Pankaj Nath, Assam: A total of 35 fourth-year Agriculture students of Arunachal University od Studies, Namsai, Arunachal Pradesh, visited the Assam Agricultural University- Citrus and Plantation Crops Research Station, Tinsukia, on September 3 as part of an exposure visit programme. The programme commenced with a welcome address by Dr. Raaj Kumar Kakoti, Chief Scientist, AAU-CPCRS, Tinsukia, who briefed the students about the achievements, research activities and mandate of the station. He highlighted that the station is one of the pioneering centres of citrus research under Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat with major emphasis on the collection, conservation and utilization of citrus germplasm. He informed that around 150 citrus germplasm accessions are being maintained at the Field Gene Bank of the station. Dr. Kakoti also highlighted the multidisciplinary research carried out at the station in areas including horticulture, plant pathology, entomology and soil science. During the visit, the students visited the Molecular Laboratory, Plant Pathology Laboratory, Entomology Laboratory and Soil Science facilities, besides the nursery production unit and experimental blocks. Dr. Monuj Gogoi, Scientist, Plant Pathology, explained the importance of molecular indexing of citrus planting materials for the production of quality planting materials and discussed various pathological aspects of citrus cultivation and disease management. The students were also acquainted with ongoing research activities by Dr. Bijit. Kr. Saud, Principal Scientist, Dr. Nilim Kalita, Dr. Priyanka Borbaruah and Dr. Jahnabi Hazarika. Dr. Parbin Hunda Baruah, Faculty, AUS, Namsai, explained the objectives of the exposure visit and emphasized the importance of practical exposure for agricultural students in understanding modern research and technologies. The visit provided the students with practical exposure to citrus germplasm conservation, quality planting material production, molecular indexing, pest and disease management, soil science and field-based research activities at the research station.
