CONTENTS

VOLUME 20, No. 2 APRIL- JUNE, 2009

News ....................................... 2-3Brainstorming Meeting on PulsesGroup meet on Long Duration PigeonpeaInstitue Research Council MeetingAttachment Training ProgrammeR A C MeetingAnnual Group Meet on Kharif PulsesResearch Highlights ............... 4-6New VarietiesStatus of Diseases and Insect Pestsin Mungbean and UrdbeanBioengineering of Fieldpea forNematode ResistanceField Infestation of Bruchids inMungbean and UrdbeanFirst Report of Endotokia matricidaDesiccation StagePersonnelTransfer of Technology .............. 7Economic Empowerment of PulseFarmersParticipatory Seed Production ofchickpea and pigeonpeaDirector’s Desk ........................... 8

Prof. Swapan Datta Takes over asDy. Director General (CS)

EDITORIAL COMMITTEE

Dr. Masood Ali ChairmanDr. Sanjeev Gupta MemberDr. M.S. Venkatesh MemberMr. Naimuddin MemberMr. D. Upadhyaya Member

Secretary

Prof. Swapan Datta, an eminentscientist has assumed the office of DeputyDirector General (Crop Science), ICAR onJune 18, 2009.

Born in 1953 at Sirajganj (Bangladesh),Prof. Datta obtained his B.Sc. (Hon.) degreefrom Presidency College and M.Sc. andPh.D. from Calcutta University, Kolkata.Prof. Datta, an internationally recognized ricescientist has contributed enormously toresearch and development in golden indicarice, high-iron rice, development and field

management of Bt rice, Xa-1 rice and PR-rice for plant protection inseveral countries including India.

Prior to his joining the present position, Prof. Datta was servingUniversity of Calcutta as Rashbehari Ghosh Chair Professor. He hasserved as Associate Professor at Vishwa Bharti University during 1979-86, DAAD Fellow at Germany in 1986, Research Manager at ETH-Zurich from 1987 to 1993 and PBGB and HarvestPlus Rice Crop Leaderat IRRI, Philippines from 1993 to 2005.

Prof. Datta is recipient of several awards and recognitions includingTata Innovation Fellowship from the Govt. of India and Fellow of theNational Academy of Agricultural Sciences and National Academy ofScience. His vast and rich experience in research management,molecular biology and international exposure will provide an impetus inreorientation of crop science research to make the nation surplus infood production.

IIPR welcomes the new Deputy Director General.

2 Indian Institute of Pulses Research

Brainstorming Meeting on Pulses

A Brainstorming Meeting on“Issues and strategies forincreasing production andproductivity of pulses” was held

on 9-10 June, 2009 at NASC, NewDelhi. Seventy participantsrepresenting DAC, ICAR, SAUs,ICRISAT, ICARDA and seedagencies attended the meeting.The meeting was chaired byDr. Mangala Rai, Secretary, DAREand DG, ICAR. Dr. Masood Ali,Director, IIPR made a briefpresentation on status of researchand development in increasing theproductivity and production ofpulses. This was followed by cropspecific presentations. Variouscross- cutting issues related to

seeds, resource conservation,price and marketing interventionwere also discussed. Need wasfelt for institutionalizing the scrutiny

of breeder seedindent at DACand ICAR level.Advance seedplanning at statelevel with rollingplan for inclusionof more and morenewly releasedvarieties wase m p h a s i z e d .Since pulses aregenerally grown in

rainfed areas, greater efforts arerequired for rain water harvestingand its recycling. Eff icientmachines for planting, harvesting,inter-cultivation, threshing etc.,were considered necessary fortimely operations and reducing thepost – harvest losses. Rice fallowsof eastern India were recognizedas a potential niche for horizontalexpansion of rabi pulses. A pilotproject was also proposed onchickpea and pigeonpea in majorpulse producing states of thecountry.

Group Meet on LongDuration Pigeonpea

Group meet on long durationpigeonpea was held at IIPR on June26, 2009. About 30 participantsrepresenting eight AICRPPigeonpea centres and KVKsparticipated in this meet. The groupmeet was chaired by Dr. R. P.Katiyar, Director Research, CSAUniversity of Agriculture andTechnology, Kanpur and co-chairedby Dr. N.D. Majumder, ProjectCoordinator (Pigeonpea). Chairmanemphasized the importance ofpigeonpea and highlighted variousissues for required progress indevelopment of appropriatetechnology for farmers. He stressedupon development of diseases andinsect pest resistant /tolerantvarieties. Dr. N.D. Majumderpresented the results of varietalevaluation trials. Respective PI’s ofdifferent disciplines presented theprogress made during the previousyear. Technical programme for thecoming season was finalized.

Institute Research Council Meeting Held

Attachment TrainingProgramme

Twenty nine M.Sc. studentsare undergoing specialized trainingin dif ferent disciplines, viz. ,biotechnology, microbiology,bioinformatics, physiology andbiochemistry. Dr. (Mrs.) HemSaxena is Coordinator of theAttachment Training programmeand Dr. ( Mrs) Vijay Laxmi and Dr.Subhojit Datta are Nodal Scientists.

The Institute ResearchCouncil meeting was held underthe chairmanship of Dr. Masood Ali,Director on 17-19 June, 2009. Inhis introductory remarks, theChairman apprised the houseabout major events, new researchinitiatives, human resourcedevelopment and international

collaborations since last meeting.The results of on-going projectswere presented by respectivescientists which were criticallyreviewed. The technicalprogrammes for 2009-10 werediscussed and approved. Five newresearch projects were alsodiscussed and approved.

Pulses Newsletter : April-June, 2009 3

The 14 th meeting of theResearch Advisory Committee ofthe Institute was held on 13 May,2009 under the Chairmanshipof Dr. S.C. Modgal, Former Vice-Chancellor, GBPUA&T, Pantnagar.The meeting was attended byDr. V.D. Patil , ADG (O&P),Dr. Shanker Lal, Consultant, NFSM,Dr. O.P. Dubey, Ex-ADG (PP),Dr. Masood Ali, Director, IIPR andDr. C. Chattopadhyay, MemberSecretary. All Heads of Divisionand Sectional Incharges alsoparticipated in the meeting.Dr. Masood Ali apprised the houseabout the recent research anddevelopmental activities includinghuman resource development,creation of infrastructure,new research projects, etc.The Chairman called upon

the scientists todevelop researchprogrammes oncrop adaptationto climate changeand monitoringthe pest scenario.He also suggestedto invite noblelaureate Dr. R. K.Pachauri for extra -mural lectureand discussion at the Institute,which will help in setting the newresearch agenda in relation toglobal warming. Dr. Shanker Lalstressed the need for reviewing therolling seed plan for higher seedreplacement rate. Dr. V.D. Patilurged the scientists todemonstrate proven technologiesat farmers’ f ields and make

Research Advisory Committee Meeting Held

sincere efforts in developing CMSbased hybrids in pigeonpea.Dr. O.P. Dubey emphasized theneed to promote raised-bedtechnology, use of Tagetesin management of root-knotnematodes and conservation ofsoil flora and fauna. The RAChighly appreciated the progressmade in research programmesand developmental activities.

Annual Group Meet on Kharif Pulses

The Annual Group Meet onkharif pulses was held at UASDharwad from 25 to 27 May, 2009.The group meet was inauguratedby Dr. S.P. Tiwari, DDG (Edn. &CS), ICAR. Dr. J.H. Kulkarni,Vice-Chancellor, UAS Dharwadpresided over the function.Dr. Masood Ali, Director, IIPRpresented the scenario of kharifpulses during 2008-09 and newinitiatives in research anddevelopment.

Dr. S.P. Tiwari emphasizedthe need for development ofefficient plant types to enhance theyield potential of crop. He stressedupon generating information andsound basis for selection ofparents and to develop mappingpopulations for various traits. Hedesired that crop managementstrategies should be focused

for reducing thecost of cultivation.Dr. Tiwari calledupon the scientiststo monitor thechanging climaticconditions andcome out with thetechnologies whichcan cope–up withsuch changes. Dr.J.H. Kulkarni emphasized theimportance of soil biota and micro-nutrients in improving productivityof pulses.

Dr. B.B. Singh, ProjectCoordinator (MULLaRP) andDr. N.D. Majumder, ProjectCoordinator (Pigeonpea) high-lighted the major achievements ofrespective crops. The results ofkharif 2008 were discussed andthe technical programme for 2009

was finalized. TNAU, Vamban andBARC, Mumbai were recognizedas best research centres foroutstanding contribution madeduring 2007-09 in mungbean/urdbean and pigeonpea,respectively. Three varieties ofmungbean viz., Pusa 0672, AKM9904 and IPM 02-3 and one varietyof urdbean KU 99-21 wereidentified during the meet forvarious agro-ecological regions.

4 Indian Institute of Pulses Research

Four new high yieldingvarieties of different pulse cropswere notified by Central Sub-Committee on Crop Standards,Notif ication and Release ofVarieties for Agricultural Cropsduring its 53rd Meeting on 26 June,2009.IPCK 2002-29 (Shubhra): Thiskabuli chickpea variety has beendeveloped by IIPR throughhybridization (L 144 x H 82-2)followed by select ion. It isrecommended for cultivationin Madhya Pradesh, southRajasthan, Maharashtra, Gujarat,Chhatisgarh and Bundelkhand

tracts of Uttar Pradesh. Thisvariety with yield potential of 2041kg/ha has given more than 20%higher yield over the checks JGK1 and 24% over KAK 2 and haslarge seeds (34 g/100 seed wt.).This is moderately resistant toFusarium wilt.TJT 501: This early durationpigeonpea variety has been jointlydeveloped by BARC and ZonalAgricultural Research Centre,Khargone. The variety with yieldpotential of 1860 kg/ha has given34.5% higher yield than the checkUPAS 120 and 30% higher thanzonal check ICPL 87. The varietyhas large seeds with attractiveseed colour. It is recommended forcultivation in Central Zone

consisting of Maharashtra, M.P.,Chattisgarh and Gujarat.IPM 02-03 : This mungbean varietyhas been developed by IIPR fromthe cross IPM 99-125 x Pusa Bold2. It gives an average yield of 994kg/ha in North West Plain Zone withyield superiority of 11.2% over thebest check ML 818 and is resistantto MYMV disease. The variety isrecommended for kharif cultivation

in Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana,Delhi, plains of Himachal Pradeshand Uttarakhand and Jammuregion of J&K.IPU 02-43: This urdbean varietyhas been developed by IIPR fromthe cross DPU 88-31 x DUR 1. Ityielded 911 kg/ha in South zoneand showed yield superiority of17% over the check Pant U 30. Itpossesses resistance to MYMVand powdery mildew. The varietyis recommended for kharif

cultivation in South zonecomprising the states of A.P.,Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Orissa.

New Varieties Research Highlights

Status of Diseases andInsect Pests in

Mungbean and Urdbeanin Farmers’ FieldsStatus of disease and insect

pests was recorded in fields ofspring / summer mungbean andurdbean in catchment area ofSharda Canal in Takia(Bangarmau), Unnao District andMakran Nivada and Makhan Nivadavillages (Bilhaur) in the third weekof May, 2009. No fungal foliardisease was observed. However,viral diseases like yellow mosaic,leaf curl and leaf crinkle wererecorded in urdbean. In mungbeanonly yellow mosaic and leaf curlwere seen. Their incidence wasless than 5% in all the fieldsobserved. In case of insect pests,whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) and thrips(Megalurothrips distalis) wereobserved in all the fields. Whiteflypopulation was more in urdbean(3.76 to 13.04 per plant) than inmungbean (1.72 to 1.88 per plant),whereas thrips population wasmore in mungbean (2-7 per 25flowers) than in urdbean (0-3 per25 flowers). Bihar hairy caterpillar(Spilarctia obliqua) caused 2.4%plant damage in one f ield ofurdbean crop approachingmaturity in Makhan Nivada village(Bilhaur). Severe incidence ofaphid (Aphis craccivora) was seenin patches in one mungbean fieldat Sherpur village.

Naimuddin, Mohd. Akram andP. Duraimurugan

Pulses Newsletter : April-June, 2009 5

Root-knot nematodes are themost important group of plantparasitic nematodes which causeeconomic losses in almost all foodcrops. Use of RNA interferencetechnology for targeted silencing ofgenes involved in nematodeparasitism is being attempted atIIPR. In this process fieldpea wastransformed with dsRNAexpressing constructs forMeloidogyne incognita genesthrough Agrobacterium mediatedmethod using embryo axes slicesexplants. Genotypes HUDP 15 andIPF 99-25 were transformed usingdsRNA constructs for Integraseand AF531170 gene with neomycinphosphotransferase (nptll) asselection marker. The cocultivatedexplants were regenerated on

Bioengineering of Fieldpea for Nematode Resistance

medium containing 50 mg/lkanamycin as the selection agent.The elongated shoots wereestablished in the green housethrough micro-grafting. The meantime from Agrobacterium treatmentto micro-grafting onto the pre-existing root stock averaged 120

days. The presence of transgenewas confirmed by polymerasechain reaction (PCR) analysis andDot blot analysis using biotinlabeled probe.

Nandeesha P., Indu Singh Yadav,Shamee Kausar and Bansa Singh

PCR amplification using primer for CaMV 35SLane M: 100 bp ladder, 1-11: transformed plants,12 & 13 : positive control (Plasmid DNA), 14negative control (non-transformed plant)

Dot blot analysis using biotin labeled probesPromoter 1.Negative control (non-transformedplant), 2.positive control (plasmid DNA) 3-12.PCR positive plants

Field Infestation of Bruchids in Mungbean and Urdbean

Among the important insect-pests of stored grain, bruchids orpulse beetles (Callosobruchusspp.) are most serious for pulses.

Attack of these beetles starts in thefield, from where the infestation iscarried over to the storage. Even

an extremely low bruchidpopulation at field level can resultin total destruction of the seedswithin a period of 4-6 months. A

field experiment was conductedwith five varieties of mungbean andtwo varieties of urdbean. The pod

Damage and emergence holes of bruchids in mungbean pods

samples were collected at thetime of harvesting and examinedfor bruchid infestation on pod andgrain basis. The field infestation ofbruchids on different varieties ofmungbean ranged between 0.75to 4.25% with an average of 2.45%on pod basis. The grain infestationof bruchids on different varieties ofmungbean ranged between 0.16 to0.56 % with an average of 0.40%.Among the urdbean varieties, theinfestation of bruchids rangedbetween 0.25 % to 1.63 % with anaverage of 0.94% on pod basis and0.06% to 0.35% with an averageof 0.21% on grain basis.

P. Duraimurugan and S.K. Singh

6 Indian Institute of Pulses Research

First Report of Endotokia matricida Desiccation Stage inEPN Oscheius amsactae

Endotokia matricia in Oschieus amsactae

For the first time, presence ofa desiccation stage in EPN,Oschieus amsctae was reportedunder unfavourable condition.Some EPNs like Steinernema andHeterorhabdit is have beenreported to resist unfavourablecondition for their survival throughspecial process of desiccationknown as Endotokia matricida. Inthis phenomenon EPN juvenileshatch within the mother’s body toprotect themselves fromunfavourable stress anddesiccation, condense togetherand make clumps under the skinof mother’s body till the return offavourable conditions. This stagecan be exploited for use of EPNbased biopesticide against storagepest and also other insect pest of

crops including pulses. The shelf-life of EPN based biopesticide canalso be increased for anappreciable period through thisphenomenon. O. amsactae killsHelicoverpa, bruchids and other

lepidopteron insects, veryefficiently and in a shorter periodof time.

R. Ahmad, S.S. Ali, A. Shaheen,M. Asif, M. H. Akhtar

Enlarged viewStereomicroscopic view

Deputation Abroad Dr. Masood Ali, Director

participated in theSecond AnnualTropical Legumes I (TL1) Project meeting andChickpea InitiativeWorkshop held atLilongwe, Malawi on

16-21 April, 2009. The meetingwas attended by world’s topscientists engaged in geneticresources and Marker AssistedSelection in legumes.

Dr. Shiv Kumar,Head, Division of CropImprovement of theInstitute joined ICARDAas Lentil Breeder ondeputation on May 2,2009.

Under ICAR-ICARDAcollaborative programme,Dr. Masood Ali, Director visitedICARDA, Aleppo on 17-21 May,2009. Dr. Ali interacted with foodlegume scientists, visited field andlaboratory facilities and discussedabout future collaboration inchickpea and lentil research.

RetirementsDr. R. Ahmad Principal Scientist (Entomology) 31.05.2009Dr. Ravi Kumar Principal Scientist (Agronomy) 30.06.2009Mrs. Angoori SSG 30.06.2009Mrs. Krishna SSG 30.06.2009

ObituaryShri Hem Raj Dhanuk, SSG, left for his heavenly abode on

24.4.2009. May his soul rest in Peace.

Personnel

Our New Collegues Dr. Rajesh Kumarhas joined as PrincipalScientist (AgriculturalExtension) at IIPR onJune 1, 2009. Dr. Alok Das hasjoined as Scientist(Plant Bio-technology)at IIPR on June 16,2009.

Pulses Newsletter : April-June, 2009 7

To ensure quality seedsufficiency of pulses at village level,IIPR has taken an innovativeinitiative to form Seed Growers’Association in Kanpur Dehat andFatehpur districts. Chaudgra KisanSewa Samiti has been formed inFatehpur district and registered.The samiti is managed by farmersand caters to the multi-dimensionalagricultural requirements of thefarmers from the cluster of tenvillages which have been coveredunder part icipatory seedproduction programme. Currently,21 farmers including President,Vice - President, Secretary,Treasurer and Auditor of Samitihave been identified by the farmersthemselves as core executiveteam of society. The memberfarmers have also formedthree important sub-committeesviz; input management committee,knowledge managementcommittee and marketing

management committee forsmooth and effective execution ofvarious activities. Similarly, inKanpur Dehat, recently two moreSeed Growers’ Associations havebeen formed and registered as theKrishak Beej Vikas Samiti,Kuitkheda and Barhapur KisanSewa Sameti, Barhapur. In eachSamiti, there are 21 coremembers who have depositedmembership fee in each Samiti. Allthe three samitis operate theirseparate bank accounts whichhave been opened jointly in thename of President and Treasurer.The major objective of makingregistered grower association is toevolve the sense of workingtogether in a participatory modeamong farmer community so thateach category of farmers may getfull liberty to participate in seedproduction programme and derive

Economic Empowerment of Pulse Farmers throughSeed Growers' Association

maximum dividend out of it. Samiti(s) are primarily responsible forprocurement of quality seed fromresearch stations, production ofquality seeds, their processing,storage, bagging, labeling andmarketing in the same orneighboring villages and districts.

With the consistentpersuasive efforts of IIPR, both theregistered seed growerassociation of Kanpur Dehat haveplanned to undertake participatorylong duration pigeonpea seedproduction during kharif, 2009.Chaudagra Kisan Sewa Samiti hasundertaken seed production ofshort duration pigeonpea in 20 haarea and long duration pigeonpeain 20 ha in Fatehpur district.

S.K. Singh, S.K. Dubey,A. Yadava and Ashok Kumar

Transfer of Technology

Participatory Seed Production of chickpea and pigeonpeaUnder Model Seed System (s)

project, participatory seedproduction of chickpea wasundertaken in 40 ha area among193 farmers of nine villages inFatehpur district, during rabi 2008-09. To make it more participatory,payment of 50% of the cost ofseed was made by the partnerfarmers. In addition, registration fee@ Rs 10/ kg was also paid by thefarmers. In Kanpur Dehat districtseed production of chickpea wasundertaken in 27.1 ha by 123farmers of six villages. DCP 92-3and J G 16 varieties of chickpea

were used under seed productionin both the districts. Total 1271quintals foundation seed ofchickpea was produced. Out ofthis, National Seed Corporationprocured 663 quintals @ Rs 3100/q. Farmers obtained net benefit ofRs 1000 per q as compared to theprevailing market rate. Remainingquantity of the seed has beenkept for use by the farmers innext season. National SeedCorporation purchased 15 quintalsseed of UPAS - 120 variety of shortduration pigeonpea and 56 quintalsof Narendra Arhar 1 of long

duration pigeonpea in Fatehpur.Farmers kept 130 q seed ofNarendra Arhar 1 for sowing duringrainy season 2009. Farmers ofadjoining districts viz., Hamirpur,Kanpur Nagar and Banda districtshave purchased 6.35 q seed ofNarendra Arhar 1 from both theproject locations. Considering thecurrent prevailing rate of pigeonpeain nearby market, farmers havedecided to cultivate pigeonpea onlarge scale during current kharif2009.

S.K. Singh, S.K. Dubey,A. Yadava and Ashok Kumar

8 Indian Institute of Pulses Research

Director’s DeskDear Readers,

Over pastthree decades,concerted effortshave been madefor the geneticenhancementfor yield, adapta-tion, resistance

to biotic and abiotic stressesand exploitation of heterosis inpulse crops. However, the yieldof crops like lentil, mungbeanand urdbean has remained ona plateau for the past 15 years,while chickpea and pigeonpeaobserved only a marginalincrease in yield during theperiod. Among variousconstraints, narrow geneticbase of the released cultivarshas been the most important onefor low productivity.

In recent years, wildspecies have been recognizedas invaluable wealth foragronomically important traits,generally absent in cultivatedspecies. These wild speciescan be a source of genes forresistance to biotic and abioticstresses and quality traits. Theidentified sources need to befurther examined and utilized inimprovement programmesmore extensively. Enormous

Published by Dr. Masood Ali, Director, Indian Institute of Pulses Research, Kanpur-208 024Tel. : 0512-2570264; EPBAX Lines : 0512- 2572464, 2572465; Fax : 0512-2572582

E-mail : director@iipr.ernet.in; mali@iipr.ernet.in; Website; http://www.iipr.res.inPrinted at Army Printing Press, 33, Nehru Road, Sadar Cantt. Lucknow-226 002. Tel. : 0522-2481164, 6565333

(Masood Ali)

variability is available both withinthe primary species of interestand among their wild relatives inalmost all the pulse crops.Pedigree analysis of releasedcultivars of different pulse cropsin India revealed that a very fewaccessions were util ized inbreeding programme which is asmall part of the germplasmaccessions conserved in variousgene banks. Moreover, few lineswere more frequently usedin breeding programme. Forexample, 31% varieties ofchickpea have IP 58 and C 1234as ancestors in their pedigree.Similarly, T 9 and T 1 appearedin more than 64% and 35%varieties of urdbean andmungbean, respectively. Thisexplains how the genetic base ofpulse crops is narrow and needsimmediate corrective measuresby using untapped germplasmaccessions, exotics and wildrelatives in varietal improvementprogrammes.

Introgression of useful genesfrom exotic or distant wildsources requires more time.Therefore efforts are needed totransfer the desired gene to abackground first so that it can beused as a parent in cultivardevelopment. Further, in agermplasm collection, a very few

accessions hold merit for directuse as parent in the crossingprogramme. The process of pre-breeding should be linked withbreeding programme. Need forpre- breeding efforts has beengreatly emphasized in XI plan.International Conference onGrain Legumes 2009 organizedby IIPR & ISPRD at Kanpur on14-16 February 2009 reaffirmedthe urgent need of enhancementof genetic resources throughexploitation of wild species andtheir use in breedingprogrammes.

IIPR, Kanpur, SD AgriculturalUniversity, S.K. Nagar, Agri-cul tural Research Station,Vamban and Punjab AgriculturalUniversi ty, Ludhiana havealready taken a step forward inthis direction by establishingpre-breeding hybridizationgarden not only to ensureavailability of promising exoticand wild sources, but also to pre-bred, useful and adaptedgenetic stocks for furtherimprovement of pulses. I amconfident that these efforts will goa long way in increasing theproductivity of pulses.