Vegetable Science

• The Department of Vegetable Crops was established during 1979 as a component of Horticultural College and Research Institute and since then, intensive research, education and extension activities are pursued to promote vegetable crops cultivation.
• Started separate M.Sc (Hort.) and Ph.D (Hort.) in Vegetable Science during 2004. Courses related to general Horticulture, vegetable breeding and applied vegetable cultivation are being offered to students of UG, PG and Ph.D degree programmes of this University.
• Crop improvement, crop management, plant protection and post harvest technology of vegetable crops are also being done

To teach courses on vegetable science in a comprehensive manner for undergraduate, post graduate and doctoral students

• The Department focuses on various aspects related to germplasm collection, evaluation, and conservation in major vegetable crops. These crops include tomato, brinjal, chilli, bhendi, onion, gourds, amaranthus, yams, and minor tubers.
• One area of research is breeding for yield enhancement and resistance to biotic and abiotic stress in tropical vegetable crops. This involves developing new varieties or hybrids that have increased productivity and resilience to pests, diseases, and environmental factors.
• Another focus is breeding for quality improvement in tropical vegetable crops. This involves selecting and developing varieties that have superior taste, texture, color, and nutritional content.
• The Department also works towards standardizing agro techniques for vegetable cultivation under drip and fertigation systems. This involves optimizing irrigation and nutrient supply through the use of these modern techniques.
• Grafting studies are conducted in tomato, brinjal, and gourds. Grafting is a technique used to combine different plant varieties to improve overall plant vigor, disease resistance, and productivity.
• The Department has also been working on standardizing hi-tech vegetable production under protected cultivation. This involves using advanced technologies like greenhouse structures, climate control, and precise nutrient management to optimize vegetable production.
• Through these research efforts, the Department has successfully released 66 high yielding vegetable varieties/hybrids so far. Additionally, the Department has pioneered the standardization of grafting technology in Brinjal.
• Furthermore, the Department has established a rich germplasm collection of more than 1000 varieties in major vegetable crops like tomato, chilli, bhendi, amaranthus, onion, gourds, and tuber crops. This germplasm collection serves as a valuable resource for breeding programs and genetic conservation efforts.

• To produce vegetable seeds of TNAU released varieties / hybrids under farmers participatory approach and supplied to farmers.
• To disseminate the technologies developed in vegetable crops to needy people and entrepreneurs through training, demonstrations, publications and mass media.