R ARIVANANTHAM
COIMBATORE, JAN 14
The Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) based in Coimbatore has released new crop varieties to sustain the state’s varying climatic conditions ahead of harvest festival.
Releasing of new varieties as Pongal gift from state government and TNAU, a top official said as part of its continuous effort in introducing sustainable farm productivity and profitability, the university released 13 crop varieties, which includes 7 agricultural and 6 horticultural crops.
The university known for its academic prowess and research excellence has released new improved crop varieties that will suit the varying climatic conditions such as drought, acute labour shortage and farm mechanisation of the state.
A release from TNAU said, there are two rice varieties to be introduced in the state to suit dry and semi-dry conditions (Co. 53) and late samba/thaladi season under irrigated conditions (ADT 54).
The state is frequently confronted with drought and to suit the delayed release of water from Mettur Dam, these varieties are ideal for the current production scenarios.
Sugarcane
In order to replace or substitute ruling Co. 86032 sugarcane, a mid-late high yielding variety CoC 13339 to be released. The state has 85% of sugarcane under Co. 86032 which is ruling for the past 20 years and there is an urgent need to have alternative to that variety.
Cotton
With a view to promote mechanized harvest and high density planting, a zero monopodia cotton (Co. 17) has been developed. This cotton is very unique as it suits mechanized harvest and high density planting.
Blackgram
To overcome a serious devastating yellow mosaic viral disease in pulses, black gram (VBN 11) is to be released for adoption. In millets, two varieties (sorghum Co. 32 & Tenai ATL 1) have been recommended to improve the nutritional security particularly children. These are nutricereals rich in micronutrients especially Fe and Zn that are utmost essential for pregnant women and children. As these crops require less input, this can be recommended for doubling the farmers’ income. Further, stover can be used as the roughage or dry fodder.
Horticulture crops
In horticulture crops, six varieties have been recommended for release, including banana (Co. 2), tomato (hybrid Co. 4), aggregatum onion (Co. 6), cassava (YTP 2), manila tamarind (PKM – MT2) and manathakkali (Co. 1). The newly released banana Co.2 is proved tolerant to nematode which is very dreadful disease often combined with wilt. This banana resembles Ney poovan and tolerant to wilt and nematode. It is a boon to banana growers of Tamil Nadu.
Tomato, Onion
The tomato hybrid (Co. 4) is known to produce 27% higher fruit yield than other hybrids besides long shelf-life and high acidity. To cater to the needs of farmers demanding for seed propagated aggregatum onion and possessing a long-shelf life, Co.6 onion has been recommended by the committee. Shelf-life is the need of the hour and the existing onion variety (Co. 5) popular amongst farmers has short shelf-life which can be overcome by the newly released one. The YTP 2 cassava is a highly tolerant to mosaic disease recorded a high tuber yield (46.2 t/ha) with a starch content of 30%. Further, a red aril manila tamarind (PKM 2) which has high percentage of anthocyanin and rich source of anti-oxidan, the value of produce in the city market in the range of Rs. 150-200 per kg. As this tree requires less input and highly drought tolerant, it is highly recommended for Ramnad, Tuticorin, Virudhunagar and Sivagangai Districts.
Manathakkali
A highly valuable medicinal plant “manathakkali” Co. 1 is recommended for release as it carries a wide array of medicinal properties particularly vitamin B complex and a curative property against mouth lesion.
