Coimbatore: Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) has released 13 crop varieties as 'Pongal Gift' to the farmers in the State.
Coimbatore: Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) has released 13 crop varieties as 'Pongal Gift' to the farmers in the State.
Known for its academic and research excellence, the TNAU in Coimbatore will be releasing improved crop varieties in agriculture and horticulture. "The crops will cater to the needs and aspirations of the farmers to overcome a bundle of constraints like drought, acute labour shortage and farm mechanization", a release said.
There are two rice varieties to be introduced in Tamil Nadu to suit dry and semi-dry conditions (Co. 53) and late samba / thaladi season, under irrigated conditions (ADT 54).
"TN is frequently affected with drought and to suit the delayed release of water in Mettur Dam, the newly added varieties will be ideal for the current
production scenarios. In order to replace or substitute ruling Co.86032 sugarcane, a mid-late high yielding variety CoC 13339 will be released", the release noted.
The release further noted that for the past 20 yeras, Co. 86032 variety of sugarcane comprises of 85% of cultivation in the State. "Now, there is an urgent need to have an alternative to that variety. 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. To overcome a serious devastating yellow mosaic viral disease in pulses, black gram (VBN 11) is to be released for adoption", the release said.
"In millets, two varieties (sorghum Co. 32 &Tenai ATL 1) have been recommended to improve nutritional security, particularly for 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 farmer's income. Further, stover can be used as the roughage or dry fodder", it noted.
"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 like Nei Poovan and tolerant to wilt and nematode. It is a boon to banana growers of Tamil Nadu.
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 have short shelf-life which can be overcome by the newly released one.
The YTP 2 cassava is 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 a high percentage of anthocyanin and rich source of anti-oxidant. The value of products 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.
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 lesions.
Known for its academic and research excellence, the TNAU in Coimbatore will be releasing improved crop varieties in agriculture and horticulture. "The crops will cater to the needs and aspirations of the farmers to overcome a bundle of constraints like drought, acute labour shortage and farm mechanization", a release said.
There are two rice varieties to be introduced in Tamil Nadu to suit dry and semi-dry conditions (Co. 53) and late samba / thaladi season, under irrigated conditions (ADT 54).
"TN is frequently affected with drought and to suit the delayed release of water in Mettur Dam, the newly added varieties will be ideal for the current
production scenarios. In order to replace or substitute ruling Co.86032 sugarcane, a mid-late high yielding variety CoC 13339 will be released", the release noted.
The release further noted that for the past 20 yeras, Co. 86032 variety of sugarcane comprises of 85% of cultivation in the State. "Now, there is an urgent need to have an alternative to that variety. 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. To overcome a serious devastating yellow mosaic viral disease in pulses, black gram (VBN 11) is to be released for adoption", the release said.
"In millets, two varieties (sorghum Co. 32 &Tenai ATL 1) have been recommended to improve nutritional security, particularly for 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 farmer's income. Further, stover can be used as the roughage or dry fodder", it noted.
"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 like Nei Poovan and tolerant to wilt and nematode. It is a boon to banana growers of Tamil Nadu.
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 have short shelf-life which can be overcome by the newly released one.
The YTP 2 cassava is 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 a high percentage of anthocyanin and rich source of anti-oxidant. The value of products 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.
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 lesions.