1- Grape Production and Genetic Improvement Department,

2- Grape Environmental Science Department

3- Grape Processing and Preservation Department

1) Grape Production and Genetic Improvement Department

This department is committed to conducting research activities including:

1- Collection, evaluation and maintenance of grape germplasm.

2- To evaluate genetic diversity of grapes cultivars and genotypes using biometric methods in main vine-growing regions.

3- Intensification of breeding works on grape germplasm for development of high yielding hybrids and cultivars resistant to biotic and abiotic stress.

4- Application of next generation technologies (nuclear radiation) to accelerate grapevine cultivar development.

5- To investigate new methods in vines training systems with emphasis in spring chilling tolerance and high fruit yield and quality.

6- To develop appropriate production technologies in this fruits.

7- To develop appropriate integrated pest (IPM) and disease (IDM) management in vineyards.

8- Standardization of organic package of practices in grape.

9- Standardization of agro-techniques viz., cultural, manurial and water management practices including use of bio-fertilizers, micronutrients and hormones.

10- Standardization of fertigation technology in vineyards.

11- Management and determination of damage threshold and critical period of weed control in vineyards

12- improvement of the mechanization coefficient in different stages of planting, harvesting and grape harvesting

13- To supply quality plant material to farmer and vine growers.

14- Developing sustainable vineyard water management strategies for limited water supplies

2) Grape Processing and Preservation Department

This department is committed to conducting research activities including:

1- Developing postharvest management practices to prevent postharvest losses in grape and raisin production.

2- Postharvest management practices for improving shelf life and value addition of grape

3- To improve shelf life of grape using Nano- material packaging and new safe material.

4- Modification of raisin production methods in order to raise the conversion coefficient of grape to raisin.

5- Optimization of raisin production methods in order to reduce or eliminate fungal contamination at production stages.

6- To investigate and determine the most suitable systems for raisins production based on market requirements.

7- Use of nuclear radiation to remove contaminants without reducing nutritional value

8- Modification of the traditional production method of sweet grape syrup.

9- To investigate the reduction of microbial contamination in the raisin production stages

10- Reduction of pollutants to nil by developing fine packaging and insulation.

11- To design and develop novel patterns to control and monitor the quality of the grape products with the intention to improve the healthiness and wholesomeness of the grape products.

12- Raisin and sweet syrup packaging and food maintenance using novel technologies.

13- Assisting Post graduate & Ph.D. students Research work on Post-Harvest Technology

3) Grape Environmental Science Department

This department is committed to conducting research activities including:

1- Identification of the winter cold tolerance grapevine cultivars.

2- Identification of late bud-bursting grapevine cultivars for avoidance of late spring chilling damages.

3- Screening of grapevine cultivars for drought tolerance trait.

4- Application of cold, salinity and drought -tolerance cultivars in vineyards.

5- Study of the soil fertility status of vineyards in the area and their classification.

6- Estimation of contamination of heavy elements in vineyard soils.

7- Soil classification of the vineyards in terms of acidity and soil electrical conductivity.

8- Evaluation of salt accumulation in vineyards and their classification.

9- Investigating the effect of climate change on production and product quality

10- Investigating the effect of the tiny-dust on the amount of production and product quality.

11- Investigating the effect of climate variables on different stages of grapevine growth and development.

12- Investigating the effects of cold, heat, humidity and precipitation stresses on the production and quality of grapes and raisins

13- Investigating environmental pollution of agricultural pesticides and waste from factories in vineyards and raisins