Indian Institute of Horticultural Research

  is an autonomous organization acting as a nodal agency for basic, strategic, anticipatory and applied research on various aspects of horticulture such as fruits, vegetable, ornamental, medicinal and aromatic plants and mushrooms in India.The institute has its headquarters in Bengaluru, Karnataka, India and is a subsidiary of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi, under the Ministry of Agriculture, India.

History

IIHR, the first horticultural Research Institute in the country under the ICAR, was established on 5 September 1967 at New Delhi. Later, the base of IIHR was moved to Hessaraghatta located 25 km away from Bangalore in Karnataka, on 1 February 1968, by merging the institute with National Horatorium of Govt. of Karnataka.The institute is spread over a land area of 263 hectares.

Mandate

The institute is mandated to :

1. Undertake basic and applied research for developing strategies to enhance productivity and utilization of tropical and sub-tropical horticulture crops viz., fruits, vegetables, ornamentals, medicinal and aromatic plants and mushrooms.
2. Serve as a repository of scientific information relevant to horticulture.
3. Act as a centre for training for up gradation of scientific manpower in modern technologies for horticulture production.
4. Collaborate with national and international agencies in achieving the above objectives.

Service profile - Agriculture Technology Information Center

The institute offers various services, consolidated under the umbrella of the Agriculture Technology Information Center (ATIC).
: The service envisages identification of farmers' problems, analysis and advising suitable corrective measures.

Diagnostics : Diagnosis of diseases of various horticultural crops and advice on their control and management.
Supply of Video Films : Distribution of video films to the farmers and organizations for updating knowledge on modern technologies.
Supply of Publications : The Institute has published many illustrated leaflets and bulletins for dissemination of crop information to the farmers. The publications are made in English, Hindi, Kannada, Tamil, Malayalam and Telugu.
Supply of Computer floppies and print outs : The institute has also made information available on floppy disks and as print-outs.
Supply of seeds : Supply of seeds in packets are also undertaken by the institute.
The division deals with improvement of production technology of mango, grapes, pineapple, guava, papaya, pomegranate, ber, annona and citrus

Mandate

• Carry out basic and strategic research for enhancing productivity, quality and utility of fruit crops in tropical agro-climatic zones of India.
• Act as Repository of fruit genetic resources and their management.
• Transfer of technologies and study their impact.
• Conduct teaching and training programmes for development of human resources.
• Use ICT in scientific information and knowledge.

Vegetable Crops

Vegetables

Vegetable Crops division carries out research developing high yielding vegetable varieties / hybrids through crop improvement programmes with an emphasis on minimizing the cost. The division has five breeding laboratories and a production technology laboratory.
Mandate

• Breeding for high yield, resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses in vegetable crops
• Breeding for improved quality attributes like extended shelf life, processing and nutritional qualities
• Developing improved production technology including organic farming in vegetable crops and off season vegetable production in open field and in poly house / protected cultivation.

Ornamental Crops

A floriculture greenhouse

The focus of the division is on development of new varieties of ornamental crops with a voew to enhance export earning. The division also addresses issues like Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers Rights.

Mandate

• Carrying out basic and strategic research for enhancing productivity and quality of ornamental crops
• To act as a repository of genetic resources in ornamental crops
• To undertake front line demonstration in new technologies evolved and to impart training for upgrading scientific knowledge of technical personnel involved in floriculture enterprises

Plant Pathology

Phyllody induced by phytoplasma infection on a coneflower (Echinacea purpurea

The Plant Pathology division attends to basic and applied research for the management of diseases by microorganisms. Fully equipped laboratories are set up to combat the fungal, bacterial, viral, viroid and phytoplasma diseases of fruit crops, vegetable crops, ornamental and medicinal crops. The division also imparts training to agricultural extension officers and farmers.

Mandate

• Division of Plant Pathology will continue to maintain the vigil to meet emerging challenges due to rapid crop diversification, increased farming, increased germplasm movement and climate change, which are bringing changes to host-pathogen dynamics leading to emergence and reemergence of plant pathogens in horticultural Crops.
• Development of Diagnostics and to offer diagnostic services to SAUs, Farmers and Private seed and Tissue culture industries. Also to severe as a center for quarantine issues and phytosanitary certification.
• Continue to provide solutions and research leads to the plant disease problems in horticultural crops, understand disease epidemiology and develop durable disease management strategies.
• Develop rapid screening methods for identification of resistance sources and to use in breeding for disease resistance.
• Continue our collaboration with international and national institutions for data on distribution of plant diseases and emergence of new diseases essential to develop and/or modify existing methods of diagnosis for effective disease management strategies.
• To provide training and services to farmers, extension agents, researchers in NARS and students to strengthen the human resource development specially for disease management in horticultural crops.
• Agro/ lignocellulosic waste management through the production of edible and medicinal mushrooms.
• Utilization of mushrooms for malnutrition management through the production of mushroom nutraceuticals.
• Enhancing input efficiency of energy, water and manpower in mushroom production processes through mechanization.
• Documentation and conservation of the indigenous macrofungi wealth of the country
• Making mushroom production enterprise zero waste enterprise through the utilization of mushroom cultivation process wastes for various beneficial purposes
• To provide support through training and quality spawn to entrepreneurs, institutions, NGOs, State departments and KVKs.

Entomology and Nematology

The division, started as an AICR project in 1977, later became an independent project, renamed as Project Directorate of Biological Control and is now the National Bureau of Agriculturally Important Insects (NBAII). It carries out research and development on bio-control of crops. The spectrum of activities cover areas of entomology and nematology and include pest control management of fruits, vegetables and ornamental, aromatic and medicinal crops.

Mandate

Insects and Pests

• To carry out basic and strategic research for the management of pests of Horticultural crops (vegetables, fruits, ornamental, medicinal and aromatic crops).
• To Develop Integrated Pest Management packages and Integrated Nematode Management packages by emphasizing ecofriendly pest management.
• To conduct teaching and training programs for development of human resources in pest management.
• To develop innovative products and commercialize the same through ITMU and public and private partnership (PPP).

Physiology & Biochemistry

The Division of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry is the arm of IIHR that deal with tissue culture, molecular biology, pesticide residue and food microbiology.

Mandate

• To undertake basic and applied research on physiological and biochemical aspects of horticultural crops with particular reference to physiology of growth, development, yield and quality.
• To assess the impact of climate change on crop productivity and quality.

Tissue culture vials

Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry

The Division studies the nutrient requirement of horticultural crops and to develop suitable agro techniques for vegetable crops. It houses many laboratories viz., Soil Chemistry, Soil Salinity, Micronutrient, Leaf Analysis, Isotope, Water Management, Soil Microbiology, Microbiology and Pesticide Residue Laboratories.

Mandate

• Carry out research on the nutrient requirement and management of different horticultural crops and to develop suitable INM packages for enhancing productivity.
• Carry out the basic and strategic research to sustain soil health in horticultural ecosystems.
• Development of leaf nutrient diagnostic norms and precision farming protocols for need based nutrient management.
• Utilization of microbes for improvement of crop production and residues management
• Pesticide residue management in horticultural crops and related environment.



Salt-affected soil

• Teaching, training and extension of services for students and farming community.

Biotechnology

The Division of Biotechnology focusses on research on Gene discovery, regeneration and transgenics, Molecular markers, Marker Assisted Selection, Functional Genomics, Bioinformatics and Endophytic molecular microbiology. Specific areas of work include:

• development of molecular markers for okra and markers for root-stock identification in citrus
• development of BT transgenic brinjal and tomato
• cloning of genes for fungal resistance and transgenic development
• development of embryogenic suspension of banana and GM banana for Fusarium wilt resistance
• development of GM tomato, papaya and watermelon for virus resistance
• development of GM tomato, papaya & watermelon for virus resistance
• elucidation of ubiquitous association of endophytic microorganisms in vivo and in vitro
• discovery of periplasmic bacteria in banana

• Plant Genetic Resources

  The Division is involved in exploration, introduction, exchange, evaluation, characterization and conservation of horticultural plant growth regulators. IIHR claims to have introduced 22,080 accessions in fruits, vegetables, ornamentals & Medicinal and Aromatic Plant species. It also works on enrichment of germplasm from wild sources through exploration missions.
  A Pollen Cryobank was established under the division for long term cryogenic preservation of crops which was featured in the Limca Book of Records in 2001. A Field Gene Bank (FGB) also works under the division and the division supports establishment FGBs for Mango, Guava and Jackfruit crops.
  

  Mandate

• To act as a regional center for acquisition and management of indigenous and exotic horticultural plant genetic resources (PGR).
• To carry out related research and human resource development for sustainable growth of horticulture in the country.

Extension and Training

E and T division operated as an Advanced Training Center of the Directorate of Extension, Government of India (1997-2003) and was the Trainers Training Center of the Indian Council and Agricultural Research during 1976-1997. It looks after the training and extension activities of IIHR.

Mandate

• To disseminate improved horticultural technologies through use of different extension methodologies.
• To provide training to the farmers and horticultural officials in improved horticultural technologies.
• To undertake research on socio-economic issues of horticultural farmers.
• To conduct studies on gender mainstreaming in horticulture.

Post Harvest Technology

The division started as the Division of Fruit and Vegetable Processing, Microbiology and Postharvest Technology in 1978 which was later renamed as the Division of Postharvest Technology. The research work in the division focusses on handling and storage, processing, microbiology and cut flowers.

Objectives

• To carry out basic and applied research on postharvest management and extension of self-life of fruits, vegetables, and ornamental crops.
• To develop technologies/processes for value addition, product diversification and waste utilization of fruits, vegetables, and ornamental crops.
• To carry out research to ensure microbiological quality and safety in fresh and processed products.
• To conduct teaching and training for capacity building of scientific manpower and for development of human resources as well as to serve as repository of scientific information in the areas of postharvest horticulture.
• To develop innovative products/processes and commercialize the same through ITMU and Public and Private Partnership (PPP).

Sections

Indian Institute of Horticultural Research has four main sections.
Seed Science and Technology: to conduct research on seed production and quality aspects of horticultural crops with a mandate:

• Seed Production
• Seed Quality Testing and Storage
• Seed Protection
• Seed Physiology

 Agricultural Engineering: 

to develop and maintain IIHR farm and to establish workshop for research and development in Farm Machinery with a mandate to:

• Development of cultivation and processing machinery for horticultural crops.
• Development cultivation machinery for horticultural crops in side greenhouse.
• Development suitable greenhouses for cultivation of horticultural crops.
• Imparting knowledge and training to the scientists, farmers, students and stake holders for use of horticultural machinery.

Medicinal Crops: 

to undertake research work is on the genetic improvement of commercially important medicinal and aromatic crops and standardization of agro-technology. It holds the mandate to:

• Enrichment, documentation and Conservation of diversity in medicinal Crops.
• Genetic amelioration for yield and quality.
• Organic production technologies.
• Photochemical analysis

Economics and Statistics:

 undertakes research work on economic aspects and statistical models. The section is associated in collaborative or co-investigative research at the institute level as well as in external projects. It is also involved in the post graduate collaboration in education and research with University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, Dr. YSR Horticultural University (Andhra Pradesh Horticultural University - APHU), Pedavegi and University of Horticultural Sciences, Bagalkot. The section has a mandate :

• To undertake socio-economic research in horticultural crops. viz., economics of production, marketing and trade.
• To develop statistical models for horticultural crop research and computer application in horticultural crops
• CHES Chettalli: The station works on the madate crop of mandarin out of an area of 92 hectares in Coorg. The other crops of interest are papaya and passion fruit and minor fruits like rambutan, pummelo, avocado, mangosteen, karonda, Malayan apple and Garcinia. The station is also involved in the floricultural of rose, asters, gladiolus and orchids.
  CHES Bhubaneshwar is located at Bhubaneswar, Odisha and conducts research on applied and strategic aspects of horticultural crops. It also develops sustainable technologies suitable for the farmers of eastern region of the country in general and the state of Odisha in particular.
  CHES Hirehalli is located at Hirehalli, near Tumkur in Karanataka.
  

  Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVK)

  There are two KVKs functioning under IIHR.
  KVK Gonikoppal: This KVK is located at Virajpet taluk which is 50 km away from Madikeri and 92 km away from Mysore. It covers a total area of 17.5 hectares with office, laboratories, library and staff quarters and has demonstrations units like coffee based cropping system, Arecanut, Banana, Coorg mandarin, Papaya, Sapota, Guava, different vegetables, ployhouse, Piggery, Goatery and fodder block.
  KVK Hirehalli: The KVK is located at Hirehalli, in Tumkur District, approximately 58 km from Bangalore on the Bangalore-Poona National Highway (NH-4). The KVK extends to a total area of the Kendra is 16.24 hectares and has an office cum-laboratory building, library, staff quarters, ployhouses, shed nets, threshing yard, nursery and landscaping.