Division of Natural Resources

The Division of Soil Science & Agricultural Chemistry was approved as a Research Division since inception of the Indian Institute of Horticultural Research in 1968. The work of the Division initially began with the mandate to study the nutrient requirement of horticultural crops and to develop suitable agro-techniques for different crops. The Division was renamed during  1983 as Division of Soil Science with six laboratories viz., (i) Soil Chemistry (ii) Soil Salinity (iii) Micronutrient (iv) Leaf Analysis (v) Isotope and (vi) Water Management. In 1984, a  Soil Microbiology Laboratory was added. Later the Pesticide Residue Laboratory was added and the Division was renamed as Division of Soil Science & Agricultural Chemistry.  A full-fledged soil microbiology lab was established during 2007. During 2021, the Division was renamed as the Division of Natural Resources. 

Past Division Heads

1. Dr. T.R. Subramanian
2. Dr.Ajit Gupta
3. Dr. B.R.V. Iyengar,
4. Dr.B.S.Bhargava,
5. Dr. M.D. Awasthi
6. Dr. M.Edward Raja.
7. Dr. A.N. Ganeshamurthy 
8. Dr.H.B.Raghupathi
9. Dr.T.R.Rupa (since November 2022)

Achievements 

1. Crop specific nutrient requirements were developed for different vegetables, fruits, ornamental and medicinal plants
2. The first leaf analysis laboratory for horticultural crops was established to analyse farmer’s samples for providing need based fertilizer recommendation
3. Leaf nutrient diagnostic norms were developed for  major fruit crops and selected ornamental crops for need based nutrient management
4. Worked out scattered distribution of roots in sapota, mango, guava, banana, citrus and annona using ³²P tracer• Salt tolerant root stocks/cultivars of  Mango (Bappakai & Olour), Grape (Dogridge And 1613),Citrus (Rangpur Lime/Cleo Alva Mandrin), Banana (Karpooravalli And Poovan), Acid Lime (Tenali) and Papaya (Washington & Waimando) were identified
5. Dogridge was identified as a salt and drought tolerant root stock for grapes. it was released and popularized among the grape growers of Southern states including Maharashtra

Technologies Developed 

1. Arka Microbial Consortium a NPK biofertilizer consortium was developed, evaluated and commercialized
2. Arka Fermented Cocopeat a novel substrate for horticultural crop production was developed, evaluated and commercialized
3. Arka Actino- Plus an actinobacterial formulation for plant health management was developed, evaluated and commercialized
4. Arka Sahishnu a bacterial inoculant suitable for tomato cultivation under deficit irrigation conditions was developed
5. The process for the soilless production of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungal Inoculum was developed 
6. Arka Mango Special a micronutrinet formulation for enhancing mango production has been developed and commercialized
7. Arka Banana  Special a micronutrinet formulation for enhancing banana  production has been developed and commercialized
8. Arka Vegetable  Special a micronutrinet formulation for enhancing vegetable  production has been developed and commercialized
9. Arka Citrus  Special a micronutrinet formulation for enhancing citrus  production has been developed and commercialized
10. Arka Sasya Poshaka Ras a nutrient  formulation for soilless production of vegetables  and medicinal crops was developed and commercialized