Prelude
The Horticultural Research Station, Kahikuchi, a commodity research station under Assam Agricultural University, is located at the western end of Guwahati city by the side of National Highway 37. The station is 20 km away from Guwahati railway station and 2 km from the Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport, Guwahati and spreads across an area of 32 ha. It lies on 20018 N latitude, 91078 E longitude and 64.0 m above MSL. The station falls in the Lower Brahmaputra Valley Agro-climatic Zone of Assam. It receives an average annual rainfall ranging from 1800–2000 mm. The maximum and minimum temperatures range from 190–350 C and 80–270 C, respectively. The soil texture of the station is mainly alluvial clay loam, having a pH range of 4.8–5.5.
Genesis
In 1957, the Department of Agriculture, Govt. of Assam, being the controlling authority, initiated research in horticulture with a scheme on pineapple at this centre. Thereafter, the station was renamed as Regional Fruit Research Station in 1960-61 and the research works continued. Subsequently, the station was handed over to Assam Agricultural University in 1973 when it acquired its present identity as Horticultural Research Station. Initially functioning with research thrust focused on three mandated crops, viz., Banana, Coconut and Pineapple, the station, in keeping pace with shifts in research priorities and paradigms, had gradually embarked upon research activities in the different horticultural components of fruits, nuts, vegetables, flowers, spices, agro- forestry, medicinal and aromatic plants as well as post harvest management and precision farming. At present, the station is the only one of its kind in the entire north eastern region and has been playing a pioneering role in conducting basic and applied research in the field of horticulture for the entire state of Assam.
Vision statement
To play a catalytic role in ushering sustainable horticultural development in the state through pragmatic and smart agro-horticultural research agenda
Mission statement
To empower the farming community of the state through the generation of demand driven, location specific and climate resilient horticultural technologies and create an enabling environment for horticultural development in the state through stakeholder capacity building, technological support and collaborative action.
Mandates
- Technology generation in horticulture
- Quality planting material production
- Capacity building of stakeholders
- Provisioning technical support to the state government and the line departments
- Transfer of technologies to the farming community
- Analytical and advisory services
How to reach
By Road: Horticultural Research Station, Kahikuchi, can be reached by buses and shared taxis from Adabari bus stand or from Jalukbari flyover point of Guwahati city. The station is located beside National Highway 17 (Formerly NH 37) and the landmark is Farm Gate.
By Rail: The station is 20 km away from the Guwahati railway station, which is connected by trains from all across the country. From there one can take a cab to reach the station.
By Air: Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport of Guwahati city is only 3 km away from Horticultural research Station and one can easily take a cab from the airport.
Contact details
Horticultural Research Station
Assam Agricultural University
Kahikuchi, Guwahati – 781 017
E – Mail: hrs.kahikuchi@aau.ac.in
Crop Improvement
- Varieties Released: Coconut variety Kamrupa and Kalpa Samrudhi (MYD x WCT)
- Brinjal variety ‘Kuchia’ – tolerant to fruit and shoot borer identified
- Tuberose varieties Shringar, Suhasini, Vaibhav and Arka Nirantara identified for commercial cultivation
- Gladioli varieties Suryakiran (very early), American Beauty (early) and Red Candiman (mid season) identified for commercial cultivation
- Gerbera genotypes viz., Shimmer, Pink Elegance, Salvador, Destina Renee, Tecta, Sonata and Loreto identified for growing under poly shade net house in Assam
- Black pepper varieties Panniyur–1 and Sreekara screened for mixed cropping in coconut plantations for higher productivity and profitability
- Black pepper varieties Panniyur–5 and Subhakara screened for mixed cropping in Arecanut plantations under the agro-climatic conditions of Assam
Crop Management
- Development of Coconut based multi-storied cropping system as well as second generation coconut based multi-species cropping system
- Development of coconut based commercial flower crops, aromatic and medicinal crops
- Evaluation of nutrient management under coconut based cropping system
- Standardization of nutritional requirement for COD x WCT hybrid coconut
- Off season fruit production in Assam lemon
- Off season vegetable production in polyhouse
- Propagation techniques of fruits, flowering shrubs and trees
- Standardization of planting time of tuberose
- Nutritional recommendations for tuberose, gerbera, gladiolus and orchids
- Identification and documentation of different agro-forestry systems in various agro- ecological situations of the state
- Standardization of coconut and Acacia mangium based agro-forestry system
- Development of Gmelina arborea, Jackfruit and bamboo based agro-forestry system
- Standardization of potting media for better growth and flowering of Dendrobium var. Morning Glory
- Standardization of bio-fertilizer dose in orchid Dendrobium var. Sonia
- Integrated nutrient management in Tuberose cv. Vaibhav
- Micro- nutrient management in gerbera through spraying for better growth and flowering of field grown Gerbera cv. Red Gem
- Standardization of media composition for Aglaonema, Dracaena and Rhapis palm
- Standardization of planting time for round the year flower production in marigold
- Standardization of potting media for growing bush pepper varieties Panniyur-1 and Karimunda
- Standardization of time for raising of bush pepper cuttings under the agro-climatic conditions of Assam
- Standardisation of bunch covering technique in Banana to protect the bunch from the attack of fruit scarring beetle
- Mulching technique in Cucumber for effective control of weeds and better yield and quality.
Post-Harvest Technology
- Postharvest technology package for distant marketing of gladiolus spikes
- Standardization of technology package for marketing of chrysanthemum in local and nearby markets
- Holding solution for extending vase life of orchids Dendrobium Var. Sonia
- Pulsing and holding treatments for extending vase life of orchid Dendrobium Var. Sonia
- Holding solution for enhancing keeping quality of Dendrobium orchid
- Enhancement of post harvest life of loose flowers of tuberose
- Standardisation of pulsing treatments for enhancing keeping quality of cut gerbera stems
- Standardization of post harvest technology package in gerbera cut flower for distant marketing
- Standardization of packing techniques for flower strings of marigold
Crop Protection
- Management of Fusarium wilt in gladiolus
- Management of tuberose leaf blight (Alternaria polyanthi)
- Management of leaf and flower blight (Alternaria dianthi) of marigold
- Integrated management of foot and root rot of gerbera
- Management of leaf spot/blight (Phoma gerberae) of gerbera
