South zone

1. RARS, Vellayani (1982)

Lead functions are research under partially shade conditions and export oriented vegetables and cut flower production.

The Centre has verification functions for rice, fruits, homestead farming, coconut, tuber crops, vegetables, farm machinery for garden lands, AICRPS on forage crops, nematodes oil seeds and pesticide residues

The station implemented 30 externally aided projects, comprising of 5 AICRPs, 5 ICAR ad hoc schemes, 8 STED projects, one CDS project on KAU – RRII project, one NWDPRA project. One food processing project by MFPI, 3 DST projects, 2 DBT projects, 2 PPIC, one RSMM project.

The centre released 2 varieties of rice, 4 varieties of vegetables, one sweet potato variety, two-grass variety, 3 oil seed varieties and one  pulse variety.

2. Farming System Research Station, Sadananda-puram  (1986)

Lead functions are homestead farming, soil and water conservation and management.

Verification functions are on tuber crops, coconut, rice, horticulture, agro-forestry, cashewnut.

Krishi Vignan Kendra is also functioning here.

Centre came up with recommendations to improve the productivity of homestead farming systems.

It maintains 144 cheradi type of rice.

The Centre also standardised pots and potting mixture for bush pepper.

3. Cropping Systems Research Centre, Karamana (1955)

Lead functions: rice based cropping system.

Verification functions: Agrotechnique, integrated farming system with rice/fish/ poultry/cattle

AICARP projects on rice is being conducted here.

Phosphate application can be skipped upto 4 years for rice.

Application of N @ 80 kg/ha, is optimum for medium duration rice.

Rice-Rice-groundnut crop sequence gives the maximum net return per ha. compared to other sequences.

4.Coconut Research Station, Balaramapuram (1948)

Agro-technique for coconut and coconut based farming system in red soils

Standardised the agro technique for coconut.

Special zone for problem soils

5. RARS Kumarakom (1947 / 1982)

Lead function – To solve the location specific problems in the special zones comprising Kuttanad, Onattukara, Kole and Pokkali tracts and to integrate farming systems incorporating crops, livestock and fish to coordinate the research efforts for management of root wilt of coconut.

Six ICAR, 8 NWDPRA, 27 KAU Research projects are in operation.

Biological control of salvinia using Cyrtobagous salviniae. Popularization of garcinia through vegetative propagation and breeding its seed dormancy.

Root wilt disease management technique.

Management of leaf rot of coconut and red palm weevil.

Developed two varieties of casava and yams.

Usefulness of VAM in cultivation of cassava.

Indigenous carp and hatchery.

Reducing the hatching time from 27 to 20 hrs.

Rice fish farming system.

Pig-fish farming system.

6. Rice Research Station, Moncompu (1940)

To deal with research on rice in Kuttanad ecosystem

The Centre was instrumental in solving several problems in deep-water areas such as Kuttanad.

The Centre has released 19 rice cultivars.

Developed management strategy against wild rice by coating rice seeds with calcium peroxide.

Worked out pest management strategy for BPH of rice.

Efficient rat trap (Moncompu trap) was developed.

7. RRS Vyttila (1958/ 1963)

Rice cultivation in Pokkali. (Saline areas) and rice-fish farming system.

Free saline tolerant high yielding rice cultivars suited to Pokkali ecosystem have been evolved. Technology for simultaneous culture of rice and fish and

Technology for raising prawns as a follow up crop after rice has been developed.

8. Sugarcane Research Station, Thiruvalla (1976)

Lead function – Research on sugarcane

Verification function – On vegetables.

Three sugarcane hybrids were released.  Developed agro-techniques for cultivation of sugarcane suited for the area.

Developed red rot resistant sugar variety.

Released a snake gourd and bitter gourd variety.

9. AICRP on Agricultural Drainage at Karumady (1991)

To study the pattern of hydrological cycle occurring in watershed areas and its importance and influence on the drainage.

Perfected the technique of removing toxic levels of soluble Fe 2+ in submerged Kari Lands using sub surface drainage

10. RARS Kayamkulam (1937/ 1958/ 1972/ 2000)

Lead function: Research on rice, in Onattukara, coconut, oil seeds and pulses.

Verification functions : Vegetables in homestead and mushrooms.

Eight rice varieties especially suited for Onattukara tracts were released

Two cultivars of sesame, one each of black gram, cowpea and cassava have been released.

Several crop management and crops protection recommendations have been evolved for rice, sesame, groundnut, cowpea, black gram, green gram and vegetables.

Station is implementing comprehensive coconut care programme (CCCP)

11. RARS, Pattambi (1927/1971)

Lead function – Generation and transfer of technology related to rice and rice-based cropping systems, pulses, vegetables, organic farming and seed technology

Fifty four high yielding rice varieties have been released.

The first high yielding early dwarf rice variety (Annapurna) released the most popular rice variety Jyothi.

Developed comprehensive cultivation package for rice for different seasons.

Developed integrated weed management strategy

Released two high yielding cowpea varieties.

12.Agronomic Research Station, Chalakudy (1972)

Lead function – Water management for rice, rice- based cropping systems and other annual crops

Verification function – Agrotechnique in rice and rice- based cropping system.

Evolved a stress irrigation schedule for rice. Estimated water requirements of rice.

Developed economic and efficient water management practices for cowpea, sweet potato, black gram, pineapple, groundnut, elephant foot yam, sesame, coconut, banana, bitter gourd, cassava, ash gourd and ginger.

13. Aromatic and Medicinal Plants Research Station, Odakkali (1951/ 1972)

Lead function: Research on essential oil leading plants. Verification function is on medicinal plants.

Released nationally accepted.

 lemongrass variety Suganthy  and cinnamon and Palmarosa varieties.The phytochemical laboratory of the station is recognised  analytical laboratory for Medicinal and aromatic plants.

14. Pineapple Research Station, Vazhakulam (1955)

To conduct research on pineapple for development of new varieties and developing technologies for management of the crop and control of pest and disease

About 5000 hybrid pineapple seedling were produced. One pineapple type with plant character of Mauritius and fruit characters of Kew was identified.

15. Banana Research Station, Kannara (1970)

Lead function on banana and banana based cropping systems.

Verification function on vegetables.

This Centre maintains 212 accessions of banana hybrids H1 and H2 were recommended for cultivation in Kerala. Recommendations on of integrated management of banana pest including nematode have been evolved.

16. Agricultural Research Station, Mannuthy (1957)

Lead function – Rice for Kole management system and on coconut.

Verification function includes vegetable and organic farming.

Developed an extra short duration red kernelled rice cultivar Hraswa maturing in 75-80 days. Released a new variety Ahalya suitable for Kole lands.

17. Cashew Research Station, Madakkathara (1973)

Research on cashew

Five varieties of cashew released – Madakkathara 1,2, Kanaka, Dhanya and Priyanka

Techniques for epicotyl and soft grafting standardised. Schedule for fertilizer perfected. Management schedule for tea mosquito and stem borer evolved

18. Cashew Research Station, Anakkayam (1963)

Verification function is done on cashew and vegetables.

Maintains 216 hybrids of 18 parental combinations. Three cultivars of cashew namely Anakayam-1, Dharasree and Mrudula were released for cultivation.

19. Cropping Systems Research Subcentre, Vadakkum-cherry (1971)

To conduct on farm research under the actual farming situations on location specific problems by researchers/extension workers/ farmers participating research.

To evaluate and refine client oriented need based technologies

Identified rice varieties for different farming systems. Identified cowpea varieties for fringe cropping in rice fields.

Evolved cheap and efficient method of crop establishment for direct seeding in rice to replace transplanting methods without sacrifice in yield.

20. Regional Agricultural Research Station, Ambalavayal (1946)

Lead function – Pepper and pepper based cropping in high ranges, cool season vegetables, hill paddy, soil and water management sub-tropical fruits and tree spices, coffee based cropping system.

Verification function – Essential oils, medicinal plants and ginger.

Identified high yielding ginger varieties for rain fed conditions. Developed organic methods of management of soft rot disease of ginger.  Pollination technique of vanilla was standardised.

Rooting techniques for pepper were perfected.  Developed a table variety of banana.  Released 3 rice varieties suitable for high range situations.  Perfected the pruning system of Eucalyptus for maximum oil yield.

21.Cardamom Research Station, Pampadum-para (1956)

Lead function – Research on cardamom.

Verification function – Pepper and tree spices.

Maintains a germplasm of 77 cultivated 14 wild types of cardamom. Released one cardamom variety.  Nursery practices of cardamom and control measures for pest and diseases were standardised. Evolved proper control strategy for foot rot of black pepper in Idukki district.

22. Pepper Research Station, Panniyur (1952)

Lead function – Research on pepper

Released 5 varieties of pepper.viz. Panniyur 1, Panniyur 2, 3, 4 and 5. Studied the floral biology of pepper.  Identified hereditary parameter, involved in dealing productivity of vine.

Techniques for large-scale production of rooted pepper cuttings were developed.

Under planting time in pepper on the basis of productivity was perfected for different varieties. Cultivation practices of bush pepper was perfected.

23. Cattle Breeding Farm, Thumbur-muzhi (1957)

To breed and maintain an elite herd of crossbred cattle

The centre maintains 23 indigenous (Vechur) cattle.

24. Livestock Research station, Thiruvazham-kunnu (1950)

Scientific breeding of livestock fodder production.

Screening and selection of promising germplasm of indigenous and exotic species.

The farm maintains crossbreeds of Holstein, Jersey and Swiss Brown breeds.

25. Regional Agrl.  Research Station, Pilicode (1916)

Research on coconut and commodity verification and testing centre for rice, pulses and oil seeds.

Maintains 35 exotic and 40 indigenous types of coconut.

Coconut hybrids WCT x CGD, Lakshaganga, Keraganga, Anandaganga, Kerasree and Kerasoubhagya were released. Kerasree rank first among the coconut varieties in copra yield

Maintains 23 bold nut cashew types. Released Jagathi, a high yielding rice variety suitable for northern zone of Kerala.

Standardised nutrient application for coconut. Perfected manage-ment techniques for stem bleeding of coconut. Irrigation requirement of coconut was worked out using CROPWAT.   Developed models for predicting the annual yield in coconut, 7 months ahead using agro-climatic indices with predictability of 0.94.   R2

relationship between altitude, latitude and cashew bud break were perfected.

Suitability of CERES rice model to assess grain yield during kharif was confirmed.

26. Fisheries Station, Puduvaipu (1979)

To develop appropriate farming techniques involving fish and to supply commercial brackish water fish seeds to the farmers

An easily adoptable and eco-friendly technique for tapping resources for an ecosystem of coastal waste land has been developed. Strategy for farming predatory fish species of Sea Bass and Tarpones has been evolved.