Achievements - Oil Seed Crops

Ground Nut

Early maturing lines suitable for rainfed cultivation

Ground nut lines ICGV93261 and ICGV93277 proved superior to the recommended varieties "Tissa' and 'Indi'. ICGV93261 and ICGV93277 gave an average yield of 3343 and 3918 kg/ha, respectively against 2447 of 'Tissa' and 3208 kg/ha of 'Indi'. The lines are being tested in the Varietal Adaptability Trial programme.

Varietal evaluation of promising ground not cultivars in farmers' fields

Two promising cultivars of groundnut were tested in farmers' fields at 2 locations during yala 2002. Results indicated that cultivar MI-7 ICGV 93261 gave over 3000 kg/ha yield and 23% yield increment over the check variety Tissa.

Sunflower

Sunflower line with desirable characters

Four open - pollinated lines with desirable characters have been identified for the inclusion in the National Co-ordinated Varietal Trial.

Identification of diseases associated with sunflower and their damages

A new disease in sunflower has been reported during 2002. Initially, small necrotic spots with yellow margin appear on the lower leaves then expands to leaf stalk, stem and even to the head. Severely affected plants collapse and die without seed setting. The disease severity ranged from 50-100% in the affected plots and the pathogen was identified as a fungus Phomaleracea.