Research Projects
| S.No | Project Title | Duration | Principal Investigator | Co-PIs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Draft Genome Sequencing of Pomegranate Cv Bhagwa | 2017 – 2025 | Dr. P. Roopa Sowjanya | Dr. NV Singh, Dr. Prakash Patil, Dr. Shilpa Parashuram, Dr. Chandrakant Awachare |
| 2 | Breeding for bacterial blight resistance in pomegranate | 2019 – 2024 | Dr. Shilpa P. | Dr. K. Dhinesh Babu, Dr. Prakash G Patil, Dr. P Roopa Sowjanya, Dr. Nilesh N Gaikwad, Dr. Pinky Raigond |
| 3 | Development of genetic resources resistant to wilt complex in pomegranate | 2022 – 2027 | Dr. P. Roopa Sowjanya | Dr. K Dhinesh Babu, Dr. Manjunatha N, Dr. Somnath Pokhare, Dr. Shilpa Parashuram, Dr. R.A. Marathe |
| 4 | Trait mapping to enhance fruit quality traits in pomegranate using advanced genomic tools | 2024 – 2028 | Dr. Prakash G. Patil | Dr. K. Dhinesh Babu, Dr. Shilpa Parashuram, Dr. Chandrakant Awachare, Dr. Rajiv A. Marathe |
| 5 | Crop Regulation practices for improving productivity and better quality in pomegranate | 2024 – 2029 | Dr. K. Dhinesh Babu | Dr. C. Awachare, Dr. P. Raigond, Mr. R. Damale, Dr. PG Patil, Dr. Shilpa P., Dr. R.A. Marathe |
| 6 | Biotic stress induced biochemical and epigenetic changes associated with major pest and diseases in diverse pomegranate genotypes | 2021 – 2026 | Mr. Rahul Devidas Damale | Dr. R.A. Marathe, Dr. Shilpa P., Dr. N.V. Singh, Dr. K.D. Babu, Dr. Mallikarjun Harsur, Dr. Manjunatha N, Dr. Pinky Raigond |
| 7 | Canopy architecture management and high density planting in pomegranate | 2022 – 2025 | Dr. Chandrakant Awachare | Dr. K. Dhinesh Babu, Dr. Pinky Raigond, Dr. R.A. Marathe, Dr. Manjunatha N, Dr. Mallikarjun H |
| 8 | Combating stresses and improving quality in pomegranate by exploiting rootstocks | 2020 – 2025 | Dr. Chandrakant Awachare | Dr. K. Dhinesh Babu, Dr. Prakash G. Patil, Dr. Roopa Sowjanya P., Dr. Manjunath, Dr. Somnath Pokhare, Dr. R.A. Marathe |
| 9 | Fertigation scheduling of major nutrients in pomegranate (Bhagwa & Solapur Lal) | 2022 – 2026 | Dr. P. S. Shirgure | Dr. R.A. Marathe, Dr. K. Dhinesh Babu, Dr. Manjunatha N., Dr. Mallikarjun H. |
| 10 | Feasibility study of quality fruit production of Bhagwa and Solapur Lal under protected cultivation | 2024 – 2029 | Dr. Ranjan Kumar Singh | Dr. Pinky Raigond, Dr. Chandrakant Awachare, Dr. Manjunatha N, Dr. Somnath Pokhare, Dr. Basana Gowda G, Dr. R.A. Marathe |
| 11 | Natural Farming Practices for Quality Pomegranate Production | 2024 – 2029 | Dr. Ranjan Kumar Singh | Dr. Pinky Raigond, Dr. Chandrakant Awachare, Dr. Manjunatha N, Dr. Basana Gowda G, Dr. R.A. Marathe |
| 12 | Studies on wilt complex in Pomegranate | 2021 – 2026 | Dr. Somnath Suresh Pokhare | Dr. Manjunatha N., Dr. Mallikarjun M.H., Dr. R.A. Marathe |
| 13 | Epidemiology and sustainable management of phylloplane diseases of pomegranate | 2021 – 2026 | Dr. Manjunatha N. | Dr. Somnath Pokhare, Dr. Mallikarjun M.H., Dr. Prakash G. Patil, Dr. R.A. Marathe |
| 14 | Development of technologies for sustainable management of insect pests of pomegranate | 2020 – 2026 | Dr. Mallikarjun M.H | Dr. Manjunatha N., Dr. Somnath S. Pokhare, Dr. Rajiv Marathe |
| 15 | Development of functional food products and waste utilization from pomegranate | 2020 – 2025 | Dr. Namrata A. Giri | Dr. Nilesh N. Gaikwad, Dr. Manjunatha N., Dr. Pinky Raigond |
| 16 | Post-harvest management and value addition in pomegranate for entrepreneurship development | 2019 – 2024 | Dr. Gaikwad Nilesh N. | Dr. Namrata Giri, Dr. K. Dhinesh Babu |
| S.No | Funding Agency | Project Title | Duration | PI | Co-PIs | Total Budget (Rs. Lakhs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maharashtra Agribusiness Network (MAGNET) Project, MSAMB, GoM | Development and evaluation of spray and freeze-dried pomegranate juice powder and its reconstitution | 2023 – 2026 | Project Director Dr. R. A. Marathe | Dr. Nilesh Gaikwad, Dr. Namrata Giri | 49.92 |
| 2 | ICAR | National Agriculture Innovation Fund | 2021 – 2026 | Dr. Nilesh N. Gaikwad | - | - |
| 3 | PPV&FRA, New Delhi | Establishment of DUS Centre at ICAR-NRCP, Solapur | 2011 – Ongoing | Dr. Shilpa P. | Dr. P. Roopa Sowjanya | NA |
| 4 | ADB funded MAGNET Project, Govt. of Maharashtra | Evaluation and identification of new exportable varieties in pomegranate | 2023 – 2026 | Project Director Dr. R. A. Marathe / Dr. Shilpa P. | Dr. Dhinesh Babu K, Dr. Pinky Raigond, Dr. Manjunatha N, Dr. Mallikarjun Harsur | 50.00 |
| 5 | DST - SERB, GOI | Genome wide association mapping in pomegranate to identify novel genes | 2022 – 2025 | Dr. P. Roopa Sowjanya | Dr. NV Singh, Dr. Manjunatha N, Dr. Shilpa Parashuram | 49.97 |
| 6 | DAE – BRNS, GOI | Induced Mutagenesis in pomegranate for biotic stress resistance | 2022 – 2025 | Dr. P. Roopa Sowjanya | Dr. Suvendu Mandal (BARC) | 27.76 |
| 7 | Commissionerate of Agriculture, Govt. of Maharashtra | Horticulture Crop Pest Surveillance and Advisory Project (HORTSAP) | 2023 – Ongoing | Dr. Mallikarjun M.H | Dr. Manjunatha N. | 6.78 |
| 8 | RKVY, Govt. India, Maharashtra | Setting up of biocontrol production laboratory for sustainable pest management | 2023 – 2025 | Project Director Dr. R. A. Marathe | Dr. Manjunatha N., Dr. Somnath S. Pokhare | 346.8 |
| 9 | RKVY, Govt. India, Maharashtra | Establishment of Plant Health Clinic for Pomegranate growing regions of Maharashtra | 2022 – 2025 | Project Director Dr. R. A. Marathe / PI: Dr. Mallikarjun M.H | Dr. Somnath S. Pokhare | 311.00 |
| 10 | ICAR | ICAR-All India Coordinated Research Project on Arid Zone Fruits | 2015 – Ongoing | Dr. K. Dhinesh Babu | Dr. C. Awachare, Dr. Mallikarjun M.H | NA |
| S.No | Funding Agency | Project Title | Duration | PI | Co-PIs | Status | Total Budget (Rs. Lakhs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bayer Crop Science Ltd. | Evaluation of the herbicide Indaziflam + Glyphosate (Alion Plus) for weed control efficiency and crop safety in pomegranate | 2024 – 2026 | Project Director: Dr. R.A. Marathe / PI: Dr. K. Dhinesh Babu | Dr. RK Singh | Ongoing | 26.47 |
| 2 | SmartChem Tech Ltd | Response of customized WSF (water soluble fertilizer) grades on yield and quality of pomegranate | 2023 – 2025 | Dr. R.A. Marathe, Dr. P.S. Shirgure | Dr. K. Dhinesh Babu | Ongoing | 36.90 |
| 3 | Bayer Crop Science Ltd. | Evaluation of IDIPM schedules using new molecules and demonstration of Bayer plant protection schedules for export quality pomegranate | 2022 – 2025 | Dr. Chandrakant Awachare, Dr. Manjunatha N. | Dr. Somnath Pokhare, Dr. Mallikarjun M.H, Dr. R.A. Marathe | Ongoing | 42.82 |
| 4 | Tessenderlo Kerley India Pvt. Ltd. | Effect of Surround-WP foliar sprays on preventing sunburn and cracking for quality fruit yield | 2023 – 2025 | Dr. Chandrakant Awachare | Dr. R.A. Marathe, Dr. Pinky Raigond | Ongoing | 24.65 |
| 5 | Rastriya Chemicals & Fertilisers Ltd. | Evaluation of RCF Nano Urea using fertigation and foliar techniques on growth, yield and fruit quality | 2022 – 2024 | Dr. P.S. Shirgure | Dr. R.A. Marathe, Dr. K. Dhinesh Babu | Ongoing | 29.42 |
| 6 | Bayer Crop Science Ltd. | Efficacy evaluation of Infinito on pomegranate fungal fruit rots | 2023 – 2025 | Dr. Manjunatha N. | Dr. Somnath S. Pokhare | Ongoing | 23.40 |
| 7 | Bayer Crop Science Pvt. Ltd. | Evaluation of Spirotetramat 150 g/L OD for bio-efficacy against thrips | 2022 – 2024 | Dr. Mallikarjun M.H | Dr. K. Dhinesh Babu, Dr. R.A. Marathe | Ongoing | 22.84 |
| 8 | Bayer Crop Science Pvt. Ltd. | Evaluation of Betacyfluthrin + Imidacloprid (Solomon) for thrips and aphids | 2023 – 2025 | Dr. Mallikarjun M.H | Dr. K. Dhinesh Babu, Dr. R.A. Marathe | Ongoing | 23.63 |
| 9 | Bayer Crop Science Pvt. Ltd. | Evaluation of Spidoxamat + Spinetoram for bio-efficacy against thrips, mealybugs and fruit borer | 2024 – 2026 | Dr. Mallikarjun M.H | Dr. Shilpa Parashuram, Dr. R.A. Marathe | Ongoing | 36.12 |
| 10 | Bayer Crop Science Pvt. Ltd. | Efficacy evaluation of Fluopicolide + Propamocarb (Infinito) on fungal fruit rots | 2023 – 2025 | Dr. Manjunatha N. | Dr. R.A. Marathe, Dr. Somnath S. Pokhare, Shri Vijay Lokhande | Ongoing | 23.39 |
| 11 | UPL Limited | Management modules of foliar and fruit diseases using new fungicide molecules | 2023 – 2025 | Dr. Manjunatha N. | Dr. R.A. Marathe, Dr. Somnath S. Pokhare, Shri Vijay Lokhande | Ongoing | 31.30 |
| 12 | Willwood Chemicals Limited | Evaluation of bio-efficacy and phytotoxicity of WILBOND on pomegranate | 2023 – 2024 | Dr. Pinky Raigond | Dr. R.A. Marathe | Ongoing | 10.05 |
| 13 | Tradecorp Rovensa India Pvt. Ltd. | Bioefficacy of calcium, biostimulant and silicon products on quality, yield and ROI | 2024 – 2025 | Dr. Pinky Raigond | Dr. R.A. Marathe | Ongoing | 15.96 |
| 14 | Indofil Pvt. Ltd. | Evaluation of bio-efficacy and phytotoxicity of IFFC010 against fungal leaf and fruit disease complex | 2022 – 2024 | Dr. Manjunatha N. | Dr. Somnath S. Pokhare, Shri Vijay Lokhande | Ongoing | 18.55 |
| S.No | Project Title | Collaborative Institutes | PI | Co-PI | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Valorization of fruit and vegetable wastes for aquafeed | ICAR - Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Mumbai, Maharashtra | Dr. Shamna N. | Parimal Sardar, Ashutosh D. Deo, Manish Jayant, Subodh Gupta, Md. Aklakur, Babitha Rani A.M, Manjusha L, Jeena K, Namrata A. Giri | Ongoing |
| 2 | Introduction and evaluation of pomegranate germplasm in humid and sub-humid regions of Uttarakhand, India | ICAR – Vivekananda Parvatiya Krishi Anusandhan Sansthan, Almora, Uttarakhand | Dr. R.A. Marathe (Project Director), Dr. Lakshmikant (Project Director) | Dr. Shilpa P, Dr. Roopa Sowjanya P, Dr. Manjunatha N, Dr. Chandrakant Awachare, Dr. N.K. Hedau, Dr. Rahul Dev | Ongoing |
| 3 | Unravelling mechanism and developing mitigation strategies for aril browning and fruit cracking in pomegranate | NIASM, Baramati | Dr. Pinky Raigond | Dr. Shilpa P, Dr. Namrata A. Giri, Dr. K.D. Babu, Mr. Rahul Damale, Dr. Chandrakant A., Dr. P. Roopa Sowjanya, Dr. Rajiv A. Marathe, Dr. Prashant Hanjagi | Ongoing |
| 4 | Delineation of potential areas for pomegranate cultivation in India using remote sensing and GIS techniques | ICAR, NBSSLUP, Nagpur | Director NRCP | Dr. R. A. Marathe | Ongoing |
