The vegetable research in the erstwhile Andhra Pradesh state was first initiated in chilli at Lam, Guntur in 1928 by the Govt. of Madras. Later two Vegetable Research Stations, one at Rajendranagar, Hyderabad and the other at Kurnool were started in 1955. The Andhra Pradesh Agricultural University started the vegetable research in 1964 by taking over these three schemes engaged in vegetable research work from the department of Agriculture, Govt. of A.P. Later on, the Vegetable Research station at Kurnool was closed and six new schemes including the one on Breeder Seed production have been initiated at Agricultural Research Institute, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad.

In addition to this, with a view to strengthen the research work on popular vegetables like brinjal, tomato, bhendi, beans, gourds and melons the AP Agril. University has started a new scheme, viz., “Scheme for Intensification on Vegetable Research in AP” during the year 1978.

In the year1988, the Vegetable Research Scheme at ARI, Rajendranagar has been further strengthened by initiation of an All India coordinated Research Project on vegetables in collaboration with ICAR.

During the year 2001-02, the Scheme for Intensification of vegetable research in A.P. and vegetable research scheme were merged with Vegetable Breeding Scheme. In India area and production of various horticulture crops such as fruits (6.53 M ha: 96.75 M. MT), vegetables (10.43 m ha: 187.47 M. MT), flowers (0.39 m. ha: 2.58 M. MT), plantational crops (3.76 m ha: 17.99 M. MT), spices (4.08 M ha: 8.50 M. MT)

In Telangana state with high geographical diversity 3 Agro-climatic zones, varid soil types and good agricultural resources is better placed for area and production of various horticulture crops such as fruits (1.68 lakh ha: 17.55 lakh MT), vegetables (0.75 lakh ha : 15.60 lakh MT) , flowers (0.33 lakh ha : 0.23 lakh MT), plantational crops (0.12 lakh ha : 2.24 lakh MT), spices (1.32 lakh ha : 7.78 lakh MT)

Major fruit crops in state are mango, citrus, banana, guava and papaya. While vegetables like tomato, brinjal, bhendi and various varieties of gourds are predominant. Chillies, ginger, turmeric and coriander are important spices. Coconut, cashew and oilpalm constitute major plantational crops. In India Telangana ranks 3rd in fruits and 1st in turmeric (under cultivated area)

At present, Vegetable Research Station are working for various schemes viz., AICRP on vegetables (1988), AICRP on Tubers(1969), AINRP on Onion and Garlic (2017), Non-plan with the following objectives.

OBJECTIVES

• Germplasm collection, evaluation and maintenance of different vegetable crops including tuber crops to select the high yielding varieties resistant to pests and diseases and suitable to different agro climatic zones.
• Intensification of breeding work of important vegetable crops like tomato, brinjal, green chillies, okra, dolichos beans, bottle gourd, ridge gourd , bitter gourd, cooking melon, parwal, snake gourd, colocasia and sweet potato for development of high yielding hybrids and varieties resistant to biotic and abiotic stress.
• Standardization of agro-techniques viz., cultural, manurial and water management practices including use of bio-fertilizers, micronutrients and hormones.
• Evolving integrated pest (IPM) and disease (IDM) management practices.
• Production of breeder seed of state released varieties and distribution of the same to different agencies like State Seed Development Corporation, A.P. State Department of Horticulture etc.

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