ICRISAT research highlights 1982

This ICRISAT report provides the highlights of 1982. ICRISAT opened its Sahelian Center in Niger to investigate millets and groundnuts and associated farming systems. It also expanded onfarm testing of double cropping deep black soils, adding to the Taddenpally pilot project, similar experiments in 7 other villages in India, and training of Indian extension officers. Pigeonpea, chickpea, groundnut, sorghum, and millet advances are described. To increase genetic resources, 3,172 new accessions were collected. Another focus was on fighting the yield reducers (diseases, insects, and other pests), and incorporating resistance to environmental stress in new lines. Experiments to increase use of nitrogen from the air were underway. Models of a rolling crust breaker and a furrow opener were developed. A total of 126 persons from 35 countries completed training. Studies on roads and marketing and on the correlation of male height and weight with wage increases were conducted by staff economists.