Crop Protection Through Atomic Technique

The Research efforts involving mutation breeding through radiation and allied techniques at Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), a constituent unit of Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) has significantly contributed to release of high yielding varieties in pulses and oilseeds over last 5 decades.

In the last 10 years, the groundnut varieties of BARC have contributed to about 14.2% of National Breeders' seed indent. These varieties have become very popular in groundnut growing States like Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Karnataka.

In addition, the pulse varieties of BARC like mungbean, pigeon pea and blackgram have also played an important role in increasing overall national productivity. BARC mung varieties such as TJM-3, TMB-37 and TM-96-2 accounted for 24% while pigeon pea variety TJT-501 accounted for 18% of the total national breeder seed indents for respective pulses during 2014-15. The introduction of pulse varieties suitable for rice fallow cultivation has increased the usage efficiency of agricultural fields. Twelve million hectares of rice fallows could be brought under pulse cultivation.

 

Various types of training programme are conducted for farmers in the Atomic field by Department of Atomic Energy through BARC such as:-

(i) Conducting regular awareness programmes for farmers in association with various agricultural universities.

(ii) Interaction with the farmers and explaining the standard cultivation practices to them regularly.

(iii) Participation in various agricultural related exhibitions where interaction with several farmers takes place.

(iv) Co-operation with progressive farmers for multiplication of varieties developed at BARC.

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