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Workshop- Formalization of Seed System In Tropical Tuber Crops

One day National Brainstorming Workshop On Formalization Of Seed System In Tropical Tuber Crops was organized at ICAR-Central Tuber Crops Research Institute Thiruvananthapuram on 03 December 2024. The programme was conducted in hybrid mode and attended by several dignitaries including DDG, ADG, from SMD, former and present directors and distinguished speakers from CPRI, IIHR and IISR and participated by scientists and technical staff and project fellows.

Arunachal Pradesh Agriculture Minister Visits ICAR-CTCRI

Shri Gabriel D. Wangsu, Minister of Agriculture and Allied Sectors, Govt of Arunachal Pradesh, visited ICAR-Central Tuber Crops Research Institute, Thiruvananthapuram with other officers of Government of Arunachal Pradesh. The visit was part of a broader initiative to strengthen ties between research institution and state agricultural departments, fostering advancements in tuber crops cultivation and processing. Dr. G Byju , Director, ICAR-CTCRI, Thiruvananthapuram briefed about the ongoing research activities of the institute and various developmental programmes it carried in different parts of India with special reference to the state of Arunachal Pradesh.

ICAR-CTCRI released two cassava varieties

ICAR-CTCRI, Thriuvananthapuram released two cassava varieties named ‘Sree Annam’ and ‘Sree Manna’during the 29th State Seed Sub Committee They are multi nutrient (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) use efficient requiring only 25% of the recommended NPK dose (N: P2O5: K2O @ 25: 12.5: 25 kg per ha) for producing a yield of 30-40 tonnes per hectare. Both are edible varieties of 9-10 months duration, cooks well, mealy, soft texture, sweet taste with low cyanogen. Moderately tolerant to cassava mosaic disease and with no other major pests and diseases. Sree Annam is an elite land race (CI-905) from central Travancore. The flesh is dark yellow rich in carotene. The tuber is having good shelf life as it can be kept up to one week without any physiological disorder. The arrangement of tubers in the bunch as well as its shallow surface clustering helps in easy harvesting especially during summer months. The closely spaced nodes in the stem help in getting more of setts for planting material purpose. This is drought resilient due to good leaf retention throughout the growing season. Sree Manna (7 III E3-5) is an inbred intended for market purpose as the tubers are slightly elongated with pink rind and white flesh. Better nutrient use efficiency of these varieties were elucidated through research since 2008. The attributes being leaf and root architecture and the NUE parameters computed as well as the studies on root meristem and leaf area revealed substantially more number of white roots as well its higher density and diameter and better leaf area which in turn facilitated better nutrient solubilisation, uptake, transport and utilization of both inherent and applied nutrients.

ICAR-CTCRI KAU to establish Satellite Incubation Centre

The Attapadi region of Kerala has tribal population of around 32,956, which constitutes 44% of the total population of the block. Along with millets, tubers play a significant role in the food and nutritional security of the tribal farmers in this region. Considering importance of improving the nutritional quality of food basket of tribes, ICAR-CTCRI has initiated the 'Rainbow Diet Campaign' programme for establishing value chain of biofortified sweet potato for combating malnutrition among children.

Hindi Fortnight -2024

Hindi Fortnight was organized at ICAR-CTCRI from 14/09/2024 to 28/09/2024. The program started with the welcome address by Liaison Officer (Official Language) and Principal Scientist Dr. Asha Devi, A. She mentioned about the worldwide acceptance of Hindi, the importance of Hindi language, etc in her welcome address. The function was inaugurated by the Director-in-Charge and Head (Crop Protection), Dr. T. Makeshkumar on 18/09/2023 at 10.30 am. He spoke about the importance of Hindi language and the promotion and use of Hindi language at the global level. Shri.Bhadrakumar.S., Senior Administrative Officer and Member Secretary, OLIC, ICAR-CTCRI delivered the vote of thanks.

PUBLICATIONS

CTCRI Vision 2050 provides an oppurtunity to evaluate the relevance of tropical tuber crops in food security by introspecting the accomplishment and visualizing the challenges this sector may face in future. It also critically examines possible scenario of operating environment.