In this zone Agricultural Research Station , Mandor ( Jodhpur ) and Agricultural Research Sub Station, Samdari ( Barmer ) are engaged in the development of improved varieties and production and protection technologies. The geographical area of the zone is 4.44 m ha comprising Barmer and parts of Jodhpur district. Desert soils and sand dunes occupy the major portion of the zone.
There are wind blown, Aeolian soils, loamy sand to coarse sand in texture and at places they are also calcareous. The rainfall in the zone ranges from 100 mm in the west to 370 mm in the east. Major kharif crops in the zone are pearlmillet, mothbean, sesame and clusterbean, while wheat, mustard, cumin and chillies are the principal rabi crops.

Farm area  :   ARS Mandor   -  72.80 ha
                    ARSS Samdri  -  17.25 ha

Research Achievements

Crop varieties developed

During 2001-2008 following varieties were developed:

PRODUCTION & PROTECTION TECHNOLOGIES DEVELOPED
                       
During the years 2006 & 2007 following technologies were developed and recommended for adoption by the farmers in the zone

• Seed soaking with streptocycline 0.02% and thiourea @ 500 ppm for 3 hours has been recommended for improving yield of clusterbean.
• For the management of insect pests and leaf curl in chilli, a bio-intensive based module has been recommended. It includes sequential foliar spray of azadirachtin 3 ml/lit + entomopathogen fungus verticillium fungus spray @ 1 ml/liter of water at 30 & 40 days after transplanting followed by verticillium fungs spray @ 1 ml/litre of water at 50 days after transplanting and spinosad 45 SC @ 200 ml/ha spray at 70 & 90 days after transplanting.
• Application of Trichoderma @ 2.5 kg along with 1 q FYM per ha before sowing in mothbean and clusterbean has been found effective in controlling of root rot.
• Termite can be effectively management in groundnut through seed treatment with entomopathogen fungus, Beauveria brassina @ 8 g/kg seed + soil application of same fungus @ 5 kg/ha with 125 kg/FYM before sowing.
• Spray of FeSO4 @ 0.5% has been found promising to overcome the problem of yellowing (iron chlorosis) in sorghum after first cut.
• Seed inoculation with bio-fertilizers- Azotobacter and phosphorus solubilizing bacteria (PSB) each 500 g/ha in mustard enhanced the seed yield and saved 25% nitrogen and phosphorus.
• Oxyfluorfen or oxadiargyl @ 50 g ha-1 applied at 20 DAS with an additional one hand weedling at 35 DAS have been recommended for effective controlling of weeds in cumin.
• In mustard two foliar sprays of TGA (Thioglycollic acid) @ 100 ppm at 50% flowering and pod filling stage enhanced the seed yield considerably.
• For combating crust formation and better seedling establishment of pearlmillet compaction of furrows by 4 kg rubber wheel fitted behind each tyne of tractor drawn seed drill was found effective.
•  For management of leaf spot and stem blight in mung-bean, seed treatment with Carbendazim 50 WP @ 2 g/kg seed followed by two foliar sprays of Carbendazim @ 0.1% (1g/lit)- first at initiation of the disease and subsequently after15 days  were recommended.
• For management of bacterial leaf spot of mungbean, seed dip treatment with streptocycline @ 300 ppm (3 g/litre of water) followed by two foliar sprays of streptocycline @ 100 ppm, first at initiation of the disease and subsequently at 15 days interval was recommended.
• For management of leaf crinkle/mosaic disease and vector of mothbean through non chemicals, garlic extract 5% + neem seed extract 5 % mixture or Azadirachtin (NSKE) 4% + cow urine 10% proved effective alternative to chemical control.
• For management of yellowing in groundnut foliar spray of FeSO4 @ 0.5% + citric acid @ 0.1% at 40 and 55 DAS was found effective. 
• For management of aphid in mustard, spray of Thiamethoxam 25 WG @ 100g/ha on  appearance was recommended as an alternative to already recommended chemicals
• Application of oxadiargyl @ 90 g/ha (pre-emergence) in mustard crop found effective for management of broad leaf weeds.
• Two sprays of cow urine 10% + garlic extract 2% + NSKE 2.5% were found effective for the management of aphid and blight in organic cumin.
• 75% recommended dose of fertilizers + 25% N through FYM + seed treatment with Azospirillum @ 100g/kg seed + phosphorus solubilizing bacteria @ 600 g/ha mixing with 100 kg FYM and applied in rows have been recommended as an integrated nutrient management approach for castor.
• Sulphur @ 20 kg/ha through gypsum has been proved effective in castor for higher yield.
• Seed treatment with carbendazim 50 WP @ 2 g/kg along with amending the soil with farm yard manure (FYM) 5 t/ha + Trichoderma culture @ 2.5 kg/ha were found most effective in managing the wilt disease of isabgol.