Address: F-9, Horticulture

     ICAR - CCARI,               

     Old Goa 403 402

     Phone: 832-2284678 Ext. 214

     Fax: 0832-2285649

     Email:  adavirao.desai@icar.gov.in

 

 

Academic background:

Ph D in Horticulture, : University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad, Karnataka, 2008

M Sc (Agri) in Horticulture, University of Agricultural sciences, Bangalore,  Karnataka, 1986

B Sc (Agri), University of Agricultural sciences, Bangalore,  Karnataka, 1983

 

 

Research interests and current focus

• Management of genetic resources  of horticulture crops for conservation  and utilization in crop improvement programmes, with special reference to fruits, plantation crops and spices.

• Development of improved production practices for fruits, plantation crops and spices with special reference to  mango, cashew , nutmeg, cinnamon, black pepper, turmeric and ginger.

• Production quality planting material in horticulture crops with special reference to mango, guava, cashew, turmeric, cinnamon, nutmeg

• Extension for transfer technology in horticulture and allied sector. 

Mango Germplasm comprising of local mango varieties of Goa,  introduced mango varieties and hybrids is maintained. Cardozo Mankurad, a superior selection  of mango variety is registered with NBPGR, New Delhi. Variability within popular varieties like Mankurad and Hilario is being explored for further selection of promising types for commercial traits within each group.

Cashew Germplasm comprising of bold nut genotypes coupled with bigger apple size, cluster bearing genotypes, high yielding genotypes and genotypes with dwarf canopy stature is being maintained. Molecular diversity  studies formed the basis for selection of parental combination for crossing . Promising genotypes are identified as parents   for hybridization programme for development of new cashew hybrids, the first set of which is under evaluation.

Goa-1 (balli-2) is a cashew variety developed by clonal selection for higher nut yield coupled with bold nuts having higher shelling per cent and bigger apples, which is recommended for commercial cultivation in Goa state. Tiswadi-3 (Goa Cashew-2), Ganje-2 and KN-2/98 are other promising selections ready for  release for commercial cultivation in Goa state. Cashew research programmes are linked with AICRP (Cashew ) network project.   

 

Outreach and extension

1. Goa-1 cashew variety is released for commercial cultivation in Goa State and it is included in the multilocation trials Under AICRP (Cashew).

2. Front line demonstrations on improved commercial cultivation of cashew Goa-1 cashew and other promising selections are laid out in farmers fields under DCCD programme.

3. High yielding varieties of turmeric viz. Prabha, Pratibha, Meghalya turmeric-1, etc., evaluated for their suitability for agroclimatic conditions of Goa and commercial production technology of turmeric is transferred to progressive farmers in both North and South districts of Goa.

4.  Under TSP programme, an extension project on “Technology Intervention for  higher productivity and production in Plantation, spice and fruit crops  for improving  livelihood security of tribes in Goa” is under progress, under which tribal farmers are provided with inputs like fertilizers and agrochemicals, farm machineries like sprayers, brush cutters, literature on improved technology, etc besides imparting on farm training.  

 

Membership in professional societies        

1. Horticulture Society of India, New Delhi.

2. Indian Society for Plantation Crops, Kasargod.

3. Society for Promotion of Horticulture,  Banglaore.

4. Indian Society for Hill Farming, Umium (Barapani)

Awards and honours

• Recognised as Guide  for guiding Postgraduate students of the Division  of Horticulture of the University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad, Karnataka.

Academic/ Student advising

• Guided four students during 2010 for their dissertation research  required for Master degree program of Biotechnology Department  of the colleges  affiliated to the  Bombay University.

Research Publications

Journals

• Trupti Asolkar, A R Desai, and N.P. Singh. 2011. Molecular analysis of cashew genotypes and their half-sib progeny using RAPD marker. Biotechnol. Bioinf. Bioeng. 1(4): 2249-9075

• A R Desai, A N Mokashi, V S Korikanthimath, B Fakrudin, R V Patil, R V Hegde and Raveendra N Gadag, 2010. Comparative Analysis of Morphometric and Molecular Diversity in Cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) Genotypes.     Indian J. Plant Genetic Resouerces.23 (1) : 104-109

• Desai A R, Dhandhar D G and Leebu Babu, 2002. Classificatory analysis of Cashew accessions of Goa.  Plantation Crops Research and Development in the New Millennium, PLACROSYM XIV, CPCRI, Kasaragod 2002. p-550-552.

• Desai, A.R ,  Dhandar, D.G and Mathew, P.A. 2002. Performance of oil palm  hybrids of Dura X Pissifera combinations  under Goa conditions.  International J. Oilpalm Res. 2(2) : 56-61.

• Desai, A.R ; Dhandar, D.G ; Mathew, P.A ; Gaonkar and Leebu Babu. (2001).  "Goa - 1", a new cashew variety for Goa. J. Plantation crops.29 (1): 59 – 61.

• Desai, A.R and Dhandar, D.G. 2000. Variation in physico-chemical and morphogenetic characters of some mango varieties of Goa. Acta Horticulturea Vol. 1, No.509 :  243-249.      

• Ramchandra, Sheo Govind and A. R. Desai 1999. Growth, yield and quality performance of turmeric (Curcuma longa L) genotypes in mid altitudes of  Meghalaya. Journal of Applied Horticulture. 1 (2) : 142-144.

• Ramchandra ; A. R. Desai ; S. Govind and P. N. Gupta.1997. Metroglyph analysis in turmeric ( Curcum longa L.) germplasm in India. Scientia Horticulturae. 70 : 211 – 222.

• Ramchandra ; A. R. Desai and A. K. Singh. 1994 . ‘RCT –1’ : A new promising clone of turmeric  for Meghalaya. Indian Cocoa, Arecanut, & Spices J. 18 (4) : 126-127.

• Botryodiplodia theobromae (Pat.). Journal of Mycology and Plant Pathology 34 (2): 210-211.

 Books, book chapters

• A. R. Desai and N. P. Singh,  2011. Profile on AICRP on Cashew Centre- ICAR Researc Complex for Goa. Souvnir, National Expert Consultation on Cashew : Challenges and Strategies for Higher Productivity and Quality of Cashew.Pp. 57-59.

• A R Desai, N P Singh and Ram Ratan Varma. 2010. Repulsive weather vis a vis cashew production in Goa. Proceedings and Recommendations, State level Seminar on New Challenges in Cashew Production under Current Trends of Climate Changes. 21^st Aug. 2010 held at ICAR Research Complex for Goa, Old Goa. Pp 39-44.

• A R Desai, 2011. Improved production practices for cashew. Annapoorna Sampoorna Sarvada. 1 (2) : 35-39.

Others

• R Maruthadurai, A R Desai, H R Chidanand Prabhu and N P Singh. 2012. Insect Pests of cashew and their management. Technical Bulletin No.28, ICAR Research Complex for Goa, Ela, Old Goa.

• A R Desai and N P Singh, 2011. Prospects and Potential of Horticultural crops in Goa. Eco-Goa The Earth Hour.1 (1) : 3 - 6.

• A R Desai, 2011. Nucleus and breeder seed production and seed chain.  In  : Compendium on training Programme on “Seed Production in Agricultural Crops with Special Refernce to Pulse and Oilseeds”.10-11^th march 2011.

• A R. Desai, and N. P. Singh.2011. Cashew Germplasm of Goa : Characterization and Cataloguing – I.  Technical Bulletin No. 23/2011. ICAR Research Complex for Goa, Ela, Old Goa.

• A R. Desai, S P Singh, S Priyadevi, M Thangam, S A Safeena and N. P. Singh.2010. Techniques and Practices for Cashew production. Technical Bulletin No. 21/2010. ICAR Research Complex for Goa, Goa.

• A R Desai, 2009. Glimpses of cashew research in Goa. Technical Bulletin No 18,  ICAR Research Complex for Goa, Goa. P. 56.

• Extension Folder No 36/2010 - Goa-1: A cashew variety for  Goa.

• Extension Folder No 37/2010 – Improved package of practices for cashew production