Hyderabad is one of the foremost viticultural centres of our country and it may not be an exaggeration to call Hyderabad as city of Grapes. It enjoys the proud privilege of creating the world record in grape production of 42 tons of Anab-e-Shahi per acre (105 MT/ha) in 1969. This was described as a spectacular yield and a biological wonder by Dr.H.P.Olmo, a renowned Viticulture Scientist of the world (Chadha K.L.1992). A popular grape variety Anab-e-Shahi was introduced in Hyderabad by Abdul Baquer Khan from Middle East around 1890. Its present ‘Anab’ meaning grape and ‘Shahi’ royal was conferred by the Nizam of Hyderabad during 1943. LateSri. Shankarpillay, Horticulturist (then Nizam state) was instrumental for commercial cultivation of Anab-e-Shahi from 1960’s. Thus, commercial viticulture is hardly six decades old and is now considered to be one of the most remunerative farming enterprises.

In 1956, the Agriculture Department, Andhra Pradesh was made responsible for research on grape. Consequent on the formation of Andhra Pradesh Agricultural University during 1965-66 the Grape Research Station was transferred to the university. Andhra Pradesh Grape Growers Association has been doing a yeoman’s service to the cause of advancement of viticulture in the country. The organization had earlier brought out a souvenir on grape in late sixties and a publication of “Problems of Grape Production around Hyderabad” (Satyanarayana, G.1981) and also conducted “International Symposium on Recent Advances in Viticulture and Oenology” in 1992 in collaboration with APAU.

In the course of time most of the area under this variety was replaced by Thompson Seedless and its clones. The present Grape Research Station, Sri Konda Laxman Telangana State Horticultural University, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad-30 has been functioning under All India Co-ordinated Fruit Improvement Programme from 1975 onwards and has now come under AICRP (Fruits) from 2013. It comes under Southern Telangana Agro climatic region. It is located at latitude of 17о 20' N, longitude of 78о 25' E and an altitude of 545 m above MSL. It is only the station working on grape in the entire state and is catering to the needs of grape growers of Telangana by carrying out scientific research on evaluation of varieties, hybrids, rootstocks suitable for various purposes, development of viable agro techniques, and management of pests and diseases by minimizing pesticides. This station has provided guidance for student research and alsoconducts a number of paid-up trials for national and multinational companies as part of public private partnership.This station has facilities for analyzing plant, soil and water analysis and raisin making.

MANDATE

• To study the performance of different grape varieties and hybrids for the agro climatic conditions of this area.
• Evaluation of varieties for table, raisin and juice purpose.
• To develop appropriate and economically viable agro techniques for quality grape production.
• Evaluation of root stocks for their compatibility with commercial grape varieties.
• Evaluation of different root stocks for biotic and abiotic stress.
• Screening of different varieties and hybrids of grapes for tolerance to pests and diseases.
• Evaluation of new chemical molecules for the management of important pests and diseases.
• To advise farmers on grape cultivation, and facilitate farmers and institutes in soil, water and plant analysis.
• Conducts paid up trials as part of public private partnership

STAFF DETAILS

S.NO	Scientist name	Designation	Phone number	Mail id	Photograph
1.	Dr. T. Suresh Kumar	Principal Scientist (Hort.) & Head	8247790935	tskreddy@yahoo.com
2.	Dr. K. Venkata Ramesh	Scientist (Plant Pathology)	9490879220	kvrameshagri@gmail.com
3.	Dr. K. Prabhavathi	Scientist (Agro)	8341000227	grsrnagar@gmail.com