Department of Seed Science and Technology Nauni,Solan (HP)

Dr Narender K Bharat
Professor & Head

The department of Seed Science & Technology came into being as Seed Production Section under the aegis of HPKV, Palampur in 1981. It became a part of Dr Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry in 1985. In 1996, this section was elevated to the level of Seed Technology and Production Centre with the grant of National Seed Project by the ICAR and thus the mandate of the Centre was broadened from seed production to seed technology research. The Centre started post graduate degree in 2010 and Ph.D. degree in 2012 in the discipline of Seed Science and Technology. In 2013, the Centre was elevated to a full-fledged Department under College of Horticulture in this University.

Presently, the Department is engaged in teaching, research and extension activities in the discipline of Seed Science and Technology. The department carries research under ICAR-Mega Seed Project, MIDH-centrally sponsored scheme on spices and other adhoc as well as departmental projects. The production of breeder, foundation, certified and truthful label seed and planting material of vegetables, spices, oil seeds, pulses, flowers and fruit crops is also being done.

The department has 15 ha irrigated farm area at different locations in the university for research and seed production. Besides human resource development, the department assures good quality seed and planting material of horticultural crops to the farming community and other stakeholders of the state and country.

Mandate

Development of well-trained human resource in the field of Seed Science and Technology.
Standardization of production technologies of seed crops, management practices for seed borne pests & diseases and postharvest management for quality seed/ planting material production.
Maintenance of genetic purity and production of breeder/ foundation/ certified/ truthful label seed/planting material of important varieties of vegetables, fruits, spices, oil seeds, flowers and pulse crops.

Strengths

Advanced laboratory facilities for seed quality and health testing.
15 hectare irrigated farm area at different locations (to maintain isolation distance) in the University to carry out research and good quality seed/planting material production.
Multidisciplinary faculty to carry out research on various aspects of Seed Science and Technology.

Academics

The department offers degree programmes for:

M.Sc. (Agriculture) Seed Science and Technology

Ph. D. Seed Science and Technology

Click here for course details

Achievements

Miss Anu Sharma Ph.D. student got the Ist position in poster presentation at International Conference on Development and promotion of millets and seed spices for livelihood security held on Feburary 24-26, 2023 at Agriculture University, Jodhpur, Rajasthan.
Miss Reva jaryal, Ph.D. student received the best poster presentation award in the 11th National Seed Congress-2022 held on August 21-23, 2022 at Rajmata Vijayaraje Scindia Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya, Gwalior (MP).
Mr. Akshay walia, Ph.D. student received the Bauji Siri Chand Bhatia Memorial Gold Medal during the 11th convocation of Dr. YSP, UH&F, Nauni, Solan (HP) held on December 7, 2021.
Fourteen students of the Department qualified the ICAR-National Eligibility Test since 2019.
More than 30 students of the Department have been selected in various Government, Semi- Government and private organizations.

Mr Vinay received the best poster presentation (2nd position) in the “12th National Seed Congress” held on December 11-13, 2023

Research

Thrust Areas

Standardization of seed production technology of open pollinated varieties and hybrids.
Standardization of seed processing technology for improving the physical and physiological quality of seed.
Standardization of seed quality enhancement techniques for improving the physiological quality of seed and planting material.
Assessment of storability and improvement of shelf-life of seeds.
Standardization of technologies for the management of seed borne insect pests and diseases in horticultural crops.

Major Ongoing Research Projects

Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture Development programmes on spices and aromatic plants funded by – Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Directorate of Arecanut and Spices Development, Calicut , Kerala.
Mega Seed Project ICAR (Revolving Fund scheme)

Achievements

Seed biopriming technology using local strains of bioagents for better crop yield and management of seed and soil borne diseases Frenchbean, pea, okra, bell pepper, fenugreek.
Hot water seed treatment technology for bell pepper (50-52oC for 30 min), tomato (50°C for 45 min) and brinjal (49°C for 60 min) production of healthy nursery and management of important seed borne diseases.
Defense priming technology using foliar application of SA @ 100ppm or KNO3 @ 2% for radish seed crop for quality seed production and management of alternaria blight.
Seed priming technology for bell pepper using non-toxic and organic sources like Melia azedarach leaf extract 10%, Eucalyptus leaf extract 10%, garlic clove extract 5%, cow urine 5% and cow dung extract 5% for 24 hours quality seed crop production.
Seed priming technology using PEG 6000 -0.5 M Pa for 24 hours, nutrients, PGRs to extend the storage life of onion and okra with good yield and quality under mid-hills conditions of HP.
Seed production technology including plant spacing of 30 × 30 cm along with spray of GA3 @ 250 ppm after 30 and 45 days of transplanting for improved the plant growth, flowering and seed yield quality parameters in calendula.
Production technology for quality kiwi fruit cuttings using coco peat medium + IBA @ 6000 ppm application.
Quality seed production technology for African marigold using transplanting of seedlings in 1st week of July and mulching with silver-black plastic mulch along with spray of GA3 @ 150 ppm after 45 days of transplanting.

Quality seed production of bell pepper under protected condition

FarmersTraining camp at Ribba Distrcit Kinnaur (a tribal district) H.P. on 24.11. 2021

Extension

Dissemination of seed production and protection technologies of vegetable, spices, oil seeds, flower crops and seed borne disease management practices through different communication means for better adoption among the farmers and other stake holders.

Achievements

Organized five district level kisan melas / more than 20 Panchayat level farmers training camps on campus/ off campus under which more than 3000 farmers were benefitted
Organized more than 5 Farmer-scientist intearaction programmes to address farmers field problems.
Front line Demonstrations more than 30 on organic production of spices and vegetable crops were laid out in framers field as well as research farms.
Various diagnostic field visits to farmers field and consultancy through phones were provided to farmers.
Uploaded technical videos on youtube channel of the University and delivered Radio/ TV talks on various aspects of seed crop production and protection technologies.

Awards/Recognitions

Dr Rohit Verma has been awarded best poster presentation (1 st position) certificate in the “12 th National Seed Congress” held on December 11-13, 2023
Dr. Narender K Bharat got selected for International Exposure visit under ICAR, NAHEP-IDP to Queensland, Australia during March, 2023.
Dr. Manish Kumar was conferred with Fellowship Award by Hi-Tech Horticultural Society, India for contribution in the field of Vegetable Science in the International Conference and 2nd Global Meet on “Science and Technology for Ensuring Quality Life”(GMST-2018) held at Kabupaten, Badung- Bali, Indonesia w.e.f. November 13-17, 2018. He was also invited to present a lead paper in this conference.
Dr. Narender K Bharat was conferred Scroll of honour by Indian Phytopathological Society, IARI, New Delhi.

Facilities

15 hectare irrigated farm area at four different locations in the University for research and seed production.
Hot water bath to treat the seed for management of seed borne diseases
Seed coating and pelleting machine for seed quality enhancement