Research Thrust Areas

Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry

1. Assessment of soil resources in NER India
2. Enhancing fertility and productivity of acid soils.
   Major Significant Outcome: C. latipes, C. macroptera and C. aurantium as potential wild, semi-wild and domesticated rootstocks, respectively showing higher degree of Al toxicity tolerance in terms of rhizospheric soil attributes, plant physiological stress and organic acids in root exudates. Root exudate profiling in reverse-phase C18 column indicated five most common organic acids namely oxalic acid, malic acid, maleic acid, citric acid and succinic acid across citrus species and Al level.
3. Use of beneficial macro- and microorganisms in sustainable soil health management.
   Major Significant Outcome:
   • All four biofertilizer agents (NPKZn) compatible to each other and could maintain their PGP traits in consortium mode. They could maintain cfu above the threshold limit of 108 up to 90 days at room temperature. The consortium could enhance plant growth and tuber yield of ARC potato (G0) significantly.
   • Performance of natural farming components in mixed crop under different jhum cycles
   • Generation of soil quality index under natural farming practices
4. Bioconversion of agro-wastes through microbial fortification and in-situ residue management
5. Assessment of soil biodiversity and its valuation on ecosystem services in North East India
   Major Significant Outcome: From root nodules of 18 different faba bean germplasm, 18 isolates of Rhizobia were obtained, the higher scored values of isolates obtained based of multifaceted PGP traits (P dissolution, mineralization from Na phytate, production of IAA, Zn dissolution and N fixation) were in the increasing order of FB-130> FB-104> FB-134> MTCC99> FB-80> FB-1> FB-129> FB-54> FB-66> FB-87> FB-74> FB-102> FB-7> FB-26> FB-83> FB-21. The isolate RhFaba 130 was most efficient on in culture multifaceted plant growth promoting traits

Agronomy:

1. Diversification of cropping/farming system for sustaining crop productivity/Agronomy.
   Major Significant Outcome: Interaction of irrigation regime (100%) through drip irrigation and nitrogen level of 100 kg/ha proved superiority over other treatments under test in Potato.
2. Optimum crop combinations and planting geometry for intercropping system for better utilization of natural resources
3. Assessment of resource conservation technologies under different Agro-eco system
4. Characterization of farming system for sustainable rural livelihood
   1. Assessment of farming system for resource allocation and its constraints analysis under Northeastern Hilly Region.
   2.  Modification of existing farming system to increase the system productivity and ecological balance.
   3.  Development and promotion of Agri based enterprises such as apiculture, vermi compost and nursery management, poultry, integrated farming system etc.
5. Diversification of cropping/farming system for sustaining crop productivity
   1. To increase the cropping intensity through introduction of rabi pulses, oilseeds, and vegetables.
   2.  Opportunities for introducing legumes in rice fallows for enhancing soil fertility and efficient utilizations of residual soil moisture.
   3. Optimum crop combinations and planting geometry for intercropping systems for better utilization of natural resources
6. Optimization systematic interaction of agricultural inputs /components cropping/farming
   1. Identification and optimization efficient sources of plant nutrients for different crops and cropping system for sustaining crop productivity in different Agro- ecosystem.
   2.  Development of organic nutrient management system in some important identified crops.
   3.  Crop-weed dynamics and its management in agroecosystems of North East India.
   4.  Ecological valuation of with monetary and non-monetary resource management system.
7. Assessment resource conservation technologies under different Agro-ecosystems
   1. Characterization of weed resources for the production of composts and vermicompost for nutrient cycling in agro ecosystem
   2. Residues management and mulching for soil and water conservation for enhancing crop productivity with natural resource.