A group of citrus researchers and stake holders from USA, France and India, visited Nagaland University, School of Agricultural Sciences on December 5 and 7, and interacted and discussed for possible collaborative research works on citrus biodiversity.
The foreign delegates Dr. Georgios Vidalakis, Professor and Director, Dr. Mikeal Levi Roose, Professor, Dr. David Andrew Karp, Assistant Specialist, Dr. Chandrika Ramadugu, Associate Project Scientist, from University of California, USA, Dr. Franck CURK, France, Dr. Frederick George Gmitter Jr., Professor, University of Florida, USA and Dr. S K Mallik, Principal Scientist, NBPGR, New Delhi joined in interaction and discussion on citrus biodiversity and improvement for future line of collaborative research work with the university.
The interaction was attended by HoD, professors, scientists, officers from State Department of Horticulture, Central Institute of Horticulture and Joint Director-ICAR, Jharnapani.
Prof. Akali Sema, Pro-VC, Nagaland University, School Agricultural sciences welcomed the delegates and highlighted about the campus as well as the significance of programme followed by greeting of delegates by Prof Pauline Alila, Head, Dept of Horticulture.
Prof. C.S. Maiti, Principal Investigator, DBT citrus for North East India, department of Horticulture, SAS presented the status and immense value of different wild and cultivated citrus genetic resources and its diversity in Nagaland.
Director of Horticulture, Meyasashi pointed out a threat of citrus decline especially in Khasi mandarin in this region, massive reduction of citrus yield, declining of fruit quality and shortage of elite and quality planting material. He added that most of the citrus orchard of Nagaland was from seedling origin and were of 40-60 years old and unproductive senile condition.
Dr. S.K Mallik emphasized on proper utilization and exploitation of local and indigenous citrus germplasm in a scientific way for sustainable production under prevailing condition of hilly ecosystem where extremes of biotic and abiotic calamities are experienced. He also highlighted about one rare species of citrus so called Citrus ichangensis confined only in Nagaland that needs to be exploited as root stock.
The team was also visited Mandarin orchards at Rusuma and surrounding villages of Kohima districts and interacted with the owners of orchards on December 6.
Scientists from USA and France shared a common desire to explore, extend and strengthen the functional relationship in future.
They suggested sorting out real and logistic problems of the farmers and to give immediate attention following traditional and regional based agro-techniques like pruning and rejuvenation and using of local root stock to harness the maximum production of khasi mandarin in the region.
More than 25 citrus species wild, semi wild and cultivated varieties collected from different location of Nagaland were also displayed to showcase the rich diversity of citrus.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Prof. L. Daiho, Dean, SAS, Nagaland University.