GULBARGA: The Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) and the Agriculture Research Station (ARS) of the University of Agriculture Sciences (UAS), Dharwad, located on the outskirts of the city have done pioneering research work on Integrated Pest Management (IPM) using the organising pest management technique. This technique has helped bring out new varieties of pulses, particularly Bengal Gram and Red Gram, and to increase yield and fight pests and diseases.

Chief project director of the kendra and the research centre P.S. Dharamaraj and senior scientist D.M. Mannur addressing a press conference here, said the techniques devised by the scientists of the two organisations, particularly with regard to IPM, had been adopted throughout the country.

The use of the Nucleus Polio Hydel (NPV) virus for management of pests in pulse crops had come as a blessing for farmers as pests had developed resistance to conventional chemical pesticides.

The centres had established a NVP production centre that produced 5,000 bottles of NVP a year. This was supplied to farmers in Karnataka and neighbouring States such as Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh.

Prof. Dharamaraj said one major contribution of scientists of the centres was the development of the "Maruti" variety of Red Gram which was introduced in 1985 after successful laboratory and field trials. It continued to remain a popular variety among farmers as it was resilient to the problem of Wilt.

The centres were also implementing the Agriculture Technology Management Agency (ATMA)-sponsored extension activities in the district in collaboration with the Agriculture Department in the district. Gulbarga was among the nine district where the ATMA project had been taken up this year, he added.

To a question, Prof. Dharmaraj said scientists had addressed the problem of Sterile Mosaic Disease (SMD) in Red Gram noticed in the district in the past few years. They had come out with an SMD-resistant variety called "Asha".

However, the Asha variety was not free from the Wilt disease and scientists were working on this.

Prof. Dharmaraj said centres had completed the research work sponsored by the Red Gram Development Board (RGDB) on "Pest Resistant varieties for Red Gram" and "Introduction of short duration varieties in Red Gram" and the reports had been submitted to the board.

Prof. Dharmaraj said the centres had requested the UAS to sanction 50 more acres to widen research activities .

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