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IARI develops tropical cabbage variety

Our Bureau

NEW DELHI, March 7

THE Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) has developed the world's first ever tropical cabbage variety suitable for cultivation in the northern plains under high temperatures. The variety, Pusa Ageti, released last week, can grow and form market able heads at a temperature range of 15-30 degrees, with day temperatures not exceeding 35 degrees.

It can be planted by mid-March and harvested from end-May to early-June. Planting can take place again during mid-August and then mid-October, with the heads ready for harvesting in late-October and January. ``The new variety will help farmers in the Nor th to take out three cabbage crops in a year, including the one planted in March. Currently, this is possible only in some areas of the South,'' said Dr. Narendra Singh, who heads the IARI's Vegetable Crops Division.

The head weight varies from 600 to 1,200 gm, which translates into yields of 11-33 tonnes per hectare depending upon the planting time (the autumn-winter and winter-spring crops give higher yields). The variety has grey-green foliage and flattish round c ompact head.

But the main benefit of the Pusa Ageti does not lie in its conferring the north Indian farmer the option to plant an extra cabbage crop during mid-March. The real utility is in its ability to produce seed under sub-tropical conditions prevalent in the no rthern plains.

``Pusa Ageti does not require chilling temperatures and can transform from vegetative to reproductive phase within a temperature range of 12-14 degrees. Currently, we have to import our seeds from Europe, with the Kashmir, Kalpa and Kullu valleys produci ng limited quantities. Thus, it has double benefits since the seeds can be produced in the northern plains, with heads being available in the off-season,'' Dr. Singh explained.

Dr. Singh said the country virtually imports its entire cabbage seed requirement, with annual imports of hybrid seeds (mainly from Holland and other European countries) valued at roughly Rs. 10 crores. The seeds are imported at the rate of Rs. 10,000 per kg and being sold here at Rs. 20,000-25,000 per kg.

``Cabbage is India's third largest vegetable crop after tomato and onion, with production annually amounting to three million tonnes. Pusa Ageti will now help us to meet our indigenous cabbage seed requirement,'' Dr. Singh stated.

Dr. Narendra Singh of the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) with the recently released Pusa Ageti, the world's first tropical cabbage variety developed by the institute.

Kamal Narang