Laboratories & Infrastructure
The ICAR-National Research Centre on Pomegranate maintains a range of purpose-built laboratories and support infrastructure at its Solapur campus. These facilities underpin the centre's research mandate — from soil analysis and plant pathology to post-harvest studies — and provide a working environment for visiting scientists, students, and collaborating institutions.
The National Research Centre on Pomegranate in Solapur, Maharashtra, operates under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research to address the specific challenges facing pomegranate cultivation in India. Its laboratories are designed to investigate critical issues such as bacterial blight, wilt disease, and stem borer infestations that threaten crop yields. Researchers conduct soil analysis, plant pathology studies, and post-harvest assessments to develop practical management strategies. The centre also maintains germplasm collections and conducts variety improvement trials, helping farmers select resilient cultivars suited to local growing conditions. These integrated research efforts aim to reduce crop losses and improve the sustainability of pomegranate production across the region.
The horticulture laboratory at the centre supports plant tissue culture work, propagation studies, and systematic evaluation of genetic material. This facility enables scientists to work on rootstock development and canopy management techniques that can enhance fruit quality and yield. The tissue culture unit allows for rapid multiplication of elite planting material, which is then made available to growers through extension programs. By combining traditional breeding approaches with modern biotechnological tools, the laboratory contributes to the development of pomegranate varieties with improved tolerance to pests, diseases, and environmental stresses common in the semi-arid tracts of Maharashtra and neighbouring states.
Beyond laboratory research, the centre provides advisory services and training programs for farmers, extension officers, and students. These initiatives cover integrated pest management, moisture conservation through mulching, efficient irrigation scheduling, and proper use of fertilizers and plant protection chemicals. The campus hosts demonstration plots where growers can observe improved practices firsthand. Regular training sessions and field days help transfer research findings into actionable recommendations. The centre also publishes technical bulletins and advisory materials in Marathi and Hindi to ensure that information reaches farming communities in their preferred languages, strengthening the link between scientific research and on-ground agricultural practice.
The centre's infrastructure includes specialized equipment for chromatography, soil testing, and post-harvest analysis, supporting a comprehensive approach to pomegranate research. Facilities such as shade nets, cold storage units, and irrigation systems enable controlled experiments throughout the year. The campus also houses administrative offices, a library, and meeting spaces for workshops and collaborative projects. By maintaining this institutional capacity, the National Research Centre on Pomegranate serves as a hub for scientists, students, and industry partners working to address the full spectrum of challenges in pomegranate production, from nursery management and orchard establishment to harvesting, storage, and value addition.
Horticulture Laboratory
Equipped for plant tissue culture, propagation studies, and germplasm evaluation. The lab supports research on variety improvement, rootstock development, and canopy management techniques specific to pomegranate.
Soil Science Laboratory
Conducts soil and leaf nutrient analysis, irrigation water quality testing, and fertilizer-response trials. The lab helps develop site-specific nutrient management recommendations for pomegranate orchards.
Specialized Equipment
The centre houses advanced scientific instruments for molecular biology, biochemical analysis, and post-harvest quality assessment. These tools enable precise research on fruit physiology, pest diagnostics, and product development.
Research Farm
A dedicated experimental farm on the Solapur-Pune Highway campus provides field plots for variety trials, agronomic experiments, and demonstration plantings under real growing conditions.
Guest House
On-campus accommodation is available for visiting researchers, trainees, and official guests. The guest house provides a comfortable stay with essential amenities, facilitating extended research visits and collaborative programmes.
Seminar Hall
A fully equipped seminar hall hosts scientific meetings, training workshops, farmer awareness programmes, and institutional events. The space supports audio-visual presentations and accommodates medium-sized gatherings.
Library
The centre's library maintains a collection of reference books, scientific journals, periodicals, and digital resources focused on horticulture, plant sciences, and pomegranate research. It serves scientists, students, and visiting scholars.
Agromet Observatory
An Agromet observatory has been operational at the NRCP campus since June 2007. It records key weather parameters — temperature, rainfall, humidity, wind speed, and evaporation — providing essential data for crop-weather relationship studies and advisory services for pomegranate growers in the region.
Agriculture Knowledge Management Unit (AKMU)
Formerly known as the ARIS Cell, the AKMU provides internet connectivity linking the centre with ICAR headquarters and other research institutions across India. It supports data exchange, digital library access, and ICT-enabled extension activities.