Agriculture Research Station of Gonbad

The Agriculture Research Station of Gonbad is one of the well known agricultural research stations in Iran because of its considerable contribution to releasing high yielding varieties. This station was established in 1985. It is located 5 km east of historical city of Gonbad-e Qabus.

Several experiments on breeding and agronomical aspects of important crops such as cereals (bread wheat, durum wheat, barley), oil seed crops (sunflower, canola and soybean), pulse crops (chickpea, lentil), cotton, melon and watermelon are carried out. Collection and identification of pest and disease, pest and disease control methods, plant nutrition, are also conducted at the station. In addition to activities mentioned above, the breeders and foundation seed increase of varieties are done at the station. Accessions for tolerance to heat and draught stress, which are prevailing in the region (harsh conditions at final stages in particular), are evaluated at this station. Since several international experiments are carried out at this station, it is visited by researchers from International Institutes and by university professors.

The breedres at the station try to find lines and to produce hybrids with greater stability and higher tolerance to harsh abiotic conditions prevailing in the region. The best IPM methods in controling pests, diseases and weeds are also studied. Increasing yield of crops per ha and per input is one of the princicpal aims of the researchers.