Summer Nursery Facility at Regional Station, Dalang Maidan

Summer Nursery Facility at Regional Station, Dalang Maidan

Introduction

Established in 1966 as a part of the  IARI, New Delhi in Lahaul valley and  shifted to its present location known as Dalang Maidan.
Has been now made a regional station of DWR.
Located at approximately 32o.21’ north latitude and 77o.14’ longitude.
It is about 6 km upstream the point of origin of river Chenab, on the bank of river Chandra at an altitude of about 3300m (10,000 ft) above the mean sea level. Summer Nursery is located at a very high altitude and enjoys a temperate – dry climate with an average annual rainfall of 250 mm.

Mandate

Generation advancement during wheat off season 
Seed multiplication of important cultures/varieties
Corrective crossing
Maintenance of winter wheat germplasm and breeding to derive winter wheat traits in spring wheats
Screening important wheat and barley material against rusts
Centre for high altitude wheat and barley varietal trials
Natural repository for wheat and barley germplasm

Generation advancement, seed multiplication and natural disease response data

During 2007 – 08, about 31000 cultures were received from 34 scientists belonging to various SAU’s and ICAR institutes located mainly in the northern and eastern parts of India. More than 90% seed germination occurred in the materials planted this year. The services of summer nursery were also extended to agricultural scientists involved in improvement of other important crops such as barley, pea, lentil, chickpea and safflower. So far, approximately 1000 new wheat crosses have been successfully attempted by scientists of different institutes. As per indented demand, yellow rust, brown rust and powdery mildew responses were recorded on approximately 10,000 entries and data supplied to the individual scientists.  

 

Increasing trend in utilization of summer nursery at Dalang Maidan
                       

        
Successful preservation of wheat and barley germplasm under natural conditions

           

New germplasm accessions keep evolving in wheat and barley crops as a result of annual programmes engaged with pre breeding, natural explorations, introductions and breeding for varieties with desired traits. Due to scarcity of land at research farms, it may not possible to grow enormous number of these new accessions every year for the purpose of maintenance. Alternatively, these collections may be maintained in form of seeds under artificial storage systems. Conventionally, germplasm is preserved for long durations in artificially erected storerooms that need huge monetary investments for development and further maintenance. Moreover, such structures are prone to accidental handling and interrupted electric supplies which may lead to lethality of valuable germplasm stocks. Natural preservation facility available at Dalang Maidan, Regional Station, Directorate of Wheat Research (ICAR) in Lahaul valley is envisaged as a potential alternative to become as standby for unreliable and expensive artificial storage systems. Traditionally, wheat and barley germplasms evolving as a result of different crop breeding programmes in India have been stored at this station since 1997. Ten-year-old seeds of wheat and barley stored at this station were tested for their viability by employing the seed germination test. All kinds of seeds were found to have maintained their viability. The dicoccums and barleys crop maintained their viability more efficiently than bread wheats and durums.

Per cent germination recorded in wheat and barley seeds after storage under natural conditions of Dalang Maidan for 10 years

 

Winter x spring wheat crossing in India – a new initiative
To harness the maximum potential of regional station, it has been envisaged to initiate research on winter wheats. The winter wheat stocks require vernalisation as well as longer crop period of minimum 9 months. Growing winter wheats would be possible in the suitable temperate climate of Lahaul & Spiti. So far this facility has not been put to use for exploiting winter wheat traits in Indian wheat improvement programmes. Directorate of Wheat Research, Karnal has taken an initiative in this direction by keeping the station functional even during winter months (October to April) also. Earlier, station operated only for a brief period of April to September for growing spring wheats only.
The winter x spring single crosses were made at this station where high elevation provides crop environment that meets the vernalization requirement of the winter parents. The resulting F1 populations will be divided among interested wheat breeders with a portion staying at head office, DWR, Karnal for top and backcrossing to spring material. Following selection, the superior lines will be sent to cooperators throughout the country for evaluation in respective agro ecological situations.
The following activities were accomplished:

  • About 400 winter winter wheat and alien species from national and international sources were collected.
  • Sowing of winter wheats was done in the month of September/October, 2006.
  • Sowing of spring wheats was done after melting of snow in the month of May, 2007 which attained flowering during July, 2007 in synchrony with winter wheats.
  •  Database of agronomic, resistance and quality traits of various winter wheat stocks were  generated and efforts are on to prepare an information manual for the ready use of breeders.
  • Attempted spring x winter or vice versa crosses ( approximately 150 number).