Salient Findings of Centre for Agro-climatic studies, UAS, Raichur

Centre for Agro-climatic studies at UAS, Raichur was started during 2012-13 with the financial assistance of Rs. 50.0 lakh from Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY), Bengaluru. In the subsequent years (2014-15 and 2015-16) RKVY continued its support to the extent of 125 and 80 lakhs respectively. Later, the centre was supported by UAS, Raichur and during 2018-19 DST, New Delhi sponsored ICRISAT, Hyderabad led project entitled “Pest and disease management for the climate change adaptation was sanctioned for worth of Rs. 82.0 lakhs for 5 years (2018-19 to 2023-24).

The main moto of the centre is to study the effect of climate change on major crops of Hyderabad – Karnataka region viz., Bt cotton, Redgram, Bengal gram, Maize, Sorghum, Groundnut and Sunflower. The studies on the effect of climate change in terms of elevated CO₂ and temperature (grown under open top chambers) on the above mentioned crops revealed enhanced growth (biomass), physiological (chlorophyll,  flavanoids and NBI) and biochemical (C, CHO’s, phenols, tannis) while, the nitrogen, protein, amino acids) have been reduced. Particularly, in Bt cotton endotoxin produced by cry 1Ac and Cry 2 Ab₂ has been reduced drastically to the extent of 30-35 and 8-15 per cent respectively.

Objectives of the centre:

1. The effect of climate change on major crops.
2. To identify and evaluate vulnerable components of various agricultural systems including pests and diseases etc and to develop resource management strategies to mitigate climate change impacts.
3. To develop existing weather, climate and forecast based agro-advisories to farmers through the available technologies.
4. To identify risk areas for mapping the spatial and temporal distribution of diseases and insect-pests under a changing climate scenario.
5.  5. To study host–insect-pests/pathogens interactions in relation to simulated climate variables to develop adaptation strategies to minimize crop losses.
6. Capacity building of various stakeholders on suitable plant protection and adaptation strategies for climate resilient agriculture.
7. To develop weather-based plant protection advisory tools for the timely management of diseases and insect-pests.

For Further Details Contact: