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