Introduction
Citrus is the first most important fruit crop of Nepal that can bring economic change in the country. Because of appropriate geography and climate, citrus is widely grown throughout the midhills (800-1400 masl) from east to west across the country. In addition to, acid lime, lemon and pumelo are important to be grown in upland condition of terai, inner-terai, foothills and river basin areas. Major citrus fruit crops: mandarin, sweet orange, acid lime and lemon constitutes enormous potential to generate income and employment including nutrition to rural people in the marginal lands.
At present, Nepal government prioritizes this crop as the potential exportable fruit commodity. The current area under citrus crops is 34, 000 ha producing 259191 mt annually with 11.3 t/ha productivity which are very low compared to the most citrus growing countries in the world. Thus, it has huge scope of increasing the production and productivity through improving orchard management practices and varieties.
However, citrus industry is still facing several problems, some important are: following traditional practices for crop management, small production scale, short production season, poor infrastructures and legal and institutional mechanism for marketing and lack of entrepreneurship for this crop. Similarly, the research focus shall be on citrus based farming system in midhills utilizing available resources for commercialization towards import substitution and export promotion.
National Citrus Research Programme (NCRP), initially established in 1961 (2018 B.S.) as Citrus Research Station, is the commodity research programs under the National Agricultural Research Council (NARC) to conduct citrus research and studies in the country. After the establishment of NARC, the NCRP has been recognized from 2000 (2057 B.S) with mandate of technology generation on citrus fruit crops.
Located at Belhara VDC, Paripatle of Dhankuta district between 27°1′ north latitude and 87°18’ east longitudes with the elevation of 900-1390 masl, the research farm occupies 20 ha area with south-east aspect. It is situated at about 8 km. distance in north-west direction from Dhankuta district headquarters in the far-eastern region of Nepal.
Goal
Contribution for increased productivity and quality production of citrus crops by technological supports through research and studies
Vision
Commercialization of citrus fruit crops for increased economy and living standard of farmers through technology development and dissemination in national perspectives.
Objectives
To develop and disseminate technologies in variety, husbandry management, postharvest, disease/pest control, nursery, tissue culture and genetic resource conservation and utilization in perspective of various agro-ecological climates and socio-economic condition of Nepal
To priorities research areas in the country
To document, maintain and update information on citrus research
To establish, maintain and strengthen linkage with National and International institutions / organisations for collaborative and participatory research
Strategies
The strategies taken up comprises generation of appropriate technologies and their effective delivery in various agro-ecological and socio-economical bases of the country based on client oriented, problem based, participatory, holistic and systematic research conserving and utilizing of natural resources in order to commercialize citrus crops for increased economy and improved living standard of farm community.
Major Achievements
Variety evaluation and development
Two acid lime varieties: Sunkagati-1 and Sunkagati-2 released for terai and inner-terai region
Two mandarin genotypes: Okitsuwase and Khoku local are under pipeline for variety release
Two sweet orange genotypes: Washington Novel and Valencia Late being promising performance respectively as early and late fruit harvest, are under pipeline for variety release
119 citrus genotypes including native species conserved
Diseases and pest management:
- Diseases
Haonglongbing/Greening disease:
Preventive measures developed - CTV
Preventive measures developed - Phytophthora rot:
Drenching rootzone of infected tree with 1 % Bordeaux mixture and/spraying anti-rot @ 10 ml per L ( 2-3 times) at 15 days-interval during Falgun to Jestha and next during Bhadra to Kartik. - Powdery mildew:
Spraying of Sulfex/Ensulf @ 2.5 g/L water at 15 days interval during rainy season - Canker:
Spraying of 1 ml Kasagamycin (Kasabu)/L water at 15-20 days interval during Falgun-Jestha and next during Bhadra-Kartik
Insects
- Scale insect:
Spraying with 5 ml ASTO petroleum oil mixing with 1 ml Rogar per litre water at 15 days interval during Push-Magh and next during Jestha-Asar - Orchard management:
– Declining mandarin orchard can be improved by application of Nitrogen 500g + Phosphorus 250 g + Potassium 500g + Boric acid 20g + Zinc sulphate 150g + Copper sulphate 75g + Manganese sulphate 75g per tree.
– Alternate bearing of old bearing mandarin can be minimized and production enhanced by soil application of FYM/compost 50 kg + Nitrogen 500g + Phosphorus 250 g + Potassium 500g + spraying of Gazab @ 2ml / lt of water per tree along with 25 cm pruning of old branches after harvest. - Plant propagation and nursery management:
– Kagazi Lime grafted on Trifoliate rootstock at 16-20 cm height provides highest graft success rate, optimum vegetative growth and branching.
– Optimum growth of Trifoliate is obtained within a year when raised under plastic tunnel as compared to open nursery bed.
– Appropriate rootstock varieties selected.
Ongoing Research Activities
- Participatory variety improvement
- Preservation and evaluation of genetic resources
- Improvement of nursery management technique
- Rootstock evaluation and selection for commercial varieties
- Integrated management of fruit fly
- Integrated approach to combat citrus decline
- Study of high density planting
- Postharvest studies
- Tissue culture for nursery production
- Production of disease-free mother plant
- Action research on Phytophthora root rot management
- Integrated nutrient management
- Integrated management of HLB
- Outreach and training programs
Prioritized Research for upcoming years
- Postharvest processing and value addition
- Marketing and export business
- Cost effective and eco-friendly production technologies
- Integrated nutrient management
- Breeding new varieties for extended harvest period
- Biological pest and disease control
- Water use efficiency
- in-vitro technology for healthy propagation
- Citrus based farming system
- Socio-economic studies
Researchers
- Mr.Basant Chalise, Senior Scientist/Coordinator
Contact Address
Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC)
National Citrus Research Program
Belhara-1, Paripatle
Postel Code: 56800, Khankuta, Nepal
Phone: 977-26-620232, 977-9852050752 (Cell)
E-mail: ncrpdhankuta@gmail.com
Website: www.narc.gov.np