Inter-Departmental Seminar Report
At the outset of the seminar session, Dr. Kalpataru Nanda, Assistant Professor, Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, welcomed the faculty members and participants. He then invited Prof. (Dr.) Susanta Kumar Mohanty, Professor (Genetics and Plant Breeding), School of Agriculture, GIET University, Gunupur, to deliver his seminar presentation on the topic “Research and Extension Activities under AICRP on Castor.”
The speaker commenced the presentation by highlighting the economic importance of castor and discussing its diverse industrial applications, geographical distribution, production, and productivity in India, with special emphasis on Odisha. He further elaborated on the botany, floral biology, growth habit, and reproductive behaviour of castor and explained the techniques of emasculation and hybridization employed in castor breeding programs. The presentation subsequently focused on the recommended package of practices for successful castor cultivation. Detailed information was provided on land preparation; optimum seed rate; spacing; nutrient management involving nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and sulfur through SSP and gypsum; micronutrient application; and incorporation of farmyard manure (FYM). The speaker also emphasized the importance of integrated weed management through pre-emergence application of pendimethalin and the cultivation of sunhemp as a green manure crop to improve soil organic matter and suppress weed growth.
Prof. Mohanty stressed the significance of regular field monitoring for the timely detection and management of major insect pests and diseases. He discussed important pests such as castor semilooper, Spodoptera, thrips, whiteflies, leafhoppers, and capsule borers, along with diseases including seedling blight and Botrytis blight, describing their symptoms and integrated management strategies. Photographs illustrating different crop growth stages, field preparation, insect pests, and disease symptoms were presented to facilitate better understanding. The speaker also provided a comprehensive overview of the quantitative observations recorded at different stages of crop growth, including various morphological and yield-related traits. He explained the procedures for harvesting castor capsules at appropriate maturity stages, post-harvest drying, and seed yield estimation. In addition, he highlighted the major research and extension activities undertaken under the All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Castor, including the organization of Front Line Demonstrations (FLDs), market surveys, farmer awareness and motivation programs, and other outreach activities aimed at promoting improved castor cultivation technologies among farming communities.
Overall, the seminar provided valuable insights into the research methodologies, crop production practices, pest and disease management strategies, and extension activities under the AICRP on Castor. The presentation was highly informative and well appreciated by the audience, followed by an interactive question-and-answer session. Finally, Dr. Kalpataru Nanda proposed the vote of thanks, and the seminar session concluded successfully.
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