Tamil Nadu Agricultural University Releases 23 New Crop Varieties for Farmers

Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) yesterday released 23 new crop varieties. This includes 16 agricultural crops, 3 horticultural crops, and 4 tree varieties. Apart from this, TNAU introduced 10 agro technologies and 6 farm machinery items. 

TNAU Vice Chancellor V Geethalakshmi told the media that “The new varieties include 4 improved varieties of kavuni CO 57 paddy, 3 pulses, 2 oilseeds, 1 sugarcane, maize, green manure crop, and sunn hemp. Also, 4 new varieties like Peal millet hybrid COH10, Sorghum K13, Panivaragu ATL2, and Kudiraivali ATL1 have been introduced.”

 “Kavuni” is a medium-grain black rice variety named Co-57, whose yield also comes in double the usual. The TNAU vice-chancellor V Geethalakshmi has given the heads up and stated that it can be grown throughout the year.

“Kavuni produces a yield of 4600 kg/hectare- and that is a 100% increase in comparison to the variety that farmers are presently using. Moreover, it has a short harvest period of 130-135 days and is a much more viable variant for farmers.” She stated. Kavuni which also goes by the name Co-57 has a high nutritional value. It has increased amounts of fiber and protein and lesser carbohydrates. And this rice also has a less glycemic index; preventing sudden spikes in blood sugar levels. “Kavuni, due to the presence of flavonoids, also has anti-cancer properties,” The VC was quoted as saying.

The TNAU vice chancellor has released 16 agricultural crops, three horticultural crops, and four new tree varieties. Moreover, she has also brought into the foray 10 new farming techniques and six farm equipment. Another small grain KO-56 rice is already ready to go for public distribution as well.

“This 130-day rice is best suited for the samba and thaladi seasons. It would do well to be sown after the month of August. The yield comes with an increase of 15-20% and it provides a moderate level of resistance to pest attacks. For the delta regions, ADT-58 is best suited with its’ 15% increase in yield. And the idli rice variant ASD-21 is best for the southern districts. In comparison with the TPS-5 variant, less amount of urad dal can be used to get the same quality of idli,” V Geethalakshmi, TNAU Vice-chancellor, stated.

As a joint collaboration with the Sugarcane Breeding Institute named; a new sugarcane variety has been developed. This is called “Punnagai”; its specialty is a lack of flowering capacity designed to prevent sucrose wastage. A hybrid corn variant resistant to armyworm attack and with a higher yield, named Hybrid CoHM-11 has also been developed. Other varieties released by TNAU are: pearl millet KoH-10, sorghum K-13, barnyard millet varieties Athiyendal 1 and Athiyendal 2, green gram KO-9 and Vamban -6, sunflower CoH-4, sesame VRI-5 and ridge gourd Madurai-1. Spanish jasmine KO-1 can flower in the winter season. Add to the list new varieties of red sanders, casuarina and African mahogany were also released.