TN Governor to deliver UAS Convocation address

Dharwad, June 10 (UNI) Tamil Nadu Governor Surjit Singh Barnala will deliver the 21st University of Agriculture Sciences (UAS) Convocation address here tomorrow, Vice Chancellor J H Kulkarni said today.

Talking to newspersons on the eve of the Convocation, he said the University had released a number of improved varieties and hybrids in different crops during the year which include DWR 1006, a high yielding semi dwarf durum wheat variety, HMT-100-1, a high yielding foxtail millet variety and two cotton hybrids RAHH-95, an intra hirsutum hybrid and RAHB-97, an inter- specific hybrid.

Giving details of the research works carried out in the University, he said a high yielding bold seeded and wilt resistant variety JG-11 has been identified. In sugar cane, C-94012 an early maturing and high sugar recovery variety has been identified.

Three wooly aphid resistant clones (SNK-44, SNK-49 and SNK-754) in sugar cane were identified and 4.0 lakh tissue cultured and 8.0 lakh poly bag seedlings were distributed to the farmers.

He said Phule Ganesh, a pink variety of China Aster has been recommended for cultivating in transitional zone of Karnataka for cut flower production. Use of distillery-spent wash, in place of inorganic fertilizer was found beneficial in enhancing yield without any adverse effect on soil and environment.

Dr Kulkarni said in production technologies, maize-chickpea cropping system was found more remunerative in Malaprabha command area. Planting of tobacco on ridges has been found to give higher yield than flat bed method of planting.

''The UAS has given priority for seed production and technology transfer through supply of quality seeds to the farming community.

There has been a substantial increase in mandatory breeder seed production, which was 11,00 quintals during 2005-06. With this achievement UAS could rise to second position in producing breeders' seed in the entire country'', he added.

Replying to questions, he said the process of filling back-log vacancies has already began and in the first phase 50 per cent vacancies were filled and remaining posts would be filled soon.

Dr Kulkarni said from this year admissions to the agricultural courses would be given without common entrance test (CET) considering only Pre-University marks of the students. Of the total intake 28.3 per cent would be given to the students, whose parents have agriculture land.

UNI