Arid Zone Research Centre, Quetta

 

What are research programs at Arid Zone Research Centre (AZRC)?

Ans.    

·        Animal Sciences Research Programme

·        Crop Sciences Research Programme

·        Range and forestry Research Programme

·        Land and Water resources Research Programme

 

What are Khushkaba and Sailaba Farming Systems?

Ans.

Khushkaba—Dryland farming system having winter rainfall pattern and precipitation of around 250 mm. Crops do suffer moderate to severe moisture stress throughout their life cycle. Water harvesting is mandatory.  The area between Khuzdar and Lorali is mostly khushkaba.

Sailaba—Dryland farming system having summer rainfall pattern and precipitation of 350-450mm. Crops suffer moisture stress at grain filling stage.  Runoff of the nearby mountains running through ephemeral streams is diverted to the fields having bunds and inlet/outlet structures.  The area beyond Makhtar and Khuzdar in the north and south is mostly sailaba.

 

Which are the focus research areas at AZRC for drylands?

Ans.

Soils—Soil fertility monitoring and management

Agronomy—Experimentation of dryland cultural practices

Water--- Water harvesting, soil moisture conservation

Agrometeorology ---Agromet data collection and compilation for dryland research and planning

 

What are the technologies developed/ achievements of AZRC?

Ans.

·        Catchment basin water harvesting (1:1 catchment & cropped ratio) economical for khushkaba.

·        Developed dryland planter (Ridge furrow system, 5-rows per 2m2, ridge height 20-cm, micro catchment water harvesting). 

·        Agromet data computer package (frequency & probability) analysis, Quetta data 1891-2006 and most of the Balochistan 15-20 rainfall data.

·       Fertilizer recommendations for dryland kharif sailaba system:

Local Sorghum

Nitrogen Phosphorus Boron (NPB) @ N:60, P:30, B:5 kgha^-1 increased straw by 45% and grains by 43% over control.

Kachi Sorghum

Nitrogen Phosphorus Boron (NPB) @ N:60, P:30, B:5 kgha^-1 increased TDM 27.6%.

Phosphorus @ 30 kgha^-1 gave increased grains by 74% over control.

Local Mash

Nitrogen Phosphorus (NP) @ N:10, P:20 kgha^-1 increased Grains by 37.7% over control.

·        Soil fertility maps of dryland sailaba system of Barkhan district (P, K, Zn, Cu, Fe & Mn), while (P & K) of Musakhail district.

 

Has AZRC released any varieties for dryland areas of Pakistan?

Ans. Yes, the following crop varieties have been developed/ tested and released by PARC scientists working at AZRC, Quetta:

·        AZRI-96 (wheat) variety

·        Sanober-96 (barley)

·        Shir-AZ-96 (lentil)

·        Kuhak-96  (forage legume)