Defence Institute of High Altitude Research (DIHAR) - Achievements
Vegetable Science
Standardized agro-techniques (organically) for 78 types of vegetables including tropical, subtropical and temperate vegetables. Suitable varieties/hybrids for all these crops were also identified.
Achieved vegetable supply of 58% of total demand of army deployed in 'L' sector under the technical know how of DIHAR through local cooperative marketing society.
Established permafrost based National germplasm storage facility at Changla top (17,586 ft AMSL) for successful, cost-effective, safe and long-term conservation of valuable PGRFA in the form of safety duplicates. The elite germplasm can be kept at -4 to -20 ℃ temperature inside the structure with 10-20 per cent moisture. Apart from India, only Norway (Svalbard) has the permafrost storage facility in the world.
Seed production technology for certain vegetable crops were standardized and demonstrated.
Solar based greenhouses including low cost double walled polyenches and trenches were designed and its suitability for round the year vegetable cultivation was standardized, demonstrated and disseminated.
Standardized vermi-composting technology for cold deserts
75 Greenhouses have been established in various army units along the LOC including Kargil and Siachen for round the year vegetable cultivation
Garlic aerial true to type seed bulbil technology which saves up to 15 q/ h planting material was successfully demonstrated.
Established terrace farming with integrated irrigation system with drip, sprinkler and studied the water use efficiency and established 50% water saving.
DIHAR green house technology has been accepted by LAHDC for dissemination to the locals and is providing Rs. 50,000 subsidy per greenhouse.
Triple layered polycarbonate green houses are most suitable to grow early seedlings i.e. in 1st week of April for protected cultivation to take early crop and also ensuring 300% cropping intensity.
Process has been developed for long -term (10 months) potato storage in specifically designed underground store using CIPC (Isopropyl-3-chloro carbanilate) (60 ml/ton) fogging treatment for round year availability of potato.
Horticulture & Post Harvest Technology
Surveyed, identified, evaluated and conserved 54 genotypes of indigenous apricot and 10 genotypes indigenous apple from cold arid Ladakh.
Established gene bank of apricot, apple, seabuckthorn, cherry, walnut, strawberry, mulberry, grapes etc.
Introduced new fruit crops like cherry, almond, strawberry, mulberry, pear, peaches etc.
Developed processing /value addition techniques for low quality apricot and seabuckthorn for production of nectar, jam, jelly, juice, nectar / RTS, puree, hurdle technology, intermediate moisture, bar etc. which have industrial potential.
Surveyed variability and area under seabuckthorn, a wonder plant of cold dessert (about 11,500ha) using remote sensing technology.
Morphological, biochemical and molecular techniques were used to identify 100 elite accessions of seabuckthorn in Ladakh region.
Installed and demonstrated gradient based drip irrigation system to conserve water in cold desert.
Standardized technology for minimal processing, freeze preservation and zero energy based long term storage of minimally processed frozen vegetables to boost the offseason availability during peak winters.
Underground storage techniques for storage of perishable fruits during frozen winters were developed and demonstrated.
Developed the technology for preparation of herbal beverage from fruits of seabuckthorn. The beverage is rich sources of vitamin A, C, B, K, & E and does not freeze up to -22 degree centigrade. Since the product is having anti-aging and anti-stress properties, it has been included in the special ration of Indian Army. Transferred the technology to 7 vendors and they are manufacturing the herbal beverage commercially.
The institute has designed & developed low cost drier such as solar polyhouse drier, tunnel drier, LPG driers, drier for scientific dehydration of surplus fruit and vegetables of the region.
Developed mechanical harvester for Seabuckthorn fruit collection without damaging the plant
Medicinal and Aromatic Plants
Herbal tea was formulated using high altitude medicinal & aromatic plants. The technology has been transferred for commercial production and introduced in high altitude ration of army.
Formulated herbal antioxidant supplement using medicinal plants growing at high altitude to counteract the high altitude maladies. TOT done with IMPCL, Min. of Health .
Herbal appetizer has been formulated by using high altitude medicinal plants and tested for toxicity and found to be non-toxic. Clinical studies are in progress.
Formulated herbal UV protective oil using medicinal plants growing at high altitude to protect from UV radiation in high altitude.
Standardized bulk extraction of SBT seed oil using CO2 supercritical method and its biochemical profiling. Formulated soft gel seabuckthorn oil capsule and toxicological studies are in progress.
Surveyed, identified and documented floristic wealth of Ladakh and Lahaul - Spiti with emphasis on medicinal & aromatic plants.
Rare, endangered and threatened medicinal plants viz. Aconitum sp, Dactylorhiza sp, Ephedra sp, Inula sp, Podophyllum sp were enlisted and conserved as ex situ. Techniques were developed for propagation and cultivation of 30 high altitude medicinal & aromatic plants for commercial cultivation.
Established Alpine herbal garden of 50 medicinal & aromatic plants for R&D activities.
Biotechnology
Genetic diversity and molecular characterization studies on indigenous seabuckthorn, apricot, apple, mulberry, artemisia, capparis, dactylorhiza, and Rhodiola using SSR, CAPS, STS, SCAR and AFLP markers.
Submitted 34 GSS of Hippophae rhamnoides and 29 GSS of Capparis spinosa to NCBI database.
Studies on antifreeze protein genes in seabuckthorn
Identified five potential psychrotolerant phosphate solubilising microbes by biochemical, fatty acid methyl ester and 16S rRNA gene sequence approach.
Protein profiling of 52 apricot germplasm was done.
Studies on antifreeze protein genes in seabuckthorn
High Altitude Physoilogy
Evaluation of physical and mental performance in human subjects and animal models exposed to hypobaric hypoxia and efficacy of herbal therapeutics for improvement of performance.
Establishing world highest high altitude physiology work station at Changla Top (17,586 ft AMSL)
Poultry
Developed cold arid poultry production technology to boost the availability of meat and eggs.
Developed solar poultry housing system suited for high altitudes to utilize the solar energy, reducing dependence on conventional energy sources and to achieve optimum cost of production.
Generated crossbred fowls of local X commercial broilers through 3 way crosses to select desired genotypes for breed development, suitable for cold climatic conditions.
Formulated balanced and economical poultry feed suitable for high altitude, cold arid conditions thereby reducing incidence of Ascites and nutritional deficiency disease cases.
Poultry production is being enhanced through small local poultry farmers by providing vital technical support.
Established and demonstrated hatchery unit and normobaric chamber to improve hatchability of poultry eggs in severe cold conditions, low humidity, and hypoxic conditions in Ladakh.
Cattle Sheep & Goat
Developed fast growing broiler sheep by crossing of Changthangi x Muzzafarnagri to boost the meat availability in 'L' sector.
Field survey was conducted, blood & milk samples of dairy cattle was collected and analyzed for prevalence of bovine TB, FMD, and brucellosis in Ladakh.
Reformulation of ration scale as per optimum nutritional requirements for growth and production in sheep and cattle.
Field survey was conducted, blood & milk samples of dairy cattle was collected and analyzed for prevalence of bovine TB, FMD, and brucellosis in Ladakh.
Ensuring 25% supply of fresh milk to troops deployed in 'L' sector.
Developed package of practices for breeding and rearing of sheep and goat in cold desert.
Upgradation of local cattle is being carried out by providing natural service to local cows by proven sire and adopting assisted reproductive technique such as artificial insemination.
Dairy farming techniques for Ladakh sector were developed and disseminated to local farmers by pedigree calves distribution programme.
Clinical diagnostic and therapeutic facilities were disseminated to the local farmers.
Equine Breeding
Local equine germplasm (Zanskar ponies) of Ladakh are being conserved, multiplied and upgraded.
Genetic characterization of Zanskar ponies and the progeny is being carried out by molecular characterization.
Generated crossbred equines (Zanskar mares X Half linger stallion) and mules (Zanskar mares X Donkey stallion).
Comparative performance of Zanskar ponies, GS Mules and GS ponies was evaluated at high altitude and found Zanskari breed superior over GS mules and ponies.
Evolved a package of equine management practices for sustained performance of pack animals without affecting their general health and condition.
The Zanskari ponies are being issued to army at the place of GS mules/ponies in ‘L’ sector.
The artificial insemination (AI) technology was employed first time in Zanskari ponies and genetically superior crossbreds Zanskari foals were produced.
Non Conventional Energy and Soll Science
Installation of Biogas Plant at high altitude to generate low cost and eco friendly energy.
Storage studies of Biodiesel blends under sub-zero conditions of Ladakh.
Physico-chemical analysis of biodiesel blends with petro-diesel.
Effect of anti-freezing agents (Glycerol & DMSO) on Bio-diesel properties in high altitudes
Knocking, chocking & injector deterioration studies for performance test of bio-diesel blends in MT vehicles.
Tractors and other heavy & light vehicles at DIHAR were run with 5% & 10% bio-diesel blend in the temperature range of -170C to 00C.
Analysis of irrigation water quality parameters like carbonate, bicarbonate, Chloride and TDS from Indus Valley.
Analyzed organic and inorganic carbon content of farmlands from 15 villages of Nubra valley.
Agroforestry and Extension Services
Contributed in greening of 'L' sector, plantation done at very high altitudes from 12,500 ft to 15,500 ft AMSL (Siachen base camp, South Pullu, North Pullu, Tangse, Chumathang etc. to improve the eco-environment.
Standardized propagation techniques of forest species such as Populus, Salix, Elaeagnus, Ulmus and Syringa.
Disseminating the agro-animal technologies through Radio and TV talks, Literature distribution, On-farm demonstration, Imparting training & consultancy and Organising Kisan Jawan Vigyan Mela
Regular training on agro-animal activities viz. vegetable cultivation, raising of vegetable nursery, greenhouse cultivation for subzero vegetable cultivation, cultivation of exotic vegetables, quality vegetable seed production, processing of surplus vegetables, processing of vegetables and fruits, poultry rearing and production, dairy management to troops and local people under OP Sadbhawana, NGO's and general public.
Distributing the improved basic inputs to increase the agro-animal production.
Patents
Process of preparation of multivitamin herbal beverage from seabuckthorn fruits.
Process for preparation of herbal jam from fruits of seabuckthorn
Formulation of DRDO herbal tea from trans-Himalayan herbs
A formulation of a health beverage seapricot
A process for preparation of a radio protective herbal extract.
An underground structure for moderating extreme cold conditions for storage of vegetables during winter in cold desert region
Formulation of herbal UV protective oil
Solar based semi underground greenhouse technology for vegetable production in subzero temperature
Design of solar polyhouse drier for drying of surplus vegetables and fruits
Design of Solar Poultry house
Double wall polyench greenhouse
Design of polycarbonate greenhouse
Process for long term potato storage in underground store with CIPC treatment
Structure for the survival and breeding of earthworms during winter in specifically designed vermibreeding house
Formulation of Herbal anti-oxidant supplement
Publications
Documentary films
DRDO's Efforts and Achievements in High Altitudes
DIHAR Conquest
Jai Jawan Jai Kisan Jai Vigyan
Medicinal plants of Ladakh
Vegetable cultivation in Ladakh
Books/Bulletins
Advances in Agriculture Environment & Health
Potato Production, Storage and Marketing
Seabuckthorn (Hippophae spp): The Golden Bush
Field Guide: Floral Diversity of Ladakh
Vegetable Production in Ladakh
Agriculture in Ladakh
Societal Contribution of vegetables in Ladakh
Protected Cultivation of vegetables in Ladakh (In Hindi)
Cold Desert Plants (Vol: I -V)
Transformation of a Ladakhi village – Nang
Sindhu Darshan (A annual Hindi Magazine)
Alfalfa (Lucerne) Production in Ladakh
Gladiolus Cultivation in Ladakh
Dairy Farming in Ladakh
A checklist on medicinal and aromatic plants of trans-Himalaya
Ladakh mein Sabjiyon ka utpadan (In Hindi)
FRL Chronicle (1962-2004). In Pursuit of Excellence.
The Seabuckthorn
Production technology of garlic in cold desert
Cold desert trans Himalayan plants and ethnobotany (Ladakh & Lahul Spiti)
Extension Folders
FRL at a glance
Strawberry Cultivation in Ladakh
Gladiolus cultivation in Ladakh
Seabuckthorn-A hope for greening of Ladakh
Planting tips for a forester
Plant diversity of Ladakh
Medicinal & aromatic wealth of Indian cold desert (Ladakh & Lahaul-Spiti)
Techniques for Cucurbits cultivation in cold desert: Ladakh
Poster on annual flowers for identification and agrotechniqes.
Cultural tips for growing vegetables in Ladakh
Quail rearing in Ladakh
Tips for broiler production in Ladakh
Fodder plants of Ladakh
Alfalfa production in Ladakh
Propagation techniques in apricot
Introducing Lilium in Ladakh
Solar greenhouse technology for vegetable production in high altitude cold arid regions
Research Papers
Over 150 research papers on various aspects of cold arid agro-animal technology
