LUDHIANA, JANUARY 25:
Three new varieties each of fruits, vegetables, and flowers, developed by the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), have been approved for general cultivation in the Punjab state. The varieties including "Punjab Tej" and Punjab Sindhuri" of chilli; "PBH 3" of brinjal; "Daisy" and W. Murcott" of citrus; "Shweta" of guava; "Punjab Glad I" of gladiolus; and "Punjab Purple Wave" and "Punjab Choco Gold" of pansy, were approved for commercial cultivation in the state during the State Variety Approval Committee Meet for Horticulture Crops, held under the chairmanship of Dr L.S. Brar, Director of Horticulture, Punjab, at PAU.
The PAU Director of Extension Education, Dr M.S. Gill said that the salient features and characteristics of the varieties were thoroughly discussed during the meet. The senior officials, heads of various departments and faculty members of PAU also attended the meet.
Referring to "Punjab Tej" variety of chilli, Dr S.S. Gosal, Director of Research, PAU, said that its plants are light green, spreading and medium tall (5.7 cm). Its fruits are attractive, pungent, thin skinned, pendent, borne singly and are long (6.80 cm) and weigh 4.77g each. The fruits are high in pungency (1.32% capsacin content), dry matter (21.9%) and Vitamin C content (115 mg/100g), he highlighted. It is an early maturing variety with first picking in 75 days (red fruit) after transplanting, he told, while informing that the average yield of red ripe fruit is 56 q/acre. The variety is tolerant to major fungal and viral diseases and is suitable for processing and powder making.
About variety "Punjab Sindhuri" of chilli, Dr Gosal said that the variety has been developed by single plant selection from natural variability. Its plants are dark green, compact and medium tall (66.44 cm) and its fruits are pendent and borne singly. The fruits are long (7.14 cm) and weigh 5.44 g. He further explained that it is early in maturity with first picking in 75 days (red fruit) after transplanting and that the average yield of red ripe fruit is 76 q/acre. The fruits are high in pungency (1% capsacin content), dry matter (19.64%) and Vitamin C content (155 mg/100g), he highlighted. The variety is tolerant to major fungal and viral diseases and its fruits are suitable for fresh market and export.
Giving the details of "PBH 3" variety of brinjal, Dr Gosal said that it is an early maturing F-1 hybrid of small round groups. Its plants are medium in height (78 cm), compact, and thornless and its flowers are purple and borne in cluster. Saying that the fruits of the variety are small-oblong and shining purple with partial green calyx, he added that its average fruit weight is 59 g. It matures in 55 days and its average yield is 257 q/acre, informed he, observing that the variety is suitable for growing in rainy season.
The citrus fruit variety "Daisy" is an early maturing variety and matures between November 5-20, said Dr Gosal. It produces a medium-large, mid-season fruit with an attractive dark orange rind. Daisy is moderately seedy with one to three seeds per section, he told, saying that its average fruit weight is
210 g, seed number 9, TSS (total soluble sugars) 11.5%, acidity 0.54%, and juice content 41.8%. Its average yield is 56.9 kg per plant at fifth year of age and the variety is suitable for the area having soil pH less than 8. The variety is raised on Carrizo rootstock, he added.
Telling about another citrus fruit variety "W. Murcott," Dr Gosal said that its fruit is usually flattened with a thin, smooth, orange rind that is easy to peel. The flesh is orange-coloured and juicy with a rich and sweet flavour. Elaborating that it is a mid-season variety and matures between January 1-20, he told that its average fruit weight is 201 g, seed number 10, TSS 9.6%, acidity 0.68%, and juice content 39%. Its average yield is 57.4 kg per tree at fifth year of age and the variety is suitable for the area having soil pH less than 8. It is raised on Carrizo rootstock, he said.
The "Shweta" variety of guava is a selection from the open pollinated seedlings of apple colour guava, told Dr Gosal. Its fruits are sub-globose, smooth with creamy white flesh, TSS 10.5 to 11% and with semi-hard seeds. The average fruit weight is 195 g and number of seeds per fruit is 350, he said, adding that average fruit yield is 151 kg per plant. This variety can be stored for one week at ambient temperature of 15-20˚C and for two weeks in cold storage at 6-8˚C and 85-90% relative humidity.
Divulging details of the gladiolus variety "Punjab Gold I," Dr Gosal said that its leaves are pale green and sword shaped. Its spike length is 85 cm with 15 florets facing towards one side in alternate row arrangement, he told, saying that the florets are orange coloured with yellow centre. It takes 99 days to flowering with 16 days vase life. The variety produces 1 corm, 44 cormels per corm and is suitable for cut flower production, highlighted he.
The leaves of pansy variety "Punjab Purple Wave" are dark green with purplish tinge, said Dr Gosal. Its plant height is 30 cm, takes 64 days to flowering and the flowering duration is 76 days. Informing that its flowers are purple in colour with dark purple blotch, he noted that one plant produces about 71 flowers. The variety is suitable for pot culture and bedding.
Explaining about "Punjab Choco Gold" pansy variety, Dr Gosal said that its leaves are light green. Its plant height is 31 cm, takes 66 days to flowering and the flowering duration is of 83 days. Its flowers are yellow with prominent chocolate blotch, and one plant produces about 83 flowers, he told, adding that the variety is suitable for pot culture and bedding.
News From: http://www.7StarNews.com
Friday, January 25, 2013
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