Institutional Projects

Integrated Basic and Human Resources Appraisal, Monitoring and Desertification

• Integrated natural resources survey of Jhunjhunu district
• Qualitative and quantitative land evaluation for optimizing land use in arid agro-ecosystem of Rajasthan, using geographical information system (A case study in Jodhpur district)
• Assessment of changes in fertility status of soils in Central Research Farm of CAZRI under different land use systems
• Desertification in the southern tehsils of Churu district
• Quantitative relationship of drainage basin geomorphology with hydrology and soil properties in western Rajasthan
• Study the process of wind erosion and evaluation of wind erosion models in Jaisalmer region of Thar Desert
• Evapotransipiration and crop-weather relationships of pearl millet and mustard
• Alternative land use systems with medicinal plants for resource conservation and sustainability

Biodiversity Conservation, Improvement of Annuals & Perennials

• Genetic improvement of arid zone trees
• Collection, evaluation and conservation of arid rangeland shrubs
• Collection, evaluation, maintenance and improvement of germplasm of prominent grasses of arid region of Gujarat
• Studies on biology and regeneration potential of endemic and threatened plant species in the desert
• Survey, collection, conservation and evaluation of some underexploited indigenous fruit types/cultivars in arid region
• Standardization of conservation and propagation techniques of economic shrub and herbs of Jaisalmer region
• Development of high yielding, disease resistant and early maturing single and top cross hybrids of pearl millet
• Breeding of dual purpose cultivars of pearl millet adapted to stress environments of arid zone
• Breeding moth bean for improved plant types suited to arid areas
• Breeding evaluation and integrated disease management programme in clusterbean and moong bean
• Crop physiology approaches to evaluate and select suitable genotypes of arid legumes (clusterbean and moth bean)
• Improvement of pasture grasses and legumes of semi-arid and arid zones
• Screening of Lasiurus sindicus Henr. germplasm and development of agro-techniques for higher seed and fodder production
• Investigation of agro-techniques on germination, productivity and quality of wild melon (Citrullus colocynthus L.)
• Improvemet of Henna and Senna and production of quality planting material
• Management of Henna (Lawsonia inermis L) in arid and semi-arid regions
• Biotechnological applications for characterization and improvement of arid zone plant species

Integrated Arid Land Farming System Research

• Integrated farming system for sustainable agriculture in arid zone
• Evaluation of existing farming system and study on sustainability of cropping system in partially irrigated western plain of Rajasthan
• Development of pearl millet-based cropping systems for rainfed and limited irrigated condition of arid zone
• Improving productivity of sorghum based cropping system with agronomic management under rainfed condition in desert margins
• Oil-seed-based cropping system for arid Gujarat
• Extent of distribution, structure and production function of P. cineraria, Ziziphus species and other tree species based agroforestry systems in arid regions of western Rajasthan
• Agroforestry models including agro-technologies for production and soil ameliorating traits
• Development of Ailanthus excelsa (sendra) based silvi-agri-pastoral system for hot arid tract
• Production potential of oil seed trees/shrubs under varying densities and moisture conservation measures in cultural wastelands of arid fringes
• Development of agri-horticultural system for sustainable production under arid ecosystem
• Ber based horti-pastoral system
• Nutrient management and yield potential of agri-horti systems in arid zone of western Rajasthan
• Production potential and resource utilization under different farming system models for arid ecosystem of western Rajasthan
• Improving water use efficiency and productivity with limited water in arid fringes
• Grazing studies in an improved silvi-pasture system
• Role of biofertilizers on growth and nutrition of arid zone fruit plants
• Water relations, photosynthetic efficiency and nutrient use efficiency of selected arid legumes
• Studies on certain physiological parameters as selection criteria for tree species under arid condition
• Studies on nutrient status of sub-soil and identification of soil parameter(s) for accounting yield variation in cropping system(s)
• Agronomic management of senna for higher leaf productivity and sennoside content in arid region
• Studies on the effects of senna stems on performance of pearl millet and wheat crops
• Integrated weed management in selected arid crops
• Long term studies on crop rotation and residue management under tilled and un-tilled conditions
• Compatibility and sustainability of different inter-cropping systems of forage production in arid zone
• Irrigation scheduling of an established agri-horti system
• Studies on agri-silvi-horti-system under irrigation system in arid zone of Bikaner
• Integrated nutrient management in pearl millet based intercropping systems under arid condition

Management of Land and Water Resources

• Development of agro-forestry models for shallow soils underlined by hard rock
• Performance of important forage grasses in salt-affected soils of arid region
• On-farm study of intensive agroforestry models under some important land forms with organic inputs in arid region
• Study on artificial recharge of ground water
• Agro-technological options for sustainability in the Indian arid zone
• Studies on pasture and silvi-pastoral system in arid region of western Rajasthan
• Standardization of horti-techniques for establishment of fruit crop plantation in Kachchh region
• Integrated management of wasteland on watershed basis at Jadan RM&SC area (Pali district)
• Rehabilitation of degraded wastelands for increasing production potential in arid region
• Technology development for sustainable improvement of wastelands of Bhuj
• Integration of alternative farming systems for higher economic returns from khadin system of runoff farming in Jaisalmer

Improvement of Animal Production and Management

• Management of livestock for optimising production
• Evaluation of the ill effects of salt rich water, predominantly of NaCl, Na, MgSO4 and NaNO3 on the productive and reproductive performance of desert sheep and goats to devise methods for their mitigation
• Availability of feed and forage pro-vitamin A in desert sheep
• Mineral profile of livestock vis-a-vis health status/deficiency diseases in arid zone
• Variability study of production traits in Marwari goat in the native tracts
• Effect of feeding frequency on productivity of Marwari goats
• Mutton production in Marwari sheep under different feeding systems

Plant Products and Value Addition

• Products of economic importance from arid zone plants
• Aloin content in Aloe vera in different habitats and agro-climates of Indian arid zone
• Utilization of locally available agro-wastes through mushroom cultivation

Integrated Pest Management

• Status of key insect pests in arid zones and on-farm loss assessment
• Biochemical studies in pearl millet and chilli during pathogenesis
• Evaluation of Neem products for the management of serious insect pests
• Technology development in the use of neem formulations and their potential in pest management for important crops of arid zone
• Exploring the combined potential of organics and entomopathogens for managing termites
• Effect of crop diversification on the entomo-fauna of the arid zone
• Bio-ecology and management of rodents pests in silvipasture systems of rocky habitat in arid zone

Non-Conventional Energy Systems, Farm Machinery & Power

• Design and development of greenhouse for year-round production of off-season vegetables
• Production of parazene blocks based on solar system
• Development of compact, portable, efficient integrated solar devices
• Studies on applications of new emerging photo-volatic devices for arid region
• Development and testing of advanced solar thermal systems for arid areas
• Design and development of electro-mechanical solar tracker
• Design and development of animal feed block making machine
• Design and development of cleaner cum grader for value addition of cumin for individual farm families
• Design and development of harvesting device/machine for Henna

Socio-economic Investigation and Evaluation

• Quantification of gender roles in arid farming systems
• Socio-economic conditions of migratory sheep and goat raisers under changing agrarian situation in an arid district of western Rajasthan
• Economic analysis of livestock production systems in Pali district of Rajasthan
• Farmers’ perception on tillage and residue management in arid zone of Rajasthan for important crops and cropping systems – A diagnostic survey
• Technology Assessment, Refinement and Training
• Impact assessment of transfer of technology in IVLP and other villages
• Impact of communication in dissemination of arid land technologies
• Technological empowerment of women's self-help groups
• On-farm specific problem-oriented research and preparation of technological package options
• Improving productivity through technological interventions in the arid agro-ecosystem
• Demonstration Pilot Research Project on evaluation of rainfed silvi-pasture system under arid ecosystem.