Year of Establishment : 1958-59

This centre was established by Mumbai Government as soil conservation block in the year 1958-59 and transferred to the Department of Agriculture, Government of Gujarat as main station for research in grassland under rainfed conditions since 01-06-1962 with a view to conduct research in grasses, improvement of natural grassland area. In 1972 with the initiation of Gujarat Agricultural University, the centre was transferred to the university. For strengthening research work at Dhari, National Agricultural Research Project (North Saurashtra Agro-climatic Zone) was sanctioned in 1982 having multi disciplinary approach for planning research under specific farming situation in collaboration with All India Sorghum Research Project, Surat and All India Forage Research Project, AAU, Anand.

Grassland Research Station and Agricultural Research Station are two research stations which are working at Dhari. The mandate to take up multidisciplinary Research work in various grasses and dry farming research on groundnut, cotton, sesemum, bajara and horticultural crops to meet the need of developing production technology for increasing production in Gujarat as well as to abroad. The Grassland research station is located in the village Dhari situated 3 km. away from Dhari bus stop on Dhari-Bagasara road and Agricultural research station, Dhari situated 3 km. away from Dhari bus stop on Dhari-Kodinar road. Village Dhari situated 45 km. away from Amreli. The annual rainfall of this region for the last 25 years range from 400 mm to 500 mm with an average precipitation of 479 mm. The major soil types of the North Saurashtra Agro climatic Zone in order of priority are : medium black, sallow black, residual sandy, coastal alluvial, saline alkali, hilly.

1. To take up multidisciplinary research work in various pasture grasses and forage crops.
2. To take up multidisciplinary research work on dry farming research on groundnut, cotton, sesemum and bajara.
3. To take up research work in arid horticultural crops.
4. To generate information on sustainability of the existing cropping/farming systems.
5. Evolving appropriate cropping/farming systems for different categories of soil based on land capability classification and their production technology.

Objectives : (Projectwise)

1. Research in Pasture grasses and legume
2. Grassland management in relation to grazing system
3. Soil and moisture conservation
4. Nutritional aspect of fodder crops

1. Location specific research programme for forage crop
2. Nutritional aspect of forage crop
3. Breeding work in forage crop
4. Agro-Horticultural Research
5. Silvi-pastural Research
6. Pathological and Entomological Research Work

1. To identify suitable agronomical and water harvesting techniques for maximizing yield potential in prominent dry farming crops viz, groundnut, sorghum, sesamum etc.
2. To identify suitable crop varieties in prominent dry farming crop of the region.
3. Major thrust areas of research in groundnut, sesamum and bajara crops.
4. Pasture grasses and legume and forage crops.
5. Agro-Horticultural and Silvi-pastural system.

1. To identify appropriate soil manipulation technology for in-situ moisture conservation.
2. To identify local native species for trees, shrubs and pasture grasses and legumes for conservation of moisture.
3. Evolving appropriate cropping/farming systems for different categories of soil based on land capability classification and their production technology.
4. To generate information on sustainability of the existing cropping/farming systems.

Faculty Profile :

Sr. No	Name	Designation	Qualification	Specialized subject
1	Dr. A. D. Rathod	Asso. Res. Sci	Ph. D.	Agronomy
2	Shree N.P.Rathod	Agri.Officer	Ph. D.	Entomology
3	Shree R.B.Vaja	Agri.Assi.	Diploma In Agri.	-
4	Shree N.N.Saraviya	Agri.Assi.	Diploma In Agri.	-
5	Shree S.D. Sarvaiya	Agri.Assi.	Diploma In Agri.	-

 

 

 

 

 

 

Research projects and schemes – ongoing

Sr. No.	Name of Scheme/ Project	Budget Head	Type of Scheme	Year of Starting
1	Project for Research in Grasses	5012	Non - Plan	1985
2	Project for Research on Dry Farming	5042	Non - Plan	1975
3	National Agriculture Rsearch Project	7082-C	Non-Plan	1982
4	Project for Research in watershed management	12905	Plan	1999-2000
5	Project for Research in Forage crop production	12026	Plan	2012-13
6	Mega seed	18803-03	-	-
7	Revolving fund	9510-J19	-	-

Agro-climatic Information of the Center

(b) Rainfall	:	Av. 671.64  mm (Last 10 years)
(c) Soil	:	Medium black, sallow black, residual sandy, coastal alluvial, saline alkali, hilly.
(d) Temperature	:	5o - 46o C
(e) Geographical details	:	Climate	:	Sub tropical
		Longitude	:	21.3266 N
		Latitude	:	71.0253 E
		Altitude	:	216m (708’) MSL
		Av. Rainfall	:	671.64  mm (Last 10 years)
(f) Soil Properties	:	Clay soil, Back gravelly

Research projects and schemes – ongoing

Sr. No.	Name of Scheme/ Project	Budget Head	Type of Scheme	Year of Starting
1	Project for Research in Grasses	5012	Non - Plan	1985
2	Project for Research on Dry Farming	5042	Non - Plan	1975
3	National Agriculture Rsearch Project	7082-C	Non-Plan	1982
4	Project for Research in watershed management	12905	Plan	1999-2000
5	Project for Research in Forage crop production	12026	Plan	2012-13
6	Mega seed	18803-03	-	-
7	Revolving fund	9510-J19	-	-

Infrastructure Facility Available

Particulars		GRS	ARS
Total area under Research Station	:	575.00 ha	63.11
Farm area under cultivation	:	49.55 ha	27.52
Area under farm structure, agro forestry, office building etc	:	2.07 ha	2.0 ha
Source of irrigation	:	3  open well, 5 tube well	2  open well, 2 tube well
Office/Lab building	:	1	-
Godown/store room	:	1	1
Jeep	:	1 Bolero,1 Pizot	-
Above 35HPTractors	:	1	2
Loader		1	-
Livestock (Bullocks)	:	6	4
Implement shed	:	2	1

Achievements:

Crop	Variety	Stage	2019-20		2020-21		2021-22
			Area (ha.)	Production (kg)	Area (ha.)	Production (kg)	Area (ha.)	Production (kg)
Groundnut	GJG 22	Breeder	4.0	7510	6.0	3282	5.0	4100
		Truthful	4.0	7820	5.5	3210	6.0	4390
	GG 20	Truthful	7.0	12300	7.5	4910	3.0	1380
	GJG32	Foundation	-	-	-	-	6.0	9555
Seasame	Gujarat til 4	Breeder	1.0	275	1.0	75	-	-
		Truthful	2.0	230	-	-	-	-
	Gujarat til  2	Truthful	2.0	435	-	-	-	-
Mungbean	Gujarat 4	Truthful	1.0	104	-	-	1.5	190
Chick pea	GG 4	Breeder	1.5	655	-	-	-	-
	GJG 5	Breeder	3.0	3890	2.0	4110	4.0	1885
		Truthful	1.0	1650	-	-	2.0	2050
	GJG 3	Certified	-	-	4.0	4355	-	-
Urdbean	Gujarat 2	Truthful	-	-	1.5	432	6.11	2460

Crop	Variety	Stage	2019-20		2020-21		2021-22
			Area (ha.)	Production (kg)	Area (ha.)	Production (kg)	Area (ha.)	Production (kg)
Groundnut	GJG 22	Breeder	-	-	2.0	4500	4.0	11,100
		Truthful	3.0	6900	-	-	-	-
		Foundation	-	-	-	-	6.0	9345
	GG 20	Truthful	9.3	19251	10.5	7750	4.0	5000
		Breeder	2.0	5800	-	-	-	-
	GJG HPS 1	Breeder	-	-	-	-	1.0	2300
Seasame	Gujarat Til 10	Breeder	-	-	0.5	185	0.5	150
	Gujarat Til 6	Breeder	1.0	305	1.0	60	1.0	120
Mungbean	Gujarat 4	Truthful	2.9	1100	2.5	60	2.0	260
Chick pea	GJG 5	Breeder	2.0	3900	1.0	1215	3.0	5110
		Certified	3.0	4500	-	-	1.5	1200
		Foundation	-	-	-	-	3.0	2610
	GJG 3	Certified	-	-	6.5	10600	-	-

RESEARCH RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FARMERS COMMUNITY

I. CROP PRODUCTION

Nutrient Management

Year: 2004-05

Effect of nitrogen application on marvel grass

     The farmers of North Saurashtra Agro-climatic Zone are advised to grow marvel grass with application of 60-30 NP kg/ha (30 kg N as a basal and 30 kg N at 30 DAS) for obtaining economically maximum green biomass and dry matter yield in marginal lands under rainfed condition. (Grassland Research Station, JAU, Dhari)

Nutrient management through their sources in groundnut

    The farmers of North Saurashtra Agro-climatic Zone growing groundnut (GG-20) under dryfarming condition in kharif season are advised to apply recommended dose of N and P through DAP and urea with gypsum (18.75 kg S/ha) for getting maximum pod yield and higher net return. (Grassland Research Station, JAU, Dhari)

Integrated nutrient management in sorghum

The farmers of North Saurashtra Agro-climatic Zone growing sorghum as fodder crop in kharif are advised to choose sorghum variety GFS-5 and fertilize with 80 kg N/ha (40 kg as basal and 40 kg at 30 DAS) and Azotobacter and Azospirillum bio-fertilizer treatment (5 packets/ha each of 250 g) for getting maximum fodder yield. (Grassland Research Station, JAU, Dhari)

Integrated nutrient management in anjan Grass

     The farmers of North Saurashtra Agro-climatic Zone growing Anjan grass in kharif season are advised to apply 20 kg N/ha ( 10 kg as basal and 10 kg at 30 DAS ) along with Azotobacter 5 packets/ha (each of 250 g) for getting economically optimum green and dry matter yield in marginal lands under rainfed condition. (Grassland Research Station, JAU, Dhari)

Integrated nutrient management in groundnut-wheat crop sequence

     The farmers of North Saurashtra Agro-climatic Zone adopting groundnut-wheat crop sequence are advised to apply 50 per cent recommended dose of fertilizer (6.25:12.5 kg NP/ ha) + Rhizobium culture (250 g/10 kg seeds) + FYM 10 t/ha to groundnut and recommended dose of fertilizer (120:60:0 kg NPK/ha) to wheat for maximum yield and net return. (Grassland Research Station, JAU, Dhari)

Year: 2005-06

Soil moisture conservation in hybrid cotton under rainfed condition

     The farmers of North Saurashtra Agro-climatic Zone growing hybrid cotton-8 in kharif season under dry farming condition are advised to adopt 30 cm deep tillage every year for highest seed cotton yield, net return and moisture conservation. They are also advised to apply FYM @ 10 t/ha for higher yield, net return and moisture conservation. Recommended dose (80:0:0 NPK kg/ha) of fertilizer should be applied to the crop. (Grassland Research Station, JAU, Dhari)           

Year: 2011-12

Effect of nitrogen and bio fertilizer on yield of shaniar grass (Sehima nervosum)

     The farmers of North Saurastra Agro-climatic Zone growing shaniar grass (kharif)are advised to apply 60 kg N/ha in two equal splits first at 10 days after first rain and second at 30 days after first application for getting higher fodder yield. (Grassland Research Station, JAU, Dhari)

Effect of phosphorus with and without K2O on yield of anjan grass

     The farmers of North Saurashtra Agro-climatic Zone growing anjan grass (kharif) are advised to apply 60 kg P2O5/ha as a basal dose along with recommended dose of 20 kg N/ha (10 kg as basal + 10 kg/ha at 30 DAS) for getting higher fodder yield. (Grassland Research Station, JAU, Dhari)

Effect of potassium and zinc on yield and quality of fodder jowar under rainfed condition

     The farmers of North Saurashtra Agro-climatic Zone (AES-XIV) growing fodder sorghum (kharif) are advised to apply 40 kg K2O + 20 kg ZnSO4/haalong with recommended dose of fertilizers (80:40 kg NP/ha) for getting higher fodder yield. (Grassland Research Station, JAU, Dhari)

Cultural practices

Year: 2004-05

Study of seed mixture for cultivation of fodder crops under rainfed condition

    The farmers of North Saurashtra Agro-climatic Zone growing grasses are advised to use seed mixture of Anjan grass (2.66 kg/ha) and Stylosanthes scabra (1.66 kg/ha) for obtaining economical maximum green biomass and dry matter production on marginal lands under rainfed condition. Alternatively instead of S. scabra, Clitoria Sp. (5 kg/ha) can also be used. (Grassland Research Station, JAU, Dhari)

Year: 2005-06

Pasture legumes in combination of grasses under rainfed condition

    The farmers of North Saurashtra Agro-climatic Zone growing grasses are advised to grow Clitoria (Clitoria ternatea) with Marvel grass/Zinzvo (Dichanthium annulatum) in 1:2 row ratio for obtaining economically maximum green biomass and dry matter yields under rainfed condition. (Grassland Research Station, JAU, Dhari)

Year: 2011-12

Evaluation of different seed pellets on production of pasture grasses

      The farmers of North Saurastra Agro-climatic Zone growing anjan grass (kharif) are advised to prepare small balls containing seeds (40,000 balls/ha) using 200 kg soil + 200 kg FYM + 4 kg seeds mixture to get higher germination and fodder yield. (Grassland Research Station, JAU, Dhari)

II. PLANT PROTECTION

Year: 2009-10

Development of low cost protection technology for sorghum shoot fly, Atherigona soccata

     The farmers of North Saurashtra Agro-climatic Zone growing sorghum for fodder purpose in kharif season are advised to give seed treatment with imidacloprid 70 WS @ 5 g/kg seeds and two sprays of Neem Seed Kernel Extract 5% at 7 and 14 days after germination for the management of shoot fly. (Grass land Research Station, JAU, Dhari)

Chemical control of thrips (Thrips tabaci L.) in onion through newer insecticides

     For effective and economical management of thrips in onion, two sprays of spinosad 45 SC 0.009% (2 ml / 10 litre water; 45 g a.i./ha) or chlorfenapyr 10 EC 0.008% (7.5 ml /10 litre water; 37.5 g a.i./ha) or fipronil 5 SC 0.007% (14 ml / 10 litre water; 35 g a.i./ha) at 10 days interval starting from thrips infestation are recommended under North Saurashtra Agro-Climatic Zone.The PHI for spinosad, chlorfenapyr and fipronil is 34 days. (Grassland Research Station, JAU, Dhari)

Management of sucking pests of kharif groundnut through newer insecticides

    For effective and economical management of sucking pests in kharif groundnut, two sprays of imidacloprid 17.8 SL 0.005% (2.8 ml/10 litre water; 25 g a.i./ha) or fipronil 5 SC 0.007% (14 ml / 10 litre water; 35 g a.i./ha) or difenthiuron 50 SP 0.05% (10 g/10 litre water; 250 g a.i./ha) at 15 days interval starting from the pest infestation are recommended under North Saurashtra Agro-climatic Zone . The PHI for imidacloprid, fipronil and difenthiuron is 27 days. 24 (Grassland Research Station, JAU, Dhari)

Sr. No.	Scheme	No. of Recommendations
1	Project for Research in Grasses	6
2	Project for Research on Dry Farming	5
3	National Agriculture Rsearch Project	13
4	Project for Research in watershed management	1

Publications :

Research Papers Published by the Faculty : 23

Popular Articles useful for Farmers : 7

Number of Pamphlet  : 12

Transfer of Technologies / Extension Activities :