yellow San Cono were found superior for establishment (95-100%), average moisture content (93-95%) and quality parameters. Mulching with lopping of sesbania under minimum tillage (kharif) - zero-tillage (rabi) recorded higher residual soil moisture (10.1%) than without mulch (6.2 %) at 0-15 cm depth for establishment & supporting of rabi crop in winter. Five models of resource based integrated farming system (2 rainfed and 3 irrigated) were developed at on-station & on-farm situation for sustainable productivity and income of farmers in the semi arid region.

Insecticides imidacloprid 200 SL @ 0.3 ml/l was found to be superior followed by acetamiprid @ 0.25 g/l and acephate @ 1 g/l to control pests of lucerne. Deep summer ploughing + seed treatment of Tricho XP (5g/kg seed) along with foliar spray of tebuconazole (0.02%) + imidacloprid (0.01%) was most effective. Application of imazethapyr @ 0.1 kg a.i as pre-emergence and one wheel hoeing (20 DAS) in cowpea, oxadiargyl @ 0.09 kg a.i./ha as pre-emergence + 2,4 D @ 1 kg a.i./ha at 25 DAS in sorghum and BN hybrid recorded lower weed index and higher green fodder yield.

In Hardwickia binata based silvipasture systems, Chrysopogon fulvus produced maximum dry forage yield (6.25 t/ha) followed by Cenchrus ciliaris (5.93 t/ha) and Panicum maximum (5.47 t/ha). Average daily body weight gain was 48.6 g in lambs and 45.3 g in kids when reared under

thgrazing condition. In 4 year hortipasture system, aonla fruit yield was higher (13.3 t/ha) with contour staggered trenches followed by continuous contour trenches (10.7 t/ha). Maximum dry matter (fodder) yield was also obtained in contour staggered trenches (6.1 t/ha). Contour staggered trenches minimised runoff loss (4.12% rainfall/year) and soil loss (0.33 t/ha/year) and enhanced OC content (0.76%) as compared to initial (0.35% OC). In mango based hortipasture system, mango + P. maximum (var. BG2) produced highest DM (8.4 t/ha).

In guinea + (cowpea - berseem) cropping system, application of 100% recommended dose of nutrients through organic manure (80 t FYM/ha) recorded highest GFY (124.0 t/ha) and SMBC (600 mg C/kg soil) with improved OC content (1.34%) over initial value (0.2%). In BN hybrid based fodder production systems, application of 50% RDF + 25% vermicompost + biofertilizer consortium recorded higher green and dry matter (fodder) yield and profused nodulation in legume fodders. Minimum tillage (kharif) - zero-tillage (rabi) + mulching with sesbania loppings recorded higher fodder yield in fodder sorghum based cropping systems. Effective strains of phosphate solubilizing fungal isolates suitable for normal, saline-alkali and acid soils were identified.

Biotic stress management

Diversification and sustainable intensification

Managing natural resources and soil health

Forage seed research and its production

Forage livestock production system

Farm mechanization and conservation

Exploring nanotechnology

A natural phenomenon of pseudovivipary was observed for the first time in Pennisetum pedicellatum. Enhanced seed filling in Chrysopogon fulvus (by 11%) and Sehima nervosum (by 24%) was achieved through exogenous application of 100 ppm Kinetin and 200 ppm TIBA, respectively. Seed quality in terms of germination was boosted through coating with polymer, nutrient mixture and protectants in cowpea, by modified pelleting technology in dinanath and through mechanical scarification in Indigofera. The spring season was identified as the most suitable season for quality seed production in Cenchrus. Seed standards were developed in eleven range grasses and legume species viz., Lasiurus sindicus, Desmodium tortuosum, Stylosanthes hamata, Stylosanthes scabra, Stylosanthes seabrana, Stylosanthes guianensis, Clitoria ternatea, Indigofera sp., Desmanthus virgatus, Macroptelium atropurpureum and Centrosema pubescens for maintaining seed quality.

Supplementation of ML-7, a polyphenolic compound isolated from Madhuca longifolia @ 1.0% to various straw-berseem-concentrate diets reduced in vitro methane production. In Bhadawari buffalo, lactation milk yield and wet average were 1410 and 4.17 kg and milk contained 77.3, 21.5 and 1.1% of saturated, mono and poly unsaturated fatty acid, respectively. Jalauni sheep had 2.6% higher intake when berseem-oat was intercropped in 1:2 ratio than on sole oat (2.5%) and berseem fodder (2.2%). Evaluation of Cenchrus germplasm (91) revealed 15 accessions had soluble sugar more than 75 mg/g DM and can be exploited for developing Cenchrus cultivars for quality silage preparation. Improvement in biomass yields and total water soluble sugar content in BN hybrid was achieved by application of whip super @ 6 g a.i./ha and GA @ 1000 ppm, which produced 3

higher green fodder (72.38 and 71.98 t/ha) than control (67.58 t/ha).

In urea treated feed pellets, the CP increased up to 20.3% in first two months and reduced gradually up to 17.1% after one year and the roughage based feed pellets increased the milk yield from 5 to 13.6%. Prototype of low cost power operated tyre type seed pelletizer has been developed, which works effectively at 30 rpm. Prototype feasibility testing was conducted for raised bed planter, tractor operated boom sprayer and engine operated walk behind power weeder.

Ten fungal species were isolated and analyzed for their ability to synthesize different nanoparticles viz., P, Zn and Fe nanoparticles using their macro salts under laboratory conditions. Six potential fungal species (Aspergillus sp.) were found capable of synthesizing nano-phosphate using rock phosphate as substrate in liquid culture. The availability

of Cu in plant system was increased with 100 ppm nano form of CuO (nCuO) seed treatment which was at par with recommended dose of CuSO in fodder cowpea. Similarly, 4

accumulation of Zn (41.3 µg/g) was increased with nZnO treatment in sorghum (MP chari). Supplementation of nZnO in growing lambs did not show any apparent toxic effect. Plasma urea (33.3 vs 32.9 mg/dl) and creatinine (0.9 vs 1.1 mg/dl) levels were comparable between experimental and control lambs.

Under participatory fodder production in mango orchards, twenty mango growers cultivated multiple fodder crops (viz., BN hybrid, guinea, perennial fodder sorghum with legumes like fodder cowpea, clitoria and lucerne) in inter-row spaces of mango covering 21.35 acres. The success of this methodology was scaled up by broadcasting the experiences of 18 mango growers through community radio station and telecasting through Doordarshan. Scaling up of fodder technologies with diverse activities to address health of soils, animals and humans were carried out through different modes like demonstrations, e-chara kendra, etc. These activities have led to transforming the villages from fodder deficit to fodder surplus with increased income from livestock.

Under Adarsh Chara Gram, e-Chara kendra was established in villages Garera and Dhobia in Datia and Awas in Shivpuri district and linked to institute, KVKs, Bharari and Datia and line departments. Farmers were given all information regarding fodder production and selling their surplus fodder to dairies. Total of 264 farm families were direct beneficiaries and more than 1000 farmers were indirect beneficiaries. One thousand animals were vaccinated, seven biogas plants were established, more than 200 farmers benefited from weather advisory, area under fodder cultivation was increased from 22 to 122%. High yielding forage varieties, integrated crop management practices, inclusion of forages in existing cropping systems and fodder on bunds, silage, mineral mixture etc. were some of the interventions introduced in the selected farmers' fields. Besides, capacity building through trainings, e-Chara kendra, exposure visits, agro advisory services, field days was also organized and large number of farmers participated in Kisan mela and Kisan gosthies.

All 15 teams had provided information to farmers of 75 adopted villages on technical and other related aspects in a time frame. About 1850 farmers including farm women were benefitted. Thirty trainings (554 participants), 72 interface meetings, exposure visits and gosthis on fodder cultivation, utilization and conservation and livestock health issues were organized. More than 300 soil health cards were issued to adopted farmers. A total of 4820 kg seeds of improved fodder varieties of maize, sorghum, bajra, cowpea, guar, oat and

Translational research

Adarsh Chara Gram

Mera Gaon Mera Gaurav

berseem were provided and 780 demonstrations were conducted at farmers' fields which led to about 2-5% increase in area of fodder crops and 10-15% increase in fodder yield.

TSP interventions were implemented at Kargil (122 demonstrations) and Leh, J&K (107 demonstrations), Dausa (202 demonstrations) and Banswara, Rajasthan (225 demonstrations). Agricultural, animal husbandry, poultry and fodder related interventions were demonstrated to uplift the socio-economic condition of tribal farmers under adopted villages. Capacity building of tribals through training, skill development, visits, extension activities was done.

Income generated through sale of seeds, literature and value added products by ATIC was Rs. 126256. ATIC organized visits of farmers, government organizations, NGOs, private organizations etc. by which about 1557 visitors were exposed to the technologies of the institute. The Kisan Call Centre answered 160 telephone calls, 13 postal and 25 email queries of various stakeholders. Farmers' scientific coordination committee meets every wednesday, and answers queries of farmers, dairy owners, land developers, government organizations and private companies suitably.

About 9.9 q breeder seed, 64.9 q TFL seed totalling 74.8 q during kharif 2015 and 215.3 q breeder seed, 48.6 q TFL seed totalling 263.9 q during rabi 2015-16 of various grasses and cultivated fodder crops was produced. Overall 225.2 q breeder seed and 113.5 q TFL seed totalling 338.7 q was produced during the year to meet the forage seed requirements.

ICAR-IGFRI, Jhansi was awarded with prestigious “Sardar Patel Outstanding ICAR Institution Award 2015” for large

thcategory of ICAR institutes on Foundation Day of ICAR, 16 July, 2016 at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi. “Vasantrao Naik Award for Outstanding Research Application in Dryland Farming Systems - 2015” was awarded to Drs. Sunil Kumar, AK Dixit, T Kiran Kumar, SK Rai, RK Agrawal and PK Ghosh for efficient resource management, sustainable intensification and alternate land use system for food and fodder security in Bundelkhand region. Being ISO-9001:2008 certified organization, institute continued to perform well with very good score of RFD. Dr. Manoj Chaudhary received 'Young Scientist Award' and Dr. VK Yadav received 'Young Investigator Award' from Society of Scientific Development in Agriculture and Technology

th(SSDAT), in the national conference during 12-13 December, 2015. Dr. RP Sah received 'Best Ph.D. Thesis Award - 2015' from the Society of Application of Statistics in Agriculture and Allied Sciences (SASAA), in the national

thsymposium, BCKV, West Bengal, 3-5 March, 2016.

Tribal Sub Plan

ATIC

Seed production

Awards and recognition

Human Resource Development

International Grassland Congress (IGC 2015)

Institute had organized five national training programmes including one winter school on “Integration of conventional and biotechnological approaches for improvement of dual

th thpurpose crops and grasses” from Jan 28 to Feb 17 , 2016, and one summer school on "Recent approaches in crop residue management and value addition for entrepreneurship

th rddevelopment" from July l4 to August 3 2016. Training on “Financing Dairy Farming” sponsored by NABARD was

rdjointly organized with BIRD, Lucknow, during 1-3 March, 2016 for bankers and NGOs, focussed on techno-economic features of dairy farming and processing industry. About 15 farmers' exposure visits cum trainings were conducted to expose all the technologies of the institute including credit facilities for women farmers and formation of SHGs, etc. Besides, a special training in collaboration with GDS, Lalitpur on IFS was also conducted. A total of 18 Ph.D. and M.Sc. students were registered at IGFRI for dissertations. IGFRI personnel participated in 12 national workshops / training programmes.

rdThe 23 International Grassland Congress (IGC) was

thorganized for the first time in India during 20-24 November, 2015, at Delhi, with more than 810 delegates from 47 countries across the globe by RMSI in collaboration with IGFRI. The main theme of the congress was “Sustainable use of grassland resources for forage production, biodiversity and environmental protection” and was inaugurated by Hon'ble Shri. Radha Mohan Singh ji, Minister of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, Govt. of India at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi. Two concurrent pre-congress workshops and two concurrent forums on last day and fifty-three keynote speakers delivered their lectures spanning 30 scientific sessions. The major recommendation emanated from IGC is

to formulate “Indian Grassland Authority” for sustenance of grassland resources in India and to frame a new national policy on feed and fodder.

The Society of Agricultural Professionals, Kanpur in collaboration with ICAR-IGFRI, Jhansi, CSAUAT, Kanpur and RMSI, Jhansi organized a national symposium on “Transforming Indian Agriculture towards Food and

stNutritional Security” at IGFRI, Jhansi during 20-21 February, 2016.

thInstitute celebrated World Soil Day on 5 December, 2015. Soil Health Cards were distributed to farmers of MGMG villages located in Bundelkhand region.

IGFRI, Jhansi and its RRSs have actively continued Swachh Bharat Mission in all its divisions and sections of the institute along with spreading awareness about cleanliness. Scientists of the institute are also creating awareness about cleanliness in the villages adopted for MGMG.

IGFRI along with ICAR-ATARI, Kanpur organized a thworkshop at Jhansi on 30 Nov. 2015, to discuss the various

issues related to agricultural development in the Central plateau & Hill region of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, which was chaired by Dr. J. S. Sandhu, DDG (CS), ICAR, New Delhi. The workshop made various recommendations for development of agriculture sector in Bundelkhand region.

Linkages developed with Dept. of Agriculture & Animal Husbandry of U.P. and M.P. Governments for the benefit of farmers of MGMG and Adarsh Chara Gram. Besides, institute is closely working with number of NGOs viz, BAIF, Development Alternatives, Jhansi, Upman Mahila Sansthan, Jhansi and Gramin Development Services, Lalitpur etc. for transfer of technologies and implementation of programmes. Activities initiated were introduction of biogas units, chaff cutters, vermicompost units, demonstration of improved seeds of vegetables and pulses, registration of farmers for sending crop and weather related SMS including capacity building programmes at farmers' fields, etc.

National Symposium

World Soil Day

Swachh Bharat Mission

Brain storming

Linkages developed

Visits abroad

Scientist Place of visit Duration Programmeth thDr. P. K. Ghosh Alexandria, 21-24 August, 2016 12 International Dryland Development

Egypt Conferenceth thDr. P. K. Ghosh NARC, Kathmandu, 27-29 February, 2016 4 Regional Coordination meeting of

Nepal ICARDA-SACRP

Dr. D.C. Joshi University of Queensland, July 2014 - March 2016 Indo-Australian Career Boosting Gold Australia Fellowship (IACBG 2013-14), Australia

Vikas Parv - Labharthi Kisan Sammelannd“Vikas Parv - Labharthi Kisan Sammelan” was organized on 2

June, 2016. Hon'ble Shri Radha Mohan Singh Ji, Minister of Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare, inaugurated the programme and exhibition of fodder technologies, farm machinery and feed products by KVKs, Institute, banks and line department of Bundelkhand. Hon'ble Sri Babul Supriyo, Minister of State, Urban Development, Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation, GOI (Special Guest), Sri Mahesh Giri, MP, Sri Ravi Sharma, MLA along with other distinguished guests were present. About 450 farmers from villages of Jhansi and nearby districts, who are the beneficiaries of Mera Gaon Mera Gaurav, Adarsh Chara Gram, Unnat Bharat Abhiyan and other farmer oriented schemes of the institute and CAFRI, participated in this programme.

Unnat Bharat Abhiyan

IGFRI in ICAR Sports

thAs part of “Unnat Bharat Abhiyan”, a three days (27-29 March, 2016) workshop on “Natural / Organic Farming and Rural Economy” was organized in collaboration with Lok Bharti, Uttar Pradesh at the institute. Two hundred representatives from research institutes / farmers / NGOs / Gaushalas of U.P., M.P., Uttarakhand, Delhi participated in presence of Swami Kad Sidheshwar Ji (Chairman), Sri Hriday Nath Singh (Chief Guest) and Sri K Ram Mohan Rao, Commissioner, Jhansi (Guest of Honour).

IGFRI sports contingent participated twice in ICAR west zone tournaments. First at Central Sheep and Wool Research Institute,

thAvikanagar (2-6 Nov., 2015), won 4 individual and one team awards (Badminton). In inter-zonal games held at CAZRI, Jodhpur, Dr. Tejveer Singh was judged as 'Best Athlete' of ICAR and Badminton team stood as runner up. Second at NRC Camel,

Publications

Extension talks

New Appointments

Promotions

Retirements

Research papers (27); Presentations/ Papers/ Abstracts in Seminar/ Symposia/ Conference: (International - 67 & National - 11); Books / Book chapters (20); Technical bulletins (3); Popular articles (4); Folders / Extension leaflets (English - 6 & Hindi - 10).

DD Kisan / other TV talk / Radio talks – 7

th• Vijay K Yadav on 7 April, 2016 as Head, Seed Technology Division.

th• Pushpendra Koli on 11 April, 2016, Nitish Rattan Bharadwaj th thon 13 October, 2016 and Sheshrao Kautkar on 15 October,

2016 as Scientist.

Senior Scientist to Principal Scientist - 4, Senior Scientist (PB-3 RGP 8000) to (PB-4 RGP 9000) - 4, Scientist (RGP 6000 to 7000) - 6

Asst. Chief Technical Officer to Chief Technical Officer - 3, Sr. Technical Officer to Asst. Chief Technical Officer - 9, Technical Officer to Sr. Technical Officer - 8, Sr. Technical Assistant to Technical Officer - 3, Technical Assistant to Sr. Technical Assistant - 3.

rdFinancial upgradation (3 ) under MACP scheme - 4

Technical - 3, Administrative - 1, Skilled supporting staff - 11

Scientific staff

Technical staff

Administrative staff

Published by : Director, ICAR-Indian Grassland and Fodder Research InstituteGwalior Road, Jhansi-284003 (U.P.)Ph. : 0510-2730666 Website : www.igfri.res.in e-mail : igfri director@gmail.comCompiled & edited by : K.K. Singh, R. Srinivasan, A. Radhakrishna, J.B. Singh, A.K. Saxena and K.P. Rao

thBikaner (24-27 Sep., 2016), won 6 individual and 01 team awards (Kabaddi). Besides this, IGFRI was also awarded with Fair Play trophy for disciplined sportsmanship.